Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: A reading device for reading identification information of cartridges comprises a judging circuit for judging whether the cartridge has an identification information storer for storing the identification information of a recording medium thereof, and an information reader for reading the identification information of the identification information storer. This judgment is made before the information reader reads the identification information of the identification information storer, and the information reader reads the identification information only in the event that the cartridge has an identification information storer. Accordingly, waste of time and labor are spared for reading the identification information, and trouble such as deterioration and damage from to attempting to read the identification information from storage medium cartridges which do not have the identification information storers can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice monitoring system for remote subscribers, which enables voice monitoring for even those calls which are set in speech mode after connected by drop-back in remote local equipment without the intervention of a time division switch in a telephone network. The voice monitoring system for remote subscribers offered by this invention is intended for voice monitoring for subscribers accommodated by remote local equipment connected to a time division switch in a telephone network.

Abstract: A method of selecting a zone lay-out of a hard disk drive on the basis of head/recording medium performance, which method includes (a) setting a reference position of each of the magnetic heads to measure the head performance, and a reference value of the head performance at the reference position; (b) making a disk drive by selecting a zone lay-out corresponding to the reference value of the head performance; (c) measuring an error rate of all zones of the disk drive by using the selected zone lay-out; and (d) when the measured error rate does not satisfy the reference value, selecting another zone lay-out of another disk drive of lower capacity, and performing the next test on that disk drive.

Abstract: A magnetic track on a roll of photographic film is divided into a leader track on the forward end part of the film and a frame track corresponding to each frame, which is located after the ladder part. A manufacturer identification code including the manufacturer code which is peculiar to the manufacturer, a function selection code indicating a specific function and the like is recorded in the leader track. In each frame track, magnetic information is stored which is determined by the manufacturer identification code, the function selection code and the like. Furthermore, a film image on a roll of developed film is read out, then an image of one or plural frames is displayed on a TV monitor. Users enter the above described magnetic information while looking at a display screen of the TV monitor so that magnetic information relating to a printing can be recorded easily and without mistakes.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are disclosed for storing servo information on a rotatable disc of a disc drive at a frequency that varies for each track defined on the disc. A servo track writing system is provided which generates a fixed frequency pattern clock signal that indicates the appropriate angular locations on the disc at which the servo information is to be written, and a servo write clock signal having a selectively variable frequency at which the servo information is written. A reset pulse temporarily suspends and restarts the servo write clock signal so as to be in phase with the pattern clock signal at the initiation of the output of the servo information.

Abstract: A write synchronization system in a headerless format magnetic disk device. The system transmits encoded synchronization signals containing disk administration information such as servo burst information between a servo controller and other disk controller components such as a hard disk controller and a microprocessor or digital signal processor. The servo controller interprets the disk administration information read from the magnetic disk and sends an encoded signal to the other disk controller components for each servo burst encountered on when reading the disk. The disk administration information in the signals can be verified by comparing the contents of a present signal to the contents of at least one previous signal to determine if a servo burst from a sequence of servo bursts has been missed. A missing servo burst can also be identified by measuring the time interval between signals from the servo controller.

Abstract: A high density and high data rate disk drive with multi-arm-track-per-head access is disclosed. Small track width and small track pitch are achieved with small head-to-media distances and thin film magnetic head access arm. Track seek movements are totally eliminated for disk access. A plurality of thin film magnetic read/write heads is etched into a magnetic head arm. An assembly of a plurality of said magnetic head arms is provided to position each of said arms over each surface of each disk on said disk drive. An apparatus is structured with each assembly of said magnetic head arms to provide adjustment of track-head misalignment caused by environment temperature changes to eliminate thermal induced misregistration (TMR) effects. A plurality of said assemblies of magnetic head arms is provided to position multiple arms over the same surface of a disk, and over all surfaces of all disks, on said disk drive.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing multimedia telecommunication services to multimedia workstations. The multimedia workstations communicate with a multimedia central office which includes a digital switch complex coupled to a public digital telephone network, and at least one twisted pair transceiver coupled to at least one twisted pair link in a telephone loop plant. The multimedia central office further includes at least one switch complex operatively associated with the digital switch complex and the at least one twisted pair transceiver. The multimedia central office is capable of transceiving signals with multimedia workstations interfaced to the public digital telephone network, and with multimedia workstations interfaced to the at least one twisted pair link in the telephone loop plant. The signals which are transceived include audio signals, video signals, and digital data signals used in providing the multimedia telecommunication services.

Abstract: A telephone system including circuitry for monitoring the "on hook" and "off hook" conditions of telephone handsets coupled to a system controller and disconnecting all off hook handsets from the telephone line. With the detection of an alarm condition at a security alarm system that requires a communication link, line seizure is effected via an SCR controlled seizure circuit serially connected between each distributed handset and the telephone line. The seizure circuit normally conducts when a connected telephone is off hook. Upon detecting an alarm, a line monitor momentarily shorts the telephone line to drive any conducting line seizure circuits into a non-conducting condition that is maintained sufficiently long to permit the system controller to gain control of the line. During controller communications, the handsets are also isolated from the telephone line. A local phone is also coupled to permit reprogramming if an inoperative line is detected.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing information services to subscribers of a telecommunication network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). Access to the information services is based on the traffic condition of the telecommunication network. An access signal indicating the availability of the information services is generated for receipt by subscribers. The access signal and the information may be transferred in a broadcast mode. The information services may be accessed on demand or automatically. With the invention low traffic hours in the telecommunication network can be made more productive.

Abstract: A disk drive employs a method for writing a block of data (or multiple blocks of data) to a data region following a defective servo sectors. The disk drive includes a sampled head positioning servo system and a rotating disk with a plurality of data tracks on a surface of the disk. Each data track has multiple spaced-apart sequentially-active servo sectors. Data regions are disposed between the servo sectors. The method includes the step of executing a command to perform a write operation to write a data block to a target data region. A defective servo sector S.sub.n is encountered preceding the target data region during the write operation. The defective servo sector S.sub.n precedes a servo sector S.sub.n+1 and follows a servo sector S.sub.n-1. A timer interval is set to enable a first detection window Dw.sub.n+1 for detecting a field in servo sector S.sub.n+1 . If the field is detected within the detection window Dw.sub.n+1, a field is detected within a detection window Dw.sub.n-1 for the servo sector S.

Abstract: A least cost routing system is disclosed. The routing system includes at least one telephone dialing unit, at least one least cost router and a database updating unit. The telephone dialing unit dials a telephone number to place a telephone call. Each least cost router has a corresponding routing database of tariffs of telephone service providers and determines, from information in its corresponding routing database, which telephone service provider or providers to utilize to execute the telephone call. The database updating unit electronically updates tariff information into each of the routing databases shortly after updated tariff information is entered therein.

Abstract: A telecommunication and alarm system for connection to: a four-wire or two-wire telephone network, a two-terminal doorphone unit, and one or more alarm detectors connected in parallelCOMPRISINGa line and extension connection for communication with the "tip" and "ring" wires of the incoming telephone line and the service pair of wires enabling in-house plug-in installation of the inventive device; and an alternate extension connection for communication with the "tip" and "ring" pair of the telephone wires leading to the in-house single-line extension telephones;a plurality of connection modules each equipped with a slide entry plug and a slide entry jack, the plug end of which to be inserted within the telephone wall outlet, and the jack of which to receive the telephone cord of the extension telephone set;an input connection for unidirectional communication with a two-terminal doorphone unit, from any in-house extension telephone, and means to toggle the direction of speech upon pulsing one same digit on the

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a method is provided for handling a flash-hook signal from a telephone engaged in a first telephone call with a first distant party when a second telephone call with a second distant party is in a hold status. The method includes the steps of placing the first telephone call with the first distant party in the hold status, connecting the second telephone call, and providing a Caller ID indication to the telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a telephone according to the invention includes a flash-hook, and a Caller ID display. The telephone is adapted to display Caller ID data associated with a first call, and to be updated upon connection of a second call, in response to activation of the flash-hook, to display Caller ID data associated with the second call.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a data transmission transmitted over a telephone line includes the first step of determining if a data transmission is incoming or outgoing over a telephone line. In the second method step, a modem is configured to monitor a receive portion of the telephone line if the first step determines that the transmission is outgoing. The modem is configured to monitor a transmit portion of the telephone line if the first step determines that the transmission is incoming. In the third method step, a data signal is detected from the data transmission. The method may include the further step of maintaining statistics corresponding to the data signal. The data transmission may be a facsimile transmission. The data signal may be any one of a DCS signal, an MCF signal, and an RTP signal.

Abstract: An external plug-in module is inserted, or field retrofitted, between a validator and a phone chassis and incorporates circuitry to condition the coin signals generated by the validator. This signal conditioning eliminates the possibility of the chassis being improperly triggered and generating false coin tone signals during periods of interrupted power.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the operational status of a network element in an advanced intelligent network is provided. Custom telecommunications services, such as a call forwarding service, are processed by routing a call to a network element, such as a service circuit node, that processes the call and provides the custom telecommunications service. When the network element or application software resident at that network element fails, calls routed to that network element may be mishandled. The method and system of the present invention utilize advanced intelligent network services to monitor a desired network element prior to routing a call to that network element for custom telecommunications service. A heartbeat message is utilized between a monitored network element and a monitoring network element. The method and system reduce network element downtime by alerting maintenance personnel of network element or application software failure.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus capable of correctly reproducing information from a large number of recording tracks without requiring tracking servo. A recording medium is formed with at least one pilot track on which a pilot signal is recorded and a plurality of information data tracks which have the same track width as the pilot track and on which information data is recorded, where the pilot track and the information data tracks are arranged adjacent to each other.

Abstract: In a stepping motor control method having an object for correctly and relatively simply determining the position of a pseudo-track center in the dead zone of a stepping motor, a forwardly and reversely rotatable stepping motor is rotated by that a plurality of the excitation phases thereof are sequentially driven by a driving pulse, a head is moved to a predetermined track position of a disc-shaped recording medium, a predetermined one of the excitation phases of the stepping motor is additionally driven by being intermittently supplied with a driving current for a minute period of time when the head moves to the predetermined track position and enters the dead zone of the stepping motor and the head is stopped at an end of the dead zone of the stepping motor.