Abstract: A magnetic-optical disc memory system wherein header information items which include sector marks indicating initial positions of sectors, track Nos., and sector Nos. are previously provided on a magnetic-optical disc in the form of embossed pits and wherein data information items are written in the form of magnetic signals in data areas other than the header areas. Photodetectors detect the header information and the data. The operation of switching outputs from the photodetectors is controlled in accordance with a timing based on the point of time at which a sector mark signal has been detected from the output of the photodetector which detects the header area.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing information along tracks on an optical disc by irradiating the optical disc with a laser beam comprises a tracking error detecting circuit for detecting the digression of the laser beam from the center line of each track and a level detector for detecting that the output of the tracking error detecting circuit exceeds a predetermined level. An operation for recording information in the optical disc by the laser beam is stopped when the output of the level detector takes a predetermined state indicating that the output of the tracking error detecting circuit exceeds the predetermined level, for a first predetermined time, and a signal indicating the occurrence of off-track is generated when the duration time of the predetermined state in the output of the level detector exceeds a second predetermined time which is longer than the first predetermined time.

Abstract: In a magneto-optical reproducing head including first and second beam splitters (21, 22) and a Faraday effect member (25) between the splitters to suppress return to a laser beam source (11) of a reversed laser beam reversedly sent from a magneto-optical recording medium (12) on which a forward laser beam is incident, the second beam splitter is made to have a transmissivity of at least 0.5 for a p-polarized component. For an s-polarized component, the second beam splitter has a reflectivity which is substantially equal to unity as usual. In order to produce a servo control signal, a signal producing circuit (17) is made to receive an s-polarized component which is substantially totally reflected in the first beam splitter and into which the Faraday effect member converts the p-polarized component having reversedly passed through the second beam splitter. The transmissivity of the second beam splitter should preferably be at least 0.75 and not greater than 0.8.

Abstract: A picture recording apparatus for recording as a hard copy such as a photography television image signals of a still picture reproduced on a display tube of a television monitor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a device for reproducing television image signals of a still picture on a display screen of a television monitor as a picture, and a device for projecting the reproduced picture onto a recording medium, and circuitry for magnifiying a part of the reproduced picture on the screen in a vertical scanning direction and/or a horizontal scanning direction.

Abstract: A combination magnetic transducer head apparatus which can easily achieve initial formatting of data tracks of a rotating magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk without using a specific separate initial formatting system. The apparatus comprises a magnetic head for initial formatting, another magnetic head for servo control and a magnetic recording and playback head all mounted on a head slider. In the apparatus, at least one track is first recorded on a magnetic disk by the magnetic head for initial formatting and then another track is recorded by the magnetic recording and playback head while the first track is scanned by the magnetic head for servo control whereafter such a series of operations are repeated until completion of recording of all tracks required.

Abstract: As tape moving at high speed through a closed loop tape transporter (10) is conveyed into a storage bin (64) the tape is directed against a curved tape deflecting surface opposite and in spaced-apart relation to the bin entrance (63). A plurality of vacuum ports (96) are positioned in spaced-apart relation generally along the path of tape movement on the tape deflecting surface (64A). As the tape moves along the tape deflecting surface (64A), vacuum-induced drag is applied to the tape to create a progressive breaking force which slows the tape and causes the tape to form into loops. The loops assist the tape is accumulating in the bottom of the bin in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A closed loop, high-speed tape transporter (10) includes a vacuum supply (11A), a first vacuum column (40) operatively connected to the vacuum supply (11A) and positioned upstream from a pick-up head (100) and downstream from a tape bin (64) for receiving the loop of tape and exerting a vacuum-induced holdback tension thereon, a second vacuum column (50) operatively connected to the vacuum supply (11A) and positioned downstream of head (100) and upstream of the tape bin (64) for exerting a vacuum-induced pull forward tension on the tape in opposition to the holdback tension exerted on the tape by the first vacuum column (40). A motor-driven capstan (60) is positioned intermediate the pick-up head (100) and the second vacuum column (50). Capstan (100) is driven at a constant speed equal to the ideal reference tape duplication speed. Tape drive capstans (62A) and (70A) cooperate with the first and second vacuum columns (40) and (50) for moving the tape.

Abstract: A timing signal generator for use in a system reproducing video format signals such as a video disc player, the timing signals being used to control a still-with-sound (SWS) processor operating with the video disc player. The timing signal generator includes a synchronizing signal separator circuit for extracting the vertical and composite synchronizing signals from the reproduced video signal. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal is input to a phase-locked loop which produces a system clock synchronized to the vertical synchronizing signal. A horizontal synchronizing circuit receives the system clock signal and the composite synchronizing signal to produce a timing signal in phase with the system clock within the horizontal period. A vertical synchronizing circuit receives the extracted vertical synchronizing signal and the output of the horizontal synchronizing circuit to produce a timing signal synchronous with the system clock within the vertical period.

Abstract: A digital conversion system for a color video signal comprising a system which selectively converts an analog composite color video signal and analog primary color video signals to digital signals includes: a matrix circuit (17) which forms a luminance signal and first and second color difference signals from the input analog primary color video signals; and a switching circuit (18) which converts the first and second color difference signals to a sequential color difference signal. A switch (28) selects the luminance signal from the matrix circuit (17) or the input NTSC analog composite color video signal. A first analog to digital converter (41) receives an output from the switch (28); and a second analog to digital converter (42) receives the sequential color difference signal.

Abstract: A reset system for a telephone answering machine which, in the event of a power failure, or should the telephone answering machine be disconnected from the power mains, will reset the telephone answering machine when power is restored to the condition it was in just prior to the power failure. In a specific embodiment to be described, when power is restored, an incoming message magnetic tape is set to rewind for a selected time interval (for example, 2 to 3 seconds), and the number of pulses generated by the magnetic tape mechanism during that period are examined. If the number of pulses exceeds a predetermined minimum, it is assumed that there are incoming messages recorded on the tape, and the tape is returned to the position it occupied prior to rewind. In addition, control and indicator mechanisms within the system are set to the state they were in just prior to the power failure.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus frequency modulators (25-28) are provided for carriers having different frequencies with an information signal. The different frequency carriers are sequentially combined by a switch (12) and applied to a recording head in response to the head being shifted from one track to the next to record each of the carriers on a different track, so that there is a difference in frequency between carriers recorded on adjacent tracks. During playback, the frequency-modulated carriers are sequentially reproduced and separated by band-pass filters (25-24) into individual carriers, frequency-demodulated respectively by demodulators (29-32) and sequentially combined by a switch (33) to form the original information signal. Tracking control circuit (100) is provided to control the lateral position of the transducer head in response to the carriers which are derived from tracks on opposite sides of the track being scanned.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine which upon initial power-up plays back a message recorded by the manufacturer on the incoming message tape. This message may be in the form of advertising, operational instructions, or the like. Subsequent use of the machine causes the initial message to be erased. The message is recorded at the beginning of the incoming message tape together with a pre-defined tone. Upon initial power-up, the incoming message tape is rewound to its home position by the microcomputer of the telephone answering machine and, if the tone is detected, the machine automatically plays back the recorded message. At the end of the playback, the incoming message tape is returned to its home position and the telephone answering machine is set by the microcomputer to its auto answer mode, ready to respond to the first telephone call.

Abstract: A reader/writer for an IC card as an external memory is constructed with a carriage longitudinally movable in a casing which is normally held in a waiting position. The carriage is held by a spring and moved to an operating position by manually inserting the IC card engaging therewith against the force of the spring. A block having contact pins is snugly embraced by the carriage and is adapted to vertically move relative to the carriage when the carriage is moving to the operating position by sliding up a sloped floor to establish an electrical connection with contact points on the IC card.The IC card is held by angularly movable hooks actuated by a lever to be moved by the carriage. The hooks are retracted by disengaging the lever from a latch. Concurrently, the carriage is returned to the initial waiting position to eject the IC card out of the casing.

Abstract: A peripheral memory controller controls a helical scan magnetic tape recorder so as to record and play back data files in parallel tracks on a magnetic tape. The tape is contained in a cassette having a magnetic disk fixably mounted on one reel of the cassette so that the movement of the tape and rotation of the disk are simultaneous. The peripheral memory controller refers to a file allocation table stored in one (or more) tracks on the disk, in order to correlate data file descriptions with track locations on the tape. A disk head rapidly scans the file allocation table disk track(s) within just one (or a few) revolutions of the disk while transmitting the contents of the table to the peripheral memory controller. The controller deduces therefrom the tape track location of a particular data file and commands the tape to be transported to that location in order to access that file.

Abstract: Dictate/transcribe apparatus in which plural modules, each including at least two record/playback decks, are interconnected. A switch in each module selects one or the other or neither of the decks therein to operate in a transcribe mode; and a transducer and operation selector are connected to one of the modules to effect a transcribe operation from the deck which has been selected to operate in the transcribe mode regardless of the particular module in which that deck is located. The electrical coupling arrangement between the modules permits audio signals to be transmitted from the transcribe deck to the particular module to which the transducer and operation selector are connected, and also allows function control signals to be transmitted from the operation selector to the module which includes the transcribe deck.

Abstract: An information reading apparatus for reading information includes a board having a plane optical waveguide and a light source on the board. Light beam emitted from the source is conducted by a first optical system to a predetermined direction through the waveguide. Part of the light beam is deffracted toward a second optical system by a surface elastic wave region formed in the waveguide. The second optical system conducts the light beam to an information recording region of a card through the waveguide and leads reflected light beam from the information recording region to a photodetector. The light beam not diffracted by the elastic wave region is conducted to a third optical system formed in the waveguide. The system conducts the light beam to a synchronizing signal recording region of the card and leads reflected light beam from the synchronizing signal recording region to a photodetector.

Abstract: An auto tracking apparatus is arranged to divide a tracing time period of one field of a frame into a plurality of time domains and to sample and hold the envelope detection output signal of a reproduced high frequency signal at every time domain. This sample-and-hold operation is successively made for the following frame and each of the sampled values is compared with the previously value sampled at the corresponding time domain. In accordance with the results of the comparison the displacement of the reproducing head is controlled at every sampling point so that a reproducing head can accurately scan the track along the center line thereof.

Abstract: A servo system, for positioning a transducer of a rotatable storage apparatus over a servo tracks of a magnetic disc processes trains of positioning pulse signals. A reference voltage, changing with time, having a predetermined pattern, is generated and compared with a train of positioning pulse signals. The magnitude of the positioning signals, which varies with the displacement of the transducer from a guide path to be followed, the number of the positioning signals exceeding the reference voltage pattern is counted and an error signal for the servo system is determined as a function of the count and is fed back in a digital form.

Abstract: A message retrieval system is disclosed which includes a plurality of answering machines, each connected to respected telephone line. Each answering machine records telephone responses on a respective message memory unit and all message memory units are connected to a single message processor. The message processor is in turn connected to a number of retrieval consoles used by operators to transcribe messages from the message memory units.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing an electronic picture file composed of pictures prerecorded on a plurality of video disks that are disposed in a multi-disk video player. The arrangement and content of the picture file is determined by an editing procedure that specifies a plurality of attributes, such as image category, picture order, time allotted for viewing each picture, text to accompany each picture, and the like. The task of specifying these attributes is made manageable by partitioning the editing procedure into several levels, each level standing alone and undertaken separately as a complete, but simplified, editing procedure that produces an edited picture file ready for viewing.