Abstract: A method of operating a disk player that reproduces information recorded on a disk. Programs on the disk are addressed from a directory in a memory and the programs are sequentially accessed according to the order in the directory. The directory can be filled by inserting random numbers or by scanning through the programs or over the tracks. A table of contents at the beginning of the disk is read if possible. The tracks can be scanned and only tracks having new programs are reproduced. Also a playback position servo operates with a dead-zone in the drive voltage.

Abstract: A disc player comprising a signal pickup unit to read information from a disc on which program information including address information is recorded, the signal pickup unit being movable with respect to the disc, pickup drive means to drive the pickup unit for movement with respect to the disc, and a control circuit including an address memory for storing the newest one of the addresses read from the disc, a counter operative to count addresses at predetermined time intervals for producing a signal representative of an expected address indicative of the position to which the pickup unit is expected to move in the next, the expected address being updated at predetermined time intervals, a detector circuit to produce a signal each time a discrepancy is found to exist between the newest address and the expected address.

Abstract: An automatic disc player including a housing, disc carrier means to convey a disc between predetermined playback position and a predetermined withdrawal position ready to be withdrawn out of the housing upon termination of plaback operation, signal generating means for producing control signals to be predominant over various steps of the playback operation, and an electric control circuit responsive to the control signals to control the various steps of the playback operation, the signal generating means comprising position detecting means responsive to movement of the disc to the withdrawal position and operative to produce a signal when the disc being moved away from the playback position reaches the withdrawal position, and playback re-start switch means which is operative to produce a signal in response to slight movement of the disc from the withdrawal position toward the playback position, the control signals to be produced by the signal generating means including signals to control the start of playbac

Abstract: A pulse-width modulation drive circuit for a load such as a motor, particularly, a motor used in a compact disc player or the like, in which losses in diodes used to absorb reverse EMF are substantially eliminated. For this purpose, the pulse widths of pulse signals used to on-off control drive current flow through the load are controlled so as to eliminate the diode losses. The circuits of the various embodiments of the invention are designed so as to be easily implemented in integrated circuit form.

Abstract: An automatic disc player including a housing, disc carrier means to convey a disc between predetermined playback position and a predetermined withdrawal position ready to be withdrawn out of the housing upon termination of playback operation, signal generating means for producing control signals to be predominant over various steps of the playback operation, and an electric control circuit responsive to the control signals to control the various steps of the playback operation, the signal generating means comprising position detecting means responsive to movement of the disc to the withdrawal position and operative to produce a signal when the disc being moved away from the playback position reaches the withdrawal position, and playback re-start switch means which is operative to produce a signal in response to slight movement of the disc from the withdrawal position toward the playback position, the control signals to be produced by the signal generating means including signals to control the start of playba

Abstract: A pickup level control device for a system for reading out recorded information which has a pickup element producing a pickup output signal. The device detects a dc component of the pickup output signal and produces a level control signal. A voltage level of the pickup output signal is controlled in response to the level control signal produced by the dc level detection operation. The control of the voltage level of the pickup output signal is performed by a variable impedance element connected to a terminal of the pickup element, so that a peak level of an ac component of the pickup output signal is controlled below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A level-shifting circuit is arranged such that the amount of level-shifting is controlled so that the DC requirement of a succeeding circuit may be satisfied. In particular, negative feedback control of the amount of level shift results in a constant zero DC potential being maintained at the circuit output.

Abstract: An electronic impedance circuit is constructed of a voltage-current converter and a variable gain current amplifier. The voltage-current converter includes first and second transistors of the PNP-type differentially connected. The variable gain current amplifier includes third and fourth transistors of the NPN-type differentially connected, and fifth and sixth transistors of the PNP-type as load means. The bases of the third and fourth transistors are respectively driven by collector signals of the first and second transistors, and a collector signal of the third transistor is fed back to the base of the second transistor. In order to reduce a d.c. offset attributed to a current flowing between the base of the second transistor and the collector of the third transistor, a compensation circuit is connected to the variable gain amplifier.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit has an operational amplifier and a negative feedback circuit. An input signal is applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, whereby a first output signal is provided from the output terminal of the operational amplifier. The first output signal is fed back to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier through the negative feedback circuit. The negative feedback signal of the negative feedback circuit is fed back to the inverting input terminal through an impedance converter. Thus, a second output signal of low distortion factor is derived from the output terminal of the impedance converter.

Abstract: A noise reduction system is provided which can operate as either a Dolby B-type or C-type system. In either case, an input signal is applied to the variable impedance of a high-level side chain through an identical shared filter circuit network. The high-level side chain has two voltage-current converters for controlling the variable impedance. By substantially inhibiting the operation of one of the two converters, the system operates as a C-type Dolby system. On the other hand, when the system operates as a B-type Dolby system, a bias current is applied to each of the two converters during periods of no input signal. This bias current is about half of a minute bias control current which is applied during no signal periods to the single converter used when the system operates as the C-type Dolby system.