Abstract: A compact disc player includes an optical pickup supported by a carriage and a microprocessor for controlling the movement of a coarse actuator and a fine actuator. The coarse actuator controls the movement of the carriage and maintains its position when power is interrupted to the coarse actuator. The fine actuator is disposed between the carriage and the pickup and provides fine movement for the pickup when power is supplied to the actuator. The fine actuator moves the pickup to a neutral position when power is interrupted. A resume function is provided that restores the position of the pickup after a power interruption to its position before the interruption. A value indicative of the position of the pickup relative to the carriage is stored in memory. When power is restored to the disc player, the value is read from memory. The disc control microprocessor directs incremental movements of the fine actuator until the position of the pickup corresponds to the position represented by the stored value.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering a play list of a Random Access Player without interrupting the generation of output by the Player. The method includes initiating a reproduction mode that activates the Random Access Player, commencing the generating of output by the Random Access Player and receiving play list requests while the Random Access Player is generating the output, and processing the received play list requests while the Random Access Player is generating the output such that the play list is altered without interrupting the generation of output by the player.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering a play list of a Random Access Player without interrupting the generation of output by the Player. The method includes initiating a reproduction mode that activates the Random Access Player, commencing the generating of output by the Random Access Player and receiving play list requests while the Random Access Player is generating the output, and processing the received play list requests while the Random Access Player is generating the output such that the play list is altered without interrupting the generation of output by the player.

Abstract: An electronic theft deterrent system for deterring theft of an electronic device, such as a radio associated with a vehicle, that takes advantage of already existing device parameters, controls and displays associated with the device. When used as a theft deterrent system for the vehicle radio, a radio operator will first activate a frequency control switch in order to set an arbitrary frequency in the display of the radio. Next, a predetermined set of theft key radio control buttons are activated for a predetermined time in order to cause the arbitrary frequency that is displayed to be stored in a non-volatile memory. When the frequency is stored, the radio volume is impaired, but the total operation of the radio is not disabled. When the operator wishes to restore the radio to its normal operating condition, the operator will reset the arbitrary frequency, and reactivate the theft key control buttons.