Abstract: A confocal microscope is provided that can perform automatic focussing. A beam splitter (9) is additionally disposed along an optical path of light split from reflected light from the surface of an object of a confocal microscope, whereby when light is focussed on the surface of a light detector (7), a difference between a quantity of light detected by a second light detector (11) and a quantity of light detected by a third light detector (13) is constructed so as to become a predetermined quantity, while when light is not focussed on the surface of the light detector (7), the difference between the quantity of light detected by the second light detector and the quantity of light detected by the third light detector is a quantity of light that is different from the predetermined quantity, and the object is automatically controlled such that the difference in quantity of light between the light detectors becomes the predetermined quantity.

Abstract: A disk cartridge (21) for loading on a flat tray (1) included in a disk loading apparatus. Recesses (29) are provided on the back side of the disk cartridge near the rear end (27a) thereof, and projections (16) are provided on the tray for judging whether the disk cartridge is loaded properly on the tray. In addition, notches (30) are formed on the right (27d) and left (27c) sides of the disk cartridge between the recesses and the rear end thereof for engagement with an automatic cartridge-changer.

Abstract: A disk cartridge (21) for loading on a flat tray (1) included in a disk loading apparatus, wherein positioning holes (28) are provided at the rear end (27a), on a peripheral side, of the disk cartridge, and protrusions (18) are formed on the tray providing for a rigid positioning of the cartridge in order to fix the cartridge at the specified position on the tray. In addition, a groove (32) is formed on the face side and on the back side of the cartridge extending in a lateral direction, and a resin flow inlet (33) is provided at the rear end (27a) to improve the productability of a thin portion (26) of the cartridge.

Abstract: A flat tray (1) for receiving a disk cartridge (21) for a disk loading apparatus, wherein positioning holes (28) are provided at the rear end (27a), on a peripheral side, of the disk cartridge, and protrusions (18) are formed on the tray providing for a rigid positioning of the cartridge in order to fix the cartridge at the specified position on the tray. The protrusions (18) may be made of leaf springs that are formed with one end curved. When the disk cartridge (21) is pushed into the tray (1), the curved portions of the protrusions match the positioning holes (28) on the disk cartridge.

Abstract: The novel liquid crystal compounds of the present invention are represented by the following formulas ?I!-?II! and have tristable molecular orientation states and can be used for display devices and electrooptical devices. ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group of 5-18 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group of 6-16 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 represents an alkyl group of 8-18 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 represents an alkyl group of 6-14 carbon atoms; Y represents ##STR2## and * indicates an optically active center.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to present a recording and reproducing apparatus capable of mounting a bare disk and a cartridge selectively on a tray, without dropping from the tray in vertical position.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents ##STR2## Y represents ##STR3## (A) and (B) each represents a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## and ##STR5## and * indicates an optically active center.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a stepping motor driving apparatus having a rotor and a stator in n (an integer equal to or larger than 2) phases for moving a moving body is provided. The stepping motor driving apparatus includes a driver for selectively supplying to the stator a first current pattern for rotating the rotor at a first pitch and a second current pattern for rotating the rotor at a second pitch different from the first pitch based on a drive switching signal. The driver switches the first current pattern and the second current pattern at a point where a torque generated by the first current pattern is equal to a torque generated by the second current pattern and supplies the first current pattern or the second current pattern to the stator.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus using high density recording disk, such as optical disk. The recording and reproducing device of this invention can accommodated both disk and disk cartridges of a plurality of differing sizes. Because this invention can accommodate both disk and disk cartridges, a single device that can both record and reproduce information to or from a high density disk is achieved.

Abstract: A disk cartridge (21) for loading on a flat tray (1) included in a disk loading apparatus, wherein an inclined groove (32) is formed on the face side (22a) and the back side (22b) of the disk cartridge to extend in the moving direction of the shutter (23). A resin flow inlet (33) is provided at the rear end (27a) to improve the productability of the thin part of the cartridge. The inclination of the groove enables to detect when a wrong side of the disk cartridge is put on the tray.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: The present invention enables a disc loading apparatus to handle both a bare disc and a disc housed in disc cartridge for writing/reading signals, which comprisesa holding device consisting of a first holding device for elastically fitting with holding cuts provided at both sides of a disc cartridge inserted in an inserting gate and a second holding device for elastically holding the circumferential edge of a bare disc inserted in said inserting gate, which device is movable along a direction connecting said inserting gate and a table, anda transfer means to carry said holding device so that disc and a disc housed in said disc cartridge travel between said inserting gate and said turn table; thusa bare disc and a disc cartridge are selectively held by the holding device to be loaded.

Abstract: A liquid crystal orientation controlling membrane, characterized by the polyimide membrane comprising the repeating unit represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1 represents a diamine moiety which is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## Ar.sub.2 represents tetravalent carboxylic acid moiety which is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## Another invention is a ferroelectric liquid crystal element or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal element using the polyimide orientation controlling membrane mentioned above. The present liquid crystal element is used to a large picture display with high resolution, a TV picture display with wide viewing angle and a liquid crystal optical shutter.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric liquid crystal compound of the following formulae: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each is an alkyl group of C.sub.4 - C.sub.18, Rf is CF.sub.3 or C.sub.2 F.sub.5, X is O, COO, or a single bond, and * shows an optically active carbon atom.

Abstract: A cleaning cartridge for use with an optical recording apparatus cleans from outside of the apparatus, an object lens of an optical disc recording apparatus or the like having a separation type optical system and glass covers for covering projection windows through which lasers are projected. A brush (28)for use on an object lens and a brush (26) for cleaning the glass covers (18)can be moved from outside. In order to effect operation of the cleaner, the transfer base (movable portion including the object lens of the head) is adapted to be transferred by the magnet, the inclined face or a transfer means within the apparatus.

Abstract: (R)- and (S)-enantiomer composition represented by the formula (I) having sufficient high optical purity for exhibiting optically tristable states in S*(3) phase; ##STR1## wherein Ra means a C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 alkyl group or a C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 alkoxy group, preferably a C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 alkyl group, Rb means a C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 normal alkyl group or a C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 branched alkyl group, X means a ##STR2## group or a ##STR3## group, Z means a fluorine containing alkyl group, preferably a trifluoromethyl group and * shows an optically active carbon.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. The indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.