Abstract: An automatic changer apparatus having a control system permitting the successive and/or selective playback of a plurality of record carriers having memory for storing a user-selected command value representing, for a record carrier, a total number of individual recorded pieces for playback, control devices included in the control system operative under program control for starting the playback of a first record carrier and playing back recorded pieces on the record carrier, and said control devices connected to said memory to receive the command value, and responsive thereto, to direct the automatic changer apparatus through a "variety" mode of operation including changing the first for a second record carrier when the registered number of recorded pieces played back from the first record carrier reaches the user-selected value, and repeating the starting and changing steps until all or a selection of the plurality of record carriers have been played back.

Abstract: A control system for a record changer apparatus having a plurality of record discs containing different kinds of information, such as entertainment, either music or video, and navigation information, Upon an interruption in operation, the operating positional location of a reproduction unit relative to the disc is determined and stored so as to permit the resumption of reading the information on that disc at the point of interruption or at a predetermined location when the reading of that disc is resumed.

Abstract: A power-driven apparatus for assisting in loading and unloading a disc into a player or recording apparatus comprising a housing for receiving and supporting the disc, a power-operated movable roller driven by a motor to rotate the disc and a movable detector for energizing the motor for guiding the disc into and out of the housing of the player. The edge of the disc is engaged by the roller which positively rolls the disc along an entrance surface, the roller and entrance surface being covered by a material having a high coefficient of friction so that the roller positively rolls the disc both into and out of the apparatus to assist in the loading and unloading.

Abstract: A slot-loading apparatus for a playback and/or recording device comprising a front panel having a slot defining a path for inserting and ejecting a record element and a door operated responsive to the insertion and ejection of the element. The angle and height of insertion are independently controlled by providing a door unit having a curved section facing a curved portion of the slot in the front panel. The movement of the door relative to the slot can be effectively utilized to provide light indicators for the apparatus.

Abstract: A video cassette adapter allowing a miniature cassette to be played in conventional video apparatus is disclosed. The adapter has the outer shape and dimensions of a standard, large size video cassette and has a cut-out portion in one face for receiving a miniature cassette having spools and recording tape extending therebetween normally in a small loop. Guide rollers are mounted on pivotable arms movable by a motor in the adapter for forming a large loop of the recording tape of a miniature cassette in the cut-out portion with a section of the large loop extending along a straight elongated path. Hubs are rotatably mounted for access through a face thereof by and for cooperation with spindles of a video apparatus and connected to rotate the miniature cassette spools to transfer recording tape along the path of the large loop.

Abstract: A cleaning cassette for cassette recorders in which movement of either spindle of the cassette recorder operates a cleaning element within the cassette casing. Transmission of the rotary movement is achieved by a pair of rotatably mounted reel hubs and a pair of exterior toothed wheels, one integral with each hub, with the reel hubs coupled together by a third intermediate exterior toothed wheel to form a permanent gear train. For driving a cleaning element, such as a felt tab, the intermediate wheel drives a cam and lever. By rotating either toothed wheel, the intermediate wheel causes the lever to move the tab alternately back and forth substantially parallel to the front edge of the cassette casing.

Abstract: A laser disk record player particularly adapted for mobile applications such as in portable players and automobile mounted players. The player is provided with locking means for preventing free movement of the laser carrying scanning assembly when the player is switched off, thereby to prevent excessive wear or accidental damage caused by random acceleration of the normally free arm. With the record player in the load position, the locking means engages the scanning assembly to prevent motion thereof. When a disk is inserted and the player is switched to the play position, means are provided for automatically freeing the locking means thereby to allow the control circuit of the laser player to take over positioning of the arm.

Abstract: A suspension system provides a motion damping mounting for carrying a record playback machine comprising a plurality of damping ring assemblies, each having an elastic ring for fastening between a machine and a support, the rings being flattened when secured such that opposite segments of each ring extend substantially straight and parallel such that a component of stress applied to the machine in the direction of the straight segments produces limited rolling movement of a flattened ring, which damps motion of the playback machine in the direction of the straight segments of the flattened ring, the flattened ring also damping motion of the machine vertically and laterally relative to the direction of the straight segments. According to this invention, the damping assembly includes a ring and mounting plates or clips and fasteners for securing the ring to the machine or the support.

Abstract: A photographic camera converting a captured optical image to a series of electronic signals is disclosed comprising a recording mechanism to record these signals including a recording head which executes transverse scanning movements with reference to a magnetic record medium so that at least one scanning movement corresponds to each image. The magnetic record medium is contained within a cassette that is removable from the camera body.

Abstract: A miniature cassette is disclosed comprising a casing having two rotatable spools for storing magnetic tape, guide rollers mounted in the casing for guiding the tape in different paths between the spools, and apertures in the end walls of the casing allowing the tape to exit from and enter into the casing along different paths between the spools wherein one of the paths is substantially perpendicular to the end walls of the casing.

Abstract: A record player apparatus with a laser reproduction unit and a movable support for moving the reproduction unit across the surface of a record as the record is rotated during a playing operation to position the reproduction unit to reproduce recordings in tracks on the records has a non-volatile memory unit for storing identification information read by the reproduction unit from tracks on the records which retains the information when the power supply is cut off and the reproducing is interrupted while the record is being rotated during a playing operation and has a mechanism for locating the reproduction unit in the position occupied when the power supply was cut off to resume the reproducing at the point of interruption when the power supply is reconnected.

Abstract: A detector system for the operative face of a disc carrying data on one face only is applicable to a laser or optical reading means which is located in turntable apparatus whereby the user is warned of the fact that the disc is placed upside-down and that, therefore, the data which it carries cannot be reproduced. A control signal is generated by the detector system, producing a warning or tripping an operation such as the rejection of the disc or the interruption of the insertion movement.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is disclosed having an optical system, a transducer in the form of CCD image sensors for producing image representing signals responsive to an image focused on the sensors by the optical system, an actuable shutter control and circuits in the camera for transmitting image representing signals from the transducer to a recording device having a plurality of individual no-volatile integrated circuit memory units. A controller means in the form of a microprocessor is operated by a shutter control and controls the transmission of image representing signals from the transducer through the circuits to record only a separate single image in each of the individual memory units.

Abstract: A cleaning device for razor cartridges, particularly of the "twin blade" type, having a casing with a socket into which a cartridge may be snapped in place, the casing having an inlet for water from a faucet and channels directing the flow of water and producing jets, the cartridge being held such that the jets are aimed directly at the space between the blades so that water flows between and around the blades and through passages in the cartridge to flush accumulated soap and shaving residue; the cleaning device is disclosed in the cap of a shaving foam dispenser and in the case in which the razors are put on sale.

Abstract: A programmed control unit for a coffee machine is provided by which the number of cups and strength of coffee made by the machine may be selected. The unit controls the flow of hot water from the reservoir to the coffee in the filter depending on the number of cups selected. Also, the control unit operates to start brewing the coffee ahead of time set in by the user so that the coffee is ready at the time set into the dial.

Abstract: A video disc player having a base and a protective cover pivotally hinged on the base and adapted to be opened and closed to permit a disc to be inserted or removed from the rotary drive assembly is provided with a device for automatically turning over a disc carried by the rotary drive assembly as an incident to opening and closing the cover by powered drive units; the turning over includes a ninety degree phase in which the disc slides under its own weight between substantially vertical and horizontal positions while the bottom edge of the disc slides laterally and a ninety degree phase in which the disc pivots about the bottom edge between substantially horizontal and vertical positions; guides are provided on the underside of the cover and the base for guiding both the bottom edge and the top edge of the disc during its sliding movement and for supporting the bottom edge of the disc for pivotal movement about an axis adjacent the pivotal axis of the cover.

Abstract: A cleaning cassette for cassette recorders in which movement of either spindle of the cassette recorder operates a cleaning element within the cassette casing. Transmission of the rotary movement is achieved by a pair of rotatably mounted reel hubs and a pair of exterior toothed wheels, one integral with each hub, with the reel hubs coupled together by a third intermediate exterior toothed wheel to form a permanent gear train. For driving a cleaning element, such as a felt tab, the intermediate wheel drives a cam and lever. By rotating either toothed wheel, the intermediate wheel causes the lever to move the tab alternately back and forth substantially parallel to the front edge of the cassette casing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling tape movement to a given position by utilizing the combination of periodic determinations of tape position by calculation based on reel speed ratios, and monitoring positions represented by counts in a pulse count memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing a display with tape movement utilizing a clock means for driving the display, and adjusting the rate of the clock means according to measured movement of the tape to maintain the clock and thus the display in synchronization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying a cassette inserted in a tape deck apparatus by using constants stored in memory corresponding to known types of cassettes; controlling the drive means of the apparatus to carry out a cassette identification sequence involving moving the tape to different positions and comparing actual positions to theoretical positions based on the use of a pre-selected set of constants, and selecting the correct set of constants identifying the cassette in the apparatus according to the comparison.