Abstract: A hybrid disc including a preformed portion; and the preformed portion including a partial preformed session and a writeable portion including a wobbled groove which is adapted to be written to by a writer to complete the partial preformed session.

Abstract: A method of transferring information from a content supplier from one or more databases, such information including program(s), audio, still, video, data files (e.g.

Abstract: A hybrid disc including a preformed portion; and the preformed portion including a partial preformed session and a writeable portion including a wobbled groove which is adapted to be written to by a writer to complete the partial preformed session.

Abstract: A method of transferring information from a content supplier from one or more databases, such information including program(s), audio, still, data files, or video, or combinations thereof to a remote location that uses an authorizing hybrid optical disc that permits the use of such transferred information, comprising the steps of: providing an authorizing hybrid optical disc having a ROM portion and a RAM portion; providing the ROM portion to include a preformed identification signature which is impressed into the ROM portion of the disc and is arranged to be difficult for a pirate to copy; providing the RAM portion which includes user-specific encrypted information which personalizes the optical disc for that specific user and in combination with the ROM preformed identification signature provides a user-personalized secure signature; a content supplier authenticating a user using the user-personalized secure signature so as to permit a user to communicate over a network with the content supplier and the use

Abstract: A customizable optical disc for merchandising products or services comprising: a hybrid optical disc having a ROM portion and a RAM portion; the ROM portion including a merchandiser's catalog information of products or services which can be provided to a user; and the RAM portion being written by the merchandiser to include user-specific information which personalizes the hybrid optical disc for that specific user.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of proving that a CD is an authorized original by utilizing a unique catalog code that is stored in a sub channel data stream on the CD that is derived using digital signature techniques. The inputs for the unique catalog code are derived from a digital signature algorithm and include, in the case of audio CD, each song's ISRC number, a bar code or unique identifier of the CD and the audio data content. To verify that the CD is not a copy, the original digital signature algorithm used at the time of recording to create the unique catalog code is applied to the audio data and ISRC codes recorded on the disc to derive a catalog code. An authorized original CD will have the same catalog code value stored in the subchannel as the catalog code derived from the digital signature algorithm. If the catalog codes do not match, the disc is determined to be an illegal copy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for labelling digital discs. In the method, a disc is provided that has an alignment mark. An image is printed onto the disc in registration with the alignment mark.

Abstract: There is disclosed an exploder for an underwater weapon which periodically adiates an acoustic signal and activates the weapon only when the echo signal has the same phase as the radiated signal. Thus, echoes from any air-water interface are disregarded.

Abstract: A method is provided for incorporating lubricant and a sintering aid into a metallurgical powder composition of iron-based powders. A particulate iron-based powder is contacted and wetted with solution of a metal salt of a fatty acid in an organic solvent. The solvent is removed to provide iron-based particles having a coating of the metal salt. The resulting self-lubricated powder composition can be compacted and sintered to produce a compact having superior strength properties.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing compressible and sinterable metal-coated metal powders are provided by this invention which include contacting core metal particles with a sol of a precursor of a coating metal. The sol has a viscosity of from about 10-10.sup.4 centipoise and comprises at least 1.0 weight percent of the precursor in a liquid medium. The final coating is produced by removing the liquid from the sol and then converting the precursor to form a substantially uniform layer of the coating metal on the surfaces of the core metal particles.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing compressible and sinterable metal powders are provided by this invention which include contacting core metal particles with a sol of a precursor of a metal. The sol has a viscosity of from about 10-10.sup.5 centipoise and comprises at least 1.0 weight percent of the precursor in a liquid medium. The final coating is produced by removing the liquid from the sol and then converting the precursor to form a substantially uniform layer of a Cu-Ni-Mo alloy on the surfaces of the soft iron or steel core metal particles.

Abstract: A planar end-fire acoustic transducer array is composed of a planar matrix f individual elements. In order to give this array an end-fire characteristic, predetermined elements are provided with outputs which are phase-inverted with respect to the outputs of the other elements of the array, the sum of the gains of these predetermined elements being made equal to the sum of the gains of the other elements.

Abstract: A novel optically clear combination which is a composition of matter is disclosed. The disclosed composition is an EPDM vulcanizate of remarkable clarity, the formulation of which involves a synergistic combination of EPDM elastomer, fumed silica, coupling agent, antioxidant, at least one and preferably two curing coagents, and preferably an antistatic agent.