Abstract: A control apparatus of a real time counter for a video cassette recorder. This apparatus comprises a CLOG detection section having an envelope detector, a comparator, and a low-pass filter for detecting a CLOG signal to judge whether a signal exists on the videotape; an ATF detection section having an ATF detector, an analog-to-digital converter, a band comparator, a shift register, and a state detector for detecting an automatic track following signal, an AND gate for performing a logical product between the CLOG signal and the automatic track following signal and an REC instruction; and a counting section having a switch which is for controlling a real time counter using the output, or a control signal of the AND gate. This apparatus accomplishes the accurate control of a counting by using an automatic track following signal as well as the CLOG signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shipping cartridge for inserting into a disk drive. This shipping cartridge can be inserted into the disk drive for protecting the disk drive during movement or handling of the disk drive. When inserted into the disk drive, the shipping cartridge transmits forces applied to the disk drive away from the relatively fragile components of the disk drive and towards the relatively sturdy components of the disk drive. In a preferred embodiment, the shipping cartridge transmits the load to the relatively sturdy chassis of the disk drive. The shipping cartridge may have a surface that generally conforms to the chassis of the disk drive so that the cartridge can rest on the chassis. For example, the shipping cartridge may have apertures that can receive protrusions extending from the chassis.

Abstract: A method for locking a housing door of a VCR, or the like. The housing door is locked in response to a locking signal supplied to a servo portion by a controller if no key is operated for a predetermined period of time regardless of the VCR power-on or off state, the existence of a tape within the deck, and the operation status of the VCR. If a key is input while the housing door is locked, the count parameter is reset to 0, and then, the counting is resumed. Thus, the housing door is unlocked only when necessary, so that the intrusion of foreign materials into the deck can be prevented.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproduction apparatus which is low in load to a CPU for calculating measurement data of a projection amount of a magnetic head and is small in capacity required for a non-volatile memory for storing resulting values of calculation of the CPU includes a measurement instrument for measuring a position and a projection amount of a magnetic head held on a rotary drum, a digital circuit for converting the position and the projection amount into digital data in response to a reference signal generated for each rotation of the rotary drum, a memory for storing initial values of the position and the projection amount, and a CPU for comparing the initial values stored in the memory with the rotational position and the projection amount measured by the measurement instrument.

Abstract: An improved high speed magnetic tape duplicator incorporates superior features from both thermomagnetic and anhysteretic processes to increase productivity in operating economics. Starting with a basic transport configuration of existing thermomagnetic equipment, the heating and cooling facilities are removed along with the non-magnetic transfer drum, and replaced with a magnetizable drum assembly and bias-field head suitable to anhysteretic duplication. Provisions are also added to correct tension errors so as to minimize skew and the transport control electronics are preferably replaced with a personal computer-based controller capable of furnishing additional functional capabilities including production reporting. Optionally, the master-tape loop-bin chamber is also specially modified with electrically ground static-control provisions.

Abstract: A method of determining the total playing time T.sub.G and the residual playing time T.sub.R of a magnetic tape (4) stored on two reels (2, 3) in a cassette (1) in which in a brief winding operation of the magnetic tape (4), the numbers of tacho pulses (i.sub.1, i.sub.2) at the take-up reel (3) and the supply reel (2) are determined. Moreover, by extracting the magnetic tape (4) from the cassette (1) over a given length (L.sub.H), the numbers of tacho pulses (j.sub.1, j.sub.2) at the take-up reel (3) and the supply reel (2) are determined. From the values thus determined for these pulses (i.sub.1, i.sub.2, j.sub.1, j.sub.2) for a given thickness d and speed v of the magnetic tape (4), a given reel-hub diameter K of the take-up reel and the supply reel (2, 3) and a given number u of pulses per reel revolution, it is possible to calculate the total playing time T.sub.G in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU1## and the residual playing time T.sub.

Abstract: To simplify the construction of a manual operating device for an auto-reverse cassette tape recorder, in which the feed direction of the tape is reversed by depressing an FF operating member and a REW operating member at a time. A FF/REW locking mechanism is rocked to a greater extent when a REW operating member is depressed alone than when an FF operating member is depressed alone. An auto-reverse mechanism is operated with the greater extent rocking movement of the FF/REW locking mechanism.

Abstract: A system is provided to exchange information between a computer and a programmable portable information device (PID) using a standard memory drive, such as a 3.5" disk drive or a PCMCIA port. The PID has a protective encasing with a form factor that is physically compatible with the computer memory drive. In one embodiment, the portable information device has the form factor of a 3.5" memory diskette, while in another embodiment, the portable information device has a form factor of a PCMCIA card. The portable information device includes a keypad and a flat panel display provided on the exterior of the protective encasing, but within the form factor so as not to interrupt the insertion of the portable information device into the memory drive. The uniquely configured portable information device can be inserted into or removed from a standard computer memory drive. When inserted, communication between the portable information device and computer is automatically initiated.

Abstract: A method of and a device for determining the total playing time of a magnetic tape accommodated in a cassette (1) in a magnetic-tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, for example, a video recorder of the helical-scan type. The tape (4) is moved between a tape spool coupled to a first reel disc (2) and a tape spool coupled to a second reel disc (3), two measurements being carried out. In the first measurement, the tape is moved with a known tape speed. The revolution times (T.sub.l, T.sub.r) of the first and the second reel disc are measured in this first measurement and a parameter is derived which corresponds to the sum of the squares of the revolution times. A cassette-specific constant (.beta.) is derived from this parameter and the known tape speed. In a second measurement, the revolution times of the first and the second reel disc are measured during N revolutions of one of the two reel discs for each revolution of this reel disc.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape, includes a recording and/or reproducing unit, a main body portion, a signal line and a take-up mechanism. The main body portion houses the recording and/or reproducing unit. The external equipment includes an input unit for entering a signal for setting the operating mode of the recording and/or reproducing unit and an electro-acoustic transducer for converting signals from the recording and/or reproducing unit into audible sound. The external equipment may be attached to and detached from the main body portion and exchanges signals with the recording and/or reproducing unit. The signal line interconnects the external equipment and the recording and/or reproducing unit. The signal line has its one end connected to the external equipment and its other end connected to a circuit board housed within the main body portion for exchanging information signals with the recording and/or reproducing unit.

Abstract: A tape cassette capable of exhibiting satisfactory resistance to shock to prevent sagging of a tape. During non-use of a tape cassette, a lock member prevents a reel brake member urged by elastic force so as to be engaged with tape reels from being moved in a lock release direction due to shock. When the tape cassette is charged in a recording and reproducing apparatus, the lock member is actuated by a lock release element of the apparatus, to thereby release the reel brake member from engagement with the lock member.

Abstract: A cam gear driving apparatus of a VCR which can drive a cam gear by a relatively lower starting torque and has spur gears used as a driving gear and a cam gear so that it is easy to adjust tolerance. The cam gear driving apparatus has a driving source for generating power, the driving source having a driving shaft which has a plurality of protrusions at a position adjacent to a distal end, a support for supporting the driving section, the driving section being attached at one end thereof to a base and being connected at an other end thereof with a cam gear shaft, the driving shaft of the driving source extending through the support, a driving gear for rotating a cam gear, the driving gear being rotatably supported by a boss mounted in the base, and a power transfer section for transferring power generated by the driving source from the driving source to the driving gear.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing device including a top cover having a plurality of leg portions 1e with cutouts that project from each side face of the top cover such that the location of a leg portion at one side face does not correspond to the location of a leg portion at the other side face; and a bottom cover having a plurality of retaining portions 2e in correspondence with the leg portions 1e at each side face of the lower cover formed by bending portions of the side faces. The top cover and the bottom cover are integrally engaged together by fitting the retaining portions into the cutouts of their corresponding leg portions. A plurality of top covers are successively press-cut from a metal plate such that a leg portion of a particular top cover is positioned between the leg portions of another top cover that is adjacent to the particular top cover, thus reducing the amount of scraps produced from the metal plate.

Abstract: The presence of a disk cartridge in a disk drive is detected by obtaining a measure of the load on the spindle motor of the disk drive and comparing that measure to a threshold value. The measure of load on the spindle motor may comprise (i) the time the spindle motor takes to spin-up to its full operating speed, (ii) the time the spindle motor takes to coast down to its operating speed from a first speed in excess of the operating speed, (iii) the voltage applied across the coils of the spindle motor, or (iv) the current drawn by the spindle motor.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a tape body which supports, on reel hubs, a tape body such as a leader tape, etc. to which a magnetic tape is connected. This attachment structure comprises a tape reel provided with a reel hub which takes cylindrical shape provided at the central portion thereof and a clamp member attached to the reel hub, and a tape body connected to the reel hub in the state where the end portion is supported by the clamp member and wound on the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. The tape body supported by the reel hub is such that the base end portion side serving as root portion of the drawing side from the reel hub is deformed in the winding direction onto the reel hub following the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. Deformation of the tape body is carried out by thermal deformation or pressure deformation, or thermal deformation and pressure deformation.

Abstract: A rotating shaft section of a rotation cam gear supported on the chassis side and transmitting the driving force of a driving motor can be inserted into and removed from a rotating shaft section of a mode detection switch for detecting a mode from the rotating position of the rotating cam gear. A protruding pointed portion and a groove that are fitted to each other to transmit the rotational force of the rotating cam gear are formed in these rotating shaft sections. Output terminals of the mode detection switch are coupled and attached to the circuit section of a circuit substrate, and the rotating shaft section of the mode detection switch is inserted into the rotating shaft section of the rotating cam gear supported on the chassis side to engage the protruding portion with the groove. This constitution enables easy and smooth insertion and fitting of the rotating shaft sections, thereby improving working efficiency.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus includes a connection for contact with electrical terminals of a record medium cassette set in the recording and reproducing apparatus and incorporating a memory containing audio/video data and record data, such as the length of the tape in the cassette, whether it contains recorded data, or whether it is a rental video, wherein the record medium cassette does not have to be loaded in the apparatus for contact with the connection; a circuit for reading the data; and a circuit for communicating the read data to a second recording and reproducing apparatus for dubbing.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing a recording medium, for example, an optical disk, a tape cassette or the like, has an apparatus body having an opening in the front surface side thereof, a front panel and a guard plate. The apparatus body includes therein a recording and/or reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing the recording medium. The recording medium is inserted into the apparatus body or discharged from the apparatus body through the opening. The front panel is rotatively provided at the front surface side of said apparatus body. The front panel is rotated between a first position for closing the opening and a second position for opening the opening. The guard plate projects to a position for covering a portion of the front panel when the front panel has been rotated from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A VCR player tape cartridge reinsertion device for automatically reinserting a conventional tape cartridge back into a tape input slot in a conventional VCR player after the conventional tape cartridge has rewound and been partially ejected therefrom so as to allow the conventional tape cartridge to automatically record continuously without the need for an endless tape. The device includes a platform, a motor, an upright shaft, and at least one arm. The platform is positioned in close proximity to the tape input slot. The motor is disposed in the platform and has a shaft that extends vertically upwardly therefrom. The upright shaft is vertically-oriented and operatively connected to the shaft of the motor for rotation therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image recording apparatus for recording an image signal outputted from an image sensing device on a recording medium held in a cassette. The image recording apparatus comprises a reading device for reading information about control of the image sensing device from incident data stored in a memory device installed in the cassette, a supplying device for generating data for setting the image sensing device from the information read by the reading device and supplying the data to the image sensing device, a generating device for generating information about the control of the image sensing device based on data for setting the image sensing device and a writing device for writing the generated information into the memory device installed in the cassette. Since the generating device and the writing device are provided, the image recording apparatus can provide satisfactory ease of operation.

Abstract: A read device for cassettes with electronic memory allows a cassette to be inserted in the read device without requiring the cassette to be loaded in an operative position in a recording/playback unit. Fragile contacts of the read device are protected from damage by an orientation and locking pin cooperating with a centering hole in the cassette shell so the contacts engage the memory terminals of a cassette only when the cassette is properly positioned. The contacts are engaged only when the cassette is locked in position. The terminals and contacts are relatively movable solely in their common planes. If the cassette is presented to the read device upside down or wrong side first, or lacks a centering hole in the required location, entry is blocked, the contacts are not exposed and engagement of the terminals by the cassette is prevented.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a voice coil motor used to position the heads of a disk drive is disclosed. The circuit consists of a an H-bridge circuit, a controller, and a feedback loop. The feedback loop prevents the BEMF from driving a voltage on the voice coil motor above the supply voltage.

Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a memory is provided within a mechanism portion which is formed separately from a control portion, but contained in one housing. The memory stores a negative adjusting data corresponding to the mechanism portion which is necessary to operate the mechanism portion in the specified condition, so that even if one of the mechanism portion or control portion is replaced separately, the storing operation of new adjusting data can be omitted. Thereby, such a replacement operation can be simplified.

Abstract: A two and one half inch form factor disk drive has a metallic base and a metallic cover to enhance the rigidity of these components with respect to plastic components. The sealing of a controlled environment established between the base and cover is enhanced by the increased rigidity of the base and by providing a gasket groove in the base and a gasket having a tongue which mates with the groove. In addition, the metal base and cover provide isolation from the noisy environment of a computer. The two and one half inch form factor is established by providing the disk drive with a length equal to the width of a 31/2 inch disk drive and a width equal to half of the length of a 31/2 inch disk drive. The disk drive includes a disk having a diameter of approximately 2.6 inches (65 mm) and weighs approximately 6 ounces. A closed-loop, embedded servo tracking system provides a large storage capacity relative to the area of storage media available.

Abstract: In an operation switching apparatus for a tape recorder installed on a car etc., the present invention intends to improve a construction of a control cam plate for controlling various operation modes, to simplify mechanisms installed in the apparatus, to stabilize a control operation and to easily design a reduced size of the apparatus. A reversible rotary drive motor (16) drives a control cam plate (80) forward and backward. On the control cam plate (80) are provided a head moving cam (90) and a mode selection cam (92). A tape direction switching mechanism (100) and a FF/REW switching mechanism (120) are controlled by a common mode selection cam (90). By the control cam plate (80), various operation modes are selectively carried out. The control cam plate (80) is operatively connected to a cassette loading cam plate (60). The control cam plate (80) and the cassette loading cam plate (60) are driven by a single drive motor (16). After a cassette loading, both cam plates are disconnected.

Abstract: A pause mechanism for a cassette tape recorder having a drive mechanism for accomplishing modes, such as a record mode, a playback mode, a fast forward mode and a fast rewind mode, and a switch for enabling or disabling the modes, comprises a lever for setting the switch on or off. The lever is designed to have a double-lever structure in such a manner that when a pause lever is operated in each of the modes, the switch can be set on or off without operating each mode lever.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects on the surface of a data recording medium. In one embodiment the present invention includes a sensor for detecting defects on the surface of a magnetic disk. The sensor generates an analog voltage signal that is representative of a surface anomaly detected on the disk surface. An analog signal processor processes the signal before it is received by a peak detecting circuit. The peak detecting circuit detects and converts a peak of the analog signal into digital data. The digital data is received and manipulated by a digital signal processor where the peak amplitude, average peak amplitude and average peak power of the defect may be calculated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic tape system which experiences a reduced, if not eliminated, amount of slippage between the drive roller of the tape drive system and the driven roller of the magnetic tape cartridge. The present invention employs a hard plastic driven roller having a slightly enlarged diameter portion to which an elastomeric, rubber-like material is bonded. The elastomeric material has the form of an annular sleeve or ring which is coextensive with a slightly enlarged diameter portion of the driven roller to provide a reduced slippage annular contact surface for contacting a portion of a rubber outer sleeve positioned on the capstan, or drive roller, of a conventional magnetic tape drive.

Abstract: The invention increases the reliability of a data storage device. The data storage devices contain a memory element disk, containing data, the memory element disk being rotatably mounted about an axis, a transducer head, an actuator for moving the transducer head relative to the disk, and a counter for counting the number of seek operations performed by the transducer head. The invention may include setting a threshold seek value T.sub.seek and comparing this value to the actual seek performed by the head, V.sub.seek, to determine the need for a stop/start operation. Alternatively, the invention includes defining threshold seek operation count T.sub.seek, counting the number of seek operations to determine M.sub.seek since the last stop/start operation, recalling the total number of seek operations completed by the data storage device to define N.sub.seek, defining D.sub.seek by determining the difference between N.sub.seek and M.sub.seek, and determining whether D.sub.seek is equal to or greater than T.sub.

Abstract: A disk cartridge assembly includes an enclosure, a recording disk mounted for rotation in the enclosure, and an electrostatic cleaning element positioned on an interior surface of the enclosure. The cleaning element engages one side of the disk at least when the disk is at rest and when the disk is rotated at a low speed, and the cleaning element is charged to a high voltage.

Abstract: A connection mechanism which will positively lock a disk drive storage device to a computer housing is disclosed. A cam which may rotate within a predetermined range of motion is attached to the disk drive housing. The disk drive is coupled to a computer by the insertion of the disk drive into the housing of the computer such that the disk drive housing engages a post located within the computer housing. A channel within the disk drive housing guides the disk drive housing into the housing. Alignment pins align a connector located on the disk drive housing with a connector receptacle. The cam may then be rotated such that the cam engages the post, thereby pulling the disk drive housing into the computer housing. In the engaged position, the disk drive housing is positively secured to the computer housing since the pivot point about which the cam rotates is aligned with the post such that motion of the computer housing will not dislodge the disk drive housing.

Abstract: A device for displaying the rotating condition of a tape or disk in audio or video systems is disclosed. The display device has a rotary means, which is installed inside a housing of an audio or video system and is rotated synchronously with a tape feeding or disk rotating motion of the system. A transparent window is set on the housing at a position suitable for observing the rotary means from outside the housing. A guide tube extends from the window toward the rotary means and allows a user to observe a rotating motion of the rotary means through the transparent window and thereby to check the tape feeding or disk rotating motion of the system. The rotary means may be one of the rotating members of a power transmission mechanism of the system. Alternatively, the rotary means may be a rotating wheel operating in conjunction with the rotating members of a power transmission mechanism of the system.

Abstract: An automatic reversible tape recorder is disclosed in which the functions of the keys for fast forward and rewinding are improved, and the manufacturing and assembling are rendered easier owing to the simple structure of the components. The tape recorder includes first and second manipulation levers 110 and 120 being capable of moving back and forth horizontally to make a magnetic head ascend or descend upon completion of displacements of a certain distance. The tape recorder further includes a tape running direction reversing member 130 for reversing the running direction of the tape, by fixing the first and second manipulation levers 110 and 120 upon completion of ascending or descending of the magnetic head 104 owing to advancements of the first and second manipulation levers 110 and 120, by being turned as much as a certain angle upon advancement of the second manipulation lever 120 as much as a certain distance, and by pushing a program lever 150 (which actuates a cam gear).

Abstract: A tape cassette or the like employs a resettable counter that disables the playing of the cassette after a limited number of playings consistent with home use. The small number of playings is supported by a machine resetting procedure that automatically records the usage and resets the cassette by translating information on a label on the cassette into a sequence of moves that unlocks the resetting mechanism that is otherwise locked against unauthorized parties. The label also includes a machine readable description of the program. Cassettes with the same program material have different reset codes on their labels to limit the resetting of some cassettes to particular machines thus lessening the economic incentive of obtaining or constructing unauthorized resetting equipment.

Abstract: In a consumer player or recorder operating with a linear medium such as a tape or disc there is a time analog display of a representation of various identifiable discrete information items such as sector, record, track. The display is length-proportional and for each item may signal an activity level, an activity state, or a past/future state with respect to a pick-up element position.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for cleaning a contact surface on a PCB with a cleaning portion having a wiper. The cleaning device for the contact surface is fixed to the bottom face of a mode detection portion having sensing projections for sensing a signal by contacting the contact surface on the PCB. The device comprises a fixing part for fixing the cleaning portion to the loading means in one side, two elastic guards for protecting the elastic legs of the mode detection portion by being formed as an entity with the fixing part, and a wiper having a proper shape for connecting the above two elastic guards and for removing unwanted matters from the contact surface by contacting and sliding on the contact surface on the PCB against the bottom face.

Abstract: In an electronically commutated head drum motor in combination with a motor control circuit, commutation control and tacho signals are generated from the commutation of winding strands. One of the winding strands is used for the phase detection of the read/write heads arranged on the perimeter of the rotating head drum. A commutation signal is derived from the commutation of this winding strand and the commutation signal is set in relation to the reference signal of a signal track to be recorded or scanned.

Abstract: A cassette for cleaning the capstan and read/write head of a tape drive. The capstan drives a mechanism for cleaning the read/write head, while a cleaning pad simultaneously engages the capstan from the side. As the cleaning cassette is inserted into the tape drive, the engaging extension of the tape drive activates a lever or motor system to move the capstan cleaning pad from a location within the cassette to a cleaning position in contact with the capstan.

Abstract: A disk drive that is the product of modifying a standard computer disk drive to read and write data in parallel with all of its transducer heads at once, rather than serially with only one head at a time. A method and apparatus are disclosed for protecting the disk drive's platters from damage and contamination while working on the interior of the disk drive case. The apparatus includes a hinged cover that replaces a conventional disk drive cover while work is being performed on circuitry within the disk drive case. The hinged cover seals off the platters and the inside of the disk drive case except for the circuitry being worked on.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head junction board wherein a laminated plate having a springy metal layer and a conductive layer is prepared. A circuit wiring pattern is formed on the conductive layer by photoetching and the springy metal layer is formed into a predetermined shape by etching. The circuit wiring pattern is provided with a surface protecting layer which leaves holes exposed at the ends of the circuit wiring pattern. Then, the holes are filled with conductive metal to form bump-shaped terminals such that the ends on one side jut out of the surface protecting layer. Lastly, the springy metal layer is bent into a predetermined shape so that the bump-shaped terminals face against each other. Alternative process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a magnetic disk, magnetic heads for recording and reproducing information to and from the magnetic disk, a disk driving device for driving the magnetic disk, head driving device for driving the magnetic heads, a mechanical portion driving circuit for operating the disk driving device and the head driving device, a logical operation device for exchanging signals between the magnetic heads and the mechanical portion driving circuit, a first box for containing at least the magnetic disk, the magnetic heads, the disk driving device, and the head driving device, and a second box, detachably connected to the first box, for containing at least the logical operation device, wherein signals are exchanged between the first box and the second box. The first box and the second box are electrically connected and the second box contains at least the logical operation circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a head unit for contacting a magnetic medium comprises at least a pair of magnetic cores which are arranged in the head unit which face each other on sides of a magnetic gap for recording and/or reproducing signals. A spacer is included for maintaining a space between one of the magnetic cores and another member, which may be the other magnetic core or a shield member. The spacer includes a usable life detection device for providing an indication of wear on the head unit which is interrupted when the head unit is worn down to predetermined depth. A device for electrically sensing an interruption of the indication is provided so that a usable lifetime of the head unit can be determined.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is disposed in an opposing relationship to a rotating magnetic head device with a magnetic head mounted thereon and placed in noncontact therewith so as to fall outside a lap angle .alpha. of a magnetic tape. The magnetic sensor is used as a part of oscillating elements of an oscillator circuit. By noting that a magnetic resistance of a magnetic circuit at a rotational position where the magnetic head faces the magnetic sensor changes according to the degree of extension of the magnetic head from the surface of a drum, and taking the change in magnetic resistance as a variation in oscillating frequency, the rate of wear of the magnetic head is measured. Since the change in magnetic resistance is taken as the variation in oscillating frequency, the degree of extension of the magnetic head, i.e., the rate of wear of the magnetic head can be measured with high accuracy.

Abstract: A power transmission and mode change mechanism for a logic controlled cassette tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus employs a single motor as a power source for high and low speed tape winding and mode changing and a single solenoid for control of a partially toothed cam mechanism which in turn controls setting of the modes.

Abstract: A method is provided for labeling a removable media cartridge (10). The removable media cartridge (10) encloses a storage media (13) and has an external label (15). The removable media cartridge (10) is mounted in physical hardware for writing data to the storage media (13). A label number is selected for the removable media cartridge (10). An internal label (14) is then written to the storage media (13) where the internal label (14) represents the selected label number, and data is written to the external label (15) where the data also represents the selected label number.

Abstract: A locking device (10) is inserted within the disk drive (11) of a personal computer (12) to prevent unauthorized use thereof. The locking device (10) includes a part of pivoted plates (15, 16) retained in their expanded locking position by a key-operated lock (20) carried by the plates (15, 16). Each of the plates (15, 16) carries an arresting mechanism (35) which expands within the disk drive (11), in the event that an attempt is made to remove the locking device (10), and "bites" into the adjacent guide rail (53), thereby stopping any further movement of the locking device (10) out of the disk drive (11).

Abstract: A new Clock Style Counter Attachment for providing a playing time readout of magnetic tape cassettes using an analog clock timer facing. The inventive device includes an add on gear disposed around a rotating drive shaft of a cassette playing device, a transmission drive shaft having a transmission gear at one end and a drive slot gear at its other end, and a timer having a timing gear system and a time display mechanism. The transmission gear operatively engaging the add on gear to rotate the transmission drive, and the drive slot gear operatively engaging a timing gear system. The timing gear system is operatively connected to the time display mechanism which displays the length of time a magnetic tape cassette has played in the magnetic tape cassette playing device.

Abstract: A pressure differential actuator latching apparatus for a disk drive device is provided. The latching apparatus includes a rotatable body portion, a rigid air vane portion and a latching trap. When a data storage disk of the disk drive is not being rotated, the latching apparatus maintains a transducer actuator assembly of the disk drive in a locked position by engaging the transducer actuator assembly in the latching trap. When the data storage disk is rotated, airflow is generated proximate to the surface of the disk, in the same direction in which the disk is rotated. The transducer actuator assembly, positioned over the surface of the disk, blocks the airflow. The blockage of airflow creates an area of low pressure just downstream of the actuator assembly. The latching apparatus is disposed in a space between the edge of the data storage disk and walls of the housing so that the air vane portion is positioned between the areas of low and ambient pressure.

Abstract: A seal device that when inserted, impedes entrance of airborne contaminants drawn into a floppy disk drive while not in operation. Accomplished by having a body of sufficiently rigid sheet material to provide support and structure for a strip of seal material. Size of the body is configured to fit into a floppy disk drive and incorporates external stops to prevent the over insertion of the inwardly extending card portion to prevent damage to parts internal to the floppy disk drive. Thus the configuration of the body portion is such so as to not engage sensitive floppy drive internal mechanisms or require modification of the hardware of the floppy drive. The included seal strip is of sufficiently elastic solid or porous material capable of impeding airborne contaminants when bedded in a floppy disk drive port orifice with that strip being of sufficient size to encircle the card portion and to fill the mouth of the floppy disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing components to be inserted in a video cassette recorder or digital video cassette recorder includes a base provided with a pair of guide rails, a stationary plate, a first and a pair of second driven plates moving along the guide rails, and a capstan motor holder on which a capstan shaft and a hinge pin are mounted. The pinch roller lever assembly is provided with a pivot arm pivotably mounted to the hinge pin, a pinch roller rotatably mounted on the pivot arm, a lever and a coil spring, wherein one end of the lever is rotatably fixed near the pinch roller on the pivot arm and the other end is provided with a protrusion and a substantial ellipse-shaped ring, both ends of the coil spring are secured to the protrusion of the lever and the boss of the second driven plate, respectively.