Abstract: A CD-vinyl record player comprising a CD door, small turntable, bearing tablet, record axle, mini-bearing, big turntable, record player main base, CD engine frame, turntable frame, CD main base, bearing, bearing cover, and CD engine. The CD door is connected to the small turntable through a mini-bearing, and the record axle is installed in the center of the CD door. The bearing tablet is above the CD door and connected to the record axle. The big turntable is above the record player main base. The bottom of the record player main base connects to the turntable frame. The CD engine frame is above CD main base. The bearing is at the center of record player main base, and has the bearing cover on top. The CD engine is at center of the bottom of the turntable frame. The invention combines a vinyl record player and CD player into one player.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a method, and a program which can appropriately perform jump playback when content transmitted through a network is played back in real time. A terminal 3 receives stream data transmitted from a server 1, buffers the stream data, and plays back the buffered data. The terminal 3 has multiple buffers to allow content data of the positions of jump destinations that can be specified as a jump destination during jump playback to be pre-buffered in the multiple buffers. As a result, upon receiving a request for jump playback, the terminal 3 can start playback from a jump destination without delay, since the data of the jump destination has already been buffered. The present invention is applied to, for example, television receivers.

Abstract: A method of scanning over a substrate includes implementing a write mode of the substrate by scanning a probe across a substrate, the probe having a spring cantilever probe mechanically fixed to a probe holding structure, a tip with a nanoscale apex, and an actuator for lateral positioning of the tip; the actuator comprising a thermally switchable element and a heating element for heating the thermally switchable element; and heating the heating element to a given temperature so as to locally soften a portion of the substrate and applying a force to the softened portion of the substrate through the tip so as to create one or more indentation marks in the softened portion of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical data storage article is configured to transform from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality. The optical data storage article includes a physical surface modification configured to alter an optical integrity of the optical data storage article upon interaction with an external stimulus.

Abstract: An optical article that can transform from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality is provided. The optical article includes a radio frequency circuitry coupled to the optical article for interacting with a signal, wherein the signal comprises a thermal signal, an electrical signal, or both, and a convertible material in operative association with the radio frequency circuitry for altering the functionality of the optical article from the pre-activated state to the activated state upon interaction with the thermal energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method of a rotary storage medium having an electronic circuit that controls connection between an electronic circuit block and an external apparatus to enhance the performance of the entire system, and a system thereof. The system is an intelligent disk system including an intelligent disk having double-surface structure that stores information and is detachable from a drive unit, wherein an electronic circuit is mounted on at least one surface or between both surfaces of the intelligent disk and the electronic circuit is provided with a CPU, and wherein the system controls the intelligent disk so that contents of the disk surfaces of the intelligent disk may be transferred to or loaded in an external apparatus at the time of the intelligent disk rotating or mechanically operating (S36-S37) and the CPU may control the external apparatus when the intelligent disk is not operating.

Abstract: A method to write information to a designated information storage medium using an allocated data storage device using a specified information recording format, whereby a previously-determined media bit for the designated information storage medium is examined, and a previously-determined device bit for the allocated data storage device is examined, and the write capability of the designated information storage medium using the specified information recording format is determined.

Abstract: A thermomagnetic recording medium includes a thermal change layer whose thermal conductivity is induced to change by a metal-to-insulator transition, is greater on a lower temperature side of a transition temperature and is smaller on a higher temperature side thereof. A thermomagnetic recording method includes setting a recording or reproducing temperature higher than the temperature of the recording medium at the circumference of a light spot and higher than a threshold temperature for change of the thermal conductivity of the thermal change layer. A thermomagnetic recording and reproducing device is provided with the above-mentioned thermomagnetic recording medium, an optical pickup and a magnetic head and conducts recording and reproduction by the above-mentioned thermomagnetic recording and reproducing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a movable body, comprises a driving power source having an output shaft; and a driving gear provided on the output shaft to drive the movable body. The driving gear is capable of slipping relative to the output shaft of the driving power source. The output shaft of the driving power source may be connected to the movable body through a gear train for transmitting driving power from the driving power source to the movable body. In this case, the gear train includes the driving gear and the driving gear slips when a prescribed load is applied to the gear train.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for delivering an interactive multimedia work from a storage device, for example a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a network server, etc. to a playback device, for example a personal computer, in a manner that provides improved performance regardless of the playback sequence selected by a user. In one embodiment of the present invention, for each segment of an interactive multimedia work, a probability factor is assigned to each possible alternative succeeding segment. In addition a retrieval and delivery time cost factor is also assigned to each possible succeeding segment. In one embodiment of the invention, the time cost factor for each resource is assigned a fixed value. In another embodiment, the time cost factor is recalculated periodically to reflect changes in location and status of resources. The probability and time cost factor for each possible succeeding segment are combined to produce a relative priority ranking.

Abstract: A CD/cassette playing mechanism includes a CD playing module and a cassette playing module supported on a chassis. The CD playing module includes a CD spindle for supporting a CD and a laser head on one side of the CD spindle for reading the CD. The cassette playing module includes a compartment for receiving a cassette tape, a pair of tape spindles for running the cassette tape, and tape playback and recording heads. A part of the cassette playing module is accommodated in the space on a side of the CD spindle other than the side where the laser head is located and partially opposite a CD in the CD playing module.

Abstract: An optical disc drive control apparatus according to the present invention comprises a disc drive into or from which various optical discs are inserted or ejected. The system includes a first memory for storing various players that play back various optical discs, a second memory for storing a table in which combinations of various information recording mediums and various players corresponding to these mediums are written, and a disc manager, which comprises a unit for sensing the type of an optical disc inserted into the disc drive, a unit for referring to the table in the second memory and deriving the type of a player corresponding to the sensed type of optical disc, as well as the type of data stored on the disk, and a unit for driving one of the various players stored in the first memory which is of the type derived by the deriving means and causing the player to play back the optical disc.

Abstract: A game system utilizes a first game machine and a second game machine. The backup data obtained through playing a first game on the first game machine is memorized in a first game cartridge. The first game cartridge is attached to an extension adapter, and the extension adapter is in turn mounted on a controller for the second game machine. Accordingly, the backup data of the first game machine is taken into the second game machine. The second game machine is attached with a second game cartridge. The second machine executes a second game by processing the backup data according to a second game program set up in the second game cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved disc drive. In one embodiment of the present invention a disc drive capable of spinning a disc, which contains more than one type of data is disclosed. A first type of data is associated with a first speed, and a second type of data is associated with a second speed that is faster than the first speed. The disc drive includes a drive mechanism, which may spin the compact disc at the first and second speeds and retrieve data from the compact disc at either speed. The disc drive also includes an elastic buffer, which is in communication with the drive mechanism. The buffer receives data from the drive mechanism at a variable input data rate and outputs data at a variable output data rate. Whereby when the drive mechanism spins the compact disc at the second speed the buffer may receive the first type of data without causing the drive mechanism to slow down to the first speed, and the buffer may output the first type of data at the variable output data rate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for delivering an interactive multimedia work from a storage device, for example a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a network server, etc. to a playback device, for example a personal computer, in a manner that provides improved performance regardless of the playback sequence selected by a user. In one embodiment of the present invention, for each segment of an interactive multimedia work, a probability factor is assigned to each possible alternative succeeding segment. In addition a retrieval and delivery time cost factor is also assigned to each possible succeeding segment. In one embodiment of the invention, the time cost factor for each resource is assigned a fixed value. In another embodiment, the time cost factor is recalculated periodically to reflect changes in location and status of resources. The probability and time cost factor for each possible succeeding segment are combined to produce a relative priority ranking.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising: a substrate having pre-groove for forcing and tracking servo operation; and a recording film formed on the substrate, the recording film having optical properties being changed by applying at least one of a light beam a heating onto a portion of the recording film.

Abstract: A method for formatting digital data on an optical disk that represents at least two versions of the same program. Data sequences which are unique to each version and data sequences which are common to the two of them are interleaved in a single data stream. In order to achieve seamless play of both versions on a player that is compatible with the disk format but has limited buffer storage, data which would otherwise be common to both versions is placed redundantly in the data sequences which are unique to both versions.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a substrate having a pre-groove for focusing and tracking servo operation, and a recording film formed on the substrate, the recording film having optical properties which change in response to the application of at least one of a light beam or heat to a portion of the recording film.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held devices, each of which is equipped with a mini-disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: An information reproduction apparatus is provided with a reproduction signal processing system for reproducing digital information recorded on an information track of a recording medium by a pit edge recording method and for reproducing the digital information by converting a reproduction signal read out from the recording medium into a binary signal after the reproduction signal is subjected to AC-coupling. The information reproduction apparatus is further provided with a phase compensation circuit arranged in the reproduction signal processing system to compensate for a phase distortion of the reproduction signal under the influence of the AC coupling.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which information is stored in digital form in a serial access device such as a digital VCR, the information being organized as a library of successive albums, each album having successive tracks of individually identifiable items of information, such as audio performances, subjects or events. A random access device, such as a compact disc player or magnetic hard disc drive, has stored therein a portion of a preselected track of each album and a brief introductory portion of each of the remaining tracks in each album. Both devices are coupled to a common data bus and are controlled by a programmable processor so that during search intervals of the serial access device to access a selected album or track read-out thereof is initiated by the random access device. When the serial access device is ready to access selected track or album, read-out is switched over thereto.

Abstract: A compact disc and floppy disc compatible driver and a driving method thereof, in which a structure is improved for simultaneously driving a floppy disc and a compact disc including commodities of applying a compact disc such as a CD, CD-ROM and video CD to minimize an installation area, thereby tightly compacting a notebook computer. The driver has a magnetic head reciprocally movable along a first guide rail, a stepping motor fixedly installed to one side of the magnetic head, a turntable of a double loading system with steps rotatably attached to the upper portion of a lower side, a detecting unit installed to both inner sides of the entrance side for receiving the inserted floppy disc or compact disc, a pickup storing an optical head therein coupled to second guide rails, a sled motor fixed by being connected to the optical head for driving the optical head in the radius direction of the compact disc, and a loading mechanism for up/down a tray by two steps.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium with wide operating margins is disclosed.The magneto-optical recording medium includes a vertical magnetic films of exchange-coupled liminated structure composed of a first magnetic layer with a high coercive force H.sub.H and a low Curie temperature T.sub.L and a second magnetic layer with a lower coercive force H.sub.L and a higher Curie temperature T.sub.H in comparison with those of the first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer has a gradient of the Curie temperature along the direction of thickness of the layer so that the Curie temperature is higher at a position closer to the second magnetic layer.The recording method utilizing the recording medium according to the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A host computer transmits to a disk drive an address or an ID number representing a disk to be used, and the disk drive receives from the host computer the address or ID number representing the disk to be used, wherein when the received address or ID number representing the disk represents a CD-ROM, a reading process for the CD-ROM is executed, and when the received address or ID number presenting the disk represents an R/W-OD, a writing process or a reading process for the R/W-OD is executed.

Abstract: For recording or reproduction of information, the optical beam is moved relative to the recording medium along the longitudinal direction of a certain track. When accessing another track, the relative movement of the light beam along the longitudinal direction of the track is decelerated, and during this deceleration, the light beam is started to move in the direction transverse to the tracks toward the desired track. Thus, it is not necessary to wait for such time when the relative movement of the light beam along the longitudinal direction of the track has been completely stopped, and hence the necessary accessing time can substantially be reduced.

Abstract: A high-density recording medium has data tracks and guide tracks formed on both sides of each of the data tracks. Intervals between the guide tracks are set in such a manner that the outer edges of two adjacent guide tracks correspond in position to two tracking laser beam spots on the recording medium. To allow use of either of the high-density recording medium, and a conventional recording medium on which intervals between guide tracks are set in such a manner that the inner edges of two adjacent guide tracks correspond in position to two tracking laser beam spots, control is performed such that polarity of a tracking control servo is selectively inverted depending upon which of the high-density and conventional recording medium is used.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for writing and reading digital information on a magnetic memory are disclosed. In the apparatus, no mechanical contact between the memory and a magnetic detection means is made because the magnetic state of a respective domain is detected by detecting change of the whole magnetic fluxes induced by entire domains formed on the memory. The writing and reading operation are carried out by scanning the domain with beam irradiation in order to destruct superconductivity or ferromagnetic characteristics of the domain resulting in trapping or releasing of magnetic fluxes. The change in magnetic flux is detected by the detection means.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus using optical magnetic tape, comprises an objective lens for focusing the light generated from a light source, and an acousto optic scanner and an ultrasonic wave generator for vertically or horizontally displacing the focal point of the objective lens in order to scan a light beam onto the optical magnetic tape transferred along the outer periphery of a rotating drum. According to the disclosed principles, recording/reproducing at high speeds is possible, and a high data-transmission speed is obtained with a low rotating speed of the rotating drum, so that the instrument is stabile, small, and simple in construction.

Abstract: A record carrier having addressable information included thereon, including at least one track having audio information and additional non-audio information (e.g., CD-I information), and apparatus for reading and/or reproducing certain of the information included in such a track. That track includes (a) a prepart having (i) the additional non-audio information and (ii) pause information (which results in reproduction of silence) and (b) an audio part having the audio information. The additional non-audio information is located before the pause information, and the prepart is located before the audio part. The apparatus can determine whether a track of a record carrier having audio information included therein also includes additional non-audio information and/or can prohibit reproduction of the additional non-audio information.

Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic recording medium wherein visible patterns can be written, in which a heat sensitive layer is formed on a magnetic recording layer and a metallic thin layer is formed on said heat sensitive layer. The metallic thin layer of said magnetic recording medium can by roughed by using a material containing minute particles to form a roughed heat sensitive layer on the magnetic recording layer and then depositing the metallic thin layer on said heat sensitive layer. In using said magnetic recording medium, information corresponding to at least a part of the information recorded in the magnetic recording layer can be written as visible patterns.

Abstract: A data backup apparatus for temporarily storing the data stored in a volatile memory using an internal battery when the main power is stopped. When the operation of the internal battery is started, the data stored in the volatile memory as a digital signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter, and then it is stored in a magnetic storage unit. When the power supply is restored, the data stored in the magnetic storage unit as the analog signal is read out and converted into the digital signal, and then it is restored to the volatile memory.

Abstract: According to the optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention, upon recording of information, when a pit image on an optical detector which is formed by a recording optical beam spot at an information recording time arrives at a position of a O-order diffraction light spot image, while an optical card is moving in the forward direction, a light receiving element for signal reproducing senses a change in light amount. A verify signal is obtained immediately after recording based on the light amount change to perform a verify operation. Further, when a pit image on the optical detector formed by the recording optical spot arrives at a position of the image of the primary diffraction optical spot while a moving direction of the optical card is reversed and the optical card moves in the reverse direction to perform recording, a signal reproducing light receiving element senses a change in light amount.

Abstract: A concurrent recording and reproducing optical disc has a magneto-optical medium film coated on a ROM disc having rows of pits. The magneto-optical film is arranged by a predetermined interval between the two adjacent rows of the pit rows. The predetermined interval is determined by a dark Airy disc circle band of a beam spot obtained by focusing a light beam on the concurrent recording and reproducing optical disc. Preferably, two light beams are focused on the optical disc to provide first and second beam spots. The first beam spot is focused on one of the pit rows, and the second beam spot is focused on an area between two selected pit rows.

Abstract: In a method of writing and reading information on and from an optical card, to record new data immediately after an end of a previously recorded area without providing a gap therebetween, a timing of a write command signal is adjusted in accordance with a distance between writing and reading light spots on the optical card. The distance between the writing and reading light spots is measured by utilizing these light spots. A pit is formed on the optical card by the writing light spot, and the thus formed pit is detected by the reading light spot. Then, the distance may be measured by deriving a product of a constant moving speed of the optical card and a time period from an instant at which the pit is recorded to an instant at which the relevant pit is detected. An undesired bit jitter can be removed, while various optical systems of an optical head can be assembled easily; thus, a manufacturing cost of the optical head can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from an optical card, including a plurality of control system units and a driving system unit; in addition the control system units are arranged to be exchangeable. A user selects one of the control system units, which corresponds to an arrangement of an optical card to be used, and applies it to the apparatus, while the driving system unit select operational parameters of the optical card and an optical head which are suitable for driving the optical card to be used in response to a command from the selected control system unit, so that a plurality of optical cards each having a different arrangement can be applied for only one optical card apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for transmitting a desired digital video or audio signal stored on a first memory of a first party to a second memory of a second party. The method comprises the steps of transferring money via a telecommunications line to the first party from the second party. Additionally, the method comprises the step of then connecting electronically via a telecommunications line the first memory with the second memory such that the desired signal can pass therebetween. Next, there is the step of transmitting the desired digital signal from the first memory with a transmitter in control and in possession of the first party to a receiver having the second memory at a location determined by the second party. The receiver is in possession and in control of the second party. There is also the step of then storing the digital signal in the second memory.

Abstract: A compact disc (CD) or CD-ROM disc having at least one surface region containing a field of digitally encoded, reproducible data, outside of a central region of the disc is provided with a second non-volatile read/write memory IC chip or memory device, e.g., an E.sup.2 -PROM, embedded in the central region adjacent to the data field. Input/output (I/O) terminal is also embedded in the central region and provides for communication with and access to the second nonvolatile memory IC chip device. The terminal has one surface exposed adjacent to the data field for external access by a CD or CD-ROM access player or playback apparatus. The terminal has a series contact engagement means through which access is made by complementary terminal means provided in the player whereby the movement of the disc is terminated and information may be read into or read out of the second nonvolatile memory IC chip device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for addressably writing digital representations of high-fidelity sound recordings in a non-mapped digital storage device, such as a CD music ROM, using conventional PCM (pulse code modulated) equipment, but in a more condensed and efficiently sampled ADM (adaptive delta modulated) format thereby providing high-density addressable storage of several thousand recordings in a single music ROM jukebox as well as high-speed information transfers. The invention enables communication and control links between conventional digital audio processors and conventional microcomputers. Timing data is embedded in the ADM formatted and blocked data file. The microcomputer is utilized for editing ADM data, inserting catalog data, and transferring the data file to a standard PCM file writer suitable for making non-mapped CD music ROMs containing addressable ADM data files on conventional equipment utilized in the indstry.

Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing recorded information applies a linearly polarized light beam to a recording medium having first and second recorded information tracks. The recording medium is formed so that the intensity of reflected light relative to the incident light varies in accordance with the information recorded in one of the tracks, and the plane of polarization of the reflected light relative to the linearly polarized incident light varies in accordance with the information recorded in the other track. The reflected light is divided into two components having different planes of polarization. A recorded magnetooptic signal is reproduced from the difference in intensity between the two components, and a recorded light intensity signal is reproduced from at least one of the two components.

Abstract: A peripheral memory controller controls a helical scan magnetic tape recorder so as to record and play back data files in parallel tracks on a magnetic tape. The tape is contained in a cassette having a magnetic disk fixably mounted on one reel of the cassette so that the movement of the tape and rotation of the disk are simultaneous. The peripheral memory controller refers to a file allocation table stored in one (or more) tracks on the disk, in order to correlate data file descriptions with track locations on the tape. A disk head rapidly scans the file allocation table disk track(s) within just one (or a few) revolutions of the disk while transmitting the contents of the table to the peripheral memory controller. The controller deduces therefrom the tape track location of a particular data file and commands the tape to be transported to that location in order to access that file.

Abstract: A system which combines a video tape recorder with a computer in such a manner that these two components each automatically record and display where related information is stored in its own mechanism as well as in its counterpart mechanism. This allows the user to determine the location of all the corresponding data stored both on video tape and on diskette, by examining only one storage medium.