Abstract: A portable message device comprises a box-like housing, including a channel hook mounting bracket, for detachable mounting on the edge a closure of an automobile, or a building, and includes a cassette tape player mounted within the housing for playing a prerecorded message. In one embodiment, the tape player is mounted on one end of the bracket and the speaker for the player, and an activating switch is mounted on the other so that the player can be secured within an enclosure with the speaker and activating switch being externally accessible. The player is activated by a push button on the exterior of the speaker housing and includes control means that automatically stops the tape at the end of the message.

Abstract: A toy, such as a stuffed doll, having a melody-making mechanism of a sound-detection type is disclosed, in which the melody-making mechanism is provided with a sound-detector, an amplifier circuit and a switching circuit in such arrangement that operation of the melody-making mechanism may be discontinued after a predetermined period of time. The sound-detector may be in the form of a ceramic condenser or a microphone.

Abstract: A tape timer apparatus is disclosed. Apparatus is provided for producing frame pulses indicating a frame period in a running tape and for producing a tape direction signal. An up/down counter counts up or down, as determined by the tape direction signal, in response to the frame pulses. A detecting circuit generates a detection signal indicating whether the frequency of the frame pulse has exceeded a predetermined frequency. A circuit is also provided for dividing the frame pulses by a predetermined number and generating a single frequency divided pulse each time the predetermined number of frame pulses is generated. A selection circuit selects, in accordance with the detection circuit, either the frame pulse or the frequency divided pulse. A microcomputer receives the pulse from the selecting means as an interruption demand pulse and calculates the tape time on the basis of the value counted by the up/down counter.

Abstract: A timed controller operable with a VCR for partially inhibiting operation thereof after a preselected time period has elapsed. The controller includes a clock, and a counter receiving and counting clock pulses from the clock and generating an inhibit signal upon counting a predetermined number of clock pulses corresponding to the preselected time period. A keyed switch is used to reset the counter and to control a power switch to apply power to the clock and counter. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the clock and counter for operation of the controller when the VCR is disconnected from its source of power. An interconnect cable extends between the counter and the inhibit switch, and the inhibit switch is changed into a state which disables the VCR should the cable be disconnected. An inhibit switch is positioned within the VCR to apply a control signal thereto in response to the inhibit signal to cause the VCR to automatically rewind and disable other playing functions of the VCR.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optically readable information disk, a method of manufacturing same, as well as a device for carrying out the method, in which the information disk which comprises an optically readable information track of information areas situated at a higher and a lower level, is manufactured entirely from a radiation-cured layer of a lacquer containing oligomeric acrylates or methacrylates which on an average per molecule comprise between one and four acrylate groups or methacrylate groups, has a viscosity of 1,000-15,000 cP and comprises a photoinitiator in a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5% by weight. Suitable lacquers comprise notably 1,1'-isopropylene-bis(p-phenoxyethylmethacrylate) or 1,1'-isopropylene-bis(p-phenoxyethylacrylate).

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a video tape recorder (VTR), is set into a desired, but complex mode, such as automatic recording of a desired program, by manual scanning with an optical wand or other scanning instrument of one or more code groups printed on a selection card. Respective selection cards have code groups thereon for selecting, for example, mode, channel, day of week, recording start time (including AM or PM), and recording end time. Code signals provided from the scanning instrument are processed in a data processing circuit, which can be provided as a microprocessor and included in the VTR to provide control signals to the VTR in response to information contained in the scanned code groups. Alternatively, a combination of an FM receiver and high fidelity audio recorder can be set into an auto record mode or other complex operating mode by scanning of selection cards with a scanning instrument associated with such combination.

Abstract: A programmable channel selecting apparatus to be disclosed is comprised of a manually operated switch for selecting desired channels and for inputting preset times for desired channel reception, a channel selecting circuit for driving a tuner and a channel indicator in manual/auto channel selecting mode, a channel preselecting circuit which, in channel preselection mode, memorizes a desired channel and a desired time for the channel reception in advance while at the same time causes a channel indicator to indicate the preselected channel and in auto-channel selection mode, applies a preselected channel signal to the channel selecting circuit when time reaches the preset time, those being all connected a common signal line, and an inhibiting circuit for preventing an erroneous operation. With such a construction, inputting and displaying of a selected channel and a preset or preselected channel can be made through one system of a channel preselection switch and a channel display.

Abstract: A system to automatically control the changeover of recording and recording stop, or transmission and transmission stop, and being employed in the recording or transmitting device provided with a vibration pick-up type microphone for picking up bone-conducted voice sounds. The automatic changeover of recording and recording stop or transmission and transmission stop is attained by control signals corresponding to impact vibrations except voice signals uttered by a microphone wearer himself, transmitted through his bones and picked up by the microphone or another controlling microphone.