Abstract: A machine vision system for a controllable robotic device proximal to a workspace includes an image acquisition sensor arranged to periodically capture vision signal inputs each including an image of a field of view including the workspace. A controller operatively couples to the robotic device and includes a non-transitory memory component including an executable vision perception routine. The vision perception routine includes a focus loop control routine operative to dynamically track a focus object in the workspace and a background loop control routine operative to monitor a background of the workspace. The focus loop control routine executes simultaneously asynchronously in parallel with the background loop control routine to determine a combined resultant including the focus object and the background based upon the periodically captured vision signal inputs. The controller is operative to control the robotic device to manipulate the focus object based upon the focus loop control routine.

Abstract: A tone arm assembly for use with a rotatable turntable. The tone arm assembly includes a tone arm body supported adjacent to the rotating turntable being horizontally pivotable about a vertically extending axis. A tone arm tube is provided having a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end, the first end extending within and being supported by the tone arm body and the second end terminating at a shell for releaseably supporting a pick up cartridge. A counterweight is included which is translatable along a horizontal path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tone arm tube between a first position and a second position, the first position being closest to the shell and a second position being farthest from the shell to adjust contact pressure between a stylus maintained by the pick up cartridge and a record supported by the rotatable turntable.

Abstract: A tone arm assembly for use with a rotatable turntable. The tone arm assembly includes a tone arm body supported adjacent to the rotating turntable being horizontally pivotable about a vertically extending axis. A tone arm tube is provided having a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end, the first end extending within and being supported by the tone arm body and the second end terminating at a shell for releaseably supporting a pick up cartridge. A counterweight is included which is translatable along a horizontal path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tone arm tube between a first position and a second position, the first position being closest to the shell and a second position being farthest from the shell to adjust contact pressure between a stylus maintained by the pick up cartridge and a record supported by the rotatable turntable.

Abstract: A probe storage device includes a base plate having a main body provided with a substantially planar surface, and a scanner chip body. The scanner chip body extends across the base plate. The scanner chip body includes first and second substantially parallel planar surfaces that collectively define an outer peripheral edge portion. The scanner chip body further includes at least a mechanical ground portion fixedly mounted to the base plate, a suspension portion, and a scan table base portion. The scan table base portion is selectively movable relative to the mechanical ground portion. The probe storage device further includes a scan table platform. The scan table platform includes first and second parallel substantially planar surfaces. The scan table platform extends across, is offset relative to, and mechanically linked with the scan table base portion so as to form a composite multi-layered support table for the media.

Abstract: An optical disk driving apparatus having a function for preventing misplacement of an optical disk within the optical disk driving apparatus, includes: a main body having an opening through which the optical disk moves in and out of the apparatus; a transfer portion for moving the optical disk into and out from the main body; a driving portion for rotatably driving the optical disk inserted into the main body; an optical pickup for detecting information recorded on the optical disk loaded on the driving portion; at least one light emitting portion for irradiating light upon a surface of the optical disk; at least one light receiving portion for receiving light irradiated by the light emitting portion(s) and reflected by the optical disk to detect the inserted state of the optical disk; and a circuit portion for transmitting information detected by the light receiving portion(s) to the transfer portion so that the optical disk is ejected from the apparatus before being loaded onto the driving portion when the

Abstract: A disc recognizing method prevents a leaf spring of a pickup from being deformed in an optical disc playback apparatus including a pickup transfer for moving a pickup and a plurality of starting point detecting switches for recognizing a type of a seated disc. The method includes a disc recognizing step of recognizing the seated disc by virtue of an on state of a first starting point detecting switch which corresponds to the starting point of a laser disc when a playback mode is selected, a disc recognizing step of recognizing the seated disc by virtue of an on state of a second starting point detecting switch which corresponds to a compact disc, and a disc recognizing step of recognizing the seated disc by inwardly transferring the pickup for a predetermined period of time when a focusing operation fails after the first starting point detecting switch has been turned on.

Abstract: A recording or reproducing apparatus capable of replacing a recording medium is provided with a switch operable in connection with the loading or ejection of the recording medium, a circuit for intermittently detecting the state of the switch, a memory circuit for storing the output of the detecting circuit, a device for initializing the recording medium, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the initializing device in accordance with the stored content of the memory circuit when electric power is supplied to the recording or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle disk player is disclosed in which a disk is inserted through a disk inserting opening, the disk is fixedly mounted on a turn table by a clamper arm when conveyed to a predetermined position in the player, the turn table is rotated for reproduction of data recorded in the disk, and reproducing means including the clamper arm and turn table are supported in a floating manner. The player is provided with a centering mechanism for positioning said disk at the middle of the disk inserting opening with centering pins. The centering pins are arranged out of the range of vibration of the disk which is fixedly mounted on said turn table supported in a floating manner.

Abstract: A recording apparatus arranged to shift a recording head in a given direction relative to a record bearing medium and to perform recording in each shifted position. In positioning the recording head, the presence or absence of a record in each recording track on the medium is detected by checking them one after another in a direction reverse to the given direction from a given position. Then, the head is positioned at the first of consecutive blank recording tracks by positioning the head at a point determined by shifting the head to a given extent in the given direction from a position where the presence of a record is first detected among others by the checking operation.

Abstract: A disk playing apparatus is capable of playing a plurality of disks or disks of different diameters. A disk transfer mechanism is provided between a magazine for storing the plurality of disks and a disk musical performance mechanism disposed obliquely and rearwards with respect to the mounting position of the magazine. Also, a single disk insertion opening is provided above or below the mounting position of the magazine. A disk inserted into the disk insertion opening is also transferred by the disk transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A recording or reproducing apparatus is provided with a device for detecting and memorizing the replacement of a recording medium made even after a power supply is cut off. This prevents any error from occurring in a preset sequence of automatic operation processes to be carried out after the power supply is switched on, such as an automatic blank recording-track detecting operation.

Abstract: A protection circuit for optical disc players which can prevent the unnecessary radiation of laser beams due to a malfunction of the player. The circuit includes a laser radiating and detecting device which detects the laser beams reflecting from an optical disc and a driving stage which receives the detected signal from the laser radiating and detecting device and controls a microcomputer to cut out the supply of a driving voltage to the laser radiating and detecting device when the optical disc is not placed on a disc table.

Abstract: A magnetic disc recording apparatus comprises a search mechanism for searching for an unrecorded position on the disc to properly continue the recording to the same disc and a head control mechanism for setting a recording head at the searched unrecorded position on the disc. The search mechanism operates when it is detected that the disc has been replaced or exchanged. The head control mechanism sets the head at a predetermined preparatory position for searching, corresponding to an extremity of a predetermined searching range of the search mechanism for searching for the unrecorded position when there is an indication that the disc has been unloaded.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system, called an autochanger, having two control systems to provide the six motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges from storage holding cells to an optical drive. The system uses shaft encoders on the motors of the two control systems, and current or votlage feedback from the motors, for all positioning, and for detecting the location of the mechanisms during and at the end of moves. The shaft encoders are used to position a mechanism close to the eventual move location, then motor current or voltage feedback is used to determine opposition to the movement to the mechanism, which informs the control system as to whether the mechanism has reached its destination. An important aspect of the invention is that the motor current or voltage feedback is used by one control system to provide five of the six motions.

Abstract: A disc player is provided that has disposed in it an insertion opening through which discs having different diameters can be inserted. A disc driving mechanism, including a turntable, is located behind the insertion opening, and there is disposed a slideably mounted stopping means in the disc insertion path behind the turntable for guiding into position over the turntable a disc of either small or large diameter.

Abstract: A method and device are revealed for scanning a radiation-sensitive layer (2) of a rotating carrier (4) with a constant linear velocity by means of a radiation beam (5) which is directed towards the carrier (4) by an optical system (6) which is radially movable relative to the carrier (4). A velocity-pulse generator (10) generates clock pulses (Ps) of a frequency (fs) proportional to the angular velocity of the carrier (4). A clock generator (25) generates clock pulses (Pk) of constant frequency (fk). In response to every clock pulse (Pk) a sum value (Sw) is corrected by a first correction value (DEC). In response to every velocity pulse (Ps) the sum value is corrected by a second correction value (INC) having a sign opposite to that of the first correction value. The angular velocity (W) of the record carrier is controlled to a value for which the average of the sum value (Sw) remains constant.

Abstract: A front loading disk player has an insertion slot for receiving variable sizes of disks to be played. As the disk is inserted it encounters pinch rollers on the free ends of pivoting arms. The pressure on the pinch rollers is sensed causing the arms and their support members to move transversely of the insertion direction to open up and accommodate the diameter of the specific disk while still pinching the edge of the disk. When the disk reaches a certain stage of insertion where the central portion is past the insertion slot, the pinch rollers, arms and support members take over and pull the disk all the way into the disk player and place the disk on a turntable.

Abstract: A disc drive 22 having a head 28 actuated by an actuator 27 includes a head loading velocity control for successfully and accurately loading the head 28 onto a disc 26 so as not to cause damage to the head 28 or the disc 26.

Abstract: A record player with a scanner for record disks is provided, where the vertical recording track angle .alpha. is to be placed within predetermined limits, but where, in general, the value of .alpha. is not known. The scanner comprises a transducer which generates useful signals and which is provided with elastically supported and therefore movable scanning elements. According to the invention, means are provided for determining the difference .alpha.-.beta. of the recording track angle .alpha. and of the tracking track angle .beta.. The angle difference determining means generate a voltage which depends on the longitudinal motion of the scanning elements moved during the useful modulation and which is displayed and/or employed for correcting the track angle. A record player with a tracking sound pick-up arm for the tracking of record disks is provided. Means for tracking a groove on a side of a record disk are disposed elastically supported and thus movable on the sound pick-up arm.

Abstract: A mode switching device in a disc playback device comprises a loading device for transferring a disc or a case housing a disc between an eject position in which the disc or the disc case is inserted and ejected and a playback position in which the disc is played, a feed device for feeding a pickup head reading data recorded on the disc set in a playback position and a mode switching device for switching the mode between loading, eject and playback modes. The feed device can move across an overstroke region extending radially outwardly of a read-out position of the pickup head and the mode switching device performs switching of the mode when the feed device has reached a predetermined position in the overstroke region.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing information signals recorded in spiral or coaxial tracks of a record disc includes a pick-up device operative, upon scanning of a track of the disc while the latter is rotated, to reproduce the information signals recorded in the scanned track; a driver for rotating the record disc relative to the pick-up device; a tracking device for controlling the tracing of the tracks by the pick-up device; a transporting device for bodily moving the pick-up device in a radial direction in respect to the axis of rotation of the record disc and thereby normally determining the tracks to be scanned by the pick-up device; and a controller selectively operative for causing the pick-up device to intermittently trace nonadjacent groups of tracks so as to intermittently reproduce the information signal recorded in the nonadjacent groups of tracks, respectively.

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 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: An apparatus for detecting position of a reproducing transducer in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus which reproduces an information signal recorded in a rotary recording medium by a reproducing transducer which is transferred towards the radial direction of the rotary recording medium, comprises a single photo-detector having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, provided in a manner so as to be transferred unitarily with the reproducing transducer, a light interrupting plate provided at a fixed part of the rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus, for operating together with the photo-detector, and a position detection signal producing circuit for producing a position detection output signal according to an output of said photo-detector, to indicate that the reproducing transducer has passed a position corresponding to the outermost peripheral position and the innermost peripheral position of the recorded region in the rotary recording medium.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of correcting a position of a disk record on a turntable for positioning the record on the turntable in a concentric manner relative to the rotational center of the turntable.In the method of the invention, a stylus which is mounted on a pickup arm traces a groove of a record placed on a turntable. On tracing the groove of the record, an angular displacement of the pickup arm is detected for detecting an eccentricity of the record relative to the rotational center of the turntable. The position of the record on the turntable is corrected in accordance with the detected eccentricity.

Abstract: A record changer for a record playing apparatus of the type including a center spindle on which records are adapted to be held and then dropped onto a turntable to be played, includes a tone arm for reproducing signals which are recorded on a record, dropped onto the turntable, a detecting device for detecting the position of the tone arm, an operating mechanism for controlling the operation of the record changer when the detecting device detects that the tone arm is in an inoperative position, and a device for stopping the operation of the record changer during operation of the operating means when the detecting device detects that the tone arm is in an operative position.

Abstract: An intersong detecting circuit for an automatic music selecting device for a record player in which intersong intervals are accurately detected even for a disc having irregular reflectivities or between discs of different reflectivities. An intersong sensor detects intersong intervals between adjacent songs on a recording disc. The output signal from the intersong sensor is sampled and held at a rate determined by a leading-in time/reproducing time time-constant switching signal. The sampled-and-held signal is compared with the output of the sensor to produce a differential signal and an intersong identification signal is produced when the differential signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A record player is described having a turntable which is rotated by a pulsed motor energized from a motor drive circuit. The motor driving circuit includes a negative feedback servo loop which includes means for detecting vibration of the arm. Means is further provided for generating an output in response to the vibration of said tone arm. A high-pass filter is provided having a cut-off frequency which is the same or lower than the resonance frequency of the tone arm. The motor is controlled by an output of the servo loop in proportion to an accelerated velocity of the tone arm when said tone arm is vibrating at less than the cut-off frequency.

Abstract: A video disc player is fitted with a mechanism for detenting a stylus carriage against a travel limit stop. The detent mechanism includes a toothed member disposed on the carriage which engages a toothed wheel. The wheel is spring loaded such that in a certain carriage position the spring exerts a force on the carriage through the wheel, which urges the carriage against the limit stop. The detent mechanism impedes possible bounce back of the carriage.

Abstract: A tone arm system for a record player is provided having servo-controlled record warp compensation means including a moving coil motor for driving the tone arm vertically and a moving magnet motor for driving the tone arm horizontally in response to servo-currents.

Abstract: In a record player an overload coupling is arranged between a command disk and a pick-up arm controlled by the disk. The coupling comprises two coupling members which are pivotable relative to each other out of a neutral position about an axis, which members each comprise a guide which is concentrically curved around the axis. Viewed parallel to the axis, the guides coincide in the neutral position. A continuous helical spring, whose ends bear against end portions of the guides in the neutral position, is slid over the guides.

Abstract: A muting switch for co-operation with the phono sockets of a record player to short circuit the leads from the pick-up, which are connected to the phono socket, at all times except when a record is being played.