Abstract: A deployable safety apparatus attached to a vehicle frame includes two or more support components that are coupled to the vehicle frame, extend outwardly from the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is deployed, and retract inwardly toward the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is not deployed, or retracted. Barrier components coupled to one or more corresponding support components form a safety barrier surrounding at least a portion of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is deployed and remain in a retracted position near the side of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in a retracted position (i.e., not deployed). In some embodiments, at least some barrier components are additionally configured to form a fall-prevention barrier extending upward from the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery management device 1 and the like that maintains each secondary battery (SB) 2 in an appropriate state. The battery management device 1 calculates a degradation state of no smaller than the three SB 2 to be managed separately, selects, as the new power source, one of the SB 2 that have not been selected as a power source among a plurality of the SB 2 as management objects based on the degradation state, selects one of the plurality of the SB 2 that have been selected as the power source based on the degradation state and removing it from the power source, changes a combination of a plurality of the secondary batteries as the power source based on the degradation state, and activates the SB 2 disconnected from the power source by discharging and charging the SB 2.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same can include a wavelength converting layer in order to emit various colored lights including white light. The device can include a board, a frame located on the board, at least one light-emitting chip mounted on the board, the wavelength converting layer located between an optical plate and an outside surface of the chips so that a density of a peripheral region is lower than that of a middle region, and a reflective material layer disposed at least between the frame and a side surface of the wavelength-converting layer. The device can have the reflective material layer form each reflector and can use a wavelength converting layer having different densities, and therefore can emit a wavelength-converted light having a high light-emitting efficiency and a uniform color tone from various small light-emitting surfaces.

Abstract: HDD boxes 831 to 83n are each incorporated with a secondary battery box 87, a non-isolated DC/DC converter 89, and an HDD 91. Logical circuit boards 851 to 85n are each incorporated with the secondary battery box 87, fast-transient-response-type non-isolated DC/DC converters 931 to 933, and a plurality of loads 951 to 953. Every secondary battery box 87 is provided with a charge/discharge circuit 97, and a plurality of in-line secondary batteries 99. In the HDD box, the output voltage from the secondary battery box 87 goes to an HDD 91 via the DC/DC converter 89. In the logical circuit board, the output voltage from the secondary battery box 87 goes to the corresponding loads 951 to 953 via the DC/DC converters 931 to 933. With such a structure, in a disk array apparatus, realized are higher energy efficiency and less space occupation through reducing power loss and optimizing power capacity setting for a backup power.

Abstract: In a disk array system, techniques advantageous in terms of economy and maintenance and capable of realizing high-density wiring of data signal wiring and power feed wiring on a backboard, and flexibly implementing specification change, processing performance improvement, etc. are provided according to a DKC mounting method different from conventional ones. In a power feed unit of the backboard, the power feed wiring comprises a bus bar of three-dimensional structure which reserves a gap distance with respect to a face of the backboard. The data signal wiring connecting connectors is provided in an area below the bus bar, thereby providing high-density wiring. The gap distance is formed to meet a design specification which makes the power supply noise influence of the power feed wiring of the bus bar on the data signal wiring satisfactory small. Power feed connectors and locator pins for logical packages are connected on the bus bar.

Abstract: HDD boxes 831 to 83n are each incorporated with a secondary battery box 87, a non-isolated DC/DC converter 89, and an HDD 91. Logical circuit boards 851 to 85n are each incorporated with the secondary battery box 87, fast-transient-response-type non-isolated DC/DC converters 931 to 933, and a plurality of loads 951 to 953. Every secondary battery box 87 is provided with a charge/discharge circuit 97, and a plurality of in-line secondary batteries 99. In the HDD box, the output voltage from the secondary battery box 87 goes to an HDD 91 via the DC/DC converter 89. In the logical circuit board, the output voltage from the secondary battery box 87 goes to the corresponding loads 951 to 953 via the DC/DC converters 931 to 933. With such a structure, in a disk array apparatus, realized are higher energy efficiency and less space occupation through reducing power loss and optimizing power capacity setting for a backup power.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes at least two systems, each system having at least one power unit and at least one battery unit ancillary to the power unit. The disk apparatus also includes at least one common power unit having a pluralities of batteries attached thereto connected in common with the two systems. Patrol control means (PC) is operatively connected to a power control unit (0) of one system and a power control unit (1) of another system for giving a control signal during a battery monitoring operation and a priority order to the battery monitoring operation. The patrol control means monitors the function of the common batteries attached to the common power unit and, further, when the common batteries are incorporated in the magnetic disk apparatus, controls the simultaneous monitoring of the common batteries and the time of incorporation of the common batteries into the magnetic disk apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus which is used as a subsystem of a computer system, in particular a medium-sized computer system which uses commercial power and does not have its own backup power, provided with a plurality of directors (118), a plurality of magnetic disk modules (148) commonly accessed from the plurality of directors, a plurality of director batteries (114-m) for supplying power individually to the plurality of directors, magnetic disk module batteries (114-n) for supplying power to the magnetic disk modules, and a power controller (110) for independently controlling the supply of power from the plurality of director batteries and magnetic disk module batteries in accordance with the operating state of the plurality of directors and magnetic disk modules. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The magneto-optical disk drive apparatus according to the present invention sends a notice for inhibition of writing write data into a magneto-optical disk to a host computer when a volume of electric charge in a secondary battery has not reached a predetermined level, so that, even when power supply from outside is disconnected, write data already stored in a write buffer can safely and accurately be written into a magneto-optical disk.

Abstract: A disc player has a housing with a slot for the insertion of a disc-shaped information carrier. The disc player comprises an automatic loading system for loading and unloading an information carrier inserted in the slot. The loading system comprises an electrical drive unit and an actuating unit (10) for actuating a switching means (224) of an electrical circuit for energizing the electrical drive unit. The actuating unit comprises a first and a second tilting member (202; 206) with a first and a second follower element (204; 208) respectively adapted to cooperate with a main surface of the information carrier, and a pivotal element (210) for cooperation with the switching means, which pivotal element is controllable by the first and the second tilting member.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a recording head arranged to record signals on a recording medium; a motor for shifting a relative position between the recording medium and the recording head; and a control circuit arranged to apply electric energy to the motor in starting the motor either in a first mode in which the electric energy is limited to a first value or in a second mode in which the electric energy is limited to a second value which is lower than the first value. Also disclosed is a motor control circuit which is highly suited to the recording apparatus. Detecting apparatus is also included to detect whether the power source is an A.C. adapter or a battery.

Abstract: Stopping system for the drive mechanism of a records-player, comprising a pivotable aperture linked with the playback arm, fixed to a sector, and possessing a light/dark zone towards the end of its pivoting range. This zone is scanned by a photoelectric barrier in the sharp range and issues the stop command by means of an evaluation logic.

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: In a disk size detecting circuit, the size of a disk is determined according to the speed of a motor adapted to rotate the disk and the angle through which motor has rotated after the start thereof. A counter, which is reset with the signal which starts the operation of the motor, counts pulses indicative of the amount of rotation of the motor. A rotational speed detector circuit, which may take the form of a frequency-to-voltage converter followed by a voltage comparator or a frequency counter followed by a digital comparator, produces a signal indicating the rotational speed of the motor. The output of the counter and the output of the rotational speed detector are applied to a circuit which discriminates the size of the disk according to the two signals.

Abstract: A video disc player having an operational state for holding the disc without rotation when the disc has been inserted into or has been prepared for withdrawal from the player as well as a reproduction state for picking up the signal recorded on the disc when the disc is on the rotating turntable, in which the time of the holding state of the disc is measured and when the holding state of the disc exceeds a predetermined time, the disc is set on the turntable and the turntable continuously rotates until another state instruction is generated, thereby suppressing deformation of the disc.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus has a detector for detecting absence of an optical disk in a prescribed position, a detection circuit for detecting non-rotation of the disk and an AND circuit for producing a logical product of the outputs from the detector and detection circuit. The detector comprises a light-emitting diode and a light-receiving element. An output signal from the AND circuit is supplied to a beam source driver/control circuit, thereby turning off a beam source.

Abstract: A phonograph cover is coupled to a tone arm assembly such that movement of the cover to its open position automatically retracts the needle of the tone arm assembly from the record in any selected position of the tone arm assembly on the record playing portion of the record. Movement of the cover to its closed position automatically causes the needle to engage the record in any selected position of the tone arm assembly on the record playing portion of the record.The tone arm assembly is further coupled to the phonograph turntable drive means such that the drive means is actuated upon movement of the tone arm assembly onto the record playing portion of the record. The drive means is deactuated upon movement of the tone arm assembly to a rest position located outside of the playing portion of the record.

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: A velocity control system for a rotating disc having a spiralling track thereon and comprising an arm rotatable about a fixed axis, a stylus attached to such arm and positioned to follow the spiralling track, and logic responsive to the position of the arm to produce a control signal indicative of the position of the arm. Also provided is a prime mover responsive to the control signal to rotate the disc at an angular velocity to produce a velocity at the point of contact between the stylus and the disc which is a predetermined function of the position of the stylus.

Abstract: The player has a record handling mechanism which consists of a sequencing cam for coordinating the operations of a record lifting finger and a set of record receiving pads. To transfer a record from the record receiving pads to a turntable for playback, the record lifting finger is raised through a slot in the turntable to lift the record to a position above the receiving pads, the receiving pads are retracted out of the way, and then the record lifting finger is withdrawn to a location beneath the turntable to deposit the record on the turntable. To transfer the record back to the record receiving pads for retrieval, the sequence of operations is basically reversed. It is desirable to hold the registration between the turntable slot and the record lifting finger when the player is turned off. To this end a shutoff switch actuating mechanism is provided. When the player is turned off, the sequencing cam is driven in a direction that raises the record lifting finger through the turntable slot.

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: A drive control system for a linear motor having a stator and a sliding member capable of sliding along the stator. A position detector comprises an arrangement of light emitting elements and a detector, or the converse to produce a position signal. A comparator compares the position signal with a reference signal to produce an output drive signal for the linear motor.

Abstract: An extremely simple record changer mechanism is provided wherein only two members interconnect the tone arm subassembly with the main cycling gear in the spindle area of the changer. One of these members is employed to lift and lower the tone arm and the other member is used for the dual purpose of moving the tone arm horizontally during the record changing cycle and also acts as a velocity trip actuating member during the playing cycle. Both members are designed to avoid damage to the mechanism if the tone arm is moved or restrained during the record changing cycle. The presence or absence of a record on the spindle shelf is sensed by blade means which is moved in the direction of the shelf during the initial portion of the record changing cycle. If no record is present on the shelf, the tone arm is lowered into engagement with a retaining notch on the rest post at a point somewhat before mid cycle and the turntable motor is turned off at the end of this last record shutoff cycle.

Abstract: An automatic record player comprises a tone arm, a drive motor, a turntable, a turntable spindle having a turntable gear, a gear wheel engageable with the turntable gear to receive a rotational force of the turntable, a tripping member for bringing the turntable gear into engagement with the gear wheel, a cam arrangement defined on the gear wheel, a drive transmitting lever having one end engaged to the cam arrangement and the other end operatively coupled to the tone arm, and a switching lever for selecting cam portions of the cam arrangement into use one at a time. The cam arrangement is comprised of a generally heart-shaped cam groove and a bypass groove bypassing a portion of the heart-shaped cam groove and having a depth larger than that of the heart-shaped cam groove. An automatic power switch control and a start-cut mechanism are also utilized.

Abstract: A switch device for a turntable with a starting device which closes the switch for the drive motor on the one hand by means of a swinging movement of the pick-up arm manually during swinging-in from its support bracket onto the record, and on the other hand by means of a direct current dc low voltage solenoid which is actuated by momentary actuation of an operating service element, the latter being connected with a first contact pair, and a switch-off device which acts automatically with the arriving of the pick-up or reproducing head in the run-out groove of the record, the switch-off device opening the switch for the drive motor and containing a switch for the entire current supply of the device from the power supply mains.