Abstract: Techniques for improving a blast pattern at a mining site include conducting an initial blast and recording the initial blast as a high speed optical video. The high speed optical video, and the blast pattern used in the initial blast are sent as inputs to a machine learning model, which correlates one or more characteristics of the region being blasted with measurements associated with characteristics of the region being blasted obtained from the high speed optical video. The machine learning model can then determine an improved blast pattern based on the correlation made. This improved blast pattern can be displayed on a user computing device, or transmitted to a drilling system to automatically drill the improved blast pattern for subsequent blasts.

Abstract: In an embodiment a method for determining an electrical parameter includes charging, in parallel, a first capacitor and a second capacitor from a common supply voltage, measuring a first discharge time by discharging the first capacitor using a comparator and a time-to-digital converter that is connected to an output of the comparator and that provides a digital output signal, measuring a second discharge time by discharging the first capacitor a second time or by discharging the second capacitor using the comparator and the time-to-digital converter and determining the electrical parameter from a ratio of the first and second discharge times.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jig for fabricating a concave-convex structure. The jig for fabricating a concave-convex structure is coupled to a multipurpose woodworking device including a woodworking work table for performing a plurality of operations for forming a concave-convex structure and a router mounted on the woodworking work table to perform the operations for forming a concave-convex structure, using a plurality of end mills. Furthermore, the jig for fabricating a concave-convex structure includes at least one of a wood piece support jig supporting or fixing a wood piece to be fabricated, a shaping guide jig allowing for forming shapes corresponding to the operations for forming a concave-convex structure, and a stopper jig maintaining X-axial movement of the router by intervals corresponding to the operations for forming a concave-convex structure. Accordingly, it is possible to easily fabricate circular, round, rectangular, dovetailed, and gallery-shaped grooves and joints.

Abstract: An accelerator manager monitors usage of accelerators by one or more computer programs, and generates a historical log from the monitored usage. The accelerator manager determines from the historical log which of the plurality of accelerators to implement on one or more application-specific integrated circuits. Each application-specific integrated circuit can include implemented accelerators and accelerator images that can be deployed to external programmable devices. Once one or more accelerators are implemented on one or more application-specific integrated circuits, the accelerator manager can direct one of the application-specific integrated circuits to provide a needed accelerator. An application-specific integrated circuit can provide the needed accelerator either using an accelerator implemented in the application-specific integrated circuit, or by deploying an accelerator image in the application-specific integrated circuit to an external programmable device.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to enable design and creation of receiver circuitry. One embodiment is a receiver apparatus comprising a plurality of receiver arrangements, each receiver arrangement having a sampling circuit and a multi-stage differential amplifier connected to the sampling circuit. Each receiver arrangement is configurable via switches between an amplifying mode and an autozero mode. Control circuitry may select output data from a sampling circuit of one or more receiver arrangements that are not in autozero mode. In various embodiments, settings for individual receiver arrangements may be set based on decision feedback equalization (DFE).

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a row bar that includes a plurality of slider bodies to be lapped. At least one slider body includes at least a first row of a plurality of electrical contact pads; and a second row of a plurality of electrical contact pads. The first row of electrical contact pads extends along the cross-track direction at a first position in a lapping direction. The second row of electrical contact pads extends along the cross-track direction at a second position in the lapping direction. The second row of electrical contact pads are electrically isolated from ground. The present disclosure also involves related methods of locating electrical contact pads on a slider body.

Abstract: A touch input system is disclosed. The system includes a medium configured to receive a touch input. The system includes an antenna located substantially adjacent and parallel to at least a portion of the medium where the touch input may be received. The system includes a transmitter substantially coupled to the medium, wherein the transmitter is configured to propagate a propagating signal through the medium. The system includes a detector that detects a disturbance to the propagating signal by the touch input, wherein the detector is configured to output data indicating the disturbance of the propagating signal that is indicative of a user indication.

Abstract: An electronic device records a first time and then a second time, each when connected to an AC power source. After the electronic device records the first and second times, the electronic device calculates a difference by subtracting the second time from the first and determines a power outage occurred by verifying that the difference is greater than a threshold. After determining that a power outage occurred, the electronic device may display one or more messages regarding the determined power outage either automatically or in response to user input received from the user input device. In some implementations, the first and second time may be part of a sequence of times that the electronic device regularly records at fixed interval of electronic device operation. In other implementations, the first time may be regularly recorded and the second time may be recorded upon the occurrence of an event.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed recurringly cycling the driving of a platter media of a hard drive with a motor, allowing rotation of the platter media to slow only to a threshold rotational speed to balance power conservation with delays in accessing data. A method comprises driving platter media of a hard drive to rotate at a selected normal rotational speed, retrieving data stored on the platter media when the platter media rotates at the normal rotational speed, ceasing to drive the platter media to rotate to allow the platter media to rotate under rotational inertia imparted to the platter media, monitoring a current rotational speed of the platter media, and resuming driving the platter media to rotate based on the current rotational speed falling to a lower threshold rotational speed selected to be less than the normal rotational speed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A data logging device tracks the operation of a vehicle or driver actions. The device includes a storage device, which may be removable or portable, having a first memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in a vehicle and a second memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in the vehicle. The second memory portion may retain data attributes associated with the data stored in the first removable storage device. A processor reads data from an automotive bus that transfers data from vehicle sensors to other automotive components. The processor writes data to the first memory portion and the second memory portion that reflect a level of risk or safety. A communication device links the storage device to a network of computers. The communication device may be accessible through software that allows a user to access files.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a memory device and a computing device communicatively coupled to the memory device. The computing device is to receive environmental data from a host device via a second communication channel isolated from a first communication channel and record the environmental data on the memory device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed recurringly cycling the driving of a platter media of a hard drive with a motor, allowing rotation of the platter media to slow only to a threshold rotational speed to balance power conservation with delays in accessing data. A method comprises driving platter media of a hard drive to rotate at a selected normal rotational speed, retrieving data stored on the platter media when the platter media rotates at the normal rotational speed, ceasing to drive the platter media to rotate to allow the platter media to rotate under rotational inertia imparted to the platter media, monitoring a current rotational speed of the platter media, and resuming driving the platter media to rotate based on the current rotational speed falling to a lower threshold rotational speed selected to be less than the normal rotational speed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration; a processor that is coupled to the acceleration sensor and configured to: cause a storage that is included in the information processing device to execute crash-proof processing based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, and cause the storage to terminate the crash-proof processing when the processor detects that an external device is mechanically coupled to the information processing device.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle navigation apparatus, a present position is detected, an altitude of the present position is acquired from map data, and a temperature inside of a hard disk drive is acquired with a temperature sensor. An atmospheric pressure of the present position is then calculated from the altitude and temperature. When the calculated atmospheric pressure is less than a predetermined atmospheric pressure, it is presumed that a magnetic head cannot be floating against a magnetic disk in the hard disk drive. Access to the hard disk drive is thereby prohibited. Thus, in the hard disk drive of the navigation apparatus, contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic disk is prevented when running a place with a low atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A data recorder has: a controlled state detecting unit, operable to detect a controlled state of a vehicle by a driver; an operating state detecting unit, operable to detect an operating state of the vehicle; a state recording unit; and a recording condition determination unit, operable to determine whether or not the controlled state and the operating state are recorded in the state recording unit based on at least the controlled state of the controlled and operating states.

Abstract: A method of controlling the position of a read/write head relative to a disk in a test apparatus is disclosed. The test apparatus has a positioner for positioning the head. The positioner has a sensor to measure the actual position achieved by the positioner. The method includes generating a sensor signal measuring the actual position achieved by the positioner; generating a position error signal of the head relative to the disk detected at the head; high pass filtering the head position error signal and low pass filtering the sensor signal so that there is substantially no overlap in frequency between them; and, deriving a low frequency head error signal from the head position error signal corresponding to any drift of the head.

Abstract: The storage device of the invention has a ramp mechanism which shakes out the head onto the disk medium, and causes the head to evacuate from the medium to hold it. The command queuing processing unit stores input/output commands into the command queue in the order of issuance by the host, and then, executes the commands in arrangement in the increasing order of the medium access time. Completion of commands is responded to the host in the order of completion of execution. The end of command is responded to the host in the order of end of execution. The emergency evacuation processing unit interrupts, upon receipt of an emergency evacuation command from the host during operation of the command queuing processing unit, operation of the command queuing processing unit and protects the head by causing the head to evacuate from the medium to the ramp mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments can be used to re-write user data to a rotatable storage medium. When a position of a write element is not within a threshold during a data write operation, a part of a data track potentially affected by the write operation, while the position of the write element was not within the threshold, can be determined. When the device including the rotatable storage medium is free from other data transfer operations, the data of the data track potentially affected by the write operation can be re-written. In this manner, data that may be considered less reliable due to the misplacement of a write element during a data write operation, can be re-written.

Abstract: A method for predicting the failure of a data storage device having a slider heater is disclosed. For slider heaters exhibiting a decreasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when heater resistance suddenly increases 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from negative to positive. For slider heaters exhibiting an increasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when the heater resistance suddenly drops 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from positive to negative. Additionally, random changes in heater resistance exceeding nominal measurement error may also be utilized to produce a failure warning. This method provides advance warning of potential data read/write errors well before the open circuit failure of the slider heater occurs.

Abstract: Provided is information processing equipment capable of efficiently performing data transfer restarted after it is suspended because a possibility of being affected by an impact derived from dropping or the like is predicted or detected. During transfer of data from an HDD, an amount-of-transferred data meter counts in real time the number of sectors from which data has been transferred. An acceleration sensor detects acceleration applied to the equipment. A sector that may be affected by an impact derived from dropping or the like is identified based on the number of sectors indicated with a result of the measurement obtained when the detected acceleration value exceeds a threshold. Information on the sector is written in a register. When the data transfer is restarted, it is restarted with data stored in the sector that is recorded in the register.

Abstract: A data acquisition apparatus acquires an analog input signal from an analog sensor, and generates digital data based on the analog input signal for processing by a personal computing apparatus. The analog input signal generated by the analog sensor has a voltage component which varies according to a condition sensed by the analog sensor. The data acquisition apparatus includes a first conversion circuit, such as a voltage-to-frequency converter, coupled to the analog sensor which receives the analog input signal and generates an analog information transfer signal having a signal component which varies in relation to the voltage component of the analog input signal. A signal transfer device, such as a portable audio record/playback device, records the analog information transfer signal and transfers it to a first audio input of the personal computing apparatus.

Abstract: A data acquisition apparatus acquires an analog input signal from an analog sensor, and generates digital data based on the analog input signal for processing by a personal computing apparatus. The analog input signal generated by the analog sensor has a voltage component which varies according to a condition sensed by the analog sensor. The data acquisition apparatus includes a first conversion circuit, such as a voltage-to-frequency converter, coupled to the analog sensor which receives the analog input signal and generates an analog information transfer signal having a signal component which varies in relation to the voltage component of the analog input signal. A signal transfer device, such as a portable audio record/playback device, records the analog information transfer signal and transfers it to a first audio input of the personal computing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for recording motion of a vehicle or a fixed structure with a self-contained motion recorder apparatus. The self-contained motion recorder apparatus is a sealed unit that contains a power source together with controller, sensor and recording devices. The controller device includes a power consumption manager that manages and conserves the overall power consumption of the apparatus. A sensor device is further included in operable communication with the controller device that produces signals that represent the motion of the vehicle or structure as a function of time. Additionally, a recording element is provided in operable communication with the controller for storing data that corresponds to the signals. A communication interface is further provided such that data may be read from the apparatus and commands and data may be written into the apparatus, from an external device.

Abstract: A media meter mounts to a surface of a removable storage media or other product, and provides a visual indication of one or more parameters of the storage media or other product. The media meter includes circuitry that detects status signals transmitted by rf transmissions or directly connected by wires between an auxiliary memory device mounted on the storage media or product, or receives status signals via rf transmissions directly from the auxiliary memory. As another alternative, the media meter may be integrated with the auxiliary memory to receive status signals directly from the auxiliary memory. The status signals indicate the capacity of the storage media, the number of read and/or write errors that have occurred during back-up and retrieval, the number of times the storage media has been loaded with data or other information, and other dynamically-varying parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with: a distributing server for multiplexing copy control information and recording information, said copy control information indicating the number of times to be indicated after recording in a recording information apparatus is completed, when outputting the recording information and the copy control information; a transmitting unit for distributing the multiplexed recording information and copy control information to a recorder at an output speed higher than the reproducing speed of the recording information from the optical disk; a set top box for obtaining the distributed recording information and copy control information; and the recorder for recording the obtained recording information and copy control information into the optical disk, without modifying the copy control information.

Abstract: A disk drive device in which emergency unloading at the start of the engine is prevented, a head may have a prolonged life and improved reliability as an HDD is achieved. A disk drive device is driven or the movement of a magnetic head is allowed after an engine start in a vehicle is detected by an engine start detecting part, so that emergency unloading can be prevented at the start of the engine. In order to detect the engine start, voltage values on four power supply lines for a vehicle power supply device are monitored or the outputs of various sensors such as a tachometer, a vibration detection sensor, an engine sound detection sensor, a vehicle speed pulse, a gyro sensor and a parking brake are monitored. In another embodiment, the number of emergency unloading occurrence at the start of the engine is reduced, which allows the head to have a prolonged life, so that the disk drive device has improved reliability as an HDD.

Abstract: In a disk drive apparatus for forcibly restoring a head to a retract position when a power voltage is greatly lowered, the head is moved in a direction toward the retract position when detecting a small decrease in the power voltage.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a head carriage movable in a radial direction of a disk mounted on the disk drive, a guide rod fixed on a frame of th disk drive for guiding the head carriage, a voice coil motor including a magnetic circuit screwed on the frame and a drive coil mounted on the head carriage, a guide-rod catching member provided on the frame so as to catch the guide rod, and a resilient guide-rod urging member resiliently urging the guide rod against the guide-rod catching member, wherein the resilient guide-rod urging member is screwed on the frame together with the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic signal reproducing apparatus which can lessen fluctuation of reproduced outputs in reproducing magnetic signals recorded in a magnetic tape by a magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head even if a magnetic tape sliding face of the magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head is abraded. A current value of a sense current when a voltage fluctuation level of the sense current caused when a magnetic field in the normal direction is applied to a magneto-resistance effect element of the magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head is equal with a voltage fluctuation level of the sense current caused when a magnetic field in the opposite direction is applied thereto is set to a predetermined value I0. Then, the current value of the sense current supplied to the magneto-resistance effect element of the magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head is set to be greater than I0 in reproducing the magnetic signals recorded in the magnetic tape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for recording vehicle motion. The self-contained vehicle motion recorder apparatus is a sealed unit that contains at least a power source, and controller, sensor and recording devices. The controller device includes a power consumption manager that manages and conserves the overall power consumption of the apparatus. A sensor device is further included in operable communication with the controller device that produces signals that represent the vehicle's motion as a function of time. Additionally, a recording element is provided in operable communication with the controller for storing data that corresponds to the signals. A communication interface is further provided such that data may be read from the apparatus and commands and data may be written into the apparatus, from an external device.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring magnetic recording head transducer to disc surface spacing and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. A slider body of a read/write head has first and second rails forming portions of an air bearing surface of the slider body. First and second cavities are formed in the first and second rails of the slider body at the air bearing surface. First and second capacitance plates are positioned within the first and second cavities, respectively, such that a surface of each of the first and second capacitance plates is substantially coplanar with at least portions of the air bearing surface.

Abstract: Data is digitally sampled at intervals, and these samples are stored for a fixed period. During this period the samples are also processed to select certain characteristics, such as maximum, minimum, average, etc., and these abstract indicators are stored and updated. Then, at some longer interval, the abstract is stored in another data block, and this data block of abstracts is also continuously monitored to select the maximum, minimum, etc., to produce a higher abstracted sample. The process of storage of samples and continuous selection can be repeated for even higher abstraction. Thus, the important characteristics are preserved, but the quantity of data to be stored is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A learning type signal recording and reproducing apparatus has a signal detector for detecting signals recorded on recording media, a teaching signal generator for generating reference teaching signals having predetermined waveform signal patterns, and a learning type waveform converter for generating converting rules from signals recorded on the recording medium to original signals corresponding to the recorded signals, by learning the relationship between the detection results by the signal detector of teaching signals recorded on the recording media and reference teaching signals outputted by the teaching signal generator. With this apparatus, signals can be stably reproduced even if the signals contain distortion caused by noise or difference in the recording media.

Abstract: A voice recording and playback apparatus includes a memory unit having addressable memory regions, a voice input unit for converting a user voice input into an electrical signal, and a processor for storing the electrical signal from the voice input unit as a voice message in the memory unit. A recording address generator, which includes a recording address decoder and a plurality of recording switches for connecting a respective input of the recording address decoder to a voltage source, provides a corresponding recording address to the processor to enable the latter to store the voice message in a corresponding one of the memory regions of the memory unit when one of the recording switches is closed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus relating to an accelerometer electrical signal recorder and playback module. The recorder module may be manufactured in lightweight configuration and includes analog memory components to store data. Signal conditioning circuitry is incorporated into the module so that signals may be connected directly from the accelerometer to the recorder module. A battery pack may be included for powering both the module and the accelerometer. Timing circuitry is included to control the time duration within which data is recorded or played back so as to avoid overloading the analog memory components. Multiple accelerometer signal recordings may be taken simultaneously without analog to digital circuits, multiplexing circuitry or software to compensate for the effects of multiplexing the signals.

Abstract: A device for recording an information signal on a magnetic record carrier (2) includes a write amplifier (3), a magnetic head (4) of the magnetoresistive type, and a compensation circuit for controlling the amplitude of the write current in dependence upon temperature variations which occur during recording. The compensation circuit includes an actuator for bringing the record carrier into contact with the magnetic head (4) before a recording is started. In addition, detector means (17, 18) is provided to detect an output signal of the magnetic head produced as a result of the magnetic head being brought into contact with the record carrier. A control signal generator (17) generates a control signal whose magnitude is a measure of the magnitude of the output signal. The compensation circuit (3, 5, 8, 11, 17) is adapted to control the amplitude of the write current in dependence upon the control signal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, which includes: a reproduced level detector for detecting the level of a reproduced signal and a memory for storing the reproduced level detected by the detector; and when recording a video signal, the signal is recorded and reproduced in advance, and this reproduced level is stored in the memory, so that an amount of emphasis of a detail emphasis circuit in a reproducing system and an amount of equalization of an FM equalizer in the recording system can be controlled in accordance with the stored reproduced level; while when reproducing the video signal, the level of a reproduced FM luminance signal is detected by the reproduced level detector, so that an amount of equalization of an FM equalizer, an amount of cancellation of a line noise canceler, and an amount of cancellation of a noise canceler in a reproducing system can respectively be controlled in accordance with the detected reproduced level; whereby the characteristic of a video tape can be controlled in a

Abstract: A storage apparatus capable of storing information in accordance with the history of use of the storage medium employed therewith. Control is performed in accordance with the history of reproduction from the storage medium and with the number of times storage operations have been performed on the storage medium. New storage operations are arranged to avoid those portions of the storage medium which have been used frequently. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a telephone answering machine.

Abstract: A seismic recording system comprises a multichannel recorder connected to a cable formed from a plurality of signal conductors. Each of the signal conductors is connected to a different channel of the recorder. The cable has a plurality of takeouts located at spaced distances along its length. Each of the takeouts is connected to a different signal conductor of the cable. The system further includes a switch operably connected to one of the takeouts for selectively interconnecting the takeout and any one or more of several seismic detector connections upon receipt of a remotely generated signal. The system also includes a number of detector conduits, each of which has one end operably connected to a different one of the seismic detector connections of the switch. Each detector conduit has at least one geophone located along its length and operably connected thereto. A control is provided for transmitting a signal to a switch. The switch interconnects a selected group or groups of geophones with the recorder.

Abstract: In a camera device including a recording device which records an image signal and an audio signal, the recording device includes a display device which indicates that the recording device is in the audio signal recording period. When the display device is composed of a sound generating medium, the display device and the sound generation medium are operated alternately so that sound by the sound generating medium does not affect the audio signal.

Abstract: An indicator provided on the surface of a video camera for warning of the occurrence of a matter which interrupts the recording; for example, dew on a recording head and the approach of a tape end. These occurrences during a recording operation must be informed to a subject as well as to a photographer who stands without looking into a finder of the video camera.

Abstract: A solid state event recorder having particular application to railroad locomotives has a plurality of interface modules to allow the collection of desired data over a period of time. Radio downloading of the data provided by a telemetry transmitter to wayside receivers is the primary way of downloading data. Alternate data downloading are provided by a removable memory module, a portable wireless data extractor and a laptop computer. The removable memory module is provided with its own backup battery power supply but normally derives its power from an inductive coupling to the solid state recorder. Data is read into the removable memory module from the solid state recorder via an inductive coupling, and data is read out of the removable memory module to the telemetry transmitter via another inductive coupling. Both the portable wireless data extractor and the laptop computer are used for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: The optical disc according to the present invention includes an unrewritable region in which the number of times of possible recording or the cumulative possible recording time duration is recorded in advance. The apparatus for recording signals on this optical disc according to the present invention reproduce the number of times of possible recording or the cumulative possible recording time duration recorded in the unrewritable region of the optical disc and inhibits the recording operation when the number of times of recording or the cumulative recording time duration exceeds the aforementioned number of times of possible recording or the cumulative possible recording time duration.

Abstract: An electronic odometer is disclosed, in which, in order to provide higher reliability, integrated traveled distance data to be stored in a nonvolatile memory is divided into three portions, i.e., high order digit data, medium order digit data, and low order digit data. A plurality of memories constituting the nonvolatile memory having the digit representative of the medium order digit data as the address thereof or as a part of the address thereof are selected, and the high order digit data which is required to be the most reliable of the three portions is written into at least three of the selected memories. The low order digit data is written into at least one of the rest of the selected memories. When extracting the integrated traveled distance data from these memories, the high order digit data is determined by applying majority rule to the data read out from the three memories. It is thus achieved to enhance the reliability on the integrated traveled distance data by the application of majority rule.

Abstract: A solid state event recorder having particular application to railroad locomotives has a plurality of interface modules to allow the collection of desired data over a period of time. Radio downloading of the data provided by a telemetry transmitter to wayside receivers is the primary way of downloading data. Alternative data downloading are provided by a removable memory module, a portable wireless data extractor and a laptop computer. The removable memory module is provided with its own backup battery power supply but normally derives its power from an inductive coupling to the solid state recorder. Data is read into the removable memory module from the solid state recorder via an inductive coupling, and data is read out of the removable memory module to the telemetry transmitter via another inductive coupling. Both the portable wireless data extractor and the laptop computer are used for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Performance of a helicopter is evaluated with an apparatus including a recorder section and a reader section interconnected during a start-up period while the pilot is initially operating the helicopter. The recorder includes two analog to digital converters connected across temperature and rotor torque sensors of the helicopter. The converters derive digital signals having values representing the amplitudes of analog signals derived by the sensors. The recorder section has a first logic network that couples the digital signals with a data collecting memory. The reader section includes a second logic network, a digital read-out device and manually activated coding wheels for deriving numeric representing digital signals.

Abstract: An optical disc reproduction apparatus is disclosed including a device for detecting a maximum audio signal level recorded on the optical disc. A first course-search is effected of the entire optical disc to detect a first location on the optical disc in which a maximum value of a recorded audio signal is located. A second fine-search of the optical disc is effected within a region extending in opposite directions from the location on the optical disc detected during the first course-search. During the second fine-search operation, a second location on the optical disc is located in which a maximum value of the recorded audio signal level is located. Then, audio signals are reproduced repetitiously in the vicinity of the second location detected during the second fine-search operation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of exchanging the recording medium includes a switch arranged to operate when the recording medium is exchanged, an electronic memory for storing the output of the switch in the electrical form, and a backup battery for supplying electrical power to the memory. Despite that the main electrical power source is cut off, the memory retains the storage of the fact of whether or not an event of exchanging the recording medium has ever occurred. After the position of the recording head has been re-adjusted, the memory is erased easily and quickly.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained data acquisition and recording system is provided for monitoring ambulatory subjects. The system has micropower requirements and an extended recording capability between battery replacements. A prepolarized magnetic tape is employed and recording is accomplished by selectively reversing the polarization at a time when the tape is at rest. A microprocessor is provided for processing signals and for controlling circuit operation such as a tape drive incrementer. The microprocessor also controls the preprocessing and digitizing of signals for further processing by the microprocessor and enables the delivery of digital signals to be recorded to a magnetic tape head positioned in operative relationship with the magnetic tape. Selected circuits of the system are selectively powered up and powered down during monitoring as needed to provide continuous power control for optimization of power usage.

Abstract: A solid state event recorder having particular application to railroad locomotives has a plurality of interface modules to allow the collection of desired data over a period of time. Radio downloading of the data provided by a telemetry transmitter to wayside receivers is the primary way of downloading data. Alternative data downloading are provided by a removable memory module, a portable wireless data extractor and a laptop computer. The removable memory module is provided with its own backup battery power supply but normally derives its power from an inductive coupling to the solid state recorder. Data is read into the removable memory module from the solid state recorder via an inductive coupling, and data is read out of the removable memory module to the telemetry transmitter via another inductive coupling. Both the portable wireless data extractor and the laptop computer are used for maintenance purposes.