Abstract: Control circuitry is disclosed configured to control inner fine actuators of a first plurality of inner actuator arms and independently control a first outer fine actuator of a first outer actuator arm. Inner fine actuators of a second plurality of inner actuator arms are controlled while independently controlling a second outer fine actuator of a second outer actuator arm. Each actuator arm comprises at least one head configured to access a disk surface of a disk.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a plurality of disks each comprising a top disk surface and a bottom disk surface. A plurality of inner actuator arms each comprise a first inner fine actuator configured to actuate a top head over one of the top disk surfaces and a second inner fine actuator configured to actuate a bottom head over one of the bottom disk surfaces. A first outer actuator arm comprises a first outer fine actuator configure to actuate a top head over a top disk surface of a top disk, and a second outer actuator arm comprises a second outer fine actuator configured to actuate a bottom head over a bottom disk surface of a bottom disk, wherein the inner fine actuators are controlled independent from the outer fine actuators.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a plurality of disks each comprising a top disk surface and a bottom disk surface, and a plurality of actuator arms each comprising a first fine actuator configured to actuate a top head over one of the top disk surfaces and a second fine actuator configured to actuate a bottom head over one of the bottom disk surfaces. A first fine driver controls the fine actuators of an even interleave of the actuator arms, and a second fine driver controls the fine actuators of an odd interleave of the actuator arms.

Abstract: A holder is used while attached to a chassis of a vibration generator that moves a vibrator to generate a vibration. The holder includes a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixed unit fixed to the chassis, and an arm. The arm connects the fixed unit and the vibrator retention unit, and the arm supports the vibrator retention unit while the vibrator retention unit can be displaced with respect to the fixed unit. The fixed unit, the arm, and the vibrator retention unit are integrally formed using resin.

Abstract: A locking media pusher is coupled to a servo controlled stage and includes a protruding probe and a locking mechanism. The stage moves forward and backward along a base toward and away from a storage medium. If an eccentricity of a track on the storage medium exceeds a threshold, the storage medium is rotated to an orientation where the greatest eccentricity is directed toward the media pusher. The media pusher is moved toward the storage medium until a probe extending from the media pusher contacts the storage medium. The probe is locked within the media pusher. The stage and attached media pusher are retracted from the storage medium and the storage medium is unlocked. The magnitude of retraction of the stage is recorded. The stage is moved toward the storage medium a distance corresponding to the probe contact position plus the eccentricity magnitude to correct the eccentricity.

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: A cartridge of write and read type or a cartridge of read only type is selectively loaded to a recording and reproducing apparatus. The recording and reproducing apparatus is provided with: a magnetic head for applying a magnetic field; a head movement device for moving the magnetic head between a near position and a far position; a switching lever, which is movable between a non-regulating position to allow the magnetic head to move between the near position and the far position, and a regulating position to regulate the position of the magnetic head at the far position; and a slide plate disposed movably on a cartridge holder and having a protruded portion which is opposed to the cartridge stored in the cartridge holder. The protruded portion abuts to the loaded cartridge to move the slide plate, and the switching lever is positioned at the non-regulating position by abutting to the moved slide plate if the loaded cartridge is the write and read type.

Abstract: A magnetooptical recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information from a magnetooptical disk seated in a disk cartridge by using an optical pickup and a magnetic head. A cartridge holding member pivots for loading a disk cartridge on a deck, and an ejecting member ejects the disk cartridge received in the cartridge holding member. Also, the apparatus has a connecting member for transporting the magnetic head together with the optical pickup and a slide member for raising or lowering a recordable disk cartridge by recognizing the recordability of the disk cartridge.

Abstract: A magnetooptic disk player records and/or reproduces the information of a magnetooptic disk loaded into a disk cartridge using an optical pickup and a magnetic head. The apparatus loads and unloads the magnetooptic disk cartridge on a deck. When a recordable magnetooptic disk cartridge is unloaded, the magnetic head is raised, to be completely protected from damage.

Abstract: A magnetooptical recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information from a magnetooptical disk seated in a disk cartridge by using an optical pickup and a magnetic head. A cartridge holding member pivots for loading a disk cartridge on a deck, and an ejecting member ejects the disk cartridge received in the cartridge holding member. Also, the apparatus has a connecting member for transporting the magnetic head together with the optical pickup and a slide member for raising or lowering a recordable disk cartridge by recognizing the recordability of the disk cartridge.

Abstract: Process for stopping a record-shaped, rotating information medium, for example, a CD. CD-players, for example, are provided with a loading and unloading mechanism for the information medium, the CD. However, before a CD can be automatically unloaded by the CD-player after reproduction or activation of a STOP-key, the rotation of the CD must be stopped in order to avoid damages of its sensitive surface. Because the moment of inertia and the diameter of records (CDs) are varied, and because a small mini-CD exists, it may occur that the CD is still rotating during the unloading process. To stop the record (CD) safely independently of its moment of inertia and its size, a first applied braking pulse (B1) causes the record (CD) to be braked to full stop and subsequently to be accelerated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A separation band detecting circuit is used in an automatic program selection record player which has a photodetector which moves together with a tone arm and comprises a light-emitting element for emitting light against the surface of the record and a photosensitive element for receiving the light reflected at the record surface and producing an output in accordance with the light quantity of the received reflected light. The detecting circuit comprises an operational amplifier supplied with the output of the photodetector to its one input terminal, and a time constant circuit connected to the other input terminal of said operational amplifier, for giving a threshold level with respect to the operational amplifier and giving a time constant with respect to the level fluctuation in the threshold value. The time constant circuit varies the threshold level with a time constant, according to an input signal level to the one input terminal of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A device for detecting, on a record medium, positions of interband regions disposed between bands of recorded formation on the medium, detects differences in reflectivity of the regions and the bands by emitting electromagnetic radiation to be incident on a recorded surface of the medium containing the bands and regions, and detecting the level of the radiation reflected thereby. A radiation source, such as in LED, emits a beam of radiation to be incident on the medium. A detector, such as a photo transistor, detects the intensity of the beam reflected from the medium and provides an output level that varies with the intensity of the reflected beam. An interband region detecting circuit provides an output signal in response to variations in the output level to indicate the presence of the interband regions.

Abstract: An automatic music selecting device in which a pickup cartridge is accurately lowered onto a disc at an intermediate position between adjacent songs on the disc even if the disc is eccentric. An intersong sensor mounted on the pickup cartridge detects the intersong intervals upon movement of the arm. The arm is stopped at a predetermined interval designated by an externally supplied song number. To do this, the output signal from the intersong sensor is held corresponding to the position just before the arm is stopped. Then, the position of the arm is finely adjusted on the basis of the difference between the level of the output signal thereafter produced by the sensor and the held level.

Abstract: An automatic tone arm returning device in a record player which comprises: pulse generator means for producing pulses whose cycle is proportional to the speed of the tone arm movement during record playing means for detecting the completion of record playing by measuring either the pulse width, the number of pulses produced in a unit of time, or the time interval between the pulses; and a Schmitt trigger circuit inserted between said two means and activated while the pulse is within a predetermined range of level; whereby the tone arm can be prevented from being return erroneously by the eccentric recorded grooves on record when the record is still being played.

Abstract: A groove-end detecting apparatus of a record disk or video disk, arranged to have a pulse generator for generating a pulse of a short period when the movement speed of the pickup arm is great, and having a long period when this movement speed is low, i.e. a pulse having a period inversely proportional to the movement speed of the pickup arm. This pulse is provided as a set pulse to a counter circuit assigned for counting a certain frequency clock pulse so as to generate a groove-end detection signal when the cycle is within the time which is required for the counting of a predetermined value of the count of the clock pulse.

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.

Abstract: A multi-function phonograph tone arm control system for a low-friction air bearing supported linear-travelling tone arm system is disclosed. Positive horizontal linear positioning is accomplished by means of an electromagnetic force producing system in which opposing linear forces may be balanced at any point along the path of straight-line travel of the tone arm to position the tone at any desired location. A separate electromagnetic force producing system is utilized to control the vertical pivoting of the tone arm including the pressure of the stylus on a phonograph record. A further motion damping means is provided to stabilize the motion of the tone arm and prevent any unwanted vibration of the tone arm. A means for automatically shutting off the system at the end of a record is also provided.