Abstract:
A music playing system includes a number of music playback units with playback changer devices, coding units, and ISDN cards. Each of the music playback units is provided with playable pieces of music. There is at least one input unit by means of which the pieces of music to be played on a playback unit are selected. In addition, there is a central computer with a memory in at least one playback unit, with the memory storing data about the pieces of music available in the playback units. The playback units can be connected between themselves and to the central computer via remote data transmission lines.
Abstract:
A disc drive control method in which a command for disc rotation is sent to the disc drive mechanism upon receipt of a `drive-ON` signal, a timing operation is started in response to receipt of a `drive-OFF` signal, and a command for stoppage of the disc rotation is sent to the disc drive mechanism if there is no further `drive-ON` signal received within a predetermined time interval. A disc drive control system comprises devices for effecting the steps of the disc drive control method. A disc drive unit employable in the disc drive control method and system comprises a disc drive mechanism for producing rotational movement of a disc and a disc drive control device for controlling rotation of the disc by means of the disc drive mechanism. The disc drive control method and/or system may also be applied to an information processing system which comprises at least a processor and a flexible disc drive unit.
Abstract:
An automatic magnetic recording medium ejecting mechanism for use in combination with a magnetic disk driving unit employs the spindle motor of the magnetic disk driving unit as a driving source for ejecting a magnetic disk cassette therefrom. The automatic magnetic recording medium ejecting mechanism includes, as essential components thereof, a gear mechanism for transmitting the rotative force of the spindle motor to an ejecting plate so that the ejecting plate is moved to a standby position where the ejecting plate is locked by a pressing and locking device which locks the ejecting plate at the standby position and presses the magnetic disk cassette for ejection until a magnetic disk cassette is inserted in the magnetic disk driving unit, a switch for detecting the completion of operation of the spindle motor for moving the ejecting plate to the standby position, and a switch control device interlocked with the gear mechanism for controlling the switch. The gear mechanism includes a pinion which disconnects a subsequent gear train from the spindle motor when the spindle motor operates in the normal direction for a read/write operation, and connects the subsequent gear train to the spindle motor when the spindle motor operates in the reverse direction for ejecting the magnetic disk cassette.
Abstract:
An automatic changer apparatus having a control system permitting the successive and/or selective playback of a plurality of record carriers having memory for storing a user-selected command value representing, for a record carrier, a total number of individual recorded pieces for playback, control devices included in the control system operative under program control for starting the playback of a first record carrier and playing back recorded pieces on the record carrier, and said control devices connected to said memory to receive the command value, and responsive thereto, to direct the automatic changer apparatus through a "variety" mode of operation including changing the first for a second record carrier when the registered number of recorded pieces played back from the first record carrier reaches the user-selected value, and repeating the starting and changing steps until all or a selection of the plurality of record carriers have been played back.
Abstract:
This disclosure pertains to a remote stationary control box operating a coin operated automatic record selecting apparatus and public address system. The remote control box is provided with a tape player, microphone, and a record player, each of whose output signals are controlled by independent volume controls. Control switches allow the user to select which sound producing device, including the distant coin operated automatic record player, is to be operated. Mixing of signals allows the user to simulate the function of a radio broadcaster who presents musical selections and simultaneously or intermediately makes announcements and does accompanying. The control box programs record selections from the records stored within the distant automatic record player andfurther provides a pause switch which temporarily disables the beginning of play of an upcoming record therefrom.
Abstract:
The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to an electronic phonograph selector and memory system which enables the selection of records to be played after the proper amount of credits have been accumulated in a coin accumulating circuit. The system has a movable record carriage for placing a desired one of a plurality of records at a playing location. The record carriage is transported by receiving a drive signal indicating that a new carriage position is required. The code signal information is compared so that when the carriage is at its desired location the search signal is removed. The movable carriage has a position encoder so that binary code signal information corresponding to the various positions of the carriage can be detected and compared to the codes stored in a random access memory circuit.
Abstract:
A selector system for coin-operated automatic phonographs employing a plurality of manually operated pushbutton control switches, representing selection digits in conjunction with associated electronic circuitry having a ''''memory'''' or information storage capability whereby the activation of a record selector assembly and transfer mechanism to effect the play of a selected recording is preconditioned on predetermined operational sequencing of multiple control switches and circuits as programmed by specific digit combinations.
Abstract:
A solution comprising cost-effective methods and techniques for converting a traditional vending machine into a vending machine with a graphical user interface, multimedia advertising and info kiosk capabilities. A key aspect of this invention is the integration of a consumer DVD player in a vending machine, in which the graphical user interface is implemented as DVD Menu structures stored on a DVD disc that also contains the video clips. Another aspect of this invention, is the changed logic of a traditional vending machine to delay item dispense until a video clip has been played. The present invention provides interfacing methods between a DVD player, a Vending Machine Controller and an optional microcontroller. These methods can be used to implement a communication protocol between a DVD player and a microcontroller. The methods and techniques of the invention can be integrated in an MDB peripheral device of a vending machine.
Abstract:
An exemplary electronic device is connected with an earphone. The earphone includes a first storage unit storing information as to functions of the earphone. The electronic device includes a second storage unit storing a function information table recording information as to user-controllable functions of the electronic device, function units corresponding to the user-controllable functions, an identifying module, and a control module. The identifying module retrieves the information as to functions stored in the first storage unit, and determines whether one or more of the controllable functions of the electronic device are controllable by the earphone. The control module activates all of the function units corresponding to the controllable functions of the electronic device which are controllable by the earphone, and controls one or more of the activated function units according to one or more control signals transmitted from the earphone to the electronic device. A related method is also provided.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for ordering a selection in advance, characterized in that it includes a step in which a menu is displayed followed by a selection in this menu, to make specific requests and particularly: a step displaying the event for which the advance order of a selection is made, and then selection of the event; a step displaying the identity of destination equipment on which the selection is to be played, and then selection of this equipment; a step displaying the date and time at which the selection is to be made on the destination equipment; a step in which particular requests are recorded and downloaded onto a file only after payment has been verified.