Showing papers by "Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories published in 1982"

Nitridation of Silicon and Oxidized‐Silicon

Abstract: The nitridation of silicon and oxidized‐silicon has been studied. The nitrided films were prepared at 900°–1150°C under ammonia partial pressures of 10−3 to 5 kg/cm2 in nitrogen and were analyzed by ellipsometry and Auger electron spectroscopy. For films formed by nitridation of silicon, we found that the growth kinetics and properties such as chemical composition, etching rate, and oxidation resistance were independent of the ammonia partial pressure. The nitridation of silicon can be explained by a modified Ritchie‐Hunt theory, which assumes that a very slow surface reaction at the ammonia‐nitride interface is the rate‐determining factor, using the logarithmic rate law. According to this modified Ritchie‐Hunt theory, the nitridation of silicon proceeds mainly by cation migration under a constant electric field. On the other hand, it was found that the nitridation of oxidized‐silicon depended strongly on the ammonia parital pressure. This dependence may be caused by diffusion of ammonia or its derivatives through the oxide. The conversion of silicon dioxide to silicon oxynitride occurred throughout the oxide.

Semiconductor RAM that is accessible in magnetic disc storage format

Abstract: A semiconductor random access memory system for use in a processor system is adapted to operate with a magnetic disc storage device, such as the so-called floppy-disc store. A semiconductor RAM has data input/output terminals and address terminals for writing data into or reading data out of a storage location that is addressed by an address signal supplied to the address terminals. Track and sector address registers are coupled to the processor system for receiving and storing the typical track and sector address signals normally generated in the system. A counter counts timing pulses to produce a changing count signal, which timing pulses are generated by a timing control circuit. An address synthesizer is coupled to the track and sector address registers and also to the counter for synthesizing a RAM address signal from the stored track and sector address signals as well as the count signal and for supplying this RAM address signal to the RAM address terminals to access the RAM storage location which is addressed thereby. Thus, when the processor system generates the typical track and sector address signals normally used with a floppy disc store, such track and sector address signals are used to address a typical semiconductor RAM.

Wrist AM radio receiver

Abstract: A wrist AM radio receiver is housed in a bracelet-like structure adapted to be removably wrapped about a user's wrist and includes at least a bar antenna, a circuit board with an oscillating element thereon forming a reference oscillation source, and a speaker, and the bar antenna and the circuit board are spaced apart within the bracelet-like structure in the direction in which the latter is wrapped with the speaker also disposed in the bracelet-like structure between the bar antenna and the circuit board so as to minimize the influence on the bar antenna of pulses from the reference oscillation source.

Flexible magnetic disc cassette

Abstract: A floppy disc is contained in a relatively hard encasement. In order to improve the function of a cleaning sheet installed in the floppy disc cassette encasement, a flexible pressure member is provided on an inside of the cassette which presses a portion of the cleaning sheet against the recording surface of the floppy disc.

Information recording medium

Abstract: PURPOSE:To perform recording with high sensitivity, by performing both light absorbing and foaming functions by the same layer. CONSTITUTION:A light absorbing layer 12 consisting of a thermoplastic resin layer, for example, containing an organic dyestuff which absorbs the recording light such as the recording laser light, a light absorber of coloring matters, etc. and a foaming agent and a reflecting layer 13 formed on the layer 12 and having a high reflection factor to the laser light are formed on a substrate 11 having the optical permeability to the recording/reading light, e.g., recording/ reading laser light. Furthermore, a protecting film 14 is provided on the layer 13 when necessary to prevent errosion of the layer 13. The focusing laser light modulated in response to the information recording signal is irradiated from the side of the substrate 11 to be focused to the light 12. The minute air bubbles are produced within the layer 12 since the thermoplastic resin is locally plasticized and at the same time the foaming agent is pyrolyzed to generate a gas. This produces apparent expansion of volume to produce a pit 15 through local expansion of the layer 13 and the film 14. Then the recording is executed with this pit 15.

Liquid crystal matrix display device

Abstract: A liquid crystal matrix display device has a plurality of display elements arranged in an X-Y matrix pattern. Vertical transmitting lines are connected to all of the display elements of each column, and horizontal transmitting lines are connected to each of the display elements of each row. Each of the vertical lines is connected through an input switching element to an input circuit to receive a video input signal and a horizontal pulse generator provides sequential pulse signals to control terminals of the input switching elements. In order to improve the resolution without sacrifice of contrast, the vertical transmitting lines are arranged into groups of a predetermined number of such lines, and the input switching elements associated with the lines of each such group have their control electrodes coupled together to a respective output of the horizontal scanning pulse generator. The input circuit includes time-demultiplexing circuitry, for example, formed of sample/hold circuits, to present respective sampled versions of the input signal, staggered with respect to one another, to input electrodes of respective ones of the input switching devices of each of the groups.

Compact expandable electronic signal processing apparatus

Abstract: An electronic signal processing apparatus, such as, a personal computer, is basically composed of a power section for providing DC operating power from an AC power source and a main signal processing section operative by the DC operating power for performing the minimal necessary functions. The power and main signal processing sections are mechanically connected for relative sliding movements between closely adjacent positions minimizing the overall dimensions of the apparatus and spread-apart positions in which a space is defined between the power and main signal processing sections for accommodating at least one additional signal processing or handling section by which the functional capabilities of the apparatus are expanded.

Solid state image sensors

Abstract: A solid state image sensor of the interline transfer type comprises a sensing and vertical transfer portion formed on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type, for example, P - type, a horizontal charge transfer portion and an output portion, wherein a semiconductor layer of a second conductive type, for example, N - type with the low impurity density is provided on the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of P - type semiconductor regions with the high impurity density, each of which contains a vertical charge transfer portion for vertically transferring a signal charge therein and an overflow drain for draining off a superfluous charge, both of which are provided in the form of N - type semiconductor areas apart from each other, and a plurality of photo-sensing areas for storing the signal charge produced in response to the light from the outside formed between each adjacent two of the P - type semiconductor regions are provided on the semiconductor layer of the N - type, so that no needless charge flows into the vertical charge transfer portion to be undesirably transferred therein.

Apparatus for thermal printing

Abstract: Apparatus for thermally printing images, such as color images, on a print medium. The medium is moved repeatedly from a reference position through a printing region, as by rotating the medium on a platen. Thermal print elements are disposed at the print region and are selectively energizable to cause images, such as color images, to be printed. A movable web of thermally transferable material has a run interposed between the print medium and the thermal elements at the print region. In one embodiment, the web is provided with successive frames of respectively different colors of thermally transferable material arranged in repeated sequence. Energizing signals are supplied to the thermal elements representative of the image to be printed; and an image is printed in a color corresponding to the color frame then disposed at the printing region. Successive passes of the print medium are made in order to print images of the remaining colors in the sequence of frames on the web.

Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal comprised of a video signal and an audio signal

Abstract: OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal comprised of a video signal and an audio signal in a plurality of successive parallel tracks on a magnetic tape, each track including a first audio section followed by a video section, by converting the audio signal into a PCM digital audio signal; compressing the PCM audio signal; frequency modulating the compressed PCM audio signal to produce an output PCM audio signal; and recording the output PCM audio signal and the video signal in the plurality of successive tracks such that one field interval of the video signal is recorded in the video section of each track and the output PCM audio signal corresponding to one field interval of the video signal is recorded in the audio section of each track and corresponds to the video signal in the leading portion of the previous successive track and the video signal in the trailing portion of the previous alternate track, wherein the audio signal recorded in each track is delayed by a maximum of .5 field intervals from the video signal to which it corresponds.

Electrostatic printing apparatus

Abstract: An electrostatic printing apparatus of the ion-flow type for printing an image on record paper in response to an information signal includes a corona generator for generating ions; a back electrode over which the paper travels for producing a bias potential to cause the generated ions to flow from the corona generator toward the back electrode onto the recording paper; a control electrode interposed between the corona generator and the back electrode for controlling the flow of ions therebetween and including a plurality of apertures through which the ions are adapted to flow; and a control signal generator for supplying a control signal to the control electrode to cause the latter to control the amount of ion flow through each aperture, in response to the level of the information signal, to a first amount corresponding to an area on the paper which is black, a second amount corresponding to an area on the paper which is white, or at least one other amount corresponding to at least one area on the paper which is gray, with different shadings available. In one embodiment, the control signal generator supplies the control signal to the control electrode to cause the latter to control the area of ion flow through each aperture and, in another embodiment, the control signal generator supplies the control signal to the control electrode to cause the latter to control the time within which ions flow through each aperture.

Method and apparatus for encoding an NRZI digital signal with low DC component

Abstract: Successive n-bit information words are converted into successive m-bit NRZI code words by assigning to each n-bit information word at least one m-bit code word having a respective NRZI disparity. The digital sum variation of the preceding m-bit NRZI code words is determined and the polarity of the conclusion of the immediately preceding m-bit NRZI code word is detected. An assigned m-bit code word is selected to represent the next n-bit information word as a function of the NRZI disparity of that code word, the determined digital sum variation and the detected polarity. The selected m-bit code word then is modulated in NRZI format such that the modulated code word has the same initial polarity as the detected polarity. The m-bit code word is selected such that its NRZI disparity, when combined with the determined digital sum variation, tends to prevent the digital sum variation from increasing.

Control arrangement for electronic appliance

Abstract: The operation of an electronic appliance, such as a cassette tape deck, is controlled completely or partially by switch operation. The appliance includes a memory for storage of control information, setting devices, such as switches, for entering the control information, a memory lock or latch for controlling the operating state of the appliance based on the control information supplied from the memory or from the setting devices to the memory lock, and for locking the appliance into such operating state, a display arrangement adapted for display of the setting information and for display of the information in the memory lock, and a setting change display indicator. The setting information stored in the memory can be checked by actuating a check switch, which causes the setting information stored in the memory to be displayed without affecting the operating state in which the appliance is locked. When the operating state is changed by a setting operation while the information previously stored in the memory has been transferred to the memory lock to control the operating state of the appliance, so that the contents of the memory lock (i.e., the operating state in which the appliance is locked) are not coincident with the corresponding information stored in the memory, the fact of such change is displayed on the setting change display indicator. This notifies an operator that the information is being changed, and assists the operator in avoiding unintentional errors.

Digital television apparatus

Abstract: Digital television apparatus comprises a field store arrangement (1) comprising first, second and third field stores (4, 5, 6) each capable of storing digital signals relating to one field of a television signal, means (2) to supply a digital television signal at a variable rate to the field store arrangement (1). a write control device (7) to supply the digital television signal to one or to two of the field stores (4, 5, 6) for writing therein, depending on the rate of supply of the digital television signal, and a read control device (8) to read the stored digital television signal from one or from two of the field stores (4,5,6), depending on the rate of supply of the television signal, no field store (4, 5, 6) being written into at the same time that it is read from, and the write control device (7) rotating the writing and reading around the field stores (4.5,6) cyclically.

Method for supplying parts to an automatic assembling machine

Abstract: A carrier for supplying to an automatic assembling machine at least one chassis and several parts to be assembled on each chassis includes a first portion for receiving each chassis and a second portion associated with the first portion for storing the parts to be assembled on the chassis. According to the method, the chassis are loaded on the first portions of the carrier and sets of corresponding parts are loaded on the second portions in a predetermined relationship, whereupon, corresponding parts of the sets are simultaneously transferred to the respective chassis.

Grid apparatus for use with a color cathode ray tube

Abstract: A grid apparatus for use with a color cathode ray tube is described, having a pair of opposing frame members, and a pair of arm portions respectively welded at free ends thereof to the pair of opposing frame members for mechanically connecting the pair of opposing frame members, and for stretching the grid elements with a predetermined tension in cooperation with the pair of opposing frame members, in which each of the pair of arm portions is curved generally as a U-shape in substantially one plane. Both ends of the arm portions are respectively connected to the pair of opposing frame members at positions outside from their Bessel points, and the plane in which each of the pair of arm portions is arranged to respectively widened rearward with an angle from 45° to 65° with respect to a surface perpendicular to an axis of the grid apparatus.

Magnetic recording apparatus

Abstract: OF THE DISCLOSURE A miniature helical scan video tape recorder (VTR) utilizes a reduced-diameter guide drum, but the video signals recorded thereby onto the tape have a standard track pattern and can be reproduced using a standard VTR having a guide drum of standard diameter D1 In the miniature VTR, the tape is wrapped for a tape wrap angle alpha (eg, substantially 300 degrees) at a still angle THETA2, whereas the standard VTR uses a wrap angle of 180° and a still angle of THETA1 In order to ensure that the miniature VTR achieves the same record track length ?'N and recording angle THETA0 as the standard VTR, the diameter D2 of the miniature VTR is selected to satisfy the equation ;where fV is the video field frequency The still angle THETA2 satisfies the equation , and the video signal to be recorded is given a non-standard horizontal scanning frequency f'H according to the relation , where fH is the standard horizontal scanning frequency The recording head can be provided with two gaps for double-azimuth recording of the video signal

Rear projection apparatus

Abstract: A rear projection apparatus has a cabinet provided with a screen attaching portion, a rear projection screen attached to the screen attaching portion, an image projector for projecting an image onto the rear projecting screen from its back side, and a convex lens disposed at the back side of the rear projection screen, wherein the optical axis of the convex lens is shifted from its mechanical or dimensional center, and the convex lens is removably mounted to the rear projection screen so that the orientation of the lens relative to the screen can be altered whereby the light axis of the image from the rear projection screen is deflected to a predetermined direction by altering the orientation of the convex lens having the shifted optical axis in relation to the screen. The screen attaching portion of the cabinet permits altering the orientation of the lens and, thus, the direction in which the projected image is deflected, without increasing the size of the cabinet.

Double-scanning non-interlace television receiver

Abstract: A double-scanning non-interlace television receiver for receiving an interlace television signal having alternating odd and even fields of scan lines which are normally interlaced, as displayed, comprises a receiver circuit which receives the interlace television signal and generates received line signals representative of the scan lines of a field being received, a visual display apparatus, and a non-interlace converting circuit connected to the receiver circuit which generates an averaged line signal from two consecutive received line signals and serially supplies the averaged line signal and the consecutive received line signals to the visual display apparatus for display by the latter, with each averaged line signal being supplied and displayed between the respective received line signals.

Subscription television system

Abstract: In a subscription television system, only a video signal for a specific program is scrambled in a television signal in accordance with a predetermined scrambling mode. A key signal, used for unscrambling the scrambled video signal, is generated in response to the scrambling mode. The key signal is transmitted after the scrambled program.

Key signal generating apparatus for digital chromakey system

Abstract: A key signal generating apparatus for a digital chromakey system for generating a key signal in accordance with the difference between a reference hue corresponding to a back color data and a hue of an input video data in U-V chroma signal coordinates, in which the gain of key signal is determined by quadratic curve groups in the U-V chroma signal coordinates.

Magnetic tape recording and reproducing arrangements

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording and reproducing arrangement comprising a rotary drum, helical scan digital video tape recorder including first and second head assemblies (2, 3) mounted diametrically on a rotary drum (1), the first head assembly (2) including first and second heads (A+, B+) having gaps of opposite azimuth angle, and third and fourth heads (A-, B-,) having gaps of opposite azimuth angle to the first and second heads (A+, B+) respectively, the second head assembly (3) including fifth and sixth heads (C+, D+) having gaps of opposite azimuth angle, and seventh and eighth heads (C-, D-) having gaps of opposite azimuth angle to the fifth and sixth heads (C+, D+) respectively, tape guides (4, 5) to wrap a tape (6) more than 180°C around the drum (1), in a recording operation the first head assembly (2) through the first and second heads (A+, B+) and the second head assembly (3) through the fifth and sixth heads (C+, D+) alternately recording pairs of skew tracks (7) on the tape (6) such that the tracks (7) alternate in azimuth angle, and each of the first, second, fifth and sixth heads (A+, B+, C+, D+) recording video data in a track (7) for substantially but not exceeding 180° of each complete rotation of the drum (1) and vertical parity data in the track (7) for some further part of each complete rotation of the drum (1), the further part lying wholly beyond 180°, replay amplifiers (15 to 18) to derive respective reproduced signals from all the heads (A+, A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+,D-), multiplexers (19 to 22) to distribute the reproduced signals to four output channels (A, B, C, D), and a control arrangement including a programmable read-only memory (30) to control the multiplexers (19 to 22) in dependence on whether the selected reproduction mode is the normal mode, a slow shuttle mode or a fast shuttle mode.

Tape cassette cases with locking mechanism

Abstract: A tape cassette case has a main wall, a cover wall, with peripheral walls which extend from each, and a hinge formed from a back wall to connect the main wall to the cover wall. A locking means is provided and comprises a slider member slidably mounted onto a support member that forms part of one peripheral wall. The locking means is biased away from the one peripheral wall in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider member by coil springs and pins. There are two projecting members projecting from the other peripheral wall, so that when the case is closed, the slider member may be slid in one direction to engage with the projecting members, thereby locking the main wall and the cover wall together, when the slider member is moved in the opposite direction the slider member is disengaged from the projecting portions, thereby allowing the case to be opened. The locking means is provided with projections and corresponding cut-outs so that the slider member may only be slid when it is pushed in against the force of the biasing springs. Additional locking means are provided that comprise rectangular finger portions and corresponding apertures. The outside surfaces of the main wall and the cover wall are provided with ridges and recesses, respectively, so that a plurality of tape cassette cases may be stacked. Guide members are also provided for cooperating with the rails of a stacking frame to facilitate stacking and securing several cases together.

Smoothing circuit for display apparatus

Abstract: A desired character mainly composed of standard width dots selected from a matrix of orthogonally disposed rows and columns is displayed on a screen during scanning of the screen in horizontal and vertical directions. The display is smoothed by a circuit responsive to data stored in a memory. The smoothing involves the selected addition or removal, to or from particular portions of the character, of a small dot having a width one-third of the standard dot width.

Method for transmitting time-sharing multidata

Abstract: A method for transmitting time-sharing multidata in which data series of a plurality of channels are time-sharing multiplexed to form a transmitting data series having the steps of adding error detecting or error correcting redundant bits and synchronizing redundant bits to predetermined number of information bits contained in the respective data series of the channels to form one transmitting unit, forming bit groups in a manner as to take each bit corresponding to each other between the channels as one group with respect to the information bits, the error detecting or error correcting redundant bits and the synchronizing redundant bits of said one transmitting unit of each of the channels, time-sharing multiplexing the data series so as to form one frame in which these bit groups are sequentially continued to each other and using the synchronizing redundant bits as a frame synchronizing signal of the transmitting data series.

Reproducing characteristics of perpendicular magnetic recording

Abstract: The effects of magnetic properties and thickness of single-layer Co-Cr film media on perpendicular recording with a ring head are investigated. The effects of the reproducing head gap length and the reproducing head-to-medium spacing on reproduction are also discussed. Experiments are performed using ring heads for recording and reproducing and using single layer Co-Cr film media whose effective perpendicular anisotropy field Hk,eff from the in-plane hysteresis curve is greater than 5 kOe. The following results are obtained: (I) The reproduced voltage Ep at long wavelength is nearly proportional to the thickness δ of the medium and to the coercive force H_{c}(\perp) in the normal direction of the film. (2) E p is independent of the saturation magnetization M s . (3) The -6dB wavelength λ 50 is independent of δ. (4) λ 50 gradually increases as H_{c}(\perp) or M s increases. These results are well explained by a model of perpendicularly-recorded magnetization which assumes zero transition width and self-demagnetization in the medium. Calculations based on our model predict that the wavelength response of the reproduced voltage strongly depends on the reproducing head gap length and the reproducing head-to-medium spacing rather than on H_{c}(\perp) , M s and δ. An excellent high recording density (λ 50 of 0.45 μm or 113 kBPI) can be obtained by a medium and a head-to-medium interface suitable for high-density recording.

Time base corrector

Abstract: A time base corrector for removing time base errors from composite color video signals has a write clock and write start pulse generating circuit for providing write clock and write start pulses in synchronism with horizontal sync signals separated from the incoming composite color video signal, a read clock and read start pulse generating circuit receiving reference video signals and being operative to generate read clock and read start pulses on the basis of such reference video signals, a memory into which the incoming color video signals are written for temporary storage in response to the write clock and write start pulses and from which the temporarily stored color video signals are read in response to the read clock and read start pulses, a circuit connected with the read clock and read start pulse generating circuit for provided added sync and sub-carrier signals which are inserted in the color video signals from the memory, and a phase control circuit for varying a phase of the separated horizontal sync signals with which the write clock and write start pulses are synchronized in accordance with changes in the relative phase of the read start pulses and the added sync signals.

Heat treatment apparatus

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus is disclosed, which includes a tube device having a tube axis in the horizontal direction for receiving therein an object to be treated so as to treat the same by heat, a holding member for holding thereon a plurality of objects to be treated, first and second supporting devices located at one end outside of the tube device, a first coupling member for coupling the first supporting device with the holding member, a first operating member for moving the holding member in the horizontal direction, a second coupling member attached to the second supporting device for holding a holding portion of the holding member by shaft-rotation, and a second operating member for moving the holding member in the horizontal and vertical directions.

Method and apparatus for recording digital information in alternate recording tracks

Abstract: Information is digitized, and the digital information signals are used to produce frequency modulated signals the instantaneous frequency of which is a function of the content of the digital information signals. The frequency-modulated signals are recorded in alternate tracks with alternate recording heads having air gaps of different azimuth angles. In one embodiment, the recording heads are the rotary heads of a VTR, and the digital information signals are digital audio signals which are recorded in the same tracks as the usual video signals.