An information storage apparatus comprises a one or more storage media (168), which include a plurality of information tracks. Each storage medium (168) has a head assembly (170) having a substantially planar surface and a plurality of read/write heads positioned in registry with said information tracks. The read/write heads are arranged substantially in the plane of the planar surface. The information storage medium (168) and the head assembly (170) are arranged in mutually sliding abutment such that the read/write heads are substantially in sliding contact with the outer surface of the information storage medium in use. In another aspect an information storage and retrieval apparatus comprises an information storage medium (168) comprising an information storage area, and an array (170) of information read and/or write heads. The information storage medium (168) and array of heads (170) are arranged to be oscillated with respect to each other in use such that each region of the information storage area is aligned with at least one of the read/write heads during the oscillation.

An optical information-recording medium, which comprises a substrate having provided thereon a recording layer capable of recording information by laser beam irradiation, wherein said recording layer contains a naphthol compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein R represents a monovalent substituent other than a hydroxyl group and a SO3<-> group; m represents an integer of from 1 to 4; n represents an integer of from 0 to 7; and p represents an integer of from 0 to 7, provided that m + n + p is 8 or less, when n represents an integer of 2 or more, a plurality of R groups may be the same or different, and when m = p = 2, two hydroxyl groups are not substituted at the 1- and 5-positions or at the 1- and 8-positions at the same time.

A storage device for a plurality of storage members in the form of sleeves each adapted to accommodate at least one compact disc, comprises a base member formed from synthetic plastics material and incorporating integral locating members formed by cutting and deforming a portion of the base member. The locating members are adapted for engagement with complementary apertures formed in each of the sleeves and are resiliently deformable whereby they may be deformed to pass through the apertures and then resiliently expand such that portions thereof extend beyond the apertures to retain the storage members in position on the base member.

An extended content storage system, apparatus, and method are disclosed. The system includes a client and server capable of being communicatively coupled to a communications medium, and a module to monitor the type of content type and its transmission rate as it is stored in a limited local memory maintained by the client. The method includes monitoring the local content storage memory as it is used to acquire the content, and establishing a connection between the client and server to enable sending a selected portion of the acquired content to the server. The method enables subsequent portions of the content to be acquired without exceeding the local memory storage limit, and review of the acquired content during acquisition of subsequent portions.

The invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling at least one electronic device, comprising a haptic input means, an acoustic input means, and a switching means for switching between the acoustic input means and the haptic input means, such that an input is received by the apparatus via only one input means at a time. The invention is also directed to a method for inputting data using an apparatus comprising a haptic input means, an acoustic input means and a switching means for switching between the input means, comprising the steps of receiving input via one of the input means, switching from the one input means to the other input means upon receipt of a switching command by the switching means, and receiving input via the other input means wherein input is received by the apparatus via only one input means at a time.

The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for articles which comprises a plurality of compartments which are open to one side and which are configured on a rotatably mounted rotary magazine (10) that is at least partially surrounded by a housing (21) or any other delimitation. The storage machine further comprises at least one closing element (13), adjustable relative to a predefined center access opening (22) in the housing (21) and controlling, especially releasing or preventing, access to defined or individual compartments. The closing element (13) comprises at least one closing shutter that is mounted in such a manner as to be adjustable relative to the access opening (22) or the housing (21), and openings that are predefined in terms of size and/or height position and that are at least approximately adapted to the respective compartment openings and/or compartment height positions, and at least one door (15) that is mounted upstream of the compartments with respect to the direction of access or depth. Said door optionally releases or prevents access to the closing shutter or to a compartment positioned behind an opening.

Embodiments of this invention provide primary magnetic disk data storage capacity to clients while at the same time making sure that client data is replicated locally and at an offsite location to protect from all forms of data loss.

A field instrument and system for obtaining pressure, flow and temperature data from a facility. The field instrument includes an enclosure having an opening therein. An integrated analog sensor is sealingly contained within the opening. The field instrument further contains an external analog sensor. An analog to digital converter converts the analog signals to digital readings. An external digital sensor is also provided, with the digital output being communicated through a second opening within the enclosure. A control member that receives, stores and processes the digital readings is positioned within the enclosure. A communication module is included to transmit the digital readings to a remote computer. The communication module allows for two way communication between the field instrument and remote computer. The remote computer may be a server that allows for access by many users. The communication module also allows for locally accessing the digital readings via a serial port to a local terminal.