Abstract: A cable detection method is provided for detecting the existence of an 80-conductor cable used in connecting a host device to peripheral devices of a computer system. An 80-conductor cable is required for Ultra-ATA to function at data transfer rates of modes 3 or 4. In compliance with ATA/ATAPI standards and requirement, the cable detection method includes the placement of a capacitor on the PDIAG- signal at the host. A device would assert the PDIAG- signal to a low state for a predetermined length of time to discharge the capacitor, release the signal then measure the state of the signal within a window of time, thereby assuring a high state for an 80 conductor cable and a low state for a non-80 conductor cable.

Abstract: A non-invasive device for evaluating circulatory state parameters, and specifically, a pulsewave analysis device capable of evaluation by separating blood vessel compliance and blood vessel resistance into central and peripheral components of the arterial system is provided. Microcomputer 4 detects the waveform at a test subject's radius artery via pulsewave detector 1, and uptakes the stroke volume in the test subject which is measured by a stroke-volume measurer. Next, based on the measured stroke volume, microcomputer 4 adjusts the values of each element in a lumped five parameter model made up of an electrical circuit which models the arterial system from the center to the periphery of the body, so that the response waveform obtained when an electric signal corresponding to the pressure waveform at the proximal portion of the aorta in a test subject is provided to the electric circuit coincides with the waveform at the radius artery.

Abstract: A laminated, multi-substrate ink jet head and methods creating the same, wherein the ink jet head includes nozzle holes, emitting chambers respectively led to the nozzle holes, diaphragms formed on a wall of the emitting chambers, a common ink cavity for supplying ink to the emitting chambers through orifices and electrodes placed so as to face to the diaphragms so as to drive the diaphragms by static electricity. The lower substrate which forms the electrodes may include a plurality of indentations for mounting the electrode therein to serve as a gap spacing element for respective diaphragm/electrode pairs when the head is assembled. Alternatively, areas immediately beneath the diaphragm may be etched away to expand the vibrating chamber to a predetermined gap distance, or a membrane of a predetermined thickness may interpose the respective diaphragm and electrode substrates.

Abstract: A control system built around plural common objects is provided with greater flexibility and easy customizability, and a programming method for the control system is provided. An interface object (15) capable of two-way communications is created and used when first OCX (10), a common object, creates and controls second OCX (11). This interface object (15) is able to return events generated by second OCX (11) to first OCX (10), and first OCX (10) is able to completely control the operation of second OCX (11).

Abstract: A high gain, high speed rail-to-rail amplifier that comprises two symmetrical input stages: an n-input stage responsive to middle and high range input voltages and a p-input stage responsive to low and middle range input voltages. A gain stage, in electrical communication with each of the input stages, receives current from the n-input stage when the input voltage signal is in the middle or high ranges and receives current from the p-input stage when the input voltage signal is in the low or middle ranges to provide amplification of the input voltage signal at the upper and lower ends of its range and provide increased amplification in the middle range. The amplifier further includes an output stage that includes two MOS transistors that cooperate to increase the output signal range and to provide the amplifier with increased driving ability.

Abstract: A start-up routine for a brushless sensor-less DC motor inductively measures motor position angle rather than motor start phase and inductively calculates an acceleration trajectory based on motor position rather than motor parameters. Motor position angle is determined by measuring the rise time of each phase, computing sinusoidal components for each phase, then calculating the angular position based on the sinusoidal components. The acceleration trajectory is determined by computing time delays for each phase. To do this, angular acceleration of the motor is calculated by determining the change in angular position of the motor between two predetermined time intervals. The motor may then be spun up with a start-up routine that is not dependent on motor parameters, resulting in a more efficient and consistent performance.

Abstract: A common mode logic (CML) circuit having an improved bias circuit and an active MOS load operating exclusively in the triode region to provide improved performance characteristics including a high speed of operation. The bias circuit of the CML circuit comprises a pair of MOS transistors, one of which has an aspect ratio (W.sub.P /L.sub.P) and the other of which has an aspect ratio (W.sub.P /L.sub.P)/n, wherein 1<n<4. This configuration causes a third MOS transistor in the bias circuit to operate exclusively in the triode region. The CML circuit also includes a logic portion, which may be a logic gate or flip-flop, having a plurality of pairs of input MOS transistors for receiving differential input signals. In accordance with the invention, the logic portion has load MOS transistors which operate exclusively in the triode region.

Abstract: A multiple channel magnetic tape head assembly defines a plurality of spaced-apart transducer elements along an integral bar of ferromagnetic material. Each element, formed by grinding operations performed upon the integral bar, has a magnetic gap and flux circuit which is isolated from cross-talking with the other elements. Each element is precisely located by the integral bar, portions of which remain after grinding. The head assembly provides an aligned longitudinal tape wear region and may further provide widened transverse wear regions adjacent to each of the transducer elements. A fabrication method for forming a multiple channel magnetic tape head assembly is also described.

Abstract: A two-part tape cartridge locking mechanism for releasably locking a rotatable tape reel against rotation within a tape cartridge housing. A bias spring urges the tape reel against a major wall of the tape cartridge housing along an axis of rotation. A first part of the lock comprises a reel locking feature of the reel facing the major wall, and a housing locking feature of the major wall facing the reel locking feature, such that the reel locking feature engages the housing locking feature in a contact relationship when the tape reel is forced toward the major wall by the bias spring. A second part of the lock comprises a separately actuable reel lock mounted to the housing for holding the tape reel locking feature in the contact relationship with the housing locking feature until the reel lock is separately actuated away from the tape reel.

Abstract: An aerodynamically powered release latch mechanism is provided for a fixed disk drive. A disk clamp for clamping a single data storage disk to a spindle hub comprises a centrifugal airflow pumping structure, such as radially and axially extending, generally L-shaped turboblades, for increasing the level of a vane deflecting airflow as the disk rotates. The vane deflecting airflow releases an aerodynamically released actuator latch mechanism.

Abstract: A read-after-write head for four channel azimuth recording in one mode of operation and two channel non-azimuth recording in another mode of operation. Four forward write head gaps, four read head gaps, and four backward write head gaps are geometrically positioned within a rotatable and laterally indexable face plate of a recording head housing. The read and write heads gaps collectively provide four forward write channels, four read channels, and four backward write channels. During the azimuth mode of operation, the head is rotated to the preselected positive or negative azimuth angle and all of the read and write channels are utilized. During the non-azimuth, or vertical, mode of operation, write channels two and four are utilized in combination with read channels one and three to provide two-channel non-azimuth, or vertical, operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing low cost multi-channel magnetic tape recording is disclosed. A tape head having the same number of read and write cores as a typical low cost single channel recording head, is modified to achieve multi-channel recording. One channel performs conventional read-after-write while the other channel performs "virtual" read-after-write, that is, the track in the second channel is read only after that track has been written over the entire length of the tape. As the direction of tape travel changes, the channel performing read-after-write alternates.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the lateral position of writing on a magnetic tape. Alternate data and servo information is recorded in a first track at a first azimuth angle, the first track including a longitudinal gap such that the first track includes a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion. Alternate data and servo information is recorded in a second track at a second azimuth angle, the second track including a similar longitudinal gap, the second track being written over the first track such that the first portion of the first track remains on the tape. The gap in the second track is positioned such that the alternate data and servo information written in the second portion of the first track is exposed by the gap in the second track. Alternate data and servo information is similarly written in a third track at the first azimuth angle, the third track including a similar gap.

Abstract: In a disk drive unit having disk clamp/spacer/hub flanges, impact protrusion features extend from an end of a load beam to limit slider displacement from disk surface. The impact features also compensate for stack-up of the E-block arm such that potential interference and collision between the suspension and flange is minimized, if not eliminated, thereby reducing the risk of generating debris. The impact features are etched and formed with the stiffening rails of an up-rail suspension while a dimple is formed onto a back side of the down rail or rail-less suspension, in a direction away from the slider.

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit with improved sealing and performance is disclosed. Centrifugal capillary seals are angularly defined between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a top screw and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the top of the bearing unit as well as between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a seal plate and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the bottom of the bearing unit. During operation, bearing lubricant is pumped away from the seal opening and toward the bearings by centrifugal force at the seals, providing dynamic sealing. When the bearing unit is not rotating, capillary forces retain the lubricant within the seal, preventing the lubricant from leaking. The tapered configuration of the seals also shortens the vertical seal length for a given effective seal length, thereby maximizing the journal bearing length/span and improving dynamic performance of the bearing unit.

Abstract: A deflection mirror tower (DMT) of a multiple-disk array, optical storage system includes a plurality of prism members, each having an angular mirror surface, arranged along a vertical axis of the DMT and configured at a predetermined angular orientation to deflect a laser beam to a respective disk surface. The DMT is generally fabricated using a two-level partitioning process. Several prepared glass substrates, i.e., one for each mirror type, are initially sliced into bars having predetermined geometries. A bar from each substrate is sequentially aligned to a master reference and bonded to adjacent bars to form an intermediate bar stack. The stack is then segmented into a plurality of DMT components, each having a plurality of prism members.

Abstract: A read-after-write head for four channel azimuth recording in one mode of operation and two channel non-azimuth recording in another mode of operation. Four forward write head gaps, four read head gaps, and four backward write head gaps are geometrically positioned within a rotatable and laterally indexable face plate of a recording head housing. The read and write heads gaps collectively provide four forward write channels, four read channels, and four backward write channels. During the azimuth mode of operation, the head is rotated to the preselected positive or negative azimuth angle and all of the read and write channels are utilized. During the non-azimuth, or vertical, mode of operation, write channels two and four are utilized in combination with read channels one and three to provide two-channel non-azimuth, or vertical, operation.

Abstract: An airlock latch assembly for restraining a disk drive actuator when the disk drive is subjected to rotary shock forces includes a first member and a second member rotatably mounted to the disk drive base. The second member engages the first member, preventing the first member from disengaging with the actuator assembly while the disk is not spinning. The two members are mechanically related such that one member can rotate in one direction only when the other member rotates in the opposite direction. The latch assembly also restrains the actuator in its proper position when the disk drive is subject to linear shock forces.

Abstract: A locking system for preventing a take-up reel of a tape drive from rotating when a tape cartridge is not inserted to the drive. Locking elements are defined about the take-up reel, a buckling mechanism, and a load ring to interact and provide locking engagement to prevent take-up reel rotation. The take-up reel, buckling mechanism and load ring rotate in concert during insertion and removal of the cartridge and are positioned relative to each other such that as the tape cartridge is inserted to the tape drive, locking elements disengage to enable rotation of the take-up reel. As the cartridge is inserted into the drive, locking elements return to locking engagement.