Abstract: Apparatus for measuring warp of an optical disk is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator having a base and a moveable lens holder, the lens holder being moveable in a vertical direction relative to the base. The apparatus further includes a structure for moving the actuator to selected positions relative to the surface of the disk and for measuring the vertical displacement of the disk surface relative to the actuator base at each of the selected positions, a structure for providing displacement signals corresponding to the vertical displacement of the disk surface at each of the selected positions, and a structure responsive to the displacement signals for computing a radial tilt matrix and a tangential tilt matrix of optical disk surface tilt values, the matrices representing the warp of the surface of the disk.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and method are disclosed for forming marks on a recording medium. The recording apparatus includes an arrangement having an adjustable light source for producing a beam of light having first and second portions, with the second portion for recording marks on the medium, and an arrangement responsive to the first portion of the light beam and including a front facet detector positioned to receive the first portion of the light beam directly from the light source for producing a front facet signal. The recording apparatus also includes an arrangement for detecting light from the second portion of the light beam which is reflected from the medium and for producing a mark formation signal, and circuitry responsive to the front facet signal and the mark formation signal for producing a mark formation effectiveness signal.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is provided with an electronic image sensor for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image of a subject and an orientation determination section for sensing the orientation of the camera relative to the subject. The orientation determination section provides an orientation signal recognizing either the vertical or the horizontal orientation of the camera relative to the subject. An image processor is responsive to the orientation signal for processing the image signal and correcting the orientation thereof so that the still image is output from the image processor in a predetermined orientation. In this way, the electronic still camera can be positioned in a variety of orientations relative to a subject, including both clockwise and counterclockwise vertical "portrait" orientations and a horizontal "landscape" orientation, without affecting the orientation of the images output by the camera.

Abstract: Apparatus for polarizing a multipole permanent magnet having a main surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support member for supporting the magnet; and conductive tubular elements in the form of a coil, the tubular elements being mounted on the support member in relation to the magnet so that the tubular elements produce a magnetizing field across the surface of the magnet to polarize such magnet when the tubular elements are energized. The apparatus further includes circuitry for energizing the tubular elements to produce the magnetizing field to polarize the magnet, and a structure for circulating coolant through the tubular elements to limit the heat build-up of the tubular elements when the tubular elements are energized.

Abstract: A magneto-optic head for reading and writing information on a magneto-optic recording medium so that diffraction effects can be monitored during writing is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a tilt error signal representative of the tilt of an optical disk is disclosed. The apparatus includes a source of laser light for focusing a laser beam onto the disk and reflecting such beam from the disk, a beamsplitter positioned to receive the reflected light beam and to direct the light beam in a first direction, and a structure for separating the reflected light beam from the beamsplitter into at least four portions and for producing detection signals for each portion. The apparatus further includes circuitry responsive to the detection signals for producing first and second tracking error signals, the first and second tracking error signals being produced by different combinations of the detection signals and both being sensitive to cross-track diffraction, and circuitry responsive to the first and second tracking error signals for producing the tilt error signal.

Abstract: Scene intensity measuring and illumination source detection apparatus for determining scene illuminant and appropriate exposure settings for an image capture device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a diffractive optical element including an off-axis segment for dispersing incident scene illumination into its spectral components and for focusing the incident scene illumination, a structure responsive to the spectral intensities of the spectral components of the incident scene illumination for producing detection signals corresponding to such spectral components, a structure coupled to the sensing means for producing digitized detection signals, and a structure responsive to the digitized detection signals for determining the scene illuminant and the appropriate exposure settings for the image capture device.