Abstract: In described examples, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a first element and a second element. The first element is mounted on a substrate and has a first contact surface. The second element is mounted on the substrate and has a second contact surface that protrudes from the second element to form an acute contact surface. The first element and/or the second element is/are operable to move in: a first direction, such that the first contact surface comes in contact with the second contact surface; and a second direction, such that the second contact surface separates from the first contact surface.

Abstract: A marker setter is described that includes a magazine holding a plurality of stacked planar markers, each marker having a flag section and a post section with a distal tip; a marker extractor adapted to extract a marker from the stacked plurality of markers and convey the marker along a pathway to insert the tip of the marker into the ground, the marker extractor having a post inserter with a distal end; and a tip deflector adapted to bend the marker distal tip around the post setter distal end prior to insertion of the tip into the ground. The tip deflector includes a deflector plate pivotal between an initial position in the pathway of the marker tip and post inserter, and a forward position beneath the pathway, the deflector being moved to the forward position by the post inserter while bending the marker tip around the post inserter distal end.

Abstract: A marker setter is described that includes a magazine holding a plurality of stacked planar markers, each marker having a flag section and a post section with a distal tip; a marker extractor adapted to extract a marker from the stacked plurality of markers and convey the marker along a pathway to insert the tip of the marker into the ground, the marker extractor having a post inserter with a distal end; and a tip deflector adapted to bend the marker distal tip around the post setter distal end prior to insertion of the tip into the ground. The tip deflector includes a deflector plate pivotal between an initial position in the pathway of the marker tip and post inserter, and a forward position beneath the pathway, the deflector being moved to the forward position by the post inserter while bending the marker tip around the post inserter distal end.

Abstract: A multi-use service charging protocol is disclosed. A data structure (303, 308) which includes chargeable elements relating generally to the multi-site service, and chargeable elements relating to the provision of network resources for each site involved in the multi-site service is transferred between a customer terminal (44) and an online charging system (30) in the network. In this way a customer who provides a description of a multi-site service is able to instantaneously receive advice of the charge for the multi-site service, and the network operator is able to instantaneously charge the customer for the multi-site service. Furthermore, the customer is later able to analyse his communications costs broken down by multi-site service and/or by site.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of markers including a leading marker adjacent the marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the marker magazine, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent to the marker. In one embodiment of the invention, the magazine is adapted to enclose a continuous roll of markers. In another embodiment, a housing adjacent the marker extractor pathway receives a replaceable magazine of stacked markers.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of markers including a leading marker adjacent the marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the marker magazine, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent to the marker. In one embodiment of the invention, the magazine is adapted to enclose a continuous roll of markers. In another embodiment, a housing adjacent the marker extractor pathway receives a replaceable magazine of stacked markers.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of stacked markers including a leading marker adjacent said marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the stacked markers, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent the marker. A unique marker for use with the device is also described, the marker including an extraction projection that is engageable by the lower end of the marker extractor.

Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating optical crosstalk induced components of a focus error signal in an optical disk drive of the type having a grooved optical disk with servo tracks and tracking and focus servo systems controlled by a digital signal processor. A calibration operation is performed whenever a new disk is inserted into the track. During the calibration operation, the disk is scanned about a tracking axis at a track crossing frequency greater than the focus servo system bandwidth. The focus error signals produced when the disk is scanned are filtered about a pass band including the track crossing frequency. Crosstalk values equal to values of the filtered focus error signals are determined as a function of corresponding values of the tracking error signals, and are stored in memory. A correction operation is performed while reading and writing data on the disk.

Abstract: A method for obtaining focus capture in an optical disk drive having a focus servo system with a servo loop and operable in open and closed loop modes, including: opening the servo loop and operating the servo system in the open-loop mode; scanning an objective lens about a focus axis with respect to an optical disk at a calibration velocity; peak detecting focus error signals produced while the lens is scanned at the calibration velocity to determine a peak focus error signal value; storing a calibration threshold value as a function of the peak focus error signal value; scanning the objective lens about the focus axis at a focus capture velocity; comparing the focus error signal values produced while the lens is scanned at the focus capture velocity to the calibration threshold value; and closing the servo loop and operating the focus servo system in the closed-loop mode when the focus error signal values reach the calibration threshold value.

Abstract: A method for operating a programmable digital signal processor in an optical disk drive to compensate tracking and/or focus servo system gain each time a new disk is inserted. The digital signal processor receives a servo error signal and outputs a servo control signal. Data characteristic of a desired servo system gain at a predetermined test frequency is stored in memory. The digital signal processor generates a test signal at the test frequency and sums the test signal with the servo error signal. Servo system gain at the test frequency is determined by computing the ratio of the amplitude of the servo error signal before it is summed with the test signal and the amplitude of the summed servo error signal and test signal. A corrected gain factor is computed as a function of the current servo system gain, the desired servo system gain and current gain factor. The corrected gain factor is stored in memory.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining focus of a laser beam on the surface of an erasable magneto-optic disk during erase operations is disclosed. The laser beam exhibits beam farfield shift during erase operations, complicating the maintenance of optimal focus. An optical detector is exposed to laser light reflected to the disk to generate signals governing operation of a focusing lens' servo system. A digital signal processor is included in the servo system and is programmed to compensate for beam farfield shift by generation of an offset correction signal during periods of erase power operation. The offset correction signal is generated by the digital signal processor by comparison of optical detector output signals generated during operation of the laser source where no beam farfield shift occurs and the output signals generated where beam farfield shift is occurring, but the system is known to be in focus.

Abstract: An optical disk recording system including a record medium is disclosed for providing an accurate track crossing count and an accurate track following signal. A first embodiment utilizes off-centered wobbled areas located in the headers of the record medium. The high frequency content of a first signal is combined with the low frequency content of a second signal, which is generated using the wobbled areas. In another embodiment, light-reflective discontinuities are provided in the header areas of the record medium. A qualifier and an AGC are utilized in providing a corrected track following signal. In still another embodiment, reflective discontinuities are located in the servo areas of the record medium. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that there is a fixed gain adjustment to a radial push-pull signal.