Abstract: An improved window frame and window piece for a micromirror assembly is disclosed herein. The window frame includes a stress-relieving contour positioned in the middle of the frame that can absorb the mechanical stresses applied to the window frame from the ceramic base and from the window piece. The window frame may be comprised of a single piece of sheet metal that has been stamped to include a stress-relieving contour. The stress-relieving contour may be comprised of a variety of shapes, including a “U” shape, an inverted “U” shape, a curved step shape, or other combinations thereof.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package and method that provides excellent visibility to the orientation of the package substrate throughout all stages of the device assembly process, and over a wide range of ambient light conditions. The package uses an existing metalization layer to designate a reference corner of the package. A lower portion 102 of the package includes an intermediate metalization layer patterned on the surface of the lower portion. This metalization is used to connect the device 104 being packaged with circuitry outside the package. An upper portion 108 of the package is supported by the lower portion of the package and sandwiches the intermediate layer. At least one corner of the upper layer 108 exposes a region 110 of the intermediate metalization layer. This region is highly visible since it is reflective and located outside of the package cavity. The metalization region 110 may also be plated or tinned to increase its visibility.

Abstract: A disk drive system (70) and an actuator assembly (50; 150) therein are disclosed. The actuator assembly (50) includes multiple actuator arms (52; 152) that are independently rotatable about a pivot pin (26) by the operation of multiple voice coil motors (55; 155). Separate voice coil motor servo controls (94; 194) are provided to control the voice coil motors (55; 155). Voice coil motors (55; 155) may be dedicated to individual actuator arms (52), or alternatively to multiple actuator arms (152) that are connected together. Separate bearings (54; 154) are provided in the actuator assembly (50; 150). The construction of the actuator assembly (50; 150) permits simultaneous read/write access via multiple data channel control circuits (92) associated with individual read/write heads (14).

Abstract: An integrated liquid crystal display and backlight system for generating video images for a portable computer (12) comprising a top glass (32), a bottom glass (34) and a thin film transistor and liquid crystal layer (36) disposed therebetween, a diffuser (38) bonded to the bottom glass (34) on the side opposite the top glass (32), a substrate (40) bonded to the diffuser (38) opposite the bottom glass (34) having an array of semispherical cavities (42) each having an aluminized surface (44), a phosphor layer (46) coating the aluminized surfaces (44), an array of indium tin oxide conductors (48) electrically connected to the aluminized surfaces (44) and disposed within the cavities (42), and a volume of mercury gas (50) filling the cavities (42) such that when a voltage (54) is established between the aluminized surfaces (44) and the indium tin oxide conductors (48), the phosphor (46) becomes excited and produces backlight for the liquid crystal display system (26).

Abstract: A disk-based drive (45) with a reduced weight actuator (50) is disclosed. The actuator (50) includes an E-block (30) having multiple actuator arms (32) extending therefrom, to which associated read/write heads (14) are attached. The E-block 30 is formed of top and bottom plates (30u, 30d) having openings (31u, 31d) therethrough for receiving a pivot pin (36). A roller bearing (34) having inner and outer races (38i, 38u) and ball bearings (39) therewithin is disposed about the pivot pin (36), between the top and bottom plates (30u, 30d) as installed. In a first embodiment, the inner race (38i) of the bearing (34) is fixably attached to the pivot pin (36) and the pivot pin (36) is fixably attached to the E-block (30). Supports (44) are attached to the outer race (38o) of the bearing (34). A voice coil (37) is mounted to the rear of the E-block (30) to rotate the E-block (30) and position the heads (14) over the desired track of the disks (8).

Abstract: Portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, are provided with the capability of a low profile and light weight keyboard, allowing greater reduction in the size and weight of portable computers without compromising the functionality. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides laptops, notebooks, and sub-notebooks with a low profile keyboard having a polymer top surface. In an embodiment of the invention, a structural rib 214 surrounds at least some portion of the key to advantageously provide a firm offset of the key top from the circuit board 206 for increased key travel over prior art designs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard key includes alignment pistons 218 affixed to the flexible key layer 202 and extend into holes in the circuit board 206 to provide advantages such as keeping the key's top surface flat, preventing the key from tilting or collapsing on only one or two sides.

Abstract: A disk drive system (50) comprising a spindle (52) having a circular outer perimeter (60) and an axis of rotation. The spindle comprises a first boss (68), a second boss (70), and a third boss (72), each of which is spaced around the circular outer perimeter of the spindle. Moreover, each of the bosses has an upper support surface (68a, 70a, 72a). Lastly, the disk drive system comprises a disk (8b) abutted to each of the upper support surfaces of each of the first, second, and third bosses.