Abstract: A system for refinement of a voice query interpretation interprets a voice query received at a voice-enabled device to identify commands responsive to the voice query for execution at the voice-enabled device, and enables refinement of the interpretation of the voice query through a graphical user interface generated and displayed at a GUI-capable device. The graphical user interface includes a set of selectable options relating to the voice query and identifying a refinement of the interpretation of the voice query to enable control and/or adjustment of commands to be executed by the voice-enabled device. For example, if one of the selectable options is selected, then a command associated with the selected option is identified and executed by the voice-enabled device.

Abstract: In an optical tape drive having optical heads for writing data in tracks on an optical tape, each track having an off-track threshold, a system and method are disclosed for off-track write prevention. The system includes multiple actuators, each actuator configured to control a position of an associated optical heads. The system also includes a controller configured to determine a position of each of the optical heads relative to an associated track on the optical tape and to prevent, in response to an event causing an optical heads to have a position outside the off-track threshold of the associated track, only that optical head from writing data to the optical tape and to buffer a stream of data for that optical head for later processing.

Abstract: A test assembly for a disk drive suspension head gimbal assembly includes a steel mount plate and a mount sub-plate of a material such as silicon carbide having a modulus of elasticity to density ratio that is significantly higher than the ratio for stainless steel. Preferably the mount plate and the mount sub-plate taken together have a first resonant shear frequency of greater than 50 KHz, which is generally greater than the frequency range of interest for testing head gimbal assemblies. The high modulus of elasticity to density ratio helps to ensure that any shear mode resonances of the test assembly occur at frequencies that are higher than the frequencies of interesting for head gimbal assembly shear resonance testing purposes.

Abstract: A method for editing source video in a DVD media for a slow motion recording special effect. According to the method, the DVD device receives a source video signal comprised of a plurality of source pictures. Each of the source video pictures is recorded in a selected picture frame on the DVD media. Subsequently s?1 copies of the selected source video picture on the DVD media in s?1 frames adjacent to the selected picture frame. For the purposes of the invention as described herein, s can be an integer value determined by a user selected motion speed. The user selected motion speed will be 1/s times slower relative to a normal motion speed. In an alternative embodiment, the method can be used for editing source video in a DVD media for a fast motion record special effect. In that case, the DVD device receives a source video signal comprised of a plurality of source pictures. Only one out of every n of the source video pictures is chosen as a selected source video picture.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: A disclosed information storing apparatus includes a rotatably-mounted memory medium; a carriage arm having a head at its tip; a flow rectifying wall configured to lead a partial airflow of a rotational airflow flowing in a rotation direction of the memory medium and rectify the partial airflow, and including an inflow opening from which the partial airflow flows into the inner path of the flow rectifying wall and an outflow opening from which the partial airflow having passed through the inner path flows out; and a circulation filter. The inflow opening and outflow opening are disposed on an upstream side and a downstream side, respectively, of the rotational airflow with respect to the carriage arm. The circulation filter is disposed in such a position that the led partial airflow flows into the circulation filter in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the rotational airflow.

Abstract: PROBLEM: To prevent oil film breakage in bearings without expelling of air internally accumulated at the bearing. METHOD FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device in which radial hydrodynamic grooves and thrust hydrodynamic grooves form communicating channels; have communicating holes designed to communicate the groove end of the radial hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the thrust hydrodynamic grooves with the groove end of the thrust hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the radial hydrodynamic grooves; have a circulation route composed by the communicating hole, the radial hydrodynamic groove, and the thrust hydrodynamic groove; and circulate lubricating oil by means of a pump force of the hydrodynamic groove.

Abstract: A method for navigating among tracks uses limited input commands. A plurality of tracks is associated with a currently playing queue. One of the tracks in the queue is identified for a current focus. A voice command is received that includes a directional aspect and a metadata filtering aspect. In response, the focus moves to a second track having a different value for the selected metadata filtering category.

Abstract: A metrology system for measuring the magnetic properties of a magnetic recording medium layer on a device used for perpendicular recording.

Abstract: An optical recording/playback apparatus of the present invention achieves proper focus control on a target recording layer of a single-layer disk or a multilayer disk. When the focus control is performed on the target information-recording layer of a recording medium, spherical-aberration compensation is first adjusted with respect to the thickness of a transmissive protection layer (cover layer) for the target information-recording layer. Alternatively, the adjustment may be made with respect to the average thickness of transmissive protection layers for the corresponding multiple information-recording layers. An objective lens is then moved along the optical axis to perform a focus-searching operation. In that case, the polarity of a focusing error signal and the level of a reflected-beam intensity signal generated as reflected-beam information are observed so as to perform the focusing operation.

Abstract: A multi-pattern is formed to have a plurality of read/write elements on a plane. A medium is formed on a single crystal of Si substrate. A motion of the head relative to the medium is made a simple harmonic motion to form linear recorded bits. This allows fabricating a storage system which provides features of small size, high recording density, high transfer rate, and short access time all at once. The recording density accomplished by the small storage system is extremely high, and may be as high as 10 gigabits per square inch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a magnetic storage apparatus which are improved to be suitable for high-density magnetic recording. An object thereof is to provide the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and the magnetic storage apparatus which have a low noise property for realizing a recording density of 10 Gb/in.2 or more and a high stability against thermal fluctuation. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising a perpendicular magnetic film formed through an underlayer on a nonmagnetic substrate, wherein the underlayer comprises a material having a hexagonal close packed structure or an amorphous structure, and has a first underlayer nearer to the substrate, and a second underlayer having a hexagonal close packed structure formed on the first underlayer and a preferred growth orientation of [0001] and comprising a material capable of hetero-epitaxy growth onto the perpendicular magnetic film.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improved disc drive data storage capacity and seek performance. The disc drive includes a rotatable disc with a recording surface on which a plurality of tracks are defined and an actuator which supports a head adjacent the tracks. A servo circuit uses a velocity profile to position the head adjacent a destination track, with the servo circuit adaptively selecting the velocity profile in relation to the physical location of the destination track. The servo circuit preferably uses a reduced maximum velocity and a decreased deceleration rate when the deceleration track is adjacent an innermost or outermost diameter of the disc, thereby reducing the risk of damage as a result of contact between the actuator and a limit stop used to limit radial excursion of the head.

Abstract: A servoing system is provided for use in an arcuate scanner having an arcuate scanner head assembly (ASHA) that has least one transducer on a rotatable drum. The servoing system includes a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, logic, and a positioning apparatus. The first detection circuit is coupled to the transducer and detects alignment identifiers that are recorded on the tape and sensed by the transducer. The second detection circuit is also coupled to the transducer and detects an envelope of the scanned signal during the scan. The logic compares the alignment identifiers to determine if the ASHA is properly aligned with the tracks on the tape, and in response outputs a fine error signal. The logic also compares the envelope as detected during the scan with a threshold value and outputs a coarse error signal in response.

Abstract: A memory storage module for storing and accessing information which includes a flat storage medium having an X-axis and a Y-axis. A plurality of read/write heads are coupled to a head array assembly which is capable of motion along the X-axis. The head array assembly positions the heads adjacent to the medium. An X-axis motor is coupled to the head array assembly and causes the heads to undergo reciprocating substantially linear motion along the X-axis of the medium. A Y-axis motor creates linear motion between the heads and the medium along the Y-axis of the medium. The heads are controlled to store or access information on the medium as the heads move across the X-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor moves the heads from track to track along the Y-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor can be connected to move either the medium or the head array assembly along the Y-axis.

Abstract: A disk apparatus wherein a disk is rotated by a rotating motor, and a source power supplied to the rotating motor is monitored, which includes: a memory unit for storing an initial source voltage value before a process of a rotating motor acceleration is started; a detecting unit for periodically detecting a source voltage value related to the source power; a comparing unit for comparing the source voltage value, detected by the detecting unit during the process of the rotating motor acceleration, with the initial source voltage value stored in the memory unit, and for outputting a voltage fluctuation indicated by a difference between the source voltage value and the initial source voltage value; and a control unit for setting a quantity of the source power supplied to the rotating motor, to a smaller quantity in response to the voltage fluctuation output by the comparing unit.

Abstract: A memory storage module for storing and accessing information which includes a flat storage medium having an X-axis and a Y-axis. A plurality of read/write heads are coupled to a head array assembly which is capable of motion along the X-axis. The head array assembly positions the heads adjacent to the medium. An X-axis motor is coupled to the head array assembly and causes the heads to undergo reciprocating substantially linear motion along the X-axis of the medium. A Y-axis motor creates linear motion between the heads and the medium along the Y-axis of the medium. The heads are controlled to store or access information on the medium as the heads move across the X-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor moves the heads from track to track along the Y-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor can be connected to move either the medium or the head array assembly along the Y-axis.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium used in a magnetic recording apparatus has a non-magnetic substrate, a magnetic film formed on the substrate, an optional protective film formed on the magnetic film and a lubricating layer formed on the top surface of the medium. The lubricating layer is made of an organic polymer lubricant having molecules with an interstitial radius of not more that 0.31 nm. The interstitial radius is affected by coating the lubricant on the protective film after the protective film has been cleaned with a surface treatment, such as an oxygen plasma treatment or an ozone treatment. By maintaining the interstitial radius between molecules of the lubricant layer equal to or less than 0.31 nm, water and corrosive molecules in water cannot penetrate the lubricating layer and corrode the magnetic film. Also, the lubricant layer provides good sliding durability with a resultant long CSS life.

Abstract: A memory storage module for storing and accessing information which includes a flat storage medium having an X-axis and a Y-axis. A plurality of read/write heads are coupled to a head array assembly which is capable of motion along the X-axis. The head array assembly positions the heads adjacent to the medium. An X-axis motor is coupled to the head array assembly and causes the heads to undergo reciprocating substantially linear motion along the X-axis of the medium. A Y-axis motor creates linear motion between the heads and the medium along the Y-axis of the medium. The heads are controlled to store or access information on the medium as the heads move across the X-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor moves the heads from track to track along the Y-axis of the medium. The Y-axis motor can be connected to move either the medium or the head array assembly along the Y-axis.

Abstract: A tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which a record bearing tape is wrapped about a cylindrical body and signal recording and/or reproduction is performed by rotating heads. A carriage carrying a tape wrapping member is moved by a movable member to a predetermined position to wrap the tape about the cylindrical body. A connecting rod connects the carriage and the movable member so that the rod extends almost perpendicular to a plane of the carriage and loosely engages either the carriage or the movable member. When the carriage is stopped at the predetermined position by a stopper while the movable member is slightly overdriven or over-moved, the connecting rod exerts a moment on the carriage and secures the carriage firmly at the predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a magnetic stripe disposed on a card which is inserted in the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the stripe includes a magnetic head, a head supporting member for supporting the head for movement having a component in parallel with the stripe, and a mechanism for driving the head supporting member in response to the insertion of the card so as to move the head along the stripe of the moving card, whereby the stripe of the card which is inserted into the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the stripe is sensed by the head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transducing information with respect to record cards such as oblong cards containing magnetic recording material. In one form, a magnetic record card is made to conform or extend parallel to the cylindrical surface of a drum supporting a magnetic transducer which rotates to scan one or more selected tracks of the card. The card may extend in a circular or helical path while scanning occurs or may be driven in such a path during scanning.

Abstract: An automatic answering device for facsimile, in which the name or number of a station is previously stored and is automatically send out in response to a request from the other party. Storing of the name of the individual station in a magnetic record card and reading out of the recorded content are achieved by a magnetic head, which is adapted to be driven in synchronism with the main scanning operations of the facsimile apparatus. The information, such as the number or name of the individual station is previously stored in the magnetic record card from an original provided at the facsimile apparatus and read out of the magnetic card for transmitting the same to a receiving unit of another facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: A recording reproducer is disclosed for use with a magnetic card comprising a non-magnetic material such as paper having a coating of a powder of magnetizable material on its back surface. The recording reproducer includes a transducer element such as a magnetic head which translates a magnetic energy into electrical energy or vice versa. In the region of the coating of magnetizable material, a sound track is formed on the card for recording a sound. By moving the magnetic head from a start position toward a terminal position of the sound track while maintaining contact between the head and the track, the sound is reproduced. The magnetic head may be returned instantaneously from the terminal position, or an arbitrary intermediate position between the terminal position, and the start position to the start position, whereby the sound can be repeatedly reproduced by repeating the playback and returning motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transducing information with respect to record cards such as oblong cards containing magnetic recording material. In one form, a magnetic record card is made to conform or extend parallel to the cylindrical surface of a drum supporting a magnetic transducer which rotates to scan one or more selected tracks of the card. The card may extend in a circular or helical path while scanning occurs or may be driven in such a path during scanning.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is erased by mounting at least one magnet with its north-south poles parallel to the surface of the recording medium and transporting the recording medium in a plane horizontal to the north-south pole axis such that the magnetic field lines traverse the recording medium. The magnet may be mounted on an endless belt which moves substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the recording medium. The belt may be oscillated or moved continuously along its transverse path.In an alternative embodiment, magnets may be mounted on the end of an arm which is adapted to be rotated in parallel spaced relation to the surface of the recording medium. Also, a number of permanent magnets may be mounted in two rows in spaced relation to form an aperture therebetween for transport of the recording medium therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing at least video signal information employs, as a record medium, a record assembly including a cover, for example, in the form of a relatively rigid envelope having an open end, and at least one flexible sheet adapted to have at least video signal information recorded thereon and slidable through the open end of the envelope between a stored position, in which the sheet is substantially enclosed and protected by the envelope, and an operative position in which a major portion of said sheet is withdrawn from the envelope and a minor portion of the sheet remains within the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signal information employs, as a record medium, a sheet assembly composed of at least two normally closely adjacent, confronting flexibly resilient sheets which provide mutual protection, when in that relation, for video signal information recorded, for example, magnetically, on at least one of the sheets.

Abstract: In a system for optically scanning and reading data printed in transversely extending lines longitudinally spaced apart on a document and comprising a scanning head including an electro-optical arrangement for scanning and reading the data, friction drive rollers for engaging and moving the document longitudinally past the scanning head, a motor drivingly connected to the rollers, and controls for the motor, the improvement in which the motor is a stepper motor having an output shaft which is advanced one step about its axis each time the motor is pulsed. The controls include a pulse generator, an optical system for detecting such lines of data on the document and stopping the longitudinal movement of the document, the optical system being operatively connected to the generator and effective to control the pulse output of the generator. The generator preferably provides pulses at a first predetermined frequency and pulses at a second and lower frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for verifying the status of an account such as a credit card account or that the holder of a card is the party indicated by information recorded on the card. In one form, information is recorded on a magnetic recording strip of a card which is automatically read when a magnetic pick-up is caused to scan the recording. The signals generated are then fed to a comparator which compares same with information reproduced from a memory or signals generated in scanning a characteristic of the card holder such as a voice or photoelectrically generated signals scanning a finger print or other physical characteristic of the holder. Special card scanning means is also provided.