Abstract: A hard disk drive that includes a voice coil motor and a micro-actuator. The disk drive includes a servo with a voice coil motor loop, a micro-actuator loop and an overall loop. The servo is calibrated by first calibrating the voice coil motor loop, then calibrating the micro-actuator loop and finally calibrating the overall loop.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station includes a head worn device worn on the head of a user. The head worn device senses movement of the user's head and generates corresponding input signals. The input signals are processed into robot movement commands and transmitted to the robot, typically through a broadband network. The robot movement commands move a camera of the robot. The camera movement tracks movement of the user's head so that the user can scan the visual field without having to generate separate input commands for the robot.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a first optical path, second optical path, semiconductor optical amplifier, and multi-mode interference 3-dB coupler. The first optical path guides oscillation light. The second optical path guides signal light. The semiconductor optical amplifier causes oscillation on the first optical path. The multi-mode interference 3-dB coupler crosses the first and optical paths in the gain medium of the semiconductor optical amplifier.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system comprises a left and right speakers located in close proximity, and a sound processor which provides audio signals to the pair of speakers. The sound processor preferably derives a cancellation signal from the difference between the left and right channels. The resulting difference signal is scaled, delayed (if necessary), and spectrally modified before being added to the left channel and, in opposite polarity, to the right channel. The spectral modification to the difference channel preferably takes the form of a low-frequency boost over a specified frequency range, in order to restore the correct timbral balance after the differencing process. Additional phase-compensating all-pass networks may be inserted in the difference channel to correct for any extra phase shift contributed by the spectral modifying circuit. The technique may be used in a surround sound system.

Abstract: A method for writing servo information onto a disk of a hard disk drive with a servo writer. The disk has a circumferential index and a band of servo reference tracks. The circumferential index is detected from a clock signal generated from a clock track of the disk. The reference tracks include radial indices. A spiral servo pattern is written upon the detection of the circumferential index and a radial index. The servo writer includes a phase detector that detects changes in the relative position of the circumferential and radial indices and a delay circuit that delays the clock signal to offset such changes.

Abstract: A disk for a hard disk drive. The disk includes a S1 layer of magnetic material located over a substrate, and a layer of ruthenium located over the S1 layer. The disk further includes a top layer of magnetic material and a layer of chromium located adjacent to the top magnetic layer. The chromium diffuses into the top layer of magnetic material to magnetically decouple the grains of the magnetic material. Decoupling the grains of the magnetic material reduces the magnetic noise of the disk and improves the signal to noise ratio of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An image sensor with a light reader circuit coupled to a pixel array. The light reader circuit retrieves a first image and a second image generated by the pixel array. The image sensor may also include a memory controller and/or data interface that transfers the first and second images to an external device in an interleaving manner.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system may include a wireless transmitter transmititing an encoded digital bitstream serially combining each of a plurality of audio input channels and control data, a wireless receiver receiving the transmitted bitstream, a manual selector switch to for selecting one or more of the audio input channels and a sound producing device reproducing the selected audio channels in accordance with the control data. A system may include a wireless receiver receiving an encoded digital bitstream combining each of a plurality of audio input channels with control data disbursed therein, a manual selector switch for selecting audio input channels and a sound producing device for selectively decoding and demultiplexing the selected audio channels to be reproduced in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: An assembly, such as an aircraft component, is formed with a weld joint by, for example, using friction stir welding, FSW, to form a lap joint between a stiffer and the interior surface of the skin of the component. A sealant layer, such as a monomer sealant/adhesive is applied to the surfaces to be joined, and is cured in place by the elevated temperatures of the welding process to form an elastomeric fay surface sealing, such as a fluoroelastomeric coating, to protect the component from corrosion at the welds. Additional heat for curing may be applied by laser or induction heating or the like.

Abstract: An articulated boat may include a pair of pontoons and a central cabin connected by pair of struts, each pair forming a parallelogram and one or more motors for changing the elevation between the central cabin and the pair of pontoons and for moving the boat through the water. The motors may be operated by remote control.

Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a first optical path, second optical path, semiconductor optical amplifier, and multi-mode interference 3-dB coupler. The first optical path guides oscillation light. The second optical path guides signal light. The semiconductor optical amplifier causes oscillation on the first optical path. The multi-mode interference 3-dB coupler crosses the first and optical paths in the gain medium of the semiconductor optical amplifier.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote control station. A user can control movement of the robot from the remote control station. The remote control station may generate robot control commands that are transmitted through a broadband network. The robot has a camera that generates video images that are transmitted to the remote control station through the network. The user can control movement of the robot while viewing the video images provided by the robot camera. The robot can automatically stop movement if it does not receive a robot control command within a time interval. The remote control station may transmit a stop command to the robot if the station does not receive an updated video image within a time interval.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a defective disk for a hard disk drive. The method includes placing a disk into a tester so that a first side of the disk is adjacent to a first head of the tester and a second side of the disk is adjacent to a second head. First data is read from the first side of the disk, and second data is read from the second side of the disk. The disk is then flipped so that the second side is adjacent to the first head and the first side is adjacent to the second head. Third data is read from the first side. Fourth data is read from the second side. A first area between a curve generated from the first data and a curve generated from the third data is calculated. Likewise, a second area is calculated between a curve generated from the second data and a curve generated from the fourth data. An average of the first and second areas is then calculated and used to detect a defective disk.

Abstract: A lighting box has a housing with an open front and open rear and a bar such as a standard schedule 40 pipe or 1½? or 1?? pipe extending horizontally across the housing. Multiple lights are mounted on the bar and positioned to send light out the front of the box. The box also has a diffusion element (frame) disposed proximate its front end, and even may have multiple elements including having one element at an angle. The element or elements receive the light from the lighting instruments and diffuse it to provide a soft projected light from the box. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, this light may be used to provide diffused light as part of the key lighting for a stage or set, and may provide such soft projected lighting from a front (downstage) of the stage or set. The box may also have a soft shell, may hang overhead, on a stand or by a rotatable yoke, and may have lights fixed therein. The box may also have a rear cover.

Abstract: A detector that may contain a glow discharge ionizer and a photo-ionizer. The existence of both ionizers may increase the accuracy and number of chemical compounds that can be simultaneously monitored for chemical screening applications. The detector is particularly useful for screening explosives, chemical agents, and other illicit chemicals.

Abstract: A method for writing servo information onto a disk of a hard disk drive. The method includes writing a reference servo pattern onto a track of a disk with an off-line servo track writer. The reference servo pattern has less servo bits than the final pattern allowing the off-line writer to write in a single pass. The disk is then assembled into a hard disk drive assembly and a final servo pattern is written onto the track. The final pattern can also be written with two passes. The single pass writing process reduces the time required to write the servo information. Additionally, the off-line servo track writer can write servo on a plurality of disk at the same time, further reducing the process time for writing servo and mass producing hard disk drives.

Abstract: A tension adjustment mechanism for a stringed musical instrument suitable for use on a tailpiece assembly comprises a pivoting member (such as a string receptor), an adjustable stop, and a lever handle engaged with the pivoting member. The pivoting member preferably has a post for securely receiving an end of a string and an elongate arm. Placement of the handle in a first position preferably causes the adjustable stop to engage and depress the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby increasing tension on the string. Placement of the handle in a second position preferably causes the adjustable stop to disengage the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby allowing the pivoting member to return to its original position, and decreasing tension on the string. A fine tuning adjustment may be included in the tailpiece assembly. The adjustable stop and/or fine tuning adjustment may comprise adjustable screws.

Abstract: An electrode assembly that can be used to apply current to a cornea. The assembly includes a tip that is attached to a stop. The stop is pressed into an inner channel of an electrode body. The stop limits the penetration depth of the tip into a cornea.