Abstract: A toy that emits a sound and/or emits light when an end user drinks a liquid through a straw. The toy includes a first electrode and a second electrode in fluid communication with an inner channel of the straw. The electrodes are connected to an indicator such as a light source or a sound generating device. When the end user drinks a liquid through the straw the liquid provides an electrical path between the electrodes. The liquid closes a circuit between the electrodes and activates the indicator. The present invention also includes a sound/light emitting toy which supports a piece of candy. The toy includes a first electrode that can be grasped by the end user and a second electrode that is in contact with the candy. The electrodes are connected to an indicator. By licking the candy the end user provides an electrical path between the electrodes which closes a circuit and activates the indicator.

Abstract: A band that can be implanted into an eye to re-attach a retina. The implanted band exerts a pressure that presses the retina into a globe of the eye. The band has a length that is at least 100 degrees of the circumference of the globe of the eye. The band may be injected into the eye with a syringe type injector.

Abstract: Many actual data 30, each consisting of a set of an actual water distribution amount obtained in advance from a water management system 10 and a variable needed for prediction, are loaded and retained as history data 52, an input space of a case base 54 is quantized according to a desired output allowance error, each history data 52 is set in the quantized input space, and a case representing at least one history data is prepared to generate a case base 52. Then a similar case corresponding to a newly input prediction condition 40 is retrieved from the case base 54, and a water distribution amount corresponding to the prediction condition 40 is estimated from the retrieved similar case.

Abstract: An image sensor that has one or more pixels within a pixel array. The pixel array may be coupled to a control circuit and one or more subtraction circuits. The control circuit may cause each pixel to provide a first reference output signal and a reset output signal. The control circuit may then cause each pixel to provide a light response output signal and a second reference output signal. The light response output signal corresponds to the image that is to be captured by the sensor. The subtraction circuit may provide a difference between the reset output signal and the first reference output signal to create a noise signal that is stored in memory. The subtraction circuit may also provide a difference between the second reference output signal and the light response output signal to create a normalized light response output signal. The noise signal may then be subtracted from the normalized light response output signal to generate the output data of the sensor.

Abstract: An automatic handling assembly that can load and unload photonic package components into a laser station. The laser station may include three lasers that weld the package components in a horizontal position. The package components may include a sleeve coupled to an optical fiber and a fiber package. The package may be mounted to a yoke that may “gimbal” about tooling plates. The yoke may include vacuum pulled friction bands that lock and unlock the position of the package. The package tooling may also have an actuator to apply a biasing force to the yoke to offset the affects of gravity. Additionally, the package tooling may have an actuator that can couple and de-couple electrical contacts to the yoke.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for a hard disk drive defect detection system. In one embodiment, a method of detecting defects on the surface of a disk having a plurality of tracks is recited. The method comprises reading, one or more times, the servo bits for a plurality of sectors and determining a burst measure for at least one sector, where the burst measure is a function of the burst signals for the sector. This method further comprises determining a reference value, where the reference value is a function of the burst signals of the plurality of sectors, and comparing the burst measure of at least one sector to the reference value to identify a potential defect. In one embodiment, a sector is mapped as defective where its burst measure differs from the reference value by at least 5 percent.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system to optimize a write channel in a hard disk drive. The method comprises providing a disk having a at least one side with a plurality of tracks, and selecting a target track from the plurality of tracks. Data is written at least once on a predetermined plurality of tracks adjacent to either side of the target track and on the target track. Data is also written a predetermined number of times on tracks immediately adjacent to the target track. Data written on the predetermined plurality of tracks adjacent to either side of the target track and on the target track is then read. The process then determines if a number of errors on the tracks is greater than a predetermined criteria, if so, a write current value of the write channel is decreased, otherwise the write current value is increased.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system to determine a quality of a head in a hard disk drive. The method comprises providing a disk having a at least one side with a plurality of tracks, writing on a predetermined track on the plurality of tracks and reading a profile of the predetermined track to provide a first profile value. The head is then moved to an adjacent track where it writes on the adjacent track. A profile of the predetermined track is then read to provide a second profile value. A quality of the head can then be determined based on the first and second values.

Abstract: A technique for managing the production, post-production and distribution of audio-visual projects permits accurate management of production values and thereby allow accurate and measurable reproduction and control. Test signal data is used to assist the operator in insuring the levels are set to the intended display characteristics in the event that factors such as creative lighting or applied effects affect the desired look of the scene. The test signal data may encompass elements that determine resolution, White level, Black level, Grey steps, Frequency response and linearity as well as sound parameters. Chroma channels may exhibit similar signals including a bar pattern that can be used to insure the best colorimetry is maintained. Standard signals may also improve compositing and cross media transfers without extraordinary efforts to match production values.

Abstract: A method for centering the disk of a disk stack assembly. The method includes the step of applying a torque to the disk stack and spinning the disks. Both the torque and the spinning speed are less than normal operating values. A series of radial forces may then be applied to the disk stack. The series of forces will cause the rotating disks to self center. The rotating disks are eventually spun down and a full torque is applied to the disk stack to secure the disks.

Abstract: A disk drive that has an air deflector which deflects at least a portion of airflow away from an actuator arm assembly of the drive. The air flow is typically generated by a rotating disk of the disk drive.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, or product for a rotating disk storage device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a disk, a spindle motor that rotates the disk, a transducer, an actuator arm that can move the transducer, and a controller. The controller can control the movement of the actuator arm to move the transducer across the disk surface from a first track to a second track, and determine a position error signal (PES) at one or more positions between the first and second tracks, where the PES includes a non-repeatable disturbance signal. The controller can iteratively generate a disturbance correction signal at the one or more positions based on the PES, combine the disturbance correction signal with the PES to minimize the non-repeatable disturbance signal to provide a corrected PES, and vary, at the one or more positions, the movement of the transducer as a function of the corrected PES.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, controlling, and locating portable computerized devices performing remote diagnostic analysis of control networks. The portable, wireless equipment includes computerized display device connected to a wireless intermediary device for allowing a wireless connection to be made to a control network. The computerized diagnostic device may be embodied as a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a graphical screen display, on which may be displayed the network nodes and connections of the control network presented against a backdrop of a transit vehicle or other facility shown in three-dimensional, rotatable images. The wireless equipment may allow the operator to force individual system components to output states, and provide for real time monitoring. The portable, wireless equipment is programmed with information pertaining to the connections and locations of the components in the control network, thereby simplifying diagnosis or testing by the operator.

Abstract: A disk for a hard disk drive. The disk includes a first layer of magnetic material located over a substrate, an intermediate layer located over the first magnetic layer and a second layer of magnetic material located over the intermediate layer. The second layer may include cobalt and chromium. The intermediate layer may include titanium. The first magnetic layer include iron, hafnium and nitrogen (FeHfN). This composition of the first magnetic layer shows higher saturation magnetization and lower roughness, and increases the nucleation field of the disk.

Abstract: A system and method for providing lighting effects comprises an arrangement of low power lights mounted on a frame having an opening through which a camera can protrude. In one embodiment, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light-emitting crystals (LECs) are arranged on the frame in a pattern of concentric circles, with the frame being ring-shaped and having a circular opening through which a camera can protrude, and a mounting bracket and assembly for attaching the frame to a camera. The LEDs or LECs may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for a hard disk drive servomechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a disk which has a surface, a spindle motor that rotates the disk, a transducer which can write information onto the disk and read information from the disk, and an actuator arm that can move the transducer across the surface of the disk. The apparatus further includes a controller. The controller can determine a seek length from a first track to a second track, determine a seek time based on the seek length, scale the seek time in response to a velocity error between a calculated velocity and a design velocity for the seek length, and control the actuator arm to move the transducer across the disk surface from the first track to the second track using an acceleration trajectory.

Abstract: An actuator beam that can be incorporated into an actuator arm assembly of a hard disk drive. The actuator beam may include a dynamic absorber that extends from a distal end of the beam. The dynamic absorber may attenuate any resonant displacement in the actuator beam induced by a shock load that is applied to the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A high speed analog to digital converter (“ADC”) that can be used in a detector system. The ADC is coupled to a detector and a processor. The detector generates an analog signal in response to the detection of a trace sample, such as an ionized molecule or a beam of light. The processor determines a baseline value and threshold value. Portions of the analog signal at or below the threshold are assigned the baseline value. The threshold typically corresponds to a value above the noise level in the system. The detector thus removes undesirable noise from the readout value. The process can compensate for factors such as DC drift while providing accurate data regarding detection of the trace sample.

Abstract: A wireless toy playset. The playset includes a small size vehicle that moves about a track. Movement of the vehicle is controlled by a wireless transmitter. At the discretion of a parent or end user the transmitter can either be structurally coupled to the track or physically separated from the track. By way of example, the transmitter may be docked into a docking station of the track. Structurally coupling the wireless transmitter to the track reduces the likelihood of separation, and possibly misplacement, of the transmitter from the playset. For example, when the playset is operated by a small child it may be desirable to structurally couple the wireless transmitter to the track to prevent the child from removing and losing the transmitter. When the child is older the transmitter may be removed from the track.