Abstract: This invention provides a read/write channel with a multiplex input/output system for a disk drive, which may have one or more magnetic disks, one or more read/write heads, and a read/write channel. The read/write channel may comprise a multiplex input/output (I/O) terminal, a write output driver, and a digital to analog converter. The read/write channel may be implemented on an integrated circuit. The multiplex input/output system may send different signals or voltages through the same input/output terminal at essentially at the same time or different periods of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a read/write channel with a diagnostic system for a disk drive. The diagnostic system may process internal and external signals. The read/write channel may have one or more clock generators, a digital to analog converter, an analog comparator, and a successive approximation register. The read/write channel may be implemented on an integrated circuit or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor. The read/write channel may have partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) encoding and decoding. The diagnostic system uses bit-weighing or successive approximation to convert analog signals into digital diagnostic signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a colloidal refractory system for an electric arc furnace or another pyrometallurgical converter having a hearth, a shell, and a roof. The colloidal silica refractory includes alumina having a range of about 55 percent through about 90 percent by weight, silicon carbide having a range of about 2.5 percent through about 30 percent by weight, silica having a range of about 2 percent through about 20 percent by weight, and carbon having a range of about 0.1 percent through about 4 percent by weight. An aqueous colloidal silica binder provides the silica. The colloidal refractory system has high-temperature strength and resists the attack from slag and off-gases.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) system and method for manufacturing. The AMC has a post plane with posts and slots. The posts are operatively disposed adjacent to conductive shapes on one or more frequency selective surfaces. The posts formably extend from the post plane.

Abstract: This invention provides a brightness offset error reduction system for a display device, which may have a lighted display panel and control circuitry. The lighted display may be backlit, frontlit, or emissive. The brightness offset error reduction system has voltage divider circuitry for receiving an output voltage from digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry. The voltage divider circuitry provides a fractional portion of the output voltage as a divided output voltage. This division of the output voltage reduces brightness offset errors and may increase the brightness resolution at low luminance levels.

Abstract: The invention provides a brightness control system for a backlight display device that uses the efficiency of the backlight to control the backlight to a desired brightness or luminance. The backlight display device may have a display panel, a backlight, a temperature measurement device, and control circuitry. The control circuitry provides a drive current to the backlight in response to a backlight efficiency and a desired brightness signal. The backlight efficiency is a function of the backlight temperature. The brightness control system may maintain the desired brightness throughout the dynamic range of the backlight display device.

Abstract: The invention provides a diagnostic system for a densitometer in an image-forming machine. An image-forming machine with a densitometer diagnostic system may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, an exposure machine, a toning station, and a densitometer. A densitometer diagnostic system for an image-forming machine may have an emitter, a collector, amplifier circuitry, and diagnostic circuitry. The diagnostic circuitry reduces the drive current to the emitter in the densitometer by a known or calculable value. The output voltage from the amplifier circuitry in the densitometer is reduced in proportion to the reduction in the drive current. To perform diagnostic testing of the densitometer, a first output voltage is obtained from the densitometer without the diagnostic circuitry connected. A second output voltage is obtained from the densitometer with the diagnostic circuitry connected.

Abstract: A crankshaft-mounted cooling fan is described for an internal combustion engine. The cooling fan has an adapter (104) mounted on the engine's crankshaft (102). The adapter (104) is capable of being coupled to a power takeoff device (164). First and second adapter bearings (170, 172) are operatively connected to the adapter (104) and to a planetary gear assembly (141). The planetary gear assembly (141) is operatively connected to a fan housing (110), which connects to the engine. A clutch assembly (136) is attached to the adapter (104) in a position where it may engage the planetary gear housing (141). A solenoid (132) is connected to the fan housing (110) and is disposed for activating the clutch assembly (136). A fan blade set (174) is coupled to the planet gear assembly (141), which enables the fan blade set (174) to rotate at a faster speed than the engine. The clutch assembly (13) may be engaged or disengaged depending on the operating parameters of the engine or a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly (102) for an electronic device (100) comprises an electronic component (140), a retainer (142), and an elastomeric connector (144). The electronic device (100) includes a housing (104, 106) and a printed circuit board (PCB) (108) having PCB throughholes (128, 130) and PCB conductive pads (200, 202). The electronic component (140) has a bottom side (146) including substantially planar conductive regions (152, 154) and electrical leads (148, 150) extending therefrom. The retainer (142) positions the elastomeric connector (144) adjacent to the substantially planar conductive pads (152, 154). Electronic component assembly (102) is placed and attached to the PCB (108) by inserting the electrical leads (148, 150) through the PCB throughholes (128, 130) and subsequently clinching the electrical leads (148, 150).

Abstract: A first coil (110) resonant at a first frequency, and a second coil (120) resonant at a second frequency, coupled to a conductive straight portion (140) of an antenna element (130) to form a multi-band antenna structure. The first and second coils (110) and (120) are preferably of different axial lengths and circumferences, wound in opposite directions and coaxially disposed about the antenna element (130). Additional coils can be added to accommodate additional bands and an upper coils (150) can be used to realize a multi-position structure.

Abstract: A telescopic antenna assembly provides pairs of arms (210, 220, 230 and 240) on an elongated dielectric tube (260). A hot conductor (273) and a ground conductor (275) of a group of exciters couple energy between the arms and a feed line (250). The hot and ground conductors (273) and (275) slide within the tube (260) between extended and retracted positions while maintaining efficient electromagnetic coupling to the arms.

Abstract: A vibrating apparatus (200) comprises a vibrating element (202), electromagnetic coils (204, 206), driver circuits (210, 212), and a controller (208) coupled to the electromagnetic coils (204, 206) through driver circuits (210, 212). The vibrating element (202) has a first end fixedly mounted to a housing (106) and a second end having a permanent magnet (216) attached thereto. The electromagnetic coil (204) is positioned adjacent to the permanent magnet (216), and the electromagnetic coil (206) is positioned adjacent to the permanent magnet (216) on a side opposite the electromagnetic coil (204). The controller (208) generates signals to the electromagnetic coils (204, 206) through the driver circuits (210, 212) for producing magnetic fields around the electromagnetic coils (204, 206), where the magnetic fields attract and repel the permanent magnet (216) such that the vibrating element (202) vibrates at its resonating frequency.

Abstract: A time-framed communications transceiver maintains synchronization through fade conditions by resetting a counter (640) whenever new synchronization parameters are stored in a memory (630) based on bursts detected by a receiver (610) and a burst synchronizer (620). A transmitter (690) transmits bursts based upon the synchronization parameters in the memory (630) when the time counter (640) has not exceeded a predetermined period of time. The receiver (610) re-establishes the synchronization parameters in the memory (630) when the time counter exceeds another, longer predetermined period of time before transmission by the transmitter (690).

Abstract: A mobile station (104) in a DS-CDMA communication system (100) has receiver diversity. A first antenna (130) receives signals over a communications channel (101) from a base station (102). A second antenna (132) receives signals which are delayed in a delay element (142) by one or more chip times and combined in a summer (148) with signals from the first antenna. The combined signals are presented to a RAKE receiver (112) for decoding and demodulation. When discernible multipath energy is present to the point where much of the received signal energy is not accounted for in the assigned RAKE receiver fingers, the second antenna is switched out to avoid increasing the level of interference.

Abstract: An apparatus (200) and method are provided for testing a nozzle of a pick-and-place system (100). The apparatus (200) includes a reservoir (206) configured to carry a fluid, a membrane (204) covering an opening of the reservoir (206), and a reservoir pressure sensor. The apparatus may further include a processor (118) coupled to the reservoir pressure sensor (208) and an output device (116) coupled to the processor (118). The nozzle (104) is positioned to contact and displace the membrane (204), thus changing the pressure of the fluid within the reservoir (206). The reservoir pressure sensor (208) senses pressure changes within the reservoir (206) and generates a signal that varies in response to the displacement of the membrane. The signal is compared to a predetermined signal to detect whether the nozzle has the proper position, the proper alignment, sufficient vacuum, and other errors affecting pick-and-place systems.

Abstract: A modular communication device (102), which provides for radio frequency (RF) communication in a communication system (100), comprises a first modular unit (106) and a second modular unit (108). The first modular unit (106) includes a housing (110); a user interface (113) including a display (114) and keys (116); electrical circuitry (605), including a transceiver (606) coupled to an antenna (610); a battery connection interface (308) for receiving a battery (302); and a connection interface (120). The second modular unit (108) includes a housing (128); a user interface (135) including a speaker (650), a microphone (648), and a keypad (140); a retractable antenna (134); a battery connection interface (402) for receiving a battery (142); and a connection interface (143). When the connection interfaces (143, 120) are connected, the user interface (135), the antenna (134), and the battery connection interface (402) are coupled to the electrical circuitry (602).

Abstract: The data bus interface apparatus (243) which interfaces between one of a plurality of peripheral units (111) and a data bus (109). The data bus interface driver (243) is capable of biasing data to the voltage level of the data bus (109), accepting data signals (233) having different amplitudes and is immune to differences in ground voltage potentials caused by induced noise and differing environmental conditions. The data bus interface driver (243) is capable of data transition rates in excess of 1 MHz and has low EMI and RFI emissions.

Abstract: A radome (310) made of a cylindrical tube sealed on a first end and open on a second end houses a multiple-arm antenna element (405). The radome is formed with at least two grooves (340, 350) on an inner surface of the cylindrical tube for meshing with arms (410, 420, 430, 440) of the multiple-arm antenna element (405).