Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided in which a magnetic yoke assembly is built up, layer by layer, atop a substrate using semiconductor thin film techniques. A lower yoke assembly is first fabricated including a lower magnetic layer situated on the substrate and first and second side poles built up vertically from the ends of the lower magnetic layer. A coil structure is situated about one of the side poles and is separated therefrom by planar insulative layers in which the coil structure is disposed. An insulative pedestal surrounded by a frame is formed at the top of the lower yoke assembly and extends above the uppermost lateral plane of the yoke assembly. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) wear layer is deposited atop the pedestal. A pole well is excavated in the DLC layer so as to expose the first and second side poles therebelow. A first magnetic pole including a gap end is plated in the pole well at the top of the first side pole and extending toward the second side pole.

Abstract: In order to determine the presence of the discs 12, each of the discs is pushed out for a predetermined distance from the inner side portal of a stocker by a rotation lever. When the disc is pushed out, the transmission of light from a disc presence detection sensor is obstructed, so that the presence of the discs is detected. When the disc tray is opened, the disc is prevented from accidentally falling due to the disc stopper of the carriage and with the regulation bar of the carriage. When two discs are placed on the disc tray, the lower disc is drawn out between side regulators, and the upper disc is not drawn out due to contact with the disc transfer prevention parts. When a LED is lighted, the light is reflected on each of the light reflectors formed on the display plate next to the discs. With such light, the position of discs corresponding to each of the light reflectors can be accurately confirmed.

Abstract: A loudspeaker unit comprises a loudspeaker box, a first loudspeaker attached to a front panel of the loudspeaker box, and a second loudspeaker having the same diameter as that of the first loudspeaker and attached to an upper panel of the loudspeaker box. The first loudspeaker is driven in a positive polarity and the second loudspeaker is driven in a negative polarity. Driving voltages E1 and -E2 respectively for driving the first and the second loudspeaker are optional voltages meeting E2/E1<1. The sound pressure of sounds radiated by the second loudspeaker is lower than that of sounds radiated by the first loudspeaker. The directivity factor of the synthesis sound pressure of the first and the second loudspeaker at a sound receiving position with respect to the 90.degree.-direction is equal to the product of the directivity factor D(90.degree.) of the loudspeaker and a value (1-.alpha.) smaller than one. Accordingly, the output sound pressure of the loudspeaker can be reduced regardless of frequency.

Abstract: A data processing system improved in respect to the processing speed and a method of describing programs for the system. The data processing system includes a plurality of devices capable of processing data and interconnection managing units connected to one another and provided at least in one-to one correspondence in association with the devices. The interconnection managing unit is so designed as to allow processing to be executed on the associated device in accordance with an input program while transferring the program to the other interconnection managing unit(s). Further, the data processing system includes a program managing unit which is connected to all the interconnection managing units for managing execution of program in the individual interconnection managing units.

Abstract: A cartridge tape drive assembly for use with a cartridge tape, includes a housing having an opening to receive the cartridge tape, and a slidable tape drive and mounting assembly for adjusting the position of the cartridge tape inwardly while in the tape drive and outwardly for removal of the cartridge tape. The housing includes a support tray having elongated apertures for joining the tape drive to the support tray and allowing the tape drive to move inwardly and outwardly relative to the support tray. The slidable tape drive and mounting assembly includes a connector for joining the tape drive along the elongated apertures, and a latch device for adjusting the position of the tape drive along the elongated apertures. The cartridge is in operative engagement in the tape drive, i.e., in operative engagement with a magnetic head in the tape drive, during the inward and outward movement.

Abstract: A method of fabricating thin film magnetic heads on a thin film substrate uses a chemical-mechanical contouring (CMC) step after completion of the fundamental thin film head structure to form a curved surface on the substrate for the individual thin film magnetic heads of a substantial plurality of heads on a thin film substrate. A special CMC process utilizes a soft polishing pad, applying mechanical contouring motion at a slow speed, typically on the order of 1/3a typical conventional CMP rotational speed, and at a relatively high pressure, typically two to three times a typical conventional CMP applied pressure.

Abstract: An electroless plating apparatus heats a plating bath solution with precise uniformity and avoids localized high temperatures within the bath. The electroless plating apparatus achieves this performance using two solution tanks included an inner tank nested inside an outer tank. A distributed heating element encases a plurality of surfaces of the outer tank, which contains an ethylene glycol solution. The inner tank contains a plating bath solution. A substrate is placed inside the inner tank for plating. Each of the outer tank and the inner tank include a device for evenly distributing the applied heat. In one embodiment, the outer tank heat distributing device is a pump which mixes the ethylene glycol solution. The inner tank heat distributing device is a pump which recirculates plating bath solution, applying returning solution via a sparger.

Abstract: A light pipe array includes a series of light pipes connected to a runner. The light pipes and runner are preferably molded as a single piece using a clear or transparent plastic. The runner is fabricated to have a relatively small cross-section when compared to the light pipes. The interconnection between the runner and each light pipe is chosen so that each light pipe is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the runner. Additionally, the interconnection between the runner and each light pipes is chosen so that the runner is in close proximity to the light ray exit end of each light pipe. The small cross-section of the runner, the perpendicular relationship between the runner and the light pipes and the location of the connection between the runner and the light pipes provides a light pipe array exhibiting little or no contamination between the included light pipes.

Abstract: A RAID system that uses non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) to greatly reduce the chance of loss of data due to an AC power failure. This RAID system has two write modes. In a normal write mode, a host computer receives a write confirmation once an array controller receives data from the host computer. In a safe write mode, however, the array controller copies to NVRAM all data received from the host computer for writing to disk drives. In this safe write mode, the array controller sends the write confirmation to the host computer only after storing the data in NVRAM. To switch appropriately between the normal and safe write modes, the array controller polls a power-out flag provided by a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) to determine whether there has been an AC power failure. The array controller switches between the two write modes depending on the status of the power-out flag.

Abstract: An auto changer is comprised of holders, a movable stocker, a player, a tray, transfer gears, disc detection system, and other parts. A disc is placed on each of the holders, and is loaded into and removed from stocker using the tray together with the holder. The tray is movable while the player is playing back, so that other discs can be loaded and removed. The holder has two holding levers, which hold a disc onto the holder in order to prevent the disc from moving out of position or falling into the unit. When two discs are accidentally placed on the tray and are being loaded into the stocker, the disc detection system detects the two discs and stops the tray in order to prevent damage to the discs or the unit.

Abstract: In a check mode, a determination is made as to whether or not a disc is stored in each of disc storage positions, and mapping data representing the presence of the discs are recorded into a memory. Disc storage and removal operations are performed based on such mapping data. Further, in a disc storage mode, when a disc is already stored in a specific storage position, the word "FULL" is displayed. When no disc is stored in a specific storage position, the word "EMPTY" is displayed. Further, in a skip button disc storage mode, one of empty disc storage position number is displayed, and when the skip button is pushed, the next empty disc position number is displayed. When the enter button is pushed while an empty disc storage number is displayed, a disc is stored into the empty disc storage position represented by the displayed number. Moreover, in the check mode, when power is turned off, the check mode is continued in order to complete the mapping process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectively adjusting signal characteristics such that they can be used with incompatible recording formats. In particular, the method and apparatus may be used to adjust the ATF sampling pulse width externally to shorten the sampling time. An externally generated timing signal controls the switches connected in series with charge holding capacitors for shortening the sampling time of the ATF sampling pulse width generated by a servo chip, such as a Hitachi HD49228FS servo chip. In the latter part of the ATF sampling pulse, the externally generated control signal opens up the switches, thus inhibiting further charging into the capacitors.

Abstract: A method of enhanced chemical-mechanical polishing (E-CMP) utilizes an oxygen-rich liquid etchant in an abrasive slurry to form a substantially planar surface on a thin film magnetic head to substantially avoid pole recession. Illumination of the thin film magnetic head with ultraviolet light during E-CMP polishing greatly enhances the effect of the oxygen-rich etchant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal threshold adjustment that compensates for signal asymmetry which utilizes an algorithm to detect each side of an asymmetric signal independently to ensure that the proper signal detection point is used on both the high and low side of the asymmetric signal. In particular, the high side threshold is adjusted downwards a predetermined amount until detected, the high side threshold voltage is then recorded and reset to the maximum value. Correspondingly, the low side threshold is then adjusted upwards the predetermined amount until detected, the low side threshold voltage is then recorded and reset to the minimum value. The algorithm may be repeated to continuously monitor a signal. The gain of the read amplifier can then be accordingly adjusted by the controller such that it approximately equals the peak of the amplified reference burst to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and matching the recorded speed of a previously recorded tape. An algorithm changes the commanded speed to a servo system to a speed that is centered between the speed at which the sector header was written and the sector data was written. In particular, the measured synchronization portion of the sector header is initially integrated with respect to time. The measured synchronization portion of the sector data is then integrated with respect to time. An optimum speed is computed based on the difference in the speeds at which they were recorded. The commanded speed to the servo system is then changed as a result of the previous step.

Abstract: A playback signal is supplied to a delay amplifier and a noise comparator. The delayed playback signal is supplied to a comparator, which compares the delayed playback signal with the playback signal and provides a first comparison signal to a pulse adjustment circuit. The noise comparator compares the playback signal with threshold signals and provides a second comparison signal to the pulse adjustment circuit. The pulse adjustment circuit generates the peak detection signal at each point when the signal level of the first comparison is inverted, and determines the peak detection signal to be invalid when the signal level of the playback signal falls within the range between the threshold signals. A read signal is generated based on the valid peak detection signal.