Abstract: An optical element including a binary blaze grating formed thereon, wherein the binary blaze grating is formed so as to have step differences formed by a number of levels produced by mechanical processing. The number of levels is equal to or more than 5 and the height of the step difference is greater than or equal to 1 ?m.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a moving body equipped with a lens and a driving magnet attached to the lens, and a fixed body that is equipped with a driving coil that forms together with the driving magnet a magnetic circuit and moves the moving body in an optical axis direction of the lens between a first lens retaining position and a second lens retaining position, and at least one magnetic member disposed adjacent to at least one of two end sections in the optical axis direction of the driving magnet. The moving body is retained at the first lens retaining position by magnetic attraction caused by the driving magnet and the magnetic member when energization of the driving coil is stopped. Accordingly, the driving coil does not need to be energized while the lens is retained at the first lens retaining position.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus has an objective lens that converges a laser beam on an optical recording medium and a lens holder that retains objective lens. The optical pickup apparatus also has a base member, four linear members having base ends supported by the base member and distal ends coupled to the lens holder. A driving device generates a magnetic force between the lens holder and the base member to elastically deform the linear members to thereby drive the objective lens in a focusing direction and/or a tracking direction. The four linear members have generally an identical configuration, and at least one portion of each of the four linear members in a longitudinal direction thereof has a cross section that is compressed and deformed in the focusing direction and/or tracking direction.

Abstract: A camera includes a lens driving device and an image obtaining device. The lens driving device is formed from a lens holder that holds a lens and a driving device that moves the lens holder in an optical axis of the lens, wherein the lens holder is intermittently stoppable at least at two positions in the optical axis direction of the lens. The image obtaining device captures optical images of different magnifications at least at the two positions, and obtains zoom images at least between one of the optical images and the other of the optical images based on at least one of the optical images and electronic images generated based on the at least one of the optical images.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a first yoke part, a second yoke part opposing the first yoke part from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, an intermediate yoke part forming a first gap and a second gap, a coil disposed within a space delineated by the intermediate yoke part and the second yoke part, which forms a magnetic field between the first yoke part and the intermediate yoke part. The orientation this magnetic field is opposite between the first gap and the second gap, and orientation thereof alternates. The actuator further includes a magnet at one axial-direction end relative to the coil, which generates a fixed magnetic field in the two gaps, directed either from the intermediate yoke part toward the first yoke part or from the first yoke part toward the intermediate yoke part, and an armature disposed that is movable in the axial direction in the first gap and the second gap.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory such as flash memory where data is stored sector by sector, a method of overwriting a data sector is provided. The old data to be overwritten in a data sector along with its error detection code are initially saved to a backup region which is also in a non-volatile area. The old data in the data sector is then erased and new data along with its own error detection code are written into the same data sector where the old data was previously stored. When a power outage occurs during the overwrite process, error checking is performed to determine whether the data in the data sector is valid using the associated error detection code. Because the old data is saved in a non-volatile area, even if such unexpected power outage occurs during the overwrite process and the data in the data sector is determined to be invalid, at least the old data can be recovered from the non-volatile backup region which is not affected by the power outage.

Abstract: A head protection device in a data recording circuit is disclosed in which write-current of a given level that corresponds to a high or low level of coercive force of the magnetic recording portion of a recording medium is provided as an output and supplied to a magnetic head for data recording and reproduction. The data recording circuit comprises an alternate write-current supply portion for alternately providing, by a suitable current switching means, a low write-current corresponding to a low coercivity magnetic head and a high write-current corresponding to a high coercivity magnetic head, a common output portion for providing data to be recorded using a low current or a high current from the alternate write-current supply portion. The low coercivity magnetic head and the high coercivity magnetic head can be at least electrically switched. A current protection portion for a current switching means is provided so as to prevent generation of high write-current at the alternate write-current supply portion.

Abstract: A rotary damper device includes a case in which a viscous fluid is filled and sealed, a rotation shaft relatively rotatably supported by the case, a rotation vane formed protruded from the rotation shaft, and a check valve mounted on a tip part of the rotation vane. A passage where the viscous fluid passes through is formed in the rotation vane. The check valve is provided with an opposing face part facing the passage and a frame body interposing the rotation vane. An elastic member for energizing the opposing face part of the check valve for closing the passage of the rotation vane is formed in either the rotation vane or the opposite side of the frame body of the opposing face part.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing apparatus provides a configuration in which the label on which desired data is visibly printed is arranged in a manner that the label does not overlap with a cover plate at least in the area where the label faces the rotary shaft in the shaft direction where the cover plate covers the opening of the bearing sleeve. Deformation of the cover plate that may occur during attachment of the label onto the cover plate is thus prevented. The position of the cover plate is leveled with the position of the label, which makes height reduction of the bearing apparatus possible. Subsequently, even when a relatively thick label is attached onto the frame, the dynamic pressure bearing apparatus can still be made thinner without adversely affecting performance or life thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a contacts block mechanism of an IC contact card reader having a contacts block that contacts an input/output terminal on a card surface of an IC contact card for signal transmissions comprises contacts placed in the contacts block for making contact with the input/output terminal, a contacts attach/detach device for moving the contacts block into contact with or away from the input/output terminal and an IC card control circuit board to which one end of the contacts is electrically connected for signal transmissions with the IC card.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing motor includes a rotary shaft, a rotary hub coupled to the rotary shaft, a dynamic pressure bearing sleeve that supports the rotary shaft by dynamic pressure and has a fallout stopper flange section that protrudes outward in the radial direction, a thrust dynamic pressure bearing section formed in an axial direction between the dynamic pressure bearing sleeve and the rotary hub, and a circular ring-shaped member that surrounds an outer circumference surface of the dynamic pressure bearing sleeve. The circular ring-shaped member has a hub mounting section that connects to an end surface of the rotary hub in a region radially outside the thrust dynamic pressure bearing section, and a main body section that protrudes inward from the hub mounting section.

Abstract: A motor with brush includes a rotor having a rotary shaft and a commutator retained at the rotary shaft, two brush sections each having a plane surface in an axial direction of the rotor and in sliding contact with the commutator, and two brush terminals that are integral with the brush sections, respectively. Each of the brush terminals includes a brush connecting section formed in the axial direction of the rotary shaft and having a plane surface that connects to the plane surface of each of the corresponding brush sections, and a bent section that is bent in a direction generally orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotary shaft. The bent section restricts and fixedly positions the brush terminal and the brush section, and the brush terminals connect to external connection members that are provided outside the motor and inside an outer circumference of the motor.

Abstract: A cleaning valve drive unit constituted to be able to supply water to a toilet by manual rotational operation of a main shaft in which the main shaft is constituted to be able to pull out from a cleaning operation position to a draining operation position. Whereas an operation limiting mechanism with respect to the main shaft enables to carry out cleaning operation to the toilet by rotational operation around an axis line with respect to the main shaft when the main shaft is disposed at the cleaning operation position, when the main shaft is moved to the draining operation position, the operation limiting mechanism permits to drain water by the rotational operation around the axis line with respect to the main shaft.

Abstract: A manual card reader comprises a slot frame with a recess provided in the slot frame in the card insertion direction to allow insertion or removal of a card. A card is inserted into the slot to a holding point through the recess and is taken out therefrom. The manual reader further comprises a shutter that prevents insertion of a foreign object beyond the recess into the card reader. A first locking device is detachably provided at one end of the shutter. A second locking device is detachably provided at the other end of the shutter.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing device including a dynamic pressure bearing member, a thrust dynamic pressure bearing member, and a fluid sealing section for preventing lubrication fluid in the thrust dynamic pressure bearing member from leaking outside, provided adjacent to an outer side section in a radial direction of the thrust dynamic pressure bearing member and defined by an outer circumference wall surface of the dynamic pressure bearing member. The outer circumference wall surface has an inclined outer surface having diameters that decrease in the axial direction, and a ridge section located removed in the axial direction from the fluid sealing section, wherein the outer circumference wall surface is receded in the radial direction along the ridge section than the inclined outer surface of the dynamic pressure bearing member.

Abstract: A hot-stamping foil tape cassette comprises a hot-stamping foil tape transferred by pressure application together with a value-added medium to the value-added medium and a windup reel for winding up the hot-stamping foil tape. The reel on which the hot-stamping foil tape is wound is stored in a cassette case. A shutter is included which at the time of hot-stamping transfer is in a protective position that protects the hot-stamping foil tape. The shutter at the time of hot-stamping transfer withdraws to a withdrawal position that does not interfere with action of the hot-stamping transfer. After hot-stamping, by the shutter, the hot-stamping foil tape can be peeled from the value-added medium. A foil-peeling mechanism for a hot-stamping device, a peeling method for a hot-stamping foil and a control method for a hot-stamping foil tape cassette are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a moving body having a lens and a drive magnet that is moveable with the lens in an optical axis direction of the lens, and a fixed body that moveably supports the moving body in the optical axis direction. The fixed body includes a first drive coil and a second drive coil that are disposed in the optical axis direction and form magnetic circuits with the drive magnet, and a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member that are disposed opposite the first drive coil and the second drive coil, respectively. The moving body is retained at a first position by magnetic attraction working between the drive magnet and the first magnetic member when energization of the first drive coil is stopped. The moving body is also retained at a second position by magnetic attraction working between the drive magnet and the second magnetic member when energization of the second drive coil is stopped.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing device, comprising: a shaft member; a bearing member relatively rotatably supporting the shaft member; a plurality of dynamic pressure generation parts provided on a peripheral face either of the shaft member or the bearing member; and a perfect circle part formed at least on a shaft end side at a region which is axially adjacent to the dynamic pressure generation part on the peripheral face where a protruded part and a recessed part are formed, wherein the dynamic pressure generation parts are respectively formed in a circumferential direction at equal angular intervals and extended in an axial direction so as to form a protruded part which makes a dimension of a minute gap between the shaft member and the bearing member to be the smallest and a recessed part which makes the dimension of the minute gap the largest, and the dimension of the minute gap in the perfect circle part is set to be the same as that in the protruded part.

Abstract: A flow control device includes an opening part through which an upstream side of a fluid flow passage is in communication with a downstream side of the fluid flow passage. A valve element closes the opening part and includes a large flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the opening part, a sealing member provided with a valve hole having an open area smaller than the opening part and formed to be capable of being brought into tight contact with a peripheral wall part of the opening part and a small flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the valve hole. A valve drive device rotates to drive the valve element in a closed direction for closing the opening part or in an opened direction for opening the opening part.

Abstract: An armature of an electric rotating machine includes an armature core provided with plural divided cores arranged in a circumferential direction. A salient pole is provided in each of the plural divided cores. A coil winding is wound around each salient pole. A convex winding configuration of the coil winding is formed so as to project on an adjacent salient pole side over a boundary line between adjacent divided cores. A concave winding configuration of the coil winding is formed so as to be hollow from the boundary line so as not to interfere with the convex winding configuration.