Abstract: A precision adjustment apparatus for changing longitudinal and circumferential relative position of telescoping parts. Protrusions and/or indentations on the outside of the inner cylinder or tube are matched to protrusions and/or indentations on the inside of an outer tube. The protrusions are positioned in a linear array on one part and in a circular array on the other. The dimensions and spacing of the protrusions allow interference between them to create a lock for any position while allowing repositioning. A combination of linear and circular arrays can be placed on each tube for enhancing functionality such as stability or adjustability. A haircutting apparatus incorporating the precision adjustment apparatus sets the hair length and the angle of styling and for providing the user with a feedback click-sound and click-feel of each executed adjustment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that stores write management information identifying which sectors have been written and which sectors are available to be written in a magneto-optical disk with write-once-read-many (WORM) capability. The write management information is stored in a separate write management directory on the media, which is typically loaded into the drive controller memory when the media is first loaded into the drive. Whenever the drive receives a write command, it checks the write management directory to determine if the sector has already been written. If the directory indicates that the sector has already been written, the drive returns an error, otherwise, the drive writes the sector and updates the write management directory. In the preferred embodiment, two separate methods are used to indicate that a sector has been written.

Abstract: An automatic hair cutting apparatus comprises a hair cutter, hair cutter control mechanism for adjusting the cut length, a frame for holding the human head in a specific fixed position, a robot arm coupled to the hair cutter and to the frame for positioning the hair cutter at specific positions on the human head, and a computer coupled to the cutter control mechanism and to the robot arm for controlling the hair cutter position and length according to a desired haircut style. The hair cutter comprises a vacuum source, a cutter tube with one end opening coupled to the vacuum source and another end opening having powered blades that do not obstruct the air flow and impart cutting action to the entire cross section of the cutter tube, a stretcher tube that can slide over the cutter tube for changing the length of the cut, a stepper motor with threaded shaft connected to the cutter tube and the stretcher tube for adjusting the length of the cut.