Abstract: The present invention provides a longitudinal magnetic recording media having a substrate, a sputter deposited MgO seed layer, a Co or Co alloy based magnetic layer and an underlayer disposed between the seed layer and the magnetic layer comprised of Cr, a Cr alloy or a material having a B2 ordered crystalline structure, preferably NiAl or FeAl. A thin Cr or Cr alloy intermediate layer of about 1.0 nm to 5.0 nm thick may be positioned between the underlayer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a longitudinal magnetic recording media having a substrate, a Co or Co alloy based layer and an underlayer disposed between the substrate and the magnetic layer comprised of a material having a B2 ordered crystalline structure, preferably NiAl or FeAl. A thin Cr intermediate layer of about 1.0 nm to 5.0 nm thick may be positioned between the underlayer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a thin film media structure for low noise high density longitudinal magnetic recording. The thin film media structure is comprised of a substrate. The thin film media structure is also comprised of an underlayer in contact with the substrate. Additionally, the thin film media structure is comprised of a CoSm or a CoSmQ film in contact with the underlayer such that the underlayer is between the substrate and the CoSm or CoSmQ. In a preferred embodiment, the underlayer is made of Cr or W and there is additionally an overlayer in contact with the CoSm or CoSmQ film, an overcoat in contact with the overlayer and an organic lubricant disposed on the overcoat. The present invention also pertains to a low noise high coercivity media structure for longitudinal magnetic recording. The high coercivity media structure is comprised of a substrate.

Abstract: A reflective mode, magneto-optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) device has planar electrical conductors which function both as optical mirror surfaces and as the address conductors for random access, selective switching of an associated individual pixel element which is formed from a magneto-optic material that exhibits magnetic domain characteristics, and further has a crossover portion of one of the reflective electrical conductors embedded in the magneto-optic device material at a nucleation region formed in the device material.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media are controllably textured, particularly over areas designated for contact with data transducing heads. In connection with rigid media, the process includes polishing an aluminum nickel-phosphorous substrate to a specular finish, then rotating the disc while directing pulsed laser energy over a limited portion of the radius, thus forming an annular head contact band while leaving the remainder of the surface specular. The band is formed of multiple individual laser spots, each with a center depression surrounded by a substantially circular raised rim. The depth of the depressions and height of the rims are controlled primarily by laser power and firing pulse duration. The shape of individual laser spots can be altered by varying the laser beam inclination relative to the disc surface. On a larger scale, the frequency of firing the laser in combination with disc rotational speed controls the pattern or arrangement of laser spots.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media are controllably textured, particularly over areas designated for contact with data transducing heads. In connection with rigid media, the process includes polishing an aluminum nickel-phosphorous substrate to a specular finish, then rotating the disc while directing pulsed laser energy over a limited portion of the radius, thus forming an annular head contact band while leaving the remainder of the surface specular. The band is formed of multiple individual laser spots, each with a center depression surrounded by a substantially circular raised rim. The depth of the depressions and height of the rims are controlled primarily by laser power and firing pulse duration. The shape of individual laser spots can be altered by varying the laser beam inclination relative to the disc surface. On a larger scale, the frequency of firing the laser in combination with disc rotational speed controls the pattern or arrangement of laser spots.

Abstract: An infrared sensitive photodiode having a relatively large optically active area and relatively low capacitance comprises a stripe diode adjacent an optically active area having a thick infrared transparent field oxide over a lightly doped channel stop. The low capacitance photodiode is particularly useful in a range finder device of the type having means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene, and a linear array of photosensors for detecting the apparent location of the spot in the scene to determine the distance to the object. An improved range finder of this type has an infrared LED with a long narrow beam cross section and an array of stripe photodiodes having shapes similar to the shape of the beam cross section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a measured amount of charge into the potential wells of a charge-coupled device employs a time dependent spill and fill transfer process.

Abstract: A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene. A linear image sensor views the scene and produces a series of photosignals representing the brightness of the scene. Signal processing electronics responsive to the photosignals from the linear image sensor detect the location of the illuminated spot in the scene and produce a distance signal representing the distance to the object. The signal processing electronics include:a counter that is advanced each time a photosignal is received from the image sensor;a latch connected to the counter and responsive to a control signal for temporarily storing the current count of the counter; anda peak detector responsive to the photosignals for producing an output signal each time a new greater photosignal is received.The output signal of the peak detector is supplied to the latch as the control signal.

Abstract: A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on an object in a scene, an image sensor having an array of photosensors for sensing an image of the scene, and signal processing means responsive to the photosignals from the photosensors for determining the relative location of the illuminated spot in the scene. The device includes an improved image sensor comprising an array of N photosensors for sensing the image of the scene and generating N photosignals in response thereto, and an analog shift register having 2N cells for receiving the photosignals, in parallel, into N alternate cells. The sensor is operated once with the light beam off and the photosignals generated thereby, representing the background illumination, are entered into the N alternate cells of the shift register. Then the contents of the shift register are shifted by one cell.

Abstract: An improved automatic rangefinder device of the type having means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a spot on a distant object, and an image sensor for viewing the object and determining the distance thereto by the observed position of the illuminated spot is disclosed. The rangefinder includes improved means for forming the beam of light comprising an elongated light source and projection optics for forming a real image of the light source, thereby defining an elongated beam region in space corresponding to the image of the light source, extending generally away from the rangefinder, whereby an object located in said beam region will be illuminated by a spot of light having an in-focus component. The image sensor detects the position of the in-focus component of the light. The rangefinder device includes imaging optics for imaging the spot on the image sensor.

Abstract: A simple rangefinder device, suitable for two-zone ranging applications, comprises a single lens, a light emitter located with respect to the lens to produce a beam of light, and a light detector located with respect to the lens to define a field of view. The effective lens aperture for the emitter and the detector substantially coincide and the field of view of the detector overlaps the light beam in a detection region extending away from the lens for a predetermined distance. Signal processing electronics receive a signal produced by the light detector to produce a signal representing the presence or absence of a reflecting object in the detection region.

Abstract: A digital controller in a photographic camera comprises a microcomputer and one or more digital computer controlled input and output transducers such as scene light measuring means, subject distance measuring means, and means for controlling aperture size, shutter time, or focus adjustment. The microcomputer receives inputs from the input transducers and controls the output transducers in response thereto according to a control program stored in a computer memory. The controller includes a programable memory containing custom control constants to custom tailor the operating program for the specific apparatus in which it resides.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a high precision photographic camera is produced by first making the photographic camera, then operating the camera under known operating conditions using a nominal control program.

Abstract: Position sensing mechanism, particularly for photographic apparatus controlled by a digital computer, includes a magnetostrictive position sensing device for supplying information on the positions of movable parts of the apparatus to the computer. The magnetostrictive position sensing device comprises a magnetostrictive element, such as a wire, a first electromagnetic transducer disposed with respect to the magnetostrictive element for transducing an acoustic pulse therein, and a second electromagnetic transducer disposed with respect to the magnetostrictive element for transducing the acoustic pulse, the first and second transducers being constructed for relative movement and a timer for measuring the propagation time of the acoustic pulse between the transducers. The measured time represents the relative position of the transducers along the magnetostrictive element.

Abstract: A compensator for inserting a signal segment into a video signal in substitution for a signal segment that is detected to be impaired is particularly adapted to use with discrete-sample-type video signals as, for example, may be derived using an imager having a grid of elemental imaging areas. Such compensator includes first and second registers that are capable of receiving new data in one mode and reading out data with recirculation thereof in a second mode. In operation, the registers reciprocate from one mode to the other on a scan-line by scan-line basis, but reciprocation is cancelled upon detection of a dropout or other signal impairment. Cancellation of a mode change automatically results in an insertion of recirculated information for a previous scan line.