Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for reducing noise in a tape drive. More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of writing servo stripes comprising energizing a left servo gap while not energizing a right servo gap; energizing the left servo gap and the right servo gap at the same time, and energizing the right servo gap while not energizing the left servo gap.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a pixel are disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming method includes measuring an electrical potential on a surface of a developer roller and adjusting a time varying component of a voltage applied to the developer roller using a measurement of the electrical potential.

Abstract: Electromagnetic tape head position is adjusted according to vibration indicative information received from vibration sensor secured to tape transport mechanism that supports the tape head.

Abstract: A method and system of calibrating a drive includes changing an electrode voltage between a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes in the drive divided by an electrode gap, determining a threshold voltage for the electrode voltage at which an electrostatic attractive force causes the first set of electrodes to be drawn to the second set of electrodes and calculating an operational electrode voltage between the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes using the threshold voltage that allows the drive to operate while one or more external accelerations are acting upon the drive.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device includes a moveable mass supported within a frame. To support the mass within the frame, a first flexure extends between the mass and the frame. An angle softening element is positioned between a first end of the first flexure and the frame to allow angular movement of the first flexure.

Abstract: A position sensor for use in connection with a movable system having a pair of objects that are configured to move relative to one another along an axis through an operative range of motion. The position sensor includes a first plate secured to one of the objects and a pair of second plates secured to the other of the objects. The second plates are adjacent each other and coplanar. The first plate and second plates are configured so that the second plates are spaced from and parallel to the first plate as the objects move relative to one another along the axis. The first plate and second plates are configured so that they form two variable, spaced-plate capacitors having capacitances that vary as the objects move relative to one another within the operative range along the axis. The position sensor is configured to use the capacitances to generate output usable to determine relative position of the objects along the axis.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The semiconductor wafer includes a wafer body. The wafer body includes an electrostatic force generating arrangement for assisting in an alignment of the wafer body with respect to another wafer body.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device includes a moveable mass supported within a frame. To support the mass within the frame, a first flexure extends between the mass and the frame. An angle softening element is positioned between a first end of the first flexure and the frame to allow angular movement of the first flexure.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a body includes a position-based velocity profile, at least one mover, a data processor for calculating a next position of the at least one mover using data from the position-based velocity profile and passing a next position signal to the at least one mover, and an actuator for moving the mover to the next position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a body includes a position-based velocity profile, at least one mover, a data processor for calculating a next position of the at least one mover using data from the position-based velocity profile and passing a next position signal to the at least one mover, and an actuator for moving the mover to the next position.

Abstract: Memory storage devices that employ atomic resolution storage technology are provided. A preferred memory storage device includes a storage medium that defines one or more coverage areas. Each of the coverage areas incorporates a storage area that is configurable in one of a plurality of structural states. Typically, the structural states represent information stored in the storage area. Electron beam emitters electrically communicate with the storage medium, with the storage medium and the emitters being configured to move relative to each other. So configured, each emitter is capable of providing a beam of electrons to a respective one of the coverage areas. The memory storage device also includes a first current source that selectively electrically communicates with at least one of the emitters. Additionally, a control system electrically communicates with the first current source that facilitates a controlled current flow from the first current source to the at least one emitter.

Abstract: An electrostatic drive having a plurality of mover electrodes operatively secured to a mover, and a plurality of stator electrodes operatively secured to a stator. The mover and stator are configured to move relative to each other via electrostatic force generated between the mover electrodes and the stator electrodes. The electrostatic drive includes a driver configured to place the stator electrodes in any of a number of sequential voltage states, each being defined by a combination of LO and HI voltage levels at the individual stator electrodes. Transition from one voltage state to a sequentially adjacent voltage state produces a step size of relative movement between the mover and stator. For each of the sequential voltage states, the driver is further configured to selectively vary voltage applied at one of the stator electrodes to an amount between the LO and the HI voltage levels, in order to produce a proportionally smaller step size.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a rotor with respect to a stator. The method includes generating offset N and Q signals when the rotor moves with respect to the stator and sampling the N and Q signals at a predetermined time interval. A section of a polar plot in which the N and Q signal sample lies is determined and compared to the section of a polar plot in which a previous N and Q signal sample lies. A long range rotor position is calculated by maintaining a count of the change of sections from previous N and Q signal samples. A sub-section rotor position for the N and Q signal sample is calculated and combined with the long range rotor position to create a linear position signal.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly comprises a printed circuit board and a micro-electro-mechanical system on the printed circuit board. At least one motion damping member is positioned between the printed circuit board and the micro-electro-mechanical system.

Abstract: A capacitance-based position sensor configured to sense relative position of a pair of objects. The sensor includes capacitor circuitry having a capacitor that varies in capacitance with relative position of the pair of objects. A source is coupled to the capacitor circuitry, and is configured to apply a time-varying input to the capacitor circuitry. The capacitor circuitry is configured to yield a time-varying, capacitance-dependent output in response to application of the time-varying input from the source. The sensor further includes an integrator configured to integrate, for a predetermined time period, a received signal that is based upon the time-varying, capacitance-dependent output from the capacitor circuitry. The integration yields an integrator output which is proportional to the value of the capacitance. This output is usable to determine relative position of the objects.

Abstract: A capacitance-based position sensor configured to sense relative position of a pair of objects. The sensor includes capacitor circuitry having a capacitor that varies in capacitance with relative position of the pair of objects. A source is coupled to the capacitor circuitry, and is configured to apply a time-varying input to the capacitor circuitry. The capacitor circuitry is configured to yield a time-varying, capacitance-dependent output in response to application of the time-varying input from the source. The sensor further includes an integrator configured to integrate, for a predetermined time period, a received signal that is based upon the time-varying, capacitance-dependent output from the capacitor circuitry. The integration yields an integrator output which is proportional to the value of the capacitance. This output is usable to determine relative position of the objects.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device includes a moveable mass supported within a frame. To support the mass within the frame, a first flexure extends between the mass and the frame. An angle softening element is positioned between a first end of the first flexure and the frame to allow angular movement of the first flexure.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a rotor with respect to a stator. The method includes generating offset N and Q signals when the rotor moves with respect to the stator and sampling the N and Q signals at a predetermined time interval. A section of a polar plot in which the N and Q signal sample lies is determined and compared to the section of a polar plot in which a previous N and Q signal sample lies. A long range rotor position is calculated by maintaining a count of the change of sections from previous N and Q signal samples. A sub-section rotor position for the N and Q signal sample is calculated and combined with the long range rotor position to create a linear position signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system and methods are disclosed that may work to correct off-track errors, reduce the frequency of off-track errors, and/or reduce the negative effects of off-track errors in writing performance. The invented method slows tape speed in response to off-track errors, preferably by continuously decelerating while attempting writing multiple retries. The invented method helps prevent further off-track errors and the resulting frequent interruptions of writing, by helping improve head placement accuracy. Once a selected amount of data is written, for example, a standard data-set or other block of data, the tape speed optionally may be accelerated to the original target speed. While the average tape speed may be reduced during the invented writing procedure, the overall efficiency of writing may be increased compared to an operation in which off-track errors and writing failures occur repeatedly because of high tape speeds.