Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a respiration rate (RR) of a subject are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes sampling a PPG signal at a first frequency, filtering the PPG signal with a first high-pass filter, receiving an output from the first high-pass filter and filtering the output at a second frequency in a second high-pass filter, counting positive- and negative-edge pulses of a portion of the PPG signal to determine breath-time intervals caused by an influence of the respiration rate on the PPG signal, and determining an average of the breath-time intervals for the positive-edge zero-crossings and the negative-edge zero-crossings to derive an estimate of the RR. In other embodiments, a central frequency of components of the PPG signal is determined based on bandpass filters and a feedback mechanism to estimate ? and select an appropriate adaptive filter to determine the RR. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage system having thermally activated readout are provided, in one embodiment, a data storage system includes a source of heat, a substrate, a write layer disposed above the substrate, a copy layer disposed above the write layer, a flying head disposed above the layers and carrying the source of heat for heating a selected spot on the copy and write layers, wherein the write layer comprises a ferromagnetic material selected to have an extremely high coercivity at room temperature and a very high write temperature Twrite, and the copy layer comprises a ferromagnetic material selected to have a coercivity always less than coercivity of the write layer at the same temperature and a copy temperature Tcopy substantially less than the write temperature of the write layer.

Abstract: The invention features a fly height measurement system for measuring fly height of a slider over a storage disc. The fly height measuring system includes a source of light, a slider, a detector module and a processor. The source of light produces light along a light path. The slider includes an objective lens positioned such that light from said source hits the objective lens and is directed toward a surface of a disc. Light propagating from the disc is directed to a detector. The processor estimates the fly height of the slider based on detector module output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a near field optical recording head for use with light from a light source to read data from and to write data to a surface of an optical recording media. The recording head includes a slider body adapted to fly a first distance above the surface of the optical recording media, the first distance being less than one wavelength of the light from the light source. The recording head also includes separate read and write apertures having dimensions which optimize read and write functions, respectively.

Abstract: An optical data storage system that includes an optical source and an optical storage medium. The system includes a plurality of armatures positioned adjacent to the optical storage medium. Mounted on each armature are elements that perform functions such as beam-splitting, beam-shaping, relaying and fine tuning to collectively form an armature-mounted optical coupling system. An optical switch couples the optical source to each of the armature-mounted optical coupling systems. This configuration of an optical data storage system ensures that one optical source can be utilized for a plurality of optical detection systems.

Abstract: An optical data storage system includes an optical disc and an armature adjacent the disc. An optical transducer mounted on the arm provides an optical beam output directed parallel to the plane of the disc. An optical actuator mounted on the arm and positioned in the optical beam adjusts the direction of the optical beam and a mirror is positioned to direct the optical beam in a direction perpendicular to the disc and toward the disc. An optical head is positioned at a distal end of the arm and is adapted to couple the optical beam to the optical disc. An arm actuator is coupled to the arm to move the arm relative to the disc and provide coarse positioning of the optical head relative to tracks on the disc. The optical actuator provides fine adjustment of the optical beam between tracks on the disc which are proximate the optical head due to the coarse adjustment by the arm actuator.

Abstract: A detector layer for an optics module includes at least one diode having at least one sloped sidewall. At least one isolation region may be formed adjacent to the at least one sloped sidewall to isolate the at least one diode. Conducting material is disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the diode. An insulating material is disposed on at least a portion of the diode and extends to the conducting material. A metal is disposed on at least a portion of the insulating material and at least a portion of the conducting material such that the metal is coupled to the conducting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a near field optical recording head for use with light from a light source to read data from and to write data to a surface of an optical recording media. The recording head includes a slider body adapted to fly a first distance above the surface of the optical recording media, the first distance being less than one wavelength of the light from the light source. The recording head also includes separate read and write apertures having dimensions which optimize read and write functions, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a near field optical recording head for use with light from a light source to read data from and to write data to a surface of an optical recording media. The recording head includes a slider body adapted to fly a first distance above the surface of the optical recording media, the first distance being less than one wavelength of the light from the light source. The recording head also includes separate read and write apertures having dimensions which optimize read and write functions, respectively.

Abstract: When a dye material layer is spin-coated on an optical storage medium of the type having grooves fabricated in a substrate thereof, the dye material layer surface has depressions in the vicinity of the grooves. These depressions have a profile which is a function of the distance from the center of the storage medium. To compensate for the radial dependence of the depressions, the geometry of the grooves is changed by varying the base dimension of the groove as a function of the distance from the center of the storage medium. In this manner, the difference in phase for radiation traversing the storage medium by an optical path that includes a groove as compared to an optical path that does not include an associated groove is constant as a function of distance from the center of the storage medium. The phase difference which is a constant as a function of distance from the center of the storage medium is important in the generation of signals used in tracking the groove.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed for generating a well defined traveling wave beam substantially unaffected by diffractive spreading. In different embodiments, the beam can be an electromagnetic wave, particle beam, a transverse beam, a longitudinal beam such as an acoustic beam, or any type of beam to which the Helmholtz generalized wave equation is applicable. Pursuant to the teachings herein, a beam is generated having a transverse dependence of a Bessel function, and a longitudinal dependence which is entirely in phaser form, which results in a beam having a substantial depth of field which is substantially unaffected by diffractive spreading.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed for generating a well defined traveling wave beam substantially unaffected by diffractive spreading. In different embodiments, the beam can be an electromagnetic wave, particle beam, a transverse beam, a longitudinal beam such as an acoustic beam, or any type of beam to which the Helmholtz generalized wave equation is applicable. Pursuant to the teachings herein, a beam is generated having a transverse dependence of a Bessel function, and a longitudinal dependence which is entirely in phaser form, which results in a beam having a substantial depth of field which is substantially unaffected by diffractive spreading.