Abstract: An information processing apparatus utilizing a scanning tunnel microscope includes a probe, a detector for detecting the distance between the probe and an object opposed thereto, based on a physical interaction working between the probe and the object, an electrostatic actuator for displacing the probe, for adjusting the distance between the probe and the object. The electrostatic actuator includes mutually opposed two electrodes: A controller is provided for controlling the amount of charge to be accumulated between the electrodes, so as to maintain a desired distance between the probe and the object, based on the result of detection by the detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing image information in a recording medium, and outputting image information based on editing information includes dividing structure for dividing input image information. A memory is provided for storing each of the divided input image information. The memory includes a plurality of probes, each probe being arranged to oppose the recording medium. The memory also includes scanning structure for relatively moving the probes and the recording medium so that the probes scan a surface of the recording medium. The memory also includes recording and reproducing structure for recording the divided information on the recording medium by using the probes, and for reproducing the divided information recorded on the recording medium. Control circuitry is provided for controlling the scanning structure according to scanning procedures for each of the probes based on the editing information.

Abstract: An encoder includes an electrically conductive reference scale having surface steps formed at predetermined positions; an electrically conductive probe having a tip disposed opposed to the reference scale; wherein the reference scale and the probe are relatively movable in a direction different from the opposing direction of the tip of the probe and the reference scale; a portion for applying an electrical voltage to between the reference scale and the probe; a portion for detecting a change in a tunnel current between the reference scale and the probe, to between which the electric voltage is applied by the voltage applying portion at the time of the relative movement between the scale and the probe, the detecting portion detecting the change in the tunnel current when the probe passes a position opposed to a surface step of the reference scale; and portion for detecting the amount of the relative movement between the scale and probe, on the basis of the detection by the change detecting portion.

Abstract: A recording device, comprising a probe electrode, a recording medium having electric memory effect and a writing voltage applying unit for applying voltage onto the recording medium from the probe electrode, and a reproducing device comprising a probe electrode, a recording medium exhibiting electric memory effect or a recording medium recorded by energy irradiation, a voltage applying unit for applying voltage not exceeding the threshold value voltage giving rise to electric memory effect onto the recording medium from the probe electrode and a reading unit for reading the change in current quantity passing through the recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing method and apparatus is for carrying out at least one of recording and reproducing information through a probe electrode or through a plurality of probe electrodes on an information recording medium. A probe electrode is disposed on an elastic member. A relative position is so adjusted between the recording medium and the probe electrode that a repulsive force between them is comparative to an elastic force of the elastic member. In case of plural probe electrodes, they are displaced to keep an equal spacing between the recording medium and the respective probe electrodes so that they may have either a zero average or a minimized square sum of displacement. A spacer layer will do for setting a spacing between a probe electrode and the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for recording and/or reproducing images includes a step of performing a two dimensional scanning on a recording medium with a probe electrode which relatively returns in the X direction for the main scanning and in the Y direction for sub-scanning. The main scanning of the probe is performed at a frequency which is one positive integerth of the horizontal synchronous frequency of the image signal so as to enable the period required for returning of the probe electrode to be matched with the blanking period of the image signal. Thus, it is possible to avoid any data recording and reproducing operations during the period required for returning of the scanning probe electrode.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for accumulating image information consisting of n pixels and effecting the processing of output of the information is provided with a plurality of memory devices, a distributing device and an output control device. The information is stored in the plurality of memory devices. By the distributing device, the image information consisting of the n pixels are divided into m pixel unit basis (n>m), and the information consisting of the m pixels into a p (m>p) pixel unit basis, and the plurality of information each consisting of the p pixels are distributed to the plurality of memory devices. Upon the output of the image information, the information stored in the plurality of memory devices are selectively outputted by the output control device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for effecting at least one of the recording and reproduction of information with probes on a recording medium having tracking grooves is disclosed. In the apparatus, a probe head having plural probes is moved relative to the recording medium, a signal based on a physical phenomenon between each probe and the recording medium is detected from each probe, a position signal indicating a position of the tracking groove is extracted from the detected signal, a reference clock signal is generated, and a start timing of reproduction or recording of the information is determined based on the phase relationship between the position signal and the reference clock signal.

Abstract: An encoder includes an electrically conductive reference scale having surface steps formed at predetermined positions; an electrically conductive probe having a tip disposed opposed to the reference scale; wherein the reference scale and the probe are relatively movable in a direction different from the opposing direction of the tip of the probe and the reference scale; a portion for applying an electrical voltage to between the reference scale and the probe; a portion for detecting a change in a tunnel current between the reference scale and the probe, to between which the electric voltage is applied by the voltage applying portion at the time of the relative movement between the scale and the probe, the detecting portion detecting the change in the tunnel current when the probe passes a position opposed to a surface step of the reference scale; and portion for detecting the amount of the relative movement between the scale and probe, on the basis of the detection by the change detecting portion.

Abstract: A recording/reproduction of information is performed on a recording medium using a probe as follows. The relative movement between the probe and the recording medium along a track groove of the medium is performed on the basis of a predetermined drive signal. A voltage is applied to between the probe and the recording medium. A tunnel current flowing through the probe upon application of the voltage is detected so as to detect the track groove. A correction signal for correcting the drive signal is obtained on the basis of fuzzy deduction. The probe and the recording medium are driven relative to each other along the track groove in accordance with a drive signal corrected by the correction signal.

Abstract: A digital television receiver having an STM memory is provided with a receiving unit to receive a broadcasting signal, a producing circuit to produce an image signal and a voice signal from the received broadcasting signal, a memory which is used to record the image signal and the voice signal and has a plurality of probe electrodes and a recording medium arranged so as to face the probe electrodes, a display for converting the image signal outputted from the memory into the video image, and a speaker for converting the voice signal outputted from the memory into the voice sound. The memory further has a voltage applying circuit for applying a voltage to the portion between each probe electrode and the recording medium. The image signal and the voice signal are digital signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the relative positional displacement between a mask and a wafer. The mask is provided with a cantilever. The position mark is provided on the wafer so as to face the cantilever. A relative positional displacement between the mask and the wafer is detected from a deformation amount of the cantilever based on a force acting between the position mark and the cantilever upon relative movement of the position mark and the cantilever.

Abstract: An image information processing apparatus for processing image information includes a total curvature calculating unit, mean curvature calculating unit, a logical product computing unit and a median filter. A total curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the total curvature calculating unit. A mean curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the mean curvature calculating unit. The logical product computing unit executes computation of a logical product of outputs from the total curvature calculating unit and the mean curvature calculating unit. An output from the logical product computing unit is filtered by the median filter.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing a probe electrode and a recording medium, based on the principle of scanning tunnel microscope. When a track groove on the recording medium is detected, the distance control between the probe electrode and the recording medium is suspended. Consequently, the tip of the probe electrode does not enter the track groove, and is prevented from collision with the recording medium. The scanning speed of the probe electrode can, therefore, be increased without the danger of such collision.

Abstract: A microprobe is provided which comprises a single crystal provided on a part of one main surface of a substrate or a part of a thin film formed on one main surface of the substrate. The microprobe may have a single crystal having an apex portion surrounded by facets having a specific plane direction and comprising a specific crystal face. The method for preparing the microprobe and an electronic device employing the microprobe also provided which is useful for recording and reproducing.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by two-dimensionally scanning the surface of the recording medium with a probe electrode includes a detector to detect data indicative of the surface information of the recording medium by using a physical interaction which occurs between the probe electrode and the recording medium, another detector to detect predicted data to predict the surface information of the recording medium from the data by using predetermined predictive parameters, and a reproducing unit to reproduce the information recorded on the recording medium by using the data and the predicted data, for example, on the basis of the difference between them. The apparatus also has a learning unit to optimize the predictive parameters on the basis of the data and the predicted data.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing method writes information in the form of bits by the physical interaction between a probe and a recording medium opposed to the probe. The method includes a recording step of recording information by shifting a forming position of each bit by a predetermined shift amount in a horizontal direction of the recording medium in accordance with information, and a reproducing step of reproducing the information, based on the shift amount of each recorded bit in the horizontal direction of the recording medium. A recording and reproducing apparatus is so constructed as to perform the steps.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of probes facing a sample, a signal detection circuit, a selection circuit and a memory circuit. The signal detection circuit is selectively connected to the plurality of probes by the selection circuit. A compensation value for compensating for a variation in a detection signal detected by the signal detection circuit when the selection circuit connects one of the plurality of probes to the detection circuit is stored in the memory circuit. The compensation value is provided for the respective probe.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing method and apparatus is for carrying out at least one of recording and reproducing information through a probe electrode or through a plurality of probe electrodes on an information recording medium. A probe electrode is disposed on an elastic member. A relative position is so adjusted between the recording medium and the probe electrode that a repulsive force between them is comparative to an elastic force of the elastic member. In case of plural probe electrodes, they are displaced to keep an equal spacing between the recording medium and the respective probe electrodes so that they may have either a zero average or a minimized square sum of displacement. A spacer layer will do for setting a spacing between a probe electrode and the recording medium.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of recording information on a recording medium which has the relative scanning of the recording medium by a probe for information recording, the relative scanning being effected along the surface of the recording medium, the recording medium being capable of forming two or more kinds of state changes relative to the state of non-recording, and a recording process onto the recording medium through the probe effecting the relative scanning, the recording process being carried out by intermittently forming bits on the recording medium, each of the bits being formed with one of the two or more kinds of state changes in conformity with recording information. The specification also discloses a method of reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by such information recording method. The specification further discloses an apparatus for carrying out the information recording method, and an apparatus for carrying out the information reproducing method.