Abstract: A microphone boom cap includes a porous plastic portion adapted to cover a microphone boom first aperture. The microphone boom cap includes a non-porous plastic portion affixed to the porous plastic portion. The non-porous plastic portion is adapted to cover a microphone boom second aperture in a second use position, where the porous plastic portion covers the second aperture in a first use position.

Abstract: Improper microphone position and speech level on a telephone headset is sensed by comparison of a speech envelope to multiple signal threshold levels. A first threshold is used to determine whether a headset user is talking. A second threshold is used to determine whether a signal level at the microphone is sufficiently strong for proper communication. An indicator is activated when the user is talking and the signal level is too weak. Typically, a weak signal is caused by a mispositioned microphone or a user talking too softly.

Abstract: A system and method detects whether or not a microphone apparatus is positioned incorrectly relative to an acoustic source and of automatically compensating for such mispositioning. A position estimation circuit determines whether the microphone apparatus is mispositioned. A controller facilitates the automatic compensation of the mispositioning.

Abstract: Improper microphone position and speech level on a telephone headset is sensed by comparison of a speech envelope to multiple signal threshold levels. A first threshold is used to determine whether a headset user is talking. A second threshold is used to determine whether a signal level at the microphone is sufficiently strong for proper communication. An indicator is activated when the user is talking and the signal level is too weak. Typically, a weak signal is caused by a mispositioned microphone or a user talking too softly.

Abstract: Improper microphone position and speech level on a telephone headset is sensed by comparison of a speech envelope to multiple signal threshold levels. A first threshold is used to determine whether a headset user is talking. A second threshold is used to determine whether a signal level at the microphone is sufficiently strong for proper communication. An indicator is activated when the user is talking and the signal level is too weak. Typically, a weak signal is caused by a mispositioned microphone or a user talking too softly.

Abstract: A headset storage device includes a headset cradle, a switch and a manual override device. The headset cradle has two positions: a first position when the headset cradle is supporting a headset and a second position when the headset cradle is not supporting a headset. The switch couples the audio signal to the alternate audio system when the headset cradle is in the first position and to the headset when the headset cradle is in the second position. The manual override device forces the headset cradle into one of the two positions regardless of whether the headset cradle is supporting a headset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting fly height between a disc surface of a magnetic storage system disc and a slider supported on a flexure arm in a magnetic disc drive. The slider carries a transducing head. The disc drive is rotated at a reduced testing RPM. The flexure arm is heated using a laser to achieve a desired flexure arm bend which corresponds to a desired fly height. Desired bend is achieved at the point when the slider is just in contact with asperities on the disc surface. Following heating, the disc is operated at a normal RPM rate of rotation which is greater than the testing RPM, thereby insuring that the slider flies in close proximity to the disc surface but without contacting the disc surface. Contact between the slider and the disc surface is determined by detecting acoustic noise on the flexure arm.

Abstract: A landing zone inertial latch which prevents the rotation of an actuator arm of a disc drive following a shock and has a latch mechanism whose axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the actuator arm. The latch mechanism is self-energizing so that the latch remains out of the way during normal operation of the inertial latch, but then is energized by the shock to prevent the actuator arm and, in particular, the transducer from leaving the landing zone during a shock. The landing zone inertial latch is small and compact since the inertia of the latch is not required to hold the actuator arm. A landing zone inertial latch is also provided which can prevent rotation of the actuator arm in either direction.

Abstract: A landing zone inertial latch which prevents the rotation of an actuator arm of a disc drive following a shock and has a latch mechanism whose axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the actuator arm. The latch mechanism is self-energizing so that the latch remains out of the way during normal operation of the inertial latch, but then is energized by the shock to prevent the actuator arm and, in particular, the transducer from leaving the landing zone during a shock. The landing zone inertial latch is small and compact since the inertia of the latch is not required to hold the actuator arm. A landing zone inertial latch is also provided which can prevent rotation of the actuator arm in either direction.

Abstract: An actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm and a voice coil coupled to the actuator arm. A crash stop is connected to the actuator arm and extends away from a perimeter of the actuator arm.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel latch and air vane system for a disk drive actuator assembly which releases automatically in response to the aerodynamic force generated by the rotation of the storage disk. The latch and air vane system latches and recaptures the actuator assembly and holds the arm and transducer supported thereby in a fixed position. The latch and air vane system comprises a latch journaled for rotation immediately adjacent the disk and including a latch arm extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuator assembly when the actuator assembly is at rest with the transducer resting on the landing zone, a center shaft to allow the latch to rotate, and an air vane. The latch arm has a latch finger at one end thereof engaging a notch on the perimeter of the actuator assembly pivot region.

Abstract: Each spacer separating adjacent discs in a magnetic disc drive includes an insert having a body portion having a height equal to the height of the spacer and with a plurality of finger portions extending from the body portion less than one-half the thickness of a disc, the finger portions separating a disc from the hub and permitting movement of a disc relative to the hub during temperature cycling. Each insert further includes a plurality of cavities in the body portion in association with the finger portions for accommodating a finger which might be folded during assembly of the discs on the hub.