Abstract: An address reproduction circuit for reproducing address information based on a reproduction signal which is read from an optical disc including a guide groove having a wobbling shape which represents modulated address information. The address reproduction circuit includes an A/D conversion section for converting an analog wobble signal included in the reproduction signal into a digital wobble signal; and a maximum likelihood decoding section for generating an address signal representing address information having maximum likelihood from the digital wobble signal based on a state transition rule defined by a modulation rule of the modulated address information.

Abstract: In playback of data recorded on an optical disk, an error minimization circuit holds a plurality of ideal values for partial response (PR) equalization as equalization targets, and updates tap coefficients of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter so that the errors between the outputs of the FIR filter reflecting the output of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and the equalization targets are minimized. An error detection circuit and an addition/weighting circuit generate a signal representing the errors between the outputs of the FIR filter and the equalization targets as a parameter signal correlated with the error rate of played-back data. The quality of the analog signal is adjusted so that the parameter signal is minimized, to thereby optimize the margin of the error rate of played-back data.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device comprises a variable gain amplifier (VGA) for increasing the amplitude of an input analog signal that has a plurality of CAPA having different signal characteristics; an A/D converter for sampling the output from the VGA to convert it into a digital signal; a signal discriminator for detecting the signal length of the digital signal; an amplitude information extractor for extracting amplitude information of a digital signal having a desired signal length on the basis of the detected signal length and a control gate signal supplied from the outside; an AGC controller for generating a control signal for controlling the VGA on the basis of the amplitude information; and a D/A converter for converting the control signal into an analog signal to be output to the VGA.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus includes a recording section for recording data into a recording medium in accordance with address information recorded in the recording medium, a first reproduction section for reproducing at least one data including the data recorded in the recording medium in accordance with a first reproduction method to obtain at least one reproduced data, a second reproduction section for reproducing the address information in accordance with a second reproduction method to obtain reproduced address information, and a determination section for mapping the data to a specific reproduced data of the at least one reproduced data based on the address information and the reproduced address information, and comparing the data with the specific reproduced data to determine a recording condition of a region of the recording medium storing the data.

Abstract: In a pneumatic radial tire having blocks 4 formed on its tread 1 by transverse grooves 3 extending along its width and main grooves 2 extending circumferentially across the transverse grooves 3, every two blocks 41C and 41M spaced apart from each other transversely by one of the main grooves 2 have a sipe 81CM which extends transversely from one block 41C to the other 41M across the main groove 2 and is open in the tread surfaces and the said main groove throughout its length. The sipe 81CM has along its length and depth a cross section 810 defined by an inner portion 810a and 810b made in each block 41C or 41M, a substantially U-shaped portion 810c made in the bottom and side walls 21, 22 and 23 of the main groove 2, and a portion 810d or 810e made in each block for connecting the inner and substantially U-shaped portions 810a and 810b, the connecting portion having a depth reduced by a shelf 9a or 9b formed on each block.

Abstract: A photocurable resin composition which comprises (A) a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer obtained by the reaction of (a) at least one polyol compound preferably selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols and polycarbonate polyols, (b) a polyisocyanate compound, and (c) a hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate compound; (B) a (meth)acrylolylphosphate; (C) a multifunctional (meth)acrylate compound; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator and, optionally, (E) an organosilyl-containing mercapto compound. The composition exhibits a fast cure speed, and the cured products obtained from the composition exhibit superior adhesion under high temperature-high humidity conditions and metal corrosion properties.

Abstract: An optical disc drive usable with discs to which data is continuously recorded and discs having a sector format can quickly resume playback signal output after passing imperfection causing potential reading errors, and plays disc with few read errors. A detection signal generator detects DC level fluctuation in the playback signal read from the disc and generates a detection signal tracking the DC level fluctuation. A selector selects a detection signal or a null signal without valid polarity based on the detection signal generated by the detection signal generator and input to the selector. A clamping unit performs a clamping process to suppress DC level fluctuation in the playback signal based on the detection signal when the selection unit selects the detection signal, and does not perform the clamping process when the selection unit selects the null signal. A signal processor performs specific signal processes based on clamping unit output.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a substrate comprises a spin chuck for holding a substrate substantially horizontally a rotation driving mechanism for rotating the spin chuck, a lower nozzle having a plurality of liquid outlet ports facing both a peripheral portion and a center portion of a lower surface oaf the substrate held by the spin chuck, a process liquid supply mechanism for supplying a first process liquid to the lower nozzle, and a controller for controlling operations of the process liquid supply mechanism and the rotation driving mechanism, individually, in which the controller controls the rotation driving mechanism to rotate the spin chuck and controls the process liquid supply mechanism to supply a first process liquid to the lower nozzle, thereby outputting the first process liquid toward the peripheral portion and the center portion of the lower surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Ups and downs having a cycle of not more than 5 &mgr;m and an amplitude of not less than 200 nm are formed in a part of not less than 70% per unit length of a prior-austenite grain boundary which is observed in a linear form when seen from a vertical plane by a series of steps of subjecting a steel in a state of austenite to a deformation in not less than 30% of a total area reduction rate at a temperature region which is lower than recrystallization temperature of austenite, and subsequently cooling a deformed steel without causing neither recrystallization nor phase transformation of a diffusion type.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus includes a recording section for recording data into a recording medium in accordance with address information recorded in the recording medium, a first reproduction section for reproducing at least one data including the data recorded in the recording medium in accordance with a first reproduction method to obtain at least one reproduced data, a second reproduction section for reproducing the address information in accordance with a second reproduction method to obtain reproduced address information, and a determination section for mapping the data to a specific reproduced data of the at least one reproduced data based on the address information and the reproduced address information, and comparing the data with the specific reproduced data to determine a recording condition of a region of the recording medium storing the data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive for optical disks exhibiting superior adhesive properties with resins such as polycarbonate or metals such as aluminum and gold, and possessing better wet heat resistance than conventional adhesives. The adhesive comprises (A) a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer (B) a hydroxy (meth)acrylate in which the hydroxy group is 3 or more carbons spaced away from the (meth) acrylate, and (C) at least one photoinitiator.

Abstract: An optical disc drive usable with discs to which data is continuously recorded and discs having a sector format can quickly resume playback signal output after passing imperfection causing potential reading errors, and plays disc with few read errors. A detection signal generator detects DC level fluctuation in the playback signal read from the disc and generates a detection signal tracking the DC level fluctuation. A selector selects a detection signal or a null signal without valid polarity based on the detection signal generated by the detection signal generator and input to the selector. A clamping unit performs a clamping process to suppress DC level fluctuation in the playback signal based on the detection signal when the selection unit selects the detection signal, and does not perform the clamping process when the selection unit selects the null signal. A signal processor performs specific signal processes based on clamping unit output.

Abstract: A radiation curable resin composition capable of producing molded articles which have excellent transparency, small light-coloring resistance, high dimensional accuracy, high surface hardness, and high thermal resistance.

Abstract: A radiation curable resin composition comprising (A) a first linear (meth)acryloyl and aromatic group-containing compound, (B) a second branched (meth)acryloyl group-containing compound, (C) a radiation polymerization initiator, and (D) silica particles having a secondary average particle diameter of 0.5 to 5 &mgr;m. The composition is suitable for use as a printable heat-resistant protective coat which is used for information recording media such as thermosensible recording cards and thermosensible photographic printing paper.

Abstract: An asymmetry detection apparatus includes: a clock signal generator for generating a clock signal based on a reproduced signal; an A/D converter for sampling the reproduced signal in synchronization with the clock signal; a determiner for determining whether a level of each of a plurality of sampled data obtained by the sampling operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; and a detector for detecting asymmetry in the reproduced signal by using predetermined ones of the sampled data based on an output from the determiner.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprising,(A) at least one compound containing a (meth)acrylate group represented by the following formula (1), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 is an alkylene group or a hydroxyalkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is a divalent organic group, n is a number of 1 to 10, m is an integer of 0 or 1, and Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are independently a group comprising an aromatic ring(B) at least one compound derived from trishydroxyethyl isocyanurate, and containing at least one (meth)acrylate group, and(C) at least one radiation polymerization initiator.The radiation curable resin composition affords a high productivity, exhibits high transparency, and produces molded articles exhibiting minimal coloration upon exposure to light, superior dimensional precision, high heat resistance, only slight adhesion to substrates under high temperature conditions. The composition is very useful for manufacturing molding articles.