Abstract: A disk drive comprising an actuator including a head, a disk, and a processor connected to the actuator by a flex circuit cable. The processor under the control of a program to: apply a control signal for a seek operation and to apply a bias signal to the control signal to approximate the bias imparted by the flex circuit cable. The bias is determined from a data structure that stores: bias values for track zones representative of a first and second bias curves that approximate a bias imparted by the flex circuit cable upon the actuator as the actuator moves the head from the OD to the ID of the disk and from the ID to the OD of the disk, respectively. The bias values representative of the first and second bias curves are determined based upon a non-linear apportionment of track zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the intake valve of an internal combustion engine, which mechanism is capable of consuming less energy, i.e. less oil. Through uniquely designed cam and rocker as well as joining mechanism joining the rocker and the stopper, this mechanism does not incur the spring resistance as opening the intake valve, thus the engine per se does not additionally consume energy, so that the object of reducing oil cost and promoting power output may be achieved.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing an array for authenticating biological samples and a method for authenticating the biological samples based on analysis of variable sequences of ribosomal RNA genes as well as a kit for authentication of the biological samples. The hybridization of probes of the samples to the array of overlapping fragments of authentic variable ribosomal RNA gene regions is quantified. The test enables distinction of species or prokaryotic strains and is unaffected by intra-species or strain polymorphism. The method disclosed is illustrated by authentication of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the intake valve of an internal combustion engine, which mechanism is capable of consuming less energy, i.e. less oil. Through uniquely designed cam and rocker as well as joining mechanism joining the rocker and the stopper, this mechanism does not incur the spring resistance as opening the intake valve, thus the engine per se does not additionally consume energy, so that the object of reducing oil cost and promoting power output may be achieved.

Abstract: A mouse provides multiple cursor control input devices. A first input device is a tracking ball. The second input device may be a tracking ball, a finger pad, or a joy stick, among other input devices. The second input device provides a secondary control of cursor movement that is combined with the input of the first input device to provide full cursor control. In one embodiment, the second input is scaled by a scaling factor and then combined with the first input. In another embodiment, both the first input and the second input are scaled before they are combined. In another mouse, a single input is provided that is scaled by one of a plurality of scaling factors. The scaling factor may be altered to another one of the plurality of scaling factors via mouse input, for example a button input.

Abstract: A high-speed out-of-band signalling technique for transferring information such as station status information between stations in a communication network, typically a local-area network, involves sequentially generating a plurality of n-bit sequence segments, where n is at least 3. Each bit is either a first binary value or a second binary value. Each sequence segment is coded with one of a plurality of different n-bit code groups divided into a first code group and a set of second code groups. The n bits in the first code group are all the first binary value--e.g., all "1s". None of the second code groups contain a pair of non-contiguous bits of the second binary value--e.g., none of the second code groups contains two "0s" separated by at least one other bit. The sequence segments are outputted in the order that they were generated to produce a special bit sequence which carries the desired information.

Abstract: A data-transmitting apparatus contains first and second transmitters, a transmit transformer, and a connecting unit for coupling the transformer to an outgoing twisted-pair cable. The first transmitter filters data to produce outgoing data transmitted to the transformer at a first data rate. The second transmitter transmits outgoing data to the transformer at a different, typically greater, second data rate. A data-receiving apparatus contains first and second receivers, a receive transformer, and a connecting unit for coupling an incoming twisted-pair cable to the receive transformer. The first and second receivers receive incoming data from the secondary winding respectively at the first and second data rates. Incoming data is typically provided along data transfer paths that extend from the receive transformer in a daisy chain manner to the receivers. Data moving at either data rate can be transmitted and received without the need for hot switching in the data paths.

Abstract: A tri-state pin driver is formed in part, along with a pin sensor, on an integrated circuit. A pin driver and sensor are coupled to a common pin of a device under test. In normal mode, the pin driver drives a test signal. In high impedance mode, the pin driver is at a high impedance, enabling a sensor to monitor a response signal. The pin driver includes a driver stage formed off-chip by a pair of power transistors operated in the active region. The large power transistors enable a large current (i.e., +/-500 mA) to be sourced or sunk so as to drive a device under test and back-drive preceding circuits. Operating in the active region enables faster logic state transition times, and thus, a fast test rate, while reducing undesirable signal distortion. A predriver stage is configured as a unity-gain emitter follower. The predriver stage includes first and second signal paths. Each signal path includes a pair of transistors configured, during normal mode, as a transmission gate.

Abstract: A circuit for calibrating linear delay lines wherein a periodic ramp voltage is counted a fixed number of times at first and second frequencies. While the ramp voltages are being counted at each frequency, system clock pulses are counted. The number of system clock pulses counted for each first and second ramp voltage frequency is used to adjust the charging current applied to an integrator which establishes the delay value.

Abstract: An adjustable buckle system that includes an outer plate member secured to the inner surface of the outer flap of a pair of pants and an inner plate member secured to the outer surface of the inner flap. The outer plate has a pair of opposed gripping channels adapted to slidingly receive the inner plate. A plate spring secured to the inner plate is also positioned in the channels and biases the inner plate against the outer plate. The outer plate has a plurality of spaced stop elements that can be slidingly engaged with a single stop element on the inner plate so that the two plates are locked into a lateral engaged mode at a selected lateral position. The inner plate can be pulled from the outer plate so as to disengage the engaged stop elements so as to allow lateral movement of the two plates to either a new lateral engaged position or to disengagement of the two plates.

Abstract: An adjustable buckle having elements for fixing to respective opposed flaps of a garment with a cover formed to engage one element and in pulling the respective flap of the one element over the respective of the second element to engage the second element in a plurality of positions so that the flaps are secured and the garment buckled in a plurality of positions so as to adjust the garment on the body of the wearer. The buckle is particularly suited for closing pants, and eliminating the top button closure on the pants over the fly. The buckle eliminates the need for belts and provides a flat, contoured appearance to the pants.

Abstract: An adjustable buckle having elements for fixing to respective opposed flaps of a garment with a cover formed to engage one element and in pulling the respective flap of the one element over the respective flap of the second element to engage the second element in a plurality of positions so that the flaps are secured and the garment buckled in a plurality of positions. The buckle is particularly suited for closing pants, and eliminating the top button closure on the pants over the fly. The buckle eliminates the need for belts and provides a flat, contoured appearance to the pants.