Abstract: Aspects include readers for magnetic storage media. Each reader is operable to read multiple tracks from the storage media simultaneously by using a plurality of active regions, each active region for reading a different track. The active regions may be disposed in rows of columns, and between rows, each active region in a row may be separated from other active regions in that row to prevent interference between those active regions. Active regions of different rows may be offset from each other such that no active region overlaps with another active region over the same data track. Active regions may share shielding and/or sense current conductors. Active regions may comprise AMR, CIP GMR, CPP GMR, including spin valve and tunneling varieties of flux sensors. Multiple active regions in a row may be defined from a single MR element by spaced apart voltage tabs. Readers may be integrally fabricated in layers.

Abstract: Aspects include readers for magnetic storage media. Each reader is operable to read multiple tracks from the storage media simultaneously by using a plurality of active regions, each active region for reading a different track. The active regions may be disposed in rows of columns, and between rows, each active region in a row may be separated from other active regions in that row to prevent interference between those active regions. Active regions of different rows may be offset from each other such that no active region overlaps with another active region over the same data track. Active regions may share shielding and/or sense current conductors. Active regions may comprise AMR, CIP GMR, CPP GMR, including spin valve and tunneling varieties of flux sensors. Multiple active regions in a row may be defined from a single MR element by spaced apart voltage tabs. Readers may be integrally fabricated in layers.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammatory diseases comprising administering 2-[2-methyl-4-[[[4-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]methyl]sulfanyl]phenoxy]acetic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods or prevention or treatment of diseases or conditions where inhibition of NO synthase and/or TNF is desirable, the use of PPAR delta activators in such methods and methods for the identification of compounds useful in such treatment.

Abstract: A method of treating a plant or crop includes exposing the plant or crop to an aqueous treatment stream which contains a wetting agent and calcium hypochlorite. Calcium hypochlorite is introduced into an aqueous flow stream to produce a treatment stream. The calcium hypochlorite produces hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ions, calcium ions and hydroxyl ions and it is introduced so as to produce a treatment stream having a calcium hypochlorite concentration of between about 0.19 and 0.38 mM and a calcium ion concentration of between about 0.19 and 0.38 mM. The wetting agent is added to the water from which the flow stream is generated or to the flow stream or to the treatment stream and the plant or crop is exposed to the treatment stream.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: A method and arrangement that provides the proper timing for starting the search for a format timing mark on arcuate data tracks recorded by an arcuate scanner prevents mis-identification of the format timing mark caused by same azimuth interference. Mis-identification of the format timing mark is avoided by preventing reading of the signal from a first azimuth read head of arcuate scanner until the read head reaches a safe zone in its data track. The safe zone is a pad area written by a first azimuth write head, located on a data track between two pad sections of second azimuth data tracks written by second azimuth write heads. In the safe zone, it is not possible for the first azimuth read head to read two adjacent pad sections of the first azimuth written by two different first azimuth write heads. Once in the safe zone, the read signal from the first azimuth read head can be safely read to look for the format timing mark.

Abstract: A data smoother for a streaming cartridge tape drive including a data separator circuit for generating a clock signal and a second phase-locked loop circuit for removing frequency modulation arising from instantaneous speed variation (ISV) errors. The broad-band data separator follows all of the ISV generated by the cartridge tape drive to permit detection and correction of cell-slippage in a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) circuit, which accepts the data and clock signal from the data separator. The second PLL has a narrow bandwidth filter that smoothes the clock signal and removes all high-frequency ISV modulation from the data as it is clocked out from the FIFO circuit. The MFM data signal is regenerated by a monostable multivibrator in synchronism with the smoothed clock signal.

Abstract: A write equalization circuit that includes a data encoder for producing a binary data signal wherein a 1 is represented by a transition at the start of a bit interval and a 0 is represented by no transition at the start of a bit interval, and a nominal pulse generating circuit for producing nominal equalization pulses respectively synchronized with predetermined 0's in the binary signal. Adjusting circuitry responsive to the binary data signal and the nominal equalization pulses produces a write data signal that includes equalization pulses having a width and location in bit intervals that remain substantially constant with changes in component delays due to changing temperature and voltage, wherein the constant width and location of the equalization pulses are selected to achieve a predetermined suppression characteristic.

Abstract: A write equalization circuit that includes a data encoder for producing a binary data signal wherein a 1 is represented by a transition at the start of a bit interval and a 0 is represented by no transition at the start of a bit interval, an equalization timing generator for generating a start signal indicative of the initial edges of equalization pulses for predetermined 0's in the binary data signal, and a multiple stage delay delay circuit having logic gates implemented in an integrated circuit and responsive to the start signal and a control word for providing equalization pulses of a substantially constant width, wherein the number of stages employed for delay is determined by the control word.

Abstract: A phase locked loop circuit including ramp generating circuitry for generating a dual slope ramp signal having alternating positive and negative slopes that are controlled by the level of the control signal, and sampling circuitry responsive to sample command pulses for providing a sample output representative of the level of the dual ramp signal at the time of sampling. The sample output is provided to a loop which provides the control signal for the ramp generating circuit. Also disclosed is a phase locked loop having ramp generating circuitry for generating a ramp signal, and track and hold circuitry having a plurality of track/hold capacitors that are controlled to track the ramp voltage or hold the ramp signal voltage in response to a sample command signal, such that only a capacitor that is tracking is switched to hold the ramp voltage in response to the sample command signal.

Abstract: A method is provided to compensate for tape slope (A) and read/write head block (102) azimuth (B) errors in a tape drive system (100). The method writes a data pattern (504) on a magnetic medium (104) at a known slope (C). The portion of the magnetic medium (104) that is encoded with the data pattern (504) is then moved across the read/write head block (102), so that first one read head (154) and then the other read head (152) detects the recorded data pattern (504). The time difference (.DELTA.T.sub.ON) between the event of each head (154, 152) first sensing the data pattern (504), and the time difference (.DELTA.T.sub.OFF) between the points where each head (154, 152) no longer detects the data pattern (504), are both recorded. The recorded information is used to analyze the angular offset (A-B) between the centerline (192) of the tape (104) and the centerline (194) of the read/write head system (102).

Abstract: Binary information recorded on magnetic tape is read from the tape and tracked in a manner which is independent of the data pattern on the tape. The time displacement error, TDE (used hereinafter interchangeably) between the data pulses from the tape and a phase-locked-loop reference signal is sampled and then held until the next subsequent opportunity at which the data from the tape can be updated. The TDE between a read binary one and a reference signal is measured by counting a plurality of reference pulses occurring between a reference edge marking the beginning of a data time window and the time at which a binary one is read from the tape. The accummulated count is sampled by a counter whose contents are then stored in a latch when the total TDE has been measured. The TDE in the latch is then used in the phase-locked-loop circuit to adjust the frequency of the reference signal to more nearly match the frequency of the data read from the tape.

Abstract: The following specification sets forth a digital tape erasure conditioning circuit and system in combination with a tape drive. The tape drive is such that it drives a magnetic digital tape across an erasing and recording head within a streaming cartridge tape drive. Information is written onto the tape and subsequently read and checked in a continuous streaming manner to assure the correctness thereof. The tape is driven with respect to its various channels over write and read head portions of the head and returned in the opposite direction for writing and reading on another channel. In order to provide for multiple channels, the head is moved laterally across the face of the tape and when moved, is provided with an air cushion between the tape and the head to prevent laceration and attendant damage to the tape surface. When the tape is to be erased, an AC erasure takes place as opposed to a DC erasure wherein the media is saturated at only one level as it passes the field of the erase head.

Abstract: A servo arrangement for the drive motor of the recording tape of a color video recording and reproducing system, in which a phase detector is included in a tachometer loop for regulating the speed of the drive motor. Another phase detector and a voltage controlled oscillator are included in a tape lock loop for providing to the tachometer loop phase detector a reference derived from off-tape sync information. The voltage controlled oscillator is controlled by the error signal voltage of the tape lock phase detector, and the oscillator output is used as a reference for the tach loop. In one embodiment the oscillator is of the voltage controlled crystal type having a relatively high center frequency which is heterodyned down to a suitable frequency for controlling the tach loop phase detector. In this manner a servo reference of great stability is produced for the tach loop phase detector.

Abstract: An electronic time base error correction technique in which the color video signal is recorded so that in playback in at least one channel sync information is provided along with the luminance information and the color burst information along with the chrominance information. Feedback loops are provided to derive from the sync information coarse-correction of the video signal and derive from the burst information fine-correction of the video signal. The color burst extends over the entire blanking interval.Three different approaches are specifically disclosed: in the first, coarse- and fine-correction are carried out in two tandem connected stages, respectively. In the second, coarse- and fine-correction are accomplished in the same stage by means of a bi-level phase comparator. The third approach is a modification of the second approach, in which the first and second techniques have been combined.

Abstract: In a tape transport system in which the take-up reel of a self-threading magnetic recording tape having a leader attached to its forward end is driven by surface engagement with a rotating capstan, a safety picker is provided at a point just beyond the area of engagement between the take-up hub and the capstan, for intercepting the leader if it fails to properly engage the hub. A contact cooperating with the safety picker causes the threading operation to be discontinued if the leader has thus been intercepted.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods or circuit arrangements for compensating time base error in recording systems, particularly video recording systems, by electro-mechanical and electronic means. The circuit arrangements provide for separation of the horizontal synchronizing pulses from the video information contained in a signal coming from a recorded video tape, comparison of the phase of these horizontal synchronizing pulses to the phase of a reference pulse, and adjustment of the frequency of the horizontal synchronizing pulses which go to the video receiver to eliminate time base error.