Patents Issued in January 14, 2003
  • Patent number: 6507518
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a plurality of latch circuits, first circuit, second circuit and third circuit. The memory cell array has electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory cells arranged therein. The plurality of latch circuits temporarily hold data read out from the memory cell array. The first circuit is configured to generate a first current varying in proportion to “1” or “0” of binary logical data of one end of the plurality of latch circuits. The second circuit is configured to generate a second preset current. The third circuit is configured to compare the first current with the second current. The number of “1” or “0” of binary logical data of one end of the plurality of latch circuits is detected based on the result of comparison between the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koji Hosono, Tamio Ikehashi, Tomoharu Tanaka, Kenichi Imamiya, Hiroshi Nakamura, Ken Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6507519
    Abstract: A buffer circuit includes a MOSFET source follower (M54) and a floating gate MOSFET (MFG53) connected in series with the phototransistor (PT51) to control current through it at an input circuit node (D53). The source follower (M54) buffers the phototransistor (PT51), having a gate (G54) connected to its emitter (PC51). The floating gate (F53) is programmable with charge to preset the phototransistor current under prearranged illumination conditions to counteract unwanted signal contributions (e.g. fixed pattern noise) or non-optimum circuit characteristics. The floating gate MOSFET (MFG67) may alternatively be connected in series with the source follower output (D65) to control current at an output circuit node. The circuit may be a member of a pixel circuit array and may include programming circuitry (M84, M85) to select it for programming and to isolate it to enable other array members to be programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Collins, Gillian F Marshall
  • Patent number: 6507520
    Abstract: Externally supplied program data is latched into data latch circuits DLL and DLR. A judgment is made as to whether or not the latched program data corresponds to any threshold value of multi-levels every time each of plural programing operations is carried out. The program control information corresponding to the judgment result is latched into a sense latch circuit SL. Based upon the latched program control information, the programing operation for setting threshold voltages having multi-levels to a memory cell is carried out in a stepwise manner. Even when the programing operation is ended, the externally supplied program data is left in the data latch circuit. Even when the programing operation of the memory cell is retried due to the overprograming condition, the program data is no longer required to be again received from the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tsujikawa, Atsushi Nozoe, Michitaro Kanamitsu, Shoji Kubono, Eiji Yamamoto, Ken Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6507521
    Abstract: A pulse voltage with its frequency set at approximately 1 MHz and achieving a level of approximately 1V on the high level side and a level of −5˜−7V on the low level side is applied to the P-type well 123. When 1V is applied to a P-type well 123, the resulting forward bias causes electrons to be injected from a source 116 and a drain 117 into the channel (P-type well 123) (a). As the voltage applied to the P-type well 123 changes to −5 V, a depletion layer 124 is formed at the channel. At the depletion layer 124, the electrons are accelerated toward a tunnel oxide film 111 (b). The electrons having been accelerated in the channel are injected into the tunnel oxide film 111, are allowed to move inside the tunnel oxide film 111 by the electrical field at the tunnel oxide film 111 and are finally trapped at a floating gate 113.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Kurachi
  • Patent number: 6507522
    Abstract: A method for managing memory cells in a nonvolatile memory, such as a flash memory, includes detecting and intermediately programming fast-erased memory cells. All of the memory cells in a sector can then be erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Sung Lee, Chan-Jo Lee, Yun-Heub Song, Seung-Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 6507523
    Abstract: A zero power standby bias system controls the standby voltage levels of a current reference system used as a sense amplifier read reference in a non-volatile memory. The memory includes a non-volatile memory array having a plurality of memory cells coupled to bit lines. A plurality of sense amplifiers are coupled to the bit lines to determine the values stored in the memory cells in comparison to the reference signal provided by the reference system. The comparator circuit is not limited to a reference current, but can use reference voltages and a bit line voltage. The zero power standby bias system maintains a voltage level of the reference system to levels near those of operation while in standby mode, eliminating the need for the circuit to overcome large voltage differences and capacitance transitioning from low power or standby mode to active. The zero power standby bias system, therefore, eliminates overhead and speeds initial access times for non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted Pekny
  • Patent number: 6507524
    Abstract: A memory array has memory elements arranged in rows and columns. Each column has a respective bit line. A plurality of bit line input-output nodes are each switchably coupled to either a respective one of the bit lines or another one of the bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Ghasi Agrawal, Thomas R. Wik
  • Patent number: 6507525
    Abstract: A memory device can read data stored in memory cells using a differential voltage sensing technique. The memory includes a differential voltage sensing circuit having two input nodes. The nodes of the sensing circuit are pre-charged to different initial voltage levels prior to reading the memory cell. The nodes are pre-charged by charge sharing multiple bit lines. A selected node that is coupled to a memory cell to be read is pre-charged to a higher value than the second sensing node. After a word line coupled to the memory cell is activated, the initial differential voltage between the sensing nodes will remain if the memory cell is programmed such that it does not conduct current in response to the word line signal. If the memory cell is not programmed, the memory cell will discharge the selected sensing node to provide a different differential voltage to be sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Nobunaga, Frankie F. Roohparvar
  • Patent number: 6507526
    Abstract: When a write & auto precharge command is input into a chip, signals CPSRX and AUTPL are at “H”. After finishing a column operation, the level of the signal CPSRX shift to “L”. When CPSRX=“L” and AUTPL=“H”, if a signal CSLCK is at “H”, an auto precharge enable signal AUTPE is at “H”. The signal AUTPE is at “H” when the signal CSLCK is at “H”, and does not depend upon the leading edge of an external clock VCLK. Since auto precharge is executed from the time a column select line CSL is activated, the time the potential of a selected word line is shifted to a non-selection level can be kept constant irrespective of the frequency of the external clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ohtake
  • Patent number: 6507527
    Abstract: A method of charging a data line to a desired voltage level prior to the data line being sensed in a low power memory device by discharging the data line from a voltage level above the desired voltage level to approximately the desired voltage level. By using N-type transistors to discharge the data line to the desired voltage level, the voltage level can be reached faster with cheaper components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Cleveland, Jin-Lien Lin, Takao Akaogi, Ali Al-Shamma, Boon Tang Teh, Kendra Nguyen, Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 6507528
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for generating sense amplifier control signals for a DRAM. The circuit configuration includes, in addition to thin oxide transistors that are supplied with a normal standard supply voltage, thick oxide transistors to which an increased supply voltage is applied to compensate for voltage and technological fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ioannis Chrissostomidis, Thilo Schaffroth, Helmut Fischer
  • Patent number: 6507529
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of refreshing a plurality of memory cells. In operation, when requesting a data read operation a /row selection control signal is input to a set/reset circuit of a row selection control circuit, whereby an H-level hidden refresh control signal is output and an internal row selection control signal transitions to the H level. As a result, an intended word line is selected, and a refresh operation is initiated. Then, a sense amplifier activation completion signal SEND is input via a delay circuit to the set/reset circuit after completion of a sense operation, and the internal row selection control signal transitions to the L level. The sense amplifier activation completion signal SEND is input to another set/reset circuit after passing through three delay circuits, and an RW row selection control signal transitions to the H level, thereby performing a data read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Fujimoto, Kiyoto Ohta, Yuji Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6507530
    Abstract: A memory system includes a plurality of memory device ranks. A memory controller having a connection with the plurality of memory device ranks is adapted to obtain command information being issued to one of the plurality of memory device ranks. The memory controller is also adapted to generate a power weight value based on a command type from the command information. The memory controller increments a power count of the one of the plurality of memory device ranks by the power weight value generated. The memory controller then compares the power count of the one of the plurality of memory device ranks to a threshold value set for the one of the plurality of memory device ranks. If it is determined that the power count exceeds the threshold value, the memory controller is adapted to throttle the one of the plurality of memory device ranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Williams, James M. Dodd, Lloyd L Pollard, II, Nitin B Gupte
  • Patent number: 6507531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus uses possible wordline subsequence identifiers to multiplex columns for addresses received in redundant form, including addresses received from a bypass circuit. A cache wordline decoder uses carry-nonpropagative pre-decode circuitry to identify possible subsequences from redundant addresses. Identified subsequences are combined to identify wordline sequences and to activate corresponding wordline enable signals to access data stored in cache memory. A wordline may correspond to storage locations for multiple addresses. Identified possible subsequences are used to directly multiplex cache columns and the columns are organized so as to guarantee mutual exclusivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin X. Zhang
  • Patent number: 6507532
    Abstract: A central row-related control circuit transmits an internal row address signal to each memory sub block in banks of memory mats asynchronously with an external clock signal, and latches a block selection signal for specifying a memory sub block synchronously with an internal clock signal for one clock cycle period for transmission to each memory sub block. A spare determination circuit performs spare determination asynchronously with the clock signal. A semiconductor memory device easily adaptable to bank expansion without increase of the chip area and capable of implementing a high speed access can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujino, Kazunari Inoue, Akira Yamazaki, Kazutami Arimoto
  • Patent number: 6507533
    Abstract: A DRAM has a plurality of memory cell arrays each including a plurality of memory cell blocks and a plurality of subword lines separately from the main word lines. The subword lines are specified by a word line activation block after the row address decoders specify one of the main word lines. The word line activation decoder block is disposed adjacent to the row address decoder block. Each of the word line activation lines has a first portion extending parallel to the main word lines and a second portion extending within the area for the subword drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 6507534
    Abstract: A column decoder circuit for page reading of a semiconductor memory includes a first level decoder stage, a second level decoder stage, and a plurality of bit selection stages, each comprising a plurality of selection branches; wherein each selection branch is connected to a respective input of a multiplexer and has a plurality of first level selector stages and a second level selector stage. Each second level selector stage comprises a first addressing selector for addressing a first group of bit lines. Each bit selection stage further comprises a second addressing selector for addressing a second group of bit lines, current and next page selectors for selecting one of the first and second groups of bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniele Balluchi
  • Patent number: 6507535
    Abstract: The invention concerns a portable object, in particular a wristwatch (1), including a case (2) with which are associated at least two different electronic modules, each module allowing access to a particular service, the portable object also including means (22) for selecting and activating one of said electronic modules as a function of the service desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: Adolf Engelmann
  • Patent number: 6507536
    Abstract: A moon-phase dial mechanism comprising two overlapping, rotatable discs behind a substantially circular window capable of exhibiting a representation of the phases of the moon in a lunar cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Keatch
  • Patent number: 6507537
    Abstract: A power reserve mechanism has a ratchet wheel having a winding stem, a first winding stem train wheel connected to the winding stem of the ratchet wheel and having a first power reserve wheel, and a barrel member having a winding stem. A spring member is mounted in the barrel member. A second winding stem train wheel independent from the first winding stem train wheel is connected to the winding stem of the barrel member and has a second power reserve wheel. A first indicator is disposed on the first power reserve wheel. A second indicator is disposed on the second power reserve wheel. An amount of spring power stored by the spring member is indicated utilizing a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Koichiro Jujo
  • Patent number: 6507538
    Abstract: An alarm clock has a snooze feature, whereby the snooze feature has a wing-like shape. When the alarm goes off, the wing-like shape extends outwards from the alarm clock housing. By pushing the wing-shaped snooze feature back into the housing, the alarm goes off, and the snooze mode is entered. The extended wings may signify “time flies”, at least while sleeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Irene E. Articola
  • Patent number: 6507539
    Abstract: An optical storage device adapted so that a cartridge accommodating an optical storage medium is inserted/ejected with respect to the device. The device includes a drive base, a cartridge holder mounted on the drive base for receiving the cartridge, a first carriage mounted on the drive base so as to be movable in a first direction, a first drive mechanism for moving the first carriage, and an optical head mounted on the first carriage. The device further includes a second carriage mounted on the cartridge holder so as to be movable in the first direction, a second drive mechanism for moving the second carriage, a magnetic head assembly mounted on the second carriage and having a magnetic head, and a holding mechanism for selectively holding the magnetic head in its lifted condition above the optical storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hideki Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6507540
    Abstract: An optical read/write head system having a support structure, an optical coupling element and a magnetic data coupling element is disclosed. The optical coupling element is provide on the support structure and is configured to couple optical signal to and from a recording medium. The magnetic data coupling element is also provided on the support structure and is configured to couple magnetic signal to and from the recording medium. The two elements operate in combination to provide more effective reading and writing than with either element alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Terastor Corporation
    Inventors: John Berg, Roger A. Hajjar
  • Patent number: 6507541
    Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording record information onto a record medium, on which (i) a plurality of information groups each comprising one series of the record information and (ii) management information including positional information indicating a recorded area of each of the information groups are recordable, is provided with: a detecting device for detecting the management information, which is recorded in advance on the record medium, from the record medium; a recording device for newly recording the record information onto the record medium; an outputting device for outputting an identification information to identify the information groups, which are recorded in advance on the record medium, on the basis of the detected management information while the recording device is newly recording the record information; a specifying device for specifying an erasable information from among the information groups which are identified by the outputted identification information while the recordin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Suzuki, Masayoshi Yoshida, Ichiro Higuchi, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6507542
    Abstract: A changer apparatus for information discs includes a stacking unit for stacking at least two information discs in at least two stacking positions, the stacking unit having holding trays for holding the information discs in holding planes and a first transport mechanism for moving the holding trays into the stacking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Hopf, Norbert Kunze, Stefan Müller, Horst Rumpf, Cornelius Wouters
  • Patent number: 6507543
    Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes a light source, an objective lens, a slider to hold the lens, a suspension to support the slider, a mirror located below the slider, and a seek mechanism to move the mirror and the slider in the tracking direction of an optical disk to be used. The mirror upwardly reflects light traveling in a predetermined horizontal direction, thereby causing the reflected light to enter the objective lens arranged above the mirror. The mirror is rotatable about a prescribed axis for causing the reflected light to shift in the above-mentioned horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tohru Fujimaki, Haruhiko Izumi
  • Patent number: 6507544
    Abstract: An error signal detection apparatus for an optical recording/reproducing system which detects a tilt error signal and/or tracking error signal, based on the phase characteristics of light reflected and diffracted from a recording medium, and a method therefor. The error signal detection apparatus includes multiple photodetectors and a circuit unit for detecting an error signal by processing detection signals generated by each photodetector The the photodetectors are arranged in a matrix wherein a row or column of the matrix is parallel to a direction corresponding to a direction of an information stream on the recording medium. A circuit unit compares the phases of the detection signals of the inner and/or outer light receiving portions arranged in the same row or of detection signals from diagonal positions on the matrix to output at least one of a tilt error signal and a tracking error signal based on the phase comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-in Ma, Byung-ho Choi, Chong-sam Chung, In-sik Park, Tae-yong Doh, Joong-eon Seo
  • Patent number: 6507545
    Abstract: An EET (“eight-to-ten”) method has been proposed for two-dimensional spatial encoding of information stored in two- or three-dimensional, in particular fluorescent optical carriers. The method specifically ensures the same writing density as DVD carriers with EFM (“eight-fourteen modulation”) modulation code but for 0.8×0.4&mgr; information pit (fluorescent mark), i.e. as in CD data carriers. The larger—as compared to the DVD format—pit size enables a simpler technology for manufacturing fluorescent multilayer carriers, for instance of ROM type, and a stronger fluorescent signal in reading. The high writing density is ensured through virtually 100% filling of the information layer area with fluorescent marks in a gap-free manner. In addition, this allows application of the parallel data reading procedure and a ten-fold higher reading speed than in DVD systems. Increasing the size of the channel bit to 0.4 &mgr;m—which is 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tri D Store IP LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Levich, Sergei Magnitskii, Nikolay Magnitskii, Andrey Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 6507546
    Abstract: A sampled amplitude read channel is disclosed for reading data recorded on a disk storage medium by detecting an estimated data sequence from a sequence of read signal sample values generated by an analog read signal emanating from a read head positioned over the disk storage medium. A sampling device samples the analog read signal to generate the read signal sample values, and a discrete-time equalizer equalizes the read signal sample values according to an asymmetric partial response target comprising a dipulse response of the form: (. . . , 0, 0,+X0,+X1,−X2,−X3,−X4, 0, 0, . . . ) where X0−X4 are non-zero to thereby generate equalized sample values. In the embodiments disclosed herein, X0−X4 are 2,2,1,2,1 respectively. A discrete-time sequence detector detects the estimated data sequence from the equalized sample values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Incorporated
    Inventors: William G. Bliss, Sian She, Lisa C. Sundell
  • Patent number: 6507547
    Abstract: Provided is a medium for recording optical information and a method for recording optical information that allow recording sensitivity to be increased, and particularly a prescribed recording sensitivity to be maintained together with reflectivity and other playback characteristics during high-speed recording, by employing the temperature dependence of recording sensitivity of the light-absorbing layer instead of the light attenuation coefficient of the light-absorbing layer, and selecting a material which is prone to increased absorption of a laser beam at high temperatures during recording. A distinctive feature is that the absorbance or recording sensitivity of the dye material film used in the medium for recording optical information that has a writable structure is dependent on temperature. Specifically, it was found that the absorption spectrum of the dye material varies at high temperatures, and a relation A2/A1≧1.30 was established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Takagishi, Takanori Yoshizawa, Kazuyuki Shibuya, Emiko Hamada
  • Patent number: 6507548
    Abstract: An optical pickup device includes a light source for emitting light, a beam splitter installed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light source for splitting the light, an objective lens for focusing a main light split by the beam splitter at an optical disk, a monitoring photodetector for receiving a sub-light split by the beam splitter and monitoring the amount of light output from the light source, a main photodetector for receiving the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the optical disk and passing through the beam splitter and detecting an error signal and an information signal, and a collimating lens installed on the optical path between the light source and the beam splitter for focusing both the main light and sub-light split by the beam splitter, so that the amount of light received by the monitoring photodetector increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-ryull Kim, Kun-soo Kim, Myong-soo Choi, Hyung-taek Oh, Jong-hwa Yu
  • Patent number: 6507549
    Abstract: A device for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media, the device comprising a light source for producing a scanning beam, a photodetector for detecting the scanning beam reflected by the recording medium and a semi-transparent mirror arranged in the beam path for directing the scanning beam onto the recording medium and the reflected scanning beam onto the photodetector. An object of the invention is to improve a device of this type, in particular with regard to reducing the production costs. This object is achieved by the semi-transparent mirror being a plane-parallel plate with a layered structure, and a partially reflective layer being arranged between two small carrier plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Morimoto, Friedhelm Zucker, Christian Büchler
  • Patent number: 6507550
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical data storage medium prepared by laminating face-to-face two substrates, at least one of which has a recording layer provided thereon, such that the recording layer faces inwardly, wherein the color difference between the two substrates is 10 or more. Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical data storage medium prepared by laminating face-to-face two substrates, at least one of which has a recording layer provided thereon, such that the recording layer faces inwardly, wherein optically recognizable different patterns are provided on the two substrates. Since the colors or the patterns on the two substrates are different, the two substrates are easily distinguishable from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Usami
  • Patent number: 6507552
    Abstract: An ultra-high-density data storage device including at least one energy-channeling component and a storage medium that usually includes at least one rectifying junction region. The energy-channeling component is generally capable of emitting such energies as, but not limited to, thermal, optical and electronic energy. The energy-channeling component is generally located either within close proximity of or in direct contact with the storage medium. The storage medium typically includes nanometer-scaled storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Gary A. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6507553
    Abstract: A data storage system that includes a positioning system for positioning the write/read mechanism and the storage medium of the data storage device with respect to each other in first and second predefined directions. The positioning system comprises a positioning apparatus comprising microfabricated first and second positioning assemblies. The positioning system further comprises a controller to position a positionable support structure of the first positioning assembly in a first predefined direction within a range of positioning that is larger than the range of movement of a moveable support structure of the first positioning assembly by controlling (A) a stationary support structure clamp in clamping and unclamping the positionable structure to and from the support structure, (B) a moveable structure clamp in clamping and unclamping the positionable support structure to and from the moveable support structure, and (C) the movement of the moveable support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Nanotechnology LLC
    Inventor: Victor B. Kley
  • Patent number: 6507554
    Abstract: An actuator for an optical pick-up and a method of rolling a driving coil using the same. The actuator for the optical pick-up includes a bobbin for holding an object lens, a suspension for connecting the bobbin to a holder, and a magnetic driver. The magnetic driver includes a pair of permanent magnets respectively positioned near opposite sides of the bobbin, a plurality of tracking coils with pairs of the tracking coils rolled on opposite side surfaces of the bobbin, and a focus coil rolled around the bobbin and the plurality of tracking coils. The plurality of tracking coils and focus coil receive current to move the optical pickup through interaction with the permanent magnets, and a strong force is generated by narrowing a distance between the permanent magnets and the focus coil based upon the focus coil being rolled around the bobbin and the tracking coils. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the sensitivity and to prevent improper tilting of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-ki Son, Byung-ryul Ryoo, Yong-hoon Lee, Seok-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 6507555
    Abstract: A balanced disk drive apparatus for suppressing undesirable vibrations caused by the unbalance of a detachable disk during high speed data transfer comprises a balanced disk drive apparatus having a hollow ring member containing a balancing member therein to form a balancer wherein the balancer is rotatable with the detachable disk for suppressing vibrations created by the unbalanced detachable disk during high speed rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Masaki, Kazuhiro Mihara, Shuichi Yoshida, Sachio Fukuyama, Noriaki Urayama, Masaaki Kikugawa
  • Patent number: 6507556
    Abstract: A disc clamping device seeks to attain size reduction and simplification of the structure without spoiling the smoothness of centering a disc. A disc clamper has an upwardly projecting central hung pin penetrating a circular hole formed in a clamp support member and having a head greater in diameter than the circular hole. At least either one of the portions of the edge of the circular hole and the head of the hung pin in engagement with each other is formed with a tapered surface for centering the disc clamper. The clamp support member is provided with an elastic member, for instance a leaf spring, for pushing the head against the edge of the circular hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tanashin Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6507557
    Abstract: The pattern (104) of a desired character or design can be displayed visibly in an information recording area of an optical recording medium by utilizing the interference phenomenon of the reflected light (200a, 200b), which is caused by the different track pitch (P2, P3) from the standard track pitch (P1), wherein the different track pitch (P2, P3) is applied to some part of tracks (103) corresponding to the desired pattern (104) to be displayed visibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Ohno, Fumitaka Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6507558
    Abstract: In an optical disc having tracks for recording user data such as a rewritable type optical disc using a phase change medium or a magneto-optical medium, or a write-once type optical disc using a pigment based medium, a wobble portion waved in a radial direction of the optical disc and a non wobble portion which is not waved are provided on the tracks, sub information which is data other than the user data is recorded on the tracks by using a combination of the wobble portion and the non wobble portion, a logic value of each bit is represented by a pair of the wobble portion and the non wobble portion, and the phase of wave in the wobble portion when a bit is a logical value of “0” and the phase of wave in the wobble portion when a bit is a logical value of “1” are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Aoki
  • Patent number: 6507559
    Abstract: An optical recording medium is an optical disk formed by bonding a substrate to a light transparent cover layer smaller in thickness than the substrate, and the optical disk includes one or more recording layer between the substrate and the light transparent cover layer. The light transparent cover layer is smaller in diameter than the substrate. Further, it is desirable that an outer edge of the substrate be higher than a between-edge part of the substrate. With this arrangement, a bonding surface of the substrate and the light transparent cover layer is not exposed out of an outer curved surface. Accordingly, it is possible to protect the bonding surface between the outer edge and the inner edge so as to increase strength against exfoliation of the light transparent cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Iwaki
  • Patent number: 6507560
    Abstract: A disc cartridge for receiving a disc-like recording medium therewithin which recording medium is capable of being inserted and removed from the disc cartridge. The disc cartridge includes an insertion and removal port opening and closing member, and the disc insertion and removal port opening and closing member is moved from the disc cartridge when taking out the recording medium. The disc cartridge has a locking member for locking the insertion and removal port opening and closing member. At least a part of a locking cancellation preventing member which prevents the locking member from moving for canceling the locking is arranged on a moving path of the locking member so as to cancel the locking. Further, the locking cancellation preventing member is a portion for recognizing a history of insertion and removal of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Okamoto, Kyuichiro Nagai, Atsushi Inoue, Hiroaki Ono
  • Patent number: 6507561
    Abstract: A network wherein a plurality of links connects a plurality of nodes such as cross-connects in a communication circuit network with paths interconnecting the nodes, and with there being spare capacity between a sufficient number of nodes to accommodate at least some rerouting of traffic immediately upon detection of a break in a traffic span in the network so as to restore circuit continuity within a predetermined maximum time using an improved failure detection, isolation, and recovery scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Baniewicz, Ashley W. Brimmage, Sridhar Alagar, S. Hal Badt, Frederick R. Ellefson, Bryan J. McGlade
  • Patent number: 6507562
    Abstract: Receiver stations located close together in a computer network dynamically form a multicast repair tree by a plurality of receiver stations choosing a repair head station from among the closely located receiver stations. A receiver station calculates its distance from a repair head station by subtracting the decremented TTL value read from the IP header from the initial value of the TTL parameter carried in field TTL SCOPE of HELLO messages, transmitted by repair head stations. Using a criteria that a closer repair head station is a more optimum repair head station, receiver stations listen to each received HELLO message, calculate the distance to the repair head station, and reaffiliate with the closest repair head station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Miriam C. Kadansky, Dah Ming Chiu, Stephen R. Hanna, Stephen A. Hurst, Joseph S. Wesley, Philip M. Rosenzweig, Radia J. Perlman
  • Patent number: 6507563
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting a packet from a data queue through a protocol stack. The protocol stack is associated with one or more linked data structures. Each data structure indicates whether an associated protocol context is congested and is associated with a next data structure. It is determined whether a current protocol context in the protocol stack is congested by reference to an associated current data structure. If it is determined that the current protocol context is congested, the packet is held within the data queue. If it is determined that the current protocol context is not congested, it is determined whether there is a next data structure. If it is determined that there is not a next data structure, the packet is transmitted through the protocol stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Glick
  • Patent number: 6507564
    Abstract: A network switch configured for switching data packets across multiple ports uses an address table to generate frame forwarding information. The address table includes aging information used by an internal decision making engine so that aged entries are invalidated after a programmable period of time. The network switch includes a test mode so that the aging function is able to be quickly tested by an external test device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Merchant
  • Patent number: 6507565
    Abstract: A resource management station for a distributed system includes a managed resources store operable to store for each of a plurality of remote managed resources a previous value of a status of the remote managed resource and a previous value of a parameter indicative of status changes by the remote managed resource. A polling engine is operable to periodically poll each remote managed resource for a current value of the status and current value of the parameter. A resource manager is operable to determine whether a status change occurred in the remote managed resource by comparing the previous and current values of the status. The resource manager is further operable to determine whether an intermediate status change occurred by comparing the previous and current values of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6507566
    Abstract: In a mobile communication system, the PAD of the data-processing-terminal-interface has a packet assembling/disassembling function for the protocol for data-link layer A and the protocol for data-link layer B. The protocol for data-link layer A of the data processing terminal prescribes that a frame, in which data transferred from the upper layer is inserted between flag sequences with a prescribed bit pattern, be transmitted usually, and that flag sequences without data transmission be transmitted when there is no data requiring transmission during communication. If flag sequences are transferred from the data processing terminal, the PAD deletes a part or all of the flag sequences and does not transfer them to the wireless communication unit. Consequently, a part or all of the flag sequences are not transmitted to the wireless communication channel. Therefore, power consumption by a wireless mobile station device or the like may be reduced, and the wireless channel may effectively used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Chie Noda, Hiroyuki Hattori, Tadao Takami, Ichiro Okajima
  • Patent number: 6507567
    Abstract: Efficient channel switching procedures are provided in a mobile communications system. A first channel is established to support a connection through a radio access network to a mobile station. Subsequently, if the first channel is no longer used to support that connection, a portion of that first channel is nevertheless maintained for a period of time. That way, if the first channel is again needed to support the connection to the mobile station, the maintained portion of the first channel is simply reactivated thereby reducing channel switching costs and delays associated with channel set-up and release operations. The portion of the first channel that is maintained may be associated with resources within the radio access network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Per H. A. Willars
  • Patent number: 6507568
    Abstract: A mobile communications system employs extended channel assignment messaging during the call setup portion of a mobile call. As part of the call setup process, a mobile station sends an access request message to a primary base station that includes a list of alternate base stations. As call setup continues, the mobile station employs diversity reception in monitoring the paging channel of three base stations, each selected as a function of the strength of the signal-to-noise ratios of their respective pilot tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Sarath Kumar, Wen-Yi Kuo, Kiran M. Rege