Abstract: An optical coating for a substrate comprises an amorphous material, which includes titanium oxide and one or more additives. Titanium oxide and the additive in an oxidized state do not form a solid solution. The amorphous material may be used in low-emissivity, double low-emissivity, and anti-reflection coatings. A method for coating a substrate comprises depositing a first anti-reflection layer of a dielectric over a substrate, depositing a metallic layer over the anti-reflection layer, and depositing a second anti-reflection layer of a dielectric over the metallic layer. At least one of the first anti-reflection layer and the second anti-reflection layer comprises the amorphous material.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a support for attaching the reflective element to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The reflective element is movable with respect to the support. The control is for establishing a reflective level of the reflective element and for determining a heading of the vehicle. The control includes a first circuit assembly and a second circuit assembly interconnected by at least one wire between the first and second circuit assemblies. The first circuit assembly is mounted to be movable with movement of the reflective element. The second circuit assembly is mounted substantially fixed at the support.

Abstract: A variable beamsplitter (10) for use with quasi-optical millimeter-wave beams. The beamsplitter (10) consists of a circular metal plate (20) into which a periodic array (30) of rectangular slots is cut. The plate (20) is arranged so that the incident millimeter-wave beam is incident at an angle of 45° relative to the surface of the plate (20). The polarization of the incident beam is parallel to the surface of the plate (20). When the orientation of the plate (20) is such that the electric field is perpendicular to the slots (i.e., the electric field is directed across the narrow dimension of the slots), the plate (20) transmits nearly 100% of the incident power. If the plate is rotated about its axis by 90° (while maintaining a 45° angle between the incident beam and the plate) so that the incident electric field is parallel to the slots, then the plate (20) transmits 0% and reflects nearly 100% of the incident power at an angle of 90° relative to the incident beam.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for delaying parts of a coherent optical signal beam relative to each other, comprising: a first device for splitting the beam into a first part and a second part, a second device for delaying the second part relative to the first part, a third device for recombining the first and the second part, a fourth device for providing the recombined parts with different polarizations.

Abstract: A projection apparatus including a light source which generates light beams, an optical projection system which projects the light beams generated by the light source onto a screen, and a reflection device which is positioned between the light source and the optical projection system. The reflection device includes a plurality of mirrors capable of reflecting incident beams generated by the light source to travel toward the optical projection system. The projection apparatus also includes an optical illumination system which is positioned in an optical path between the light source and the reflection device and is tilted or decentered with respect to the optical axis of the light source to allow light beams generated by the light source to enter the reflection device at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a geometrical beam splitter, e.g. in a sensor, for transversally dividing a radiation beam (4) into at least one reflected beam portion (5R) and at least one passing beam portion (5T). The beam splitter (1) is composed of a piece (11) of rigid material having a non-transparent reflective surface (3) at an angle (&agr;) deviating from the right angle in respect to the incident direction (RI) of said radiation beam. The beam splitter has a width (W) and a height (H) extending over a total effective cross-sectional area (A*) of the radiation beam (4) and e.g. two holes (2a, 2b) extending through said piece of rigid material. The holes allow passing of at least two beam portions (5T), and simultaneously the nontransparent reflective surface divert at least one reflected beam portion (5R) so that said beam portions have substantially similar wavelength distributions.

Abstract: An image illumination apparatus for backlighting a portion of a liquid crystal display. The apparatus includes a light source generating an illuminating light, a light shielding medium located between the light source and a display grid, and an aperture formed in the light shielding medium for allowing the transmission of light generated by the light source to pass to a lighted portion of the display grid. The light shielding medium prevents light from being transmitted to a non-lighted portion of the display grid.

Abstract: A novel wavelength routing apparatus is disclosed, which uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal from an input port into multiple spectral channels; a channel-interleaving assembly (e.g., an array of prisms) to interleave the spectral channels into two channel groups; and an “augmented relay system” to relay the interleaved channel groups onto two separate arrays of channel micromirrors, respectively. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into multiple output ports. As such, the inventive wavelength routing apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal solid immersion lens (ESIL) for use as a collimator for a waveguide. The ESIL has a refractive index n, an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ESIL has an attachment surface portion for joining to the waveguide. The attachment surface portion passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S=M/n, such that a substantially collimated light beam exhibiting a Gaussian type intensity profile propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a Gaussian beam waist substantially at the second geometrical focus F2.

Abstract: A liquid immersion type microscope objective lens comprises a first lens group G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens group G2 having a positive refracting power, a third lens group G3 having a negative refracting power, a fourth lens group G4, and a fifth lens group G5, in order from an object side. The first lens group G1 has a cemented lens which comprises a plano-convex lens with the plane surface facing the object side and a meniscus lens with the concave surface facing the object side cemented together, and a positive meniscus lens with the concave surface facing the object side. The second lens group G2 has a plurality of cemented surfaces having a negative refracting power. The third lens group G3 has a cemented lens which comprises a negative lens, a positive lens, and a negative lens cemented together.

Abstract: A zoom lens system including a first to third lens groups, and zooming is performed by respectively moving the first to third lens groups.

Abstract: One surface of the substrate constituting a diffraction type lens is formed with a zone plate exhibiting a smaller converging action with respect to a first wavelength &lgr;1 of light and a greater converging action with respect to a second wavelength &lgr;2 of light, whereas the other surface is formed with a zone plate exhibiting a smaller converging action with respect to the second wavelength &lgr;2 of light and a greater converging action with respect to the first wavelength &lgr;1 of light. The substrate is transparent to the first and second wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2 of light. Each of the zone plates comprises concentric gratings having a stepped cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mounting an optical element to a mounting plate in an optical system. The optical element is adhesively bonded with a surface on the mounting plate by a radiation-curable adhesive and a radiation-transmissive member that provides an unobstructed optical path in the mounting plate for curing the radiation-curable adhesive. The adhesive accommodates differences in thermal expansion between the material forming the mounting plate and the material forming the optical element so as to maintain the position and angular orientation of the optical element relative to the mounting plate and so as to prevent damage to the optical element. The formulation of the adhesive forming the adhesive couplings may incorporate spacer elements operative for maintaining the spacing and parallelism between the optical element and the mounting plate.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting device for adjusting an eccentricity of an adjusting lens group of the lens system with respect to a fixed lens group of the lens system, by moving the adjusting lens group in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the fixed lens group, includes an adjusting lens group support member movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the fixed lens group, and a resilient cylindrical chuck made of a resilient material which is provided with the adjusting lens group support member, the resilient cylindrical chuck having a lens holding portion which is formed at an open end of the resilient cylindrical chuck so as to surround and resiliently hold the adjusting lens group.

Abstract: Disclosded an image module having a function of an automatic focus adjustment based on a COB system for miniaturization and unification. The image module includes an image packaging unit, which comprises a sensor for sensing a picture image, a substrate including the sensor, a sensor cover for covering the sensor and the substrate at the outside and a sensor filter for blocking an outer environment and passing light between the sensor cover and the sensor only; and a lens blade unit, which comprises a lens blade having a lens to transmit the light at a center and a driving coil on a surface thereof, an elastic means for supplying a current to the driving coil of the lens blade and supporting the lens blade, and a magnet for forming a magnetic field to enable the lens blade to shift up and down due an electromagnetic force, and thereby lowering power consumption and production cost and improving reliability on a product thereof.

Abstract: A control method for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving an output of a navigation system; determining a turning level of the vehicle according to the output of the navigation system; and triggering the rearview mirror or the CCD camera to move to an extent corresponding to the turning level of the vehicle. A control device for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle in response to the output of an electronic compass or a global positioning system (GPS) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a casing, a reflective element and a display. The reflective element has a back surface and a front surface, with the front surface being directed toward and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display comprises a display element positioned within the casing. The display element is operable to project light onto a screen portion of the reflective element. The light is viewable as an image on the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle. The display element is separate and remote from the screen portion of the reflective element. Preferably, the display element and reflective elements are positioned generally along planes which are angled with respect to one another. The display may include a reflective optic which functions to redirect the projected light toward the screen portion of the reflective element.

Abstract: The Blindview Mirror invention enhances motor vehicle safety by allowing drivers the ability to scan his or her blind spot even with incorrectly adjusted side mirrors. This device helps drivers make safer decisions prior to high speed lane changes.

Abstract: A position sensing device for a mirror assembly displaced by an electric motor for a mirror assembly having a memory unit which relies upon position information. The position sensing device connects directly between the housing reinforcement member and the mirror glass. The position sensing device also includes inherent damping capabilities. A dampening assembly provides additional damping capabilities, thereby further limiting vibration of the mirror due to road and wind vibration.

Abstract: Spherical and non-spherical optical elements produced by standard optical figuring and polishing techniques are extremely expensive. Such surfaces can be cheaply produced by diamond turning; however, the roughness in the diamond turned surface prevent their use for EUV lithography. These ripples are smoothed with a coating of polyimide before applying a 60 period Mo/Si multilayer to reflect a wavelength of 134 Å and have obtained peak reflectivities close to 63%. The savings in cost are about a factor of 100.

Abstract: The invention relates to a saturable light absorber adapted to receive different focused spectral components, wherein the structure of said saturable light absorber comprises microcavities integrated into a substrate and each associated with a respective one of said spectral components, each microcavity comprising a saturable absorber layer delimited by a top reflector and a bottom reflector and being disposed and having dimensions such that it receives only the focused spectral component associated with it.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for reading data from or writing data onto a credit card-sized storage media containing a rotating magnetic memory. The reader includes a spindle motor and an arm with a magnetic head position thereon, as well as integrated circuits for controlling its operation. The reader preferably complies with standards for PCMCIA cards, enabling the reader to be inserted into the host system such as a personal computer or a laptop for use.

Abstract: A magnetic-pattern transferring method is a method for transferring a magnetic pattern to a magnetic recording medium. The method comprises steps as follows. In a master transferring step, a magnetic field is applied to a master placed close to the magnetic recording medium. The magnetic field excites a magnetic layer having a pattern patterned on the master according to the magnetic pattern. Thereby, the pattern of the magnetic layer is transferred to the magnetic recording medium. In a pattern-difference measuring step, a magnetic condition of the magnetic recording medium is measured so as to measure a magnetically different part between the pattern transferred to the magnetic recording medium and the magnetic pattern. In a magnetic transferring step, a pattern transfer is performed to the magnetic recording medium by using the master while applying the magnetic field so as to correct a magnetic condition of the magnetically different part.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus having an error correction function ECC-less, includes a erasure detector generating an erasure flag indicating disappearance of a read signal; and an iterative decoder having two soft-in/soft-out (SISO) decoders, i.e., an inner decoder and an outer decoder, and correcting the erasure by inputting the erasure flag ek into the inner decoder 84 and performing erasure compensation in the inner decoder. As the erasure compensation in the inner decoder, channel information is masked while the erasure flag is on. The erasure of data due to a media defect is detected inside the iterative decoder, and the second erasure flag is inputted into the inner decoder to perform erasure compensation in the inner decoder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize the performance of a read/write head in a hard disk drive. The method comprises providing a disk having at least one side with a plurality of tracks, selecting a current value, and applying the current value to the read/write head. The performance of the read/write head is then measured and the method determines if the current value has been applied to the read/write head a predetermined number of times. If not, the current value is applied to the read/write head a predetermined number of times. The best performance value of the read/write head and a corresponding current value are then stored.

Abstract: A method of recording information bits in a magnetic storage medium, the method comprising positioning a first conductor adjacent to a magnetic recording medium, the conductor having a width and a length, wherein a distance between the first conductor and the magnetic recording medium is less than or equal to the width and the length, and passing a first current through the conductor of sufficient magnitude to produce a magnetic field in the magnetic medium greater than one Tesla and having a magnetic field gradient in a cross track direction and a down track direction greater than 100 Oe/nm over a bit dimension. The thickness of the first conductor can be less than or equal to the distance between the first conductor and the magnetic recording medium. The current density in the conductor can be greater than 109 ampere/cm2, and the length of the conductor can be less than 100 nm. The current can be applied as one or more pulses in a predetermined clock cycle time.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a head with an air bearing surface that provides a fly height spacing. A fly height spacing control system provides a control signal to a head electrical connection on a head and a disco electrical connection on a disc. Fly height is controlled electrostatically. A disconnect circuit couples the control signal to the disc electrical connection. The disconnect circuit provides a disconnection of the control signal when contact is sensed. A contact sensor senses an electrical current component of the control signal that indicates contact between the head and the disc.

Abstract: A data storage device having a read-past-EOD marker flag is described herein. The read-past-EOD marker flag may be stored in a non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, coupled to the data storage device. In one embodiment, the data storage device is a magnetic tape cartridge. The read-past-EOD marker flag, when set to an “on” position, may enable a magnetic tape drive to read past an EOD marker stored on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A method for centering the disk of a disk stack assembly. The method includes the step of applying a torque to the disk stack and spinning the disks. Both the torque and the spinning speed are less than normal operating values. A series of radial forces may then be applied to the disk stack. The series of forces will cause the rotating disks to self center. The rotating disks are eventually spun down and a full torque is applied to the disk stack to secure the disks.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic disk apparatus capable of recording a servo signal onto the surface of a magnetic disk with a high degree of reliability and a high degree of efficiency without using an external write apparatus and capable of recording a predetermined servo signal onto the surface of a magnetic disk even if dimensional variations of a recording/reproducing device of a head exist.

Abstract: The invention provides an extremely high throughput magnetic disk drive which uses massively parallel architecture to achieve unprecedented sequential and random access transfer rates. The drive consists of a stationary magnetic head assembly comprising a single integrated circuit made of silicon along with the associated disk and controller. This intergrated circuit contains heads, amplifiers, buffers and circuits for verification of all disk operations. The head assembly operates on disks made of crystalline silicon to avoid problems of differential thermal contraction and to insure rigidity. It communicates with the host computer's random access memory by means of a novel and unique disk controlled, which has the high capacity throughput to take advantage of the high throughput speed of this disk drive.

Abstract: A head IC amplifies an output of a read head including MR elements and an ADC converts the amplified output into a digital value. When a CPU performs a head load operation to load a composite head including the read head onto a data area of a disk medium from a ramp, the CPU receives the output of the read head amplified by the head IC as a detection result of an external magnetic field applied to an HDD. The CPU determines whether the head load operation is performed or inhibited based on the received, amplified output of the read head, that is, the detection result of the external magnetic field applied to the HDD.

Abstract: A head for use in accessing data from an electrically conductive media surface is provided. The head has a slider body defining a bearing plane configured to face the media surface. A fly height control electrode is positioned on the raised portion. Further, the fly height control electrode and the media surface are adapted to form opposing plates of a capacitor with a dielectric layer of air supporting the head. Also, the fly height control electrode is electrically isolated from the slider body. A head electrical connection disposed on the slider body is electrically connected to the fly height control electrode. The head electrical connection is adapted to provide a fly height control voltage to the fly height control electrode.

Abstract: A method of aligning a magnetic read/write head to data tracks on a magnetic surface of a digital linear tape. The method includes writing a signal over a track of optical servo marks located on the magnetic surface of the tape with a servo channel writer, generating a position error signal from read back signals obtained from a servo channel reader and positioning the magnetic read/write head in accordance with the position error signal.

Abstract: A disk drive having a magnetic shield which can avoid effect of an external magnetic field is disclosed. The drive comprises a housing which contains a disk drive mechanism including a head and a disk medium. The housing has a structure wherein a tape-like or foil-like magnetic shield member is provided to shield an external magnetic field, in particular, in the vicinity of the head. The magnetic shield member is wound around the housing so as to cover each partial region of an upper surface facing a movement range of the head on the disk medium, lower surface and side surfaces.

Abstract: A projecting portion is formed on an edge, which provides a notch for an eject button, of a front shutter of an FDD. The projecting portion projects toward the eject button. The eject button provides a cavity for canceling interference between the projecting portion and the eject button in a state without external force. Upon receiving external force, the eject button is pressed to the projecting portion. In this state, the front shutter is forced to rotate in a closing direction thereof. Because the front shutter keeps a closed state, the force given to the projecting portion has a direction parallel to a main surface of a door member of the front shutter. Therefore, the door member is not bent by the external force and the front shutter does not come off from a main frame of the FDD.

Abstract: A front shutter attaching structure comprises flanges formed on peripheral surfaces of coaxial pivots of a front shutter and hooks formed at a cover for covering an upper side of a main frame. The front shutter is attached to the main frame by inserting of the pivots into holes formed in side plates of the main frame. Because the flanges are impossible to be inserted into the holes of the main frame, they restrict movement of the front shutter in a direction along the pivots against the main frame. Each of the hooks is located between a door member of the front shutter and each of the flanges when the cover is fixed to the main frame. The hooks restrict movement of the flanges in the direction along the pivots at the base side of the pivots.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk drive device having a bearing means of larger size and sufficient strength, improved impact resistance, high accuracy of rotation, and high reliability,

Abstract: A magnetoresistive stack for use in a magnetic read head has a plurality of layers including a ferromagnetic free layer, a ferromagnetic pinned layer, and an antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The pinned layer and pinning layer each have a greater number of structural grains than the free layer, which decreases a fluctuation of magnetization in the magnetoresistive stack without decreasing a spatial resolution of the magnetoresistive stack.

Abstract: The magnetic head includes a P2 pole tip in which the P2 pole tip material is electroplated upon a sidewall of the P2 pole tip photolithographic trench. To accomplish this, a block of material is deposited upon a write gap layer, such that a generally straight, vertical sidewall of the block of material is disposed at the P2 pole tip location. Thereafter, an electroplating seed layer is deposited upon the sidewall. A P2 pole tip trench is photolithographically fabricated such that the sidewall (with its deposited seed layer) is exposed within the P2 pole tip trench. Thereafter, the P2 pole tip is formed by electroplating pole tip material upon the seed layer and outward from the sidewall within the trench, The width of the P2 pole tip is thus determined by the quantity of pole tip material that is deposited upon the sidewall.

Abstract: A cleaning device capable of cleaning a rotary head without discharging static electricity to a magnetic head is provided. The cleaning device comprises a protruding shaft-like supporting member provided at a position in a housing facing a portion of the outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum and opposite a portion in contact with a magnetic tape, and a cylindrical cleaning member supported at the upper end of the supporting member. The supporting member is configured with a metal material, and is electrically connected with the housing. The cleaning member is made of an electrically conductive resin in which carbon particles are contained. When and while the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum, the cleaning member is electrically connected with the housing through the supporting member.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a tape recording medium for recording audio and/or video signals, and a memory unit storing information related to the tape recording medium including positional information of audio and/or video signals stored thereon. The memory unit also stores reproduction control instructions which serve to control the operation of a tape reproduction device using the positional information stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: A shutter opening/closing member of a drive device, which slides a shutter and opens and closes a window portion, does not interfere with a recording/playback head. A shutter operation portion extends, in a sliding direction of the shutter, from a main body portion of the shutter which moves at a region of the window portion. When a disk cartridge is inserted into the drive device, a shutter opening/closing pin member of the drive device operates the shutter operation portion and makes the shutter slide. Both when the shutter has closed the window portion and when the shutter has opened the window portion, the shutter operation portion is positioned outside of the region of the window portion. Thus, the shutter opening/closing pin does not encroach on the region of the window portion, and does not interfere with the recording/playback head.

Abstract: A disc drive comprises an improved electrical interconnect for connecting the head to read/write circuitry on a printed circuit board. A single-cable interconnect has both head suspension capability and dynamic loop function. A pre-amplifier can be connected at either the printed circuit board or mounted on the interconnect. The present invention has improved electrical performance, improved reliability, and lower assembly cost compared to a dual-cable interconnect.

Abstract: A hard disk drive utilizes a spacer ring at its inner diameter to load and unload the read/write heads. During relatively small shock events, the actuator is retained relative to the disk through a circumferential groove in the spacer ring. A complementary protrusion on the load/unload tab extends from the actuator into the groove to complete the retention. A tribological coating on the spacer ring and/or protrusion significantly reduces wear therebetween. However, during large shock events an inertial latch is used by the system to hold the actuator in place.

Abstract: A head supporting device with a loading/unloading mechanism and a disk drive unit using the head supporting device. The head supporting device and a voice coil motor (VCM) make up a head actuator of the drive system. The head actuator has i) a support arm rotatable on a bearing, moving in directions along the radius of a recording medium and vertical to the surface of the medium; ii) a magnetically levitating head on a slider facing the medium; and iii) resilient member for applying force to the arm in a direction close to the medium. The VCM has a pair of yokes, a magnet, and a coil. When the head is lead to a head retracting position, the other end of the arm is pulled by the interaction of a magnetic member and the magnet at the resting position and adjacencies. This eases the load on the VCM, contributing to a compact and slim disk drive unit with toughness and rapid data-access.

Abstract: A hard disk drive utilizes an actuator arm design that significantly reduces air flow drag within the drive. The leading and trailing edges of the arm are shaped to reduce their coefficient of air flow drag in order to reduce the running current and seeking current of the disk drive during operation. As a result, the disk drive consumes less power and, thus, produces less heat which must be dissipated. The spindle motor design is reconfigured at a lower torque constant, thereby lowering the overall cost of the device.

Abstract: A method of magnetic recording/reproducing is disclosed, which comprises reproducing with a magnetoresistive head (MR head) signals recorded in a magnetic recording medium comprising a support having thereon a magnetic layer comprising mainly ferromagnetic particles and a binder, wherein the MR head has an element thickness of 50 nm or smaller and the ferromagnetic particles are hexagonal-ferrite magnetic particles having an average tabular diameter of from 10 to 40 nm and an average tabular thickness smaller than the element thickness of the MR head used for reproduction.

Abstract: An improved read-write head for use with magnetic disks is described. This improvement has been achieved by providing the read head with shields that are limited to performing only shielding and do not share other magnetic functions with parts of the write head. This allows the write pole to be located very close to the read head since the top shield is no longer required to provide a flux return path, this function now being provided by a separate return flux pole. The separation between the read and write heads is now limited only by the need to achieve an optimum vertical field profile. Two key advantages of this structure are a substantial reduction in the jagging distance of the system and a reduced interference field from the write flux.