Patents Issued in January 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6680797Abstract: A polarization-independent optical switch is disclosed for switching at least one incoming beam from at least one input source to at least one output drain.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Richard D. Juday
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Patent number: 6680798Abstract: An optical reduction system with polarization dose sensitive output for use in the photolithographic manufacture of semiconductor devices having variable compensation for reticle retardation before the long conjugate end. The variable compensation component(s) before the reticle provides accurate adjustment of the polarization state at or near the reticle. The variable compensation components can be variable wave plates, layered wave plates, opposing mirrors, a Berek's compensator and/or a Soleil-Babinet compensator. The catadioptric optical reduction system provides a relatively high numerical aperture of 0.7 capable of patterning features smaller than 0.25 microns over a 26 mm×5 mm field. The optical reduction system is thereby well adapted to a step and scan microlithographic exposure tool as used in semiconductor manufacturing. Several other embodiments combine elements of different refracting power to widen the spectral bandwidth which can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventor: Justin L. Kreuzer
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Patent number: 6680799Abstract: The invention concerns a light reflecting element comprising a substrate (10), a multilayer mirror (20) and optical coupling means (32, 40) comprising a diffraction grating (40); whereby the reflection coefficient of one polarization is damped without damping the reflection coefficient of the orthogonal polarization over a broad wavelength range and with a large tolerance on the optogeometrical parameters of the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Universite Jean MonnetInventors: Olivier Parriaux, Florent Pigeon, Alexander V. Tishchenko
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Patent number: 6680800Abstract: A device is proposed to symmetrize the radiation from one or from several linear optical emitters. The device possesses per emitter 1, 1a, 1b a cylindrical lens optical unit 2, 2a, 2b with one or more cylindrical lenses, which collimate each light beam in the y-direction, where by rotating at least one of the cylindrical lenses around the z-axis or by providing a discontinuous diffracting element, each light beam is diffracted at a different diffraction angle in the y-direction. The device additionally contains a director-collimator optical unit 3, which collimates each light beam in the x-direction and diffracts at different diffraction angles so that the main beams of the individual light beams in the x-direction converge at a specified distance from the emitter and run parallel in the y-direction. Finally, the device has a redirecting optical unit 4 which compensates for the diffraction of the light beam in the x-direction caused by the director-collimator optical unit 3.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: unique-m.o.d.e. AGInventors: Peter Schreiber, Thilo Von Freyhold
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Patent number: 6680801Abstract: A minimum frame is set to cover the shape of an opening of each pixel of an optical panel portion, and an intersection between two diagonals of the frame is determined. An X-axis and a Y-axis are set with the intersection between the diagonals taken as a reference point. A ratio between areas, occupied on both sides of the X-axis, of the opening is calculated and a correction amount in the Y-axis direction is calculated on the basis of the area ratio. Similarly, a ratio of areas, occupied on both sides of the Y-axis, of the opening is calculated and a correction amount in the X-axis direction on the basis of the area ratio. The intersection is moved by the correction amounts in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, to obtain plane coordinates. The center position of a micro-lens is aligned to the plane coordinates corresponding to the center of gravity of the opening of the pixel.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Shunji Kurita
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Patent number: 6680802Abstract: A one-eye viewing type head-mounted image display device (1) that is compact and comfortably wearable consists mainly of a viewer (2) and an elastic member (38). The viewer includes an LCD (13), a main prism (32), a see-through prism (33), a frame (10), and a microphone (18). The main prism conducts an image, which is displayed on the LCD, to make the image viewable with either the user's right eye or left eye. The see-through prism is bonded to the main prism, transmits extraneously light, and conducts the light to a users eye. The frame bears the LCD at a predetermined position relative to the prisms. The microphone is mounted in the frame. The elastic member includes a nose rest (38a) which supports the viewer so that the viewer will be located at a predetermined position in front of the user's eye.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotoshi Ichikawa, Ryotaro Hanayama, Fuminori Ueno
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Patent number: 6680803Abstract: Partial objective for illumination of an image field in an illuminating device of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, arranged between a aperture plane and an image plane. The partial objective comprises a first lens group and a second lens group with a lens with a first aspheric lens surface. The second lens group has at least a first lens with negative refractive power and at least a second lens with positive refractive power. The maximum field height Yimmax within the image field is at least 40 mm; the image-side numerical aperture is at least 0.15. The distribution of the chief ray angles PF over the field heights Yim within the image field is given by a pupil function PF(Yim), which consists of a linear contribution c1·Yim and a non-linear contribution PFNL(Yim), the non-linear contribution PFNL(Yim) being at least +15 mrad for the maximum positive field height Yimmax.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Carl-Zeiss SMT AGInventors: Jörg Schultz, Alexander Sohmer, Alexander Epple, Johannes Wangler, Christa Müller
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Patent number: 6680804Abstract: A zoom lens mechanism includes a switching lens group frame supporting a first sub-lens group frame and a second sub-lens group frame which support first and second sub-sub-lens groups, respectively; a lens group shift mechanism for causing the first and second sub-lens group frames to linearly move to a mutually close position or a mutually distant position, with respect to the optical axis direction, in accordance with relative rotation between the first sub-lens group frame and the second sub-lens group frame; and a focusing mechanism which integrally moves the first sub-lens group frame and the second sub-lens group frame in the optical axis direction while maintaining a distance therebetween after the first and the second sub-lens group frames are moved to one of the mutually close position and the mutually distant position by the lens group shift mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Pentax CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Takamitsu Sasaki, Kazunori Ishizuka, Maiko Takashima
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Patent number: 6680805Abstract: A binocular of this invention includes a pair of objective optical systems, a pair of eyepiece units for integrally holding erecting optical systems and eyepiece optical systems, and a holding member having a first holding portion for holding one of the pair of eyepiece units and a second holding portion for holding the other one of the pair of eyepiece units. The holding member is deformed such that the pair of eyepiece units has a predetermined positional relationship.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruhiko Yamanouchi, Hironori Takano
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Patent number: 6680806Abstract: A computer hard disk drive has a drive controller that monitors the condition of the head-disk interface within the drive. In response to sensing a degradation of the head-disk interface, the drive prolongs the onset of failure by selectively altering performance parameters. In one embodiment, the internal pressure of the drive is increased to allow the air bearing surfaces of the heads to achieve a greater flying height above the surfaces of their respective disks, thereby delaying the onset of a catastrophic head-disk interface failure. In other embodiments, the spindle rotation rate and/or the slider head access rate are decreased to avoid hastening the imminent failure. Measurements of the condition and stability of the head-disk interface inside the drives are made by monitoring data error rates, head flying height, or other performance variables.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Gordon James Smith
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Patent number: 6680807Abstract: A disk drive system is disclosed that includes a disk device coupled to control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a read channel with a detector that detects servo mark sub-patterns and correlates the detected servo mark sub-patterns to detect a servo mark. The detector includes matched filters to detect the sub-patterns.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Sian She, David E. Reed
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Patent number: 6680808Abstract: The present invention relates to computer storage systems which have a tip (24) directed close or in contact to the storage medium (10) by which bit-writing and bit-reading is enforced. It is proposed to use a magnetizable storage medium (10), expose it to an artificial, external magnetic field H coupled externally to the storage medium, and—during bit writing—to concurrently apply heat very locally in bit size dimension in order to let the external magnetic field become locally larger than the (temperature-dependent) coercive field at the location (32) where heat is applied.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rolf Allenspach, Gerd K. Binnig, Walter Haeberle, Peter Vettiger
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Patent number: 6680809Abstract: A write head circuit is provided having improved transient and steady state response. The circuit includes a dynamically coupled damping circuit that is coupled to the write head during transient periods of a write signal to substantially reduce or eliminate overshoot generated by a write head cable. During steady state or data writing periods, the damping circuit is decoupled from the write head to prevent unnecessary loading of the write head. In preferred embodiments, the damping circuit includes a resistor in series with a capacitor, and the damping circuit is coupled in parallel to the write head. The resistor substantially reduces the overshoot of a write signal supplied to the write head, while the capacitor decouples the resistor from the write head during steady state or data write periods.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Ernest Malmberg, Larry LeeRoy Tretter
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Patent number: 6680810Abstract: A HSA includes a magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element, an actuator fixed to the magnetic head slider for performing precise positioning of the at least one thin-film magnetic head element, an IC chip having a first circuit for the thin-film magnetic head element and a second circuit for driving the actuator, and a suspension for supporting the actuator and the IC chip.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Masashi Shiraishi, Takeshi Wada, Takashi Honda, Haruyuki Morita, Mitsuyoshi Kawai, Norikazu Ota
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Patent number: 6680811Abstract: A disk drive utilizes a slider that is designed to fly very high or well above the surface of the disk when loading onto the disk and until a reading or writing operation requires the head to go to a relatively low-flying position with respect to the disk. Thus, the slider has two or more altitudes at which it flies depending on the operating conditions of the disk drive. The different altitudes of the slider are achieved by adjusting three primary variables: the rotational speed of the disk, selecting the radial position of the slider/actuator arm, and by the gram load. Other factors that may be used to tune this performance include pitch static attitude, pitch stiffness, and air bearing surface design.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Donald R. Gillis, Mike Suk
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Patent number: 6680812Abstract: A high-performance head positioning control system composed of a suitable combination of a multi-rate control system and a single-rate control system has been disclosed. An SM judging unit selects the multi-rate control system in a seek operation in which the head is moved to the desired track on the disk. When the head has come close to the desired track and changes from seek control to track following control, the SM judging unit switches from the multi-rate control system to the single-rate control system. The single-rate control system performs track following control whereby the head is positioned in the range of the desired track.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Masafumi Iwashiro
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Patent number: 6680813Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disk drive that includes a head disk assembly on a base plate, a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the head disk assembly, and a printed circuit board fastened beneath the head disk assembly. The printed circuit board has a port connector at one end of the board opposite an end having power and signal connectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Wallis A. Dague, Frederick M. Stefansky
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Patent number: 6680814Abstract: A spindle motor used in a magnetic disc apparatus having a hub to which a magnetic disc is mounted and a rotary shaft to which the hub is fixed. The rotary shaft is located in a bearing casing having one end opened and the other end closed by a hydrodynamic pressure radial bearing, the rotary shaft being supported by a hydrodynamic pressure thrust bearing and the hydrodynamic pressure radial bearing. An inner diameter D and a width L of the hydrodynamic pressure radial bearing having a relationship of L/D<1.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsutoshi Nii, Masaru Muranishi, Shozo Saegusa, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Kenji Tomida, Takashi Matsuki, Yuuichi Yanagase, Mitsuyuki Tsuyuki, Shinobu Yoshida, Hiroshi Nishida, Kazuhiko Kawakami
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Patent number: 6680815Abstract: Provided are a thin film magnetic head and a method of manufacturing the same which can obtain sufficient overwrite properties even when a pole width is reduced. Aside from an insulating film for embedding thin film coils, an insulating film pattern made of a photoresist or the like is formed between a top pole chip and the thin film coils. A TH0 position is defined by a front edge of the insulating film pattern. The insulating film pattern has a round inclined surface near the front edge thereof, and consequently a magnetic flux smoothly flows through a top connection portion on the insulating film pattern. A region between the insulating film pattern and a front portion of a top pole is filled with the top connection portion, and thus a sufficient magnetic volume is ensured in this region. The top pole chip is partly covered with the top connection portion on at least three sides.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Yoshitaka Sasaki
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Patent number: 6680816Abstract: An audio/control head for used in a Video Cassette Recorder or the like has a core holder 11 arranged to include positioning portions 24 and 25 for determining the pitch length P1 and pressing tabs 23 having an elasticity for pressing inwardly cores members 15 and 17 against the positioning portions 24 and 25 from the outer side. As the cores members 15 and 17 are held directly on the positioning portions 24 and 25, they are inwardly pressed by the pressing tabs 23. Then, the core pitch p1 is precisely determined between the audio core and the control core without using a particular jig during the assembly. The overall number of jigs required for mounting the cores to the core holder can be reduced. Also, the core pitch P1 can be improved in the accuracy and the characteristics of the head will be consistent.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Matsui, Atsushi Shibata
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Patent number: 6680817Abstract: A tape cartridge housing a magnetic tape includes an auxiliary storage medium having a storage unit in which to store the recording medium information such as design parameters or the number of times of recording and/or reproduction of the magnetic tape, and a transmission/reception unit for effecting inputting/outputting of the recording medium information with the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. The auxiliary storage medium is mounted so that the transmission/reception unit is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in a lateral surface of the main cartridge body unit not obstructing the loading of the magnetic tape, that is in a surface of the main cartridge body unit other than its front surface as an inserting end of the tape cartridge into the inside of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yasuaki Kano, Kazuyuki Hirooka, Kazuya Koseki, Takao Hiramoto, Masahiro Kiyota, Yoshihisa Takayama, Mitsunori Sakama
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Patent number: 6680818Abstract: A single reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is housed in a case. A restraining member, for restricting rotation of the reel by moving toward or away from the reel, is urged in a restraining direction by an urging member. The pushing-up portions of a releasing member are inserted into the through holes bored in the reel gear of the reel 2 so that the lower ends can abut a driving gear. The releasing member moves the restraining member in a releasing direction by moving according to the chucking operation of drive-side rotation drive means. In this manner, reel-rotation restraining means allows rotation of the reel when being used and restricts the rotation when not being used. In this construction, each of the through holes is bored between the tooth edges of the reel gear so that the releasing member can perform a reliable releasing operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoo Morita, Daisuke Takahashi, Hideaki Shiga, Seiji Tsuyuki, Yusuke Ishihara
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Patent number: 6680819Abstract: In a tape cassette having sensor optical path holes provided on respective wall portions on a straight line coupling a position of a light emission element with a position of a light reception element so that light from the light emission element is introduced into a tape container and light passing through a tape running path of the tape container comes out of the tape container and reaches a light reception element, a light shielding member having a light shielding effect is bonded around a sensor optical path hole right after the light from the light emission element comes out of the tape container.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Victor Company of JapanInventors: Shigeru Ishikawa, Hiroyuki Umeda, Hisashige Fujiwara, Yasufumi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6680820Abstract: A method of maintaining a constant flying height of a magnetic head: adapted to maintain a flying height of a magnetic head on a magnetic disk substantially constant irrespective of a change of a skew angle, utilizing a device comprising a magnetic disk, a positioning device, a head supporting device and a magnetic head; said positioning device supporting one end of said head supporting device and rotating the head supporting device on a first plane placed on a second plane of said magnetic disk within a predetermined skew angle range; the head supporting device supporting said magnetic head at the other end thereof; the magnetic head being attached with reading/writing elements at an air discharge end of a slider having flying planes on a side of a third plane thereof opposing the magnetic disk; a thickness of said slider from each of the flying planes to an opposite surface on the reverse side thereof being 0.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Mikio Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Fukuda, Takamitsu Tsuna
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Patent number: 6680821Abstract: A dual depth slider air bearing surface that enables the slider to achieve a ramp fly height profile near the textured landing zone of a disk. The air bearing slider includes a slider body on which a U-shaped leading ABS pad is defined near and along a leading edge (relative to a moving recording medium) and partially along each side of the slider body. A front step pad extends from the leading edge section of the leading ABS pad to the leading edge of the slider body, at a reduced height relative to the height of the ABS pad. An asymmetric rear pad is defined along a longitudinal axis of the slider body and proximate to a trailing edge of the slider body. Extending above the rear pad is a trailing ABS pad, which has an asymmetric profile with respect to the longitudinal axis of the slider. The trailing ABS pad has a curved bowing profile towards the front of the slider body on the leading edge side of the trailing ABS pad.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, The Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Soo-Choon Kang
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Patent number: 6680822Abstract: A disk drive includes a stop, a head stack assembly and a latch having a latch arm that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The latch includes a first retainer that urges the latch arm toward the open position, and a second retainer that urges the latch arm toward the closed position. The latch includes a mover that contacts the latch arm upon a sufficient shock to the disk drive and causes the latch arm to move to the closed position. The disk drive includes an actuator motor that momentarily urges the head stack assembly against the latch during startup of the disk drive, thereby moving the latch arm to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Arthur Lin, Robert Reinhart, Rodney Ngai
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Patent number: 6680823Abstract: An end stop assembly for limiting the travel of an actuator in a disc drive, the actuator pivotally supported by an enclosure for movement of a read/write head in data reading and writing relationship to a data disc. The end stop assembly comprises a base plate fixedly positioned within the enclosure, a post extending upward from the base plate and a cantilevered arm extending outward from the post. The arm comprises a proximal end connecting the arm to the post and a distal end for providing contacting engagement with the actuator. Furthermore, the cantilevered arm is displaceable in a rotational direction substantially about the post and deformable in a direction substantially along its longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Roy L. Wood, John D. Stricklin, Nigel F. Misso, Steve S. Eckerd
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Patent number: 6680824Abstract: An HAA has at least one HGA, each including a head slider with at least one head element, a suspension for supporting the head slider, and a lead conductor member electrically connected with the at least one head element, and a main body including at least one actuator arm for supporting the at least one HGA. The main body of the HAA is made of a metal material, and a surface of the main body is coated by a DLC film.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Ichiro Yagi, Masashi Shiraishi
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Patent number: 6680825Abstract: A microactuation system selectively alters a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disk having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuation system includes a head suspension having a first portion and a second portion coupled by one or more flexible hinges. An electroactive element is attached to the first portion of the head suspension at one end and the second portion of the load beam at the other end. The electroactive element bends in response to a control signal applied thereto. The hinge is sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion of the head suspension.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: James Morgan Murphy, Richard August Budde, Markus E. Mangold, Peter Crane
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Patent number: 6680826Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprises an integral body of piezoelectric material having a length and width greater than its thickness; wherein the device further includes, in contact with the body, respective pairs of electrodes, wherein the electrodes of each pair are opposed in the thickness direction, wherein the body deflects along said transverse direction when a voltage is applied to the electrode pair. The present invention further provisdes a disk drive suspension and a head gimbal assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Shiraishi, Tamon Kasajima, Kai Wu, Zhihong Wang, Weiguang Zhu, Xi Yao
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Patent number: 6680827Abstract: A current perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistance (CPP-MR) device includes a first magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield, and a spin valve structure. The first and second magnetic shields are formed of an electrically conductive and magnetically shielding material. A read gap is defined between the first and second magnetic shields, and the spin valve structure is disposed between the first and second magnetic shields. The spin valve structure is electrically connected and magnetically separated from the first and second magnetic shields such that the first and second magnetic shields act as electrical contact leads.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Shuxiang Li, Satoru Araki
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Patent number: 6680828Abstract: A magnetoresistive read (MR) sensor system and a method for fabricating the same are provided. First provided are a first ferromagnetic layer, a first spacer layer positioned above the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer positioned above the first spacer layer for working in conjunction with the first ferromagnetic layer to define a first sensor. An antiparallel coupling layer is positioned above the second ferromagnetic layer to separate the first sensor from a second sensor. The second sensor is defined by a third ferromagnetic layer positioned above the antiparallel coupling layer, a second spacer layer positioned above the third ferromagnetic layer, and a fourth ferromagnetic layer positioned above the second spacer layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Hardayal Singh Gill
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Patent number: 6680829Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor for use in a magnetic storage system including a magnetic storage media having multiple concentric microtracks with information stored thereon. The MR sensor includes a plurality of generally parallel layers that form an MR stack. The MR sensor also includes a top shield and a bottom shield that are spaced apart on opposite sides of the MR stack in a longitudinal direction. The Mr sensor further includes a first and a second side shield spaced apart on opposite sides of the MR stack in a transverse direction. The top shield, bottom shield, first side shield and second side shield substantially surround the MR stack.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Lujun Chen, James Giusti, Juan Jose Fernandez-de-Castro, Jian Chen, Sining Mao
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Patent number: 6680830Abstract: A tunnel valve sensor and flux guide has improved flux transfer therebetween by providing a magnetic oxide insulation layer which is located between and interfaces a back surface of the flux guide and a front surface of the tunnel valve sensor. Since this insulation layer has magnetic properties an increased amount of flux is transferred between the flux guide to the tunnel valve sensor for rotating a magnetic moment of a free layer in the tunnel valve sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Hardayal Singh Gill
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Patent number: 6680831Abstract: The invention provides a magnetoresistive element in which the pinned magnetic layer includes at least one non-magnetic film and magnetic films sandwiching that non-magnetic film, and the magnetic films are coupled with one another by magnetostatic coupling via the non-magnetic film. This element has an improved thermal resistance. Furthermore, the invention provides a magnetoresistive element in which the pinned magnetic layer is as described above. The magnetic films can be coupled with one another by magnetostatic coupling or antiferromagnetic coupling generating negative magnetic coupling. In this element, the magnetic field shift is reduced. Furthermore, the invention provides a magnetoresistive element in which at least one of the magnetic layers sandwiching the intermediate layer includes an oxide ferrite having a plane orientation with a (100), (110) or (111) plane. A magnetic field is introduced in a direction of the axis of easy magnetization in the plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayoshi Hiramoto, Hiroshi Sakakima, Hideaki Adachi, Nozomu Matukawa, Kenji Iijima, Mitsuo Satomi
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Patent number: 6680832Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor or read head has a magnetic shield geometry that covers the side walls of the sensor structure to prevent side reading caused by magnetic flux entering from adjacent data tracks. The shield geometry includes a bottom shield with a substantially planar surface and a specially shaped top shield. The top shield has substantially vertical portions generally parallel to the side walls of the sensor structure, a horizontal top portion over the trackwidth region of the sensor, and horizontal side portions formed over the portions of the bottom shield on either side of the sensor structure. The insulating gap material that separates the bottom and top shields is in contact with the horizontal portions of the bottom shield and the side walls of the sensor structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Kuok San Ho, Jordan A. Katine, Jeffrey S. Lille, Ching H. Tsang
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Patent number: 6680833Abstract: An input-output ESD protection device is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A MOS protection device has a drain diffusion layer, a gate, a source diffusion layer, and a body, respectively. An input-output pad is connected to the drain diffusion layer. An internal circuit is connected to the gate. A control circuit is connected to the body. A first fixed voltage terminal is connected to the source diffusion layer. The body is electrically isolated from the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventor: Yasuyuki Morishita
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Patent number: 6680834Abstract: A high precision, high efficiency controller for LED devices such as LED arrays includes a current limiter, driver and buffer.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Marion S. Williams
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Patent number: 6680835Abstract: It is an object to provide a semiconductor device comprising a short circuit protecting system capable of enhancing the detection precision of a collector current, thereby carrying out a reliable short circuit protection. An IGBT (1) having a collector (C) connected to a terminal (T1) and an emitter (E) connected to a terminal (T2) is provided, and has a sense emitter (SE) connected to a terminal (T2) through a variable resistor (VR1) to be a current and voltage converting section. A sense potential is output from an end on the sense emitter (SE) side of the variable resistor (VR1) and is given to a terminal (T11) of a current ratio detecting section (15). A gate of the IGBT (1) is connected to a terminal (T3) and an output of the current ratio detecting section (15) is connected to a terminal (T4).Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuharu Tabata
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Patent number: 6680836Abstract: An electromechanical switching device can be tripped in a quick and reliable timed manner. The timed tripping circuit includes a voltage-sensitive switching element which separates an energy storage mechanism from the switching device when the supply voltage falls below a specific voltage limit which is higher than the withstand voltage of the switching device.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Josef Zizler
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Patent number: 6680837Abstract: A hiccup-mode short circuit protection circuit and method for a linear voltage regulator using a FET pass transistor uses the capacitance of the pass transistor's gate as a timing element. The regulator's output voltage is monitored, and when it droops below a voltage indicative of a short-circuit condition, the regulator's drive signal is disconnected from the pass transistor. While the short-circuit condition persists, a first current is provided to charge the pass transistor's gate capacitance. When the gate voltage rises above a first predetermined threshold, a second current is provided to further charge the gate capacitance. When the gate voltage rises above a second predetermined threshold, the gate capacitance is discharged. The gate capacitance is cyclically charged and discharged in this way unless the output voltage rises to indicate that the short-circuit condition has cleared, in which case the regulator's drive signal is restored to the pass transistor's gate.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventor: Joseph C. Buxton
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Patent number: 6680838Abstract: This invention provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for protecting an internal circuit. The ESD protection circuit and the internal circuit are formed on a P-type substrate and electrically connect to each other. The ESD protection circuit has a plurality of N-wells in the P-type substrate and a common discharge bar connected to a power terminal. In each of the N-wells, a P+ diffusion region and an N+ diffusion region are formed, and the common discharge bar is electrically connected to all the N+ diffusion regions. Each of the P+ diffusions is electrically connected to a corresponding bonding pad. The ESD protection circuit is also capable of being formed on an N-type substrate with the same structure but opposite conductivity type.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Shiao-Shien Chen, Tien-Hao Tang
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Patent number: 6680839Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing and balancing the off-state capacitance of an overvoltage protection circuit utilizes one or more diode networks electrically connected in series with an overvoltage protection device. The overvoltage protection device is selected from the group consisting of a gas tube, an MOV, a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode and a TVS thyristor. Preferably, the overvoltage protection device is a solid-state overvoltage protector (SSOVP) having at least one thyristor. The diode network includes a plurality of diodes electrically connected in parallel and arranged with opposing polarities so that the circuit is bi-directional. Preferably, the diode network includes a first set of two or more stacked diodes electrically connected in parallel with a second set of two or more stacked diodes and arranged with opposing polarities, and the capacitance of the diode network is less than the capacitance of the thyristor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLCInventor: John J. Napiorkowski
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Patent number: 6680840Abstract: A method and apparatus to achieve an electro-mechanical interlock for a hot-swappable component. This invention prevents the misuse and possible damage to the hot-swappable component or the host data processing system due to incorrect insertion or removal of an energized hot-swappable component. One embodiment of the invention involves a method to assemble a hot-swappable power supply with an electro-mechanical interlock into the frame of a data processing system. A second embodiment of the invention involves a method to fabricate an electro-mechanical interlock with a solenoid. A third embodiment of the invention involves a hot-swappable component interlock.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Michael Alan Brooks
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Patent number: 6680841Abstract: A disclosure is made on a solid electrolytic capacitor, which facilitates an assembly work with simple construction to lead to a reduction of cost, realizes excellent equivalent series resistance characteristics and makes a thin configuration possible, and a manufacturing method thereof. With the solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention, a cathode lead frame has a connecting member to connect integrally with a cathode member of a capacitor element stack body on the side surface of a capacitor element extending in the thickness direction thereof. Capacitor elements, each provided with a through hole on an anode member, are stacked on top of each other in layers and connections between capacitor elements are achieved by disposing an anode lead frame between layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Tadanobu, Takuhisa Sugimoto, Yukihiro Take, Itsuo Kojima, Kazuya Kawahara, Masatoshi Tasei, Masahiro Yabushita
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Patent number: 6680842Abstract: A front mount circuit breaker assembly for circuit breakers of different dimensions that are removably mounted to modular circuit breaker holder members. Elongated contacts extend from the terminals on the back of the circuit breakers to the front. The holder members have a through portion between the two ends. Below the two ends and inwardly, a supporting surface is defined for supporting electrical contacts where the distal ends of the elongated contacts are removably mounted to provide the electrical connection for the device. These connections have been brought to the front. The elongated contacts can be made of different dimensions that cooperate with those of the circuit breaker. The holder members are banked together and removably mounted over a cooperating longitudinal rib that is received within a bay cut out defined on the flat bottom wall of the holder members in one of the embodiments. Another embodiment includes outwardly extending flanges for ready mounting to a panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventors: Pedro R. Pelaez, J. Thomas Johnston
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Patent number: 6680843Abstract: A unitary personal computer system in information handling elements of the system such as the central processor, associated memory, drives and options such as modems or network interface cards are housed in a common housing with the display or monitor. Provision is made for access to the information handling elements of the system by release of manually actuable latches and the like and for mounting of the information handling elements in ways which facilitate orderly and attractive use, such as by providing smooth transitions between stowed and active positions and ready adjustment of positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Timothy Samuel Farrow, Dean Frederick Herring, Mark John Lawrence, Brian Hargrove Leonard, Bruce Wayne Rasa, James Stephen Rutledge, John David Swansey
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Patent number: 6680844Abstract: A computer light for illuminating the computer keyboard or other items in low light environments includes a super bright white LED and a USB plug that enables it to be powered from USB connection ports. The computer light has an elongated neck that is flexible enough to allow the light head to be positioned with ease but stiff enough to allow the light head to assume a fixed position relative to the computer keyboard or other items when it is not being manipulated. The computer light is especially useful for users of portable computers because it is lightweight and energy-efficient, and may be stored in a compact manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: nexform, Inc.Inventor: Darren C. Kim
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Patent number: 6680845Abstract: The invention provides an information processing apparatus wherein a camera section has an improved performance and malfunction involved in use of the camera section can be prevented. The information processing apparatus includes a computer body having a keyboard on which a plurality of operation keys are provided. A display section having a display screen thereon is supported on the computer body for pivotal motion around a fixed axis between a covering position in which the display section covers the computer body and an uncovering position in which the display section does not cover the computer body and for pivotal motion around a second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis. Further, a camera section is supported for pivotal motion on the computer body.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kenichi Agata, Takashi Yamamoto, Yuichiro Hisakawa
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Patent number: 6680847Abstract: An air vent comprises a vent assembly including an electrically-conductive screen mounted inside an enclosure constructed of panels. One or more of the panels has an array of holes through it. The holes are configured and sized to prevent an appendage, such as a finger from penetrating the enclosure. However, the collective hole area is sufficient to permit adequate airflow. The conductive screen covers the holes and provides for EMI suppression.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: EMC CorporationInventor: Christopher S. Heard