Abstract: A zoom photographic optical system having a broad vari-focal range which comprises, in order from a side of an objective lens system, at least a first positive lens unit, a second negative lens unit and a third positive lens unit, moves the second lens unit and the third lens unit for changing a magnification from a low magnification position to a high magnification position so that an airspace between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at the high magnification position is shorter than that at the low magnification position and an airspace between the second lens unit and the third lens unit at the high magnification position is longer than that the low magnification position, forms an intermediate image between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at the low magnification position, and satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2):

Abstract: The invention provides a fisheye lens system having an angle of view of 170 degrees or more capable of being used with a plurality of cameras having different image formats in size. The lens system includes a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power disposed to the most object side and a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power disposed to an image side of the first lens group. A distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is variable. The lens system takes the maximum focal length state when the distance is minimum and the minimum focal length state when the distance is maximum. The maximum image height in the maximum focal length state is different from that in the minimum focal length state. In each focal length state, the fisheye lens system has an angle of view of 170 degrees or more.

Abstract: A wide-angle zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a positive third lens group, a negative fourth lens group, and a positive fifth lens group. Upon zooming from the short to the long focal length extremities, the first lens group moves toward the image and thereafter moves toward the object; the distance between the first and second lens groups decreases, the distance between the second and third lens groups decreases, the distance between the third and fourth lens groups increases, and the distance between the fourth and fifth lens groups decreases.

Abstract: A three-group zoom lens includes first, second, and third lens groups, of negative, positive, and positive or negative refractive power, respectively. The second lens group includes a stop and the third lens group moves for focusing. When zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first and second lens groups become closer together. The zoom lens preferably satisfies specified conditions that ensure compactness, ease of manufacture, and favorable correction of aberrations. The zoom lens includes aspheric lens elements with lens surfaces defined by an aspheric lens equation that: (a) includes at least one non-zero coefficient of an even power of Y, and at least one non-zero coefficient of an odd power of Y, where Y is the distance of a point on the aspheric lens surface from the optical axis, and/or (b) includes at least one non-zero coefficient of Yi, where i is even and 16 or greater.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a holder holding an image pick-up device; a stationary barrel having a female helicoid; a gear/helicoid ring including an annular rib, a male helicoid formed on the annular rib and engaged with the female helicoid, and a spur gear formed on the male helicoid; a pinion engaged with the spur gear; a linear guide ring provided around the gear/helicoid ring; a outer circumferential groove formed on the gear/helicoid ring; and bayonet lugs projecting rearwards from the linear guide ring and engaging in the circumferential groove. Rotation of the gear/helicoid ring causes a lens group to move along the optical axis. At least a portion of a rear end of the male helicoid extends rearwards. At least a portion of the rear extension portion overlaps the holder in the optical axis direction when the gear/helicoid ring stops retracting at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel structure includes a first lens frame including an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, a flange wall, and a first cam follower; a cam ring positioned between the outer and inner ring portions; a second lens frame having a second cam follower, positioned inside the inner ring portion; a first cam groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring, the first cam follower being engaged in the first cam groove; a second cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the second cam follower engages in the second cam groove; a linear guide ring, positioned around the first lens frame; and a linear guide mechanism, provided between the inner ring portion of the first lens frame and the second lens frame, for guiding the second lens frame linearly along the optical axis.

Abstract: An objective optical system is configured to be suitable to be implemented at a tip of an endoscope. The objective optical system is provided with a first lens unit having a first lens barrel and a first optical system including plurality of lens elements assembled in the first lens barrel, and a second lens unit having a second lens barrel and a second optical system including a plurality of lens elements. The first lens unit or the second lens unit includes an alignment lens which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof. The alignment lens is a lens most sensitive with respect to an alignment error among the plurality of lenses included in the first optical system.

Abstract: A magnifying document holder includes a book-like holder in which a magnifying lens is attached by a hinge.

Abstract: An optical pickup actuator includes a bobbin. At least one focus coil and at least one track coil are arranged at both sides of the bobbin to secure the remaining sides of the bobbin. The optical pickup actuator can drive an optical pickup in a focus direction, a track direction, and a tilt direction. The focus coil is also used as the tilt coil. An optical pickup actuator is driven by arranging a bobbin on a base of the optical pickup actuator so as to be moved by support members, installing at least one focus and tilt coil to drive the bobbin in focus and tilt directions and at least one track coil to drive the bobbin in a track direction at opposite side surfaces of the bobbin, arranging magnets to face corresponding sides of the opposite side surfaces of the bobbin, and dividing the focus and tilt coils into at least two sets of coils and applying an input signal to each of the sets.

Abstract: A cam mechanism of a lens barrel includes first and second ring members; cam grooves having similar cam diagrams formed on one of the first and second ring members, and cam followers formed on the other thereof. Two groove/follower groups positioned at different positions in a circumferential direction. The cam grooves of one of the two groove/follower groups intersect cam grooves of another of the two groove/follower groups, respectively. One of the following is satisfied: (a) a distance in the optical-axis direction between front and rear groove/follower sets of one of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between the front and rear groove/follower sets of another of the two groove/follower groups, and (b) a distance in the circumferential direction between two front groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups is different from that between two the rear groove/follower sets of the two groove/follower groups.

Abstract: A superimpose-plate is put on a focusing glass, on which a subject image obtained through tile photographing optical system is formed. The superimpose-plate and the focusing glass are provided in an incident opening of a hollow pentagonal mirror. The superimpose-plate comprises a plurality of micro-prisms that are formed on the superimpose-plate. Each of the micro-prisms shows a triangle in a cross-section. The vertical angle of the triangle is identical in each of the micro-prisms. A ridgeline of each of the micro-prisms is parallel to the right-left direction of the picture plane of the view finder.

Abstract: A safety rearview mirror has flexible mirrors (1) that are flexed selectively with a flex-control switch (2) on a turn-signal lever (4) of a motor vehicle (6). The flex-control switch controls a flex actuator (7) that is in contact with a back side of the flexible mirror. The flexible mirror is flexed to a convexly flexed mode to provide wide-area rearview for eliminating rearview blind spots, for lane-changing, for turning, for backing up and for responding to rearward conditions and dangers. For non-widened rearview, the flexible mirror is flexed to a flat mode. The flex-control switch is adapted to be affixed to the turn-signal lever for actuating the flexed mode by turn-signaling with the turn-signal lever. Return steering after a turn or de-activating the turn signal deactivates the flexed mode.

Abstract: An optical sheet that accepts light transmitted at or within a specific entrance cone angle that then redirects and transmits the light within an exit cone that is substantially normal to the sheet's plane. The intensity of the light within the exit cone is substantially uniform for any light source entering the sheet within the sheet's acceptance angle. The optical sheet is made of transparent material with microlens arrays formed on its opposite front and back surfaces. The thickness of the optical sheet is sufficient so that the microlens on the opposite surfaces are separated a distance equal to the microlens focal length, with each microlens on the front and back surfaces having substantially similar size and shape, with centers transversely aligned. When used with one or more light sources located on one surface, the transmitted light through the optical sheet is uniform in intensity across a second surface.

Abstract: A variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having an opening, and a thin film having a first region including a reflecting plane and a second region of higher rigidity than the first region disposed in the outer periphery of the first region, being supported in the opening of the frame member. Other variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having a first opening and a second opening, a first thin film having a reflecting plane, forming an electrode, and supported in the first opening of the frame member, a second thin film forming an electrode electrically conducting with the electrode of the first thin film, and supported in the second opening of the frame member, and a substrate bonded to the frame member at a specified interval, and having an electrode at a position opposite to the electrode of the second thin film.

Abstract: An optical system having a pair of ellipsoidal shaped reflective surfaces or mirrors which receive light from an object and provide wide field view imaging for the object. The optical system directs the light onto a flat detector to a record a wide field of view image of the object on the flat detector.

Abstract: A mirror assembly that includes a detachable mirror; a hinge; and a removably attachable fastener; wherein the detachable mirror is operably mounted onto a second mirror with the attachable fastener and operably positioned at a non-parallel angle with respect to the second mirror. A method of creating a multi-angled, multi-paneled mirror system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to obtain a beam splitting prism which a beam can be split with simpler configuration in a state in which an optical path length is precisely controlled, there is provided a beam splitting prism having an incident and an outgoing faces orthogonal or parallel to each other, wherein transparent mediums, at least one beam splitter, and at least one reflector are combined so that the beam splitter and the reflector are located between the transparent mediums, the beam splitter and the reflector are arranged whose normal directions are orthogonal to each other, whereby a beam incident from an incident end face is outputted from an outgoing end face in the form of a plurality of split output beams.

Abstract: A master information carrier has on its surface a signal area where an embossed pattern formed by protruding portions and recessed portions and representing a signal pattern to be transferred has been formed. The shortest bit length of the embossed pattern is 300 nm or shorter, and the embossed pattern is formed so that the total of the areas of the upper surfaces of the protruding portions of the embossed pattern is smaller than the total of the areas of inter-protruding-portions in the signal area.

Abstract: In a coding method which does not restrict a run length of “1” while data is recorded/reproduced, there are such a drawback that when an error correction is carried out, a total number of error data to be corrected is increased, and also errors of not-detectable data are increased. While data is coded, a continuous number of “1” contained in a code word is limited, and then an error correction is carried out inside a coding/decoding process operation. Thus, a recording/reproducing apparatus having a small number of decoding errors is available.

Abstract: A method for determining the repeatable timing error in reclamped media is disclosed. The method allows the variation of the time intervals between servo sectors or other known locations on tracks on the disc to be determined and saved on the data storage device for later use in checking the timing during device operation. A second method for pulling write gate during data storage device operation based on known repeatable timing error data is also disclosed. This method checks the measured time intervals between sectors against an acceptable time interval range determined based on the known repeatable timing error for the disc.

Abstract: A storage apparatus provided with an error recovery procedure (ERP) and a read error recovery method in the storage apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of counteracting gas ingestion in a hydrodynamic bearing of a spindle motor in a data storage device comprises waiting for activity of a host connected with the data storage device to become idle. When the activity of the host becomes idle, a determination is made whether to release gas from a fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing of the spindle motor. Responsive to determining to release gas from a fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing of the spindle motor a motor spin down routine for the spindle motor is performed.

Abstract: When the data recording is performed on a magnetic tape in various recording densities, information relating to the recording density (recording-density related information) is recorded in the data recorded on the magnetic tape. Accordingly, recording and reproduction can be properly managed by referring to the recording-density related information, even if data in various recording densities are recorded on the same magnetic tape.

Abstract: The inventors have discovered that aerodynamic forces contribute to disk fluttering. If the flow of air about these disk surfaces is unstable, the resulting aerodynamic forces can mechanically excite the disk surfaces, causing fluttering. The invention includes media enclosures constraining such aerodynamic effects, methods of making disk drives with these enclosures, the disk drives. This includes disk drives of at most 13 millimeters in height.

Abstract: When recording is performed on a perpendicular medium by using a single pole type head, there emerges a problem that the shape of magnetic transition is curved with respect to the track width direction due to the distribution of head write field. If the shape of magnetic transition is curved, there occur problems as follows: when reading is performed by a magnetoresistive head, the magnetic transition length appears to be large, so that the half-width of an isolated pulse is increased, and at the same time, the recording track width seems to be reduced with an increase in linear recording density. In the side on the trailing side of a main pole air bearing surface of a magnetic head for perpendicular recording, the central portion is situated closer to the leading side than the corners on the trailing side. In other words, the main pole air bearing surface is formed in the shape of a recess with respect to the tailing side.

Abstract: An air bearing slider of a disk including a body having a surface facing a disk; a first rail base protruding from the surface facing the disk; a first rail portion protruding from the first rail base, the first rail portion including a cross rail separated from a leading end portion of the first rail base and extending perpendicular to a direction in which air enters, and a pair of side rails respectively extending from both ends of the cross rail parallel to the direction in which air enters; a negative pressure cavity defined by the first rail base; a second rail base protruding from the surface facing the disk; a second rail portion protruding from the second rail base; and an air flow channel disposed between the leading end portion of the first rail base and the cross rail, extending perpendicular to the direction in which air enters.

Abstract: An air bearing slider of a disk drive for moving a read/write head to a desired position on a disk by being lifted above a surface of the disk includes a body having a surface facing the disk. A first rail base protrudes from the surface of the body facing the disk and has a U shape open to a trailing end portion of the body. A first positive pressure generating rail portion protrudes from the first rail base and includes a cross rail separated from a leading end portion of the first rail base and extending in a first direction perpendicular to a direction in which air enters and a pair of side rails extending from both ends portion of the cross rail in a second direction parallel to the direction in which air enters. A negative pressure cavity is defined by the first rail base. A second rail base protrudes from the surface of the body facing the disk adjacent to the trailing end portion of the body. A second positive pressure generating rail portion protrudes from the second rail base.

Abstract: A flying head slider includes a slider body. The upstream or leading end of a bottom surface on the slider body is defined along a first datum line extending in the lateral direction of the slider body. The first datum line may be set perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the slider body. The upstream or leading end of the front air bearing surface is defined along a second datum line intersecting the first datum line at a predetermined inclined angle. As the incidence angle of an airflow colliding against a step defined at the leading end of the front air bearing surface gets decreased, the pitch angle of the slider body also gets decreased in the flying head slider during flight.

Abstract: An HDD, in which a magnetic head is moved in a substantially radial direction of a rotating magnetic disk to record and reproduce data on and from the disk, has an FPC that has a head IC. The FPC has a board and a flexible cable. The board has three chip resistors and a connector pin. The head IC is mounted on the distal end of the flexible cable. To identify the head IC, a probe of an inspection apparatus is connected to the connector pin, thereby to measure the impedance of the chip resistors.

Abstract: To lower the coefficient of static friction of the circumferential surface of the guide or drum constituting the magnetic tape apparatus. A flat portion is formed between peak portions. The peak portions and flat portion are formed so that the relationship: a′<a is satisfied, where “a” represents a distance between the ridges of the peak portions, i.e., pitch of the peak portions, and “a′” represents a bottom width of the peak portions. When this relationship is satisfied between the peak portions and the flat portion, the total area of the meniscuses formed between the magnetic tape and the peak portions can be reduced, thus making it possible to lower the coefficient of static friction.

Abstract: Side shield structures magnetically shielding a read sensor to block side reading of tracks on a magnetic media. The read heads include bottom and top magnetic shield layers, a read sensor or magnetically sensitive element between the bottom and top magnetic shield layers, and a side shield assembly formed of magnetically shielding material positioned between the bottom and top magnetic shield layers and adjacent at least a portion of the read sensor. In current-in-plane embodiments, the side shield assembly includes a pair of side shields of magnetically shielding material adjacent a lower portion of the read sensor formed on a lower read gap. In current-perpendicular-to-plane embodiments, the side shield assembly includes a pair of side shields extending from the bottom magnetic shield adjacent lower sides of the read sensor and/or a pair of side shields extending from the top magnetic shield adjacent upper sides of the read sensor.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical interface apparatus includes an optical hybrid, an electronic hybrid adapted to receive electronic components, an adapter fixture for fixing the electronic hybrid and the optical hybrid to one another to form a combined hybrid, a lower-capsule part, and an upper-capsule part adapted to mate with the lower-capsule part. Mating of the upper-capsule part and the lower-capsule part encloses at least part of the combined hybrid. The apparatus forms an opto-mechanical interface for making external optical connection(s).

Abstract: There is a solid electrolytic capacitor having a low ESR characteristic. In accordance with the solid electrolytic capacitor using an capacitor element wherein solid electrolyte is formed, the post-etching void factor of the anode foil used for the capacitor element is set at not more than 51% or the post-etching void factor of the cathode foil used for the capacitor element is set at not more than 44%, so that an electrode foil increases in conductivity and decreases in resistivity, to thereby obtain, coupled with the solid electrolyte of a low resistivity, a solid electrolytic capacitor having a lower ESR characteristic.

Abstract: An enhanced power switch device is provided for enabling modular USB PC cards. The enhanced power switch may include a card sense circuit for sensing the type of card present, a card power switching circuit for supplying power to a modular USB card, and isolation circuit for isolating conventional PC Card control signals from the modular USB card and a connection circuit for connecting USB signals to the USB Card. The system of the present invention can modified for other bus technologies, in addition to USB bus devices.

Abstract: A device for error detection and mutual locking of at least two switches that sequentially connect motors to a converter has a converter sending switching signals to the at least two switches. The converter, prior to each switching action, checks a switched-off state of all of the at least two switches. The converter performs a current measurement for checking the switched-off state.

Abstract: A system and method for an arc fault detection system for aircraft wiring system is disclosed. Upon detection of arc fault events, the system transmits a signal that may be sent to an existing circuitry of the aircraft electrical system, which disconnects the power to the circuits, thereby extinguishing the arc. The system can be either utilized as a stand-alone system or incorporated into existing products or systems. When an arc event occurs on a power cable, a broadband noise event is similarly induced upon the affected cable. The system first uses a pick-up coil (15) to sense and pick up this broadband signal from the power cable (5) of the wiring system, and then amplifies (17) the signal. The amplified signal is applied to a high-pass filter (20) to only pass frequency components above a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method detect arc faults in an electrical power distribution system of a vehicle. In one implementation, the apparatus (320) includes: a load current input (340) arranged to obtain a measurement of current being supplied to a load (140) via a solid state power switching device (310) of the electrical power distribution system; and an arc fault detector (330) arranged to compare the measured load current with a load signature, the load signature being a function of characteristics of the load (140) being supplied current via the solid state power switching device (310) and operating conditions of the solid state power switching device (310). The arc fault detector (330) outputs an arc fault indication signal when the measured current is outside an allowable range of the load signature to provide protection against arc faults.

Abstract: A residual current device includes a current transformer CT1 for sensing a differential current flowing in mains supply live L and neutral N conductors and a residual current actuator RCA for disconnecting the supply from a load when the differential current exceeds a predetermined level. The device also includes a circuit for detecting a double grounded neutral fault NF. Such circuit causes a current IZ to flow between the live and neutral conductors on the load LD side of the current transformer, such current being at least intermittently of sufficiently high amplitude and duration as to cause disconnection of the supply by the component of the current IZ flowing through the current transformer in the presence of a double grounded neutral fault.

Abstract: An antifuse apparatus includes first and second independent current paths connected to an antifuse. One of the current paths can be used to program the antifuse, and the other current path can be used to detect the status (programmed or not programmed) of the antifuse.

Abstract: A protection device for monitoring current in a power cable to an electrical device and for controlling a remotely located starter for the electrical device in response to a system controller. The device includes a transformer magnetically linked with the power cable to produce a voltage signal in response to the presence of a changing current within the power cable. An input circuit located in a single housing together with the transformer is electrically connected to the transformer so as to receive the voltage signal. The input circuit produces, in response to the voltage signal, either a first signal or a first circuit condition at the output terminal of the input circuit, representative of the changing current in the power cable A switch circuit also in the same container with the transformer has a terminal for sensing either a second signal or a second circuit condition of the remotely located system controller.

Abstract: The present invention combines the commercial space fixture of a plastic chair mat with a heating system in order to provide a space-saving heating system. The material for the plastic mat is chosen to providing necessary safety and support convenience for occupied rolling office chairs, such materials include vinyl, acrylic and polyethelene and is also chosen based on its thermal and electrical properties. The heating system places the heating elements into the body of the plastic material which is connected to conventional electrical elements outside the plastic mat, such as power source, GFIs, thermostats, and safety shut offs. Other more complicated electronics, such as anti-static mechanism may be included as needed by the environment.

Abstract: A surge suppressor includes a high-pass filter configured to pass signals in the range suitable for use in a powerline network.

Abstract: A power supply with surge voltage control functions. The power supply has a rectifying unit rectifying a voltage of an AC power source externally applied; a fuse resistor inputting and applying the AC power source to the rectifying unit, and cutting off the voltage of the AC power source exceeding a predetermined value; a pulse generation unit driven by an output voltage of the rectifying unit, and generating a pulse having a predetermined period; a transformer driven by the pulse, and inducing a predetermined ac voltage; and a surge voltage control unit turning on by an ac voltage induced by the transformer to form a current path between the AC power source and the rectification unit, wherein the current path is formed between the AC power source and the rectifying unit via the fuse resistor when the output voltage of the rectifying unit exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting a repulsive force to a metallic component by way of a magnetic field induced in a drive coil placed at a distance from the component and separated by a metallic or non-metallic shield in which the magnetic field is built up rapidly to a peak value and then forced to decay slowly to enable the penetration of the magnetic field through the shield to act directly on the component in which elelctrical currents are induced.

Abstract: An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target.

Abstract: An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target.

Abstract: The use of doped or undoped rare-earth silicates, according to the formula MSixOy wherein M is a rare-earth element, in semiconductor technology is disclosed. In particular, gadolinium silicate as a gate dielectric of a metal-insulating-semiconductor device is disclosed. The insulator of the metal-insulating-semiconductor device is fabricated by exposing a suitably cleaned and terminated surface of a semiconductor substrate to a simultaneous or sequential flux of rare-earth atoms, silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, and annealing the resulting rare-earth containing layer. The use of higher dielectric constant material, such as provided by the invention, reduces the tunneling current through the device, since layers of greater thickness can be used.

Abstract: A method of protecting surface mount capacitors from moisture and oxygen corrosion by applying a thermally curable pre-coat resin to a portion of the terminals of a capacitor and encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with a protective resin. The pre-coat resin is substantially rigid at ambient temperatures and flexible at elevated temperatures and is preferably a lactone-containing epoxy resin. The pre-coat resin may be applied to a solder coating-free portion of the terminals by brush or wiper prior to encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with the protective resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control panel of a washing machine, in which buttons on a display panel are disposed independent from corresponding switches on a display substrate. The present invention includes a frame provided on a cabinet to form an exterior, a display panel on a front side of the frame to have at least one button formed thereon, a display substrate in rear of the display panel to have at least one switch formed thereon, and a switch lever having one end fixed to a backside of the display panel and the other end disposed over the switch, the switch lever operating the switch by receiving an external force applied to the button.

Abstract: To permit the locking of a displaceable door (1), comprising a door frame (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), which gives the door mechanical stability and a door leaf (3), which is attached to the door frame (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), the door leaf (8) is configured so that it can be displaced in relation to the door frame (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The door leaf (8) is allocated first locking elements (12a, b), which can be locked and unlocked with second locking elements (12c, d) that are allocated to the switchgear cabinet frame by the displacement of the door leaf (8).