Abstract: The invention relates to a lens system for an ultra-small camera module using an image forming lens having an infrared ray filtering function. The lens system includes an infrared ray filter lens group for filtering infrared rays and forming an image. The infrared ray filter lens group includes a lens substrate having planar opposed surfaces, for filtering the infrared rays incident onto an image sensor, a first lens element formed on an object-side surface of the lens substrate, and a second lens element formed on an image-side surface of the lens substrate. The lens system also includes at least one infrared ray transmissive lens group having at least one lens, disposed in front of or behind the infrared ray filter lens group. The image sensor senses the light transmitted through the infrared ray filter lens group and the infrared ray transmissive lens group.

Abstract: A laser system. The laser system includes a first laser device configured to emit a first laser beam, a second laser device configured to emit a second laser beam, and a third laser device configured to emit a third laser beam. The laser system also includes a laser combiner configured to receive the first, second, and third laser beams and output the first, second, and third laser beams with less separation downstream of the laser combiner than upstream of the laser combiner.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection optical system for forming a reduced image of a first surface (R) on a second surface (W) is a relatively compact projection optical system having excellent imaging performance as well corrected for various aberrations, such as chromatic aberration and curvature of field, and being capable of securing a large effective image-side numerical aperture while suitably suppressing reflection loss on optical surfaces. The projection optical system comprises at least two reflecting mirrors (CM1, CM2), and a boundary lens (Lb) whose surface on the first surface side has a positive refracting power, and an optical path between the boundary lens and the second surface is filled with a medium (Lm) having a refractive index larger than 1.1.

Abstract: A reduced size catadioptric objective and system is disclosed. The objective may be employed with light energy having a wavelength in the range of approximately 190 nanometers through the infrared light range. Elements are less than 100 mm in diameter. The objective comprises a focusing lens group configured to receive the light energy and comprising at least one focusing lens. The objective further comprises at least one field lens oriented to receive focused light energy from the focusing lens group and provide intermediate light energy. The objective also includes a Mangin mirror arrangement positioned to receive the intermediate light energy from the field lens and form controlled light energy for transmission to a specimen. The Mangin mirror arrangement imparts controlled light energy with a numerical aperture in excess of 0.65 and up to approximately 0.90, and the design may be employed in various environments.

Abstract: In a method for determining configuration-dependent and state-dependent microscope parameters which are influenced by a plurality of microscope components that are arranged in the optical path of a microscope, it is the object of the invention to design the quantification method for the microscope parameters in a universally usable manner, i.e., so as to be applicable in an improved manner for microscopes of different constructions. After preparing a microscope-specific tree structure of the optical paths which proceeds from an object to be observed and extends from the start of the illumination beam paths to the end of the observation beam paths, the positions of the microscope components in the tree structure and components preceding and succeeding each of the microscope components are determined.

Abstract: Detection efficiency is improved by saving time for setting beforehand a detailed condition before a review work. Various conditions are automatically set on the basis of defect information sent from a defect inspection apparatus and information acquired during actual reviewing to save time for setting the detailed condition before the review work and to decide automatically and within a short time a proper condition.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorescence spectroscopic apparatus includes an exciting optical unit configured to irradiate the same sample area with a plurality of excitation lights of different wavelength bands, an optical unit configured to repeatedly guide fluorescences emitted by the sample in response to the respective excitation lights, to a detection unit, and a calculation unit configured to perform analysis on the basis of a comparison of output signals corresponding to the fluorescences from the detection unit, wherein the exciting optical unit includes an excitation light varying unit configured to intermittently vary the intensity of at least one excitation light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope (10) having an illumination apparatus (26) having a light source (1) and an optical system. The light source (1) is embodied to output a coherent light beam bundle along a defined illumination beam path (2a), and the optical system in the illumination beam path (2a) encompasses a spatial light modulator (3) for modifying the illuminated field (4). A surgical microscope (10) is preferably equipped with an illumination apparatus (26) of this kind that is arranged adjustably in two directions on the surgical microscope (10).

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source section for emitting a beam of substantially parallel rays, a field lens for collecting the beam of substantially parallel rays, a condenser lens for introducing the beam of rays collected by the field lens onto an illumination target surface, and an aperture stop disposed at an entrance-side focal position of the condenser lens. The aperture stop and the light source are in conjugate positional relationship via the collector lens and the field lens. An optical element having different characteristics between the central region and the outer region is arranged in a path of the substantially parallel rays at a position satisfying the condition: 0.03<|L/fCD|<0.4 where FCD is a focal length of the condenser lens and L is a distance from the illumination target surface to a position that is, of positions on which the optical element is projected, closest to the illumination target surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a dual front/rear projection screen are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A glassless stereoscopic display, which does not produce color separation and black stripes, includes: a display panel displaying an image using a plurality of pixels; a 3D optical plate separating the image displayed by the display panel into a left-eye image and a right-eye image; and a prism sheet disposed between the display panel and the 3D optical plate and having a plurality of prism elements regularly arranged to rotate an image provided by each of the pixels of the display panel by approximately 90°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for influencing the polarization of laser radiation using a phase-shifting element (5) and an element (7) deflecting the laser radiation. The phase-shifting element (5) is disposed in the region of an outer side (4) of a first partial body (2) and the deflecting element t(7) is disposed in the region of an outer side (6) of a second partial body (3), wherein the first partial body (2) and the second partial body (3) can be rotated about a common axis of rotation (14) through an angle of rotation (?) which can be predetermined.

Abstract: A dichroic guest-host polarizer comprises an oriented polymerized liquid crystal host and aligned therewith a dichroic guest. The dichroic ratio of the polarizer is about 15 or more. The polarizer may have a small thickness, be manufactured using a wet deposition method, optionally in accordance with a desired pattern, and be provided on the inside of a liquid crystal cell. Polymerizable liquid crystals having a highly ordered mesophase which may be suitable used to obtain highly oriented polymer films such as polarizer films are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein comprise mixers comprising a light pipe having input and output ends and a central region therebetween. An optical path extends in a longitudinal direction from the input end through the central region to the output end. The central region of the light pipe comprises one or more rippled reflective sidewalls having a plurality of elongate ridges and valleys and sloping surfaces therebetween. Light from the input end propagating along the optical path reflects from the sloping surfaces and is redirected at a different azimuthal direction toward the output end thereby mixing the light at the output end. Illuminance and/or color mixing can therefore be provided.

Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithography projection exposure apparatus for illuminating an illumination field with the aid of light from a primary light source has an optical axis and a mirror arrangement having a first deflecting mirror and at least one second deflecting mirror. The first deflecting mirror is tilted in relation to the optical axis about a first tilt axis and by a first tilt angle, and the second deflecting mirror is tilted in relation to the optical axis about a second tilt axis and by a second tilt angle. The mirror arrangement is set up such that a total change in the degree of polarization ?DOP effected by the mirror arrangement is smaller than the first change in degree of polarization ?DOP1 effected by the first deflecting mirror, or than the second change in degree of polarization ?DOP2 effected by the second deflecting mirror.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarized optical element comprises the steps of: providing a polarizing film comprising free hydroxyl groups; placing the polarizing film within a mold cavity: admitting into the mold cavity a liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material containing —NCO functional groups reactive with said hydroxyl groups and comprising the following components: A) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and C) at least one organometallic catalyst; curing the liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material to form a polarized optical element.

Abstract: A polarization luminaire is disclosed having a light source, a system of the optical integrator, a polarized light splitting device for splitting a light emitted from the light source into two kinds of polarized lights whose polarization directions are perpendicular to each other and whose traveling directions are apart from each other by an angle of less than 90 degrees, and a polarization conversion device for causing the two kinds of polarized lights to have the same polarization direction. The polarized light splitting device is placed on one of the entrance side and the outputting side of the first lens plate of the system of the optical integrator or is placed within the second lens plate. A prism beam splitter having a polarized light splitting film constituted by a thermally stable dielectric multi-layer film is suitable for the polarized light splitting device. Most of the polarized lights can be utilized by causing the polarized lights to have the same polarization direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anticounterfeiting device comprising a form birefringent surface relief structure bearing a colored three-dimensional polarization image. The structure may be composed of pixels whose surface relief microstructure and composition determines the direction and color of zero-order diffracted light visible from each pixel when the structure is illuminated with polarized light and viewed through an analyzer that passes light of the opposite polarization.

Abstract: A beam distribution apparatus includes a stack of parallelogram prisms and beam-splitting coatings each located between opposing parallel faces of adjacent parallelogram prisms. The stack is mounted on an entrance face of a triangular prism. The triangular prism includes the entrance face, a reflective face, and an exit face. The reflective face has optical surfaces for shaping output beams from the stack and reflecting the output beams through the exit face. A beam distribution apparatus includes a stack of parallelogram prisms and beam-splitting coatings each located between opposing parallel faces of adjacent parallelogram prisms in the stack. The beam-splitting coatings transmit light of a first polarization and reflect a portion of light of a second polarization. The apparatus further includes retardation plates each mounted on a face of a parallelogram prism adjacent to a beam-splitting coating, and corrective reflective optics for shaping output beams each mounted on a retardation plate.

Abstract: A light source apparatus, including: an array light source in which a plurality of emission light sources is arranged; a divergence characteristic controller disposed corresponding to the array light source and configured to control a divergence characteristic of each of the emission light sources of the array light source; and a focusing optical element configured to control a directivity of light emitted from each of the emission light sources of the array light source, and the array light source, the divergence characteristic controller, and the focusing optical element are arranged in this order in a direction of emission from the array light source, and a following formula is satisfied: 0.067?L/f<1.1 where an effective diagonal length of the array light source is L and a focal distance of the focusing optical element is f.

Abstract: A conformal beam steering device is provided which is adapted to steer an LOS beam from a broad spectrum over a significantly large FOR. The device size is optimized to have a minimal volume and output window footprint. The device includes a first prism positioned inboard a second prism, a diffraction grating on an outboard side of the first prism, and a diffraction grating on an inboard side of the second prism. Another embodiment includes a first prism positioned inboard a second prism, a first linear diffraction grating positioned inboard the first prism, the first linear diffraction grating having a grating disposed on an outboard side thereof, and a second linear diffraction grating positioned in between the first linear diffraction grating and the first prism, the second linear diffraction grating having a grating disposed on an inboard side thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing an optical beam forming device including a plurality of lens means on at least one optically functional boundary surface, said lens means being disposed in an offset manner relative to each other in at least one direction. Said beam-forming device is composed of at least two optically functional components each of which is provided with at least one first cylindrical lens means on a first optically functional boundary surface while being provided with at least one second cylindrical lens means on a second optically functional boundary surface that lies essentially across from the first optically functional boundary surface. The cylinder axis means extends substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the first cylindrical lens means located on the first boundary surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lenticular display article, such as a container, and a method of making the article. The article includes a lenticular sidewall, which defines a cavity having a top end, and a bottom end, the sidewall having a seam; and an optional base attached to the bottom end of the sidewall. The method of making the article can includes forming a frustoconical sidewall having a seam joining the opposite ends and optionally affixing a base to the bottom end of a lenticular sidewall. Alternatively, the bottom end of the sidewall may be sealed to itself to form a baseless tube.

Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter is disclosed that includes a first prism, a second prism, and a reflective polarizing film disposed between the first prism and the second prism. The first prism comprises a first polymeric material, and has a first outer curved surface and an additional outer surface. The second prism comprises a second polymeric material, which in some embodiments may be the same as the first polymeric material, and has a second outer curved surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, proposing improvements in the protection of exterior optical surfaces against contamination. In an imaging system with a projection objective that serves to project an image of a mask which can be set in position in an object plane onto a light-sensitive coating that can be set in position in an image plane, a membrane which is substantially transparent for an operating wavelength of the projection objective is arranged in such a way in relation to an exterior optical surface of the projection objective that between said optical surface and the membrane an interstitial space is formed which is designed to receive a liquid or gaseous medium.

Abstract: A projection lens includes two lens groups, arranged as follows from the magnification side: a first lens group of negative refractive power, a mask, an aperture stop, and a second lens group of positive refractive power. The projection lens is telecentric or nearly telecentric on the reduction side. Each of the first lens group and the second lens group includes a lens component formed of three lens elements with the middle lens element of each of these lens components having refractive power of opposite sign from the other two lens elements. The distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is large enough for placement of a mirror for folding the optical path of the projection lens. The projection lens satisfies specified conditions regarding focal lengths and spacings of lens surfaces. A projection display device uses the projection lens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a zoom lens used for image pick-up optical system of digital still camera, or video camera, and is composed, in order from the object side, of a first group GR1 including a reflection member for bending or folding the optical axis and having negative refractive power, a second group GR2 having negative refractive power, a third group GR3 having positive refractive power, and a fourth group GR4 having positive refractive power, wherein a light quantity adjustment member ST1 for adjusting light quantity is fixed during zooming operation.

Abstract: A zoom lens system, with a new structure that exhibits high optical performance over the entirety of a zoom range and the entirety of a focusing range, is disclosed. This zoom lens system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: a front lens group which includes a plurality of lens units that move during zooming; a lens unit with negative optical power which moves during zooming and moves towards the object side during focusing from an infinity object to a close-distance object; and a lens unit with positive optical power which does not move for zooming.

Abstract: A zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises a first lens unit G1 having positive optical power, a second lens unit G2 having negative optical power, a third lens unit G3 having positive optical power and a fourth lens unit G4 having positive optical power. Magnification varying is performed by varying the distances between the lens units by moving the lens units along the optical axis. The third lens unit G3 comprises at least two lens elements including a third lens unit object side lens element which is a positive lens element disposed on the most object side and whose high-curvature surface faces the object side and a third lens unit image side lens element which is a negative lens element disposed on the most image side and concave to the image side.

Abstract: A zoom optical system includes three lens groups, arranged as follows from the object side: a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. The first lens group includes, arranged as follows along the optical axis, a lens element having negative refractive power, a prism for bending the optical axis, and a lens element having positive refractive power. The second and third lens groups are movable along the optical axis for zooming with only the third lens group reversing its direction of movement along the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group includes a stop, a cemented lens component, and at least one aspheric surface that may be made of plastic. The first lens group also includes at least one aspheric surface.

Abstract: There is provided a lens barrel on which a flexible substrate having mounted thereon an image pickup element for photoelectrically converting an optical image imaged by a photo-taking lens is mounted, having a plurality of lens barrel members disposed movable forward and backward in the direction of an optical axis, and moving the photo-taking lens between a stored position which is the image pickup element side in the direction of the optical axis and a photographing position which is an object side in the direction of the optical axis, and an image pickup element supporting unit for supporting the image pickup element, and having a notched portion so that at least one of the plurality of lens barrel members may face the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A lens holder includes an inner barrel for holding at least one lens, an outer barrel that is positioned outside the inner barrel and supports the inner barrel so that the inner barrel linearly slides along a central axis thereof across an inner surface of the outer barrel, and a cam barrel that rotates in a state where the cam barrel is coaxially disposed between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. The cam barrel includes at least two subunits of the same shape produced by dividing the cam barrel on a plane that includes the central axis, an operating part that passes through an operating slit provided on the outer barrel and moves at least one of the subunits to rotate the cam barrel, a helical cam mechanism that slides, via a driven part provided on the inner barrel, the inner barrel forward and backward along the central axis when the cam barrel rotates, and a locking mechanism for pulling at least one of the subunits onto the outer barrel to stop rotation of the cam barrel.

Abstract: An optical lens includes a recessed part and a refracting part. The recessed part has a substantially circular plan view and a substantially V shaped cross-section. The recessed part forms an angle of no more than an angle of about 20° with respect to a vertical line. The recessed part has a plurality of curved surfaces including different radii so that a light incident into the recessed part is totally reflected from the curved surfaces. The refracting part has a substantially circular plan view extended from the recessed part. A light incident into the refracting part and the reflected light from the recessed part are refracted from the refracting part. Therefore, a luminance uniformity and a color uniformity are improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel having an optical system capable of change of a focal length, comprising: a diaphragm device which controls a light amount of light incident to the optical system and passing to an image forming surface; and an open F value varying device which is provided separately from the diaphragm device, controls a light amount of the light incident to the optical system and passing to the image forming surface and varies an open F value by limiting the light amount so that the open F value becomes a value according to a focal length of the optical system when the light amount which is controllable by the diaphragm device is at the maximum.

Abstract: There is provided a wide angle lens system configured to obtain excellent image forming performance even in a half field angle region of 40 degrees to 50 degrees. A wide angle lens system is constituted of a first lens having a negative refractive power, a light path bending member having no refractive power, a second lens having a positive refractive power, an aperture which adjusts a light amount, a first cemented lens formed by cementing a third lens having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, a fifth lens having a positive refractive power, and an optically equivalent member which functions as a faceplate of an optical low-pass filter and a solid state imaging element.

Abstract: A lens is provided for use in a vehicle interior ambient light device. The lens provides a beam of light that is narrower and is directed to a desirable position on different vehicle models and versions of those models. The lens includes an upper section having a shape that is a section of a frustum of a cone. The lens also includes a lower section having a shape of a frustum of an oblique cone with an oval base. Textured surfaces of the sides of the frustum of the lower section prevent the emission of stray light beams.

Abstract: Optical films are disclosed that include a substantially transparent body having a first surface defined by a substrate portion and a structured surface disposed over the substrate portion opposite to the first surface. The structured surface includes a plurality of smaller pyramidal structures and a plurality of larger pyramidal structures interspersed with the plurality of smaller pyramidal structures. Each pyramidal structure has a base including at least two first sides disposed opposite to each other and at least two second sides disposed opposite to each other. Also disclosed are optical devices including such optical films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light beam emitter that has a simple construction and can direct a light beam toward any positions on the 2D coordinate system, and an image-forming device. In a light beam emitter, an light deflection mechanism has a transmissive light deflection disk, equipped with light deflection areas from which the incident light beam exits toward different positions on the 2D coordinate system depending on the incident positions of the beam, and a drive mechanism that rotates the transmissive light deflection disk in order to change the position of the light beam emitted by the light source device to enter the transmissive light deflection disk.

Abstract: An electric mirror control device is provided which can prevent generation of a clutch noise by stopping slipping of a clutch provided at an actuator as quickly as possible while preventing narrowing of an allowable range of a tilting angle of a mirror surface. In controlling an electric mirror, a control device clamps a voltage value of a voltage applied to a motor detected by a mirror surface angle detection circuit to a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value at a clamp circuit. Stop control of the motor is performed based on the voltage value clamped to the upper limit value and the lower limit value in this way.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving local illumination by a personal care implement, such as tweezers, tongs, pinchers and the like. The apparatus includes a first arm terminating at one end in a first gripping edge; a second arm, coupled to and biased away from said first arm, terminating at one end in a second gripping edge springingly engaging with said first gripping edge; an illumination system directing illumination into a field-of-view in an “ON” mode and said illumination system including an “OFF” mode in which said illumination system is inactive; a magnification system including a lens having a focus; and an illumination boom, coupled to said arms, for positioning said lens and a light source of said illumination system between a stowed position and an operating position, said stowed position engaging said OFF mode and said operating position including a stop to configure said boom and engage said ON mode to include said gripping edges within said field-of-view and at said focus.

Abstract: A surface inspection system, as well as related components and methods, are provided. The surface inspection system includes a beam source subsystem, a beam scanning subsystem, a workpiece movement subsystem, an optical collection and detection subsystem, and a processing subsystem. The optical collection and detection system features, in the front quartersphere, a light channel assembly for collecting light reflected from the surface of the workpiece, and a front collector and wing collectors for collecting light scattered from the surface, to greatly improve the measurement capabilities of the system. The light channel assembly has a switchable edge exclusion mask and a reflected light detection system for improved detection of the reflected light.

Abstract: A method of displaying a video image comprises receiving sequential image frames at a processor. Each image frame is processed to obtain a kinoform. A programmable diffractive element such as an SLM represents the sequence of kinoforns allowing reproduction of the image using a suitable illumination beam.

Abstract: A method for modifying the appearance of a substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and depositing a reflectance modifying coating on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface has a visible light reflectance (R1) ranging from 5 to 20 percent.

Abstract: A motor for driving a color wheel includes a rotor unit whose center of gravity is axially arranged between an upper bearing portion and a bottom bearing portion of a sleeve. The motor includes a rotor hub, in which the axial direction from an upper surface of the rotor hub and an upper surface of a clamper is relatively large. Minus balancing is applied on a radially outside portion of the upper surface of the rotor hub and on the upper surface of the clamper. As a result, an excessive load is not applied to the bearing assembly of the motor so that rotation of the motor is stabilized and bearing life is prolonged.

Abstract: A dynamic micro-structured reflector includes a substrate having a generally planar major surface and a plurality of cavities on the planar major surface. Each cavity having at least a first and second sidewalls set at an angle offset from the planar major surface. The first sidewall being a stationary optical face and the second sidewall being a dynamic optical face. The dynamic optical face is deflectable between a first position and a second position. The dynamic optical face in the first position redirects more light back to a light source than the dynamic optical face in the second position. Methods of making a dynamic micro-structured reflector are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a data storage medium having a plurality of servo sectors and a plurality of data sectors, wherein each of the servo sectors includes a phase locked loop field and a track identification field, a controller for controlling the position of a recording head with respect to the data storage medium, and a servo demodulator for recovering timing information from both the phase locked loop field and the track identification field, and for producing a timing estimate. The method performed by the apparatus is also included.

Abstract: Analysis of a read back signal in a magnetic recording device is disclosed. The read back signal is converted to a digital read back signal, and a low frequency component of the digital read back signal is restored. A sample clock is recovered from the restored digital read back signal, and the restored digital read back signal is averaged using the recovered sample clock. A timing error is calculated based at least in part on the averaged restored digital read back signal.

Abstract: A method of protection of information of a depopulated magnetic disk apparatus having at least one pair of a magnetic head and a magnetic disk including a pair of a magnetic head and a magnetic disk found by tests of the magnetic disk apparatus before shipment to have characteristics of predetermined threshold values or less set to be skipped in reading and writing operations and sold as a magnetic disk apparatus with a one model smaller capacity, comprising detecting a state of deterioration of magnetic heads and magnetic disk surfaces being used, rewriting information recorded at magnetic disk surfaces of pairs judged to have deteriorated on surfaces of skipped magnetic disks corresponding to usable magnetic heads, and prohibiting use of magnetic heads in use, thereby inexpensively and reliably preventing loss of information in the magnetic disk apparatus.

Abstract: A disk storage device has a plurality of disk faces and a plurality of heads, in which a different S/N is improved for each head. The disk face is formatted in a sector format with which the read/write characteristics become the optimum using the fact that the read/write characteristics differ depending on the sector length, so an improvement of the S/N ratio can be expected compared with a conventional recording/reproducing device using a single format, and the device yield rate and the device performance can be improved, and high recording density can be implemented.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention reduce the effect of the rotational jitters to write a pattern in more accurate timing in self-writing a pattern on a magnetic disk. In an embodiment of the invention, respective patterns in N sectors are first written on an inner circumferential side track as reference patterns with a default clock frequency and a default clock number (a writing interval clock number between respective patterns). The respective reference patterns are then read out plural times for measuring intervals thereof to determine an average value of intervals between the respective sectors. Using the value, a target value is calculated in each sector, which is used in wiring new patterns on the outer circumferential side at even intervals. Then, the respective reference patterns on the inner circumferential side track are read out while the new patterns are written on the outer circumferential side.