Abstract: This invention relates to an optical film/frame combination wherein the optical film comprises a viewing portion and wherein either the film or the frame comprises a compression reducing mechanism for allowing the film to expand within the frame without distortion of the viewing portion of the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector apparatus for reflecting light upon a film set. The reflector apparatus comprises a fire retardant frame formed of a twin wall board made with a block-copolymer polypropylene resin with flame inhibiting properties. A flexible fire retardant sheet is detachably attached with the frame. The fire retardant sheet is constructed of a fire retardant material such as ripstop, ultra bounce, and nugget cloth. Through use of the reflector apparatus, a user can direct the light from a lamp onto the frame and/or flexible fire retardant sheet to be reflected onto the film set, allowing the user to control lighting conditions of the film set. The present invention also relates to a method for reflecting light upon a set using the reflector apparatus described herein.

Abstract: A vibration type tilting device, according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a mirror holder, supporting a mirror on one side, which tilts together with the mirror such that the mirror periodically tilts light on a light path in a minute angle; a holder support part supporting the mirror holder; a driving part, which supplies driving power to the mirror holder; and a damping part positioned between the mirror holder and the holder support part to reduce overshoot of the mirror holder, can improve the vibration performance of the tilting device to provide a smoother and clearer picture quality.

Abstract: In a contact detecting apparatus that detects contact of a head with a recording medium, a signal writing unit writes onto the recording medium, a signal that includes at least one predetermined frequency component; and a contact detecting unit detects the contact of the head with the recording medium based on an amplitude of the predetermined frequency component, by reading the signal written on the recording medium while changing a spacing between the head and the recording medium.

Abstract: In a contact detecting apparatus that detects contact of a head with a recording medium, a signal writing unit writes onto the recording medium, a signal that includes at least one predetermined frequency component; and a contact detecting unit detects the contact of the head with the recording medium based on an amplitude of the predetermined frequency component, by reading the signal written on the recording medium while changing a spacing between the head and the recording medium.

Abstract: A reader input amplifier for a hard disk drive including a gm-amp that compensates for any X-Y imbalance to reduce an excursion, and the time period of the excursion until a final settling point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for storing and retrieving information from a disk in which a TPI (tracks per inch) profile of a disk drive including a write pole having a trapezoidal cross-section is adaptively varied. The method includes comparing the slope angle of sides of a write pole associated with a magnetic head to a skew angle associated with a disk area; and dividing the disk areas into a first area in which the slope angle is greater than the skew angle and a second area in which the slope angle is not greater than the skew angle. Based on this comparison result, different track pitches for the first area and the second area are determined.

Abstract: A retract control method of an HDD to prevent a head from landing on a disk due to a retract failure and an HDD using the same. The retract control method includes performing a retract operation of retracting a head on the ramp, determining whether the head is normally retracted on the ramp, when it is determined that the head is not normally retracted on the ramp, moving the head to a predetermined zone of a disk, and when the head arrives at the predetermined zone of the disk, parking the head in the predetermined zone of the disk by stopping a spindle motor. Accordingly, even when a retract operation fails, a reliable retract operation can be performed by retrying the retract operation while adjusting one or more retract parameters.

Abstract: A disk apparatus and a method of data read/write are provided in which even when off-track error occurs at the end sector, the occurrence of the off-track error is detected reliably. Data is read from and/or written into a track on a disk on each sector. An end sector identification number is acquired that identifies the end sector related to the read and/or write of the data. Then, when data of the end sector corresponding to the acquired end sector identification number is read and/or written, the identification number of the next sector of the end sector is read. Then, it is determined whether the read-out identification number of the next sector is consecutive to said end sector identification number. When determined as consecutive, the data read from the end sector is outputting, or alternatively the data to be written into the end sector is received from the outside.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.

Abstract: Invention protects the data region of a disk surface in hard disk drive, using a facing surface containing a radial bump near an outside region radially beyond the data region. The facing surface and radial bump may belong to a disk base, a disk damper, a disk cover and/or a cover insert attached to the disk cover, as well as the hard disk drive including at least one facing surface and radial bump. The method of making the disk base, the disk cover, the cover insert for the disk cover, the disk damper, and/or the hard disk drive, as well as the products of these manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reading device includes a magnetic recording medium having a substrate and at least one magnetic recording layer formed above the substrate, a magnetic head enabling a data transfer rate of more than 50 MB/s and a recording density of more than 5 Gb/in2 on the magnetic recording medium, and a R/W-IC. The magnetic head includes a recording head and a reading head. The at least one magnetic recording layer contains (1) at least one metal element selected from a first group consisting of Co, Fe and Ni as a primary component, and (2) at least two elements selected from a second group consisting of Cr, Mo, W, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir and Si.

Abstract: A slim spindle motor and a micro-drive apparatus including the slim spindle motor are provided. In the spindle motor, a hub is rotatably mounted on a base plate by ball bearings. The hub is used to seat a disk thereon. A ring-shaped magnet is engaged to the outer boundary of the hub. A stator is formed by arranging a plurality of yokes in a round shape around the outer boundary of the ring-shaped magnet. The yokes include cores having curved ends to reduce the central axis offset between the yokes and the ring-shaped magnet. Most of the yokes include coils that cover the cores. Since the central axes of the yokes in the stator are made collinear with the central axis of the ring-shaped magnet, the slim spindle motor can operate stably.

Abstract: A lower shield layer has a substantially flat shape, and an upper shield layer has a front portion and a rear portion, where the front portion is disposed closer to the lower shield layer than the rear portion. A lower conductive electrode and an upper conductive electrode are disposed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. The lower conductive electrode is electrically connected to the lower shield layer, and the upper conductive electrode is electrically connected to the upper shield layer. Since the lower and upper conductive electrodes are disposed between the upper and lower shield layers, each of the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer may be formed to have a small area and a simple shape.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate and a first side. The substrate defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first side extends over the first surface of the substrate and includes a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer. The DLC layer includes a DLC lubricant.

Abstract: A sintered body for a magnetic head slider has at least one of TiC and XC, a carbide containing Ti and X, Al2O3, and free carbon, contains 25 to 160 parts by volume of all the carbides including at least one of TiC and XC, and the carbide containing Ti and X, based on 100 parts by volume of Al203, and contains 1 to 15 parts by volume of free carbon, based on 100 parts by volume of a total of Al2O3 and all the carbides (where X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ta, W, Mo, Nb, Zr, V, and Cr).

Abstract: An actuator block including at least one slot between each adjacent pair of actuator arms and located behind a site for a flexure stiffener. The resulting hard disk drive shows an improved NRRO. The invention further includes the actuator block including two of the slots between each adjacent pair of actuator arms. The invention includes an actuator assembly formed from the actuator block coupling to at least one head gimbal assembly on each actuator arm. The actuator assembly further includes a main flexure coupling through the flexure stiffener to the actuator block. The invention further includes the hard disk drive including the actuator assembly. The invention includes making the actuator assembly from the actuator block and the hard disk drive from the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly and the hard disk drive are products of these processes.

Abstract: A thin-film resistor that has a stable electric resistance, the phase transformation to the ?-phase being suppressed even in the high temperature environment, is provided. The thin-film resistor has a layered structure of: a base layer formed of a double-layered film in which an alloy film containing nickel and copper, an alloy film containing nickel and chromium or an alloy film containing copper and manganese is stacked on a tantalum film, or formed of a single alloy film containing nickel and chromium; and an electric resistance layer formed of a ?-phase tantalum film or an alloy film mainly containing ?-phase tantalum, and deposited on the base layer, the electric resistance layer having a crystal structure in which (002) plane of the ?-phase crystal is most strongly oriented to the layer surface.

Abstract: A lower shield layer and an upper shield layer are formed to have a planar shape, and a detecting element is provided between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. A lower conductive electrode is formed to adhere closely to a facing inner surface corresponding to a top surface of the lower shield layer, and an upper conductive electrode is formed to adhere closely to an outer surface located on the upper shield layer. Therefore, even though a facing interval between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer is small, an electrical insulating property may be achieved.

Abstract: A lower shield layer and an upper shield layer are formed to have a planar shape, and a detecting element is provided between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. End faces of the upper shield layer may extend farther in a depthwise direction from a surface facing a recording medium than end faces of the lower shield layer. A lower conductive electrode may be disposed directly adjacent to a facing inner surface of the lower shield layer. An upper conductive electrode may be disposed adjacent to a portion of the upper shield layer. Therefore, the lower shield layer and the upper conductive electrode may be insulated from each other.

Abstract: A plurality of densely packed nano-particles are arrayed on a elastic substrate via an intervening spacer by a combination of self-assembly methods or imprinting. The coated substrate is useful as a sensor device as the substrate is sufficiently non-rigid such that the deformation increases the separation between nano-particles resulting in a measurable change in the physical properties of the array. When the array comprises of closely packed conductive nano-particles deformation of the substrate disturbs the electrical continuity between the particles resulting in a significant increase in resistivity. The various optical properties of the device may exhibit measurable changes depending on the size and composition of the nano-particles, as well as the means for attaching them to the substrate.

Abstract: An MR effect element that can obtain the sufficient back flux-guide effect under the condition of reducing the capacitance between the upper and lower electrode layers is provided. The element comprises: an MR effect multilayer provided on the lower electrode layer; an insulating layer surrounding a rear side surface and side surfaces opposed to each other in track width direction of the MR effect multilayer; and an upper electrode layer provided on the MR effect multilayer and the insulating layer, the insulating layer having a concave portion filled with a portion of the upper electrode layer, the concave portion positioned near the rear side surface of the MR effect multilayer, and a bottom point of a concave of the concave portion positioned at the same level or a lower level in stacking direction compared to an upper surface of the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic detecting device is disclosed having a fixed magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic material layer between the fixed magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer. A laminated seed layer having NiFeCr is proximate the fixed magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor having a lead overlay defined trackwidth and a pinned layer that extends beyond the stripe height defined by the free layer of the sensor. The extended pinned layer has a strong shape induced anisotropy that maintains pinning of the pinned layer moment. The extended portion of the pinned layer has sides beyond the stripe height that are perfectly aligned with the sides of the sensor within the stripe height. This perfect alignment is made possible by a manufacturing method that uses a mask structure for more than one manufacturing phase, eliminating the need for multiple mask alignments. The lead overlay design allows narrow, accurate trackwidth definition.

Abstract: An electric tool has a handle, and an element for varying tool functions located in the handle and including a photoelectric cell incorporated onto the handle in such a way that if the photoelectric cell is completely or partly covered, a tool function is achieved on a specification in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit die includes a bypass capacitance shared between two or more circuit blocks. The bypass capacitance is selectively connected to whichever of the circuit blocks is active (e.g., to a transmitting block while a receiving block is off or in a standby mode). Some embodiments include bypass select logic that can be used to customize the bypass resistance and capacitance on a chip-wide or circuit-specific basis.

Abstract: The invention detects whether a fault that an over current is supplied to a load is generated when an inverter supplies an AC power and operates the load, and uses a voltage between a collector and an emitter of a switching element for detecting whether an over current is supplied to a load. The present invention cuts off said switching control signal, switches DC power by a plurality of switching elements supplies AC power to the load, detects the generation of the fault by a plurality of fault detecting unit using the voltage of both ends of the collector and the emitter of a plurality of switching elements, generates the switching control signal by the controlling unit and outputs it to the switching operation unit and detects generation of fault of any of a plurality of fault detecting units.

Abstract: A resistive superconducting fault current limiter comprises: a superconducting limiter element which is in a superconductive state in the event of a normal current occurrence, and which is in a normal conductive state having a predetermined resistance when a fault current larger than a predetermined threshold current value flows; a superconducting serial coil serially connected to the superconducting limiter element so as to face each other so that a current loss can be minimized accordingly as currents flow in opposite directions thus to cancel magnetic fields, and having a threshold current value greater than the threshold current value of the superconducting limiter element by a predetermined ratio; and a normal conductor parallel coil connected to the superconducting limiter element in parallel and having a predetermined resistance smaller than the resistance of the superconducting limiter element when a fault current occurs, for preventing the superconducting limiter element from being overheated by divi

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of executing an electrical function, such as a fusing operation, by activation through a chip embedded photodiode through spectrally selected external light activation, and corresponding structure and circuit. The present invention is based on having incident light with specific intensity/wave length characteristics, in conjunction with additional circuit elements to an integrated circuit, perform the implementation of repairs, i.e., replacing failing circuit elements with redundant ones for yield and/or reliability. Also to perform disconnection of ESD protection device from input pad once the packaged chip is placed in system. No additional pins on the package are necessary.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus for high-voltage products is provided. The ESD protection apparatus includes a resistor, a capacitor, a first transistor, n diodes, and a main transistor, wherein n is an integer greater than 0. The holding voltage of the provided ESD protection apparatus is adjusted by determining the n value. The adjusted holding voltage is higher than the system voltage under normal operation, so that latch-up issues are avoided.

Abstract: An exemplary method for preventing an electronic device from erroneously resetting due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) involves an electronic device that includes a reset control pin. The method includes providing a timer, and setting a reset condition of the reset control pin. If the reset condition is satisfied, the electronic device resets. The method includes appropriately setting the reset condition of the electronic device. The reset condition can virtually never be satisfied by an ESD. Thus, the electronic device is efficiently prevented from erroneously resetting due to ESD.

Abstract: A electrostatic discharge suppression device including an electrostatic discharge reactance layer having a first side and a second side, a first electrode coupled to the first side and comprising a first extension projecting towards a first distal end of the device, and a second electrode coupled to the second side and including a second extension projecting towards a second end of the device, such that the first extension and the second extension overlap to form an electrode overlap area, wherein during an electrostatic discharge event, an electric current is passed between the first and second extensions through the electrostatic discharge layer in the electrode overlap area.

Abstract: An AC electrical power dividing circuit includes a hot line, a neutral line, a ground line, two output ports, a first voltage-dividing module, a second voltage-dividing module, a first sampling resistor, and a second sampling resistor. The hot line is coupled to the ground line via the first voltage-dividing module and the first sampling resistor in turn. The neutral line is coupled to the ground line via the second voltage-dividing module and the second sampling resistor in turn. One of the output ports is connected to a node between the first voltage-dividing module and the first sampling resistor. Another one of the output ports is connected to a node between the second voltage-dividing module and the second sampling resistor. The AC electrical power dividing circuit supplies adjustable AC power to an AC electrical device from a 110V or a 220V power source.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a power conditioning circuit comprising a voltage surge protector for eliminating voltage spikes in the AC power transmission, an inrush current suppressor for limiting the current of the AC power transmission, and a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage level of the AC power transmission; means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power; outlet means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a load circuit; and wherein the voltage sensing circuit is adapted so that upon detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means.

Abstract: A memory voltage monitoring circuit generates a low voltage detection signal when a power supply voltage drops below a memory contents holding voltage. A reset circuit generates a reset signal from an external reset signal and outputs the reset signal to the memory voltage monitoring circuit as an operation permission/no-permission signal. The memory voltage monitoring circuit operates while the reset signal shows operation permission.

Abstract: A switch connecting a power source and a load may protect its internal circuitry from a current surge. The switch may include a first element, control logic, and a detector. The first element may provide a current path to the load. The detector may detect or measure the voltage across and/or the current flowing through the first element. Based on the measured or detected voltage and/or current, the control logic may remove a control signal provided to the first element, causing the first element to turn off.

Abstract: A control circuit for a vehicle for, e.g., chassis leveling or other purposes includes a controller selectively sending drive signals to a load through a switch FET, and a BJT having a collector connected between the switch FET, an emitter connected to ground, and a base connected to a current view resistor for short circuit protection. An over power protection FET is connected to the controller and to the base of the short circuit protection transistor, with the gate of the over power protection FET being connected to the output of the switch FET. A time delay capacitor is connected from the base of the BJT to ground. With this structure, if a ground fault causes the BJT to turn on, and if the drain-source voltage of the switch FET exceeds the gate threshold voltage of the overpower protection FET, the overpower protection FET is turned on, resulting in turning off the switch FET and, hence, avoidance of high power draw through the switch FET.

Abstract: A system provides overload protection in power-switching circuitry, whereby current through a switch is controlled by adaptive circuitry. The switch, configured to deliver a current and a voltage, is connected to two current-limiting feedback circuits. The first current-limiting feedback circuit is coupled to the switch and limits the current through the switch based on current measured through the switch. The second current-limiting feedback circuit is configured to shunt current around the first current-limiting feedback circuit as a function of the voltage delivered to the load, which changes the amount of current the switch can deliver to the load.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a MOSFET based switch that includes two back-to-back FET to block current flow in the OFF state irrespective of the polarity of the voltage differential across the switch. The MOSFET based switch further has a built-in current limit function by sensing the current flow through one of the two MOSFET switches. Furthermore, the bilateral current-limited switch further includes circuitry required for controlling both P type and N type FET in either common drain or common source configuration.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes an outer electrode and an other electrode. An electrically conductive contact element is spaced apart from the outer electrode by an air gap. The electrically conductive contact element is pretensioned by a spring mechanism that exerts a spring force on the contact element in the direction towards the outer electrode. An electrically conductive connection is located between the other electrode and the contact element. The air gap between the outer electrode and the contact element is arranged in a tightly enclosed hollow space.

Abstract: An electrical device of the type having a rechargeable battery and which has a body having at least a portion formed with a circumference extending about an axis, is provided with a secondary winding adapted to receive magnetic flux from a planar charging surface that is arranged around the circumference in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Such a device may be charged by placmg the device on a planar charging surface such that the body portion contacts the planar charging surface with the axis perpendicular to the charging surface and the secondary winding parallel to the charging surface.

Abstract: There is a need for turning off a transistor in a power supply switch circuit irrespective of relative potential relationship between a contact power supply terminal and an internal power supply line and making it possible to decrease an on-resistance of an MOS transistor without increasing the size of the MOS transistor constituting the power supply switch circuit. The power supply switch circuit is comprised of two PMOS transistors whose gate terminals connect with two pull-up circuits. A charge pump circuit generates a negative voltage and is connected to a pull-down circuit. The pull-down circuit is connected to the gate terminals in common. During a contactless operation, the pull-up circuit short-circuits one gate terminal to a contact power supply terminal VDD and the other gate terminal to an internal power supply line VDDA. During a contact operation, the pull-up circuit supplies both gate terminals with a negative voltage from the charge pump circuit.

Abstract: In methods and circuits for using associated circuitry to enhance performance of a micro-electromechanical switch, one of the method embodiments is a contact conditioning process including applying a time-varying voltage to the control element of a closed switch. In another embodiment, a voltage profile applied to the control element of the switch can be tailored to improve the actuation speed or reliability of the switch. In another method embodiment, the performance of a switch may be evaluated by measuring a performance parameter, and corrective action initiated if the switch performance is determined to need improvement. An embodiment of a circuit for maintaining performance of a micro-electromechanical switch includes first and second signal line nodes, sensing circuitry coupled to the signal line nodes and adapted to sense a performance parameter value of the switch, and control circuitry operably coupled to at least one terminal of the switch.

Abstract: Two garments with textile based electrodes are disclosed. First, a wrist band for use with a cardiac patient remote monitoring system includes two fabric layers with integral textile-based electrodes. The textile based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The skin contacting surface of the band includes a conductive region formed as a continuous ring or stripe. A connector links the conductive region to a lead to a device. Second, an infant garment includes textile based electrodes at the torso region and optionally at other regions in order to monitor the infant's biophysical characteristics as the garment is worn.

Abstract: In a plasma reactor having an electrostatic chuck, wafer voltage is determined from RF measurements at the bias input using previously determined constants based upon transmission line properties of the bias input, and this wafer voltage is used to accurately control the DC wafer clamping voltage.

Abstract: A surface mount chip capacitor includes a metal substrate, a conductive powder element comprising a valve metal and partially surrounding the metal substrate with the metal substrate extending outwardly from the conductive powder towards the anode end of the surface mount chip capacitor, a silver body cathode at least partially surrounding the conductive powder element, a coating formed by vapor-phase deposition surrounding the silver body cathode, an insulative material formed about a portion of the substrate extending outwardly from the conductive powder, a conductive coating formed around the metal substrate at the anode end of the surface mount chip capacitor, an end termination anode electrically connected to the conductive coating at the anode end of the surface mount chip capacitor, and an end termination cathode electrically connected to the silver body cathode at the cathode end of the surface mount chip capacitor.

Abstract: In an electrolytic capacitor 1 in which a capacitor element 2 is enclosed in an external casing 3, a heat conductive material 5 having heat conductivity of 1 W/m·K or more is disposed between the external casing 3 and the capacitor element 2 so as to be in contact with them. Alternatively, in an electrolytic capacitor 1 in which a capacitor element 2 is enclosed in an external casing 3 made of aluminum, an external peripheral surface of the external casing 3 is covered with an insulation film 4.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor (A1) includes a porous sintered body (1) of valve metal, and a metal case (2) accommodating the porous sintered body. The metal case (2) and the porous sintered body (1) are electrically connected to each other to serve as an anode. The porous sintered body (1) is formed with a dielectric layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer serves as a cathode.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention includes a capacitor element having an anode member, a dielectric member, and a cathode member; an anode terminal attached to the anode member; a cathode terminal attached to the cathode member; and a housing for covering an outer periphery of the capacitor element, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal being each at least partly exposed from an undersurface of the solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode terminal having a projection formed by rolling using a roll having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and being connected to the anode member at the projection.

Abstract: A wiring fixing member for fixing a receiving member, receiving wiring therein, to a mating member includes a base portion, a pair of holdingwalls which are formed on and project upwardly from the base portion, and can hold the receiving member therebetween in a manner to position the receiving member, and a pair of retaining portions which extend respectively from the pair of holding walls, and can retain the receiving member held by the pair of holding walls, the pair of retaining portions defining an opening therebetween which intersects a longitudinal direction of the receiving member, held by the pair of holding walls, at an acute angle.