Abstract: To provide a zoom lens system with a vibration reduction having a long back focal length suitable for a digital SLR camera, a high zoom ratio, and a wide angle of view of 70° or more. The system includes, in order from the object, a first positive lens group, a second negative lens group, a third positive lens group, and a fourth positive lens group. Upon zooming from wide-angle end state to telephoto end state, a distance between the first and second lens groups increases, a distance between the second and third lens groups decreases, and a distance between the third and fourth lens groups varies. The third lens group is composed of a positive front lens group and a negative rear lens group. Image plane correction upon camera shake can be performed by shifting only the rear lens group substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis. Given conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a variable diaphragm, a positive second lens group, in this order from the object. Zooming is performed by moving the negative first lens group and the positive second lens group. The negative first lens group is constituted by at least two negative lens elements and at least two positive lens elements. The zoom lens system satisfies the following conditions: 1.5<|f1/fw|<1.8??(1) 1.0<|f2/(fw×ft)1/2<1.3??(2) 1.0<|f2/f1|<1.2??(3) wherein f1 designates the focal length of the negative first lens group; f2 designates the focal length of the positive second lens group; fw designates the focal length of the entire the zoom lens system at the short focal length extremity; and ft designates the focal length of the entire the zoom lens system at the long focal length extremity.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a barrel including a slot, a lens installed inside the barrel for magnifying an image, a magnification-adjusting mechanism installed outside and around the barrel including an adjusting loop installed outside the barrel in a rotatable manner including a groove on a side facing the barrel, and a roller installed between the adjusting loop and the barrel. The optical machine further includes a rod for adjusting the magnification of the lens. One end of the rod is installed inside the slot of the barrel in a slidable manner, and another end of the rod is installed inside the groove of the adjusting loop in a slidable manner.

Abstract: An optical pickup device comprises a light source to emit a light flux having wavelength ?; an objective lens including at least two plastic lenses of a first plastic lens having positive refractive power and a second plastic lens having positive refractive power, wherein the first plastic lens and the second plastic lens are arranged in this order from the light source side; and an actuator to drive the objective lens; wherein the objective lens satisfies the following expression (1-1): ?0.0004<?3SA/(NA4·f·(1?m))<0.0004??(1-1) where ?3SA (?RMS) represents a rate of change of a third order spherical aberration of the objective lens when the temperature of an entire body of the objective lens uniformly changes, f (mm) represents the focal length of the objective lens for the light flux having wavelength ?, and m represents the magnification of the objective lens.

Abstract: The present invention describes several embodiments of electro-optical assemblies, which are capable of capturing full or nearly full spherical field of view. The present invention presents improvements of the prior art methods by unifying several methods to achieve coverage of a large field of view. The present invention provides a method for utilizing the concept of reflective surfaces and combining two image capture devices to achieve an even larger field of view than those presented previously.

Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection optical system for forming plural intermediate images of a first object and for imaging the image of the first object onto a second object, said catadioptric projection optical system includes at least one concave mirror, a first deflective reflector, and a second deflective reflector, wherein a light reflected by the first deflective reflector is directly led to the second deflective reflector.

Abstract: A telephoto lens system of a four-lens-group arrangement includes a negative first lens group, a positive or negative second lens group, a negative third lens group and a positive fourth lens group. The telephoto lens system of the four-lens-group arrangement is constituted by less than six lens elements in total. The positive or negative second lens group is constituted by a positive lens element and a negative lens element which are cemented to each other, in this order from the object. The positive lens element has a convex surface with a larger curvature facing toward the object. The positive or negative second lens group satisfies the following condition: 0.8<f2p/|f2n|<1.4.

Abstract: An image-pickup optical system includes, from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having positive optical power, an aperture stop, and a second lens unit. A diffractive optical element and a lens composed of extraordinary partial dispersion material are appropriately disposed in the optical system. The image-pickup optical system is capable of reducing the generation of flare and ghosts at the diffractive optical element and effectively correcting chromatic aberration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out the precise trimming of a lens (1), whereby the lens is held between two clamping plates (2, 3) in a given position and the grinding of the periphery of the lens (1) is controlled along a trajectory, the last programmed part of which corresponds to the form (8) desired for the lens.

Abstract: A retainer for holding an optical element having three first grooves includes a first support member that supports the optical element through the first grooves, and a second support member that has three second grooves corresponding to the first grooves, and supports the first support member through the second grooves.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a light-quantity-adjusting unit, a first lens unit disposed closer to an object than the light-quantity-adjusting unit, a second lens unit disposed closer to an image plane than the light-quantity-adjusting unit, and a drive unit for driving the first lens unit and the second lens unit in an orthogonal-to-optical-axis direction.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a monolithic color wheel. The method includes (a) preparing a square transparent substrate; (b) forming a plurality of color filters on the square transparent substrate; and (c) cutting the square transparent substrate and the color filters together along a circular path, to form a color filter disk. Through these steps, a color filter disk of color wheel can be produced with better dynamic equilibrium quality, and will run more quietly and smoothly.

Abstract: The invention includes a testing method which may be applied to at least one writer in a disk drive during the self-test phase to generate write parameters, focused on the Over Shoot Control (OSC) of the write current parameter to improve the reliability of write operations by that writer. The Minimum OSC is used for write operations in normal temperatures. The Optimum OSC is used for a first lower temperature range, preferably between essentially 15 degrees Centigrade and essentially 5 degrees Centigrade. The Maximum OSC is preferred below essentially 5 degrees Centigrade. The Minimum OSC should preferably guarantee both an Adjacent Track Write (ATW) criteria, as well as guarantee a Write Induced Instability (WII) criteria. The invention includes the write parameter collection, as well as the disk drive containing the generated write parameter collection.

Abstract: A data read/write device includes a data write-processing unit that performs amplitude modulation on write data to obtain an amplitude-modulated signal that contains a plurality of amplitude levels, correlates a plurality of data included in the write data with each amplitude level of the amplitude-modulated signal to obtain amplitude data, and transmits the amplitude data to a magnetic head that writes the amplitude data into a memory area of a recording medium, and a data read-processing unit that reads the amplitude data via the magnetic head from each memory area of the recording medium, and converts the amplitude data into readable read data.

Abstract: Circuitry for detecting and recording latches in read bias current may include circuitry for generating a reference voltage, a pair of current to voltage converters to convert the bias and reference currents to voltage signals, a comparator to compare those two voltages, a latch to latch the compared signal, and a counter/register to count and store the number of glitches that have been detected. It may be possible to read from the register the number of detected glitches to be used in diagnosing faults in the disk drive system. In addition, it may be possible to provide a reset input to the register to zero the counter.

Abstract: A disc drive with a disc having multiple concentric data tracks. A track start point is rotationally displaced by a track skew time relative to a track start point of an adjacent concentric data tracks. The read/write head has a write settling time that is more than the track skew time. A data reordering circuit and firmware reorders write data and provides the reordered data to the read/write head after the write settling time. The reordering of the write data reduces write latency.

Abstract: Dynamically detecting off-track errors in a disk drive by adjusting transducer head position control parameters in response to shock events. In an embodiment, shock events with large magnitude trigger a severe shock timer which lengthens the write fault before write operations resume. In another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used following an initial shock event. In yet another embodiment, a lower shock threshold is used if an accumulated average position error of the transducer head is large.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a variable media tape based storage system for storing, retrieving, and communicating data. The system includes at least one media element having a compatible relationship with one of a plurality of drives for storing and receiving data. The at least one media element configured to operate with the at least one drive as a functional pair is considered a loaded drive. The storage system also includes switch and mapping system, which in one embodiment could be an interface bridge processor, operatively linked to each of the plurality of drives. Finally, the storage system adapted to alter at least one received and accepted tape library command from positioning a target storage tape article for use with a target tape drive to selecting one of the loaded drives via the interface bridge processor.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a rotatable data storage disk, a transducer, an actuator, and a servo burst demodulator. The disk includes a servo burst pattern thereon within a single servo sector. The transducer is configured to generate a read signal from the servo burst pattern. The actuator is configured to position the transducer relative to the disk. The servo burst demodulator is configured to generate a position error signal from the contributions of the servo burst pattern to the read signal, and is configured to generate a fly height signal from the contributions of the servo burst pattern to the read signal. The position error signal is indicative of a radial location of the transducer relative to the disk. The fly height signal is indicative of a height of the transducer from the disk.

Abstract: A method for writing servo information onto a disk of a hard disk drive with a servo writer. The disk has a circumferential index and a band of servo reference tracks. The circumferential index is detected from a clock signal generated from a clock track of the disk. The reference tracks include radial indices. A spiral servo pattern is written upon the detection of the circumferential index and a radial index. The servo writer includes a phase detector that detects changes in the relative position of the circumferential and radial indices and a delay circuit that delays the clock signal to offset such changes.

Abstract: A system and method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written data tracks and at least one alignment band. The system in one embodiment includes a plurality of adjacent readers for simultaneously reading the data tracks. At least one reader is also present for reading the at least one alignment band. A mechanism determines a fractional overlap of each reader on the data tracks based on readback of the alignment band. A mechanism extracts data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the fractional overlap.

Abstract: A servo system includes a first member and a second member that is positionable relative to the first member. A position error signal causes the second member to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first member. The position error signal includes a position error due to a disturbance in the servo system, and the position error is reduced by attenuation of a disturbance signal as a non-linear function of the amplitude of the disturbance signal.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing method of a magnetic tape in a tracking servo system, a recording density of each data track is increased while inhibiting occurrence of a recording/reproducing error caused by a size change of a magnetic tape in the width direction. Data tracks are each set to have a smaller track width stepwise as closer to servo tracks (41T-1 to 41T-5 etc.) in the width direction of a magnetic tape 1. With such a setting, the width of the data tracks (A1-41T-1 to A1-41T-5 etc.) closest to the servo tracks (41T-1 to 41T-5) can be minimized, thereby enabling a significant increase in number of the data tracks.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising an actuator including a head, a disk, and a processor connected to the actuator by a flex circuit cable. The processor under the control of a program to: apply a control signal for a seek operation and to apply a bias signal to the control signal to approximate the bias imparted by the flex circuit cable. The bias is determined from a data structure that stores: bias values for track zones representative of a first and second bias curves that approximate a bias imparted by the flex circuit cable upon the actuator as the actuator moves the head from the OD to the ID of the disk and from the ID to the OD of the disk, respectively. The bias values representative of the first and second bias curves are determined based upon a non-linear apportionment of track zones.

Abstract: To generate a high data transfer rate from a magnetic write head, a faster flux rise time is needed. This often brings about severe excess saturation of the head and, as a result, adjacent track erasures often occur. This problem has been overcome by indenting P1 away from the ABS so that there is a narrowing of P1 near, but not all the way to, the write gap. This causes the excess flux associated with high write currents to be diverted into P2 instead the P1 shoulder.

Abstract: A magnetic head (slider) for perpendicular recording which requires no lapping is described. The head is fabricated with an air bearing surface that is parallel to the wafer surface. The coil and pole pieces are formed from thin films disposed parallel to the air bearing surface. Standard lithographic techniques can be used to define the shapes, gaps and pole piece dimensions. Non-rectilinear shapes can be formed; for example, side shields that conform around the write pole piece region. The thickness of the main and return pole pieces are controlled by the deposition process rather than by lapping. The saw cuts used to separate the individual sliders from the rest of the wafer are perpendicular to the air-bearing surface and do not pass through any critical features.

Abstract: A single-pole perpendicular magnetic recording head contains a bevel angle promotion layer that facilitates the fabrication of the bevel angle in a trapezoidal main pole. The bevel angle promotion layer is made of a non-magnetic material that is softer than the material (e.g., Al2O3) that normally underlies the main pole. In one embodiment, the bevel angle promotion layer is formed between an end of the yoke and the air bearing surface (ABS), with the top surface of the bevel angle promotion layer being substantially coplanar with the top surface of the yoke. In other embodiment the bevel angle promotion layer is integrated with a leading edge taper material, which is formed of a magnetic material, to broaden the magnetic flux path between the yoke and the main pole.

Abstract: A head slider with a precise positioning actuator includes a thin plane shaped head section provided with a first surface that is substantially perpendicular to an ABS of the head slider, a second surface opposite to the first surface and at least one head element formed on the first surface, and an actuator section located at a side of the second surface of the head section and integrally fixed to the head section, for precisely positioning the at least one head element.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a base, and a magneto-resistive device supported by the base. The magneto-resistive device includes a magneto-resistive layer formed on one surface side of the base, and a first film. The first film is formed to be in contact with an effective region effectively involved in detection of magnetism in the magneto-resistive layer on both sides or one side of the effective region in a track width direction without overlapping with the effective region. The track width direction is substantially parallel to a film surface of the magneto-resistive layer. The first film is a single-layer film or a multiple-layer film. The first film includes a soft magnetic layer which does not form part of a layer for applying a biasing magnetic field to the free layer. The soft magnetic layer contributes to a reduction in side reading.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a first electrode layer, a first ferromagnetic electrode pair that is electrically connected to the first electrode layer, and a second ferromagnetic electrode pair that intersects with a current which flows between the first ferromagnetic electrode pairs and is electrically connected with the first electrode layer. The current is allowed to flow between the first ferromagnetic electrode pair through the first electrode layer to accumulate spin electrons in the first electrode layer. A direction of magnetization of the fourth ferromagnetic electrode layer changes upon application of an external magnetic field. The second ferromagnetic electrode pair is so arranged as to intersect with the current that flows between the first ferromagnetic electrode pair, to increase a rate of change in the output signal of the in-plane spin accumulation effect.

Abstract: An arc fault detection circuit collects samples of sensed current, determines a peak current value from the samples for each line cycle, determines a hysteresis value for a compressor load as a function of differences between the peak current values, and generates a trip signal responsive to the sensed current and the hysteresis value. The circuit determines a difference value for each line cycle from the present peak current value less the previous peak current value, low pass filters the difference value to provide a low pass filtered value, determines a peak value from the low pass filtered value, determines that the absolute value of the low pass filtered value is less than a portion of the peak value and responsively saves the peak value, and determines the hysteresis value as a function of the saved peak value. An operating mechanism opens separable contacts responsive to the trip signal.

Abstract: A power supply controller having a multi-function terminal. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a drain terminal, a source terminal, a control terminal and a multi-function terminal. The multi-function terminal may be configured in a plurality of ways providing any one or some of a plurality of functions including on/off control, external current limit adjustments, under-voltage detection, over-voltage detection and maximum duty cycle adjustment. The operation of the multi-function terminal varies depending on whether a positive or negative current flows through the multi-function terminal. A short-circuit to ground from the multi-function terminal enables the power supply controller. A short-circuit to a supply voltage from the multi-function terminal disables the power supply controller. The current limit of an internal power switch of the power supply controller may be adjusted by externally setting a negative current from the multi-function terminal.

Abstract: A starting and protection device for refrigerator motors having a thermal protection device and a PTC resistor, includes a common casing containing the protector and the PTC resistor. The casing is formed by two separate bodies designed to house the protector and the PTC resistor respectively. The bodies are separate and distanced to prevent the protector from being affected by the heat developed by resistor.

Abstract: An on-chip latch-up protection circuit. The lath-up protection circuit includes a core circuit, a power switch, and a current extractor. The power switch controls major current flowing through the core circuit. The current extractor detects amplitude of the major current. The power switch, the core circuit and the current extractor are coupled in series between a relatively-high power line and a relatively-low power line. When the major current surpasses a predetermined amplitude, the power switch is turned off, causing latch-up stops.

Abstract: An over voltage protection circuit for single phase and multiphase buck converters. According to one embodiment, upon the occurrence of an over voltage condition, the high side switch is turned Off and the low side switch is On. As the output voltage drops below a lower threshold, the low side switch is turned Off thereby reducing or eliminating negative spikes on the voltage output.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker. A control processing unit can determine a dynamic delay time for opening a first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in the circuit. The control processing unit delays opening the first circuit breaker until after the dynamic delay time has elapsed to provide an opportunity for the nearest circuit breaker to clear the fault.

Abstract: The invention is a dual stage power supply with a protection circuit for preventing reverse conduction through the lower voltage driver of the dual stage power supply and excess power dissipation when the higher voltage driver is on. In one embodiment of the invention, the protection scheme comprises a comparator that detects when the voltage on the output pad exceeds a predetermined voltage and a protection transistor which is controlled by the comparator to block reverse conduction through the lower voltage driver when the higher voltage driver is operating.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting an electronic device including a differential nulling avalanche clamp circuit (200, 300) and method of using the circuit in an electronic system (100) to limit radio frequency overdrive. The electronic system (100) includes a surge clamp (130) coupled to dissipate an electrical surge effect of a first frequency from a noise sensitive node (140) and a ring wave clamp (120) coupled to dissipate an electrical surge effect of a second frequency from the noise sensitive node (140). The ring wave clamp circuit (200, 300) includes a first bipolar junction transistor (210, 310), a second bipolar junction transistor (220, 320) coupled to the first bipolar junction transistor (210, 310), and a resistive circuit (230, 330, 340) coupled to the first and second bipolar junction transistors (210, 220, 310, 320).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for fault detection and interruption in power lines are provided. Circuitry is implemented via software and hardware that is configured to sense an operational aspect of a power line and apply signal processing to the sensed operational aspect to detect faults including different types of faults such as transient and steady state faults and can also be configured to identify the type of fault. Information on the fault and the identification of the type of fault can be displayed, stored, or some other output operation can be implemented. Circuitry can be implemented to provide digital signal processing and analog signal processing to, for example, independently and in parallel (e.g., redundant operation) detect faults and respond to faults as they occur (i.e., in real time). The types of faults can include transient type faults that can include ground, arc, line-to-line, and imbalance type faults and can also include steady state type faults (e.g.

Abstract: An AC plug provided with a plug casing and prongs formed sticking out from the inside of the plug casing to the outside and supplying AC power supplied from a power outlet to the prongs by an AC cord connected to the prongs inside the plug when the prongs are inserted into the power outlet, further provided with, inside the plug casing in series between the prongs, a discharge resistor for discharging a residual charge across the prongs when the prongs are pulled out from the power outlet and a switch turning off when the prongs are inserted into the power outlet, turning on when they are pulled out from the power outlet to pass the residual charge of one prong of the prongs to the other prong through the discharge resistor.

Abstract: An inner electrode formed inside a dielectric body and a surface electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric body. The surface electrode is formed in a grid pattern with pointed parts formed inside the grid section. Each pointed part is in the shape of a triangle whose vertices are two arbitrary points on a side of the grid section and an arbitrary point inside the grid section, or a quadrangle whose vertices are a crossing of grid lines, an arbitrary point near a straight line connecting crossings of grid lines in the diagonal positions, and two arbitrary points on sides of the grid section. An ion generating element is formed which can generate positive ions and negative ions. The ion generator can be used in an air conditioning apparatus, cleaner or refrigerator.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display part to display a picture, a signal processor to convert a video signal into a format suitable for the display part, an anion generator to generate anions, and a controller to control the display part and the signal processor and control the anion generator to generate the anions. The anion generator is controlled by a controller such as a microcomputer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method for capacitive sensing. The device includes a fluid channel including an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a cavity region coupled to the fluid channel, and a polymer based membrane coupled between the fluid channel and the cavity region. Additionally, the device includes a first capacitor electrode coupled to the membrane, a second capacitor electrode coupled to the cavity region and physically separated from the first capacitor electrode by at least the cavity region, and an electrical power source coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode and causing an electric field at least within the cavity region. The polymer based membrane includes a polymer.

Abstract: A company switch-type of electrical switchgear is disclosed having improved safety characteristics and having a reduced profile. The electrical connections are typically all enclosed in one area facing one direction such that access to the connections can be controlled and interlocked with one or more main breakers. By enclosing the connections in one area and directing the leads out of the enclosure in one direction, the size of the enclosure can be reduced while the safety of its use is increased.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an Internet appliance, specifically one that provides in a single drawer mounted enclosure audio and computer functions. It provides for input means with a built-in keyboard or game console. The Internet appliance may be removed from the drawer slide and carried to another location and inserted into another drawer slide for portability.

Abstract: A power supply mounting apparatus includes a case (20), and a mounting bracket (30). The case includes a rear panel (210) and a side panel (220), respectively forming many of supporting plates (215, 222) to support a power supply (10) thereon. The mounting bracket includes a first plate (310) and a second plate (320). The rear panel defines a slot (217) and the side panel defines a pair of locking apertures (224) therein. The first plates forms a hook (312) for rotatably receiving in the slot of the case. The second plates forms a pair of resilient catches (328) engaging in the locking apertures of the case.

Abstract: A keyboard having a lifting lid and a replaceable panel includes a keyboard body, a see-through upper lid made from a transparent or translucent material to cover the keyboard body and an ornamental panel sandwiched between the keyboard body and the upper lid on a keyboard non-operation zone. Users can replace a desired ornamental panel whenever desired to enhance the total aesthetic appealing of the keyboard body.

Abstract: An attachment member is coupled to a panel member at the peripheral outward surface of the panel member. A predetermined coupling mechanism serves to establish the connection. The attachment member receives an attached component behind the panel member. No urging forces are thus applied to the panel member in the direction perpendicular to the back surface of the panel member when the attachment member is coupled to the panel member. The panel member can reliably be prevented from suffering from damages or breakage.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a display comprises a plate configured to hold a source of light for a display, a first housing sealingly connected to the plate, and a second housing sealingly connected to the plate. The plate has a first side, a second side, and a peripheral edge. The second side is opposite the first side. The first housing and the first side of the plate cooperate to form a first substantially gas-tight seal proximate the peripheral edge. The second housing and the second side of the plate cooperate to form a second substantially gas-tight seal proximate the peripheral edge. The second housing includes a flange extending over at least a portion of the peripheral edge and beyond a plane of the first side of the plate. The flange is separated from the first housing by a gap such that the first and second seals can be formed.