Abstract: Efficient wavelength calibration in a WDM optical amplifier that includes an optical channel monitor (OCM) is obtained by introducing a notch into the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise spectrum of the amplifier outside a WDM transmission band, and having the OCM detect the notch and use the notch as a reference to calibrate the wavelength measurement. The notch is introduced into the ASE noise spectrum using a notch filter, which is preferably incorporated in a gain flattening filter (GFF).

Abstract: A mouth switch is provided for a multifunction operation microscope (1). Signals to be outputted to the operation microscope can be switched from one provided when only a long main lever (21) is held with a mouth (lips, teeth, and the like) to another provided when a sub-lever (25) is held together with the main lever. Even if the number of functions to control increases, the mouth switch can cope with them. The mouth switch can change signals through the simple operation of holding the levers with a mouth, and therefore, possibility of an operation error can be reduced. As a changeover switch (22) is OFF, the mouth switch provides four kinds of signals including focus-up, focus-down, zoom-in, and zoom-out signals, and as for ON state, other four kinds of signals relating to X(+) direction, X(?) direction, Y(+) direction, and Y(?) direction for shifting field of view are provided.

Abstract: A system for macroscopic and confocal imaging of tissue having a macroscopic imager for capturing a macroscopic image of the tissue's surface, a confocal imager for capturing one or more optically formed sectional microscopic images on or within tissue, a computer for receiving images from such imagers, and a tissue attachment device in which the macroscopic imager and confocal imager are each individually presented to the tissue utilizing the tissue attachment device in a predefined alignment, such that imaging locations of the confocal imager with respect to the tissue surface spatially correlate with macroscopic image. A user interface is operable on the computer to enable display of the macroscopic image on a display coupled to the computer, and to indicate a region within the macroscopic image associated with the field of view of the tissue imagable by the confocal imager.

Abstract: A method and a microscope, in particular a laser scanning fluorescence microscope, for high spatial resolution examination of samples, the sample (1) to be examined comprising a substance that can be repeatedly converted from a first state (Z1, A) into a second state (Z2, B), the first and the second states (Z1, A; Z2, B) differing from one another in at least one optical property, comprising the steps that the substance in a sample region (P) to be recorded is firstly brought into the first state (Z1, A), and that the second state (Z2, B) is induced by means of an optical signal (4), spatially delimited subregions being specifically excluded within the sample region (P) to be recorded, are defined with regard to increasing resolution in any desired direction and with regard to an increased imaging rate by the fact that the optical signal (4) is simultaneously concentrated at a number of focal points, and the focal points are focused into various sites of the sample (1).

Abstract: A method for high spatial resolution examination of samples, preferably by using a laser scanning fluorescence microscope, the sample (1) to be examined comprising a substance that can be repeatedly converted from a first state (Z1, A) into a second state (Z2, B), the first and the second states (Z1, A; Z2, B) differing from one another in at least one optical property, comprising the following steps: a) the substance is brought into the first state (Z1, A) by means of a switching signal (2) in a sample region (P) to be recorded, b) the second state (Z2, B) is induced by means of an optical signal (4), spatially delimited subregions being specifically excluded within the sample region (P) to be recorded, c) the remaining first states (Z1, A1, A2, A3) are read out by means of a test signal (7), and d) steps a) to c) are repeated, the optical signal (4) being displaced upon each repetition in order to scan the sample (1), is defined in that the individual steps a) to d) are carried out in a sequence adapted

Abstract: A method and a microscope, in particular a laser scanning fluorescence microscope, for high spatial resolution examination of samples, the sample (1) to be examined comprising a substance that can be repeatedly converted from a first state (Z1, A) into a second state (Z2, A), the first and the second states (Z1, A; Z2, B) differing from one another in at least one optical property, comprising the steps that the substance in a sample region (P) to be recorded is firstly brought into the first state (Z1, A), and that the second state (Z2, B) is induced by means of an optical signal (4), spatially delimited subregions being specifically excluded within the sample region (P) to be recorded, are defined in that the optical signal (4) is provided in the form of a focal line (10) with a cross-sectional profile having at least one intensity zero point (5) with laterally neighboring intensity maxima (9).

Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for inspecting, measuring defined structures, simulating structures and structural defects, repair of and to structures, and post-inspecting defined object sites on a microscopic component (2) with an immersion objective (8a). The device (1) comprises a stage that is movable in the x-coordinate direction and in the y-coordinate direction and a holder (42) for the microscopic component (2), whereby the holder (42) is placed on the stage (4) with the microscopic component (2) in it. The holder (42) has a reservoir (51a) with immersion or cleaning fluid, respectively. The stage (4) is movable such that the immersion objective (8a) is located directly above the reservoir (51a) and may dip into the fluid with its front-most lens.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods related to a light source and screen are disclosed.

Abstract: A projection screen includes first and second basic materials, at least one diffusing layer sandwiched between the first and the second basic materials, a writing layer coating the second basic material, and a reflecting layer over the first basic material; the writing layer allows the ink of whiteboard markers to adhere on and get erased therefore the projection screen allows people to write thereon with whiteboard markers besides being used for images to be projected on by a projector.

Abstract: A circularly polarizing plate of the invention comprises a complex type scattering-dichroic absorbing polarizer including a film that has a structure having a minute domain dispersed in a matrix formed of an optically-transparent water-soluble resin including an iodine based light absorbing material and a quarter wavelength plate formed with one or more retardation plates. The circularly polarizing plate has a high transmittance and a high degree of polarization and in which uneven transmittance can be suppressed when black is displayed.

Abstract: To provide a production method of an antireflection film excellent in the scratch resistance while having sufficiently high antireflection performance; an antireflection film obtained by the production method; and a polarizing plate and an image display device each comprising the antireflection film. A method for producing an antireflection film comprising a transparent substrate having thereon an antireflection layer comprising at least one layer, the production method comprising forming at least one layer on the transparent support by a layer forming method comprising the following steps (1) and (2): (1) a step of applying a coating layer on a transparent substrate, and (2) a step of curing the coating layer by irradiating ionizing radiation in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration lower than the oxygen concentration in the air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a salient reflector nail typically comprising of a main body, reflector straps and an abutment sleeve; said reflector straps are separately bonded on the main body, said main body extends out a flange surround the bottom rim outwardly, said abutment sleeve extends out flange from top inner edge inwardly, by welting the flange of the abutment sleeve over the flange of the main body, and filling out elastic filler into the inside of the abutment sleeve, said main body is retained on the top side of the abutment sleeve. The side wall of said abutment sleeve is in slant so that the whole sleeve appears into small head and big bottom. The elastic reflector nail can efficiently avoid rigidly stroke between the wheels of vehicles and the main body, and the reflector straps falling off from the main body, and the main body breaking down, meanwhile guarantee the alert effect, and prolong the service life of the reflector nail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective elements and retroreflective articles such as pavement markings comprising retroreflective elements, methods of making retroreflective elements, and laminates.

Abstract: An optical film, which comprises: a transparent support; and at least two layers each containing a cured product on or above the transparent support, wherein the layer to be brought into contact with the surface of the transparent support contains a cured product of a below-described composition (I) and the outermost layer of the optical film is a layer containing a cured product of a below-described composition (II): Composition (I): a composition comprising: a polyfunctional compound (a) having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups; at least one of a photo-polymerization initiator and a thermo-polymerization initiator; and metal oxide particles, Composition (II): a composition comprising: a binder polymer; a polyfunctional compound (b) having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups; at least one of a photo-polymerization initiator and a thermo-polymerization initiator; and metal oxide particles; production process of the film; and polarizing plate and display device equipped with the antireflect

Abstract: Where n is the refractive index of the thin film 2, and d is the thickness of this thin film 2, respective substances may be considered to be formed on the surface of the substrate 1 with a thickness of d by a substance having a refractive index of n in the areas where the thin film 2 is left completely intact, with a thickness of d by a substance having a refractive index of 1 in the areas where the thin film 2 is completely removed, and with a thickness of d by a substance having a effective refractive index determined by the diameter of the cylinder and the thickness d of the thin film 2 in other areas. In actuality, the diffraction type diffusion element is divided not into 9 regions, but rather into numerous regions, with each part having a structure such as that shown in the figure, and with the effective refractive indices of the respective parts being different.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a molded structure including both micro lenses and metallic pins. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold apparatus having a set of first cavities and a set of second cavities, depositing a first material in the first cavities to form a set of metallic pins, and depositing a second material in the second cavities to form a set of micro lenses. The formed molded structure comprises a substrate, a set of molded microlenses on said substrate, and a set of molded metallic pins on that same substrate. The metallic pins may be formed as alignment pins or as electrical connectors. The invention enables the micro lenses and metallic pins to be manufactured by way of molding on a common substrate for the first time.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having a wide view angle of an observed image with a small (thin) structure, which includes: two image forming elements; and an optical system guiding a beam from the image forming elements to two observation areas, wherein the system includes curved reflecting surfaces, and is symmetrical about a symmetry plane intermediate between the observation areas, in which a beam from the image forming element on a side of the symmetry plane is reflected on a curved reflecting surface on the side, reflected on a curved reflecting surface on the other side, is reflected on the surface on the side, and transmits a surface SLa to be guided to the observation area on the side; and an area, in the surface Sla, which a beam LLa traveling along an optical path closest to the symmetry plane transmits, has a shape having positive refractive power.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a glass optical element by press-forming a glass material in a chamber by using a forming mold comprising upper and lower dies at least one of which is movable, where a surrounded space is formed between the glass material and at least one of the upper and the lower dies when the upper and the lower dies come into contact with the glass material, a pressure within the chamber is reduced before the glass material placed in the forming mold is heated to a press-forming temperature. After sealing the space as formed when the glass material is in contact with at least one of forming surfaces of the upper and the lower dies, a gas is introduced into the chamber. The glass material is heated in the gas and then press-formed under a pressing load.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprises a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a conducting liquid (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the conducting liquid (B) being immiscible, having different refractive indices and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), the liquids (A, B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The variable focus lens further comprises an electrode arrangement (2, 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of an applied voltage. The container further comprises a transparent end portion (4) in the light path, a part (4) the transparent end portion (4) defining the shape of a part of the interface (14) at a predefined value of the voltage. Consequently, a variable focus lens with a reduced building height (H) is achieved that suffers less from the gradual formation of is small droplets of the conducting liquid (B) on the inner surface of the end portion (4).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid responsive to an electric field (B), the insulating liquid (A) and the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) being immiscible and being in contact with each other via an interface (14), at least one of the liquids (A; B) being at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The optical device further comprises an electrode arrangement (2; 12) for controlling the shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents the unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid responsive to an electric field (B) and the electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A magnifying optical system for endoscope which can be set at least in a usual observing condition (at a wide position) and a condition for observing a magnified image of an object at a short distance (at a tele position) by moving any of one of lens units, and is configured so as to satisfy a condition mentioned below, thereby providing a sufficient observation depth in each observing condition: f(W)/F(T)>0.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, and second and third lens groups each having a positive refractive power, sequentially aligned from an object side. The first lens group is moved along an optical axis and the second lens group is moved along the optical axis toward the object side, during zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telescopic end state. The third lens group includes a negative sub-lens group having a negative refractive power, and a positive sub-lens group having a positive refractive power, sequentially aligned from the object side. Moving the positive sub-lens group orthogonally to the optical axis causes image shifting. The zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression (1): 0.3<1??<2.5, where ? is a magnification of the positive sub-lens group at the telescopic end state.

Abstract: A front group is formed of a negative first lens as a meniscus lens which is convex at the object side and a negative second lens, and a rear group is formed of a biconvex positive third lens, an aperture stop, a negative fourth lens and a biconvex positive fifth lens. The first lens is a glass lens, and the second lens is a plastic aspherical lens. The following conditions arc satisfied: ?2.4<fI/f<?1.55, 0.15<f2/f1<0.35, va<29, and vb>50, where f denotes a focal distance of a whole system, f1 denotes a focal distance of the first lens, f2 denotes a focal distance of the second lens, fI denotes a focal distance of the front group, va denotes an average value of abbe numbers of the third and the forth lenses, and vb denotes an average value of abbe numbers of the rest of the lenses.

Abstract: An imaging lens with a perfect imaging quality and a low manufacture cost is provided for using in an image reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus by controlling a surface shape error thereof in a predetermined range disclosed by the present invention. The imaging lens includes a plurality of lenses, and an aperture stop, wherein a vertical interval between a convex in one direction with respect to a lens surface and a concave in the other direction reverse to the one direction on at least one surface of a lens disposed adjacent to the aperture stop is controlled not greater than ½ with respect to a wavelength in a wave range used, the vertical interval is a surface shape error which is set as a deviation between the lens surface and a proximal spherical surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning unit for an optical element in a microlithographic projection exposure installation. Said unit comprises a first connection region (A, 22) for connecting to the optical elements, and a second connection region (B, 20) for connecting to an object in the vicinity of the optical elements. At least two levers are connected to the second connection region by means of the respective lever bearing thereof, and the respective load arm thereof is connected to the first connection region by an articulation by means of an intermediate element (31, 33, 36) applied to said articulations. Regulating devices (28, 29) or actuators are arranged on the respective power arms of the levers.

Abstract: An optical film comprises: a transparent supporting layer, and a plurality of multi-story prisms having multiple peaks formed thereon and juxtapositionally integrally formed on the supporting layer, each peak of the prism tapered or narrowed upwardly towards a light output direction for increasing a light concentrating effect of the prism in order to increase the brightness of the optical film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reflective sheet which contains a resin composition including not less than 50 volume % and less than 80 volume % of a polypropylene resin (A) and not less than 20 volume % and less than 50 volume % of a resin (B) which causes phase separation from the polypropylene resin at a temperature at which the polypropylene resin can be stretched, and has a pore inside. The reflective sheet is characterized in that, in a cross section of the reflective sheet in the thickness direction, the standard deviation of the ratio (X/Z) between the length (X) in the plane direction and the length (Z) in the thickness direction of the resin (B) phase is not less than 0.2.

Abstract: The variable shape mirror (1) includes a substrate (2) and a bulk piezoelectric body (3). On the piezoelectric body (3), a specular surface (4) is formed, and further a plurality of grooves (5a-5e) are formed at a predetermined interval. The grooves (5a-5e) are arranged so as to surround the specular surface (4) and filled with the conductive members. The conductive members embedded in the grooves (5a-5e) are connected electrically to one of a pair of common electrodes (7a and 7b) that is disposed to cross the grooves (5a-5e) and are formed to be electrodes having different polarities in alternating manner in the direction from the inner side to the outer side of the grooves (5a-5e).

Abstract: In a method for the production of a facetted mirror 24 having a plurality of mirror facets 12 and 12?, which have mirror surfaces 15 and are fitted into reception bores 22, 22? of a support plate 16, the mirror facets 12, 12? are made in a first method step. At least one of the mirror facets is fitted into the associated reception bore of the support plate in a second method step, after which the ACTUAL position of the optical axis of at least one mirror surface of an associated mirror facet 12, 12? fitted into the support plate is respectively determined in a third step and compared with a SET position of a predetermined optical axis. Knowing the measured values determined for the at least one mirror facet 12, 12? in the third method step, reprocessing of the mirror facet and/or of the reception bore is subsequently carried out in a further method step if there is an angular deviation between the ACTUAL position and the SET position.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus comprises an image forming element, and an imaging optical system made up of a plurality of reflectors for projecting an image formed by the image forming element to provide an enlarged version of the image, wherein at least one of the reflectors which make up the imaging optical system is movable for adjusting the focus, and the movable reflector is movable along a straight line non-parallel with the normal line of the image forming element.

Abstract: A color filter including: a transparent substrate; a light shielding part formed on the transparent substrate and contains at least a light shielding material and a resin; and a colored layer formed in the opening part of the light shielding part on the transparent substrate to cover a part of the light shielding part. The light shielding part has: the width of the thick film region, 85% of more of the maximum film thickness of the light shielding part and disposed in the central part of the light shielding part, in a range of 30% to 60% of the light shielding part line width; and the width of each of the thin film regions, 50% or less of the maximum film thickness of the light shielding part and disposed on the both side parts of the light shielding part, in a range of 10% to 20% of the light shielding part line width.

Abstract: A storing unit stores first correction information for correcting a distortion synchronized with a rotation frequency of servo information of a first disk. A control unit controls positioning of a head on a target track by correcting the servo information of the first disk with the first correction information. Measurement information used for measuring the first correction information is calculated based on second correction information for the servo information in other disk apparatus including a second disk on which the servo information is formed using a common master medium with the first disk.

Abstract: A determining unit retrieves status information relating to recording or reproducing data on the magnetic disk, and determines whether to re-record data recorded in a recording area on the magnetic disk based on the retrieved status information. When the determining unit determines to re-record first data recorded in a first recording area, a re-recording unit re-records at least one of the first data and second data recorded in a second recording area near the first recording area on the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A recording head drive circuit drives a recording head that records information on a magnetic recording medium. A switching circuit is a H-bridge circuit which includes a plurality of transistors. The switching circuit switches direction of a write current (Iw) flowing in the recording head, in accordance with a conduction state of each transistor. A write current controller controls the write current (Iw) in the recording head. An overshoot control circuit adds an overshoot current (Ios), proportional to the write current (Iw), to the write current (Iw) flowing in the recording head, in a predetermined overshoot time period.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording apparatus, a magnetic recording medium has a RAM area on which rewritable information can be recorded. The magnetic recording medium also has a ROM area having a pattern area in which first-type segment sequence of magnetically rewritable magnetic segments and magnetically non-rewritable nonmagnetic segments is fixedly recorded as first-type modulation information. Predetermined segments in the first-type segment sequence are magnetized and changed to magnetized segments. A segment sequence of first and second segments magnetized in one and opposite directions is used to magnetically record second-type modulation information in the pattern area.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge comprises data storage media configured to store data for read and/or write access, wherein the data may be arranged in a plurality of partitions; and a plurality of cartridge memories. A control system, for example of a data storage drive, is configured to allocate at least portions of capacity of the data storage media to cartridge memories of the data storage cartridge; and to provide information defining the allocated portions of capacity to the cartridge memories. Each of the cartridge memories may have a separate user and thus provide access for that user to separate partitions.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge comprises data storage media configured to store data for read and/or write access, wherein the data may be arranged in a plurality of partitions; and a plurality of cartridge memories. Each cartridge memory comprises a communication interface and a memory, wherein the information of the memory is formatted to allow association with at least one of the plurality of partitions of the data storage media. Thus, each of the cartridge memories may have a separate user and provide access for that user to a separate partition or subset of partitions.

Abstract: A read channel equalizer of a magnetic tape drive which equalized digitally sampled magnetic signals detected by a read head is dynamically adapted. A detector of equalizer dynamic adaptation logic compares equalizer output signals to desired values that are based on the decoding scheme (such as +2, 0 and ?2 for PR4) to sense equalizer output signals that are offset from at least one desired value, and signals the fact of each offset and it polarity as amplitude independent error signals. The signaled sensed amplitude independent error signals are fed back to adjustable taps of the equalizer. The simplified error signals thus avoid complex calculations of waveform errors, such as least mean square calculations. The error signals may be weighted and may be adjusted to align synchronously provided error signals with asynchronous taps of the equalizer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus includes a rotary head drum around, a tape loading mechanism, and a control unit for controlling rotation of the rotary head drum and operation of the tape loading mechanism. The control unit includes a monitoring unit that monitors rotational frequency of the rotary head drum at a tape loading operation, a first determination unit that determines the presence of dew condensation, an operation unit that stops rotation of the rotary head drum and conducts the tape unloading operation using the tape loading mechanism, a second determination unit that restarts the tape loading operation using the tape loading mechanism, and a stop control unit that controls to stop rotation of the rotary head drum and controls to disable the tape unloading operation using the tape loading mechanism.

Abstract: A hard disk protection system detects an X-axis travel, a Y-axis travel, and a Z-axis travel of a hard disk, and converts them into travel signals to calculate whether a threshold value is reached through the travel signals an algorithm. Reaching the threshold value indicates that the hard disk shakes heavily and the operation of the hard disk should be aborted. Then, a control module is required to send an interrupt signal informing a process module to abort reading the hard disk, so as to prevent the hard disk from being damaged due to the over-high shaking speed.

Abstract: Magnetic disk apparatus includes a magnetic head element having a read element and a write element, a heater provided in the magnetic head element for controlling a protruding amount thereof, a write resistance detector that detects a resistance value of the write element, and an MPU (write element temperature calculation unit) that calculates a temperature of the write element as a temperature of the magnetic head element based on a resistance value of the write element detected by the write resistance detector and a temperature coefficient of the write element.

Abstract: Methods of controlling an I/O operation of a disk drive include determining a temperature associated with the disk drive, comparing the determined temperature to a temperature threshold, setting a duty cycle limit for the I/O operation in response to the determined temperature exceeding the temperature threshold, and performing the I/O operation subject to the duty cycle limit. The I/O operation may include a data write and/or a data read operation. Disk drives configured to control I/O operations based on temperatures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk device, a control device, and a positioning control method with which positioning in a target position can be performed without expending time on a seek operation even when virtual circular control is performed using an eccentric disk. Virtual circular orbits, each depicting a perfect circle centered on the rotary center of a disk surface, are determined. An average orbit is then determined by averaging the virtual circular orbits. Orbits obtained by subtracting the average orbit from each virtual circular orbit are set as the position orbits of the respective disk surfaces. An MCU controls an actuator to follow these orbits.

Abstract: A waveform generator generates an acceleration orbit, a velocity orbit, and a position orbit from the seek time. Each orbits multiplied by respective gains, whereupon the orbits are synthesized by a first adder. The resulting composite orbit is multiplied by a seek distance and then passed through a FIR filter to obtain the target position orbit that is to be applied to the later-stage two-degree-of-freedom control system. The two-degree-of-freedom control system has a characteristic whereby it is able to approximate a second-order low-pass filter.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention relate to reduction in acoustic noise by tuning seek characteristics of a servo controller, depending on a radial position of a head relative to a disk. The servo controller can provide compensation for acoustic resonance modes.

Abstract: Methods of controlling seeking of a transducer that is adjacent to a rotatable disk in a disk drive include determining an expected seek time associated with moving the transducer from an initial track to a target track on the disk. An expected rotational latency time is determined which is associated with rotating the disk to move an addressed data block on the target track adjacent to the transducer after the transducer would be expected to arrive at the target track. A scaled velocity limit is determined which is based on the expected seek time and the expected rotational latency time. While seeking the transducer from the initial track to the target track, the radial velocity of the transducer relative to the disk is regulated in response to the scaled velocity limit. Related apparatus for controlling seeking of a transducer are also described.

Abstract: A system comprises a positioning module, a frequency measuring module, a simulation module, and a control module. The positioning module positions an actuator arm adjacent to a track to read spirals that are prewritten using current of a predetermined frequency. The frequency measuring module measures a first frequency of sync marks of the spirals when the actuator arm is positioned adjacent to the track. The simulation module calculates a second frequency of the sync marks when the actuator arm moves at a predetermined actuator velocity. The control module calculates an actuator velocity at which the spirals are prewritten based on the first frequency, the second frequency, and the predetermined actuator velocity.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a first plurality of storage cartridges along an accessible side of a path, a second plurality of storage cartridges along a non-accessible side of the path, and a transport device to move the first and second plurality of magazines around the path. The storage system further comprises a controller that determines the location of a particular cartridge and operates the transport device to move the particular cartridge to the accessible side of the path to gain access to the particular cartridge. The controller can also be configured to re-position a movable accessor device along the accessible side of the path to access the particular cartridge. The ability to move the cartridges on both sides of the path can at least double the accessible storage capacity of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a casing, an electrical connector, and a latch unit. The electrical connector is provided in the casing, and is coupled electrically to a terminal of a disk drive when the latter is received in the casing. The latch unit includes a latch member that is provided on the disk drive, a first interlocking member that is formed on the latch member, an operating member that is pivoted to the casing, and a second interlocking member that is formed on the operating member, and that engages the first interlocking member when the electrical connector is connected to the terminal of the disk drive. The operating member is operable so as to disengage the second interlocking member from the first interlocking member, thereby permitting removal of the disk drive form the casing.

Abstract: Stiffness reducing features for top covers of data storage systems are provided to prevent delaminating of top layers of the top covers. A top cover for a data storage system includes a bottom layer, a top layer and an adhesive layer that interconnects the top and bottom layers. At least one groove is formed in and extends along the top layer. The at least one groove reduces a thickness of the top layer along the at least one groove.