Patents Issued in November 20, 2007
  • Patent number: 7298537
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical coupler, an optical line image unit, a deflector, and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes scanning lenses that guide the beams to a surface to be scanned. A surface on the deflector side of the scanning lens closest to a deflection reflecting surface has a negative power in a vertical scanning direction, and is a special toric surface in which a radius of curvature in a vertical scanning changes from an optical axis of the lens surface toward a periphery of the horizontal scanning direction. An F number of the beams toward the surface to be scanned of the scanning lens in the vertical scanning direction is larger in a peripheral part than in a central part in an effective scanning width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshinori Hayashi, Hiromichi Atsuumi
  • Patent number: 7298538
    Abstract: An apparatus for directing a light path sequentially between multiple positions. A rotary switch rotates a light beam from a prism relative to a plurality of optical elements arranged radially on a switch body. In one embodiment, a prism rotates in the switch body, causing the light beam to sweep through the optical elements. In another embodiment, the switch body rotates about a prism transmitting the light beam. In various embodiments, the optical elements include a photodetector, a filter and a photodetector pair, a reflector, and a filter and a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Neptec Optical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Guynn, Vincent J. Tekippe, John Carberry
  • Patent number: 7298539
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator is provided. The spatial light modulator includes a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrically activated electrodes and a bias grid and a standoff structure coupled to the first substrate. The standoff structure includes a central portion projecting to a first height above the first substrate and an extension portion projecting to a second height above the first substrate, the second height being less than the first height. The spatial light modulator also includes a mirror plate comprising a central contact structure integrally formed with the central portion of the standoff structure, a torsion beam coplanar with the central contact structure and free from contact with the standoff structure, and a reflective surface coupled to the plurality of torsion arms and free from contact with the standoff structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventor: Xiao Yang
  • Patent number: 7298540
    Abstract: A dynamic equalizing optical channel router includes an input port for receiving a wavelength division multiplexed composite optical signal comprising a plurality of channels; at least one output port; a diffraction grating optically coupled to the input and output ports; a lens optically coupled to the diffraction grating at a side opposite to the input and output ports; an array of steering devices optically coupled to the lens at a side opposite to the diffraction grating, wherein each channel is reflected by a different steering device of the array; and a plurality of attenuators, wherein each channel reflected by the array traverses one of the attenuators and the diffraction grating to the at least one output port. The router is able to dynamically adjust optical intensity of each wavelength channel by a different amount while also performing the function of wavelength routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: Song Peng, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 7298541
    Abstract: Three green EC materials based on thiophene, and a green EC material based on pyrazine are disclosed. A first thiophene derivative (2,3-Di-thiophen-2-yl-thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine), which was previously investigated as a nonlinear optical material, is here disclosed for its use as an EC material, and for its incorporation into an EC device. Synthesis of two new thiophene derivatives (2,5-di(thien-2-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene and 2,5-(2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene), and a new pyrazine derivative (2,3-dibenzyl-5,7-di(thien-2-yl)thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine) are also disclosed, since these materials are all able to selectively change to a green color state, and can be polymerized to achieve a green EC polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Lu Liu, Chunye Xu, Minoru Taya
  • Patent number: 7298542
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device having a reset electrode for use in various devices including display devices such as those employing spatial light modulators. The device includes an optically transmissive substrate, a semiconductor substrate, and a member deflectable between a rest position and an operative position supported by one of the substrates. The deflectable member returns to an undeflected position by operation of the reset electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael J. Regan
  • Patent number: 7298543
    Abstract: Set forth is a method of forming an electrophoretic display device that includes locating a multiplicity of individual reservoirs containing a display fluid between conductive substrates, at least one of which is transparent, to form a device, wherein the display fluid comprises at least two sets of particles in a liquid medium, the at least two sets of particles exhibiting a different color, and charging each of the sets of particles to have a different charge via application of an electric field to the device. This field induced charging of the sets of differently colored particles enables low conductivity particles with superior electrophoretic mobility to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Man-Chung Tam, Naveen Chopra, San-Ming Yang, Barkev Keoshkerian, Peter M. Kazmaier
  • Patent number: 7298544
    Abstract: A method for patterning self-assembled colloidal photonic crystals and a method for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal waveguides having an inverted-opal structure using the patterning method. The patterning method includes depositing first and second conductive films separate from each other, on an area corresponding to a pattern of the self-assembled colloidal photonic crystals that are to be formed on a substrate and on another area except for the area corresponding to the pattern, respectively, and growing the photonic crystals on the substrate on which the first and second conductive films are deposited by dip-coating in a fluid containing colloidal particles while applying a DC voltage to the respective first and second conductive films. Various types of colloidal photonic crystals can be fabricated depending on the electrode pattern defined on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il-kwon Moon, Jong-ho Kim, Sang-hoon Shin, Suk-han Lee
  • Patent number: 7298545
    Abstract: A tunable coherent light source includes a pump laser for generating a pump beam and an optical parametric oscillator including a crystal exhibiting an output curve for a pump beam of a defined wavelength, the output curve defining wavelengths of signal and idler outputs based on periodically poled grating periods of the crystal. The crystal has a plurality of segments associated with a plurality of grating periods of the output curve, each segment of the plurality of segments having a different crystal structure. At least one of the plurality of segments comprises a crystal structure combining at least two of the grating periods A heating device heats the crystal to an elevated operating temperature and is adjustable for adjusting the output wavelengths of each of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Andrew H. Kung, Shining Zhu, Shih-Yu Tu, Zhida Gao
  • Patent number: 7298546
    Abstract: An ultraviolet light source (1) comprises a laser light source (10) for generating a signal light in the infrared region, a optical amplifier (20) which comprises fiber optical amplifiers (21, 22) and amplifies the signal light generated by the laser light source (10), and a wavelength converting optical system (30) which coverts the signal light amplified by the light amplifier (20) into an ultraviolet light and outputs the converted light. The ultraviolet light source (1) uses a single-mode fiber laser (26) as an excitation light source for at least the fiber optical amplifier (22) at one stage of the optical amplifier (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tokuhisa, Hiroshi Kitano
  • Patent number: 7298547
    Abstract: A 2-?m fiber Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) source provides a wide emission bandwidth and improved spectral stability/purity for a given output power. The fiber ASE source is formed from a heavy metal oxide multicomponent glass selected from germanate, tellurite and bismuth oxides and doped with high concentrations, 0.5-15 wt. %, thulium oxides (Tm2O3) or 0.1-5 wt% holmium oxides (Ho2O3) or mixtures thereof. The high concentration of thulium dopants provide highly efficient pump absorption and high quantum efficiency. Co-doping of Tm and Ho can broaden the ASE spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: NP Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Shibin Jiang, Jianfeng Wu, Jihong Geng
  • Patent number: 7298548
    Abstract: A solution for directing electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, from multiple fields of view in differing directions to a single view point is provided. The radiation received from one or more fields of view is directed onto a first reflective surface, the radiation reflected off of the first reflective surface is then directed to a view point that comprises a transparent portion of the first reflective surface. In this manner, the invention enables the viewing and/or imaging of the radiation from any location in the full panorama at a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 7298549
    Abstract: A confocal microscope has a specimen holding device for holding a specimen (18). The specimen (18) is illuminated by an illuminating unit (10). An optics unit (12) serves to direct radiation produced by the illuminating unit (10) toward the specimen (18) and to direct the radiation emitted by the specimen toward a detector unit (20). The confocal microscope also comprises an aperture diaphragm (34) that is placed in the beam path in front of the detector unit (20). In addition, a focusing lens (30) is provided in the beam path in front of the aperture diaphragm (34). The focusing lens (30) can be moved in order to adjust the confocal microscope, for example, in order to compensate for thermal stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Evotec AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Müller
  • Patent number: 7298550
    Abstract: The invention provides a dichroic mirror having a transmission characteristic in which a step due to splitting of P-polarized and S-polarized light can be reduced and having a fluorescence-transmitting band extending to long wavelengths. The invention also provides a fluorescence filter set that can be constructed of environmentally conscious glass materials that do no use harmful substances, such as lead, and a fluoroscopy apparatus including such a fluorescence filter set. The dichroic mirror comprises a transparent substrate and a dielectric multilayer film formed by alternately laminating high-refractive-index layers and low-refractive-index layers on the transparent substrate. The dielectric multilayer film includes from 50 to 150 alternately laminated high-refractive-index layers and low-refractive-index layers each having an optical film thickness from 1.5?0/4 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Nishiwaki, Kei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7298551
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for changing the spectral composition and/or intensity of illumination light and/or specimen light in an adjustable manner, wherein a spatial separation into radiation components of different polarization is carried out with a first polarizing device, a spectral, spatial splitting of at least one radiation component is carried out with first dispersion device, the polarization state of at least one part of the spectrally spatially split radiation component is changed, and a spatial separation and/or combination of radiation components of different polarization are/is carried out by a second polarizing device, wherein a spatial combination of radiation components which are changed and not changed with respect to their polarization state is advantageously carried out by a second dispersion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 7298552
    Abstract: An observer-adaptive autostereoscopic display system (100) comprises a display device (102) having a screen for displaying an image and a shutter (204) being electronically controlled to have transparent (230) and non transparent segments (228, 232, 234) which alternate time-sequentially in synchronism with the display device (102). The shutter (204) is designed to block light that is traveling in arbitrary directions but to let pass light which goes from the display device to predetermined positions and which is bent by lenses (208-226) of a first (202) and a second grid (206) of lenses. The lenses (208-226) are disposed in the first (202) and the second grid (206) at a predetermined pitch distance which is substantially equal to a pixel width of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Andre Redert
  • Patent number: 7298553
    Abstract: The invention relates to an element for the combined symmetrization and homogenization of a beam of rays and to a method for designing an element of this type. One object of this invention is to propose an element and a corresponding design method by means of which a beam of rays with any desired intensity distribution is shaped from a beam of rays with an inhomogeneous intensity distribution. In particular, the intention is to transform a beam of rays with an elliptical intensity distribution into one with a different elliptical intensity distribution. For this purpose, the invention provides a phase element for the simultaneous circularization and homogenization of anisotropic intensities of electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Thomson Licesning
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Brenner
  • Patent number: 7298554
    Abstract: A hybrid achromatic optical lens having a high numerical aperture whose chromatic aberration is removed and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The hybrid achromatic optical lens includes a first optical member of a low index of refraction and a second optical member of a high index of refraction. The second optical member is formed on a depressed portion of the first optical member and has a diffractive surface, which is a contact surface of the second optical member with the first optical member and has a plurality of pitches formed on a refractive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-hyoung Cho, Myung-bok Lee, Jin-seung Sohn
  • Patent number: 7298555
    Abstract: In one aspect the system serves as a transmitter and comprises an optics system; a plurality of source elements positioned on the focal plane; and, a small angle beam steerer. The plurality of source elements are each capable of providing a point source of radiation to the optics system. The optics system provides a collimated output. The small angle beam steerer receives the collimated output and redirects the collimated output through a small angular deviation. The redirected output is thus transmitted in a desired direction without a need for mechanical gimbals and is capable of covering a large angular range with respect to the optical axis of the optics system. The system can also be implemented as a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: C. David Capps
  • Patent number: 7298556
    Abstract: An illuminating optical system including a lamp light source and a reflecting mirror device. The lamp light source emits light. The reflecting mirror device having double reflecting mirror arrays formed in at least a portion thereof which at least partly adjust a divergent direction of light emitted from the lamp light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-ho Cho, Dae-sik Kim, Sung-ha Kim, Hee-joong Lee
  • Patent number: 7298557
    Abstract: The invention is directed is directed to a projection unit for a head-up display having an image generator, a mirror and a refractive lens which are arranged in a housing one behind the other in the light propagation direction. The beam path is directed to a windshield. Notably the mirror has a concave reflection surface, and the lens has a free-form surface at lease on one of the optically active surfaces (D-U and/or D-O).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Dobschal, Dirk Jahn
  • Patent number: 7298558
    Abstract: An electronically adjustable, combinational color filter device is provided for generating color light. Incoming light is split in a polarizing beam splitter/combiner into a first and a second element of light. One or more wave plates operate to modify the polarization state of the first element of light, and one or more dichroic reflective filters reflect portions of the first element of light having a predetermined wavelength. Similarly, one or more wave plates operate to modify the polarization state of the second element of light, and one or more dichroic reflective filters reflect portions of the second element of light having a predetermined wavelength. Reflected portions of the first element and the second elements of light are combined in the polarizing beam splitter/combiner to create color light. A spatial light modulator may be used to create color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Teledyne Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Campbell, Bing Wen
  • Patent number: 7298559
    Abstract: A variable focus lens contains a conductive liquid material portion and an insulative liquid material portion in a cylindrical container and includes a first electrode which applies voltage to the conductive liquid material portion through a dielectric layer and a second electrode which directly contacts with the conductive liquid material portion, in which the dielectric layer is an anodized portion 22 made of a metal oxide formed by anodizing the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kato, Fumisada Maeda
  • Patent number: 7298560
    Abstract: A zoom optical system includes, in order from the reduction conjugate side to the magnification conjugate side, a first lens unit having a positive optical power; a second lens unit having a negative optical power; a third lens unit having a positive optical power; and a fourth lens unit having a negative optical power, wherein in an entire zoom range, a magnification-side conjugate position relative to a reduction-side conjugate position, and the position of a pupil of the zoom optical system relative to the reduction-side conjugate position are each substantially fixed, and the interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is larger than the interval between the first lens unit and the second tens unit at a wide-angle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 7298561
    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 are 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsumaro Yamashita, Eiki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7298562
    Abstract: Lens drive unit is provided with a moving lenticular body (sleeve 15, etc.) equipped with a lens, a driving mechanism to move the moving lenticular body in the optical axis direction of the lens and a fixed body (yoke 16, etc.) that supports the moving lenticular body so as to make it movable in the optical axis direction of the lens. The driving mechanism is provided with magnet 17 magnetized in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens, and multiple coils (first coil 14 and second coil 14?) arranged so that the magnet is present in the optical axis direction of the lens. Either one of the magnet and the multiple coils is installed in the moving lenticular body, and the other in the fixed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sue, Noboru Ootsuki
  • Patent number: 7298563
    Abstract: A supporting member for a portable digital video disk player has a rotatable member and a base for accommodating the rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a rotatable seat, at least one elastic member and at least one fastener pressing the at least one elastic member. Each of the rotatable seat and the at least one elastic member has a through hole. The base has at least one protruding element drilling through the through holes of the rotatable seat and the at least one elastic member. The rotatable seat can rotate relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Action Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juen-Tien Peng
  • Patent number: 7298564
    Abstract: A digital camera is constructed with multiple lenses mounted in a pair of tubular elements which are nested together for relative axial movement. Movement is provided by piezoelectric actuators mounted externally to a support tube on flexible printed circuit board elements. Each lens tube is provided with a drive rail which extends at least partially over the length of the lens tube and projects radially outward from the periphery of each of the tubes. The rails are accessible to the engagement pads of the piezoelectric actuators to allow the transmission of drive forces to each of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarkko Rouvinen, Ilpo Kauhaniemi, Pentti Ablgren, Stefan Johansson, Christer Mattsson
  • Patent number: 7298565
    Abstract: A 2×2 opto-mechanical switch is disclosed. A first embodiment of the present invention utilizes a transmitting compact parallel prism and four or two pieces of the 45-degree prism to increase the beam separation. The compact parallel prism keeps a much smaller load to the relay arm. This makes the current invention less sensitive to the ambient shock and vibration. A second embodiment of the present invention utilizes a similar transmitting compact parallel prism and two wedge prisms which has similar advantages. The compact prism applies a small loading force to the relay arm. Both of these embodiments also feature superior thermal and mechanical stability. An opto-mechanical switch in accordance with the present invention utilizes a transmitting design and thus is more stable to ambient thermal or mechanical change. The embodiments of the present invention also feature much better repeatability than the conventional 2×2 optical switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: AC Photonics
    Inventors: Yong Jian Wang, Feng Ye
  • Patent number: 7298566
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to detecting an abnormality in head flying height. In one embodiment, an AGC controller establishes the gain of the reproduced signal through gain adjustment using the servo AGC of the servo signal. A digital filter performs filtering processing by use of the obtained gain data g and the gain data of previous sectors. A comparative judgment section obtains filtered gain data G from the digital filter and compares the gain data G with a reference value CRITERIA to determine whether the flying height is normal or abnormal. If the gain G is larger than the reference value CRITERIA, then the data write operation is inhibited. The filter parameters of the digital filter are programmable parameters which can be set and changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ueda, Kazuyuki Ishibashi, Satoshi Ishii, Masaaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7298567
    Abstract: An electronic device incorporates a linear voltage regulator circuit which includes an external pass transistor that does not rely on internal compensation, provides high gain, and exhibits reduce silicon area and power requirements. Circuits according to the present invention provide sufficient bandwidth with an error amplifier and drive capability to keep any secondary poles sufficiently far from the unity gain bandwidth (UGB) while maintaining good power supply rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Joe M. Poss
  • Patent number: 7298568
    Abstract: The misplacement of a servo burst during a servowriting or self-servowriting process can be corrected by erasing and re-writing that burst. In addition, WORF information of a track can be saved in memory for future servowriting and/or can be utilized to compare with a pre-determined threshold to identify servo bursts to be repaired. Alternatively, a batch writing approach can be used to minimize the time needed to re-write misplaced bursts. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard M. Ehrlich, Thorsten Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7298569
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes: an underlayer constituted of at least a substrate and a nonmagnetic metal element; and an amorphous magnetic layer, made of amorphous magnetic material, which magnetically records information. In certain example embodiments, the amorphous magnetic layer has bumps on a surface thereof or the magnetic recording medium has bumps on a surface thereof (surface of a lubricating layer) so that density of the bumps is not less than 400 bumps/?m2 or so that height of the bumps is not less than 2% with respect to an average layer thickness of the amorphous magnetic layer. Thus, magnetic wall movement of the amorphous magnetic layer is effectively suppressed, so that it is possible to stably form a recording bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Sato, Hiroshi Fuji
  • Patent number: 7298570
    Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to interpreting signals on a channel having an asymmetrical signal amplitude response. A signal processor, such as a read channel transceiver device usable in a magnetic recording system, includes an asymmetry correction circuit configured to receive an analog signal and to compensate for asymmetry in the received analog signal, a signal equalizer configured to receive an input signal responsive to an output of the asymmetry correction circuit and to generate an equalized signal, a discrete time sequence detector operable to examine the equalized signal, and a control circuit that provides a coefficient adjustment to the asymmetry correction circuit to affect the asymmetry compensation based on an estimate of non-linearity derived from the equalized signal and an output of the discrete time sequence detector. The estimate can be a least mean squared estimate of the non-linearity in the equalized signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Ke Han
  • Patent number: 7298571
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to maintaining an acceptable level of relative humidity inside of a disk drive. According to one embodiment, clean dry air is blow over a cover of the disk drive. The cover includes an unsealed servo write slot. The amount of clean dry air blown over the cover is regulated while a servo write process is performed so that a portion of the clean dry air is introduced into the disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schmidt, Charles L. Taylor, Jr., Herman R. Wendt, Farokh Ziari
  • Patent number: 7298572
    Abstract: A method of reducing read/write head wear and disc wear through controlling fly height of the read/write head to improve reliability of a disc drive is disclosed. Absent data transfer operations, a fly height adjusted sweep cycle routine executes a sweep cycle sub-routine that positions the read/write head at an inner most data track, lowers the fly height of the read/write head and performs a seek to the outer most data track to sweep debris from a recording surface and then raises the fly height above an operating fly height for the read/write head, oscillates the read/write head to dislodge debris accumulated on the read/write head and holds the read/write head at the raised fly height while awaiting a new data transfer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Monty A. Forehand
  • Patent number: 7298573
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention detect a head offset in a data region between servo regions in a data write operation. To detect a head offset even in a data region between servo regions, a magnetic disk drive according to an embodiment of the invention makes adjustments to maintain a fixed relative position between the write head and the read head and reads positional information embedded in certain data by use of the read head until just before writing data. This allows the magnetic disk drive to detect a head offset until just before writing data, leading to enhanced reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Nobuhito Kitamura, Noriyuki Sumiya
  • Patent number: 7298574
    Abstract: Servo writing a disk of a disk drive is disclosed. A phase locked loop (PLL) is synchronized to first sectors previously written on a first track, and second sectors are written to a second track using the PLL, wherein a plurality of phase errors corresponding to the second sectors are saved. A correction value is computed corresponding to a selected one of the second sectors, wherein the correction value is computed in response to a plurality of the phase errors generated for a plurality of the second sectors leading the selected sector. The PLL is synchronized to the second sectors using the correction value, a third sector is written to a third track using the PLL, and a phase error is saved corresponding to the third sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hemant Melkote, Robert J. McNab
  • Patent number: 7298575
    Abstract: A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic disk having a load zone and a data area; at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic disk; and a slider for supporting the head. The load zone is created by: creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk; reading the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk; and storing the position of the load zone. The head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations. Methods are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Karl Arthur Flechsig, Donald Ray Gillis, Shozo Saegusa, Reinhard F. Wolter
  • Patent number: 7298576
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298577
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298578
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298579
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298580
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298581
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298582
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a servo area where servo data used for detecting a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic recording medium is recorded; and a writable data area, arranged side by side with the servo area in a track direction, on which user data is written by the magnetic head. The servo area includes a preamble area where a preamble recording pattern that represents data used for providing a clock synchronization of the servo data is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections; and a burst area where data used for detecting a relative position of the magnetic head with respect to a track center position of the servo data is recorded and on which a single burst recording pattern which is a layout pattern that tilts to the preamble recording pattern with a predetermined tilt angle is formed by a plurality of magnetic sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Asakura, Hideo Sado
  • Patent number: 7298583
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a casing having a mount surface. The casing houses a disk-shaped recording medium, a drive motor which supports and rotates the recording medium, a head which performs information processing for the recording medium, a head actuator configured to movably support the head and move the head relative to the recording medium. A control circuit board is arranged to overlap the mount surface of the casing. A holding seal is adhered to the control circuit board and the casing, covering a peripheral portion of the control circuit board to press the peripheral portion to the mount surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideyuki Miyazaki, Toshikuni Sato
  • Patent number: 7298584
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base and a cover engaged with the disk drive base. The disk drive further includes a formed-in-place gasket disposed between the disk drive base and the cover. The formed-in-place gasket is formed of a cured elastomer having a cross-sectional cavity for allowing the formed-in-place gasket to compress upon engagement of the cover and the disk drive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Yamada, Norman Watkins, Frederick J. Hanke
  • Patent number: 7298585
    Abstract: A storage medium load and unload apparatus for diverting a storage medium insertion impact force is provided. The load and unload apparatus comprises a shuttle having a first pin with a first radius extending from a side surface of the shuttle and a protrusion having a posterior edge extending from the side surface. The protrusion posterior edge is displaced a first distance from a center of the pin. A fixed side plate has a flange with a vertical edge, and a first slot with an anterior edge and a curved posterior edge. A first width is provided between the anterior edge and the curved posterior edge of the first slot. The vertical edge of the flange is displaced a second distance from the anterior edge of the first slot. The first pin is engaged with the first slot. A sum of the first width and the second distance is greater than the sum of the first distance and the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Willems, Jr., William J. Vanderheyden
  • Patent number: 7298586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin-film read element for use in reading magnetic signals from a device. The read element includes a first thin-film read sensor and a second thin-film read sensor that are each configured to convert the magnetic signals of the device to electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Campos, Larry E. Daby, Hubert Hayworth