Abstract: When a semiconductor memory device enters a refresh mode, retention times of memory cells are measured for each word line. A plurality of refresh cycles are set in correspondence to the retention times of the memory cells. According to the refresh cycles, the memory cells are refreshed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a memory circuit requiring refresh operations a first circuit which receives a command in synchronization with a clock signal, and which generates a first internal command internally and a second circuit which generates a second internal command, e.g., a refresh command, internally in a prescribed refresh cycle. And an internal circuit, according to said first internal command, executes corresponding control through clock-synchronous operations, and when said refresh command is issued, sequentially executes control corresponding to the refresh command and control corresponding to said first internal command through clock-asynchronous operations. According to the present invention, when a refresh timing signal is generated, the refresh operation can be intrupted among the external command operations.

Abstract: An unclocked electrically programmable fuse (eFUSE) system includes at least two resistive voltage dividers, one voltage divider including an eFUSE, and a differential amplifier. An output node of at least one of the voltage dividers includes an eFUSE that changes an output voltage based on a state of the eFUSE, and the differential amplifier changes the output voltage into a digital output with no clocking capabilities.

Abstract: A programmable power-failure-detection circuit in an integrated circuit is provided that permits programmable selection of operating modes that either monitor a power supply of the integrated circuit or provide reduced power consumption from the power supply by disabling the monitoring of the power supply. The programmable power-failure-detection circuit includes at least one configurable memory cell, a monitor circuit, and a switch circuit disposed on the integrated circuit. The monitor circuit is adapted to monitor the power supply of the integrated circuit and generate a power failure signal in response to the power supply failing to comply with a prescribed operating specification. The switch circuit is coupled to the at least one configurable memory cell and the monitor circuit. The switch circuit is adapted to disable the monitor circuit in response to the at least one configurable memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a word line driver circuit configured in stages. A plurality of sub word line driver circuits are connected, in parallel, to each main word line, and provide a sub word line enable signal to a selected sub word line in response to a main word line enable signal provided through a main word line. A plurality of (local) word line driver circuits are connected in parallel, to each sub word line and provide a local word line enable signal to a selected local word line in response to the (main/sub) word line enable signal so as to operate a plurality of memory cells connected to the selected local word line. The transistor count and layout area of a semiconductor memory device decreases and a reduced chip area can be achieved.

Abstract: A wordline driver circuit can include single stage level shifters to translate a low voltage level (VGND to Vcc) to a high voltage level (Vnwl to Vpp). A wordline driver can further include a two-stage discharge circuit to pull down a wordline from a boosted high voltage Vpp to a boosted low voltage Vnwl. A two-stage discharge circuit can include (i) a first discharge path that can pull the wordline toward a first low voltage VGND; and (ii) a second discharge path that can pull the wordline toward a lower boosted low voltage Vnwl. Initially discharging a wordline to a first low voltage can reduce the amount of charge injected into a boosted low voltage Vnwl supply. A two-stage discharge circuit can be self timed or externally timed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for reducing standby power consumption due to leakage currents in memory circuits. In some embodiments, systems are provided with one or more processors having) bit cells coupled to a word-line node and to a virtual ground node. The word-line node is to be at an active word-line voltage when the row is active and an inactive word-line voltage when the row is inactive. The virtual ground node is to be at an operational ground voltage when the memory array is enabled and at an elevated voltage when the memory array is in a standby mode. There is also a word-line driver circuit coupled to the bit cells through the word-line and virtual ground nodes. The current leakage in the bit cells and word-line driver circuit is reduced during the standby mode when the virtual ground node is at the elevated voltage.

Abstract: A circuit and method for producing a read clock signal in a semiconductor memory device from an input clock signal to ensure that the read access time does not exceed the clock cycle time. One of a plurality of delay amounts is selected to be imposed on the input clock signal depending on the frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: A synchronous semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes: an operation controller for outputting a column active sense pulse in response to a column address and a column command signal; a shift register controller, activated in response to the column active sense pulse, for dividing a clock signal by N to thereby output a divided clock signal, N being a positive integer greater than 1; a plurality of shift registers connected in series and synchronized with the divided clock signal, wherein each shift register transmits the column active sense pulse to the next shift register; and a column active control signal generator for logically combining outputs of the shift registers to thereby generate a column active control signal.

Abstract: A synchronous semiconductor memory device of the present invention has a clock generator for generating a normal and a reverse phase clocks by dividing an external clock, a command decoder for decoding an external command and outputting a command signal; latency setting means capable of selectively setting an even or odd number latency within a range of a predetermined number of clock cycles of the external clock, a latency counter which includes two counter circuits for sequentially shifting the command signal captured using the normal and reverse phase clock and being capable of switching a signal path in response to the number of clock cycles, and first and second control means which controls counting of the clock cycles equivalent to the even or odd number latency by forming an appropriate signal path.

Abstract: Method of determining the specular source/receiver pairs associated with seismic images produced from a transformation of multi-offset seismic wave records as a function of time in the depth domain. When using a prestack depth migration algorithm of Kirchhoff type, one also calculates and saves, in addition to the necessary traveltimes of the rays from the sources and receivers of the acquisition device to the image points of the image to be migrated, the line parameters of these rays and the desired quantities to be reached in fine. Then, once the prestack migrated volume produced, the local slopes of seismic events of interest for the image points considered are extracted. Comparison between line parameters saved during migration and the normal to the local slopes at the image points considered shows which ray is specular among those for which information has been saved, and allows to produce then the required quantity, which is then referred to as specular quantity.

Abstract: An optical sensor assembly including a coupler and an optical fibre coil. The coupler is attached to the central member of the cable at a position where outer layers of the cable been removed. A first terminal of the coupler is connected to an optical fibre traveling along the cable in a fibre conduit external to the central strength member. A second terminal of the coupler is connected to a first end of the coil and a third terminal of the coupler is connected to an optical fibre a mirrored end. The coil is supported about a tubular mandrel, which mandrel fits over the cable. The other end of the coil is attached to the fibre in the cable. The mandrel is located about the cable at a position covering the coupler and the part of the cable where the outer layers are removed.

Abstract: A vibration sensing device, package and system and a method of manufacturing a vibration sensing device are disclosed. The vibration sensing device comprises a body whose geometry is such that it exhibits flextensional properties.

Abstract: The wristband with a clasp (1) includes electrical connection means (2) for connection to at least one electric or electronic component (23). These electrical connection means include an electric connector (2) arranged in one part of the clasp connected to one end of a wristband strand. The connector is of the universal serial bus type so as to be able to be connected, when the clasp is in the open position, to a connector of complementary shape of an electric apparatus, such as a computer station for carrying out energy and/or data transmission with the electric or electronic component. The connector is protected by a fastening piece (6) and bellows (5) when the clasp is in the closed position.

Abstract: A daily display is associated with a text display, the daily display comprising a specific Gregorian calendar date, the text display comprising an abbreviated name of a text reference work wherein the text display is associated with the specific Gregorian calendar date to constitute a complete bibliographic citation.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (1) is described, in particular of bracelet watch type, comprising at least first and second display members (8 and 9), means (23, 31) for making measurements of a physical magnitude related to the value of the altitude and a memory zone (26) for storing the measured values of the physical magnitude. The electronic circuits (20) of the device are adapted to control the analog display members, in one mode of operation called the rate of climb mode, so that a first display member (9) indicates the instantaneous rate of change of altitude and the second display member (8) indicates the value of a mean rate of change of altitude against appropriate graduations (10) of the device. Such a device finds its principle application in the field of aeronautical sports.

Abstract: A wave timepiece has an antenna disposed within or on the side of a case. The antenna has a magnetic core member comprised of magnetic foils that are superposed and stacked one over the other in the radial or transverse direction of the case and laminated together to form a laminated body, and a coil wound around the magnetic core member. Typically, the antenna is disposed in the case between a dial window and a rear cover, and the laminated body of magnetic foils is curved in conformity with the inner circumferential curved face of the case. The wave timepiece exhibits improved reception sensitivity due to the radial or transverse stacking of the magnetic foils.

Abstract: A wrist worn lap counter and method of use for a swimmer including an electronic lap counter/timer module and a wrist strap connected to the module for attachment around the wrist of the swimmer. The module includes a water resistant housing having a viewable front face and a transparent lens covering a digital display, the digital display being operable to simultaneously display a lap set number, lap indicating number, and a current set elapsed time number. First and second input buttons are positioned on the housing, the first input button being operable to incrementally increase the lap set number and to zero and restart the elapsed time number, the second input button being operable to increment or reset to zero the lap indicating number. Pressing either button will activate the module while deactivation preferably requires pressing and holding both buttons.

Abstract: A method of data storage in an optical storage media under multiple specifications. When a data is provided to store in a data area of the optical storage media under Mount Rainier (M3) specification, a first index of the data area under M3 specification is stored into a first data index area, i.e. an area of M3 file allocation table, of the optical storage media. Further, a conversion of the logical address of the data area from M3 specification to Method Two (M2) specification is proceeded, and a second index of the data area under M2 specification can be obtained and stored into a second data index area, i.e. an area of M2 file allocation table, which is in a general application area (GAA) under M3 specification, of the optical storage media.

Abstract: A method of tray ejecting force control for a tray-type optical drive is disclosed. A preliminary input voltage is provided to a DC motor of the tray-type optical drive to perform a preliminary ejection of a tray-type optical drive tray during a preliminary time period. When the preliminary time period is shorter than a predetermined time period, a first voltage smaller than the preliminary input voltage is provided to the DC motor to eject the tray. Alternately, when the preliminary time period is longer than the predetermined time period, a second voltage greater than the first voltage is provided to the DC motor for to eject the tray.

Abstract: An information medium apparatus for performing at least one of a recording operation and a reproduction operation for the information medium, includes: a determination section for determining whether or not a cartridge for accommodating the information medium has been previously opened; and a control section for performing a start processing procedure corresponding to the information medium. When it is determined that the cartridge has not been previously opened, the control section performs a first start processing procedure for starting the information medium by using a blue laser. When it is determined that the cartridge has been previously opened, the control section determines whether or not the information medium is an information medium for which a start processing procedure is to be performed by using a laser other than the blue laser.

Abstract: There are provided: an optical pickup feed mechanism (12) that detects a disk signal; a disk loading mechanism (11) that feeds a disk D by means of a loading roller (11b) that is driven by a loading motor (11a); a mechanism control section (20) that controls drive of the loading motor (11a); and an authentication control section (30) that authenticates the authorized user and outputs a disk ejection instruction to the mechanism control section (20) if the registered password and disk ejection instruction are input. The authentication control section (30) is provided with a time setting section (36) that stores a set time length in memory (32), a timer (37) that measures time, and a time decision section (38) that determines lapse of the set time length in accordance with the time length stored in the memory section (32) and the time measured by the timer (37).

Abstract: A method for deriving a tracking error signal based on a first analog detection signal and a second analog detection signal. The method includes summing the first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal to generate an analog sum signal. An analog delay device is utilized to delay the analog sum signal to be a delay signal. The delay signal is digitalized into a digital delay signal. The first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal are respectively transformed into a first digital detection signal and a second digital detect signal. The tracking error signal is then generated utilizing a comparing operation among the digital delay signal, the first digital detect signal, and the first digital detect signal.

Abstract: A method for deriving a tracking error signal based on a first analog detection signal and a second analog detection signal. The method includes summing the first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal to generate an analog sum signal. An analog delay device is utilized to delay the analog sum signal to be a delay signal. The delay signal is digitalized into a digital delay signal. The first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal are respectively transformed into a first digital detection signal and a second digital detect signal. The tracking error signal is then generated utilizing a comparing operation among the digital delay signal, the first digital detect signal, and the first digital detect signal.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to an optical recording medium, it is desirable, in particular in the case of track jumps, to detect the direction of the track jump, i.e. the direction of movement of an objective lens of the apparatus relative to the optical recording medium in order to be able to carry out corresponding track regulation. For this purpose, and also for determining the number of tracks crossed by the scanning beams, it is proposed to determine the number of zero crossings and also the phase difference between at least two error signals derived from the reflected scanning beams.

Abstract: A method for controlling a stepping motor in an optical storage system and for achieving a short seek with the stepping motor is disclosed. The optical storage system comprises a pick-up head and object lens, wherein the object lens is movably installed on the pick-up head. The method includes determining a number of steps that the stepping motor should rotate; moving the object lens toward a target track; and utilizing the stepping motor to move the pick-up head toward a target position according to the number of steps that the stepping motor should rotate.

Abstract: An optical pickup unit includes a light source emitting a light beam, an objective lens focusing the light beam onto an information recording medium, a light detection part receiving the light beam reflected from the information recording medium, and a light blocking part selectively blocking a part of the light beam with respect to a radial direction. The light blocking part is provided in an optical path of the light beam centered on an optical axis.

Abstract: On a write-once-type recording medium 10, there are provided: a definite defect management area 13 to definitely record therein defect management information; and a plurality of temporary defect management areas 14A, 14B, and 14C to temporarily record therein the defect management information. If the recording medium 10 is not yet finalized, every time the defect management information is updated, the updated defect management information is recorded into any one of the plurality of temporary defect management areas. Moreover, a status information recording area 15 is provided on the recording medium 10, and status information for indicating the temporary defect management area in which there is the defect management information recorded at last is recorded into the status information recording area 15. By referring to the status information, it is possible to quickly specify the defect management information recorded at last.

Abstract: An information storage medium includes an area in which updated disc-related information and recording-related information updated with a change in at least one of a disc version number and a recording speed is recorded along with existing disc-related information and recording-related information. The existing disc-related information and recording-related information are recorded, and the updated disc-related information and recording-related information is recorded in an area in which the existing disc-related information and recording-related information is recorded. Accordingly, data can be recorded/reproduced on/from a new version of information storage medium even using an existing drive.

Abstract: A method of recording writing speed information and per writing speed write strategy information within disc control information is provided. The standardized disc control information can be uniformly applied to efficiently cope with the record/playback of the optical disc. In configuring disc control information within a management area of an optical disc including at least one recording layer, the method includes steps of providing the at least one disc control information within the management area, the disc control information provided per applicable writing speed to each of the at least one recording layer; and recording applicable recording speed information within the disc control information.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes a spindle motor, a control unit, and a detection device. The spindle motor is adapted for rotating an optical disc. The control unit controls rotation of the spindle motor. The detection device is coupled to and is controlled by the control unit to detect the rotation speed change rate of the spindle motor within a predetermined time period, to determine if the change rate detected thereby is smaller than a predetermined reference value, and to generate an output signal received by the control unit to indicate that the spindle motor has reached a state where the rotation speed thereof is stable when the change rate detected by the detection device is smaller than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A storage apparatus rotates an optical recording medium at two or more kinds of rotational speeds. The rotational speed is decreased when a read or write margin becomes less than or equal to a first predetermined value or, when a frequency of generation of a servo abnormality of a tracking servo and/or a focus servo is greater than or equal to a first predetermined frequency. On the other hand, the rotational speed is increased when the read or write margin becomes greater than or equal to a second predetermined value or, when the frequency of generation of the servo abnormality of the tracking servo and/or the focus servo is less than or equal to a second predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A writable optical record carrier comprising a plurality of recording layers L0, . . . , Ln?1 separated by a spacer material, each recording layer comprising an optimum power calibration area having a first portion with an average reflection value representative of a recorded layer and a second portion with an average reflection value representative of an unrecorded layer, a method, and an apparatus for forming optimum power calibration areas on such a writable optical record carrier are presented. The optimum power calibration areas partially overlap such that the optimum power calibration areas of each pair of consecutive recording layers form a step, and the first portions of said plurality of recording layers have the form of a staircase. Each step formed by a pair of consecutive recording layers k, k+1 has a preferred minimum step size.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of improving medium usability through a laser power adjusting process while keeping compatibility with a read only type medium. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus adjusts laser power using a PCA till the PCA is used up. After the PCA is used up, an additional area is reserved at the outermost circumference position, thereafter when the additional area is used up, a new additional area is reserved at an inner circumference side of the used up additional area to adjust laser power. The additional area is reserved at an outer circumference than a lead-out area, and therefore format compatibility with a read only type optical disc can be maintained. The additional area is reserved only when the PCA is used up, thus capacity compatibility with a read only type optical disc can be maintained while laser power is adjusted with only the PCA.

Abstract: Audio information stored in the undulations of grooves in a medium such as a phonograph record may be reconstructed, with little or no contact, by measuring the groove shape using precision metrology methods coupled with digital image processing and numerical analysis. The effects of damage, wear, and contamination may be compensated, in many cases, through image processing and analysis methods. The speed and data handling capacity of available computing hardware make this approach practical. Two examples used a general purpose optical metrology system to study a 50 year old 78 r.p.m. phonograph record and a commercial confocal scanning probe to study a 1920's celluloid Edison cylinder. Comparisons are presented with stylus playback of the samples and with a digitally re-mastered version of an original magnetic recording. There is also a more extensive implementation of this approach, with dedicated hardware and software.

Abstract: A method for recording data in an optical recording medium which can record data in information recording layers other than an information recording layer farthest from a light incidence plane of an optical recording medium including a plurality of information recording layers in a desired manner and reproduce data from information recording layers other than the information recording layer farthest from the light incidence plane in a desired manner.

Abstract: In a rewritable compact disc having a wobble groove on a substrate, crystal and amorphous states of a phase-change recording layer are an unrecorded/erased state and a recorded state, respectively. When the recording layer is exposed to recording light, amorphous marks assuming the recorded state are formed. At any of 2-, 4- and 8-times velocities with respect to a reference velocity (1-times velocity) whose linear velocity is 1.2–1.4 m/s, modulation m11 of a recorded signal when the recording light of approximately 780 nm in wavelength irradiates the recording layer via an optical system with NA=0.5 or 0.55 is 60–80%. A topmost level Rtop of reflectivity of the eye pattern of the recorded signal during retrieving at the 1-times velocity is 15–25%, and a jitter of the individual length of marks and inter-mark spaces during retrieving at 1-times velocity is 35 ns or less.

Abstract: A method for determining the address of a frame inside a data sector of an optical recording medium (17), the sector comprising a plurality of frames, each frame being preceded by a synchronization code, and an apparatus (10) for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media (17) using such method. A method for determining the address of a frame inside a data sector of an optical recording medium (17) that is robust against streaming loss is proposed. The method comprises the steps of: keeping a history of previously detected synchronization codes; appending (2) the detected synchronization code to the history; comparing (3) a pattern of the last synchronisation codes with a plurality of valid patterns of synchronization codes; delivering (4) a valid frame address if the pattern corresponds to a valid pattern, the frame address corresponding to the valid pattern, and delivering (7) an error frame address if the pattern does not correspond to a valid pattern.

Abstract: In order to protect copyrighted data on a disk, a method and apparatus for generating a burst cutting area (BCA) on a disk to prevent unauthorized copy, and an information storage medium having a BCA are provided. The information storage medium comprises: a user data recording area; and a burst cutting area (BCA) on which control information is modulated by using on-off keying (OOK) modulation and recorded. According to the method and apparatus, channel bits after BCA data modulation are generated by inserting a start pattern to data bits before modulation such that a separate modulation table is not needed. Accordingly, the recording density in the BCA increases and by using the start pattern, a sync pattern distinguishable from data is generated and can be used as a signal for a phase locked loop (PLL) when data is restored.

Abstract: A digital data storage medium comprises data in the form of particles which are spectrally coded. The particles generally have the same size and shape. The particles are spectrally coded by tailoring metal species to have specific absorption signature. The size, shape and metal species are selected to increase storage density.

Abstract: An optical pickup including an optical member which inhibits interference light reflected from an adjacent layer from being received by a photodetector when an optical information storage medium includes a plurality of recording layers on at least one side thereof. The optical pickup suppresses a photodetector, especially first and second sub-photodetectors of the photodetector, from receiving the interference light reflected from the adjacent layer.

Abstract: An optical pickup device is provided which includes a double-wavelength objective lens (34) that collects a light beam selectively emitted from a light-emitting/-detecting element (31) that selectively emits a plurality of light beams different in wavelength from each other, and also return light from an optical disk (2), a first diffraction grating (45) that splits the light beam emitted from a light-emitting/-detecting element (31) into three beams including a zero-order light beam and positive and negative first-order light beams, a second diffraction grating (46) that diffracts the return light for traveling along a light path separate from that of the outgoing light, and a third diffraction grating (47) that corrects a light-path deviation by diffracting the positive first-order light beam diffracted by the second diffraction grating (46).

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus includes: first-third light sources; a packaged multiple light source unit for packaging emitting points of at least two of the first-third light sources in one housing; an objective optical system for converging light fluxes emitted by light sources onto information recording surfaces of at least three kinds of optical disks; and a magnification adjusting optical unit having an actuator and a movable lens group and being arranged in an optical path between the packaged multiple light source unit and the objective optical system, wherein the movable lens group is driven by the actuator along the optical axis so as to change a magnification of the objective optical system according to a wavelength of a light flux emitted by the packaged multiple light source unit.

Abstract: An information layer 0 comprises a system lead-in area, data lead-in area, data area, and middle area, an information layer 1 comprises a system lead-out area, data lead-out area, data area, and middle area, an end position of the data area of layer 1 is positioned outer than a start position of the data area of layer 0, the data lead-in area comprises a guard track zone wider than a test zone in the data lead-out area, the data lead-out area comprises a guard track zone wider than a test zone and a management zone in the data lead-in area, the middle area of layer 0 comprises a guard track zone wider than a test zone in the middle area of layer 1, and the middle area of layer 1 comprises a blank zone wider than a test zone in the middle area of layer 0.

Abstract: An optical disk having an increased data storage capacity and accessible randomly, the positional shift of which can be quickly detected. An optical disk access device and access method are also disclosed. The optical disk (1) has a track (T1) constructed of two kinds of the first sector (S1) having an ID portion (12) and succeeding sectors (S2) having only a sector mark portion (13), and sector marks of the tracks are different from one another. The data area is increased by compressing the ID portion, and the different marks of the tracks enable quick detection of access positional shift.

Abstract: This invention achieves high-density recording while preventing recording units from overlapping. Recording is done to form a gap between predetermined recording units. Since this gap is formed, even when a rotation driving mechanism of a medium suffers rotation nonuniformity, two neighboring recording units never overlap each other, and destruction of recording data can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention includes an optical disc whose informational units each contain a raised pad designed to reflect laser light at a compound angle which is 45 degrees from the disc surface and at one of 1024 preset angles between 0 and 360 degrees (with 0 degrees being oriented radially towards the disc center). Light reflected from the information units intersects with a ring of light detecting receptors arranged circumferentially around the laser/light source. When individual receptors are struck by reflected laser light: a signal is sent to a processor. This processor determines the order in which the receptors are stuck and outputs integers. Each integer corresponds to the receptor that was struck and this data, when streamed sequentially, reproduces the data stored on the optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs crosstalk management techniques and structures that increase the system performance in channel communications.

Abstract: Adaptive channelization is achieved in a high throughput multicarrier system by first subdividing a high throughput channel into a number of frequency sub-channels. A channelization decision may then be made within a device as to which of the sub-channels to use for a corresponding high throughput wireless link based on channel state information.

Abstract: A wired and wireless communication method, and more particularly a method and apparatus for reducing a PAPR (Peak to Average Power Ratio) in an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system. A transmitter of the OFDM system designates, as a coset leader, a vector capable of minimizing a PAPR in a general standard array of (n, k) linear block codes and transmits a sequence having a minimum PAPR by adding each coset leader to an n-bit codeword corresponding to k-bit information and producing U (?2n-k) number of vectors. Then, a receiver of the OFDM system can easily recover an original transmission signal using a syndrome of a received vector if the receiver identifies information of the syndrome and the coset leader. Subsequently, the OFDM system can be designed irrespective of the number of carriers, i.e., N, and enhance the system's performance by increasing a value of U.