Abstract: A method of faxing a multi-page job via a facsimile device. Accordingly, the method includes scanning a page of the multi-page job with the facsimile device, encoding the scanned page as a fax signal, and loading the fax signal into a buffer memory. Each page of the multi-page job is scanned, encoded, and loaded. The method further includes transmitting the fax signals encoded from each page of the multi-page job from the buffer memory to a recipient fax device in a single transmission.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transfer device for transferring a sheet, and a reading device for reading an image of the sheet at a prescribed read position. A light volume detection device is arranged at a position of one side end in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction of the sheet to be transferred to detect the light volume according to a deviation amount at a sheet transfer position in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the sheet end. An operation device calculates the deviation amount with respect to a reference position of the sheet transfer position from a difference between the light volume detected by the light volume detection device when the sheet is not present at the sheet transfer position and the light volume detected by the light volume detection device when the sheet is transferred to the sheet transfer position.

Abstract: A method of reducing memory requirement in the compensation memory unit of a scanner. The method includes providing an even compensation data value and an odd compensation data value and averaging the two to produce an odd-even compensation data value. Only half as much memory space is required to hold the averaged odd-even compensation data values.

Abstract: A document handler, such as used in a digital copier, includes an input tray and an output tray, connected by a paper path. Along the paper path are disposed two scan heads, one to record image data from each side of the sheet. The two scan heads are separated from each other along the paper path by a pitch length longer than a sheet to be scanned. The arrangement allows an image on each side of the sheet to be scanned at an exclusive time. For long sheets, a recirculation path, associated with the paper path, is used to allow the sheet to re-enter the paper path: in this way, one side of the sheet is scanned with one scan head, and then the other side is scanned with the other scan head.

Abstract: The invention provides an image scanning apparatus stabilizing a behavior of a document in scanning an image and enabling to promote image scanning accuracy. The image scanning apparatus according to the invention includes a resist roller 22 for feeding a document, a discharge roller 28 disposed in a feeding direction of the resist roller 22 for feeding the document and a first optical carriage A for scanning the image of the document in feeding the document by the resist roller 22 and the discharge roller 28. The resist roller 22 and the discharge roller 28 are respectively driven by a first motor 150 and a second motor 160. Further, when the document is charged to the discharge roller 28, document feed speed of the resist roller 22 in scanning document is made to be increased.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a row of first color sensors including a plurality of first color sensors for sensing first color light to generate a plurality of first sub-pixels and a row of second color sensors including a plurality of second color sensors for sensing second color light to generate a plurality of second sub-pixels. The distance between a first end of an effective sensing area of each first color sensor and a first end of an effective sensing area of a corresponding second color sensor in the linear direction of the image sensor is a first length greater than zero.

Abstract: A hologram reproduction method for reproducing a hologram from an optical recording medium in which the hologram is recorded by Fourier transforming a signal light, in which digital data is represented by an image of intensity distribution, and a reference light, and simultaneously irradiating the lights in a state in which a direct current component is removed from at least the Fourier transformed signal light onto the optical recording medium is provided. The method including: irradiating a read out reference light onto the optical recording medium, and generating a diffracted light from the recorded hologram; generating all or a part of a direct current component contained in a Fourier transformed image of the signal light; combining the diffracted light and the generated all or a part of the direct current component, and generating a combined beam; and reproducing the signal light by inverse-Fourier transforming the combined beam.

Abstract: A multi-beam luminous source apparatus, an optical scanning apparatus, and an image formation apparatus are provided. The multi-beam luminous source includes a first member for supporting a coupling lens and a second member for supporting a control substrate that supports a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL). The first member and the second member are joined with a screw at a reference plane that perpendicularly intersects an optical axis of the coupling lens. The second member includes a base member that supports the control substrate and a base member that includes a branch mirror, a convergent lens, and an optical detection sensor.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a beam generating unit configured to generate a beam of light, a scanning unit with a plurality of scanning planes configured to deflect the beam of light generated by the beam generating unit and cause the beam of light to scan an image carrier in a main-scanning direction, a micro mirror configured to deflect the beam of light generated by the beam generating unit and thereby enable the deflected beam of light to fall on the scanning unit, a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the beam of light deflected by the micro mirror, an input voltage control unit configured to control an input voltage value for inclining the micro mirror and thereby causing the beam of light to deflect, and an input voltage determining unit configured to control the input voltage value controlled by the input voltage control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are capacitive micromechanical resonators optimized for high Q, low motional impedance, and large tuning range. Exemplary resonators were fabricated using a HARPSS-on-SOI process, and demonstrated quality factors up to 119000 in vacuum. For resonators operating between 3 MHz and 30 MHz, the lowest extracted impedance is 218 k? and the largest electrostatic tuning coefficient is ?240 ppm/V2. The disclosed designs are applicable up to at least 200 MHz operation. An oscillator interface circuit comprising of a trans-impedance amplifier and an automatic bias generator providing a temperature-compensating bias voltage is also disclosed. Experiments show temperature drift reduction from 2800 ppm to 39 ppm over a 100° C. range. Process compensation (DFM) of micromechanical resonators, resonators having mass loading elements that allow generation of closely spaced frequencies, and coupled systems comprising of the resonators are also described.

Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.

Abstract: An electrochromic device that may have an elastomeric seal is disclosed as is an electrochromic device having a seal provided on the peripheral edges of both the front and rear elements and wherein the seal may comprises a first material having an oxygen permeability of less than about 2.0 cm3·mm/m2·day·atm. In addition, an electrochromic device may include a seal comprising a thin member bonded to the peripheral edge of at least one of the front and rear elements, wherein the thin member comprises one of a film, thin glass, and a strip of foil.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic device including at least one display region and at least one non-display region, which are separated from each other, the electrochromic device including a first substrate, a first electrode, an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, optionally an ion storage layer, a second electrode, and a second substrate, which are sequentially formed, wherein the ion storage layer and/or the second electrode are patterned so as to prevent the ion storage layer and/or the second electrode from existing in part or all of said at least one display region; and a display device including the electrochromic device. In the electrochromic device, only the second substrate and electrolyte layer are located between the observer and the electrochromic layer, so that it is possible to prevent a contrast ratio from being degraded due to the ion storage layer and/or second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochromic cell comprising a layer (4) of electrochromic material to which an electrolyte layer (3) is applied, means (7, 8, 9) being designed to establish a potential difference between these layers; said electrolyte comprises at least one compound of general formula: Na1+xZr2SixP3?xO12??(1) in which x is chosen to respond to the following conditions: 1, 6?x?2, 4. The present invention also concerns a glass pane or a rear-view mirror including such a cell.

Abstract: A MEMS device is provided. The MEMS device may include a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The MEMS device may also include a first power supply configured to provide a voltage to the first plate and a second power supply configured apply a voltage to the second plate. In some embodiments, a third power supply may provide a voltage to the third plate.

Abstract: In a dispersion for electrophoretic display, used in an electrophoretic display device having i) charged electrophoretic particles and ii) a dispersion medium in which the charged electrophoretic particles stand dispersed, the dispersion medium contains at least one of an ethylene acrylate copolymer and a styrene copolymer. The styrene copolymer is in a content of from 0.0001 part by weight to 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the dispersion medium.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display device with an improved reflective luminance is presented. The electrophoretic display device includes an electrophoretic display panel including sub-pixels corresponding to four colors (e.g., red, green, blue, and white). A signal converter is provided for receiving an image signal for three colors and converting it into an image signal for four colors. A data driver is provided for supplying the converted image signal for four colors to the sub-pixels as a data voltage.

Abstract: A wavelength conversion element with a Quasi-Phase Matching structure which can suppress the ripples of fluctuation pulse waveforms of a change efficiency in a frequency band of the waveform conversion, without controlling the positions and dimensions of the polarization regions at high precision. The wavelength conversion element of the present invention has a plurality of first and second polarization regions, formed so that dielectric polarizations are inverted from each other, and an optical wave guide which is formed so as to pass through the first and second polarization regions, in a nonlinear optical substrate. And an absolute value of the wavelength conversion efficiency is set by adjusting the positional coordinates of the first and second polarization regions in a light traveling direction.

Abstract: A light source device includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting sections, a plurality of wavelength conversion elements each having a periodic polarization inversion structure, and for converting wavelengths of light beams emitted from the plurality of light emitting sections into predetermined wavelengths, a temperature control medium for controlling temperature of the plurality of wavelength conversion elements, a holding member having a housing space for housing the temperature control medium, and for holding the plurality of wavelength conversion elements, and a temperature control section for controlling the temperature of the plurality of wavelength conversion elements with the temperature control medium, and the temperature control section controls the temperature of the wavelength conversion elements so that the wavelength of the light beam emitted from at least one of the plurality of wavelength conversion elements is different from the wavelength of the light beam emitted from ano

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor light source module including: a semiconductor light source for emitting a light flux with a predefined wavelength; a SHG element for converting an incident light flux entering onto an incident end surface of the SHG element into an outgoing light flux having a different wavelength from the incident light flux; a light converging optical system for converging a light flux emitted from the semiconductor light source onto the incident end surface of the SHG element; a light receiving element for receiving a part of a light flux emitted from the SHG element; and a drive device for driving an optical element in the light converging optical system based on a light flux received by the light receiving element.

Abstract: Provided is an all-optical gain-clamped fiber amplifier, comprising transmission and isolation means for periodically transmitting an optical signal or reflecting amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) back to a gain medium. The transmission and isolation means can be embodied by an optical interleaver or a number of optical fiber Bragg gratings. Accordingly, an optical signal can be amplified across the entire C-band, and an ASE reflector-based gain-clamped fiber amplifier having a wider dynamic range than conventional amplifiers can be implemented.

Abstract: A proportional constant adjusting circuit is arranged in the AGC circuit of the optical amplifying apparatus, and the proportional constant of the proportional circuit is continuously adjusted in correspondence to the optical input power monitored by the PD and the logarithmic transformation circuit. The AGC circuit controls the pump LD based on the monitored optical input/output power so as to control the gain of the optical amplifier to be a requested value.

Abstract: A radial transverse electric polarizer device is provided. The device includes a first layer of material having a first refractive index, a second layer of material having a second refractive index, and a plurality of elongated elements azimuthally and periodically spaced apart, and disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The plurality of elongated elements interact with electromagnetic waves of radiation to transmit transverse electric polarization of electromagnetic waves of radiation. One aspect of the invention is, for example, to use such polarizer device in a lithographic projection apparatus to increase imaging resolution. Another aspect is to provide a device manufacturing method including polarizing a beam of radiation in a transverse electric polarization.

Abstract: An optical system includes multiple cubic crystalline optical elements and one or more uniaxial birefringent elements in which the crystal lattices of the cubic crystalline optical elements are oriented with respect to each other to reduce the effects of intrinsic birefringence and produce a system with reduced retardance. The net retardance of the system is reduced by the cancellation of retardance contributions from the multiple cubic crystalline optical elements and the uniaxial birefringent element. The optical system may be used in a photolithography tool to pattern substrates such as semiconductor substrates and thereby produce semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An optical beam transformation system has a sequence of optical elements arranged along an optical axis of the optical beam transformation system and designed for transforming an entrance light distribution striking an entrance surface of the optical beam transformation system into an exit light distribution emerging from an exit surface of the optical beam transformation system by radial redistribution of light intensity. The optical elements include a transformation element causing a radial redistribution of light intensity and having a transformation surface inclined to the optical axis and causing a polarization-selective reflection of a light distribution incident on the transformation surface according to an efficiency symmetry characteristic for the transformation surface.

Abstract: A diffraction grating with periodically arranged protrusions and grooves at a relatively narrow pitch and improved diffraction efficiency is disclosed. The protrusions of the grating are made of a material whose index of refraction is greater than that of the grooves, and the ratio of the width D of the protrusion to the pitch ? of the protrusion is set equal to or less than 0.4 (D/??0.4).

Abstract: A projection optical system having a multilayered film mirror arranged to provide an approximately uniform reflectance throughout a predetermined light incidence angle range to thereby assure a desired optical performance. A projection exposure apparatus having such a projection optical system, and a device manufacturing method using such an exposure apparatus. A non-periodic film is used in a reflection multilayered film upon a mirror having a largest light incidence angle range or a mirror having a largest average of light incidence angle, and this effectively reduces a pupil transmittance distribution in the projection optical system.

Abstract: A color separation/combination prism is disclosed which has an optical film arrangement capable of performing color separation, light analysis and color combination. The prism includes four prism members and at least five optical surfaces as outer surfaces thereof. Each of the prism members has at least three optical surfaces including two optical surfaces which intersect orthogonally with each other at a first side thereof. The four prism members are joined together such that the first sides of the prism members are adjacent to or contact each other. Joining portions of the four prism members are provided with wavelength-selective polarizing films.

Abstract: A refractive optical imaging system for imaging an object field arranged in an object surface of the imaging system into an image field arranged in an image surface of the imaging system on a demagnifying imaging scale has a multiplicity of optical elements which are configured and arranged such that a defined finite field curvature of the imaging system is set such that an object surface concavely curved relative to the imaging system is imaged into a flat image surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a miniaturized optically imaging system with high lateral and axial resolution for endomicroscopic applications. To provide a miniaturized optical head which permits an appreciable increase in photon efficiency with high lateral and axial spatial resolution compared to conventional GRIN optics the plane side of a refractive, plano-convex, homogeneous lens defines a plane entrance surface of the optical system, and first and second GRIN lenses are arranged along the optical axis orthogonal to the entrance surface, wherein the first GRIN lens being arranged downstream of the refractive lens for reducing the divergence of the highly divergent light bundle transmitted from the object through the refractive lens, and the second GRIN lens being provided for adapting the light bundle transmitted by the first GRIN lens to the aperture and object field size of the downstream transmission system.

Abstract: There is provided a compact image-acquisition optical system which is capable of observing from normal observation to microscopic observation with a single image-acquisition optical system, whose overall length is short, and whose lens outer diameter is small. The invention provides an image-acquisition optical system comprising a plurality of lens groups, wherein, by moving at least one of the plurality of lens groups on the optical axis, it is possible to change a state from a normal observation state (wide-angle end) to a close-up magnified-observation state (telephoto end), and wherein the magnification of the image-acquisition optical system at the telephoto end satisfies ?TELE<?2.0.

Abstract: A zoom lens system is disclosed which includes a first lens group with negative optical power, a second lens group with positive optical power, and a third lens group with positive optical power, arranged in that order from an object side to an image side. The zoom lens system performs zooming by changing distances between the lens groups. The first lens group includes at least two negative lenses, and one of the negative lenses is adjacent to the second lens group and satisfies the following criteria 0.08 < ? R ? ? 1 R ? ? 2 ? < 0.52 , where R1 is the curvature radius of the first surface facing toward the object side, and R2 is the curvature radius of the second surface facing toward the image side.

Abstract: A flip-flop circuit of the present invention includes a first switch and a second switch which are connected in series to each other. The first switch includes: two input ports upon which light source light and signal light are incident; two output ports for outputting an optical output; and a thermal lens forming element for forming a thermal lens in a predetermined optical inputting condition. Although the second switch is composed in the same manner as that of the first switch, a relation between the wave-lengths to be utilized is inverted. When a state is changed from OFF to ON, a pulse signal is inputted for setting and one of the rays of output light of the second switch is fed-back to the first switch so as to maintain the state of ON. When the state is changed from ON to OFF, a pulse of additional signal light is inputted. Due to the foregoing, the two states of ON and OFF can be stably maintained.

Abstract: An extended depth of field is achieved by a computational imaging system that combines a multifocal imaging subsystem for producing a purposefully blurred intermediate image with a digital processing subsystem for producing a recovered image having an extended depth of field. The multifocal imaging system exhibits spherical aberration as the dominant feature of the purposeful blur. In an aspect, a central obscuration of the multifocal imaging subsystem renders point-spread functions of object points more uniform over a range of object distances, however, the system may not include a centrally obscured aperture to achieve intended results. An iterative digital deconvolution algorithm for converting the intermediate image into the recovered image based on maximum entropy involves a metric parameter that speeds convergence, avoids stagnations, and enhances image quality.

Abstract: A telescope that provides for simultaneous clear viewing of objects or areas at various distances may be either Galilean or astronomical. The telescope may be mounted on or into any mechanism or device used for targeting or aiming. Such devices may include iron sights of small arms weapons, and cameras and telescopes, which may be either electrically or manually focused. These miniature scopes are engineered to maximize the clear depth-of-field viewing by the eye regardless of vision irregularities, such as Presbyopia, Myopia, Hyperopic, Astigmatism, or combinations of these, in conjunction with or without spectacle lens corrections. This aiming scope/device may be placed on a pair of spectacles in a very close proximity to the eye cornea. Other maximized scope image characteristics that occur are field-of-view, luminosity, and unmagnified and unbroken or distorted viewing field.

Abstract: A projector optical system for forming a real image by projecting an image of a display element is constituted by, sequentially from a projection side, an aperture diaphragm; and a first lens group having positive refractive power and having, in the interior thereof or on a lens surface at a projection side or at a display element side, a diffraction optical surface formed by a multilayer-type diffractive optical element in which diffraction gratings formed on two diffractive element components are arranged facing each other. The projector optical system is configured so as to satisfy the following expression 0.1<K/L<1.5 wherein L is a total length on an optical axis, and K is a distance on the optical axis from the aperture diaphragm to a surface of the first lens group that is closest to the projection side, and satisfy also the following expression 0.01<?Nd<0.45 wherein ?Nd is a difference between refractive indices of the two diffractive element components for a main wavelength (d-line).

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, first to sixth lens groups respectively having positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, and positive refracting powers. The first lens group includes a reflecting member for bending the optical axis by substantially 90 degrees. The first and third lens groups remain stationary on the optical axis when the zoom lens zooms or focuses. Zooming is performed by moving the second, fourth, and fifth lens groups along the optical axis. Focusing is performed by moving the fourth lens group and/or the fifth lens group along the optical axis. Image shift is performed by moving the sixth lens group in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The fourth lens group includes a single positive lens and a single negative lens.

Abstract: An image pickup optical system comprising three lenses for forming an image on a solid imaging element, wherein the comprised lenses are, from an object side, a positive first lens (FL1) whose convex surface is directed toward the object side, an aperture stop (ST), a negative second lens (FL2) and a negative third lens (FL3), and the following conditional expression is fulfilled, ?0.23<f/f2<?0.02 provided that: f: a focal length of the entire system; and f2: a focal length of the second lens (FL1).

Abstract: A lens barrel of the present invention is of a retractable type. After one frame is retreated from a photographing optical path, another frame moves in an optical axis direction to a position where the one frame has been disposed. The one frame is, for example, a lens frame, and the other frame is, for example, a shutter frame. The present invention can be understood as the invention of a method of switching the lens barrel to a stored state (a retracted state).

Abstract: Optical alignment apparatus, consisting of an optical element (28) having a curved surface (29), and an optical bench (22), including a mounting surface (21) for mounting of an optical component (24, 44) thereon. The optical bench has an opening (26) formed in the mounting surface, the opening having a size and shape suitable to engage the curved surface of the optical clement so as to permit alignment of the optical element with the optical component by relative rotation of the optical element within the opening while the curved surface is engaged by the opening.

Abstract: A device for adjusting optical elements, in particular, for X-ray analysis, comprising a holding device (2) for receiving the optical element and at least two adjusting units at least one of the two longitudinal ends of the holding device (2), wherein the adjusting units each comprise one plunger (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), characterized in that each adjusting unit comprises a rotatably disposed adjusting ring (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) with an eccentric recess, and the optical element is mechanically coupled to the inner surfaces (7) of the adjusting rings (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) via the plungers (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d). The adjusting device is compact, can be flexibly used and provides simple adjustment of the optical element.

Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus for driving an optical member based on a demand signal from a demand device, including: a connector for receiving the demand signal from the demand device by wire; a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the demand signal from the demand device; and an identifying section for identifying whether or not the demand device and the lens apparatus have a wired connection with each other, in which the demand signal from the demand device is selected based on a result obtained by the identifying section, and the optical member is driven based on the selected demand signal.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically driven optical lens includes a lens body and a piezoelectric element for generating a rotating force. The lens body includes a hollow base; a lens barrel rotatably positioned in the hollow base; and a lens system disposed in the lens barrel, axially movable by rotation of the lens barrel and configured for zooming or focusing. The piezoelectric element is secured in position in the hollow base and in contact with the outside of the lens barrel to generate a rotating force for rotating the lens barrel. Accordingly, with this simple structure of the piezoelectrically driven optical lens, a drawback of the prior art, that is, structural complexity, can be overcome.

Abstract: A magnetic coupled actuator includes a lens which is movable in an optical axis direction AX, a lens frame which is coupled with the lens, a lens barrel which seals and accommodates the movable lens and the lens frame to be airtight, a permanent magnet which is disposed at an outer side of the lens barrel, facing the lens frame, and is disposed to be movable in the optical axis AX direction, and a wire of which, one end is coupled with the permanent magnet, and which moves the permanent magnet in the optical axis AX direction. At least one of the lens frame and the permanent magnet is a magnetic field generating means.

Abstract: A disk device, in which information is written by a magnetic head at an arbitrary position on a magnetic recording surface of a disk and the information written at the arbitrary position is read out, includes a control unit for controlling an operation of writing information at the arbitrary position on the magnetic recording surface of the disk and for controlling an operation of reading out the information written at the arbitrary position. The disk device also includes a modulation detecting unit for detecting that a modulation has been generated, by contact between the magnetic head and the disk, on the basis of a regenerative signal of a single frequency data region which is reproduced by a reproducing head element when the magnetic head is moved to a predetermined position in each track, wherein the single frequency data region is previously formed at the predetermined position in each track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods used in manufacturing magnetic tape. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of writing a servo pattern on magnetic tape so as to minimize errors in the servo pattern, the heads used to write such servo data, and the magnetic tape manufactured with such heads. Errors in the servo pattern may be minimized by synthesizing the slanted transitions in a time based servo pattern using servo write gaps that are perpendicular to the tape motion. In so minimizing errors, distortion in the reading and/or writing of the data tracks can be prevented.

Abstract: A magnetic storage media includes a magnetic south-north servo band section and a magnetic north-south servo band section. The magnetic south-north servo band section includes a magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment and a magnetic north-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic north-south servo band section includes a magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment, and a magnetic south-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic south-north servo band section and the magnetic north-south servo band section are recorded relative to each other on a servo track to represent magnetic polarity encoded servo position information based on the magnetic north-pole polarity servo pattern and the magnetic south-pole polarity servo pattern.

Abstract: A method and a signal processing unit are proposed, for converting an asynchronous discrete-time signal to a synchronous discrete-time signal by performing sector-based timing recovery. The timing recovery includes aligning an initial portion of the asynchronous discrete-time signal to a first portion of a predetermined signal, and a later portion of the asynchronous discrete-time signal to a second portion of a predetermined signal. Optionally, the method and signal processing unit further perform sector based gain control, and sector-based removal of any dc component.

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 operable to provide a coefficient adjustment to the asymmetry correction circuit to affect the asymmetry compensation based on an estimate of nonlinearity derived from the equalized signal and multiple output values of the discrete time sequence detector, the multiple output values being values corresponding to at least two different discrete times.

Abstract: A storage system capable of reducing the start-up time of disk drives is provided. If a power source monitor circuit itself is normal (S93), the power source monitor circuit reads a detection signal from a detection circuit, and checks power sources (S94). If the power sources are normal (S95), all disks are spun up (S96). When the spin-up of all disks is completed (S98), processing is completed. If either of two power sources fails (S95), the power source monitor circuit reports the fact to a host control logical part (S99). The power source monitor circuit clears its internal counter to zero (S100) and issues a drive command to HDDs (S101). When the spin-up of all disks is completed (S103), processing is completed. If there is a disk which has not yet been spun up, the power source monitor circuit sets the internal counter to n+1 (S104) and returns to Step S101.