43rd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 31 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080259682 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes a circuit forming area and a memory area including memory cells, first and second wells, a first conductor film formed over both wells and a second conductor film formed over the first well. First semiconductor regions are formed in the first region and a second semiconductor region is formed in the second region. The memory cells each include a capacitance element, including the first conductor film and second region, an element for reading data, including the first conductor film and first regions, and a selection field effect transistor, including the second conductor film and first regions. A length of the first conductor film of the capacitance element is larger than a length of the first conductor film of the element for reading data. A word line of the memory cell is connected to the second semiconductor region. During a reading data operation, a first bit line of the memory cell is connected to the first semiconductor region of the element for reading data via the selection field effect transistor. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259683 | METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR PROGRAMMING A MEMORY CELL, IN PARTICULAR OF THE NOR FLASH TYPE - A method programs a memory cell comprising: an initial phase in which a continuous voltage is applied to a drain terminal of said memory cell and a suitable programming voltage signal is applied to a gate terminal thereof; a regulation phase in which a constant voltage value is applied to said gate terminal and a voltage value of said drain terminal is regulated so as to be maintained at a fixed value until a threshold voltage value of said memory cell is set at a desired threshold voltage level; and a disable phase that stops said programming and is triggered as soon as a programming current value of said memory cell goes below a reference current value, said reference current value corresponding to the attainment by the threshold voltage value of said memory cell of the desired threshold voltage value. A programming circuit is suitable for implementing this method. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259684 | Programming a NAND flash memory with reduced program disturb - When a memory device receives two or more pluralities of bits from a host to store in a nonvolatile memory, the device first stores the bits in a volatile memory. Then, in storing the bits in the nonvolatile memory, the device raises the threshold voltages of some cells of the volatile memory to values above a verify voltage. While those threshold voltages remain substantially at those levels, the device raises the threshold voltages of other cells of the volatile memory to values below the verify voltage. In the end, every cell stores one or more bits from each plurality of bits. Preferably, all the cells share a common wordline. A data storage device operates similarly with respect to storing pluralities of bits generated by an application running on the system. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259685 | NONVOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE - A nonvolatile semiconductor device includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of memory cell arrays having a plurality of electrically reprogrammable memory cells which are connected to said word lines and said bit lines, a data program control section which programs a plurality of first multi-bits data each having a first number of bits, or a plurality of second multi-bits data each having a second number of bits twice that of said first multi-bits data, to said plurality of memory cell arrays, a page buffer circuit which stores said plurality of first multi-bits data or said plurality of second multi-bits data which is read for each of said word lines from said plurality of memory cell arrays, a data transfer section which transfers said plurality of first multi-bits data or said plurality of second multi-bits data which is read for each of said second number of bits from said page buffer circuit synchronized with a second clock signal having a cycle which is twice that of a first clock signal, and a data output section which receives said data from said data transfer section and outputs externally said data in synchronization with said first clock signal. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259686 | NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE, MEMORY SYSTEM, AND LSB READ METHOD - A non-volatile memory device and system as well as a LSB read method are disclosed. The LSB read method includes reading LSB data from a memory cell during a main LSB read operation making reference to a flag cell threshold voltage, determining whether the LSB data contains an error, and if the LSB data contains an error re-reading the LSB data during a LSB recover-read operation without making reference to the flag cell threshold voltage. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259687 | Integrated Circuits and Methods of Manufacturing Thereof - Embodiments of the invention relate to integrated circuits having a memory cell arrangement and methods of manufacturing thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit has a memory cell arrangement which includes a fin structure extending in its longitudinal direction as a first direction, including a first insulating layer, a first active region disposed above the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed above the first active region, a second active region disposed above the second insulating layer, a charge storage layer structure disposed at least next to at least one sidewall of the fin structure covering at least a portion of the first active region and at least a portion of the second active region, and a control gate disposed next to the charge storage layer structure. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259688 | Non-volatile memory devices and methods of operating the same - A non-volatile memory device includes memory transistors disposed on a semiconductor substrate in a NAND string. A string select transistor is disposed at a first end of the NAND string, and a ground select transistor is disposed at a second end of the NAN string. Bit lines are electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate outside of the string select transistor and a gate electrode of the ground select transistor. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259689 | MIMICKING PROGRAM VERIFY DRAIN RESISTANCE IN A MEMORY DEVICE - A selected word line is biased with a program verify voltage. A predetermined quantity of unselected word lines that are between the selected word line and the bit line are biased with a modified V | 2008-10-23 |
20080259690 | FLASH MEMORY DEVICE - A NAND flash memory device includes a high voltage switch and a bulk voltage supplying circuit. The high voltage switch is configured to transfer a word line voltage to selected word lines of selected memory cells. The bulk voltage supplying circuit is configured to provide a negative voltage to a bulk region of the high voltage switch in response to an operation mode. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259691 | Two-Bits Per Cell Not-AND-Gate (NAND) Nitride Trap Memory - A non-volatile memory array includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The second source/drain region is spaced apart from the first source/drain region. A well region is disposed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. A plurality of memory cells are disposed on the main surface above the well region. Each memory cell includes a first oxide layer formed on the main surface of the substrate, a charge storage layer disposed above the first oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and a second oxide layer disposed above the charge storage layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of wordlines are disposed above the second oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259692 | Semiconductor Memory Device for Simultaneously Performing Read Access and Write Access - Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device which can simultaneously perform a read access and a write access independently. The semiconductor memory device according to the present invention can access a plurality of data through the global sense amplifying unit and the global bit line, and enables the read controller and the write controller to independently control the global bit line and the bit line sense amplifying unit to be connected to each other to thereby perform the read access and the write access simultaneously. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259693 | Semiconductor Device - A memory circuit includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of memory cells. Configurations of the plurality of memory cells are determined depending on the data (“high” or “low”) which is stored in the memory cells. Data array such as a program stored in the memory circuit is analyzed in advance. In the case where “high” is the majority data, memory cells storing “high” are formed with vacant cells in which a semiconductor element is not formed. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259694 | Semiconductor Device - A semiconductor device capable of accessing to the memory with a high speed, and comprising a memory with a large capacity. The semiconductor device comprises a plurality of memory banks (Bank) | 2008-10-23 |
20080259695 | Semiconductor Memory Devices Having a Demultiplexer and Related Methods of Testing Such Semiconductor Memory Devices - A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a demultiplexer that has a first input port that is configured to receive both an address signal and a data signal and a second input port that is configured to receive a control signal that identifies a type of signal that is input to the first input port. Related methods of testing semiconductor memory devices are also provided. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259696 | DISTRIBUTED WRITE DATA DRIVERS FOR BURST ACCESS MEMORIES - An address strobe latches a first address. A burst cycle increments the address internally with additional address strobes. A new memory address is only required at the beginning of each burst access. Read/Write commands are issued once per burst access eliminating toggling Read/Write control line at cycle frequency. Control line transition terminates access and initializes another burst access. Write cycle times are maximized thereby allowing increases in burst mode operating frequencies. Logic near sense amplifiers control write-data drivers thereby providing maximum write times without crossing current during I/O line equilibration. By gating global write-enable signals with global equilibrate signals locally at sense amps, local write-cycle control signals are provided and valid for essentially the entire cycle time minus an I/O line equilibration period in burst access memory. For nonburst mode, write begins following end of equilibration cycle to provide maximum write time without interfering with subsequent access-cycle address setup time. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259697 | SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE HAVING OUTPUT IMPEDANCE ADJUSTMENT CIRCUIT AND TEST METHOD OF OUTPUT IMPEDANCE - A semiconductor device has an output impedance adjustment circuit for automatically adjusting an output impedance of an output circuit including transistors connected in parallel. The output impedance adjustment circuit comprises: a replica circuit including a circuit portion of the substantially same configuration as the output circuit; a comparator for comparing a magnitude of the output impedance of the replica circuit with a reference resistor and for outputting a comparison result as an internal counter control signal; a switching controller selectively switching between an external counter control signal from outside and the internal counter control signal; and a counter circuit for performing a count operation selectively according to the internal or the external counter control signal and for outputting a count value as an adjustment code which is supplied to the output circuit and the replica circuit so that each transistor is controlled to be on/off based on the adjustment code. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259698 | HIGH SPEED DUAL PORT MEMORY WITHOUT SENSE AMPLIFIER - A system includes at least one word line decoder to select word lines to activate, and a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cell devices to store data received through one or more write bit lines. At least one of the memory cell devices including a memory cell to store data received over one or more write bit lines, and a sensing inversion device coupled to the memory cell and word lines. The sensing inversion device can read data stored by the memory cell and provide the read data to one or more read bit lines when at least one of the word lines is activated for read operations. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259699 | Memory Control With Selective Retention - The present invention relates to a memory circuit and a method of controlling data retention in the memory circuit, wherein a supply signal is selectively switched to a respective one of at least two virtual supply lines ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259700 | BUS CONTROL APPARATUS AND BUS CONTROL METHOD - A bus control apparatus includes a plurality of blocks configured to output a write command for writing data into memory via a bus, and a bus connection control unit provided in correspondence with each of the blocks. The bus connection control unit monitors signals between the bus and the block, and upon detecting a read command signal for reading data in a cause register of the block, blocks connection of a signal line between the block and the bus and outputs a dummy read command signal for the memory. The bus connection control unit releases blockage when a response signal for the dummy read command signal is received. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259701 | Redundancy architecture for an integrated circuit memory - An integrated circuit memory | 2008-10-23 |
20080259702 | STATE-MONITORING MEMORY ELEMENT - Embodiments of the invention relate to a state-monitoring memory element. The state-monitoring memory element may have a reduced ability to retain a logic state than other regular memory elements on an IC. Thus, if the state-monitoring memory elements fails or loses state during testing, it may be a good indicator that the IC's state retention may be in jeopardy, possibly requiring the IC to be reset. The state-monitoring memory element may be implemented by degrading an input voltage supply to the state-monitoring memory element across a diode and/or a transistor. One or more current sources may be used to stress the state-monitoring memory element. A logic analyzer may be used to analyze the integrity of the state-monitoring memory element and trigger appropriate actions in the IC, e.g., reset, halt, remove power, interrupt, responsive to detecting a failure in the state-monitoring memory element. Multiple state-monitoring memory elements may be distributed in different locations on the IC for better coverage. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259703 | SELF-TIMED SYNCHRONOUS MEMORY - A memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a row-column format, where the memory array is configured to designate at least one of the memory cells as a test memory cell. The memory system also includes a sense amplifier to read the test memory cell and to evaluate a validity of the memory array responsive to reading the test memory cell. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259704 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE IN WHICH A PLURALITY OF MEMORY MACROS ARE MOUNTED, AND TESTING METHOD THEREOF - According to the present invention, an intra-macro match determining circuit | 2008-10-23 |
20080259705 | HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PROGRAMMABLE FUSES FOR MEMORY REPAIR - The present invention relates to a system and method for increasing the manufacturing yield of a plurality of memory cells used in cell arrays. A programmable fuse, having both hardware and software elements, is used with the plurality of memory cells to indicate that at least one memory cell is unusable and should be shifted out of operation. The software programmable element includes a programmable register adapted to shift in an appropriate value indicating that at least one of the memory cells is flawed. The hardware element includes a fuse gated with the programmable register. Shifting is indicated either by software programmable fuse or hard fuse. Soft fuse registers may be chained together forming a shift register. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259706 | Semiconductor memory - A semiconductor memory includes: first and second bit lines; a precharge circuit for precharging the first and second bit lines to a predetermined potential; a plurality of memory cells each connected to the first or second bit line, a selected one of the memory cells maintaining or discharging one of the precharged first and second bit lines according to a signal held by the selected memory cell; word lines for selecting the memory cells; first and second reference cells connected to the first and second bit lines, respectively, a selected one of the first and second reference cells discharging the first or second bit line connected to the selected reference cell; and first and second reference cell word lines for selecting the first and second reference cells, respectively. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259707 | Semiconductor storage device - A semiconductor storage device for storing data to unit blocks of a memory cell array, comprising: two rows of sense amplifiers arranged on both sides of bit lines and each including sense amplifiers; a switch means for switching a connecting state between one row of sense amplifiers and one side of bit lines and switching a connecting state between the other row of sense amplifiers and the other side of bit lines; a control means which sets at least one row of sense amplifiers as a cache memory, and when performing refresh operation of the unit block where row of sense amplifiers to be used as cache memory holds data, controls switch means so that the row of sense amplifiers used as cache memory is disconnected from bit lines and only the row of sense amplifiers not used as said cache memory is used in refresh operation. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259708 | MEMORY CONTROLLER - A memory controller for controlling data access to a memory comprises a refresh controller. A read count memory part included in the refresh controller counts the number of read operations on each page of the memory and stores the read count therein. If the read count for any page exceeds a predetermined number, the refresh controller rewrites data stored in this page into the memory. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259709 | Column redundancy circuit - A column redundancy circuit is disclosed. The column redundancy circuit includes a first control signal generator configured to receive a refresh flag signal having an enable width larger than that of a refresh signal and a control signal and generate a pull-up control signal, a second control signal generator configured to receive the refresh flag signal and an address signal and generate a pull-down control signal, and a column repair fuse circuit configured to receive the pull-up control signal and the pull-down control signal and generate a redundant cell access signal. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259710 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER MANAGEMENT OF STORAGE RESOURCES - A system and method for power management of storage resources are disclosed. A method may include detecting an occurrence of an event associated with a storage resource disposed in an array of storage resources. The method may further include transitioning the storage resource into a specified power state in response to the detection of the occurrence of the event. A system may include a storage resource and a power management module communicatively coupled to the storage resource. The storage resource may be disposed in an array of storage resources. The power management module may be operable to detect an occurrence of an event associated with the storage resource, and may be operable to transition the storage resource into a specified power state in response to the detection of the occurrence of the event. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259711 | Print Engine Having Authentication Device For Preventing Multi-Word Memory Writing Upon Power Drop - A print engine comprising at least one print controller and at least one associated authentication device is provided. Each authentication device has a processor, non-volatile memory, an input for receiving power from a power supply and a power detection unit. Each authentication device is configured to enable multi-word writes to the non-volatile memory under control of the associated print controller. The processor is configured to control and trim the amount of power supplied to the input to predetermine a threshold at which operation of the authentication device is established. The power detection unit is configured to monitor a voltage level of the power supplied to the input, and in the event the voltage level drops below the predetermined threshold, preventing subsequent words in any multi-word write currently being performed from being written to the memory. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259712 | FAST READ PORT FOR REGISTER FILE - Separate read and write ports in a memory system allow simultaneous access to a memory cell array by read and write operations. A single cycle operation of a central processing unit coupled to a memory array depends on a memory access capability providing simultaneous reading and writing to different locations. A pair of pull-down transistor stacks connected to memory cell latch loops allows a single selected pull-down stack of the pair to toggle a memory cell latch loop to a desired data content without any requirement for a precharge scheme. A single pull-down stack of transistors connected to a memory cell latch loop provides a read port with low input loading. A sense amplifier provides a mid-supply-level precharging capability provided by a feedback device within a front-end inversion stage. When not in a feedback mode, the front-end inversion stage cascaded with a second inversion stage provides a rapid read response. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259713 | METHOD FOR EXTENDING THE DELIVERY TIME OF A CEMENTITIOUS SLURRY - System for transporting a load of cementitious slurry, which greatly extends the delivery time in which cementitious slurry may be delivered to a remote work site. The system comprises a trailer mounted tank having a pumping mechanism incorporated therein which continually circulates the cementitious slurry from one end of the tank to an opposing end during transport to the remote work site. The system extracts slurry from one end of the tank and reintroduces it at an opposing end of the tank. The pumping mechanism induces a turbulent flow in the slurry, which continually agitates the slurry, thereby preventing the settling of particles within the slurry. The system allows cementitious slurry to be commercially delivered at reasonable distances without significant fallout or degradation to the consistency of the slurry, and without impairment to the distribution equipment's ability to disperse the cementitious slurry at the remote work site. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259714 | Method and apparatus for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement - A foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly is adapted for use in connection with a mixer for mixing aggregate materials and asphalt cement to make asphalt concrete. The foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly includes a foamed cement mixing chamber, a first inlet for liquid asphalt cement and a second inlet for water, each of which is in fluid communication with the foamed cement mixing chamber. An outlet for foamed asphalt cement is also provided, which outlet is in fluid communication with both the foamed cement mixing chamber and the mixer. The invention also comprises a method for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement. The method includes introducing aggregate materials into the mixer and heating the aggregate materials to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285° F. The method also includes introducing liquid asphalt cement and the water to the foamed cement mixing chamber so as to produce foamed asphalt cement, and introducing foamed asphalt cement into the mixer and mixing it with aggregate materials at a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285° F. to produce asphalt concrete. The invention also includes an apparatus for making asphalt concrete which includes a foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259715 | Concrete Batch Plant - A concrete batch plant ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259716 | Mixing Drum Blade - A concrete mixing drum includes a wall having at least one projection ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259717 | Extruder - An extruder comprises a displacement part with a housing, inside of which at least one screw shaft is housed and which is provided, at one end, with a material entry opening for the material to be processed and, at the other end, with a material outlet opening for the processed material, and with an intermediate opening between the material entry opening and the material outlet opening for discharging gas from the displacement part. A material retaining device is connected to said intermediate opening and has at least one screw shaft inside an intermediate housing. This screw shaft extends from the intermediate opening to a gas discharge opening in the intermediate housing and conveys material entering the intermediate housing back into the displacement part. To this end, the screw section of the screw shaft facing the displacement part has a direction of thread that returns into the displacement part, and the screw section of the screw shaft facing away from the displacement part has an opposite direction of thread. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259718 | Stirrer for introducing a particulate material into a liquid - A stirrer for introducing a particulate material into a liquid is provided. Said stirrer includes a first hollow rod and a second hollow rod surrounding said first hollow rod. Said first hollow rod is adapted for holding said particulate material, and has one or more holes for introducing said particulate material into said liquid. Said second hollow rod is movable between a first position and a second position. Said second hollow rod covers said holes in said first position, and uncovers said holes in said second position, whereby said particulate material is introduced into said liquid in said second position. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259719 | Food Waste Disposal System - The present invention provides a food waste disposal system including a housing with a food waste introduction opening and a door receiving depression, the door for covering the food waste introduction opening, a prefabricated mixing basin disposed inside the housing and composed of a box-shaped upper body, a hemispherical lower body, and a rotational shaft axially installed on a horizontal central line of the prefabricated mixing basin, a plurality of prefabricated mixing wings engaged with the rotational shaft for cutting food waste into small pieces and agitating the food waste in the prefabricated mixing basin, a geared driving motor for driving the rotational shaft, in which a touch screen panel installed on an upper surface of the housing and a personal computer incorporate PLC Ethernet cards respectively therein so as to allow the food waste disposal system to be controlled from a distance using the computer, which is networked. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259720 | Methods and Apparatus for Microfluidic Mixing - An apparatus for microfluidic mixing having a first fluid inlet for a first fluid operatively connected to a first fluid channel. A second fluid inlet is provided for a second fluid operatively connected to a second fluid channel. The second fluid channel operatively intersects the first fluid channel for introduction of the second fluid into the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel has an outlet end remote from that of the first fluid inlet, and at least one contraction intermediate the intersection of the first fluid channel with the second fluid channel and the at least one outlet end, or intermediate the first fluid inlet and the intersection of the first fluid channel with the second fluid channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259721 | Hopper with Flow Controller/Enhancer for Controlling the Gravitational Flow of Granular Material - A hopper assembly for feeding granular material, such as pharmaceutical powder, includes a hopper having an upper inlet and a lower outlet defining a substantially vertical center axis, and a flow controller/enhancer disposed in the hopper adjacent the outlet. The flow controller/enhancer includes a deflector element disposed in the hopper above the outlet. The deflector element is of generally conical shape with an apex thereof directed upwardly in substantial alignment with the vertical center axis. An outer peripheral edge of the deflector element is spaced inwardly from an inner surface of the hopper to define a space therebetween where gravitating granular material deflected outwardly by the deflector element flows downwardly past the deflector element toward the outlet. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259722 | Blender for production of scented materials - The blender for production of scented materials has mutually connecting containers or chambers that attach to a conventional motorized blender base. The chambers include a mixing chamber having a removable blade assembly and base attachment mount, a filtration chamber installed upon the mixing chamber, and a collection chamber installed upon the filtration chamber. The filtration chamber may include one or more scent absorbent pads removably installed in the neck thereof. The blender is used by assembling the mixing chamber upon the blender base, adding ingredients and liquid, installing the filtration and collection chambers, and operating the blender. When the ingredients have been mixed and comminuted, the chamber assembly is removed from the base and inverted to drain the liquid mixture through the scent absorbent discs and into the collection bottle. The discs and collection bottle are then removed for use in distributing the scent. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259723 | PITCHER HAVING MIXING DEVICE - A pitcher has a container for containing liquid and a mixing device disposed at least in part within the container. The mixing device has a shaft adapted for translation relative to the container. An agitating member is connected to the shaft for conjoint translation therewith relative to the container to agitate the liquid in the container. A stop is disposed on the shaft to limit translational movement of the shaft and the agitating member. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259724 | Rotating Gap Granulation - The invention relates to method for producing granules. Methods for producing granules are diversely used in chemical process engineering, for example, for producing starting materials for shaped bodies and, to be precise, for brake linings and sealing elements. The inventive method for producing granules from fibrous, powdery and liquid components in a mixing receptacle of a mixer provides that by rotating at least one mixing tool inside the mixing receptacle in a first direction of rotation, a compacting effect upon the components is achieved between the mixing tool and a wall section of the mixing receptacle. For example, this is achieved by appropriately sloped surfaces on the mixing tool, which push the components located inside the mixing receptacle toward a wall section. The inventive compacting effect enables an improved formation of granules. The mixer can be a conventional vertical mixer. The granulates have an advantageously rounded shape and size, for example, of the size of matchstick heads. In addition, the granule is comparatively dust-free and homogeneous. The granule thus depicts an improved starting product, e.g. for shaped bodies and, to be precise, for braking linings and sealing elements. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259725 | Acoustic crosstalk reduction for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers in immersion - A reduced crosstalk capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array is provided. The CMUT array has at least two CMUT array elements deposited on a substrate, at least one CMUT cell in the array element, a separation region between adjacent CMUT array elements, and a membrane formed in the separation region. The membrane reduces crosstalk between adjacent array elements, where the crosstalk is a dispersive guided mode of an ultrasonic signal from the CMUT propagating in a fluid-solid interface of the CMUT array. Each cell has an insulation layer deposited to the substrate. A cell membrane layer is deposited to the insulation layer, where the cell membrane layer has a vacuum gap therein. The cells further have an electrode layer deposited to a portion of the membrane layer, and a passivation layer deposited to the electrode layer, the cell membrane layer and to the insulation layer. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259726 | Mitigation of Noise in Marine Multicomponent Seismic Data through the Relationship between Wavefield Components at the Free Surface - A method and apparatus implementing a technique for mitigating noise in seismic data are presented. The technique includes estimating a noise component in a set of multicomponent seismic data representing a recorded wavefield from the relationship at the free surface of an upgoing component and a downgoing component decomposed from the recorded wavefield; and removing the estimated noise component from the seismic data. The noise component can be estimated by decomposing a recorded wavefield into an upgoing component and a downgoing component and isolating a noise component in the recorded wavefield from the relationship of the decomposed upgoing and downgoing components at the free surface. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259727 | MICROSEISMIC EVENT DETECTION AND LOCATION BY CONTINUOUS MAP MIGRATION - The present invention provides methods and systems for microseismic hydraulic fracture monitoring in real-time. The methods and systems of the present invention may include continuous map migration of recorded microseismic signals. The methods and systems provide robust automated simultaneous detection and location of microseismic events. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259728 | Method of Filtering Pump Noise - A method of filtering out pressure noise generated by one or more piston pumps, where each pump is connected to a common downstream piping system, and where the discharge pressure is measured by a pressure sensitive gauge, wherein the instantaneous angular position(s) of the pump(s)' crankshaft or actuating cam is/are measured simultaneously with the discharge pressure and used as fundamental variables in an adaptive mathematical noise model. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259729 | Method of characterizing a vehicle crash event based on shear waves in the vehicle frame - A vehicle crash event is detected and characterized based on the transmission of acoustical shear waves through the vehicle frame. At least three, and preferably four or more, acoustical emission sensors longitudinally and laterally distributed on the vehicle frame produce acoustical signals that are processed to extract the shear wave energy due to impacts. Since shear waves are non-dispersive and travel through the vehicle frame at a known velocity, they can be detected in any part of the frame. The extracted shear wave signals are used not only to judge the severity of the impact, but also to characterize the type of crash and determine the direction of the impact based on when the shear wave is detected by each of the acoustical emission sensors. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259730 | Method and apparatus for ultrasonic sensing - A distance and temperature sensing unit is used on paving vehicles. The unit has a first set of range sensors of a first diameter and a second set of range sensors of a second diameter. The unit calculates a weighted average distance to a road surface based on ranges measured by the multiple sensors. The unit also has a temperature sensor on a temperature bar. The bar is affixed to the unit by a flexible connection preventing break-off when the bar encounters obstacles, like the road surface, while the paving vehicle is moving. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259731 | Methods and apparatuses for user controlled beamforming - A method for controlling beamforming in a device by a user of the device is provided. The method includes presenting current beam directional information via a user interface and receiving updated beam directional information in response to user input. The method also includes altering beamforming direction based upon the received updated beam directional information. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259732 | MOBILE OBJECT COMMUNICATION AND POSITION DETERMINATION - An ultrasound position determination system includes a base unit and at least one mobile unit. Each of the mobile and base units are operable to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. The mobile unit is adapted to transmit a predetermined signal in dependence upon the state of transmission of the base unit. The base unit is adapted to determine the time taken for the signal to pass from the mobile unit to the base unit and thereby calculate a distance between the mobile unit and the base unit. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259733 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A technology capable of improving receiver sensitivity and improving insulation withstand voltage in an ultrasonic transducer is provided. An ultrasonic transducer comprises: a lower electrode; an insulator covering the lower electrode; a cavity portion disposed on the insulator so as to overlap with the lower electrode; and an upper electrode disposed so as to overlap with the cavity portion. In this ultrasonic transducer, an insulator is inserted between the upper and lower electrodes in a part not having the cavity portion. By this means, sum total of thickness of insulators between the upper and lower electrodes in a part not having the cavity portion is larger than sum total of thickness of insulators between the upper and lower electrodes in a part having the cavity portion. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259734 | Systems and Methods for Creating Personalized Calendars - In one embodiment, a system or system for creating a personalized calendar includes prompting a user to select a date cell of a representation of a calendar to indicate a desire to add user content to that date cell, receiving the date cell selection, prompting the user to select user content for addition to the date cell, receiving the user content selection, and generating a personalized calendar that includes user content in at least one date cell of the calendar. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259735 | Time control apparatus and method of terminal - A time control apparatus, which is not equipped with an auxiliary batter for real time control, includes a time information memory for storing real time information updated for a user; and a real time controller, in response to powering on, if the real time information stored in the time information memory is earlier than time information of the real time controller, displaying the real time information of the real time controller to a user and simultaneously updating the real time information in the time information memory without performing a time setting operation. It is possible to discern between a powering-off case where the battery is not removed from the terminal and a powering-off case where the battery is removed from the terminal in order to avoid a time setting operation that is unnecessary to the user. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259736 | USER INTERFACE FOR TIMER - A timer has a dial, a captured tripper, and/or a retainer. The captured tripper has active and inactive positions on the dial. In the inactive position, the captured tripper is captured to the dial but is free to move independently of the dial. Alternatively or additionally, in the inactive position, the captured tripper is not positioned to operate a switch. In the active position, the captured tripper is captured to the dial and is prevented from moving independently of the dial. Alternatively or additionally, in the active position, the captured tripper is positioned to operate the switch. The retainer maintains a predetermined orientation between the captured tripper and the dial when the captured tripper is in both the active and inactive positions. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259737 | ESCAPEMENT INCLUDING TWO ESCAPE WHEELS - The escapement includes first ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259738 | DIRECT IMPULSE ESCAPEMENT FOR TIMEPIECE - The timepiece escapement includes first ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259739 | LEVER ESCAPEMENT FOR A TIMEPIECE - The lever escapement includes at least one escape wheel ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259740 | Correcting Device For a Timepiece - The invention concerns a corrector device for a timepiece for correcting a piece of information provided by an indicator mechanism ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259741 | TIMEPIECE COMPRISING AN IMPROVED TIME-SETTING DEVICE - According to the invention, the time-setting device ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259742 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING ALARM CLOCKS - Methods for controlling an alarm clock, employed in a mobile electronic device, are provided. An embodiment of a method for controlling an alarm clock comprises the mobile electronic device sounding when reaching a preset alarm time. The mobile electronic device stops sounding the alarm when detecting a first signal. It is determined whether at least one second signal is detected during a predetermined detection period subsequent to the detected prior signal. A delay duration is determined in response to number of times of the detected second signals. The alarm time is reset by increasing the calculated delay duration. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259743 | Method and apparatus for phase and/or copy window control for use with a domain expansion recording medium and record carrier - The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and record carrier for controlling read-out and/or synchronization between an external magnetic field and written data during a reading operation from a magneto-optical recording medium comprising a storage layer and a read-out layer. An expanded domain leading to a pulse in a reading signal is generated in said read-out layer by copying a mark region from said storage layer to said read-out layer upon heating by a radiation power and with the help of the external magnetic field. The waveform of the reading signal is analyzed, and the analyzing result is used for correcting a phase deviation and/or for controlling a copy window size of the mark copying. Thereby, phase errors can be corrected for any size of the copy window. Even small changes in the copy window can be detected and corrected. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259744 | Drive Device - The drive apparatus of the present invention includes: a recording/reproduction section; and a drive control section. The drive control section performs a process including: determining a physical address indicating a location at which data can be recorded next in the determined track as a next writable address, based on the last recorded address in the determined track; comparing the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction with the next writable address; when the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction is smaller than the next writable address, performing a process including: controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the data at a specific location in the user data area, the specific location being a location other than the location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction; generating new disc management information including replacement management information for mapping the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction to the physical address indicating the specific location and the last recorded address updated by recording of the data; and controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the new disc management information in the disc management information area; when the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction is equal to the next writable address, performing a process including: controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the data at location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction; generating new disc management information including the last recorded address updated by recording of the data; and controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the new disc management information in the disc management information area. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259745 | Document Recording Medium, Recording Apparatus, Recording Method, Data Output Apparatus, Data Output Method and Data Delivery/Distribution System - It is made possible to appreciate a material such as a single musical composition, a single video, and the like in various states. There is provided an optical head | 2008-10-23 |
20080259746 | METHOD OF MANAGING PLAYLIST BY USING KEY - Provided is a method of managing a playlist. In an environment in which a content is being reproduced in a contents reproducing apparatus, it is possible to create a playlist according to a user's preference or to reproduce contents conveniently with a single input of a number key without going through several operations, thereby improving user convenience when reproducing contents. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259747 | DETECTING APPARATUS FOR DETECTING STATUSES OF OPTICAL DISC AND METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are detecting apparatus for detecting statuses of an optical disc and methods thereof, which can avoid or reduce erroneous status decisions at the edge of a blank region. The detecting apparatus includes a blank detector, for detecting a blank region of the optical disc to generate a blank detection signal; an edge detector, for detecting a transition of the blank detection signal to generate an edge detection signal; a control circuit, in response to the edge detection signal for outputting control signals; and a defect detector in response to the control signals for detecting defect region of the optical disc to generate a defect decision signal. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259748 | OPTICAL DISC AND OPTICAL DISC APPARATUS - An optical disc includes a SPOKE potion for detecting a position in a circumferential direction of the optical disc, which is formed on an inner or outer circumferential side relative to a data recording area and visible image drawing area. A signal portion in which each signal is constituted by a pair of light nonreflecting portion and light reflecting portion is formed in the SPOKE portion. The signal portion includes a first signal portion in which signal widths of the nonreflecting portion and reflecting portion are the same and a second signal portion in which the signal widths of the nonreflecting portion and reflecting portion are changed. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259749 | Recovery of Lost Track Focusing on an Optical Disc - A method for restoring focusing of a laser beam on a track of an optical disc for reading or writing data from/to the track when the focusing of said beam onto said track has been lost, wherein two categories, A and B, of focus lost causes are defined, A being due to an external shock and B due to other reasons and wherein a focus re-capture is performed with the use of focus control information stored in a memory only for a category B focus lost. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259750 | Optical pick-up head, optical information apparatus, and optical information reproducing method - An optical information apparatus of the present invention includes: an optical pick-up head including: a light source; a diffraction unit; a condensing unit; a beam splitter; a photodetector; and a tracking error signal generator. An optical recording medium has tracks arranged substantially at a constant pitch. An average of a pitch is tp. When a main beam is placed on the track, a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam are placed between the tracks. The tracking error signal generator performs a differential arithmetic operation with respect to signals output from a light-receiving portion receiving the main beam to generate a first push-pull signal, performs a differential arithmetic operation with respect to signals output from the light-receiving portions receiving the first sub-beam and the second sub-beam to generate a second push-pull signal, and performs a differential arithmetic operation with respect to the first push-pull signal and the second push-pull signal to generate a tracking error signal, in a case where an amplitude of the first push-pull signal obtained at the pitch tp is fluctuated when the light beam is scanned in a direction orthogonal to the tracks of the optical recording medium. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259751 | Recorder, Host Device, Drive Device, Recording Method, Instruction Method, Program, Integrated Circuit, Reproducing Device, Reproducing Method, and Write-Once-Read-Many Recording Medium - A recording apparatus for recording second information on a write-once recording medium having first information recorded thereon, the recording apparatus including: a host apparatus; and a drive apparatus, wherein the host apparatus includes a storage section for storing the second information; and an instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to record the stored second information on the write-once recording medium, the drive apparatus includes a generation section for generating correlation information for correlating the first information and the second information; a head section for recording the second information on the write-once recording medium; and a control section for controlling the head section to record the second information and the correlation information on the write-once recording medium. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259752 | OPTICAL DISC DRIVE AND METHOD THEREOF - An optical disc drive and method thereof. The optical disc drive comprises a rotating means, an optical pickup head, a servo unit, and a controller. The rotating means rotates an optical disc. The optical pickup head generates an optical beam to detect defects in a predetermined range on the optical disc. The servo unit, coupled to the optical pickup head, is responsive to an operating parameter to control the optical pickup head. The controller, coupled to the optical pickup head and the servo unit, identifies a defect type based on the defect detection result; and determines the operating parameter of the servo unit according to the defect type. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259753 | Optical disc of write once type, method, and apparatus for managing defect information on the optical disc - An optical disc of write once type, a method and an apparatus of managing defect information on the optical disc of write once type, e.g., a BD-WO, are provided with a temporary defect management area (TDMA). The method includes preparing the temporary defect management area (TDMA) in which a temporary defect list (TDFL) is recorded as defect management information for managing a defective area on the optical disc, recording the most recent temporary defect list cumulatively with the previous temporary defect list in the temporary defect management area, and recording position information for indicating a position of the most recent temporary defect list in the temporary defect management area along with the temporary defect list to more effectively manage the temporary defect list. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259754 | Recorder, Host Device, Recording Method, Instruction Method, Program, Integrated Circuit, Reproducing Device, Reproducing Method and Write-Once-Read-Many Recording Medium - A recording apparatus for recording information on a write-once recording medium, the write-once recording medium including a disk management information area and a volume space, the recording apparatus including: a host apparatus; and a drive apparatus, the host apparatus including: a first instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to allocate at least one first track and at least one second track to the volume space; a second instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to record a file on the at least one first track; a third instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to record a file structure on the at least one second track, the file structure managing the file; a fourth instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to record a virtual allocation table structure in the volume space, the virtual allocation table structure managing a recording location of the file structure; and a fifth instruction section for instructing the drive apparatus to record track management information in the disk management information area, the track management information managing the at least one first track and the at least one second track, the drive apparatus including: a head section; and a control section. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259755 | Information Recording Device and Method, and Computer Program - An information recording device ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259756 | OPTICAL DISK APPARATUS - A laser power which is lower than an optimum reproduction laser power is set as an initial value. The reproduction laser power is increased from the initial value while trial reproduction is performed until a quality level of a reproduction signal is not lower than a reference level. At the time the quality level of the reproduction signal is not lower than the reference level, the reproduction laser power is set as the reproduction laser power with respect to an optical disk which is of a reproduction target. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259757 | Method of Adjusting Writing Parameters, Optical Disc Writer and Method of Recording Data Using the Same - The present invention discloses a method of adjusting writing parameters, comprising the steps of testing a region to be written in a re-writeable optical disc without changing writing power level; calculating writing parameters in the region to be written based on the tested result; and adjusting writing parameters based on the calculated result. According to embodiments of the present invention, the direct over writing compatibility problem can be resolved. Moreover, power level adjusting is kept unchanged so as to avoid possible damage to direct over writing cycleability. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259758 | Partial Response Maximum Likelihood Decoding - A partial response maximum likelihood decoder, such as a Viterbi decoder, implements a set of combined states where each combined state can represent at least two states from a plurality of complementary sets of states. For each data symbol and each combined state, a Viterbi processor ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259759 | Optical Disc Having Combined Rom/R Area - A record carrier has information represented by high density read-only marks in a track. The read-only marks ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259760 | Multilayer Optical Recording Medium and Manufacturing Method Thereof - The present invention is directed to a multi-layered optical recording medium adapted to satisfy reflection factor required at the time of recording/reproduction of digital data based on the standards of CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), wherein a first transparent base ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259761 | Information recording medium - An optically detectable information recording medium is at least comprised of a substrate and a recording layer, wherein a surface of the recording layer opposite to another surface of the recording layer in contact with the substrate has a Root Mean Square roughness Rσ of less than 5 nm, and wherein the recording layer has highly reflective recording material selected from aluminum, silver, silicon, titanium, nickel, tantalum, molybdenium, iron, gold, copper, and their alloys. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259762 | OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM - An optical information recording medium includes a substrate having a through-hole provided at the central portion thereof and a guiding groove provided on a surface at the light-incident side; a reflective layer provided on the surface of the substrate having the guiding groove; a recording layer provided on the reflective layer and made of an organic substance containing a dye; and a light-transmissive cover layer provided on the recording layer, wherein the cover layer is made of a curable resin, and a modulus of elasticity of at least a portion of the cover layer facing the recording layer is in the range of about 34 MPa to about 96 MPa at 25° C. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259763 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO DETERMINE AN OPTIMAL POWER LEVEL TO ENCODE INFORMATION HOLOGRAPHICALLY - A method is disclosed to determine an optimal power level to encode information holographically. The method sets (N) evaluation power levels, displays an evaluation image on a spatial light modulator. For each value of (i), the method energizes a light source using the (i)th power level, generates the (i)th reference beam, generates the (i)th carrier beam, forms the (i)th data beam comprising the evaluation image, forms the (i)th hologram using the (i)th reference beam and the (i)th data beam, and encodes the (i)th hologram in a holographic data storage medium, where (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N). | 2008-10-23 |
20080259764 | ARRANGING AND DESTAGING DATA TO HOLOGRAPHIC STORAGE - Data for storage by holographic data storage is arranged in an intermediate data storage as data segments which are replicas of holographic storage segments. Files of data are aggregated into the data segments, and a destaging control determines the destaging of the data segments to the holographic data storage in accordance with a plurality of policies, such as whether a segment is full, a time threshold has been reached, or whether a threshold number of segments are “open”. The intermediate data storage may be arranged into a number of partitions at least equal to the number of sources having input to the data destaging system, the partitions comprising integral multiples of the data segments. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259765 | ARRANGING AND DESTAGING DATA TO HOLOGRAPHIC STORAGE - Data for storage by holographic data storage is arranged in an intermediate data storage as data segments which are replicas of holographic storage segments. Files of data are aggregated into the data segments, and a destaging control determines the destaging of the data segments to the holographic data storage in accordance with a plurality of policies, such as whether a segment is full, a time threshold has been reached, or whether a threshold number of segments are “open”. The intermediate data storage may be arranged into a number of partitions at least equal to the number of sources having input to the data destaging system, the partitions comprising integral multiples of the data segments. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259766 | Optical Pickup Actuator and Optical Scanning Device - An optical pickup actuator for low building height includes a suspended lensholder ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259767 | Objective optical element and optical pickup apparatus - An objective optical element of an optical pickup apparatus has a magnification m | 2008-10-23 |
20080259768 | Optical pickup apparatus - There is provided an optical pickup apparatus in which the assembling workability such as chucking of an LD holder by an adjusting jig and spreading of adhesive can be improved. In the optical pickup apparatus, multiple fitting portions (boss portions) | 2008-10-23 |
20080259769 | Method for Improving the Playability of Non-Ideal Optical Carriers - The present invention relates to a method for improving the playability of non-ideal optical disks. Initially, an asymmetry (AsI) of the optical carrier is determined. If the asymmetry is above a pre-defined first threshold then a step of decreasing an upper cut-off frequency (HPF) to a first cut-off frequency (HPF | 2008-10-23 |
20080259770 | Optical Pick-Up for Use in a Multi-Disc Optical Player and Method for Correcting Optical Aberrations in Such an Optical Pick-Up Unit - The present invention concerns to an optical pick-up unit for use in a multi-disc system, for scanning a first type of record carriers and at least a second type of record carriers, the second type of record carriers having an information density different from an information density of the first type of record carriers, the optical pick-up unit comprising at least two optical branches ( | 2008-10-23 |
20080259771 | Optical Pickup Device - An optical pickup device comprises a lens holder to hold an objective lens for irradiating a laser beam onto an optical disc; outer and inner circumferential side wires fixed at one ends thereof to outer and inner circumferential sides of the lens holder and extending substantially in parallel to the optical disc; a suspension holder for suspending and supporting the other ends of the outer and inner wires to cantilever the lens holder; and a magnetic drive circuit for driving the lens holder in a focusing direction and a tracking direction. The outer wires have an effective length longer than that of the inner wires. This makes it possible to tilt the objective lens so as to compensate the tilt of the optical disc, if any, at the time of recording and reproduction, thereby reducing jitter and improving recording and reproduction performance of the optical pickup device with simple structure. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259772 | Optical disc reproducing apparatus - An objective lens is raised from below upwards with a DVD laser diode turned on and levels of detection signals A, B, C, and D from a four segment photodetector are acquired and stored in a RAM. A ratio (A+D)/(B+C) in a direction of the X-axis is then calculated. When the ratio exceeds a predetermined value, a lens shift correction amount is calculated for the calculated ratio based on a correction table. The objective lens is then shifted in the direction of the X-axis in accordance with the calculated lens shift correction amount. These processes are executed before a series of processes required for achieving a focus-on state. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259773 | Optical element and optical pickup device - An objective lens causes birefringence, which causes wave aberration in outgoing light from the objective lens. A coated objective lens has a dielectric multilayer film that can reduce astigmatism component of the wave aberration to 5 mλ rms or smaller when 10 mλ rms or larger astigmatism component of wave aberration is generated. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259774 | Objective lens driving device and optical disc apparatus - Both of two permanent magnets which are arranged in an objective lens driving device are multipole magnetized magnets having rectangular parallelepiped shapes. The two permanent magnets have inverse N-S polarity at a part of surfaces which face each other. Focusing coils and tracking coils which are set up on a lens holder are disposed such that effective portions which are sides of the respective coils that face each other to generate driving force by electromagnetic force action with the permanent magnets, act with different direction magnetic fields respectively. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259775 | OBJECTIVE LENS FOR OPTICAL PICK-UP - There is provided an objective lens for an optical pick-up. The objective lens includes a first surface on a light source side, and a second surface on an optical disc side. The first surface has a convex shape. Te objective lens is formed to be a single-element lens having a numerical aperture of 0.75 or more. In this configuration, the objective lens satisfies a condition: | 2008-10-23 |
20080259776 | Optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus - An optical pickup has a photo detector which is divided into first, second, third and fourth quadrants, receives a laser beam reflected from an optical disc via an objective lens, and outputs first, second, third and fourth detection signals from the respective quadrants. A system controller controls a memory to store levels (A, B, C and D) of the first, second, third and fourth detection signals after a focus servo section performs a focus operation by shifting the objective lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical disc surface, and then, calculates a ratio of ((A+D)/(B+C)) in a radial direction of the optical disc. The system controller controls the tracking servo section to perform a tracking operation to shift the objective lens in the radial direction based on a correction table which represents a relationship between correction amount of the lens shift and the calculated ratio ((A+D)/(B+C)). | 2008-10-23 |
20080259777 | Optical Pickup Device and Optical Disc Device - An optical pickup device | 2008-10-23 |
20080259778 | PROCESS FOR INTENTIONAL DETERIORATION OF THE CONTENTS OF AN OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIUM - The invention relates to the field of optical information recording. In order to prevent abusive or fraudulent use of storage media, the invention provides a process for intentional degradation of information by application of a laser power below the normal power for reading information recorded in super-resolution on the media. This process relies on the surprising observation that a laser power below the super-resolution read power produces an irreversible degradation of the information recorded. This observation has been made with regard to media composed of a three-layer structure comprising an InSb or GaSb layer between two ZnS/SiO | 2008-10-23 |
20080259779 | Probe Head With Narrow Read Element - An apparatus includes a storage medium, and a transducer positioned adjacent to the storage medium, wherein the transducer includes a first electrode and a second electrode, with the width of the first electrode being less than the width of the second electrode. A method including: applying a first voltage to a transducer to write data to a storage medium, and applying a second voltage to the transducer to read data from the storage medium, wherein the magnitude of the first voltage is greater than the magnitude of the second voltage. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259780 | OPTICAL INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING A TRANSITION AREA - An optical information storage medium includes a plurality of areas and at least one transition area. Each transition area is located between two adjacent areas. The transition area allows data to be smoothly reproduced from the optical information storage medium at a low error generation rate. Also, since the optical information storage medium provides standards for the transition area, it is compatible with existing optical information storage media. | 2008-10-23 |
20080259781 | Disk recording medium, disk drive apparatus, reproducing method, and disk manufacturing method - A recording and reproducing area and a reproduction-only area are formed by wobbling a groove formed in a spiral fashion to form a track to be tracked on a disk. The recording and reproducing area has address information recorded by wobbling of the groove and information recorded and reproduced by phase change marks on the track formed by the groove where the address information is recorded. The reproduction-only area has prerecorded information recorded by wobbling of the groove. | 2008-10-23 |