ma Exercise mat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inventive mats system is provided in which a towel can be removed and changed when desired. The mat system can manipulated into a rolled configuration. When rolled, a logo on the bottom of the base mat is visible. At least one elastic strap is used to keep the mat in the rolled configuration for easy toting and storage. The system includes a holding mechanism that allows the towel to be secured to the mat mechanically. The towel has a skidless surface on top to allow a user not to slid off the towel. Full Article
ma Transformable bed for examinations in pediatric ophthalmology By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transformable bed for examinations in pediatric ophthalmology, especially suitable for the use of general anesthesia when conducting eye examinations, is provided. The bed may include a fixed bed board, a movable bed board, a movable seat, a movable support, a securing strap, and a main frame. The bed may be fixedly connected to the top of the main frame, the movable bed board may be rotationally connected to the top of the main frame, and the movable seat may be rotationally connected to the top of the main frame. The securing strap may be disposed on the movable bed board, in which one end of the movable support may be removably connected to the movable bed board, and another end may be removably connected to the main frame. The transformable bed may function both as an anesthesia bed and a handcart, and may be quickly switched therebetween. Full Article
ma Traveling wave air mattresses and method and apparatus for generating traveling waves thereon By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects. Full Article
ma Backboard for an automated CPR system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A backboard for an automated cardio pulmonary resuscitation system, said backboard comprising a board element, the board element defining a plane and having a top edge, a bottom edge a first side edge and a second side edge; a set of connectors adapted for connection of the backboard to an automated cardio pulmonary resuscitation unit, said connectors being provided at said side edges; and at least one set of stabilizing elements extending away from an edge and transversely to said plane. Full Article
ma Bedmaker By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Levitation devices are disclosed for use with beds. In one embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate rotation of a mattress with respect to a box spring. In another embodiment, the levitation device is configured to facilitate making a bed which allows sheets and blankets to be tucked between the mattress and the box spring without the need to lift the mattress. In a third embodiment, the levitation device functions as a hybrid device and can be used for making a bed or rotating a mattress. Full Article
ma Patient positioning device primarily developed for stereotactic body radio surgery (SBRT) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a patient positioning device, which enables the latest advances in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy. The geometry, which incorporates at least one window or lateral cut-out, is designed to allow clear treatment access to the patient during non-coplanar treatment regimes through the use of windows or lateral cut-outs. A laterally positionable diaphragm compression device allows the full use of the geometry. The development of a stand-alone device and a couch top insert device allows for a maximum number of protocol methods while minimizing the skin surface radiation dose to the patient. Full Article
ma Mattress By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mattress including a plurality of cells aligned and disposed on a body pressure working surface of a substrate that supports a human body; and a pressure control member that changes a height of each cell by adjusting a pressure in a fluid chamber formed within the cell. The cells are configured such that as the each cell is inflated by fluid supplied to the fluid chamber within the cell, the height of the each cell increases and a width dimension of the each cell in a direction of alignment decreases, and that peripheral portions of adjacent cells in the direction of alignment are overlapped with each other prior to cell inflation. Full Article
ma Mattress structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mattress structure contains: an elastic mattress. The elastic mattress includes a main body, two elongated extensions extending along two peripheral sides of the main body, and an outer segment formed on one end thereof to correspond to user's feet. The elastic mattress is made of plural first plastic wires which are solid and are irregularly winded together, a connection portion of at least two of the plural first plastic wires is melted, and a disconnection portion of the at least two of the plural first plastic wires includes plural gaps formed therein. The elastic mattress also includes two support areas arranged below the two elongated extensions, and each support areas has plural second plastic wires winded therein, wherein a density of the plural second plastic wires is greater than those of the other positions of the elastic mattress besides the two support areas. Full Article
ma Vacuum mattress By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vacuum mattress for an operation table has plural foam strips oriented longitudinally with respect to a patient, the foam strips being laterally spaced apart, wherein the gaps are free from granulate of the vacuum mattress at least in their upper parts and the plural foam strips are separated from the granulate by a gas-impermeable layer. Full Article
ma Infant care accessory comprising combination diaper bag and changing mat with fluid barrier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An infant care accessory comprising a combination diaper bag and changing mat. The accessory comprises a body having a two side panels and a center panel. When the side panels are upright, the body forms a diaper bag. When the side panels are opened flat with the center panel, the body forms a diaper changing mat. The inside surface of the body is made of fluid impermeable material, and a fluid barrier is positioned along the center panel. The fluid barrier may be a strip of absorbent material. When a baby is placed lengthwise on the opened out body with the center panel positioned at about the baby's waist, urine and other body fluids will be blocked or absorbed by the fluid barrier and will not travel up under the baby's back and head. A removable accessory pouch may be included for carrying diapers, lotion, powder, and other changing essentials. Full Article
ma Cellular cushions including support material and methods of fabricating same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer. Full Article
ma TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMUNICATING ROADWAY INFORMATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Technologies for communicating roadway information includes a plurality of roadway markers configured to propagate communications amongst each other. To do so, each roadway marker is configured to transmit communications to one or more other roadway markers. The communications may include sensor data generated by a sensor of a roadway marker. One or more roadway markers may transmit the sensor data to a roadway controller. Additionally or alternatively, the communication may include an alert message. A roadway marker may include a local alert device and be configured to activate the alert device in response to receiving an alert message. Additionally, one or more roadway markers may communicate with a roadway controller, a roadway traffic device, and/or an in-vehicle computing system of a vehicle to propagate roadway marker sensor data and/or alert messages. The roadway controller may be configured to control the roadway traffic devices, roadway makers, and/or communicate with remote computing devices. Full Article
ma REDUCING ELECTROMAGNETIC NOISE DETECTED IN SURFACE MEASUREMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for reducing noise at a wellsite includes transmitting a plurality of first signals from a variable frequency drive (VFD) to an alternating current (AC) induction motor. A timing of a plurality of second signals is varied to control transistors in an inverter of the VFD, thereby reducing harmonic distortion of the first signals output from the VFD. The timing is varied based at least partially upon an estimation of the harmonic distortion. Full Article
ma IDENTIFICATION OF MATERIAL TYPE AND CONDITION IN A DRY BULK MATERIAL HOPPER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a hopper with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to detect a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes generating an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the hopper when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for usage. Full Article
ma IDENTIFICATION OF MATERIAL TYPE AND CONDITION IN A DRY BULK MATERIAL STORAGE BIN By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component. Full Article
ma CAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A car management system includes, for example, a second terminal generating first and second tokens in response to a request from a first terminal to use a vehicle, and sending the first token to the first terminal; and a third terminal authorizing the first terminal to use the vehicle by generating an access key that provides authority to use the vehicle using the first token and the second token in response to a request from the first terminal for the access key, and providing the generated access key to the first terminal. Full Article
ma SECURITY SYSTEM, MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, PERMISSION APPARATUS, TERMINAL APPARATUS, SECURITY METHOD AND PROGRAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT At the time of setting authority, a management apparatus stores a database in which authority information corresponding to authority to physically drive a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, using a terminal apparatus, and registration identification information corresponding to a subject that is given the authority are associated, and outputs information representing any of the registration identification information; and a permission apparatus receives and stores the information. At the time of exercising the authority, the terminal apparatus outputs information representing identification information, and the permission apparatus receives the information and, when the identification information corresponds to registration identification information comprised in setting information, outputs information representing authority exercise information required to exercise the authority. The terminal apparatus receives the information representing the authority exercise information and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the authority exercise information. By this drive signal, a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, is physically driven. Full Article
ma ACOUSTIC MAGNETIC TAG By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic magnetic tag includes a housing, a resonant sheet, and a biasing magnetic sheet received in the main body. The housing includes a main body having an opening, a first connecting portion connected to one side of the main body, a second connecting portion connected to an other side of the main body opposite to the one side, a partition connected to the first connecting portion, and a cover connected to the second connecting portion. The partition is rotated relative to the main body to be received in the main body by folding the first connecting portion, and the cover is rotated relative to the main body to cover the opening by folding the second connecting portion. The partition is positioned between the resonant sheet and the biasing magnetic sheet. Full Article
ma IDENTIFYING PERSONS OF INTEREST USING MOBILE DEVICE INFORMATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An alarm system including an alarm panel, a sensor operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to detect alarm events, and a communicator module operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to capture signals transmitted by mobile devices within a predefined area, extract mobile device identifiers from the signals, and record the mobile device identifiers in an active device identifier list that is maintained in a memory associated with the communicator module. Full Article
ma Security Prejudgment based on Characteristic Information By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An example method of security prejudgment based on characteristic information include receiving characteristic information of a monitored party from the monitored party, calculating security status information of the monitored party based on a probability of danger that has been stored and corresponds to the characteristic information of the monitored party, determining that the security status information is greater than a first threshold, performing an appropriate operation based on the determination. Accordingly, the technical solution of the present disclosure solves a problem that presetting of monitoring conditions cannot cover potential surrounding risks that result in a safety hazard. Further, the technical solution can monitor risks that are not reflected by spatial information. After identifying and warning based on the characteristic information, potential risks may be avoided before occurring without wasting data traffic. Full Article
ma MAGNITUDE BASED ALARM FLAP DETECTION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A flap detector can detect significant flapping with magnitudes of state deltas (i.e., differences between values representing events or states). The flap detector aggregates monotonic state deltas. Aggregating monotonic state deltas yields a magnitude of monotonic state deltas. A magnitude of a series of same direction state deltas can be considered the magnitude of flap because the end of the series corresponds to a beginning of a state delta series in a different direction. When directional transition occurs (i.e., flapping occurs), the flap detector generates multiple monotonic state delta magnitudes. The determined magnitudes can be used to filter out insignificant flapping that could be considered noise. Full Article
ma TOUCHLESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A touchless management method and system can include: a server beacon, the server beacon including a gesture sensor, a motion sensor, a managed sensor, a server beacon mass storage, and a server beacon power transceiver; detecting gesture data from the gesture sensor; recording sensor data with the managed sensor; a power station including a power station power transceiver, a station control unit, upload coordinator, and a station storage unit; sending a packet from the server beacon to the power station; prioritizing the packet; uploading a message including the sensor data to the power station; and uploading the message to a database server. Full Article
ma Vehicle Operation Assistance Information Management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle may traverse a portion of a vehicle transportation network, which may include a processor of the vehicle executing instructions to identify a first vehicle operation assistance information item, and, on a condition that an immanency for the first vehicle operation assistance information item is within a maximum relevant immanence and a utility metric for the first vehicle operation assistance information item indicates high utility, present a representation of the first vehicle operation assistance information item by, on a condition that a first urgency identified based on the immanency indicates a warning urgency or an advisory urgency, controlling a primary graphical display portion to present a first portion of a graphical representation of the first vehicle operation assistance information item, and controlling a secondary graphical display portion to present a second portion of the graphical representation. Full Article
ma Maintenance Decision Support System and Method for Vehicular and Roadside Applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and system are provided in which maintenance vehicles collect information from sensors and operators, forward the collected information to a server, and, is response, receive maps and operator instructions. Full Article
ma Automated Candle Blower By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a candle blower. More specifically, the present invention is an automated candle blower programmable to direct a flow of air to the general position of a flame on a burning candle. Full Article
ma SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR TREATING WASTE MATERIALS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for a pyrolytic oven for processing waste include multiple zones associated with multiple independently-controlled heating sources. The pyrolytic oven may have multiple sensors also associated with each zone. The pyrolytic oven may also include a fuel management system which adjusts a power level of each heating source for each zone independently based on a reading of the corresponding sensor. Full Article
ma Performing Integrity Checks on Climate Control System Components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter. Full Article
ma THERMALLY-PROTECTIVE MATERIAL AND COOL-TOUCH CANDLE ASSEMBLIES PREPARED THEREWITH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to materials and systems useful for increasing the safety profile of a candle. In particular, the present invention provides a thermally-protective material that is useful to prepare labels or wraps to encircle or surround a candle. The present invention further provides a cool-touch thermally-protected candle assembly. Full Article
ma Flammable Gas Concentration Reducer and Inert Gas Generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A remediation method and device for combustible gas in a room is disclosed. An inlet and outlet opening between ambient room air and the interior of a device are used with a sensor. Flame arrestor quench screens are used to control a fire within a chamber having an impeller causing air flow. A pilot flame situated within the combustion chamber burns combustible gas while temperature, pressure, and oxygen sensor devices are used to modify air flow as necessary for optimum combustion within the device. Full Article
ma CANDLE WITH EMBEDDED ITEM AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A candle with an embedded item and methods for manufacturing same are disclosed. A method for manufacturing a candle having an embedded item can include providing a first set of items of a first value and a second set of items of a second value different from the first value, combining the two sets to create a third set, and distributing the items of the third set among a set of candles, one item per candle, where the presence, nature, or value of the item within the candle is obscured. The method can further include selling the candles for a first price, wherein, the presence of the embedded item, the nature of the embedded item, the value of the embedded item, or the value of the embedded item relative to the first price is not known to the purchaser. The embedded item can comprise an object redeemable for a prize. Full Article
ma CANDLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING PERSONALIZED CANDLES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A candle assembly for making a personalized scented candle including a candle body comprises a coring device that is configured to remove a core from the candle body, the coring device including (i) a leading edge that selectively extends into the candle body; and (ii) a plurality of measurement markers that measure a depth of the leading edge within the candle body. The coring device can be configured to remove the core from the candle body to form a cavity in the candle body. Additionally, the measurement markers can be utilized to determine a depth of the cavity formed in the candle body by the coring device. Full Article
ma Deformable seating piece for saddletree, saddletree adapted to receive such a piece and saddle including such a combination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EDT The invention is directed to a piece (2) for a saddletree (1) of mat-like general shape conformed to have both a first overall concavity in a first direction of a longitudinal plane of symmetry and a second overall concavity in a second direction of a transverse plane, delimited by an exterior free edge (14) including a pommel portion, a cantle portion and two longitudinal portions, the exterior free edge being adapted to cooperate with a complementary interior free edge of the saddletree, the mat including a plurality of individual portions at least partly separate, placed in the vicinity of each other so that each individual portion can absorb forces and be deformed in bending or in torsion at least partly independently of the other individual portions, the piece being provided with elements for associating it with the saddletree. Full Article
ma Lifting girdle apparatus for enhancing the performance of a harness racing horse By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EDT A lifting girdle apparatus for enhancing the performance of a harness racing horse includes a lifting girdle affixed to a harness and sulky at two points on each side of the horse with a clip that attaches to the harness, behind approximately the front quarter of the horse, and with a securing strap that runs vertically towards and around the shaft of the sulky. The securing strap is preferably made to be adjustable, for example by constructing the securing strap as a belt and utilizing a belt buckle. The ability to adjust the distance between the attachment clips and the lifting girdle allows for a trainer to configure the lifting girdle device apparatus for different sized horses for producing an optimum setting for horses of almost any size. Full Article
ma Method for treating equine laminitis by cryotherapy and auto-massage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT Method and devices for treating equine laminitis by cryotherapy, comprising a boot to be fitted over the horse's hoof, having a wedge shaped sole that is angled by 20° toward the front; The purpose is accomplished by the boot in conjunction with three opportunely shaped removable soles, and a cryotherapy reservoir of flexible material, that is inserted into the boot and connected to an external device for refrigeration by circulation of a fluid. Full Article
ma Horseback riding animal cradle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST Disclosed is a horseback riding animal and article carrier attachable to a horse saddle. The device comprises a housing having upstanding sidewalls, a plurality of securement straps and an elastic contact pad. The housing is an open enclosure having upstanding sidewalls, a base and an open upper to support a pet or a plurality of personal items therein. Along the underside of the base and extended along a forward side of the housing is a contact pad that bears against a horse croup and the backside of a horse saddle cantle. An upstanding, horizontal and diagonal strap are provided along the sides of the housing connect to a saddle strap connectable to a saddle girth along both sides of the horse. The straps are length adjustable to tension the straps and draw the housing toward the horse and the saddle during use. Full Article
ma Protective hood for dogs and other animals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A head covering that protects a dog or other animal against the intrusion of harmful things or elements such as insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds, which can enter the animal's ears, eyes, or nose and cause discomfort or damage. Full Article
ma Animal training apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A trigger arrangement for an animal training apparatus, the trigger arrangement including a fluid pump having a pump actuator, the pump including an inlet and an outlet and a sound emitter configured to be actuated by the pump actuator, wherein actuation of the pump pumps fluid from the inlet to the outlet accompanied by a simultaneous emission of sound from the sound emitter. Full Article
ma Insect repellent compound, material and animal mask, and method for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An insect repellent compound that includes naturally occurring oil that emits an odor which repels insects is described. The compound is not harmful to animals, to humans or to the environment. The compound may be incorporated into materials such as yarn that is woven to form a mesh. The material may be used for making an animal mask, for screen doors and other applications. A method of making the compound and incorporating it into materials and products is described. Full Article
ma Seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal, a saddle tree, and a saddle with such a saddle tree. The seat support device comprises a right multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section and a left multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section. A pivoting device with a pivot axis is each formed case between two adjacent link sections, so that two adjacent link sections are pivotable towards one other around a pivot axis substantially within a pivot plane which penetrates the pivot axis substantially perpendicular. Full Article
ma PHASE ERROR RECOVERY CIRCUITRY AND METHOD FOR A MAGNETIC RECORDING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 26 Jan 2017 08:00:00 EST A recording head is configured to write and read data sectors to and from a recording medium, such as a heat-assisted recording medium. A read channel is coupled to the recording head. Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry of the read channel is configured to detect a change in a phase error at a location of the data sector. The phase error change may be indicative of a mode-hop that occurred while writing the data sector to the medium. The PLL circuitry is configured to determine a phase offset using the phase error. A controller is configured to effect re-reading of the data sector location using the phase offset to recover the data sector location. Full Article
ma INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD, INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE, AND INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 09 Feb 2017 08:00:00 EST An information recording method of the present disclosure is an information recording method for recording information on a write-once information recording medium, including one or more recording layers, each of the recording layers being spiral-shaped on which a land track and a groove track are alternately repeated as recording tracks, each of the recording tracks being divided into blocks, each of the blocks being a minimum unit in which recording is performed. The information recording method includes: recording the information on the information recording medium in a unit of each of the blocks; and controlling recording on the information recording medium. In the control step, switching is performed whether to perform recording in a block to be recorded in which the information is to be recorded next among the blocks based on recording conditions of the recording tracks adjacent on both sides of the block to be recorded. Full Article
ma THERMALLY-ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD INCLUDING A MAIN POLE AND A PLASMON GENERATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 08:00:00 EST A main pole has a front end face including a first end face portion and a second end face portion. A plasmon generator has a near-field light generating surface. A surrounding layer has a first surrounding layer end face and a second surrounding layer end face located on opposite sides of the first end face portion in the track width direction. A gap film has a first gap film end face and a second gap film end face located on opposite sides of the near-field light generating surface in the track width direction. Each of the first and second gap film end faces includes a portion located between the first and second surrounding layer end faces, but does not include any portion interposed between the first surrounding layer end face and the first end face portion or between the second surrounding layer end face and the first end face portion. Full Article
ma NEAR-FIELD TRANSDUCER FOR HEAT ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING WITH TRAILING EDGE TAPER AND SIDE TAPER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 08:00:00 EST Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes a main pole, a waveguide and a NFT disposed between the main pole and the waveguide. The NFT includes an antenna, and a portion of the antenna is disposed at a media facing surface. By increasing the volume of the antenna extending from the MFS, the temperature of the NFT during operation is reduced. Full Article
ma TUNABLE CONTACT DETECTION SENSITIVITY TO DIRECTLY MEASURE CLEARANCE OF PROTRUSIONS IN MAGNETIC RECORDING HEADS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 08:00:00 EST Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to contact at the disk by the recording head in a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, a direct current is applied to an element in a HAMR head. An alternating current is then applied to the element over top of the direct current to cause the HAMR head to dither. By monitoring the head signal at the dither frequency, a touchdown or contact of a NFT on a disk may be detected based upon variations in the produced signal. Full Article
ma METHODS OF FORMING MAGNETIC DEVICES WITH VARIABLE OVERCOATS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 02 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EST Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region. Full Article
ma MAGNETIC DISK DEVICE AND DEFECT DETECTION METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 02 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EST A magnetic disk device according to an embodiment includes a disk including a data area, a head configured to read and write data from and to the data area, and a controller configured to determine under a first condition whether the data area includes a defect, and to determine, under a second condition of a higher defect detection sensitivity than the first condition, whether a first area around a first defect area includes a defect, when detecting the first defect area under the first condition. Full Article
ma MATERIALS FOR NEAR FIELD TRANSDUCERS, NEAR FIELD TRANDUCERS CONTAINING SAME, AND METHODS OF FORMING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 09 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EST A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), and at least two other secondary atoms, the at least two other secondary atoms selected from: boron (B), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), tellurium (Te), holmium (Ho), lutetium (Lu), praseodymium (Pr), scandium (Sc), uranium (U), barium (Ba), chlorine (Cl), cesium (Cs), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu), fluorine (F), germanium (Ge), hydrogen (H), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), terbium (Tb), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), carbon (C), antimony (Sb), gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), neodymium (Nd), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), erbium (Er), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), palladium (Pd), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), thorium (Th), beryllium (Be), thulium (Tm), erbium (Er), ytterbium (Yb), promethium (Pm), neodymium (Nd cobalt (Co), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), or combinations thereof. Full Article
ma OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM AND REPRODUCTION METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 23 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a case where (i) a reflectance calculated from a reflected light amount obtained from a longest pit (P1max) or a longest space (S1max) in a first pit row is defined as a first reflectance and (ii) a reflectance calculated from a reflected light amount obtained from a longest pit (P2max) or a longest space (S2max) in the second pit row is defined as a second reflectance, the first pit row is formed such that the first reflectance becomes substantially identical with the second reflectance. Full Article
ma FREE-STANDING REFLECTOR USABLE IN HEAT ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING TECHNOLOGY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus is described. The HAMR write apparatus is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR writer has a media-facing surface (MFS) and a laser-facing surface. The HAMR write apparatus includes a free-standing reflector and at least one waveguide. The free-standing reflector resides on the laser-facing surface and has a concave reflective surface oriented to receive the energy from the laser. The waveguide(s) are optically coupled with the free-standing reflector and direct energy from the laser toward the MFS. Full Article
ma LASER ADJUSTMENT DURING FIELD OPERATION OF A HEAT-ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING DATA STORAGE DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT During field operation of a heat-assisted magnetic recording data storage device, a laser adjustment procedure is performed. The laser adjustment procedure involves writing on a recording medium at least three tracks. If a bit error rate of a middle tracks has increased, the laser current is swept while recording test tracks to determine a new laser current that results in a minimum bit error rate. The new laser current is used for subsequent write operations. Full Article