A business form is provided which is particularly useful in shipping products where certain preprinted information can be provided and then individualized information is printed before the form is applied to a substrate. The form includes a face ply which has a pattern of adhesive applied to at least a portion of the inner face, and a release liner which includes a pattern of adhesive which exposes a portion of the release liner to direct adhesive contact to the face ply without intervening release coating to permanently adhere a part of the release liner to the face ply. The release liner has a surrounding protective border provided with release coating on the release face thereof and which is removed prior to application to the substrate, and a slip which remains with the form as applied to the substrate. The face ply includes lines of perforation defining a central portion. At least a part of the central portion is directly adhered by the adhesive to the slip without intervening release coating between the adhesive and the slip or the central portion. Individualized indicia, such as an address, may be printed on a label area of the top face of the central portion, while other individualized indicia, such as the content of a package, may be printed on the back face of the slip. Masking indicia is preferably provided on one of the inner face of the top ply or the release face of the release liner to inhibit viewing of the content indicia until the slip is removed from the package.

A server-based video game system maintains a number of video game characters having computer-simulated genetic (“digenetic”) structures that prescribe a number of physical and cognitive performance traits and characteristics for the video game characters. The system allows end users to establish remote online access to the game characters (via, e.g., the Internet). The results of competitions and training activities are based upon the game characters' digenetics, the conditions of the game environment, and the game characters' current levels of physical and cognitive development. The game characters' performance capabilities and cognition are updated continuously in response to the results of competitions and training activities. Competition and training results can be processed by the game servers and transmitted to the end user presentation devices for graphics rendering. In this manner, the video game system need not be burdened by network latency and other delays. The game system also supports game character breeding; game character evolution based upon the digenetics; and game character buying, trading, selling, and collecting.

A hard laminate sheet for security booklets and method of making the same. The laminate sheet comprises at least two hard core layers (e.g. of polycarbonate) and a flexible component (e.g. nylon) there between and extending beyond an outer edge of the core layers to form a flexible band. The flexible component may be provided as an intermediate layer also comprising a hard component (e.g. of polycarbonate) juxtaposed with the flexible component and laminated to the adjacent core layers. The flexible component comprises a plurality of apertures within which material of the adjacent core layers is laminated together and affixes the flexible component to the laminate sheet. Additional hard core layers may be laminated to the core layers which sandwich the intermediate layer. Optionally, the laminate sheet may be used for a travel document (such as a passport) and may be laser engraved. Also, optionally, the laminate sheet may comprise a hard core inlay layer configured for containing a contactless integrated circuit chip and antenna or other electronic hardware.

The present invention is a specimen capture and collection form that utilizes a self laminating form assembly having first and second separable parts one of which is used in the collection, capture and retention of a sample of material to be analyzed and the other of which is used for recording the particular transaction for which the sample of specimen was collected. The form assembly is also provided with a unique element which enables the separation of excess sample collection material to be easily and conveniently separated from the remainder of the form assembly so as to not contaminate the specimen as well as prevent the inadvertent removal of the specimen from the form assembly. The construction is also provided with distinct verification areas to confirm authenticity of the form construction.

A document carrier sheet is provided with a support sheet having a support surface on which a document is supported. The document carrier sheet is also provided with a transparent sheet attached to the support sheet and permitting the document to be held on the support surface, with an image on the document being covered. The support surface of the support sheet has a different color from that of the document.

An assembly for mailing an article requiring special services and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard, two anchor portions disposed on either side of the postcard, printer track strips having a plurality of holes for engaging a printer, such as a dot matrix printer, and a hole capable of being sensed by another type of printer, such as a thermal printer. The indicia printed upon the mailing assembly including the designator indicating the special service required, are printed using a single color thereby simplifying the printing process. The return postcard is removably attached to anchor portions such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed from the anchor portions. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service.

The present invention provides a shipping method for guaranteeing that an article for shipping has remained sealed with a seal and has remained unopened. Specifically, first, the sender is asked to enter a signature on a seal. Because of the pressure from a writing implement at time of entering, the signature is copied to a sheet for verification. An article for shipping is sealed with a seal and transported to a recipient. The signature on the seal is verified against the signature on the sheet for verification. By confirming that the two match, it is confirmed that the seal has not been replaced. Thus it is guaranteed that the article for shipping has remained sealed with the seal and has remained unopened.

Collectable fingerprinted items, and methods of making such fingerprinted items, including original and simulated fingerprints for application to an item to create a collectable item. The processes may be used to create a variety of collectable items, such as instrument picks, pendants, key fobs, charms, and other collectables. The process includes taking an original fingerprint impression, using the original impression to create a simulated fingerprint impression. The methods optionally include altering at least one identifying characteristic in a manner that prevents identity theft of other misuse of the fingerprint impression. The process optionally includes applying the simulated fingerprint impression to an item, such as by making a mold incorporating the simulated fingerprint, such as by using CAD/CAM technology and molding an item using the created mold.

A printer, as an image forming apparatus, reverses the front and back sides of tab sheets that became no longer necessary and discharges when a reverse discharge is specified.

A method is disclosed in a gaming and media system for quickly and easily creating and sending mail communications including pre-populated, or preformed, messages. Upon receipt of a communication, a recipient may also quickly and easily download a game discussed in the message.

The invention provides the user a first insertion page position setting part that allows a user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which first tab sheets are to be inserted, and a second insertion page position setting part that allows the user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which second tab sheets are to be inserted, when a request for initiating the setting concerning the tab sheets is received. Further, the tab positions in the second tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said second insertion page position setting part, are set up in accordance with the tab positions in the first tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said first insertion page position setting part.

A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices.

In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.

Apparatus and method for secure transactions between gaming machines and portable devices are described. The secure transactions may include a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the portable device to the gaming machine or a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the gaming machine to the portable device. A logic device, separate from a master gaming controller on the gaming machine and placed in the gaming machine, may be operable to authenticate a portable device, such as a smart card, and authorize transactions involving transfers of indicia of credit between the portable device and the gaming machine. The logic device may be operable to send authentication information relating to the portable device to a remote host where a value amount of transactions involving the portable device authorized by the logic device may be higher when the logic device and the remote host authenticate the portable device as opposed to when the portable is only authenticated by the logic device.

Various methods and apparatus related to gaming are described. Some embodiments relate to a multi-tiered game involving multiple participants. Some embodiments relate to players establishing gaming elements based on desired criteria. Other embodiments are described.

Methods and system for encoded information processing are described. In one embodiment, an encoded pattern may be optically detected from source media. The encoded pattern may be associated with programming content of a content source. The encoded pattern may be decoded to reproduce encoded data. The programming content may be identified based on reproduction of the encoded data. A scheduled start time of the programming content may be obtained. When a current device time is within a notification time qualification of the scheduled start time, a programming content start alert may be generated. An interactive opportunity notification associated with the programming content may be provided based on generation of the programming content start alert. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

A method for controlling within a printer driver the insertion of tab sheets into a print job. According to one embodiment, sheets of multiple levels are insertable. The printer driver provides at least input fields for entry and display of parameters for the definition of at least one tab sheet, and an interactive area for visualizing the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet corresponding to the level of the tab sheet in the print job. Depending on changes of a tab sheet defined by entered parameters, the visualization of the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet in the print job is updated in the interactive area.

A system and method are disclosed for providing location-based wagering. In one embodiment, wagerable data associated with a location of a first user is identified. The wagerable data may be any type of data on which a wager may be based. Then, a wager recommendation is generated based on the wagerable data and returned to the first user. The first user defines a wager, and the wager is published to one or more second users located in proximity to the first user. Each of the one or more second users is enabled to accept the wager if desired. In addition, one or more winners and one or more losers of the wager may be identified and payout may then be effected.

A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect. Furthermore, the present invention relates to substrates, in particular security documents, produced using a method of this type, and devices for carrying out methods of this type.

A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend.

A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses.

A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.

Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are described. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing are configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces an optimal clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force.

In a friction drive transmission apparatus arranged to transmit power by a frictional transmission force between two roller units pressed against each other, there is provided a pressing force imparting means to increase and decrease a pressing force imparted to a roller pair to vary the frictional transmission force between both roller units smoothly at the time of a shift.

The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to a variator which responsive to separate high and low pressure fluids to control an output torque thereof. A first trim valve may be responsive to a first control signal to supply a first fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A second trim valve may be responsive to a second control signal to supply a second fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A variator switching sub-system may controllably supply the high pressure fluid and the low pressure fluid to the variator. A multiplex valve may be fluidly coupled to the outlets of the first and second trim valves, and may supply the first fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system during at least one predefined operating condition and may otherwise supply the second fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system.

A drive arrangement is disclosed for a motor vehicle power take off (PTO). The arrangement comprises a PTO shaft 104,158,207 of a known type intended for coupling to a power driven implement. An input shaft is arranged to be coupled to a rotary driver such as an engine. A continuously variable transmission such as 10 is coupled between the input and PTO shafts to transfer drive between them at a continuously variable ratio. In accordance with the invention, the continuously variable transmission is constructed and arranged such as to regulate torque and to automatically accommodate changes in speed at the PTO Shaft by virtue of changes in its drive ratio.

In order to further develop drive arrangements with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism, the invention proposes a drive arrangement with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism having two circulating transmission elements, which are actively connected to one another via a circulating connecting element, having a hybrid drive comprising a first drive and at least one additional drive, and further having at least one output, wherein at least one of the two drives is interactively connected to the output, either directly or indirectly via the continuously variable sub-gear mechanism.

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.

A clutch mechanism for a tape dispenser, for example, includes a first reel, a second reel, a biasing element, and a friction element. The first and second reels are rotatably disposed on first and second shafts. The biasing element is disposed between the second reel and second shaft such that the second reel is movable in a radial direction between first and second positions relative to the second shaft and the biasing element biases the second reel into the first position. The friction element extends around the first and second reels and arranged to generate a first normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a first position, relative to the second shaft, and a second normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a second position, relative to the second shaft.

An ECU executes a program including the steps of changing a target shift stage when a current shift change mode is set to an automatic shift change mode and when a driver has intention to change a shift stage, changing a shift range to an N range when he/she has intention for neutral, maintaining the automatic shift change mode when it is determined that he/she does not have intention for neutral but he/she has intention to switch the shift change mode and when such determination is made for the first time after return from the N range, and switching the shift change mode to a manual shift change mode when such determination is not made for the first time.

A variator transmission comprises an input shaft (18), an input disc (10) mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output disc (12) facing the input disc and arranged to rotate coaxially therewith, the input and output discs defining between them a toroidal cavity. Two rollers (14, 16) are located in the toroidal cavity and first and second roller carriage means are provided upon which the first and second rollers respectively are rotatably mounted and end load means (34, 36) urge the rollers into contact with the input and output discs to transmit drive. The two roller carriage means are mounted on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of a lever (50) and the pivotal axis of the lever (50) is movable in both the radial and non-radial directions with respect to the rotational axis of the input and output discs.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

A method of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. A method of optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission is also described. The CVT has a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation. A drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission can be optimized in another method.

A system and method for controlling the endload force of a variator includes reducing a net force applied to a variator input disc of the variator. The variator includes an endload chamber, a subtraction chamber, and a valve fluidly coupled between the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber. Each of the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber applies an opposing force to the variator input disc. The valve is activateable to reduce the net force applied to the variator input disc. The valve may be activated based on the variator ratio, the position of the variator roller, and/or other parameters of the variator or operation thereof.

An apparatus for controlling a variator having at least one roller between two toroidal disks may include at least one actuator responsive to fluid pressure at separate high side and low side fluid inlets thereof to control torque applied by the at least one roller to the disks. First and second variator switching valves may each receive a first fluid at a first pressure and a second fluid at a second lesser pressure. The first and second variator switching valves supply the first fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the second fluid to the low side fluid inlet during two of four different operational states together defined by the variator switching valves, and supply the second fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the first fluid to the low side fluid inlet during each of the remaining two of the four different operational states.

A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.

A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part. In this way the transmissions are enabled to the relative speeds of the driven vehicle wheels automatically to reduce or even eliminate wheel slip, whilst still providing the driver with control over overall vehicle speed.

A device for reading data recorded on a recording medium having multiple tracks, the device including: a receiver that receives designations of a number of data elements to be read; and a determination unit that determines an order of reading the data elements so that, no matter on which track of the tracks each of the data elements is recorded, the data elements are read in an order of recorded locations of the data elements in a direction along the tracks on which the data elements are recorded.

A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware.

A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes).

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a mechanical indicator to correlate magnetic disk drive IOP performance with features of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational frequencies that are generated and captured or sensed outside of the disk drive itself. In one example, disk drive PES data may be collected concurrently with the capture of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational data at different and progressive locations of vibration source, vibration path and vibration receiver in a disk drive operating environment, e.g., such as for disk drives installed within a server and/or storage chassis enclosure. In such case, PES threshold may be utilized to correlate performance of Drive IOP or drive servo-mechanical performance as a function of measured characteristics of vibration source/s that impart vibration to a disk drive.

In one embodiment, a system includes a robotic accessor for transporting media between multiple storage slots and one or more data storage drives; a controller for controlling the robotic accessor; a memory in communication with and/or integrated with the controller for storing information about the media and the storage slots, the information including data corresponding to a physical distribution of the media in the storage slots; and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller, the logic being adapted to: position the robotic accessor at a computed optimal position during an idle period of the robotic accessor, the computed optimal position being based at least in part on the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots.

Recording heads for data storage systems are provided. Recording heads illustratively include a write pole, a bumper, a dielectric layer, and a surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the surface includes portions of the write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer. The write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer are illustratively made from materials that have polishing rates. In some embodiments, the polishing rate for the write pole material is more similar to the polishing rate for the bumper material than it is to the polishing rate for the dielectric layer material.

Approaches to improving hard disk drive far track interference problems include utilizing a wrap-around shield having recessed high magnetic moment layer(s). Embodiments include tapering the high-moment portion away from the air bearing surface (ABS) in the cross-track direction away from the write pole, thereby reducing exposure of high moment layers at the ABS to reduce the risk of unwanted track erasure away from the main pole. Embodiments include positioning the high magnetic moment layers in their entirety away from the ABS, such as with a laminate structure of high magnetic moment and low magnetic moment materials laid down in a direction away from the pole tip trailing edge.

A slider includes a substrate having a trailing edge, a leading edge opposite the trailing edge, and an air bearing surface connecting the trailing edge with the leading edge; a read/write transducer formed at the trailing edge; and a coat layer attached on the trailing edge and covering on the read/write transducer. The slider further includes a protection layer for shielding the read/write transducer thereby preventing the read/write transducer from damaging during a laser soldering process. The present invention can prevent the read/write transducer from damaging during the laser bonding process and, in turn improve the reading and writing performance of the slider. The invention also discloses an HGA and a disk drive unit.

A suspension includes a positive write trace and a negative write trace. The positive write trace is separated into at least two positive write trace sections located at two different layers respectively, and the negative write trace is separated into at least two negative write trace sections located at two different layers respectively. Each positive write trace section and each negative write trace section are alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction on two different layers, and the positive write trace sections at different layers are connected together via conductive crossovers, and the negative write trace sections are connected together via conductive crossovers. The present invention can obtain balanced propagation time in the stacked trace structure to reduce signal distortion, and obtain widened frequency bandwidth.