Patents Represented by Attorney Hall Estill Attorneys at Law
  • Patent number: 8200869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with circuitry configured to perform a selected one of a plurality of different data integrity operations on stored data in relation to a manner in which the data are to be retrieved. In some embodiments a data storage device is partitioned into a plurality of partitions, and one of a plurality of different data integrity operations is performed on stored data in relation to which partition of the plurality of partitions the stored data is in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Haines, EweChye Tan
  • Patent number: 8199562
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing read and write sense margin in a memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE), such as but not limited to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) element or a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) element. The RSE has a hard programming direction and an easy programming direction. A write current is applied in either the hard programming direction or the easy programming direction to set the RSE to a selected programmed state. A read circuit subsequently passes a read sense current through the cell in the hard programming direction to sense the selected programmed state of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wenzhong Zhu, Hai Li, Yiran Chen, Xiaobin Wang, Henry Huang, Haiwen Xi
  • Patent number: 8199570
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a multi-bit memory capable of being selected with a magnetic layer. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a first selection layer with a low coercivity that is disposed between first and second storage layers that each have a high coercivity. In response to magnetic saturation of the first selection layer, programming of a logical state to the second storage layer is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Nurul Amin, Johannes Van Ek
  • Patent number: 8193089
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a method of forming a conductive via plug in a semiconductor device. A first and second metal layer are electrically connected by a via plug that is formed by depositing a tungsten seed layer on a plurality of metal barrier layers within a recess using atomic layer deposition. The recess is then filled with tungsten using chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Antoine Khoueir, Yongchul Ahn, Peter Nicholas Manos, Shuiyan Huang, Ivan Petrov Ivanov
  • Patent number: 8194437
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a method and apparatus associated with operating a first memory device with multiple interfaces and a status register. In some embodiments, a first interface is engaged by a host. A memory device that has a plurality of memory cells comprised of at least a magnetic tunneling junction and a spin polarizing magnetic material is connected to a second interface. A status register is maintained by logging at least an error or busy signal during data transfer operations through the first and second interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Chen, Daniel S. Reed, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Hai Li, Rod V. Bowman
  • Patent number: 8182868
    Abstract: A method for the encapsulation of contaminant particles on the surface of a component. The method includes encapsulating the contaminant particles with an organic coating such that the contaminant particles are immobilized. The coating enables the immobilization of particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 ?m. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of precision devices, such as disk drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Deeken
  • Patent number: 8172421
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: DentCraft Tools Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Sidney Quinn Emmert
  • Patent number: 8172730
    Abstract: A stilt device having a front extendible strut and a cooperating rear extendible strut pivotally connected to a base member and a shoe plate, the front and rear extendible struts being disposed in a parallelogram relationship. The rear extendible strut has a rear member and a rear extendible member. A leg support pole is supported at one end by the rear extendible member and extends for its other end to be connected to a workman's leg to provide stability and to thereby enable the replacement of height determining extendible members, the distance from the shoe plate being a common vertical difference that is unchanged the extension of the extendible struts or by components thereof. For stilts of increased height the springs of the damping assemblies are selectively stiffened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Emmert Second Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond L. Emmert
  • Patent number: 8169748
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for attenuating resonances in a flex circuit which interconnects a stationary element and a moveable element, such as a connector and a head stack assembly (HSA) in a data storage device. An intermediary portion of the flex circuit forms a dynamic loop between the stationary element and the moveable element. A damper member is attached to the flex circuit so as to continuously extend adjacent the stationary element and along less than an overall extent of the dynamic loop. The damper member attenuates resonances excited in the flex circuit during movement of the moveable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Steve Macpherson
  • Patent number: 8164848
    Abstract: A disc drive snubber for protection of a disc drive disc from mechanical shock, the snubber positioned to limit the deflection of the disc in the operational mode, the position of the disc snubber determined in response to user reported defects. The snubber, positioned beneath the disc in near proximity to the outer diameter of the disc, extends along about a 60 degree segment of the disc and is made of a FIPG material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: ChuanKong Chan, LeongCheng Tan, Jenny Loo, Jeen Hoong Casey Seto
  • Patent number: 8154817
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for differences in translation path geometries of transducers used to access a data storage medium. A compensation profile is generated in relation to radial error between a first translation path geometry of a first transducer and a different, second translation path geometry of a second transducer. A control circuit directs the first transducer to write data to a rotatable data storage medium in relation to the compensation profile to emulate the second translation path geometry. In some embodiments, the control circuit comprises a data signal clock generator, a motor rotation clock generator, and a transducer radial translation clock generator. A nearest pulse detector identifies a closest clock signal pulse to a once-per-revolution (OPR) rotational reference, and the control circuit adjusts a frequency of the associated clock signal coincident with the closest pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Doug Carson & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas M. Carson
  • Patent number: 8149537
    Abstract: A writer comprises a main pole, a write gap and a write shield. The main pole has a main pole tip for emitting magnetic flux. The write gap is adjacent the main pole tip along a center axis of the writer. The write shield is spaced from the main pole tip by the write gap. The write shield comprises a first component located above the main pole tip along the center axis and a second component having different magnetic properties from the first component. The second component extends perpendicularly to the center axis from opposing sides of the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Alexey Nazarov
  • Patent number: 8142550
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an oxygenated fluid. In accordance with various embodiments, a flow of pressurized fluid is established. A flow of oxygen is injected into the flow of pressurized fluid to provide a fluid/oxygen mixture. The mixture is passed through a venturi assembly in the presence of a magnetic field established by an adjacent magnetic assembly. The mixture is next flowed from the venturi assembly to a gas/liquid separation tank, where a liquid component of the mixture is passed downstream with a selected dissolved oxygen content and a gas component is directed back for injection into the pressurized fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Oxy Solutions AS
    Inventors: Tore Audunson, Earl Meyer, Geir O. Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8144558
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing hidden data to a data storage medium. The hidden data are written by selectively adjusting at least one access parameter of the medium, and preferably by selectively adjusting multiple such parameters. The presence of the hidden data is preferably undetectable to the human eye during unaided visual inspection of the medium, but is revealed by a surface plot of at least a portion of the medium. The surface plot preferably provides a human detectable image of the hidden data to authenticate the medium as an authorized copy. The medium preferably comprises a pre-recorded or recordable optical disc, or a glass master from which such discs are formed. The adjusted access parameter(s) preferably include adjustments in motor velocity, data bit rate, latency time, adjusted symbol length, illegal symbol length, localized reflectivity of the medium, variations in pre-groove amplitude, error rates, and/or localized induced errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Doug Carson & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas M. Carson