Abstract: A back up storage device (20) that backs up non-compressed data during a backup window period and then later after the backup window period is over and the device (20) is idle, it retrieves, compresses and then re-stores the data to reclaim space on the storage medium of the device (20). During operation, a duty cycle having a backup window period and an idle period is defined. When the back up window starts, data is down-loaded and stored on the device (20) in non-compressed form. When the idle period begins, the non-compressed data is retrieved, compressed and then re-stored on the device (20) to reclaim space on the storage medium of the device (20). In one embodiment of the invention, the back up storage device (20) is an emulated tape drive (20) that uses a software compression algorithm to compress the data stored in the device (20).

Abstract: A method for irrigating an irrigation region (30) with an irrigation unit (20) includes the steps of subdividing the irrigation region (30) into a plurality of subregions (34), establishing a sequence for irrigating the subregions (34) based on irrigation requirements for the irrigation region (30), and directing a fluid (19) to one or more of the subregions (30) using the irrigation unit (20) based on the sequence. The irrigation regions (30) can be rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and can each have non-overlapping rectangular, square or triangular, similarly-sized subregions (34). The irrigation requirements can include the color of the subregions (34), the elevation of one subregion (34) relative to another subregion (34) and/or other physical conditions. The sequence can be established entirely within a housing (200) of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A method for playing an interactive game (10) between a first player and a second player includes the steps of the first player obtaining a plurality of active first game pieces (14A) that each includes a word-forming indicia (24A), the first player positioning a first active first game piece (14A) onto one of a plurality of designated positions (22) of a game board (12) to at least partially form a first word, and the second player choosing one of two options. The options can include (i) attempting to identify the first word, and (ii) indicating that the second player does not believe the first player can form any word with the first active first game piece (14A) and the remaining active first game pieces (14A).

Abstract: A disk drive for storing data includes a rotating storage disk and a slider positioned near the storage disk. The slider has a flying side and a read/write head. The flying side has (i) a leading edge, (ii) a trailing edge that is opposite the leading edge, (iii) first lateral edge, and (v) a second lateral edge that is opposite the first lateral edge. The flying side includes a leading bearing surface, an intermediate bearing surface, and a transverse channel positioned between the bearing surfaces. The transverse channel extends between the lateral edges to direct fluid flow to the lateral edges. Additionally, the flying side includes a first rear bearing surface, a second rear bearing surface, and a center rear bearing surface. Moreover, the flying side includes a first opening, a second opening and a center opening in the intermediate bearing surface. The openings allow for the flow of fluid to the rear bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A disk drive for storing data includes a drive housing and an asymmetrical storage disk. The storage disk includes a body region, a first side region, and an opposed second side region. The side regions are asymmetrical relative to the body region. Various structures can be, alternately or in combination, incorporated into the second side region. For example, the second side region can include one or more stiffeners that increase the rigidity of the storage disk, a plurality of projections that improve fluid flow within the disk drive, a damping layer for damping vibration of the storage disk, and/or a constraining layer that enhances the damping properties of the damping layer. In other embodiments, the second side region includes a supplemental layer that balances the storage disk, an adsorption layer that adsorbs impurities, and/or a diffusion layer that filters unwanted particles.

Abstract: A towel (10) includes a base layer (12) and a plurality of raised projections (14) that project away from the base layer (12). The base layer (12) has a first side (16) and a second side (18). In one embodiment, the projections (14) are discontinuously positioned and are each separately secured to one or both of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). In one embodiment, the projections (14) have a higher coefficient of static friction than the base layer (12) relative to a surface (20). The base layer (12) can be formed from an absorbent material and the projections (14) can be formed from a relatively non-absorbent material. In one embodiment, the projections (14) cover less than approximately 50 percent of one of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). Moreover, in one embodiment, the projections (14) can be substantially hemispherical in shape.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a slider assembly and a controller that directs current to the slider assembly to dynamically adjust the head-to-disk spacing. In one embodiment, the slider assembly includes a write element having a first end, a second end and an intermediate section, a conductor that is connected to the intermediate section. In this embodiment, the controller directs electrical current through the conductor to heat the write element without writing data to a storage disk. The electrical current can be directed through the conductor at any time prior to data transfer or during data transfer. Heating the write element causes a deformation of the slider assembly to decrease the head-to-disk spacing. In another embodiment, the slider assembly includes a separate slider deformer. Electrical current is selectively directed to the slider deformer to cause a deformation of the slider assembly to obtain a desired head-to-disk spacing.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a storage disk, a data transducer, an actuator assembly and a positioner. The actuator assembly supports the data transducer over the storage disk. The actuator assembly includes a rotatable actuator hub and a longitudinal axis. The positioner moves the actuator assembly to position the data transducer relative to the storage disk. During movement of the actuator assembly, the actuator hub is subject to a resultant force that causes track misregistration of the data transducer. The positioner includes a magnet assembly that generates a magnetic field, a first conductor region and a second conductor region. In one embodiment, the conductor regions cooperate with the magnet assembly to generate a first force and a second force that are each directed at an angle having an absolute value that is greater than zero degrees and less than approximately 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A golf putter (10) includes a putter head (316) having a putter body (320), a heel weight (344H), a toe weight (344T) and a first sole insert (354F). The putter body (320) includes a heel region (330) and a toe region (332), and is formed from a material having a first specific gravity. The heel weight (344H), the toe weight (344T) and the first sole insert (354F) are each formed from materials having specific gravities that are greater than the first specific gravity. In one embodiment, the putter head (316) also includes a second sole insert (354S). The sole inserts (354F, 354S) are positioned partly in the heel region (330) and partly in the toe region (332) of the putter body (320). In another embodiment, the first sole insert (354F) has a first specific gravity, and the second sole insert (354S) has a second specific gravity that is greater than the first specific gravity.

Abstract: A towel (10) includes a base layer (12) and a plurality of raised projections (14) that project away from the base layer (12). The base layer (12) has a first side (16) and a second side (18). In one embodiment, the projections (14) are discontinuously positioned and are each separately secured to one or both of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). In one embodiment, the projections (14) have a higher coefficient of static friction than the base layer (12) relative to a surface (20). The base layer (12) can be formed from an absorbent material and the projections (14) can be formed from a relatively non-absorbent material. In one embodiment, the projections (14) cover less than approximately 50 percent of one of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). Moreover, in one embodiment, the projections (14) can be substantially hemispherical in shape.

Abstract: A drive housing (22) for shielding a storage disk (13) and a data transducer (48) of a disk drive (10) from external magnetic fields includes a housing shield (24) positioned near the storage disk (13). The housing shield (24) includes a base shield portion (60) and a cover shield portion (64) that are positioned substantially parallel to the storage disk (13). The housing shield (24) also includes one or more wall shield portions (62) oriented substantially perpendicular to the storage disk (13). The housing shield (24) is uniquely sized, shaped and formed from material to have an attenuation of field of at least approximately 10 dB. With this design, the influence of external magnetic fields is reduced and the incidence of damage to data stored on the storage disk (13) is reduced. Additionally, the housing shield (24) enhances the accurate transfer of information between the storage disk (13) and the data transducer (48) of the disk drive (10).

Abstract: A disk drive includes a drive housing, a storage disk coupled to the drive housing and a head arm assembly coupled to the drive housing. The head arm assembly includes an adjuster and a slider coupled to the adjuster. As provided herein, the adjuster changes the gram load that is applied to the slider as the temperature near the adjuster changes. In one of the embodiments, the adjuster increases the gram load that is applied to the slider as the temperature near the adjuster decreases.

Abstract: A conductor assembly for carrying electrical signals is provided for a disk drive having an actuator arm. The actuator arm includes a first surface lying in a first plane, a second surface lying in a second plane and an outer edge. The conductor assembly includes a first trace segment, a second trace segment and one or more segment guides for urging the trace segments together between the first and second planes. Alternatively, the conductor assembly includes a first conductor platform that supports at least the first trace segment between the first and second planes. The conductor assembly can include a first platform step so that the first conductor platform is positioned parallel to the first and second planes. In an alternate embodiment, the first trace segment that has been reshaped to be positioned between the first and second planes.

Abstract: An improved E-block for positioning one or more transducer assemblies proximate one or more rotating storage disks of a disk drive is provided herein. The E-block includes an actuator hub and one or more actuator arms which cantilever away from the actuator hub for holding the transducer assemblies proximate the rotating storage disks. As provided herein, at least one of the actuator arms is a depopulated actuator arm which retains less than two transducer assemblies. Each depopulated actuator arm includes at least one, weighted segment integrally formed into the depopulated actuator arm. Further, each depopulated actuator arm has an arm thickness which is less than an arm thickness for a double head actuator arm. The weighted segment and the reduced arm thickness allow the depopulated actuator arm(s) to vibrate similar to a populated actuator arm(s). This allows the disk drive to be designed and tuned to improve fragility and resonance characteristics of the E-block.

Abstract: A towel (10) includes a base layer (12) and a plurality of raised projections (14) that project away from the base layer (12). The base layer (12) has a first side (16) and a second side (18). In one embodiment, the projections (14) are discontinuously positioned and are each separately secured to one or both of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). In one embodiment, the projections (14) have a higher coefficient of static friction than the base layer (12) relative to a surface (20). The base layer (12) can be formed from an absorbent material and the projections (14) can be formed from a relatively non-absorbent material. In one embodiment, the projections (14) cover less than approximately 50 percent of one of the sides (16, 18) of the base layer (12). Moreover, in one embodiment, the projections (14) can be substantially hemispherical in shape.

Abstract: A fishing lure assembly (10) includes a first hook (26A), a bias (30) that urges the first hook (26A) in a first direction, and a latch (32). The fishing lure assembly (10) can also include an oppositely configured second hook (26B) that is urged in a second direction. The latch (32) can selectively inhibit movement of the first and/or second hooks (26A, 26B). The latch (32) can be biased in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and/or second direction. Pressure on a hook section (43) of the first and/or second hook (26A) can cause the latch (32) to move in the third direction to release the first and/or second hook (26A, 26B).

Abstract: A backward compatible connector assembly that facilitates electrical communication between computer subsystems includes a receptacle, a receiver assembly and a conductor array. The receptacle includes a plurality of first connectors having a first connector length, and a plurality of interspersed second connectors having a second connector length that differs from the first connector length. The first connectors include data pins and the second connectors can include ground pins for single-ended signaling. Alternatively, the second connectors can include a plurality of data pins to form differential pairs of connectors for low voltage differential signaling. The receiver assembly includes first connector receivers that receive the first connectors, and second connector receivers that receive the second connectors. The conductor array can include approximately 40 signal-bearing conductors that have interspersed ground lines or signal-bearing lines.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly (10) includes a cartridge (12) and a cartridge retainer (14). The cartridge (12) includes a reel (22) having a rotational axis (46) and a flange (48, 50). The cartridge (12) also includes a cartridge housing (16) that rotatably secures the reel (22). The cartridge housing includes one or more interior surfaces (19, 21). The reel (22) is adapted to tilt relative to the cartridge housing (16). The cartridge housing (16) includes a plurality of ribs (30) each having a chamfer (72). The ribs (30) can be disposed on an upper housing section (18) and/or a lower housing section (20) of the cartridge housing (16). The reel (22) has a contact tilt angle ?1 relative to the interior surface (19, 21), and at least one of the chamfers (72) has a chamfer angle ?2 relative to the interior surface (19, 21) that is substantially similar to the contact tilt angle ?1. The flange (48, 50) contacts the chamfer (72) so that the flange (48, 50) is substantially parallel with the chamfer (72).

Abstract: A shield assembly (48) for a tape head (34) of a tape drive (14) includes a head shield (60) that selectively moves between a first position (75A) wherein the tape head (34) is substantially exposed, and a second position (75B) wherein the tape head (34) is substantially shielded. In the first position (75A), a shield aperture (124) exposes the tape head (34) to a storage tape (26). The shield assembly (48) can include a first shield mover (62) that biases the head shield (60) to the first position (75A), and a second shield mover (64) that selectively overcomes the bias of the first shield mover (62) to move the head shield (60) to the second position (75B). The head shield (60) is positioned across the tape head (34) at a shield wrap angle ?2 that is greater than a tape wrap angle ?1 of the storage tape (26). A surface of the head shield (60) can include a cleaning region (120) that includes a head cleaning material.

Abstract: A storage system (10), including a transport assembly (18) for moving a plurality of cartridges (26) between a storage rack (12) and a tape drive (14) includes a guide (32), a transport mover (30), a transporter (28) and a cartridge mover (34). The guide (32) extends between the storage rack (12) and the tape drive (14). The transport mover (30) moves the transporter (28) along the guide (32) between the storage rack (12) and the tape drive (14). The transporter (28) selectively receives the cartridges (26) and includes a first transport receiver (36A) and a second transport receiver (36B) that can each receive and transport one of the cartridges (26). With this design, while one cartridge (26) is being used by the tape drive (14) the transport assembly (18) can retrieve another cartridge (26) from the storage rack (12) for immediate insertion into the tape drive (14) upon rewinding of the first cartridge (26).