Abstract: A method s for specifying and implementing automation of business processes where the specification is independently manipulable by both the business process owner and technical implementers, and resulting technical elements can be tested for compliance with every detail in the specification. The method creates a single shared model suitable for understanding and execution in both the business and technical domains by focusing on the specification problem in the area of business automation. The solution to the specification problem lies in Information, Function, Flow (IFF or IF2) factorization of business processes. Models of the business are constructed by way of the IF2 modeling methodology. This is a complete model which includes, by construction, external specifications of each task included in the business model. The modularization problem is solved by preserving the partitioning of the system created in the business model.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a display area provided on one side of the housing, and a slot configured to receive an approximately credit card sized card. The card has a first semiconductor device provided at a first location on the card and a storage area provided on a second location on the card. The first semiconductor and storage area are coupled to each other for data transfer by a data path.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for reading data from or writing data onto a credit card-sized storage media containing a rotating magnetic memory. The reader includes a spindle motor and an arm with a magnetic head position thereon, as well as integrated circuits for controlling its operation. The reader preferably complies with standards for PCMCIA cards, enabling the reader to be inserted into the host system such as a personal computer or a laptop for use.

Abstract: A credit card-sized card having a rotating magnetic memory therein is disclosed. The card is provided using a laminated structure in which a stainless steel, plastic sandwich structure is employed. An opening in the plastic layer provides space for the rotating magnetic disk. Data is written to or read from the disk by positioning heads from an external system into openings in the external surface of the card. When the card is not engaged in a reader, a shutter covers the openings.

Abstract: A method for relating a specific configuration of complex units constructed from components with standardized interfaces to the user characteristics of the complete unit. The invention provides a bidirectional mapping between a statement of value to the user through the computation of fitness for a particular purpose (or “use”) and a technical configuration. The customer can be presented with a system optimized for a particular use at a particular price point. Through presenting a range of systems around the optimum point and presenting the strength of the system for a variety of uses as the customer varies components, a wide range of customer choice is presented within an understandable range of choices. Each component is characterized by a strength parameter, and the set of components is arranged as a vector. This configuration vector can then be projected on a vector representing a standard use. Particular configuration vectors are characterized by a direction and a magnitude.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary magnetic recording media, and in particular, flexible metal foil disks, read/write systems having such disks, and methods for making such disks. In one exemplary embodiment, a recording medium is provided which comprises a metallic substrate and at least one sputter deposited film of magnetic material on the substrate. The recording medium has a thickness that is less than about 0.010 inch and the substrate occupies at least 80% of the thickness. Further, the sputter deposited film is adapted to record and reproduce high areal densities of digital data. In one embodiment, such a recording medium is included in a read/write system to provide a unique recording interface that can resist mechanical shock.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a thin data storage device comprising a housing that has a top and a bottom cover and a printed circuit board having electronic integrated circuits mounted thereon. A rotatable spindle is formed about a cylindrical shaft and is rotatable by rotation means. A magnet structure is rigidly mounted to a flange attached to the spindle. A stator is attached to the circuit board and comprises plates of soft magnetic material having coils wrapped on legs of the stator. At least one flexible recordable disk is non-removably mounted to the spindle. A top and a bottom recording head is arranged on both sides of the disk. A woven liner is attached to the top of the circuit board over the integrated circuits. A rotor is arranged on a second shaft at a point displaced from the first shaft. The rotor is rotatable by a second rotation means configured to allow the rotor to move relative to the disk.

Abstract: The invention provides a high-capacity, high-speed data storage device which is extremely compact, rugged and economical. In a preferred embodiment, the data storage device comprises a housing defining a sealed enclosure, a motor mounted within the housing having a rotatable spindle, a flexible disk non-removably mounted to the spindle, and a read-write head disposed within the housing over a first surface of the disk for reading or writing data thereon. By the use of a flexible disk of a material such as Mylar, the housing has an extremely small height, preferably less than 5.0 mm, and the device is economical and rugged. At the same time, high storage capacity and speed is attained by the use of a flying head which reads or records data without contacting the disk. In preferred embodiments, multiple disks and/or multiple heads may be employed for extremely large data storage capacities in ultra-compact devices.

Abstract: A disc drive arrangement 10 for accessing information from and recording information onto a disc 25 to be retained in a cartridge 27 which comprises a carriage 24 for mounting and transporting the head 26, 28 accurately relative to the cartridge 27. The carriage 24 includes a base 100 upon which is mounted the head 26, 28 and cylindrical roller bearings 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222. The roller bearings 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222 roll on a plurality of hardened rods 228, 230 which are mounted on a track 102 which is affixed to the floor 16 of the disc drive 10. At least one of the roller bearings 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222, is resiliently mounted relative to the base 100 in order to evenly distribute the load placed by the base 100 on the track 102. Further any potential contaminants collecting on the rods are urged to one or the other side of the rods 228, 230 as the cylindrical rollers 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 roll on said rods thereby insuring accurate position of the head 26, 28.

Abstract: A hard disc cartridge arrangement 10 including a housing 12 and a hub clamp 22 which cooperate so that the hub clamp 22 firmly and precisely engages the spindle of a disc drive, and a door arrangement 24 which allows the heads of the disc drive to enter the cartridge 10 from the upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 of the cartridge 10. The door 26 is locked in the closed position to prevent contact with the data storage media and is urged to a positive open position so that it does not interfere with the placement of the heads adjacent the disc 20.

Abstract: A disc drive arrangement 10 for accessing information from and recording information onto a disc 25 retained in a cartridge 27 comprises a linkage 22 operatively connecting a door 18 to a head 26, 28 mounted on a carriage 24 for urging the head 26, 28 away from the cartridge 27 when the door 18 is opened. The linkage includes an arm 154 with a cam surface 158 which urges the head 26, 28 away in an accelerated manner. A dashpot 188 operably connected to the head 26, 28 and linkage 22 allows the head 26, 28 to dampingly settle on the disc 25 after the dome 18 is closed.

Abstract: A disc drive arrangement for accessing information from and recording information onto a disc retained in a cartridge comprises a housing, a door, at least one reading and recording head, a carriage for mounting and transporting the head, and linkage operatively connecting the door to the carriage for urging said head away from the cartridge when the door is opened. As this linkage is mechanical, the head can always be urged from the disc even during power failure so that if the cartridge is removed, the head and the information on the disc are not damaged.

Abstract: A disc drive cartridge arrangement includes a hub clamp for engaging a spindle of a disc drive which clamp has inwardly spiralling fingers to reduce the space required therefor and to firmly engage the spindle, and a door and aperture arrangement which allows the heads of the disc drive to enter the cartridge from the upper and lower surfaces of the cartridge. The hub to which the disc of the disc drive cartridge arrangement is mounted includes a labyrinth seal arrangement for preventing contaminants from entering the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A relational data base system using magnetic bubble domain storage to eliminate data formatting, and dynamic indexing loops to facilitate convenient marking during data qualification and to eliminate redundant traversing of disqualified data during the search operation. A data base is stored in columnized storage tables which insure minimum input/output data traffic during search and retrieval. A suitable storage chip is organized in a major/minor loop organization, with several sections of transfer lines to provide selective access to individual groups of storage loops. Off-chip circuitry includes a comparator for comparing data read from a bubble storage chip with a given criterion in order to select appropriate data, and a dynamic indexing loop which keeps track of comparisons. This indexing loop provides an input to a bubble chip controller so that each subsequent search and compare is done only on already qualified data. This eliminates the need for repeated searching through the same data.