Abstract: A medical monitor is disclosed for implantation in a human body for monitoring biological activity and states as detected by implanted sensors. The medical monitor includes at least one hard disk drive. A transmitter and receiver produces and receives signals. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the at least one disk drive. An enclosure surrounds the at least one hard disk drive, and an electrical grounding system is included.

Abstract: A medical monitor is disclosed for implantation in a human body for monitoring biological activity and states as detected by implanted sensors. The medical monitor includes an enclosure surrounding at least one hard disk drive, and also includes a transmitter and a receiver for producing and transmitting signals in the radio frequency range. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the one or more hard disk drives. It also includes a recharging system including at least one rechargeable battery and an induction electronics interface.

Abstract: A medical monitor is disclosed for implantation in a human body for monitoring biological activity and states as detected by implanted sensors. The medical monitor includes at least one hard disk drive an enclosure surrounding the at least one hard disk drive, and a transmitter and receiver for producing and transmitting signals. The medical monitor is in communication with the sensors, by which information on biological activity and states is stored on the at least one hard disk drive, wherein transmissions are encrypted as encrypted information for security of the user.

Abstract: A composite disk-clamp assembly including a clamp or spacer of a resilient material coupled to a disk by injection molded plastic so that the clamp forms an integral portion of the disk itself.

Abstract: A method for controlling a burnish cycle to minimize cycle time is disclosed. MR sensor resistance measurements are used to monitor interference with the recording surface and when clearance is not detected, steps are taken to fine tune the interference signal.

Abstract: A slider burnishing method is introduced, in which the slider is brought into a predetermined surface contact with the rotating disk for a specified period. The predetermined surface contact end the specified time period are selected together with the surface condition of the rotating hard disk, such that smoothened slider surface is abrasively formed. The smoothened slider surface is substantially parallel to the disk surface and thus provides reduced contact pressure during eventual operational contacting. In addition, the smoothened slider surface creates a constant gap together with the disk surface, which enhances the aerodynamic properties of the air bearing surface and stabilizes a small fly height.

Abstract: A travel assistant device includes a hard disk drive including at least one database, a digital camera, a microphone, a display screen, and at least one speaker. The hard disk drive is provided with database software by which images and sound input from the digital camera and the microphone are stored in the hard disk drive as a personal log database. Images and sound files can be displayed on the display screen and through the speaker, and the personal log database may be updated by additional commentary and images as desired. The database software also retrieves downloaded database information which includes images, sound files and text which act as a travel instructor. Also preferably included is a portable translator device.

Abstract: A hard disk drive utilizes a spacer ring at its inner diameter to load and unload the read/write heads. During relatively small shock events, the actuator is retained relative to the disk through a circumferential groove in the spacer ring. A complementary protrusion on the load/unload tab extends from the actuator into the groove to complete the retention. A tribological coating on the spacer ring and/or protrusion significantly reduces wear therebetween. However, during large shock events an inertial latch is used by the system to hold the actuator in place.

Abstract: A self-contained OCR system includes a housing holding a scanner for outputting a digitized representation of information on paper documents, and a processor in the housing for executing an OCR module to generate ASCII text from the digitized representation. The housing also holds a hard disk drive for storing the text. External devices are not needed to transform the paper-borne text to electronically-stored text.

Abstract: A magnetic disk having a low surface microwaviness at a scale of about 200 microns and higher, and a high surface roughness at a scale of less than about a length of a pad of a slider for writing to the disk.

Abstract: A clamp includes a disk and a clamp engaging the disk, wherein the clamp has protrusions that bite into a surface of the disk. A disk and clamp assembly includes a disk having receiving areas formed therein, and a clamp engaging the disk, where the clamp has protrusions that engage the receiving areas. Another disk and clamp assembly includes a disk having protrusions formed thereon, and a clamp engaging the disk, where the clamp has receiving areas adapted for receiving the protrusions.

Abstract: A magnetic brake to prevent rotation of the spindle motor and disk(s). The magnetic brake includes two magnets, one attached to the spindle, clamp, disk, or motor, and the other magnet is coupled to the drive housing or to a movable member. Before the drive is installed in a computer, storage array, etc., the magnet coupled to the housing is removed externally, or the movable member is moved to free rotation of the spindle motor and disk(s). The movable member can also be caused to move automatically when a cable is attached to the drive. An alternate embodiment wraps a wire coil around one of the magnets to counter its magnetism upon energization, freeing the spindle motor and disk(s).

Abstract: A device for extending an event time of a physical shock imparted on an electronic device. The device includes a rigid or semi-rigid frame and a resiliently elastic material coupled to the frame, the resiliently elastic material suspending an electronic device with respect to the frame. The resiliently elastic material may be in the form of a sheet, a strap, a rib, and combinations thereof. One preferred resiliently elastic material is a polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of thermally bonding lubricant over a surface of a magnetic disk in a disk drive involves providing a heat source at an air bearing surface (ABS) of a magnetic head; causing the heat source to be energized to produce heat; and causing the magnetic head to be moved across a surface portion of a magnetic disk so that lubricant is thermally bonded over the surface portion from the heat produced by the heat source. Preferably, this lubricant bonding mode of operation is performed on a regular or periodic basis. Alternatively, the mode is activated based on a predetermined environmental condition (e.g. temperature or humidity) or from an external signal. In one example, the heat source is comprised of first and/or second pole pieces of the magnetic head through which an electrical current is passed.

Abstract: A composite ring for coupling a disk to a spindle includes a upper layer constructed of a material having a hardness at least as hard as a primary material of the disk. A lower layer is fixedly coupled to the upper layer and constructed of a material having similar properties to that of the disk, the properties being selected from a group consisting of a coefficient of thermal expansion and Young's modulus.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a disk to a spindle includes an annular spacer ring adapted to engage the disk and an annular clamp. The spacer ring is constructed at least in part of a plastic material. The clamp is constructed of a material having a modulus and stiffness greater than that of the spacer ring.

Abstract: A method for creating a disk drive. A slider is installed in a disk drive having at least one unlubricated disk. The slider is designed to be in initial contact. The slider is burnished to the final design point. A vapor phase lubricant reservoir system is installed in the drive either before or after the burnishing step.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a disk to a spindle includes a lower layer adapted to engage the disk and an upper layer constructed of a material having a stiffness greater than that of the lower layer. The upper and/or lower layer has protrusions extending therefrom for mating with receiving areas of the other layer.

Abstract: A method for creating a hard drive includes installing a slider in a disk drive having at least one disk lubricated with a first stage lubricant. The slider is designed to be in contact with the disk at initial use. The slider is burnished. A second stage lubricant is added to the disk after the burnishing step. The first stage lubricant provides less lubrication than the second stage lubricant, allowing the slider to be burnished in a controllable manner during the burnishing step. The second stage lubricant then provides lubrication to the disk during use by the end consumer.

Abstract: A hard disk drive for a computer has a base containing a stack of rotatable disks and an actuator with a set of arms that is pivotable relative to the disks. At least one magnetic head is mounted to each arm for reading information from or writing information to a respective disk. The drive also has a stationary shock support member or comb located adjacent to the outer edges of the disks and the actuator. The teeth of the comb are interposed with the disks and arms throughout the range of pivotal motion of the arms. The teeth prevent incidental contact between the disks and arms in the event of mechanical shock to the hard disk drive.