Abstract: This invention discloses an optical servo writer. The optical servo writer includes an optical pickup head for rotationally moving over and writing servo data in an optical flat data-storage medium. The optical servo writer further includes a clock head for providing clock signals to the pickup head and to write clock signals in the clock disk. The optical servo writer further includes a control circuit for controlling The optical pickup head for writing the servo data on The optical flat data-storage medium. The optical servo writer further includes a servo pattern layout circuit for controlling The optical pickup head for writing the servo data on The optical flat data-storage medium with predefined servo patterns. The optical servo writer further includes a derived index control circuit for deriving indices from a fixed index provided on The optical flat data-storage medium.

Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic data-card drive system. The drive system includes a magnetic pickup head for rotationally moving over and accessing data stored in the magnetic data-card. The magnetic pickup head is provided for reading data from and writing data to the magnetic data card. The magnetic pickup head may be applied for accessing data over substantially one-half of the rotational movement. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic pickup head is applied for accessing data over several arc-segments during the rotational movement. The magnetic pickup head may be design for rotating in a single rotational direction, or for rotating in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Furthermore, the magnetic pickup head may be designed for rotating over arc segment having radius smaller than half-width of the magnetic data card, or for rotating over an arc segment having a radius greater than half-width of the magnetic data card.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical data access system. The optical data access system includes an optical flat data storage medium. The optical data access system further includes a data access drive system for driving an optical pickup head for performing a rotational movement over the flat data storage medium for accessing data over an arc segment on the optical flat data storage medium. And, the optical data access system further including a controller for controlling a data transfer between the data access drive system and the optical flat data storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the optical flat data storage medium is an optical data card. In a different preferred embodiment, an optical pickup head is provided for accessing data over substantially one-half of the rotational movement.

Abstract: This invention discloses a data access system for access data stored on a flat medium. The data access system includes a pickup head rotating over the flat medium. The data access system further includes at least one stepping motor for discretely moving the flat medium substantially along at least one lateral direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the pickup head. The data access system further includes a closed loop control mechanism for controlling the stepping motor for allowing the pickup head to read data from a servo segment on the flat medium. The controller further includes an open loop control mechanism for rotating the pickup head for reading data from and writing data to a data segment disposed right next to the servo segment on the flat medium.

Abstract: The magnetic data-storage card includes a magnetic data-storage medium layer adhering to the card. The data-storage medium layer includes a plurality of data storage tracks for storing data therein. Each of the tracks having at least an arc-segment wherein each of the data storage tracks being substantially parallel to a neighboring track.

Abstract: A zone servo sector format alignment scheme 41 for a disc 22 of a disc drive 20 includes the disc 22 having an outer zone 42, a middle zone 44 and an inner zone 46, each zone having a plurality of tracks 48, 50, 52. The sectors, 54, 56, 58 of each zone 42, 44, 46 includes a plurality of sectors such as sector 60 which define a servo field 62 and a data field 64. The number of sectors 56 in each of tracks 50 of the middle zone 46 is less than the number of sectors 54 on each track 48 of the outer zone 42. The number of sectors 58 on each track 52 of the inner zone 46 is less than the number of sectors 56 on each tracks 50 of the middle zone 46. Further, by maintaining the same recording frequency of the servo fields 62 across all the zones 42, 44, 46, the placing of the sectors 56, 58 in the middle and inner zones 44, 46 can be adjusted in order to provide for alignment indicia 66 which include aligned sectors across all the zones.

Abstract: The disclosed suspension assembly (S) for carrying a magnetic recording head in close following relation to a recording disc includes an improved arrangement for supplying a load to the recording head. The suspension assembly (S) includes a flexible gimbal section (10a) for mounting the recording head and accommodating dampened pitch, roll and transverse movements. The head load arrangement comprises a flexible cantilevered spring tongue (10b) and an elongate rigid load member (20) that extends from the free end of the spring tongue to contact the suspension assembly (S) adjacent the recording head. The load member (20) is configured to cause the spring tongue (10b) to resiliently deflect by a predetermined amount, resulting in a predetermined head load being supplied through the load member to the recording head.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for holding a pair of opposite transducers in contact with the opposite sides of a flexible disk including an arm carrying each of the transducers. A nominally flat leaf spring has the three-fold function of (1) providing a yielding connection between the two arms so that the two arms and therefore the transducers may be swung apart about this connection, (2) yieldingly holding the arms together at their places of closest approachment at which the transducers are in contact with the opposite faces of the disk and (3) providing a yielding connection between a carriage support and the arms as an assembly when in their closest approachment so that the arms and therefore the transducers may pivot with respect to the carriage with undulations out of plane of the disk. The transducers are each carried with respect to one of the arms by means of a normally flat gimbal spring which flexes to hold the transducers in proper pressure contact with the disk.

Abstract: A suspension for a magnetic transducer including a normally flat gimbal spring in the form of a figure eight, with a pair of tabs or ears at the sides of the eight by means of which the spring is mounted; and a folded backup spring having legs extending from a mounting side to the other side and then back again, with a depending leg and flange portion effective to provide pressure on the center of the gimbal spring and transducer so that the backup spring provides resilient backup force against translation of the transducer on its main axis and the gimbal spring provides resilience against transducer pitching and rolling.

Abstract: An assembly of a pair of magnetic transducers held in substantial contact with a flexible magnetic disk wherein each transducer has a pair of disk contacting lands broadening in contour toward the trailing end of the transducer and tapering in contour toward the leading end of the transducer, with the leading and side edges of each land being gradually blended into the surrounding active surface of the transducer and with the trailing edge of the land being sharp. A first one of the lands of each transducer has the read/write magnetic gap in it, and this land is located opposite the land of the other transducer not having the read/write gap in it which is wider than the first land. The centers of the opposite lands are in alignment, and the centers are measured on a plane passing through the read/write gaps of the transducers.