Abstract: Apparatus for reducing sensitivity of an article to mechanical shock comprises a frame; first and second planar masses mounted in the frame for bi-directional movement relative to the frame along a first axis of displacement; a first lever pivotable about a first fulcrum secured to the frame; the lever having one end connected to the first mass and the other end connected to the second mass, and the fulcrum being disposed between the ends of the lever; whereby the torque exerted about the fulcrum by the first mass is countered by the torque exerted about the fulcrum by the second mass in response to a mechanical shock applied to the frame along the axis of displacement such that an article carried by the first mass in use has reduced sensitivity to the shock.

Abstract: Described is a method for erasing data recorded in a data storage device in which a data bit is written onto a surface by applying a first combination of energy and force to the surface via a tip to form a pit in the surface representative of the data bit by local deformation of the surface. The method comprises applying a second combination of energy and force via the tip to prerecorded deformations of the surface to be erased to substantially level the surface.

Abstract: A transducer for detecting movement of an article mounted for movement in a plane, the transducer comprising: a heater facing the plane of movement of the article and having a temperature dependent resistance; and, an edge defined in the article between regions of different thermal conductivity; wherein, as the article describes the movement, the edge moves relative to the heater producing a corresponding variation in heat loss from the heater and a corresponding variation in resistance of the heater.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a tape having an information layer on which information is storable in the form of perturbations, an array of probes that in function faces the tape such that the probes scan the surface of the tape, means for selectively forming the perturbations via the probes, means for detecting the presence of the perturbations via the probes, and drive means for moving the tape relative to the array of probes. The apparatus allows to store high data capacities at a small form factor.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting data in a sensor signal generated by a read sensor in a local probe data storage device comprises a differentiation for subtracting a value of the sensor signal from the succeeding value of the sensor signal to generate a ternary difference signal; and a convertor connected to the differentiator for converting the difference signal into a binary output signal indicative of the detected data. A local probe data storage device comprising such apparatus is also described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device (1) wherein data is represented by the presence and absence of pits formed in a storage surface (4) by a probe of the device. Input data is first coded such that successive bits of a first value in the coded input data are separated by at least one bit of the other value. Overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are generated from the coded input data bits b0, b1, b2, . . . , and the overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are then used to overwrite data on the storage surface (4). According to a first method, the overwrite data bits are generated such that, if a pit represents a bit of said first value in the data storage device (1) then vi={overscore (b)}i?1, for i?1 and v0 has said first value, and if a pit represents a bit of said other value in the data storage device (1) then vi=bi?1 for i?1 and v0 has said other value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a first object relative to a second object is provided. One of the first and second objects is moved and thereby guided by a tracking device. The tracking device uses a pattern on the first object and/or second object and a releasable clamping device for holding the first and second object in contact. The first and second object can then be releasably clamped such that the patterns match and the clamping device holds the first and second object in a position defined by the pattern. This invention is particularly well suited for nanomechanical or micromechanical applications.

Abstract: Read/write components for AFM-based data storage devices are provided. In particular embodiments, a read/write component comprises lever means and a support structure, the lever means being connected to the support structure for substantially pivotal movement. The lever means provides first and second current paths between a pair of electrical supply lines on the support structure via which the lever means can be connected in use to power supply means operable in a write mode and a read mode. A write-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the first current path, and a read/write tip is provided on the write-mode heater. A read-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the second current path. Decoupling means is arranged to inhibit current flow to the write-mode heater via the first current path in use when the power supply means is operated in the read mode.

Abstract: Described is a method for reading an array of sensors having a set of row conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding row of the array and a set of column conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding column of the array such that each sensor is connected between a row conductor and a column conductor. The method comprises: for each row of sensors in the array, performing a read cycle comprising applying an activation pulse to the corresponding row conductor to activate the sensors in the row, applying a reading pulse to the row conductor on expiry of a predetermined time interval from an edge of the activation pulse, and during the reading pulse, detecting, for each sensor in the row, a value dependent on a variable characteristic of that sensor. The read cycle for at least one row is commenced during the predetermined time interval of the read cycle for another row.

Abstract: Scheme for enriching an input network with knowledge from a fractal semantic knowledge network. The input network comprises objects and pointers between these objects, and the knowledge network comprises semantic units, and a plurality of Jani, whereby any of these Jani is associated with one or more of the semantic units such that the respective Janus is able to operate on one or more of the semantic units. The following steps are carried out: finding a counterpart element for an object or a pointer by looking for a semantic unit that is related to the object or the pointer; establishing a classification connection between the object or the pointer and its counterpart element; assigning the module that is associated with the counterpart element, if any, to the object or the pointer; examining the objects' or the pointers' neighborhoods in the input network by comparing them with the counterpart elements' neighborhoods in knowledge network to verify the classification connection.

Abstract: Scheme for the automated apprehension of textual information conveyed in an input string. The input string is segmented to generate segments and/or semantical units. The following steps are repeated for each segment in the input string until a subset for each segment in said input string is identified: a. identifying a matching semantical unit in a fractal hierarchical knowledge database of semantical units and pointers, said matching semantical units being deemed to be related to a segment of said input string, b. determining the fitness of said matching semantical unit by taking into consideration said semantical unit's associations, c. defining a subset of information related to said matching semantical unit within said fractal hierarchical knowledge database. Then these subsets are combined to form a resulting semantic network.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a tape having an information layer on which information is storable in the form of perturbations, an array of probes that in function faces the tape such that the probes scan the surface of the tape, means for selectively forming the perturbations via the probes, means for detecting the presence of the perturbations via the probes, and drive means for moving the tape relative to the array of probes. The apparatus allows to store high data capacities at a small form factor.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing sensitivity of an article to mechanical shock comprises a frame; first and second planar masses mounted in the frame for bi-directional movement relative to the frame along a first axis of displacement; a first lever pivotable about a first fulcrum secured to the frame; the lever having one end connected to the first mass and the other end connected to the second mass, and the fulcrum being disposed between the ends of the lever; whereby the torque exerted about the fulcrum by the first mass is countered by the torque exerted about the fulcrum by the second mass in response to a mechanical shock applied to the frame along the axis of displacement such that an article carried by the first mass in use has reduced sensitivity to the shock.

Abstract: Methods are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device (1) wherein data is represented by the presence and absence of pits formed in a storage surface (4) by a probe of the device. Input data is first coded such that successive bits of a first value in the coded input data are separated by at least one bit of the other value. Overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are generated from the coded input data bits b0, b1, b2, . . . , and the overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are then used to overwrite data on the storage surface (4). According to a first method, the overwrite data bits are generated such that, if a pit represents a bit of said first value in the data storage device (1) then vi={overscore (b)}i−1, for i≧1 and v0 has said first value, and if a pit represents a bit of said other value in the data storage device (1) then vi=bi−1 for i≧1 and v0 has said other value.

Abstract: Described is a method for reading an array of sensors having a set of row conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding row of the array and a set of column conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding column of the array such that each sensor is connected between a row conductor and a column conductor. The method comprises: for each row of sensors in the array, performing a read cycle comprising applying an activation pulse to the corresponding row conductor to activate the sensors in the row, applying a reading pulse to the row conductor on expiry of a predetermined time interval from an edge of the activation pulse, and during the reading pulse, detecting, for each sensor in the row, a value dependent on a variable characteristic of that sensor. The read cycle for at least one row is commenced during the predetermined time interval of the read cycle for another row.

Abstract: Read/write components for AFM-based data storage devices are provided. In particular embodiments, a read/write component comprises lever means and a support structure, the lever means being connected to the support structure for substantially pivotal movement. The lever means provides first and second current paths between a pair of electrical supply lines on the support structure via which the lever means can be connected in use to power supply means operable in a write mode and a read mode. A write-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the first current path, and a read/write tip is provided on the write-mode heater. A read-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the second current path. Decoupling means is arranged to inhibit current flow to the write-mode heater via the first current path in use when the power supply means is operated in the read mode.

Abstract: Database system (10) which comprises a fractal hierarchical index database (13), and a processing unit (19). The processing unit (19) is employed to evaluate an input string (12) describing an element (E1) that is to be added to the database system (10) in order to obtain an input network (18) comprising a semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1). Then the processing unit (19) updates the index database (13). Finally, either an existing access pointer (22) is maintained, or a new access pointer (22) is created between the element (E1) and the semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1) thereby rendering the element (E1) in the database system (10) accessible or retrievable.

Abstract: A method for writing data to and/or reading data from locations on a surface via a tip comprises moving the tip between the locations on the surface. At each location, energy is selectively applied to the surface via the tip and the tip and the surface are selectively forced together in synchronization with the application of energy.

Abstract: Described is a method for erasing data recorded in a data storage device in which a data bit is written onto a surface by applying a first combination of energy and force to the surface via a tip to form a pit in the surface representative of the data bit by local deformation of the surface. The method comprises applying a second combination of energy and force via the tip to prerecorded deformations of the surface to be erased to substantially level the surface.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a local probe storage array having a plurality of sensors for reading data from a storage surface. A plurality of data processing elements are mounted on the storage array. Each data processing element is connected to different sensor of the array for processing data read by the connected sensor. The data processing elements may be logic gates for performing simple comparisons with input data. Alternatively, each data processing element may comprise more complex logic circuitry for performing more complex functions based on data read by the storage array. Such function may involve a combination of data read by the storage array and data input to the data processing system from an another source. Each data processing element may comprise a complete microprocessor system responsive to data read from the storage array.