Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for testing a plurality of singulated semiconductor die involves 1) placing each of the singulated semiconductor die on a surface of a die carrier, 2) mating an array of electrical contactors with the plurality of singulated semiconductor die, and then 3) performing electrical tests on the plurality of singulated semiconductor die, via the array of electrical contactors.

Abstract: There is provided a novel compound of the general formula I in which each of R8 to R10 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; R1 to R5 are individually selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy and acyloxy; R6 and R7 are H, C1-4 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; X is O or NR, and R is H or Me; in which any of the alkyl groups including alkyl groups in alkoxy, acyl and acyloxy groups may be substituted by aryl, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, trialkylsiloxy or acyloxy groups; with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both OH when R4 is H or OH, R1 and R5 are both H, and X is O. The amide compounds (X is NR) are analogues of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin galate, with an amide bond in place of the natural ester bond, with resistance to hydrolysis by esterase enzymes. The ester compounds (X is O) have a different hydroxylation pattern on the B ring as compared to the natural products.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing resonance in a data transfer system are herein disclosed. A data transfer system comprises a bearing and a guide member. The bearing further comprises an outer ring. The guide member is arranged relative to the bearing so as to guide the outer ring for movement relative to the guide member, and to induce an axial preload in the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing tape wear in a magnetic tape system. A tape drive comprises a wrap reverse location controller. The wrap reverse location controller determines a magnetic tape reversal location. The tape drive reverses the direction of the magnetic tape at the reversal location. The wrap reverse location controller determines the tape reversal location by varying, relative to the tape heads, the longitudinal tape location at which tape direction reversals are performed at each end of the tape.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a reel. The exemplary reel comprises a hub and a guide member coupled to the hub. The guide member may be configured to guide magnetic tape from a magnetic tape source to the reel. The guide member may cooperate with the hub to form a surface for receiving magnetic tape from the magnetic tape source. Additionally, the exemplary reel may include a securing mechanism for securing the guide member in the cooperating position with respect to the hub.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape reel includes a hub and spaced apart opposing flanges extending out from the hub such that a tape may pass between inner surfaces of the flanges and wrap around the hub. The flanges have a cross section in which a rate at which a distance between the inner surfaces of the flanges increases is greater nearer to the hub and lesser farther from the hub.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a reel and a data tape to store data. The data tape is wound on the reel and has side edges. The tape cartridge further comprises a leader tape, and a splicing tape to link the leader tape to the data tape. The splicing tape has an edge with a slanted portion that is slanted with respect to the side edges of the data tape.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system are disclosed that works to prevent or reduce frequency of off-track errors. The invented method slows tape speed in response to the writing head or writing element moving transversely away from a track center a predetermined distance, called an “off-center limit,” wherein the off-center limit is part of the way to an off-track error limit. The off-center limit is close enough to the center of the track that the writing operation is still effective, but wherein further movement out from the center would result in an off-track error and possible overwriting or unreadable data. The tape speed reduction is preferably done in increments until the writing head/element is closer to the center of the track than the off-center limit. Speed reduction is preferably done concurrently with writing, so that writing is not interrupted.

Abstract: A head cleaning device that utilizes a cleaning pad in which a multiplicity of fibers are integrated into and project from a backing by, for example, sewing or weaving the fibers into the backing. Preferably, the fibers and backing are made from an electrically conductive or statically dissipative material to minimize electro-static charge build up. The cleaning device may be incorporated into a tape drive that includes a transducer head, tape guides configured to guide the tape over the head and a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism, which is configured to engage the head, includes the cleaning pad mounted to a carrier disposed near the head. The cleaning pad is constructed of a multiplicity of fibers integrated into and projecting from the backing.

Abstract: A tape guide in which the corner geometry between the flanges and the hub prevents the tape from abruptly bumping the flange and in which the corner is coated with a very hard wear resistant material such as zirconium nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, chromium nitride or diamond like carbon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic tape drive, which allow a magnetic tape to be positioned with respect to a tape head. The invention includes actively controlling the position of a tape guide used to support the tape as it passes over the tape head. By controlling the position of the tape guide, the tape can be caused to move a direction perpendicular to the primary direction of travel of the tape. One method of the invention includes providing a first tape guide aligned along a primary axis and disposed proximate a first side of the tape head. The tape is moved across the first tape guide and the tape head in a primary direction while the first tape guide is pivoted, to thereby cause the tape to move in a secondary direction essentially perpendicular to the primary direction.

Abstract: A wireless personal communication system includes an earpiece, worn in or behind the ear, that communicates wirelessly with a remote processor unit (RPU) worn at the neck. The RPU is a wearable computer in the form of a necklace, neck ribbon, collar or other flat, flexible article that may be worn under clothing to hide it from view. The close proximity of the earpiece to the RPU, combined with the large antenna aperture area available in this RPU form, enables the use of radar technology to implement a two-way wireless link between the earpiece and RPU, and also allows earpiece operating power to be beamed from the RPU. The resulting size and cost reductions in both the earpiece and RPU allow the manufacture of disposable hearing aids and, when the RPU is equipped with secondary wireless link circuitry, cellular telephones and pagers.

Abstract: A tape guide in which the corner geometry between the flanges and the hub prevents the tape from abruptly bumping the flange and in which the corner is coated with a very hard wear resistant material such as titanium aluminum nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, chromium nitride or diamond like carbon.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system are disclosed that works to prevent or reduce frequency of off-track errors. The invented method slows tape speed in response to the writing head or writing element moving transversely away from a track center a predetermined distance, called an “off-center limit,” wherein the off-center limit is part of the way to an off-track error limit. The off-center limit is close enough to the center of the track that the writing operation is still effective, but wherein further movement out from the center would result in an off-track error and possible overwriting or unreadable data. The tape speed reduction is preferably done in increments until the writing head/element is closer to the center of the track than the off-center limit. Speed reduction is preferably done concurrently with writing, so that writing is not interrupted.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods for forming a tape pack on a drum or the like in aligned formation. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention can include at least one alignment member. The tape pack, as it is formed, can be periodically passed by the alignment member to facilitate substantially aligned formation thereof. A method in accordance with the present invention includes rotating a tape pack, winding a length of tape around the tape pack, and periodically passing the tape pack past a localized, stationary contact point where outermost windings of the tape pack are urged into aligned formation.

Abstract: A servo positioned carriage and actuator assembly in which a part of the carriage is positioned within the central portion of the motor. The motor, typically a voice coil motor, includes a coil of electrically conductive windings and a magnet or magnets adjacent to the coil. In one embodiment of the invention, the central portion of the motor is defined by a perimeter of the magnets and the carriage is positioned at least partially inside this perimeter. The carriage, for example, will typically include a ring shaped center portion in which the coil is mounted. This ring shaped center portion mounting the coil is positioned inside the magnets to help minimize the overall mass of the carriage elements of the assembly.

Abstract: A tape drive read/write head assembly that utilizes a magnetic shield to help protect the head from any magnetic flux that strays from the tape drive's motor. The head assembly includes a voice coil motor, a transducer head (typically a read/write head), and a carriage carrying the head. The carriage is movably coupled to the motor. The magnetic shield is positioned at least partially between the head and the motor. In one preferred version of the invention, the shield is a metal plate sandwiched between the head and the carriage. It is desirable to make the shield from a high nickel content metal or similar type material that has a large magnetic flux carrying capacity with a small magnetizing force.

Abstract: A servo positioned carriage and actuator assembly in which the support structure for the carriage is located at least partially within the central portion of the motor. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a motor, a guide rail and a carriage that travels along the guide rail. The motor has a coil of electrically conductive windings and a magnet or magnets adjacent to the coil. The inside perimeter of the coil defines the central portion of the motor. The guide rail extends axially through the central portion of the motor.

Abstract: A tape drive read/write head assembly that utilizes a magnetic shield to help protect the head from any magnetic flux that strays from the tape drive's motor. The head assembly includes a voice coil motor, a transducer head (typically a read/write head), and a carriage carrying the head. The carriage is movably coupled to the motor. The magnetic shield is positioned at least partially between the head and the motor. In one preferred version of the invention, the shield is a metal plate sandwiched between the head and the carriage. It is desirable to make the shield from a high nickel content metal or similar type material that has a large magnetic flux carrying capacity with a small magnetizing force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a tape drive head to a carriage that supports the head on the actuator. The method includes the steps of providing an inside corner on either the head or the carriage, providing a mating outside corner on the other of the head or the carriage, drawing the outside corner into the inside corner, and fastening the head to the carriage. The apparatus includes an inside corner on either the head or the carriage, a mating outside corner on the other of the head or the carriage, and a fastener that secures the head to the carriage. The inside and outside corners are configured to fit together when the head is fastened to the carriage. Preferably, the fastener is configured to pull the outside corner into the inside corner as the head is fastened to the carriage. This may be achieved, for example, by angling the fastener toward the inside corner.