Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils.

Abstract: Described are embodiments to ensure that the equipment utilized to detect antigens is reliable and accurate. Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention includes a calibration assembly having nanoparticles, with known magnetic properties, spaced apart at known y-axis locations along the calibration assembly. In one embodiment, the calibration assembly may be used to calibrate a matched filter of the write and read circuitry. Because the calibration assembly comprises nanoparticles with known magnetic properties the read response of the read circuitry to a particular nanoparticle may be stored in the matched filter as an ideal signal for that nanoparticle. The ideal signal stored in the matched filter may then be utilized for reliably and accurately detecting antigens.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween. One of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data including data for encryption. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars. An average height of the bars is less than about 50 microns. About eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape. A tape supply cartridge according to various embodiments has a magnetic recording tape as described herein.

Abstract: A method for writing a servo track according to one embodiment comprises monitoring a lateral position of a magnetic tape passing over a servo writing head during a servo track writing operation; and writing servo marks to the magnetic tape, a timing of the writing of each mark being based on the monitored position of the magnetic tape. A system for writing a servo track according to one embodiment comprises a servo writing head for writing servo marks onto a magnetic tape; a device for optically monitoring a position of the magnetic tape during a servo track writing operation; and a controller for controlling a timing of the writing of the servo marks to the magnetic tape based on the monitored position of the magnetic tape. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Described are embodiments to ensure that the equipment utilized to detect antigens is reliable and accurate. If it is determined that a read sensor is degraded a method of calibrating a read sensor of a read head is described. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating a magnetic read sensor includes measuring a first resistance of the magnetic read sensor upon an application of a forward bias current to the magnetic read sensor and measuring a second resistance of the magnetic read sensor upon an application of a reverse bias current to the magnetic read sensor. A calibration constant is determined based on at least the first measured resistance and the second measured resistance. In one embodiment the method further includes storing the determined calibration constant for the magnetic read sensor in memory. Further, in one embodiment the head module having the magnetic read sensor is swept over at least one nanoparticle to obtain a read response of the magnetic read sensor to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles are detected across a thin membrane that separates the nanoparticles from a magnetic sensor. The technique can be used in a medical context, in which an analyte of interest (present in a test fluid, such as blood) is attached to the membrane. Other compounds are in turn bound to the analyte, with one of these compounds including a magnetic nanoparticle that is then detected by the sensor. In this way, the analyte is detected by detecting the magnetic nanoparticle. By counting the number of magnetic nanoparticles, the concentration of the analyte in the test fluid can be determined.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates. An actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface controls the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates. An actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface controls the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween. One of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data including data for encryption. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars. An average height of the bars is less than about 50 microns. About eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape. A tape supply cartridge according to various embodiments has a magnetic recording tape as described herein.

Abstract: A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars, wherein an angle between at least some of the bars is greater than about 10 degrees, wherein an average height of the bars is less than 190 microns, wherein one of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data being selected from a group consisting of data for encryption and data for ascertaining a longitudinal position along the tape. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween, wherein about eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a read sensor for a recording head for a magnetic media storage system, has first and second shields, and a magneto-resistive sensor disposed between and shielded by the first and second shields in which the sensing axis of the sensor is tilted with respect to the recording surface of the head. In one embodiment, the sensing axis is oriented at an angle between 10 and 60 degrees with respect to the normal of the recording surface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Described are embodiments to ensure that the equipment utilized to detect antigens is reliable and accurate. If it is determined that a read sensor is degraded a method of calibrating a read sensor of a read head is described. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating a magnetic read sensor includes measuring a first resistance of the magnetic read sensor upon an application of a forward bias current to the magnetic read sensor and measuring a second resistance of the magnetic read sensor upon an application of a reverse bias current to the magnetic read sensor. A calibration constant is determined based on at least the first measured resistance and the second measured resistance. In one embodiment the method further includes storing the determined calibration constant for the magnetic read sensor in memory. Further, in one embodiment the head module having the magnetic read sensor is swept over at least one nanoparticle to obtain a read response of the magnetic read sensor to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates. An actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface controls the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates. An actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface controls the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.