Abstract: The present invention utilizes a combination of chemical and mechanical finishing processes to polish a disk substrate surface to near atomic smoothness. Broadly speaking, the surface of a disk substrate that has been machined (i.e., rough ground) to a predetermined surface roughness is subjected to attack by a chemical formulation (called an attacking agent). The chemical formulation is used to soften the substrate material. Then, the softened material is “wiped away” via mechanical action.

Abstract: A Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) sensor (800) provides increased GMR effect through the use of composite laminate structure (870) as the second of two self-pinned layers of Anti-Parallel (AP) self-pinned layer 865. A positive magnetostrictive material forms the embedded layer (820) of AP pinned layer (865) to increase the perpendicular to Air Bearing Surface (ABS) intrinsic anisotropy field (Hk). The embedded layer (820) of AP pinned layer (865) has no effect on the GMR stack texture, since outer ferromagnetic layers (815 and 825) are provided to control the GMR stack texture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating sets of parameters values for scenarios for testing a computing arrangement. In a first phase of parameter optimization, each parameter value is adjusted one at a time, and a measured performance characteristic controls when to stop considering alternative values for the parameter. When the performance characteristic satisfies selected criteria relative to the target data set, another parameter value is selected for adjustment. Each parameter is assigned to a group as a function of the level of change of the performance characteristic from one value of the parameter to another. In a second phase of parameter optimization, each parameter value is adjusted in order of parameters in groups that exhibit greater levels of change of the performance characteristic to parameters in groups that exhibit lesser levels of change of the performance characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing linear position (LPOS) estimations. If valid LPOS data may be detected from the tape, then a first method for LPOS estimation is performed using the Hall effect sensors. If valid LPOS data may not be detected from the tape, then an error recovery procedure (ERP) is invoked so that a second method for LPOS estimation is used to provide accurate LPOS information which is synchronized to a validly detected LPOS from tape within about 1 meter prior to the desired data record.

Abstract: A system and method for processing I/O requests in a computing system. I/O packets are created via an operating system associated with the computing system, where the I/O packets include I/O transaction information. The I/O packets are made accessible to an I/O system. A command for a channel type connecting a target I/O component to the I/O system is constructed, where this command construction is based on the I/O transaction information provided in the I/O packet, and based on physical aspects of the target I/O component and channel type provided independently of the I/O packet. The constructed command is issued to the target I/O component in accordance with the channel type.

Abstract: A tape head and method for forming a tape head are disclosed. The tape head includes a matched support beam pair, each support beam having a tape head disposed on the support beam, each support beam further including engagement surfaces and a recessed area disposed between the engagement surfaces, the matched pair being joined at the engagement surfaces, and the recess areas providing a cable receptacle for framing a cable that is attached to the tape head. The tape head and method for forming a tape head provides tape head assemblies with precise tape wrap angle setting, track-to-tack registration, and head-to-head parallelism suitable for very high density recording. By attaching a read-after-write pair of magnetic recording heads to two rigid, precision U-shaped support beams, the tape heads can be an aligned and hold this alignment accuracy during assembly processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a track pitch on a recording surface that is associated with the width of the tracks written by the write element of a head therefore reducing the number of heads that are discarded when a fixed relationship between track pitch of storage media in a storage device is desired. The method includes the steps of calculating the width of a write element to be associated with a storage medium and determining the track pitch for the storage medium based upon the calculated width of the write element. The step calculation of the width of the read/write element includes writing a pattern on a storage medium at a predetermined radius using the write element associated with the storage medium to form a written track, moving the head across the written track to read an amplitude sensed from the written track by the head, and ascertaining the width of the write element based upon the sensed amplitude.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a message as packets over a network includes at least one from the group consisting of: forming packets with random sizes, transmitting the packets in random order, transmitting the packets through different routes in the network, and transmitting dummy data within the packets. An article of manufacture may include a computer-readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to perform at least one from the group described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a database having a plurality of partitions are provided in various embodiments. The database is managed by users of a first user class and accessible to users of a second user class. Respective partition states are established for the partitions of the database, and access is provided to users of the first user class to partitions having a first partition state. Users of the second user class are denied access to partitons having the first partition state, and users of the second user class are provided access to partitions having a second partition state.

Abstract: A remote lock-out system and method are employed with a drilling machine. The remote lock-out system includes a remote lock-out override controller capable of interrupting a drilling operation of the drilling machine. The remote lock-out override controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. A remote lock-out controller is capable of issuing a lock-out signal and a run signal, wherein the lock-out signal, when received by the HDD machine, initiates suspension of the HDD machine drilling operation, and the run signal initiates enablement of the HDD machine drilling operation. The remote lock-out controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. The HDD machine drilling operation generally includes displacing and rotating the drill string, and can further include supplying a drilling fluid through the drill string.

Abstract: Fast transforms that use multiple scaled terms is disclosed. The discrete transforms are split into sub-transforms that are independently calculated using multiple scaling terms on the transform constants. The effect of the scaling for the transform coefficients may optionally be handled by appropriately scaling the quantization values or any comparison values. Further, optimal representations of the scaled terms for binary arithmetic are found. The resulting calculations result in fast transform calculations, decreased software execution times and reduced hardware requirements for many linear transforms used in signal and image processing application, e.g., the DCT, DFT and DWT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing position error signal conditioning of LTO media servo format written-in velocity variation is disclosed. According to the present invention only the signals demonstrating velocity deviations are filtered. A magnetic recording tape includes servo signal bursts of flux transitions recorded thereon. The servo bursts include a configuration of stripes of A spacings and B spacings and a servo head disposed proximate to the magnetic recording tape senses the flux transitions of the servo signal bursts. A servo controller, coupled to the servo head, receives the sensed signals from the servo head. The servo controller further includes a filter for filtering the B time interval servo signal components. Then a position error signal according to: PES=ref−A/(B filtered), wherein A represents unfiltered A time interval servo components and B filtered is filtered B time interval servo components.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a tape transport servo system for a tape drive is disclosed. The tape reel motors are excited when the tape drive is not being controlled by the tape transport servo system. Then, calibration data is collected for the motor torque, motor friction, DAC offsets, and pulse width modulator control signal timing.

Abstract: A catheter employs an inner guide with a pre-formed distal tip, an outer guide with a predetermined deflection location, and a proximal actuator. The inner guide can be longitudinally extended and axially rotated relative to the outer guide. The proximal actuator can adjustably change a bend angle of the predetermined deflection location. The catheter can be deployed with the inner guide retracted inside the distal end of the outer catheter. The extensible and rotatable inner catheter can be combined with the adjustable bend angle of the outer guide to provide an improved system for accessing and cannulating venous structures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.

Abstract: A system and method provide for electronic development of a bore plan for use in connection with an underground boring machine. Electronically developing a bore plan involves providing topographical information representative of topography of the bore site and providing bore path information representative of an intended bore path for the bore site. The bore path information includes at least two target points through which the intended bore path is to pass. The intended bore path can define a pilot bore path or a backream path. The target points comprise an entry point and an exit point, and each of the target points is defined by at least a distance value, lateral value, and a depth value.

Abstract: A system and method of mapping underground utilities and other subsurface objects involves one or more of acquiring utility location data using a number of different detectors and sensors, processing the multiple detector/sensor output data to produce mapping data, storing the mapping data in a database, and providing access to and use of the stored mapping data by subscribing users on a usage fee basis.

Abstract: A disk cache translation system for mapping data record lengths between systems having different data record lengths. Command queue (315) maps into initiation queue (305) to allow I/O manager (230) to manage I/O requests from operating system (125). I/O requests are statused by I/O manager (230) using status queue (325). Store-thru cache (280) provides a single interface to disk array (270) such that disk array write operations are reported complete only when user memory (250), I/O cache (280) and disk array (270) are synchronized. Data record length translations are performed using I/O cache (280) in order to align data record length differences between operating system (125) and I/O device (270).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing automated spin valve combined pinned layer reset and hard bias initialization at the head gimbal assembly level. The reset combines a current pulse with an assisting magnetic field. The pinned layer reset and hard bias initialization is automated and performed by a single tool at the head gimbal assembly level to increase manufacturing throughput.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a data processing system. The data processing system hosts an operating system which is coupled to a management interface processor. The management interface processor is further coupled to a network along with a plurality of workstations. One or more logical console objects are instantiated on the management interface processor. Respectively associated with and coupled to the one or more logical console objects are one or more instances of a system operations program. The instances of the system operations programs provide a user-interface for console level operations of the data processing system. The instances of the system operations program can be rehosted amongst the workstations, thereby aiding in workload balancing and resiliency.