Abstract: Magnetoresistive (MR) read elements and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. A free layer and/or a pinned layer of an MR read element are formed from a magnetic material such as Co2?x?yMn1+xAl1+y, Co2?x?yMn1+xSi1+y, Co2?x?yMn1+xGe1+y, and Co2?x?yFe1+xSi1+y, where x and y are selected to create an off-stoichiometric alloy having a crystalline structure that is chemically disordered. The chemically disordered magnetic material has a lower spin-polarization than a Heusler alloy, but still exhibits acceptable GMR amplitudes and low spin-torque noise.

Abstract: Servo patterns and associated methods of fabricating servo patterns are described. For patterned storage media, data sectors and servo sectors may be patterned using self-assembly. In one embodiment, self-assembly is used to form a first array of islands and a second array of islands in servo sectors that are track-wise offset. A servo writing process is then performed to write a desired servo pattern in the arrays, such as for burst fields, synchronization fields, etc.

Abstract: Glide test systems and associated methods are described. A glide test system includes a glide test head that is flown over the surface of a recording disk to detect asperities on the recording disk. The glide test head includes a detection pad on the trailing end of the head. Heating elements are fabricated proximate to the detection pad. The heating elements are independently controllable to control the amount of protrusion of different regions of the detection pad. The heating elements thus provide a way to substantially flatten the detection surface of the detection pad, and compensate for an uneven topography on a detection surface.

Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to busy called parties. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system that serves a calling party, and a terminating MSC system that serves a called party. The calling party initiates a call to the called party through the originating MSC system, and the terminating MSC system determines that the called party is busy on another call. The originating MSC system then receives a repeat dialing instruction from the calling party and transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the terminating MSC system. The terminating MSC system identifies when the called party becomes available in substantially real time. When available, the terminating MSC system attempts to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.

Abstract: An electrode is provided that is adapted to both pierce a barrier and providing an over-air discharge of electrical energy. In this regard, an over air discharge of electrical energy may be provided to an opposing side of a barrier. In one arrangement, the electrode includes a tapered point, which may be a hardened material, to facilitate piercing a barrier. In a further arrangement, the electrode incorporates an insulative shaft. In this arrangement, the insulative shaft electrically isolates a conductor of the electrode from a conductive barrier. Accordingly, the electrode may be utilized to pierce metallic enclosures and provide an electrical discharge for the purpose of altering the operation of electronic device within such enclosures.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed for sharing charging information between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network. If a signaling message for a session is received in the visited IMS network, the visited IMS network assigns a visited charging identifier (e.g., ICID), and shares the visited charging identifier with the home IMS network through signaling messages. Similarly, the home IMS network assigns a home charging identifier, and shares the home charging identifier with the visited IMS network through signaling messages. When CDRs are generated in the home IMS network and the visited IMS network, the networks include the home charging identifier and the visited charging identifier in the CDRs so that billing systems may more easily correlate the CDRs from the different IMS networks.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for recovering from mismatching configuration data in a clustered environment having a plurality of storage devices coupled to a plurality of storage controllers. If a clustered environment has a first storage device of the plurality of storage devices that has first configuration data that does not match second configuration data of a second storage device of the plurality of storage devices, then the mismatch may be resolved through operation of the clustered environment rather than through operator intervention. Comparison of relevant attributes of the first and second configuration data determines whether a relevant difference between the first and second configuration data is a physical status of at least one of the plurality of storage devices.

Abstract: The management of color presented at end point devices such as a display or printer is based on the implementation of a Color Management Resource (herein also CMR). A CMR is an architected resource stored accessibly to a print server or other processor that is used to carry all of the color management information required to render a print file, document, page, or data object. The invention here described is particularly focused on a color conversion type of CMR and defines a new type here called a Link Color Conversion CMR. In particular, a unique descriptor is tied to each input and output color conversion rule. A linked color conversion rule, created by combining the input and output color conversion, is created. The linked color conversion structure contains three parts—the descriptor of the input color conversion rule, the descriptor of the output color conversion rule, and the combined color conversion rule.

Abstract: Converged charging systems and methods are described. A converged charging system includes an offline charging system, an online charging system, a common rating function, and a common charging gateway function. When in operation, the online charging system receives online charging information for a first call and accesses the common rating function to determine a rating for the first call. The online charging system then transmits a rated charging data record (CDR) for the first call to the common charging gateway function. The offline charging system receives offline charging information for a second call, and accesses the common rating function to determine a rating for the second call. The offline charging system transmits a rated CDR for the second call to the common charging gateway function. The common charging gateway function buffers the rated CDRs for both online and offline calls, and then transmits the rated CDRs to a billing system.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drive systems and associated methods are described for verifying a spacing between read/write heads on a slider and a magnetic recording disk during end-user operation. An operating power applied to heating elements in the slider controls the spacing due to thermal protrusion. While in end-user operation, the operating power is temporarily increased to a test power to decrease the spacing. The test power is then evaluated to determine if contact between the read/write heads and the magnetic recording disk is detected. If contact is not detected, then the spacing due to the operating power is determined to be adequate. If contact is detected, then the operating power is recalibrated.

Abstract: Test methods and components are disclosed for testing resistances of magnetoresistance (MR) sensors in read elements. Test components are fabricated on a wafer with a first test lead, a pseudo sensor, and a second test lead. The test leads and MR sensor are fabricated with similar processes as first shields, MR sensors, and second shields of read elements on the wafer. However, the pseudo sensor in the test component is fabricated with lead material (or another material having similar resistance properties) instead of an MR thin-film structure like an MR sensor. Forming the pseudo sensor from lead material causes the resistance of the pseudo sensor to be insignificant compared to the lead resistance. Thus, a resistance measurement of the test component represents the lead resistance of a read element. An accurate resistance measurement of an MR sensor in a read element may then be determined by subtracting the lead resistance.

Abstract: For a wireless network, communication nodes (such as a Mobile Switching Center) are disclosed that include at least ten small routers. The small routers handle traffic received from a plurality of base stations over a backhaul facility. The backhaul facility transports the traffic between the base stations and the small routers using Internet Protocol (IP). A small router in the communication node is defined as a router that is to handle 10% or less of the traffic for the communication node as configured. The percentage to be handled by a router is based on the configuration of the communication node.

Abstract: Test methods and components are disclosed for testing the quality of a fabrication process used to form read elements in magnetic heads. A wafer is populated with one or more test components along with magnetic heads. The test components are formed by the same or similar fabrication processes as the read elements, but do not include a conductive MR sensor between the test leads. By measuring the resistance of the test components, the formation of parasitic shunts can be identified in the test components, which may indicate the formation of parasitic shunts in the read elements. Thus, the quality of the fabrication process in forming read elements in magnetic head may be determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting a skew angle of an LED array in the second of dual/tandem print engine systems to compensate for shrinkage of the printable medium exiting the first print engine. Features and aspects hereof provide for manually and/or automatically measuring the shrinkage of the printable medium as it exits the first print engine and for automatically and/or manually adjusting the skew angle of the mounting of the LED array in the second print engine. The image data applied through the LED to the corresponding photoconductor of the second print engine is similarly skewed to match the skew angle of the LED array. Thus a substantially normal bitmap image is applied through the skewed LED to the photoconductor of the second print engine shrunk in the width dimension. Visual artifacts and anomalies from the mathematical approximations and rounding are visually imperceptible at sufficiently high resolutions.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for interpolating data. A cluster module locates a plurality of variable granularity data clusters within a source data set using a center selection/clustering algorithm. A conversion selection module selects a conversion function for converting each data cluster. A norm selection module selects a norm function for each data cluster. An interpolation module converts each data cluster. In one embodiment, a cross validation module iteratively cross validates and optimizes the data conversions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that control whether a recipient of an electronic message (e.g., text messages, multimedia messages, email messages, etc) is allowed to forward the electronic message to third parties. When an electronic message is created or selected for transmission to a recipient, a forwarding control indicator is included in the electronic message. The forwarding control indicator indicates whether this electronic message is allowed to be forwarded by the recipient. If the recipient of the electronic message subsequently attempts to forward the electronic message, then the forwarding control indicator is processed to determine if the electronic message is allowed to be forwarded. If a determination is made that the electronic message is not allowed to be forwarded to the third party, then the electronic message is prevented from being forwarded to the third party.

Abstract: Apparatus methods for capturing flow control errors in FIFO exchanges between producing and consuming circuits operating in different clock domains. Tag information at the start of an exchange is transferred to a synchronizing component before data of a transfer transaction is entered in the FIFO. The tag information is also associated with each unit of data transferred to the FIFO by the producing circuit. The synchronizing component verifies the each unit of data retrieved by the consuming circuit has the expected tag information associated therewith and signals an error is the tag information does not match. Thus an error by the producing circuit in entering too much or too little data for a transfer is detected before erroneous data is retrieved and processed by the consuming circuit.

Abstract: Magnetoresistance sensors with magnetic pinned layers that are pinned by anisotropic etch induced magnetic anisotropies and methods for fabricating the magnetoresistance sensors are provided. The method comprises forming a seed layer structure. The seed layer is etched to form an anisotropic etch along a top surface of the seed layer. A magnetic pinned layer is formed on the top surface of the seed layer structure. The anisotropic etch on the top surface of the seed layer structure induces a magnetic anisotropy in the magnetic pinned layer, which pins the magnetization of the magnetic pinned layer structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for the controlled formation of plasma filaments. For example, a system that radiates energy through a gas includes a laser that generates a laser pulse, and an optical element with which the laser propagates the laser pulse to control placement of an optical filament within a beam cross-section of the laser pulse. The optical filament may thereby generate a plasma filament, which may propagate energy. In this regard, an energy source may provide energy such that the plasma filament directs propagation of the energy for delivery to an application. The energy may be electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, optical energy, or a combination thereof. Generally, the optical element may impart at least one phase singularity within the laser pulse. Alternatively or additionally, the optical element may include at least one optical inhomogeneity.

Abstract: Phonebook systems and associated methods are disclosed that provide a mechanism for protecting private information of a contact from being published in a network-based phonebook. A typical network-based phonebook service allows subscribers to set up network-based phonebooks, where each phonebook includes one or more contacts and associated contact information. Before contact information for a contact is included in a network-based phonebook for a subscriber, a phonebook system identifies privacy criteria for the contact. The privacy criteria may be predefined by the contact, predefined by the service provider, or predefined by another entity. The phonebook system then processes the privacy criteria to identify the contact information for the contact that is authorized to be included in the network-based phonebook.