Abstract: A data storage cartridge is equipped with write-once-read-many (WORM) write-protection. The cartridge is compatible with an existing cartridge docking station with a modification to the control logic of the docking station's control module. Specifically, the control logic is altered to recognize that sensing magnets with both sensors requires the docking station to allow data to be written to, but not erased or altered on the cartridge. In this manner, a third possibility of write-protection status is added to the two existing possibilities of full write-protection and no write-protection. Some embodiments of the invention also provide redundant indications of the WORM write-protection status of the cartridge. For example, embodiments of the invention may incorporate a radio-frequency identification (RF) tag within the cartridge and/or a status bit written into a designated WORM register within a media information header during pre-format of the cartridge media.

Abstract: The invention provides a lubricant useful in magnetic recording media and optical recording media comprising a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising multiple acrylate endgroups. More specifically, the lubricant of the invention is a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising at least about two acrylate groups. In one embodiment, the lubricant of the invention is a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising a perfluoropolyether tetraacrylate. A magnetic recording medium is also provided comprising a thin metal magnetic recording layer, said layer having a coating of the functionalized perfluoropolyether lubricant comprising at least about three acrylate end groups.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge providing robust interactions with leadering mechanisms of data storage tape drives. In one relevant aspect, a data storage tape cartridge includes improved leader member access area features, such as a docking ramp configured to transition from a first height, to a second height greater than the first.

Abstract: The invention is directed to self-referenced holographic recording techniques that make use of an element of a holographic medium to create a reference beam from a zero frequency Fourier component of a data encoded object beam. In other words, the self-referencing element may be formed on the holographic medium, rather then being a separate element of the holographic recording system. The element may comprise a diffusive element on the medium, designed to create a reference beam having controlled angles, phase and/or amplitude.

Abstract: The invention proposes the use of a piezoelectric crystal element as an actuator for data storage systems. In particular, the piezoelectric crystal element mechanically positions a head with respect to a data storage medium. More specifically, the invention may use a piezoelectric laminate crystal structure as a fine positioning actuator in a magnetic tape system in order to precisely position one or more heads with respect to tracks of the magnetic tape. Furthermore, in order to address hysteresis in the piezoelectric crystal element, the invention proposes the introduction of a high frequency periodic signal as part of the input to the piezoelectric crystal element.

Abstract: The invention is directed to arrangements of tapered data storage tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tapered data storage tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The tapered data storage tape guides and arrangements of tapered guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. In one embodiment, a data storage tape guiding system may include a first tapered guide and a second tapered guide. The taper in the first guide can be opposite the taper in the second guide such that the data storage tape is forced against an upper flange of the first guide and forced against a lower flange of the second guide, or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to arrangements of tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The disclosed tape guides and arrangements of tape guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. The invention is particularly useful for magnetic tape, but may also find application with optical tape, holographic tape, or other formats of data storage tape.

Abstract: A thin film servo head apparatus is described that provides verification of time-based servo marks on a magnetic tape. The thin film servo head apparatus includes a plurality of thin film servo heads formed in a substrate. The substrate is canted such that servo gaps included in each of the thin film servo heads are substantially parallel to the time-based servo marks. Thin film servo heads eliminate the high labor, low yield machining process associated with conventional ferrite composite servo heads. Thin film servo heads may be fabricated in bulk on substrate wafers to reduce manufacturing time and cost. The invention described herein enables thin film servo heads to be used with time-based servo markings by defining a servo gap spacing such that when the substrate is canted, the servo gaps of the thin film servo heads substantially align with the time-based servo markings.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a holographic data storage system including a spatial light modulator device (SLM) that comprises optical elements in the form of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) elements. The PDLC elements are individually controllable, and can be made substantially transparent or substantially diffusive. The “on” or “off” state of each PDLC element is defined by whether the given PDLC element is transparent or diffusive. Additional states may also be defined for the PDLC elements, e.g., based on a level of diffusiveness of the PDLC elements. Also, a mirror layer may be added adjacent the PDLC elements to define a reflective-mode SLM. In any case, the SLM is used to encode bit maps into a holographic object beam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a servo writing apparatus having accurate alignment of write gaps of servo write heads. In particular, the write gaps substantially align in a servo channel corresponding to a servo band of a magnetic data storage tape. The servo band is fully magnetized (a.k.a. DC erased) in one direction by a direct current (DC) magnetic field across the write gap of one of the servo write heads. Time-based servo markings magnetized in a second direction are recorded on the fully magnetized servo band by a pulsed magnetic field across the write gaps of the other servo write head. The servo write heads may be mounted in a mounting structure within the servo writing apparatus. Maintaining a large mounting structure width to servo write head separation distance ratio improves write gap alignment accuracy, which assures full servo signal strength across the servo band without magnetizing adjacent data bands.

Abstract: A servo head comprising a write gap with a non-uniform width is described. It allows non-uniform width servo marks to be recorded on magnetic media. A servo head having a non-uniform width gap may create servo marks that facilitate servo position error signal calculations using time-based methods, amplitude-based methods, or both. This invention provides alternative methods for positioning servo heads and may increase reliability and precision by allowing redundant calculations.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes a housing and a hard drive. The housing defines an access window and at least one alignment feature. The hard drive is maintained within the housing. The hard drive has at least one electrical connection point, and the at least one alignment feature is configured to interact with the hard drive to align the at least one electrical connection point relative to the access window.

Abstract: Techniques are described for accurately processing playback signals of time-based servo patterns recorded on a data storage medium. In particular, techniques are described for determining values for signal peaks within a playback signal of a time-based servo pattern by applying interpolation to data points in proximity to each of the signal peaks. At least three data points are identified in proximity to a desired peak to be detected within the playback signal. A value is calculated for the desired peak based on interpolation of the at least three data points. A playback signal of a time-based servo pattern may include a sequence of signal peaks. A time-based servo pattern may be detected based on lengths of time measured between consecutive peaks in the sequence of peaks. A position error signal (PES) may be generated based on the values calculated for each of the sequence of peaks.

Abstract: A memory device is described that is capable of expanding an amount of storage capacity available to a host computer without requiring a user to purchase a new, higher capacity memory device that may be bulky and expensive. The memory device includes a host connector that allows a host computer access to a memory within the memory device. The memory device also includes a first set of electrical contacts accessible through a top major surface of a memory device housing and a second set of electrical contacts accessible through a bottom major surface of the memory device housing. The first and second sets of electrical contacts allow a device, such as another memory device, to couple to the host computer through the memory device. In this way, the amount of memory available to the host computer can be increased while maintaining a small form factor for each of the devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape drive comprising a head mounted on a turntable. The turntable rotates to allow the head to access first and second sides of a data storage tape. Techniques for accessing the first and second sides may include rotating the turntable to position the head in first and second positions. In addition, the techniques may further include raising and lowering the turntable relative to the data storage tape in order to facilitate access to both sides of the data storage tape without requiring the data storage tape to be unspooled and re-spooled.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques to substantially reduce or eliminate detachment of data storage tape from data storage cartridges. A data storage cartridge may include a housing enclosing a spool with data storage tape spooled on the spool. A region of the data storage tape extends from the spool to an opening in the housing. An end of the data storage tape is held at the opening to allow tape drives to grasp the data storage tape and retrieve data stored on the data storage tape. When dropped, the data storage cartridge experiences impact loads. The techniques described herein rotate the spool to generate slack such that the region of data storage tape comprises substantially no tension. In this way, the techniques prevent detachment of the data storage tape from the opening due to the impact loads.

Abstract: A magneto-optic head includes a magnetic layer formed to have a substantially stabilized magnetic domain configuration. The magnetic layer includes a set of magnetic domains that includes one or more magnetic domains that are oriented such that they are substantially parallel to a major axis of the magnetic layer. In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic layer is deposited over a non-magnetic substrate and patterned, e.g., etched, in such a way that ordered magnetic domains form within the magnetic layer. For example, the magnetic layer may be patterned to have a height and width-to-height aspect ratio that yields one or more magnetic domains that are oriented such that they are substantially parallel to a major axis of the magnetic layer. In some embodiments, two magnetic layers are antiferromagnetically exchange coupled such that each magnetic layer includes a magnetic domain that is oriented substantially parallel to the major axis of that magnetic layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a device connector conforming to the memory card standard, and a host connector conforming to a host connection standard and comprising a retractable shieldless tab compatible with the host connection standard. The presence of the two connectors adds versatility to the memory card. The host connector facilitates direct coupling of the memory card to a computing device without an adapter or reader. The memory card maintains a form factor of the memory card standard when the shieldless tab is retracted, which allows the memory card to be used similar to a conventional memory card of the memory card standard. In order to fit within the memory card standard form factor, the shieldless tab may be an altered version of a conventional connector interface conforming to the host connection standard.