Abstract: A dual-layer magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate having a front side and a back side, a lower support layer formed over the front side and a magnetic upper recording layer formed over the lower layer, wherein the magnetic layer contains a volume concentration of at least about 35% of a magnetic metallic particulate pigment having a coercivity of at least about 2000 Oersteds (Oe), and a binder system for the pigment. The magnetic recording medium exhibits an orientation ratio greater than 2.0, a pulsewidth (PW50) value of less than about 500 nm, and a remanence-thickness product, Mr*t, of less than about 5.0 memu/cm2.

Abstract: A tape guide for limiting lateral tape movement within a tape transport system component, such as a data storage tape cartridge. The storage tape, having a tape width, extends between two tape reels along a tape path defined, at least in part, by the tape guide. The tape guide includes a tape contact face, a top flange and a one bottom flange. The tape guide is configured to define an effective tape path width between the top and bottom flanges that is less than the tape width. During use, the tape guide biases the tape path to minimize lateral motion of the storage tape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a device connector and a host connector that conform to a device connection standard and a host connector standard respectively. The dimensions of the memory card may substantially conform to dimensions of a memory card standard. However, there may be irregularities in the shape of the memory card that are not consistent with the form factor of the memory card standard. The memory card may further include a cover to fit over the host connector. In that case, the housing and the cover collectively define a form factor of the memory card that substantially conforms to a form factor of the memory card standard.

Abstract: A data storage master disk and method of making a data storage master disk. The data storage disk master is for use in a data storage disk replication process. The data storage disk molding processes produces replica disks having a surface relief pattern with replica lands and replica grooves. The method includes providing a master substrate. The master substrate is at least partially covered with a layer of photosensitive material. A surface relief pattern having master lands and master grooves is recorded in the data storage disk master, including the steps of exposing and developing the photosensitive material. The exposing and developing of a specified thickness of photosensitive material is controlled to form master grooves extending down to a substrate interface between the master substrate and the layer of photosensitive material, such that the width of the master grooves at the substrate interface corresponds to a desired width of the replica lands.

Abstract: A jewel case 10 for housing at least one piece of recording media is constructed from a blend of resins. The blend includes at least two resins, the first being a stiffer resin and the second, a flexible resin, wherein a clear and flexible jewel case is produced.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a highly permeable magnetic layer proximal to a recording layer. During recording, the permeable magnetic layer modifies the recording field from a recording head to produce consistently shaped recording transitions with a significant perpendicular component. The transitions are consistently shaped even though the distance between the recording head and the surface of the medium may change. Transitions so formed result in a reduction of noise from the medium surface roughness. The permeable magnetic layer further reduces noise caused by stray dipole fields.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a host connector conforming to a host connection standard protruding from a flexible housing. The flexible housing conforms to a form factor of a memory card standard, substantially similar to a credit card with an increased thickness to accommodate the host connector and allow a memory to fit within the housing. The host connector facilitates direct coupling of the memory card to a computing device without an adapter or reader. The memory card may include a smart card contact conforming to an ISO 7816 smart card standard that allows the memory card to be backward compatible with conventional smart card readers. Unlike conventional memory cards, the flexible memory card is compatible with smart card applications, and unlike conventional smart cards, the flexible memory card includes a powerful, internal memory.

Abstract: A subambient pressure feature for assisting in guidance of storage tape within a tape transport system such as a data storage tape cartridge and/or a tape drive. The storage tape is extended between two tape reels along a tape path defined, in part, by a tape guide. The tape guide includes a curved tape-receiving surface defined by an entrance side and an exit side. The subambient pressure feature is located along the tape path and is adapted to induce frictional engagement between the tape and at least a portion of the tape-receiving surface at speeds of not less than 1 meter/second to suppress lateral tape motion.

Abstract: Servopositioning systems, methods, formats, and data recording media used in association with the same, employing both time-based and amplitude-based transverse tracking servo bands in the same or different locations on the medium.

Abstract: Magnetic patterned media comprise topographical features readable with a slider-mounted non-magnetic transducer sensitive primarily to a local aerodynamic boundary condition, in addition to a magnetic recording layer substantially conforming to the topographical features. Passage of a transducer over the features generates effects that can be detected in, and separated from, the magnetic recording signal.

Abstract: Holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction are described in which a holographic recording material is sandwiched between two substrates. A variety of different formulations of the holographic recording material are also described. By improving the formulation of the photosensitive material, holographic media can be improved.

Abstract: An optical disc label including a label substrate, a writeable material, and an adhesive. The label substrate is ring-shaped, defines a front side and a back side, and includes a base layer and a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is applied to the base layer and is capable of emitting absorbed energy as light. The writeable material is applied to the front side of the label substrate, and is configured to provide an indicia-receiving surface. The adhesive is applied to the back side of the label substrate. By forming the label as a ring, it can be applied to an optical disc in a manner that maintains necessary radial and/or circumferential balancing. Further, the phosphorescent material imparts a unique glow-in-the-dark property. In one preferred embodiment, the writeable material is configured to receive and maintain an inkjet printer-generated indicia.

Abstract: A leader block assembly insertable into a data storage tape cartridge. The leader block assembly includes a leader block and a tape clamp. The leader block defines opposing sides, at least one opposing side forms an engagement surface defining a region of constant slope adapted to selectively engage a cartridge detent. The tape clamp is secured to the leader block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, holographic data storage medium includes a first thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters and a second thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters. A holographic recording material may be sandwiched between the first and second thermoplastic substrate portions. By making thermoplastic substrate portions sufficiently thin, edge wedge problems can be avoided.

Abstract: A servo track configuration includes at least one servo track having a width. A servo pattern is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. Repeatedly recording the servo pattern includes repeating the simultaneous recording of first and second reference pattern lines and a track pattern line in the at least one servo track. Each of the first and second reference pattern lines has an identical predetermined geometry and extends across the width of the at least one servo track. Further, the track pattern line has a predetermined geometry that is different than the predetermined geometry of the first and second reference pattern lines and extends across the width of the at least one servo track.

Abstract: A holographic data storage medium having an anti-reflective coating is described. The anti-reflective coating can be made to reduce reflectivity for S-polarized light over a wide range of incident angles. Moreover, the anti-reflective coating can be made to have a sufficiently high transmittance for the S-polarized light. The coating may improve performance of the holographic data storage medium, and can facilitate higher storage densities than can be achieved without the coating.

Abstract: Multilayer magnetic recording medium is suitable for high recording densities and the recording of digital data, has very good electromagnetic recording properties in the entire recording wavelength range and good mechanical properties and possesses a flat frequency response and which has at least one upper magnetic recording layer less than 0.5 &mgr;m thick and at least one lower layer which contains a magnetically soft pigment.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes a housing for containing the data storage disk inside the housing. The housing defines a plurality of openings for exposing a portion of the data storage disk. An external shutter is supported by the housing on the outside of the housing. The external shutter is moveable between a closed position and first and second open positions disposed on opposite sides of the closed position. According to another aspect, a cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes a casing and a moveable member disposed to slide on the casing. At least one of the casing and the moveable member includes protrusions or equivalent structure for holding the moveable member in a closed position and in one or more open positions. A method of making a ready-to-use data storage disk cartridge assembly provides other advantages.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards techniques for creating optical data storage disks. In one embodiment, the invention provides a simultaneous two-sided rolling bead process. For example, a method may include positioning a first bead of photopolymer for distribution between a bottom stamper and a substrate, and positioning a second bead of photopolymer for distribution between a top stamper and the substrate. The method may also include passing a roller over the top stamper to distribute the beads of photopolymer, curing the photopolymer, and removing the substrate from the stampers. The simultaneous two-sided rolling bead process can be repeated on the same medium to create a two-sided dual-layer data storage medium or a two-sided multi-layer data storage medium.

Abstract: A multiple layer magnetic recording medium exhibiting a marked increase in skirt signal-to-noise ratios, and a method of manufacturing such magnetic recording medium including the steps of forming a lower support layer and a magnetic layer on the substrate; transporting the magnetic recording medium on a non-magnetic carrier in a transport direction; exposing the magnetic recording medium to a first magnetic field of up to about 2500 gauss when the average percent solids of the multiple layers is less than 40% collectively, and exposing the magnetic recording medium to at least one additional magnetic field of from about 3500 to about 7000 gauss as the magnetic recording medium continues to transport when the average percent solids of said multiple layers is from about 43% to about 60% collectively, wherein the magnetic pigment particles in said magnetic layer are oriented in a longitudinal direction.