Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for handling a device in a manner that enhances a self-purging efficiency with which debris in the device is ameliorated. The apparatus and associated method includes rocking the device along a rocker conveyor path defined by opposing rails supporting respective rows of cantilevered eccentric rollers, wherein the rollers supported by one rail of the opposing rails are clearingly disengaged from the rollers supported by the other rail of the opposing rails, and wherein the device is instantaneously supported by one or more of the rollers supported by the one rail and one or more of the rollers supported by the other rail.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for accelerating a multi-phase motor having a rotatable rotor are disclosed. A first commutation state in which the rotor resides is identified, after which a Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID) control routine is executed for closed loop control of an acceleration of the rotor from a stopped position to an intermediate velocity, after which back electromotive force (Bemf) commutation is used to control the motor. The PID control routine utilizes a loop gain value optimized through voltage feedback indicative of a response of windings of the rotor to an application of a drive current across the windings. Based on the voltage feedback a controller programmed with the PID control routine provides an updated commanded current for each successive commutation state of the motor for use by a motor driver circuitry, which drives the motor through each commutation state until attainment of the intermediate velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a separation distance between radial locations on a data storage medium, such as an optical disc. A first number of channel bits are detected at a first radial location of the medium, and a second number of channel bits are detected at a second radial location. The radial separation distance therebetween is determined in relation to the respective first and second numbers. Preferably, the first radial location is a first track on the medium, and the second radial location is a second track on the medium. Preferably, a motor rotates the medium, a data transducer transduces readback signals from the first and second locations, and a processor determines the respective numbers of bits from the readback signals. The radial separation distance is preferably used to authenticate the medium.

Abstract: Compensation for repeated runout (RRO) error, such as in a data storage device servo circuit, is preferably carried out by obtaining a population distribution of RRO error values from at least selected ones of a subset of tracks. An RRO error compensation value is determined for each one of the subset of tracks when a variance characteristic of said population distribution meets a selected criterion. Preferably, a first track of a storage medium has a servo field at a first angular position on the medium, a repeated runout (RRO) error compensation field at a second angular position on the medium, and a user data field at a third angular position on the medium. An immediately adjacent second track preferably has a servo field at the first angular position and a user data field at the second angular position in lieu of an RRO error compensation field.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for caching readback data in a cache memory. Upon a transfer of cached readback data to a host device, a cache manager operates to force a retention of the readback data in the cache memory in relation to a time parameter and a locality parameter associated with said data. In this way, the readback data are either retained in hopes of satisfying a subsequent cache hit, or not retained to accommodate subsequently cached data. Preferably, the cache manager compares the time parameter to a time threshold and the locality parameter to a locality threshold, and forces said retention of the readback data if both said thresholds are met. The readback data is preferably associated with a data structure such as a RAID stripe, the time parameter preferably indicates elapsed time since last access to the structure and the locality parameter preferably indicates accesses to the structure.

Abstract: A roof assembly in which overlapping edges of adjacent panel members are joinable in an assembled mode to provide a seam having resistance to sidelap shear, the roof assembly comprising panels having a female sidelap along one edge and a male sidelap along the opposite edge, the female sidelap having a male insertion cavity and a leg member with a female retaining groove. The male sidelap, engageable in the male insertion cavity of an adjacent panel, has a tang lockingly disposed in the female retaining groove in folded tight adjacency to form a standing seam between panels. The panels are interconnected via backer plate fasteners to increase resistance to side slipping under wind uplift.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a hard disk drive with a low-density gas is provided. A valve body is positioned over an opening in the hard disk drive housing. The valve body is in communication with a source of low-density gas, a vacuum source and the interior of the disk drive. The vacuum source evacuates the internal cavity of the disk drive through the opening. The cavity is then filled with the low-density gas. A reciprocating member then positions a sealing member in the opening to seal the opening and capture the low-density gas within the disk drive.

Abstract: A data storage medium (230, 400) and associated method (500, 520), apparatus (250, 430) and application routine (110, 524) for authenticating the medium as an authentic copy. The medium (such as a prerecorded or recordable optical disc) is formatted so that a predefined relationship is established (502) between physical locations of at least first and second addressable data sectors (220) prior to recording of data to the sectors (506). The predetermined relationship will be present in an authorized copy of the medium (330) but not in an unauthorized duplicate (332), allowing an application routine to grant or deny access (532, 534) to remaining portions of the medium based on the presence or absence of the detected relationship. The predetermined relationship is further used to embed a forensic data payload to serve as a digital fingerprint on the medium.

Abstract: A portable absorbent wipe support apparatus (apparatus) including at least a main body portion with a mounting clip support, a mounting clip in sliding communication with said clip support, and an article retention portion hinged to an article retention catch of the main body portion is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the article retention portion preferably includes a dowel support supporting a hinge dowel, wherein said dowel interacts with the article retention catch to secure the article retention portion to the main body portion. Preferably, the mounting clip alone maintains the main body portion positioned relative to and in contacting adjacency with a mounting surface by steps for installing said apparatus. The steps preferably include; guiding an extension portion of a mounting clip through a mounting clip aperture of said clip support, and sliding a retention portion of said mounting clip into pressing contact with the mounting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of servo writing to a storage media is provided that writes servo information at a first orientation pattern from a first storage extent of the storage media to a medial portion of the storage media, and writes servo information at a second orientation pattern different than the first orientation pattern from an opposing storage extent of the storage media to approximately the medial portion, so that the patterns at approximately the medial portion are positionally interlaced.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to propagating repeated runout (RRO) correction values for radially concentric servo seams on a storage medium in relation to an RRO correction value for an adjacent seam and a radial separation between the seams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing an absolute reference point on a disk surface of a disk drive. A write head associated with the disk surface is used to write spirals of servo information thereon, for example, under control of a servo track writer. The spirals of servo information include standard spirals and special spirals. In one embodiment, the special spirals are shorter than the standard spirals and the special spirals are rotationally non-symmetric. For example, an unequal number of standard spirals are interposed between one pair of adjacent special spirals relative to the number of standard spirals interposed between other pairs of adjacent special spirals. The special spirals may take a variety of other forms to distinguish themselves from standard spirals.

Abstract: A bidirectional disc sweep routine accelerates the transducer in a storage device from a first predefined radius toward the inner radius to a second predefined radius, and accelerates the transducer from a third predefined radius toward the outer radius to a fourth predefined radius.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing information to allow users to manage files are provided. One method embodiment comprises determining whether there is communication between a storage device and a first appliance; determining whether the storage device has any information stored in it, if there is communication; and generating the information, if there is no information stored on the storage device, the information comprising the type of an initial modification made to a file.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and combination for dissipating vibration from a head suspension of a data storage device. The combination includes a rotating disc in a data exchange relationship with a read/write head supported by a head suspension formed by the method. The method includes the steps of; forming a mounting region and a load beam region each adjacent a bend region; removing material from the bend region to form an aperture, a strut, an isolation aperture and a damping material support structure; and affixing a damping material to the strut and the damping material support structure. The apparatus includes the bend region adjacent both the mounting region and the load beam region, with the damping material attached to the strut as well as to the damping material support structure. The load beam region includes a rigid portion, which supports a flexure upon which a read/write head is attached.

Abstract: A data storage device is made by molding a portion of a motor into a first enclosure member, and then coupling the first enclosure member to a second enclosure member to define an interior environment for other data storage device components.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a rotatable member is mounted to a spindle hub so that initial servo data previously provided to the rotatable member are eccentrically offset with respect to a rotational center of the spindle hub. Compensation vales are determined to characterize said offset, after which final servo data are provided to the rotatable member in relation to the initial servo data and the determined compensation values. The final servo data are nominally concentric with the rotational center of the spindle hub.

Abstract: A vehicle transport apparatus and method for attaching vehicles to the transport apparatus are provided. The vehicle transport apparatus preferably includes: a beam providing a kingpin on each a proximal and distal end; and an axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, the axle providing selectable vertical and horizontal positioning of the beam relative to the axle. The method includes: collapsing a rear suspension of a first vehicle; lashing a rear axle of the first vehicle to a frame of the first vehicle; coupling a first kingpin of a vehicle transport apparatus to a fifth wheel of the first vehicle; lashing the first vehicle to a frame of the vehicle transport apparatus; elevating the vehicle transport apparatus with an axle of the vehicle transport apparatus; and coupling a second kingpin of the vehicle transport apparatus to a fifth wheel of a second vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring data. The apparatus preferably includes a first volatile memory block, a second volatile memory block coupled to a non-volatile circular buffer, and a controller configured to direct first data to the first volatile memory block for subsequent transfer to a downstream block, such as a data storage array. The controller is further configured to direct second data to the second volatile memory block for subsequent transfer to the non-volatile circular buffer. Preferably, the second volatile memory block forms a portion of a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and the circular buffer is formed from a flash memory device. An intelligence block preferably controls said subsequent transfer of the second data from the second volatile memory block to the circular buffer. The second data are preferably transferred from the circular buffer to the downstream block in conjunction with the transfer of the first data.

Abstract: An electronics cabinet is provided comprising an electrical connector in electrical communication with a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a PCB power plane, the connector comprising a plurality of power contacts defining a connector power plane adapted for receiving a substantially even power load distribution from the PCB power plane among the power contacts.