Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods and article of manufacture provide for readback signal detection and analysis. One embodiment provides an in-situ system to detect envelope traces of a readback signal. Using the envelope data, the presence of undesirable activity and/or storage medium surface conditions may be determined. For example, head modulation may be determined. Upon detection of a modulation event in a sector or a track, the compromised data may be recovered using a signal processing system. Another embodiment provides for detection of a thermal signal component in a readback signal. The thermal signal is processed for surface information indicative of the surface condition. Information indicating a defect may then be used to avoid storage areas having the defects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a transducer relative to a storage medium in a storage device. The storage medium is moved relative to the transducer by a motor at a rated storage medium velocity. The storage medium has a plurality of tracks, each having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge and the second edge respectively comprise surface profile variations having a temporal frequency at the rated storage medium velocity. The surface profile variations of the first and second edges are phase modulated, i.e., have a phase difference relative to one another. First and second responses, e.g., thermal responses, are respectively induced in the transducer by the phase modulated surface profile variations of the first and second edges. The transducer may be positioned by a controller, for example, based on at least one of the first and second thermal responses. A storage medium having phase modulated surface profile variations is relatively easy to fabricate.

Abstract: A shrouded hard disk drive includes one or more contamination filter cavities embedded within the shroud for capturing airborne contaminants circulated within the drive during normal operation. The present invention takes advantage of naturally occurring radial and circumferential velocity differences between air at the edges of the disk pack and the air at the filter cavity entrance opening (i.e., the inner circumference of the shroud) to redirect airflow through a filter positioned within the one or more filter cavities. After air passes through the filter, it exits through a filter cavity exit opening positioned in proximity to either in the area between the disks, or the area above or below the disk pack.

Abstract: An electrical connector system has two connectors, one of which is included in a module mateable with the other connector in a pluggable manner. The other connector includes a body and two or more electrical contacts. The body of that electrical connector includes a spring that provides a combined lock-down force and kick-out force. The lock-down force biases the module against the other connector, thereby providing a secure electrical and mechanical connection. The kick-out force biases the module away from the other connector to separate or eject the module when a user actuates a release mechanism. The module also includes a slot that engages a projection on the other connector to promote alignment of the mating electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the tribology for a head/disk interface in a direct access storage device (DASD). A readback signal is obtained from a predetermined cylinder. The readback signal is sampled to provide a readback sampled sequence. The readback sampled sequence is summed to store a sum for each data sector of a plurality of data sectors in said predetermined cylinder. Predetermined discrete Fourier transform (DFT) magnitude components are calculated for the data sector sums. A harmonic ratio is calculated utilizing the calculated predetermined DFT magnitude components. The calculated harmonic ratio is compared with a predefined threshold value to identify the tribology for a head/disk interface.

Abstract: A computerized method for dynamically extending a main application comprising a first user-interface-control by at least one supplementary application is proposed. The method comprises a first-step of monitoring system-messages of a system-message-queue and determines if a monitored system-messages comprises a user-interaction-request for creating said first user-interface-control of said main application. In the affirmative case, an indicator is set that said user-interaction-request for creating said first user-interface-control has been detected. Said method comprises a second-step monitoring application-messages of an application-message-queue and associates in response to setting said indicator the next one or multitude of application-message with said monitored system-message.

Abstract: A data storage system capable of removing disk surface irregularities and/or contaminant particles on disk surfaces that may cause thermal asperities in the transducer output is provided. The data storage system provides selective in-situ operation between a normal read/write operation and a disk surface burnishing operation. One embodiment provides a data storage system, including: a data storage disk connected to a rotating actuator; a suspension load beam movably disposed above the data storage disk; and an air bearing slider assembly pivotally attached to the suspension load beam, the air bearing slider assembly including: a slider having an air bearing surface; a transducer disposed in a distal portion of the slider; a burnishing element disposed on the air bearing surface; and a pitch angle control assembly disposed in connection with the slider to control a pitch angle of the air bearing surface.

Abstract: Mobile client based wireless communication is enhanced by using geographical position information of a respective mobile client relative to one or more communication dead zones. When a mobile client is approaching a dead zone, data communications can be delayed until the dead zone is traversed, or given a higher priority to expedite transmission completion before dead zone entry. A mobile client communicates its position information to the base station, where this position information can be compared with the locations of respective dead zones. The base station can determine and communicate to a mobile unit, an estimated time before the mobile unit will enter a dead zone. The mobile unit can use this information to determine whether sufficient time remains before entering the dead zone to transmit one or more blocks of data, for instance.

Abstract: A digital access storage device comprises a first disk drive, at second disk drive smaller than the first disk drive, the drives are physically mounted on a common chassis, and an electronic control system interconnecting said first and second disk drives. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device has a system interface and the electronic control system is structured to transfer data between the device interface, the first disk drive, and the second disk drive using the first drive's internal data paths and processor speeds, electronic control system comprises a shared system control processor is structured to provide overall control of the first and second disk drives.

Abstract: To provide a display control system that outputs, to a display screen, information messages that are generated over the elapse of time, whereby a user can select either an automatic scrolling mode, in which new messages are continually displayed, or an automatic scrolling halt mode. The ON/OFF automatic scrolling state set by a user is held in a storage area and is referred to when a new, additional message is received for storage. If the automatic scrolling state is ON, the oldest message is removed from a window, and the new message is added. If the automatic scrolling state is OFF, automatic scrolling of the window is not performed, the current display is unchanged, and the new message is added at the end of a virtual display area (message group data that can be displayed in the display area). The display area of the window includes a scroll bar that an operator can manually manipulate to refer to a new message or to an old message that is not currently displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reclaiming a disk substrate. The cost of reclaiming a disk substrate can be lower, and the quality higher, than making a new one from a blank. A layer of a data storage disk is stripped, e.g., by acid/oxidizing bath immersion. The stripped disk is polished in a carrier between polishing pads, with the relative velocity of the polishing pads as seen by the disk being precisely controlled so that an equal amount of stock is removed from each side. Preferably, several stripped disks are sorted into groups based on disk thickness, and disks from one of the groups are simultaneously polished in the carrier. Sorting improves stock removal uniformity from disk to disk. The polished disks are cleaned and, preferably, ordered in a cassette for stacking in a storage device based on disk thickness to more easily meet a mean center specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining heat at a pin-in-hole rework site on a printed circuit board during solder fountain rework of the board. A preheated heat retention plate is attached to the rework side of the printed circuit board. The heat retention plate covers a substantial portion of the board surface. During rework of the printed circuit board, the heat retention plate minimizes the temperature gradient between the rework site of the printed circuit board and the remainder of the printed circuit board. During the rework, the heat retention plate can be heated by an active heater in order to maintain a constant temperature gradient between the rework site of the board and the remainder of the board. By minimizing the escape of heat from the rework site, the number of solder cycles required to rework the board is decreased, resulting in reduced board rework times and increased board longevity.

Abstract: A method of indexing a rotatable disk in a direct access storage device (DASD) having a sensorless spindle motor, by monitoring spindle motor voltage to detect a pattern of commutation spikes timing separations, identifying a spindle motor index from the commutation spike pattern, and matching the spindle motor index with a servo sector index of the disk. A highpass filter is connected to a voltage output of the spindle motor, and an output of the filter is connected to a threshold triggering device. A timing-separation sequence is determined by counting clock pulses, and variations in the timing-separation sequence are compared. The rotor magnets of the spindle motor may be arranged asymmetrically to produce a large deviation in the variation of the timing-sequence. Indexing may be accomplished during servo track write for the disk.