Abstract: Disclosed is a coding technique which takes advantage of the use of an internal synchronization technique for a timing-based servo which employs alternating 4 and 5 transition bursts of servo to provide a simplified synchronization of the data, and comprises a coding technique which employs a periodic pattern of bursts each period comprising two bursts of 5 transitions followed by two bursts of 4 transitions. The code provides, in each burst of 5 transitions, two defined positions for the 2nd and 4th transitions, spaced from equally spaced positions in the burst, to represent each of two bit values. The code provides, in each burst of 4 transitions, two defined positions for the 2nd and 3rd transitions, spaced from equally spaced positions in the burst, to represent each of two bit values.

Abstract: Disclosed are a programmable digital device and method for generating tracking threshold signals for qualification of input peak signals in response to programmed digital gain signals which control the rate at which the envelope of the qualified input peak signals is followed, and in response to a programmed digital attenuation signal which determines the proportion of the peak envelope at which to generate new tracking threshold signals. The programmable digital device and method also provide a programmed clamp signal to clamp the positive and negative threshold signals to not fall below the programmed values. An anti-hang capability is provided to allow the thresholds to drop after a programmed time period during which no signal is detected. In an alternative arrangement, the centerline of the envelope is followed and used as the threshold.

Abstract: An automated data storage library is disclosed for quickly switching to a second accessor when a first accessor fails. Either the first or the second accessor may be designated an active accessor and the other a standby accessor. The library includes first and second library managers, one designated an active library manager and the other a standby library manager, each of the library managers interconnected with one of the accessors for operating the interconnected accessor, and each interconnected with the other of the accessors for operating the interconnected other accessor. The active library manager may operate the first accessor as an active accessor and, upon the first accessor becoming unavailable, immediately switches to operate the second accessor as the active accessor and allows maintenance and servicing of the first accessor simultaneously with operation of the second accessor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable tape cartridge for containing two separate lengths of recording tape for providing rapid access to data by a single tape drive. Two access openings on the inboard side (with respect to the tape drive) of the tape cartridge are respectively positioned toward the left or right. Two sets of tape bearings each respectively supports a length of tape at each of the access openings, and each length of tape is wound on two tape spools. The left set of tape bearings and tape spools are positioned with respect to each other identically to the positioning of the right set of tape bearings and tape spools with respect to each other. This allows the cartridge to be translated sidewise by the tape drive for reading and writing on the left or the right length of tape.

Abstract: A method and tool are disclosed for separating a diced magnetic disk file slider from a tape to be removed by a picker. The diced slider is adhesively mounted on a wafer tape, at its attachment surface, with the air bearing surface away from the tape. The tape is positioned in a first plane, and a pushing device is projected into the tape near the leading edge of the slider to push the tape and the slider into a second plane at an angle away from the first plane. The pushing device is moved along the tape toward the trailing edge of the slider to cause the taut tape to peel from the mounted slider. A vacuum picker adjacent the tape engages the slider at the air bearing surface and removes the slider from the tape as the tape is peeled from the slider. A row of sliders may be separated by a corresponding row of pushers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single reel tape cartridge having a supply reel positioned within a central cavity of a shell. The supply reel is coupled to the attachment end of a length of recording tape which is wound in a sequence of wraps from an inner circumference to a maximum outer circumference when the length of recording tape is fully wound on the supply reel. A tape guide and bearing assembly positioned within the central cavity closely adjacent the maximum outer circumference, faces towards an aperture in the shell and away from the supply reel. The tape guide and bearing assembly defines a tape path for the outermost wrap from the supply reel to the tape guide and bearing assembly, across an aperture in the shell for interfacing the outermost wrap with the tape head of the tape drive at the aperture. The tape path then extends to an isolator, e.g.

Abstract: A bidirectional linear thin film tape head and drive are disclosed with a flat contour on a wear resistant ceramic substrate. At least one thin film transducer is provided on a side of the substrate, forming one edge to the flat transducing surface, and another edge is formed at the opposite side of the flat transducing surface. In one embodiment, both the transducer edge, with an alumina overcoat protecting the transducer, and the opposite edge of the flat transducing surface form outer tape path edges, and in another embodiment, the thin film transducer is protected by a ceramic closure that covers the thin film transducer and forms an extension to the flat transducing surface which provides an outer tape path edge. The edges remove the air entrained by the tape moving relative to the head in either direction to allow contact or near contact recording with the flat transducing surface.

Abstract: A vent is disclosed for a screw mounted support shaft of a fluid dynamic bearing for a spindle of a magnetic disk file. The support shaft for mounting a spindle bushing has an axial hollow center internally threaded at one end, and has upper and lower bearing journals for rotatably mounting the spindle bushing with a fluid lubricant. The bearing journals are separated by a recess having a vent passage between the recess and hollow center. A screw is threaded through the base plate or cover into the threaded end of the support shaft, mounting the support shaft to the base plate or cover. An air vent passage, such as a slit is provided axially either in the threaded end of the hollow center of the support shaft or in the screw, and radially across the end of the support shaft so the air bleed passage extends from the hollow center externally of the support shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital control servo system for read/write head positioning in data recording disk files of the type which use voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for positioning the head, with improved modelling of the servo system in saturated seek mode. The VCM has a characteristic torque factor which varies in accordance with a predetermined relationship to head position and with age and temperature, and the servo system drives the VCM in a saturated seek mode at a maximum level of current which has a low frequency variation due primarily to temperature change. The servo system computes an estimated VCM control representing the VCM current, computes estimates of the state of the VCM including head position and velocity, and computes from an algorithmic model, predictions of head position and velocity. The improved modelling changes the algorithmic model to reflect the actual torque factor of the VCM and actual maximum level of current in saturated seek mode rather than nominal torque factor and VCM current.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated data storage library for storage and retrieval and selective export and import of portable data storage media stored in storage cells of portable magazines. Each portable magazine has a detent, and has registration surfaces, such as a sleeve at each of two corners. A columnar elevator supports a columnar stack of the portable magazines, and has an opening at its top level external to the library, and pushes the stack toward the top level. Fixed registration shafts in the library mate with the magazine sleeves to prevent lateral movement while allowing columnar movement of the magazines. The media may be accessed by a picker at the storage cells of the magazines at all levels in the stack internal to the library. A releasable latch engages the detent of the magazine at the penultimate level of the stack (e.g., the top position within the library), holding the stack against the upward pushing of the elevator, and external latches each engage a magazine in the stack at the top level.

Abstract: A head load/unload and airflow control apparatus for a disk stack is disclosed. Load/unload cams protrude into the OD of the disk stack for guiding the heads away from the corresponding disks during unloading and ramping the heads toward the corresponding disk during loading. Airflow vanes, each in the same plane and radially proximate to the outer edges of the corresponding disks are provided to limit airflow turbulence at the edge of the disks. Each airflow vane supports corresponding load/unload cams. A shroud supports the vanes and extends axially of the disk stack to limit airflow from the disks. The load/unload cams, airflow vanes and shroud may comprise a single element.

Abstract: A gimbal suspension flexure is disclosed for supporting a slider for a disk drive. The flexure comprises a generally planar laminated flexure section having a dielectric layer and electrical leads disposed on a surface of the flexure section flexural steel layer, and a tongue extending from the flexure section at one end thereof, attached by three extension members, each extension member connecting a separate side of the tongue to the flexure section. The tongue is formed at the three extension members to be positioned in a second displaced from the plane of the flexure section. The tongue is formed so that the second plane is displaced a distance at least equal to the thickness of the dielectrical layer and the conductive layer, whereby the slider may be attached to the tongue displaced from the generally planar flexure section and positioned for electrical connection to the electrical leads, while maintaining the correct attitude for operation with the disk drive.

Abstract: An automated data storage library for storing and accessing a plurality of data storage media stored in a plurality of storage slots. A plurality of accessors access the data storage media between the storage slots and data recording device(s), an operator interface allows an operator to designate one of the accessors as active, and a library manager is interconnected with the accessors and with the operator interface to set operation modes of the accessors.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrical connection assembly for a data storage device and a method of fabricating the electrical connection between a transducer termination pad formed on a slider and a suspension having a conductive lead structure. A compliant cantilevered conductive pad is formed at the end of the conductive lead structure. A solder bump is formed on the transducer termination pad, and may be formed subsequent to dicing the sliders. The slider is placed in mechanical contact with the suspension for mechanical support such that the solder bump contacts the cantilevered conductive pad, which cantilevered conductive pad complies with the solder bump to absorb positional errors. Then, the solder bump is heated, preferably by a laser, so as to reflow the solder bump to make an approximately right angle solder fillet joint electrical connection with the cantilevered conductive pad.

Abstract: A method for providing a thin film metallization area on a substrate is disclosed comprising the steps of: depositing a Ta adhesion layer on the surface of the substrate seed layer, conducting a photo resist process on the Ta adhesion layer to define the thin film metallization area, including a remnant removal process to remove remnant photo resist process material in the thin film metallization area to the Ta adhesion layer, the Ta adhesion layer preventing the remnant removal from reaching the seed layer, conducting a Ta removal reactive-ion-etch process to remove the Ta adhesion layer in the thin film metallization area, so that the seed layer is exposed in the metallization area. A metal material may then be deposited in the metallization area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dimple magnetic recording head in a transducer assembly for linear tape drives. The dimple head has a flat transducing surface extending laterally a partial width of the magnetic recording tape. Two parallel tape support surfaces extend laterally the full width of the magnetic recording tape, positioned on either side of and spaced from the dimple head in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording tape. The tape support surfaces form a plane, and the dimple head flat transducing surface is parallel to the tape support surface plane and projects above the tape support surface plane to form tape wrap angles with respect to the tape support surfaces within a range of approximately 1/2 degree to 2.5 degrees. The dimple magnetic tape head is mass produced by lapping a row of transducers on a substrate to form a flat transducing surface. The row of substrate elements is then diced into separate substrate elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are a programmable digital device and method for generating tracking threshold signals for qualification of input peak signals in response to programmed digital gain signals which control the rate at which the envelope of the qualified input peak signals is followed, and in response to a programmed digital attenuation signal which determines the proportion of the peak envelope at which to generate new tracking threshold signals. The programmable digital device and method also provide a programmed clamp signal to clamp the positive and negative threshold signals to not fall below the programmed values. An anti-hang capability is provided to allow the thresholds to drop after a programmed time period during which no signal is detected. In an alternative arrangement, the centerline of the envelope is followed and used as the threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for calibrating the deposition windage of deposited thin film resistive elements, such as magnetoresistive read elements for magnetic heads which are to be lapped, comprising one set of at least three resistive elements having different nominal height dimensions, a resistance detector for measuring the resistance of each of the resistive elements, and a windage calculator responsive to the nominal height dimensions and to the measured resistances of each of the resistive elements for calculating the windage of the one set of resistive elements.

Abstract: In an automated virtual storage and retrieval library, a method for creating a new inventory of physical media volumes (cartridges) and of related logical volumes stored on the physical media, which method exports the existing logical volume records from a stored table to a file via a data base program, deletes the existing physical and logical volume records from the table, then imports the logical volume records from the file via the data base program into a new table, operates the library accessor to scan all the library cells to read the labels of all the physical media volumes (cartridges) in the cells, inserting physical volume records therefor into the stored table, and indicates to a host that the library is online. The copies of only the inserted physical volume records are uploaded to the host, providing a dramatic savings in processing time before the library is available for normal accessing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a target for a ferromagnetic sputtering apparatus formed of a single piece of ferromagnetic target material. The target has a circular central area, an annular outer area, and a plurality of interconnected slots of specified width in the single piece extending in circumferential directions about the central area, forming a plurality of specified width radial gaps between the circular central area and the annular outer area. The slots of the sputtering target may be arranged to provide tabs crossing the slots to provide structural support to the specified width slots.