Abstract: A method of writing data to multiple disks on a servo track writing machine comprises the steps of providing a cylindrical disk stacking tool comprising a base and a spindle, loading a first disk onto the spindle in alignment with the base, loading a second disk onto said spindle in alignment with the first disk, placing the loaded disk stacking tool on the servo track writing machine, and simultaneously writing data to the disks with the servo track writing machine. As many disks as desired may be so written to. The disk stacking tool further includes a clamp for locking the disks in place.

Abstract: A system having a storage device including read/write heads for repositioning the read/write heads from a parking location to a position adjacent a surface of a magnetic disk, the storage device includes a spindle motor coupled to the magnetic disk, for accelerating the magnetic disk to at least a first number of revolutions per time period while the read/write heads are positioned at the parking location, and a solenoid control coupled to the read/write heads and to the spindle motor, for biasing the read/write heads towards the position adjacent the surface of the magnetic disk after the magnetic disk reaches the first number of revolutions per time period, wherein the spindle motor maintains a rotation of the magnetic disk at less than a second number of revolutions per time period before the read/write heads are positioned adjacent the surface of the magnetic disk, and wherein the spindle motor rotates the magnetic disk at a third number of revolutions per time period after the read/write heads are positi

Abstract: A method for repositioning a read/write head from a parking location to a position adjacent a surface of a magnetic disk, the read/write head disposed on an actuator arm having a voice coil motor, includes the receiving the read/write head load signal, applying a first current pulse to the voice coil motor in response to the read/write head load signal, the first current pulse having a first amplitude and a first duration, determining a back electro-motive force in the voice coil motor, determining a read/write head velocity in response to the back electromotive force, determining the difference between the read/write head velocity and a desired read/write head velocity, using the difference between the read/write head velocity and the desired read/write head velocity to determine a second duration for a second current pulse, and applying the second current pulse to the voice coil motor.

Abstract: A method for positioning a magneto-resistive head onto an head load/unload ramp of a storage unit, the magneto-resistive head disposed upon an actuator arm, the actuator arm also having a voice coil, includes the steps of detecting a reset signal, generating a back electro-motive force voltage with a spindle motor in response to the reset signal, generating a drive voltage in response to the back electro-motive force voltage, using a switching circuit to provide the drive voltage to the voice coil in a first polarity for a first period of time, and thereafter, using the switching circuit to provide the drive voltage to the voice coil in a second polarity.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods prevent rigid recording media for video and other data from rattling within a cartridge when that cartridge is removed from a disk drive. To decrease rattling (and the resulting damage to the disk), a hub of the disk is urged against an inner surface of the cartridge housing. A door translates laterally to provide access to the disk within the cartridge. A feature is defined by an inner surface of the cartridge housing, and one or more resilient arms extend from the door assembly so as to engage the feature when the door moves towards a closed position. The feature deflects the arm axially against the disk, so that the arm can act as both an actuation mechanism and a biasing spring.

Abstract: A technique for formatting a magnetic disk for a removable magnetic cartridge includes the steps of providing the magnetic disk having a top surface and a bottom surface, writing a first servo track onto the top surface, the first servo track having a portion including a first gray code, a first position burst, and a second position burst, writing a second servo track onto the top surface adjacent to the first servo track, the second servo track having a portion including a second gray code, the second position burst, and a third position burst, and writing a third servo track onto the top surface adjacent to the second servo track, the third servo track having a portion including the second gray code, the third position burst and a fourth position burst, wherein a first data track comprises the first servo track, the second servo track and the third servo track.

Abstract: A technique for reading data from a magnetic disk includes the steps of providing the magnetic disk including a cylinder having a plurality servo sectors, a plurality of data sectors, and a zone data table, the plurality of servo sectors including a first servo sector, a second servo sector, a third servo sector, a fourth servo sector, and a fifth servo sector, the zone data table including at least a nominal timing latency between the fourth servo sector and a data sector from the plurality of servo sectors, reading the first servo sector, the second servo sector, the third servo sector, and the fourth servo sector from the magnetic disk, determining a first timing deviation for the first servo sector between the first servo sector and the second servo sector, determining a second timing deviation for the second servo sector between the second servo sector and the third servo sector, predicting a predicted third timing deviation for the fourth servo sector between the fourth servo sector and the fifth servo

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the reliability of removable storage media by dynamically reducing particulate contaminants from magnetic disks. The apparatus and methods include using wipers which slidingly engage both sides of the magnetic disk as the disk rotates, in order to reduce particulates. In some embodiments, the wiper can be coupled to a swing-type actuator or to any resilient member which can be moved over the surface of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for storing and archiving digital video and other data. A voice coil motor effects release of a removable hard disk cartridge from a disk drive. The voice coil motor is adapted for positioning a data transfer head along a recording surface of a rigid magnetic recording disk, and also moves the data heads from the recording surface to a "park" position away from the recording surface. This allows the disk to spin down within the cartridge while the cartridge is safely restrained inside the disk drive. Once it is safe to remove the cartridge from the drive, the voice coil motor can move beyond the park position to actuate a release linkage. The cartridge is typically expelled from the receiver of the disk drive by biasing springs. Hence, the present invention avoids the necessity to resort to a dedicated electromechanical actuator to expel the digital video cartridge from the disk drive.

Abstract: A technique for authenticating a headerless-ID magnetic disk includes the steps of inserting the headerless-ID magnetic disk having a plurality of defective locations and an encrypted defect map into a removable drive unit, retrieving the encrypted defect map from the magnetic disk, storing the encrypted defect map into a memory in the removable drive unit, decrypting the encrypted defect map to form a defect map identifying the plurality of defective locations, and using the defect map in the memory to provide access to locations on the headerless-ID magnetic disk other than the plurality of defective locations.

Abstract: A device for properly aligning a removable hard disk cartridge with the moving parts and data transfer head of an associated disk drive. In particular, the device is for use in recording and archiving of digital video and other data. The device includes an integrated pair of elongate spring structures formed from a portion of a housing cover. The elongate springs are configured to extend from the cover to slidingly engage the removable hard disk cartridge. The springs fully constrain the position of the cartridge within the drive to avoid misalignment between the removable hard disk cartridge and the data transfer head and various other moving parts of the disk drive system.

Abstract: A technique for method for positioning a magneto resistive head located upon an actuator arm onto a loading ramp of a storage unit. The technique includes the steps of operating a removable magnetic disk at a first number of revolutions per second, the magnetic disk having an outer diameter, positioning the magneto resistive head adjacent to the removable magnetic disk, reading data from the removable magnetic disk, detecting a reset signal, producing a back electro-motive force in response to the reset signal, biasing the magneto resistive head towards the outer diameter of the removable magnetic disk in response to the reset signal and to the back electro-motive force, reducing a number of revolutions per second for the removable magnetic disk from the first number to a second number of revolutions per second, the first number greater than the second number; thereafter using an energy storage unit to bias the magneto resistive head onto the loading ramp, in response to the reset signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a removable disk drive system. The apparatus provides a fastening frame (105) with an access portion (107) or opening. Disposed over the access portion is an access panel or door (100). The access panel (100) is coupled to the fastening frame (105) using coupling members (120). The coupling members (120) are mounting supports adapted to be flush with the access panel (100) such that when the access panel is integrated in to the fastening frame (105), the coupling members do not extend outward from the surface of the apparatus. A recess means (130) is defined on the access panel.

Abstract: A disk drive has a support structure for maintaining alignment between a removable hard disk cartridge and the disk drive. Particularly, the disk drive and support structure are for use with recording and archiving digital video and other data. The support structure makes use of a series of engagable surfaces on both the cartridge and drive. These fixed surfaces can fully determine the position of the cartridge within the drive so as to avoid interference of the cartridge housing with the rotating disk, movable head support structures, and the like. Preferably, alternative insertion surfaces may be provided on the cartridge and disk drive housings to slidingly engage each other during manual insertion of the cartridge so as to promote normal engagement and disengagement of the spindle drive and disk hub structures.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods prevent rigid recording media for video and other data from rattling within a cartridge when that cartridge is removed from a disk drive. To decrease rattling (and the resulting damage to the disk), a hub of the disk is urged against an inner surface of the cartridge housing. A door translates laterally to provide access to the disk within the cartridge. A feature is defined by an inner surface of the cartridge housing, and one or more resilient arms extend from the door assembly so as to engage the feature when the door moves towards a closed position. The feature deflects the arm axially against the disk, so that the arm can act as both an actuation mechanism and a biasing spring.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for limiting the travel of a data transfer head along the recording surface of a removable hard disk, particularly for recording and archiving of digital video and other data. A tab of a moveable linkage limits radial travel of a head support arm radially along the recording surface. The linkage will preferably be also used to ensure that the data transfer head is retracted to a parked position when no cartridge is inserted in the drive, and the linkage will often include a biasing spring to help eject the cartridge from the drive. The biasing spring may also be used to resiliently rebound the recording head safely back toward the recording surface.

Abstract: A disk drive for use with a digital video disk has an adjustable head load ramp mounted to a housing. The head load ramp comprises a ramp body having a proximal end, a distal end and a cam surface near the distal end. An adjustment mechanism at the proximal end adjustably couples the ramp body to the housing, such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism varies a height of the cam surface relative to the digital video disk by pivoting the ramp body at a pivot disposed between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods prevent rigid video recording media from rattling within a cartridge when that cartridge is removed from a disk drive. To decrease rattling (and the resulting damage to the disk), the disk is resiliently biased against an inner surface of the cartridge housing. A door translates laterally to provide access to the disk within the cartridge. A feature is defined by an inner surface of the cartridge housing, and a resilient arm extends inward from the door so as to engage the feature when the door moves towards a closed position. The feature deflects the arm axially against the disk, so that the arm acts as both an actuation mechanism and a biasing spring.