Patents Assigned to Imation Corp.
  • Patent number: 7481659
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card including a first connector that conforms to a first connection standard and a second connector that conforms to a second connection standard. The connectors are provided on a movable member disposed within a housing of the memory card. The movable member may be moved between a first position, in which the first connector is exposed, and a second position, in which the second connector is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Johnson, Daniel C. Egan
  • Patent number: 7466510
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a data storage medium that includes a plurality of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium and a plurality of data tracks positioned between each of the plurality of distributed servo bands. The data storage medium comprises a servo band pitch of less than 200 micrometers. The large number of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium with a relatively small servo band pitch reduces the influence of media dimensional instability. In this way, the invention may substantially increase data read head positioning accuracy, especially in the case of narrow track widths. A read head array arranged in a two-dimensional matrix that includes a first servo read head, a second servo read head, and a plurality of data read heads positioned between the first and second servo read heads may be applied to a data storage medium as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, James S. Anderson, David A. Gobran, Denis J. Langlois
  • Patent number: 7463451
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge is provided that is configured to be received by a socket including an actuator pin. The data storage cartridge includes a housing and a non-tape storage medium. The housing defines an access window and includes a planar member surrounded by a plurality of side walls. An elongated pin reception slot is defined through the planar member and is configured to receive the actuator pin of the socket. The non-tape storage medium is maintained within the housing and is configured to be accessed from a point external to the data storage cartridge via the access window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Leo W. Spychalla
  • Patent number: 7455889
    Abstract: Holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction are described in which a holographic recording material is sandwiched between two substrates. The holographic media formulation is often formed of two or more components mixed to obtain a homogeneous formulation. The holographic media formulation may include two or more components which are mixed together prior to injection between the substrates. Curing of the holographic media formulation is substantially avoided during mixing, yet accelerated after the formulation is injected between the substrates. Accordingly, the system and techniques can be used to improve the large scale manufacturability of such media by allowing for fabrication of such media within reasonable cycle times, such as less than one minute, while adhering to stringent requirements for optical clarity and parallelism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jathan D. Edwards, Ramon F. Hegel, Thomas J. Adam
  • Patent number: 7455525
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed. The data storage device includes a continuous band, and a memory device assembly disposes within the continuous band. The continuous band defines an internal housing recess formed by opposing sides extending between first and second major surfaces, and an access window formed in one of the first and second major surfaces and communicating with the internal housing recess. In this regard, the memory device assembly is disposed in the internal housing recess, and a flexing of the continuous band exposes a data/power port of the memory device assembly through the access window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: G. Phillip Rambosek, Robert C. Martin, Anthony O. Banal, Dean E. Sitz, James L. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7453361
    Abstract: Techniques are described for reselling and/or refurbishing data tape media. The techniques may involve determining life information associated with a data tape medium and reselling the data tape medium when a remaining life of the data tape medium is larger than a pre-defined threshold. In this manner, the quality of resold magnetic tape can be improved, and the media can possibly marketed or warranted to the buyer based on the remaining life. In addition, refurbishing techniques are described that include degaussing of servo written data tape media, followed by the creation of new servo patterns on the degaussed media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Brian D. Findlay, Denis J. Langlois
  • Patent number: 7436622
    Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for storing information on a linear data storage medium, such as magnetic tape. According to the invention, a write head array concurrently writes a plurality of data tracks and at least one servo track onto the magnetic tape. In this way, the servo track is integrated between the data tracks. The servo track may, for instance, be located in the middle of a data band, and may span a distance corresponding to two data tracks. By concurrently writing the servo track with the data tracks, track misregistration (TMR) can be reduced or eliminated during the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Denis J. Langlois
  • Patent number: 7427466
    Abstract: Mastering techniques are described that can improve the quality of a master used in data storage disk manufacturing. In particular, the techniques described herein can improve resolution of the features created on the master by reducing mastering noise. The techniques include depositing a multi-layer structure adjacent a master substrate layer. The multi-layer structure includes an etch stop layer, an etch layer, and a photoresist layer. A thickness of each of the layers is selected to generate substantially no reflectivity for at least one interface of the multi-layer structure to substantially eliminate stray light effects. The photoresist layer defines a portable conformable mask (PCM) for the etch layer. The etch layer is etched through the contact mask to define a feature of the master in the etch layer. The etch stop layer thickness may be selected to be as thin as possible to reduce surface roughness of the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Terry L. Morkved, Frank E. Aspen
  • Patent number: 7423840
    Abstract: A magnetic recording tape exhibits reduced magnetic flux modulation and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Providing a magnetic recording layer with a more uniform thickness can improve the magnetic flux modulation characteristic. For example, the magnetic recording tape may have a coercivity of greater than or equal to 2000 Oe with a magnetic flux modulation characteristic having a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.06. In some cases, the magnetic flux modulation characteristic may have a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.05, or even 0.04. Reduced magnetic flux modulation can support increased storage densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, Subodh K. Kulkarni, W. Blake Kolb
  • Publication number: 20080166920
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card including a first connector that conforms to a first connection standard and a second connector that conforms to a second connection standard. The connectors are provided on a movable member disposed within a housing of the memory card. The movable member may be moved between a first position, in which the first connector is exposed, and a second position, in which the second connector is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Johnson, Daniel C. Egan
  • Patent number: 7383992
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device that functions as an adaptor for a micro-memory card. The device includes a port to receive the micro-memory card and an internal interface within the port allows for electrical connection between the device and the micro-memory card. The device also includes a card interface that conforms to a standard sized memory card. The device can be inserted into another device that accepts such standard sized memory card so that the other device can store data onto the micro-memory card connected to the port. In addition, the device also includes a host interface, such as an external shieldless USB tab protruding from an edge of the device, or a wireless USB interface to allow for wireless USB communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Trung V. Le
  • Patent number: 7383560
    Abstract: The invention is directed to data cartridges including a plurality of data storage disks. The invention applies the multi-disk data cartridges to a “jukebox” system in which one of the data cartridges is inserted into a computing device that de-cartridges and positions the data storage disks on one or more disk drives for reading or recording. A multi-disk data cartridge may comprise a cartridge housing with dimensions that conform to a magnetic tape cartridge housing standard form factor. The data cartridges may include blue disk media, such as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. In order to integrate blue disk media into the data cartridge described herein, the blue disk media may comprise dimensions that conform to a non-standard blue disk form factor. In other cases, a cartridge housing may conform to a non-standard form factor based on dimensions of a standard form factor blue disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Jathan D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7379254
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a servo frame that includes servo windows written with different frequencies to provide redundant positioning information. The servo frame includes a set of first servo windows recorded at a first frequency and a set of second servo windows recorded at a second frequency arranged in a checkerboard-like pattern. The different frequencies of the servo windows allow the servo frame to achieve improved positioning information redundancy. A servo track may include a plurality of the servo frames described herein to accurately position data read/write heads adjacent corresponding data tracks. The redundancy built into each of the servo frames substantially minimizes errors in the positioning information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Denis J. Langlois, Douglas W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7364809
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic coating. The non-magnetic substrate defines a front side and a backside. The magnetic coating is formed over the front side and is characterized by an Abrasivity Index of not greater than 350 microinches. In one preferred embodiment, the magnetic coating includes a lower layer formed on the front side of the substrate, and an upper layer formed over the lower layer. In this regard, the upper layer includes a magnetic metal particle dispersed in a binder and otherwise provides the Abrasivity Index. In another embodiment, the magnetic recording medium is a DLT tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Imation Corp., Quantegy, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Lowery, Ryosuke Isobe
  • Patent number: 7361032
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an improved portable memory device. In one embodiment, a portable memory device is provided comprising a housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening. A slidable unit may be at least partially mounted in the housing. The slidable unit may comprise of a memory device slidably mounted in the housing, wherein the memory device has a data connector mounted on one end and a push button on the other end. A resilient member may be coupled to the slidable unit. Moving the slidable unit from a first position to a second position will simultaneously extend the data connector from the housing while also loading the resilient member to urge the data connector back into the housing. The portable memory device may include a latch coupled to the housing for holding the slidable unit in the second position. In the present embodiment, a user may press a release button so that the latch will allow the connector to be automatically drawn back into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: John Loftus
  • Patent number: 7359160
    Abstract: In general, the invention provides a magnetic head device and linear tape drive that increase the resonant frequency and the range of a servo system. In particular, the invention provides a magnetic head device comprising a magnetic head chip with multiple magnetic head elements that is a structural part of the fine positioning system which allows the magnetic head elements follow the data tracks on the linear magnetic tape. Consequently, weight is reduced thereby increasing the resonant frequency and servo bandwidth. In another embodiment, the invention provides a magnetic head comprising bimodal actuators that are formed into an S shape and displaced by applying voltage where the polarization direction is opposite from one end to the other. In particular, the head chip may remain stable and may be driven dynamically thereby allowing the mechanical resonance of the bimodal actuator (including the head chip) to increase to 1 kHz or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Imation Corp., Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Koga, Takashi Abe, Yoshihiko Ito, James S. Anderson, Denis Langlois
  • Patent number: 7359145
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge including a non-tape storage medium, and a housing maintaining the non-tape storage medium. The housing defines a plurality of external handling features for interaction with at least one of a cartridge storage unit and a cartridge drive to facilitate positioning and selective maintenance of the data storage cartridges within the at least one of the cartridge storage unit and the cartridge drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Peter A. Ridl
  • Patent number: 7352685
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jathan D. Edwards, Donald J. Kerfeld
  • Patent number: D565568
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Christian R. Trifilio, Jason Lindke, Robert C. Martin, Leo W. Spychalla
  • Patent number: D575226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Gary F. Bart