Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

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.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a device connector and a host connector that conform to a device connection standard and a host connector standard respectively. The dimensions of the memory card may substantially conform to dimensions of a memory card standard. However, there may be irregularities in the shape of the memory card that are not consistent with the form factor of the memory card standard. The memory card may further include a cover to fit over the host connector. In that case, the housing and the cover collectively define a form factor of the memory card that substantially conforms to a form factor of the memory card standard.

Abstract: A jewel case 10 for housing at least one piece of recording media is constructed from a blend of resins. The blend includes at least two resins, the first being a stiffer resin and the second, a flexible resin, wherein a clear and flexible jewel case is produced.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a highly permeable magnetic layer proximal to a recording layer. During recording, the permeable magnetic layer modifies the recording field from a recording head to produce consistently shaped recording transitions with a significant perpendicular component. The transitions are consistently shaped even though the distance between the recording head and the surface of the medium may change. Transitions so formed result in a reduction of noise from the medium surface roughness. The permeable magnetic layer further reduces noise caused by stray dipole fields.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a host connector conforming to a host connection standard protruding from a flexible housing. The flexible housing conforms to a form factor of a memory card standard, substantially similar to a credit card with an increased thickness to accommodate the host connector and allow a memory to fit within the housing. The host connector facilitates direct coupling of the memory card to a computing device without an adapter or reader. The memory card may include a smart card contact conforming to an ISO 7816 smart card standard that allows the memory card to be backward compatible with conventional smart card readers. Unlike conventional memory cards, the flexible memory card is compatible with smart card applications, and unlike conventional smart cards, the flexible memory card includes a powerful, internal memory.

Abstract: A subambient pressure feature for assisting in guidance of storage tape within a tape transport system such as a data storage tape cartridge and/or a tape drive. The storage tape is extended between two tape reels along a tape path defined, in part, by a tape guide. The tape guide includes a curved tape-receiving surface defined by an entrance side and an exit side. The subambient pressure feature is located along the tape path and is adapted to induce frictional engagement between the tape and at least a portion of the tape-receiving surface at speeds of not less than 1 meter/second to suppress lateral tape motion.

Abstract: Servopositioning systems, methods, formats, and data recording media used in association with the same, employing both time-based and amplitude-based transverse tracking servo bands in the same or different locations on the medium.

Abstract: Magnetic patterned media comprise topographical features readable with a slider-mounted non-magnetic transducer sensitive primarily to a local aerodynamic boundary condition, in addition to a magnetic recording layer substantially conforming to the topographical features. Passage of a transducer over the features generates effects that can be detected in, and separated from, the magnetic recording signal.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a data storage tape including servo information on both sides of the tape. Techniques for writing servo information to both sides of the data storage tape are also described. For example, a mechanical arrangement of two servo write heads positioned with respect to the data storage tape can enable two-sided servo recording. In addition, a single servo write head may be used to write servo information to both sides of the data storage tape with the aid of a flux conductor. In that case, the magnetic field of the servo write head passes through the data storage tape to record servo information on both sides of the tape.

Abstract: Holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction are described in which a holographic recording material is sandwiched between two substrates. A variety of different formulations of the holographic recording material are also described. By improving the formulation of the photosensitive material, holographic media can be improved.

Abstract: A leader block assembly insertable into a data storage tape cartridge. The leader block assembly includes a leader block and a tape clamp. The leader block defines opposing sides, at least one opposing side forms an engagement surface defining a region of constant slope adapted to selectively engage a cartridge detent. The tape clamp is secured to the leader block.

Abstract: An optical disc label including a label substrate, a writeable material, and an adhesive. The label substrate is ring-shaped, defines a front side and a back side, and includes a base layer and a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is applied to the base layer and is capable of emitting absorbed energy as light. The writeable material is applied to the front side of the label substrate, and is configured to provide an indicia-receiving surface. The adhesive is applied to the back side of the label substrate. By forming the label as a ring, it can be applied to an optical disc in a manner that maintains necessary radial and/or circumferential balancing. Further, the phosphorescent material imparts a unique glow-in-the-dark property. In one preferred embodiment, the writeable material is configured to receive and maintain an inkjet printer-generated indicia.

Abstract: In one embodiment, holographic data storage medium includes a first thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters and a second thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters. A holographic recording material may be sandwiched between the first and second thermoplastic substrate portions. By making thermoplastic substrate portions sufficiently thin, edge wedge problems can be avoided.

Abstract: A servo track configuration includes at least one servo track having a width. A servo pattern is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. Repeatedly recording the servo pattern includes repeating the simultaneous recording of first and second reference pattern lines and a track pattern line in the at least one servo track. Each of the first and second reference pattern lines has an identical predetermined geometry and extends across the width of the at least one servo track. Further, the track pattern line has a predetermined geometry that is different than the predetermined geometry of the first and second reference pattern lines and extends across the width of the at least one servo track.

Abstract: A holographic data storage medium having an anti-reflective coating is described. The anti-reflective coating can be made to reduce reflectivity for S-polarized light over a wide range of incident angles. Moreover, the anti-reflective coating can be made to have a sufficiently high transmittance for the S-polarized light. The coating may improve performance of the holographic data storage medium, and can facilitate higher storage densities than can be achieved without the coating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterned magnetic media for use in magnetic recording and data storage, and various encoding techniques that can be used to magnetically encode data on the patterned media. For example, a patterned magnetic recording medium can include a first set of surface variations and a second set of surface variations. The medium can be conditioned to magnetically expose the surface variations relative to areas between the respective surface variations. Detection of the surface variations in the first set can allow for synchronization of a magnetic drive to the medium. Following such synchronization, the magnetic drive can selectively apply magnetic fields to a second set of surface variations of the patterned magnetic medium to encode data on the patterned magnetic medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to magnetic media that make use of plastic substrates. Various buffer layer compositions are described, which can be formed over the plastic substrate. One or more ferromagnetic recording layers are then formed over the buffer layers. The described buffer layers can function as encapsulating layers in order to encapsulate the plastic substrate and provide a barrier between subsequently deposited magnetic layers and the gases within the substrate. Also, the buffer layers can reduce stress in the media either by functioning as a stress reduction layer that promotes growth of the magnetic recording layer in low stress orientations, or by functioning as a stress compensation layer that balances the stress of the subsequently deposited magnetic layers.

Abstract: Perpendicular magnetic media are described for use in magnetic recording and data storage. Seed layer compositions are described which can facilitate perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in subsequently deposited magnetic layers. In particular, nickel-iron-chromium (NiFeCr) alloys or nickle-chromium (NiCr) alloys can be used as seed layers which cause a subsequently multi-layered magnetic stack to assume perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. In this manner, high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can be achieved and storage densities of media may be increased.