Abstract: A data storage product includes a recordable layer having a recordable area and a characteristic width, and a product container having a container volume containing the recordable layer. The data storage product has a storage media volumetric factor defined as the characteristic width of the recordable layer multiplied by the recordable area of the recordable layer divided by the container volume of the product container, wherein the storage media volumetric factor of the data storage product is greater than approximately 450.

Abstract: Multilayer magnetic recording medium is suitable for high recording densities and the recording of digital data, has very good electromagnetic recording properties in the entire recording wavelength range and good mechanical properties and possesses a flat frequency response and which has at least one upper magnetic recording layer less than 0.5 &mgr;m thick and at least one lower layer which contains a magnetically soft pigment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a magnetic storage medium recorded with an amplitude-based servo pattern in which one or more first servo windows positioned above a centerline of a servo track have a different width than one or more second servo windows positioned below the centerline. The first servo windows may be larger or smaller than the second servo windows. In either case, by detecting the widths of the servo windows and detecting signal amplitude as a servo head passes relative to the servo track, servo tracking can be achieved without the use or need for additional synchronization marks in the servo pattern.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes a housing for containing the data storage disk inside the housing. The housing defines a plurality of openings for exposing a portion of the data storage disk. An external shutter is supported by the housing on the outside of the housing. The external shutter is moveable between a closed position and first and second open positions disposed on opposite sides of the closed position. According to another aspect, a cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes a casing and a moveable member disposed to slide on the casing. At least one of the casing and the moveable member includes protrusions or equivalent structure for holding the moveable member in a closed position and in one or more open positions. A method of making a ready-to-use data storage disk cartridge assembly provides other advantages.

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: A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system. The magnetic head assembly includes a magnetic head having a central section, a first outrigger, and a second outrigger. The central section maintains at least one read/write element. The first outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section and forms at least one air bleed slot. The second outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section opposite the first outrigger and also forms at least one air bleed slot. Finally, the central section is laterally moveable relative to the outriggers. With this configuration, the moveable, central section, otherwise used for lateral positioning of the read/write element relative to a magnetic tape, is separated from the outriggers that otherwise minimize a fly height between the magnetic tape and the outriggers.

Abstract: A dual-layer magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate having a front side and a back side, a lower support layer formed over the front side and a magnetic upper recording layer formed over the lower layer, wherein the magnetic layer contains a volume concentration of at least about 35% of a magnetic metallic particulate pigment having a coercivity of at least about 2000 Oersteds (Oe), and a binder system for the pigment. The magnetic recording medium exhibits an orientation ratio greater than 2.0, a pulsewidth (PW50) value of less than about 500 nm, and a remanence-thickness product, Mr*t, of less than about 5.0 memu/cm2.

Abstract: A pressure-controlling dispersion delivery system for delivering a sheared dispersion comprising a plurality of ingredients to a coating device selected from a direct feed delivery system and a coating device flow-through delivery system, wherein a coating formed from a dispersion delivered through the pressure-controlling delivery system has a more consistent caliper than a coating formed from a similar sheared dispersion delivered to a coating device by means of a gear pump delivery system.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards techniques for creating optical data storage disks. In one embodiment, the invention provides a simultaneous two-sided rolling bead process. For example, a method may include positioning a first bead of photopolymer for distribution between a bottom stamper and a substrate, and positioning a second bead of photopolymer for distribution between a top stamper and the substrate. The method may also include passing a roller over the top stamper to distribute the beads of photopolymer, curing the photopolymer, and removing the substrate from the stampers. The simultaneous two-sided rolling bead process can be repeated on the same medium to create a two-sided dual-layer data storage medium or a two-sided multi-layer data storage medium.

Abstract: A multi-beam optical recording system having an array of light sources, such as Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL), oriented to the direction of motion of an optically sensitive recording medium such that each light source forms a separate written track. In another embodiment, a multi-beam optical recording system having a first array and a second array of light sources, such as VCSELs, oriented so that an objective lens focuses the output from each of the arrays in the direction of an optically sensitive recording medium. In a further embodiment, the first array of light sources may be an optical recording array, and the second array of light source may be an optical playback array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for erasing magnetic tape are described. The tape to be erased is fed through an erasure unit that includes an array of magnetic elements. The array of magnetic elements includes a first set of magnetic elements and a second set of magnetic elements. The magnetic fields for the respective first and second sets of magnetic elements have opposite polarity, as seen by the tape as it feeds through the erasure unit. The fields seen by the tape as it feeds through the erasure unit decrease in intensity.

Abstract: A multiple layer magnetic recording medium exhibiting a marked increase in skirt signal-to-noise ratios, and a method of manufacturing such magnetic recording medium including the steps of forming a lower support layer and a magnetic layer on the substrate; transporting the magnetic recording medium on a non-magnetic carrier in a transport direction; exposing the magnetic recording medium to a first magnetic field of up to about 2500 gauss when the average percent solids of the multiple layers is less than 40% collectively, and exposing the magnetic recording medium to at least one additional magnetic field of from about 3500 to about 7000 gauss as the magnetic recording medium continues to transport when the average percent solids of said multiple layers is from about 43% to about 60% collectively, wherein the magnetic pigment particles in said magnetic layer are oriented in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Improved color image display accuracy can be achieved across a computer network by obtaining information characterizing the color response of display devices associated with a client residing on the computer network, and using the information to modify color images delivered to the client. To determine gamma and gray balance, a set of gray elements is displayed against a dithered gray background representing a gray level of approximately 25 to 40% and, more preferably, approximately 33%. In some embodiments, the gray elements and the dithered gray background may be limited to the green color channel of the display device. Dithered backgrounds in the range approaching approximately 33% more closely match the actual midpoint of black to gray transition for most display devices. The gamma and gray balance information can be obtained, for example, by guiding the client through a color profiling process that profiles the color response of the display device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to servo techniques that make use of sequences of servo marks, rather than individual marks for generation of position error signals. In particular, random or pseudo-random sequences of servo marks may be recorded on the medium in an overlapping fashion. For example, a first sequence of marks and a second sequence of marks may overlap in the servo track. The second sequence may be substantially non-correlated with the first sequence, and may be recorded in an offset location along the track relative to the first sequence. Different correlators can be used to detect the different sequences, and position error signals can be generated based on timings associated with the detection of the first sequence relative to the second sequence.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes a housing for containing the data storage disk. The housing defines an opening for exposing at least a portion of the data storage disk. A shutter is supported by the housing, the shutter being movable between open and closed positions for uncovering the opening in the housing and covering the opening in the housing. A shutter keeper is formed as one-piece with the housing, for covering at least a portion of the shutter to retain the shutter with respect to the housing. A method of making a cartridge assembly for a data storage disk includes molding a cartridge shell, the molded cartridge shell being one-piece with an outwardly projecting keeper, placing a shutter in association with the cartridge shell, the shutter being slidable between open and closed positions for exposing and covering at least a portion of the data storage disk, and moving the keeper over at least a portion of the shutter to retain the shutter in association with the cartridge shell.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate, a back coat, a lower layer, and a magnetic upper layer. The substrate defines a front side and back side, with the back coat being formed on the back side. The lower layer is disposed over the front side of the substrate and includes a primary powder material and conductive carbon black material dispersed in a binder. The primary lower layer powder material comprises particles having a coercivity of less than 300 Oe coated with an electroconductive material. The magnetic upper layer is disposed over the lower layer and includes a magnetic powder dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A drive chuck of a tape drive system for operatively engaging a tape reel of a data storage tape cartridge. The tape reel includes a circular ring of outwardly projecting reel teeth that defines inner and outer circumferential faces. The drive chuck includes a circular ring of drive chuck teeth and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is radially spaced from the drive chuck teeth and includes a radial contact surface. The radial contact surface is configured and positioned to contact one of the inner and outer circumferential faces upon operative engagement between the drive chuck and the tape reel. In one preferred embodiment, the alignment feature is a ring positioned to contact the outer circumferential face of the ring of reel teeth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward inline lapping of magnetic tape. The lapping process is performed inline with one or more other magnetic tape manufacturing processes. In this manner, the number of times the magnetic tape is un-spooled and then re-spooled can be reduced. Consequently, the amount of handling of the individual tape pancakes can also be reduced, thus avoiding damage to the edge of the tape, or other damage associated with tape pancake handling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: A single layer or dual layer magnetic recording medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate having a front side and a back side, a back coat formed on the back side. In a single layer medium, the magnetic layer comprises a ferromagnetic powder dispersed in a binder, and a surface modifier comprising a low molecular weight azo dye. In the dual layer embodiment, a lower support layer is formed over the front side comprising a granular alpha iron oxide compound dispersed in a binder, and as a surface treatment agent, at least one low molecular azo dye having the following general formula: —Ar—N═N—Ar— wherein Ar represents an aryl group, each of which independently comprises at least one pendant group selected from an electron donor, and an electron acceptor, and a magnetic layer is formed over the lower layer.