Abstract: The invention presents techniques for marking data storage media and responding to disturbances in the marking process. In one embodiment, the invention presents a system that uses a laser to emit a beam to ablate physical marks in a data storage medium. The system includes a sensor such as an optical sensor, configured to detect the position of the data storage medium and to generate a position signal as a function of the position of the data storage medium. An optical device, controlled by an actuator, directs the beam from the laser to an ablation site on the data storage medium as a function of the position signal.

Abstract: A time-based optical servo system includes at least one optical indicator mark located on at least one servo track of a data storage medium. Alternatively, a pattern of optical indicators is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. A servo read head assembly coupled to a transducing head assembly includes two elongate and non-parallel detection devices having a known relative geometry. The detection devices are adapted to detect the optical indicator marks and determine the time period required for each optical indicator mark to pass between the detection devices. This time period is used to calculate the location of the transducing head assembly relative to the storage medium in a translating direction and produce a position error signal (PES) based thereon.

Abstract: A leader for use with a tape reel including a first end, a second end spaced from the first end, and an elongated section extending between the first end and the second end. The second end has a connection feature configured to be selectively coupled with a second leader. The elongated section defines a smoothing indenture that does not extend through the thickness of the leader. The smoothing indenture is positioned to receive the connection feature as the leader tape is wound about a tape reel and is configured to limit embossment of a storage tape otherwise associated with the leader in the wound state.

Abstract: One or more pieces of recording media are contained within a single package having a conventional jewel case form factor.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that is capable of receiving a number of different types of flash memory cards using a single slot. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a slot to receive different types of removable memory cards. The slot includes a central region of a first height and outer regions of a second height. A plurality of electrically conductive contact areas are disposed within the slot. The apparatus may receive, for example, any one of a Smart Media flash memory card, a Memory Stick flash memory card, a Secure Digital flash memory card, and MultiMedia flash memory card.

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. The information includes a blackpoint estimate for the display devices. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of dark elements in the form of non-rectangular shapes such as numerals, letters, and the like to aid in determination of the blackpoint estimate. In particular, rows or columns of complex shapes with varying gray values can be displayed against a black background. The use of complex shapes to determine the blackpoint can help resolve minor differences in R, G, and B that can cause poor gray balance. Instead of patches or bars, which may be generally rectangular, more complex shapes can be used to aid the human eye in resolving such differences.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge (10) includes two tape guides (23, 24). The tapes guides (23, 24) have a foil (43, 143, 243) which is constructed from material which causes a wear pattern (200) to be formed in the foil (43), thereby removing localized forces and spreading out the forces and thereby decreasing the tape pressure.

Abstract: A multiple cavity injection molding system having at least two single cavity injection molds for forming optical discs. The single cavity injection molds are physically and thermally separated from each other. Each single cavity injection mold has first and second mating portions which are movable between a closed position in which a mold cavity is formed and an open position in which the object is removed from the mold cavity. A resin delivery system is operatively coupled to the first mating portion of each of the single cavity injection molds for delivering resin into each of the two single cavity injection molds, and an ejector system is operatively coupled to the second mating portion of the single cavity injection mold for ejecting the molded disc from the mold cavity.

Abstract: An intensifier pump system includes a supply pump for delivering fluid products at an intermediate pressure. The products are delivered to one or more intensifier pumps that take advantage of hydraulic intensification to expel the product at high pressures to assure continuous product deployment in various systems. After an extension cycle in one of the intensifier pumps, product is delivered from the supply pump at a pressure sufficient to retract the intensifier pump and fill the chamber with fluid.

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: A system for increasing areal recording density in linear magnetic recording systems employs a continuous servo track and an azimuth recording technique. The system comprises multiple motors that displace parallel read/write heads at supplementary angles to the servo track when the head is positioned over adjacent data tracks. The resultant tracks may be very closely spaced together without loss of accurate tracking.

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: 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 magnetic tape recording system employing a single bump read-while-write head, methods of minimizing crossfeed signals between the read and write channels of magnetic tape recording systems, and electronic circuitry to implement such methods.

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. The information may include a gamma estimate. In one embodiment, the gamma estimate is limited to only the green color channel, without reference to the gammas for the red and blue channels. In this manner, the gamma estimate concentrates on the most dominant color channel and avoids errors that can arise due to the red-blue imbalances that are highly prevalent in many display devices. The information can be obtained, for example, by guiding the client through a color profiling process that profiles the color response of the display device. For example, such guidance may take the form of a series of instructional web pages that are delivered to the client.

Abstract: The invention presents the concept of self-referenced holographic data recording. In exemplary embodiments, the invention comprises methods of recording holograms on holographic data storage media; media produced by such methods; and self-referencing holographic data storage systems. A method of recording data in a holographic recording medium may comprise illuminating a medium with a data encoded first optical beam, optically directing a zero frequency Fourier component of the first optical beam to create a second optical beam, and illuminating the medium with the second optical. In some embodiments, for example, a self-referencing holographic data storage system has a single optical path directed towards a medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a magneto-optic read head formed to suppress magnetic exchange coupling at regular intervals along a lateral direction of the read head. For example, in the region of the magneto-optic read head where light is reflected, i.e., the optical scanning region, the read head may be formed with a series of ferromagnetic exchange breaks that reduce lateral permeability of magnetic fields, and hence reduce lateral flux through the read head. In this manner, the effective resolution of the read head can be increased, thereby facilitating readout of data stored on narrower data tracks.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward techniques for creating molded substrates for use in various different data storage media. The molded substrates have improved thickness profiles that can improve media quality, and in some cases facilitate higher data storage densities. In many cases, the improved thickness profile is a thickness profile that has improved flatness. Mechanical flatness or optical flatness can be achieved. In particular, optical flatness is desirable for substrates used in holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction.

Abstract: A photopolymer data recording media includes (1) a substrate layer, (2) a capping layer, and (3) a photopolymerizable layer between the substrate layer and the capping layer comprising (a) an actinic monomer, (b) a polyurethane binder comprising the reaction product of (i) a polyisocyanate having at least two reactive isocyanate groups pendant from a primary carbon atom and a viscosity of less than about 1,000 mPa·s, and (ii) a polyol, and (c) a photosensitive initiator.

Abstract: The invention presents systems and methods for initializing the phase-change layer of an optical medium. The method includes alternately quenching the phase-change material into amorphous states and crystallization states in a single pass of an optical head past the optical medium.