Abstract: A disk drive has a rigid head cleaner with a textured surface. The texture lines are primarily orthogonal to the direction of movement of the read/write heads as they move across the head cleaner. The head cleaner may be coated with a diamond-like carbon protective coating or a lubricant. A soft head cleaning element may be placed next to the rigid head cleaner.

Abstract: A disk cartridge assembly that allows a storage medium to be inserted and removed from a reusable disk cartridge for use in a disk drive. The assembly has an insert that contains a storage medium and a reusable disk cartridge that can be opened and closed for insertion and removal of the insert.

Abstract: A data file mirroring application that monitors data files stored in a source directory for archiving to at least two other backup data storage locations. Preferably, one of these backup data storage locations is on the Internet. The other may be a local data storage location, meaning a location that the host computer can access without using the Internet, e.g., a floppy drive, hard drive, high-density storage medium drive, etc. The user interface of the mirroring application flexibly allows the user to specify the source data to be backed up and the two or more backup data storage locations.

Abstract: A disk drive motor (5) for driving and rotating a recording medium (disk), a head (57) for recording or playing back information to/from this disk, and a head drive mechanism for driving the head, are disposed inside a case body (15, 16) of the magnetic recording unit. A lid body (17) to close the cartridge insertion slot (18) is disposed the case body (15, 16) at a position facing the cartridge insertion slot (18). When the lid body (17) falls down the front side and the cartridge insertion slot (18) is opened, the top face of the lid body (17) becomes substantially on the same plane as the top face of the frame plate where the disk drive motor (5) and the head (17) drive mechanism are mounted.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically executing a participating application upon insertion of a removable media into a computing device. When the computing device detects that the removable media containing has been inserted, a task disk control file is read from the removable media. The task disk control file contains all of the configuration information necessary to run the participating application from the removable media The participating application is then launched for use by a user. After the user is finished using the participating application, the removable disk is automatically ejected. In addition to monitoring for insertion of the removable media, events such as a completion of the self-contained application and a request to eject the media are monitored. When a completion event is encountered, all data files are saved, temporary files deleted and configuration information removed prior to the removable disk ejection.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting inadvertent and unauthorized writing and reading of information to and from a storage medium comprises the steps of (a) writing a first code in a predetermined location on the storage medium, the first code being indicative of a first protection mode of the storage medium; (b) receiving a command to change the protection mode of the storage medium from the first protection mode to a second protection mode; and, in response to the command, (c) writing in the predetermined location on the storage medium, in place of the first code, a second code indicative of the second protection mode. A protection mode can inhibit writing to the storage medium, both writing and reading to and from the medium, or neither. Changing of protection modes can also be password protected.

Abstract: A removable disk cartridge drive has an eject member that moves from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of the cartridge from the drive. A coupling member extends between an eject button on the drive and a switch which energizes an electro-mechanical device to eject the cartridge when the switch is triggered. The coupling member is a clear plastic which transmits light to the eject button to indicate the presence of a cartridge in the drive.

Abstract: A disk is manufactured having a reduced capacity based on a quantity of addressable and non-addressable portions. The method of formatting the disk comprises identifying a first quantity of the storage portions; and labeling the first quantity of storage portions as non-addressable storage portions such that the non-addressable storage portions cannot be accessed by a user or a disk drive. The first quantity of storage portions may include addressable portions designated as non-addressable portions.

Abstract: An information storage device includes a cradle which can removably receive a cartridge that contains a rotatable hard disk. A read/write head is supported for movement adjacent the disk by a pivotal actuator arm. The cradle controls alignment of the head with the disk using feedback servo tracking. Servo parameters needed by the cradle to perform this tracking may be stored in a special wide track which is on the disk, and which may be a read-only track. Alternatively, the track may store updated firmware that can be loaded into the cradle. One approach to reading this special wide track is to effect servo tracking using default servo parameters. A different approach is to bias the actuator arm against a mechanical stop.

Abstract: Data on a master is read into a master image file, and the master image file is manipulated to include a benchmark comprising tracking and verification information tied to at least a portion of the master image file. Thus, a copied-to storage media as copied from the master image file also includes such benchmark, a data alteration of the master image file causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such master image file, and a data alteration of the copied-to storage media also causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such storage media as copied from such master image file. The benchmark may include a part identifier and a security identifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed allowing for velocity sensing using back EMF in a media drive. A back EMF sensing circuit is provided that generates a velocity signal proportional to the back EMF in the head arm actuator coil, which signal may be utilized to improve head positioning control capabilities.

Abstract: An improved actuation system for a data storage device. In one exemplary embodiment, a head retraction mechanism is movable in a head retraction direction between a head recording position and a head parked position, and an actuator remains engaged with the mechanism for movement during this movement to lessen the risk of damage. A torsional biasing member provides a biasing force on the head retraction arm. A displaceable transmission mechanism is driven by the actuator and moved in a slot in a base from a first position in which the head retraction mechanism is contacted and a second position in which an ejection mechanism is contacted. A load member is integral with the base contacts a friction member on the displaceable transmission mechanism to provide friction for this displaceable movement. The actuator is mounted between a stop member and a biasing member on the base.

Abstract: A disk drive has a cartridge eject mechanism for ejecting the cartridge from the drive. An impedance lever is added to the eject mechanism to prevent cartridge ejection when the read/write heads of the drive are reading or writing data. The impedance lever has an impedance projection, a rotation spring and an actuator follower projection which interacts with the sliding lever of the eject mechanism to prevent untimely ejection of the disk cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for closed loop control of head load velocity in rotating media mass storage applications. A novel pulsed current velocity controlled head load/unload circuit is provided that uses the back EMF analog signal to modulate pulse amplitude. A system is thus provided having amplitude modulation of a fixed period current pulse train via back EMF feedback, whereby there is no need to monitor back EMF via A/D conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing offset information on a storage medium are provided by writing at least one unalterable mark on the storage medium during a manufacturing formatting process. The unalterable mark(s) are variably offset from a fixed position. The amount of offset represents a first source of unique information. The unalterable mark(s) themselves comprise a second source of information. Both sources of information are combinable and may be utilized in connection with the generation of a unique serial number for the storage medium or for other digital rights management purposes.

Abstract: A system an method for distribution of electronic data over a network infrastructure that includes a client device for operation by a user desiring to receive the electronic data and server that contains the electronic data and offering the electronic data for downloading to the client device via the network infrastructure. The client device communicates a compound data key that includes a unique serial number associated with a particular piece of media to which the electronic data is to be stored to the server, vendor information and user information. The server encrypts the electronic data using the compound key, and downloads the encrypted electronic data to the client computer, where the client computer writes the encrypted electronic data to the particular piece of media such that the encrypted electronic data may only be accessed from the particular piece of media.

Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711). The cartridge contains a rotatably supported disk (91, 326-327), and a pivotal actuator arm (101) which supports a read/write head (107, 331-334) for movement adjacent the disk. A coil (117) on the arm interacts with an external magnetic field to effect pivotal movement of the arm. The cartridge may contain a spin motor (92) for effecting rotation of a disk. A preamplifier (111) and an electrostatic discharge buffer (112) are provided for the head. A read-only memory (186) contains characteristic information about the cartridge, and an hour meter (191) contains information about the cumulative amount of time that the cartridge has been used. A connector (71) is provided to electrically couple external circuitry to electrical components within the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow for the compatibility of data-storage disks with disk drives is provided. In an illustrative implementation, an exemplary disk drive for use on data storage disks reads the control logic sector of cooperating data-storage disks for a compatibility indicator. If the disk is compatible the drive performs read/write operations. If the disk is incompatible, the indicator is overwritten to ensure compatibility. From there read/write operations are allowed. The processing may be realized by machine instructions present in a control circuit of the disk drive.

Abstract: A threader prevents misthreading of a flexible magnetic media when it is inserted into a disk drive. The threader is situated in the disk drive such that it has a height greater than a height of a lower half of a load ramp, upon which the disk driver's rotary actuator parks when it is not reading or writing to the disk. Preferably, the threader is a pliable piece of material that is ramp shaped.

Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711) that contains a rotatable hard disk (91, 326-327). The cartridge contains a pivotal actuator arm (101), which supports a read/write head (107, 331-334) for movement adjacent the disk. Circuitry is provided within the sealed housing (59), including a preamplifier (111) for the head. A connector (71) is provided on the exterior of the housing, and is coupled to electrical components within the cartridge, including the head and preamplifier. Structure is provided to prevent static electricity from damaging electrical components when the cartridge is not installed in a cradle. One approach is to provide an electrostatic discharge buffer (112) between the connector and electrical components within the cartridge.