Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing track follow and seeking at quarter track positions that uses a non-conventional ordering of the servo fields at the quarter track positions, wherein C−A or D−B is used to track follow at−¼ track positions and A—D or B—C is used to track follow at +¼ track positions, for even and odd tracks, respectively. A position error signal is derived from relative amplitudes of the servo bursts and the read/write head is positioned over the quarter track position in accordance with the position error signal. The servo bursts are read in a time-displaced manner and the position error signal is determined from the relative amplitudes of the servo bursts.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal arrangement for preventing contaminants from entering an interior of the removable cartridge. The labyrinth seal includes a sealing disk disposed external to the cartridge housing proximate the hub opening that acts to pump air away from the hub opening to prevent a flow of air and airborne contaminants, including dust, dirt, smoke, and the like, from being introduced into the removable cartridge through the area around the hub opening during operation of the cartridge. The sealing disk can be part of the removable cartridge or the disk drive. The cartridge can include a clamping mechanism for selectively moving the sealing disk between a static contact position over the hub opening during a non-operating condition and a dynamic spaced apart relation with the cartridge housing during an operating condition.

Abstract: A head stack assembly is provided for interfacing with a flexible medium of a disk. The head stack assembly includes a first head and a second head located substantially adjacent to the first head wherein the flexible medium may be disposed between the first head and the second head. The first head and the second head are substantially parallel to each other and disposed at a static roll angle &thgr;a and a static roll angle &thgr;b, respectively, from the flexible medium to impart a curvature to the flexible medium of a disk. The curvature reduces out-of-plane vibrations of the flexible medium and thereby enhances the electrical communicative signal between the flexible medium and the first and the second heads.

Abstract: A disk drive has a servo controller that compensates for repeatable runout between the drive's data-transducing head and a data-storage disk disposed within the drive. The drive incorporates an improved runout-compensation technique by which a runout-error correction is applied to a plurality of locations on the disk without a need to store position-error data corresponding to each location. The drive also incorporates an improved runout-compensation technique by which the runout-error correction is optimally matched to the response characteristics of the drive's actuator mechanism. This optimal matching is accomplished by setting the anticipation interval for the correction in non-whole-sector increments, and calculating a to-be applied runout-error correction. Alternatively, the drive is equipped with a digital filter that calculates a runout-error correction based on a model of the actuator mechanism incorporated into the filter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein digital data representing content and associated license rights may copied to a storage medium, such as a removable storage medium, whereby the serial number of the copied-to storage medium is integrated into the licensing scheme utilized to secure the digital content. As a result, the digital content is pre-authenticated and bound to the copied-to storage medium, obviating the need to access a network or other location for access to the protected content.

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: 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: An information storage device (10) includes a cartridge (14) which can be removably inserted into a cradle (13) coupled by a cable (12) to a host computer. The cartridge includes an outer housing (54) containing a chamber (122), and having an electrical connector (63) on the exterior. An inner housing (128) contains a hard disk mechanism, and is resiliently supported within the chamber by four resilient elements (131-134). A flex circuit (146) extends from the inner housing to the connector, and permits relative movement of the inner and outer housings. The resilient elements are formed by cutting a cross-shaped part (402) from a foam sheet, cutting two square parts (406-407) from a different foam sheet, adhesively laminating the outer parts to opposite sides of the center part, and then cutting the resulting assembly along two planes to form the four resilient elements.

Abstract: A pair of opposing drive heads are positioned in a storage media drive to read and/or write a storage media interposed therebetween. Each drive head has a sensor face that includes first and second parallel longitudinally extending air-bearing surfaces. Each air-bearing surface has generally longitudinally opposing leading and trailing terminations. The storage media travels adjacent the sensor face in a traveling direction extending along the air-bearing surfaces from the leading to the trailing terminations. A drive sensor is positioned on the first air-bearing surface a distance D1 from the trailing termination thereof. The trailing termination of the second air-bearing surface extends farther a distance D2 in the traveling direction than the trailing termination of the first air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A belt clip for attaching a device to a user includes a back plate having first and second wing portions which include flanges for engaging with the exterior surface of an electronic device. The first and second wing portions are coupled together by an integrated biasing portion that allows the first and second wing portions to be forced together when the flanges are gripping the electronic device and apart when it is desired to remove the electronic device from the belt clip. The wing portions each include integrally formed cam members that engage with a cam hole formed in a clip member. As the clip member is rotated relative to the back plate, the cam members and thus the wing portions are brought together to grasp the electronic device. The clip member is then retained relative to the back plate with a locking feature.

Abstract: An optical storage device that is characterized by an actuator assembly movably coupled within said optical information storage apparatus. A narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser is coupled to a distal end of the arm so that the arm moves the narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser into a near field relationship with an optical medium. A motor spins the optical medium at an operational speed.

Abstract: A data-storage cartridge comprises an outer shell having an inner surface. The data-storage cartridge also comprises a data-storage medium having an outer peripheral edge and a centrally-disposed hub. The data-storage medium is rotatably disposed within the outer shell so that the data-storage medium faces the inner surface of the outer shell. A recess is formed in the inner surface. The recess preferably extends from a first position proximate the outer peripheral edge of the data-storage medium to a second position proximate the hub. A liner is attached to the inner surface of the outer shell so that the liner covers a portion of the recess between the first and the second ends of the recess. The liner and the recess thereby form a passage for circulating air between the outer peripheral edge and the hub of the data-storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a marker including a latent illuminance material such as phosphor. A matte material on the cartridge or within the marker diffusely reflects charging light that is not absorbed by the latent illuminance material in the marker. This reduces noise and signal pollution in the light then emitted by the latent illuminance material. Accordingly, an accurate decay time can be determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Abstract: A frame plate (19) is mounted to the inside of a case (4) of a magnetic recording device. (1), and a disk drive motor and a head body (5) are mounted to the frame plate (19). A member (88) for preventing the deformation of the case is provided between the case (4) and the frame plate (19). The member (88) is placed in a cartridge passing area by the action of a spring in the absence of the cartridge (2), but the member (88) is pressed with the front end of the cartridge (2) when the cartridge (2) is moved forward, the member (88) is forced to retreat to the outside of the cartridge passing area.

Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for servo writing an optical or magneto-optical medium where a data path is defined by transmitting a laser beam onto the medium to change the crystalline structure at preselected portions. These portions can guide an optical head along the data path. Embodiments include using a far-field laser servo writer to transmit a laser beam in combination with a high numerical aperture, using a far-field laser servo writer to transmit a laser beam in combination with a solid immersion lens, using a near-field laser servo writer to emit a laser beam in combination with a solid immersion lens, creating a sub-wavelength aperture for emitting a laser beam onto the medium, lithographic and maskless lithographic techniques.

Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710, 810) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712, 812) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711) that contains a rotatable hard disk (91, 326-327). A read/write head (107, 331-334) is supported for movement adjacent the disk by a pivotal actuator arm (101). The cradle controls alignment of the head with the disk using feedback servo tracking. Calibration parameters used to perform this tracking, such as servo information or read channel information, may be stored in a special track (414) which is on the disk, and which may be a read-only track. The special track stores a plurality of sets of calibration parameters, each corresponding to a respective combination of a cradle and an environmental characteristic such as temperature.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a removable cartridge magnetic disk drive includes a center guide rail on which the actuator carriage travels. Bushings and the motor coil are spaced symmetrically with respect to the heads so that the center of mass, center of friction, center of force, and center of stiffness of the carriage are all aligned along the center rail. An outrigger travels on another rail to prevent rotation of the carriage.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive having a clamping mechanism which is actuated as the door to the cartridge is closed is disclosed. The cartridge is closed when he cartridge is removed from the drive. The door covers the opening through which the cartridge is accessed by read/write heads. When the cartridge is removed from the drive, the mechanism of the present invention clamps the recording disk against the cartridge shell to prevent rattle, which might otherwise damage the recording disk. The mechanism includes a rotating cam having helical lobes, a translating cam having helical slots to receive the lobes, a spring to bias the door and a spring to bias the rotating cam.