Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • Low resistance area magnetic stack
    Patent number: 9034491
    Abstract: A magnetic element may generally be configured at least with a magnetic stack having a multilayer barrier structure disposed between first and second ferromagnetic layers. The multilayer barrier structure can have a binary compound layer disposed between first and second alloy layers with the binary compound having a metal element and a second element where at least one alloy layer has the metal element and a third element dissimilar from the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Vijay Karthik Sankar, Mark William Covington
  • Flash memory reference voltage detection with tracking of cross-points of cell voltage distributions using histograms
    Patent number: 9036413
    Abstract: Cross-points of flash memory cell voltage distributions are determined by reading data from a portion of the flash memory two or more times using two or more different candidate reference voltages and determining corresponding decision patterns. The frequency of occurrence of the decision patterns in the data read from the flash memory is used to conceptually construct a histogram. The histogram is used to estimate the cross-points. Employing decision patterns enables multiple cross-point voltages to be determined with a minimum of read operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yunxiang Wu, Abdel-Hakim Alhussien, Zhengang Chen, Sundararajan Sankaranarayanan, Erich F. Haratsch
  • Methods and devices to control write pole height in recording heads
    Patent number: 9036298
    Abstract: Recording heads for data storage systems are provided. Recording heads illustratively include a write pole, a bumper, a dielectric layer, and a surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the surface includes portions of the write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer. The write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer are illustratively made from materials that have polishing rates. In some embodiments, the polishing rate for the write pole material is more similar to the polishing rate for the bumper material than it is to the polishing rate for the dielectric layer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Edwin Frank Rejda, Huaqing Yin, Marc Perry Ronshaugen
  • Generating partially sparse generator matrix for a quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check encoder
    Patent number: 9037945
    Abstract: A method and system for constructing a generator matrix is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a parity check matrix H, wherein the parity check matrix H includes multiple circulant sub-matrices; rearranging the parity check matrix H by column and row permutations to obtain a rearranged parity check matrix H?; and constructing the generator matrix G based on the rearranged parity check matrix H?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: YingQuan Wu, Ivana Djurdjevic, Alexander Hubris
  • Using memory access times for random number generation
    Patent number: 9037624
    Abstract: The disclosure is related systems and methods for using operation durations of a data storage medium to generate random numbers. In one embodiment, a device may comprise a random number generator circuit configured to store a value representing a duration of an operation on the data storage medium, and generate a random number based on the value. Another embodiment may be a method comprising recording durations of access operations to a data storage medium, and generating a random number based on the durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Laszlo Hars, Monty Aaron Forehand, Donald Preston Matthews, Tong Shirh Stone, Navneeth Kankani, Rodney Virgil Bowman
  • Varyinig morphology in magnetic sensor sub-layers
    Patent number: 9036308
    Abstract: Various embodiments may be generally directed to a magnetic sensor constructed with a decoupling layer that has a predetermined first morphology. A magnetic free layer can be deposited contactingly adjacent to the decoupling layer with the magnetic free layer configured to have at least a first sub-layer having a predetermined second morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Covington, Mark Thomas Kief, Wonjoon Jung
  • SHAPED INTNERAL LEADS FOR A PRINTED CIRCUIT SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20150129284
    Abstract: A printed circuit substrate may be configured with at least one internal lead designed and shaped to reduce solder bridging. The printed circuit substrate can have a plurality of internal leads that each has a continuously curvilinear boundary that defines an isolation channel. The isolation channel may be configured with a uniform distance that separates a first internal lead from an adjacent second internal lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Prapan Aparimarn, Chaovalit Chiyatan, Piriyakorn Jirawattanakasem, Joompondej Bamrungwongtaree
  • UPDATING MAP STRUCTURES IN AN OBJECT STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150134708
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for updating map structures in an object storage system. A server communicates with users of an object storage system over a network. A plurality of data storage devices are arranged into locations to store and retrieve data objects of the users. A storage controller is associated with each location to direct data object transfers between the data storage devices of the associated location and the server using an existing map structure that describes the data objects in each location. A management module is adapted to generate a new map structure, migrate at least one data object from an existing location described by the existing map structure to a new location described by the new map structure, and to distribute the new map structure to each of the storage controllers after the migration of the at least one data object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Craig F. Cutforth, Caroline W. Arnold, Christopher J. DeMattio
  • MAGNETIC STACK COUPLING BUFFER LAYER
    Publication number: 20150131182
    Abstract: A data storage system may be configured at least with a seed lamination that is disposed between a magnetic stack and a magnetic shield. The seed lamination may be constructed and operated with a coupling buffer layer and a seed layer with the coupling buffer layer fabricated of an alloy of cobalt and a transition metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel G. McCafferty, Sameh Sayed Ali Hassan, Marcus Ormston, Kevin A. McNeill
  • MODE CONVERTER COUPLING ENERGY AT A HIGH-ORDER TRANSVERSE ELECTRIC MODE TO A PLASMONIC TRANSDUCER
    Publication number: 20150131415
    Abstract: A waveguide is configured to couple light from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode. A mode converter outputs the light to an output region of the waveguide at a higher-order TE mode. A plasmonic transducer receives the light at the higher order TE mode and generates surface plasmons that heat a recording medium. The plasmonic transducer includes: an input end proximate the output region of the waveguide and comprising a first convex curved edge; an output end proximate a surface that faces the recording medium, the output end comprising a second convex curved edge and a peg; and linear edges between the first and second convex curved edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Chubing Peng
  • DATA STORAGE SYSTEM WITH PASSIVE PARTITIONING IN A SECONDARY MEMORY
    Publication number: 20150134877
    Abstract: A data storage system may be configured at least with a primary memory that is coupled to a host via a controller and coupled to at least one external interface. The controller may be adapted to passively partition a secondary memory into cache and user memory space regions in response to the secondary memory engaging the at least one external interface and the cache region can be allocated as cache for the primary memory by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Moon
  • Bipolar CMOS select device for resistive sense memory
    Patent number: 9030867
    Abstract: A resistive sense memory apparatus includes a bipolar select device having a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of transistors disposed in the semiconductor substrate and forming a row or transistors. Each transistor includes an emitter contact and a collector contact. Each collector contact is electrically isolated from each other and each emitter contact is electrically isolated from each other. A gate contact extends along a channel region between the emitter contact and a collector contact. A base contact is disposed within the semiconductor substrate such that the emitter contact and a collector contact is between the gate contact and the base contact. A resistive sense memory cells is electrically coupled to each collector contact or emitter contact and a bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yong Lu, Hongyue Liu, Maroun Khoury, Yiran Chen
  • Data reader side shields with polish stop
    Patent number: 9030782
    Abstract: A data reader and associated method of making are generally provided. A data reader capable of sensing adjacent data bits may be configured at least with a magnetic stack disposed between first and second side shields. Each side shield may have a polish stop layer that is tuned to provide a first predetermined polish rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric W. Singleton, Carolyn Pitcher Van Dorn, Levent Colak, Thu-Van Thi Nguyen
  • Data detection in adjacent tracks
    Patent number: 9030769
    Abstract: Devices and/or methods may detect data located in adjacent tracks. A signal representative of a first data unit having a higher signal-to-noise ratio may be detected prior to a signal representative of a second data unit having a lower signal-to-noise ratio, and then may be used to improve the signal representative of the second data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Ara Patapoutian
  • Detecting stray magnetic fields in a storage device
    Patent number: 9030781
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for detecting an external magnetic field affecting a magnetic storage device through use of the read/write heads of the device. The magneto-resistive resistance (“MRR”) associated with a pair of read/write heads oriented to read and write opposite recording surfaces of the storage medium. If the change in the MRR associated with the first read/write head is in an inverse direction to the change in MRR associated with the second read/write head and the change in the MRR of either read/write head exceeds a threshold, then all operations of the storage device are halted and the read/write heads are parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: YoChan Cho, HooSan Lee, JungWook Hur
  • Sensing temperature at a slider protrusion region
    Patent number: 9030773
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a near-field transducer at or near an air bearing surface of the apparatus. A write pole is disposed at or near the air bearing surface and proximate the near-field transducer, respectively. A thermal sensor is disposed at the air bearing surface and within a protrusion region of the air bearing surface defined relative to at least one of the near-field transducer and the write pole. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a signal indicative of a temperature at the protrusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Declan Macken, James Dillon Kiely, Manuel Charles Anaya-Dufresne
  • Magnetic tunnel junction with electronically reflective insulative spacer
    Patent number: 9030864
    Abstract: Magnetic tunnel junctions having a specular insulative spacer are disclosed. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a free magnetic layer, a reference magnetic layer, an electrically insulating and non-magnetic tunneling barrier layer separating the free magnetic layer from the reference magnetic layer, and an electrically insulating and electronically reflective layer positioned to reflect at least a portion of electrons back into the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yuankai Zheng, Dimitar V. Dimitrov, Wei Tian, Dexin Wang, Zheng Gao, Xiaobin Wang
  • Variable data density for data storage
    Patent number: 9030772
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses that provide for variable data density on a disc data storage medium, where the variable data density may have a circumferential definition and a radial definition. In some examples, devices and methods may include measuring a read or write performance attribute on a disc data storage medium and selectively setting a data density rate that may vary in a circumferential direction for the disc data storage medium based on the read or write performance attribute. In other examples, apparatuses can include a data storage device having a disc data storage medium and a controller configured to measure a performance attribute of the disc data storage medium and to selectively set different Bits Per Inch (BPI) for data storage within different areas of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Tae Young Kim
  • CONTACT PAD FOR RECORDING HEADS
    Publication number: 20150124354
    Abstract: A recording head that includes at least one protection feature that prevents at least one other feature of the recording head from directly colliding with a data storage medium with which the recording head communicates. The recording head includes a transducer element having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The recording head also includes a transducer element heater located closer to the leading edge of the transducer element than the trailing edge of the transducer element. A contact pad is interposed between the leading edge of the transducer element and the transducer element heater to prevent the transducer element from directly colliding with the data storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohang Kong, Neil Zuckerman, Erik Hutchinson, Raul Andruet, Dion Song, Christopher Rea
  • AUTHENTICATED DEVICE INITIALIZATION
    Publication number: 20150127930
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing authentication processing during device initialization. In accordance with some embodiments, a data storage device has a main memory which stores user data from a host, and a controller with initialization programming stored in a boot memory. The initialization programming is executed by the controller to transition the data storage device from an inactive state to a normal operational mode. During a bootstrap mode, the controller generates a first authentication token, receives a second authentication token responsive to the first authentication token, and authorizes use of new system programming responsive to the second authentication token. The new system programming is stored in a local memory of the data storage device and executed by the controller during the normal operational mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Manuel A. Offenberg, Anthony R. Duran, Graham D. Ferris, Monty A. Forehand