Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • Storage device maintenance in a portable device based on a power event
    Patent number: 8635491
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to monitoring a portable electronic device to detect an occurrence of a power event. A command can be sent to a data storage device to initiate a maintenance procedure on the data storage device. In a particular embodiment, a method includes monitoring a portable electronic device to detect an occurrence of a power event. The method also includes selectively sending a command to a data storage device to initiate a maintenance procedure on the data storage device when the occurrence of the power event is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mingzhong Ding, KianKeong Ooi, JianGuo Zhou, HuaYuan Chen, Patrick TaiHeng Wong
  • Random number generator incorporating channel filter coefficients
    Patent number: 8635260
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for improved random number generation. In some embodiments, a device may include a plurality of registers configured to store channel filter coefficients, each of the channel filter coefficients including a plurality of bits, and a controller configured to retrieve at least one channel filter coefficient from the plurality of registers, and to generate a random number based at least in part on the at least one retrieved channel filter coefficient. The device may generate a random number at least in part based on a number of least-significant bits of the at least one retrieved channel filter coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Laszlo Hars
  • Magnetic memory with asymmetric energy barrier
    Patent number: 8634223
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction memory cell includes a ferromagnetic reference layer, a ferromagnetic free layer, and a non-magnetic barrier layer separating the ferromagnetic reference layer from the ferromagnetic free layer. The magnetic tunnel junction cell has an asymmetric energy barrier for switching between a high resistance data state and a low resistance data state. Memory devices and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wenzhong Zhu, Xiaohua Lou, Dimitar V. Dimitrov
  • Multilayer hard magnet and data storage device read/write head incorporating the same
    Patent number: 8632897
    Abstract: A hard magnet may include a seed layer including a first component including at least one of a Pt-group metal, Fe, Mn, and Co, a cap layer comprising the first component, and a multilayer stack between the seed layer and the cap layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer stack may include a first layer of including the first component and a second component including at least one of a Pt-group metal, Fe, Mn, and Co, where the second component is different than the first component. The multilayer stack may further include a second layer formed over the first layer and including the second component, and a third layer formed over the second layer and including the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Hua Yuan, Jiaoming Qiu, Yonghua Chen, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton
  • Patterned template with 1xN nucleation site to grain growth for uniform grain size recording media
    Patent number: 8628867
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic media includes a substrate, a patterned template, a seed layer and a magnetic layer. The patterned template is formed on the substrate and includes a plurality of growth sites that are evenly spaced apart from each other. The seed layer is formed over the patterned template and the exposed areas of the substrate. Magnetic material is sputter deposited onto the seed layer with one grain of the magnetic material nucleated over each of the growth sites. The grain size distribution of the magnetic material is reduced by controlling the locations of the growth sites which optimizes the performance of the perpendicular magnetic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shuaigang Xiao, Thomas Young Chang, Yingguo Peng, David Kuo, Kaizhong Gao, Thomas Patrick Nolan, Ganping Ju
  • Dynamic cache reduction utilizing voltage warning mechanism
    Patent number: 8631198
    Abstract: An interface controller of a storage device configured to manage a write cache of the storage device responsive to changes in a voltage supply provided to the storage device. In one implementation, the interface controller reduces the size of the write cache responsive to the voltage supply dropping at or below a first threshold. The interface controller further disables write permissions to the write cache responsive the voltage supply dropping at or below a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is lower in magnitude that the first threshold. The interface controller periodically receives the voltage supply responsive to transmitting sequential requests to a servo firmware of the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Choon Wei Ng, Chee Meng Leong, Poh Guat Bay, June Christian Ang, Kian Keong Ooi, Wei Kin Wan
  • Flexure assembly
    Patent number: 8628377
    Abstract: A flexure assembly comprising a flexure stack comprising a plurality of individual webs connected together with a force in an x-direction to produce a friction in a z-direction orthogonal to the x-direction between the plurality of webs, the friction holding the plurality of webs in engagement. In some embodiments, the flexure assembly includes a second flexure stack fixedly spaced from the first stack comprising a second plurality of individual webs connected together with a second force in the x-direction to produce a second friction in the z-direction between the second plurality of webs. The flexure assembly may be used, for example, for supporting a workpiece such as a slider row bar in a lapping machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jonathan Goldsmith, Mark Allen Herendeen, Robert Edward Chapin
  • Groove configuration for a fluid dynamic bearing
    Patent number: 8628246
    Abstract: A groove configuration for angular stiffness in a fluid dynamic bearing is provided. A primary groove and a secondary groove are formed on a journal bearing or thrust bearing surface. The secondary groove apex induces a heightened pressure response at a localized area to counteract angular displacement. The primary groove extends a greater circumferential distance about the bearing surface as compared to the secondary groove. The secondary groove apex is also situated closer to an axial end of the journal bearing, or closer to an outer diameter of the thrust bearing, as compared to the primary groove apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. Aiello
  • Multi-resolution cache monitoring
    Patent number: 8631204
    Abstract: Multi-resolution cache monitoring devices and methods are provided. Multi-resolution cache devices illustratively have a cache memory, an interface, an information unit, and a processing unit. The interface receives a request for data that may be included in the cache memory. The information unit has state information for the cache memory. The state information is organized in a hierarchical structure. The process unit searches the hierarchical structure for the requested data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Williams Haines, Wayne Howard Vinson, Edwin Scott Olds, Timothy Richard Feldman, Steven S. Williams
  • Methods and devices to increase memory device data reliability
    Patent number: 8631294
    Abstract: A first data set is written to first memory units identified as having a higher data reliability and a second data set is written to second memory units identified as having a lower data reliability than the first memory units. In some cases, the second data set may include metadata or redundancy information that is useful to aid in reading and/or decoding the first data set. The act of writing the second data set increases the data reliability of the first data set. The second data set may be a null pattern, such as all erased bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Navneeth Kankani, Mark A. Gaertner, Rodney V. Bowman, Ryan J. Goss, David S. Seekins, Tong Shirh Stone
  • Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media with Magnetic Anisotropy Gradient and Local Exchange Coupling
    Publication number: 20140011053
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shaoping Li, Kaizhong Gao, Lei Wang, Wenzhong Zhu, Xiaobin Wang
  • SOLDER BALL BRIDGE, AND METHODS OF MAKING
    Publication number: 20140008101
    Abstract: An electrical connection between a first element and a second element formed by a solder ball bridge having at least three solder balls in physical contact with each other extending to electrically connect the first element and the second element. The solder ball bridge is particularly suitable for a disc drive system, to form an electrical connection between two elements such as between a piezoelectric microactuator element and the suspension assembly. Methods of making a solder ball bridge are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jackson W. Brandts, Kevin J. Schultz, Christoper M. Unger
  • Device with power control feature involving backup power reservoir circuit
    Patent number: 8627117
    Abstract: Power-backup capabilities are provided by implementing a variety of different methods, systems and devices. According to one such implementation, an energy storage device such as a capacitive storage circuit is powered relative to the powering of one or more additional circuits from a common power supply to limit the draw upon the power supply. Certain applications involve delaying or otherwise modifying the powering of the capacitive storage circuit, which may involve an initial startup of the capacitive storage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Darren Edward Johnston
  • Automated cluster size measurement
    Patent number: 8625213
    Abstract: A cluster size measurement method includes writing a first pattern of a first size of a first number of magnetic clusters. A second pattern of a second size of a second number of magnetic clusters is written, wherein the second plurality of clusters includes clusters of the first number of clusters and a switched cluster. A cluster size of the switched cluster is automatically determined by contrasting the first size and the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jason Charles Jury, Xiaowei Wu, Pierre Asselin
  • Tapered shaft coating
    Patent number: 8622844
    Abstract: A component of a disc drive has a coating of a predetermined length on its surface, the coating having at least two separate tapered regions applied in independent steps, the at least two separate tapered regions each having a length that is less than the predetermined length of the component surface. When the component is a shaft of a spindle motor, the ends of the shaft are masked before the tapered regions of coating are applied, and the thickness of the masks covering the shaft ends is varied to control a taper of tapered regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad M. Ameen, Jerry Weingord, Thaveesinn Vasavakul, Kenneth Cornyn
  • Opportunistic decoding in memory systems
    Patent number: 8627175
    Abstract: Approaches for decoding data read from memory cells of a nonvolatile, solid state memory involve attempting to decode hard data using a hard decoding process prior to a time that soft data is available to the decoder. The hard data includes information about the digital symbols stored in the memory cells without data confidence information. The soft data includes information about the digital symbols stored in the memory cells and data confidence information. In response to the hard decoding process failing to achieve convergence, after the soft data becomes available to the decoder, the soft data is decoded using a soft decoding process. The decoder generates an output of the decoded data after the hard decoding process or the soft decoding process achieves convergence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ara Patapoutian, Bernardo Rub, Bruce D. Buch
  • Flash memory method and apparatus with single-press button response
    Patent number: 8626971
    Abstract: A flash memory device apparatus and method is provided such that data or programming information is uploaded or downloaded between the flash memory device and a host, in response to a single-press of a button associated with the flash memory device. The system can facilitate a number of operations including saving an active window application or associated data, transferring media files to or from media players, providing device-specific and/or data-specific transfer of applications or data and/or providing protection of transferred data or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mike Lee, Faheem Dani, Don Brunnett, Prokash Sinha
  • Devices and methods using recessed electron spin analyzers
    Patent number: 8619393
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a magnetic had includes a top shield and a bottom shield positioned at an air bearing surface. A polarizer and a nonmagnetic layer are positioned between the top and bottom shields. An analyzer is positioned adjacent the nonmagnetic layer at a distance recessed from the air bearing surface. Current travels through the top shield, polarizer, nonmagnetic layer, and first analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Scott Stokes
  • Vertical transistor with hardening implatation
    Patent number: 8617952
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of pillar structures extending orthogonally from the semiconductor wafer. Each pillar structure forms a vertical pillar transistor having a top surface and a side surface orthogonal to the top surface. Then a hardening species is implanted into the vertical pillar transistor top surface. Then the vertical pillar transistor side surface is oxidized to form a side surface oxide layer. The side surface oxide layer is removed to form vertical pillar transistor having rounded side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Young Pil Kim, Hyung-Kew Lee, Peter Nicholas Manos, Chulmin Jung, Maroun Georges Khoury, Dadi Setiadi
  • Fluid pumping capillary seal for a fluid dynamic bearing
    Patent number: 8618706
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotatable component rotatable relative to a stationary component, a fluid operable to flow between the rotatable and stationary component, and a capillary sealing component. The capillary sealing component provides a capillary seal and includes at least one tapered slot configured to pump the fluid between the rotatable and stationary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Grantz, Lynn B. Le, Klaus Kloeppel