Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • Data writer coil heater
    Patent number: 9564151
    Abstract: A data writer may suspend a transducing head from an actuator. The transducing head can consist of a writer coil positioned proximal a write pole. A protruding signal may be passed through the write coil to contact a data storage medium with the transducing head. A write signal can be passed through the write coil to write a data bit on the data storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Gary J. Kunkel
  • Position error signal (PES) detection
    Patent number: 9558772
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for modulating a position error signal detection gate signal responsive to a track crossing velocity are discussed. The position error signal can be used to detect position information. A track crossing velocity can be estimated and then used via the modulating. Phase errors due to the track crossing velocity can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ellis, Thomas Zirps
  • Data storage system with passive partitioning in a secondary memory
    Patent number: 9558124
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Moon
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ALIGNED SERVO-RELATED FEATURES
    Publication number: 20170025140
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a first region of a substrate corresponding to a data region in a patterned recording medium; a first set of protrusions etched out of the first region of the substrate, wherein the protrusions of the first set of protrusions are rectangle shaped; a second region of the substrate corresponding to a servo region in a patterned recording medium; and a second set of protrusions etched out of the second region of the substrate, wherein the second set of protrusions includes radial lines etched into the substrate across chevrons etched out of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shuaigang Xiao, David S. Kuo, XiaoMin Yang, Kim Y. Lee, Yautzong Hsu, David Koichi
  • Partial R-block recycling
    Patent number: 9552290
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of R-blocks. The controller is coupled to the non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to (i) write data using the R-blocks as a unit of allocation and (ii) perform recycling operations selectively on either an entire one of the R-blocks or a portion less than all of one of the R-blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Baryudin, Alex G. Tang, Earl T. Cohen
  • Multi-tiered memory with different metadata levels
    Patent number: 9552288
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory. In accordance with some embodiments, a data object is stored in a first non-volatile tier of a multi-tier memory structure. A metadata unit is generated to describe the data object, the metadata unit having a selected granularity. The metadata unit is stored in a different, second non-volatile tier of the multi-tier memory structure responsive to the selected granularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ryan James Goss, Mark Allen Gaertner, Michael Joseph Steiner
  • Decoding based on randomized hard decisions
    Patent number: 9553612
    Abstract: An apparatus having a memory and a controller is disclosed. The memory is configured to store a codeword. The controller is configured to (i) determine one or more least-reliable bit positions in a soft-decision version of the codeword in response to failing to decode a hard-decision version of the codeword, (ii) generate a trial codeword by selecting at random a respective value in one or more trial positions among the least-reliable bit positions in the hard-decision codeword and (iii) perform a hard-decision decoding of the trial codeword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli A. Bolotov, Earl T. Cohen, Elyar Gasanov, Mikhail I. Grinchuk, Pavel A. Panteleev
  • Devices including a multilayer gas barrier layer
    Patent number: 9552833
    Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT); a multilayer gas barrier layer positioned on at least a portion of the NFT, the multilayer gas barrier layer including at least a first and a second sublayer, where the second gas barrier sublayer is positioned on the first gas barrier sublayer, the first gas barrier sublayer is positioned adjacent the NFT and the second gas barrier sublayer is positioned adjacent the wear resistant layer, the first and second sublayers independently have thicknesses from 0.01 nm to 5 nm; and a wear resistance layer positioned on at least a portion of the gas barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yuhang Cheng, Kurt W. Wierman, Michael Seigler, Scott Franzen
  • Stabilization of one or more upper sensors in multi-sensor readers
    Patent number: 9552834
    Abstract: A multi-sensor reader that includes a first sensor that has a first sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field. The first sensor also includes a first seed element below the first sensor stack. The multi-sensor reader also includes a second sensor stacked over the first sensor. The second sensor includes a second sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to the external magnetic field. The second sensor also includes a second seed element below the second sensor stack. The second seed element is structurally different from the first seed element and includes a stabilization feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Steven P. Bozeman, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, LiWen Tan, Jae Young Yi, Eric W. Singleton
  • Methods and apparatuses utilizing check bit data generation
    Patent number: 9552252
    Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards methods and apparatuses in which logic circuitry generates an error detection code based on user data received from a host, and further generates a first set of check bits, to be written to the non-volatile memory circuit in conjunction with the user data, by combining the error detection code with a hashed data address of the user data. In some embodiments, the check bits associated with the user data providing verification that the user data was written in the appropriate physical block address of the non-volatile memory circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Trantham, Brian T. Edgar, Mark Gaertner, Bruce Buch
  • Variable speed data storage device testing system
    Patent number: 9552846
    Abstract: A data storage device can be tested while spinning at a variety of different speeds. Data may be written to a data sector with a transducing head while at least one disk of a data storage device spins about a spindle at a default speed. One or more tests can subsequently be executed on the disk by reading servo data stored on the disk while the disk spins at a test speed that is greater than the default speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Teck Khoon Lim
  • Read retry for non-volatile memories
    Patent number: 9548128
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading a non-volatile memory includes a tracking module operable to calculate means and variances of voltage level distributions in a non-volatile memory and to calculate at least one reference voltage to be used when reading the non-volatile memory based on the means and variances, a likelihood generator operable to calculate at least one other reference voltage to be used when reading the non-volatile memory, wherein the at least one other reference voltage is based at least in part on a predetermined likelihood value constellation, and to map read patterns from the non-volatile memory to likelihood values, and a read controller operable to read the non-volatile memory using the at least one reference voltage and the at least one other reference voltage to yield the read patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: AbdelHakim S Alhussien, Erich F Haratsch, Sundararajan Sankaranarayanan, YingQuan Wu
  • Magnetic devices with overcoats
    Patent number: 9548076
    Abstract: A magnetic device including a magnetic writer; and an overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic writer, the overcoat including oxides of yttrium, oxides of scandium, oxides of lanthanoids, oxides of actionoids, oxides of zinc, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyue Huang, Seung-Yeul Yang, Steve Riemer, Michael C. Kautzky
  • Cassette configurations to support platters having different diameters
    Patent number: 9543174
    Abstract: A material handling apparatus adapted to support a plurality of disc-shaped platters, such as but not limited to a cassette assembly adapted to support data recording media or substrates during manufacturing. In some embodiments, a cassette assembly includes a base cassette with a base and opposing sidewalls configured to support an outermost perimeter of each of a first plurality of disc-shaped platters having a first diameter. An insert contactingly engages the base cassette. The insert has a plurality of spaced apart grooves to contactingly support an outermost perimeter of each of a second plurality of disc-shaped platters having a different, second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: David V. Dougherty, Ian J. Beresford, Donald E. Curtiss, Thomas Y. Chang
  • Protecting information written to recording medium
    Patent number: 9542959
    Abstract: A data storage device can include a recording medium; a controller unit to generate control signals in response to write information and write commands; and a transducer section coupled to receive the controls signals, and in response, write the write information into the recording medium and form a data protection pattern in the recording medium adjacent to the write information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology International
    Inventors: Seong-yong Yoon, Tae-won Kim
  • Skewed shingled magnetic recording data reader
    Patent number: 9542965
    Abstract: A data storage device may be configured with at least a transducing head separated from a data storage medium. The transducing head can have a data reader and data writer. A plurality of data bits may be arranged in first and second shingled data tracks on the data storage medium. The data writer can be configured with a writer centerline aligned with a track centerline of the first shingled data track and a data reader having a reader centerline skewed with respect to the track and writer centerlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiong Liu, Lihong Zhang
  • Detecting shingled overwrite errors
    Patent number: 9536563
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting shingled overwrite errors. When a read error is encountered when reading from shingled recording tracks, a processor may determine whether the read error is an error caused by shingled overwriting. The processor may determine whether the read error is caused by shingled overwriting by determining read signal quality of one or more sectors preceding the read error, such as based on a bit error count or bit error ratio (BER), and comparing the read signal quality to a threshold value. The processor may determine that the read error is caused by shingled overwriting when the read signal quality value is lower than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiong Liu, WeiQing Zhou, Quan Li, WenXiang Xie
  • Apparatus with sealed cavity formed by at least one impermeable weld
    Patent number: 9536572
    Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a base deck and a forged base deck cover are coupled to one another, via a weld joint, to provide a hermetically sealed cavity within. The base deck includes an outer region, and the base deck cover includes a lip that interfaces with the outer region of the base deck to provide the weld joint. Similarly, the base deck is formed by an outer region of a base deck bottom portion interfacing with a lip of the shroud to form, via welding, the base deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Seagate Technology LLC, Cheung Woh Technologies LTD
    Inventors: David Ray Lapp, Loh Yut Chai, Wolfgang Rosner, Law Kung Ying, Neal Frank Gunderson, Scott Vogel Mitzner, Krithika Kalyanasundaram
  • Multiple sensor magnetic reproducing device with reduced inter-sensor spacing
    Patent number: 9536549
    Abstract: A multi-sensor reader that includes a first sensor that has a sensor stack, which includes a free layer (FL) that has a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field. The first sensor also includes a shielding structure that is positioned over the sensor stack. The multi-sensor reader also includes a second sensor stacked over the first sensor. The second sensor includes a sensor stack, which includes a FL that has a magnetization that changes according to the external magnetic field. The multi-sensor reader further includes an isolation layer between the first sensor and the second sensor. A FL-to-FL spacing reduction feature is included in at least one of the isolation layer or the shielding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zhiguo Ge, Victor Sapozhnikov, Shaun E. Mckinlay, Eric W. Singleton, Jae Young Yi, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari
  • Remote feature activation
    Patent number: 9535676
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to remote feature activation. In an embodiment, a device may be manufactured having firmware configured to implement multiple unique features on the device. Features may be enabled and disabled on the device later or at a remote location. Enabled features may allow the device to perform corresponding functions, and disabled features may not allow the device to perform corresponding functions. Remote feature activation may include exchanging security information between an activation entity and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Monty A Forehand, Manuel A. Offenberg, Anthony R Duran, Nino Wicaksono, David R Kaiser