Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • Methods of forming materials for at least a portion of a NFT and NFTs formed using the same
    Patent number: 9245573
    Abstract: A method including depositing a plasmonic material at a temperature of at least 150° C.; and forming at least a peg of a near field transducer (NFT) from the deposited plasmonic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Sarbeswar Sahoo, Tong Zhao, Michael C. Kautzky
  • Nitrogen-vacancy nanocrystal magnetic source sensor
    Patent number: 9245551
    Abstract: A sensor may be configured with a nanocrystal that has a nitrogen-vacancy. The nanocrystal can be positioned proximal a magnetic source, mount, and articulable stage. Various embodiments configure the articulable stage configured to align the nanocrystal and the magnetic source along a common axis to sense magnetic fields about the magnetic source with a sub-nanometer resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Fadi El Hallak, Marcus B. Mooney
  • Template-based magnetic grain-nucleation sites on seed layer
    Patent number: 9245566
    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: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shuaigang Xiao, Thomas Young Chang, Yingguo Peng, David S. Kuo, Kaizhong Gao, Thomas P. Nolan, Ganping Ju
  • Magnetic element with crossed anisotropies
    Patent number: 9240200
    Abstract: A magnetic element may be configured with at least a magnetic stack having first and second magnetically free layers that each has a predetermined stripe height from an air bearing surface (ABS). The first and second magnetically free layers can respectively be configured with first and second uniaxial anisotropies that are crossed in relation to the ABS and angled in response to the predetermined stripe height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Covington, Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Wonjoon Jung, Dimitar Velikov Demitrov, Dian Song, Taras Pohkil
  • Enlarged substrate for magnetic recording medium
    Patent number: 9240201
    Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 96.9 mm to 100.4 mm. In other embodiments, an apparatus comprises a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 2½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 66.9 mm to 71.8 mm. In other embodiments, a data storage device has a magnetic recording medium that uses an enlarged substrate as set forth above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Koji Adachi, Ian J. Beresford, Thomas Y. Chang, Kuo Hsing Hwang, James Hennessy, David Perez
  • Airfoil to provide directed cooling
    Patent number: 9241427
    Abstract: An airfoil to provide directed cooling of active elements, such as in a multi-device storage enclosure. In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing having opposing first and second ends. A first active element is mounted within the housing adjacent the first end, and a second active element mounted within the housing adjacent the second end. A fan assembly is mounted within the housing adjacent the second end to establish an airflow through the housing adjacent the first and second active elements for cooling thereof. An airfoil is mounted within the housing between the first and second active elements to accelerate and direct the airflow proximate the second active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lon M. Stevens, Shawn J. Noland, Andrew J. Dunn
  • Single read based soft-decision decoding of non-volatile memory
    Patent number: 9239754
    Abstract: A Solid-State Disk (SSD) controller performs soft-decision decoding with a single read, thus improving performance, power, and/or reliability of a storage sub-system, such as an SSD. In a first aspect, the controller generates soft-decision metrics from channel parameters of a hard decode read, without additional reads and/or array accesses. In a second aspect, the controller performs soft decoding using the generated soft-decision metrics. In a third aspect, the controller generates soft-decision metrics and performs soft decoding with the generated soft-decision metrics when a hard decode read error occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yunxiang Wu, Zhengang Chen, Ning Chen
  • Current boost circuit
    Patent number: 9240742
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a current boost to support a voltage. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a voltage node; a switch coupled to the voltage node; a sensing circuit including an input coupled to the voltage node and an output for providing a corresponding voltage; and a voltage regulator coupled to receive the corresponding voltage and coupled to control the switch responsive to the received corresponding voltage. In an embodiment, a method comprises sensing a voltage; using a voltage regulator to turn on a switch responsive to the sensed voltage being less than a certain value; and providing additional current through the on switch to substantially maintain the voltage from being less than the certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Dale H Erickson, James D Bucher, II
  • Windowed reference planes for embedded conductors
    Patent number: 9241400
    Abstract: A rigid multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) has an embedded elongated conductor between opposing first and second reference planes. The first and second reference planes are formed of conductive material and are electrically isolated from the conductor by intervening insulative material. Each of the first and second reference planes have a plurality of spaced apart windows extending therethrough, the windows aligned with the elongated conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: John Wayne Shaw, Jacob Charles Matousek, Todd Michael Lammers
  • DYNAMIC BAND BOUNDARIES
    Publication number: 20160012849
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic band boundaries in data storage devices, particularly devices employing shingled magnetic recording. Band boundaries may be modified to include spare sectors from guard areas between bands to achieve field defect-slipping. Band boundaries can also be shifted to migrate spare sectors from one guard area to another in order to dynamically distribute spare sectors. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a data storage medium and a controller. The data storage medium may have a first and second sequence of circumferentially adjacent data sectors, and a first guard area disposed between the first and second sequence such that no sector of the first sequence is directly adjacent to a sector of the second sequence. The controller may be configured to restructure the first sequence to include a sector from the first guard area to produce a shifted first sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Feldman
  • DIRECT HINTING FOR A MEMORY DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160011783
    Abstract: A data storage area of a data storage device can be used to communicate information between the data storage device and an external device or software. In some examples, configuration data stored within the data storage area can be used to determine a subset of data to copy or move from a first data storage medium to a second data storage medium. The data storage area can be a unique partition and the data storage device can locate partition information to determine a location of the partition. The data storage device can then use the partition to store data for two-way communication between the data storage device and an external system, device, or software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: John Edward Moon, Robert Dale Murphy, Michael Habinsky, HITCH A DAVID, THOMAS DALE HOSMAN
  • SOLID STATE MEMORY COMMAND QUEUE IN HYBRID DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160011966
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving performance in of storage device latency. In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a controller configured to receive a first data access command at a device including a nonvolatile solid state memory and a disc memory, and when the first data access command is directed to the nonvolatile solid state memory, store the first data access command to a first command queue for the nonvolatile solid state memory. In another embodiment, a method may comprise receiving, at a data storage device, a first data access command, storing the first data access command in a first command queue, determining whether the data access command is directed to a Flash memory or a disc memory, and storing the first data access command in a second command queue when the first data access command is directed to the Flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Stanton MacDonough Keeler, Margot Ann LaPanse
  • BINDING SHINGLED RECORDING BANDS
    Publication number: 20160012850
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for binding shingled recording bands in data storage devices, particularly devices employing shingled magnetic recording. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a controller configured to define boundaries of an area of a data storage medium based on a constraint and a list of defective sectors. In another embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a data storage device including a memory configured to store data in a shingled manner where one track partially overlaps an adjacent track, and a controller configured to define boundaries of a plurality of bands, each band including a plurality of tracks of the memory, based on the results of an error discovery scan for defective sectors of the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Feldman
  • PASS THROUGH STORAGE DEVICES
    Publication number: 20160011965
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatus and methods for implementing a pass through storage architecture that converts. Embodiments generally include a control circuit configured to allocate data among at least a first memory tier and a second memory tier. The first memory tier can include a solid state memory and the second memory tier can include a nonvolatile memory. In some embodiments, a pass-through storage device may be implemented. Embodiments may further include one or more interfaces configured to allow communication between the control circuit and one or more memories, devices, systems, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Robert Dale Murphy, John Edward Moon, Stanton Keeler, Richard Esten Bohn
  • Laser temperature calibration in a HAMR device
    Patent number: 9236081
    Abstract: A method includes setting a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device located in a data storage system having a laser to an operating temperature. A threshold laser current is determined. An optimal laser current is determined. The threshold laser current and the optimal laser current are stored in memory. The steps of determining a threshold laser current, determining an optimal laser current and storing the threshold laser current and the optimal laser current into the calibration table are repeated until acceptable device performance is achieved at more than one operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alfredo S. Chu, Jason W. Riddering, Drew M. Mader, Huazhou Lou, Pu-Ling Lu
  • Writer with working fluid bearing
    Patent number: 9236083
    Abstract: Storing data to a storage medium with a device that has moving parts supported by a bearing and which maintains separation between opposing bearing surfaces in the bearing with a pressurized working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Brent M. Weichelt, Louis J. Fioravanti
  • Multiple retry reads in a read channel of a memory
    Patent number: 9236099
    Abstract: An apparatus having a circuit and a decoder is disclosed. The circuit is configured to (i) adjust an initial one of a plurality of reference voltages in a read channel of a memory by shifting the initial reference voltage an amount toward a center of a window and (ii) read a codeword from the memory a number of times. The window bounds a sweep of the reference voltages. Each retry of the reads uses a respective reference voltage from a pattern of the reference voltages. The pattern is symmetrically spaced about the initial reference voltage. The pattern fits in the window. The decoder is configured to generate read data by performing an iterative decoding procedure on the codeword based on the reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: AbdelHakim S. Alhussien, Yunxiang Wu, Sundararajan Sankaranarayanan, Zhengang Chen, Erich F. Haratsch
  • Write fault threshold for a set of tracks
    Patent number: 9236073
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed having a write fault threshold for a set of tracks. A set of tracks may have a shared write fault threshold budget, and a write fault threshold for the second track may be selected based on the shared budget reduced by an off-track position error signal value of the first track. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a processor configured to determine a position error signal value for a first data track, set a write fault threshold for a second data track adjacent to the first data track based on the position error signal, and write data to the second data track based on the write fault threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiong Liu, Qiang Bi, Choon Kiat Lim, MingZhong Ding
  • Method for producing bi-polar complementary structure patterns
    Patent number: 9230589
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including creating at least one first structure including magnetically isolated features in servo fields, and creating at least one second structure including finger-structure patterns including intentional weak nucleation points in servo fields to create a regular bi-polar magnetization direction after bulk DC initialization, and wherein the first and second structures form bi-polar complementary structure patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Philip Steiner, René J. M. van de Veerdonk
  • Managing gateway access
    Patent number: 9229520
    Abstract: A storage system provides a content manager configured to initiate transfer of media content from a first device to a second device. Responsive to a transfer request from the second device and during the transfer, gateway logic coupled to the content manager disables a gateway executing on the first device, responsive to the transfer request from the second device. Power logic coupled to the content manager enters a low power mode in the first device, responsive to completion of the transfer of the media content from the first device to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Gu Huang, Chandra Shaker Buddhavaram, Faheem Ahmad Dani, Jean-Pierre Ruster