Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a base casting forming a housing, wherein components within the housing comprise a first disk, a first head, and a first printed circuit board (PCB) being curved to substantially follow an arc of a first part of a shroud that surrounds at least part of the first disk. The first PCB has mounted thereon a first integrated circuit comprising a first microprocessor configured to actuate the first head over the first disk in order to access the first disk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are slider designs having improved trailing air flow dams, and data storage devices including such sliders. In some embodiments, a slider comprises a trailing edge and an air-bearing surface (ABS) comprising a trailing edge pad, and a trailing air flow dam coupled to the trailing edge pad, wherein, in an ABS view of the slider, the trailing air flow dam is recessed from and curves away from the trailing edge. In the ABS view, a shape of the trailing air flow dam may comprise two segments. The slider also has a leading edge and may at least one sub-ambient pressure cavity adjacent to the trailing air flow dam and disposed between the trailing air flow dam and the leading edge. A contact point of the trailing air flow dam may be at least 50 microns from a corner of the slider.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer has a main pole (MP) with a first flux guiding (FG) device in a write gap between the MP trailing side and a trailing shield, a second FG device in each side gap and adjoining a MP side, and third FG device in the leading gap and adjoining the MP leading side. At least one of a first and second non-magnetic conductive layer (NMC1 and NMC2) contacts the third FG device and second FG devices, respectively, instead of a conventional leading shield and side shield. Each FG device has a flux guiding layer (FGL) with a magnetization that flips to oppose a gap flux field when a current is applied across the respective gap thereby enhancing the MP write field. NMC1 and NMC2 allow better wear and corrosion resistance in addition to improved return field and down-track field gradient, and acceptable side shield stray field.

Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit configured to enter a standby mode, awaken from a standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential. The access control device further includes a credential detection circuit having a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an interrogation signal, receive a reflected interrogation signal with the antenna, transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received reflected interrogation signal wherein the reflected interrogation signal includes I and Q values, receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit, and adjust at least one of the I and Q threshold values of the reflected interrogation signal.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer has a main pole (MP) with a first flux guiding (FG) device in a write gap between the MP trailing side and a trailing shield, and a second FG device in the leading gap (LG) and each side gap (SG). The SG angle is reduced to 15° to 45° to enable conformal and more uniform FG device layers to be formed in the SG and LG. As a result, the MP shape and write field are more reproducible. To compensate for a thinner MP thickness at the air bearing surface that results from maintaining the track width at a shallower SG angle, an upper MP tip may be formed on the lower MP tip thereby generating a hexagonal shape for the combined MP tip. In this case, the second FG device conforms to the shape of the two upper MP tip sides and trailing side.

Abstract: A recording head for writing data on tracks of a data storage medium. The recording head includes a writer having a write pole and a trailing shield. The write pole includes a pole tip configured to write on the tracks of the data storage medium. The recording head also includes a writing-assistance wire that is positioned between the pole tip and the trailing shield in a down-track direction.

Abstract: A 45-record adapter embellished with weighted and shiny chrome ball-bearings and perhaps colored metal balls with LED lights structured and arranged to allow 45 rpm records to be played on a turntable, but also help to hold the records in place while offering record-collectors and enthusiasts a unique, eye-catching novelty.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape drive, and to a method and a computer program product for operating a tape drive. The tape drive may include a transport mechanism which may include a tape head. The tape drive may be adapted to receive a magnetic tape with the transport mechanism, and to transport the magnetic tape by the transport mechanism. The tape head may be adapted to perform read-write operations on an oxide side of the magnetic tape. The tape drive may include a burnishing unit, which may include a burnishing roller and a burnish controller having an abrasive shell. The burnishing roller may be installed in the tape drive upstream of the tape head such that the abrasive shell supports the received magnetic tape on the oxide side. The burnish controller may be adapted to control the movement of the burnishing roller.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for wirelessly switching electrical power on and off are provided. The systems include in-wall network devices having a user-facing restore button for restoring some or all of the customizable settings to a factory default state. The systems include in-wall network devices having a user-facing restart button for temporarily removing power to at least a processing element of the network device to simulate disconnecting power from the in-wall network device.

Abstract: A slider is provided with a conformal coating (e.g., an oxide) on the air-bearing surface (ABS) to provide a consistent surface energy to the ABS. The conformal coating may be formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. A consistent surface energy inhibits accumulation of contaminants on the slider ABS, such as at topographical transition areas.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate; an underlayer; a magnetic layer including an alloy having an L10 type crystal structure; and a protective layer, wherein the substrate, the underlayer, the magnetic layer, and the protective layer are stacked in the recited order. A pinning layer is further included between the magnetic layer and the protective layer, and the pinning layer includes a magnetic material including Co and includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, and Al.

Abstract: A method for reducing aging effects on a magnetic recording tape, according to one embodiment, includes loading a dual-reel cartridge having a magnetic recording tape into an input/output device. A current load point of the magnetic recording tape is determined. At least one input/output operation is performed on the magnetic recording tape. An unload point on the magnetic recording tape that is different than the current load point of the magnetic recording tape is selected, and the magnetic recording tape is moved to the selected unload point. A date-time stamp associated with the selected unload point is sent for storage in the memory. The dual-reel cartridge is unloaded from the input/output device.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a reel having a hub, and a damping layer coupled to the reel for translating motion of a motor to the reel. The damping layer is physically configured to dampen motor-induced motion of the reel along an axis of rotation of the reel. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a reel having a hub, and a damping layer coupled to the reel for translating motion of a motor to the reel. The damping layer includes a laminate having a first metal layer and a viscoelastic layer extending along the first metal layer for dampening motor-induced motion of the reel along an axis of rotation of the reel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a slider with an air bearing surface, and a head element in the slider. The slider includes a leading step at a leading side end of the air bearing surface, a trailing step at a trailing side end of the air bearing surface and including the head element, a deep groove formed between the leading step and the trailing step and opening to the air bearing surface, a center rail extending from a center portion of the air bearing surface to the trailing step, and a pair of pressure generators disposed between the center rail and each side edge.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in imparting linear tonearm tracking for a record player are provided. The systems can include a joint member having three separate movable connections to a tonearm, guiding slot and slidable pivot base, wherein a rear pivot location of the tonearm is on the slidable pivot base. A movement of the tonearm can cause the joint member to adjust a position of the slidable pivot base, as a function of a configuration of the guiding slot, and this combination of interactions is combined to impart substantial linear tracking for the tonearm.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic recording medium, which is a magnetic recording medium for microwave-assisted recording and includes a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, in which the magnetic layer shows a natural ferromagnetic resonance frequency equal to or greater than 30.0 GHz and an anisotropic magnetic field distribution equal to or smaller than 35%.

Abstract: Provided is a PSA sheet that has a high level of moisture resistance while maintaining good holding power with reduced gas emission. The PSA sheet provided by this invention comprises a moisture-impermeable layer and a PSA layer provided to one face of the moisture-impermeable layer. The PSA layer comprises a polymer A having a weight average molecular weight of 5×104 or higher as a base polymer and a polymer B having a number average molecular weight of 1000 or higher and a weight average molecular weight lower than 5×104.

Abstract: A data storage device can employ a gimbal tongue flexure suspended from a load beam with a transducing head mounted to the gimbal tongue flexure. The transducing head can be separated from a magnetic recording medium by an air bearing. At least one active or non-active damper may be positioned on a strut of the gimbal tongue flexure.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a gas-bearing slider supporting a write head with an electrically conductive structure, like a spin-torque oscillator (STO), in the write gap, and dual independent interface voltage control (IVC) circuitry coupled to elements on the slider. A first IVC circuitry provides a bias voltage to the slider body to assure substantially zero electrical potential between the slider body and the disk to minimize slider-disk contact and lubrication pick-up. A second IVC circuitry operates independently of the first IVC circuitry and provides a bias voltage to the electrically conductive structure region to assure a negative potential of the electrically conductive structure region relative to the disk to minimize degradation of the slider overcoat and thus oxidation of the electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: Described are electronic hard disk drives that are made to include: a base; a cover; interior components such as a stack of magnetic recording disks, reading and recording heads, electronics to read and record and to transfer data to and from an external electronic device; and a cover support at the interior of the device to inhibit movement of the cover.