Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a slider for carrying a head at least for performing reproduction of data from a disk, and a holding portion for holding the slider. The holding portion includes: a first portion including a first piezoelectric element; a second portion including a second piezoelectric element; a third portion connected to the first and second portions, the slider being provided on the third portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the first and second portions. At least one of the first and second piezoelectric elements is contracted and expanded in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the disk, in the presence of an applied voltage so that the slider provided on the third portion is rotated around a predetermined center of rotation.

Abstract: A computer disk drive (22) having a write head (52) which includes a coil (38), a photoresist insulation layer (66) formed on the coil (38), and an insulation shell layer (102) which is formed on the photoresist insulation layer (66). In the first preferred embodiment (100), the top pole (42) of the write head (52) is formed on the insulation shell layer (102). In the second preferred embodiment (200), the disk drive write gap (76) is formed on the insulation shell layer (102) and the top pole (42) of the write head (52) is formed on the write gap (76). The insulation shell layers (102) in both embodiments are preferably made of dielectric materials (103). Methods of fabrication for these embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A voice and other sounds to be are selected, the sounds are generated and recorded, the sounds are subjected to spectrum analysis and image processing the image-processed and displayed results of spectrum analysis are recorded on a recording medium. By rubbing the printed parts by a finger, sounds are produced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing generation of acoustic noise in a disc drive. A multi-layer disc drive housing structure includes a housing layer, a plurality of rigid damping layers and a corresponding plurality of interposed visco-elastic damping layers. Characteristics of the various layers are selected by evaluating hypothetical models each having first, second and third theoretical layers, at least one of which is a composite layer made up of multiple layers. Loss factor profiles are evaluated in relation to housing layer resonant frequency to provide an optimum multi-layer structure.

Abstract: A transducing head has a magnetoresistive sensor and a first and a second dual path conductor/magnet structure for providing current to the magnetoresistive sensor and for stabilizing the magnetoresistive sensor. The first and the second dual path conductor/magnet structures are arranged in an abutted-junction configuration on opposite sides of the magnetoresistive sensor. Each of the first and the second dual path conductor/magnet structures has at least one bias layer and at least one conductor layer. Each bias layer is formed upon a bias seed layer positioned over one of the conductor layers. Each bias seed layer is selected to result in the bias layer formed upon it having a coercivity between about 1 kOe and about 5 kOe and an in-plane remnant squareness greater than about 0.8. Most preferably, each of the first and the second dual path conductor/magnet structures is formed of at least two conductor layers interspersed with at least one bias layer.

Abstract: To provide a spin-valve type magnetic head having high read output even if track width is narrow and high stability, a magnetic head according to the invention is provided with a spin-valve type magnetoresistive element in which a single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer is formed on a soft magnetic free layer via a non-magnetic separating layer, the soft magnetic free layer and the single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer are magnetostatically coupled at the end of track width, a closed magnetic circuit is formed and the soft magnetic layer has magnetization substantially induced in a direction substantially perpendicular to an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing such as for use in a data storage device. Opposing first and second housing members are coupled together with respective interior surfaces in facing relationship to form a hermetically sealed interior environment. An internally mounted shaft includes a medial portion about which a rotatable article rotates, a proximal end internally supported by the first housing member, and a distal end internally supported by the second housing member. In some embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends fits into a corresponding recess formed in the respective housing member. In other embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends includes a cup-shaped recess which accommodates a pin that projects from the respective housing member. Layers of compliant material are preferably provided at the interfaces between the ends of the shaft and the respective housing members.

Abstract: A transducing head has a magnetoresistive sensor, a first bias element, and a second bias element. The magnetoresistive sensor is positioned between the first and second bias elements, and has a sensor width. The first bias element has a first length and the second bias element has a second length. The direction of the first and second lengths are substantially similar to the direction of the sensor width. The first and second lengths in the range of about one-tenth to about twenty times the sensor width.

Abstract: A tape recording and reproduction apparatus includes a post base with a tape guide post, a leaf spring member pressing the post base against a post base catcher, and a leaf spring member control part. The leaf spring member control part presses the leaf spring member so that a gap is formed between the post base catcher and the leaf spring member, and removes the press on the leaf spring member so that the leaf spring member presses the post base against the post base catcher. The leaf spring member control part presses the leaf spring member so as to form the gap when the post base moves to the side of the post base catcher opposing the leaf spring member. The leaf spring member control part removes the press on the leaf spring member when the post base enters the gap.

Abstract: Disk changer apparatus employs a commercially-available drive device that includes a sliding tray having an opening preformed therein. Disk elevator section has a portion movable through the opening of the sliding tray and thereby allows a disk to be transferred between a disk transport section and the sliding tray of the drive device utilizing the opening of the sliding tray.

Abstract: A disk drive is described, having a draw-in device for disk-shaped storage media, which prevents damage to the playoff area of such storage media. The draw-in device includes a threaded rod having an axis of rotation in the push-in direction of the storage medium. The course of thread of threaded rod acts together with the edge region of a storage medium inserted into the draw-in device so that the storage medium is drawn into the disk drive or pushed out of the disk drive by the rotation of the threaded rod, depending on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A super-resolution recordable optical disk includes a substrate and forms sequentially on the substrate an under dielectric layer, a mask layer, an interface layer, an organic dye layer, an isolation layer, and a protection layer. A laser beam is projected into the organic dye layer through the substrate to record signals. And a super-resolution recordable optical disk for high numerical apertures also is provided that includes a substrate and forms sequentially on the substrate an organic dye layer, an interface layer, a mask layer an under dielectric layer, and a thin polycarbonate layer. A laser beam is projected into the organic dye layer through the thin polycarbonate layer to record signals.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic transducer having good thermal stability, a thin film magnetic head, a method of manufacturing a magnetic transducer and a method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head. A stack of an MR element has a stacked structure comprising an underlayer, a first soft magnetic layer, a second soft magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a ferromagnetic layer, an antiferromagnetic layer and a capping layer, which are stacked in this order on the underlayer. The ferromagnetic layer is divided into a bottom layer and a top layer in the direction of stack. A ferromagnetic interlayer having magnetism and having higher electrical resistance than the electrical resistance of the ferromagnetic layer is formed between the bottom layer and the top layer. The ferromagnetic interlayer magnetically integrates the bottom layer with the top layer and limits a path for electrons moving through the stack, thereby improving the rate of resistance change.

Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a slider for carrying a head at least for performing reproduction of data from a disk, and a holding portion for holding the slider. The holding portion includes: a first portion including a first piezoelectric element; a second portion including a second piezoelectric element; a third portion connected to the first and second portions, the slider being provided on the third portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the first and second portions. At least one of the first and second piezoelectric elements is contracted and expanded in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the disk, in the presence of an applied voltage so that the slider provided on the third portion is rotated around a predetermined center of rotation.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the substrate, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A disk cartridge having a shutter constructed slidable in both rightward and leftward directions. One surface of a cartridge casing is provided with a first guide groove formed between an upper surface of a front end wall of one half shell and a lower surface of a front end wall of the other half shell. The front end wall of the above-mentioned other half shell is partially cut out to provide a cut portion that extends up to the upper surface of the front end wall of the one half shell. By inserting a first engagement protrusion and a second engagement protrusion formed a the first slider through the cut portion into the first guide groove, the shutter is mounted on the casing body.

Abstract: A disk drive head stack assembly (66) of a configuration that facilitates the assembly thereof is disclosed. One or more head/arm assemblies (74) are mounted on a pivot bearing (118). This pivot bearing (118) includes a tapered section (126). Each head/arm assembly (74) may be mounted on the pivot bearing (118). Thereafter, a retainer ring (102) may be advanced relative to the pivot bearing (118). Advancement of the retainer ring (102) along the tapered section (126) expands the retainer ring (102) so that the same may be disposed within a retainer ring slot (130) of the pivot bearing (118). Each head/arm assembly (74) is maintained between this retainer ring (102) and a flange (134) of the pivot bearing (118).

Abstract: A cartridge case has the same general geometry and dimensions of a Magstar cartridge, but with modified lateral sides with recessed surfaces and additional gripping notches that permit the alternative use of the cartridge with either a Magstar or an LTO type of automated picker. The width of the bottom rear portion of the cartridge is reduced to conform to the width of a standard LTO cartridge and LTO gripping notches are provided by increasing the depth of the locating notches of the Magstar format to the size required for engagement by the fingers in the gripper arms of an LTO automated picker. As a result of this modification, the cartridge of the invention can be alternatively handled by either Magstar or LTO type of automated pickers.

Abstract: An optical disc cartridge for storing an optical disc. The cover of the optical disc cartridge absorbs or filters ambient light which may damage information stored on the disc after prolonged exposure to the ambient light. Preferably, the disc cartridge cover allows some visible light to pass in order to allow a user to read label information on the disc. The color of the cover may be transparent to visible light, allow only specific visible wavelengths of light to pass, or be opaque, as long as the amount of ambient light reaching the disc stored within the disc cartridge is reduced. The disc cover may be made of a single layer or include a base layer with one or more thin films thereon.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has a load beam. The load beam consists of a rigid part and a resilient part that are independent of each other. The head suspension is capable of suppressing impedance variations in a flexure and avoiding air disturbance. The head suspension has a plate attached to a carriage, the load beam having the rigid part and the resilient part, and the flexure attached to the load beam and extended toward the plate. The resilient part of the load beam is made of a resilient material that is independent of the rigid part. A first side of the resilient material is laid on an end of the rigid part and joined thereto. A second side of the resilient material is joined to the plate. The first side of the resilient material is provided with a cut to partly expose the end of the rigid part. The flexure is extended through the cut toward the plate.