Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining an input and identifying at least a first vehicle which is to be commanded to perform at least one diagnostics test. The method also includes providing a remote diagnostics command to the first vehicle, the remote diagnostics command configured to command the first vehicle to perform at least a first diagnostics test, wherein the first diagnostics test is performed by the first vehicle on at least a first system included on the first vehicle. The first vehicle is monitored during the first diagnostics test. Diagnostics data associated with the first diagnostics test is obtained from the first vehicle and processed to generate diagnostics for the first vehicle.

Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.

Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.

Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.

Abstract: Pill dispenser devices, systems and methods are shown and/or described herein. Include are a method, device or system for pill delivery including disposing a pill at a known location; contacting the pill with a pick-up member; and, moving the pill from the known location by movement of the pick-up member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centering assembly for centering a plurality of disks being assembled onto a spindle hub, and further provides a spindle hub being capable of centering disks being assembled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for assembling a disk-stack with multiple disks and spacers and transferring the assembled disk-stack, a media servowriter that comprises a fixed hub for receiving the assembled disk-stack, and a method that comprises assembling a disk-stack with multiple disks and spacers off-line and transferring the assembled disk-stack to the fixed hub of the media servowriter.

Abstract: A system and methods for efficiently performing media writing functions is disclosed. The system and methods include: detecting media movement with respect to a base and heads during reading and writing, and moving the heads in response; using an interferometer, such as a dual beam differential interferometer, to dynamically monitor disk position and address perceived errors; and minimizing repeatable and non repeatable runout error by writing data, such as servo bursts, in multiple revolutions to average adverse runout conditions. The present system has the ability to use an interferometer to enhance media certification and perform on line, in situ monitoring of the media, and includes shrouding, head mounting, disk biasing, and related mechanical aspects beneficial to media writing.

Abstract: A system and methods for efficiently performing media writing functions is disclosed. The system and methods include: detecting media movement with respect to a base and heads during reading and writing, and moving the heads in response; using an interferometer, such as a dual beam differential interferometer, to dynamically monitor disk position and address perceived errors; and minimizing repeatable and non repeatable runout error by writing data, such as servo bursts, in multiple revolutions to average adverse runout conditions. The present system has the ability to use an interferometer to enhance media certification and perform on line, in situ monitoring of the media, and includes shrouding, head mounting, disk biasing, and related mechanical aspects beneficial to media writing.

Abstract: A system and methods for efficiently performing media writing functions is disclosed. The system and methods include: detecting media movement with respect to a base and heads during reading and writing, and moving the heads in response; using an interferometer, such as a dual beam differential interferometer, to dynamically monitor disk position and address perceived errors; and minimizing repeatable and non repeatable runout error by writing data, such as servo bursts, in multiple revolutions to average adverse runout conditions. The present system has the ability to use an interferometer to enhance media certification and perform on line, in situ monitoring of the media, and includes shrouding, head mounting, disk biasing, and related mechanical aspects beneficial to media writing.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a combined media certification and servo data writing function is disclosed. The system and method include mounting a plurality of media, such as hard disks, to a spindle and using at least one positioner to move multiple read write heads over disk surfaces according to multiple specific aspects of the invention. One aspect of the invention comprises performing certification on a first pass, writing servo pattern data on a second pass, and verifying servo data on a third pass over the media. The system may require high performance read/write heads, writing of coherent patterns in addition to servo patterns, use of multiple positioners, and additional hardware to perform the joint certification and servowriting function.

Abstract: The present invention is a clock head assembly that provides reference clock signals during servo writing of a magnetic disk in a hard drive. The clock head assembly includes a clock head that is pivotably mounted to a housing. The housing encloses a disk mounted to a spindle. The spindle is attached to the spindle motor of a hard disk drive through an opening in the housing. The spindle motor of the disk drive rotates the spindle and disk of the clock head assembly. The clock head is coupled to a cam that is manually actuated by a lever to move the clock head arm assembly between a loaded position and an unloaded position. During servo writing, the clock head is loaded onto the disk so that reference clock signals may be read from the disk and provided to a servo controller which utilizes the clock signals to write servo information onto the disk within the hard disk drive. Upon completion of servo writing, the clock head assembly is detached from the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a head disk assembly (HDA) simulator that outputs a flexible, totally electronic simulation of an HDA. It outputs a programmable standard HDA signal. As such the HDA simulator generates the head signal that a functioning, already servo-written HDA would provide. This signal can be ideal, eliminating any anomalies and inconsistencies inherent in electromechanical devices. Quantifiable amounts of anomalies can be systematically introduced to allow design margin testing. The HDA simulator is controlled in two ways. First, by allowing a user to choose items from four menus. And second, by allowing the user to use a built-in text editor to edit ASCII files that control the servo patterns and simulator operation. Independent channels of repetitive signals are available to specify sync, servo and data patterns. For any given simulated head position, simulated adjacent tracks are generated and then mixed-in at an appropriate ratio.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled media and disk testing system having a media servowriting subsystem and a certification subsystem. The servowriting subsystem comprises a precision magnetic read/write (R/W) head positioning device based on a laser positioning device and pattern generating and writing circuitry. The certification subsystem comprises of an apparatus to open bit windows and adjust thresholds and to assess the quality and nature of defects from the positions of bits and their analog characteristics when read back relative to such windows.

Abstract: A flexible data disk has consecutive servo tracks having a synchronization and alternate synchronization mark. The synchronization and alternate synchronization marks in each servo sector are radially aligned. Four magnetic pulses represent a synchronization mark and two magnetic pulses represent an alternate synchronization mark. The disk drive system will read and identify the synchronization marks and alternate synchronization marks and start generating timing pulses as appropriate. The servo bursts can then be read allowing the disk drive system to center the transducer head over the data tracks.

Abstract: A servo system intermittently samples servo sectors from a data disk to obtain the position of the read/write head and to maintain an on-track alignment. A glass scale measures the movement of the transducer head and provides a velocity signal. An integrator integrates the velocity signal to produce a fill-in position signal. This fill-in position signal is added to the position signal from the last sampled servo sector to provide a position compensator with position information when the head is in between servo sectors. An on-track detector circuit and a damping circuit heavily damp movement of the transducer head when the head is in the on-track position. A gain circuit modifies the signal going to the position compensator in order to compensate for misclamping and imperfections in the data disk. The position compensator includes a tilt circuit which compensates for tilting of the disk drive from a non-horizontal position.