Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710, 810) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712, 812) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711) that contains a rotatable hard disk (91, 326-327). A read/write head (107, 331-334) is supported for movement adjacent the disk by a pivotal actuator arm (101). The cradle controls alignment of the head with the disk using feedback servo tracking. Calibration parameters used to perform this tracking, such as servo information or read channel information, may be stored in a special track (414) which is on the disk, and which may be a read-only track. The special track stores a plurality of sets of calibration parameters, each corresponding to a respective combination of a cradle and an environmental characteristic such as temperature.

Abstract: An information storage device includes a cradle which can removably receive a cartridge that contains a rotatable hard disk. A read/write head is supported for movement adjacent the disk by a pivotal actuator arm. The cradle controls alignment of the head with the disk using feedback servo tracking. Servo parameters needed by the cradle to perform this tracking may be stored in a special wide track which is on the disk, and which may be a read-only track. Alternatively, the track may store updated firmware that can be loaded into the cradle. One approach to reading this special wide track is to effect servo tracking using default servo parameters. A different approach is to bias the actuator arm against a mechanical stop.

Abstract: A head loading apparatus and method for a disk drive device adapts the head load characteristics of a disk drive in order to minimize the velocity of the heads during loading of the heads onto the surface of a data storage medium. The apparatus is characterized by attempting to load the heads onto engagement with a medium, determining whether the heads actually load, measuring the head load velocity, and adjusting the load characteristics of the drive based on the measured head load velocity. Preferably, the pulse width of the loading current applied to the actuator of the drive is adaptive, either increasingly or decreasingly, in response to the measured head load velocity. This adaptive soft head load characteristic of the drive allows the head load velocity to be minimizes to a velocity sufficient to move the read-write heads off of a load ramp and onto the surface of a data storage medium without damaging the head, the medium, or both.

Abstract: An information storage device (10) includes a cartridge (14) which can be removably inserted into a cradle (13) coupled by a cable (12) to a host computer. The cartridge includes an outer housing (54) containing a chamber (122), and having an electrical connector (63) on the exterior. An inner housing (128) contains a hard disk mechanism, and is resiliently supported within the chamber by four resilient elements (131-134). A flex circuit (146) extends from the inner housing to the connector, and permits relative movement of the inner and outer housings. The resilient elements are formed by cutting a cross-shaped part (402) from a foam sheet, cutting two square parts (406-407) from a different foam sheet, adhesively laminating the outer parts to opposite sides of the center part, and then cutting the resulting assembly along two planes to form the four resilient elements.

Abstract: An information storage device (10) includes a cartridge (14) which can be removably inserted into a cradle (13) coupled by a cable (12) to a host computer. The cartridge includes an outer housing (54) containing a chamber (122), and having an electrical connector (63) on the exterior. An inner housing (128) contains a hard disk mechanism, and is resiliently supported within the chamber by four resilient elements (131-134). A flex circuit (146) extends from the inner housing to the connector, and permits relative movement of the inner and outer housings. The resilient elements are formed by cutting a cross-shaped part (402) from a foam sheet, cutting two square parts (406-407) from a different foam sheet, adhesively laminating the outer parts to opposite sides of the center part, and then cutting the resulting assembly along two planes to form the four resilient elements.

Abstract: An information storage device (10, 510, 610, 710, 810) includes a cradle (12, 512, 612, 712, 812) which can removably receive a cartridge (11, 411, 511, 611, 711) that contains a rotatable hard disk (91, 326-327). A read/write head (107, 331-334) is supported for movement adjacent the disk by a pivotal actuator arm (101). The cradle controls alignment of the head with the disk using feedback servo tracking. Calibration parameters used to perform this tracking, such as servo information or read channel information, may be stored in a special track (414) which is on the disk, and which may be a read-only track. The special track stores a plurality of sets of calibration parameters, each corresponding to a respective combination of a cradle and an environmental characteristic such as temperature.

Abstract: An information storage device (10) includes a drive module (14) releasably coupled to an interface module (13), where an information storage cartridge (11) can be removably inserted into the drive module in an approximately vertical direction. The drive module has a light source and magnifying lens which highlight indica located on the cartridge. Guide structure ensures that the cartridge can be inserted only with a single proper orientation. The drive module includes a display (236) which provides operational status information, and which is visible through an opening (411) provided in the interface module. The interface module has at least two ports (307, 308) conforming to a selected communication protocol, to permit the information storage device to be daisy chained with other compatible devices. A button (301) for initiating cartridge removal is actuated in an approximately vertical direction.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge has a recording medium and a door covering an opening in the shell. The door is opened when the cartridge is inserted into the drive and closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. A movable member rotates in cooperation with a stationary member by a actuating arm that is coupled to the door.

Abstract: A disk drive with steering magnets that reduce the magnetic flux leakage from the actuator magnets of a linear actuator is disclosed. The steering magnets reduce flux leakage in the area of the magnetic disk where magnetic information is read and record, thereby enabling disk drive size to be reduces. The steering magnets are arranged along the sides of the outer return path. Like poles of the steering magnets face inward toward like poles of the actuator magnets.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge has a recording medium and a door covering an opening in the shell. The door is opened when the cartridge is inserted into the drive and closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. A movable member rotates in cooperation with a stationary member by an actuating arm that is coupled to the door. Preferably, a screw/nut mechanism is operated by the opening and closing of the door to actuate a clamping mechanism which clamps the recording against a planar wall of the shell when the cartridge is removed from the drive.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a rigid shell and a flexible door which covers an opening through which read/write heads engage the recording medium. The flexible door is guided outside of the shell to an open position as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. A projection on a flexible arm in the drive catches a hole in the flexible door to open it as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. The door along the outside of the cartridge conserves space so that the recording medium can be large for a given form factor drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a disk from overwrites during mechanical shock. If the PES exceeds an off-track threshold for a predetermined number of servo samples, the read/write is suspended for a predetermined duration. The predetermined duration allows for the mechanical shock or disturbance to abate and allows the heads to settle with respect to the track. The off-track threshold being exceeded for several servo samples is used as an indicator of the mechanical force and subsequent undesirable vibration. The writes can then be suspended for the predetermined duration, thereby avoiding overwriting data on adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a rigid shell and a flexible door which covers an opening through which read/write heads engage the recording medium. The flexible door is guided outside of the shell to an open position as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. A projection on a flexible arm in the drive catches a hole in the flexible door to open it as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. The door along the outside of the cartridge conserves space so that the recording medium can be large for a given form factor drive.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a clamping mechanism which is actuated as the door to the cartridge is closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. The door covers the opening through which the cartridge is accessed by read/write heads. When the cartridge is removed from the drive, the mechanism of the present invention clamps the recording disk against the cartridge shell to prevent rattle, which might otherwise damage the recording disk.

Abstract: A disk insertion and ejection mechanism for use in a mini disk drive. The insertion and ejection mechanism operates by using cooperating cammed surfaces on a mini-cartridge and a movable sled within the mini disk drive. The cams operate to keep the mini-cartridge raised above the drive spindle during cartridge insertion. When the mini-cartridge is fully inserted into the drive, the cams in the drive mate with cam openings on the disk and the cartridge can move down onto the spindle. Additionally, wedges in the drive and wedge cut-outs on the cartridge cooperate to lock a cartridge into the drive during insertion. During cartridge ejection, the cams within the drive cooperate with the cammed surfaces in the cartridge to raise the cartridge above the spindle. At that moment, the cartridge is forced from the drive.