Abstract: The invention provides an improved disk writing system capable of storing larger amounts of information than heretofore possible. The disk mechanism incorporates a dual function servomechanism which includes a voice coil motor for driving the read/write head over long distances relatively quickly, and a stepper motor for precisely positioning the read/write head once it is in the desired region.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved disk writing system capable of storing larger amounts of information than heretofore possible. The disk mechanism incorporates a dual function servomechanism which includes a voice coil motor for driving the read/write head over long distances relatively quickly, and a stepper motor for precisely positioning the read/write head once it is in the desired region.

Abstract: A method for writing and reading for a floppy disc drive using a read/write head having a high density read/write gap and a low density read/write gap and a memory buffer. The method includes reading requested data and data ahead of the requested data from the disc and then storing the read data ahead of the requested data in a look-ahead memory buffer. Data stored in the look-ahead memory buffer is then read, instead of from the disc, when the next requested data is the same as the data stored in the memory buffer. There is no movement of the disc until reading of the data stored in the memory buffer is completed or until other data is requested that is needed directly from the disc. The above method reduces power consumption and provided an improved higher rate of read/write operation for a floppy disc drive that is particularly useful in a portable computer.

Abstract: A method for servo formatting disc media for a disc drive. The method includes (a) establishing a first timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes a first alignment pattern of transitions, that has a centerline substantially colinear with a centerline of the first alignment pattern and located at the boundary of one of a plurality of data tracks; (b) establishing a second timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes the data track and that has a centerline that is substantially colinear with the centerline of the data track; and (c) establishing a third timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes the second alignment pattern of transitions, and that has a centerline substantially colinear with the centerline of the second alignment pattern of transitions. The above method provides servo formatting for precisely detecting a read timing of the first and second alignment patterns.

Abstract: Opposed magnetic head sliders 22, 24 for dual sided recording on a flexible disk 26 include one or more slots 32 provided longitudinally in one of the opposed rails in order to allow the slotted rail 28 to fly and reduce flying height relative to a flexible disk 26 operating at an elevated rotational speed. The sliders additionally have a diagonally blended contour 96 for urging contaminants away from the film interface between the head sliders 22, 24 and the flexible disk 26.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive 32 with closed loop servoed high density read/write gaps 66, 86 and low density read/write gaps 64, 84 for updating of standard open loop formatted media includes a servo format having timing decode transitions Ta, Tb, Tc, and alignment transitions, A, B, and a method for field writing the servo format on blank diskettes in a disc drive.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head for a disc drive capable of both high density and low density read/write operations as measured in tracks per inch and employing a magnetic disc capable of having defined thereon a multiplicity of tracks per inch in the disc radial direction. The disc and head have radial and tangential lines of reference relative to each other. The head includes at least one slider having a magnetic high density read/write core gap and a magnetic low density read/write core gap offset relative to each other radially and tangentially on the slider, and a non-magnetic spacer positioned between the magnetic high denisty core gap and the magnetic low density core gap of the slider. Preferably there is provided a second slider having the same structure as described above, wherein the disc is positionable between the first and second sliders for read/write operations of the disc drive.