Abstract: A data storage diskette is disclosed. The diskette includes a housing and a media disk enclosed within the housing. The housing includes a base and a cover mated to the base. In this regard, the base defines an exterior surface that includes a base shutter zone that defines a base window, a drive zone that defines a drive window, and a base rib separating the base shutter zone from the drive zone, where the drive zone is recessed relative to the base rib; and the cover defines a cover window aligned with the base window.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed. The data storage device includes a continuous band, and a memory device assembly disposes within the continuous band. The continuous band defines an internal housing recess formed by opposing sides extending between first and second major surfaces, and an access window formed in one of the first and second major surfaces and communicating with the internal housing recess. In this regard, the memory device assembly is disposed in the internal housing recess, and a flexing of the continuous band exposes a data/power port of the memory device assembly through the access window.

Abstract: Reference heads for use in flexible data storage cards are disclosed. In one embodiment, a reference head includes a planar card surface for attachment to an interior housing surface of a flexible data storage card, and a non-planar reference surface opposite the planar card surface. In one embodiment, a non-symmetric reference head for use in a flexible data storage card housing a rotatable media disc includes a body defining a first planar surface opposite an optically smooth second planar surface, and a location feature formed in the body. In this regard, the location feature is configured to reproducibly orient the optically smooth second planar surface toward the rotatable media disc.

Abstract: A method of presenting a data storage diskette to a user is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing the diskette and promoting that handwritten indicia be deposited directly onto an information field in labeling the diskette. In this regard, the diskette includes a housing defining first and second housing sections, and an exterior portion of at least one of the housing sections integrally forming the information field.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing media reference surfaces for use in a flexible data storage card is described that includes providing a metal sheet and processing the metal sheet into a plurality of media reference surfaces. The metal sheet has a first side and a second side, where at least one side has an optically smooth surface characterized by an average surface roughness not greater than 8 micro-inch. Each media reference surface is characterized by having at least one curved edge adjacent the optically smooth surface. The processing is characterized by an absence of hand polishing.