Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing a payment at a network node is described. The method includes operating a processor to identify a set of agreed purchase parameters, the agreed purchase parameters including data indicative of a purchase location, a purchase amount, a first device associated with a first user, and a second device associated with a second user, determine a first location of the first device, determine a second location of the second device, and responsive to determining that the first location and the second location are within a predefined distance from the purchase location, effecting a transfer of the purchase amount from a first account associated with the first user to a second account associated with the second user.

Abstract: A system and process for constructing a magnetic storage drive capable of single pass self-servowriting. A plurality of heads are sorted, or “binned,” into classifications based on at least an approximate magnetic width of each head. Only heads from a single classification are installed in a particular disk drive system. A track overlap value is calculated, preferably empirically, for the approximate magnetic widths of typical heads in the single classification. The overlap value is used to determine a track spacing utilized during a self-servowriting process.

Abstract: A system and method for managing servo defects in a data storage device. During operation of the device, a servo sector recorded on a medium is identified. A lookup is performed in a servo defect table resource to determine whether the servo sector contains defective servo information. A responsive servo control action is taken if the servo sector is found to contain defective servo information. Media having servo defect information recorded thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process for constructing a magnetic storage drive capable of single pass self-servowriting. A plurality of heads are sorted, or “binned,” into classifications based on at least an approximate magnetic width of each head. Only heads from a single classification are installed in a particular disk drive system. A track overlap value is calculated, preferably empirically, for the approximate magnetic widths of typical heads in the single classification. The overlap value is used to determine a track spacing utilized during a self-servowriting process.

Abstract: A system and method for managing servo defects in a data storage device. During operation of the device, a servo sector recorded on a medium is identified. A lookup is performed in a servo defect table resource to determine whether the servo sector contains defective servo information. A responsive servo control action is taken if the servo sector is found to contain defective servo information. Media having servo defect information recorded thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: A method is described for storing data on a target track of a recordable medium in a storage device via a magnetic write head therein. The storage device has an operating parameter having an operational range with extreme at which the writing of data to said device is prohibited. A first threshold within said range is defined and proximate said first extreme and delimits a first operational subrange. The method including the steps of: monitoring said operating parameter; and determining whether the monitored parameter lies within said first subrange and if so, performing a first predetermined operation to compensate for deleterious effects on data storage caused thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) servo control system controls movement of a magneto-resistive (MR) read/write head in response to a readback signal generated when the MR head repeatedly passes adjacent multiple servo fields and data fields of the recording medium. The servo control system receives multiple data samples, detects a thermal asperity in the readback signal when the MR transducer is adjacent a servo field of the recording medium, determines that the servo field data samples affected by the thermal asperity are invalid due to possible data errors, and operates a servo demodulator in response to the servo field thermal asperity before the MR transducer is next adjacent the servo field. In a DASD with a rotating disk, for example, the thermal asperity response can be implemented before one revolution of the disk has been completed after the thermal asperity is encountered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an "early read" just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution. The missed first data region is reconstructed using ECC information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an "early read" just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution. The missed first data region is reconstructed using ECC information.