Abstract: A tubing-illumination apparatus for illuminating oxygen supply tubing. The apparatus includes an electroluminescent wire that is wrapped around an oxygen supply tubing in a spiraling configuration to extend along the length thereof. Clips with a minor and a major channel extending therethrough are provided for retaining the arrangement of the wire and the tubing. The minor channel receives and retains the wire and the major channel receives and retains the tubing in a parallel, side-by-side relation. The electroluminescent wire provides illumination of the tubing continuously along the length thereof. The clips are removable from the tubing to enable replacement of the tubing. The electroluminescent wire may be coupled to a control module such that the wire may be illuminated in relation to operational conditions of an oxygen supply apparatus.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a fabric assembly comprising a flexible substrate including a top surface; a plurality of plates affixed to the top surface of the flexible substrate and arrayed in a pattern such that a plurality of continuous gaps are defined between adjacent plates; and a coating formed on at least one of the substrate and plurality of guard plates, wherein the coating is selected to increase at least one of scuff resistance, oil resistance, water resistance, stain resistance of the fabric assembly.

Abstract: A recordable data storage disc comprises a substrate having a spirally or concentrically shaped groove pattern. A groove depth of the groove pattern is greater than 90 nanometers, and a track pitch provided by the groove pattern is less than 500 nanometers. The data storage disc further comprises a write-once recording layer formed on the groove pattern, and a reflector layer formed on the recording layer opposite the substrate. The groove depth of greater than 90 nanometers allows a thicker coating of dye to be used for the recording layer compared to other recordable data storage discs with a groove pattern with a groove depth of 90 nanometers or less. The thicker coating of dye allows a lower write power, better modulation when reading a data signal from the disc. The groove depth of greater than 90 nanometers may also allow for more precise push-pull tracking.

Abstract: A secure computing environment in which a computer automatically operates in a full-access data storage mode when it detects the presence of a secure removable storage device. In full-access mode all data written to removable storage device is encrypted with a cryptographic key and the user is given access to sensitive if authorized. Otherwise, the computer operates in a restricted-access mode in which the user is unable to write to the removable storage device and is unable to access sensitive data. The invention detects security information on the data storage device and generates a cryptographic key from the security information. The security information can be a function of the unique format characteristics of the underlying storage medium, a unique identifier retrieved from an electronic circuit embedded within the removable storage device or a serial number etched on the storage device during manufacturing.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides two-sided magnetic data storage tape comprising azimuthal magnetic transition layouts that can substantially reduce demagnetization of recorded magnetic transitions on the surfaces of the tape. The invention specifically balances the goal of simplified media manufacture with the goal of reducing or avoiding media degradation when the tape is spooled. The two-sided magnetic data storage tape defines a substantially similar easy axis of magnetic anisotropy on a first and a second side of the tape, which can simplify media manufacture. Recorded magnetic transitions on the opposing sides of the tape define azimuths that are substantially different, which can help avoid media degradation when the tape is spooled.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: A time-based optical servo system includes at least one optical indicator mark located on at least one servo track of a data storage medium. Alternatively, a pattern of optical indicators is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. A servo read head assembly coupled to a transducing head assembly includes two elongate and non-parallel detection devices having a known relative geometry. The detection devices are adapted to detect the optical indicator marks and determine the time period required for each optical indicator mark to pass between the detection devices. This time period is used to calculate the location of the transducing head assembly relative to the storage medium in a translating direction and produce a position error signal (PES) based thereon.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a magneto-optic read head formed to suppress magnetic exchange coupling at regular intervals along a lateral direction of the read head. For example, in the region of the magneto-optic read head where light is reflected, i.e., the optical scanning region, the read head may be formed with a series of ferromagnetic exchange breaks that reduce lateral permeability of magnetic fields, and hence reduce lateral flux through the read head. In this manner, the effective resolution of the read head can be increased, thereby facilitating readout of data stored on narrower data tracks.

Abstract: Optical servo systems and magnetic data storage tape for use with magnetic data storage drives. The servo system utilizes a head mechanism that includes an optical head and a magnetic head. The optical head is adapted to detect a series of optical indicator marks located on a servo track on the tape. The magnetic head is adapted to detect one or a series of magnetic reference indicator marks located on a corresponding data track. The magnetic reference indicator marks are, in one embodiment, spaced periodically along the length of the tape. The magnetic reference indicator marks allow recalibration of the optical servo system by permitting the determination of any dimensional offset between the optical head and the magnetic head attributable to manufacturing tolerances or environmental factors. In one embodiment, a separate temperature sensor may be used to determine thermal changes in and around the head mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for stabilizing data storage media during laser servowriting of optical servo tracks on the media. The apparatus includes a spindle for rotating the media during servowriting, a fixed media platform, and a media support for stabilizing the vertical position of the media during servowriting. The media support may include channels to reduce or control the formation of an air bearing in the area of servowriting to stabilize the vertical positioning of the media. The media support may also include a vacuum slot for drawing a vacuum through the channels.

Abstract: A system for prolonging the useful life of a mask while ablating a pattern into a workpiece. The system includes a workpiece, a debris-blocking layer thereon, a laser directed toward the workpiece, and a mask provided between the laser and debris-blocking layer. The workpiece may be a data storage disk comprising a substrate and a magnetic coating thereon. The laser may be an ultraviolet laser and the debris-blocking layer should be transparent to the light emitted by the laser. The pattern may include concentric or spiral optical servo tracks in the magnetic coating. The debris-blocking layer minimizes degradation of the mask, thereby minimizing the need to clean the mask and prolonging the useful life of the mask.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of creating a shaped image in a workpiece using a high energy source, with the method comprising positioning a layer proximate the workpiece such that the layer prevents debris from the workpiece from dispersing, and directing radiation from the high energy source through the layer to the workpiece, the layer substantially transparent to radiation emitted by the high energy source such that the high energy source is capable of forming the shaped image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium that includes a polymeric flexible substrate and a magnetic layer coating thereon, with a binderless carbon rich layer adhered to the magnetic layer.The present invention also provides a process for the plasma deposition of the carbon rich coating onto a magnetic medium comprising the steps of:a. providing a magnetic medium in a vacuum chamber;b. generating carbon rich plasma in the vacuum chamber by injecting a plasma gas suitable to provide a carbon rich coating into an elongated hollow cathode; and providing a sufficient voltage to create and maintain plasma; and maintaining a vacuum in the vacuum chamber sufficient for the plasma; andc. exposing the magnetic medium to the plasma while the magnetic medium is influenced by a radio frequency bias electrode to accelerate the plasma towards the magnetic medium and deposit the carbon rich coating on the magnetic medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium that includes a polymeric flexible substrate and a magnetic layer coating thereon, with a binderless carbon rich layer adhered to the magnetic layer.The present invention also provides a process for the plasma deposition of the carbon rich coating onto a magnetic medium comprising the steps of:a. providing a magnetic medium in a vacuum chamber;b. generating carbon rich plasma in the vacuum chamber by injecting a plasma gas suitable to provide a carbon rich coating into an elongated hollow cathode; and providing a sufficient voltage to create and maintain plasma; and maintaining a vacuum in the vacuum chamber sufficient for the plasma; andc. exposing the magnetic medium to the plasma while the magnetic medium is influenced by a radio frequency bias electrode to accelerate the plasma towards the magnetic medium and deposit the carbon rich coating on the magnetic medium.