Abstract: An automatic motion triggered camera with improved triggering to produce images with the target animal substantially centered in the field of view. A single motion detector, a camera, and image memory are controlled by a processor that detects changes in the motion detector output and generates a trigger signal for the camera. The trigger follows a first stage of waiting until a predetermined minimum threshold of movement is detected and a second stage of waiting until a further change in the output signal indicative of an animal being substantially centered in the field of view of the camera is detected. Compensation for camera capture delay time can be included by sampling a plurality of motion detector signals, computing an estimated time at which the animal will be centered, and triggering the camera prior to that time.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include correcting for systematic errors due to geometric effects. A correction is made for varying systematic errors, such as when the recording head has spatially separate read and write elements. Further, servopattern rotation due to residual or unmeasured systematic errors is reduced by using a once per revolution clock index derived from the motor drive current waveform or any other sensor. In one aspect of correcting for systematic errors in the writing of timing patterns on a storage medium of a storage device, a time interval between a trigger pattern written at a first radial position of the storage medium and a rotational index is measured. The rotational index is related to the rotational orientation of the storage medium with respect to a fixed frame of the storage device.

Abstract: Off-track time shift estimates are determined and used in order to write subsequent trigger patterns on a storage medium at different track pitches. Various procedures for determining an off-track time shift estimate are provided. These procedures include measuring time intervals between a related set of trigger patterns and another trigger written on the storage medium; measuring time intervals between a motor index and a particular trigger pattern at two different radial locations; measuring the difference in the center location of two trigger patterns written at different radial locations; and microjogging a recording transducer during the interval between two different trigger patterns.

Abstract: A technique for self-servowriting a servopattern on a data storage medium is disclosed. An initial set of servopattern tracks is written by moving an actuator against a compliant structure (e.g., crashstop) with a first force applied thereto to hold the actuator in a first position to write a first track of the servopattern. The force is changed, thereby reaching a second position of the actuator against the compliant structure, at which a second track of the servopattern is written. The process is iterated for additional tracks. The distances (i.e., overlap) between pairs of written tracks are measured using a read element of the actuator, and this measured distance is compared to predetermined, desired distance. If the measured distance is within a specified tolerance, the process is complete; and if not, the tracks are erased and the process is repeated with changed forces applied to the actuator against the crashstop resulting in modified distances between tracks.

Abstract: A technique, including a method and associated system, for multitrack positioning during self-servowriting on a storage medium, and for controlling error growth as the servowriting steps across the storage medium. Readback amplitudes of multiple bursts from previously written tracks are combined using a parabolic interpolation relationship, for positioning when writing bursts on a subsequent track. This technique is especially useful for systems in which the read element is separated from the write element in the direction in which the servowriting steps across the medium. Also disclosed is an associated technique for controlling error growth, in which a reference waveform is derived and stored for use when writing subsequent tracks. The individual reference adjustments resultant from the multitrack positioning signal are combined in a weighted sum which controls error growth when the weights are calculated properly, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: An improved servowriting system and method whereby errors introduced into the written servo information are reduced or eliminated for greater servowriting accuracy. Accuracy is enhanced by one or more of the following improvements: 1) optimizing write current and write frequency to minimize write width modulation; 2) optimizing the RPM of the storage medium to minimize random mechanical vibration; and 3) providing a clip level check to eliminate the introduction of large errors in product servopattern. The proposed improvements provide substantial rejection of, for example, mechanical and magnetic disturbances, ensuring a robust servowriting process.

Abstract: An accurate and time-efficient method and system for self-servowriting wherein at least one reference value used to position the transducer is updated for some, but not all, of the tracks to be written. The reference value(s) is dependent upon a predefined indicium of transducer position, such as the amplitude of the readback signal obtained from a written track when the transducer is positioned on the track. In a first embodiment, updating of the reference value(s) is performed at every Nth track written, where N is a fixed number or range of numbers determined by an expected track-to-track variation of the indicium. The servowriting system may be designed to dynamically increase or decrease N during servowriting in response to actual variations in the indicium. According to a second embodiment, updating is only performed when needed, e.g. when the variation of the measured indicium between two written tracks (not necessarily adjacent tracks) exceeds a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: An integrated data storage disk and disk drive assembly includes a rotatably supported magnetic disk for storing data. A rotor is fixedly joined to the disk for rotating the disk, and includes a plurality of rotor poles. A stator includes a plurality of stator poles positioned around the rotor for sequentially cooperating with respective ones of the rotor poles for rotating the rotor to rotate the disk. The disk and drive may be fabricated using lithographic and electroplating techniques, and a plurality of coaxial disks may be driven by a single disk drive in exemplary embodiments.

Abstract: Off-track time shift estimates are determined and used in order to write subsequent trigger patterns on a storage medium at different track pitches. Various procedures for determining an off-track time shift estimate are provided. These procedures include measuring time intervals between a related set of trigger patterns and another trigger written on the storage medium; measuring time intervals between a motor index and a particular trigger pattern at two different radial locations; measuring the difference in the center location of two trigger patterns written at different radial locations; and microjogging a recording transducer during the interval between two different trigger patterns.

Abstract: Off-track time shift estimates are determined and used in order to write subsequent trigger patterns on a storage medium at different track pitches. Various procedures for determining an off-track time shift estimate are provided. These procedures include measuring time intervals between a related set of trigger patterns and another trigger written on the storage medium; measuring time intervals between a motor index and a particular trigger pattern at two different radial locations; measuring the difference in the center location of two trigger patterns written at different radial locations; and microjogging a recording transducer during the interval between two different trigger patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine and correct track spacing during self-servowriting on a rotating recording medium. The recording medium comprising a plurality of tracks, wherein each track comprises a plurality of sectors, and a transducer mounted on an actuator arm pivotally coupled to a voice coil motor (VCM). The actuator arm is positioned by a servo. The method comprising the steps of: servowriting the at least one of the plurality of sectors with a servo pattern consisting of recorded transitions. The servowriting is performed on one more tracks within the sectors where the number of tracks being servowritten is less than total number of tracks that fills the rotating medium. The transducer is positioned relative to the rotating recording medium to a preselected radial position over a previously servowritten area of the rotating recording medium that has one or more previously recorded transitions.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include correcting for random errors. Random errors may be caused by variations in disk velocity and therefore, one technique for correcting for random errors includes reducing velocity jitter. Additionally, random errors can be corrected by improving interval control during the propagation of trigger patterns used in writing timing information on storage media. Further, random errors, in the writing of timing information, can be corrected during a single revolution of the storage media. This eliminates additional rotations, thereby providing a large capital cost savings.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include correcting for systematic errors due to geometric effects. A correction is made for varying systematic errors, such as when the recording head has spatially separate read and write elements. Further, servopattern rotation due to residual or unmeasured systematic errors is reduced by using a once per revolution clock index derived from the motor drive current waveform or any other sensor. In one aspect of correcting for systematic errors in the writing of timing patterns on a storage medium of a storage device, a time interval between a trigger pattern written at a first-radial position of the storage medium and a rotational index is measured. The rotational index is related to the rotational orientation of the storage medium with respect to a fixed frame of the storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for self-servowriting a data storage medium are disclosed, including servoing to propagation bursts of a propagation pattern located in tracks other than an immediately preceding track. Reference levels used to position a recording head are accordingly kept in a usable dynamic range necessary to keep servo track spacing constant across the medium. The methods and systems are disclosed in connection with a rotary actuator having spaced read and write heads. Similar methods are disclosed for writing trigger or timing bursts of the propagation pattern.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include detecting and correcting for media defects. A detector is used to detect whether a trigger pattern is within an expected location on the storage medium. If the trigger pattern is not detected, then a physical defect may be present. Thus, in one example, a false trigger pattern is generated. Additionally, a determination is made as to whether a trigger pattern is within an expected trigger pattern region. When the trigger pattern is not within the expected range, then a valid interval window may be modified to adjust the expected trigger pattern region.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include correcting for systematic errors due to geometric effects. A correction is made for varying systematic errors, such as when the recording head has spatially separate read and write elements. Further, servopattern rotation due to residual or unmeasured systematic errors is reduced by using a once per revolution clock index derived from the motor drive current waveform or any other sensor. In one aspect of correcting for systematic errors in the writing of timing patterns on a storage medium of a storage device, a time interval between a trigger pattern written at a first radial position of the storage medium and a rotational index is measured. The rotational index is related to the rotational orientation of the storage medium with respect to a fixed frame of the storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for self-servowriting a data storage medium are disclosed, including servoing to propagation bursts of a propagation pattern located in tracks other than an immediately preceding track. Reference levels used to position a recording head are accordingly kept in a usable dynamic range necessary to keep servo track spacing constant across the medium. The methods and systems are disclosed in connection with a rotary actuator having spaced read and write heads. Similar methods are disclosed for writing trigger or timing bursts of the propagation pattern.

Abstract: A technique for writing a servo-pattern on a storage medium located in a recording device having an internal recording head. A timing pattern is generated on the storage medium with the internal recording head and a radial positioning value is determined in order to radially position the internal recording head. The servo-pattern is written using the internal recording head at locations determined by the timing pattern and the radial positioning value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for self-servowriting a data storage medium are disclosed, including servoing to propagation bursts of a propagation pattern located in tracks other than an immediately preceding track. Reference levels used to position a recording head are accordingly kept in a usable dynamic range necessary to keep servo track spacing constant across the medium. The methods and systems are disclosed in connection with a rotary actuator having spaced read and write heads. Similar methods are disclosed for writing trigger or timing bursts of the propagation pattern.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include detecting and correcting for media defects. A detector is used to detect whether a trigger pattern is within an expected location on the storage medium. If the trigger pattern is not detected, then a physical defect may be present. Thus, in one example, a false trigger pattern is generated. Additionally, a determination is made as to whether a trigger pattern is within an expected trigger pattern region. When the trigger pattern is not within the expected range, then a valid interval window may be modified to adjust the expected trigger pattern region.