Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a plurality of writers and at least one reader. The plurality of writers and the reader define a plurality of close points of the head. The plurality of writers are spaced apart from one another in a cross-track direction and positioned in the same plane of the head. A plurality of contact sensors are positioned proximate the plurality of writers and the reader. The contact sensors are coupled together and to a pair of electrical bond pads of the head and configured to sense for head-disk contact at each of the close points.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a plurality of writers and at least one reader. The plurality of writers and the reader define a plurality of close points of the head. The plurality of writers are spaced apart from one another in a cross-track direction and positioned in the same plane of the head. A plurality of contact sensors are positioned proximate the plurality of writers and the reader. The contact sensors are coupled together and to a pair of electrical bond pads of the head and configured to sense for head-disk contact at each of the close points.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a writer, a reader, and a sensor configured to at least sense thermal asperities of a magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a writer heater configured to thermally actuate the writer, a reader heater configured to thermally actuate the reader, and a sensor heater configured to thermally actuate the sensor. The thermally actuated sensor is configured to detect thermal asperities arising from the magnetic storage medium during a topographical survey of the medium. The sensor heater is configured to be rendered inoperable subsequent to the survey in response to receiving a predetermined signal while the writer and the reader heaters remain operable.

Abstract: A recording head that includes at least one protection feature that prevents at least one other feature of the recording head from directly colliding with a data storage medium with which the recording head communicates. The recording head includes a transducer element having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The recording head also includes a transducer element heater located closer to the leading edge of the transducer element than the trailing edge of the transducer element. A contact pad is interposed between the leading edge of the transducer element and the transducer element heater to prevent the transducer element from directly colliding with the data storage medium.

Abstract: A apparatus includes first and second read transducers arranged on a media-facing surface. The read transducers detect magnetic fields of a recording medium. First and second heaters are disposed proximate the respective first and second read transducers. The first and second heaters independently control respective first and second protrusions of the first and second read transducers from the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A apparatus includes first and second read transducers arranged on a media-facing surface. The read transducers detect magnetic fields of a recording medium. First and second heaters are disposed proximate the respective first and second read transducers. The first and second heaters independently control respective first and second protrusions of the first and second read transducers from the media-facing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a writer, a reader, and a sensor configured to at least sense thermal asperities of a magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a writer heater configured to thermally actuate the writer, a reader heater configured to thermally actuate the reader, and a sensor heater configured to thermally actuate the sensor. The thermally actuated sensor is configured to detect thermal asperities arising from the magnetic storage medium during a topographical survey of the medium. The sensor heater is configured to be rendered inoperable subsequent to the survey in response to receiving a predetermined signal while the writer and the reader heaters remain operable.

Abstract: A recording head that includes at least one protection feature that prevents at least one other feature of the recording head from directly colliding with a data storage medium with which the recording head communicates. The recording head includes a transducer element having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The recording head also includes a transducer element heater located closer to the leading edge of the transducer element than the trailing edge of the transducer element. A contact pad is interposed between the leading edge of the transducer element and the transducer element heater to prevent the transducer element from directly colliding with the data storage medium.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for determining whether a purported or alleged authorized user is in fact the authorized user, by comparing new data on a real-time basis against probability distribution representations including an authorized user probability distribution representation and a global or wide population probability distribution representation, to provide a probability as to whether the purported authorized user is the authorized user. This invention may utilize keyboard dynamics or data, or X-Y device data, or other data from similar measurable characteristics, to determine the probability that the new data from the purported authorized user indicates or identifies that user as the authorized user. This invention identifies the user continuously as the user interacts with the system and to identify a change in situation in the environment of the user.

Abstract: A magnetic head for use in magnetic data storage systems is provided. The magnetic head includes a substantially non-magnetic writer gap layer and pair of magnetic poles separated by the writer gap layer. A first of the poles includes a first layer formed of a CoNiFe alloy that has a saturation magnetic moment greater than 2.1 Tesla. Methods of fabricating such a head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic head for use in magnetic data storage systems is provided. The magnetic head includes a substantially non-magnetic writer gap layer and pair of magnetic poles separated by the writer gap layer. A first of the poles includes a first layer formed of a CoNiFe alloy that has a saturation magnetic moment greater than 2.1 Tesla. Methods of fabricating such a head are also disclosed.