Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.

Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a data drive is disclosed. The cartridge comprises at least one optical pipe for transmitting light incident on one point along the exterior of the cartridge to another point on the exterior of the cartridge where the light is illuminated from the cartridge.

Abstract: An object or an article for a detector or reader has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification and/or authentication of different types or generations of objects or articles.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.

Abstract: A cartridgeless data storage disk for a data storage disk drive has a latent irradiance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits irradiance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted irradiance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of cartridgeless data storage disks.

Abstract: An improved disk cartridge has a light emitter and a light detector and a baffle plate disposed between the emitter and the detector. The detector functions to denote the presence of reflected light from a retroreflective marker disposed on a disk cartridge. The baffle plate acts as a filter to minimize the amount of light reflected from sources other than the retroreflective marker that is received by the detector. By minimizing the amount of light seen by the detector from sources other than the retroreflective marker, the retroreflective marker on a disk cartridge can be placed in close proximity to the emitter and detector. It is advantageous for a disk drive of compact design, such as those within a lap top computer.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has various structures for clearly delineating the cartridge from foreign objects which may cause damage to a disk drive. In one embodiment, one or more serial reflectors are embedded within a cartridge so as to return a reflected illuminance pattern distinguishable from a flat specular or flat diffuse surface. In another embodiment, optical pipes carry light from a disk drive mounted emitter to a location where the light is detected by the drive such that the light is not mistaken for reflective light. In another embodiment, a light emitting source such as an LED is embedded in a cartridge such that the intensity of light emitted from the LED in cooperation with reflected light is sufficiently intense to identify the cartridge as a valid cartridge. These embodiments may be rotatable so that a single cartridge may be compatible with more than one drive type.

Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.

Abstract: A head loading mechanism for a removable cartridge disk drive comprises a support base fixedly mounted in the drive, and a moveable member movably attached to the support base via a pair of elongate flexures. The moveable member has a ramped surface adapted to engage a suspension arm at the distal end of an actuator. A read/write head is mounted on the suspension arm. The moveable member moves upon the flexures in tandem with the actuator as it moves toward and away from the edge of a disk inserted in the drive. The moveable member carries the suspension arm of the actuator to the edge of the disk, at which point the suspension arm can ride up and down the ramped surface of the moveable member in order to load the read/write head onto the surface of the disk and then subsequently to unload the read/write head from the disk.

Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. This property makes possible unique identification of the cartridge with minimal senstivity to light reflected from other surfaces. The marker enables a disk drive enable circuit so that the drive cannot be used with improper cartridges which might damage it. Also, a retroreflective marker is used for write protection of the cartridge.

Abstract: The current invention substantially removes particulate waste materials or debris from the floptical medium after laser etching. A low-temperature gas containing ice crystals is applied at a predetermined angle while the floptical medium is being rotated to improve the cleaning effect. The temperature of the disk is maintained above freezing to maintain the cleaning effect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for etching a point on the surface of a magnetic medium to reduce the reflectivity of the point and for verifying that proper etching occurred. A light source provides a collimated incident beam of light. The incident beam is focused to a point on the medium and a portion of the beam is reflected. The reflected beam is separated from the incident beam and the intensity of the reflected beam is measured. The measured intensity is compared to a threshold value and verification is indicated if the measured intensity exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for etching optical servo tracks on a magnetic storage disk comprises optics for generating a beam of light for etching the servo tracks and a spindle for rotating the disk in proximity to the optics. The device further comprises a center pin at the center of rotation of the spindle and an alignment pin which is off-center of the spindle. A disk to be etched is placed on the spindle with the center pin through a center hole in the disk hub. A pressurized gas nozzle directs bursts of pressurized gas toward the edge of the disk to rotate the disk until an alignment hole in the disk hub engages the alignment pin.

Abstract: A beam of light used to etch servo tracks on a magnetic disk is steered with an acousto-optical device to maintain the beam in concentrical patterns while mechanically moving the optics which generate the beam of light continuously radially of the disk.

Abstract: The intensity of a beam of light used to etch concentric servo tracks on a magnetic medium is adjusted with an acousto-optical device to maintain a substantially constant energy density delivered by the beam while the optics which generate the beam move radially of the disk.