Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid disk drive information storage device which includes a rigid disk having an outside diameter in the range of about 33-34 mm., with a housing having a footprint that includes a width of about 35 mm. and utilizing a rotary actuator for positioning read/write recording elements across the surface of the disk. The disk storage devices further includes a footprint with length of about 50.8 mm., and includes in one embodiment dynamic head loading apparatus for loading the read/write recording elements into operative relationship with the disk. In another embodiment the rigid disk drive utilizes contact start stop loading and unloading of the read/write recording elements. An inertial latch is also provided for preventing rotation of the actuator when the drive is subjected to a rotational force.

Abstract: The prerecorded embedded servo field includes at least one sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) data for a first servo function and (ii) data for at least one other servo function. In another embodiment, a prerecorded embedded servo field includes a first sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) automatic gain control data for a third sub-field and (ii) data for a first servo function, and a second sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) automatic gain control (AGC) data for the third sub-field and (ii) data for a second servo function. Since the first and the second sub-fields in the servo field of this invention are used for AGC and another servo function, the sub-fields are arranged within the servo field so that the sub-field that requires the least precise AGC control is first and the sub-field that requires the most precise AGC control is last.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid disk drive information storage device which includes a rigid disk having an outside diameter in the range of about 33-34 mm., with a housing having a footprint that includes a width of about 35 mm. and utilizing a rotary actuator for positioning read/write recording elements across the surface of the disk. The disk storage devices further includes a footprint with length of about 50.8 mm., and includes in one embodiment dynamic head loading apparatus for loading the read/write recording elements into operative relationship with the disk. In another embodiment the rigid disk drive utilizes contact start stop loading and unloading of the read/write recording elements. An inertial latch is also provided for preventing rotation of the actuator when the drive is subjected to a rotational force.

Abstract: The servo field includes at least one sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) data for a first servo function and (ii) data for at least one other servo function. In another embodiment, a prerecorded embedded servo field includes a first sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) automatic gain control data for a third sub-field and (ii) data for a first servo function, and a second sub-field of prerecorded information that simultaneously provides (i) automatic gain control (AGC) data for the third sub-field and (ii) data for a second servo function. Since the first and the second sub-fields in the servo field of this invention are used for AGC and another servo function, the sub-fields are arranged within the servo field so that the sub-field that requires the least precise AGC control is first and the sub-field that requires the most precise AGC control is last.

Abstract: A process for determining the center of data disk tracks. The transducer head is positioned to one side of a track. The head repeatedly reads the track and microsteps across the track. The number of microsteps taken at the position on each side of the center of the track where a certain number of error correction code errors occur, are designated as boundaries of that track. The center of the track is then calculated as being half-way between the boundaries. By using the microstep off-sets for the centers of two tracks on a data disk, a correction factor can be calculated to compensate for thermal expansion of the data disk.