Abstract: An information recording apparatus of the present invention writes input data on a recording medium by the predetermined data amount, and each time the writing of data of the predetermined data amount is completed, reads the data from the area on the recording medium on which the data is written just before and measures a time required for the reading (S15), and compares the measured read time with a predetermined limit time (S16). If the measured time exceeds the limit time, the area on the recording medium from which the reading is performed is determined to be a defective area (S17). Subsequently the area determined to be defective is replaced with another normal area on the recording medium. In this way, an area with a long read time is replaced with another area where reading can be performed normally, thereby the real-time property is ensured in the reproducing operation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head of a metal-in-gap type in which a soft magnetic film is provided in a gap of a ferrite core comprising the steps of: forming a first layer comprising a metallic magnetic film containing nitrogen on magnetic ferrite; forming a second layer comprising a metallic magnetic film containing nitrogen in an amount less than said first layer; and forming a third layer comprising a metallic magnetic film containing nitrogen in an amount more than said second layer.

Abstract: In a soft-magnetic thin film, layers of iron carbide are laminated alternately with layers of at least one of iron, iron nitride and iron carbon-nitride and when needed, layers of non-magnetic material. The thin film provides particular features including 1) saturation magnetic flux density of at least 1.5 teslas; 2) relative permeability and coercive force greater than those of the conventional soft-magnetic material; and 3) durability for practical use.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium essentially composed of a substrate and a ferromagnetic thin film deposited on the surface of the substrate is provided herein. This ferromagnetic film is such as to have a minimum of 400 Oe of coercive force and composed mainly of an iron carbide. According to this construction, the magnetic characteristics are greatly improved.

Abstract: A large-load gauging device comprising a load converter having strain gauges attached thereto at suitable locations on the inner and outer peripheries thereof, a load concentrating ring mounted on the load converter, a load dispersing plate mounted on the ring, and a load concentrating seat mounted on the dispersing plate.With its setup as such, the gauging device provides an advantage of reduced height and weight as well as reduced cost and is able to perform accurate measurement of large loads.