Abstract: The disk drive device includes a base plate, a hub on which a recording disk is mounted, a shaft bearing unit that is arranged on the base plate and that rotatably supports the hub, and a spindle drive unit that drives the hub to rotate. The spindle driving unit includes a stator core having a salient pole, a coil wound around the salient pole, and a magnet opposed to the salient pole. The hub formed of a magnetic material includes an outer cylindrical portion engaged with an inner circumference of the recording disk. A shaft is inserted into a sleeve, and the sleeve, which is of an approximate cylindrical shape, is inserted into a housing as part of the shaft bearing unit. The shaft is fixed to the rotational center of the hub, rotating along the axis together with the hub.

Abstract: A disk for a hard disk drive. The disk includes a first magnetic layer supported by a substrate and an intermediate layer adjacent to the first magnetic layer. The disk also includes a second magnetic layer that is adjacent to the intermediate layer and includes barium. The barium second magnetic layer has a mechanical hardness so that a protective layer such as COC is not required for the disk.

Abstract: A media cartridge including a first substantially rectangular surface, a second substantially rectangular surface, and one or more side surfaces, where the first substantially rectangular surface and the second substantially rectangular surface are connected by the one or more side surfaces. Further, a disk drive assembly is enclosed by the first substantially rectangular surface, the second substantially rectangular surface, and the one or more side surfaces. In addition, the media cartridge includes a cooling component is configured to cool the disk drive assembly.

Abstract: The disk apparatus according to the present invention includes a tray which is elevationally movably disposed within a casing of apparatus integrating a disk reproducing system mechanism and holds a disk to be reproduced thereon, and the tray is provided with a disk supporting section supporting the peripheral edge of the disk such that the recording surface of the disk is floated on the tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly reliable patterned medium without generating an error in recording and reproduction, and a magnetic disc memory device using the same. The patterned medium has a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, a non-magnetic layer, an intermediate layer and a recording layer. The recording layer has a pattern structure of a non-magnetic material and a magnetic material, and the Young's modulus of the non-magnetic material is larger than the Young's modulus of the magnetic material.

Abstract: A disk drive device is provided with a recording disk, a base member, a bearing unit, and a hub member. In a marking step, unbalance information indicating the displacement of the center of gravity of the hub member with respect to the rotation center of the hub member is acquired, and an information mark containing the unbalance information is applied to at least the hub member or the base member. In an installing and adjustment step, the unbalance information is read form the information mark, and the position for installing the recording disk in an outer cylinder part is determined in accordance with the unbalance information so as to install the recording disk on the hub member.

Abstract: An information storage device includes a housing having a cavity, and a sliding door partially covering the cavity. The housing has a first groove and a second groove on opposite sides of the cavity. The sliding door includes first and second edges adjacent the first and second grooves, respectively. The sliding door also includes first and second tabs protruding from the first and second edges into the first and second grooves, respectively. The first and second tabs define first and second tab lengths measured parallel to the first and second edges, respectively. There are first and second through-slots in the sliding door adjacent the first and second tabs, respectively. The first and second through-slots define first and second through-slot lengths measured parallel to the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second through-slot lengths are greater than the first and second tab lengths, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disc cartridge protecting member capable of closing a write and/or read aperture larger relative to the size of the disc cartridge and protecting a disc housed in the disc cartridge, such as optical disc used as an information recording medium. The disc cartridge protecting member includes an aperture closing plate which is to be fitted in, and to close, an aperture formed at one side of a disc cartridge having a disc housed rotatably therein and through which part of the disc is exposed to outside in a range between inner and outer radii thereof, an entry limiting portion supported on supports provided in the aperture formed in the disc cartridge to prevent the aperture closing plate from entering the disc cartridge, a cover plate extending on the other side of the disc cartridge opposite to the one side at which the aperture is formed, and a connecting plate to connect the base end of the aperture closing plate and that of the cover plate to each other.

Abstract: An encoder module with a sliding assembly comprises a cover, a disk, a reading head, a bottom plate, and a sliding unit; wherein in assembly, the disk is installed at an upper front side of the bottom plate; the reading head is installed upon a front side of the sliding unit; the sliding unit is pushed into a lower hole of the bottom plate so that a front end of the sliding unit exposes from the lower hole of the bottom plate; in that the reading head serves to read signals from the disk; finally the cover covers upon an outer side of the bottom plate, the sliding unit and the reading head so as to form as an encoder module with a sliding assembly.

Abstract: An information recording medium excellent in surface smoothness. The information recording medium has a data track pattern and a servo pattern formed on at least one surface of a substrate by a concave/convex pattern including a plurality of convex portions. The concave/convex pattern has concave portions each having a non-magnetic material embedded therein. An A concave/convex pattern forming the servo pattern includes a plurality of servo convex portions formed in a manner associated with servo data. At least part of the plurality of servo convex portions are formed by a B concave/convex pattern including a plurality of non-servo convex portions. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain excellent surface smoothness within a servo pattern area, thereby enabling the recording/reproducing apparatus to execute stable recording and reproducing on and from the information recording medium.

Abstract: A cage adapted to carry a plurality of disc drives and fix the disc drives within a case of a computer host is provided. The computer host has a mother board. The disc drives are spread horizontally within the cage, so that the disc drives are hung above the mother board.

Abstract: A library device comprises a cell, a drive, and an accessor. The cell is capable of accommodating a plurality of cartridges. The drive performs a recording or reproduction of data between the cartridges and the drive. The accessor carries the cartridges between the cell and the drive. The cell is provided with a first rack gear which extends in a direction in which the accommodated cartridges are arranged. The accessor comprises an accessor base and a feed block. The accessor base comprises a second rack gear. The second rack gear extends in the extension direction of the first rack gear. The second rack gear is formed in correspondence with the first rack gear. The feed block comprises a pinion gear, a driving unit, and a holding unit. The pinion gear is meshed with the first and second rack gears. The driving unit drives the pinion gear. The holding unit holds the cartridges.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the data storage device has a maximum storage capacity and is initially limited to providing access to a limited amount of data storage capacity that is less than the maximum data storage capacity. The size of the limited amount of data storage capacity is variable based on an indication of how much of a collection of advertising material has been viewed. In one embodiment, a host system manages a transfer of all or a portion of the collection of advertising material to a storage location on the data storage device. In one embodiment, the same host system manages adjustments to the size of the limited amount of data storage capacity based on how much of the collection of advertising materials has been consumed.

Abstract: A container for transporting media that includes a body with a top opening and a bottom opening, and a top lid to cover the top opening and a bottom cover to cover the bottom opening. The body includes a disk separator comb with rails to hold media disks. The rails are shaped such that they follow part of the contour of a circle. The height of the body is such that the circle projects out of the top opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable hard-disk structure without screws at least comprising a housing, a first elastic arm, a second elastic arm and a removable component. The housing having a placing space is connected to an opening end to enable the hard disk be placed into the placing space, and a door plate is further installed at the opening end to avoid the hard disk departing from the housing. The first and the second elastic arms are installed at the top surface and two side surfaces respectively, and these elastic arms are cantilever type and extend a pressing end into the placing space, which holds and presses the hard disk, and the hard disk is correctly being placed into the placing space. The removable component has a connecting end which is connected into the placing space, as the hard disk is placed in the placing space, the removable component fits the hard disk, and thus the hard disk can be easily removed by applying force on the removable end of the removable component.

Abstract: Embodiments provide unique and novel systems and methods for deleting data on removable disk drives. In embodiments, the removable disk drives store data that may be erased such that the data is considered destroyed but that allows the removable disk drive to be reused. The archiving system can determine which data should be erased. Then, the data is digitally shredded on sector boundaries of the removable disk drives such that the reclaimed memory cannot be read to decipher the erased data. In alternative embodiments, data is written across sector boundaries such that two or more files may occupy a single sector. A journal area, in embodiments, allows for copying the data in a sector with two or more files, digitally shredding the sectors in the removable disk drive, and rewriting the data that was not to be digitally shredded to the original location of the data.

Abstract: A removable hard disk drive storage system includes a data storage cartridge having a write protect switch, and a reader configured to couple to and read data from the data storage cartridge. The reader includes a physical block that aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge. The physical block aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge to prevent the reader from coupling to the data storage cartridge when the write protect switch is in a write protect position.

Abstract: A hard disk case for installation in a computer case includes a support frame for installation of a hard disk drive, a base mounted to the support frame, and a handle. The handle has a pivoting end pivotally connected with the base, a first protrusion insertable in an insertion portion of the computer case and pushable against a periphery wall of the insertion portion for enabling engagement of the hard disk drive with the computer case, and a second protrusion spaced from the first protrusion and pushable against a stopping portion of the computer case for enabling disengagement of the hard disk drive from the computer case. As a result, the hard disk case of the present invention is convenient in assembly and disassembly works.

Abstract: A computer drive bay that accepts hard drive cartridges and has the ability for the user to select between identifying itself to the host computer as either a-removable media device or as a fixed disc to improve data backup operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a disk cartridge including a disk; a cartridge body in which the disk is rotatably accommodated, the cartridge body having a recording and/or reproducing window for exposing a part of the disk; a shutter mounted on the cartridge body so as to be movable between a closed position where the window is closed by the shutter and an open position where the window is opened by sliding the shutter; a shutter locking member adapted to engage a locking portion of the cartridge body when the shutter is in the closed position, thereby limiting the movement of the shutter in the direction of opening the window; a biasing member provided on the shutter for biasing the shutter locking member in the direction of engaging the shutter locking member with the locking portion of the cartridge body; and a deformation preventing member provided in the cartridge body at a position inside of the biasing member for preventing the deformation of the biasing member inward of the cartridge body.

Abstract: The disk apparatus according to the present invention includes a tray which is elevationally movably disposed within a casing of apparatus integrating a disk reproducing system mechanism and holds a disk to be reproduced thereon, and the tray is provided with a disk supporting section supporting the peripheral edge of the disk such that the recording surface of the disk is floated on the tray.

Abstract: When a medium casing is properly inserted, a first pair of projections and a second pair of projections are passed through between a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface of a chassis in the moving direction and are thus prevented from coming into contact with the first and second bottom surfaces, thereby allowing for smooth insertion of the medium casing. In contrast, when the medium casing is inserted improperly from its wrong end, one of the projections on the lower surface of the medium casing comes into abutment with the second bottom surface of the chassis near the opening. Accordingly, an improperly inserted medium casing can be prevented from being inserted any further at an early stage of the insertion process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc cartridge including a main cartridge body unit (5) in which is rotatably housed an optical disc (2). The disc cartridge includes a recording and/or reproducing aperture (13) for exposing a portion of the optical disc to outside across the inner and outer rims of the disc, a shutter unit (15) mounted for movement to the main cartridge body unit for opening/closing the recording and/or reproducing aperture and a lock unit (27) for locking the shutter unit (15) in a position of closing the recording and/or reproducing aperture. The lock unit includes a lock member (28), rotatably mounted to the shutter unit, and an engaging part (29), provided to the main cartridge body unit, so as to be engaged by the lock member (28).

Abstract: A data storage diskette is disclosed. The diskette includes a housing and a media disk enclosed within the housing. The housing includes a base and a cover mated to the base. In this regard, the base defines an exterior surface that includes a base shutter zone that defines a base window, a drive zone that defines a drive window, and a base rib separating the base shutter zone from the drive zone, where the drive zone is recessed relative to the base rib; and the cover defines a cover window aligned with the base window.

Abstract: A hub-mounted optical disk to eliminate the need for a separate stack ring while decreasing the overall height, a method of fabricating the optical disk, and an injection molding die for manufacturing an optical disk substrate. The hub-mounted optical disk includes a substrate having a hollow and an indented portion engraved to a predetermined depth on the inside of a non-recording surface where no information is recorded; and a hub including a plate that has a fitting hole therein and is engaged into the hollow and the indented portion and a central ring that is inserted into the fitting hole. The method of fabricating the hub-mounted optical disk includes mounting the hub onto a magnetic chuck, applying an ultra-violet (UV) hardening resin on the indented portion of the substrate, operating the magnetic chuck so that the plate is in contact with the indented portion, and curing the UV hardening resin by irradiating it with UV light.

Abstract: A disk cartridge is provided that has an optical disk (2) encased therein. It includes a cartridge body (5) having formed therein a head opening (13) through which a part of the disk, ranging from the inner to outer radius, is exposed to outside, a shutter member (21) including a shutter (22) that covers and uncovers the head opening and installed to the cartridge body to be movable between a position to cover the head opening and a position to uncover the head opening, and shutter movement limiter (41) provided on an elastic moving piece (36) coupled to a coupling arm (35) extending from one side of the shutter member and that is engaged on a movement limiter (45) provided on the cartridge body, when the shutter member is in a position to cover the head opening, to limit the shutter member from moving in a direction of uncovering the head opening.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a case member (500) and a shutter member (100). The case member (500) includes a upper case section (505) and a lowercase section (506). A step portion (507) is formed at a boundary (508) between the upper case section (505) and the lower case section (506). The upper case section (505) includes a shutter pressing section (517) including a plurality of eaves sections (510). Each of the plurality of eaves sections (510) is configured to engage with the eaves engagement section (104) of the shutter member (100). At least two of the plurality of eaves sections (510) are located spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (519). The lower case section (505) includes a connection portion (520). The connection portion (520) is connected to the step portion (507) at a location between the at least two eaves sections (510), which are located spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance (519), of the plurality of eaves sections (510).

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is described. The cartridge may include a housing having a top, a bottom, a front side, a back side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, said housing having a first media access aperture on the top of the housing; and a data storage medium contained within the housing, the data storage medium including a disk with a top and a bottom; wherein the front side of the housing contains a first segment of reduced thickness adjacent to the first media access aperture.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is provided that is configured to be received by a socket including an actuator pin. The data storage cartridge includes a housing and a non-tape storage medium. The housing defines an access window and includes a planar member surrounded by a plurality of side walls. An elongated pin reception slot is defined through the planar member and is configured to receive the actuator pin of the socket. The non-tape storage medium is maintained within the housing and is configured to be accessed from a point external to the data storage cartridge via the access window.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium constructed as a discrete track-type medium. The magnetic recording medium is constructed so that a track width of data recording tracks is equal to or smaller than a width produced by subtracting twice an off-track width of a magnetic head with respect to the data recording tracks during a recording of the recording data from a magnetic effective recording head width of the magnetic head. The track width is equal to or smaller than a width produced by subtracting twice an off-track width of the magnetic head with respect to the data recording tracks during a reproduction of the recording data from a magnetic effective reproduction head width of the magnetic head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording disk cartridge which improves its assembly and production capacities, as well as the flexibility of the design. The recording disk cartridge that has a cartridge case including flexible recording disk media in an integrally rotatable fashion, a lower plate forming a lower wall of the cartridge case, the lower wall being placed parallel to the recording disk media, one or more inner plates being fixed on the lower plate with being stacked and partitioning the recording disk media, and an upper plate being fixed on the inner plates and forming an upper wall of the cartridge case. Furthermore, the lower plate incorporates at least one of a shutter lock mechanism and a write protect switch mechanism. The shutter lock mechanism blocks a shutter from being opened, and the write protect switch mechanism prevents data from being erased accidentally from the recording disk media.

Abstract: An external hard disk box is used for installing a hard disk. On the bottom and on two sides of the hard disk, there is a first fastening hole and a second fastening hole. The external hard disk box includes a lower cover, an upper cover, and two positioning structures. The lower cover has a receiving space. On the bottom surface of the receiving space, there is a first positioning portion that corresponds to the first fastening hole. The upper cover covers the lower cover. The two positioning structures are respectively located on two sides of the receiving space. Each positioning structure has a second positioning portion that corresponds to the second fastening hole of the hard disk. By using the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion, the hard disk is firmly positioned in the hard disk box. Screws are not needed.

Abstract: A recording disk cartridge includes a plurality of flexible recording disk media integrally rotatably housed within a cartridge case. Each of the recording disk media is fixed to a center core which is stacked one on another through a spacer. The cartridge case includes: a lower plate for configuring a lower wall parallel to the plurality of the recording disk media; at least one inner plate that is stacked and fixed on the lower plate, and partitions the plurality of the recording disk media; and an upper plate that is stacked and fixed on the inner plate, and configures an upper wall of the cartridge case. Each spacer is provided with locking protrusions at upper and lower surfaces thereof, and each center core is provided with locking holes for engagement with the locking protrusions of adjacent spacers.

Abstract: A high density storage enclosure includes a plurality of storage devices, such as hard disk drives, positioned within a cooling airflow. Data to be stored to a storage device is received and a determination is made as to the expected usage of the data relative to other data stored on devices within the enclosure. The data is stored in a device having a position within the airflow relative to the source of the airflow in direct relationship to the relative expected usage of the data. Thus, data having a higher expected usage is stored in a device closer to the airflow source relative to other data having a lower expected usage and data having a lower expected usage is stored in a device farther from the airflow source relative to other data having a higher expected usage. Additionally, data may be dynamically relocated based upon actual usage.

Abstract: A composite single structured hard disk drive, comprising: a machine casing having a power port and two signal I/O (input/output) ports at an outer surface thereof; an interior of the machine casing having a driving unit which is electrically connected to the power port; the driving unit being able to rotatably drive at least one recoding disk; two read/write modules (R/W modules) being installed, respectively, each R/W module having a rotatable arm set and a dynamic unit connected to the rotatable arm set; one end the rotatable arm set having at least one R/W head at a front end thereof; another end of the rotatable arm set having no the R/W head is connected to the dynamic unit; the dynamic unit being connected to the power port and being controlled by a processor in the substrate in the machine casing.

Abstract: A disk cartridge and data recording/reproducing medium are disclosed. The disk cartridge includes: a disk housing including a disk receiving unit for rotatably receiving a disk, and an opening portion formed at a portion corresponding to a hub of the disk and formed where a pickup unit for recording/reproducing data to/from the disk while being rotationally moved on the disk moves; and a shutter for opening and shutting the opening portion.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetically soft underlayer having a plurality of cavities in a surface thereof, and a magnetic recording material in the cavities, wherein a surface of the magnetic recording material in the cavities is substantially coplanar with the surface of the soft underlayer. A recording system that includes the recording medium is also included.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge and a method of opening a data storage cartridge are provided. The cartridge includes: a storage medium; a housing having at least one media access aperture, the storage medium being provided within the housing such that at least one media access aperture exposes a surface of the storage medium; and a shutter assembly movable from a closed position to an open position. The shutter assembly includes: a cover configured to cover at least one media access aperture when the shutter assembly is in the closed position and to expose at least one media access aperture when the shutter assembly is in the open position; and a shutter cam coupled to the cover, said shutter cam including a lock assembly and a cam portion. The method includes unlocking a lock in the shutter assembly using a shutter opener; and sliding the shutter assembly into an open position using the shutter opener.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge including a non-tape storage medium, and a housing maintaining the non-tape storage medium. The housing defines a plurality of external handling features for interaction with at least one of a cartridge storage unit and a cartridge drive to facilitate positioning and selective maintenance of the data storage cartridges within the at least one of the cartridge storage unit and the cartridge drive.

Abstract: A mounting device (20) for a disk drive (80) has at least one retaining hole (81) defined in each one of two opposite sides thereof. The mounting device includes a receiving member (40), a retaining member (50), and a securing member (60). The receiving member includes a side wall (43) and a bottom wall (41). At least one fixing pin (433) is formed on the side wall. An elastic clip (413) is formed on the bottom wall with a protrusion (413) thereon. The retaining member is slidably attached to the receiving member. The retaining member includes a locking wall (51) and a retaining wall (53). At least one fixing pin (533) is formed on the retaining wall. The protrusion is engaged in an opening (511) defined in the locking wall. The securing member is attached to the retaining member. The securing member includes a pressing tab (613).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and securing a spindle shaft and actuator shaft in a low-density gas-filled hard disk drive and independent of the disk drive cover is provided. A capture plate is positioned above the memory disk(s) and is secured to the base plate. The spindle shaft and, optionally, the actuator shaft are secured between the base plate and capture plate. The capture plate may be configured to reduce vibration. This structure eliminates use of the cover to secure the spindle shaft and actuator shaft and, thereby, eliminates a potential pathway for low-density gas to escape. The capture plate may also be configured to reduce air turbulence created by the rotating disk and reduce track misregistration of the read/write element(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved packaging structure of a memory card, such as mini SD memory card. The packaging structure comprises a substrate having a plurality of integrated circuit devices and passive devices located therein, and a metal cover having an insulating layer formed on a top portion of the metal cover. A plurality of protruding plates bending downward are formed around a circumferential area of the metal cover, and a roll-shaped fixing part is formed at a bottom portion of a particular protruding plate. The roll-shaped fixing part and the protruding plates are utilized to engage the frame with the metal cover to form a sealed structure so that the frame covers all the protruding plates and the roller-shaped fixing part of the metal cover. The integrated circuit devices and the passive devices are located within the space of the frame to form a mini SD memory card package.

Abstract: A disc cartridge is constructed so that disc access to a recording medium enclosed within the disc cartridge via an opening in the cartridge case is restricted by a disc tray and a shutter member disposed inside the cartridge case. The shutter member is rotatably attached to one of the disc tray and the cartridge case, and detachment of the shutter member is restricted at least in a range of rotation of the shutter member between a position where the shutter member covers part of the opening and a position where the shutter member has been withdrawn from the opening. Attachment of the shutter member is carried out without crimping.

Abstract: A recording disk cartridge includes a plurality of flexible recording disk media integrally rotatably housed within a cartridge case including: a lower plate for configuring a lower wall; at least one inner plate partitioning the recording disk media; and an upper plate for configuring an upper wall, wherein the cartridge further comprises a center core provided for each recording disk medium, having a main body portion and a collar part widening in an outer diameter direction from the main body portion; each recording disk medium is affixed to the collar part of the respective center core; and each inner plate has a central opening configured to accommodate the main body portion of the center core and has a recess part along a lower rim of the central opening for preventing interference with the collar part of the center core disposed on a layer immediately below.

Abstract: A disc cartridge including a disc medium which is loaded into a drive device and into/from which information can be recorded/reproduced; a case that houses the disc medium rotatably; a disc opening from which the disc medium provided into the case can be taken out; and a disc taking-out history detecting portion that can be deformed recognizably and irreversibly according to an operation for firstly taking out the disc medium from the case, is provided to judge whether a disc medium is taken out of the case.

Abstract: A media cartridge including a first substantially rectangular surface, a second substantially rectangular surface, and one or more side surfaces, where the first substantially rectangular surface and the second substantially rectangular surface are connected by the one or more side surfaces. Further, a disk drive assembly is enclosed by the first substantially rectangular surface, the second substantially rectangular surface, and the one or more side surfaces. In addition, the media cartridge includes a cooling component is configured to cool the disk drive assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic device which is suitable for a sliding opening/closing apparatus of a portable appliance. The elastic device includes a first torsion spring including a first spiral part which is wound as a spiral shape without a vertical overlapping portion and a first extension arm extending from an outer portion of the first spiral part; a second torsion spring including a second spiral part which is wound as a spiral shape without a vertical overlapping portion thereof and a second extension arm extending from an outer portion of the second spiral part. The elastic device also includes a connection member connecting one of both ends of the first torsion spring and one of both ends of the second torsion spring with each other. The elastic device may have a smaller thickness in comparison with that of a conventional torsion spring having a vertical overlapping portion thereof.

Abstract: A removable data cartridge is protected from air-transported particles such as dust, excessive moisture, contaminants, and the like by filtering or otherwise conditioning the airflow at initial startup. The recording media in the data cartridge is initially spun at a rate of speed higher than the operating speed for a brief period of time. By spinning the media at the increased speed, any particles in the cartridge will be removed by the filters. After the initial cleaning period, the spin speed of the media is reduced to a normal operating level.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a disk cartridge having a substantially identical form to that of a disk cartridge that accommodates a disk-shaped recording medium having a first recording capacity and accommodating a disk-shaped recording medium having a second recording capacity, which is higher than the first recording capacity, wherein the disk cartridge includes a write protect mechanism, which is different from a write protect mechanism for the disk cartridge accommodating the disk-shaped recording medium having the first recording capacity.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.