Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first head actuated over a first disk surface, wherein the first head comprises a laser configured to heat the first disk surface while writing data to the first disk surface. A write power is applied to the laser when executing a first write operation, and the first write operation is paused when a transient increase in the output power of the laser is detected. In another embodiment, a write-verify of the written data is executed when a transient decrease in the output power of the laser is detected.

Abstract: A method of assisted mounting and error compensation for absolute grating ruler comprises: (1) when mounting a CMOS sensor and a grating ruler body, the CMOS sensor reads an upper and a lower sample windows, and due to an angle existing between the grating ruler body and the CMOS sensor, a difference exists between the numbers of the upper and lower sample windows, and by continually adjusting the grating ruler body or the CMOS sensor, the code reading difference minimized so that the angle is zeroed; (2) when mounting the grating ruler body and a mechanic housing, it is moved by a fixed displacement in a motion direction, and a grating encoding reading is recorded and an error compensating amount is obtained which serves as error compensation value in an actual motion to correct a cumulative error introduced by the angle between the grating ruler body and the motion direction.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to controlling the flying height of a slider. The methods can include transmitting radiation from a radiation source, determining a change in temperature, the change in temperature being the difference between a first temperature and an ambient temperature and changing the flying height of the slider and head based on the change in temperature. The devices generally include a head with a supporting surface and a media facing surface, a radiation source submount, a radiation source, and a temperature sensor positioned proximate the radiation source submount or the radiation source.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted magnetic recording medium or a microwave-assisted magnetic recording medium includes: an orientation control layer (104) that is formed on a substrate (101); an underlayer (10) that is formed on the orientation control layer (104); and a magnetic layer (108) that is formed on the underlayer (10) and contains an alloy having an L10 type crystal structure as a main component, in which the underlayer (10) includes an MgO underlayer (107) that contains MgO and has a (100) orientation and a nitride underlayer (106) that contains at least one nitride selected from the group consisting of TaN, NbN, and HfN and has a (100) orientation.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head comprising a laser configured to heat the disk while writing data to the disk, and a fly height actuator (FHA) configured to actuate the head vertically over the disk based on an FHA setting. A write laser power applied to the laser during a write operation is calibrated, a first fly height of the head is measured at a first laser power setting, and a second fly height of the head is measured at a second laser power setting different from the first laser power setting. A FHA write setting is generated based on the calibrated write laser power and the first and second fly height measurements, where the FHA write setting is applied to the FHA during the write operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transducer including a plasmonic funnel having first and second ends with the first end having a smaller cross-sectional area than the second end, and a first section positioned adjacent to the first end of the plasmonic funnel, and a first waveguide having a core, positioned to cause light in the core to excite surface plasmons on the transducer.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a fly height actuator (FHA). The disk drive further comprises control circuitry including disk access circuitry, wherein during a calibration operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a calibration mode that increases a heating of the head, and a fly height of the head is measured periodically to generate periodic fly height measurements that vary due to the heating of the head. A dynamic fly height (DFH) write profile is generated based on the periodic fly height measurements. During a write operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a write mode and a DFH control signal is generated and applied to the FHA based on the DFH write profile.

Abstract: The magnetic disk unit includes: a magnetic recording medium; a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a magnetic pole applying a recording magnetic field to the magnetic recording medium and a heating element heating the magnetic recording medium; and a controller allowing the heating element to perform a continuous heating operation at a first temperature for a first time period, and halting the heating operation of the heating element or allowing the heating element to perform a heating operation at a second temperature lower than the first temperature for a second time period that follows the first time period, the first time period having a length substantially equal to or less than a length of a time required for the magnetic recording medium to rotate one turn, and the second time period having a length substantially equal to or more than the length of the first time period.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk, and a fly height actuator (FHA) operable to adjust a fly height of the head over the disk. When a write command is received to write data to a target data track, the head is positioned over the target data track. When the head approaches a target data sector of the target data track, a power applied to the FHA is increased to decrease the fly height of the head. When the head reaches the target data sector, a power applied to the laser is increased to heat the disk, and the power applied to the FHA is decreased substantially monotonically while writing data to the target data sector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head is provided, in which joined are: a light source unit that includes a light source having a surface including a light-emission center on the joining surface side of a unit substrate; and a slider that includes an optical system having a light-receiving end surface reaching a back surface opposite to the opposed-to-medium surface. This method utilizes “semi-active alignment” that uses an alignment light, and comprises steps of: causing a light to enter the light source from a surface opposite to the light-emission center; detecting the light that has passed through the light source and is emitted from the light-emission center to align the light-emission center with the light-receiving end surface of the slider; and bonding the light source unit to the slider. This manufacturing method can achieve the alignment with a sufficiently high alignment accuracy in a short processing time.

Abstract: A data storage system for detecting a location of a head relative to a magnetic media is described. This system comprises arms, a preamplifier circuit coupled to the arms for controlling the arms, a proximity sensing system positioned within the preamplifier circuit, the proximity sensing system comprising: an input stage for transmitting an input sense signal; a programmable gain stage coupled to receive the input sense signal and operative for transmitting a gain signal in response to receiving the input sense signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the gain signal and at least one control signal, the multiplexer operative for transmitting a multiplexed signal; a detector coupled to receive the multiplexed signal and a second control signal, the detector operative for transmitting an output signal; wherein an amplitude associated with the output signal enables detecting the location of the head.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a magnetic recording medium using a magnetic head having a reproduction element is disclosed The method includes the steps of (a) recording a signal in a predetermined area of the magnetic recording medium; (b) determining a first value of a reproduction output by reproducing the predetermined area of the magnetic recording medium; (c) determining a second value of the reproduction output by emitting an energy line having a power of a predetermined value onto the predetermined area and reproducing the predetermined area with the reproduction element during or after the emission of the energy line; and (d) calculating a change in the reproduction output due to the emission of the energy line based on the first value and the second value of the reproduction output.

Abstract: An encoder is capable of being used to compensate for the tilting of a movable object in an apparatus. The encoder includes a fixed scale, and a movable scale integrated with an object that moves during an operation of the apparatus and having a plurality of patterns that are out of phase from each other with respect to the direction of movement of the object. The encoder may be employed by a hard disk drive (HDD) and a servo track recording apparatus. The movable scale is integrated with an actuator arm of the HDD for positioning a read/write head of the HDD, and the fixed scale is fixed to the housing of the HDD. The servo track recording apparatus can use the encoder to record servo track information precisely on a disk.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transducer assembly including a waveguide and a grating structured to couple electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide; and a body including an extended cavity vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode, and having an air bearing surface, wherein the transducer assembly is positioned adjacent to the body and the laser diode directs electromagnetic radiation onto the grating. A method of making the apparatus is also included.

Abstract: A portable card adapted to interact with a data processing station when the portable card and the data processing station are moved relative to each other is disclosed. The portable card includes a substrate having a predetermined shape, e.g. rectangular. An accessible embedded storage member is enclosed within said substrate. The storage member includes at least one layer of storage material for storing information in a predetermined format for processing by the data processing station. The storage member and the substrate are adapted to be transported relative to each other to expose at least a portion of the storage member to the data processing station to facilitate processing of stored information and for embedment of the storage member within the substrate. The storage member may be in the form of an elongated strip member, or a circular member.

Abstract: A method is used in powering disk drive spinup. A disk drive is powered with a primary power source and is temporarily powered with a secondary power source in addition to the primary power source. The secondary power source powers the disk drive when the disk drive is spinning up.

Abstract: An encoder is capable of being used to compensate for the tilting of a movable object in an apparatus. The encoder includes a fixed scale, and a movable scale integrated with an object that moves during an operation of the apparatus and having a plurality of patterns that are out of phase from each other with respect to the direction of movement of the object. The encoder may be employed by a hard disk drive (HDD) and a servo track recording apparatus. The movable scale is integrated with an actuator arm of the HDD for positioning a read/write head of the HDD, and the fixed scale is fixed to the housing of the HDD. The servo track recording apparatus can use the encoder to record servo track information precisely on a disk.

Abstract: A card activated automated banking machine is operative to conduct transactions for authorized users based on data read from cards through operation of a card reader. The machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine.

Abstract: A horizontal cavity, surface emitting laser (HCSEL) with internal polarization rotation is used in thermally assisted recording in hard disk drives. The desired polarization of the laser is accomplished with two beam reflections off of facets within the diode. The facets are formed in a single ion beam etching step. This device can be used in a thermally assisted recording head to produce polarization incident on the disk aligned with the direction of the tracks on the disk.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator, being suitable for a thin-sized optical pickup and a thin-sized optical disc apparatus, comprises: an objective lens for focusing a light upon a recording surface of an optical disc; and a driving means including a focusing coil, tracking coils, and a magnetic circuit, for operating the objective lens into a focusing direction of approaching/receding to/from the optical disc, and into a tracking direction of a radius of the optical disc, wherein the magnetic circuit has two (2) pieces of magnets putting the objective lens therebetween, and one of the magnets is short of length in the focusing direction and is long in length in the tracking direction, comparing to the other magnet, thereby brining an unnecessary moment, which is applied upon a moving part including the objective lens therein, to be small, and suppressing inclination or tile and vibration of the objective lens, so as to deal with high-density and high-speed recording/reproducing of information.

Abstract: This invention provides an information processing method and apparatus, which can set all extent sizes of data divisionally recorded on a disk to be equal to or larger than the minimum recording unit, and can guarantee continuous reproduction of the divisionally recorded data. Of data divisionally recorded on a recording medium (5), data which corresponds to an end portion of that data and cannot be recorded as a recording area equal to or larger than a minimum recording unit specified in the recording medium (5) due to the presence of a recording area (6) of another data, that has already been recorded on the recording medium (5), is re-recorded on a recording area equal to or larger than the minimum recording unit. At this time, new data is generated by combining data less than the minimum recording unit, and data recorded in another recording area, and the new data is re-recorded on a new recording area.

Abstract: A method corrects a head suspension by irradiating an objective part of the head suspension with a laser beam. The method is capable of precisely correcting the head suspension even when correcting the head suspension a plurality of times. The method removes residual stress created by the preceding correction from the head suspension, and then, carries out the next correction. Accordingly, the method can precisely correct the objective part of the head suspension with a laser beam even if the objective part has once been irradiated with a laser beam in the preceding correction.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments can be used to re-write user data to a rotatable storage medium. When a position of a write element is not within a threshold during a data write operation, a part of a data track potentially affected by the write operation, while the position of the write element was not within the threshold, can be determined. When the device including the rotatable storage medium is free from other data transfer operations, the data of the data track potentially affected by the write operation can be re-written. In this manner, data that may be considered less reliable due to the misplacement of a write element during a data write operation, can be re-written.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus records new information related to the ROM information into RAM at a position linked with the ROM information of an optical information storage medium while continuously regenerating the ROM information of the optical information storage medium. At least the ROM signals are read at n (n>2) times of the information regeneration velocity V, which is a reference, and stored in a buffer memory for reading, then the stored information is output at a velocity of the information regeneration velocity V. And while the stored information is being output from the buffer memory for reading, the input information is stored in the buffer memory for writing, then the optical head is accessed an address position that is managed so that the time relationship of the output information and the input information link for recording.

Abstract: A storage medium stores information on a plurality of tracks formed thereon, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. The storage medium includes a physically formed sector beginning identifier provided at a leading portion of each sector, and an information storing portion. The information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, includes at least one sector address portion at a leading end of the information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, and a data portion provided between the two sector address portions.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises a core guiding layer; a cladding layer positioned adjacent to the core guiding layer; a reflective layer positioned adjacent to the cladding layer; and a grating for coupling light into the core guiding layer; wherein the cladding layer has a thickness such that a ray reflected from the reflective layer is phase matched to an incident ray at the grating. A method of coupling electromagnetic radiation into the optical waveguide is also described.

Abstract: The disk recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention has a magnetic head which ascends or descends between a descent position proximate to a disk recording medium housed in a cartridge and an ascent position which is separate from the medium, an ascending/descending control lever which controls ascent/descent of the magnetic head, a driving section which drives the ascending/descending control lever, and an ejecting operation section which couples with the ascending/descending control lever and can move between a position where the cartridge is allowed to be ejected out of the apparatus and a position where the cartridge is disabled from being ejected in accordance with the movement of the ascending/descending control lever, wherein the length of movement of the ascending/descending control lever is greater than the length of movement of the ejection operation section.

Abstract: A magnetic tape has a guide track for optically obtaining a tracking signal and an independent information track for storing information. The magnetic tape is partitioned into different kinds of zones. The guide tracks are provided with grooves or pits serving as tracking marks, and the tracking marks are selectively located in the zones depending on the kind of zone. Thus, the track spacing of the guide tracks in each zone can be increased, so that a tracking control can be performed for a high density recording medium without reducing the spot size of the light.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning data-carrying disks. The disks include a magnetisable layer to and from which data is written and read using a magnetic transducer, such as a Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) transducer. Positioning of the transducer over a data track is achieved by optical tracking using a land/groove structure, and positioning of the transducer with respect to the optical tracking system by means of a reference beam transmitted through the disk.

Abstract: A storage medium stores information on a plurality of tracks formed thereon, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. The storage medium includes a physically formed sector beginning identifier provided at a leading portion of each sector, and an information storing portion. The information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, includes at least one sector address portion at a leading end of the information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, and a data portion provided between the two sector address portions.

Abstract: In a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disc in which playback and recording data is managed with management information, the recording medium and recorded data are relieved by correcting or updating the management information. In a management information correction device for a recording medium, if an abnormality occurs in the management information of a recording medium, the user manipulates a management information correction/updating manipulation section 23 to output correction or updating instruction information. A management information correction/updating control section 22 corrects an abnormal portion of the current management information read from the recording medium and temporarily held in a management information holding section 19, by referring to management information in the initial state stored in a system controller 10.

Abstract: A thermal-assisted magnetic storage device includes a magnetic recording media of a transparent material, a first marker of a material that is optically singular compared with materials therearound, and a magnetic head disposed on a magnetic head slider facing a recording surface of the magnetic recording media. A light-beam pickup faces the other surface of the magnetic recording media, so as to emit light therefrom to the surface of the magnetic recording media. A second marker is disposed on the magnetic head slider for roughly guiding the light to the first marker. An alignment between the light and the magnetic head is performed in accordance with the light reflected from the first marker.

Abstract: A dielectric recording medium in a disc form is provided with: a center hole; an inner area; a recording area; and an outer area, arranged concentrically from the inside in this order. The inner area, the recording area, and the outer area contain a uniform and flat dielectric material and are polarized with the polarization direction of the recording area opposite to that of the inner area and the outer area in their initial condition. The recording area in which data is recorded has tracks and spaces, each of which is between two of the tracks, and is provided with areas in which control information about the recording/reproducing is recorded, in the track and the space.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus is configured to displace near-field light for recording or reproduction and tracking illumination light toward an outer periphery of a recording pit when an off-track state toward the outer periphery occurs. The amount of reflected tracking illumination light increases since the reflectivity of an outer peripheral track band is higher than that of a recording region and that of an inner peripheral track band. The near-field light and the tracking illumination light are displaced toward an inner periphery of a recording pit when an off-track state toward the inner periphery occurs. The amount of reflected tracking illumination light decreases since the reflectivity of the inner peripheral track band is lower than that of the recording region and that of the outer peripheral track band. The single tracking illumination light is required for tracking control.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disk apparatus generates magnetic field onto a magneto-optical recording medium prior to recording signals in the magneto-optical recording medium having a recording layer and a reproduction layer, by use of magnetic field and laser beam. The magneto-optical apparatus then adjusts a position of a magnetic head that generates the magnetic field, under a state where the laser beam is irradiated, by utilizing that an irradiation spot of the laser beam deviates due to eccentricity of the magneto-optical recording medium. This position adjustment is carried out based on, for example, a beam position signal showing the irradiation spot of the laser beam and/or a detection signal which is detected after the laser beam is modulated by the magnetic field.

Abstract: An optical disk recording method of recording data on an optical disk by applying laser light to a track of the optical disk, includes the steps of a) driving a plurality of laser light sources in sequence in a time division manner, and applying a light flux to one track of the optical disk successively, and b) producing a plurality of rows of record marks in the one track.

Abstract: A magnetic tape has a guide track for optically obtaining a tracking signal and an independent information track for storing information. The magnetic tape is partitioned into different kinds of zones. The guide tracks are provided with grooves or pits serving as tracking marks, and the tracking marks are selectively located in the zones depending on the kind of zone. Thus, the track spacing of the guide tracks in each zone can be increased, so that a tracking control can be performed for a high density recording medium without reducing the spot size of the light.

Abstract: A storage medium stores information on a plurality of tracks formed thereon, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. The storage medium includes a physically formed sector beginning identifier provided at a leading portion of each sector, and an information storing portion. The information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, includes at least one sector address portion at a leading end of the information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, and a data portion provided between the two sector address portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the relative displacement of a surface to be detected, and an apparatus and method for recording information on a hard disc of a hard disk drive using such a detecting apparatus, the detecting apparatus comprising an interference optical system for condensing a light beam on the surface to be detected, and making the reflected light from the surface to be detected interfere with the condensed light beam to thereby form an interference light beam, light receiving means for receiving the interference light beam and outputting bright and dark signals attributable to the relative displacement of the surface to be detected, and condensed light information supplying means for separating part of the reflected light from the surface to be detected from the optical path until the reflected light arrives at said light receiving means, and utilizing the separated light beam to detect the condensed state of the incident light beam onto the surface to be detected or make the condensed state obse

Abstract: The magneto-optical recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: a magnetic head of which one end is fixed and of which the other end is free and provided with a magnetic field generating portion for applying a magnetic field onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical pickup, provided opposite the magnetic head with the recording medium between them, for irradiating a portion applied with a magnetic field from the magnetic head with a light beam; and a member for regulating displacement of the magnetic head in a direction parallel to a magneto-optical recording medium surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel apparatus/methodology for writing/erasing high-density data on a digital recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in the apparatus, particularly for realizing the methodology in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of data storage densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, data storage densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100 MHz.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical pick-up device for recording and reproducing information through the use of holography, which can prevent deterioration of recording and reproduction accuracy due to vibrations from exterior or fluctuations in the relative positional relationship with a recording medium.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention limits, via a predetermined current limiting means, the bias current applied to a bias coil during seek, when a seek current is applied to a carriage. In accordance therewith, it is possible to reduce the peak of the sum current, which is the total of the seek current and the bias current, and the current consumption of the entire apparatus can also be curbed. Current limiting means, for example, sets a bias current that is smaller than the specified value of the bias current required at media access time, and sets a bias current value such that the total of the seek current and bias current does not exceed an allowable current.

Abstract: A disk apparatus 10 includes a DSP 36. The DSP 36 controls each circuit component under the instruction from an MCU 44. When a braking pulse is applied to a driver 38b at the end of a jump, a corresponding tracking actuator control voltage is supplied to a tracking actuator 16. Then a DSP core 36a determines whether the TE signal level becomes equal to or below the predetermined value within a predetermined period shorter than the zero crossing cycle of the TE signal. In case the TE signal level does not become equal to or below the predetermined value within the predetermined period, the DSP core 36a determines that the travel direction of an objective lens 14 with respect to a disk 22 is reversed and applies a correction pulse having a polarity opposite to that of the braking pulse thus accelerating the objective lens 14.

Abstract: An optical disk includes: a substrate shaped in a disk, and having a recording surface; a plurality of recording tracks formed substantially coaxially on the recording surface; a plurality of information pits, which are reproducible by a super resolution reproduction, recorded on the plurality of recording tracks in a recording operation of the optical disk; and an address pit for address reproduction formed in advance to the recording operation on the recording surface with respect to one set of recording tracks adjacent to each other in a radial direction of the optical disk.