Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing clocks including synchronizing a first clock to a second clock, the first clock associated with a first device, the first device associated with a first device type, the second clock associated with a second device, the second device associated with a second device type; subsequent to synchronizing the first clock to the second clock, synchronizing a third clock to the first clock, where the third clock is associated with a third device, the third device associated with the first device type; synchronizing the second clock to a fourth clock, the fourth clock associated with a fourth device, the fourth device associated with a third device type; subsequent to synchronizing the second clock to the fourth clock, resynchronizing the first clock to the second clock; and subsequent to resynchronizing the first clock to the second clock, resynchronizing the third clock to the first clock.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for notifying a user when a set of characters are identified in a media file. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a set of characters inputted by the user of a computing device, playing the media file, transcribing the media file to form a transcription, and determining whether the transcription of the media file includes the set of characters. The method also includes initiating a notification prompt on a graphical user interface of the computing device in response to determining that the media file includes the set of characters.

Abstract: In a multi-actuator drive, the effect of moving a first actuator (the so-called “aggressor actuator”) in on a second actuator (the so-called “victim actuator”) is reduced or compensated for. A victim feedforward signal for a particular head of the victim actuator is added to a microactuator control signal of the victim actuator in response to a voice-coil motor (VCM) control signal that is applied to the aggressor actuator. The feedforward signal is configured to compensate for disturbances to the victim microactuator caused by VCM commands provided to the aggressor actuator. The feedforward signal is based on a transfer function that models commands added to the victim microactuator, which is coupled to the particular head of the victim actuator, as a function of the aggressor VCM control signal applied to the aggressor actuator.

Abstract: An application processor may include a host processor, a voice trigger system and an audio subsystem electrically connected to a system bus. The voice trigger system may be configured to perform a voice trigger operation and to issue a trigger event. The audio subsystem may be configured to replay an audio output stream through an audio interface. A direct bus may be configured to provide a communication path between the voice trigger system and the audio subsystem during a barge-in condition in which the voice trigger operation and the replay of the audio output stream are performed together. The application processor may be configured to generate compensated trigger data by performing an echo cancellation with respect to microphone data received from a microphone, and the voice trigger system may be configured to perform the voice trigger operation during the barge-in condition based on the compensated trigger data.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a memory device. The memory device includes a memory controller, a calculation memory and a functional circuit. The calculation memory is coupled to the memory controller, and is configured to receive a plurality of first signals to output a plurality of second signals. Each of the second signals has a reference value. The functional circuit is coupled to the calculation memory, and is configured to indicate the second signal which has the greatest or the smallest reference value among the second signals.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a module having a tape bearing surface, an array of magnetic transducers, and a channel in the tape bearing surface. The channel has a longitudinal axis oriented about parallel to a longitudinal axis of the array of magnetic transducers for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape above the array of magnetic transducers. Moreover, the channel has a shape with a middle section of similar recession therealong between straight opposite ends.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for notifying a user when a set of characters are identified in a media file. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a set of characters inputted by the user of a computing device, playing the media file, transcribing the media file to form a transcription, and determining whether the transcription of the media file includes the set of characters. The method also includes initiating a notification prompt on a graphical user interface of the computing device in response to determining that the media file includes the set of characters.

Abstract: A method includes, in at least one aspect, receiving, at both an input node of a first input stage and in input node of a second input stage, a single-ended voltage signal; providing, by at least one of the first input stage or the second input stage, inductive degeneration to the single-ended voltage signal; converting an output from the first input stage into a first single-ended current signal; converting an output from the second input stage into a second single-ended current signal; and outputting, by an output stage, a differential output including the first single-ended current signal and the second single-ended current signal.

Abstract: A read/write head includes two or more first transducers of a first type, the first type selected from a magnetic read transducer and a magnetic write transducer. The read/write head includes one or more switching elements coupled to the two or more first transducers. The switching elements are configured to, in response to a control signal, couple a selected one of the two or more first transducers to a preamplifier circuit and decouple others of the two or more first transducers from the preamplifier circuit.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein includes a method comprising selecting a zone of one or more tracks on a disk drive having a plurality of magnetic sensors on a transducer head, determining a performance matrix related to the selected track zone, and selecting a first subset and a second subset of the plurality of magnetic sensors based on the determined performance matrix, wherein only the first subset of the plurality of magnetic sensors are used for data recovery in the selected track zone, and the second subset of the plurality of magnetic sensors are used for servo recovery.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for notifying a user when a set of characters are identified in a media file. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a set of characters inputted by the user of a computing device, playing the media file, transcribing the media file to form a transcription, and determining whether the transcription of the media file includes the set of characters. The method also includes initiating a notification prompt on a graphical user interface of the computing device in response to determining that the media file includes the set of characters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparation of epoxy karanja oil, epoxy karanja fatty acid methyl esters and their acylated derivatives. Accordingly karanja oil and karanja fatty acid methyl esters were epoxidized using performic acid method. Karanja oil and its fatty acid methyl esters were also hydroxylated to prepare their acyloxy derivatives (C3, C4 & C6). Both the epoxy and acyloxy derivatives of karanja oil and its methyl esters were characterized by 1H NMR and IR studies. The products were evaluated for acid value (A.V.), hydroxyl value (H. V.), iodine value (I. V.), viscosity, viscosity index (V.I.), pour point, flash point and copper strip corrosion and lubricant properties like oxidation stability, air release value, evaporation loss, rust prevention characteristics, hydrolytic stability, foam stability and load carrying capacity and found to be potential base stocks for hydraulic, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids.

Abstract: An operational amplifier includes three transconductance stages (TSs) each having a differential input and a differential output, a first and second resistor coupled between the differential output of the first TS and the differential input of the first TS, a third and fourth resistor coupled between the differential output of the third TS and the differential input of the first TS, a first and second capacitor coupled between the differential output of the third TS and the differential input of the third TS, wherein the first, second, and third TSs each include a differential input amplifier coupled to the differential input of the respective TS, a differential output amplifier coupled to the differential output of the respective TS, and a plurality of Schottky diodes coupled between the differential input amplifier and the differential output amplifier for voltage level shifting.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes an inner module comprising an array of first transducers of a first type; and first and second outer modules flanking the inner module. Each outer module includes an array of second transducers of a second type that is different than the first type. Each of the second transducers in each array of second transducers being aligned with a corresponding one of the first transducers in a direction generally parallel to a path of tape travel thereacross. A number of active second transducers in each outer module is less than a number of active first transducers in the inner module.

Abstract: A two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) multi-sensor read head has three stacked sensors separated by magnetic shields. The lower sensor is the primary sensor that is always aligned with the target track. The middle sensor is spaced laterally from the lower sensor a distance substantially equal to the track pitch (TP). The upper sensor is aligned with the lower sensor. The spacing D between the lower and upper sensors is selected to be related to TP and a maximum skew angle, where the skew angle is the angle between a line orthogonal to the sensor and the data track that varies with radial position of the head. The read head is connected to circuitry that selects two of the three sensors to be the active sensors depending on the radial position of the head and thus the skew angle of the head.

Abstract: Disk drive pre-amplifier output stage circuitry is presented including a high pass input filter for removing DC offsets from differential read data signals and providing an input to AB drivers of the output stage, in which an offset test circuit selectively drives the high pass filter output nodes according to the offset at the filter input to facilitate measurement of the preceding circuit offset at the driver output terminals, and a common mode regulator circuit regulates common mode voltages at the first and second driver output nodes to a predetermined value in read and write modes.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a plurality of modules configured to at least read data stored on a magnetic recording tape, each of the modules having an array of readers. One module is configured to read data on a magnetic recording tape which none of the other modules can read. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a first module configured to at least read data stored on a magnetic recording tape in a first range of formats, and at least a second module configured to at least read data stored on a magnetic recording tape in at least a second range of formats. The first range of formats does not include a format that is in the second range of formats. All of the modules are aligned along a tape travel direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, switching takes place between a first control in which a first read head is assigned as a master head for reading data from a magnetic disk on which a sequential write direction is reversed at a switching position where a skew angle of a write head becomes 0 and between an outer periphery and an inner periphery in shingled write recording, and a second read head is assigned as a slave head for reducing inter-track interference during reading of the data and noise by virtue of an effect of waveform averaging with respect to the master head, and a second control in which the second read head is assigned as the master head and the first read head is assigned as the slave head.

Abstract: This invention is a huggable picture frame in the form of a person or doll, with an audio playback and recording unit. The shape of the invention is preferably a human shape in a soft sculpture, with a frame capable of holding a photograph. The audio playback and recording unit is activated by at least one remote button. The audio playback and recording unit contains a microphone or other audio input device and a speaker or other audio output device. The audio playback and recording unit and power supply are enclosed within the soft sculpture with sufficient cushioning that the presence of such relatively hard objects is not easily felt while the soft sculpture is hugged or squeezed. The overall impression of the picture frame is a huggable doll, which with a selected photograph, presents a reminder of a particular person to the user of the picture frame.

Abstract: The implementations disclosed herein provide for a storage device including a preamplifier that generates a write current pulse having a region of reduced slew rate that temporally correlates with a time when a magnetization of a write pole tip switches polarity.

Abstract: Each of unit blocks (UB1, UB2) is provided with an output circuit (20) including a serial circuit of FETs (21) and (22). A power supply circuit (1b) can operate in a first mode for generating an output voltage (Vo) using only one of the output circuits (20) or in a second mode for generating the output voltage (Vo) using two output circuits (20) by synchronous/parallel driving. When switching from the first mode to the second mode, start of the synchronous/parallel driving from a state where the FET (22) on the low voltage side is turned on is inhibited (start of the synchronous/parallel driving is waited until the FET (21) on the high voltage side is turned on).

Abstract: A data storage device includes a storage medium on which data is stored in overlapping tracks, and a medium controller that directs storage of data on, and reading of data from, the storage medium, including encoding data being stored and decoding data being read. The decoding includes, when reading a first track, cancelling interference from a second track that overlaps the first track. The data storage device also includes a host controller in communication with the medium controller. The host controller includes memory that stores data decoded, and data to be written, by the medium controller. Communication between the medium controller and the host controller includes signals derived from data on said first and second tracks for facilitating the cancelling. A method of operating a data storage device includes, when reading a first track, facilitating the cancelling by communicating signals derived from the data on the first and second tracks.

Abstract: A write driver circuit for generating a write current pulse for use by a magnetic write head includes an output stage adapted for connection with the magnetic write head and a charge storage circuit connected with the output stage. The charge storage circuit is operative in a first mode to store a prescribed charge and is operative in a second mode to transfer at least a portion of the charge stored therein to the output stage to thereby enable an output voltage level of the output stage to extend beyond a voltage supply rail of the write driver circuit. A control circuit in the write driver circuit is operative to generate at least one control signal for selectively controlling a mode of operation of the charge storage circuit.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for detecting an end of a reference spiral band are described. A first portion of servo information may be written on a disk using the reference spiral band. By detecting an end of a reference spiral band, a new reference spiral band may be launched. A read/write head of a hard disk drive may subsequently use the new spiral band to write the remaining portion of the servo information, which aids the writing of data tracks on the disk.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk has nondata regions that contain a group of first nondata islands with one area and a magnetization in one perpendicular direction, and a group of second nondata islands with a smaller area and a magnetization in the opposite direction. To magnetize the nondata islands with the proper magnetization directions, a DC magnetic field much greater than the coercive field of the magnetic recording layer is applied in one direction to the entire disk to magnetize all of the nondata islands in the same direction. Then the disk is heated to a predetermined temperature, and while the disk is at this temperature, a second DC magnetic field less than the first DC magnetic field is applied for a predetermined time in the opposite direction to the entire disk. This reverses the magnetization direction of the smaller islands without switching the magnetization of the larger islands.

Abstract: A voltage booster is disclosed comprising an input for receiving an input voltage Vin, a first charging capacitor C1, a second charging capacitor C2, and an output capacitor Cout. The output capacitor Cout is charged to four times Vin by connecting C1 in parallel with Vin to charge C1 to Vin, after charging C1 to Vin, connecting C2 in parallel with Vin plus C1 to charge C2 to twice Vin, after charging C2 to twice Vin, connecting C1 in parallel with Vin to recharge C1 to Vin, and after recharging C1, connecting Cout in parallel with Vin plus C1 plus C2 to charge Cout to four times Vin.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of servo tracks defined by servo sectors, wherein each servo sector comprises a servo preamble. A head is actuated over the disk, wherein the head is operable to generate a read signal. The disk drive further comprises control circuitry including an analog cutoff filter operable to filter the read signal to generate a filtered read signal. The filtered read signal is sampled to generate read samples. During a normal operating mode, the analog cutoff filter is configured to have a first bandwidth. During a measurement mode, the analog cutoff filter is configured to have a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth, and the read samples representing at least part of the servo preamble are processed to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or a fly height of the head.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording apparatus configured to record information onto a magnetic recording medium by a shingled write recording method, the magnetic recording apparatus includes: a recording head configured to cover a plurality of dot arrays and an end portion of which is situated at one dot array of a recording target; an actuator configured to move the recording head by one array after the recording to one dot array by the recording head; and a controller configured to perform recording compensation of the magnetic dot based on prestored recording data of a peripheral dot of a magnetic dot when input user data is recorded to the magnetic dot.

Abstract: In order to improve a consistent data track during writing to a storage medium, a plurality of read sensors are affixed to a transducer head. In one implementation, the transducer head includes multiple read sensors placed up-track of the write pole. In another implementation, the transducer head includes at least one read sensor placed up-track of the write pole and at least one read sensor placed down-track of the write pole. Each position of the multiple read sensors relative to the write pole may be unique. One or more read signals of selected read sensors are used to determine the read location and therefore the write pole location relative to the storage medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for write delay stabilization. A write driver is adapted to output bipolar write currents to write data to a memory. A preconditioning circuit is adapted to output first and second thermal preconditioning currents through the write driver to stabilize a write delay associated with the write driver to a steady-state level prior to the writing of data to the memory.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for writing data onto a magnetic disk. An output driver provides a first write current through a first output transistor in a first state and provides a second write current through a second output transistor in a second state. The first and second write currents can be provided to a disk write head to store opposing binary values, respectively. A bias current generator switches a first bias current between an intermediate voltage node in the second state and a first control node in the first state, and switches a second bias current between the intermediate voltage node in the first state and a second control node in the second state. The first and second bias currents can be provided to set a bias voltage at the first and second control nodes to bias the first and second output transistors, respectively.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a recording system controller includes a controller controlling a timing of flux switching of adjacent pairs of writers such that the writers in a given pair do not switch substantially concurrently, and reducing a current of one of the writers in the pair while the adjacent writer is writing a transition. In another general embodiment, a recording system controller includes a controller controlling a timing of pulse writing of adjacent pairs of writers such that the writers in a given pair do not pulse substantially concurrently. In yet another general embodiment, a method includes controlling a timing of pulse writing or flux switching of adjacent pairs of writers such that the writers in a given pair do not pulse or switch substantially concurrently.

Abstract: A method of transferring data of one or more rotatable data storage devices includes but is not limited to rotating the at least one rotatable data storage device; transferring the data between a plurality of stationary data transfer heads and the one or more rotatable data storage devices; and using one or more computer programs to determine which of the plurality of stationary data transfer heads are to be used to transfer a first portion of the data between the plurality of stationary data transfer heads and the one or more rotatable data storage devices and the direction in which the first portion of the data is to be transferred. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. Other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to improve a consistent data track during writing to a storage medium, a plurality of read sensors are affixed to a transducer head. In one implementation, the transducer head includes multiple read sensors placed up-track of the write pole. In another implementation, the transducer head includes at least one read sensor placed up-track of the write pole and at least one read sensor placed down-track of the write pole. Each position of the multiple read sensors relative to the write pole may be unique. One or more read signals of selected read sensors are used to determine the read location and therefore the write pole location relative to the storage medium.

Abstract: Provided is a method for recording data to a tape medium in such a manner as to achieve the easy management of mutually related multiple data pieces. First data and second data continuously received as a file from a higher level apparatus are accumulated in multiple buffer segments in the form of multiple successive data sets. A data structure is determined for each of the accumulated data sets. Management information indicating a result of the determination is added to the data sets, and the data sets and the management information thereof are stored into the tape medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to magnetic recording devices, such as disk drives. A recording medium of a magnetic recording device can include multiple helicoid patterns arranged in multiple helicoid groups. A described technique includes receiving a waveform produced by a head operated with respect to the medium; determining, based on the waveform, first phase difference(s) corresponding to a first helicoid group; affecting an alignment of the head with respect to the medium based on the first helicoid group by compensating for the first phase difference(s) to maintain the alignment; determining, while compensating for the first phase differences, second phase difference(s) corresponding to a second helicoid group; and affecting, responsive to a switch from the first helicoid group to the second helicoid group, the alignment of the head with respect to the medium by compensating for the second phase difference(s) to maintain the alignment.

Abstract: The operational bandwidth of a servo control circuit can be increased using a plurality of servo processors that handoff between them the responsibility for controlling head positioning in response to sequentially occurring servo patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a hard drive write signal are here in disclosed. A disclosed method comprises generating a hard drive write signal on an output of a switch based on an edge of the first control signal and reducing the hard drive write signal based on an edge of a second control signal via a second switch.

Abstract: The application relates to an adaptive vibration damping scheme that provides for detection of, and adjustment for, vibration-related disturbances in devices. The vibration damping scheme utilizes a common filter function to implement vibration detection and vibration compensation.

Abstract: Excellent magnetization switching of a magnetic recording medium is promoted in microwave assisted magnetic recording to provide a highly-reliable high-density information recording device. A receded section from an air bearing surface is arranged at an end section in a write track width direction on an FGL laminate film for generating a high-frequency field. Alternatively, a cross section of the FGL laminate film (plane perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the electric current) has an inverted trapezoid shape or has a structure in which the area of the cross section increases with distance from the main pole. Since an excellent recording pattern is formed on the recording medium, areal recording density in the information recording device can be increased, and the reliability can be improved at the same time. As a result, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: Hard disk drive preamplifier timers and methods to calibrate hard disk drive preamplifier timers are disclosed. A timer in a hard disk drive preamplifier comprises a first switch to selectively store charge in a storage device based on an input signal, the storage device receiving a first current and storing the charge to cause the storage device to have a first voltage that increases at a first rate; a compensation device to cause the first voltage to be substantially equal to a second voltage after a predetermined time period; and a trigger to output a signal when the first voltage is substantially equal to the second voltage, the predetermined time period controlling a transition time between a first hard disk drive operating condition and a second hard disk drive operating condition different than the first operating condition.

Abstract: Two pass writing system and method for patterned media. In a first step, a write head of a hard disk drive writes with a strong write field. In a second step, a write head of the hard disk drive writes with a weak field. In this manner, magnetic islands of patterned media are written in the first step. In the second step, only those magnetic islands with a low switching field are written.

Abstract: A recording medium can include multiple helicoid patterns arranged in multiple helicoid groups, e.g., first and second helicoid groups. Operating a disk drive can include switching between helicoid groups to maintain the alignment of the head with respect to a target track of the rotating recording medium. Enabling a switch can include receiving a waveform produced by a head operated with respect to a rotating recording medium, generating first information from one or more portions of the waveform corresponding to the helicoid patterns of the first helicoid group; generating second information from one or more portions of the waveform corresponding to the helicoid patterns of the second helicoid group; and analyzing the second information with respect to the first information to generate calibration information. The calibration information can compensate for operational differences between using the helicoid patterns of the first helicoid group and the helicoid patterns of the second helicoid group.

Abstract: A method for controlling data rate of a tape drive is disclosed. The tape drive is connected to a computer system. The tape drive stores data by dividing the data into multiple codeword quads (CQs). A local memory within the tape drive includes drive to iteratively monitor data rate during write operations. If a number of CQ skips exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, the drive code reduces a maximum allowable data rate of the tape drive.

Abstract: A method for reading data using a magnetic head having a first array of elements associated with a first data format, and a second array of elements associated with a second data format, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof, wherein the first and second arrays of elements are generally laterally adjacent each other in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a magnetic medium over the head, the method comprising: determining a format of data on a medium; selecting one of the arrays of elements to read the data on the medium based on the determined format of the data; and positioning the selected array over the data on the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing a magnetic layer writable with either low or high coercive field strength includes a magnetic head having a magnet coil and a voltage source. The apparatus includes switches between the voltage source and opposing ends of the magnet coil. Two further switches serve to maintain the direction of current flow through the magnet coil. A current measuring device determines the current intensity through the magnet coil. The current measuring device drives the switches in such a way that the current intensity in the magnet coil does not exceed or undershoot a level required for writing the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A current mirror circuit providing a fast turn on time. A node within the circuit is held at a first voltage when the current mirror is off to permit the node voltage to quickly reach a necessary value when the current mirror circuit is turned on.

Abstract: A disk drive for implementing a head switch operation is disclosed. The disk drive comprises: an actuator; a first head and a second head attached to the actuator; a disk having a plurality of tracks; and a processor. The processor controls operations in the disk drive including: executing a head switch command from the first head to the second head; determining that a sync-up operation is not successful for the second head at a first track; applying a torque to the actuator to move the second head to a second track; and determining that the sync-up operation is successful.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive is provided which has a head amplifier having a function of, at a data recording time, outputting AC pattern data to a write head prior to the recording of the write data to allow it to be recorded on a write splice section on a disk medium. The write head records an AC signal pattern of a high frequency on the write splice section on the disk medium according to an output timing of a write gate and then write data is recorded with a preamble as a header.

Abstract: There is provided an information reproduction apparatus that can suppress degradations in the qualities of reproduced data and timing from due to interpolation errors when performing interpolation timing recovery, and that can avoid degradation in the stability of the system due to an increase in the timing recovery loop delay. An information reproduction apparatus (100) for reproducing data and timing from an analog signal including data information and timing information is provided with an expected value generator (106) for outputting plural expected values, and a maximum likelihood detector (107) for outputting data that corresponds to a sequence of the highest likelihood with an output sequence of an A/D converter among the plural expected value sequences, at the timing of a second clock.