This inventor holds 3 USPTO granted patents. Top assignees: Maxtor Corporation, Seagate Technology Incorporated. Active years: 2004-2010.
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2004-2010
Title: The Innovations of Bill Edward Higgins
Introduction
Bill Edward Higgins is a notable inventor based in Palo Alto, CA. He has made significant contributions to the field of technology, particularly in the area of disk drives and sensor technology. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Higgins has demonstrated a commitment to advancing innovation in his field.
Latest Patents
Higgins' latest patents include a groundbreaking invention titled "Low thermal coefficient of resistivity on-slider tunneling magneto-resistive shunt resistor." This invention involves a slider that incorporates a Tunneling Magneto-Resistive (TuMR) read sensor and a shunt resistor connected in parallel. The shunt resistor is strategically placed within the read structure of the slider to reduce total resistance and address impedance mismatches. The material used for the shunt resistor has a near-zero thermal coefficient of resistivity, which is crucial for testing the quality of the TuMR read sensor. If the TCR deviates from the population average, the TuMR read sensor may be deemed defective. Additionally, the sensor includes a MgO tunneling barrier to enhance signal strength and a free layer that can be saturated with a perpendicular background field for more accurate TCR calculations.
Another significant patent is the "Method and apparatus for media thermal decay measurement in a disk drive." This invention provides a method for measuring the media thermal decay rate of a disk in a disk drive. It involves writing reference patterns in multiple sectors on a test track and measuring the mean square error for both reference and test sectors after a predetermined duration. This data is then used to calculate the media thermal decay rate, which is essential for improving disk drive performance.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Higgins has worked with prominent companies such as Maxtor Corporation and Seagate Technology Incorporated. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his skills and contribute to significant advancements in technology.
Collaborations
Higgins has collaborated with talented individuals in the industry, including Hai Chi Nguy and Lydia Baril. These partnerships have fostered innovation and have been instrumental in the development of his patented technologies.
Conclusion
Bill Edward Higgins is a distinguished inventor whose work has significantly impacted the technology sector. His innovative patents and collaborations reflect his dedication to advancing the field of disk drives and sensor technology. His contributions continue to influence the industry and