Imation Corporation

Sony Corporation

C Thomas Jennings

Larold L Olson

Tryg R Jensen

Douglas W Johnson

Richard W Molstad

Denis J Langlois

Daniel P Stubbs

David J Owen

Brian D Findlay

Steven L Lindblom

Adam A Brodd

Jeffrey A Morgan

Luiz S Pires

Composite magnetic recording media are described. A composite structure is a structure that is formed of multiple components. For example, a composite magnetic recording medium may include a substrate, an underlayer formed over the substrate, the underlayer defining a coating surface, and a magnetic layer formed over the coating surface of the underlayer. Composite magnetic recording media constructed according to the materials and techniques disclosed may provide dimensional flexibility while exhibiting improved physical or electromagnetic characteristics. In some examples, dimensional flexibility may be achieved by pairing a substrate greater than or equal to approximately 4000 nanometers thick with an underlayer less than or equal to approximately 890 nanometers thick.

Composite magnetic recording media

A magnetic recording tape includes an elongated substrate and a magnetic film coated over the elongated substrate, where the magnetic film includes a first magnetic recording layer. The first magnetic recording layer includes particles having a diameter that is between a factor from about 2 to 5 greater than a thickness of the first magnetic recording layer.

Magnetic recording tape having large particles in magnetic recording layer

In an embodiment, a data storage tape includes a first side including recorded data and a second side including recorded error correcting code data for the recorded data on the first side. In another embodiment, a data storage tape comprises a first side including recorded data and a second side including a copy of the recorded data. Embodiments of the invention may distribute related data across both sides of a data storage tape and as a result may reduce the probability that a location-dependent error in the data storage tape will result in irretrievable data loss. Embodiments of the invention may be particularly useful for systems that can simultaneously retrieve or record data on both sides of a dual-sided data storage tape.

Robust data storage techniques for two-sided data storage tape

Data storage tape includes a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a recording layer disposed on the first side of the substrate, and a coating disposed on the second side of the substrate. A surface of the coating has a pattern formed therein such that the pattern communicates with at least one of a first edge and a second edge of the data storage tape.

Data storage tape with patterned surface

A secure computing environment in which a computer automatically operates in a full-access data storage mode when it detects the presence of a secure removable storage device. In full-access mode all data written to removable storage device is encrypted with a cryptographic key and the user is given access to sensitive if authorized. Otherwise, the computer operates in a restricted-access mode in which the user is unable to write to the removable storage device and is unable to access sensitive data. The invention detects security information on the data storage device and generates a cryptographic key from the security information. The security information can be a function of the unique format characteristics of the underlying storage medium, a unique identifier retrieved from an electronic circuit embedded within the removable storage device or a serial number etched on the storage device during manufacturing. In addition, drive-specific information and even user-specific information can also be used to generate the cryptographic key, thereby creating a highly secure computing environment. When the computer operates in a full-access mode, all data written to the storage device is encrypted and the user is able access to sensitive data within the organization. When security information is not present on the removable storage device the computer automatically operates in a restricted-access mode in which the user does not have access to sensitive data and data cannot be written to the removable storage device.

Computing environment having secure storage device

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

C Thomas Jennings