Imation Corporation

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Sony Corporation

Robert S Jackson

Daniel P Stubbs

David M Perry

Mark P Lubratt

Andrew John Ouderkirk

Douglas Scott Dunn

G Phillip Rambosek

Robert C Martin

John J Simbal

Arne Bengt Boberg

Stephen W Farnsworth

Jeffrey Bruce Hill

Lewis S Damer

Jody L Gregg

Toshio Aizawa

Leslie M Milner

Israel Tzur

Brian K Parliament

James K Knudsen

A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit and defines at least one receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge and enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge. The reader device further includes a pair of mirrors positioned within the housing that direct light emitted by the bar code reader to the bar code of the data cartridge along a u-shaped path.

Cartridge reader with bar code unit and RFID unit

A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing defines a first receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in a case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in the case, and a second receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case.

Cartridge reader that accepts data cartridges both in and out of data cartridge cases

Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

Multibeam laser servowriting of magnetic data storage media

A time-based optical servo system includes at least one optical indicator mark located on at least one servo track of a data storage medium. Alternatively, a pattern of optical indicators is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. A servo read head assembly coupled to a transducing head assembly includes two elongate and non-parallel detection devices having a known relative geometry. The detection devices are adapted to detect the optical indicator marks and determine the time period required for each optical indicator mark to pass between the detection devices. This time period is used to calculate the location of the transducing head assembly relative to the storage medium in a translating direction and produce a position error signal (PES) based thereon.

Time-based optical servo system and method

Systems and methods for prevention of condensation of ambient water vapor due to evaporation of frozen carbon dioxide particles used to clean data storage tapes. Various embodiments maintain conditions under which condensation cannot form in the ambient environment immediately surrounding a portion of a rigid surface on which the tape is maintained in thermodynamic contact and under tension (e.g., a metallic capstan around which the tape is wrapped).

System and method for carbon dioxide cleaning of data storage tape

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for stabilizing data storage media during laser servowriting of optical servo tracks on the media. The apparatus includes a spindle for rotating the media during servowriting, a fixed media platform, and a media support for stabilizing the vertical position of the media during servowriting. The media support may include channels to reduce or control the formation of an air bearing in the area of servowriting to stabilize the vertical positioning of the media. The media support may also include a vacuum slot for drawing a vacuum through the channels.

Media stabilization for laser servowriting

Systems and methods of thermal control in the carbon dioxide cleaning of data storage disks to reduce or prevent condensation on the surface of the media during cleaning with frozen carbon dioxide are disclosed. A hub recess receives at least a portion of the outer flange of the hub to improve contact between the data storage media and a media platform supporting the media. Contact between the media and the media platform may be further improved by drawing a vacuum through openings in the media platform. In addition, drawing a vacuum through a vacuum channel with an annular ring opening about the media platform and a tangential vacuum port may reduce fluttering of the media on the media platform.

System and method for CO.sub.2 cleaning of data storage disks

A system for prolonging the useful life of a mask while ablating a pattern into a workpiece. The system includes a workpiece, a debris-blocking layer thereon, a laser directed toward the workpiece, and a mask provided between the laser and debris-blocking layer. The workpiece may be a data storage disk comprising a substrate and a magnetic coating thereon. The laser may be an ultraviolet laser and the debris-blocking layer should be transparent to the light emitted by the laser. The pattern may include concentric or spiral optical servo tracks in the magnetic coating. The debris-blocking layer minimizes degradation of the mask, thereby minimizing the need to clean the mask and prolonging the useful life of the mask.

System for ablative imaging by proximity lithography

The present invention includes a method of creating a shaped image in a workpiece using a high energy source, with the method comprising positioning a layer proximate the workpiece such that the layer prevents debris from the workpiece from dispersing, and directing radiation from the high energy source through the layer to the workpiece, the layer substantially transparent to radiation emitted by the high energy source such that the high energy source is capable of forming the shaped image.

Ablative imaging by proximity lithography

Recording disk, such as a data recording disk, having:

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Little Canada, MN, United States of America

Robert S Jackson