Iomega Corporation

Todd L Graves

Fred Charles Thomas, Iii

Wayne A Sumner

Todd R Shelton

Glenn B Dixon

Yiping Ma

David E Jones

Allen T Bracken

Carl F Nicklos

Mark S Thayne

John C Briggs

Thomas J Angellotti

Paul R Johnson

Klinton Dilworth Washburn

Carl E Ellis

Paul C Smith

Darren Walters

Peter Shay

Ward Rich

Lawrence D Clayton

A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a marker including a latent illuminance material such as phosphor. A matte material on the cartridge or within the marker diffusely reflects charging light that is not absorbed by the latent illuminance material in the marker. This reduces noise and signal pollution in the light then emitted by the latent illuminance material. Accordingly, an accurate decay time can be determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Use of matte materials to reduce signal pollution in cartridge detection circuitry

The validity or authenticity of a latent illuminance material is established by heating or cooling the material to a predetermined temperature and then determining its decay time constant at that temperature. If the decay time constant is substantially equal to a predetermined value it is determined that the material is authentic. Thus, the authenticity of a material is determined by temporarily changing its decay time constant by way of temporarily changing the material's temperature using a heater or refrigerator. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time constant is determined.

System and method of heat signature verification/authentication of an object

A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges.

Latent illuminance discrimination marker system for data storage cartridges

A system and method which is used to identify and discriminate the type of data storage cartridge that has been inserted into a disk drive. A system for identifying a type of data storage cartridge having a marker comprises a light source for emitting light to illuminate the marker, a first photodetector for measuring a first intensity of light received from the marker, a second photodetector for measuring a second intensity of light received from the marker; and a microprocessor for determining the type of data storage cartridge responsive to said first intensity and said second intensity. The determination is made responsive to a comparison of the first and second intensities. An optical detection mechanism is provided so that it can be ascertained with near certainty that an inserted object is an appropriate disk cartridge of a certain type or generation. Sensor comparison (e.g., subtraction or division) is used to distinguish between objects that return light directionally to its source and objects that return light diffusely.

System and method for cartridge detection and verification using signal comparison

Disk drive dock

A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Latent illuminance discrimination marker for data storage cartridges

A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A reflective surface on the cartridge increases the intensity of the irradiance on the marker and illuminance from the marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Latent illuminance discrimination marker with reflective layer for data storage cartridges

A system and method for applying a thick layer of luminescent emissive material, such as phosphor, to a substrate, such as a data storage cartridge, is provided whereby a luminescent emissive material is mixed with a binder, the mixture is dispensed onto a mesh screen placed over a substrate, and the mixture is then pushed through the mesh screen and applied to the substrate at a predetermined thickness. The predetermined thickness of the deposited phosphor layer is preferably between about 8 and 12 mils.

Method for applying an emissive material to a substrate

Disclosed is a disk drive having a linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium. The heads are mounted on a carriage assembly along with a voice coil motor for driving the carriage assembly into and out of engagement of the heads with the medium. The carriage assembly slides linearly on a central guide track. A flexure is provided for the central guide track for linear movement by the carriage assembly so that initial linear movement of the carriage assembly is by flexing the flexure and further, larger linear movement of the carriage assembly is by sliding along the guide track. In one form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at the front end by a flexure and at the rear end by a bearing. In another form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at each end by a flexure. The flexure has an attaching mechanism for attaching the flexure to the central guide track so that the flexure pivots freely on the central guide track. This eliminates the likelihood of bending of the central guide track and improves the ability of the system to reject 1f and 2f run out and therefore, track following.

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Garland, UT, United States of America

Todd L Graves