Seagate Assigned Fiveteen Patents

Si-based overcoat for HAMR media
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,269,382) developed by Zavaliche, Florin, San Ramon, CA, Klemmer, Timothy J., Union City, CA, Kubota, Yukiko, Campbell, CA, Jones, Paul M., and Huang, Fujian, Palo Alto, CA, for a “Si-based overcoat for heat assisted magnetic recording media.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A stack includes a heatsink layer, a magnetic recording layer disposed over the heatsink layer, and a Si-based overcoat layer disposed over the magnetic recording layer. The Si-based overcoat layer is substantially devoid of carbon.”

The patent application was filed on March 22, 2018 (15/928,399).

HAMR with exchange coupling control layer
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,269,381) developed by Chang, Thomas Young, Menlo Park, CA, and Nolan, Thomas Patrick, Fremont, CA, for a “heat assisted magnetic recording with exchange coupling control layer.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An apparatus includes a first magnetic layer. A second magnetic layer overlies the first magnetic layer and is magnetically softer than the first magnetic layer. An exchange control layer is between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The exchange control layer is magnetic and increases vertical coupling between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.”

The patent application was filed on October 25, 2017 (15/793,635).

Disk drive having multiple disks accessible by reduced number of read/write heads
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,269,380) developed by Sun, Hao, Lee, ChuenBuan, and Liu, Xiong, Singapore, Singapore, for a “disk drive having multiple disks accessible by a reduced number of read/write heads.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A disk drive including multiple magnetic recording disks and at least one read/write head, wherein the disk drive includes a rotatable center block having a vertical axis and a mounting member, a first motor attached to the center block for rotating the center block about the vertical axis, a vertical threaded rod positioned in the mounting member, a second motor moveable along the vertical threaded rod, at least one head suspension arm extending outwardly from the second motor, and at least one read/write head mounted to a distal end of one of the arms. The disk drive further includes multiple disks in a stack, wherein at least one of the arms is vertically moveable along the vertical threaded rod by the second motor to position the at least one read/write head in a position to access data on one of the disk surfaces of the plurality of disks.”

The patent application was filed on November 14, 2017 (15/811,978).

HAMR head having waveguide with outer pseudo-slab that confines stray light
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,269,379) developed by Goggin, Aidan Dominic, Donegal, Ireland, Mehfuz, Reyad, Callan, Kelly Elizabeth, and McGurk, John Bernard, Derry, Great Britain, for a “heat-assisted magnetic recording head having waveguide with outer pseudo-slab that confines stray light.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A recording head has a waveguide core with an input facet at an input surface. The waveguide core extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. First and second cladding regions are co-planar with and on either cross-track side of the waveguide core. First and second pseudo-slab regions are co-planar with and on outer cross-track sides of the respective first and second cladding regions. The first and second pseudo-slab regions have an index of refraction higher than that of the first and second cladding regions. The first and second pseudo-slab regions confine and channel stray light away from the near-field transducer.”

The patent application was filed on January 18, 2018 (15/874,353).

Adaptive failure prediction modeling for detection of data storage device failures
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,268,553) developed by Eggert, Nicholas Scott, South Saint Paul, MN, Wang, Wenjuan, Chilaka, Sailaja Venkata, Edina, MN, Allumallu, Satya V., Chanhassen, MN, Feist, Jason M., Shakopee, MN, and Emo, Bruce D., Longmont, CO, for an “adaptive failure prediction modeling for detection of data storage device failures.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Method and apparatus for predicting data storage device failures using adaptive failure prediction modeling. In some embodiments, monitored parameters are used to predict a potential imminent failure of a first data storage device using a first copy of a first failure prediction model, (FPM). Data associated with the predicted potential imminent failure are transferred by the device across a computer network to a host device. The host device generates an updated, second FPM responsive to the transferred data as well as from data from at least a second data storage device transmitted across the computer network having a second copy of the first FPM. A first copy of the updated, second FPM is transferred, via the network, for use by the second data storage device.”

The patent application was filed on August 31, 2016 (15/253,103).

Open block handling to reduce write errors
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,268,404) developed by Alhussien, Abdel Hakim, Longmont, CO, Tang, Alex, Cupertino, CA, Baryudin, Leonid, Longmont, CO, and Haratsch, Erich Franz, San Jose, CA, for an “open block handling to reduce write errors.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Systems and methods presented herein provide for open block handling of an SSD. In one embodiment, an SSD includes a buffer, and an MLC flash device. The SSD also includes a controller operable to write data in the buffer based on an Input/Output, (I/O) request, (e.g., from a host), to begin copying the data from the buffer to a block of the MLC flash device, to copy a portion of the data associated with open word lines of the block to another location in the buffer after a power cycle, and to update a lookup table for the copied portion of the data with the other location so that the copied portion of the data can be accessed via a subsequent I/O request.”

The patent application was filed on March 28, 2018 (15/938,262).

Data storage device performance optimization
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,268,394) developed by Liu, Xiong, Shen, Feng, Xie, WenXiang, and Zhou, WeiQing, Singapore, Singapore, for “data storage device performance optimization method and apparatus.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method includes storing a data group in a first zone of a plurality of radial zones of a data storage disc. Each different one of the plurality of zones has a different throughput level. The method further includes obtaining information related to an access frequency of the data group stored in the first zone of the plurality of zones. Based on the information related to the access frequency of the data group and the different throughput levels of the different zones, a determination is made as to whether to migrate the data group from the first zone of the plurality of zones to a second zone of the plurality of zones.”

The patent application was filed on August 10, 2016 (15/233,703).

Selectable read modes for two dimensional magnetic recording
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,268,383) developed by Erden, Mehmet Fatih, St. Louis Park, MN, Warmka, Scott, Burnsville, MN, Gaertner, Mark Allen, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Trantham, Jon D., Chanhassen, MN, for a “selectable read modes for a two dimensional magnetic recording system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Two or more read modes of a data storage system and device are defined. The data storage device is capable of concurrently reading from two or more tracks using two or more read transducers. The read modes utilize different numbers of the two or more read transducers while reading data. The read modes are selected based on an operating condition of the data storage system or device.”

The patent application was filed on September 6, 2016 (15/256,893).

Self-biasing storage device sled
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,257,956) developed by Van Pelt, Kevin Lee, and Schroeder, Christopher Ellis, Longmont, CO, for a “self-biasing storage device sled.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A storage device sled for mounting a storage device within a chassis is provided. The storage device sled includes a bezel, which includes a first portion that is stationary relative to a storage device, a second portion vertically captured within the first portion and configured to slide between unlatching and latching positions, and a spring configured to push the latch outwardly from the bezel. The second portion includes a finger-movable member, a latch, and a horizontal biasing feature adjacent to the latch and configured to move in concert with the latch. The storage device sled also includes first and second longitudinal members, each orthogonally coupled to opposite ends of the bezel first portion and each coupled to opposite sides of the storage device. When the storage device is installed in the chassis, the horizontal biasing feature exerts force against a first chassis interior side surface and biases the storage device sled against a second chassis interior side surface.”

The patent application was filed on December 14, 2017 (15/842,320).

Media storage areal density
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,255,945) developed by Erden, Mehmet Fatih, St. Louis Park, MN, Granz, Steven Douglas, Shakopee, MN, Harllee, Peter S., Boulder, CO, Hernandez, Stephanie, Shakopee, MN, and Eppler, Walter R., Cranberry Township, PA, for a “media storage areal density.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”In one implementation, the disclosure provides a method comprising detecting one or more areas of a storage medium having a data pattern with a plurality of consecutive bits, where the consecutive bits have the same polarity. The method further comprises encoding additional information on a section of the one or more detected areas, where the section of the one or more detected areas has a signal to noise ratio, (SNR) higher than SNR of the other areas of the storage media.”

The patent application was filed on April 4, 2018 (15/945,555).

Independent head, dual reader control logic
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,255,943) developed by Schick, Thomas Lee, Arvada, CO, and Ellis, Timothy F, Tonka Bay, MN, for “independent head, dual reader control logic.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An apparatus may include a preamplifier configured to be connected to a plurality of magnetic read/write heads, wherein each of the magnetic read/write heads includes a read sensor to read data from a disc and a write element to write data to the disc. The preamplifier may include a first set of registers configured to indicate a first head of the plurality of magnetic read/write heads that is selected for reading data, a second set of registers configured to indicate a second head of the plurality of magnetic read/write heads that is selected for reading data, an input line configured to receive a control signal to activate reading data from the first head substantially simultaneously with reading data from the second head, a first output to provide data from the first head, and a second output to provide data from the second head.”

The patent application was filed on May 17, 2018 (15/982,929).

Sensorless monitoring of laser power instability in HAMR head
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,255,940) developed by Macken, Declan, Eden Prairie, MN, Perry, Tyler Lenn, Cottage Grove, MN, Tatah, Karim, Eden Prairie, MN, Dorobantu, Andrei, San Diego, CA, and Lammers, Todd Michael, Lafayette, CO, for a “sensorless monitoring of laser power instability in a heat-assisted magnetic recording head.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording includes a laser diode optically coupled to a waveguide of the slider. A power supply is coupled to the laser diode. A preamplifier is coupled to the power supply. The preamplifier is configured to monitor a forward voltage across the laser diode while operating the laser diode at a constant current during a write operation, detect a change in the forward voltage indicative of laser power instability, and generate a signal in response to detecting the forward voltage change.”

The patent application was filed on January 18, 2017 (15/408,982).

Electrically conductive overlay for head-medium contact sensor
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,255,937) developed by Kunkel, Gary Joseph, Minneapolis, MN, Fang, Jin, Chaska, MN, and Hutchinson, Erik J., Eden Prairie, MN, for an “electrically conductive overlay for head-medium contact sensor.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A contact sensor is provided at or near an air bearing surface of a slider and having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The contact sensor is coupled to a lead arrangement comprising a first lead and a second lead. The contact sensor comprises a sensor element, a first peripheral wing comprising an inner wing connected to the sensor element and an outer wing connected to the first lead, and a second peripheral wing comprising an inner wing connected to the sensor element and an outer wing connected to the second lead. An electrically conductive overlay covers at least the outer wings of the first and second peripheral wings and some or all of the first and second electrical leads.”

The patent application was filed on April 11, 2017 (15/484,261).

Data refresh in flash memory
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,254,969) developed by Goss, Ryan J., Prior Lake, MN, Khoueir, Antoine, Edina, MN, and Patapoutian, Ara, Hopkinton, MA, for a “data refresh in flash memory.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Systems and methods for improving data refresh in flash memory are described. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a first garbage collection unit, (GCU) of the storage system, computing a parity function in relation to the first GCU, identifying a data impairment in a first block, the first block being from the N blocks in the first GCU, removing the first block from the first GCU after identifying the data impairment in the first block, and recomputing the parity function when the first block is not cloned.”

The patent application was filed on May 13, 2016 (15/154,786).

Read-after-write methodology using multiple actuators
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA, has been assigned a patent (10,249,339) developed by Mendonsa, Riyan, Minneapolis, MN, Gadbois, Jason Bryce, Shakopee, MN, Gaertner, Mark Allen, Vadnais Heights, MN, Lawrence, Guy T., Northfield, MN, and Buch, Bruce Douglas, Westborough, MA, for a “read-after-write methodology using multiple actuators moveable over the same magnetic recording disk surface.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”One or more magnetic recording disks are coupled to a spindle motor, each of the disks having opposing recording surfaces. Two or more actuators are moveable independently over at least a first recording surface of the one or more disks. A first actuator of the two or more actuators comprises a first write head and a first read head. A second actuator of the two or more actuators comprises at least a second read head and may include a second write head. A controller is coupled to the two or more actuators and configured to write data to a track on the first recording surface using the first write head, and perform a read operation on the data written to the track using the second read head. The controller is also configured to verify that the data was successfully written to the track in response to the read operation. The read operation can be performed within less than one revolution of the first recording surface after the write operation.”

The patent application was filed on June 27, 2018 (16/020,501).