A deboning system for an arm part of bone-in meat includes: a clamp; at least one forearm-bone incision making device; an olecranon incision making device; and a forearm-bone separation device, wherein the at least one forearm-bone incision making device includes a robot arm and a forearm cutter attached to the robot arm, and the olecranon incision making device includes a pair of olecranon cutters.

Two hooking members of a hooking unit used in a device for conveying bone-in meat respectively have belt-like main body parts, blade-like pointed ends provided at ends on one side of the main body parts, and barbs provided on first sides of the main body parts to be continuous with the points. The hooking members are supported so as to be in parallel with each other with an elastically changeable interval therebetween and to be rotatable about rotation axes along longitudinal axes of the main body parts. Further, the hooking unit has an actuator which rotates the hooking members about the rotation axes.

Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising bound anionic functional groups and polyvalent cations, such as Mn or Ru cations, which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are also provided.

A production method of an active material, and the active material are provided to realize an active material containing metal-containing particles and being capable of achieving satisfactory cycle performance and rate performance. The active material is produced by a method of polymerizing a mixture of a metal ion, a hydroxy acid, and a polyol to obtain a polymer, and a step of carbonizing the polymer. The active material used is one having a carbonaceous porous material, and metal particles and/or metal oxide particles supported in pores of the carbonaceous porous material, and particle diameter of the metal-containing particles are in the range of 10 to 300 nm.

A power storage device cell is configured to include a capacitor positive electrode, a lithium positive electrode, and a common negative electrode in which electrode layers are formed on a collector foil in which penetration holes are formed, and such that the capacitor positive electrode and the lithium positive electrode are directly connected; each of the electrode layers of the common negative electrode is formed of a carbon-based material in which graphite particles and hard carbon particles are mixed, and the proportion of the hard carbon particles in the carbon-based material is from 5% by weight to 70% by weight.

Apparatuses and methods of use are provided that include a battery cell comprising a flexible resistive thermal device. The resistive thermal device includes a flexible conductive circuit that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the battery cell. Resistance measured in the conductive circuit is correlated with a temperature of the battery cell thereby allowing control of a cooling system and/or the charging/discharging rates of the battery cell to be adjusted in response to temperature. Flexibility of the resistive thermal device also accommodates dimensional changes in the battery cell.

An electrode is provided with a metal terminal extending from a battery module main body, a bolt which has an expanded section configuring a retaining section at a rear end portion and penetrates the metal terminal upward, and an insulating body which insulates the metal terminal and the battery module case one from the other. The insulating body is provided with a drop preventing section which abuts at least a lower surface of the expanded section of the bolt and prevents the bolt from dropping from the metal terminal.

Electrode structures, and more specifically, electrode structures for use in electrochemical cells, are provided. The electrode structures described herein may include one or more protective layers. In one set of embodiments, a protective layer may be formed by exposing a lithium metal surface to a plasma comprising ions of a gas to form a ceramic layer on top of the lithium metal. The ceramic layer may be highly conductive to lithium ions and may protect the underlying lithium metal surface from reaction with components in the electrolyte. In some cases, the ions may be nitrogen ions and a lithium nitride layer may be formed on the lithium metal surface. In other embodiments, the protective layer may be formed by converting lithium to lithium nitride at high pressures. Other methods for forming protective layers are also provided.

Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which a hydrocarbon-based fuel is reliably reformed, and the oxidative degradation of the anode can be prevented by a reformed gas. A method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC including a reformer; an SOFC; a combustion region for combusting the anode off-gas of the SOFC; and an enclosure for housing the reformer, the SOFC, and the combustion region, wherein the method includes causing the flow rate of a fuel supplied to the reformer to become FE from FS; and stopping the supply of the fuel to the reformer when an anode temperature becomes lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, where FE represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer in a state in which the anode temperature is steady and lower than the oxidative degradation temperature, in which in the reformer the fuel is reformed and a reformed gas with a composition suitable to be supplied to an anode is produced, and in which an amount of the reformed gas produced is equal to or more than the requisite minimum flow rate for preventing the oxidative degradation of the anode when the anode temperature is a temperature equal to or higher than the oxidative degradation temperature, and FS represents a flow rate of the fuel supplied to the reformer at the start of the shutdown method. Also provided is an indirect internal reforming SOFC appropriate for this method.

In a method for operating a high-temperature fuel cell, which in normal mode of generating electrical power is supplied with liquid fuel, preferably diesel oil, and is preceded on the anode side by a reformer for liquid fuel, where at least part of the hot anode exhaust gas is recirculated into the anode circuit via a recirculation line. Upstream of a compressor preceding the reformer the liquid fuel is sprayed or injected into the hot anode exhaust gas, the quantity of air needed for reforming the liquid fuel being added to the mixture of anode exhaust gas and fuel. On change-over from normal operational mode to standby mode without power generation, the supply of liquid fuel and air is stopped and the gas mixture present in the anode circuit be permanently circulated. A defined amount of air being introduced into the anode circuit in order to remove deposits and contaminations in the high-temperature fuel cell following standby operation.

A catalyst layer for a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of agglomerates, adjacent ones of the plurality of agglomerates contacting with each other with pores provided between said adjacent ones of the plurality of agglomerates, each of the plurality of agglomerates being formed by packing a plurality of catalysts each consisting of noble metal fine particles supported on a fiber-like support material, adjacent ones of the plurality of catalysts contacting with each other with pores provided between said adjacent ones of the plurality of catalysts, and each of the plurality of catalysts contacting with a plurality of catalysts other than said each catalyst at a plurality of contact points. This allows providing a catalyst layer, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell, each of which has compact size and excellent power generation performance, and a method for producing the same.

There is provided a flexible circuit board capable of preventing corrosion and elution of a conductor layer constituting a current collector even under high-temperature and high-voltage working conditions while achieving sufficient electric connection with an MEA. A flexible circuit board having a current collector of a fuel cell provided thereon includes an insulating flexible base material 1, a plurality of openings 5 that supply fuel or air, the openings 5 being provided in a specified region so as to penetrate through the flexible base material 1 in a thickness direction, a plating film 6 that constitutes the current collector, the plating film 6 being formed on front and back surfaces of the flexible base material 1 in the specified region and on inner walls of the openings 5, a surface treatment film 9 formed on the plating film 6 and having corrosion resistance higher than that of the plating film.

A bookbinding structure for binding a stack of sheets including an elongated substrate having a first surface on which a first, heat activated, adhesive matrix is disposed and a second surface on which a second, pressure activated adhesive is disposed. The first adhesive matrix will be used to binding an edge of the stack so as to form a bound book with no cover. The second adhesive matrix includes first and second spaced-apart segments which extend along the length of the substrate. First and second release liners are disposed over the first and second adhesive segments, with the release liners remaining in place until the stack of sheets have been bound with the bookbinding structure. One of the release liners is manually removed from the bound stack and the stack is positioned in a cover assembly with the edge of the stack being positioned opposite a spine section of the cover assembly. The remaining release liner prevents the cover assembly from prematurely attaching to the stack thereby enabling the user to more easily positioned the stack with in the assembly. The user then forces the cover assembly against the exposed adhesive segment thereby securing part of the cover assembly to the stack. The second release liner is then removed and pressure is applied to that part of the cover assembly opposite the exposed segment thereby completing the binding sequence.

A business form with laser compatible punch-out card and the methods of making the combination. The card is permanently adhered to a perforated backer sheet, the periphery of which extends beyond the card and is coated with adhesive for application to the bottom surface of a form containing a hole such that the card is disposed within the hole. The card and attached portion of the backer sheet can then be removed from the card-in-form combination by breaking the perforations. The card is die cut from card stock laminated to the backer layer and is prepared for application to the form by stripping a waste matrix of card material from the laminate through the use of patterned release material.

Disclosed are sets of ink components, and ink compositions, useful for printing markings, on security documents, that are relatively resistant to counterfeiting. Also disclosed are the security documents formed, a method of printing and a method of authenticating the printed material. The markings, formed of the ink compositions have a spectral response that deviates from a predicted spectral response when linearly additively combining spectral responses of components of the ink composition, so that it becomes difficult to reverse-engineer the ink composition from the markings. Use of plural different markings, with each marking being a microdot, increases difficulty in counterfeiting. By forming a template of spectral responses of the original pattern, spectral responses of a pattern on an unknown document can be compared to the spectral responses on the template for determining whether the unknown document is authentic. Formation of the markings is facilitated using an inkjet printer.

An assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard and anchor portions removably attached to the return postcard. The anchor portions include adhesive that allows the anchor portions to be attached to a mailpiece. The return postcard includes a special services designator section indicative of the special service required for delivery of the mailpiece. The return postcard is integrally formed, but removably attached, such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service. Alternatively, the postcard may contain a machine readable code that aids in the delivery and tracking of the mailpiece.

A business form is provided which is particularly useful in shipping products where certain preprinted information can be provided and then individualized information is printed before the form is applied to a substrate. The form includes a face ply which has a pattern of adhesive applied to at least a portion of the inner face, and a release liner which includes a pattern of adhesive which exposes a portion of the release liner to direct adhesive contact to the face ply without intervening release coating to permanently adhere a part of the release liner to the face ply. The release liner has a surrounding protective border provided with release coating on the release face thereof and which is removed prior to application to the substrate, and a slip which remains with the form as applied to the substrate. The face ply includes lines of perforation defining a central portion. At least a part of the central portion is directly adhered by the adhesive to the slip without intervening release coating between the adhesive and the slip or the central portion. Individualized indicia, such as an address, may be printed on a label area of the top face of the central portion, while other individualized indicia, such as the content of a package, may be printed on the back face of the slip. Masking indicia is preferably provided on one of the inner face of the top ply or the release face of the release liner to inhibit viewing of the content indicia until the slip is removed from the package.

A hard laminate sheet for security booklets and method of making the same. The laminate sheet comprises at least two hard core layers (e.g. of polycarbonate) and a flexible component (e.g. nylon) there between and extending beyond an outer edge of the core layers to form a flexible band. The flexible component may be provided as an intermediate layer also comprising a hard component (e.g. of polycarbonate) juxtaposed with the flexible component and laminated to the adjacent core layers. The flexible component comprises a plurality of apertures within which material of the adjacent core layers is laminated together and affixes the flexible component to the laminate sheet. Additional hard core layers may be laminated to the core layers which sandwich the intermediate layer. Optionally, the laminate sheet may be used for a travel document (such as a passport) and may be laser engraved. Also, optionally, the laminate sheet may comprise a hard core inlay layer configured for containing a contactless integrated circuit chip and antenna or other electronic hardware.

An assembly for mailing an article requiring special services and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard, two anchor portions disposed on either side of the postcard, printer track strips having a plurality of holes for engaging a printer, such as a dot matrix printer, and a hole capable of being sensed by another type of printer, such as a thermal printer. The indicia printed upon the mailing assembly including the designator indicating the special service required, are printed using a single color thereby simplifying the printing process. The return postcard is removably attached to anchor portions such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed from the anchor portions. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service.

The present invention provides a shipping method for guaranteeing that an article for shipping has remained sealed with a seal and has remained unopened. Specifically, first, the sender is asked to enter a signature on a seal. Because of the pressure from a writing implement at time of entering, the signature is copied to a sheet for verification. An article for shipping is sealed with a seal and transported to a recipient. The signature on the seal is verified against the signature on the sheet for verification. By confirming that the two match, it is confirmed that the seal has not been replaced. Thus it is guaranteed that the article for shipping has remained sealed with the seal and has remained unopened.

Collectable fingerprinted items, and methods of making such fingerprinted items, including original and simulated fingerprints for application to an item to create a collectable item. The processes may be used to create a variety of collectable items, such as instrument picks, pendants, key fobs, charms, and other collectables. The process includes taking an original fingerprint impression, using the original impression to create a simulated fingerprint impression. The methods optionally include altering at least one identifying characteristic in a manner that prevents identity theft of other misuse of the fingerprint impression. The process optionally includes applying the simulated fingerprint impression to an item, such as by making a mold incorporating the simulated fingerprint, such as by using CAD/CAM technology and molding an item using the created mold.

A printer, as an image forming apparatus, reverses the front and back sides of tab sheets that became no longer necessary and discharges when a reverse discharge is specified.

The invention provides the user a first insertion page position setting part that allows a user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which first tab sheets are to be inserted, and a second insertion page position setting part that allows the user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which second tab sheets are to be inserted, when a request for initiating the setting concerning the tab sheets is received. Further, the tab positions in the second tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said second insertion page position setting part, are set up in accordance with the tab positions in the first tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said first insertion page position setting part.

A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices.

In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.

Apparatus and method for secure transactions between gaming machines and portable devices are described. The secure transactions may include a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the portable device to the gaming machine or a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the gaming machine to the portable device. A logic device, separate from a master gaming controller on the gaming machine and placed in the gaming machine, may be operable to authenticate a portable device, such as a smart card, and authorize transactions involving transfers of indicia of credit between the portable device and the gaming machine. The logic device may be operable to send authentication information relating to the portable device to a remote host where a value amount of transactions involving the portable device authorized by the logic device may be higher when the logic device and the remote host authenticate the portable device as opposed to when the portable is only authenticated by the logic device.

Methods and system for encoded information processing are described. In one embodiment, an encoded pattern may be optically detected from source media. The encoded pattern may be associated with programming content of a content source. The encoded pattern may be decoded to reproduce encoded data. The programming content may be identified based on reproduction of the encoded data. A scheduled start time of the programming content may be obtained. When a current device time is within a notification time qualification of the scheduled start time, a programming content start alert may be generated. An interactive opportunity notification associated with the programming content may be provided based on generation of the programming content start alert. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

A method for controlling within a printer driver the insertion of tab sheets into a print job. According to one embodiment, sheets of multiple levels are insertable. The printer driver provides at least input fields for entry and display of parameters for the definition of at least one tab sheet, and an interactive area for visualizing the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet corresponding to the level of the tab sheet in the print job. Depending on changes of a tab sheet defined by entered parameters, the visualization of the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet in the print job is updated in the interactive area.

A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect. Furthermore, the present invention relates to substrates, in particular security documents, produced using a method of this type, and devices for carrying out methods of this type.

A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend.

A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses.

A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.

Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are described. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing are configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces an optimal clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force.

In a friction drive transmission apparatus arranged to transmit power by a frictional transmission force between two roller units pressed against each other, there is provided a pressing force imparting means to increase and decrease a pressing force imparted to a roller pair to vary the frictional transmission force between both roller units smoothly at the time of a shift.

The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.

An ECU executes a program including the steps of changing a target shift stage when a current shift change mode is set to an automatic shift change mode and when a driver has intention to change a shift stage, changing a shift range to an N range when he/she has intention for neutral, maintaining the automatic shift change mode when it is determined that he/she does not have intention for neutral but he/she has intention to switch the shift change mode and when such determination is made for the first time after return from the N range, and switching the shift change mode to a manual shift change mode when such determination is not made for the first time.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

A method of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. A method of optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission is also described. The CVT has a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation. A drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission can be optimized in another method.

A system and method for controlling the endload force of a variator includes reducing a net force applied to a variator input disc of the variator. The variator includes an endload chamber, a subtraction chamber, and a valve fluidly coupled between the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber. Each of the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber applies an opposing force to the variator input disc. The valve is activateable to reduce the net force applied to the variator input disc. The valve may be activated based on the variator ratio, the position of the variator roller, and/or other parameters of the variator or operation thereof.

A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.

A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware.

Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a mechanical indicator to correlate magnetic disk drive IOP performance with features of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational frequencies that are generated and captured or sensed outside of the disk drive itself. In one example, disk drive PES data may be collected concurrently with the capture of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational data at different and progressive locations of vibration source, vibration path and vibration receiver in a disk drive operating environment, e.g., such as for disk drives installed within a server and/or storage chassis enclosure. In such case, PES threshold may be utilized to correlate performance of Drive IOP or drive servo-mechanical performance as a function of measured characteristics of vibration source/s that impart vibration to a disk drive.

In one embodiment, a system includes a robotic accessor for transporting media between multiple storage slots and one or more data storage drives; a controller for controlling the robotic accessor; a memory in communication with and/or integrated with the controller for storing information about the media and the storage slots, the information including data corresponding to a physical distribution of the media in the storage slots; and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller, the logic being adapted to: position the robotic accessor at a computed optimal position during an idle period of the robotic accessor, the computed optimal position being based at least in part on the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots.

Recording heads for data storage systems are provided. Recording heads illustratively include a write pole, a bumper, a dielectric layer, and a surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the surface includes portions of the write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer. The write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer are illustratively made from materials that have polishing rates. In some embodiments, the polishing rate for the write pole material is more similar to the polishing rate for the bumper material than it is to the polishing rate for the dielectric layer material.

A dual-stack read sensor is utilized in a storage device having an actuator arm that positions the read sensor over a rotating storage medium. The dual-stacked read sensor includes a primary read sensor having a first set of read sensor characteristics and a secondary read sensor having a second set of read sensor characteristics that differ from the first set of read sensor characteristics, wherein the secondary read sensor is positioned relative to the primary read sensor to be radially offset from the primary read sensor relative to a data track being read.

Methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using Heusler alloys are provided. One such method includes depositing a substrate including NiFe, depositing a seed layer on the substrate, depositing a buffer layer on the seed layer, and growing, epitaxially, an upper layer on the buffer layer, the upper layer including a Heusler alloy.

A data processing device includes a memory, an arithmetic circuit that accesses the memory by outputting an access control signal CTRL that controls access to the memory, a first data storage unit that stores first data used when a self-diagnosis is performed, a read-modify-write circuit that generates second data by replacing a part of the first data stored in the first data storage unit with modify data outputted from the arithmetic circuit, and a determination unit that diagnoses a failure of the read-modify-write circuit by comparing the second data with an expected value.