Method and apparatus for data storage using thermal proximity imaging
US6052249A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for accessing a data storage medium having raised and lowered portions indicative of data stored on the medium. Energy is supplied to a sensor which is moved relative to, and in close proximity to, a surface of the medium on which the data in the form of raised and lowered portions is stored. The sensor and the storage medium are moved in relation thereto, such that the sensor remains at a substantially constant fly spacing therefrom. A decrease in temperature of the sensor is detected when it is in proximity to a variation, i.e., a raised portion on the medium. This detected decrease in temperature associated with a raised variation, e.g., asperity, can be used as the basis upon which to detect the data on the data storage medium. The data storage medium may also contain magnetically stored data, such that the surface variations and the magnetic characteristics of the data storage medium can both be utilized to store data thereon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.