Asperity data storage system, method and medium

Abstract

An asperity data storage system wherein asperities are used to represent stored data. The asperity data storage system includes an asperity transducer that thermally interacts with a data storage medium adapted to store an information-encoded pattern of asperities thereon, such as a rotatable disk, a streamable tape, or a fixed medium. A drive system produces relative motion between the data storage medium and the asperity transducer, while electrical signals corresponding to the asperities are processed as stored information. A positional relationship can be maintained between the asperity transducer and the data storage medium using the asperities on the data storage medium for reference. A related asperity data storage method and the asperity data storage medium itself are further disclosed.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 : A data storage method comprising using an information-encoded pattern of asperities on a data storage medium to represent stored non-servo user information and thermally interacting with said asperities to transduce said information, said transducing being performed by an asperity transducer having a thermal diffusivity and time constant for temperature change that is selected to produce a desired thermal pulse amplitude. 
   
   
       12 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein asperities on said data storage medium are further used as a reference for maintaining a positional relationship between an asperity transducer and said data storage medium. 
   
   
       13 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said asperity pattern is read from said data storage medium as part of a non-servo user data retrieval operation. 
   
   
       14 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said asperity pattern is written to said data storage medium as part of a non-servo user data recording operation. 
   
   
       15 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said data storage medium comprises a rotatable disk that is scanned by an asperity transducer. 
   
   
       16 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said data storage medium comprises a streamable tape that is scanned by an asperity transducer. 
   
   
       17 : A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said data storage medium comprises a fixed medium that is scanned by a moving asperity transducer. 
   
   
       18 : An asperity medium comprising an information-encoded pattern of asperities representing stored digitally-encoded non-servo user information, said asperities being constructed to thermally interact with a sensor whose electrical resistance is temperature dependent. 
   
   
       19 : A medium in accordance with  claim 18  further including asperities representing reference information for maintaining a positional relationship between an asperity transducer and said data storage medium. 
   
   
       20 : A medium in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said medium comprises one of a rotatable disk, a streamable tape, or a fixed medium.