James Howard Eaton

Bio: James Howard Eaton is an academic researcher from IBM. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tape head & Magnetic tape. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 47 publications receiving 1120 citations.

Timing based servo system for magnetic tape systems

Abstract: A track following servo system is disclosed for use with magnetic tape systems in which magnetic servo track patterns contain transitions recorded at more than on azimuthal orientation across the width of the servo track. The timing of a signal derived from reading at any point across the width of such a pattern varies continuously as the read head is moved across the servo track. The pattern is read by a servo read head whose width is small compared to the servo track pattern. The combination of a wide servo pattern and a narrow servo read head offers excellent position sensing linearity and dynamic range. In the preferred embodiment, the servo read head is also narrow with respect to the data tracks, which provides the additional advantages of superior immunity to position sensing errors caused by defects or temporal variations in the servo read head, defects in the servo pattern on the tape, wear of the head or tape, or debris collection on the head or tape. Position sensing with this system is achieved by deriving a ratio of two servo pattern intervals and therefore is insensitive to tape speed during reading. The servo patterns may include spacing intervals recognizable for error detection and correction purposes. Servo tracks are recorded using a patterned multiple gap servo write head whose magnetic gaps have geometries appropriate to generate the desired servo patterns. The patterned gaps of the servo write head are produced by photolithographically defined electroplating of permalloy on a ferrite ring head structure.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing droplet formation in a liquid stream

Abstract: A source of energy is selectively applied to a liquid stream to reduce the surface tension of the liquid and is applied before the stream would randomly break up into droplets. Both the quantity of energy applied and the time period that the energy is applied are controlled to control the time to droplet breakoff and the time between droplets by selectively reducing the surface tension of segments of the stream. The source of energy can be high intensity light, which is converted by the stream to heat energy, or a source of heat (resistive or inductive) with the resistive heat being applied to the stream by conduction and the inductive heat being converted by the stream to heat energy.

Timing based servo longitudinal addressing

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape media having addressing data information superimposed on prerecorded track following servo information. The servo information is recorded in magnetic flux transition patterns defining at least one longitudinal servo track. A servo burst pattern of at least two repeated pairs of non-parallel magnetic flux transitions is provided, at least one of which transitions is slanted or otherwise continuously longitudinally variable across the width of the servo track. At least two transitions of the repeated pairs are shifted longitudinally with respect to other of the transitions, the shifted transitions comprising the superimposed addressing data information. Also disclosed is a magnetic tape media having prerecorded combined servo and data information recorded in repeated pairs of magnetic flux dual transitions, at least one of the repeated pairs of dual transitions having a different width with respect to other of the transitions, the different width transitions comprising data information.

Bidirectional flat contour linear tape recording head and drive

Abstract: A bidirectional linear thin film tape head and drive are disclosed with a flat contour on a wear resistant ceramic substrate. At least one thin film transducer is provided on a side of the substrate, forming one edge to the flat transducing surface, and another edge is formed at the opposite side of the flat transducing surface. In one embodiment, both the transducer edge, with an alumina overcoat protecting the transducer, and the opposite edge of the flat transducing surface form outer tape path edges, and in another embodiment, the thin film transducer is protected by a ceramic closure that covers the thin film transducer and forms an extension to the flat transducing surface which provides an outer tape path edge. The edges remove the air entrained by the tape moving relative to the head in either direction to allow contact or near contact recording with the flat transducing surface.

Timing based servo with fixed distances between transitions

Abstract: A servo writer generates a linear servo track timing based servo pattern comprised of transitions that extend laterally of the track. At least three spaced apart write elements, two of parallel azimuthal orientation, and at least one of a different azimuthal orientation, write patterns corresponding to the write elements, fixing both the distance between transitions having different azimuthal orientation, the “A” distance, and the distance between transitions having parallel azimuthal orientation, the “B” distance. The fixed distances provide precise sensing of lateral position based on a measure of time over the “A” distance compared to time over the “B” distance.

Bubble jet recording method and apparatus in which a heating element generates bubbles in multiple liquid flow paths to project droplets

Abstract: Liquid droplets are formed by instantaneous state change by thermal energy of a liquid filled in a thermal chamber, said droplets being deposited onto a recording member to achieve recording.

Ink jet recording method

Abstract: An ink jet recording method which comprises contacting or bringing closer an electro-thermal transducer with or to a recording liquid in an operating chamber having a discharge orifice, introducing into the electrothermal transducer an input pulse signal with its pulse width being in a range of from 01 μsec to 500 μsec, said input pulse signal being introduced in such a manner that its input cycle becomes at least three times as large as said pulse width, discharging and sputtering said recording liquid from said discharge orifice in the form of fine droplet in accordance with operating force developed within said operating chamber, and effecting image recording on the surface of a recording medium with the liquid droplets

Liquid jet recording device

Abstract: A liquid jet recording device comprises: a recording head having liquid discharging orifice for discharging liquid in a predetermined direction, a heat generating member, a heat acting zone where heat energy generated from the heat generating member acts on the liquid, and liquid feeding path for feeding the liquid to the heat acting zone; and drive signal feeding means for generating drive signals to drive said heat generating member to discharge the liquid in the predetermined direction, wherein the direction of the liquid flowing into said heat acting zone from said liquid feeding path differs from the direction of the liquid flowing out of said heat acting zone toward said liquid discharging orifice.

Light guide, illuminating device having the light guide, and image reading device and information processing apparatus having the illuminating device

Abstract: There is disclosed an illumination device in which a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. There are also disclosed an image reading device and an information processing apparatus, equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.

Continuous ink jet printer with asymmetric heating drop deflection

Abstract: A method for controlling a terminal flow of ink droplets from the nozzle of an ink jet printer at the end of a printing operation is provided The printer has a first heating element disposed on one side of the nozzle that is selectively actuated to direct ink droplets away from a recording medium and into an ink gutter during a printing operation The printer also has a second heating element disposed on the side of the nozzle opposite from the first heating element After the first heating element applies its last operational heat pulse to the printing nozzle at the end of a printing operation, the second heating element applies at least one deflection correcting heat pulse of the same duration, magnitude and period as the last operational heat pumps The method prevents ink droplets generated after the end of a printing operation from erroneously striking the printing medium