APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE FORMATION OF A SHORT BETWEEN A MAGNETORESISTIVE HEAD AND A HEAD SUBSTRATE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“
- MR”
) head and a head substrate, the apparatus comprising;
a biasing module configured to generate a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground;
a monitoring module configured to monitor the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground; and
a detection module configured to detect the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“MR”) head and a head substrate. The apparatus is presented with a logic unit containing a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of generating a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground, monitoring the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground, and detecting the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would reduce read errors on the magnetic tape storage system, the time and resources required to recover from such errors, and allow for preventative measures to obviate contamination short related failures of tape drive systems.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“
- MR”
) head and a head substrate, the apparatus comprising;a biasing module configured to generate a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground; a monitoring module configured to monitor the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground; and a detection module configured to detect the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- MR”
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9. A system for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“
- MR”
) head and a head substrate, the system comprising;a magnetic tape cassette configured to store data on a magnetic tape; a magnetic tape drive configured to; generate a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground; monitor the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground; and detect the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level; and a head cleaning device configured to clean the MR head and head substrate on the magnetic tape drive. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- MR”
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15. A signal bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform an operation for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“
- MR”
) head and a head substrate, the operation comprising;generating a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground; monitoring the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground; and detecting the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- MR”
-
20. A method for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive (“
- MR”
) head and a head substrate, the method comprising;generating a baseline electric potential level between a head substrate and ground; monitoring the level of the electric potential between the head substrate and ground; and detecting the formation of a short circuit between the MR head and the head substrate by detecting a change in the electric potential level monitored by the monitoring module from the baseline level to a predetermined threshold level.
- MR”
Specification