Rotation responsive disk activation and deactivation mechanisms

• US 7,907,486 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2008
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ferren, Bran, Jung, Edward K. Y., Tegreene, Clarence T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edun, Muhammad N
• Application Number:
  US12/229,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20090022023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 369/47.39
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/282 Limited play

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Claims

1. A data storage device comprising:

a substrate;

a data storage medium on said substrate, said data storage medium degradable upon exposure to a degradation-inducing influence; and

a rotation-responsive barrier portion configured to shield said data storage medium from said degradation-inducing influence, said rotation-responsive barrier portion responsive to sufficient centrifugal force to permit exposure of said data storage medium to said degradation-inducing influence.

2. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein said rotation-responsive barrier portion comprises a removable barrier portion that, upon subjection to sufficient centrifugal force, is removable to permit exposure of said data storage medium to said degradation-inducing influence.

3. The data storage device of claim 2, wherein said barrier portion is removed as at least one structural unit.

4. The data storage device of claim 2, wherein said barrier portion is removed by evaporation.

5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein said rotation-responsive barrier portion comprises a modifiable barrier portion that is modifiable by subjection to sufficient centrifugal force to permit exposure of said data storage medium to said degradation-inducing influence.

6. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein exposure of said barrier portion to sufficient centrifugal force modifies an optical transmissivity by said barrier portion.

7. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein exposure of said barrier portion to sufficient centrifugal force modifies an electrical conductivity of said barrier portion.

8. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein exposure of said barrier portion to sufficient centrifugal force modifies a permittivity of said barrier portion.

9. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein said modifiable barrier portion includes a liquid crystal.

10. The data storage device of claim 5, wherein said modifiable barrier portion includes a MEMS structure.

11. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein said rotation-responsive barrier portion is configured to shield said data storage medium from a degradation-inducing influence that includes light.

12. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein said rotation-responsive barrier portion includes an evaporation-sensitive barrier.

13. The data storage device of claim 12, wherein said evaporation sensitive barrier includes a moisture permeable coating.

14. The data storage device of claim 12, wherein said evaporation sensitive barrier is responsive to evaporation by change in permeability of said barrier by said degradation-inducing influence.

15. The data storage device of claim 12, wherein said evaporation sensitive barrier is responsive to evaporation by change in porosity of said barrier.