Fluid mediated disk activation and deactivation mechanisms

• US 7,916,592 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• 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, Goodall, Eleanor V., Jung, Edward K. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tan X
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fischer, Mark L
• Application Number:
  US11/998,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20080175126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 720/719, 200/220
• US Class Current: 369/52.1
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/122 involving the detection of an identification or authentication mark record carriers indicating unauthorised or prior use G11B23/28
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/26 Speed-changing arrangements; Reversing arrangements; Drive-transfer means therefor

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 system comprising:

electrical circuitry including a microprocessor;

an input device operably coupled to said electrical circuitry;

an output device operably coupled to said electrical circuitry;

a data storage device configured for rotating access operably coupled to said electrical circuitry, said data storage device including;

a substrate;

a degradation-sensitive data storage medium on said substrate;

a fluid reservoir containing an electrically conductive fluid;

a rotation activatable fluid release mechanism for controlling release of said electrically conductive fluid from said reservoir to produce degradation of said data storage medium;

a fluid receptacle adapted to receive said electrically conductive fluid released from said reservoir;

a first electrical contact on a first side of said fluid receptacle; and

a second electrical contact on a second side of said fluid receptacle, said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact disposed so that, upon receipt of said electrically conductive fluid by said fluid receptacle from said reservoir, an electrical connection will be formed between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.

2. A system comprising:

electrical circuitry including a microprocessor;

an input device operably coupled to said electrical circuitry;

an output device operably coupled to said electrical circuitry;

a data storage device configured for rotating access operably coupled to said electrical circuitry, said data storage device including;

a substrate;

a degradation-sensitive data storage medium on said substrate;

a fluid reservoir containing an electrically conductive fluid;

a rotation activatable fluid release mechanism for controlling release of said electrically conductive fluid from said reservoir to produce degradation of said data storage medium;

a fluid receptacle adapted to receive said electrically conductive fluid released from said reservoir;

a first electrical contact on a first side of said fluid reservoir; and

a second electrical contact on a second side of said fluid reservoir, said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact disposed so that, upon release of said electrically conductive fluid from said reservoir to said fluid receptacle, an electrical connection will be broken between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.