Patent ID: 7280294

Claim:
An apparatus adapted to write timing-based magnetic servo bands patterns on magnetic storage media, said apparatus comprising: a magnetic head comprising a first angled write element and a second angled write element adapted to perform a gap recording process during a write sequence, wherein said gap recording process comprises writing a magnetic servo band pattern onto said magnetic storage media as said magnetic storage media passes over said magnetic head by simultaneously writing with said first and second angled write elements; and, a tri-state driver controlling said magnetic head; wherein said tri-state driver is adapted to control write current outputs from said magnetic head during said write sequence, wherein said write current outputs during said write sequence comprise one of a positive current and a negative current, wherein said write current outputs during said write sequence comprise alternating negative and positive currents such that said magnetic servo band pattern written onto said magnetic storage media produces alternating positive and negative read-back signals upon playback of said magnetic servo band pattern, wherein said magnetic servo band pattern comprises a first pattern section symmetrical to a second pattern section, wherein said tri-state driver is further adapted to control a magnetic head rest state before and after said write sequence to prevent overwriting on said second pattern section recorded as said magnetic storage media passes said first angled write element, wherein said tri-state driver is further adapted to gradually taper said write current outputs from said magnetic head after said magnetic head rest state before beginning writing said magnetic servo band pattern onto said magnetic storage media, wherein said tri-state driver is further adapted to gradually taper said write current outputs from said magnetic head before said rest state after completing writing said magnetic pattern, and wherein during said write sequence, said tri-state driver is adapted to change said alternating positive and negative write current outputs more abruptly than when said tri-state driver gradually tapers said write current outputs from said magnetic head before and after said magnetic head rest state.