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EP 0 988 631 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 29.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/13 (21) Application number: 99912937.2 (22) Date of filing: 29.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G11B 5/00, G11B 5/012, G11B 5/82, G11B 5/596 (86) International application number: PCT/US9906/814 (87) International publication number: WO 9953/482 (21.10.1999 Gazette 1999/42)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE GB (30) Priority: 09.04.1998 US 81253 P 17.04.1998 US 82077 P 04.12.1998 US 111099 P 21.12.1998 US 113059 P 07.01.1999 US 115094 P 13.01.1999 US 115771 P (71) Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY Scotts Valley,California 95066 (US)

(72) Inventors: BELSER, Karl, A. San Jose, CA 95124 (US) MC DANIEL, Terry, W. Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (US) GAGE, Edward, C. Apple Valley, MN 55124 (US) DURNIN, James, E. Apple Valley, MN 55124 (US) SWANSON, Lori, Grace Bloomington, MN 55438 (US) HUTCHINSON, Christina, Laura Apple Valley, MN 55124 (US) (74) Representative: Kahler, Kurt, Dipl.-Ing. et al PatentanwälteKahler, Käck, Fiener et col.,Vorderer Anger 268 86899 Landsberg/Lech 86899 Landsberg/Lech (DE)