 Patent Application Title |
Patent App Num. |
Date |
| Solid state memory drive and method | 20110022792 | 20110127 |
| A solid state memory drive includes a first interface for receiving solid state memory cartridges; and a second interface for communicatively coupling the solid state memory drive unit with a host system through a drive bay configured to house a cassette tape drive. A host system then includes at least one drive bay configured to receive either the solid state memory drive or a tape cassette drive. A method includes removing a magnetic tape cassette drive from the drive bay; and inserting a solid state memory cartridge drive into the drive bay so as to communicatively interface the solid state memory cartridge drive and the host system.
... |
| Data cartridge and tape library including flash memory | 20110015778 | 20110120 |
| A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in... |
| Tape drive and printing apparatus | 20110012977 | 20110120 |
| A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
... |
| Drive life cycle management | 20100321811 | 20101223 |
| Described are a method and apparatus that monitor tape drive health for tape drives in a tape library. The tape library generally contains a data base that is adapted to maintain functional status records for interactions that occur when a tape drive physically engages a tape cartridge. More specifically, errors associated with tape drive and tape cartridge interactions can be stored in the data base and monitored to make determinations relative to problems encountered by a specific tape drive.
... |
| Dual stage head actuator assembly for tape drive | 20100309579 | 20101209 |
| An actuator assembly (22) for positioning a head (16) of a tape drive (10) relative to a storage tape that moves along a tape path (24) includes a first actuator (228), a second actuator (230) and a controller (26). The actuators (228, 230) move the head (16) in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the tape path. The first actuator (228) is mounted to the second actuator (230) at a location that is based on a position of a resonance node (680) of the second actuator (230). The controller (26) controls linear positioning of the first actuator (228) and the second actuator (230) relative to the storage tape on a closed-loop basis. The actuators (228, 230) can each include voice coils (246, 260). The second... |
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| Methods and apparatus for singulating micro-well tape | 20100307305 | 20101209 |
| An apparatus (10) for singulating micro-well tape includes a tape drive (12) and a cutting assembly (14). The micro-well tape is advanced into and passes between upper and lower tape retainers (44, 45), with the upper tape retainer (44) including a groove (441) into which a raised ridge (451) of a multiplicity of ridges (450) of the bottom tape retainer (45) extends, with the rows of wells moving between adjacent ridges (450) in a movement direction. When a bar code on the micro-well tape is detected by a sensor 24, a knife blade (30) mounted on a slide block (32) is moved vertically to cut the micro-well tape. The new leading edge of the micro-well tape pushes the cut micro-well tape which is deflected by the... |
| Detection of defective tape drive by aggregating read error statistics | 20100302667 | 20101202 |
| A plurality of tape drives writes a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of data units on a tape, wherein an indicator indicates which tape drive of the plurality of tape drives has written a corresponding data unit on the tape. Each of the plurality of tape drives generates an extent of read errors, in response to reading the plurality of data units written on the tape. The extent of read errors generated by each of the plurality of tape drives are aggregated at a computational device coupled to the plurality of tape drives. A determination is made at the computational device of a defective tape drive of the plurality of tape drives from the aggregated extent of read errors.
... |
| Storage apparatus, data restoration method and computer system | 20100293150 | 20101118 |
| An LU management table 61 that associates and stores the LU# of the P-Vol 10p and the LU# of the S-Vol 10s is provided. The CPU 53 specifies the LU# of the S-Vol 10s constituting the save source of the data with respect to the magnetic tape cartridge 74, acquires the LU# of the P-Vol 10p associated with the specified LU# from the LU management table 61, reads the saved data from the magnetic tape cartridge 74 storing the data by means of the magnetic tape drive 71, and stores the data read from the magnetic tape cartridge 74 to the P-Vol 10p with the acquired LU#. As a result, the data can be restored easily and properly to the P-Vol 10p.
... |
| Data cartridge and tape library including flash memory | 20100280651 | 20101104 |
| A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in... |
| Tape data assessment | 20100265807 | 20101021 |
| A method for certifying data on tape cartridges for a library with a first tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a medium auxiliary memory reader/writer, a first tape drive and a second tape drive, a shelf system, and access to a memory device containing a media lifecycle management data base. After a period of time from when data was originally stored on the tape first cartridge, a portion of data residing on the first tape cartridge is read. The portion of data is assessed as to whether a percentage of the portion contains an expected data structure and if the percentage exceeds a predetermined threshold, a data recovery sequence is initiated.
... |
| Lateral partitioning for a shingled tape format | 20100265612 | 20101021 |
| Various embodiments for writing data in a tape medium having wraps by a tape drive are provided. The tape drive allocates the wraps in a shingled data band between two or more data partitions. A set of contiguous wraps is allocated to one data partition of the two or more data partitions. An additional set of contiguous wraps is allocated to an additional data partition of the two or more data partitions. A minimum buffer is retained between the set and the additional set of contiguous wraps of at least one wrap per direction written within at least one data band shared between the one and the additional data partitions such that the one and the additional data partitions may be written to by the tape... |
| Automated tape drive sharing in a heterogeneous server and application environment | 20100250698 | 20100930 |
| A method and system for automatically sharing a tape drive in a heterogeneous computing environment that includes a first computer and second computer. The first computer receives a message that includes a shared tape drive identifier, a source port identifier of the second computer, and a reservation status change for the tape drive. Based on the tape drive identifier, the first computer determines that the tape drive is connected to the first computer. The source port identifier is determined to not identify any host bus adapter installed in the first computer. In response to the first computer determining that the reservation status change indicates a reservation or a release of the tape drive for the second computer, the first computer sets the tape drive offline or... |
| Tape emulating disk based storage system and method with automatically resized emulated tape capacity | 20100250229 | 20100930 |
| A data protection and storage system includes an array of disk drives for data storage. Data is received for storage on the disk drive via an interface that is configured to emulate a tape drive interface. A virtual tape data structure is created and stored on the disk drives. The allocated capacity of the virtual tape is dynamically and transparently alterable in response to data storage demand within the virtual tape.
... |
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| Measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head | 20100246043 | 20100930 |
| In a method of electronically measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head, a plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks are written on a tape with a write head. Error rate information is measured while reading a data track of the plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks with a read head of the tape drive. A bathtub shaped curve is built from a set of the error rate information which is accumulated by reading the data track at a plurality of offsets of the read head relative to the data track. Offset of the read head relative to the write head is measured by determining an offset of the read head which correlates to a magnetic center of the data track as represented by a center... |
| Global spare | 20100241803 | 20100923 |
| A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second drive from the first drive such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first drive is masked from being identified by the host.
... |
| Method and apparatus for efficient synchronization request response | 20100241770 | 20100923 |
| A data writing apparatus includes a tape drive, a buffer and non-volatile memory. When a synchronization request is received from a device sending data to be written to a tape, the apparatus is operable to copy data corresponding to the synchronization request from the buffer to the non-volatile memory. The data may be stored in the non-volatile memory until at least the time when the data which it is a copy of is written to the tape from the buffer.
... |
| Data interleaving in tape drives | 20100232047 | 20100916 |
| Methods and apparatus for interleaving data in a multitrack tape drive and for writing data on a multitrack tape in the tape drive. One method includes: partitioning the data into m(2n+k) data blocks, where each data block has a logical array of rows and columns of data bytes; error-correction coding a row and a column of the logical array to produce an encoded block; assigning the coded row to a respective location in a logical interleave array having L rows and 2n+k columns of locations; and writing a sequence of assigned coded rows simultaneously in respective data tracks on the multitrack tape. The coded row is assigned such that the minimum Euclidean distance on the multitrack tape between the coded rows is maximized. The apparatus includes... |
| Tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke | 20100220410 | 20100902 |
| A tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke is disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear tape drive head assembly includes a top portion having a plurality of write elements and no read elements at a first side and a plurality of read elements and no write elements at a second side opposite of the first side, and a bottom portion laterally offset from the top portion having a plurality of read elements and no write elements at the aforementioned first side and a plurality of write elements and no read elements at the aforementioned second side. The tape is recorded with all the data tracks within each logical band oriented in the same direction.
... |
| System and method for coupling a lth hh tape device with a serial attached scsi connection to a sas-cable | 20100199013 | 20100805 |
| A method, system and apparatus for efficiency coupling a LTO HH tape drive device having a Serial Attached SCSI connector to a SAS-Cable. The method for coupling a LTO HH tape drive device having a Serial Attached SCSI connector to a SAS-Cable includes employing an adapter having a structure featuring an offset between the centerlines of the LTO side and the SAS-Cable side. The method also includes reducing the overmold structure of the adapter on the SAS Cable Side of the adapter to prevent interference from excess structure contained on the connector during the insertion of the SAS Cable as well as enhancing the overmold structure of the adapter on the LTO drive side of the adapter to facilitate a secure grip on the adapter. The... |
| Implementing power savings in an automated storage system | 20100195242 | 20100805 |
| In a method of implementing power savings in an automated storage system, a power savings mode authorization is sent from a library controller to a tape drive, such that the tape drive is authorized to enter an extended power savings mode that maintains an operational host interface in the tape drive for communicating with a host system. A media move command is received at a tape library of the automated storage system. The media move command comprises a command from the host system for the tape library to move a tape cartridge to the tape drive. In response to receiving the media move command, an instruction is issued to the tape drive to transition from the extended power savings mode to an active power mode. The... |
| Zone textured recording head | 20100195241 | 20100805 |
| The present disclosure relates to a magnetic recording head having a slider media bearing interface surface with surface modifications configured to reduce friction and/or stiction friction properties between the head slider media bearing interface surface and a recording medium. The present disclosure also relates to a tape drive system, a method of formatting a recording medium using such a magnetic recording head, and the resulting formatted media.
... |
| 16-state adaptive noise predictive maximum-likelihood detection system | 20100189169 | 20100729 |
| A 16-State adaptive NPML detector is provided for a tape drive which addresses weaknesses of a conventional fixed, 8-state EPR4 detector. Rather than having a fixed target channel, the detector is programmable to allow a range of target channels and can support “classical” partial response channels such as PR4 or EPR4 by programming predictor or whitening filter coefficients. In one embodiment, two filter coefficients may be set via XREG inputs or dynamically determined through the use of an LMS algorithm allowing the detector to adapt the predictor coefficients as data is being read. Another embodiment provides a detector for an EPR4 target in which the whitening filter has one coefficient. Components of the detection system include the detector itself, an LMS engine, a coefficient engine and... |
| System and method for cleaning a tape drive | 20100188776 | 20100729 |
| A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be... |
| Ecc interleaving for multi-track recording on magnetic tape | 20100180180 | 20100715 |
| Conventional C2 coding and interleaving for multi-track data tape in LTO-¾ do not support recording data onto a number of concurrent tracks which is not a power of two. Higher-rate longer C2 codes, which do not degrade error rate performance, are provided. An adjustable format and interleaving scheme accommodates future tape drives in which the number of concurrent tracks is not necessarily a power of two. A data set is segmented into a plurality of unencoded subdata sets and parity bytes are generated for each row and column. The parameters of the C2 code include N2 as the least common multiple of the number of possible tracks to which codeword objects are to be written. COs are formed from N2 C1 codewords, mapped onto a logical... |
| Position signal processor | 20100177434 | 20100715 |
| In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling module to sample servo data from the tape media, and a position signal processor to calculate a position signal using the servo data from the sampling module, wherein the position signal processor calculates a position signal based on each adjacent... |
| Position signal processor | 20100177433 | 20100715 |
| In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling circuit assembly to sample servo data from the tape media, wherein the sampling circuit assembly samples both positive readback waveforms and negative readback waveforms generated by servo code on the tape, a pulse time demodulator circuit module to generate timestamped,... |
| Tape drive | 20100172682 | 20100708 |
| A printing apparatus configured to carryout a plurality of printing operations. The apparatus comprises a tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the of a characteristic of said tape, the characteristic being affected by operation of the tape drive, determine whether said value satisfies a predetermined criterion, and if said value does not satisfy said predetermined criterion, to provide a predetermined control signal, said predetermined control signal being configured to affect said characteristic of said tape.
... |
| Multi-channel thin-film magnetic head, magnetic tape drive apparatus with the multi-channel thin-film magnetic head and manufacturing method of multi-channel thin-film magnetic head | 20100149685 | 20100617 |
| A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, a plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the substrate, a closure fixed onto the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements, a protection film laminated on a whole area of a TBS of the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements and the closure, and many micro-grooves formed in a surface of the protection film.
... |
| Tape strapping machine | 20100147164 | 20100617 |
| An apparatus for strapping an article by means of a flat tape includes least one tape guide frame having a flat tape guide passage, and a tape drive for feeding the tape into the tape guide passage, wherein arranged at the tape guide frame is an opening device which opens a narrow side of the tape guide passage, and a method of strapping an article with such an apparatus. The opening device may include at least one cover element which is movably secured to the tape guide frame and which is movable from a closed position in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage into an open position in which it opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage. In that... |
| Method and apparatus for tape drive data logging | 20100142071 | 20100610 |
| Method and apparatus for logging of data within a data storage system, such as a tape drive library. The tape drive library includes a central storage (memory) providing storage space assigned to each tape drive in the tape drive library and allowing each tape drive to directly store data there, that is to log data files. The logging of the data files is at the instigation of each tape drive and not via polling, so as to perform logging synchronous with tape drive events. In one version, the tape drives are coupled to the central storage via an Ethernet network and the log files conform to a standard file protocol, such as a network file system.
... |
| Data cartridge and tape library including flash memory | 20110015778 | 20110120 |
| A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in... |
| Tape drive and printing apparatus | 20110012977 | 20110120 |
| A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
... |
| Drive life cycle management | 20100321811 | 20101223 |
| Described are a method and apparatus that monitor tape drive health for tape drives in a tape library. The tape library generally contains a data base that is adapted to maintain functional status records for interactions that occur when a tape drive physically engages a tape cartridge. More specifically, errors associated with tape drive and tape cartridge interactions can be stored in the data base and monitored to make determinations relative to problems encountered by a specific tape drive.
... |
| Dual stage head actuator assembly for tape drive | 20100309579 | 20101209 |
| An actuator assembly (22) for positioning a head (16) of a tape drive (10) relative to a storage tape that moves along a tape path (24) includes a first actuator (228), a second actuator (230) and a controller (26). The actuators (228, 230) move the head (16) in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the tape path. The first actuator (228) is mounted to the second actuator (230) at a location that is based on a position of a resonance node (680) of the second actuator (230). The controller (26) controls linear positioning of the first actuator (228) and the second actuator (230) relative to the storage tape on a closed-loop basis. The actuators (228, 230) can each include voice coils (246, 260). The second... |
| Methods and apparatus for singulating micro-well tape | 20100307305 | 20101209 |
| An apparatus (10) for singulating micro-well tape includes a tape drive (12) and a cutting assembly (14). The micro-well tape is advanced into and passes between upper and lower tape retainers (44, 45), with the upper tape retainer (44) including a groove (441) into which a raised ridge (451) of a multiplicity of ridges (450) of the bottom tape retainer (45) extends, with the rows of wells moving between adjacent ridges (450) in a movement direction. When a bar code on the micro-well tape is detected by a sensor 24, a knife blade (30) mounted on a slide block (32) is moved vertically to cut the micro-well tape. The new leading edge of the micro-well tape pushes the cut micro-well tape which is deflected by the... |
| Detection of defective tape drive by aggregating read error statistics | 20100302667 | 20101202 |
| A plurality of tape drives writes a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of data units on a tape, wherein an indicator indicates which tape drive of the plurality of tape drives has written a corresponding data unit on the tape. Each of the plurality of tape drives generates an extent of read errors, in response to reading the plurality of data units written on the tape. The extent of read errors generated by each of the plurality of tape drives are aggregated at a computational device coupled to the plurality of tape drives. A determination is made at the computational device of a defective tape drive of the plurality of tape drives from the aggregated extent of read errors.
... |
| Storage apparatus, data restoration method and computer system | 20100293150 | 20101118 |
| An LU management table 61 that associates and stores the LU# of the P-Vol 10p and the LU# of the S-Vol 10s is provided. The CPU 53 specifies the LU# of the S-Vol 10s constituting the save source of the data with respect to the magnetic tape cartridge 74, acquires the LU# of the P-Vol 10p associated with the specified LU# from the LU management table 61, reads the saved data from the magnetic tape cartridge 74 storing the data by means of the magnetic tape drive 71, and stores the data read from the magnetic tape cartridge 74 to the P-Vol 10p with the acquired LU#. As a result, the data can be restored easily and properly to the P-Vol 10p.
... |
| Data cartridge and tape library including flash memory | 20100280651 | 20101104 |
| A data storage system for use with a plurality of tape cartridges is provided. Each tape cartridge includes a length of tape media and an amount of flash memory. The data storage system includes a tape cartridge library having a plurality of storage cells. Each storage cell is configured to store a tape cartridge. The tape cartridge library further includes a plurality of tape drives. Each tape drive is configured to access a tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is received in the tape drive. The system further includes a robotic tape mover and a flash memory access mechanism. The robotic tape mover moves tape cartridges between the plurality of storage cells and the plurality of tape drives. The flash memory access mechanism is configured in... |
| Tape data assessment | 20100265807 | 20101021 |
| A method for certifying data on tape cartridges for a library with a first tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a medium auxiliary memory reader/writer, a first tape drive and a second tape drive, a shelf system, and access to a memory device containing a media lifecycle management data base. After a period of time from when data was originally stored on the tape first cartridge, a portion of data residing on the first tape cartridge is read. The portion of data is assessed as to whether a percentage of the portion contains an expected data structure and if the percentage exceeds a predetermined threshold, a data recovery sequence is initiated.
... |
| Lateral partitioning for a shingled tape format | 20100265612 | 20101021 |
| Various embodiments for writing data in a tape medium having wraps by a tape drive are provided. The tape drive allocates the wraps in a shingled data band between two or more data partitions. A set of contiguous wraps is allocated to one data partition of the two or more data partitions. An additional set of contiguous wraps is allocated to an additional data partition of the two or more data partitions. A minimum buffer is retained between the set and the additional set of contiguous wraps of at least one wrap per direction written within at least one data band shared between the one and the additional data partitions such that the one and the additional data partitions may be written to by the tape... |
| Automated tape drive sharing in a heterogeneous server and application environment | 20100250698 | 20100930 |
| A method and system for automatically sharing a tape drive in a heterogeneous computing environment that includes a first computer and second computer. The first computer receives a message that includes a shared tape drive identifier, a source port identifier of the second computer, and a reservation status change for the tape drive. Based on the tape drive identifier, the first computer determines that the tape drive is connected to the first computer. The source port identifier is determined to not identify any host bus adapter installed in the first computer. In response to the first computer determining that the reservation status change indicates a reservation or a release of the tape drive for the second computer, the first computer sets the tape drive offline or... |
| Tape emulating disk based storage system and method with automatically resized emulated tape capacity | 20100250229 | 20100930 |
| A data protection and storage system includes an array of disk drives for data storage. Data is received for storage on the disk drive via an interface that is configured to emulate a tape drive interface. A virtual tape data structure is created and stored on the disk drives. The allocated capacity of the virtual tape is dynamically and transparently alterable in response to data storage demand within the virtual tape.
... |
| Measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head | 20100246043 | 20100930 |
| In a method of electronically measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head, a plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks are written on a tape with a write head. Error rate information is measured while reading a data track of the plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks with a read head of the tape drive. A bathtub shaped curve is built from a set of the error rate information which is accumulated by reading the data track at a plurality of offsets of the read head relative to the data track. Offset of the read head relative to the write head is measured by determining an offset of the read head which correlates to a magnetic center of the data track as represented by a center... |
| Global spare | 20100241803 | 20100923 |
| A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second drive from the first drive such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first drive is masked from being identified by the host.
... |
| Method and apparatus for efficient synchronization request response | 20100241770 | 20100923 |
| A data writing apparatus includes a tape drive, a buffer and non-volatile memory. When a synchronization request is received from a device sending data to be written to a tape, the apparatus is operable to copy data corresponding to the synchronization request from the buffer to the non-volatile memory. The data may be stored in the non-volatile memory until at least the time when the data which it is a copy of is written to the tape from the buffer.
... |
| Data interleaving in tape drives | 20100232047 | 20100916 |
| Methods and apparatus for interleaving data in a multitrack tape drive and for writing data on a multitrack tape in the tape drive. One method includes: partitioning the data into m(2n+k) data blocks, where each data block has a logical array of rows and columns of data bytes; error-correction coding a row and a column of the logical array to produce an encoded block; assigning the coded row to a respective location in a logical interleave array having L rows and 2n+k columns of locations; and writing a sequence of assigned coded rows simultaneously in respective data tracks on the multitrack tape. The coded row is assigned such that the minimum Euclidean distance on the multitrack tape between the coded rows is maximized. The apparatus includes... |
| Tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke | 20100220410 | 20100902 |
| A tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke is disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear tape drive head assembly includes a top portion having a plurality of write elements and no read elements at a first side and a plurality of read elements and no write elements at a second side opposite of the first side, and a bottom portion laterally offset from the top portion having a plurality of read elements and no write elements at the aforementioned first side and a plurality of write elements and no read elements at the aforementioned second side. The tape is recorded with all the data tracks within each logical band oriented in the same direction.
... |
| System and method for coupling a lth hh tape device with a serial attached scsi connection to a sas-cable | 20100199013 | 20100805 |
| A method, system and apparatus for efficiency coupling a LTO HH tape drive device having a Serial Attached SCSI connector to a SAS-Cable. The method for coupling a LTO HH tape drive device having a Serial Attached SCSI connector to a SAS-Cable includes employing an adapter having a structure featuring an offset between the centerlines of the LTO side and the SAS-Cable side. The method also includes reducing the overmold structure of the adapter on the SAS Cable Side of the adapter to prevent interference from excess structure contained on the connector during the insertion of the SAS Cable as well as enhancing the overmold structure of the adapter on the LTO drive side of the adapter to facilitate a secure grip on the adapter. The... |
| Implementing power savings in an automated storage system | 20100195242 | 20100805 |
| In a method of implementing power savings in an automated storage system, a power savings mode authorization is sent from a library controller to a tape drive, such that the tape drive is authorized to enter an extended power savings mode that maintains an operational host interface in the tape drive for communicating with a host system. A media move command is received at a tape library of the automated storage system. The media move command comprises a command from the host system for the tape library to move a tape cartridge to the tape drive. In response to receiving the media move command, an instruction is issued to the tape drive to transition from the extended power savings mode to an active power mode. The... |
| Zone textured recording head | 20100195241 | 20100805 |
| The present disclosure relates to a magnetic recording head having a slider media bearing interface surface with surface modifications configured to reduce friction and/or stiction friction properties between the head slider media bearing interface surface and a recording medium. The present disclosure also relates to a tape drive system, a method of formatting a recording medium using such a magnetic recording head, and the resulting formatted media.
... |
| 16-state adaptive noise predictive maximum-likelihood detection system | 20100189169 | 20100729 |
| A 16-State adaptive NPML detector is provided for a tape drive which addresses weaknesses of a conventional fixed, 8-state EPR4 detector. Rather than having a fixed target channel, the detector is programmable to allow a range of target channels and can support “classical” partial response channels such as PR4 or EPR4 by programming predictor or whitening filter coefficients. In one embodiment, two filter coefficients may be set via XREG inputs or dynamically determined through the use of an LMS algorithm allowing the detector to adapt the predictor coefficients as data is being read. Another embodiment provides a detector for an EPR4 target in which the whitening filter has one coefficient. Components of the detection system include the detector itself, an LMS engine, a coefficient engine and... |
| System and method for cleaning a tape drive | 20100188776 | 20100729 |
| A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be... |
| Ecc interleaving for multi-track recording on magnetic tape | 20100180180 | 20100715 |
| Conventional C2 coding and interleaving for multi-track data tape in LTO-¾ do not support recording data onto a number of concurrent tracks which is not a power of two. Higher-rate longer C2 codes, which do not degrade error rate performance, are provided. An adjustable format and interleaving scheme accommodates future tape drives in which the number of concurrent tracks is not necessarily a power of two. A data set is segmented into a plurality of unencoded subdata sets and parity bytes are generated for each row and column. The parameters of the C2 code include N2 as the least common multiple of the number of possible tracks to which codeword objects are to be written. COs are formed from N2 C1 codewords, mapped onto a logical... |
| Position signal processor | 20100177434 | 20100715 |
| In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling module to sample servo data from the tape media, and a position signal processor to calculate a position signal using the servo data from the sampling module, wherein the position signal processor calculates a position signal based on each adjacent... |
| Position signal processor | 20100177433 | 20100715 |
| In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling circuit assembly to sample servo data from the tape media, wherein the sampling circuit assembly samples both positive readback waveforms and negative readback waveforms generated by servo code on the tape, a pulse time demodulator circuit module to generate timestamped,... |
| Tape drive | 20100172682 | 20100708 |
| A printing apparatus configured to carryout a plurality of printing operations. The apparatus comprises a tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the of a characteristic of said tape, the characteristic being affected by operation of the tape drive, determine whether said value satisfies a predetermined criterion, and if said value does not satisfy said predetermined criterion, to provide a predetermined control signal, said predetermined control signal being configured to affect said characteristic of said tape.
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| Multi-channel thin-film magnetic head, magnetic tape drive apparatus with the multi-channel thin-film magnetic head and manufacturing method of multi-channel thin-film magnetic head | 20100149685 | 20100617 |
| A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, a plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the substrate, a closure fixed onto the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements, a protection film laminated on a whole area of a TBS of the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements and the closure, and many micro-grooves formed in a surface of the protection film.
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| Tape strapping machine | 20100147164 | 20100617 |
| An apparatus for strapping an article by means of a flat tape includes least one tape guide frame having a flat tape guide passage, and a tape drive for feeding the tape into the tape guide passage, wherein arranged at the tape guide frame is an opening device which opens a narrow side of the tape guide passage, and a method of strapping an article with such an apparatus. The opening device may include at least one cover element which is movably secured to the tape guide frame and which is movable from a closed position in which it covers the narrow side of the tape guide passage into an open position in which it opens the narrow side of the tape guide passage. In that... |
| Method and apparatus for tape drive data logging | 20100142071 | 20100610 |
| Method and apparatus for logging of data within a data storage system, such as a tape drive library. The tape drive library includes a central storage (memory) providing storage space assigned to each tape drive in the tape drive library and allowing each tape drive to directly store data there, that is to log data files. The logging of the data files is at the instigation of each tape drive and not via polling, so as to perform logging synchronous with tape drive events. In one version, the tape drives are coupled to the central storage via an Ethernet network and the log files conform to a standard file protocol, such as a network file system.
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| Tape drive and printing apparatus | 20100135709 | 20100603 |
| A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
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| Access records on tape medium auxiliary memory device | 20090323218 | 20091231 |
| Described is a tape library which can generally include a tape drive, a tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a device for reading information retained on the medium auxiliary memory device and a program that runs on a processor capable of manipulating information received by the reading device. The tape cartridge's medium auxiliary memory device can contain at least one record of a previous access event, such as an approximate point in time when the tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive. The program may be operable to determine how much time has elapsed from the access event. Knowledge of the elapsed time can, among other things, cause an action to be taken relative to the tape cartridge and/or the data thereon.... |
| Word synchronization for servo read signals in tape drives | 20090316773 | 20091224 |
| Methods and apparatus for detecting L-bit sync words occurring at N-bit intervals in PPM-encoded servo pattern read signals read in magnetic tape drives. A soft output detector processes the PPM-encoded servo pattern read signal to produce a series of soft output samples corresponding to respective bits encoded in the servo pattern. A sync word detector then produces block correlation values for respective positions of a sliding L-sample block in the series of soft output samples by (i) calculating at each block position bit correlation values indicating correlation between respective samples and corresponding bits of the sync word and (ii) summing each bit correlation value minus a predetermined function of the corresponding sample value. The sync word detector then detects a sync word at the block position... |
| Servo control in tape drives | 20090316296 | 20091224 |
| Servo control methods and apparatus for a tape drive. A read/write head reads and writes data on magnetic tape with at least one servo track providing transverse position information. At least two servo readers arranged for reading a servo track associated with the read/write head operate concurrently to generate servo read signals. A position estimator processes each servo read signal to generate a series of position values corresponding to respective time instants indicative of their transverse positions. A servo controller calculates a skew value indicative of tape skew relative to the read/write head and a tension variation value indicative of variation of tape tension. The servo controller is adapted to account for cross-coupling between tape skew and tension variation.
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| Method and system for writing information to a tape cartridge | 20090316287 | 20091224 |
| A tape drive system for a tape cartridge including a tape and wireless identification tag may read information from the wireless identification tag and write the information to the tape. The tape drive system may toggle a bit stored on the wireless identification tag to indicate that the information has been written to the tape. The information may include tape initialization information.
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| Same wrap backhitchless write method to encode data on a tape storage medium | 20090303633 | 20091210 |
| A method to write information to a tape storage medium by disposing a tape storage medium in a tape drive apparatus comprising a write head. The method moves the tape storage medium in a first direction, writes data from a buffer to the tape storage medium, and thereby empties the buffer while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction. The method determines, while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction, whether to enable a backhitchless write wherein the tape storage medium is not stopped and moved in a second and opposition direction, prior to writing new data to the tape storage medium. By not stopping the movement of the tape storage medium, and by not moving the tape storage medium... |
| Apparatus and method for writing data onto tape medium | 20090296267 | 20091203 |
| In a controller of a tape drive, when a command processing unit receives a Write FM0 command, a channel input/output unit writes the data in the buffer and a speculative FM onto the tape, and a CM input/output unit records speculative FM presence information in a cartridge memory. When the command processing unit receives Write FM1 command next, the CM input/output unit erases the speculative FM presence information from the cartridge memory. When the command processing unit receives a command other than Write FM1 command next, the channel input/output unit overwrites a speculative FM.
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| Operating a tape drive during and after a transition to a stand-by mode | 20090289138 | 20091126 |
| In a tape drive during a transition to a stand-by mode, a tape is wound under control of a processor (e.g., CPU) until duration of a time interval between moments when rotational positions of the reels change decreases to a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, in the stand-by mode, the processor switches control over the tape drive to a low-power logic circuit (e.g., PLC) and enters a power-save mode.
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| Tape cartridge auxiliary memory containing tape drive functional status information | 20090284864 | 20091119 |
| A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive also includes a means for transmitting the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user.
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| Magnetic head and tape drive for reading multiple data formats | 20090279205 | 20091112 |
| A magnetic head is provided for reading and writing data on a data storage media. A first writer and a first reader write and read data of a first format. A second reader reads data of a second format having different read channels than the first format. A third reader has a width greater than that of the of the first and second readers, and reads data of a third format wider than that of the first and second formats. A tape drive is disclosed with the magnetic head and control circuitry having read channels for each of the readers. A method for fabricating a magnetic head is disclosed by providing first and second bumps each with a reader and writer of a first format, and... |
| Joint specification of servo format and servo reader parameters for tape drive systems | 20090279201 | 20091112 |
| A servo pattern, including stripes arranged in servo bursts for use in position error signal (PES) generation, is provided in which a stripe width is narrower than 1.7 μm and in which the stripes are oriented at an azimuth angle which in absolute value is equal to or larger than 6 degrees.
... |
| Magnetic head and tape drive for reading multiple data formats | 20090279205 | 20091112 |
| A magnetic head is provided for reading and writing data on a data storage media. A first writer and a first reader write and read data of a first format. A second reader reads data of a second format having different read channels than the first format. A third reader has a width greater than that of the of the first and second readers, and reads data of a third format wider than that of the first and second formats. A tape drive is disclosed with the magnetic head and control circuitry having read channels for each of the readers. A method for fabricating a magnetic head is disclosed by providing first and second bumps each with a reader and writer of a first format, and... |
| Joint specification of servo format and servo reader parameters for tape drive systems | 20090279201 | 20091112 |
| A servo pattern, including stripes arranged in servo bursts for use in position error signal (PES) generation, is provided in which a stripe width is narrower than 1.7 μm and in which the stripes are oriented at an azimuth angle which in absolute value is equal to or larger than 6 degrees.
... |
| Mixed-signal single-chip integrated system electronics for data storage devices | 20090274017 | 20091105 |
| An integrated data storage control system provides, in a single integrated circuit, RDC, servo logic, ATA interface, microprocessor, and other formerly discrete components in one highly integrated system design. The integrated circuit is rendered using a single integrated circuit technology type (e.g., digital CMOS) for all components. Analog and digital circuits are combined in such a way as to eliminate or reduce noise or interference in digital circuits from analog circuit components. Individual elements may have their outputs and inputs MUXed together such that individual elements can be selectively switched (during testing modes) such that the integrated circuit emulates or behaves in the same or similar manner as one of the prior art components. The present invention may be applied to magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs)... |
| Mixed-signal single-chip integrated system electronics for data storage devices | 20090274017 | 20091105 |
| An integrated data storage control system provides, in a single integrated circuit, RDC, servo logic, ATA interface, microprocessor, and other formerly discrete components in one highly integrated system design. The integrated circuit is rendered using a single integrated circuit technology type (e.g., digital CMOS) for all components. Analog and digital circuits are combined in such a way as to eliminate or reduce noise or interference in digital circuits from analog circuit components. Individual elements may have their outputs and inputs MUXed together such that individual elements can be selectively switched (during testing modes) such that the integrated circuit emulates or behaves in the same or similar manner as one of the prior art components. The present invention may be applied to magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs)... |
| Technique for signal and transducer alignment in a tape drive | 20090268339 | 20091029 |
| In an embodiment, a method is provided for improving signal and transducer alignment in a magnetic tape drive. The method includes writing a first track and a second track to a tape. Each track has an associated track characteristic, which may include fundamental frequency and test binary pattern, among other characteristics. The tracks are adjacent and substantially parallel to one another, and each track has a differing track characteristic value. Each track is read at multiple tracking positions to collect values corresponding to each position. An optimal offset is determined based on the collected values and the corresponding tracking positions. In another embodiment, a magnetic tape drive includes a data reader, a data writer, a processor, and a computer readable medium. The medium has stored instructions,... |
| Technique for signal and transducer alignment in a tape drive | 20090268339 | 20091029 |
| In an embodiment, a method is provided for improving signal and transducer alignment in a magnetic tape drive. The method includes writing a first track and a second track to a tape. Each track has an associated track characteristic, which may include fundamental frequency and test binary pattern, among other characteristics. The tracks are adjacent and substantially parallel to one another, and each track has a differing track characteristic value. Each track is read at multiple tracking positions to collect values corresponding to each position. An optimal offset is determined based on the collected values and the corresponding tracking positions. In another embodiment, a magnetic tape drive includes a data reader, a data writer, a processor, and a computer readable medium. The medium has stored instructions,... |
| Server-managed power saving method for automated tape libraries and drives | 20090254645 | 20091008 |
| A system of controlling tape drives within a tape drive library where a backup server utilizes client backup schedules and pending client restore requests to efficiently control the powering on and off of tape drives within a tape drive library.
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| Data storage system | 20090254791 | 20091008 |
| The present invention is directed to an archival data storage system. The archival data storage system includes write once and read many (WORM) capability, data redundancy, error correction, and access control. The combination of these capabilities enable the archival storage system to be secure, error proof, and reliable. Additionally, to provide fast data access time, solid state storage devices are used in place of conventional tape drive. Solid state storage devices such as, for example, flash memory devices are fast, versatile and reliable.
... |
| Server-managed power saving method for automated tape libraries and drives | 20090254645 | 20091008 |
| A system of controlling tape drives within a tape drive library where a backup server utilizes client backup schedules and pending client restore requests to efficiently control the powering on and off of tape drives within a tape drive library.
... |
| Data storage system | 20090254791 | 20091008 |
| The present invention is directed to an archival data storage system. The archival data storage system includes write once and read many (WORM) capability, data redundancy, error correction, and access control. The combination of these capabilities enable the archival storage system to be secure, error proof, and reliable. Additionally, to provide fast data access time, solid state storage devices are used in place of conventional tape drive. Solid state storage devices such as, for example, flash memory devices are fast, versatile and reliable.
... |
| Method for counteracting longitudinal oscillations of magnetic tape in a tape drive system | 20090244773 | 20091001 |
| A method for counteracting longitudinal oscillations in a magnetic tape as it passes over a head in a tape drive system includes the steps of passing the magnetic tape over the head, detecting the occurrence of longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape, and generating counteractive longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape that are substantially 180° out of phase with the longitudinal oscillations to substantially cancel the longitudinal oscillations.
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| Head for tape drive with transversely varying contour | 20090231757 | 20090917 |
| A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least... |
| System and method for recovery of information stored on a corrupt storage device | 20090235011 | 20090917 |
| A magnetic tape cartridge, such as a Linear Tape Open cartridge, stores parameters in a non-volatile memory, such as a Media Auxiliary Memory page of a Cartridge Memory, for use in reading and writing to a magnetic tape. A backup copy of the parameters is made in the non-volatile memory for use in reading and writing to the magnetic tape in the event that the primary copy of the parameters becomes corrupt. If a tape drive fails to retrieve the primary copy of the parameters, the tape drive looks for the backup copy at a predetermined memory location, such as location 200h in the Cartridge Memory.
... |
| Head for tape drive with transversely varying contour | 20090231757 | 20090917 |
| A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least... |
| System and method for recovery of information stored on a corrupt storage device | 20090235011 | 20090917 |
| A magnetic tape cartridge, such as a Linear Tape Open cartridge, stores parameters in a non-volatile memory, such as a Media Auxiliary Memory page of a Cartridge Memory, for use in reading and writing to a magnetic tape. A backup copy of the parameters is made in the non-volatile memory for use in reading and writing to the magnetic tape in the event that the primary copy of the parameters becomes corrupt. If a tape drive fails to retrieve the primary copy of the parameters, the tape drive looks for the backup copy at a predetermined memory location, such as location 200h in the Cartridge Memory.
... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for tape drive head | 20090213493 | 20090827 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for tape drive head | 20090213493 | 20090827 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for tape drive head | 20090213493 | 20090827 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for tape drive head | 20090213493 | 20090827 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for tape drive head | 20090213493 | 20090827 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element... |
| Magnetic tape write once overwrite protection | 20080316634 | 20081225 |
| A magnetic tape cartridge, a recording system, and a magnetic tape drive are configured to, for example, guard against tampering with a write once overwrite protection pointer which allows a rewritable magnetic tape to be treated as write once. In one embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a magnetic tape and a cartridge memory. The magnetic tape is configured to provide at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying data to be protected from being overwritten; and the cartridge memory is configured to provide the at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying magnetic tape data to be protected from being overwritten.
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| Information recording device, data-flow controller and data flow controlling method | 20080320361 | 20081225 |
| A method for transferring corrected data to an external buffer within a tape drive is disclosed. After the receipt of data from a data recording medium, the data are stored in an external buffer. The data are then transferred from the external buffer to an error correction code (ECC) device. Any error in the data within the ECC device are corrected. The corrected data are subsequently divided into multiple sub-units, and a transfer flag is added to each of the sub-units having corrected data. Only the sub-units having corrected data are transferred from the ECC device back to the external buffer.
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| Data recording apparatus and data recording system | 20080310044 | 20081218 |
| A data recording apparatus and a data recording system of the present invention includes buffer memories 2a to 2c that accumulate data in a plurality of channels transferred from an external appliance on a channel basis, a data selector 3 that reads the data accumulated in the buffer memories 2a to 2c, and a data drive 4 that records the data read by the data selector 3 onto a magnetic tape, wherein the data selector 3 selectively reads the data accumulated in the buffer memories 2a to 2c, and outputs the data in an order of recording onto a magnetic tape in the tape drive 4. According to such a configuration, a data recording apparatus that can be realized at low cost and a recording system... |
| Method for reducing occurrences of tape stick conditions in magnetic tape | 20080272222 | 20081106 |
| Disclosed is a method for reducing occurrences of tape stick conditions in magnetic tape, the method including stopping functional rotation of each of two bi-directionally rotatable reels of a reel-to-reel tape drive that includes a length of magnetic tape at least partially wound around each reel, a portion of the length of tape extending between the two moveable reels and contacting a head positioned between the two reels; wherein the stopping creates a stop condition in the tape drive, actuating a fractional rotation at least one of the two bi-directionally movable reels a fraction of a reel turn in a first direction during the stop condition, causing the portion of the length of tape to at least temporarily break contact with the head via the fractional... |
| Use of indirect data keys for encrypted tape cartridges | 20080273696 | 20081106 |
| A method, system and program are provided for enabling selective access to multiple users' encrypted data in a single storage cartridge. A unique, derived key is generated for each user's data by performing cryptographic operations on a combination of a common base key and metadata related to the data to be encrypted (e.g. its total block count). The base data key is wrapped with one or more encryption keys to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs). The base key and the derived key are wrapped to create a session encrypted data key (SEDK), which along with the EEDKs, are conveyed to the tape drive, where the SEDK is decrypted. The EEDKs are then stored in one or more places on the storage cartridge.... |
| Use of indirect data keys for encrypted tape cartridges | 20080273697 | 20081106 |
| A method, system and program are provided for enabling selective access to multiple users' encrypted data in a single storage cartridge. A unique, derived key is generated for each user's data by performing cryptographic operations on a combination of a common base key and metadata related to the data to be encrypted (e.g. its total block count). The base data key is wrapped with one or more encryption keys to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs). The base key and the derived key are wrapped to create a session encrypted data key (SEDK), which along with the EEDKs, are conveyed to the tape drive, where the SEDK is decrypted. The EEDKs are then stored in one or more places on the storage cartridge.... |
| System and method for cleaning a tape drive | 20080259485 | 20081023 |
| A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be... |
| System for determining allocation of tape drive resources for a secure data erase process | 20080263274 | 20081023 |
| A system is provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.
... |
| Method for determining allocation of tape drive resources for a secure data erase process | 20080263294 | 20081023 |
| A method and computer program product are provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.
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| Apparatus for recording or retrieving data on magnetic tape | 20080253017 | 20081016 |
| A magnetic tape drive includes a magnetic head configured to read or write data on a magnetic tape, a transport unit configured to drive the magnetic tape past the magnetic head, a speed detector configured to obtain speed information related to a transport speed of the magnetic tape, a vibrator configured to vibrate the magnetic head, and a controller configured to carry out control over the vibrator based upon the speed information obtained by the speed detector. The controller determines whether the transport speed of the magnetic tape is not lower than a predetermined value, based upon the speed information, starts operation of the vibrator in response to a determination that the transport speed is lower than the predetermined value, and stops the operation of the... |
| Magnetically preloaded linear guide for a transducer | 20080253029 | 20081016 |
| A transducer for a digital storage apparatus that reads and writes data to a tape as the tape is moved in a tape drive path across the transducer. The transducer comprises a base and a head assembly that is attached to the base and movable relative to the base in a linear path that is perpendicular to the tape drive path. A guide assembly guides the movement of the head assembly that has a track that is partially defined by the head and partially defined by the base. The guide assembly includes at least two balls that are disposed in the track between the base and the head assembly. A magnetic coupling retains the balls within the track. A linear motor operatively engages the head assembly... |
| Tape tension sensor | 20080247076 | 20081009 |
| A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium is provided. The tension sensor comprises a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium; at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin. In some embodiments, the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.
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| Intelligent tape drive assembly that diagnoses and repairs its own tape drives | 20080239544 | 20081002 |
| A tape drive assembly (20) for the transmission of data relative to a magnetic storage tape (278) includes a tape head (260), a cartridge receiver (268) and a controller (44). The cartridge receiver (268) selectively receives a cartridge (54) having a lapping tape (478) that laps the tape head (260). The controller (44) dynamically adjusts one of (i) a tension of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260), (ii) an oscillation frequency of the tape head (260) relative to the lapping tape (478), and (iii) a lateral velocity of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260). The controller (44) can use an algorithm to adjust these conditions. The algorithm can be based on the pliability of the lapping tape (478),... |
| Servo writing and decoding position error signal for linear tape drives | 20080239559 | 20081002 |
| The present invention, in particular embodiments, is directed to methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate recording of servo signals on a recording medium such as magnetic tape with high accuracy. Variation of inter-frame and intra-frame placement is substantially reduced by writing successive frames or sub-frames based on a detection of a previously-written frame or sub-frame by a read element. Appropriate placement of the read element in relation to servo write elements, on a multi-gap servo write head, ensures the correct placement of subsequent frames on the recording medium.
... |
| Tape drive | 20080240830 | 20081002 |
| A tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of the motors, and a controller. The controller controls the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to store a plurality of motor control data items, each data item being associated with a respective tension value. The controller is operative to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports; read a motor control data item based upon the monitored tension; generate a motor control signal based upon the read motor control data item; and... |
| Tape drive | 20080217454 | 20080911 |
| A tape drive comprising two motors at least a first of which is an open loop position-controlled motor arranged to provide a controllable torque, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to provide a control signal to the first motor to set the tape tension.
... |
| Tape drive | 20080217455 | 20080911 |
| A tape drive comprising first and second motors, the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller operable to control the energization of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of... |
| Multi-channel thin-film magnetic head and magnetic tape drive apparatus with the multi-channel thin-film magnetic head | 20080218900 | 20080911 |
| A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head has magnetic read head elements, magnetic write head elements, servo magnetic head elements, a plurality of pairs of external connection pads for reading connected with magnetic read head elements, a plurality of pairs of external connection pads for writing connected with magnetic write head elements, a plurality of pairs of external connection pads for servo connected with servo magnetic head elements, and a plurality of connection pads for body grounding or other functions. The connection pads for reading, writing, servo and body grounding or other functions are arranged in lines on a surface of the multi-channel thin-film magnetic head, and lead conductors which are electrically connected with connection pads for reading, writing, servo and body grounding or other functions are different... |
| Tape tension modulation system and method | 20080218905 | 20080911 |
| A system and method of modulating tape tension during operation of a tape drive data storage system in which a fixed position tape guide utilizes one or more drag elements to exert a control force on a tape medium that affects downstream tape tension. Drag elements that may be used include, but are not necessarily limited to, air ports that delivery positive or negative air pressure to the tape medium, skiving edge elements that are positionable into and out of engagement with the tape medium, and brakes or motors that engage the tape guide (if it is rotatably mounted) to control its rotational torque. A tension control circuit is used to vary the operation of the one or more drag elements. Signal inputs to the control... |
| Techniques for safely shipping tape drives while mounted inside a frame of an automated tape library | 20080218960 | 20080911 |
| A system of shipping tape drives while they are mounted to a frame uses shipment brackets to retain the drives within the frame in retracted positions during shipment. The brackets allow the drives to be shipped inside the frame. The brackets hold the drives in the retracted position within the frame by clipping into the drives and the shelves above the drives. Tabs on each bracket snap into a drive such that the drive cannot move with respect to the bracket or the shelf. The drive is pushed into position until the bracket is fully engaged with the shelf above the drive and the tabs have prevented the drive from further insertion. Because the bracket is engaged, the drive no longer can move in or out... |
| Tape drive | 20080219740 | 20080911 |
| A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled... |
| Tape drive | 20080219741 | 20080911 |
| A tape drive comprising first and second motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, a sensor for sensing tape motion between the spools, and a controller. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal indicating demanded tape motion, provide a first control signal to at least one of the motors, the first control signal being based upon said demanded tape motion and being configured to cause tape to be transported between spools mounted on the spool supports, receive a second signal from said sensor indicating actual tape motion in response to said first control signal, and provide a second control signal to at least one of the motors,... |
| Tape drive | 20080219742 | 20080911 |
| A tape drive comprising two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, at least one spool being drivable by a respective motor, a controller for controlling the energization of said at least one motor such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports, and a sensor configured to obtain signals indicative of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the tape, wherein means are provided to process two signals obtained by said sensor and to generate an output signal indicative of movement of said tape based on said signals.
... |
| Tape drive | 20080219743 | 20080911 |
| A tape drive comprising two position-controlled motors, at least one of which is a closed-loop position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is operative to energise both motors to drive the spools of tape in the direction of tape transport, to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports and to control the motors to maintain the monitored tension between predetermined limits.
... |
| Head actuator design for a low profile tape drive | 20080198495 | 20080821 |
| A head actuator design for a low profile tape drive is configured with a damping system for a head suspension system having flexure springs to accommodate a half-high form factor. The damping system employs hall sensors, for example, mounted on the head carriage that moves with the head carriage to provide position signals that are differentiated to form velocity signals used by a servo loop control system to dampen suspension system resonance. A flexible circuit routing is provided that is manageable for half-high form factors by combining the fine positioner loop and course positioner loop into a single loop, and preventing the head flexible printed circuit from contacting a top cover in the routing to a printed circuit board near the top cover.
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| Reduced tape stick tape drive systems | 20080192380 | 20080814 |
| A read and/or write head for a tape drive system has a tape bearing surface that includes relatively smooth areas surrounded by relatively rough areas. Read and/or write elements are located in the smooth areas.
... |
| Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the formation of a short between a magnetoresistive head and a head substrate | 20080186634 | 20080807 |
| 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... |
| Cartridge reel lock release sensing systems and methods | 20080180831 | 20080731 |
| A tape drive having a reel release sensing procedure and system is provided. In one example, the tape drive includes a motor coupled to a reel driver for driving a reel of a storage device, a sensor for detecting movement associated with the reel driver, and a controller. The controller operates to activate the motor to rotate the reel driver prior to coupling the tape to a drive leader. The controller further determines if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the tape to be loaded into the drive if the reel moved (or moved more than a predetermined amount/distance). For example, the controller may determine the reel is released if the reel driver... |
| Tape roller guide with integral recording head | 20080180841 | 20080731 |
| An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly.
... |
| Correlating power signatures with automated equipment | 20080183428 | 20080731 |
| A system for monitoring an activity of a tape drive system having one or more electro-mechanical components, said electro-mechanical components receiving electrical current from a power supply. The system comprises a mechanism for sampling an actual current supplied to said electro-mechanical component from said power supply during said activity; a mechanism for reading a theoretical current for said activity; a mechanism for calculating a statistical value for said actual current and said theoretical current; a mechanism for comparing said statistical value to at least one threshold value; and a mechanism for outputting information to at least one of a user, another system, and another process based on said comparison of said statistical value to said at least one threshold value.
... |
| Method for recovering data in a tape drive system | 20070300133 | 20071227 |
| A method is disclosed. The method includes performing a first read operation at a tape drive, determining if a minimum number of data bytes have been recovered in the first read operation to perform error correcting codes (ECC), performing a second read operation if the minimum number of data bytes to perform ECC have not been recovered, determining if a minimum number of data bytes have been recovered in the second read operation to perform ECC, combining the recovered data bytes from the first read operation and the second read operation to form combined recovered data bytes, determining if a minimum number of data bytes are included in the combined recovered data bytes to perform ECC and performing ECC if the minimum number of data bytes... |
| Method and system for contiguously appending data onto media in a tape drive system | 20070291391 | 20071220 |
| A method for contiguously appending data onto media in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes reading existing data recorded on a media, determining an append point on the media, and contiguously appending new data on the media starting at the append point such that any end pad is eliminated and no intermediate pads are resulted. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
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| Magnetic head with conductive underlayer | 20070291408 | 20071220 |
| A magnetic head includes a wafer substrate and a conductive underlayer formed directly on the substrate. An insulating layer is formed above the conductive layer. A reader and/or writer thereof is formed above the insulating layer. Another magnetic head includes a substrate and an insulating underlayer formed above the substrate. A conductive underlayer is formed above the insulating underlayer. An insulating layer is formed above the conductive underlayer. At least one device is formed above the insulating layer, the at least one device being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof. Tape drive systems and methods for forming such heads are also presented.
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| Method and system for increasing recording format reliability for limited media space in a tape drive system | 20070294461 | 20071220 |
| A method for increasing recording format reliability in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a default media information region (MIR) on a media, wherein the default MIR includes MIR information divided into segments, reading the MIR information, rotating the MIR information into a first rotation MIR information by rotating the segments by one segment; and writing the first rotation MIR information into a first MIR on the media. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
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| Azimuth compensation using combination bump pes detection | 20070285831 | 20071213 |
| An example embodiment provides for an apparatus and method, for use in a tape drive system, that supplies tape azimuth error information transduced from servo read elements that are located on differing bumps of a magnetic read/write head. Non-azimuth error information is also transduced from servo read elements located on a read bump. The azimuth error and non-azimuth are utilized to correctly place the magnetic head at a currently selected track of the tape for which data is being written. In one implementation, the servo read elements utilized for transducing the azimuth information are substantially aligned with each other relative to a tape path and disposed on separate bumps. In another implementation, the servo read elements utilized for transducing the azimuth information are not substantially aligned... |
| Tape drive with read/write head having legacy read elements and with special-purpose read channels | 20070285838 | 20071213 |
| A tape drive for reading both new technology tapes and legacy tapes. The tape drive includes a three bump head with two outer read bumps and an inner write bump. The outer read bumps include readers for reading data from tracks of a first width on a first storage tape while the inner write bump includes writers for writing data in tracks of the first storage tape. Legacy readers are provided in the head to read data from tracks of a second width that is greater than the first track width on a second storage tape. The legacy readers are provided by piggybacking or merged-pole techniques in the inner write bump or are provided in one or both of the outer read bumps. The tape drive... |
| Multi-function head flex-circuit design for tape drives | 20070285844 | 20071213 |
| An exemplary embodiment provides for a servo-actuated, head actuator design wherein a head carriage includes one or more positional sensor location features that precisely define placement. The sensor location features are configured such that a positional sensor can be mated into a specific sensor location feature. As the head carriage is typically manufactured with great accuracy, the inclusion and placement of the sensor location features will also be extremely accurate. As a result, the location of positional sensors can be pre-defined via the head carriage design such that they will be at a precise location with respect to a magnetic head attached to the head carriage, thereby reducing variation in the location of one or more positional sensors resulting from a tape drive assembly process.
... |
| Narrow width actuator for tape drive systems | 20070285845 | 20071213 |
| An exemplary embodiment provides for a servo-controlled, head actuator design that has low profile characteristics in both the height and width dimensions. The low height allows the actuator to fit into a half-high tape drive form factor. The construction of the actuator, in one embodiment, reduces the width of the tape drive system, and allows the industry standard mounting with the necessary screw length. Additionally, in some implementations, the actuator comprises a smaller, concentrated moving mass coupled with a flexure construction having a narrowed width with added ribs for torsional stiffness. These aspects of the actuator provide a higher second mode of vibration compared to the flexure designs of the prior art. The actuator design includes a coarse actuator assembly for larger movements of the head,... |
| Adjustment system using ball-ended guide rods to align tape drive heads | 20070285846 | 20071213 |
| An example embodiment provides for an apparatus, for use in a tape drive system, that facilitates adjustment of azimuth and zenith orientations of a magnetic tape head. The apparatus includes a top and bottom plate located above and below an actuator assembly that includes a magnetic head. Also included are first and second ball-ended guide rods that each have ends that mate with corresponding top and bottom plate sockets. Azimuth and zenith adjustment is provided for via at least one azimuth adjustment screw and at least one zenith adjustment screw. Various aspects of the apparatus include independent adjustment of the zenith and azimuth, where adjustments to one does not affect the other. Another aspect includes the top plate remaining in a substantially horizontal plane when either... |
| Tape drive and printing apparatus | 20070286661 | 20071213 |
| A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
... |
| Buckler for tape drives | 20070272782 | 20071129 |
| An apparatus includes a holder for a drive leader of a tape drive. The drive leader is for coupling with a buckle attached to tape spooled in a tape cartridge. The holder may rotate about a tower attached to a housing of the tape drive. The apparatus further includes a restraining member for restraining the buckle during coupling with the drive leader. The member may include an elongate body disposed with the post to rotate into a restraining position with respect to the buckle during a buckling operation. The tape drive may include a motor for pulling the tape from the tape cartridge. A method includes restraining a buckle attached to the tape while coupling the drive leader with the buckle. Firmware in the tape drive... |
| Mechanism for minimizing unload times in a tape drive system | 20070273998 | 20071129 |
| In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for minimizing unload times in a tape drive system is disclosed. The method includes: writing to a tape in serpentine format; reaching a comparison point on the tape, wherein at the comparison point an actual capacity is compared to an expected capacity; utilizing the comparison at the comparison point to estimate a distance from the comparison point until a guaranteed capacity for the tape is reached; and determining a turn-around point on the tape based on the estimated distance, wherein at the turn-around point a tape drive writing to the tape to stop writing in a first direction and then continue writing in a second direction opposite from the first direction and towards a physical beginning of the tape.... |
| Band-pass delta-sigma ad modulator for ad-converting high frequency narrow signal with higher precision and lower consumption | 20070274001 | 20071129 |
| The tape drive D accommodates within it a loading frame 28 for receiving and supporting each tape cartridge 40A, 40B being different in case thicknesses and a holder 29 for holding the tape cartridge 40A, 40B by pressing the cartridge. The side wall 31 of the loading frame is provided with a pair of upper and lower sensors 34, 35 for identifying the thin-type and the thick-type loaded tape cartridges. The holder 29 is displaced to a height position matching with the loaded tape cartridge 40A, 40B based on the tape cartridge size detected by the sensors 34, 35.
... |
| Hub lock/head cleaning dual purpose mechanism | 20070247754 | 20071025 |
| An exemplary embodiment provides for a tape drive that includes one or more processors, a memory and a mechanism for locking a hub and cleaning a magnetic head. The mechanism includes a plate a brush mount assembly rotatably coupled to the plate wherein the brush mount assembly includes a brush for cleaning the magnetic head, a hub lock assembly coupled to the plate wherein the hub lock assembly includes a pin for locking the hub and a mechanism assembly coupled to the plate wherein the mechanism assembly is operable to move the hub lock assembly to lock the hub, and wherein the mechanism assembly is operable to move, concurrently with the hub lock assembly, the brush mount assembly to a position such that the brush is... |
| Tape roller guide with integral recording head | 20070236827 | 20071011 |
| An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly.
... |
| Method and apparatus for evaluating performance on host data transfer within a tape drive | 20070226336 | 20070927 |
| A method for evaluating data transfer performance within a data recording apparatus is disclosed. The data recording apparatus includes a buffer and a recording medium. Initially, a Pause time P when data transfer between the buffer and a host being stopped temporarily is measured. Then, an ideal Pause time Y is determined. Next, a determination is made whether or not the Pause time P exceeds a sum of the ideal Pause time Y and an allowance a. If the Pause time P exceeds a sum of the ideal Pause time Y and the allowance a, a warning signal is sent to the host.
... |
| Single elevator system and method for a tape automation system with a base unit and one or more add-on units | 20070217062 | 20070920 |
| For adding on to a tape automation system, a base unit is provided having at least one tape cartridge magazine having a plurality of tape cartridge receiving locations, a tape drive, a tape cartridge pickup which transports the tape cartridge from a tape cartridge receiving location after extraction to a tape drive in a first direction, a tape cartridge pickup guide along which the tape cartridge pickup travels, and an elevator system which moves the cartridge pickup guide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The base unit has a removable cover. An add-on unit is provided having at least one tape cartridge magazine having a plurality of tape cartridge receiving locations. The cover is removed from the base unit and the add-on unit... |
| Dynamically adapting a magnetic tape read channel equalizer | 20070206310 | 20070906 |
| A read channel equalizer of a magnetic tape drive which equalized digitally sampled magnetic signals detected by a read head is dynamically adapted. A detector of equalizer dynamic adaptation logic compares equalizer output signals to desired values that are based on the decoding scheme (such as +2, 0 and −2 for PR4) to sense equalizer output signals that are offset from at least one desired value, and signals the fact of each offset and it polarity as amplitude independent error signals. The signaled sensed amplitude independent error signals are fed back to adjustable taps of the equalizer. The simplified error signals thus avoid complex calculations of waveform errors, such as least mean square calculations. The error signals may be weighted and may be adjusted to align... |
| Compensation for tape breakage in a tape drive | 20070187540 | 20070816 |
| Disclosed are a system, a method, and an article of manufacture to provide for the detection and compensation of tape breakage in a tape drive. The invention operates by simultaneously monitoring the tape reel rotation direction and the ratio of rotation between the tape reels. If the rotation direction is not the same for both reels, then tape breakage is indicated and reel rotation ceases. Tape breakage is also detected if the tape reel angular rotation ratio between the supply and take up reels is not within a specified tape reel ratio range. The tape reel angular rotation ratio is detected by simultaneously measuring the angular rotation of each tape reel in a specified time period and then calculating the ratio. The present invention detects the... |
| Track following servo actuator offset calibration for tape drive | 20070188910 | 20070816 |
| A magnetic tape drive, having a compound servo actuator, reduces the possibility of overshoots of servo elements when a tape cartridge is loaded, thereby reducing servo failures. The coarse motor is activated, then deactivated when the servo elements locate a servo pattern on the tape. After initialization of a DAC offset in the servo controller to 0, the position of the fine actuator is read. The fine actuator is enabled, with a DAC input of 0 and, after a short wait, the position is again read. The new DAC offset equals the initial DAC offset plus the difference between the two positions. If the difference is less than a predetermined threshold, the servo controller may obtain a lock on the servo signals and commence tracking. If... |
| Variable mobile media storage system | 20070183075 | 20070809 |
| Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a variable media tape based storage system for storing, retrieving, and communicating data. The system includes at least one media element having a compatible relationship with one of a plurality of drives for storing and receiving data. The at least one media element configured to operate with the at least one drive as a functional pair is considered a loaded drive. The storage system also includes switch and mapping system, which in one embodiment could be an interface bridge processor, operatively linked to each of the plurality of drives. Finally, the storage system adapted to alter at least one received and accepted tape library command from positioning a target storage tape article for use with a target tape drive... |
| Method for recording data freshness degrees by tape drive | 20070177293 | 20070802 |
| A method for recording data freshness degrees by a tape drive is disclosed. During the recording of a set of data and a data freshness degree associated with the set of data a tape recording medium, a determination is made as to whether or not a fault occurs during the recording. In response to a determination that a fault occurs during the recording, a data freshness degree of data within a faulty portion on the tape recording medium is obtained. The data freshness degree of the set of data is then immediately recorded before the faulty portion on the tape recording medium. The data freshness degree is higher than the data freshness degree of data within the faulty portion.
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| Cartridge buckle reinforcement and damage indicator | 20070170294 | 20070726 |
| A data storage cartridge that uses a tape buckling mechanism to connect a reel of tape to a tape drive is enhanced with a buckle reinforcement feature on the cartridge door. The reinforcement feature fits between two buckle clips of the buckling mechanism, and provides reinforcing support to the buckle clips. The reinforcement feature supports the clips and thereby prevents bending and misalignment of the clips. If the clips do become bent or misaligned, the reinforcement feature prevents the door from closing completely. A user will clearly see that damage has occurred, and the user will be less likely to damage the drive by attempting to use the cartridge. Furthermore, the reinforcement feature can be wedge-shaped, so that the user may straighten the bent clips by... |
| Synchronous servo channel for longitudinal position detection and position error signal generation in tape drive systems | 20070171565 | 20070726 |
| A fully synchronous longitudinal position (LPOS) detection system is provided for improving the reliability of servo channels in tape systems. The system is based on the interpolation of the servo channel output signal, which is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) at a fixed sampling rate, using a clock at a nominal frequency, so that interpolated signal samples are obtained at a predetermined fixed rate, independent of tape velocity. This predetermined fixed rate is defined in terms of samples per unit of length, as opposed to samples per unit of time, which is the measure of the ADC sampling rate. The resolution with which the servo channel signal is obtained at the interpolator output is thus determined by the step interpolation distance.
... |
| Tape drive actuator using a four-bar flexure and planar coil system | 20070171577 | 20070726 |
| A high-frequency tape head actuator has a positioning coil mounted close to a tape read/write head and between two thin flexures, which are flexible in a plane of flexion but stiff in other planes. One end of each flexure is attached to a fine positioner that holds the coil and the tape head. The other end of each flexure is attached to a base, such as a coarse positioner, which moves in the plane of flexion transversely to the length of a magnetic tape to read and write data on the tape. The base includes a magnet, which produces a magnetic field to precisely move the fine positioner in the plane of flexion. The position of the coil close to the center of mass of the... |
| Correlating power signatures with automated equipment | 20070168162 | 20070719 |
| A method and system for monitoring the activity of a tape drive system having one or more electro-mechanical components that receive electrical current from a power supply. The method includes sampling an actual current supplied to an electro-mechanical component of a tape drive system from a power supply during an activity; reading a theoretical current for said activity from a memory; calculating a statistical value for said actual current and said theoretical current; comparing said statistical value to at least one threshold value; and outputting information to at least one of a user, another system, and another process based on said comparison of said statistical value to said at least one threshold value.
... |
| Method and apparatus for utilizing a tape leader in a tape drive system | 20070145172 | 20070628 |
| A system for utilizing a tape leader in a tape drive system. The tape drive system receives a first tape leader and buckles the first tape leader to a drive reel leader. Then the tape drive system threads the first tape leader and a second tape leader connected to the first tape leader through a tape path within the tape drive system using the drive reel leader. After threading the first tape leader through the tape path, the tape drive system retracts head protect pins while the second tape leader is still in the tape path. Subsequent to retracting the head protect pins, the tape drive system performs read/write operations on a data storage media, which is coupled to the first tape leader via the second... |
| Tape tension modulation system and method | 20070131811 | 20070614 |
| A system and method of modulating tape tension during operation of a tape drive data storage system in which a fixed position tape guide utilizes one or more drag elements to exert a control force on a tape medium that affects downstream tape tension. Drag elements that may be used include, but are not necessarily limited to, air ports that delivery positive or negative air pressure to the tape medium, skiving edge elements that are positionable into and out of engagement with the tape medium, and brakes or motors that engage the tape guide (if it is rotatably mounted) to control its rotational torque. A tension control circuit is used to vary the operation of the one or more drag elements. Signal inputs to the control... |
| Leader or cartridge attached tape head cleaning brush | 20070133127 | 20070614 |
| A cartridge is provided for cleaning a tape drive head. The cartridge includes a flexible member (e.g., a cartridge leader or tape portion) adapted for use with a tape drive and having a cleaning brush fixed thereto. The cleaning brush may be flexible and include a plurality of bristles for contacting and removing debris from the drive head, and in particular, from grooves or slots of the drive head. In another aspect a tape drive is provided, the tape drive including a flexible member (e.g., a drive leader) having a cleaning brush fixed thereto for contacting and cleaning the drive head.
... |
| Method to test a tape drive | 20070115579 | 20070524 |
| Applicant's invention comprises a method to test a tape drive and its mid-tape recovery abilities. Applicant's method provides a tape drive, and disposes a magnetic tape in that tape drive, wherein the magnetic tape comprises a physical beginning of tape (“PBOT”) and a physical end of tape (“PEOT”). The method writes data from the PBOT to the PEOT, rewinds the tape to the PBOT, and moves the tape from said PBOT toward the PEOT. While the magnetic tape is still moving, the method resets the tape drive. The method then validates the data written to the magnetic tape.
... |
| Tape library storage bridge | 20060282194 | 20061214 |
| A digital data storage unit, such as tape library, has a multiplicity of storage media slots, each storage media slot for receiving a storage media, such as a tape, one or more of data transfer drives, such as tape drives, for writing data to and reading data from the storage media, a robotic device to transport the storage media between the slots or between the drives and the slots, at least one interface bridge which is connected to one or more host computers to one or more tape drives and to the robotic device, the interface bridge is performing bridging and switching operations for commands sent by the host on the basis of sub addresses, such as LUN, to send robotic mover commands to the robotic... |
| Storage data encryption | 20060242431 | 20061026 |
| Managing data on a storage device includes intercepting unencrypted data to be stored on the storage device, where intercepting unencrypted data is transparent to an application storing the data on the storage device and encrypting the data prior to storage on the storage device. The storage device may include a tape drive and/or a disk drive. Managing data on a storage device may also include migrating data from a first storage location to a second storage location. The first storage location may be the same as the second storage location or the first storage location may be different from the second storage location. The unencrypted data may be intercepted during migration. Managing data on a storage device may also include decrypting data read from the storage... |
| Cartridge reel centering device | 20060231658 | 20061019 |
| Described herein are centering systems, including cartridge reels, reel drivers, and methods of using them. Aspects of the invention may include cartridges, tape drives, and systems of using the cartridge reels and reel drivers. A centering system may comprise a cartridge reel having gear teeth and a guide channel. The guide channel may mate with an alignment ring on a reel driver to center the cartridge reel with respect to the reel driver so that gear teeth on the reel driver may properly engage the gear teeth on the cartridge reel. Thus, the centering system (or components of the centering system) may be used to prevent misalignment and slipping between a cartridge reel and a reel driver.
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| Prevention of data storage tape detachment from data storage cartridges | 20060232872 | 20061019 |
| The invention is directed to techniques to substantially reduce or eliminate detachment of data storage tape from data storage cartridges. A data storage cartridge may include a housing enclosing a spool with data storage tape spooled on the spool. A region of the data storage tape extends from the spool to an opening in the housing. An end of the data storage tape is held at the opening to allow tape drives to grasp the data storage tape and retrieve data stored on the data storage tape. When dropped, the data storage cartridge experiences impact loads. The techniques described herein rotate the spool to generate slack such that the region of data storage tape comprises substantially no tension. In this way, the techniques prevent detachment of... |
| Integrated tape and data transducer head cleaning device | 20060227459 | 20061012 |
| Described herein are integrated cleaning devices for cleaning data tapes and/or data head transducers, tape drives including such cleaning devices, and methods of using these cleaning devices and tape drives including the cleaning devices. Cleaning devices for cleaning data tapes and/or data head transducers may include a base having a passage for a data tape, a data tape cleaner attached within the passage, and a transducer head cleaner attached within the passage.
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| Method and apparatus for data transfer device | 20060230178 | 20061012 |
| An apparatus and method for transferring data from storage and input devices, such as hard drives, digital cameras, scanners, audio devices and similar accessories to other storage devices or computer systems, like hard drives, removable disk storage devices, tape drives, compact-disc burners or any computer, via direct connection or by utilizing an intermediary communication device.
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| Data string searching | 20060215291 | 20060928 |
| Searching data string matches, e.g. data stored on magnetic tape cartridges, and is searched by magnetic tape drives. String comparison engines are configured to search data and to indicate matches to search terms, and an identification engine is configured to identify patterns of the matches indicated by selected string comparison engines.
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| Cartridge drop detection device in magnetic tape library apparatus | 20060215302 | 20060928 |
| Disclosed is a cartridge drop detection device for use in a magnetic tape library apparatus (11) comprising a media rack (14) for accommodating at least one cartridge containing a magnetic tape medium (16), a tape drive (15) for holding the magnetic tape medium when reading from or writing to the magnetic tape medium, and a robot for retrieving the cartridge from the media rack and for transporting the cartridge to the tape drive, wherein the cartridge drop detection device comprises: a microphone (18), installed on a floor (20), for detecting that the cartridge has dropped on the floor of the tape library apparatus; a vibration detection sensor (17) for detecting vibration applied to the tape library apparatus; and a detection circuit for determining that the cartridge... |
| Disk drive with integrated tape drive | 20060218434 | 20060928 |
| A data backup apparatus for a computer data system includes a unit housing in a standard form factor, within which is provided one or more disk drives and a removable media drive as well as an interface. In one embodiment, the removal media is magnetic tape cartridges that are selectively insertable and removable to and from a tape drive as the removable media drive. In embodiments with a single hard drive, the drive is divided into two partitions, a first partition with active data interchange with the computer data system and a second partition for data duplication, or mirroring. Data backup operations are performed by reading the duplicate or mirrored data from the second partition. Multiple disk systems are described, as well as systems utilizing optical... |
| System and method for protecting head elements of a tape drive | 20060209447 | 20060921 |
| A method and apparatus is provided to protect head elements on a head of a head guide assembly, having a magnetic tape, and a leader coupled to the magnetic tape at a first end, such that the height of the leader is less than the height of the magnetic tape.
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| Motor/encoder assembly for tape drives | 20060202574 | 20060914 |
| A magnetic/encoder assembly has a compact design and combines the features of motor, encoder and chuck locating feature within a single motor housing. The motor/encoder includes a DC brushless motor with an inner magnetic rotor. The motor windings and the commutation electronics are mounted towards the bottom side of a printed circuit board. The rotor of the motor is extended above the surface of the printed circuit board. The extended rotor provides a precision seat for the magnetic wheel with multiple poles. The top surface of the printed circuit board mounts the sensor for the encoder. The extension of the rotor provides the precision mounting surface of the cartridge driving chuck.
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| Motor/encoder assembly for tape drives | 20060202678 | 20060914 |
| A magnetic/encoder assembly has a compact design and combines the features of motor, encoder and chuck locating feature within a single motor housing. The motor/encoder includes a DC brushless motor with an inner magnetic rotor. The motor windings and the commutation electronics are mounted towards the bottom side of a printed circuit board. The rotor of the motor is extended above the surface of the printed circuit board. The extended rotor provides a precision seat for the magnetic wheel with multiple poles. The top surface of the printed circuit board mounts the sensor for the encoder. The extension of the rotor provides the precision mounting surface of the cartridge driving chuck.
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| Magnetic tape write once overwrite protection | 20060203373 | 20060914 |
| A magnetic tape cartridge, a recording system, and a magnetic tape drive are configured to, for example, guard against tampering with a write once overwrite protection pointer which allows a rewritable magnetic tape to be treated as write once. In one embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge comprises a magnetic tape and a cartridge memory. The magnetic tape is configured to provide at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying data to be protected from being overwritten; and the cartridge memory is configured to provide the at least one overwrite protection pointer, the overwrite protection pointer identifying magnetic tape data to be protected from being overwritten.
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| Boot techniques involving tape media | 20060195652 | 20060831 |
| In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a computer configured to boot using at least one of a plurality of boot techniques involving tape media. The system further comprises a tape drive coupled to the computer and a tape that is readable by the tape drive, wherein the tape is formatted to support a plurality of different boot techniques and wherein at least one of the supported boot techniques is compatible with the computer.
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| Single reel tape cartridge having guide surface | 20060186244 | 20060824 |
| In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.
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| Servo track verification apparatus and servo writer | 20060187569 | 20060824 |
| A servo track formed on a tape-like recording medium is verified. An input unit allows a user to input information. A tape drive unit causes the tape-like recording medium to run on a predetermined route. A measurement unit is provided adjacent to the predetermined route of the tape-like recording medium and configured to detect the servo track on the running tape-like recording medium driven by the tape drive unit, to output a track detection signal. A storage unit stores a plurality of functions each of which is uniquely determinable by the information to be provided through the input unit. An arithmetic unit is configured to determine an oscillation amount of the servo track from the track detection signal output from the measurement unit, using a function... |
| Single reel tape cartridge having guide surface | 20060187575 | 20060824 |
| In one example of one aspect of the invention, a single reel data storage cartridge is provided. The single reel data storage cartridge includes a housing having an access window and a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and having storage tape wound on the reel. A guide surface is further disposed within the housing such that the tape extends from the reel to the guide surface before extending to the access window. The guide surface thereby increases the tape path from the reel to guiding elements within a tape drive to reduce the force imparted on the tape edge during guiding.
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| Test systems for media drives of data storage systems | 20060190205 | 20060824 |
| A test system is described for testing a media drive, such as a tape drive. The test system includes a host emulator, a storage library emulator, and a control system. The host emulator communicates with a first interface of the media drive and mimics a host system to the media drive. The storage library emulator communicates with a second interface of the media drive and mimics a storage library system to the media drive. When in operation, one of the host emulator and the storage library emulator transmits a test message to the media drive responsive to an instruction from the control system. Responsive to the test message, one of the emulators receives a test response from the media drive and transmits the test response to... |
| Passive air bearing tape guide | 20060175450 | 20060810 |
| Passive air bearing tape guides, tape drives, and methods of operating tape drives are provided. The passive air bearing tape guide may include a movable guide region having a starting position, and a biasing element configured to resist movement of the movable guide region from the starting position and to return the movable guide region to the starting position. The passive air bearing tape guides described herein may also include a tape-facing surface having hydrodynamic properties for enhancing or sustaining the formation of a air cushion between the passive air bearing tape guide and a tape media as the tape media is drawn over the surface passive air bearing tape guide. Tape drive may include one or more passive air bearing tape guides.
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| Data structure, data storage apparatus and method | 20060176598 | 20060810 |
| Data stored on a tape in a plurality of data recording sessions employs tape drive apparatus programmed to record the data in accordance with a format specifying a log of tape-usage information. The log is in the form of a data structure including a plurality of log sections in which tape usage information is recorded relating respectively to corresponding ones of the plurality of data recording sessions. The log sections together constitute a cumulative record of tape usage covering the corresponding plurality of recording sessions, each log section in respect of a recording session comprising an identifier of the tape drive apparatus used for that recording session and a count of the recording session.
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| Device, method, and program product for controlling a tape data storage drive | 20060176603 | 20060810 |
| A device, method, and machine-readable medium program product for controlling a tape data storage drive are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device is provided for controlling a tape drive operable with a tape storage medium, the device comprising a buffer memory and a first functional unit. In the described embodiment, the first functional unit is configured to identify a logical end of the tape storage medium utilizing first data specifying a quantity of data stored within the buffer memory and second data specifying a current data write position on the tape storage medium.
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| Recording errors in tape drives | 20060171055 | 20060803 |
| Exemplary tape library architectures and methods for recording errors in a tape drive are described. One exemplar method may be implemented in a processor a tape drive controller. The method comprises receiving, in a tape drive controller, an external identifier associated with a tape cartridge, recording the external identifier in a memory location associated with the tape drive controller, and associating, in a subsequent error analysis routine, an error in the tape drive with the external identifier of the tape cartridge in the tape drive.
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| Apparatus, system, and method for automatically mapping a tape library system | 20060174036 | 20060803 |
| An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically and transparently mapping tape drives within tape libraries to IP addresses. In one embodiment, the tape library includes, a DHCP server, a LAN to serial switch, and a library manager configured with the necessary modules to map the tape library devices to the proper IP addresses. The entire process may be transparent to users. The result is that the tape library is configured with the proper IP addressing without costly, time-consuming, and error-prone manual intervention. The tape library can be configured more quickly with accurate IP addressing and is able to operate efficiently and properly.
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| Tape drive apparatus | 20060164748 | 20060727 |
| A tape drive apparatus has at least one rotary head for reading/writing a track. The track has a number of fragments and each fragment has an identifier. The tape drive apparatus has a position indicator apparatus for providing a signal that indicates a rotational position of the head. The combination of the signal and the identifier unequivocally identifies a fragment within the fragments of a track. This has the advantage that non-unique identifiers can be used for the fragments of a track.
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| Mixed-signal single-chip integrated system electronics for data storage devices | 20060161703 | 20060720 |
| An integrated data storage control system provides, in a single integrated circuit, RDC, servo logic, ATA interface, microprocessor, and other formerly discrete components in one highly integrated system design. The integrated circuit is rendered using a single integrated circuit technology type (e.g., digital CMOS) for all components. Analog and digital circuits are combined in such a way as to eliminate or reduce noise or interference in digital circuits from analog circuit components. Individual elements may have their outputs and inputs MUXed together such that individual elements can be selectively switched (during testing modes) such that the integrated circuit emulates or behaves in the same or similar manner as one of the prior art components. The present invention may be applied to magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs)... |
| Servo writer and tape drive system | 20060152846 | 20060713 |
| A head unit includes a head, and a head guide assembly disposed adjacent to the head to restrict a displacement of a tape (tape-like storage medium) in a tape width direction with respect to the head. A tape drive system includes a tape guide arrangement disposed to guide the tape supplied from a supply reel to the head unit, passed across the head unit and led to a take-up reel. The tape guide arrangement includes a guide disposed adjacent to the head unit, and the guide is supported with an air bearing. In one embodiment, the guide includes a motor for rotating a contact surface of the guide around which the tape is wrapped, in accordance with movement of the tape.
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| Multi-function digital optical disc player | 20060140080 | 20060629 |
| A multi-function digital video optical disc player includes a housing; an optical disc drive installed inside the housing for reading a first video data from an optical disc; a tape drive installed inside the housing for reading a DV tape to retrieve a second video data complying with a first data format; a video data format converter installed inside the housing for converting the second video data into a third video data complying with a second data format and for outputting the third video data; a decoder installed in the housing for decoding the first or the third video data to generate a fourth video data; and a display controller installed inside the housing for outputting display data to an external monitor according to the fourth... |
| Tape emulating disk based storage system and method | 20060143376 | 20060629 |
| A data protection and storage system includes an array of disk drives for data storage. Data is received for storage on the disk drive via an interface that is configured to emulate a tape drive interface. A virtual tape data structure is created and stored on the disk drives.
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| Variable media tape-based storage system | 20060126209 | 20060615 |
| Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a variable media tape based storage system for storing, retrieving, and communicating data. The system includes at least one media element having a compatible relationship with one of a plurality of drives for storing and receiving data. The at least one media element configured to operate with the at least one drive as a functional pair is considered a loaded drive. The storage system also includes switch and mapping system, which in one embodiment could be an interface bridge processor, operatively linked to each of the plurality of drives. Finally, the storage system adapted to alter at least one received and accepted tape library command from positioning a target storage tape article for use with a target tape drive... |
| Method and apparatus for monitoring failure of memory device, and computer product | 20060126211 | 20060615 |
| A memory data reader of a magnetic tape library device reads from a memory of a magnetic tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape, information pertaining to data read from or written to the magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive device. A maintenance/replace determining unit determines whether the magnetic tape drive device needs maintenance or replacement from the read information.
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