Abstract

A computer memory system (20) which comprises a media module (22); a host computer (24) configured to accommodate the media module (22) in removable fashion; and a display unit (26). The media module (22) is configured to store electronic data. The host computer (24) comprises a docking station (30) configured to accommodate the media module (22); an interface (32) through which electronic signals representing the electronic data are transmitted between the host computer (24) and the media module (22); an optical indicator (34); and a host processor (36). The host processor (36) is configured to control a read/write operation over the interface between the host computer (24) and the media module (22) and to activate the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator (34) provides a first optical signal depicting transmission of electronic signals over the interface in the read/write operation. The host processor (36) is further configured to drive the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator provides a second optical signal modulated to represent media module management information which can be displayed upon an output display device (52).

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 13/14 - Handling requests for interconnection or transfer

Abstract

A computer memory system (20) which comprises a media module (22); a host computer (24) configured to accommodate the media module (22) in removable fashion; and a display unit (26). The media module (22) is configured to store electronic data. The host computer (24) comprises a docking station (30) configured to accommodate the media module (22); an interface (32) through which electronic signals representing the electronic data are transmitted between the host computer (24) and the media module (22); an optical indicator (34); and a host processor (36). The host processor (36) is configured to control a read/write operation over the interface between the host computer (24) and the media module (22) and to activate the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator (34) provides a first optical signal depicting transmission of electronic signals over the interface in the read/write operation. The host processor (36) is further configured to drive the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator provides a second optical signal modulated to represent media module management information which can be displayed upon an output display device (52).

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
• G06F 11/32 - Monitoring with visual indication of the functioning of the machine
• G06F 3/06 - Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers

Abstract

An information transducing drive performs information transducing operations with respect to transducable media. In an example embodiment the drive comprises an information transducer (30); a cartridge handler (32); a media transport system (35); and a controller (36). The transducer (30) is configured to perform the information transducing operations with respect to the media (24). The cartridge handler (32) opens a lid (28) of the cartridge (26) and selectively extracts the media at least partially from the cartridge and selectively retracts the media into the cartridge. The media transport system (35) transports the media extracted from the cartridge in a transport path whereby the transducer can perform the information transducing operations with respect to the media. The controller (36) executes a media preservation mode by directing return of the media to the cartridge whereby substantially all user data eligible segments of the media are unexposed while the drive appears on-line with respect to further transducing operations.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 5/40 - Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature
• G11B 5/41 - Cleaning of heads

Abstract

A cartridge transport robot transports a cartridge of information storage media between differing locations in a cartridge library. The cartridge robot comprises a robot carriage; a robot tray; and a carriage motive system. The robot tray comprises a guide configured to facilitate linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot carriage comprises cartridge engagement elements configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The carriage motive system is configured to provide linear motion to the robot carriage along the robot tray from a carriage retracted position to a carriage extracted position and thereby linearly displace the cartridge engaged by the cartridge engagement elements.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 15/68 - Automatic cassette-changing arrangements

Abstract

A cartridge library (30) comprises at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); and, a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive. The transport mechanism (54) is configured to transport the cartridge between, e.g., cells of the magazine (52) and/or between the magazine (52) and the drive (60). The transport mechanism (54) comprises a robot (300) and a robot motive system. The robot comprises a robot carriage (308) and a robot tray (302). The robot carriage (308) carries or comprises cartridge engagement elements (310) configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The robot tray (302) facilitates linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot motive system comprises three robot motive subsystems (312, 360, 450) and a (robot) carriage motive subsystem (380). At least one of the robot motive subsystems and the carriage motive subsystem comprise hardware situated on a second side of the robot tray (302), the hardware extending from the second side of the robot tray in the second direction to an extent not substantially greater than the plank height. Locating the hardware of plural subsystems on the second side of the robot tray and within a volume defined by the robot tray and the plank height facilitate not only a transport mechanism, but also a compact and efficient library.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 15/68 - Automatic cassette-changing arrangements

Abstract

A drum assembly for a helical scan recorder comprises a stationary first drum and a shaft having a shaft first end centrally mounted to the first drum and a shaft second end. The drum assembly further comprises a rotatable second drum which has at least one transducing element mounted thereon. The shaft extends axially through the second drum and the shaft second end protrudes axially above the second drum. The drum assembly also comprises a physical support member connected to the first drum. The physical support member is connected to the first drum and also connected to stabilize the shaft second end while allowing rotation of the second drum. The physical support member is connected to the shaft second end to reduce deflection of the shaft second end when the drum assembly is exposed to external vibration or shock.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 21/18 - Supporting the headsSupporting the sockets for plug-in heads while the head is moving

Abstract

A data recording/recovery device (20) comprises a packet generator (34) for including recordable information into a packet (44), the packet initially having a nominal run length limited (RLL) sequence if it were RLL encoded. A randomizer (38) uses a randomizer input value (50) to obtain a modified packet (46) which, when encoded, will at least partially have a different run length limited sequence than the nominal run length limited sequence. A write channel (40) records the modified packet (46) as a track packet at a destination physical location (42) on a storage medium (22). The randomizer input value (50) used to obtain the modified packet (46) is related to a predetermined physical location on the storage medium. In one example embodiment the randomizer input value is related to the destination physical location on the storage medium.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 20/10 - Digital recording or reproducing

Abstract

An improved and extended Reed-Solomon-like method providing a redundancy of m≥3 is disclosed. A general expression of the codes and a systematic criterion for proving code correctness and finding decoding algorithms are described. Example codes for m=3, 4 and 5 based on primitive elements of a finite field of dimension N=8, 16 or 32 are given. A Homer's method and accumulator are described for XOR-efficient (15, 17) evaluation of polynomials with variable vector coefficients and a sparse square matrix abscissa. A power balancing technique is described to further improve XOR-efficiency of the algorithms. A tower coordinate technique to efficiently carry out finite field multiplication or inversion for large dimension N forms a basis for one decoding method. Another decoding method uses Schur expressions and a one-dimensional table of α powers to efficiently calculate the inverses of encoding matrix submatrices.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 11/10 - Adding special bits or symbols to the coded information, e.g. parity check, casting out nines or elevens
• H03M 13/13 - Linear codes

Abstract

A data recording/recovery device (20) comprises a packet generator (34) for including recordable information into a packet (44), the packet initially having a nominal run length limited (RLL) sequence if it were RLL encoded. A randomizer (38) uses a randomizer input value (50) to obtain a modified packet (46) which, when encoded, will at least partially have a different run length limited sequence than the nominal run length limited sequence. A write channel (40) records the modified packet (46) as a track packet at a destination physical location (42) on a storage medium (22). The randomizer input value (50) used to obtain the modified packet (46) is related to a predetermined physical location on the storage medium. In one example embodiment the randomizer input value is related to the destination physical location on the storage medium.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 20/10 - Digital recording or reproducing
• G11B 20/12 - Formatting, e.g. arrangement of data block or words on the record carriers

Abstract

A data cartridge handling apparatus comprises a ring-shaped carousel (40) rotatably mounted within a housing (22). Cartridge-accommodating cells (52) are angularly arranged about the carousel between an inner periphery (48) and an outer periphery (50) of the carousel. A transducing drive (70) is mounted within the housing and outside the outer periphery. A motor (60) rotates the carousel to facilitate selective alignment of a selected cell (52S) with the drive (70) along a radial dimension (106) of the carousel. A picker (100, 200) is mounted within the housing at a point within the inner periphery of the carousel (40). The picker (100, 200) has a picker arm (104, 204). A distal end of the picker arm has a gripper (110, 210) which selectively engages and disengages a data cartridge (72). The picker arm linearly translates in the radial dimension for the purpose of moving an engaged data cartridge from the selected cell (52S) to a loading position of the drive (70), and conversely for unloading a data cartridge from the drive and withdrawing the same into the selected cell. The gripper comprises a thumb (112, 230). One of the gripper and the thumb is pivotally connected to the picker arm to allow the thumb to selective engage and disengage a feature (160) on the data cartridge. A trip member (150, 250) is mounted in the housing between the outer periphery of the carousel and the drive for actuating pivoting of the gripper, and thereby actuating the selective disengagement of the picker thumb with the feature on the data cartridge for loading of the data cartridge into the drive.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 15/675 - Guiding containers

Abstract

A general RAID conversion method is described for converting between different RAID configurations. The method includes reading a unit of user data from the source devices according to the source RAID algorithm, writing the user data together with redundant data (if any) to the target devices according to the target RAID algorithm, and from time to time releasing portions of the source devices containing data that has been converted. The conversion may be used to expand or contract the array, to increase or decrease usable capacity, and to increase or decrease the device-loss insurance level. Conversion may be performed on line (dynamically) or off line. The flexibility of the method allows the implementation of manual and/or rule-based RAID reconfiguration that automatically adjusts system parameters based on user request and/or a set of rules and conditions respectively. It may also be used to perform self-healing after one or more devices in the array have failed.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 11/00 - Error detectionError correctionMonitoring