Abstract: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECT KERNINGA graphics software application provides the capability to select a plurality of graphical objects and automatically align them and adjust the spacing between them. The data processing system, under instruction of a program, responds to an instruction by the user to kern a plurality of selected graphical objects. The system aligns the objects and prompts the user to designate a distance adjustment. The system then automatically adjusts the distances between each pair of adjacent objects. Using the techniques of the present invention, a user may enter a large number of graphical objects and align them and precisely set their locations with respect to one another. Hence, a large number of graphical objects may be created and aligned quickly and efficiently without the need for numerous individual measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a computer system for establishing a connection between a client proxy object and a server target object. A request is received from the client proxy object to access the server target object, wherein the request includes an identification of a type of communication and type of message to be sent to the server target object. A connection object is identified based on the type of communication and the type of message. The connection object implementing the type of communication is returned, wherein the connection between the client proxy object and the server target object is facilitated using the connection object.

Abstract: A method of storing image files in digital storage media begins by arranging a given set of image files into a composite image. A transformation may be applied to a given image file prior to being arranged into the composite image. A compression routine is then applied to the composite image, with the result then being stored in the digital storage media. This process reduces the amount of storage that would be otherwise required if the individual files were compressed and stored separately.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for reporting field replaceable unit (FRU) replacements to a user are provided. The apparatus, system and method identify a FRU Replacement Order for an identified system error and then determines which of the FRUs in the FRU Replacement Order have already been replaced within a predetermined period of time from the current time. Those FRUs identified as having already been replaced are then flagged. The FRU Replacement Order is then output to the user with the flagged FRUs being output in a different manner than the other FRUs in the FRU Replacement Order.

Abstract: The robotic docking apparatus for a cartridge library system having a cartridge Storage array provides a docking apparatus on the robotic arm that mates with corresponding features on the storage compartments. The docking apparatus enables the cartridge retrieval mechanism to automatically and precisely align with the storage compartment that contains the selected data cartridge by using passive alignment mechanisms and without requiring the use of a vision system or expensive tight mechanical tolerances. The robotic docking apparatus is incorporated into the robotic arm in the form of a docking feature that protrudes from the front of the cartridge retrieval mechanism. The docking feature is of length sufficient to begin engagement of the mating docking receptacle formed in each of the storage compartments in the storage array prior to the remainder of the cartridge retrieval mechanism contacting the data cartridge stored therein.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for modifying bridges within a data processing system to provide improved performance is provided. In one embodiment, the data processing system determines the number of input/output adapters connected underneath each PCI host bridge. The data processing system also determines the type of each input/output adapter. The size and number of buffers within the PCI host bridge is then modified based on the number of adapters beneath it as well as the type of adapters beneath it to improve data throughput performance as well as prevent thrashing of data. The PCI host bridge is also modified to give load and store operations priority over DMA operations. Each PCI-to-PCI bridge is modified based on the type of adapter connected to it such that the PCI-to-PCI bridge prefetches only an amount of data consistent with the type of adapter such that excess data is not thrashed, thus requiring extensive repetitive use of the system buses to retrieve the same data more than once.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and instructions for handling path flow exception and finalization processing in an object oriented programming language. Initially, each instrumentation method is checked for a code to indicated an exception being thrown. A hook is inserted before the exception code and identifies the method throwing the exception. Methods must also be checked for exception tables. When an exception table is found, then a hook is inserted at the entry point of each exception handler for every entry in the exception table. This hook identifies the method which catches the exception.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring errors within a data processing system is provided. In one embodiment an error notification system receives an indication of notification conditions and actions from a user. The system then searches for the specified conditions. Responsive to the occurrence of the specified condition, the system performs specified actions and sends a notification to a user. The specified actions may include, for example, rebooting the computer or generating a web page of information regarding the occurrence of the condition. The notification may be sent to a user via, for example, e-mail.

Abstract: This data storage subsystem creates multiple virtual storage devices on demand, which are available to any and all of the system's host data processors. The subsystem utilizes a plurality of tape devices and automated tape libraries with the tape devices connected to a plurality of data processors via a high-speed network. A set of software components, the Network Storage Manager (NSM) controls all system operations. Depending upon the requested storage performance, one or more tape devices are assigned to a virtual device. Data stripping across multiple tape devices allows the storage bandwidth of a virtual device to be changed on demand. The overall capacity and performance of the subsystem is scalable by adding or removing storage devices. The NSM system controller contains a plurality of software elements including: Resource Allocation, Resource Configuration, Resource Management, and Security Management modules.

Abstract: A system for recording the history associated with writing data onto rewriteable media includes an access head for writing data onto the media and reading data from the media. A drive motor moves the media past the access head. A write formatter formats data into a device block to be written onto the media. A read formatter detects errors in data read from the media. A control unit determines an error recovery procedure based on an error detected in reading the media and enables the write formatter to insert an indication of the error recovery procedure into the device block. The error recovery procedure is then attempted. The process is repeated until either a successful write occurs or the media is determined to be bad.

Abstract: A fully mechanical gripper for grasping and releasing data cassette cartridges is disclosed. The gripper may be built into a robotic picker, or may be implemented as an adapter to be fitted to an existing robotic picker. When used as an adapter, the present invention provides the added functionality of allowing a single robotic picker to carry different sized tapes by connecting and disconnecting itself to the adapter.

Abstract: A storage library for recording and retrieving information from storage media cartridges each having a label side includes a front side having an opening. Left and right slots are disposed proximate the left and right sides of the storage library for holding the storage media cartridges. The slots and the storage media cartridges are oriented so that each label side of the storage media cartridges is visible to an operator through the opening. Each of the slots are accessible to the operator via the opening for the operator to access the storage media cartridges being held by the slots. A media drive is disposed proximate the back side of the storage library and is operative to receive a storage media cartridge through a port. A robotic mechanism is disposed between the slots and is operative to move the storage media cartridges between the slots and the media drive.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated storage library suitable for rack-mount and desktop installations. Storage media cartridges and a robotic mechanism that transport the storage media cartridges internal to the library are mounted on a moveable drawer. With the drawer at an internal position, the robotic mechanism transports the storage media cartridges between cartridge slots mounted on the drawer and read-write media drives and other cartridge handling devices not mounted on the drawer. The drawer is capable of moving through an opening in the storage library housing to an external position where the storage media cartridges and the robotic mechanism are readily accessible. At the external position, the storage media cartridges can be inserted and removed from the cartridge slots. The drawer may be detachable from the housing to allow unobstructed access to the components housed in the interior of the storage library.

Abstract: A helical scan transport apparatus for reading and writing data on to a magnetic recording tape which is wound on a supply reel rotatably mounted within a removable tape cartridge includes a chassis having a front end portion and rear end portion. An elevator assembly is mounted on the chassis at the front end. The elevator assembly is configured to receive the tape cartridge and to position the tape cartridge in a loaded position. A take-up reel assembly is coupled to the chassis at the rear end position. A helical deck is mounted on a central portion of the chassis between the elevator assembly and the take-up reel assembly. The helical deck includes a rotary read/write head, a substantially linear tape loading path between the elevator assembly and the take-up reel assembly, and a movable guide for the seizing the tape from the tape loading path and for at least partially wrapping the tape around the rotary head.

Abstract: The automated library system contains multiple independent robots for concurrently manipulating multiple media cartridges. The library system comprises a two-dimensional array that contains media cartridge storage cells and media cartridge players. A system of rails is used to guide robotic pods through all of the locations in the array, which eliminates the need for any steering or guide mechanism on board the robotic pods, resulting in a reduction in the mass of the robotic pods. The rail system also constrains the movement of the robotic pods into horizontal and vertical movements, thereby simplifying the control algorithms for collision avoidance that are required by a typical random moveable object handling system based on horizontal, vertical and diagonal degrees of freedom. The robotic pods contain a moveable carriage that is capable of transporting robotic components, such as media cartridge pickers, bar code reading devices, and other task oriented sub-modules, in the storage library rail system.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for handling and storing a plurality of data storage discs includes a toroidal configuration of storage locations for the discs, a plurality of disc drives mounted above the storage locations in a generally annular arrangement, a means for moving any disc into and out of each selected drive on demand, and a control means for directing operation of the means for moving the discs and controlling selection of operation of the disc drives. The apparatus also has another plurality of data storage discs in a secondary module comprising another torodial configuration of storage locations for the discs mounted below the first plurality, a means for moving any disc between the two pluralities of storage locations, and a control means for directing the movement of the discs. The apparatus also has a supplies module mounted beneath the secondary module and houses the power supplies and environmental control equipment necessary for the system.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The network attached virtual tape storage subsystem interconnects a plurality of tape devices with a plurality of data processors via a high bandwidth switching network to implement a virtual, distributed tape data storage subsystem. The virtual, distributed tape data storage system realizes multiple virtual devices, which are available to any of the data processors and the bandwidth of the system is scalable and can be changed on demand. The virtual tape storage subsystem is managed by a system controller which contains a plurality of software elements including: resource allocation, resource configuration, and resource management. The use of a networked storage manager enables the tape devices to be managed as a pool and yet attach the tape devices directly to the network as individual resources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the temporary preservation of physical space occupied by modified or deleted data stored in parallel disk drive array data storage subsystems, and for the temporary preservation of associated virtual to logical mapping table entries that describe and locate such temporary physical space. The data storage subsystem functions as a conventional large form factor disk drive memory, using an array of redundancy groups, each containing N+M disk drives. The invention further relates to apparatus for the recording of the occurrence and the timing of changes to mapping table entries and to the processing of such recorded changes in a reverse time sequence to recover previously modified or deleted data, or in a forward time sequence to return data to a more current state.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.