Abstract: A portable theft deterrent device is disclosed. The theft deterrent device comprises a lock detection mechanism. The lock detection mechanism includes a plurality of connectors. The lock detection mechanism includes a first active circuit therein coupled to the plurality of connectors. When the lock detection mechanism is coupled to an electrical path via at least one connector of the plurality of connectors and if the first active circuit detects an interruption in electrical flow in the electrical path, the lock detection mechanism provides an alert. The theft deterrent device includes a monitoring key member. The monitoring key member includes a second active circuit therein that allows for wireless communication with the lock detection mechanism when detached therefrom. The monitoring key member is configured to receive the alert remotely.

Abstract: Embodiments described are generally directed to a mass storage unit possessing a plurality of non-volatile data storage devices each possessing non-transitory mass storage memory hardware, a drive message router possessing with a plurality of different light sequence instructions retained therein, a motherboard that is connected to each of the non-volatile data storage devices and the drive message router via a bus that is adapted to transfer data via a data storage protocol arranged for mass data storage, a bezel electrically connected to the drive message router via an electrical cable that is adapted to transfer signals in a non-data storage protocol, a plurality of lights visibly disposed on the bezel. The drive message router is adapted to receive a data packet in the data storage protocol from the motherboard via the bus. Once received, an execution instruction is extracted from the message to carry out a subset of the light sequence instructions in a particular order.

Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a first and second drive, a first and second mobile medium, a first and second partition wherein the first partition comprises the first drive and the first mobile medium and the second partition comprises the second drive and the second mobile medium, and a combination bridge controller device. The combination bridge controller device is configurable to control first communication traffic between at least a first client and the first partition wherein the first communication traffic can comprise a first data package. The combination bridge controller device is further configurable to optionally encrypt the first data package for storage on the first mobile medium when the first mobile medium is in cooperation with the first drive.

Abstract: Embodiments described are generally directed to ensuring a data storage device originated from a first location. The data storage device including a unique identifier visibly attached to said data storage device and the unique identifier digitally retained by the data storage device. At a first location a first hash of said unique identifier is generated via a hash function. Also at the first location a public key and a private key are created. The first hash is cryptographically signed using the private key. Before sending the data storage device to a second location the cryptographically signed hash is stored to the data storage device along with the public key. At the second location, a second hash of said unique identifier is generated using the same hash function used at the first location. The second hash is compared with a recovered version of the cryptographically signed hash which is decrypted by pairing the cryptographically signed hash with said public key.

Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of a mobile robot within a data storage library and to a library including such systems and utilizing such methods.

Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of creating a visual display associated with a mobile robot within a data storage library and libraries including such systems and utilizing such methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology for a data storage system having a data storage space operably transferring user data via input/output (I/O) commands between the data storage system and another device. The data storage space includes a first memory device operably storing location information for a selected user data set corresponding to one of the I/O commands. The first memory also operably stores a first amount of the selected user data set. The data storage space also includes a second memory device different than the first memory device and operably storing a different second amount of the selected user data set. The data storage system has a controller that interleaves an entirety of the selected user data set from the first and second memory devices during execution of another of the I/O commands.

Abstract: A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions in a preferred order.

Abstract: A system, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media, especially in a data storage environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mobile media with both dedicated readable and writeable user data space and dedicated readable and writeable drive device space. The mobile data storage media adapted for operatively working with a drive device comprises a data space accessible by an end user and a drive software space accessible by the drive device and inaccessible by an end user. The drive software space is adapted to accommodate firmware for use by the drive device in addition to the reading and writing of software by the drive device. The media is adapted to receive and store software from the drive device or, alternatively, is adapted to transmit software to the drive device.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a memory that includes a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed transfer some user data sets with the first addressable storage space in accordance with a dense allocation of the first addressable storage space, and transfer other user data sets with the second addressable storage space in accordance with a sparse allocation of the second addressable storage space that allocates a predefined reserved storage capacity between adjacent stored non-sequential user data sets.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing a data storage system including a memory having a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed store a first amount of a user data set to the first addressable storage space and store a different second amount of the user data set to the second addressable storage space. The controller subsequently calculates an address increment between the stored first and second amounts, and then shifts one of the stored first and second amounts by the address increment.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for loading a first tape cartridge into a tape drive, the first tape cartridge formatted to include a user data partition and also to include an index partition, different than and sized smaller than the user data partition, to store an index that self-describes user data designated to the user data partition and to also store non-index data, then reading the non-index data in the index partition of the first tape cartridge to self-describe a second tape cartridge different than the first tape cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus system to identify mobile media magazine for use with a storage device. The system comprises a random access memory magazine capable of comprising a plurality of random access memory devices. The magazine further comprising a magazine identifier label disposed to be externally viewable. The magazine also comprises at least one storage element cooperating with the magazine adapted to store an electronic magazine identifier that represents the magazine identifier label in non-volatile memory. Each of the random access memory devices can further comprise an individual random access memory device label. The storage device can be adapted to identify the magazine by the magazine identifier label, the electronic magazine identifier or both.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a plurality of drives and a combination bridge controller device adapted to direct and make compatible communication traffic between a client and the plurality of drives. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to encrypt a first data package received from the client. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to transmit the encrypted first data package, a first moniker and a first message authentication code to one of the plurality of drives for storage to a cooperating mobile storage medium. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to decrypt the first data package when used in combination with a first key associated with the first moniker and guarantee the decryption of the first data package was successfully accomplished with authentication of the first message authentication code.