Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for 2-factor authentication for access to an encrypted storage device in a computer based on the use of a second communication unit, such as a smart mobile phone, and a network connected server. The second communication unit is configured for receiving an encryption control app for storage of an encrypted key file and for receiving a user PIN. The computer includes an encryption module which receives and decrypts the encrypted key file from the second communication unit for activation of encryption and decryption modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for 2-factor authentication for network connected storage devices based on the use of a second communication unit, such as a smart mobile phone.

Abstract: A system for processing information is provided. The system includes multiple micro-holograms contained in multiple volumes arranged along multiple tracks in one or more storage mediums. Each of the micro-hologram includes a data. The system also includes one or more pick-up head devices with optical lenses for directing laser beams on the multiple tracks. Further, the system includes a subsystem for arranging the one or more pick-up head devices for recording and retrieving of the data from the one or more storage mediums.

Abstract: A system for processing information is provided. The system includes multiple micro-holograms contained in multiple volumes arranged along multiple tracks in one or more storage mediums. Each of the micro-hologram includes a data. The system also includes one or more pick-up head devices with optical lenses for directing laser beams on the multiple tracks. Further, the system includes a subsystem for arranging the one or more pick-up head devices for recording and retrieving of the data from the one or more storage mediums.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a cassette housing with first and second tape reels retaining tape mounted inside the housing. First and second electric motors are also mounted within the cassette housing respectively driving the first and second reels.

Abstract: 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 is placed on the base unit. The base unit elevator system is used to retrieve tape cartridges with the cartridge pickup from the add-on unit cartridge magazine and also from the base unit cartridge magazine.

Abstract: 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 is placed on the base unit. The base unit elevator system is used to retrieve tape cartridges with the cartridge pickup from the add-on unit cartridge magazine and also from the base unit cartridge magazine.

Abstract: A tape drive has a front panel with an opening therein for receiving tape cartridges, and contains tape drive electronics. For transferring data into and out the tape drive electronics, the tape drive electronics includes a USB or Firewire serial data port, and the front panel of the tape drive has an access opening therein, behind which the serial port is mounted, so that a serial cable connector can be plugged into the serial port from the front panel of the tape drive. Alternatively, a data transfer cartridge can be inserted into the opening of the tape drive that is normally used for tape cartridges, the data transfer cartridge having a front side that is accessible via the opening in the front panel of the drive, and a USB or Firewire connector is disposed in the front side of the data transfer cartridge.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a housing which contains at least one magnetic tape wound on a tape hub, and a semiconductor memory which contains memory data. The tape cassette also includes at least an optical transmitter, and a circuit which has access to the memory contents and which can read out the memory contents from the memory and embody the memory contents in an optical signal, which is transmitted out of the housing by the optical transmitter. The memory data may characterize data stored on the magnetic tape. The cassette can include a further memory which contains data uniquely identifying the cassette, and this data can also be read out and embodied in optical signals which are transmitted out of the housing.

Abstract: 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 removable media and solid state or memory cartridge removable media.

Abstract: A tape drive has a front panel with an opening therein for receiving tape cartridges, and contains tape drive electronics. For transferring data into and out the tape drive electronics, the tape drive electronics includes a USB or Firewire serial data port, and the front panel of the tape drive has an access opening therein, behind which the serial port is mounted, so that a serial cable connector can be plugged into the serial port from the front panel of the tape drive. Alternatively, a data transfer cartridge can be inserted into the opening of the tape drive that is normally used for tape cartridges, the data transfer cartridge having a front side that is accessible via the opening in the front panel of the drive, and a USB or Firewire connector is disposed in the front side of the data transfer cartridge.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cartridge, the tape is transported so as to be wound and unwound from two hubs disposed in a housing by direct contact of said tape with a drive puck. A roller wheel is disposed on an opposite side of said drive puck, with the tape disposed between the drive puck and the roller wheel, so as to maintain the tape in contact with the drive puck during rotation of the drive puck. A braking force can be applied to one or both hubs during winding and unwinding, so as to tension the tape. The components can be dimensioned to make the cartridge compatible with various existing drives for existing cartridge formats.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a cassette or a cartridge, for storing a continuous tape medium in reeled form has first and second hubs contained in a housing having a base, with a continuous tape medium wound on said hubs, with a portion of the tape medium wound on one hub and another portion wound on the other hub. The hubs are respectively mounted on axles allowing rotation of the hubs. The axles are rotatably mounted in a platform which is slideable within an opening in the base of the housing so as to allow the axles to exhibit a translational movement, in tandem, in a direction parallel to the base as the tape medium is transferred between the hubs. As the diameter of reeled tape increases on one of the hubs due to the tape transfer, the platform, and the axles and the hubs, will move in a direction toward the housing sidewall closest to the hub having the smaller amount of tape reeled thereon, thereby increasing the spacing between the other hub and the other sidewall to accommodate the increasing diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the position of a tape edge of a magnetic tape sliding against a magnetic head which includes a light transmitter positioned on one side of the magnetic tape and a light receiver arranged on the same side, and a reflective surface arranged on an opposite side of the tape for receiving light from the light transmitter and for reflecting light back to the light receiver. The amount of light reflected from the transmitter to the receiver depends on the amount of interference by the interposition of the magnetic tape so as to sense the edge of the tape. A light signal from the receiver is used to control the relative position of the head to the tape to correct for tape wander. One pair of light transmitters/receivers can be used, or more than one pair such as four pairs of light transmitters/receivers and corresponding reflective surfaces, to accurately position a tape head with respect to a magnetic tape, by determining a dynamic position of the tape edge.

Abstract: A mouse system is disclosed for data entry and control and wherein a rolling force of the ball is made adjustable to suit an operator's preference. A friction pad or a magnetic force may be applied to the ball to change and adjust the ball rolling force. Alternatively, a free roller in contact with the ball has its rotational force adjustable by friction or magnetic forces acting on the free roller or its axle. The mouse system disclosed is designed ergonomically to ease operator fatigue and increase an operator's efficiency.

Abstract: A computer keyboard mouse system wherein a mouse assembly is integrated into a front or side wall of a keyboard of the computer. A control ball of the mouse assembly protrudes from the front or side wall for control by the operator. To protect against forces directed against the ball of the mouse assembly which could damage it, a ball retaining member is spring loaded such that excessive forces to be protected against will cause the ball to be pushed into the front or side wall. Mouse control keys may be provided adjacent to the mouse assembly on the front or side wall. Also, the control keys can be one or more designated keys of the keyboard itself.

Abstract: A mouse or track ball has a roller ball mounted within a housing by three free rollers in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the roller ball. An inner core of the roller ball is provided of a magnetic material having either bumps or holes at an outer periphery thereof. The inner core is coated with a non-magnetic material providing an outer smooth and round surface for the ball.

Abstract: Servo track pair position and longitudinal tape position is determined for a tape using dedicated servo format. The tape includes at least one set of data tracks and dedicated servo tracks wherein adjacent servo tracks are defined by longitudinal lines through the edges of erased or non-recorded tape portions. The information about servo track pair numbers and/or servo sample numbers is recorded into portions of the tape and is decoded and read back together with signals from the servo track. The information is recorded in a digital manner by using a digital block format of data blocks requiring less bytes per block than a data block provided on the data tracks. If information about longitudinal tape position is not required, information may be recorded in an analog manner using a fixed set of predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A data storage device has associated therewith a removable storage medium. The data storage device has a main control unit with a microprocessor. The system is designed such that an internal control program for control of the media is stored directly on the media itself. By use of a boot program which can be stored in the microprocessor or separately from the microprocessor, the control program is read off of the media by the microprocessor and is stored in a main control program storage within the data storage device. The main control program storage is an erasible storage like an EEPROM, RAM, or flash memory.

Abstract: In a magnetic layer storage having a magnetic head positionable relative to a storage medium, a reference storage medium produced with high precision is employed for the individual calibration of the storage tape drive, and particularly a positioner means thereof. This reference storage medium carries a track pattern adapted to the respective application and whose exact position is known. During the test run of each and every individual tape drive, this reference storage medium is read, and the read signals are evaluated in order to identify offset of actual position of the magnetic head from its absolute position defined by the reference storage medium. Individual correction factors can be acquired from the relationship of the absolute position to the actual position, these correction factors being stored in the control electronics and being employed during normal operation for correcting the tolerances of the positioner means or of the magnetic head itself.