Abstract: A tape drive assembly for data storage on a magnetic tape includes a tape head, a cartridge receiver and a controller. The cartridge receiver selectively receives a cartridge having a test tape formatted at a predetermined location with data errors with predetermined type, size and distribution representative of data errors in tape drives. The test tape is able to measure the quality of heads in suspect tape drives by comparing the ratio of the error count successfully recovered by the suspect head to that recovered by the reference drive while reading the same error distributions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a vectoring method for data de-duplication wherein a stream of data is divided into “data sets” or blocks. For each block, a code, such as a hash or cyclic redundancy code may be calculated and stored. The first block of the set may be written normally and its address and hash can be stored and noted. Subsequent block hashes may be compared with previously written block hashes.

Abstract: Method and system for manufacturing wavy lapping tape and/or wavy cleaning tape for use in the manufacturing and/or repair of negative pressure tape head(s) contour. The wavy lapping tape may be designed with predetermined wave frequency and amplitude to maintain the required contact between the negative pressure head transducer and the lapping tape and/or cleaning tape to repair negative pressure tape head(s). When the wavy lapping tape is implemented within cartridges, the present invention enables automated head test and repair of negative pressure head(s) in drives within the tape library without the need to remove heads from the drives.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island. Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island. The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly for data storage on a magnetic tape includes a tape head, a cartridge receiver and a controller. The cartridge receiver selectively receives a cartridge having a test tape formatted at a predetermined location with standard drive compatible format with increased data redundancy enabling tape drives to read data in the presence of excessive errors in tape drives that exceed the capabilities of the native drive format error corrections code. The test tape is able to operate in a drive, with multiple defective heads, that said drive would not operate with a normal format tape.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a vectoring method for data de-duplication wherein a stream of data is divided into “data sets” or blocks. For each block, a code, such as a hash or cyclic redundancy code may be calculated and stored. The first block of the set may be written normally and its address and hash can be stored and noted. Subsequent block hashes may be compared with previously written block hashes.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly for data storage on a magnetic tape includes a tape head, a cartridge receiver and a controller. The cartridge receiver selectively receives a cartridge having a test tape formatted at a predetermined location with data errors with predetermined type, size and distribution representative of data errors in tape drives. The test tape is able to measure the quality of heads in suspect tape drives by comparing the ratio of the error count successfully recovered by the suspect head to that recovered by the reference drive while reading the same error distributions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a vectoring method for data de-duplication wherein a stream of data is divided into “data sets” or blocks. For each block, a code, such as a hash or cyclic redundancy code may be calculated and stored. The first block of the set may be written normally and its address and hash can be stored and noted. Subsequent block hashes may be compared with previously written block hashes.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors in a servo system of a magnetic storage drive includes writing a plurality of data tracks at a pitch, detecting a position of an edge of at least two of the data tracks under control of a servo system (e.g., an optical or magnetic servo system), and determining an error in the servo system based on the detected positions and known pitch of the data tracks. Differences in the track edge positions of the tracks from the positions at which they were written may indicate errors in the optical servo system (e.g., non-linearity errors, as well as other errors such as electrical, temperature, or the like). Determined errors may be stored with a look-up table of positional errors or used to normalize a position algorithm associated with the servo system.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data includes a data storage medium and a data interface that communicates with the data storage medium. The data interface is configured to place data into a logical data capsule having a defined size, where the data placed into the logical data capsule can occupy less than the defined size of the logical data capsule. In the data storage system, the logical data capsule is moved as a whole between the data storage medium and the data interface. Additionally, when any data in the logical data capsule is read or modified, all of the data in the logical data capsule is read or modified as a whole.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches.

Abstract: A data storage system comprises a plurality of storage devices and a storage system controller. The storage system controller controls data and redundancy data stored to and read from the storage devices such that the data is stored at least in part in a region which comprises storage areas on least two of the storage devices and such that the storage devices appear as a single storage device to an entity external to the data storage system. The storage system controller comprises a redundancy data generator for generating the redundancy data, a de-duplication fingerprint definer to define a portion of the redundancy data as additionally representing a de-duplication fingerprint for the region, and a data de-duplicator to identify a duplicated region based upon finding a match to the de-duplication fingerprint within the redundancy data of the data storage system.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a first tape-head contact area including a first write element and a first read element, which itself may include an MR sensor element. The first read element is laterally offset as to the first write element, and no portion of the first read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the first write element. A second tape-head contact area includes a second write element and a second read element, which also may include an MR sensor element. The second read element is laterally offset as to the second write element, and no portion of the second read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the second write element. The first read and write elements of the first tape-head contact area are aligned with the second write and read elements of the second tape-head contact area so that an end portion of the second write element lies in a region that laterally overlaps only an end portion of the first write element.

Abstract: 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), a curvature of the tape head (260) and/or the grit of the lapping tape (478).

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a vectoring method for data de-duplication wherein a stream of data is divided into “data sets” or blocks. For each block, a code, such as a hash or cyclic redundancy code may be calculated and stored. The first block of the set may be written normally and its address and hash can be stored and noted. Subsequent block hashes may be compared with previously written block hashes.