Abstract: In an optical data storage device for storing data on a removable optical disk in a continuous sequence of sectors or blocks, the input data buffer may be subject to under-run. An under-run detector is disclosed which is responsive to the buffered data comprising less than a sector of data for indicating an under-run, and a padding provider is disclosed which is responsive to the under-run indication for providing padding characters for formatting into sectors. The sectors may be provided with headers indicating the sectors as padding. A reading device for reading the data sectors and providing the data to a host detects padding and prevents the padding data from transmission to the host.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the proper position and orientation of a multi-disk cartridge, and for selectively locking the cartridge while it is inserted in a disk drive to prevent withdrawal of the cartridge while the disk drive is conveying one of the cartridge's disks. The disk drive of the invention includes a guide to slidably receive a multi-disk cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted in the guide, presence of the cartridge in the drive is detected by a position sensor. Having detected the presence of the cartridge, an orientation sensor determines whether the cartridge has been oriented properly. This prevents upside-down insertion of the cartridge, for example. With the cartridge fully inserted into the guide in a proper orientation, a locking mechanism serves to lock the cartridge in place at selected times. The cartridge may be locked in place, for example, at all times when the cartridge is inserted into the guide, or merely during sensitive operations of the disk drive.

Abstract: In an optical data storage device for storing data on a removable optical disk in a continuous sequence of sectors or blocks, the input data buffer includes an ECC process. A padding provider is disclosed which is responsive to an under-run indication for providing padding characters for formatting the storage into sectors. The sectors may be provided with headers indicating the “padding sectors”. A reading device for reading the data sectors and providing the data to a host detects padding and prevents the padding data from being transmitted to the host.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant Hard-WORM data storage system and a magneto-optical storage disk therefor is disclosed. The disk has a plurality of sectors thereon containing one or more uniquely formatted fields to provide an indication that the disk is a Write-Once Read Many (WORM) disk. A motor is provided in the storage system for rotating the disk at an operational rotational speed and a laser read/write (R/W) head unit is provided for reading and writing information in the sectors. A read/write (R/W) control unit within the storage system controls read and write operations on the disk in response to commands from an external data processing device, such as a computer. The R/W control unit is adapted to decode the one or more uniquely formatted fields in order to read and correctly interpret information contained therein.

Abstract: In an optical data storage device for storing data on a removable optical disk in a continuous sequence of sectors or blocks, the input data buffer may be subject to under-run. An under-run detector is disclosed which is responsive to the buffered data comprising less than a sector of data for indicating an under-run, and a padding provider is disclosed which is responsive to the under-run indication for providing padding characters for formatting into sectors. The sectors may be provided with headers indicating the sectors as padding. A reading device for reading the data sectors and providing the data to a host detects padding and prevents the padding data from transmission to the host.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval library has a column of storage cells including at least some side-by-side storage cells. A media accessor with a picker gripper for accessing media in one side of the side-by-side cells is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for accessing media in the other side of the side-by-side cells. For multi-sized media, a column may have storage cells extending the full width of the column for holding a large sized media, and a second type of smaller cells arranged side-by-side, each for holding a small sized media. A media picker has a first gripper for accessing large sized media from the full width cells, and a second gripper for accessing small sized media from one side of the side-by-side cells. The media picker is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for the second gripper for accessing small sized media from the other side of the side-by-side cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are an automated data storage library and a method for operating the library. The library includes two pickers arranged on a common guideway; a plurality of media storage slots arranged in a plurality of regions alongside the guideway; a plurality of read/write stations arranged in regions alongside the guideway. Commands are received for jobs to move media amongst the storage slots and the read/write stations, and a controller queues the received commands and allocates the queued commands to the pickers and in an order of jobs which will allow the pickers to independently access and move the media so as to avoid interference in the same region, or in regions which are behind the other picker. The media storage slots may be arranged in row sets and regions alongside the guideway, each row set including one or more storage slots and each region including one or more columns, with the regions narrower than the pickers.

Abstract: A media stackloader processes removable data storage media cartridges containing optical disks, magnetic diskettes, or tape media. A moveable rail on the stackloader locks cartridges in the stackloader. The rail is pivotable on the stackloader to permit access to a cartridge so that the rail can be pivoted to a position where the cartridges are locked in the stackloader or to a position where cartridges can be removed and replaced in the stackloader. A locking solenoid engages the moveable rail to permit or prevent pivoting of the rail.

Abstract: An automated library is disclosed for storing and retrieving data storage cartridges having a plurality of rotatable stacks, all rotatable about parallel axes, each stack being multi-faced and preferably rectangular. A column of cells for storing data cartridges is provided in each of at least two of the faces of the rectangular stacks, and the columns of cells are aligned parallel to the axis of the associated stack. At least one read/write drive is provided for reading and/or writing the data storage cartridges, and preferably a read/write drive is provided at the base of each rotatable stack. A picker is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of the rotatable stacks, for accessing the data storage cartridges stored in the cells, and for transporting the cartridges between the cells and a read/write drive. Servo systems rotate the rotatable stacks and the rotatable picker into mutually facing positions for accessing the cells of columns of the stacks with the rotatable picker.

Abstract: A rewind tape drive is disclosed for a tape library for rewinding a tape upon a read/write tape drive of the library completing reading and/or writing a tape. In some instances, the tape may be positioned close to the beginning of tape at the completion of reading and/or writing. Thus, the disclosed invention may additionally, upon completion of reading and/or writing a tape, determine whether the time required for the tape drive to rewind the tape exceeds a predetermined time, and transport the tape to the rewind unit only upon exceeding the predetermined time. The predetermined time may comprise the time required for unloading the tape from the read/write tape drive to an accessor, the time required for the accessor to transport the tape to the rewind unit, and the time required to load the transported tape into the rewind unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are an automated data storage library having a plurality of pickers with multiple grippers and a method for operating the library to respond to received input commands which require an exchange of media at a point of exchange (e.g., at a storage slot or read/write station), by first determining whether the source and destination locations for the media to be exchanged are on opposite sides of the point of exchange. Next, if the source and destination locations for the media to be exchanged are on opposite sides of the point of exchange, the exchange is decomposed into separate moves, and each of the separate moves is assigned to a different one of the pickers.

Abstract: A unique and permanent identifier is provided for removable media. The identifier is preferably recorded in a previously unused or reserved portion of the media and can be generated from a combination of the originating drive serial number and the current date and time with a random number concatenated thereto. When a piece of media is loaded into a drive, the drive examines the reserved area for the presence of an identifier. If not present, the drive generates and records an identifier before performing whatever disk access operations have been requested. If the identifier is present, the drive is prevented from overwriting the identifier with a new one and the disk access operations are performed immediately. Once the media is provided with its identifier, the media, and any errors associated with the media, can be tracked throughout its life.

Abstract: A media stackloader processes removable data storage media such as optical disks, magnetic diskettes, or tape media. The stackloader removably couples to a storage drive, such as by plugging into a slot of the host computer. The stackloader has a plug portion integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the host computer and the housing portion housing a magazine containing the removable media. The stackloader includes a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A locking mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the cartridges to prevent improper removal of cartridges from the magazine.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval library has a column of storage cells including at least some side-by-side storage cells. A media accessor with a picker gripper for accessing media in one side of the side-by-side cells is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for accessing media in the other side of the side-by-side cells. For multi-sized media, a column may have storage cells extending the full width of the column for holding a large sized media, and a second type of smaller cells arranged side-by-side, each for holding a small sized media. A media picker has a first gripper for accessing large sized media from the full width cells, and a second gripper for accessing small sized media from one side of the side-by-side cells. The media picker is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for the second gripper for accessing small sized media from the other side of the side-by-side cells.

Abstract: A media stackloader processes removable data storage media such as optical disks, magnetic diskettes, or tape media. The stackloader removably couples to a storage drive, such as by plugging into a slot of the host computer. The stackloader has a plug portion integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the host computer and the housing portion housing a magazine containing the removable media. The stackloader includes a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A locking mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the cartridges to prevent improper removal of cartridges from the magazine.

Abstract: A media stackloader for processing media in one or more drives of a personal computer is provided where the stackloader plugs into a half slot or full slot (51/4) inch of the personal computer. The stackloader has a plug portion which is integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the slot and the housing portion housing a magazine which contains media, such as optical disk cartridges. The stackloader is provided with a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A device is provided for locking and unlocking the cartridges, the operator unlocking the cartridges when it is desired to remove from or add cartridges to the magazine.

Abstract: Digital data is stored on a DASD by generating a parity block for a specified block of data items and storing the parity block at a selected location on the DASD. The parity block includes a parity computation calculated by applying a parity routine to the corresponding data. The parity block also includes a parity code that indicates either (1) the size of the corresponding data block, or (2) the number of data items contributing to the parity computation. The parity block may be stored adjacent to the corresponding data, or at an independent location. Among other things, the invention provides significantly increased robustness against data loss, and improved flexibility and efficiency in storing data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for amortizing the adverse performance impact of an erase-write-verify process for rewritable optical disks, with its numerous delays, over multiple sectors. A block of data to be written to a sector on a particular track of the disk is transferred from the host to a cache storage device. When a predetermined number of blocks to be written to the track have accumulated in the cache, destaging will occur. Those sectors to which the blocks will be written are erased in a single pass. Then the blocks are written to the erased sectors in the next pass. Verification of the written data, if desired, can be performed in a third pass. Consequently, only two passes per track (or three, if verification is desired) are required to record data from the host to the disk instead of two passes (or three) per block using conventional methods and the seek and latency delays are also reduced. Multiple tracks can be destaged in an order established by a controller.

Abstract: In an automated storage and retrieval library system, a library controller is directed to examine a command queue, as well as the state of the grippers and the state of the data drive units. In general, upon completion of the examination, the controller determines whether an additional command, currently in the queue, can be executed in conjunction with (that is, before, during or after) execution of the current command, thereby optimizing the utilization of the accessor. For example, if the accessor is to execute an exchange command, a move command might be in the queue which requires moving a cartridge from the area in which the accessor will be located after the exchange is made but before the exchanged cartridge is moved to a new location. In such an event, the controller will direct that the move command be overlapped with the second half of the exchange command by using the empty gripper.