Abstract: The invention is directed to arrangements of tapered data storage tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tapered data storage tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The tapered data storage tape guides and arrangements of tapered guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. In one embodiment, a data storage tape guiding system may include a first tapered guide and a second tapered guide. The taper in the first guide can be opposite the taper in the second guide such that the data storage tape is forced against an upper flange of the first guide and forced against a lower flange of the second guide, or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to arrangements of tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The disclosed tape guides and arrangements of tape guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. The invention is particularly useful for magnetic tape, but may also find application with optical tape, holographic tape, or other formats of data storage tape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory card that includes a device connector conforming to the memory card standard, and a host connector conforming to a host connection standard and comprising a retractable shieldless tab compatible with the host connection standard. The presence of the two connectors adds versatility to the memory card. The host connector facilitates direct coupling of the memory card to a computing device without an adapter or reader. The memory card maintains a form factor of the memory card standard when the shieldless tab is retracted, which allows the memory card to be used similar to a conventional memory card of the memory card standard. In order to fit within the memory card standard form factor, the shieldless tab may be an altered version of a conventional connector interface conforming to the host connection standard.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape drive comprising a head mounted on a turntable. The turntable rotates to allow the head to access first and second sides of a data storage tape. Techniques for accessing the first and second sides may include rotating the turntable to position the head in first and second positions. In addition, the techniques may further include raising and lowering the turntable relative to the data storage tape in order to facilitate access to both sides of the data storage tape without requiring the data storage tape to be unspooled and re-spooled.