Abstract: A shaping tool is having a cap, a blade portion and a body. The blade portion having a one or more pairs of blades. The body having a slot being substantially vertical which the blade portion freely slides vertically through. The cap having a first cylindrical portion with an open mouth at a lower portion and a cap at an upper portion. The body having a first cylindrical portion with an open mouth at a lower portion and a cap at an upper portion. The open mouth of the cap comprising an internal diameter being greater than an external diameter of the body. The shaping tool comprising an assembled configuration comprising the blade portion held between the cap and the body and partially within the slot, and the one or more pairs of blades exposed within the body.

Abstract: A toilet vent comprising a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection. Said first fluid connection is between an upper portion of a tank of a toilet above a sanitary fluid level and a gas outlet outside of said tank. Said second fluid connection is between a supply line outside of said tank and one or more tank components inside of said tank. Said toilet vent is capable of housing said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection. A portion of said toilet vent, containing a portion of both said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection, passes through a fluid input in a bottom of said tank.

Abstract: A shaping tool is disclosed comprising a cap, a blade portion and a body. Said blade portion comprises a one or more pairs of blades. Said body having a slot being substantially vertical which said blade portion freely slides vertically through. Said cap comprises a first cylindrical portion with an open mouth at a lower portion and a cap at an upper portion. Said body comprises a first cylindrical portion with an open mouth at a lower portion and a cap at an upper portion. Said open mouth of said cap comprising an internal diameter being greater than an external diameter of said body. Said shaping tool comprising an assembled configuration comprising said blade portion held between said cap and said body and partially within said slot, and said one or more pairs of blades exposed within said body.

Abstract: A toilet vent comprising a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection. Said first fluid connection is between an upper portion of a tank of a toilet above a sanitary fluid level and a gas outlet outside of said tank. Said second fluid connection is between a supply line outside of said tank and one or more tank components inside of said tank. Said toilet vent is capable of housing said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection. A portion of said toilet vent, containing a portion of both said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection, passes through a fluid input in a bottom of said tank.

Abstract: A method for increasing recording format reliability in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a default media information region (MIR) on a media, wherein the default MIR includes MIR information divided into segments, reading the MIR information, rotating the MIR information into a first rotation MIR information by rotating the segments by one segment; and writing the first rotation MIR information into a first MIR on the media. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for contiguously appending data onto media in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes reading existing data recorded on a media, determining an append point on the media, and contiguously appending new data on the media starting at the append point such that any end pad is eliminated and no intermediate pads are resulted. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for increasing recording format reliability in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a default media information region (MIR) on a media, wherein the default MIR includes MIR information divided into segments, reading the MIR information, rotating the MIR information into a first rotation MIR information by rotating the segments by one segment; and writing the first rotation MIR information into a first MIR on the media. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for contiguously appending data onto media in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes reading existing data recorded on a media, determining an append point on the media, and contiguously appending new data on the media starting at the append point such that any end pad is eliminated and no intermediate pads are resulted. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An asynchronous method for locating individual blocks of data in a tape drive, without having to read the blocks of data is provided. The invention comprises placing an ID mark adjacent to the data blocks and inter-block gaps on the tape. The ID mark contains a small amount of information about the next respective data block on the tape. The ID mark is encoded such that the same detection mechanism that detects the inter-block gap can also retrieve the ID mark information, without having to process the entire block of data associated with a particular ID mark. The ID mark is symmetrical such that it can be detected and decoded in the forward and backward direction, allowing the tape drive to find a desired block of data by searching either forward or backward, even when the magnetic tape uses a unidirectional data format.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for writing data to a magnetic media. A first frequency is written on a first track on the magnetic media on a first track width. A second frequency is written on the first track in which a combination of the first frequency and the second frequency encodes a bit of data on the first track. An erase pattern is created on a second track on the magnetic media, the second track being adjacent to the first track in which the bit of data on the first track is readable by a tape drive system having a second track width wider than the track width of the first track.

Abstract: A generalized, rationally-scaled design is disclosed for a line laying system for use in stringing communications cable across inaccessible spaces. The system includes a tethered projectile which is accurately aimed and launched to a defined target zone by means of a energy-store coupled with a pivoting release lever. The geometric details of placement of the pivot axis of the release lever are disclosed in detail. Specific configurations of the projectile guides and spring support ribs are also disclosed. Implications of design and materials upon accuracy and range are considered and optimal component finishes and tolerances are indicated.

Abstract: Write on the fly certification of magnetic media includes detecting the start of a defect. A sequence of defect matrices is written over the defect with a write element in a read-after-write head. Each defect matrix in the sequence is read with a read element in the read-after-write head. A check is made to determine if an error exists in the data read from each defect matrix. The defect is determined to extend through each defect matrix if an error exists in the read data.

Abstract: A generalized, rationally-scaled design is disclosed for a line laying system for use in stringing communications cable across inaccessible spaces. The system includes a tethered projectile which is accurately aimed and launched to a defined target zone by means of a energy-store coupled with a pivoting release lever. The geometric details of placement of the pivot axis of the release lever are disclosed in detail. Specific configurations of the projectile guides and spring support ribs are also disclosed. Implications of design and materials upon accuracy and range are considered and optimal component finishes and tolerances are indicated.