Abstract: One embodiment describes an automation system including a sensor that determines operational parameters of the automation system; one or more actuators that perform control actions during operation of the automation system; and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor and the one or more actuators. The control system includes memory that stores the operational parameters; determines occurrence of memory errors in data stored in the memory; determines error parameters that indicate characteristics of the memory errors; determines error-corrected data by correcting the memory errors based at least in part on the error parameters; adaptively adjusts a refresh rate used to refresh stored data in the memory based at least in part on the error parameters; and determines control commands instructing the one or more actuators to perform the control actions by processing the error-corrected data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a disk including a recording region including servo sectors, a head configured to write data to the disk and read data from the disk, and a controller configured to demodulate a plurality of pieces of demodulation data from servo data read from servo sectors, divide the demodulation data into a plurality of pieces of division data corresponding to division regions, perform linearity correction corresponding to a plurality of pieces of division data in each of the division regions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a sounding reference symbol SRS transmission method and a radio remote unit. The method, performed by a radio remote unit, includes: receiving a plurality of pieces of sampled data in a first period by using each antenna of an antenna array; if all of the plurality of pieces of sampled data are the SRS sampled data, buffering the plurality of pieces of sampled data; and reading the plurality of pieces of sampled data from the buffer in a second period, and sending the read plurality of pieces of sampled data to a baseband processing unit, where duration of the second period is longer than duration of the first period. Thus according the embodiments of the present invention, a time for transmitting the SRS sampled data is prolonged, so that bandwidth required for transmitting the SRS sampled data can be reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems may involve receiving metadata associated with an activity of a user with respect to a first device, and capturing discovery content from one or more media sources based on the metadata. In addition, the discovery content and the metadata may be presented to the user via a second device.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising servo data for defining a plurality of data tracks. A plurality of zones are defined for the disk, wherein each zone comprises a plurality of the data tracks. Position error signal (PES) repeatable runout (RRO) values are generated based on the servo data in a first zone, and data sector squeeze RRO values are generated based on data segments in the first zone. A first data track format for the first zone is generated based on the PES RRO values, and a second data track format is generated for the first zone based on the data sector squeeze RRO values.

Abstract: A method and system for a controlling a head element of a tape drive is disclosed. Y-position values based on servo bands are identified. Control adjustments for the head element are determined based on the Y-position values and the direction of the current wrap.

Abstract: An application program for a mobile device includes a capability for recording and storing a user's voice; a play list of music or other sounds, and a system for combining the user's voice recording with the selected music or sounds in a looped combined recording. The user begins and stops the looped combined recording by controls on the mobile device.

Abstract: A set of patterns written to a magnetic recording medium are found that result in a relatively high and/or low error when read back. Upon writing subsequent to the determining of the set of patterns, one pattern of the set of the patterns is identified within a data segment ready to be written to the magnetic recording medium. The data segment is written with a changed bit spacing in response to identifying that the one pattern of the set of the patterns is within the data segment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software are provided herein that allow for storing a data file in a storage device. The storage system splits a video data file into a plurality of data segments, generates a plurality of recovery headers for the data segments, and combines ones of the recovery headers with ones of the data segments to form a plurality of storage packets.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices can allow a user of a watch device to conveniently view historical and/or future information. A user can use an input device to select times other than the current time, e.g., by activating a time travel mode. Information in a particular window of the watch device can change in accordance with selections of other times. The current information can be replaced by the historical and/or future information. The information can be displayed as a complication in a style window of a watch face of the watch device. Data records can be stored for time other than a current time (e.g., as historical and/or future information). After a mode of operation (e.g., time travel mode) is entered, a data record corresponding to a selected time can be retrieved and displayed in a window of the watch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronization signal receiving method comprising a step of respectively receiving, from a plurality of base stations, a plurality of synchronization signals generated by using a predetermined repetition frequency, sequence, and phase pattern vector, measuring a start timing of a frame, a sequence index, and an index of the phase pattern vector by using the plurality of synchronization signals with respect to each of the plurality of base stations, selecting the base station having the highest correlation value calculated as a result of the measurement among the plurality of base stations, and establishing a connection with the selected base station, wherein the phase pattern vector repeatedly changes the phase of the sequence at the repetition frequency.

Abstract: Examples include a playback device with an audio information source interface, a network interface, a processor, and data storage with program code, that when executed by the processor, causes the playback device to (a) receive a first analog signal including first audio information from a first audio information source, (b) receive second audio information from a second audio information source, (c) generate timing information based on the second audio information, (d) transmit the timing information and the second audio information to another playback device over a network, and (e) play back one of (1) the first analog signal or (2) a second analog signal including the second audio information in accordance with the timing information.

Abstract: An optical disk includes a disk management information area in which predetermined information is recorded in advance, and a recording system area in which information for identifying a recording system of the optical disk recorded in a predetermined position within a non-data area included in a recordable area is recorded. A method for accessing the optical disk is decided based on disk management information and the information for identifying a recording system.

Abstract: A storage device disclosed herein includes a transducer head with a proximity sensor that generates head-disc proximity signals, a digitizer configured to convert the analog proximity signals from the proximity sensor to digitized sample data, a discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) module configured to analyze the digitized sample data by performing an enhanced DWT on the digitized sample data to generate DWT coefficients, and a modal filter configured to determine dominant head-disc interference (HDI) modes for a transducer head by analyzing the DWT coefficients.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating and authorizing electronic transactions with various devices and systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention utilize audio messages to initiate, process and complete transactions between two or more parties, allowing users to efficiently and effectively enter into and complete financial transactions with businesses and other users. The need to utilize text-based entry as part of the verification process—an inefficient, error-prone and insecure authorization mechanism—is minimized and, in some embodiments, avoided altogether. Unlike recently developed authorization methods, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using any number of existing devices including, analog or digital televisions, radios, smartphones, tablets computers, and other devices.

Abstract: A device includes a memory for storing digital media, a transfer module, and a processor. The media includes first data that associates the media with the device, second data authorizing the device to play back the media, and third data authorizing the device to transfer a copy of the media. A transfer includes transfer data identifying the copy uniquely relative to the device. The processor implements instructions to receive a request to transfer a copy of the media to a peer device, create a copy of the media that includes the first data and the transfer data, and direct the transfer module to transfer the copy to the peer device and send a transaction record including the first data and the transfer data to a server.

Abstract: A system for securely downloading and playing coherent digital content such as music and preventing its play by unauthorized users. The system may include mass server/storage devices for receiving and storing digital content having predetermined gaps; and client devices communicating with the server/storage devices, and providing authorization to proceed. During playing of the digital content by the client devices, the missing gaps may be filled into the appropriate places, to allow the play of the coherent digital content.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for correcting recurring errors in memory. A number of embodiments include determining whether a first subset of a group of memory cells has a recurring error associated therewith using a second subset of the group of memory cells, and responsive to a determination that the first subset of the group of memory cells has a recurring error associated therewith, correcting the recurring error using the second subset of the group of memory cells.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention implements some or all major servo subfunctions for a storage device in integrated servo fields comprising sequences of encoded bits having selected mathematical properties. The integrated servo field is composed of a number of encoded sequences, which are members of a selected sequence set that is constrained to preferably provide some or all of the following functions: the Servo Track Mark (STM), the Position Error Signal (PES) and location information such as the track-ID. The juxtaposition of sequences in the servo wedges is additionally constrained to increase the detectability of the contribution of adjacent sequences in the read signal. The integrated servo fields can provide a Position Error Signal (PES) in relation to the center of a data track through the amplitude of the signal read for adjacent sequences.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a controller including a write control unit. The write control unit is configured to control to, when writing data onto data regions of a magnetic disk, write sync marks to signify beginnings of the data regions such that the sync marks are periodically made different from each other for each neighboring tracks.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating an asymmetry metric. A receiver receives a synchronization signal, a filtered signal, and a reference signal. A processor processes the synchronization signal and the reference signal to obtain a peak indicator signal, identifies a first set of values and a second set of values from the filtered signal based at least in part on the peak indicator signal, and evaluates an asymmetry metric from the first set of values and the second set of values.

Abstract: A read/write channel module including a sampling module configured to sample a read signal corresponding to data stored on a disk. A first preamble is encoded with a first timing recovery pattern on a first track of the disk. The first timing recovery pattern includes a first pattern that changes every x bits. A second preamble is encoded with a second timing recovery pattern on a second track of the disk adjacent to the first track. The second timing recovery pattern includes a second pattern that changes every y bits. A data processing module is configured to process the read signal to remove inter track interference from the read signal based on a difference between the first timing recovery pattern and the second timing recovery pattern.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method and apparatus is provided for determining an active fly height setting for a transducer head from samples collected from a proximity sensor during less than a single revolution of a disc. Implementations of the method and system use adaptive discrete wavelet transform parameters generated from the collected samples to determine an active fly height setting for a transducer head.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a processor, logic in the processor and/or memory configured to determine a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of encrypted data written over residual unencrypted data, and logic configured to store an indicator of the physical position on at least one of the magnetic medium and a memory coupled thereto. In another embodiment, a method includes determining a physical position on a magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of encrypted data written over residual unencrypted data, storing an indicator of the physical position on at least one of the magnetic medium and a memory coupled thereto.

Abstract: A supplemental module that includes one or more read elements periodically engages a magnetic recording medium, and the read elements generate an electrical signal corresponding to transitions written to the magnetic recording medium by a write element. A computer receives information representative of the electrical signal and determines if a quality metric of the magnetic recording medium derived from the electrical signal is within a defined range. If the quality metric is not within the defined range, a defined action is performed by the computer.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a disk storage apparatus includes a disk with a servo pattern recorded thereon and a processor. The processor offsets a reader in a cross-track direction on the disk and performs a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) operation on an amplitude sequence of readback signals with respect to the cross-track direction. The processor calculates an optimal correction coefficient for a linearity correction function used for a linearity correction of a position error signal based on a result of the DFT operation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.

Abstract: A system including a read/write channel module and a data processing module. The read/write channel module is configured to sample a read signal corresponding to data read from a disk. The data processing module is configured to determine a first track of the disk. A first preamble of the first track is encoded to include a first timing recovery pattern, a second preamble of a second track of the disk is encoded to include a second timing recovery pattern, and a first period of the first timing recovery pattern is different than a second period of the second timing recovery pattern. The data processing module is further configured to determine an expected preamble and process the read signal to remove inter track interference from the read signal based on the expected preamble and an expected difference between the first period and the second period.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a sector including a periodic pattern and sector data. The sector is read with the head to generate a read signal which is sampled at a sampling frequency with a signal sampler to generate signal samples. The signal samples representing the periodic pattern are processed to measure a frequency induced phase error based on k? where k represents a signal sample index and ? is a fraction of 2?. The signal samples representing the sector data are processed to generate a data phase error. The data phase error is adjusted in response to the frequency induced phase error to generate an adjusted data phase error, and the signal sampler is controlled in response to the adjusted data phase error.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying the track pitch capability of a recording device, such as but not limited to a recording system and/or a servo control system in a data storage device. In accordance with some embodiments, data are written to first and second tracks at an initial track pitch such that the second track at least partially overlaps the first track. Data are arranged on the first track in code words each having a fixed plurality of bits which are decoded as a group by a data channel. The code words are transferred from the first track to the data channel, and a final track pitch for subsequent tracks is responsive to a distance at which nominally half of the code words are undecodeable by the data channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk storage apparatus includes a first storage device, a second storage device, and a controller. The first storage device stores data for use in determining influence imposed on tracks peripheral to a designated track in which data should be written on a disk. The second storage device has a nonvolatile cache area for temporarily storing data. The controller performs a cache process of storing the data in the nonvolatile cache area if the influence is determined, from the data, to exceed a reference value, in preparation for writing the data in the designated track.

Abstract: In a magnetic reading/writing device, a controller derives at each radius of a recording medium a slope of a curve of track-averaged write performance with respect to an adjustment parameter, and determines a first set of fitting coefficients of a first equation approximating the derived slopes in terms of a first variable representing each radius. The controller acquires write performance dependence on a variable representing each of multiple circumferential positions of the medium by measuring track average write performance with respect to the circumferential positions, and determines a second set of fitting coefficients to approximate by a periodic function the acquired dependence in terms of the first variable. The controller corrects a condition value representing the adjustment parameter by subtracting from the condition value an adjustment value obtained from functions calculated with the first and second sets of fitting coefficients.

Abstract: A system includes a preamble determination module configured to determine an expected preamble of a target track. The expected preamble includes an associated timing recovery pattern. A filter module is configured to receive a readback signal read from the target track based on the expected preamble, and selectively filter the readback signal to remove inter track interference from the readback signal based on the expected preamble.

Abstract: Methods are provided for pattern-dependent log likelihood ratio (LLR) manipulation of a hard disk drive detector output. Generally, by observing a pattern dependency of LLRs, various rules for LLR manipulation at the detector output are outlined. The rules may provide more reliable LLR values, such as by improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the hard disk drive detector output.

Abstract: Preamble fields are written on a storage disk in a hard disk drive in a way that reduces track squeeze. Preamble fields for a particular data storage track on the storage disk are written over multiple revolutions of the storage disk to eliminate low-frequency variations of the preamble stitch line from an ideal position of the preamble stitch line. By writing the preamble fields for one data storage track over multiple revolutions, and by writing the preamble fields in each revolution to non-consecutive servo wedges, low-frequency variations of the preamble stitch line from its ideal position can be converted to high-frequency variations of the preamble stitch line that do not produce low-frequency track squeeze.

Abstract: A magnetic recording method for a recording layer of a magnetic recording medium uses a thin film magnetic head with a sub-coil or a microwave radiator. In the method, a microwave spread spectrum (SS) signal is applied to the sub-coil or the microwave radiator, the microwave SS signal including a ferromagnetic resonant (FMR) frequency of the recording layer as a carrier wave within a band so as to generate an in-plane high-frequency magnetic field so that a magnetization reversal magnetic field Hsw of the recording layer is lowered. The magnetic recording is performed while the magnetization reversal magnetic field Hsw of the recording layer is lowered.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of servo tracks, wherein each servo track comprises a plurality of servo sectors. The disk drive further comprises an actuator for actuating a head over the disk in response to an actuator control signal. The servo sectors are read to generate a first sequence of control samples x[k] at a sample rate corresponding to a frequency of the servo sectors. The first sequence of control samples x[k] is upsampled by a factor of N to generate a second sequence of control samples y[ki] according to: y ? [ k i ? | i = 1 : N ] = ( 1 - i N - ? ) ? u ? [ k - 1 ] + ( i N + ? ) ? u ? [ k ] where ? is a scalar greater than or equal to zero and less than one. The actuator control signal is generated in response to the second sequence of control samples y[ki].

Abstract: In a magnetic reading/writing device, a controller derives at each radius of a recording medium a slope of a curve of track-averaged write performance with respect to an adjustment parameter, and determines a first set of fitting coefficients of a first equation approximating the derived slopes in terms of a first variable representing each radius. The controller acquires write performance dependence on a variable representing each of multiple circumferential positions of the medium by measuring track average write performance with respect to the circumferential positions, and determines a second set of fitting coefficients to approximate by a periodic function the acquired dependence in terms of the first variable. The controller corrects a condition value representing the adjustment parameter by subtracting from the condition value an adjustment value obtained from functions calculated with the first and second sets of fitting coefficients.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of spiral tracks. A first sync frame is first opened in response to a first frame offset during a first revolution of the disk, wherein the first sync frame corresponds to the head approaching a first sync mark in a first spiral track crossing. A first sync frame position error signal (PES) is generated representing a difference between a target framing of the first sync frame around the first sync mark and a detected framing of the first sync frame around the first sync mark. The first frame offset is adjusted in response to the first sync frame PES, and during a second revolution of the disk the first sync frame is second opened in response to the adjusted first frame offset.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for searching a start position of a broadcast program. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a received broadcast program is recorded in a recording medium while being output as video and audio. If a new broadcast program is started, position information regarding a start part of the new broadcast program is stored in a memory. Thus, a current broadcast program is reproduced from a start part by searching a start position of the current broadcast program recorded in the recording medium with reference to stored position information. A determination on whether the new broadcast program is started is done on the basis of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information or a change in audio and video signals. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search and reproduce a start part of a broadcast program which is currently recorded.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for extending the functionality of tape device tapemarks. When data is backed up to tape, the tape controller may mark the tape with a tapemark to organize portions of the tape. Present tape storage devices are limited to a single type of tapemark; therefore current recovery requests require knowledge of the tapemark location. The present invention allows for unique types of tapemarks. By allowing the tape device, tape controller and/or backup and recovery software to recognize unique tapemarks, data organized by unique tapemarks can be recovered without referencing tapemark location, thereby optimizing recovery. Unique tapemarks may be encrypted such that data recovery is only completed upon verification of the requester.

Abstract: Described is a tape library which can generally include a tape drive, a tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a device for reading information retained on the medium auxiliary memory device and a program that runs on a processor capable of manipulating information received by the reading device. The tape cartridge's medium auxiliary memory device can contain at least one record of a previous access event, such as an approximate point in time when the tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive. The program may be operable to determine how much time has elapsed from the access event. Knowledge of the elapsed time can, among other things, cause an action to be taken relative to the tape cartridge and/or the data thereon. A method of using the system is also described.

Abstract: A video recording system is provided in which reliability of information supplied from a video camera to control recording and the like is improved when video being obtained by a video camera is recorded in one or more VTRs. In the video recording system, the video camera multiplexes: control information to control the VTR in accordance with an operational status of an operation unit of the video camera and a video signal from an imaging unit of the video camera, and transmits the result to the VTR as a transmission serial digital signal. The VTR separates the video signal and the control information from the serial digital signal and controls a video recording system of the VTR based on the control information.

Abstract: Data is processed by receiving data having a value. The amplitude of the received data is adjusted using the processor based at least in part on the value of the received data to obtain modified data.

Abstract: A control circuit to provide a control current to control an amplitude of a write current in a magnetic media drive. The control circuit has an output circuit for providing the control current with an amplitude dependent on a bias voltage. A bias current path provides the bias voltage to the output circuit, and a current diverting circuit is connected to divert current from the bias current path. A programmable ramp voltage generator operates in response to a degauss enable signal, and a voltage-to-current converter receives the programmable ramp voltage to control the current diverting circuit to divert current from the bias current path at a rate determined by the programmable ramp voltage. The bias voltage and the write current decay according to the programmable ramp voltage. The write current decay can be made linear and independent of a beginning write current amplitude.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus has a plurality of fine particles forming an array on a plane in close proximity of each other, each of the plural particles including a ferromagnetic metal, a light-emitting device for exciting a near-field light, and a photo-electric conversion element for detecting a near-field light traveled along the fine particles. Summary information may be recorded for plural information recording parts.

Abstract: A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.

Abstract: After a reception start request of contents is issued, the presence or absence of a PD connected to a PC is discriminated. If no PD exists, the received contents is recorded into only the PC. If the PD exists, a media type of PD is discriminated. If it is a built-in type, the received contents is recorded into the PC, also transferred to the PD, and recorded into a storing medium in the PD. If it is a media type, whether or not the storing medium has been loaded into the PD is discriminated. If it has been loaded, the received contents is recorded into the PC, also transferred to the PD, and recorded into the storing medium in the PD. If it is not loaded, the user is urged to load the storing medium. Since the recording of the received contents into the PC and the recording into the PD are automatically executed, there is no need to individually execute those processes.

Abstract: A signal reconstruction technique is used to correct for wow and flutter in analog audio recordings. Elements of the recording are used to generate a signal for correcting the output. Involves locating modulated entities such as bias signal (e.g. frequency-modulated, amplitude-modulated, or phase-modulated entities) in the recording, extracting them, and utilizing them as a carrier to synchronize to a master clock, using the irregularity of the anomaly to indicate the speed and pitch information to be corrected. A carrier frequency is determined and applied to a digitized form of the recording. This may be performed even in the absence of a prescribed reference code or tone, such as a pilot tone laid down purposefully at the moment of recording. In the case of signals presumed to have an error in the carrier, a corresponding signal is buffered, and in the case of a presumed error, a last known signal is used for the duration of the error.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.