Abstract: Write protection for data of a rewritable data storage cartridge having partitions is provided in certain circumstances by providing logical write protection; and in response to detection of an application issuing at least one partition-based command with respect to the rewritable data storage cartridge, the logical write protection is disabled with respect to the detected application. Thus, where the cartridge has a non-default index addressing location, in response to detection of an application issuing at least one command initially addressing a location other than the non-default index location, logical write protection is enabled with respect to the detected application; and if the non-default index location is addressed, the logical write protection is disabled.

Abstract: A method of protecting information written to a recording medium includes magnetizing the recording medium to form a first magnetic pattern corresponding to information to be stored, and magnetizing the recording medium to form a protective magnetic pattern having a phase difference of 180° from the first magnetic pattern at a position adjacent to where the first magnetic pattern is formed, with adjacent bits of the first magnetic pattern opposite and the protective magnetic pattern opposite to each other.

Abstract: A method is presented of erasing, in a document data processing device, a stored information pattern on a rewritable data carrier that is accessible by a data processing facility of the document data processing device. The document data processing device includes primary processes for processing document data, wherein data may be stored on the data carrier, and secondary processes for erasing stored data, through overwriting a selected storage area of the carrier by a shredding pattern. According to the method, the primary and secondary processes are run asynchronously, e.g., the secondary processes are run in background, in order not to hinder the primary processes. In a particular embodiment, an initial shredding run is made directly after a file is no longer used, and additional shredding runs are made in background.

Abstract: The present principles provide methods for storing the write counts for each track on the track or alternatively in NVRAM in the hard disk. Most hard disks already have a mechanism to remap a sector that becomes un-writable. This mechanism is used to remap entire tracks when a track write count becomes too high. A track with an excessively high write count can be mapped by the hard disk firmware to a track with a very low write count. By automatically remapping these tracks based on the number of write the wear can be more evenly distributed across the platter thus increasing the service life of the hard disk without modification to the application software.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) uses adaptive counting of writes to the data tracks to minimize the effect of adjacent track encroachment (ATE). The tracks are grouped into segments and a counter is associated with each segment, but the number of tracks in a segment varies or adapts depending on the number of writes to the segment. When the count for the number of writes to a segment reaches a threshold, the segment is divided into a number of segments with fewer tracks. The original segment no longer exists and does not require memory to store its count. This process continues until a segment reaches a predetermined minimum number of tracks. When the count for the number of writes to a segment with the minimum number of tracks reaches a threshold, all of the tracks in that segment, and tracks radially adjacent to and on both sides of the segment, are read and rewritten.

Abstract: A drop sensor detects a drop of a device. When the drop of the device is detected, a sub CPU allows a counter to count a drop time. When the device drops for a predetermined time or more, the sub CPU controls a regulator so that the regulator forcibly disconnects an electric power to be supplied to a hard disc, and writes a drop occurrence flag into a nonvolatile memory. When the power supply is again turned on, a main CPU allows a display section to display information indicating that the power supply is disconnected due to the drop of the device.

Abstract: To provide a backup management device that deletes a content so as to be restorable in the future while protecting a copyright of the content, in a case where there exists a backup of the content. In an HD recorder, a first information storage unit stores a content, a second information storage unit stores a backup of the content, a secure storage unit stores a hash value of the content. If receiving an instruction to delete the content so as to be restorable, a control unit deletes the content from the first information storage unit. When the content is played back, an encryption processing unit applies a calculation to the content to generate detection information, and the control unit compares the hash value with the detection information to judge whether the content has been tampered.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of digital audiovisual streams according to a standard, normalized or proprietary format, on which streams a separation of the stream into two parts is made prior to transmission to equipment of an addressee to generate a modified main stream having a format of the original stream and complementary information of any format including digital information suitable to permit reconstruction of the original stream, wherein a transmission is made, by separate paths during distribution of the modified main stream from a distribution server and of the complementary information to the equipment of the addressee from a secure central server passing via at least one local server connecting the equipment of the addressee to the local server via at least one access point.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a data storage medium, a write element, a non-volatile cache memory circuit, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is configured to record data on the data storage medium in groups of overlapping tracks using the write element. The controller circuit is configured to store a shingle block of data from a subset of the overlapping tracks in the non-volatile cache memory circuit, while at least a portion of the data in the shingle block of data is updated.

Abstract: In a controller of a tape drive, a command processing unit receives a request to write new data, an offset determination unit determines whether old data is not partially overwritten with new data, and if old data is not partially overwritten with new data, a head position management unit makes a write head offset toward the unoverwritten portion. Then, a channel input/output unit reads pattern data that disables old data from a pattern storage unit and outputs the data to the write head to thereby overwrite the old data with the pattern data. After that, a tape transport management unit rewinds a tape and the head position management unit returns the write head to the original position to overwrite the old data with the new data as usual.

Abstract: A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for distinguishing spatial and thermal defects on perpendicular media. The magnetic domains of the perpendicular media are oriented to have a first polarity, scanned using a read head, oriented to have a second polarity and scanned again. The signals from the read head are combined to produce output signals having improved signal to noise ratios from which the locations of spatial and thermal defects can be identified and distinguished.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus that uses a head to write data in a plurality of unit areas arranged in an adjacent relationship to each other on a surface of a magnetic disk, and includes: a first recording section that records, in a RAM, the position of a unit area which is a target of data write; a first counting section that counts the number of times of data write operation performed for the unit area corresponding to the position recorded by the first recording section; and a second recording section that records, in a non-volatile storage medium different from the RAM, the side position which is the position of a unit area adjacent to the unit area whose number of records counted by the first counting section is more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A triple track test for determining respective erase band widths associated with a read/write head involves writing first and second data tracks in each direction and at a certain distance from an origin, and erasing a track having a center at the origin. Based on a triple track test profile (3T) corresponding to the three tracks, a first distance is measured in one direction from the origin to one of the modified data tracks and a first erase band width is computed based thereon. The other side erase band width is computable similarly. A side erase amplitude loss measurement procedure, for determining the amount of signal amplitude lost by an adjacent track due to the respective erase bands, involves constructing a side-erase profile based on a composite of the 3T profile and a full-track profile, from which respective amplitude losses are computed for the respective erase bands.

Abstract: A storage medium having a boundary located along a surface of the storage medium that functions as a transition point for selectively operating a first writer and a second writer of a plurality of writers, where the location of the boundary is set based on writing capabilities of the plurality of writers.

Abstract: A disk drive including a delay circuit to provide a delayed reset signal is disclosed. The disk drive includes a head to perform write and read operations to and from a disk and a disk controller that is coupled to the head to control the write and read operations performed by the head. The disk drive further includes: a power loss detection circuit to detect a power loss and to generate a reset signal in response to the power loss; a reset power line coupled to the disk controller and the power loss detection circuit to provide a non-delayed reset signal to the disk controller; and a delay circuit coupled to the reset power line wherein the delay circuit delays the reset signal to provide a delayed reset signal.

Abstract: Protection against data overwrite of a rewritable non-WORM data storage cartridge is provided by a data storage drive operating cartridge data overwrite protection procedures independent of, or not withstanding, the absence of cartridge controls relating to data overwrite protection. Also for the non-WORM cartridge, the drive responds to an allow data overwrite command to allow an immediately subsequent write type command to write to the cartridge even if the write command overwrites existing data. The overwrite protection procedures and data overwrite procedures may be configured and enabled for the data storage drive.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a reader and a thermal sensor for detecting a thermal effect thereon from a magnetic medium passing by the thermal sensor. A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head for reading data from a magnetic tape, a thermal sensor for detecting a thermal effect thereon from the magnetic tape passing by the thermal sensor, a drive mechanism for passing the tape over the head, and a processor for causing alteration of a readback signal from the magnetic head based on an output of the thermal sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for bulk erasure of disk drives. According to the novel invention, one or more relatively small-sized permanent magnets or electromagnets are configured to be brought into close proximity to a particular disk surface of the disk drive and to produce a concentrated magnetic force that erases the disk. Notably, the magnets are sized and configured to create a focused magnetic field, and correspondingly to prevent stray magnetic fields, which could otherwise be harmful to magnetically sensitive components of the disk drive, such as motor magnets. The magnets may be configured to gain access to the disk surface through one or more openings on a covered disk drive, e.g., through an actuator and/or servo track writer opening. The magnets and resultant focused magnetic field may be large enough to offer substantially full radial coverage of the disk, or may be smaller and configured to move (e.g.

Abstract: Two pass writing system and method for patterned media. In a first step, a write head of a hard disk drive writes with a strong write field. In a second step, a write head of the hard disk drive writes with a weak field. In this manner, magnetic islands of patterned media are written in the first step. In the second step, only those magnetic islands with a low switching field are written.

Abstract: In the magnetic recording apparatus, a recording layer is formed in a concavo-convex pattern, and recording elements are formed of convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern. Furthermore, the following equation (I) BL?ERL?BL+2×GL??(Equation (I)) is satisfied in each of tracks, where BL represents a length of the recording element in a circumferential direction, GL represents a length of a gap between the recording elements in the circumferential direction, and ERL represents an effective recording length which is a length of an effective recording area ER in the circumferential direction, the effective recording area ER being created on a magnetic recording medium by a heating head and a recording head.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a disk storage device and a control method for the disk storage device, which are capable of precluding an off-track write resulted from stick-slip caused by thermal distortion. A magnetic disk device is provided with a magnetic disk, a head that makes a writing to the magnetic disk, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside of the magnetic disk device. Moreover, the magnetic disk device 1 changes determination requirements for use to make a determination whether or not to prohibit the writing by the head to the magnetic disk based on a measurement temperature detected by the temperature sensor and an amount of temperature change calculated using the measurement temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are shown that specify at least one low track-per-inch (TPI) region and at least one normal TPI region on a disk. The low TPI region may be used to store information that may be rewritten frequently. The normal TPI region may be used to store information that may be rewritten less frequently. The low TPI region may reduce the need for adjacent-track-erasure (ATE) refresh.

Abstract: A method includes: writing data to a bit-patterned media at times determined by a clock having a period that is offset from a bit island period by a fixed offset to create one insertion or one deletion approximately within a predetermined number of bit islands, reading the data, and correcting the read data using error correction. An apparatus that implements the method is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling subsequent permitted use, such as storage, of video on a digital storage device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). An analog video signal is provided with at least one modification to its video characteristics, for instance in the horizontal blanking interval and vertical blanking intervals, which is of the type having the capacity to inhibit making an acceptable analog video recording of the analog video signal. Examples of these modifications are the well known pseudo-sync (automatic gain control), color stripe (color burst modifications), and added back porch pulses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device capable of transmitting in a secured manner a set of films of high visual quality to a display screen of the TV screen type and/or for being recorded on the hard disk or on any other recording support of a box/connector connecting the teletrans-mission/telecommunication network to the display screen such as a TV screen or a personal computer monitor while preserving the audiovisual quality, but avoiding fraudulent use such as the possibility of making pirated copies of films or audiovisual programs recorded on the hard disk or on any other recording support of the set-tope boxy/decoder boxy. The invention also concerns a client-server system and the synchronization mechanism between the server supplying the stream permitting the viewing of the secured digital video film and the client who reads and displays the digital video stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk having data tracks, a magnetic head, a motion mechanism for moving the magnetic head, and a controller. The controller adds a value to a rewrite parameter for a rewrite region based on a number of writes to data tracks related to the rewrite region, the value is chosen to reflect a degree of influence the number of writes have on the rewrite region, and the magnetic head rewrites data of the rewrite region when the rewrite parameter is greater than a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data tracks in a rewrite region, defining values reflecting a degree(s) of influence on the rewrite region, adding the values to a rewrite parameter upon writing data to the data tracks, determining that the rewrite parameter has reached or exceeded a threshold and rewriting data in the rewrite region.

Abstract: In a digital information recording/reproducing apparatus, information recorded on a hard disk with copy restriction thereof is protected from being copied onto other hard disks by means of a PC, etc., to be produced a large number of illegal copies, i.e., infringing a copyright. The information is recorded onto a hard disk drive through encryption thereof, with using an identification being number unique thereto, when it is recorded onto the hard disk. With this, normal reproduction is prevented, since the drive identification number necessary for decryption is different from, even if it is copied onto the other hard disk. Also, a version information of the hard disc is memorized in an information management circuit. When the information is illegally copied onto the other hard disc, the version information is changes; therefore it does not coincide with the version information memorized in the information management circuit.

Abstract: A BD-ROM stores a video stream and a plurality of pieces of copy control information. The plurality of pieces of copy control information include “CCIforHD with CM”, “CCIforSD with CM”, “CCIforHD without CM”, and “CCIforSD without CM”. The video stream constitutes video composed of a plurality of video streams. Among the plurality of pieces of copy control information, “CCIforHD with CM” and “CCIforSD with CM” indicate whether recording is permitted of a video signal converted from the video stream and output with addition of supplemental information. On the other hand, “CCIforHD without CM” and “CCIforSD without CM” indicate whether recording is permitted of the video output without addition of the supplemental information.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated radially over the disk, and control circuitry including a shock detector. The control circuitry is operable to detect a resonant frequency amplitude (RFA) of the shock detector, adjust the shock detector in response to the RFA, and take protective action in response to the shock detector.

Abstract: A record button that facilitates audiovisual input into a computer system without requiring manual interaction (direct manipulation interaction) with software. The record button may be grouped with transport controls, a standalone button, or grouped with other controls. The record button may be actuated with different types of actuation techniques, each of which may correspond to a different audio and/or video operating mode, which may be user configurable. A record light may be provided to notify the user of the current recording mode via variable colors and/or flash patterns. The record button can work in conjunction with a camera button and with manual software switching of recording modes.

Abstract: A hard disk drive is disclosed including a voice coil motor and a magnetic sensor communicating with a control circuit. A magnetic sensor reading is created and used to stop access operations in response to the reading of an external magnetic field that may be strong enough to disrupt a slider accessing a rotating disk surface. Also disclosed are a main flex circuit and head stack assembly including the magnetic sensor for use in a hard disk drive. Control circuits and processors are disclosed for receiving the magnetic reading to stop access operations in hard disk drives. The hard disk drive may be a Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) hard disk drive.

Abstract: A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of generating a video-reproducing clock signal from a 480p signal. The apparatus generates a video-reproducing clock signal from a 480p signal that includes a vertical synchronization signal, horizontal synchronization signals, and copy guard signals. The apparatus includes a coast signal generating unit and a clock signal generating unit. The coast signal generating unit generates a plurality of coast signals with pulse widths, each of which covers the different number of copy guard signals on the basis of the present copy guard signal in one frame signal of the 480p signal. The clock signal generating unit generates horizontal synchronization signals at the same period as that of the horizontal synchronization signals generated in a previous frame, while the corresponding coast signal is being generated.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a case, a magnetic tape stored in the case, and a write protect structure for blocking information recording onto the magnetic tape, in which the write protect structure includes, for example, a slidable write protect member and a retention member (e.g., a guide wall) capable of retaining the write protect member in a specified position, and the retention member is capable of reversibly retaining the write protect member at least in a first position and a second position and irreversibly retaining the write protect member in a third position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk drive capable of controlling write/read positions by a method that takes the disturbance in the circumferential direction of a magnetic disk into consideration, thereby making it possible to improve the positioning accuracy. A magnetic disk drive in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a magnetic recording medium on which information is written to each track thereof, the recording medium having a servo signal formed in the each track at specified intervals; a magnetic head including a read head for reading a signal from the magnetic recording medium, and a write head for writing information to the magnetic recording medium. At the time of writing/reading information by the magnetic head, a servo signal is detected from among signals read out by the read head.

Abstract: A method for controlling data rate of a tape drive is disclosed. The tape drive is connected to a computer system. The tape drive stores data by dividing the data into multiple codeword quads (CQs). A local memory within the tape drive includes drive to iteratively monitor data rate during write operations. If a number of CQ skips exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, the drive code reduces a maximum allowable data rate of the tape drive.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproduction processing apparatus is provided. The information recording and/or reproduction processing apparatus is provided by which additional information such as copy protection information is recorded as encrypted data on an information recording medium and also a cryptographic key is recorded such that the difficulty in analysis thereof is promoted. Where additional information such as copy protection information is encrypted and recorded and also a cryptographic key for the encrypted additional information is recorded together, a seed is generated based on an error correction code set corresponding to the additional information. Then, a scrambling or bit position conversion process in which random numbers generated based on the seed are applied is executed for the cryptographic key data, and resulting cryptographic key data is recorded on an information recording medium.

Abstract: Control of the encryption of data for storage with respect to removable data storage cartridges having a recording media and having cartridge memory with at least a portion lockable to read-only, employs the steps of inspecting the read-only portion of the cartridge memory of the removable data storage cartridge for an “Encrypt-Only” flag. If the “Encrypt-Only” flag is present, writes to the recording media of the removable data storage cartridge are limited to data in an encrypted format, if any; and, else, writes to the recording media of the removable data storage cartridge are allowed for data in any of encrypted and unencrypted formats.

Abstract: A signal detector includes a detector to generate raw decisions based on a read back signal. A post-processor identifies possible defects in the raw decisions. A selector selects a portion of the possible defects, and generates modified decisions by operating on the portion of the possible defects. A decoder generates final decisions based on the modified decisions. An estimator evaluates the final decisions to determine whether a sequence in the read back signal has been decoded to a correct codeword. In response to the sequence in the read back signal being decoded to the correct codeword, the final decisions are output from the signal detector. In response to the sequence in the read back signal not being decoded to the correct codeword, the selector selects another portion of the possible defects for processing by the selector, the decoder, and the estimator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing adjacent track interference in a hard drive. An adjacent track interference potential is ascertained in a region of the hard drive, and data corruption is averted via scrubbing data in the region with ascertained adjacent track interference potential, wherein limits of this region are defined.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an optical spot on the order of 25 nm in a recording media. The apparatus includes an optical transducer comprising a waveguide which defines an aperture adjacent to an air bearing surface of the transducer adjacent a recording media. The transducer includes a protrusion extending beyond the plane of the air bearing surface extending toward the recording media.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a disk drive having a disk medium that has a plurality of sectors, in each of which servo data containing a servo-burst patterns is recorded, a CPU calculates the reliability value of a sector to be evaluated, from a ratio of the sum of the servo-burst values acquired from the sector, to a value obtained by performing low-pass filtering operation on the sum acquired at the time of detection or acquired for the immediately preceding sample. The CPU then determines whether the sector is a defective sector having defective servo-burst patterns, on the basis of the reliability value thus calculated.

Abstract: A channel senses head-to-disc contact vibrations in a vibrational noise spectrum produced in a mass storage device. The channel includes a suspension system with a suspension modal resonance. The channel includes a vibration sensor that senses head-to-disc contact vibrations through the suspension system. The vibration sensor has a sensor modal resonance that overlaps the suspension modal resonance.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to implementing a data protection mode based on system vibration modes in a data supported system. An exemplary system vibration mode is associated with an operating mode of the data supported system. The data protection mode operates to limit, or prevent, errors caused by the vibration. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for operating a data supported system. The method includes receiving an indication that a vibration associated with an operating mode of the system will occur and, in response, implementing a data protection mode in the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include: a hard disk drive using a read track to position for writing to a write track and generating a position error signal (PES) based upon all four servo offset bursts used to disable writing when the PES exceeds a position error threshold; a preamplifier generating the PES from four bursts from a slider reading the read track to position when the write track is to be written, and methods of writing the write track using PES from four bursts of the read track that disables writing when the PES is above the position error threshold.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for an optical disc is provided which stores a VOB, the recording apparatus performing: receiving, from an operator, an operation to specify a preceding reproduction section and a subsequent reproduction section from the VOB through an interactive screen; duplicating an end vicinity including an end point of the beginning vicinity, and a beginning vicinity including a starting point of the subsequent reproduction section; connecting the duplicated parts to yield a connected part; and writing the connected part to the optical disc in correspondence with Temp_Cell information, the reproduction sections being specified by Cell information which includes Temp_Cell_FLAG, the Temp_Cell_FLAG, 1) if set to be off, indicating a sequential reproduction of the preceding and subsequent reproduction sections, and 2) if set to be on, indicating a reproduction of the connected part between the reproduction of the preceding and subsequent reproduction sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing a magnetic layer writable with either low or high coercive field strength includes a magnetic head having a magnet coil and a voltage source. The apparatus includes switches between the voltage source and opposing ends of the magnet coil. Two further switches serve to maintain the direction of current flow through the magnet coil. A current measuring device determines the current intensity through the magnet coil. The current measuring device drives the switches in such a way that the current intensity in the magnet coil does not exceed or undershoot a level required for writing the magnetic layer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for reducing the latency associated with media protection notification for serial interface mass storage devices, such as serial AT attachment (SATA) hard disk drives. A new link layer primitive, referred to as hold-emergency (HOLDE), incorporates the flow-control behavior of the existing HOLD command, with the additional new action of notifying the hard disk drive to take emergency steps to prepare for impact. The HOLDE link layer primitive operates in conjunction with the existing hold-acknowledge (HOLDA) primitive and is semantically similar to the existing HOLD primitive. The HOLDE mechanism is preferably implemented directly in hardware in the SATA link layer state machines within the host and the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a disk that contains a target track and an adjacent track. The drive includes a circuit that determines an error in data read from the target track. Data from the adjacent track is stored in memory. The adjacent track is then erased and the target track data is re-read from the target track. Erasing the adjacent track allows the target track data to be read without adjacent track interference. The data from the adjacent track is typically rewritten onto the disk from memory so no data is lost.