Abstract: One embodiment of a picking tool for an automated library of disk drives has an electromagnet, a tapered hole, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system has a box fan with an impeller for moving air through ducting located within the picking tool. The ducting includes a vents located adjacent to one surface of the picking tool. The picking tool is designed to work in conjunction with a disk drive carrier having a front bezel equipped with a tapered guide pin that is complementary to the tapered hole, and vent ports. The guide pin provides alignment between the carrier and the picking tool. The automated disk drive library has a rack with drawers for containing the carriers. The picking tool is mounted to a robotic arm for selectively engaging and interfacing with the carriers. After the picking tool aligns with a desired carrier, the picking tool moves toward the carrier to insert the guide pin into the tapered hole.

Abstract: A disk drive has discrete, modular mechanical and electrical devices. The mechanical device includes a casing to which is mounted a drive motor, disks, and an actuator that is driven by a voice coil motor. The actuator supports transducers for interacting with the disks. The electrical device is attached to a backplane and provides various control and data communication functions for the mechanical device with a host computer. In addition, each of the mechanical and electrical components has a mating connector for detachably interfacing with each other.

Abstract: A self-healing coupler for a serially linked device that is serially coupled to other devices. The serially linked device has a communication input and a communication output. When a break occurs between a first serially linked device and other devices, as indicated by a lack of communication output from the first serially linked device, the self-healing coupler by-passes the break in the first serially linked device to maintain communication between the other devices. The invention is particularly suited to maintaining communication to serial Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) storage devices.

Abstract: A disk drive library has individual disk drives that are each provided with a combination mechanical and electrical connector for interfacing with a library backplane. Each connector has two components. The first component is mounted to the drive and has an electrical contact with a metallic burnished core of highly conductive material that is surrounded by an annular magnet. The mating component is on the backplane and is similarly formed with the opposite pole of a second magnet. When the two components are brought into close proximity, the two contacts attract each other to mate the contact cores, and thus establish an electrical connection. This connection is augmented by a spring mechanism to provide a solid, reliable connection.

Abstract: A power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more power supply modules removably disposed therein. An accessor movably disposed with an automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a gripper mechanism which can be releaseably attached to a power supply module. A method to supply power to an automated data storage and retrieval system. A method to monitor the operation of a power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A method to store first information in a rotatable data storage medium and to dispose second information on a rotatable data storage medium. An apparatus comprising a constant linear velocity drive servo, a laser device, and a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for sequencing laser irradiations to encode first information in a rotatable data storage medium and to dispose second information on a rotatable data storage medium. A rotatable disk storage medium having first information encoded in the information area and at least one human-readable pattern disposed on the clamp area and/or the information area.

Abstract: A fan controller for use with a variable speed fan. The fan controller includes a processor coupled to a communication circuit that, in an advantageous embodiment, includes a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART). The communication circuit allows an external controller to monitor and establish a desired speed setting of the variable speed fan. The fan controller also includes a memory device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), coupled to the processor, that contains the desired speed setting of the variable speed fan. The fan controller further includes a feedback circuit, coupled to the processor, that receives a feedback signal indicative of the variable speed fan operation and a fan driver circuit, coupled to the processor, that provides a driving signal to control a speed of the variable speed fan.

Abstract: An automatic enable and disable system and method for a computer interfaced device linkable to an external computer system. Communication occurs when a computer interfaced device has been latched to and inserted into or unlatched and about to be removed from the external computer system. A sensor is coupled to a controller of the computer interfaced device, and a sensor component is coupled to a cam mechanism or other such component of the computer interfaced device. The sensor component is engagable to and disengagable from the sensor. The sensor senses engaging and disengaging of the sensor component respectively thereto and therefrom as the cam mechanism or such component is latched and unlatched. Latching of the cam mechanism or such component and the computer interfaced device is communicated to the external computer system when the sensor component is engaged to the sensor.

Abstract: An improved system and method for extending interface communications for a SCSI. The system and method provides SCSI extenders that are able to extend SCSI communications over relatively long distances between at least two SCSI interfaces while also being fast and efficient in operation and inexpensive in implementation. The present system and method reduces latency, buffering, error recovery code, and other such additional hardware and software. SCSI signals are received from one SCSI interface, and the SCSI signals from the one SCSI interface are parallel loaded into a parallel register. The SCSI signals from the one SCSI interface are serialized into serial data, and the serial data from the parallel register is transmitted over an optical communication system. The transmitted serial data is converted back to the SCSI signals that were originally from the one SCSI interface.

Abstract: A parallel read/write circuit for use with a plurality of transducer head assemblies and method of operation thereof. The parallel read/write circuit includes a parallel read/write cache, e.g., a bidirectional parallel-serial converter buffer in one advantageous embodiment. A byte-to-bit disassembler, coupled to the parallel read/write cache, receives parallel data from the parallel read/write cache and transmits each bit of the parallel data to a separate transducer head assembly, where each bit of the parallel data is written onto a different disk surface of a recording medium at substantially the same time. In an advantageous embodiment, the byte-to-bit disassembler is a parallel in/parallel out shift register.

Abstract: A computer hard disk drive for a use in a redundant array of independent disk drives (RAID) is mounted in a drive carrier for insertion into a drawer in a storage subsystem. The drive carrier has a conventional drive connector on one end for interfacing with the host computer, and an aesthetic bezel on an opposite end. The disk drive has an external optical source and sensor extending from the drive circuit card. The optical source and sensor are located adjacent to the bezel. The bezel is provided with an small optical service interface hole that aligns with the optical source and sensor for accessing them therethrough. The interface hole allows a technician to monitor the drive via the optical source and sensor while the drive is in operation, or to service the drive without removing it from the subsystem drawer.

Abstract: A temperature adjustment module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more temperature adjustment modules removably disposed therein. An accessor movably disposed with an automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a gripper mechanism which can be releaseably attached to a temperature adjustment module. A method to operate a temperature adjustment module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. A method to monitor the operation of a temperature adjustment module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: An analog SCSI switch comprising initiator device ports, target device ports and a controller utilizing at least one analog multiplexor circuit is connected between a SCSI interface and multiple SCSI devices. The controller monitors the SCSI bus and controls all interfaces and ports. By monitoring the SCSI bus, the controller is constantly informed of the arbitration, selection and re-selection acts of the initiator device or target devices. An analog multiplexor circuit selectively connects the initiator device and target device directly, allowing direct communication between the initiator device and a particular target device for duration of the connection. Logic for the controller, contained in the switch onboard memory, utilizes a secondary logical unit number of a target device to map a target device port. Utilizing the analog multiplexor circuit, the switch connects the initiator device port to a selected, mapped target device port.

Abstract: An array of independent disk drive assemblies are interconnected to a fiber optic cable in a backplane. Each drive assembly has an optics interface for engaging one of a series of connectors on the backplane. Data is accessed and stored on the disk drives by a host computer via operational signals sent through the cable. The drives are hot-pluggable into the cable connectors through their interfaces. The connectors have pivot members that are movable between open and closed positions. The cable is joined to each pivot member such that a single optical joint is formed at each connector. The interfaces on the drives plug into the pivot members to access the data on the cable. When a drive is removed from a connector, the pivot members close and allow the optical transmission to continue downstream on the cable with minimal signal losses.

Abstract: Disclosed are a subsystem and a method for diagnosing a fiber optic network, the fiber optic network comprising a fiber having an optic stream adhering to a defined protocol of the fiber optic network, and comprising a target for receiving and responding to the optic stream. The diagnosis comprises receiving the fiber optic stream and converting the fiber optic stream to an electrical input stream with a FOSA (fiber optic subassembly), and recognizing, from the electrical input stream, a selected event (e.g., frame or command) related to the optic stream defined protocol. Then, in response to the recognition of the selected event, recognizing a selected pattern of the electrical input stream, e.g., employing mask logic, and injecting, in response to the recognition of the selected pattern, a transmission error into the optic stream, and transmitting the optic stream with the injected transmission error to the target, employing a FOSA.

Abstract: A redundant array of independent disk drives (RAID) is coupled to a backplane for interfacing with a computer. Each drive in the array is mounted in a carrier. The backplane has a main power circuit and each carrier has a power conditioning and distribution circuit. Each pair of power circuits interfaces via a connectorless magnetic coupling having a core transformer with two halves. Half of the split core transformer is contained within each of the backplane and the carrier. The main power circuits deliver power to the magnetically coupled split core transformer halves, which then deliver electrical power to their respective power conditioning and distribution circuits on the carriers to provide power to the drives.

Abstract: An initiator device, in a data processing system utilizing a Serial Storage Architecture subsystem, directs an I/O process via secondary path if a primary path is unavailable, even if the primary path is shorter. Also, an initiator device may send outbound data frames, on a secondary path, simultaneously with the SCSI command. Additional flexibility is attained by utilizing an adapter and target storage devices that all support Out of Order Transfers ("OOT"). If a target supports OOT, individual data frames that comprise an I/O process may be sent on multiple paths, allowing greater flexibility in routing. Also, an initiator device may send outbound data frames, on an alternate path, simultaneously with the SCSI command.

Abstract: Disclosed are a switching system and method for a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). The SCSI has a plurality of ports coupled to devices having differing priorities including a highest priority (initiator) and lower priorities (targets). The present invention interconnects a plurality of the highest priority initiator devices to the lower priority target devices. A plurality of analog switches are each coupled to one of the initiator device ports and to the lower priority target device ports, preferably on a singular target bus, for selectively interconnecting the coupled initiator device to the lower priority target device ports. A controller is coupled to the initiator devices and to the plurality of analog switches, and is responsive to requests for connection from the initiator devices for arbitrating amongst the initiator devices to operate the analog switches to interconnect only one of the initiator device ports to the lower priority target device ports.

Abstract: Diagnostic apparatus and method are disclosed for testing a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), by passively monitoring the interface between initiator and target devices or systems, upon sensing a user-selected phase of operation at the interface, disconnecting the initiator and target devices from one another, forcing a user-selected fault for the appropriate time, and reverting to a passive monitor. A pair of analog switches are provided for each line of the interface. The switches selectively connect the initiator system and the target system to each other or to a set of line drivers for providing high or low SCSI signals. A set of sense lines are connected to the initiator and the target for monitoring so as to sense the phase of operation of the initiator and target and to sense the response of the interface to the forced fault.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting and constraining a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film constraining surface. The film constraining surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heaters are radiant heaters which may include a profiled heater output to control uniformity of the temperature. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.