Abstract: A compact optical tracking system for magnetic tape is disclosed which is independent of the magnetic format and head structure which can generate a position error signal without encoding on the servo track. A plurality of optical servo modules is arranged in a linear array. Each optical servo module contains an optical beam source, preferably a laser, an optical beam interference composite hologram for producing a predetermined pattern on a target and at least one detector for detecting an optical beam reflection. A position correction signal is generated by one or all of the optical servo modules for re-positioning a magnetic head, which reduces the error in the correction signal from tape degradation and dimensional changes. Reference grating may be added to provide further position calibration prior to the tape being positioned over the head.

Abstract: An improved servo system having an optical head array integrated into the magnetic head, and optical servo tracks incorporated on the magnetic side of a medium. The optical head array includes a light source array that individually illuminates the optical servo tracks through a beam splitter array and a lens array. Light beams incident on the optical servo tracks are individually reflected back through the lens array and beam splitter array to respective bi-cell photo detectors. The signals from the bi-cell photo detector are amplified by respective differential amplifiers to produce error signals indicative of the alignment of the magnetic head with the optical servo tracks. The error signals are combined by a circuit to produce a position error signal.

Abstract: A system and method for storing documents in human and machine readable format. A laser scanner is used to write de-magnified visual copies and digital records of the documents in an optical recording medium. A table of contents and record headers are provided to ease document retrieval. The optical recording medium is made of materials which can be written directly by the laser scanner without the need for post-writing processing. The direct write characteristic allows immediate retrieval, and allows additional documents to be added to the optical recording medium at later times. The documents are retrieved from the optical recording medium by either magnifying the visual copies or by regenerating the documents in visual form using the digital information.

Abstract: An improved servo system having an optical head array integrated into the magnetic head, and optical servo tracks incorporated on the magnetic side of a medium. The optical head array includes a light source array that individually illuminates the optical servo tracks through a beam splitter array and a lens array. Light beams incident on the optical servo tracks are individually reflected back through the lens array and beam splitter array to respective bi-cell photo detectors. The signals from the bi-cell photo detector are amplified by respective differential amplifiers to produce error signals indicative of the alignment of the magnetic head with the optical servo tracks. The error signals are combined by a circuit to produce a position error signal.

Abstract: An improved servo system having an optical head array integrated into the magnetic head, and optical servo tracks incorporated on the magnetic side of a medium. The optical head array includes a light source array that individually illuminates the optical servo tracks through a beam splitter array and a lens array. Light beams incident on the optical servo tracks are individually reflected back through the lens array and beam splitter array to respective bi-cell photo detectors. The signals from the bi-cell photo detector are amplified by respective differential amplifiers to produce error signals indicative of the alignment of the magnetic head with the optical servo tracks. The error signals are combined by a circuit to produce a position error signal.

Abstract: A method and device for storing and using information associated with multiple logical volumes stored on a single physical volume associated with a data storage system. The invention uses writable labels to read and write metadata associated with the multiple logical volumes. Metadata stored on a writable label associated with each physical volume is available without either reading the physical volume itself or accessing a host computer's control data set.

Abstract: A tape stabilizer for stabilizing the focal plane area of an optical tape includes two radius contours adjacent to one another. As an optical tape passes across the stabilizer, an air bearing layer is formed. The air bearing layer suspends the tape above an apex of each contour and forms a stable tape surface between the apexes. It is at this stable tape surface that read and write operations can accurately be performed. An objective lens can be provided to focus a beam of light onto the tape for read and write operations.

Abstract: A printed circuit board laminate is disclosed having a high capacitance power distribution core. The power distribution core comprises a pair of conductive plates electrically connected to an array of high capacitance core tiles, separated by a compliant dielectric filler. The resulting capacitance of the power distribution core is sufficient to eliminate the need for decoupling capacitors on a typical printed circuit board. Separate power supply areas of variable decoupling capacitance can be formed for mounted integrated circuits with different power supply requirements. A method for manufacturing such board laminates is also disclosed that is compatible with standard printed circuit board assembly technology.

Abstract: A system for identifying and managing a plurality of objects includes a high data density label. The label includes an optical media portion configured to store data in an optical format. The optical media portion has a high areal density and may be rewritable. The high data density of the label allows a large amount of information to be stored directly on the label. The data can be quickly read from the label without requiring physical contact with the label. A read device is provided for reading data from a selected label. A write device is provided for modifying the data in a selected label. The preferred embodiment of the labeling system is implemented in an information storage system using an automated cartridge system (ACS). The labels are attached to physical volumes (e.g., tape cartridges) stored in the ACS. The labels are used to identify and manage information stored on the physical volumes as well as the physical volumes themselves.

Abstract: The solid state memory device consists of a circuit board based system which is mounted in a 3480 type magnetic tape cartridge form factor housing to make this media physically compatible with the 3480 type magnetic tape cartridges. The interconnection of the solid state memory device with the read/write device is by an optical connections which transfer data between the solid state memory device and the associated read/write device. A plurality of batteries in the solid state memory device provide power for the memory retention capability required of the volatile solid state memory devices. The batteries are recharged by the use of a pair of power rails that are incorporated into the exterior housing of the 3480 form factor cartridge. Thus, the associated read/write device applies power to the solid state memory via these power rails when the 3480 form factor cartridge is placed in the associated read/write device.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is disclosed which includes a high capacitance power distribution core, the manufacture of which is compatible with standard printed circuit board assembly technology. The high capacitance core consists of a ground plane and a power plane separated by a planar element having a high dielectric constant. The high dielectric constant material is typically glass fiber impregnated with a bonding material, such as epoxy resin loaded with a ferro-electric ceramic substance having a high dielectric constant. The ferro-electric ceramic substance is typically a nanopowder combined with an epoxy bonding material. The resulting capacitance of the power distribution core is typically sufficient to totally eliminate the need for decoupling capacitors on a typical printed circuit board.

Abstract: In a power circuit breaker a trip mechanism is provided normally to oppose the large opening forces associated with the separable contacts of the breaker and to hold the contacts closed. The trip mechanism in response to overload current conditions collapses and trips open the breaker contacts. Forces related to the opening force of the breaker contacts are present throughout the trip mechanism when the contacts are closed. The trip mechanism provides two eccentric latch mechanisms in series each of which reduce the magnitude of the forces acting in the trip mechanism that are related to the opening force. The two latch mechanisms are each mounted to a pivot for rotation therewith. A force related to the opening force is applied against each latch mechanism. Because the pivot for each latch mechanism is eccentric to the line of force acting against the latch mechanism, the force translates into a rotational force that tends to rotate the latch mechanism and pivot.

Abstract: A Q-switching injection laser is disclosed which includes integral emitter and saturable absorber sections of the semiconductive body. In one embodiment the emitter and absorber sections are separated by an interface region implanted with ions of a type and amount to significantly increase the resistivity at the interface. Preferably, the implanted ions have energy levels spaced far enough from the conduction and valence bands of the semiconductive body such that charge carriers cannot be thermally excited between the conduction or valence bands and the energy level of the implanted ions. In another preferred embodiment, the saturable absorber section includes implanted ions of type and amount to increase the resistivity of the region, as compared to the emitter region, so as to give saturable absorber characteristic under available pumping conditions.