Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data storage device for directly downloading data (including audio or video data) from a server in a network to a network-connected storage device is disclosed. The invention prevents piracy of copyrighted data by bypassing any unencrypted transmission to a computer system. A computer sends a request to a server to download the particular data to a particular storage device. The server contacts the storage device directly through the network to initiate the transfer. The server and storage device communicate over an encrypted data channel so as to prevent any third party, including the aforementioned computer, from intercepting and storing the transmitted data.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed. In addition, the present system provides various instant copy mechanisms for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either a source or copy data.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing a user environment having product with a component operable to run at a low operating level and a high operating level in which the component is set to operate at the low operating level includes associating an upgrade key with the product. The upgrade key has permission instructions for the component to operate at the high operating level. The component is then enabled to operate at the high operating level in response to the upgrade key being associated with the product in order to upgrade the user environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to handle multiple sets of removable media within a storage system. A first set of removable media are mounted on a set of drives. Data is accepted until the first set of removable media is filled. A second set of removable media is mounted on the drives, while the first set of removable media is removed. When the change in removable media is complete, writing of data proceeds on the second set of removable media. Data may be buffered while the change in removable media occurs. Alternatively, two sets of removable media may be mounted at the same time. When the first set of removable media is filled to a selected amount, the second set of removable media may then be used to write the data. A third set of removable media is set up or mounted for use, while the first set of removable media is removed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Abstract: A virtual stored data management system is provided. In one embodiment, the management system includes one or more hosts and a plurality of data storage elements functionally coupled to the hosts. Each data storage element includes a host network attachment, data transfer means, a storage controller, and permanent data storage media. The permanent data storage media is organized with management information uniquely associated with units of the data such that the management information may be manipulated in several different locations within the management system substantially simultaneously. Thus, the organization of the management processes allows for the management information to be processed, used, changed, or modified in several different locations within the management system at any particular instance.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. The present invention provides a system to support dynamically flexible data definitions and storage requirements in a data processing system. A virtual stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of virtual data units are functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of virtual data units includes associated management information such that the management information provides first and second boundaries. The first and second boundaries limit preferences in which to store the virtual data units with the stored data management subsystem.

Abstract: An improved tape drive is provided. In one embodiment, the tape drive includes read/write heads for reading data from a tape, a disk drive communicably coupled to the read/write heads, and an interface communicably coupled to the read/write heads and to the disk drive for allowing the tape drive to exchange data with a host computer. The disk drive stores data received from a host during time periods when a tape is being retrieved and loaded onto the tape drive such that the host computer may begin sending data to the tape drive prior to the tape being mounted on the tape drive. Once the tape is mounted, the data received from the host computer is written directly to the tape with space reserved on the tape for writing the initial data received from the host computer that is stored on the disk drive. Once the tape drive has finished writing all but the initial data to the tape, the tape is repositioned and the initial data is written to the tape from the disk drive onto the reserved portion of the tape.

Abstract: A telescopic drawer slide including first, second and third drawer slides, each having a longitudinal length with a web and arcuate arms along the longitudinal margins of the web, the second drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the first drawer slide, and the third drawer slide being nested within the arcuate arms of the second drawer slide. There is a lock between the second drawer slide and the first drawer slide, the lock having a biased tab rotatably coupled to the second drawer slide and an emboss on the first drawer slide. The tab moves into a portion of the emboss upon movement over the emboss, thereby preventing the second drawer slide from closing relative to the third drawer slide.

Abstract: A system is provided to support dynamically changeable virtual mapping schemes in a data processing system. The present invention separates processing of data unit requirements from the selection of which storage subsystems to use for storage by using a storage methodologies inventory. A stored data management subsystem contains one or more hosts. A plurality of data storage elements is functionally coupled to the one or more hosts. The plurality of data storage elements is organized using a plurality of layers of mapping tables. The plurality of layers of mapping tables provides unique identification of location of the data such that individual data entries in a mapping table is variable and self-defining with respect to the amount of data managed. In addition, the present system provides various instant copy mechanisms for copying data upon receiving a write operation to either a source or copy data.

Abstract: A swivel mounting bracket couples a heavy and cumbersome object to a casing attached to an undersurface. Slide members can attach the mounting bracket to the casing and allow the mounting bracket to be extendable. The mounting bracket comprises a support surface, and a bridge integral with the support surface. A rotatable plate slides and releasably locks in between the support surface and the bridge. The plate attaches to the object to be mounted, and allows the object to rotate with respect to the desk.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided that couples to a slide member of at least a two member slide forming a self-closing slide. The mechanism comprises a housing having a slot guiding an actuator. The actuator is spring coupled to the housing. The actuator engages a second slide member of the slide when the second slide member approaches a closed position. The spring generates a force for moving the actuator and the engaged second slide along the slot to a slide closed position.

Abstract: A method for using existing internal mapping mechanisms to dynamically map data in a computer storage subsystem is provided. The invention comprises using a dynamic mapping mechanism to mark (e.g., via a D-Mark) a data location and then using pointers to direct write requests for the data location to a side file. The new data is then written in the side file and a housekeeping operation reconciles the old and new data locations.

Abstract: A communication system permitting temporary connections for specific, predictable data transfer performance is presented. The communication system includes a requesting computer system, a responding computer system, and communication paths for establishing connections between the requesting computer system and the responding computer system. The requesting computer system can establish a temporary initial control connection with the responding computer system through a first communication path. A temporary negotiating connection is established with the responding computer system. Data transfer characteristics are negotiated with the responding computer using the temporary negotiating connection. A temporary data connection is established through a set including at least one communication path based on the negotiated data transfer characteristics, the set not including the first communication path.

Abstract: A sequencing latch that prevents an intermediate slide member of a drawer slide assembly from protruding from a two-way cabinet or rack. A latching arm mounted to the intermediate slide member responds to forces exerted by cams attached to the inner slide member by moving in conjunction with the inner slide member until the latching arm is able to pivot through an aperture in the intermediate slide member and be engaged by a receptacle of the outer slide member. The use of dual cams and receptacle allows for bi-directional travel limitation of the intermediate slide member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving compatibility between data storage devices having differing read-write capabilities is disclosed. A track imaging buffer is provided where data can be re-sequenced for optimization of performance of the data storage device into which a recorded medium is loaded. The track imaging buffer is employed whenever a medium bearing data in a format other than the native read-write format of the data storage device is loaded into the device or whenever it is desired to generate a medium for use by a storage device having a native format different from the device in which the medium is to be generated.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval method is disclosed for storing a unitary serial data in such a fashion that it can be read out multiple times in real time. The solution to the concurrent demand for serial data lies in the mapping of the data on a storage device using a method that presumes, but does not require, multiple concurrent access. The data set is resequenced from its logical data structure and stored on a medium adapted for use by the data storage and retrieval drive such that the new sequence appropriately supports concurrent use demand. In accordance with the invention, a serial data set, such as a movie, is segmented into substantially equal data subsets which is hardware capability determinative in that data storage and retrieval device data transfer rates are significantly greater than end user data transmission-reception rates. The data set is thus segmented in accordance with the number of threads to be supported for the concurrent demand.

Abstract: A method is described which provides various new data storage system capabilities by using data storage structures within industry standard (or other pre-existing) formats used with data recording devices employing removable media. The data storage structures used by the present method comprise formats which contain regions previously marked as "contents of this region are not of interest" or marked as "no data was recorded within this region". These data storage structures are thus transparent to present data recording devices so as not to disrupt their data processing functions. However, the data storage structures are available to be used by new data recording devices (or old devices that have been updated) so that new data embedded therein may be used to enhance the functionality of the system which utilizes the data storage structures.