Abstract: A cartridge storage system comprising a movable component, a removable nonvolatile memory component (RNMC), and logic configured to store operational data indicative of an operational history of the movable component in the RNMC.

Abstract: A method of switching between two or more images of firmware on a host device includes storing two or more images of firmware in non-volatile memory of the host device and loading one of the images upon startup in response to a user-controllable indicator. A host device that runs firmware during operation may include a non-volatile memory unit that stores a boot code module and is configured to hold two or more firmware images, a processor for executing the boot code module and firmware, said processor being in communication with the non-volatile memory and a switch in communication with the processor, where the boot code module is configured to cause the processor to execute a particular firmware image in response to a position of the switch.

Abstract: A system for backing up data includes a data-directing device configured to receive data to be backed up, a first backup storage device that is communicatively coupled to the data-directing device and that is configured to store the received data, a data-caching device that is coupled to the data-directing device and that is configured to store the received data, a switch that is configured to communicatively couple the data-directing device to a second backup storage device responsive to a backup operation failure, wherein data stored in the data-caching device is transferred to the second backup storage device via the data-directing device responsive to the backup operation failure.

Abstract: A data library system with managed device access comprises at least one partition, a plurality of data transfer elements each of the data transfer elements assigned to a partition, a plurality of data storage element slots, each of the slots assigned to a partition, a library controller comprising a virtual controller for each partition, the virtual controller directing movement of the media to and from the slots assigned to a same partition and to and from the data transfer elements assigned to the same partition, and at least one bridge operatively disposed between at least one user and the library, each of the bridges present the data transfer elements and the virtual controllers of each partition to the users as logical components beginning at a same designation for each partition.

Abstract: An object-recognition lock and method for operation thereof. According to one embodiment, the object-recognition lock comprises a scanner, the scanner generating at least one image signal indicative of a surface texture of an object. A controller is communicatively coupled to the scanner, the controller determining the surface texture from the at least one image signal, the controller comparing the surface texture of the object with a reference texture. A lock assembly is communicatively coupled to the controller, the lock assembly operable between a closed position and an open position by the controller when the surface texture of the object matches the reference texture.

Abstract: A method of locating a starting point of a firmware image in a non-volatile memory unit may include checking each of a number of possible starting points within the non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates the starting point of the firmware image. A system for implementing this method in a host device may include a non-volatile memory unit of the host device, and a boot module stored in the host device for execution by a processor, where the boot module is configured, when executed, to check each of a number of possible starting points for the firmware image within the non-volatile memory unit until a code space signature is located that indicates the starting point of the firmware image.

Abstract: A method for securing access to a data medium comprises listing at least one unique identifier of media that a data transfer element is allowed to access in memory storage of the data transfer element, accessing only media having at least one of the listed unique identifiers in media cartridge memory with the data transfer element, and writing a unique identifier associated with the data transfer element to the cartridge memory of the selected medium with the data transfer element in response to no library assigned unique identifier being present in the cartridge memory of the selected medium.

Abstract: An intrusion monitor for a media storage system. One embodiment of the intrusion monitor comprises a flag operatively associated with at least one storage compartment in the media storage system, the flag moving between a first position and a second position to indicate the state of at least one storage compartment. A sensor provided in the media storage system, the sensor detecting the position of the flag to determine the state of the at least one storage compartment.

Abstract: An element handling system utilizes an element retrieval device and a decoder. The element retrieval device is configured to retrieve and transport a movable element in response to control data. The decoder is coupled to the element retrieval device. The decoder is configured to filter a combined power and control signal to recover an encoded control signal. The decoder is further configured to decode the control signal to recover the control data.

Abstract: Hard disk drive storage system. One embodiment of the hard disk drive storage system comprises a library. At least one storage device and at least one connector are mounted in the library. At least one hard disk drive is receivable in the at least one storage device and alternately receivable adjacent the at least one connector. A picker assembly is movably mounted in the library, the picker assembly delivering the at least one hard disk drive between the at least one storage device and the at least one connector.

Abstract: A data library comprising a plurality of partitions, at least one data transfer element, each of the data transfer elements assigned to one of the partitions and assigned an internally unique element address, a plurality of data storage element slots, each of the slots assigned to a partition and assigned an internally unique element address, at least one media transport element shared by the partitions to move media between the slots and the at least one data transfer elements, the transport assigned an internally unique element address, and a library controller that assigns a different logical unit designation to each of the partitions and that assigns external element addresses to the transport, the data transfer elements, and the slots for each of the partitions and maps the internally unique addresses to the external addresses, the controller restricting movement of media to and from the slots assigned to a same of the partitions.

Abstract: A cartridge storage system comprising a movable component, a removable nonvolatile memory component (RNMC), and logic configured to store operational data indicative of an operational history of the movable component in the RNMC.

Abstract: An element handling system utilizes an element retrieval device and a decoder. The element retrieval device is configured to retrieve and transport a movable element in response to control data. The decoder is coupled to the element retrieval device. The decoder is configured to filter a combined power and control signal to recover an encoded control signal. The decoder is further configured to decode the control signal to recover the control data.

Abstract: A backplane system includes a hub or a switch on a first backplane support. The switch concurrently routes a plurality of packetized data between a plurality of electrical components which are located within a single assembly.

Abstract: Hard disk drive storage system. One embodiment of the hard disk drive storage system comprises a library. At least one storage device and at least one connector are mounted in the library. At least one hard disk drive is receivable in the at least one storage device and alternately receivable adjacent the at least one connector. A picker assembly is movably mounted in the library, the picker assembly delivering the at least one hard disk drive between the at least one storage device and the at least one connector.

Abstract: A system for backing up data includes a data-directing device configured to receive data to be backed up, a first backup storage device that is communicatively coupled to the data-directing device and that is configured to store the received data, a data-caching device that is coupled to the data-directing device and that is configured to store the received data, a switch that is configured to communicatively couple the data-directing device to a second backup storage device responsive to a backup operation failure, wherein data stored in the data-caching device is transferred to the second backup storage device via the data-directing device responsive to the backup operation failure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting data cartridges between cartridge libraries. A data cartridge is received by a data cartridge transport device, pivoted, and then ejected to a cartridge sleeve of a second cartridge library. In one embodiment, the data cartridge transport device includes a pivot assembly; a cartridge sleeve, mounted to the pivot assembly; a cartridge eject mechanism, operably associated with the cartridge sleeve; a drive assembly; and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly moves between first and second positions, wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the first position engages the pivot assembly with the drive assembly, thereby enabling pivoting of the cartridge sleeve, and wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the second position engages the cartridge eject mechanism with the drive assembly, thereby enabling ejection of a data cartridge from the cartridge sleeve.

Abstract: An intrusion monitor for a media storage system. One embodiment of the intrusion monitor comprises a flag operatively associated with at least one storage compartment in the media storage system, the flag moving between a first position and a second position to indicate the state of at least one storage compartment. A sensor provided in the media storage system, the sensor detecting the position of the flag to determine the state of the at least one storage compartment.

Abstract: An object-recognition lock and method for operation thereof. According to one embodiment, the object-recognition lock comprises a scanner, the scanner generating at least one image signal indicative of a surface texture of an object. A controller is communicatively coupled to the scanner, the controller determining the surface texture from the at least one image signal, the controller comparing the surface texture of the object with a reference texture. A lock assembly is communicatively coupled to the controller, the lock assembly operable between a closed position and an open position by the controller when the surface texture of the object matches the reference texture.

Abstract: A coupler for a media storage system. The coupler may comprise a receiving member having an opening formed in a first storage library and an opening formed in a second storage library. The openings of the receiving member align with one another when the first storage library is positioned adjacent the second storage library. The coupler may also comprise an arm member pivotally mounted to the first storage library. The arm member pivots between an open position and a closed position and engages the receiving member when it is pivoted to the closed position, thereby connecting the first storage library to the second storage library.