Abstract: An optical media storage system includes an optical pickup that unit that reads data marks from a track of optical media, detects a relative position between the optical pickup unit and the data marks, and detects a relative position between the optical pickup unit and the track. The storage system further includes an actuator and a controller that commands the actuator to position the optical pickup unit based on both of the detected relative positions.

Abstract: In an optical tape drive having optical heads for writing data in tracks on an optical tape, each track having an off-track threshold, a system and method are disclosed for off-track write prevention. The system includes multiple actuators, each actuator configured to control a position of an associated optical heads. The system also includes a controller configured to determine a position of each of the optical heads relative to an associated track on the optical tape and to prevent, in response to an event causing an optical heads to have a position outside the off-track threshold of the associated track, only that optical head from writing data to the optical tape and to buffer a stream of data for that optical head for later processing.

Abstract: An optical tape decoding system includes a decoder that may apply a matched pattern signal representing an address index to a track address signal including a multi-cycle wobble block representing the address index such that a signal is output having a peak corresponding to the multi-cycle wobble block. The decoder may also identify the address index based on an amplitude of the peak.

Abstract: In an optical tape drive system, a movable planarizer subsystem includes a tape planarizer support structure for supporting an optical tape planarizer. The support structure is moveable between an operational position and a non-operational position. The movable planarizer subsystem also includes an actuator for moving the support structure and the optical tape planarizer between the operational position and the non-operational position. The operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit reading/writing of information from/to an optical tape via an optical pickup unit (OPU), and the non-operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit passage of a tape leader through the tape drive system without damage to the OPU.

Abstract: A suspension system is provided for an objective lens housing. The objective lens housing is supported by the suspension system and is moved in either a tracking direction Y or focusing direction Z by an electro-magnetic actuator. The objective lens housing is supported by upper and lower suspension springs. The suspension springs are moveable in the tracking direction by flexing the suspension springs and are moveable in a focusing direction by compressing a front portion and a back portion to fold the suspension spring at bends formed in an intermediate portion of the suspension springs.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities that facilitate the substantially flat and aligned mounting of optical tape segments on testing drums to increase testing accuracy of the tape segments. In this regard, a drum for testing optical tape media is disclosed having a substantially planar portion onto which first and second ends of an optical tape segment may be mounted to thereby secure the entire tape segment around an outer testing surface of the drum. Also disclosed is fixture that may be used to precisely mount and secure the tape segment over the outer mounting surface of a drum in a manner that reduces axial run-out and wrinkling of the optical tape.

Abstract: An optical tape drive system includes n total optical pickup units and a controller. The controller writes readable data in logical wraps each having less than n physical tracks to the optical tape via at least some of the optical pickup units such that for each of the logical wraps that contain readable data, all physical tracks within the logical wrap contain readable data.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities that facilitate the substantially flat and aligned mounting of optical tape segments on testing drums to increase testing accuracy of the tape segments. In this regard, a drum for testing optical tape media is disclosed having a substantially planar portion onto which first and second ends of an optical tape segment may be mounted to thereby secure the entire tape segment around an outer testing surface of the drum. Also disclosed is fixture that may be used to precisely mount and secure the tape segment over the outer mounting surface of a drum in a manner that reduces axial run-out and wrinkling of the optical tape.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data storage on an optical medium having a plurality of tracks include splitting a light beam into a higher power main beam and at least one lower power side beam that form corresponding spots spaced along a selected one of the plurality of tracks and selectively positioning and aligning the beams/spots along the selected one of the plurality of tracks using the higher power main beam to write data while reading previously written data using the at least one lower power side beam. The systems and methods may include correlating the read signal with a time-shifted write signal to provide a direct read after write capability to verify data written to the optical medium. In one embodiment, an optical tape drive includes an optical pickup unit (OPU) that generates a lower power satellite beam to read data directly after writing by a higher power main beam.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master, bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein, creating a replica of the bonded replica structure and electroforming a metallic layer onto the bonded replica structure replica to create a single, one piece, metallic shim which can be used to create a weld-less embosser drum.

Abstract: In an optical tape drive system, a movable planarizer subsystem includes a tape planarizer support structure for supporting an optical tape planarizer. The support structure is moveable between an operational position and a non-operational position. The movable planarizer subsystem also includes an actuator for moving the support structure and the optical tape planarizer between the operational position and the non-operational position. The operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit reading/writing of information from/to an optical tape via an optical pickup unit (OPU), and the non-operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit passage of a tape leader through the tape drive system without damage to the OPU.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data storage on an optical medium having a plurality of tracks include splitting a light beam into a higher power main beam and at least one lower power side beam that form corresponding spots spaced along a selected one of the plurality of tracks and selectively positioning and aligning the beams/spots along the selected one of the plurality of tracks using the higher power main beam to write data while reading previously written data using the at least one lower power side beam. The systems and methods may include correlating the read signal with a time-shifted write signal to provide a direct read after write capability to verify data written to the optical medium. In one embodiment, an optical tape drive includes an optical pickup unit (OPU) that generates a lower power satellite beam to read data directly after writing by a higher power main beam.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master and bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein and a surface area that is approximately the same as an outer embossing surface of the embosser drum to be formed. Advantageously, a single, one-piece metallic shim can subsequently be generated, appropriately shaped and welded at a single seam to form the embosser drum outer embossing surface.

Abstract: An optical storage focus servo system may include an optical pickup unit that includes an astigmatic focusing lens, a focusing actuator that controls a position of the lens relative to an optical media, and a plurality of detectors that detect an intensity and shape of a reflected beam from the media. The system may also include a controller that controls the focusing actuator based on the intensity and shape of the reflected beam.

Abstract: A suspension system is provided for an objective lens housing. The objective lens housing is supported by the suspension system and is moved in either a tracking direction Y or focusing direction Z by an electro-magnetic actuator. The objective lens housing is supported by upper and lower suspension springs. The suspension springs are moveable in the tracking direction by flexing the suspension springs and are moveable in a focusing direction by compressing a front portion and a back portion to fold the suspension spring at bends formed in an intermediate portion of the suspension springs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage. Methods and systems of tape technology disclose optical tape media including: configurations, formulations, markings, and structure; optical tape manufacturing methods, systems, and apparatus methods and systems including: curing processes, coating methods, embossing, drums, testing, tracking alignment stamper strip; optical tape methods and systems including: pick up head adapted for the disclosed optical tape; and optical tape uses including optical storage media devices for multimedia applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage.

Abstract: An optical storage focus servo system may include an optical pickup unit that includes an astigmatic focusing lens, a focusing actuator that controls a position of the lens relative to an optical media, and a plurality of detectors that detect an intensity and shape of a reflected beam from the media. The system may also include a controller that controls the focusing actuator based on the intensity and shape of the reflected beam.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to test and evaluate unformatted optical media such as optical tape and optical discs. Advantageously, testing and evaluation can be performed earlier in the manufacturing process of the optical media to locate defects and/or other problems or issues with the optical media that can be addressed before additional manufacturing steps are performed and possible wasted. The systems and methods include at least two optical pickup units (OPUs), a first of which may be dedicated to writing digital data and the second of which may be dedicated to scanning, locating, tracking and/or reading the written data (when the optical media is moving in a first direction) in one of a plurality of manners. Information (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage. Methods and systems of tape technology disclose optical tape media including: configurations, formulations, markings, and structure; optical tape manufacturing methods, systems, and apparatus methods and systems including: curing processes, coating methods, embossing, drums, testing, tracking alignment stamper strip; optical tape methods and systems including: pick up head adapted for the disclosed optical tape; and optical tape uses including optical storage media devices for multimedia applications.