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: A multifunctional electromagnetic transponder device for tracking objects, such as tape cartridges, utilized in different types of environments includes a first antenna operating at a first range of frequencies and a second antenna operating at a second range of frequencies, different from the first range of frequencies. A reader/writer mechanism associated with each of the environments generates a first communication signal at the first range of frequencies and a second communication signal at the second range of frequencies. A control logic having a memory is coupled to the first and second antennas for processing the first and second communication signals and automatically generating a first or second response signal for receipt by the reader/writer mechanism via the first and second antennas, respectively.

Abstract: A device senses a mechanical shock to a component, such as a tape cartridge, and provides indication thereof to a reader mechanism upon inquiry by the reader mechanism. The device, secured to the component, includes a sensing structure which reacts to a shock event. The device also includes a transmission for transmitting the occurrence of a shock event prior to use of the component upon appropriate inquiry by the reader mechanism.