Abstract: A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit and defines at least one receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge and enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge. The reader device further includes a pair of mirrors positioned within the housing that direct light emitted by the bar code reader to the bar code of the data cartridge along a u-shaped path.

Abstract: A mobile reader configured to compile a list of data storage devices for transport includes an interface electrically coupled to circuitry modules including RFID scanning circuitry configured to read a unique storage device identifier from each of the data storage devices, and barcode scanning circuitry configured to read the unique storage device identifier from each of the data storage devices. The barcode scanning circuitry communicates with the RFID scanning circuitry. The interface includes a user operable function that enables selectively reading the unique storage device identifier with one of the RFID scanning circuitry or the barcode scanning circuitry to compile a scan list of in-transit data storage devices.

Abstract: A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit and defines at least one receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge and enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge. The reader device further includes a pair of mirrors positioned within the housing that direct light emitted by the bar code reader to the bar code of the data cartridge along a u-shaped path.

Abstract: A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing defines a first receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in a case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in the case, and a second receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case.

Abstract: A cartridge reader device includes an RFID unit that reads cartridge memory (CM) data from an RFID tag of a data cartridge, a bar code unit that reads a bar code of the data cartridge, and a housing that encloses the RFID unit and the bar code unit. The housing defines a first receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in a case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is enclosed in the case, and a second receiving area configured to accept the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case, which enables the bar code unit to read the bar code data from the bar code of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is not enclosed in the case.

Abstract: Techniques are described for predicting data cartridge failure based on analysis of data retrieved from an associated cartridge memory chip. In one embodiment, a system includes a chip reader that retrieves data from a cartridge memory chip of a data cartridge, and a computing device that receives the data from the chip reader, analyzes the data, and generates information regarding a health status of the data cartridge based on the analysis. The analysis may be based on execution of an algorithm that is developed from a set of data, stored in a database, that identifies characteristics of data cartridges with a good health status and differentiates them from data cartridges with a bad health status.

Abstract: Techniques are described for securing data on data cartridges, such as a Linear Tape-Open (LTO) data cartridge. The techniques include modifying a portion of a cartridge memory (CM) chip of the cartridge in a way that a cartridge drive will be unable to access the data cartridge and to prevent modification of the CM chip by the cartridge drive. In one embodiment, a system includes a data cartridge including a CM chip, a chip reader to read data from and write data to the CM chip, and a computing device to control the chip reader. The computing device causes the chip reader to read data from the cartridge memory chip of the data cartridge and to modify a portion of memory of the chip to prevent unauthorized reads and writes to the data cartridge, without rendering the modification irreversible.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a VOLSER number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the VOLSER number. The reader system is configured to read the VOLSER number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.

Abstract: An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system includes a housing defining an enclosure, data storage media disposed within the enclosure, a label coupled to the housing, and an RFID tag coupled to the housing. The label includes a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media, and the RFID tag is programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number. In this regard, the label and the RFID tag combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a volser number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the volser number. The reader system is configured to read the volser number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.