Abstract: In a tape drive for storing and retrieving information to and from a media, a system for optimizing write performance includes a tape head and a controller. The tape head may include a write element. The controller may be for optimizing write performance in response to at least one media information signal that is stored on a media cartridge.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

Abstract: Closer spacing of elements for writing multiple tracks onto a magnetic media increases the areal density of stored information. A thin film multiple track recording head includes recording gaps in a plane parallel with the head substrate. This configuration allows for flexible placement of the elements within the head, improved control of recording gap geometry, and alternating azimuth gap angles.

Abstract: A customer making a credit card transaction inserts their smart card into a card reader attached to the merchant's system. The card reader activates the customer's card and passes certain merchant information. The merchant's system then requests a “billing digest” from the customer's card. The billing digest is returned to the merchant's card reader that forwards it (and the transaction information which includes customer information and merchant information) to the corresponding credit card issuer, which maintains the customer's credit card account. In one embodiment, the customer information and the merchant information are encrypted. Upon receiving the billing digest, transaction information is decrypted if necessary and the credit card issuer looks up the customer's master key using the customer's account number.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

Abstract: An encryption system permits end-to-end encryption of information over an untrusted interconnection network. The information encryption system includes at least one client for processing information. The system also includes at least one storage device for holding the information. At least one key server provides a data key for encrypting and decrypting the information. An encryption module is associated with each client. Each encryption module has a first processor accessing a first memory and a second processor accessing a second memory different from the first memory. The first processor communicates with the associated client. The second processor communicates with the storage device. The first processor communicates with the second processor through a dedicated channel. The second processor obtains the data key from the key server. Information is received from the first processor over the dedicated channel and encrypted using the data key. The encrypted information is then stored on the storage device.

Abstract: This data storage subsystem creates multiple virtual storage devices on demand, which are available to any and all of the system's host data processors. The subsystem utilizes a plurality of tape devices and automated tape libraries with the tape devices connected to a plurality of data processors via a high-speed network. A set of software components, the Network Storage Manager (NSM) controls all system operations. Depending upon the requested storage performance, one or more tape devices are assigned to a virtual device. Data stripping across multiple tape devices allows the storage bandwidth of a virtual device to be changed on demand. The overall capacity and performance of the subsystem is scalable by adding or removing storage devices. The NSM system controller contains a plurality of software elements including: Resource Allocation, Resource Configuration, Resource Management, and Security Management modules.

Abstract: A method to control the inside environment of a cartridge is disclosed. The method includes providing a cartridge having a first chamber for the data storage media and a second chamber for material to control contaminants inside the cartridge. A selectively openable structure permits communication of the air within the first chamber to the material in the second chamber to decontaminate the first chamber.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and firmware device for directly downloading data from a server in a network to a firmware device, bypassing any unencrypted transmission through computer system with which the firmware device may be associated, so that copies of the data are not as readily made is disclosed. A computer sends a request to a server to download the particular data to a particular firmware device. The server contacts the firmware device directly through the network to initiate the transfer. The server and firmware 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 method, computer program product, and data storage device for downloading data with variable quality (including audio or video data) from a server in a network to a computer or network-connected storage device is disclosed.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled cartridge and method for protecting data storage media from disallowed humidity levels and contaminants. The cartridge has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is operative to contain the data storage media and is openable to the ambient environment to provide drive access to the media. A charged desiccant is disposed in communication with the second chamber and may further include a pollutant getter. The second chamber is in selective communication with the first chamber.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data for a host processor includes physical data storage devices each having data storage attributes and an outboard storage manager. The outboard storage manager is operable with the physical data storage devices for presenting to the host processor a virtual data storage image having a desired data storage attribute for a particular data storage application by organizing the physical data storage devices in an arrangement suitable for providing the desired data storage attribute irrespective of the data storage attributes of the physical data storage devices such that the combined physical data storage device arrangement emulates the virtual data storage image. The outboard storage manager is operable to transfer data between the host processor and the organized physical data storage device arrangement via the virtual data storage image.

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 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 reel for holding tape includes a hub with a cylindrical surface about which the tape is wound to form a tape pack. Flanges are fixed to either end of the hub, forming parallel inner surfaces. At least one of the inner surfaces has a compliant raised pattern. The raised pattern provides one or more of a plurality of compliant tape contacting surfaces providing an aligning forced to the tape edge as the tape edge is wound into the tape pack, channels allowing air to escape from between the tape and the tape pack as the tape is wound into the tape pack, and compliant sides reducing the possibility for damage to tape in the tape pack due to shock received by the reel.

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: This data storage subsystem creates multiple virtual storage devices on demand, which are available to any and all of the system's host data processors. The subsystem utilizes a plurality of tape devices and automated tape libraries with the tape devices connected to a plurality of data processors via a high-speed network. A set of software components, the Network Storage Manager (NSM) controls all system operations. Depending upon the requested storage performance, one or more tape devices are assigned to a virtual device. Data stripping across multiple tape devices allows the storage bandwidth of a virtual device to be changed on demand. The overall capacity and performance of the subsystem is scalable by adding or removing storage devices. The NSM system controller contains a plurality of software elements including: Resource Allocation, Resource Configuration, Resource Management, and Security Management modules.

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 method and device for storing and using information associated with multiple logical volumes stored on a single physical volume associated with a data storage system. The invention uses writable labels to read and write metadata associated with the multiple logical volumes. Metadata stored on a writable label associated with each physical volume is available without either reading the physical volume itself or accessing a host computer's control data set.

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.