Abstract: A plurality of fuses are arranged in pairs and configured such that each pair of fuses represents a data bit when one fuse of the pair is blown; represents an un-programmed bit when no fuse of the pair is blown; and represents a zero-ized bit when both fuses of the pair are blown. A fuse programming system programs the fuses of the pairs such that each pair represents a bit, comprising blowing a first fuse of a pair to represent a “1” bit, blowing a second fuse of a pair to represent a “0” bit, and blowing both fuses of a pair to represent a zero-ized pair, whereby if neither fuse of a pair is blown represents a null, un-programmed bit.

Abstract: A tape system is provided with an encryption capable tape drive and an encryption enabled tape drive device driver for the encryption capable tape drive. The encryption enabled tape drive device driver functions as a proxy which connects the encryption capable tape drive to a key manager which serves keys to the tape drive. When the encryption capable device driver causes a command to be sent to the drive, the tape drive is configured to respond with a message that is intended for a key manager such as an External Key Manager (EKM). The encryption capable device driver recognizes that this is a message intended for the EKM and forwards that message to the EKM (e.g., via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection). The EKM then responds to the key request by issuing a new key (for a new cartridge which is to be written from beginning of tape (BOT)) or an existing key (for a cartridge which needs to be read).

Abstract: A method for a tape storage system to adaptively handle Space commands sent from a host computer system is disclosed. In response to a Space command from the host computer system, a determination is made as to whether or not the tape storage system is in a Read mode. If the tape storage system is in a Read mode, the estimated cost of performing a special read operation for the Space command is compared with the estimated cost of performing a normal space operation for the Space command. If the estimated cost for performing a special read operation is lower than the estimated cost for performing a normal space operation, then a special read operation is performed. But if estimated cost for performing a special read operation is higher than the estimated cost for performing a normal space operation, then a normal space operation is performed.

Abstract: Apparatus and computer program products are provided to monitor and report performance data of a device such as a data storage drive. A plurality of quantitative values are obtained from feedback and measurement mechanisms in a data storage device of a first model during operation of the storage device. The plurality of quantitative values are normalized. Then, one or more qualitative values are generated from one or more normalized quantitative values and evaluated against corresponding baseline performance values established for the first model.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to transfer information between data storage devices. The method provides an information storage assembly comprising a frame, a memory device disposed on that frame, information written to that memory device, a power supply removeably attached to the frame, and a first data storage device comprising a first identity removeably attached the frame. If the method detects an error in the first data storage device, then the method removes the first data storage device from the frame. The method further provides a replacement data storage device, removeably attaches that replacement data storage device to the frame, and determines if the replacement device uses the first configuration information. If the replacement device uses the first configuration information, then the method provides the first configuration information to the replacement data storage device from the memory device.

Abstract: A cartridge handling system and method are provided to initialize a data storage cartridge having rewritable media and a cartridge memory for tamper resistant write once recording. During initialization of the cartridge for write once recording, selected data set information table fields of each data set are scrambled. The scrambling algorithm may employ a random number generator seeded with a unique cartridge identifier. The fields thus becomes unreadable if the unique identifier is changed, such as if the cartridge memory of the cartridge has been altered or replaced.

Abstract: Methods are provided to monitor and report performance data of a device such as a data storage drive. A plurality of quantitative values are obtained from feedback and measurement mechanisms in a data storage device of a first model during operation of the storage device. The plurality of quantitative values are normalized. Then, one or more qualitative values are generated from one or more normalized quantitative values and evaluated against corresponding baseline performance values established for the first model.

Abstract: Apparatus and computer program products are provided to monitor and report performance data of a device such as a data storage drive. A plurality of quantitative values are obtained from feedback and measurement mechanisms in a data storage device of a first model during operation of the storage device. The plurality of quantitative values are normalized. Then, one or more qualitative values are generated from one or more normalized quantitative values and evaluated against corresponding baseline performance values established for the first model.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling selective access to multiple users' encrypted data in a single storage cartridge. A unique, derived key is generated for each user's data by performing cryptographic operations on a combination of a common base key and metadata related to the data to be encrypted (e.g. its total block count). The base data key is wrapped with one or more encryption keys to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs). The base key and the derived key are wrapped to create a session encrypted data key (SEDK), which along with the EEDKs, are conveyed to the tape drive, where the SEDK is decrypted. The EEDKs are then stored in one or more places on the storage cartridge. The base key and the derived key are used to encrypt a predetermined user's data, with the derived key stored on the cartridge with the encrypted data. The encrypted data may be subsequently decrypted by retrieving the EEDK and decrypting it with a decryption key to extract the base data key.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling selective access to multiple users' encrypted data in a single storage cartridge. A unique, derived key is generated for each user's data by performing cryptographic operations on a combination of a common base key and metadata related to the data to be encrypted (e.g. its total block count). The base data key is wrapped with one or more encryption keys to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs). The base key and the derived key are wrapped to create a session encrypted data key (SEDK), which along with the EEDKs, are conveyed to the tape drive, where the SEDK is decrypted. The EEDKs are then stored in one or more places on the storage cartridge. The base key and the derived key are used to encrypt a predetermined user's data, with the derived key stored on the cartridge with the encrypted data. The encrypted data may be subsequently decrypted by retrieving the EEDK and decrypting it with a decryption key to extract the base data key.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling access to encrypted data in a storage cartridge, where the encrypted data may be decoded by retrieving an encryption encapsulated data key (EEDK) from the cartridge, decrypting the EEDK with a decryption key to extract the underlying data key, and then using the extracted data key to decrypt the encrypted data. Access to the encrypted data may be controlled by transforming one or more of the EEDKs stored on the cartridge without also having to use a new data key to encrypt and store encrypted data to the cartridge. Existing EEDKs may be transformed by adding new EEDKs to a cartridge to either supplement or replace existing EEDKs, or by deleting the existing EEDKs from the cartridge to effectively shred the cartridge, or by storing an unencrypted data key on the cartridge to set the cartridge to an unencrypted state.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling access to encrypted data in a storage cartridge by wrapping the data key used to encrypt the data with one or more encryption keys (e.g., a public key from a public/private key pair) to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs) and then storing the EEDK(s) on the storage cartridge along with the encrypted data. The encrypted data may be decoded by retrieving the EEDK from the storage cartridge, decrypting the EEDK with a decryption key (e.g., the private key from the public/private key pair) to extract the underlying data key, and then using the extracted data key to decrypt the encrypted data.

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling access to encrypted data in a storage cartridge by wrapping the data key used to encrypt the data with one or more encryption keys (e.g., a public key from a public/private key pair) to form one or more encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs) and then storing the EEDK(s) on the storage cartridge along with the encrypted data in one or more location that are distinct from the encrypted data. The encrypted data may be decoded by retrieving the EEDK from the storage cartridge, decrypting the EEDK with a decryption key (e.g., the private key from the public/private key pair) to extract the underlying data key, and then using the extracted data key to decrypt the encrypted data. By storing the EEDKs separately from the encrypted data, the EEDKs may be updated independently of the corresponding encrypted data.

Abstract: A tape system is provided with an encryption capable tape drive and an encryption enabled tape drive device driver for the encryption capable tape drive. The encryption enabled tape drive device driver functions as a proxy which connects the encryption capable tape drive to a key manager which serves keys to the tape drive. When the encryption capable device driver causes a command to be sent to the drive, the tape drive is configured to respond with a message that is intended for a key manager such as an External Key Manager (EKM). The encryption capable device driver recognizes that this is a message intended for the EKM and forwards that message to the EKM (e.g., via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection). The EKM then responds to the key request by issuing a new key (for a new cartridge which is to be written from beginning of tape (BOT)) or an existing key (for a cartridge which needs to be read).

Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for enabling access to encrypted data in a storage cartridge by separately wrapping the data key used to encrypt the data with separate encryption keys (e.g., a public key from a public/private key pair) to form encryption encapsulated data keys (EEDKs) that are stored on the storage cartridge along with the encrypted data. With multiple EEDKs stored on the cartridge, a multi-user transport mechanism is provided where each user can access and decode the encrypted data by retrieving and decrypting an EEDK with a decryption key (e.g., the private key from the public/private key pair) to extract the underlying data key, and then using the extracted data key to decrypt the encrypted data.

Abstract: A bowtie monopole antenna is fabricated of a sheet metal radiating body 102 that is triangular shaped, and having a longitudinal dimension and axis (106) and a width (108). One corner of the radiating body is tapered to form a feed point (104). The length dimension determines the antenna's lowest resonance frequency while the taper created by the width determines the highest point of resonance. For using the bowtie monopole antenna in a communication device, the radiating body (102) is folded or wrapped around towards itself To facilitate the folding or wrapping a mounting substrate (202) is used. The substrate may be provided with retaining features (206) to capture the antenna assembly within the communication device.

Abstract: A communication device such as a cellular telephone (200) includes a heat-generating device (206) that generates heat energy. In thermal proximity to the heat-generating device (206) is a scent package (208) that includes a scented substance that is activated by the heat generated by the heat-generating device (206). In one embodiment of the invention, the heat-generating device (206) is a power amplifier. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a scent in a communication device comprises providing a heat-generating device and placing a scent package in thermal proximity to the heat-generating device. The heat-generating device can be a power amplifier used by the communication device, or other electrical circuit found in the communication device.

Abstract: A method to transfer information between data storage devices. The method provides an information storage assembly comprising a frame, a memory device disposed on that frame, information written to that memory device, a power supply removeably attached to the frame, and a first data storage device comprising a first identity removeably attached the frame. The method writes first configuration information to the memory device. If the method detects an error in the first data storage device, then the method removes the first data storage device from the frame. The method further provides a replacement data storage device, removeably attaches that replacement data storage device to the frame, and determines if the replacement device uses the first configuration information. If the replacement device uses the first configuration information, then the method provides the first configuration information to the replacement data storage device from the memory device.

Abstract: A communication device such as a cellular telephone (200) includes a heat-generating device (206) that generates heat energy. In thermal proximity to the heat-generating device (206) is a scent package (208) that includes a scented substance that is activated by the heat generated by the heat-generating device (206). In one embodiment of the invention, the heat-generating device (206) is a power amplifier. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a scent in a communication device comprises providing a heat-generating device and placing a scent package in thermal proximity to the heat-generating device. The heat-generating device can be a power amplifier used by the communication device, or other electrical circuit found in the communication device.