Abstract: Method of processing data of at lease one data stream, data processing module for processing at a of at least one data stream, data processing system comprising such module, computer program product, data storage system and method of use thereof. For a time-based transfer of data to or from a device, data streams may be given a system ID and it is proposed to dynamically distribute available stream IDs. The proposed concept provides for indicating a type of data stream, providing and/or handling a set of stream IDs comprising a number of stream IDs and issuing a stream ID from the set of stream IDs to the data stream depending on the type of data stream. In a preferred embodiment, it is proposed to reserve one stream ID for an audio-video request, characterized by having no error handling time available. A further stream ID may be reserved for best effort requests.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising: processing means (18) for monitoring an input signal (20) so as to identify portions (22) of said input signal (20) having a bit rate greater than a predetermined threshold value (TH), a transcoding module for transcoding said portions (22) so as to reduce their bit rate under said threshold value (TH).

Abstract: A method of retrieving data includes caching data stored in allocation units of a memory (102), preferably a harddisk drive system, of which retrieval incurs a performance penalty. An example of this is data in a spare sector (215), located in a spare area (210) on the harddisk platter (200). The cache memory (103) is, however, a precious commodity. The need for memory space may be reduced by only caching data in spare sectors in which data belonging to a file that is to be retrieved is stored. Also the impact of other kinds of causes of performance penalties may be solved in this way, like those caused by soft defects and fragmentation of files.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing power consumption of consumer electronic devices that run on a battery or an accumulator, particularly portable applications such as mobile phones, laptops or MPEG players or recorders. They consist essentially of a host and a storage medium like a disk or means for receiving a storage medium like a disk drive that are coupled with an interface. Power management is very important because long battery life enhances user convenience. The invention determines whether it is more efficient either to leave the disk drive in the idle mode or to switch the drive to standby until the next data request appears. The disk drive is entered into the most efficient power mode. The time until the next request is determined by the host.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning data-carrying disks. The disks include a magnetisable layer to and from which data is written and read using a magnetic transducer, such as a Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) transducer. Positioning of the transducer over a data track is achieved by optical tracking using a land/groove structure, and positioning of the transducer with respect to the optical tracking system by means of a reference beam transmitted through the disk.

Abstract: A system for recording and/or reproducing information, including a magnetic tape formatted by a magnetic write head which is movable in a longitudinal direction (x) and which forms “buried” servo tracks of different widths. The amplitude of the servo read signals, as a function of the position of the magnetic read/write head of the apparatus with respect to the “buried” servo tracks of the magnetic tape in the width direction (y), is substantially the same for the all the read/write units of the read/write head in spite of the width differences.

Abstract: A device for positioning a transducing head (14) over a selected track of a rotatable information disc. The device includes a slider (12) supporting the transducing head, a carrier supporting the slider, a drive for moving the carrier to effect coarse radial positioning of the transducing head with respect to said selected track and a microactuator (18) to effect fine radial positioning (F) of the transducing head with respect to said selected track. The slider is provided with a swinging element carrying the transducing head and the microactuator is arranged to move the swinging element. In order to obtain a compact device with a swinging element of small mass, the swinging element is an internal tongue-shaped portion (12b) of the slider, the transducing head being secured to a free end part (12ba) of said tongue-shaped portion. The tongue-shaped portion extends in a recess (16) of the slider in which recess the tongue-shaped portion is swingable and in which recess the microactuator is provided.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning data-carrying disks. The disks include a magnetisable layer to and from which data is written and read using a magnetic transducer, such as a Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR) transducer. Positioning of the transducer over a data track is achieved by optical tracking using a land/groove structure, and positioning of the transducer with respect to the optical tracking system by means of a reference beam transmitted through the disk.

Abstract: A system for recording and/or reproducing information, including a magnetic tape formatted by means of a magnetic write head which is movable in a longitudinal direction (x) and which forms “buried” servo tracks of different widths.