Abstract: Removable cartridge storage devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the removable cartridge storage device comprises a plurality of cartridge holders, each of the cartridge holders including an electrical connector configured to removably couple with a mating electrical connector of a portable data cartridge having an electronic interface, a system controller configured to control data operations, and a switch, coupled between the cartridge holders and the system controller, to electronically switch connections between the system controller and each of the cartridge holders.

Abstract: According to the invention, an electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system is disclosed. The electronic data storage cartridge includes a cartridge body, a connector, an optical waveguide, a hard disk drive, and a mechanical write-protect switch that prevents modification of information on the hard disk drive when active. The cartridge body includes at least two outer surfaces. The connector can be used for removable coupling to the computing system, where the connector couples information outside the cartridge body. The optical waveguide is configured to couple light between the two outer surfaces. The hard drive is coupled to the connector.

Abstract: Data replication systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises at a system controller of a disk device, receiving data at a system controller of a removable cartridge storage device, transferring the data to a first portable data cartridge and transferring the data to a second portable data cartridge. The first and second portable data cartridges are electrically coupled with the system controller and removably coupled with the removable cartridge storage device.

Abstract: A method for electronically providing identification of a removable data cartridge is disclosed. In one step, an identifier is programmed into the removable data cartridge. A command is received to provide a machine-readable marking from the removable data cartridge. An identifier is read from within the removable data cartridge. The machine-readable marking is determined using the identifier. Responding to the command with a response, where the response provides the machine-readable marking.

Abstract: According to the invention, an electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system is disclosed. The electronic data storage cartridge includes a cartridge body, a connector, an optical waveguide, a hard disk drive, and a mechanical write-protect switch that prevents modification of information on the hard disk drive when active. The cartridge body includes at least two outer surfaces. The connector can be used for removable coupling to the computing system, where the connector couples information outside the cartridge body. The optical waveguide is configured to couple light between the two outer surfaces. The hard drive is coupled to the connector.

Abstract: According to the invention, a removable rotational disk storage cartridge for storing computer readable data is disclosed. The cartridge may include a chassis, a shock absorption media and a rotational storage disk. The chassis may define an interior space and may be configured to be detachably and mechanically coupled with a cartridge drive. The shock absorption media may be deposited at least partially within the interior space of the chassis and may be a flexible material. The rotational storage disk may be configured to store computer readable data and may be deposited at least partially within the shock absorption media.

Abstract: A virtual cartridge autoloader system is provided. A first autoloader device has multiple cartridge holders. Each cartridge holder is configured for electrical communication with removable data cartridges having electronic interfaces. The first autoloader device performs virtual loading functions on the removable data cartridges using an electronic switch. A second autoloader device distinct from the first autoloader device is electrically interfaced with the first autoloader device. The second autoloader device also has multiple cartridge holders, each of which also is configured for electrical communication with removable data cartridges having electronic interfaces. The second autoloader device also performs virtual loading functions on the removable data cartridges using an electronic switch. A controller is configured to receive media changer commands from a host computer for the first autoloader device and for the second autoloader device. The autoloaders may thereby be operated as a single device.

Abstract: According to the invention, a removable rotational disk storage cartridge for storing computer readable data is disclosed. The cartridge may include a chassis, a shock absorption media and a rotational storage disk. The chassis may define an interior space and may be configured to be detachably and mechanically coupled with a cartridge drive. The shock absorption media may be deposited at least partially within the interior space of the chassis and may be a flexible material. The rotational storage disk may be configured to store computer readable data and may be deposited at least partially within the shock absorption media.

Abstract: An archival cartridge management system for conditioning removable data cartridges and normal archival operations is disclosed. The archival cartridge management system includes a cartridge holder and a controller. The cartridge holder has a connector configured for coupling to a removable data cartridge. The connector is coupled to the controller, which performs archival functions on removable data cartridges. The controller reads from removable data cartridges to determine if at least some data stored on a removable data cartridge should be refreshed. If so, the controller refreshes data stored on the removable data cartridge.

Abstract: A wavelength router that selectively directs spectral bands between an input port and a set of output ports. The router includes a free-space optical train disposed between the input ports and said output ports, and a routing mechanism. The free-space optical train can include air-spaced elements or can be of generally monolithic construction. The optical train includes a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating, and is configured so that the light from the input port encounters the dispersive element twice before reaching any of the output ports. The routing mechanism includes one or more routing elements and cooperates with the other elements in the optical train to provide optical paths that couple desired subsets of the spectral bands to desired output ports. The routing elements are disposed to intercept the different spectral bands after they have been spatially separated by their first encounter with the dispersive element.

Abstract: A wavelength router that selectively directs spectral bands between an input port and a set of output ports. The router includes a free-space optical train disposed between the input ports and said output ports, and a routing mechanism. The free-space optical train can include air-spaced elements or can be of generally monolithic construction. The optical train includes a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating, and is configured so that the light from the input port encounters the dispersive element twice before reaching any of the output ports. The routing mechanism includes one or more routing elements and cooperates with the other elements in the optical train to provide optical paths that couple desired subsets of the spectral bands to desired output ports. The routing elements are disposed to intercept the different spectral bands after they have been spatially separated by their first encounter with the dispersive element.

Abstract: A method of monitoring input light having a plurality of spectral bands (wavelength channels) includes the following, carried out for at least two different spectral bands at different times, using a common photodetector and wavelength-monitoring circuit that is coupled to the photodetector: separating one of the spectral bands from the plurality of spectral bands, directing light in only that spectral band to the photodetector, and generating, with the wavelength-monitoring circuit, a signal representing a quality characteristic of a modulated or unmodulated pattern of light in that spectral band. Each of the plurality of spectral bands can be individually and sequentially monitored in round-robin fashion, each of a subset of the spectral bands can be individually and sequentially monitored in round-robin fashion (to provide selective wavelength monitoring), or the monitoring can be ad hoc in response to external requirements.

Abstract: A wavelength router that selectively directs spectral bands between an input port and a set of output ports. The router includes a free-space optical train disposed between the input ports and said output ports, and a routing mechanism. The free-space optical train can include air-spaced elements or can be of generally monolithic construction. The optical train includes a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating, and is configured so that the light from the input port encounters the dispersive element twice before reaching any of the output ports. The routing mechanism includes one or more routing elements and cooperates with the other elements in the optical train to provide optical paths that couple desired subsets of the spectral bands to desired output ports. The routing elements are disposed to intercept the different spectral bands after they have been spatially separated by their first encounter with the dispersive element.

Abstract: A wavelength router that selectively directs spectral bands between an input port and a set of output ports. The router includes a free-space optical train disposed between the input ports and said output ports, and a routing mechanism. The free-space optical train can include air-spaced elements or can be of generally monolithic construction. The optical train includes a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating, and is configured so that the light from the input port encounters the dispersive element twice before reaching any of the output ports. The routing mechanism includes one or more routing elements and cooperates with the other elements in the optical train to provide optical paths that couple desired subsets of the spectral bands to desired output ports. The routing elements are disposed to intercept the different spectral bands after they have been spatially separated by their first encounter with the dispersive element.

Abstract: A tape drive emulator (30) is between a host computer (40) and a removable disk drive (22) and appears to the host computer 40 as a sequential storage system, e.g., a tape drive. However, the tape drive emulator (30) processes the data obtained from or applied to host computer 40 so that the data can be communicated to removable disk drive 22 in a manner compatible with a conventional removable disk drive. Yet in so doing, tape drive emulator 30 imposes on the data (1) an data organization, imperceptible to disk drive 22, for rendering the data expressable and locatable in a tape drive format, and (2) an additional degree of error correction that provides enhanced data integrity necessary for data backup/restore operations.

Abstract: A capstanless helical scan recording system (14) comprises a supply reel (24); a take-up reel (26); and a media transport path (20) extending from the supply reel to the take-up reel. A drum (30) is positioned along the media transport path and has a read head (R1,R2) and a write head (W1,W2) mounted thereon for recording and reading information in helical stripes on the media. The take-up reel comprises a rotor assembly (60), a rotating hub assembly (70), and a gearing system. The rotor assembly includes a sun gear (80) which rotates at a first rotational speed. The rotating hub assembly rotates carries three planetary gears (160) and imparts a velocity to media transported in the media transport path. The gearing system meshes with the rotor assembly and with the hub assembly for causing the hub assembly to have a greater rotational speed than the rotor assembly. The gearing system preferably has a gear ratio on the order of about 8:1.

Abstract: In a helical scan system for recording information on a storage media in a series of helical tracks, servo information written on the tracks is used to control linear velocity of the media during a write operation. Helical scan system includes a rotating drum upon which write heads and read heads circumferentially are mounted. The write heads and the read heads are positioned on the drum so that during a drum revolution a read head reads servo information recorded on a track at least 1.5 track pitches upstream from the most recently recorded track. A servo controller analyzes, during the recording operation, servo information read back by the read head subsequent to recording thereof by write head. Servo controller uses the servo information read by the read head to generate a signal for application to a motor for controlling linear velocity of the media during the write operation.

Abstract: A system (20) and method for identification of medium (41) inserted into an information storage drive optically determines whether the medium is cleaning medium by determining the translucency of the medium. The system includes a dual infra-red LED light source (28) having a controllable intensity as well as BOT and EOT light receivers (30, 32). The medium longitudinally extends between the light source and the light receivers. A medium identification controller (48) determines the type of medium inserted into the information storage drive by progressively ramping the intensity of the light source and determining at what effective driving signal value the light receivers actually receive light through the medium, and by comparing the effective driving signal value for each receiver with a calibrated driving signal value at which the light receiver actually receives light when no medium is inserted.

Abstract: A dual channel helical scan recording system (30) includes a rotating dum (36) having sets of heads (W1, W2) (R1, R2) mounted on its peripheral surface (56). A set of write heads (W1, W2) is situated on an opposite side of the drum (36) from a set of read heads (R1, R2). The write heads (W1, W2) simultaneously write two adjaent tracks (T1, T2), which are read for verification 180 detrees later by corresponding read heads (R1, R2). The heads (W1, W2, R1, R2) are strategically mounted on the drum (36) with respect to angular and axial placement, and have selected head widths and azimuthal angles. Should a block of data (317) written to tape (32) be determined, during readback, to be bad block, that bad block is subsequently rewritten on the tape (32) in the course of writing good blocks and amongst other good blocks. The rewritten block is recorded at a row position on the tape which is sufficiently displaced from the row position of a previous writing to avoid media defects occuring on the tape.

Abstract: In a servo tracking method and apparatus, a servo head (S) of a helical scan recorder (30) endeavors to travel equidistant between two servo signal-bearing stripes recorded on the tape (32). The recorder (30) determines a reference-crossing time at which the servo head (S) begins to cross a horizontal reference line (606) drawn with respect to the beginning of a stripe on the tape (32). The servo head (S) samples the amplitude of a servo signal provided on the tape (32) at a plurality of predetermined times after the reference-crossing time. A servo tracking circuit (175) uses the amplitude of the servo signal at the predetermined sampling times to determine how to adjust the position of said head (S) relative to the pitch of said stripe.