Abstract: A storage controller that includes a cache, receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. A destage application that destages tracks based at least on recency of usage and spatial location of the tracks is executed, wherein a spatial ordering of the tracks is maintained in a data structure, and the destage application traverses the spatial ordering of the tracks. Tracks are destaged from at least inside or outside diameters of disks at periodic intervals, while traversing the spatial ordering of the tracks, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read response times for executing the command are satisfied.

Abstract: A storage controller that includes a cache, receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. A destage application that destages tracks based at least on recency of usage and spatial location of the tracks is executed, wherein a spatial ordering of the tracks is maintained in a data structure, and the destage application traverses the spatial ordering of the tracks. Tracks are destaged from at least inside or outside diameters of disks at periodic intervals, while traversing the spatial ordering of the tracks, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read response times for executing the command are satisfied.

Abstract: A storage controller that includes a cache, receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. A destage application that destages tracks based at least on recency of usage and spatial location of the tracks is executed, wherein a spatial ordering of the tracks is maintained in a data structure, and the destage application traverses the spatial ordering of the tracks. Tracks are destaged from at least inside or outside diameters of disks at periodic intervals, while traversing the spatial ordering of the tracks, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read response times for executing the command are satisfied.

Abstract: A storage controller that includes a cache receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read and write response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. The storage controller determines ranks of a first type and ranks of a second type corresponding to a plurality of volumes coupled to the storage controller, wherein the command is to be executed with respect to the ranks of the first type. Destage rate corresponding to the ranks of the first type are adjusted to be less than a default destage rate corresponding to the ranks of the second type, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read and write response times for executing the command are satisfied.

Abstract: A storage controller that includes a cache, receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. A destage application that destages tracks based at least on recency of usage and spatial location of the tracks is executed, wherein a spatial ordering of the tracks is maintained in a data structure, and the destage application traverses the spatial ordering of the tracks. Tracks are destaged from at least inside or outside diameters of disks at periodic intervals, while traversing the spatial ordering of the tracks, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read response times for executing the command are satisfied.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for figurines to form and join a network of figurines by setting them near other figurines, by activating them via a power switch, or by placing them in communication with a central hub. A communications path using radio or IR frequency is used to form the network, such that only one figurine can transmit data while the others receive data at any time. Once the network has been formed, the figurines can formulate behaviors based on the attributes, requests, and actions of the others. These behaviors are based on the data transpired between the figurines and can include meaning of spoken words, current state, etc. Each figurine has a personality controlled by its internal data, which also controls its relationships with others. Each figurine can spontaneously create a speech or action based on the reply given by another coupled with data stored within its databank.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for figurines to form and join a network of figurines by setting them near other figurines, by activating them via a power switch, or by placing them in communication with a central hub. A communications path using radio or IR frequency is used to form the network, such that only one figurine can transmit data while the others receive data at any time. Once the network has been formed, the figurines can formulate behaviors based on the attributes, requests, and actions of the others. These behaviors are based on the data transpired between the figurines and can include meaning of spoken words, current state, etc. Each figurine has a personality controlled by its internal data, which also controls its relationships with others. Each figurine can spontaneously create a speech or action based on the reply given by another coupled with data stored within its databank.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for figurines to form and join a network of figurines by setting them near other figurines, by activating them via a power switch, or by placing them in communication with a central hub. A communications path using radio or IR frequency is used to form the network, such that only one figurine can transmit data while the others receive data at any time. Once the network has been formed, the figurines can formulate behaviors based on the attributes, requests, and actions of the others. These behaviors are based on the data transpired between the figurines and can include meaning of spoken words, current state, etc. Each figurine has a personality controlled by its internal data, which also controls its relationships with others. Each figurine can spontaneously create a speech or action based on the reply given by another coupled with data stored within its databank.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a data storage medium, such as a magnetic tape, that has a first control data storing area or drive partition that is addressable only by a peripheral drive mounting the medium and a plurality of other addressable data storing partitions for storing data. A volume table of contents may be stored in one of the addressable partitions. A tachometer measures and indicates physical locations on the storage medium. Each of the partitions have an extent on the storage medium indicated by said physical locations. The control data in the drive partition includes directories of medium control blocks, such as tape marks, defect marks and the like; directory of all addressable partitions including the physical locations at the beginning of each partitions and other medium physical and logical parameter data. A so-called mount-demount medium control block in the drive partition indicates a demount status that shows all data stored in the drive partition is valid.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive simultaneously senses on a magnetic tape three evenly spaced-apart servo track areas for servoing a multi-track magnetic head to follow a concurrent set of data tracks on the magnetic tape. The data tracks are arranged into a plurality of track groups. Each track group has a first and second subgroup of data tracks. The first subgroup of tracks are scanned in a first relative motion of the magnetic tape and magnetic head as a forward direction (tape is being spooled from a supply tape reel). The second subgroup of tracks are scanned in a second relative motion of the magnetic tape and magnetic head that is opposite in direction to the first relative direction and is a forward direction of scanning. While writing data in any one of the plural track groups, a servo dropout affecting most of the servo track areas is detected and indicated as a servo error. Writing is aborted. The relative position of the magnetic tape and head is detected at both longitudinal ends of the servo dropout.