Abstract: A virtual tape device includes a first drive group of virtual tape drives, a first determination unit, and a first instruction unit. The first drive group is assigned to a first information processing apparatus. The first determination unit determines, upon receiving a first cleaning instruction for cleaning a first virtual tape drive included in the first drive group from the first information processing apparatus, whether the first cleaning instruction is to be output to a physical tape device connected to the virtual tape device. The first instruction unit instructs, when the first determination unit determines that the first cleaning instruction is to be output to the physical tape device, a first physical tape drive corresponding to the first virtual tape drive to perform cleaning. The first physical tape drive is included in the physical tape device.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head disk assembly (HDA) filled with a gas, the HDA comprising a head actuated over a disk, and an electrical heating element. A pressure inside the HDA is measured, and the electrical heating element is heated for a first heating time. A rate of temperature change of the electrical heating element is measured, and the gas leaking from the HDA is detected in response to the pressure and the rate of temperature change.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a reading unit, a processor, a transferring unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads first management data from a first recording medium. The first management data identifies tracks of source data recorded on the first recording medium. The processor compares the first management data with second management data. The second management data identifies files of ripped data recorded on a second recording medium. The transferring unit transfers one of the tracks of the source data, to the second recording medium, when absent from the second recording medium. The control unit controls a display unit to display transferring status by a symbolic figure.

Abstract: A token value is maintained based on an allowable number of low power transitions of a hard disk drive without adversely affecting reliability, compared to an actual number of low power transitions of said hard disk drive. The allowable number of low power transitions increases over the hard disk drive's lifetime. Before the hard disk drive performs a low power transition, the token is evaluated to determine if the hard disk drive is allowed to perform a low power transition. Low power transitions discussed include parking the head and spinning-down the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hybrid drive is disclosed comprising a disk channel including a head actuated over a disk, the disk comprising a plurality of data sectors, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) comprising a plurality of memory segments. Write commands are received from a host, wherein the write commands comprise write data. When a frequency of the write data exceeds a threshold, an operating mode of the disk channel is changed to change a power consumption rate of the disk channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of maximizing drive performance under any power constraint. In one embodiment, the method includes actively adjusting a seek power draw based on a comparison of real-time calculations of average seek power to a target power threshold.

Abstract: A drop sensor detects a drop of a device. When the drop of the device is detected, a sub CPU allows a counter to count a drop time. When the device drops for a predetermined time or more, the sub CPU controls a regulator so that the regulator forcibly disconnects an electric power to be supplied to a hard disc, and writes a drop occurrence flag into a nonvolatile memory. When the power supply is again turned on, a main CPU allows a display section to display information indicating that the power supply is disconnected due to the drop of the device.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a head actuated over each disk surface. An off-track read capability (OTRC) is measured for each disk surface, and a radial density of data tracks for each disk surface is selected in response to the OTRCs. A linear density of at least two disk surfaces is adjusted to balance the OTRCs across the disk surfaces.

Abstract: A storage system includes plural drive devices and a control device. Each of the plural drive devices reads or writes data from or to a portable recording medium. The control device performs a parallel process in which a first process and a second process are performed in parallel. The first process is to write specified data to a first portable recording medium via a first drive device of the plural drive devices. The second process is to write the specified data to a second portable recording medium via a second drive device of the plural drive devices. The control device cancels, upon completion of either one of the first process and the second process, the other one of the first process and the second process.

Abstract: A hybrid hard disk drive includes a hard disk drive controller to receive a plurality of write commands from a host, a buffer to receive and store write data, which are input through the hard disk drive controller and correspond to each of the plurality of write commands, a command history tracker to receive the plurality of write commands and analyze a pattern of the plurality of write commands, and a CPU to control storage of the write data, which correspond to each of the plurality of write commands, on a disk or in a flash memory device based on the analysis result by the command history tracker. The drive may determine whether to store write data on the disk or in the flash memory device without operation system support.

Abstract: A technique for rate verification of an incoming serial alignment sequence includes receiving an incoming serial stream. A determination is then made as to whether an align sequence is recognized in the incoming serial stream. When an align sequence is recognized, a check is made to determine if an appropriate number of align primitives are received during a predetermined number of clock periods. If the number of received align primitives matches the predetermined number, then a rate-verified align detect signal is asserted.

Abstract: A HDD including write components configured to operate within an operating voltage range, charging circuitry comprising a charging capacitor. The charging capacitor includes a higher voltage when charged than the operating voltage range. The HDD also includes pulse circuitry configured to pulse power from the charging circuitry to the write components within the operating voltage range during a controlled shut down of the write components such that remaining data-sector bits are written during the controlled shut down.

Abstract: A hard disk drive enters a low power mode to reduce power consumption. To maintain communication with a host device, a communication interface remains energized along with a circuit portion storing configuration data for the communication interface. The hard disk drive may have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface to provide two-way communication to external data processing equipment. The hard disk drive may have a system on a chip (SoC) core to issue the low power mode entry command. During the low power mode, circuitry for external communication is kept in an active state.

Abstract: A data recording structure supporting an AVCHD format is provided. The data recording structure allows a playing process, an editing process and a write-once recording process to be quickly performed. When data recording is performed in a data recording format having a layered management structure such as an AVCHD format, identification information is stored in an index file containing index information for record data. The identification information is needed to perform one of the playing process on the record data, the editing process on the record data and the write-once recording process on data. This arrangement eliminates the need for reading a variety of files and retrieving information when one of the record data playing process, the record data editing process and the write-once recording process is performed. Each process is thus quickly performed.

Abstract: A tape library system includes a plurality of cartridge cells for accommodating a plurality of tape cartridges respectively, a tape drive for writing and reading data to and from the tape cartridge inserted therein, a diagnosis drive for diagnosing the tape cartridge inserted therein, an cartridge carriage mechanism for inserting and ejecting the tape cartridge into and from the tape drive and the diagnosis drive, and a diagnosis controller for controlling the cartridge carriage mechanism to load the tape cartridge into the diagnosis drive and for controlling the diagnosis drive to diagnose the tape cartridge inserted therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to magnetic recording tape. Respective voltage sources are coupled to respective magnetic head components of a tape recording apparatus. Circuitry controls each voltage source independently in accordance with identity information for a magnetic tape, relative humidity within the tape recording apparatus, or other factors. Chemical migration from the tape, and/or plating or erosion of elements of the tape recording apparatus are substantially reduced or eliminated according to the present teachings.

Abstract: A data storage system stores logical data object(s), each identified by a logical identifier. A control is configured to assign a unique WORM (Write Once Read Many) identifier to the logical data object, and stores the unique WORM identifier as associated with the logical identifier, in a database maintained by the control so as to be persistent. Data storage is configured to write the logical data object with a header with the unique WORM identifier. The control, in order to allow the logical data object to be accessed externally to the control, requires matching the unique WORM identifier in the header of a logical data object to the unique WORM identifier of the persistent database for the logical object. The unique WORM identifier is formed of a checksum hash value related to nonce fields comprising at least the logical identifier of the logical data object, and an incrementing token.

Abstract: A hard-disk drive (HDD) is described. During operation of the HDD, measured internal temperatures in the HDD may be stored in a first table, and state information specifying operational states of the HDD associated with ranges of internal temperatures may be stored in a second table. Note that a given operational state in the second table may be associated with a corresponding internal temperature in the first table. Furthermore, during operation of the HDD, the first table and/or the second table may be stored on: a rotatable medium in the HDD, a semiconductor memory in the HDD, or both. This stored table information may facilitate error detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: An electronic device capable of starting up in a low-temperature environment and a startup method for starting up the electronic device in the low-temperature environment and provide a stable operation temperature. The electronic device includes a temperature detection unit, a plurality of electronic elements, a storage unit, and a control unit. The electronic elements connects to the temperature detection unit. The storage unit stores a temperature monitoring process and an operating system. The control unit electrically connects to the temperature detection unit, the electronic elements, and the storage unit. The control unit acquires an operation temperature of the electronic elements through the temperature detection unit.

Abstract: A data storage system for detecting a location of a head relative to a magnetic media is described. This system comprises arms, a preamplifier circuit coupled to the arms for controlling the arms, a proximity sensing system positioned within the preamplifier circuit, the proximity sensing system comprising: an input stage for transmitting an input sense signal; a programmable gain stage coupled to receive the input sense signal and operative for transmitting a gain signal in response to receiving the input sense signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the gain signal and at least one control signal, the multiplexer operative for transmitting a multiplexed signal; a detector coupled to receive the multiplexed signal and a second control signal, the detector operative for transmitting an output signal; wherein an amplitude associated with the output signal enables detecting the location of the head.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.

Abstract: A thermally compensated fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary member and a rotatable member rotatable about the stationary member. A hub is coupled with the rotatable member and includes ceramic material with a first coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein the hub is operable to be coupled with a data storage disk. Further the first coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially equal to a second coefficient of thermal expansion of the data storage disk.

Abstract: A tape library control apparatus includes a storage for storing configuration information, a diagnostic evaluator, and a command controller. A tape library apparatus includes may include a plurality of tape drives and a plurality of magnetic tapes which includes specific magnetic tapes assigned for respective pieces of data specified by each data request issued by a host computer and a common magnetic tape provided for writing the respective pieces of the data. The diagnostic evaluator determines a use mode of the tape library apparatus on the basis of the configuration information. When the total number of the specific magnetic tapes is higher than the number of available tape drives, the use mode is determined and a command is issued to the tape library apparatus from the command controller to write data to the specific magnetic tape and to write to the common magnetic tape the respective pieces of the data.

Abstract: A method and system for sensing the current applied to the motor of a data storage device and determining whether a shock event has occurred by processing the sensed current levels.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive having a tape drive system for moving magnetic tape, tape read/write and servo system, tape cartridge load/unload systems, I/O communications, memory; and a control system, operates in three modes to conserve energy consumption. A first low power mode powers the I/O communications, the memory, and the control system. If a magnetic tape cartridge is in loaded position in the magnetic tape drive, the second low power mode powers the same as the first low power mode, and additionally powers the tape drive system to apply tension to a magnetic tape of the magnetic tape cartridge. In the first and the second low power modes, the control system operates the I/O communications, the memory and the control system to respond to and execute commands received at the I/O communications if the commands are executable without magnetic tape access. The third, full power mode, is entered if a command received at the I/O communications requires magnetic tape access.

Abstract: A token value is maintained based on an allowable number of low power transitions of a hard disk drive without adversely affecting reliability, compared to an actual number of low power transitions of said hard disk drive. The allowable number of low power transitions increases over the hard disk drive's lifetime. Before the hard disk drive performs a low power transition, the token is evaluated to determine if the hard disk drive is allowed to perform a low power transition. Low power transitions discussed include parking the head and spinning-down the hard disk drive.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a patterned magnetic storage medium is disclosed herein. The magnetic storage medium includes a pattern formed on a substrate. The pattern includes at least a first and second feature and an edge defined between the first and second features. Additionally, the magnetic storage medium includes a magnetic layer formed on the pattern. The magnetic layer includes grains separated by a non-magnetic segregant boundary. The segregant boundary is positioned above the edge of the pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a tape recorder that has a tape including at least one partition and that controls access to the tape. The tape recorder includes: means for identifying a position of data on the tape; means for sequentially reading necessary data areas in the data; means for sequentially copying the necessary data areas to the beginning of an empty area on the tape; means for creating a continuous front empty area formed of unnecessary data areas and copy source areas of the necessary data areas on the tape; and means for moving a beginning of the partition (BOP) to a position immediately after the front empty area and for updating the position information on the beginning of the partition.

Abstract: Timing at which a rotation of a physical disk can stop is taken to more appropriately stop the rotation of the physical disk.

Abstract: A system to interface analog-to-digital converters to inputs with arbitrary common-modes includes a common-mode voltage amplifier circuit and a PGA circuit connected to the common-mode voltage amplifier circuit. The common-mode voltage amplifier and PGA circuits receive first and second analog input signals. The PGA circuit eliminates the arbitrary common-modes from the first and second analog input signals based on an output of the common-mode voltage amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion. The upper thrust portion includes a tubular first outer circumferential surface arranged radially outside the upper thrust portion, and a tubular second outer circumferential surface arranged above the first outer circumferential surface. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion, a tubular portion, and an annular cover portion. The annular cover portion includes a plate portion and an inner annular projecting portion arranged to project upward or downward. An inner circumferential surface of the inner annular projecting portion is arranged above an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion. An upper seal portion includes a surface of a lubricating oil located therein.

Abstract: A motor includes a seal cap and a tubular portion. The seal cap includes a first seal cap lower surface which is an annular surface facing axially downward, and a second seal cap lower surface which is an annular surface facing axially downward and arranged radially outward of the first seal cap lower surface. The tubular portion includes a first tubular portion upper surface which is an annular surface arranged axially opposite to the first seal cap lower surface, and a second tubular portion upper surface which is an annular surface arranged radially outward of the first tubular portion upper surface and in contact with the second seal cap lower surface. The first tubular portion upper surface includes an oil-repellent film region covered with an oil-repellent film. A substantially annular radially extending gap is defined between the first tubular portion upper surface and the first seal cap lower surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for measuring a signal using a measurement system. The signal has a frequency component that is to be detected by the measurement. The frequency component has a varying phase. The signal has at least one interruption thereto. The method includes: processing the signal with the measurement system to detect the frequency component in the signal and stalling the measurement system before the start of the interruption. The stall period is calculated such that the processing of the signal is resumed: i) after the end of the interruption, and ii) where there is substantially no discontinuity between the phase of the frequency component in the signal at the end of the stall and in the phase of the frequency component in the signal at the beginning of the stall.

Abstract: A control system for achieving high-speed torque for a joint of a robot includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) having a collocated joint processor and high-speed communication bus. The PCBA may also include a power inverter module (PIM) and local sensor conditioning electronics (SCE) for processing sensor data from one or more motor position sensors. Torque control of a motor of the joint is provided via the PCBA as a high-speed torque loop. Each joint processor may be embedded within or collocated with the robotic joint being controlled. Collocation of the joint processor, PIM, and high-speed bus may increase noise immunity of the control system, and the localized processing of sensor data from the joint motor at the joint level may minimize bus cabling to and from each control node. The joint processor may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Abstract: An information handling system includes a free fall sensing system having an amplifier and sampling circuit, a sampling data analyzer, a sampling clock duration controller, and a sampling clock generator. The amplifier and sampling circuit is configured to sample data signals from the free fall sensor based on an initial sampling signal and based on a variable sampling signal. The sampling data analyzer is configured to compare a magnitude of sampled data point to a predetermined magnitude, to output an alert signal when the magnitude of the sampled data point is below the predetermined magnitude. The sampling clock duration controller is configured to vary a duration and a frequency of a sampling signal control in response to the alert signal. The sampling clock generator is configured to send a variable sampling signal to the amplifier and sampling circuit in response to the variation of the duration and the frequency of the sampling signal control.

Abstract: An SPM driver drives a spindle motor. A VCM driver drives a VCM. A DC/DC converter (switching regulator) receives a power supply voltage from an external circuit, and generates a stabilized voltage. Linear regulators each receive a power supply voltage from an external circuit, and each generates a stabilized voltage. A shock detection circuit detects vibration of a device mounting the driving circuit. A power monitoring circuit monitors the power supply voltage, and generates a power-on reset signal which is switched to a predetermined level whenever the power supply voltage is cut off. An ADC converts the back electromotive voltage that occurs at the VCM into a digital signal. A serial interface receives data from an external host processor, which is used to control the driving circuit. Cutoff circuits are arranged between the capacitors, which are to be charged using the induced current that occurs at the SPM, and the power supply terminal.

Abstract: A portable telephone device (10) includes: a noncontact IC card communication unit (30) that performs a noncontact IC card communication; a vibration alert unit (22) that notifies the user by vibration that the noncontact IC card communication unit (30) is performing the noncontact IC card communication; and an IC card vibration alert control unit (44) that performs the control to regulate the vibration of the vibration alert unit (22) so that the vibration of the vibration alert unit (22) does not affect the communication state of the noncontact IC card communication unit (30).

Abstract: A method for monitoring and predicting health of tape drives and media in a tape library. The method includes receiving exchange data associated with an exchange in the tape library. Then the method includes, with an analytics module, processing the exchange data to determine gain types for the exchange. Based on the gain type, a health gain value is assigned to a tape drive and media and current suspicion level values are independently assigned to the tape drive and the media. The method includes assigning a first health indicator to the media and a second health indicator to the tape drive based on these two suspicion level values. In some embodiments of the method, the current suspicion level value calculating step includes summing the health gain value with a number of health gain values assigned to the tape drive and the media for up to a predefined number of monitored exchanges.

Abstract: A data storage device for use as a portable card, magnetically encodeable card, magnetic credit card or the like is shown. The data storage device includes a substrate having at least one surface. A high density, magnetically coercive material layer is disposed on or is deposited on the substrate for storing magnetic signals. The magnetically coercive material may have an axis of magnetization that is oriented in a predetermined direction relative to the at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of non-magnetically material is disposed on the substrate for defining an exchange break layer.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for searching a start position of a broadcast program. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a received broadcast program is recorded in a recording medium while being output as video and audio. If a new broadcast program is started, position information regarding a start part of the new broadcast program is stored in a memory. Thus, a current broadcast program is reproduced from a start part by searching a start position of the current broadcast program recorded in the recording medium with reference to stored position information. A determination on whether the new broadcast program is started is done on the basis of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information or a change in audio and video signals. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search and reproduce a start part of a broadcast program which is currently recorded.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is discussed that includes: a data buffer, an inter-track interference response circuit, an inter-track interference signal estimator circuit, and a sync mark detector circuit. The data buffer is operable to store a previous track data set that includes a first sync pattern. The inter-track interference response circuit is operable to estimate an inter-track interference response from the previous track data set based at least in part on the previous track data set and a current track data set. The current track data set includes a second sync pattern. The inter-track interference signal estimator circuit is operable to calculate an inter-track interference from the previous track data set based at least in part on the previous track data set and the inter-track interference response from the previous track data set.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for writing data to be played back onto a tape is provided. Included is an acquisition unit for acquiring data to be written onto the tape, a writing unit for writing the data to the tape, and a determination unit for determining a data amount of a leading part of the data to be stored in a place separate from a place where the data is stored so that a part following the leading part is made ready to be played back before playback of the leading part ends, to reduce the time taken to read the data from the tape. Also included is an extraction unit for extracting the data and a storage unit for storing the leading part of the data.

Abstract: A data storage system for detecting a location of a head relative to a magnetic media is described. This system comprises arms, a preamplifier circuit coupled to the arms for controlling the arms, a proximity sensing system positioned within the preamplifier circuit, the proximity sensing system comprising: an input stage for transmitting an input sense signal; a programmable gain stage coupled to receive the input sense signal and operative for transmitting a gain signal in response to receiving the input sense signal; a multiplexer coupled to receive the gain signal and at least one control signal, the multiplexer operative for transmitting a multiplexed signal; a detector coupled to receive the multiplexed signal and a second control signal, the detector operative for transmitting an output signal; wherein an amplitude associated with the output signal enables detecting the location of the head.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating and using servo correction data are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a data storage medium having a first track and a second track, servo correction data for the first track and the second track stored on the first track, and no servo correction data stored on the second track, and a controller configured to correct servo errors based on the servo correction data. In another embodiment a method may comprise receiving servo information related to a first data storage medium having a first track and a second track, generating one or more position error signals (PES) based on the servo information, generating servo correction data based on the one or more PES, and storing the servo correction data for the first track and the second track on the first track.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for automatic unthreading and storage of storage media helps prevent damage to the media, which can otherwise occur when the storage media is left threaded in a storage media drive over an extended period or under adverse conditions. A sensing device may generate a signal or a detector may receive a signal indicating that a predetermined period of time has lapsed or that some other criteria has been met indicating that the storage media should be removed from the storage media drive. An unthread module in the storage media drive receives the signal and automatically unthreads and stores the storage media. A location on the storage media can be marked by the unthread module prior to unthreading such that the media may be returned to the location upon rethreading.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are devices and processes for producing high resolution lithography or pattern formation on the nanometer scale, using a voltage-biased probe that is slider-mounted along with, or separate from but linked to, a magnetic read head within a HDD mechanism. The probe is guided and positioned over a target layer by the motion of the read head which is, itself, guided by signals from servo tracks on a magnetic layer that activate an electromechanical servomechanism within the HDD. An electric field produced by the probe is capable of modifying the surface of the target layer over which the probe flies either directly, or by current induced or thermally induced effects. Targets such as amorphous or crystalline silicon can be hydrogen passivated and the electric field will produce oxidized or anodized lines with nanometer resolution.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-program product for indicating progress status of a mid-tape or data recovery operation in a tape drive. The method includes visually indicating that a recovery operation has started, periodically determining the remaining recovery time based on the remaining tape spool, and displaying the determined remaining recovery time to show progress status of the operation. The determination of the remaining recovery time includes determining the length of the tape being processed based on an estimated radius of the remaining tape spool and system parameters. The remaining recovery time is displayed with a moving track to show progress toward completion.

Abstract: A transducer positioning apparatus is provided that supports a read/write head on a data storage machine and biases the head against rotation. The transducer positioning apparatus may comprise a base that includes a linear drive motor and a support frame to which the read/write head is secured. The support frame is reciprocally driven by the linear drive motor relative to the base. A magnetic coupling is provided between the base and the support frame that resists movement of the frame other than the reciprocal movement of the support frame relative to the base. A method is also disclosed for magnetically biasing a movable head of a transducer against rotation.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus is for a tape medium having a magnetic segment for magnetically transducing information and an identification segment carrying a medium identification pattern and a segment identification pattern. The tape drive apparatus has a data transfer apparatus configured to transfer data between the tape medium and the tape drive apparatus, a reader configured to read a signal representative of the identification segment, a detector configured to detect the segment identification pattern in the signal, and a decoder configured to decode the medium identification pattern in response to the detection of the segment identification pattern.