Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for an improved process for dissipating liquid droplets that may accumulate on a slider of the magnetic disk drive. For the droplet removal process, the slider having the liquid droplet is unloaded from the magnetic disk. For example, the slider may be unloaded from the magnetic disk and onto a ramp assembly. While unloaded from the magnetic disk, a heating power is applied to a TFC heating element in the slider to increase the temperature of the slider. The temperature is increased to a threshold temperature which dissipates any liquid droplets that may have accumulated on the slider. After the liquid droplets have dissipated, the slider may again be loaded onto the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive is further capable of transmitting the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive apparatus includes a disk having a plurality of tracks formed of approximately concentric patterns, a head slider reading and writing data from and to the disk, a motor driver configured to move the head slider to a target position on the disk, an electronic circuit configured to transfer the data to and from a host computer, and a power source configured to provide power to the electronic circuit based upon a position of the head slider.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetic device for writing to and reading from a magnetic medium and a sensor disposed adjacent to the magnetic device and proximate to the magnetic medium. The sensor generates signals related to thermal variations in the sensor caused by changes in a distance between the magnetic device and the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A storage buffer and a hard-disk drive are provided in a video data storage application. The hard-disk drive operates normally in a powered-down state, and video data are stored in the storage buffer during a first time interval. The hard-disk drive is operated in a powered-up state. A portion of the video data stored in the storage buffer is transferred to and stored in the hard-disk drive in the powered-up state during a second time interval that is substantially shorter than the first time interval. The hard-disk drive is returned to the powered-down state. A total hard-disk drive storage time, representing a sum of the second time intervals, spent transferring to and storing a portion of the video data in the hard-disk drive is substantially less than a total buffer storage time, representing a sum of the first time intervals, spent storing the video data in the storage buffer.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the embodiment, a recording apparatus includes: a recording medium unit having a metal face; a control circuit configured to operate the recording medium unit; a connector electrically connected to the control circuit and configured to transfer data between an external apparatus and the recording medium unit; and a metal portion disposed in a vicinity of the connector and electrically connected to the metal face.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium mounting detection unit configured to detect that a detachable recording medium is mounted, and a file analysis unit configured to analyze a file recorded in the recording medium. When the recording medium mounting detection unit detects that the recording medium is mounted, representative information that represents recorded content on the recording medium (a representative image and/or a representative title) is acquired from the recording medium and displayed on a display unit prior to file analysis by the file analysis unit.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus having access to a disk-shaped recording medium includes: a temperature detecting mechanism configured to detect an internal temperature; and a temperature control mechanism configured to change the disk drive apparatus to either an operating state or a stop state based on a change in the internal temperature, wherein a first temperature and a second temperature are different from each other, the temperature control mechanism changes the disk drive apparatus to the stop state at the first temperature and to the operating state at the second temperature.

Abstract: An information handling system may include a processor, a tape drive coupled to the processor, and a cache control module. The cache control module may be configured to receive a request from the processor for the tape drive; determine whether the tape drive is powered off; determine whether the tape drive needs to be powered on to process the request; and respond to the request on behalf of the tape drive if it is determined that (a) the tape drive is powered off and (b) the tape drive does not need to be powered on to process the request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk device including a spindle motor using a fluid dynamic bearing, which can send back READY within a period requested by a host system at the time of starting a magnetic disk device under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions without a particular heating approach. According to one embodiment, the magnetic disk device sets a waiting time in a period from when a spindle motor reaches a rated speed until when an HSA is loaded to a magnetic disk at the time of starting under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions within such a range that the timeout of the host does not occur, and the spindle motor itself is heated by rotation of the spindle motor in the waiting time to lower viscosity of the lubrication fluid to ensure sufficient voltage margin for an SPM driver.

Abstract: A total amount, M, of memory is allocated over streaming data buffers (86). The memory is partitioned over a set of streams (88), each stream being given a partitioned amount of buffer memory. Scheduling is repeatedly performed during each filling/emptying cycle. The scheduling includes: spinning up a storage disk (80), filling/emptying each stream buffer by reading/writing from/to the storage disk until the respective stream buffer is full/empty, determining an earliest next spinning up time, putting the storage disk in standby mode, spinning down the storage disk, re-determining, at or just prior to the earliest next spinning up time, a new earliest spinning up time based on current buffer fullness, iteratively re-determining the new earliest spinning up time until the time is within a predetermined closeness to the previous time, or within a predetermined closeness to the current time, and waiting until the next earliest spinning up time, or just prior to that time.

Abstract: A hard disk drive including an actuator arm to pivot across a disk and having a read/write head disposed at an end of the actuator arm to read data from the disk and to write data to the disk, and a crash stop to prevent the read/write head from being pivoted beyond a preset outermost position of the disk. The crash stop can include a housing coupled to a base of the disk drive and disposed adjacent to an outer circumference of the disk, and a buffer member forcibly coupled to the housing. A coupling groove can be provided on one of the housing and the buffer member and a coupling protrusion can be provided on the other one of the housing and the buffer member to precisely locate the read/write head at the preset outermost position of the disk when the actuator arm contacts the crash stop.

Abstract: A reversible multicolor thermal recording medium which is free from fogging and has sharp contrast even after recording and erasing are performed repeatedly, and a recording method using the same are provided. A reversible multicolor recording medium is provided, which includes recording layers each containing a plurality of reversible thermal coloring compositions having different coloring tones, formed to be separated from and stacked on a surface direction of a supporting substrate; and the plurality of reversible thermal coloring compositions containing light-to-heat transforming materials which absorb infrared rays having different wavelength ranges to generate heat, respectively; wherein an absorption peak wavelength of the light-to-heat transforming material contained in the recording layers becomes the longest wavelength at the layer formed nearest the supporting substrate, and becomes a shorter wavelength as the layer is closer to the surface layer in the stacked order.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus recording data of a CD on an HDD in a manner such that the content of record in the CD is faithfully accounted for and shortening an operation time for a synchronized ripping operation. When the data recording apparatus reads, from the CD, track data managed by track, according to TOC, and records the track data onto the HDD, the data recording apparatus recognizes data unrecorded on the HDD, from among the track data recorded on the CD. This recognition process is automatically performed based on the TOC read from the CD, and album information replayed using the TOC and held by the HDD. The recording apparatus reproduces and outputs only the unrecorded data from the CD based on the recognition result concerning the unrecorded data. In this way, the data already recorded on the HDD is not transferred from the CD to the HDD. The operation time for the synchronized ripping operation is reduced accordingly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for isolating marginal recording to media or recording apparatus is disclosed. The method includes generating an experience metric from an interaction between a media mounted in a drive, updating one or more metrics for each of the media and the drive based on the experience metric and one or more prior metrics of the media and the drive, storing the one or more updated metrics to the associated media and drive, and utilizing the one or more updated metrics to predict performance trends of the media and the drive for preventative maintenance purposes. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disk array unit connected to a host unit to give information thereto and receive information therefrom. The disk unit includes a plurality of disk units for storing information transmitted from the host unit and a management information recording device, formed by utilizing information storage areas in the disk units, for causing information relating to a logical unit for storing information from the host unit to correspond to information relating to the units. The invention further includes a control unit, when there is no access from the host unit to the logical unit for a predetermined time, for determining the disk units corresponding to the logical unit based on information recorded in the management information recording device and performing power saving of power supply for the disk units.

Abstract: A storage control device includes an obtaining unit that obtains data; a recognition unit that recognizes an area among areas in a storage unit, as a recordable area, the area to be recognized being where the data obtained by the obtaining unit is stored and overwriting has been executed a predetermined number of times; a recording unit that records data obtained by the obtaining unit onto the recordable area recognized by the recognition unit; a first overwriting unit that executes the overwriting on an area where data has been recorded by the recording unit and the overwriting has not yet been executed the predetermined number of times; and a specifying unit that specifies a remaining count for each of the areas in the storage unit, the remaining count indicating a difference between the predetermined number of times and a number of times the overwriting has been executed.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head adapted for at least one of reading from a magnetic medium and writing to the medium; a drive mechanism for directing the medium over the head; and a first element for selectively altering a voltage of the medium for altering a state of hydration of the medium.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes plural trays each incorporating plural HDDs and a controller that controls access to the HDDs in response to an access request from a host apparatus. The controller also includes a table, in which standard power and a start-up power supply status are associated with each other for each of the trays, a table that manages total power required by the trays and present power consumed by the trays, and a table that defines maximum available power relative to the total power. The controller, when receiving a power-on setting request for a certain tray, judges whether or not the tray can be turned on based on the standard power for the tray and the present power, and the controller, upon determining that the tray can be turned on, turns on the tray.

Abstract: In an automated library, data cartridges, such as magnetic tape cartridges, are stored in storage cells and accessed by data storage drives. An accessor with a gripper transports cartridges between storage cells and storage drives. Cartridges are prioritized according to their relative importance. A processor manages the placement of the cartridges in cells by having higher priority cartridges stored closer to the front of multi-cartridge cells than cartridges with a lower priority. Cartridges with a higher priority may also be stored closer to a storage drive than cartridges with a lower priority. A pusher may be used to push cartridges towards the front of multi-cartridge cells with an empty position to enable the gripper to reach the front cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing integrated circuits is disclosed. The apparatus for testing integrated circuits comprises an integrated circuit and a tester. The integrated circuit undergoing testing receives an input signal, and outputs an output signal from a first output terminal or a second output terminal according to a first pulse width of the input signal, and outputs an error signal according to a difference between the first pulse width and a second pulse width. The tester outputs the input signal according to the output signal and the error signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is disk drive comprising an actuator including a head, a disk having a plurality of tracks, and a processor to control the movement of the actuator and the head relative to the disk. The processor is coupled to the actuator by a flex circuit cable. The processor commands the application of a pre-calibrated bias signal to the actuator during an idle mode to compensate for a bias force imparted by the flex circuit cable upon the actuator such that the head is maintained proximate a pre-determined track of the disk within a pre-determined idle zone of tracks and further determines if a back electromagnetic force (BEMF) reading associated with the actuator is greater than the threshold value, and if so, commands an exit out of the idle mode.

Abstract: A hard disk drive that calculates an environmental condition, such as altitude, without a sensor. The disk drive includes a temperature sensor that senses a disk drive temperature and a humidity sensor that senses drive humidity. A controller of the disk drive determines whether a variation in a flying height of a head is due to a change in temperature and/or a change in humidity. If not, the controller calculates a change in altitude based on a difference between an estimated variation in flying height and the actual variation in flying height. The new calculated altitude can be used to vary disk drive operating parameters such as write parameters of the heads.

Abstract: A disk drive that protects stored data from stray magnetic fields is disclosed. Sensors for sensing stray magnetic fields are mounted to the base and/or cover of the drive and aligned with the trajectory of the movement of the read/write head. If the sensors, which have memory such as a toggle switch, are exposed to a high stray magnetic field, operation of the drive is suspended until a follow-up algorithm or protocol is implemented. The sensors can sense specific direction of stray fields. The sensor can change resistance if a high stray field is detected. The information in the sensors is collected and processed by the drive controller.

Abstract: A media information distribution and recording system for distributing media information from a central apparatus to terminal apparatus through a network and for recording the media information on a detachable recording medium in the terminal apparatus, wherein the terminal apparatus serves not only as a transmitting terminal apparatus, but also as a receiving terminal apparatus, is proposed, together with the terminal apparatus, a media information recording apparatus for use in this system, and a recording medium which stores a program that controls the operation of a computer for use in this system as well as in the media information recording apparatus.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism having clamping jaws is provided for holding an object. The clamping mechanism comprises a solenoid pad connected to at least one of the clamping jaws which is operative to actuate movement of the clamping jaw, and a solenoid motor that is operative to attract the solenoid pad towards it when it is energized. Further, a voice coil motor is rigidly coupled to the solenoid pad to drive the solenoid pad in directions towards or away from the solenoid motor.

Abstract: A spindle/voice coil motor (VCM) driver includes a clock management module that receives a system clock signal and a second clock signal, and that selects one of the system clock signal or the second clock signal as a selected clock signal. A reference generating module generates a reference signal. A ramp generating module receives the selected clock signal and generates a ramp signal. A pulse width modulation (PWM) module receives the reference signal and the ramp signal and outputs a first PWM driver signal based thereon.

Abstract: Track pitches of all the tracks of a disk medium provided in a storage apparatus are examined in a manufacturing examination step. First of all, a target position path which varies a target track position so that the position crosses the tracks is generated, and a head actuator is subjected to feedback control so that head detection positions track the target position path. Track pitch abnormality is determined when an error between the target position path and the head detection positions exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the track number is recorded in a track skip table of the medium. As the target position path, a target position sine-wave path having the amplitude of the width of plural tracks is generated in synchronization with rotation of the medium. As another target position path, a target position straight-line path which passes each track interval in certain time between the outermost and the innermost of the medium is generated.

Abstract: A data storage library is described including a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary memory device adapted to maintain a load count that is incremented whenever the tape cartridge is loaded in a tape drive. The library also includes, a library tape drive adapted to increment the load count every time the tape cartridge is loaded in the library tape drive, an auxiliary storage device capable of maintaining knowledge of the incremented load count only from when the tape cartridge is loaded with the library tape drive, and an auxiliary memory device reader capable of reading the load count from the auxiliary memory device. The library further includes a processing device adapted to receive and compare the knowledge maintained in the auxiliary storage device with the load count from the auxiliary memory device that is read via the auxiliary memory device reader that if different, the processing device is capable of transmitting a notification to an end user.

Abstract: A failure predicting unit predicts a failure in a hard disk device that forms a disk array. A data transferring unit transfers data from a failure-predicted hard disk device for which the failure is predicted by the failure predicting unit to a spare disk. A data deleting unit deletes the data from the failure-predicted hard disk device after the data transferring unit completes transferring the data.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus to write and read copy protected data on a disc drive storage system by encoding and decoding data to be copy protected using servo wedge data as the encoding element. In one aspect, the drive is marked by a number generated from the servo wedge data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention appropriately control the flying height of a magnetic head slider as necessary without making the magnetic head slider touch the magnetic disk. In one embodiment, when a magnetic disk drive is started, the level of electric power predefined for the ordinary temperature (room temperature) is read in from the internal memory of an MPU. A temperature sensor measures the internal temperature of the magnetic disk drive and sends it to the MPU. According to the temperature sent from the temperature sensor, the MPU calculates the level of electric power which should be applied to a flying height adjustment structure. According to the calculated electric power, the MPU increases or decreases the electric power applied to the flying height adjustment structure. At a flying height controlled (corrected) by the flying height adjustment structure, a magnetic head slider performs read/write on a magnetic disk.

Abstract: A drive for data storage includes a first component and a second component movable with respect to the first component. The drive also includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is in connection with the first component and is configured to detect movement of the first component. The second sensor is in connection with the second component and is configured to detect movement of the second component.

Abstract: In an automated library, data cartridges, such as magnetic tape cartridges, are stored in storage cells and accessed by data storage drives. An accessor with a gripper transports cartridges between storage cells and storage drives. Cartridges are prioritized according to their relative importance. A processor manages the placement of the cartridges in cells by having higher priority cartridges stored closer to the front of multi-cartridge cells than cartridges with a lower priority. Cartridges with a higher priority may also be stored closer to a storage drive than cartridges with a lower priority. A pusher may be used to push cartridges towards the front of multi-cartridge cells with an empty position to enable the gripper to reach the front cartridge.

Abstract: A disk drive that contains a fly on demand head (FOD) and a process for determining contact between the FOD head and a disk. The head includes a heating coil that can receive various levels of power. The process may include a routine to determine head position estimate error data. Variance values for the estimate error data are generated for different power values and used to determine a contact point between the head and the disk. The process may also collect a plurality of signal amplification gain control (SAGC) signal values and compute an average of the SAGC values. Average SAGC values for different power levels can be generated and used to determine a contact point between the head and the disk.

Abstract: A DVD recorder includes a control portion operating in response to a signal received via a monitor portion from a temperature sensor provided internal to a casing of a hard disk device. If the temperature sensor senses temperature of at least 65° C. the control portion turns on a cooling fan device. If temperature T is lower than 65° C. the control portion turns off the cooling fan device. As the temperature sensor that is previously provided in the hard disk device can be utilized to control the cooling fan device, the apparatus can be less costly than that provided with a separate, dedicated temperature sensor, as conventional.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a hard disk drive, an acceleration sensor, and a determination section. The hard disk drive is capable of moving a head of the hard disk drive to a data-free landing zone. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration. The determination section obtains a low frequency component from the detected acceleration and determines whether it is necessary to move the head of the hard disk drive to the data-free landing zone based on the low frequency component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of monitoring a hard disk drive (HDD) include a HDD motor state detector for detecting the state of the motor of the HDD. Because the control information on the HDD is not acquired while the motor of the HDD is stopped, the HDD is not accessed and the motor is not operated. This structure can provide a HDD monitoring apparatus that prevents troubles induced during the motor is running.

Abstract: A method of storing and accessing data from a storage device. The method includes providing a storage that includes a first interface associated with a read-write head configured to read and write data to the storage, the storage further having a second interface associated with a read-only head configured to only read data from the storage, where the first interface includes a hardware selection switch for configuring a first head assembly carrying the read-write head to read data from and write data to the storage, and where the second interface includes a second hardware selection switch for configuring a second head assembly carrying the read-only head to only read data from the storage, and where a first computer connected to the first interface can both read and write data to the storage, while a second computer connected to the second interface can only read data from the storage.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes: a driving unit; and control part configured to control the driving unit. The control part includes: a position error feedback control system and a two-degree-of-freedom control system. The position error feedback control system has an integrator and a phase-lead compensator and is operative to determine a position command based on a target position and a sensed position of the magnetic head, thereby performs feedback control on the driving unit. The two-degree-of-freedom control system receives as input a target moving distance of the magnetic head and outputs a current command to the driving unit by using a mathematical model of the driving unit. The control part updates the mathematical model, and has a first update mode in which the mathematical model is updated using the output of the phase-lead compensator while the output of the integrator is provided to the driving unit.

Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each of which substantially houses a tape medium with a known storage capacity that includes both available storage space for storing new user data and consumed storage space which contains previously stored user data. Each tape cartridge also possesses an associated auxiliary memory device adapted to acquire and maintain knowledge of the available storage space relative to the associated tape cartridge. The library further includes at least one tape drive capable of writing the new user data and reading the previously stored user data from the tape medium. The tape drive can transfer the knowledge of the available storage space remaining on each of the tape cartridges to the auxiliary memory device associated with each of the tape cartridges which can then be transferred a user of data immediately or at a later time.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a disturbance in power from a power supply, wherein the disturbance without the compensating would otherwise affect a positioning apparatus coupled to the power supply. The method comprises receiving the disturbance in power from the power supply, deriving a compensation for the disturbance in the power, and transmitting the compensation to a control system for the positioning apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording device comprises, when writing asynchronous data not recorded in a disk-like recording medium among data recorded in a non-volatile memory by a control module, a setting module is configured to place priority order of writing the asynchronous data to the disk-like recording medium in response to a state of each recording area with the asynchronous data of the non-volatile memory recorded therein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive apparatus includes a sensor to detect mechanical shocks to the disk drive apparatus and to provide a shock output signal representative of such mechanical shocks, a first filter coupled to the sensor to filter the shock output signal to pass signals having a first frequency component, a second filter to independently filter the shock output signal to provide signals having a second frequency component, a detector to inhibit write operations of the disk drive apparatus responsive to the shock output signal from the first filter, and a controller coupled to the second filter to compensate for low frequency mechanical disturbances during write operations to a track on the disk drive apparatus responsive to low frequency component.

Abstract: Magazine insertion is detected and suction of the magazine toward the deep end of a data library device casing is started. An identification code recorded on a recording medium cassette contained in the magazine is read at the timing when the cassette passes a read area of a read device arranged on the data library device case and stored in correspondence with the storage position. Operation is performed according to the storage when transferring the recording medium cassette between the magazine and a drive.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus has a data transfer apparatus for transferring data between a loaded tape medium and the tape drive apparatus. A data processing apparatus is coupled to the data transfer apparatus for formatting the loaded tape medium. The formatting of the tape medium is performed using an identifier of the tape medium. For example, the identifier is written together with the formatting information onto the tape medium for later reference.

Abstract: A system comprises a data management system, a media transport unit with a plurality of bins, each bin having a bin specific capacity for storing storage media units, at least one data processing unit and at least one loader mechanism for selectively moving a media unit from its actual location to another location within the media transport unit, a number of storage media units loaded in particular ones of the bins, and a control unit functionally interconnecting as programming interface said data management system and said media transport unit. The control unit is configured to emulate functionalities of a media changer with elective media access by generating, updating and managing a table, the table having a number of rows, wherein each storage media unit is assigned to exactly one of those rows which are identified as unique virtual slots.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape device, upon receiving a magnetic tape cartridge from an insertion slot, an authentication unit reads data that is stored in an electronic tag and based on the read data, checks validity of the magnetic tape cartridge. A robot conveys only a valid magnetic tape cartridge to a drive.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a disk drive that ensures quieter rotational acceleration of a recording disk. Certain embodiments relate to a hard disk drive that detects the vibration of an enclosure by monitoring, via a driver, a counter electromotive voltage generated in a voice coil motor. If the hard disk drive detects a predetermined level of vibration or higher in the enclosure, it switches the status of a drive signal applied to a spindle motor so as to reduce the current level or smooth the waveform. This ensures reduced vibration of the enclosure.

Abstract: A servo system for a hard disk drive comprising a first actuator, a second actuator, a head, and a disk on which is formed a plurality of tracks containing servo data. The servo system comprises a first stimulus, a second stimulus, and a calibration system. The first stimulus causes the first actuator to move the head to at least two calibration tracks on the disk. The second stimulus causes the second actuator to move the head relative to the at least two calibration tracks. The calibration system generates a calibration factor based on the second calibration signal and the movement of the second actuator relative to each of the at least two calibration tracks.