Abstract: A disk drive for driving a disk is disclosed, which includes: a driving unit configured to provide a driving force onto the disk, a main circuit pattern electrically connected with the driving unit, a sensor unit configured to sense a rotation speed of the disk, a first board supporting the sensor unit, a second board supporting the first board, and a base plate supporting the second board and the driving unit. One of the first board and the second board can be a flexible board electrically connecting the sensor unit with the main circuit pattern, and the other of the first board and the second board can be a rigid board. This disk drive can be utilized to ensure the distance between the sensor unit and the disk required for a rotation sensor to measure the rotation speed of the disk.

Abstract: A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium is provided. The tension sensor comprises a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium; at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin. In some embodiments, the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.

Abstract: A magnetic tape which is run at a speed of 4 m/sec. or higher and has recording tracks with a width of 21 ?m or less, and which includes a non-magnetic support, at least one magnetic layer formed on one surface of the non-magnetic support, and a backcoat layer formed on the other surface of the non-magnetic support, wherein servo signals for controlling tracking are recorded on the magnetic layer or the backcoat layer, the value of (?/W)×(V/f) is 10 [s?1] or less, and/or the value of (?/W) is 0.1 or less, wherein V [mm/sec.] is a tape-running speed is; ? [?m] is an amount of a weave with a cycle of f [mm] on one edge of the tape or the other edge thereof as the reference side for the running of the tape; and W [?m] is a width of the recording track. The magnetic tape can decrease PES and off-track and thus is excellent in servo tracking performance.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes: a medium for storing data having synchronization marks and data blocks, the synchronization mark and the data block being allocated alternately in the circumference direction of the medium; a head writing data into or reading out data from the medium; and a processor for executing a process including: reading out synchronization marks, measuring time for the head to pass through each of the data blocks based on signals read out from each of the synchronization marks in the circumference direction, generating write/read clock for each of the data blocks, which is continuously changing in speed, by calculating difference in time for the head to pass through the each one of the data blocks and its adjacent one of the blocks on the basis of the time measured, and writing data into or reading out data from the medium in synchronization with the write/read clock.

Abstract: An electronic information storage apparatus includes: a storage that stores electronic information; a check unit that reads out the electronic information stored in the storage to check whether the electronic information is written normally or not; and a controller that, in a case where the electronic information is stored in the storage under a predetermined condition, controls the check unit to carry out an operation to check a state of writing of the electronic information.

Abstract: A balance correction apparatus is configured to correct weight imbalance around an axis of a spindle motor, and includes a piezoelectric actuator configured to apply an impact to a housing, a controller configured to generate as a rectangular wave a force profile that represents an acceleration applied to the housing by the piezoelectric actuator, and a waveform generator configured to generate a voltage waveform configured to drive the piezoelectric actuator, by integrating the force profile twice. The rectangular wave has a first acceleration after a leading edge and a second acceleration after a trailing edge. The first acceleration enables the disc to move relative to the spindle motor and the housing. The second acceleration enables the disc to move together with the spindle motor and the housing.

Abstract: A data transferring method is provided which can perform a data transfer without stopping transactions, without introducing a new device or without halting an access to a tape device by a higher-level device as would otherwise be required by a data transfer procedure. A technology is provided whereby a host computer controls an access request to a tape volume by managing and using information about source/destination tape devices (e.g., magnetic tape library management table and virtual tape management table) or data transfer state in a journal. As a result, even if an access request is issued from other device to a tape volume currently being data-transferred, the access can be made to the tape volume of interest without stopping transactions, i.e., a data transfer can be realized without an interruption of service.

Abstract: A drive section which moves a head above an information storage medium and a control section are provided, and each track on the information storage medium is made up of alternating first regions for writing in and reading out user information and second regions that store information for the positioning of the head. The control section is provided with a feedback control value determining section for eliminating the difference between the head position and the representative position of the first region, which is an access object, a performing control value determining section for determining the performing control value for the performing control by finding the logical control value associated with the first region where the feedback control value is determined and adding the feedback control value to this logical control value and a performing control section for actually controlling the drive section.

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 magnetic disk apparatus 1 that uses a head 50 to write data in a plurality of unit areas arranged in an adjacent relationship to each other on a surface of a magnetic disk 60, and includes: a first recording section that records, in a RAM 12, the position of a unit area which is a target of data write; a first counting section that counts the number of times of data write operation performed for the unit area corresponding to the position recorded by the first recording section; and a second recording section that records, in a non-volatile storage medium different from the RAM 12, the side position which is the position of a unit area adjacent to the unit area whose number of records counted by the first counting section is more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A notch filter in a servo control loop is phase locked to a nonrepeatable runout component of a servo control loop signal. The phase locked notch filter may thereby more effectively track time varying characteristics of the nonrepeatable runout component so that they can be at least partially reduced in the servo control loop signal.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly (20) for the transmission of data relative to a magnetic storage tape (278) includes a tape head (260), a cartridge receiver (268) and a controller (44). The cartridge receiver (268) selectively receives a cartridge (54) having a lapping tape (478) that laps the tape head (260). The controller (44) dynamically adjusts one of (i) a tension of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260), (ii) an oscillation frequency of the tape head (260) relative to the lapping tape (478), and (iii) a lateral velocity of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260). The controller (44) can use an algorithm to adjust these conditions. The algorithm can be based on the pliability of the lapping tape (478), a curvature of the tape head (260) and/or the grit of the lapping tape (478).

Abstract: At least one rotating memory medium such as a hard disk is installed in a hard disk drive or the like. The disk drive has a controller, controller memory and one or more heads for writing and reading to and from one or both sides of the disk. The disk is scanned for defects as sector locations, servo wedges and other information are recorded on tracks on the disk. Some unused space is reserved around the track to compensate for the area lost to defects. If a defect is detected in a sector, the sector is split into first and second parts on either side of the defective space. The location of the defective space is recorded in the controller memory and is processed like a servo wedge. In this manner, only part of the sector is lost due to the defect.

Abstract: A barrier mechanism, which is often utilized in a disk changer device, is disclosed herein, in which the barrier mechanism includes two wheels and a barrier belt loop. The two wheels are respectively installed on a top terminal and a bottom terminal of an edge of the disk insertion opening of the magazine. A barrier belt loop which is used for selectively traverse one of the plurality of disk holding members, includes an inner section with a traversing recess carved therein. The inner section is adjacent to the disk insertion opening of the magazine of the disk changer device, and the mechanical coupling between the barrier belt loop and the processing mechanism enables the traversing recess constantly aligned with the optical pick-up unit. Accordingly, the traversing recess is horizontally aligned with the predetermined disk holding member, thereby the procedure enables the drafting unit to extract the predetermined disk holding member through the traversing recess into the optical pick-up unit.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the capability to specify a recorded position of designated data, even when a tape medium is run at high speed. A controller of a tape drive includes: a data set generator for generating a data set; a metadata generator for generating metadata including the number of records in the data set and the like; and a writing unit for writing the data set to the tape medium with a high recording density, and writing the metadata to the tape medium with a low recording density. The controller also includes: a movement controller for receiving a record number of a designated record; a reading unit for obtaining the number of records and the like included in the metadata read by running the tape medium at high speed; and a comparison unit for determining whether or not to read the data set by lowering the speed of the tape medium to R/W speed, in comparison with the record number received by the movement controller and the number of records and the like obtained by the reading unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for utilizing target of opportunity to perform at least one special operation while a removable storage medium is mounted within a data storage drive for another purpose. A target of opportunity is recognized by determining if at least one special operation may be performed by the data storage drive. If it is determined that at least one special operation may be performed then a first notification that the data storage drive is to remain in a not ready state is sent in response. At least one special operation is performed, and in response to the at least one special operation being performed, a second notification is sent that the removable storage medium is in a ready state or an error state.

Abstract: A hard disk drive including an electrical property meter sensing a spindle control signal to create an electrical property reading. Spindle control signal stimulates spindle motor to rotate at least one disk, creating rotating disk surface accessed by slider. Control circuit receives electrical property reading to create contact indication of slider contacting rotating disk surface, which may further include determining contact indication as spike in electrical property history of the readings. The electrical property meter may include ammeter and/or voltmeter. The control circuit, printed circuit board assembly, and/or motor control interface may include the electrical property meter. The control circuit may also include processor receiving electrical property reading to create contact indication. The hard disk drive may update contact log when contact indicated and may further update access parameter list for the slider accessing the rotating disk surface based upon the contact log.

Abstract: A hard disk drive enhances random number generation. In particular embodiments, the hard disk drive includes a controller, a hard disk, and a head. The head includes a read sensor for reading patterns on the hard disk. The controller generates a random number based on information associated with the position of the head relative to at least one track of the hard disk.

Abstract: A hard disk includes: a plurality of servo areas which are elongated radially from a center of the hard disk to an outward thereof over tracks thereof; and a plurality of data areas which are respectively provided between the plurality of servo areas; wherein alternative operation is conducted per servo sector containing one of the plurality of servo areas and a data area provided subsequent to the one of the plurality of servo areas and having a defect created therein when a user sector containing at least a portion of the data area and functioning as an access unit has the defect therein.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for reducing vibrations in various modes of a dynamic system. One such technique comprises incorporating vibration limiting and sensitivity constraints into a partial fraction expansion equation model of the system so as to reduce vibrations to specific levels. Another technique comprises shaping a command determined using the partial fraction expansion equation model to produce a desired output. The entire command may be shaped or only selected portions thereof which produce vibrations. Another technique involves commanding in current to produce saturation in voltage. By doing this, it is possible to command voltage switches. The times at which the switches occur can be set to reduce system vibrations. Other techniques are also provided. These include varying transient portions at the beginning, middle and/or end of a move and using Posicast inputs, among others.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive has a disk, a controller, and a flash memory, the request data to be recorded in the disk may be continuous data. In this case, the first one-track data item including the head address of the requested data is stored in the flash memory, and the second to last one-track data items are sequentially written in the disk.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing a servo signal in a running tape memory medium comprises: a head which is arranged in a vicinity of a running path of the running tape memory medium; and a pair of guides which are disposed adjacent to the head in an upstream and downstream of the head in a tape running direction, wherein at least one of the head and pair of guides has a flange with which one edge the tape memory medium set in the running path runs is in contact, while the tape memory medium is running between the pair of guides, wherein the head has a sliding surface which slides in contact with a recording surface of the running tape memory medium, wherein the sliding surface is set with an inclination against a tape width direction of the tape memory medium, and the tape memory medium, which is running, is guided by the flange by having the one edge of the tape memory medium slide in contact with the flange.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for controlling a controller connected to a plurality of storage units which are arranged in a redundant configuration, the controller reading data stored in the plurality of storage units in accordance with requests received from a host computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving requests to read data successively from one of the storage units from the host computer; reading a part of requested target data from said one of the storage units; reading associated data and parity data stored in other storage units corresponding to other part of requested target data; generating other part of requested target data on the basis of the associated data and the parity data read out from the other storage units; and transmitting the part of the target data and the other part of the target data to the host computer.

Abstract: A hard disk drive write driver circuit is described that can change the output impedance of the write driver by use of a lookup table of control values. A control value is selected from the lookup table by using an address based on a dynamic system variable and a program controlled value. The dynamic system variable is converted to a digital representation. The digital representation and a portion of the program controlled value are used as an address to the lookup table to select a control value. The write driver is responsive to the selected control value to control overshoot current. A method to digitally program the output impedance of a preamp write driver based on realistic operating data is also discussed. An additional approach to controlling overshoot current in a write driver through digital control of overshoot duration is also described.

Abstract: Formatting disk drive data using format field elements (FFEs). A processing module (which can be a general purpose processor or a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor) is employed to generate FFEs that are employed to govern operation of the various data formatting modules within a formatting system within a HDD. The determination of when a data formatting module stops operating in accordance with a first FFE and begins operating in accordance with a second FFE can be a predetermined period of time, a number of operations being performed, the meeting of some condition, or some other means. Each FFE can be viewed as being a multi-dimensional instruction that not only includes a configuration for a data formatting module, but also includes the conditions by which the configuration is to be governed by a subsequent FFE, among other things.

Abstract: A storage system capable of reducing the start-up time of disk drives is provided. If a power source monitor circuit itself is normal (S93), the power source monitor circuit reads a detection signal from a detection circuit, and checks power sources (S94). If the power sources are normal (S95), all disks are spun up (S96). When the spin-up of all disks is completed (S98), processing is completed. If either of two power sources fails (S95), the power source monitor circuit reports the fact to a host control logical part (S99). The power source monitor circuit clears its internal counter to zero (S100) and issues a drive command to HDDs (S101). When the spin-up of all disks is completed (S103), processing is completed. If there is a disk which has not yet been spun up, the power source monitor circuit sets the internal counter to n+1 (S104) and returns to Step S101.

Abstract: A magnetic storage media includes a magnetic south-north servo band section and a magnetic north-south servo band section. The magnetic south-north servo band section includes a magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment and a magnetic north-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic north-south servo band section includes a magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment, and a magnetic south-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic south-north servo band section and the magnetic north-south servo band section are recorded relative to each other on a servo track to represent magnetic polarity encoded servo position information based on the magnetic north-pole polarity servo pattern and the magnetic south-pole polarity servo pattern.

Abstract: A storage medium with electronic paper is provided with a disk drive that can refresh the display on the electronic paper using a simple arrangement. A disk drive includes a motor that generates rotational force and a drive shaft support for clamping a disk thereon by contacting with the disk and for turning the disk thereon by the rotational force. The drive shaft support includes at least one output terminal for outputting an electrical signal. If the disk includes electronic paper on which the display is refreshable in response to the electrical signal, the at least one output terminal of the disk drive is arranged so as to contact with at least one input terminal that is arranged on the disk to supply the electrical signal to the electronic paper.

Abstract: A controller unit for the storage apparatus executes the following: giving each data block, which is a data constituent unit, an identification number indicating that the relevant data has been sent from a host computer in response to an arbitrary write request from the host computer; storing, in a memory unit, a storage location in a hard disk drive unit to store the data, as well as the identification number, as an expected value, for the data to be stored in the hard disk drive unit; and in response to a read request from the host computer, comparing the identification number given to each data block, the constituent unit of the data read from the hard disk drive unit, with the expected value of the read data, thereby verifying that the read data is the data written to the hard disk drive in response to the arbitrary write request.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that mitigates the effects of multiple vibration sources on a set of hard disk drives (HDDs) within a computer system. During operation, the system identifies a target HDD in the set of HDDs, wherein the performance of the target HDD is affected by mechanical vibrations. The system also identifies one or more primary vibration sources from the multiple vibration sources that affect the performance of the target HDD. Next, for each of the primary vibration sources, the system measures a first time-domain signal associated with the operation of the primary vibration source using a first vibration transducer associated with the primary vibration source. The system also measures a second time-domain signal associated with the target HDD using a second vibration transducer associated with the target HDD.

Abstract: Selecting a destination tape recording device, out of a plurality of tape recording devices, for saving data. Particularly a technique for selecting a tape recording apparatus whose performance is optimal for data to be saved, thereby improving data backup performance in a plurality of tape recording apparatuses.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control a rate of relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, wherein the servo system comprises a sampling module to sample servo code from the tape media and the sampling module implements a dithered sampling routine centered around a design sampling frequency.

Abstract: A tape head designed for transducing data on a magnetic recording tape that is subject to tape dimensional changes. The tape head includes two or more arrays of transducer elements having different transducer spacing distances corresponding to different track spacing distances to be transduced. One of the transducer arrays may be used for transducing the tape under nominal tape track spacing conditions. Another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is reduced due to the tape shrinkage. Still another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is enlarged due to tape expansion.

Abstract: A magnetic storage media includes one or more magnetic polarity encoded servo bands with each magnetic polarity encoded servo band including one or more magnetic south-north servo band sections and one or more magnetic north-south servo band sections. Each magnetic south-north servo band section includes a magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment and a magnetic north-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic south-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. Each magnetic north-south servo band section includes a magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment, and a magnetic south-pole polarity servo pattern recorded on the magnetic north-pole polarity initialized servo track segment.

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: Apparatus is provided for fast-adjustment of the position of a plant in a servo system in which a servo output indicative of the plant position is provided to a positioning system for positioning the plant in dependence on the servo output. The apparatus includes an adjustment signal generator, operable in a fast-correction mode and a shock-compensation mode, for generating an adjustment signal for supply to the positioning system to effect fast positional adjustment of the plant. The apparatus also has an adjustment controller for receiving the servo output. The adjustment controller is adapted to detect from the servo output occurrence of a disturbance affecting positioning of the plant and, in response, to initiate the shock-compensation mode of the adjustment signal generator. The adjustment controller is further adapted to initiate the fast-correction mode of the adjustment signal generator in response to indication of an error in positioning of the plant.

Abstract: A cartridge library (30) comprises at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); and, a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive. The transport mechanism (54) is configured to transport the cartridge between, e.g., cells of the magazine (52) and/or between the magazine (52) and the drive (60). The transport mechanism (54) comprises a robot (300) and a robot motive system. The robot comprises a robot carriage (308) and a robot tray (302). The robot carriage (308) carries or comprises cartridge engagement elements (310) configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The robot tray (302) facilitates linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot motive system comprises three robot motive subsystems (312, 360, 450) and a (robot) carriage motive subsystem (380).

Abstract: A position control method of inertial drive actuator includes a movement-amount setting step of setting an amount of movement, a target-position setting step of setting a target position of a moving body, a position detection step of detecting a relative position of the moving body, a comparison step of comparing the target position and the relative position, a drive-voltage pattern setting step of setting a drive voltage pattern which is to be applied to the moving means, a first electrode, and a second electrode, based on the amount of movement which is set, and a comparison result, and a driving step of driving the moving body by controlling a frictional force between the vibration substrate and the moving body, by making an electrostatic force act on both, while synchronizing with a movement of the vibration substrate, by applying a drive voltage pattern which is set at the drive-voltage pattern setting step, between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the moving body is moved to the target

Abstract: A default gain table stores values of loop gain of a spindle motor control unit predetermined for each number of media. A loop gain setting unit detects the number of media, reads out a loop gain corresponding to the detected number of media from the default gain table and sets it in the spindle motor control unit. A loop gain measuring unit measures the loop gain of the spindle motor control unit during a test in the manufacturing process, adjusts it into an optimum loop gain, and stores it as a default lop gain in the apparatus.

Abstract: A storage disk control unit is provided with a buffer management table that defines correspondence between the sectors of a storage disk and the buffer spaces of the storage disk control unit. Based on the buffer management table, common buffer spaces to be shared by a multiplicity of sectors and individual buffer spaces allocated for other individual sectors are reserved in the buffer means (RAM) of the storage disk control unit. Accordingly, an USB-FDD can perform high-speed read/write operations while minimizing the buffer capacity of the RAM. Further, the buffer spaces reserved for read/write operations can be accommodated in accordance with the use condition of storage disk and the need of the RAM for other purposes.

Abstract: A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium is provided. The tension sensor comprises a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium; at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin. In some embodiments, the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.

Abstract: A device for recording information records a real-time data stream (51) in blocks having contiguous logical addresses (LA0-LA5) on a record carrier at corresponding physical addresses (PA0-PA8). The device has allocation means for allocating physical addresses to logical addresses, the allocation including at least one logically contiguous range of blocks allocated to at least a part of the real-time data stream. During recording, auxiliary data means (34,33) process auxiliary data related to the real-time data and record the auxiliary data as auxiliary blocks on the record carrier. The auxiliary data means assign physical addresses to the auxiliary blocks (61), which physical addresses are excluded from allocation to logical addresses and are within or near a physical address range (PA0-PA8) corresponding to the at least one logically contiguous range of blocks (LA0-LA5) allocated to the said part of the real-time data stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing occurrences of tape stick conditions in magnetic tape, the method including stopping functional rotation of each of two bi-directionally rotatable reels of a reel-to-reel tape drive that includes a length of magnetic tape at least partially wound around each reel, a portion of the length of tape extending between the two moveable reels and contacting a head positioned between the two reels; wherein the stopping creates a stop condition in the tape drive, actuating a fractional rotation at least one of the two bi-directionally movable reels a fraction of a reel turn in a first direction during the stop condition, causing the portion of the length of tape to at least temporarily break contact with the head via the fractional rotation, and re-starting functional rotation of each of the reels, ending the stop condition via the re-starting.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly (20) for the transmission of data relative to a magnetic storage tape (278) includes a tape head (260), a cartridge receiver (268) and a controller (44). The cartridge receiver (268) selectively receives a cartridge (54) having a lapping tape (478) that laps the tape head (260). The controller (44) dynamically adjusts one of (i) a tension of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260), (ii) an oscillation frequency of the tape head (260) relative to the lapping tape (478), and (iii) a lateral velocity of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260). The controller (44) can use an algorithm to adjust these conditions. The algorithm can be based on the pliability of the lapping tape (478), a curvature of the tape head (260) and/or the grit of the lapping tape (478).

Abstract: A magnetic tape device comprises a plurality of magnetic heads for recording or reproducing data to a magnetic tape including a data recording area, a tape running mechanism for making the magnetic tape run on the magnetic heads, and a controller for controlling a recording and reproducing operation of the magnetic heads for the magnetic tape while running. The controller includes a recording controller to control the recording and reproducing operation of the magnetic heads so as to record recording target data including a redundancy without recording the recording data and data which is the same as at least a part of the recording target data as redundant data, these data not being recorded in data recording areas adjacent with each other.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which executes formatting of an information recording medium includes a data processing section that executes formatting in which a plurality of partitions serving as a plurality of segmented data recording areas are set, and a partition-specific master boot record (MBR) dedicated to each of the partitions is recorded in each of the partitions.

Abstract: A method of controlling relative motion of a data storage medium on which data is stored in data groups comprising tracks extending across the storage medium and a rotatable transducer for reading data from the storage medium includes determining from the data groups a start reread data group at which a data reread process is to start following detection of a read error condition in a preceding data read process. The method also includes obtaining a reread track reference value for use in controlling that relative motion during the data reread process using a track reference value difference stored in at least one track of at least one data group that is to be reread during the data reread process and a track reference value that was used in controlling that relative rotation during the preceding data read process.

Abstract: A computer performs a control including (1) receiving a request for monitoring a station to-be-handled which is a communication apparatus different from a pertinent station including the computer, (2) transmitting a request for a response based on the station to-be-handled, to the station to-be-handled at a predetermined time interval, on the basis of the monitoring request, and (3) transmitting a message expressing that the station to-be-handled will be detached from a network, to the network if the response to the response request was not received within a predetermined wait time.