Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, comprising: a magnetic tape; a tape head configured to write data to and read data from the magnetic tape; a first reel having a first interior surface; a second reel, wherein the first reel and the second reel are configured to wind and unwind the magnetic tape; one or more motors configured to actuate the first reel and the second reel; a first magnetic recording surface disposed on the first interior surface of the first reel; an actuating arm disposed between the first reel and the second reel; an actuator coupled to a distal end of the actuating arm; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the actuating arm. The magnetic recording head being situated a distance away from the actuator, wherein the actuating arm is configured to move about the actuator such that the magnetic recording head is able to contact the first magnetic recording surface to write data to and read data from the first magnetic recording surface.

Abstract: A data management method, a memory storage device and a memory control circuit unit. The method includes: executing one or more read commands, and recording a physical unit having a first variation of a read count greater than a read disturb threshold as a risk physical unit; and when a data merging process is performed, dividing valid data stored in the risk physical unit into a plurality of copies and copying the copies into a plurality of recycling units.

Abstract: Another communication apparatus reproducing a content stored in an external apparatus transmits an instruction for causing a communication apparatus to obtain the content stored in the external apparatus and reproduce the obtained content. Another communication apparatus also transmits a reproduction start timing of the content and information indicating a reproduction position of the content being reproduced by the another communication apparatus to the communication apparatus. If the received reproduction start timing has come, the communication apparatus starts reproducing the content. In starting to reproduce the content, the communication apparatus reproduces the content from a reproduction position at a subsequent time from the received reproduction position based on the reproduction start timing.

Abstract: A drive-implemented method according to one embodiment includes determining that unthreading of a tape is to be performed, and in response to the determination that the unthreading of the tape is to be performed, determining whether to write an index on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. In response to a determination to write the index on the tape, the index is written on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. The tape is then unthreaded. The drive-implemented method further includes receiving a write request after the unthreading, rethreading the tape, and writing data corresponding to the write request on the tape. The index stored on the tape prior to the unthreading is overwritten with the data corresponding to the write request.

Abstract: A speaker control system includes a speaker; an audio amplifier electrically connected to the speaker and used for driving the speaker, the audio amplifier having a shutdown pin and a reference voltage input pin; a switch circuit, a first end of the switch circuit being electrically connected to the shutdown pin and a second end of the switch circuit being connected to the reference voltage input pin; and a processor electrically connected to the shutdown pin and the first end, when the processor outputs a first voltage signal, the audio amplifier being enabled and the reference voltage input pin being kept at a reference voltage, when the processor outputs a second voltage signal, the audio amplifier being disabled and the switch circuit switching the reference voltage input pin from the reference voltage to a low voltage level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a write controlling method is provided that adjusts the timing to wrap-turn the tape running direction depending on the data amount in order to reduce the time required for positioning in reading any data by performing back-and-forth data writing by positioning a magnetic head of a tape recording apparatus at a predetermined position close to a first end of the tape medium, writing data on the tape medium starting from the predetermined position toward a second end of the tape medium, wrap-turning a running direction of the tape medium when the magnetic head reaches the second end of the tape medium, and writing the data on the tape medium from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a write controlling method is provided that adjusts the timing to wrap-turn the tape running direction depending on the data amount in order to reduce the time required for positioning in reading any data by performing back-and-forth data writing by positioning a magnetic head of a tape recording apparatus at a predetermined position close to a first end of the tape medium, writing data on the tape medium starting from the predetermined position toward a second end of the tape medium, wrap-turning a running direction of the tape medium when the magnetic head reaches the second end of the tape medium, and writing the data on the tape medium from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer program products are provided for operating a tape drive comprising a tape medium with a plurality of record groups stored thereon. Access sequence for the plurality of record groups is provided. The tape medium is positioned for reading a record group in the access sequence before a seek command for the record group in the access sequence is received.

Abstract: For determining an access sequence of a plurality of data groups stored on a tape medium, a first data group in the access sequence is selected based on which data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to a current position of the tape medium. A second data group in the access sequence is selected based on which remaining data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to an end of the first data group in the access sequence.

Abstract: For determining an access sequence of a plurality of data groups stored on a tape medium, a first data group in the access sequence is selected based on which data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to a current position of the tape medium. A second data group in the access sequence is selected based on which remaining data group in the plurality of data groups has a beginning closest to an end of the first data group in the access sequence.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to interpret signals on a noisy channel. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: interpreting an input signal as discrete values, and in response to an inadequate signal, averaging multiple signals to improve interpretation of the input signal. The input signal can be a read signal from a storage medium, such as those found in disk drives. A read channel can include a buffer and an averaging circuit capable of different signal averaging approaches in a retry mode, including making signal averaging decisions based on a signal quality measure. Buffering read signals can be done in alternative locations in the read channel and can involve buffering of many prior read signals and/or buffering of an averaged read signal.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing tape wear in a magnetic tape system. A tape drive comprises a wrap reverse location controller. The wrap reverse location controller determines a magnetic tape reversal location. The tape drive reverses the direction of the magnetic tape at the reversal location. The wrap reverse location controller determines the tape reversal location by varying, relative to the tape heads, the longitudinal tape location at which tape direction reversals are performed at each end of the tape.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus including a reproduction unit configured to reproduce information data, which is error-correcting-coded for every N tracks, from a recording medium, wherein the information data includes moving image data which is variable-length-encoded, a recording unit configured to record moving image data on the recording medium, a detection unit configured to detect additional information from the information data reproduced by the reproduction unit, wherein the additional information indicates that the editing point, which can be set up for every frame of a predetermined number, is contained in the moving image data recorded in the N tracks, and a controller configured to control the reproduction unit to reproduce the information data by transporting the recording medium at a high-speed faster than a normal reproduction speed.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of a method of recording data in a sequence of data sets onto a data recording medium having a recording capacity up to an end of medium position includes the following steps: deriving a logical count of the amount of data recorded on the recording medium, and comparing the logical count to a reference value to generate a warning of an approach to the end of medium position. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method to monitor the relative position of a magnetic tape disposed in a tape drive, where that tape drive includes a first tape reel motor and a second tape reel motor. The method provides a magnetic tape disposed on a first tape reel, and releaseably attaches the first tape reel to the first tape reel motor. The method further provides a second tape reel attached to the second tape reel motor. The method operates the first tape reel motor and the second tape reel motor to transfer the tape from the first tape reel onto the second tape reel while maintaining a running second reel rotation count. The method sets a second reel rotation count limit, and determines if the running second reel rotation count exceeds that second reel rotation count limit. If the running second reel rotation count exceeds the second reel rotation count limit, then the method discontinues operation of the tape reel motors.

Abstract: A data storage device having a read-past-EOD marker flag is described herein. The read-past-EOD marker flag may be stored in a non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, coupled to the data storage device. In one embodiment, the data storage device is a magnetic tape cartridge. The read-past-EOD marker flag, when set to an “on” position, may enable a magnetic tape drive to read past an EOD marker stored on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A re-recording/re-reproducing device cleans both the magnetic tape and head of dregs which cause errors in writing and reading. A magnetic head records and reproduces input digital data to and from a magnetic tape at a normal speed. When an error in writing or reading the input digital data is detected, the tape is moved to a position where the error is detected and the magnetic head re-records/re-reproduces the input digital data to and from the magnetic tape, but does so at a speed higher than the normal speed of recording/reproducing, resulting in the removal of the dregs from the magnetic tape and head.