Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for modifying user datasets to support statistical resemblance is described. To support modifying user datasets to support statistical resemblance, an application may generate a first profile from a first corpus that includes first user data, generate a set of modified profiles from a second profile from a second corpus including second user data, wherein the first profile and the set of modified profiles includes respective sets of first and second attributes corresponding to one or both of text or metadata associated with the respective first and second user data, determine a mathematical distance between the first profile and each modified profile of the set of modified profiles based at least in part on a comparison between the first set of attributes and the second set of attributes, and finally, select a modified profile having a smallest determined mathematical distance.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for client-initiated playlist shuffle in a media content environment. A shuffle logic is configured to provide a shuffle order for a plurality of media content items, including associating each media content item with a placement interval within which the media content item can be placed, and a weight that determines the average position of the placement interval; associating each media content item with a random value that indicates a random offset or position within its placement interval; calculating an ordering score for each media content item based on its weight plus its random offset into its placement interval; collecting indications for the plurality of media content item that reflect their ordering scores; and placing the plurality of media content items into the shuffle order, for subsequent playback by a media device.

Abstract: Exemplary media content management and presentation systems and methods are described herein. An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system linking together multiple media content instances, playing back or managing a playlist that includes the linked media content instances, and processing the linked media content instances as a block of linked media content instances within the playing back or managing of the playlist. Another exemplary method includes a media content presentation system playing back a media content instance for experiencing by a user, presenting a playback user interface in conjunction with the playing back of the media content instance, and providing, within the playback user interface, one or more media management tools configured for use by the user to manage the media content instance during the playing back of the media content instance. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Media content associated with a playlist is provided for remote access over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server provides access to a user-defined playlist depicting media content available from user's media content source (e.g., at a registered user's PC). User-defined playlists and associated media content are managed to facilitate access to media in accordance with characteristics of the media content and/or playlist such as format and bitrate, and as may be related to an intended playback use of the playlist. Media content for the playlists is stored in a network storage device for remote access, with the storage managed to facilitate remote access in appropriate formats, with selective cross-referencing among playlists for different playlist types, content format and content bandwidth.

Abstract: A digital jukebox (14) allows for playback of a first offering and a second offering. The contents of each offering are individually licensed for public performance at a particular location where the jukebox is found. The jukebox (14) displays advertisements that are selected in response to user interaction with the jukebox or a number of other factors. The jukebox (14) features a screen (18 and 20) that allows user to interact with the jukebox to select offerings, but also to respond to advertising. Jukebox can function in cooperation with a server (12), but in the alternate, can function as an independent and stand-alone device when connection (16) to server (12) is not available.

Abstract: In a data archive system including plural sets of data library apparatuses and a control unit and an information storing unit connected to the plural sets of data library apparatuses, the data library apparatus includes a recording medium storing unit that stores plural recording media, a data recording and reproducing device that records data in the recording media and reproduces data from the recording media, a recording medium transporting unit that transports the recording media between the recording medium storing unit and the data recording and reproducing device, and a data library apparatus control unit that controls an action of the data library apparatus, the information storing unit stores management information for managing the recording medium storing unit, the control unit controls actions of the total data archive system, and when a recording medium storing unit is attached to the data library apparatus.

Abstract: A transportation body 1 for a flexible optical disk 10 has flexibility, and includes a rotation stabilizing board 2 having a disk-shaped form, an optical disk alignment unit 4 installed in the central part of the rotation stabilizing board 2, and a spacer 3 installed on a surface of the rotation stabilizing board 2. A combination of the transportation body 1 and the optical disk 10 can be treated as an equivalent of a conventional optical disk having rigidity, by transporting the flexible optical disk 10 placed on the transportation body 1 and by recording/reproducing information onto/from the flexible optical disk.

Abstract: A digital jukebox (14) allows for playback of a first offering and a second offering. The contents of each offering are individually licensed for public performance at a particular location where the jukebox is found. The jukebox (14) displays advertisements that are selected in response to user interaction with the jukebox or a number of other factors. The jukebox (14) features a screen (18 and 20) that allows user to interact with the jukebox to select offerings, but also to respond to advertising. Jukebox can function in cooperation with a server (12), but in the alternate, can function as an independent and stand-alone device when connection (16) to server (12) is not available.

Abstract: An administration server determines whether a request from a first client terminal is for authentication of a specific user who is in a log-in state via a second client terminal. When the request is for the specific user, the administration server performs a first or a second control, the first control including creating a new password; replacing an old password that is for the specific user to log-in to a network via the second client terminal with the new password; and sending the new password to the first client terminal, and the second control including determining that the request is disapproval; and sending a result of disapproval to the first client terminal. A double-log in by the same user and crush of an individual storage unit caused by a double-log in with the same user ID can be prevented.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus has a player section, a content reproduction section, an interface section. The player section has a read section reading data from the record medium on which the content data containing at least one of a video data stream and an audio data stream and a reproduction control program controlling the reproduction of the content data are recorded, an input section accepting an input from a user, and an output section outputting the reproduced content data. The content reproduction section reproduces the content data according to the reproduction control program. The interface section interfaces among the content reproduction section, the reproduction control program, and the player section. When a command representing an end of the reproduced content data is described in the reproduction control program, the reproduction control program supplies the command to the interface section and the interface section executes a process corresponding to the command.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus includes a drive unit that reads data from a first medium and a drive unit control unit that controls the drive unit. The apparatus includes a second medium in which the same amount of data as the amount of data recorded in the first medium can be stored, and from or in which data is read or written at a speed higher than a speed at which data is read or written from or in the first medium. The apparatus further includes an input/output unit that inputs a reading request with which predetermined data is read from among data items stored in the first medium or second medium. The apparatus also includes an access control unit which controls the drive unit control unit or a second medium control unit.

Abstract: Storage systems and methods for publishing device addresses are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving addresses for a plurality of device objects in the storage system over an out-of-band path to each of the device objects. The method may also include storing the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system. The method may also include returning the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system over another out-of-band path to an interface manager for the storage system.

Abstract: An auto feed, copy and print apparatus for information storage disks and a method of the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame, a read/write and print device and a feeding device. The read/write and print device and the feeding device are mounted on the frame. The feeding apparatus feeds a disk once by gravity onto a tray of the read/write and print device. The tray retracts so as to perform copy and print disk cover operations. The Method includes steps of providing disks, using a feeding device to support the disks and feeds a single disk once by gravity, receiving the disk on a tray, retracting the tray with the disk into a read/write and print device, and using the read/write and print apparatus to write data into the disk and print the disk's cover.

Abstract: When data of image information is compressed and is recorded on a recording medium, additional information about the image information is recorded in a conveniently usable state. There is provided read/write unit information as a unit of reading and writing the compressed image information to the recording medium. The read/write unit information contains a plurality of units of decoding and reproducing unit information that comprises one frame (or one field) of the image information. At least one piece of decoding and reproducing unit information is subject to compression encoding through the use of only image information in the decoding and reproducing unit. In the read/write unit information, there is multiplexed and recorded additional information about the decoding and reproducing unit information for a plurality of units within the read/write unit in an extractable manner separately from the compressed image information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer system capable of automatically duplicating data into discs with automatically blank-disc-supplying. The invention can be implemented by software, hardware, or any of the combinations. Since the invention does not utilize a mechanical arm to move the discs, the structure of the invention saves space compared with a traditional disc duplicating machine; moreover, the cost is less than that of the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selecting a source cluster in a distributed storage configuration. A measurement module measures system factors for a plurality of clusters over a plurality of instances. The clusters are in communication over a network and each cluster comprises at least one tape volume cache. A smoothing module applies a smoothing function to the system factors, wherein recent instances have higher weights. A lifespan module calculates a mount-to-dismount lifespan for each cluster from the smoothed system factors. A selection module selects a source cluster for accessing an instance of a specified volume in response to the mount-to-dismount lifespans and a user policy.

Abstract: Storage systems and methods for publishing device addresses are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving addresses for a plurality of device objects in the storage system over an out-of-band path to each of the device objects. The method may also include storing the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system. The method may also include returning the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system over another out-of-band path to an interface manager for the storage system.

Abstract: A disk array system having first and second housings and a controller for controlling the first and second housings. Fiber channel hard disk drives are received in the first housing, and serial ATA hard disk drives are received in the second housing. When reading data stored in a serial ATA hard disk drive in the second housing, the controller reads a plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read and parity data for the plurality of pieces of data from all the hard disk drives of an RAID group to which the hard disk drive storing the data to be read belongs. Thus, the controller examines whether the plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read are written in the hard disk drives with erroneous contents or not.

Abstract: A disk array system having first and second housings and a controller for controlling the first and second housings. Fiber channel hard disk drives are received in the first housing, and serial ATA hard disk drives are received in the second housing. When reading data stored in a serial ATA hard disk drive in the second housing, the controller reads a plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read and parity data for the plurality of pieces of data from all the hard disk drives of an RAID group to which the hard disk drive storing the data to be read belongs. Thus, the controller examines whether the plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read are written in the hard disk drives with erroneous contents or not.

Abstract: An auto feed, copy and print apparatus for information storage disks and a method of the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame, a read/write and print device and a feeding device. The read/write and print device and the feeding device are mounted on the frame. The feeding apparatus feeds a disk once by gravity onto a tray of the read/write and print device. The tray retracts so as to perform copy and print disk cover operations. The Method includes steps of providing disks, using a feeding device to support the disks and feeds a single disk once by gravity, receiving the disk on a tray, retracting the tray with the disk into a read/write and print device, and using the read/write and print apparatus to write data into the disk and print the disk's cover.

Abstract: A shuffle device for players with different types of storage medium such as CD, DVD, hard disk drive or random access memory. The shuffle device is provided in a particular central control device such as a remote control, a hand-held computer, a personal digital assistant or palmtop that is valuable for all the players of the (home) system. As the shuffle device includes hardware and software, thus such hardware and software are needed only once and can be used for different players using a single shuffle device, for example. This alleviates the need for each player to have its own shuffle device thus reducing the cost of each player. Meta data that are downloaded from the Internet, derived from a smart card, added by means of a voice-to-text-converter, or typed in by the user may be displayed on the central control system.

Abstract: An accessor moveably disposed within a data storage and retrieval system, where that accessor includes an information input/output device and a power supply connector disposed on a gripper mechanism such that the information input/output device and the power supply connector can be releaseably coupled/connected to an information input/output port and a power port, respectively, disposed on a hard disk drive unit disposed in a storage slot within the data storage and retrieval system. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' accessors, one or more hard disk disposed in one or more hard disk drive units each of which includes an information input/output port in communication with that hard disk, and an information transfer station in communication with a host computer, wherein that information transfer station can communicate with Applicants' accessor(s).

Abstract: A disk array system having first and second housings and a controller for controlling the first and second housings. Fiber channel hard disk drives are received in the first housing, and serial ATA hard disk drives are received in the second housing. When reading data stored in a serial ATA hard disk drive in the second housing, the controller reads a plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read and parity data for the plurality of pieces of data from all the hard disk drives of an RAID group to which the hard disk drive storing the data to be read belongs. Thus, the controller examines whether the plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read are written in the hard disk drives with erroneous contents or not.

Abstract: A disk array system having first and second housings and a controller for controlling the first and second housings. Fiber channel hard disk drives are received in the first housing, and serial ATA hard disk drives are received in the second housing. When reading data stored in a serial ATA hard disk drive in the second housing, the controller reads a plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read and parity data for the plurality of pieces of data from all the hard disk drives of an RAID group to which the hard disk drive storing the data to be read belongs. Thus, the controller examines whether the plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read are written in the hard disk drives with erroneous contents or not.

Abstract: A method may be provided for establishing a service communication channel to a multi-server computer system comprising a plurality of modular units. At least selected modular units can have a wireless communication port. The method may comprise transmitting an existence request message to the wireless communication port of each modular unit provided therewith; and receiving at least one existence response message from at least one of the plurality of modular units. The existence response message may include an identifier of the modular unit.

Abstract: A disk array system having first and second housings and a controller for controlling the first and second housings. Fiber channel hard disk drives are received in the first housing, and serial ATA hard disk drives are received in the second housing. When reading data stored in a serial ATA hard disk drive in the second housing, the controller reads a plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read and parity data for the plurality of pieces of data from all the hard disk drives of an RAID group to which the hard disk drive storing the data to be read belongs. Thus, the controller examines whether the plurality of pieces of data including the data to be read are written in the hard disk drives with erroneous contents or not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically configuring a robotic storage media library is disclosed. The disclosed invention utilizes software to interpret signals from specially designed hardware to determine the hardware characteristics of the library at startup. The software then uses these characteristics to automatically configure the library without user intervention.

Abstract: A collection management system, or virtual jukebox, is provided for a collection of recordings that is independent of the physical media upon which the material is recorded. The system forms a part of a network that includes storage media and playback devices, and provides an easy to use system for collection cataloging, archiving, and retrieval. In a preferred embodiment, a collection management system resides on a consumer electronic (CE) device, or a personal or home computer (PC), and the collection includes recordings that are stored on one or more hard drives associated with the CE device or the PC. The collection management system includes a user interface that facilitates the retrieval of recordings for playback from one or more storage devices, based on an individual selection of genre, author, and so on.

Abstract: A method for playing a recording medium, in particular an optical storage disc, used to access titles more quickly. Stored in a run-in area of the recording medium is at least one address area that includes at least one address of a beginning of a title stored on the recording medium. The recording medium is played in a player having a read device. When the at least one address area is read out, the at least one address of a title beginning is converted to a start time of exactly one time unit and stored in a memory, with the start time corresponding approximately to the playing time of the recording medium up to the addressed title beginning. To position the read device at the beginning of the title, the track jump time is calculated directly from the corresponding start time stored in the memory.

Abstract: A video or audio play-back apparatus has a variable random play option to control a degree of randomnees of the selections made from a play list.

Abstract: A disk force-ejection and force-loading device for use in an optical disk drive. The optical disk drive includes an active gear of a drive motor for loading and ejecting an optical disk and a housing including a position hole nearby the active gear of the drive mo- tor. The disk force-ejection and force-loading device includes a drive element installed on one end of the disk force-ejection and force-loading device for connecting and driving the active gear of the drive motor via the position hole, a motivity provider for rotating the drive element, and a power provider for providing electric power to the motivity provider.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated data storage library for storing and retrieving data storage media in a plurality of storage slots, for a host processor. At least one drive unit is coupled to the host processor for reading and/or writing data on the data storage media. A library manager includes a stored table for identifying the data storage media stored in the storage slots, the stored table indicating artificial scaling of the data storage capacity of selected data storage media to selected values less than the actual data storage capacity thereof. The stored table also stores indicators of attributes of the library with respect to ones of the data storage media, such as indicating that the drive unit is to communicate at the drive/host interface in a specific protocol.

Abstract: When storage controllers are added to a storage system to change the storage system from a configuration having only one storage controller to a configuration having plural storage controllers, or when storage controllers are removed from the storage system to change the storage system from a configuration having plural storage controllers to a configuration having only one storage controller, a controller-internal management-information memory controller carries out a copy process to copy management information from each of the storage controllers to a management-information-memory switch or vice versa at the same time as processing of read and write requests for access to the management information, made by a channel interface or a disc interface, in order to change storage locations of the management information while processing the read and write requests made by the host.

Abstract: Disclosed is a library of hard disk drives with transparent emulating interface. The hard disk drives are shelved in associated storage locations in the library. A library controller translates the logical address of a requested hard disk drive known to the requesting host computer to a physical address or location within the library. A picker preferably mounts the requested disk drive to a destination receptacle which may be part of a backplane of the library, and the controller accesses the hard disk drive. Library operation is transparent to the host computer, the library emulating a selected type of storage device.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus (100) is provided with a reading device (4) for reading reproduction data and reproduction control data to control a reproduction of the reproduction data from a record disc (1), on which the reproduction data and the reproduction control data are recorded, a record medium (7, 10) having a plurality of memory areas, a data managing device (9) for storing one reproduction control data read by the reading device into one of the memory areas, and a reproducing device (8) for reproducing the reproduction data in accordance with the reproduction control data stored in the memory areas.

Abstract: Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for determining presence or absence of a disk and size of a disk inserted in a disk holder of a multi-disk changer. A disk size determining apparatus of a multi-disk changer of the present invention, includes a turntable, a plurality of disk holders installed at same distance from the center of the turntable, each disk holder being able to hold a disk of different size selectively, and a single light-emitting element or a single photo-detecting element above or below the turntable, wherein said each disk holder has holes at same distance from the center of the turntable, each hole passing through a light-beam from the light-emitting element in order that the disk size can be determined. A manufacturing cost of a multi-disk changer can be reduced owing to usage of a single detecting sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reading information stored on an information plate (6, 7) and/or writing information on an information plate (6, 7), comprising a stacking unit for the storage of at least two information plates in storage compartments (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The invention is characterized in that the stacking unit comprises an electromechanical switching unit for detecting the information plates (6, 7) and in that the switching unit can be operated by the plate edges of the information plates (6, 7).

Abstract: A cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system is designed to retrieve a cartridge from a storage device and to transfer the cartridge to a particular location within the system. Once the cartridge is no longer needed at the particular location, the cartridge access device retrieves the cartridge from the particular location and returns the data cartridge to the storage device. The data cartridge device preferably includes at least two engaging members that engage a respective surface of a frame assembly. Channels in the surfaces of the frame assembly guide the engaging members and, therefore, the cartridge access device as the cartridge access device moves. The engaging members are engaged with a respective conductive track member that extends through the channels in the frame assembly.

Abstract: Drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider, at any one time, assigns any number “m” of a pool of “n” drives to the drive image providers, and “n”−“m” of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the “n”−“m” drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as “not ready”.

Abstract: A disk playback device including a memory for temporarily storing data from a pickup and outputting the data as delayed by a predetermined period of time, manual keys, and a system control circuit for detecting the playback end of a disk from the playback data from the pickup. The memory has connected thereto an erase circuit for erasing data remaining in the memory. The system control circuit produces different flag values in a first case wherein the control circuit detects the disk end to terminate playback of the disk and in a second case wherein the user manipulates one of the manual keys to terminate the playback. A memory control circuit is connected to the memory and the system control circuit. In the first case, the memory control circuit inputs to the memory playback data of another disk replacing the disk as continued from the data remaining in the memory.

Abstract: A plurality of optical disks 2 and 3 are housed inside one cartridge 1. Cartridge 1 containing a plurality of optical disks 2 and 3 is loaded. Inside the optical disk recording/reproducing device, the two optical disks 2 and 3 inside cartridge 1 are mounted on two turntables and rotated, the two optical disks both being accessible by a single optical head, thereby enabling a recording time that is two or more times that of the prior art and free of any interruptions.

Abstract: A method for storing data by utilizing optical disks employs interleaving and sequential modes and a high watermark. The high watermark is a threshold value for an optical disk to a predefined portion of the total storage capacity, thereby insuring the existence of a spare capacity for each optical disk. A method combining the interleaving mode and the high watermark provides more efficient data storing and searching to the user, thereby reducing movement time of the optical disks and enabling many users to search for desired information on the optical disks in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: While a certain information-recorded medium is reproduced by a reproduction processing means of a reproduction apparatus, when the information-recorded medium is designated again within a prescribed time by a user through an operating means, the control means controls the reproduction processing means so that the pertinent information-recorded medium can be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in a storage means. In addition, when the pertinent information-recorded medium is designated again, the control means makes control of externally indicating whether or not the pertinent information-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storage means.

Abstract: An information recording method has;

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for determining presence or absence of a disk inserted in a disk holder of a multi-disk changer. A disk size determining apparatus of a multi-disk changer of the present invention, includes a turntable, a plurality of disk holders installed at same distance from the center of the turntable, each disk holder being able to hold a disk of different size selectively, and a single light-emitting element or a single photo-detecting element above or below the turntable, wherein said each disk holder has holes at same distance from the center of the turntable, each hole passing through a light-beam from the light-emitting element in order that the disk size can be determined. A manufacturing cost of a multi-disk changer can be reduced owing to usage of a single detecting sensor.