Abstract: An information recording apparatus has a stop mode in which only recording means comprised of a rotatable drum on which a recording head is mounted and recording medium driving means comprised of a capstan/pinch roller are stopped, which stop mode can be changed from a record temporary stop mode. During the stop mode of the recording means and the recording medium driving means, a video signal photo-taken by a camera of the information recording apparatus can be outputted externally, and, change to the stop mode is made effective by a combination of user's selection and/or presence/absence of an external connection device.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus has a stop mode in which only recording means comprised of a rotatable drum on which a recording head is mounted and recording medium driving means comprised of a capstan/pinch roller are stopped, which stop mode can be changed from a record temporary stop mode. During the stop mode of the recording means and the recording medium driving means, a video signal photo-taken by a camera of the information recording apparatus can be outputted externally, and, change to the stop mode is made effective by a combination of user's selection and/or presence/absence of an external connection device.

Abstract: The invention discloses radio frequency zero crossing signal generators for optical disc drives, comprising a controllable low pass filter, a comparator, and a control circuit. The controllable low pass filter evaluates an average level of the magnitude of a radio frequency ripple from an optical disc drive. The comparator compares the radio frequency ripple to the average level evaluated by the controllable low pass filter to generate a radio frequency zero crossing signal. When the optical disc drive reads a fingerprint defect on an optical disc, the control circuit adjusts a cut-off frequency of the controllable low pass filter to adjust the speed at which the controllable low pass filter evaluates the average level.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and storage library for storing data. A data storage cartridge includes a data storage device and the data storage device includes a storage medium and a power supply. A transfer station includes an interface capable of mating with the data storage cartridge to perform data transfer operations with respect to the storage medium in the data storage device. A gripper assembly includes an interface capable of engaging the data storage cartridge and supplying power to the data storage device power supply. The gripper assembly further includes movement electronics for moving the data storage cartridge to the transfer station and inserting the data storage cartridge in the transfer station.

Abstract: Four positioning holes or grooves of the first to the fourth positioning portions are formed on a shell as positioning portions to a disk drive apparatus. When two directions perpendicular to the thickness direction of a disk-shaped recording medium are designated as an X direction and a Y direction, the first and the second positioning portions are formed at the same position in the X direction, and the third and the fourth positioning portions are formed at the same position in the X direction, and further the first and the third positioning portions are formed at the same position in the Y direction, and still further the second and the fourth positioning portions are formed at the same position in the Y direction. When the disk cartridge is located to the disk drive apparatus at the insertion of the disk cartridge from an insertion opening, at least two of the four positioning portions are used.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus is provided which is capable of certainly preventing an optical disk from coming into contact with an objective lens, even when its power is kept turned off and servo control is not in operation, and preventing an optical disk from hitting the objective lens, even though it undergoes a strong disturbance. A cartridge 2 includes an opening portion through which an objective lens 4 comes close to an optical disk 1 and a rib 2b which is formed near the cartridge outer-edge connection part of the opening portion; the plane of the rib 2b on the side of the objective lens 4 is substantially on the same plane with the plane of incidence of the optical disk 1; when an optical disk apparatus 100 is turned off, a traverse mechanism 22 moves the objective lens 4 and a protective member 5 to a position P2 that faces the plane of the rib 2b on the side of the objective lens 4 when the cartridge 2 is housed in the optical disk apparatus 100.

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: Disclosed is a hard disk drive picking device and method for transferring a disk drive from one of a plurality of storage bins in a library to a destination wherein the disk drive may be electrically interconnected to a computer. The picking device includes a backplane adapted to provide power or I/O interconnections between the disk drive and the destination during transfer of the disk drive.

Abstract: A portable carrier for a data storage medium, where that carrier includes a bezel component, at least one permanent magnet disposed in that bezel portion, and a guidepin having at least one groove disposed on that bezel portion. An accessor which includes an electromagnet and a fixturing assembly where that fixturing assembly includes one or more solenoids in combination with one or more moveable fixturing blades. A data storage and retrieval system which includes at least one of Applicants' carriers and at least one of Applicants' accessors.

Abstract: A data storage library features multipurpose slots each configured to receive a media drive (operable to read/write data from/to media removably loaded into the media drive) a command relay port (operable to convey media transport signals from a host to a shared robotic media transport device), or various other modules. The robotic device is programmed to recognize whether each slot is empty or whether it is filled with a component such as a media drive or a command relay port, and to thereafter communicate with the occupant appropriately.