Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus including a substrate and a magnetic recording layer over the substrate. In addition, a thermochromic layer is over the substrate, wherein the thermochromic layer includes a first optical absorbance at a first temperature and a second optical absorbance at a second temperature.

Abstract: An optical data storage device includes an optical storage tape having one or more optical storage layers. A plurality of optical pickup units reads and/or writes data to the optical storage tape. A feed reel provides the optical storage tape to the optical pickup units. A guiding wheel that guides the optical storage tape when the optical storage tape is in the vicinity of the optical pickup units during read and/or write operations. Finally, a take-up reel receives the optical storage tape from the guiding wheel.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit adapted for rotational motion and having multiple heads disposed at a working surface. The system also includes a tape drive unit configured to move a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface. As the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, a first head is configured to write a data track to the tape and a second head is configured to thereafter read the data track, where data read by the second head is for use in verifying data integrity and performing error correction.

Abstract: A system and method for data storage and retrieval include a rotational head carriage unit having a plurality of heads. A tape drive unit moves a tape media length-wise across the head carriage unit while the head carriage unit rotates. The tape drive unit is adapted to use a tape comprising multiple recordable layers. The heads are adapted to read data from or write data to one recordable layer while rotating toward one edge of the tape media, and read data from or write data to another recordable layer while rotating toward the other edge of the tape media.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit having multiple heads disposed at a working surface and a tape drive unit configured to move the tape past the working surface of the head carriage unit in a direction substantially parallel to a tape length. The heads are configured to write primary data tracks to or read primary data tracks from the tape as the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, the primary data tracks having an arcuate shape and extending substantially along a tape width. The heads are also configured to write at least one secondary data track to or read at least one secondary data track from the tape as the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, the at least one secondary data track extending substantially along the tape length.

Abstract: There is provided a mold for a tape-shaped optical recording medium with which precise cutting can be performed along a cutting guide groove, the mold forming a recording groove in a tape-shaped optical recording medium, and having a plurality of recording and reproduction bumps that form a recording and reproduction groove, and a guide whose shape is different from that of the recording and reproduction bumps.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape with a length, a width and a thickness, is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. The leader has at least one portion with a width greater than the tape width to clean a tape path, such as a guide and/or a lens. Another tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. A brush is mounted to a portion of the leader for cleaning a tape path.

Abstract: An optical tape drive system includes n total optical pickup units and a controller. The controller writes readable data in logical wraps each having less than n physical tracks to the optical tape via at least some of the optical pickup units such that for each of the logical wraps that contain readable data, all physical tracks within the logical wrap contain readable data.

Abstract: An optical media such as an optical tape includes a substrate, a pre-format layer on one side of the substrate, and a back side coating. The back side coating is optically transparent and is electrically conductive. One of the substrate and the pre-format layer is between the back side coating and the other one of the substrate and the pre-format layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to holographic film for recording multicolor volume holograms, especially full color volume reflection holograms, and to manufacturing techniques for such film, and to corresponding methods of recording multicolor and full-color volume, in particular volume reflection holograms. We describe a holographic film for recording a multicolor volume hologram, the film comprising: a carrier; a first photosensitive recording layer sensitive to one or both of red and green laser light; and a second photosensitive recording layer sensitive to blue laser light. Both the first and second photosensitive recording layers comprise silver halide and have a grain size of less than 30 nm, and at least one of the photosensitive recording layers has a thickness of greater than 3 ?m and less than 5 ?m.

Abstract: A tape cleaner with a cleaning tape to wipe out dirt adhered to a surface of a tape is composed to wipe out the dirt adhered to the surface of the tape by pressing said cleaning tape on a surface of a running tape, and the cleaning tape is composed so that a weft made of an ultra fine fiber is exposed more outside than a warp and the weft is vertically arranged for a running direction of the tape.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes an optical information carrier comprising a spiral-wound polymer film. The central area of the data storage medium is provided with a recess whose periphery is formed by the innermost winding of the polymer film.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes an information carrier wound onto a winding core in a spiral manner for optically readable information units. The winding core is configured in a spiral manner on its outer contour and has a step. The height of the step is matched to the thickness of the information carrier. The inner end of the information carrier rests on the winding core at the step or in the area of the step.

Abstract: A disc recording element is provided with a disc substrate having a hole at its center, a circular information recording area on its surface that is concentric with the hole. A hub is fitted to the hole. The disc substrate has a relief portion thereon for position alignment of the hub.