Abstract: In a tape drive having a rotatable take-up reel supporting an end of an elongate tape, a drive control system for rotating the take-up reel and for rotating a tape supply reel of a removable tape cartridge. The drive control system is arranged to tension and move the elongate tape between the reels. At rewind, the drive control system rewinds the elongate tape onto the supply reel at rewind velocity under tension; upon the rewinding approaching the end of the elongate tape, rewinds the elongate tape at a reduced velocity under tension, the reduced velocity less than 60% of the rewind velocity; and stops the reduced velocity rewinding for a period of time and maintains the elongate tape in a dwell state under tension which is greater than an operating tension during tape motion. The dwell state time period may be substantially 10 seconds.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a tape library that can initiate an action. One example method may include controlling a tape library to perform a media scanning operation associated with an extended data life management policy. The extended data life management operation may be associated with an application representation of tape drives, slots, and tapes on the tape library. The method may include determining a result of the media scanning operation and selectively controlling the tape library to either provide status or to issue a command based on the result. In one example, conventional status may be returned when a media scan operation result (e.g., tape scan) indicates the tape is fine while a command may be issued when the result indicates the tape may need to be fixed, copied, or replaced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample cartridge that includes storage slots for holding biosample plates. The cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges to allow the cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle data cartridges in an automated tape library. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biosample storage cartridge that has a movable door to provide access to inside the cartridge and a plate holder disposed inside the cartridge. The plate holder includes a plurality of slots for receiving biosample plates that are scanned and processed by the automated tape library.

Abstract: A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a support for engaging a tape; and a head directly opposing the tape engaging portion of the support, the head being for performing at least one of reading from a tape and writing to a tape. During an operation period, the head is positioned such that at least one of the following occurs: the head does not contact the tape for a majority of the operation period; the head does not contact the tape for at least a portion of the operation period; and the head engages the tape for at least a portion of the operation period when the tape is lifted from the support by a cushion of air formed between the support and the tape, the head pressing the tape into the air cushion when engaging the tape.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tape guide roller for guiding a tape (11) in a tape storage. The tape guide roller is tiltable such that by tilting the tape guide roller the tape (11) may be returned from a laterally offset position to a centered position. An actuator (1560) of the tiltable tape guide roller is implemented as a magnetic actuator with a permanent magnet assembly (1570) and an electromagnet a pole piece (1702) of which electromagnet is facing the magnet assembly (1570). The width (W1) of the pole piece (1702) is smaller than the width (W2) of the magnet assembly (1570). As a result the tape guide roller may be operated in a power efficient way.

Abstract: An SPM driver drives a spindle motor. A VCM driver drives a VCM. A DC/DC converter (switching regulator) receives a power supply voltage from an external circuit, and generates a stabilized voltage. Linear regulators each receive a power supply voltage from an external circuit, and each generates a stabilized voltage. A shock detection circuit detects vibration of a device mounting the driving circuit. A power monitoring circuit monitors the power supply voltage, and generates a power-on reset signal which is switched to a predetermined level whenever the power supply voltage is cut off. An ADC converts the back electromotive voltage that occurs at the VCM into a digital signal. A serial interface receives data from an external host processor, which is used to control the driving circuit. Cutoff circuits are arranged between the capacitors, which are to be charged using the induced current that occurs at the SPM, and the power supply terminal.

Abstract: A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.

Abstract: Method and device for generating a control voltage for a position actuator of a disk drive system for displacing a lens of a pick-up unit to a given X-position. The actuator is operated by an open loop control system. First, parameters of the control system are calibrated so that the control system produces a control voltage (Va) from an input position signal (Xact setp). Then, the control voltage is processed in a feed forward system for generating a processed control signal (Va_p) which is fed to the position actuator for displacing said lens to the X-position. A Z-value corresponding to the axial distance of the lens from a calibrated axial position and a temperature of the pick-up unit are measured. The position actuator operates according to the formula: Xdc=Va_p*K(Temp,Z)/(R(Temp)* C(Temp,Z)) in which: Xdc=position signal for said given position Va_p=Va processed K=property of ‘actuator’ 21: Newton/Ampere R=resistance of ‘actuator’ coil C=Spring constant in Newton/meter.

Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive also includes a means for transmitting the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user.