129results about "Sensing record carrier/container features" patented technology

A method of multi-channel magnetic tape recording and reading that compensates for track pitch changes. The method utilizes a closed loop servo system to adjust lateral and azimuth position of the recording head assembly. Servo information is written at a slight azimuth angle, adjacent the outer most tracks of a band of tracks. The recording angle being based on a dimensional stability coefficient of the tape. After data is written at the initial angle, the azimuth angle of the head is rotated through a predetermined range of angle during read-only to align the outermost read gaps with the servo tracks. By doing so, signal strength is maximized across all tracks, even if track pitch changes.

A memory data reader of a magnetic tape library device reads from a memory of a magnetic tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape, information pertaining to data read from or written to the magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive device. A maintenance / replace determining unit determines whether the magnetic tape drive device needs maintenance or replacement from the read information.

A picture signal recording / reproducing apparatus is disclosed in which a CPU 11 records the identification information for discriminating the video cassette during picture recording on a magnetic tape, while recording the recording information indicating the recording contents, such as the still picture data for program scenes, in memories 13 and 14 in association with the identification information. During reproduction, the CPU 11 reads out still picture data of each program from the memories 13 and 14, while a digital signal processing circuit 15 converts the still picture data of each program as a multi-picture into analog signals which are outputted to a TV receiver via an analog signal processing circuit 23 and an output terminal 33. The result is that the scenes of plural programs recorded in each of plural video cassettes are displayed on the TV receiver. This permits the user to easily recognize the program recorded on the video cassettes and to reproduce the desired program or to record a program in an optimum video cassette.

A storage subsystem, method of testing storage media in the storage subsystem and program product therefor. The storage media, e.g., magnetic tape in a physical volume, is inserted into an input area in the storage subsystem, but not loaded into the subsystem library. The media input area on the physical volume is scanned and a test command is queued. The test storage media is moved to a drive for testing. After testing, the storage media is returned to the input area.

A memory data reader of a magnetic tape library device reads from a memory of a magnetic tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape, information pertaining to data read from or written to the magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive device. A maintenance / replace determining unit determines whether the magnetic tape drive device needs maintenance or replacement from the read information.

An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a media storage system. A transponder (e.g., an RFID transponder) is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data and a reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. The reader is attached to a cartridge plunge mechanism so that the reader is positioned near the transponder regardless of the mechanical tolerances of the media storage system. Once positioned adjacent one another, the transponder is activated and queried by the reader. The transponder transmits a data signal containing the related data to the reader and a controller operatively associated with the reader processes the data signal.

In one general embodiment, a system includes a first device on a first substrate; a second device on a second substrate; and a device select system coupled to the first and second devices. The device select system includes: a first portion having an array of first electrical contacts; a second portion having an array of second electrical contacts, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts, the second portion being coupled to the first and second devices, each of the first electrical contacts being associated with at least two of the second electrical contacts; and a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the second electrical contacts associated therewith.

Diagnostic information is provided in an automated data storage library which stores magnetic tape data storage cartridges. Uninitialized magnetic tape data storage cartridges are identified; a diagnostic scan is conducted by a drive of the library of the servo tracks on magnetic tape of an identified cartridge using write criteria for a diagnostic test; the results of the diagnostic test are logged by the drive; and the logged results of the diagnostic test are collected at the library controller.

Data recording apparatus in which content data is recorded as a set of successive data portions in a recording order on a linear-access recording medium, the set of data portions being access-controlled in dependence upon reference data comprises means for recording the reference data and the set of access-controlled data portions on the linear-access recording medium, the recording means being operable to record the reference data at a reference data position on the linear-access recording medium, and to record location information with at least some of the data portions in the set, the location information defining the position on the linear-access recording medium of the reference data relevant to that data portion.

In one general embodiment, a system includes a first device on a first substrate; a second device on a second substrate; and a device select system coupled to the first and second devices. The device select system includes: a first portion having an array of first electrical contacts; a second portion having an array of second electrical contacts, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts, the second portion being coupled to the first and second devices, each of the first electrical contacts being associated with at least two of the second electrical contacts; and a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the second electrical contacts associated therewith.

The present invention provides a recording medium where data cannot be unjustly accessed even if the recording medium is stolen because a data recording area for recording data is equipped and a servo signal for controlling an access of a data recording and / or reproducing mechanism to the data recording area is encoded with user's unique information and recorded; a method of reproducing the data from the recording medium; and a method of recording the servo signal in the recording medium.

<DEL-S DATE="20010213" ID="DEL-S-00001">A copy prevention method and apparatus of a digital magnetic recording / reproducing system performs the copy prevention function by encoding to insert a marker involving copy prevention function information and executing the function and allows a program supplier to realize a desired copy prevention function of various patterns, in which the marker formed by a control word for scrambling audio and video bit straps and copy prevention information for preventing an illegal copy is encrypted by an encoded key to be multiplexed with the audio and video bit strips scrambled by the control word. The marker transmitted is detected from the bit strips to be decrypted and analyzed by the encoded key to determine whether the copy is permitted or not, so that the detected marker is updated to be recorded on a video tape and the control word is produced from the marker to perform the descrambling to supply the result to a monitor to be displayed. Thus, the program supplier selects the copy prevention function, and a separate format converting apparatus is not required since a field defined within a GA format is utilized while an existing DVCR is not need to be changed for performing the copy prevention function as the data amount to be recorded is not increased.<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00001"> <INS-S DATE="20010213" ID="INS-S-00001">The method and apparatus for transmitting and / or recording digital data generates control data and initializes a scrambler based on the control data. Digital data is scrambled using the scrambler. A marker is formed including the control data and the scrambled digital data and the marker are transmitted or recorded as a packet. The packet includes a header, which includes the marker. When the scrambled digital data and the marker, as a packet, are received, the marker is detected and the control data is obtained from the marker. A descrambler is initialized based on the control data, and the scrambled digital data is descrambled using the descrambler. <INS-E ID="INS-S-00001">

In one general embodiment, a system includes a first device on a first substrate; a second device on a second substrate; and a device select system coupled to the first and second devices. The device select system includes: a first portion having an array of first electrical contacts; a second portion having an array of second electrical contacts, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts, the second portion being coupled to the first and second devices, each of the first electrical contacts being associated with at least two of the second electrical contacts; and a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the second electrical contacts associated therewith.

A data storage cartridge is described. The data storage cartridge includes a housing, a data storage medium, a memory module, and at least one sensor. The housing defines first and second housing sections that are reciprocally mated to form an enclosed region. The data storage medium and the memory module are disposed within the enclosed region, and the sensor(s) is / are disposed within the enclosed region and electrically coupled to the memory module. In this regard, sensor(s) is / are configured to sense a cartridge event and the memory module communicates with the sensor(s) to record the sensed cartridge event(s).

A write once read many magnetic tape system has a tape cartridge housing a length of magnetic tape adapted to record and store electronic data, and an electronic memory device. A tape drive receives the tape and reads the memory device. The drive is operable only in a write once read many mode in response to information read from the memory device.

Attributes of data recorded on a magnetic tape are stored in an attribute information table saved in an MIC (Memory in Cassette) of a tape cassette accommodated in a tape streamer drive connected to a host computer. The attributes are recorded for every identifier used for identifying a recording unit of the data. For each identifier, the attributes include the name of a file, a title, a file creation date / time, a file updating date / time, the amount of data contained in the file, the type of the data and a compression rate of the data. The attributes include not only those supplied by the host computer but also attributes generated after a data recording operation as information on the recording location of data. The attributes generated after the data recording operation include a group number and an offset from the beginning of the group identified by the group number. For example, the present invention can be applied to the tape streamer drive.

In recording information, meta data defined in SMPTE 298M and 335M, buried in video and audio material signals to be recorded to a magnetic tape (30) are extracted, the thus extracted meta data or meta data generated from information other than the material signals, are written to a contactless memory tag (37), whereby it is made possible to acquire meta data about material signals recorded in a recording medium without actual reading of the material signals in the recording medium and use the meta data for search, validation, etc.

A library system having a reader and labeling device (200) for interrogating data storage cartridges of the type containing an in-built memory chip having information stored describing details of data contained on the data storage medium is disclosed. The reader-labeling device comprises a processor, random access memory, printer, display, keypad, operating system, transponder, receiver and battery power supply. Key parameters describing a data cartridge can be accessed quickly and efficiently without the need to access the data storage medium itself. A cartridge media specific label may be rapidly printed for attachment to a data storage cartridge. The reader-labeling device may be incorporated into an automatic library (201) accessible by a robotic arm (202), wherein the user may quickly read summary information describing a data storage cartridge or its contents from information stored on a memory attached to the cartridge by use of the reader-labeling device externally controlled.

A tape media carrier has a tape medium for storing data, a rotatable element, such as a tape reel, bearing the tape medium, and a transducer within the tape media carrier. The transducer includes a sensor element and a detector for detecting at least one attribute of the sensor element that is responsive to ambient conditions within the tape carrier. The detector may be a strain gauge, in which case the measured attribute is strain. In another aspect, the sensor element may include marks disposed in at least one dimension. An optical detector in the media carrier may measure distance between the marks to represent the measured attribute of the sensor.

A method and system for detecting the end of a tape within a tape drive system, wherein the tape drive system includes a take-up reel and a supply reel upon which the tape is wound. The tape is driven through the tape drive system at a closed loop velocity. A tension transducer located in a path of the tape is utilized to monitor a tension associated with the tape while the tape is being driven through the tape drive system at the closed loop velocity. The tension transducer is utilized to detect the end of the tape. The take-up reel is then moved through a predetermined arc of rotation, in response to a cessation of the driving of the tape through the tape drive system. A confirmation is then provided that the end of tape has been detected, in response to a particular output of the tension transducer. Verification that the end of the tape has been achieved is provided, in response to an output of a tachometer attached to the take-up reel, while moving the take-up reel through a predetermined arc of rotation, if the output of the tachometer is at least equal to a predetermined threshold parameter.

A single-reel tape cartridge includes a leader block and a take-up reel disposed inside a drive apparatus that are provided with retaining members so that the leader block is firmly positioned and rattling thereof is prevented. A pair of changer grips which extend from end to end of a housing of the cartridge in the vertical direction are formed at two corners of the cartridge housing. In addition, a memory module, which stores the management information for the tape-like recording medium and which is used for radio communication, is disposed at an angle in one of the corners of the cartridge so that a communication antenna of the memory module faces at least two directions. In addition, the leader tape is provided with a striped portion used for identifying the medium, and the cartridge housing is closed by a shutter used for disengaging the reel lock.

In recording information, meta data defined in SMPTE 298M and 335M, buried in video and audio material signals to be recorded to a magnetic tape (30) are extracted, the thus extracted meta data or meta data generated from information other than the material signals, are written to a contactless memory tag (37), whereby it is made possible to acquire meta data about material signals recorded in a recording medium without actual reading of the material signals in the recording medium and use the meta data for search, validation, etc.

A cartridge handling system and method initialize a data storage cartridge having rewritable media and a cartridge memory for tamper resistant write once recording. A write-once flag is written to a lockable section of the cartridge memory also having a cartridge memory serial number, and the section locked to read-only. A write-once flag and the serial number are written to a required data set of the rewritable media, both thereby appearing in both locations of the cartridge.

Methods and apparatus for storing data. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a tape cartridge which has a cartridge memory. The cartridge memory can store therein a set of label data and a cartridge stamp. The set of label data is read by a reader device only when the reader device, in conjunction with a controller, determines that the cartridge stamp has been updated. Methods in accordance with the present invention comprise steps of reading the set of label data if the cartridge stamp is determined to have been updated.

Provided is a tape recorder that has a tape including at least one partition and that controls access to the tape. The tape recorder includes: means for identifying a position of data on the tape; means for sequentially reading necessary data areas in the data; means for sequentially copying the necessary data areas to the beginning of an empty area on the tape; means for creating a continuous front empty area formed of unnecessary data areas and copy source areas of the necessary data areas on the tape; and means for moving a beginning of the partition (BOP) to a position immediately after the front empty area and for updating the position information on the beginning of the partition.

To provide a recording-medium cartridge and a recording-and-reproducing device in which a write-once area and a re-writable area can exist together. By controlling recording-and-reproducing device 11 based on the information showing the re-writable area and the write-once area stored in management information of cartridge memory 9 and by recording on the magnetic tape MT, co-existence of the re-writable area and the write-once area on the magnetic tape MT is achieved.

A method of adjusting a magnetic head of the invention includes the steps of: setting a cleaning cartridge into a drive unit; identifying the set cartridge as the cleaning cartridge by checking a cleaning bit in a non-volatile memory; performing an adjustment-operation after a cleaning operation when the set cartridge is identified as the cleaning cartridge; and reading out a pattern signal from a predetermined segment of the magnetic tape held in the cleaning cartridge.

The present invention provides fast read performance for accessing a file from a multiplicity of files when its corresponding Block ID is unavailable, by furnishing new file-positioning commands, allowing access to data based on File Number, at the same fast locate speed as with Block Ids, thereby expanding the range of applications that can use certain tape drive systems effectively. The present invention includes both a device architecture for supporting the file oriented positioning and the appending, as well as a software system that can permit easy application access to the device facilities and system components which permit the advantages to accrue without any software application or operator changes, including a robust architecture for navigating residual data, e.g., for data recovery. The present invention comprises several device command innovations, a relative positioning command, an absolute positioning command, and other commands, e.g., for sensing current position.