Data Backup Device Using Multiple Hard Disk Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup systems, particularly those using magnetic tapes, face high acquisition and maintenance costs, are sensitive to environmental factors, and have long access times, making them inefficient and costly for large data volumes.
Innovation Solution
A data backup device utilizing multiple hard disks with each disk having its own read/write unit and electronic control, allowing for reduced media replacement and elimination of the need for a tape-changing robot, with a control unit managing data transfer and storage across multiple removable housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic tape is used for data backup, then data can be stored portably and remotely, but access time becomes very long (minute range) and the system is sensitive to dust, moisture and magnetic influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tape transport system with electronic hard disk drives. Instead of physically moving tape through a drive, the system uses electronic control to access data on hard disks, eliminating the mechanical constraints that cause long access times while maintaining data security through remote storage capability
2Extent of automation
If a tape changing robot is used to automate tape replacement, then media replacement is automated, but acquisition costs and maintenance costs become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical tape changing robot by using hard disk drives that can be electronically managed. The system uses electronic control units to manage multiple hard disks without requiring complex mechanical automation, thereby reducing both device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining automated backup functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit in the patent performs multiple functions including managing data backup, selecting which hard disk to access, and coordinating media replacement. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized components like tape changing robots, reducing overall system complexity
3Quantity of substance
If multiple tapes are required for large data volumes, then storage capacity is achieved, but the number of tapes and replacement frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple storage functions into a single hard disk drive system. Instead of using multiple separate tapes that require individual handling and replacement, the system uses hard disks with greater individual capacity and electronic management, merging the functionality of multiple tapes into fewer, more manageable storage units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage medium from magnetic tape to hard disk, fundamentally altering the capacity parameter. Hard disks provide significantly larger storage capacity per unit compared to tapes, reducing the total number of media units required and improving backup efficiency through faster access speeds
Data Source
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AI summary
Data backup and storage device (100) for backing-up data from one or more data stores (160) has a housing, a control unit and N backup units (130), where N is greater than or equal to two. Each backup unit has at least storage medium and an assigned read-write unit. A control unit (110) has arrangement for execution of backups that control up to N minus 1 backup units and which controls the writing of data from the data stores. An independent claim is made for a data backup and storage device with a multiplicity of solid-state or flash memory backup units.