Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

David W Chew

Dean Mitcham Jenkins

Lei Zhang

Wei Xi

Jun Xu

Jianguo Zhou

William Bernard Boyle

James N Malina

Thomas J Hitchner

Mark L Watson

A data storage device is disclosed comprising at least one head configured to access a magnetic tape. A plurality of access commands are stored in a command queue, and a wear value is generated for each access command in the command queue, wherein the wear value represents a level of wear on the head or magnetic tape associated with executing the access command. An execution order for the access commands is generated based on the wear values, and at least one of the access commands is executed based on the execution order.

Data storage device compensating for head/tape wear

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing secure access to a data storage device. A user may move the data storage device (e.g., wave, twist, etc.). The data storage device may determine whether the motions valid and may allow access to the data storage device (e.g., to non-volatile memory of the data storage device) when the motions are valid.

Data storage device with secure access based on motions of the data storage device

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing secure access to a data storage device. A user may provide tap inputs, such as taps or knocks, on an enclosure of the data storage device. The data storage device may determine whether the tap inputs are valid and may allow access to the data storage device (e.g., to non-volatile memory of the data storage device) when the tap inputs are valid.

Data storage device with secure access based on tap inputs

A tape embedded drive can include tape media for storing data, a first tape reel and a second tape reel, each coupled to one end of the tape media, and a head stack assembly (HSA). The HSA can include a first head assembly having at least one read head and one write head and a second head assembly having a non-operable head incapable of reading or writing. In an embodiment, the first head assembly is configured to be placed along a first side of the tape media and the second head assembly with the non-operable head is configured to be placed along a second side of the tape media opposite the first side of the tape media.

Tape embedded drive with HDD components

A storage system can include a first tape storage drive (TSD), a second TSD, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) where the first and second TSD are coupled back-to-back, with the PCBA between the two. The first TSD can include a first enclosure, a first head assembly, a first actuator, and a first connector. The second TSD can include a second enclosure, a second head assembly, a second actuator, and a second connector. The PCBA can include a first side having a first mating connector configured to connect to the first connector for the first TSD, a second side opposite the first side, the second side having a second mating connector configured to connect to the second connector for the second TSD, and a controller configured to control activation of the first actuator of the first TSD and the second actuator of the second TSD.

Dual drive tape embedded system

A hand held data storage apparatus includes a disk-based storage device, an interface configured for data transfer with the storage device, and an enclosure that encapsulates the storage device and the interface, wherein the enclosure is configured with a rectangular mobile phone form factor.

Hand held storage device

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing distributed data storage. A data storage device is configured to operate in at least two modes of operation, including a first mode, in which the data storage device may sync a file directory with a corresponding file directory of a separate data storage device when the data storage devices are connected over a broadcast connection in a first local area network (LAN). In a second mode of operation, the data storage device may connect to a host device over a dedicated point-to-point connection over a second LAN when the data storage device is not connected to the first LAN.

Local area network distributed storage

A communications cable including a first communications interface configured to be connected to a storage device, a second communications interface configured to receive data and power, a wireless access module configured to be powered by the power received by the second communications interface and to enable wireless access of the storage device, and a cable unit including one or more cables and configured to connect the wireless access module to the first communications interface and the second communications interface, and the first communications interface to the second communications interface.

Growing community of inventors

San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States of America

David W Chew