IBM Assigned Twenty-One Patents

Dynamic tape guide bearing tilt mechanism
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,860,217) developed by Harper, David, Vail, AZ, and Bui, Nhan Xuan, Tucson, AZ, for a “dynamic tape guide bearing tilt mechanism.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”At least one jack screw from a tape deck base may be removed. The tape deck base may be below a rigid support base that includes a rigid support shaft in the center of the rigid support base. A piezoelectric stack may be inserted where the at least one jack screw was removed from the tape deck base. The piezoelectric stack may tilt a tape guide roller bearing in a skew direction to improve the motion of tape in a tape path.”

The patent application was filed on September 11, 2019 (16/567,849).

Multichannel tape head module having embedded thermal device
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,740) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, and Lo, Calvin S., Saratoga, CA, for a “multichannel tape head module having embedded thermal device.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having: an array of transducers formed in thin film structure on a substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a heating element positioned in the thin film structure and recessed from the tape bearing surface. An apparatus, according to another embodiment, includes a module having an array of transducers formed on a substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module between skiving edges thereof. A slot is formed in the substrate adjacent one of the skiving edges. A heating element is positioned in the slot.”

The patent application was filed on October 18, 2018 (16/164,674).

Generating cognitive usage models for drive operations
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,739) developed by Liang, Jason, Campbell, CA, and Lam, Ho-Yiu, Mountain View, CA, for “generating cognitive usage models for drive operations.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A system includes a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor, the logic being configured to gather usage data of a tape drive during usage thereof and create and/or update a usage model based on the usage data. The logic is configured to determine that the usage model has reached a predefined confidence level and perform an action for extending a life of the tape drive in response to determining that the usage model has reached the predefined confidence level.”

The patent application was filed on September 12, 2019 (16/569,504).

Selecting wrap angle for inducing tape tenting above transducer
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,725) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, Czarnecki, W. Stanley, Palo Alto, CA, and Lo, Calvin S., Saratoga, CA, for “methods for selecting wrap angle for inducing tape tenting above transducer.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”In one embodiment, a computer program product for determining a wrap angle includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method that includes receiving, by the processor, a measurement of a distance from an edge to a transducer, receiving, by the processor, a predefined height of tenting of a magnetic recording tape above the transducer, and determining, by the processor, a wrap angle for inducing tenting of the magnetic recording tape above the transducer at the predefined height when the magnetic recording tape passes over the edge in a direction of tape travel thereacross.”

The patent application was filed on June 19, 2019 (16/446,439).

Damping lateral tape motion disturbances
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,724) developed by Harper, David H. F., Vail, AZ, and Reininger, Peter, Rueschlikon, Switzerland, for “damping lateral tape motion disturbances.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a roller guide. A patterned bar is also positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. Moreover, the patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. The patterned bar is also not directly coupled to the module, and both edges of the patterned bar which engage the magnetic tape are skiving edges. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.”

The patent application was filed on October 24, 2019 (16/663,170).

Rewinder tape drives
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,723) developed by Nave, Shawn M., Jesionowski, Lee, and McIntosh, Michael Philip, Tucson, AZ, for “rewinder tape drives.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method includes instructing performance of a data operation on a magnetic recording tape using a primary drive, wherein the primary drive rewinds the magnetic recording tape onto a spool at a first tension. The method also includes instructing transfer of the magnetic recording tape to a rewinder drive after performance of the data operation and instructing the rewinder drive to perform a low-tension rewind operation. The low-tension rewind operation includes unspooling the magnetic recording tape from the spool and rewinding the magnetic recording tape onto the spool at a second tension lower than the first tension.”

The patent application was filed on January 7, 2020 (16/736,528).

Management of head and media dimensional stability
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,722) developed by Judd, Kevin B., Inch, Randy C., Tucson, AZ, Ogura, Eiji, Yokohama, Japan, Gale, Ernest S., Nylander-Hill, Pamela R., Christiansen, Dale A., Greco, Paul M., Butt, Kevin D., and Wallace, Steven M., Tucson, AZ, for a “management of head and media dimensional stability.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a magnetic head having servo readers of known pitch, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head. The controller is configured to measure, using signals from the magnetic head, a servo band difference at various locations along a length of the magnetic recording tape. The controller is also configured to cause storage of servo band difference information about the servo band difference measurements in association with the magnetic recording tape.”

The patent application was filed on October 23, 2019 (16/661,929).

Averaged slope timing-based-servo tape-creep detection
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,715) developed by Winarski, Daniel James, Bui, Nhan Xuan, Randall, Lee Curtis, and Bradshaw, Richard, Tucson, AZ, for an “averaged slope timing-based-servo tape-creep detection.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A tape drive may calculate a slope for each of the timing-based-servo marks in a timing-based-servo group. The timing-based-servo marks are arranged in one or more M-patterns. The tape drive may average the slope for each of the timing-based-servo marks across the one or more M-patterns. The tape drive may generate a least-squares assessment of the averaged slope. The tape drive may determine, from the least-squares assessment, whether the averaged slope is demonstrative of tape-creep.”

The patent application was filed on October 29, 2019 (16/667,107).

Storage cartridge having calibrated servo format region
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,714) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, for “data storage cartridge having a calibrated servo format region and methods for using same.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A tape cartridge according to one aspect includes a tape formatted with a servo pattern having at least two servo tracks thereon. The tape cartridge having stored therein a value corresponding to a difference between a specified distance between adjacent servo tracks and an average distance between adjacent servo tracks on the tape. The average distance is an average of actual distances between adjacent servo tracks over a portion of the tape. Various computer program products for using such a tape cartridge are also disclosed.”

The patent application was filed on August 21, 2019 (16/547,439).

Tape head and system having asymmetrical construction
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,708) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, for “data storage cartridge having a calibrated servo format region and methods for using same.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a measurement of a first distance from a first edge to a sensor, receiving a predefined height of tenting of a magnetic recording tape above the sensor, and calculating a wrap angle to create the predefined height of tenting when the magnetic recording tape passes over the first edge in a direction of tape travel.”

The patent application was filed on July 18, 2019 (16/515,949).

Detection of off-track reads between wraps located in different tape partitions
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,832,703) developed by Masuda, Setsuko, Toshima-ku, Japan, and Miyamura, Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, for a “detection of off-track reads between wraps located in different tape partitions.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method for incrementing a tape write pass (WP) value includes identifying an action that requires incrementing a tape WP value on a magnetic tape storage device. The computer-implemented method further includes, in response to identifying the action that requires incrementing the tape WP value on the magnetic tape storage device: assigning a new tape WP value to a dataset based, at least in part, on a partition number corresponding to the data partition in which the dataset is written to.”

The patent application was filed on September 20, 2019 (16/577,058).

Synchronizing data writes
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,831,624) developed by Mitsuma, Shinsuke, Machida, Japan, Hasegawa, Tohru, Tokyo, Japan, Itagaki, Hiroshi, Miyamura, Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, and Yamamoto, Noriko, Tokyo, Japan, for “synchronizing data writes.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Aspects of the present disclosure relate to synchronizing data writes. An update to a file stored on a virtual tape image is received. A position and length of the file is recorded as an invalid data area. The virtual tape image is then synchronized with a tape. The invalid data area is then released from the virtual tape image.”

The patent application was filed on April 4, 2019 (16/374,830).

Storing multiple instances of housekeeping data set on magnetic recording tape
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,818,314) developed by Miyamura, Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, and Masuda, Setsuko, Tokyo, Japan, for “storing multiple instances of a housekeeping data set on a magnetic recording tape.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control writing operations to a magnetic recording tape. The apparatus further includes logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to write user data to the magnetic recording tape in a user data area of the magnetic recording tape. Furthermore, the logic is integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to create a housekeeping data set (HKDS) that includes location information for the user data written in the user data area, and write several copies of the HKDS in a non-user data area of the magnetic recording tape.”

The patent application was filed on May 7, 2019 (16/405,517).

Management of multi-library storage
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,817,207) developed by Itagaki, Hiroshi, Yokohama, Japan, Hasegawa, Tohru, Tokyo, Japan, Mitsuma, Shinsuke, Higashimurayama, Japan, Miyamura, Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, Yamamoto, Noriko, and Matsui, Sosuke, Tokyo, Japan, for a “management of a multi-library storage system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer-implemented method for managing a first storage library and a second storage library, according to one embodiment, includes associating a first physical tape and a second physical tape with a logical tape. The associating includes writing a first identifier to an index of the logical tape. The first identifier represents the first physical tape and the first storage library. The associating further includes writing a second identifier to the index of the logical tape. The second identifier represents the second physical tape and the second storage library. The computer-implemented method further includes storing the index of the logical tape in memory, and displaying the logical tape by reading the index from memory as a file system.”

The patent application was filed on August 21, 2018 (16/108,017).

Filled-gap magnetic recording head
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,811,036) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, Iben, Icko E. T., Santa Clara, CA, and Liang, Jason, Campbell, CA, for “filled-gap magnetic recording head and method of making.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A magnetic head, according to one embodiment, includes a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge. A closure is positioned opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, the closure forming a portion of the tape support surface. A recessed gap region is interposed between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a recessed gap profile that extends between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a transducer row with at least one magnetic sensor on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate. An insulation layer is positioned over the recessed gap profile of the recessed gap region.”

The patent application was filed on October 8, 2018 (16/154,596).

Selecting tape drive having shortest relative unmount and unload time
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,802,724) developed by Hasegawa, Tohru, Tokyo, Japan, and Abe, Atsushi, Ebina, Japan, for “selecting a tape drive having a shortest relative unmount and unload time.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”In one general embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by the computer, a request to access a first magnetic recording tape. A determination is made, by the computer, whether the first magnetic recording tape is currently loaded in a tape drive. In response to determining that the first magnetic recording tape is not currently loaded in a tape drive, a determination is made, by the computer, of an amount of time to unmount and unload a magnetic recording tape from each of at least two tape drives each having a magnetic recording tape loaded therein. The tape drive with the shortest amount of time to unmount and unload the magnetic recording tape loaded therein is selected and instructed to unload the magnetic recording tape loaded therein. The first magnetic recording tape is caused to be loaded into the selected tape drive.”

The patent application was filed on December 18, 2017 (15/845,848).

Tape drive with gas jet impinging on tape
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,783,920) developed by Rothuizen, Hugo E., Oberrieden, Switzerland, Reininger, Peter, Adliswil, Switzerland, Haeberle, Walter, Waedenswil, Switzerland, and Lantz, Mark A., Adliswil, Switzerland, for a “tape drive with gas jet impinging on tape.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method of operating a magnetic tape within a tape drive. The tape drive comprises a tape head, which shows a tape-bearing surface meant to face a front side of a magnetic tape, in operation. The tape-bearing surface comprises a transducer area. This area includes at least one transducer, which is a read or write element configured to read or write to the magnetic tape, respectively. The method may include driving the tape, (along a longitudinal direction of circulation thereof above the tape-bearing surface) and concomitantly ejecting a gas flow toward the transducer area. The gas flow ejected impinges on the back side of the driven tape (e.g., opposite to the front side of the tape), so as to locally urge the front side of the tape against the transducer area and thereby read or write to the tape via said at least one transducer.”

The patent application was filed on October 4, 2019 (16/593,607).

Tape library integrated failure indication based on cognitive sound and vibration analysis
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,776,239) developed by Breuer, Marcus, Dalheim, Germany, Jackle, Werner, Gau-Bischofsheim, Germany, Krick, Frank, Ockenheim, Germany, Muehge, Thorsten, Budenheim, Germany, and Rueger, Erik, Ockenheim, Germany, for a “tape library integrated failure indication based on cognitive sound and vibration analysis.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method, computer system, and a computer program product for integrated failure indication is provided. The present invention may include receiving a plurality of sensor data from a plurality of sensors mounted within the tape system. The present invention may then include determining that the received plurality of sensor data is abnormal. The present invention may then include generating an alert based on determining that the received plurality of sensor data is abnormal. The present invention may lastly include sending the generated alert to a program manager.”

The patent application was filed on November 30, 2017 (15/828,358).

Adaptive tension position changing for magnetic tape recording device
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,770,107) developed by Abe, Atsushi, Ebina, Japan, Miyamura, Tsuyoshi, and Ogura, Eiji, Yokohama, Japan, for an “adaptive tension position changing for magnetic tape recording device.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a method, computer program product, and system for handling seek commands for a tape drive. The method includes receiving a seek command for moving tape in the tape drive to a target position. The method further includes determining whether to move the tape according to a first procedure or a second procedure. The first procedure includes directly moving the tape from the current position to the target position with the tape at the first tension. The second procedure includes moving the tape from the current position to the HWM with the tape at the first tension and moving the tape from the HWM to the target position with the tape at the second tension. The method further includes moving the tape according to the determined first or second procedure.”

The patent application was filed on June 4, 2019 (16/430,546).

Hybrid servo pattern configurations for magnetic tape
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,770,102) developed by Bui, Nhan X., Tucson, AZ, Cherubini, Giovanni, Rueschlikon, Switzerland, Furrer, Simeon, Altdorf, Switzerland, Lantz, Mark A., Adliswil, Switzerland, and Tsuruta, Kazuhiro, Tokyo, Japan, for a “hybrid servo pattern configurations for magnetic tape.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: using information read from one or more servo bands on a magnetic tape to position a magnetic tape head relative to the magnetic tape. An array of data transducers is positioned along the magnetic tape head, the array extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the magnetic tape. Moreover, a group of servo readers is positioned at each end of the array of data transducers. A distance between each of the immediately adjacent servo readers in each of the groups of servo readers is less than or equal to one third of a prespecified width of each of the servo bands. Furthermore, the distance between each of the servo readers in each of the groups and the prespecified width are both measured in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the magnetic tape.”

The patent application was filed on May 21, 2019 (16/418,905).

Writing servo patterns
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (10,770,101) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, and Imaino, Wayne I., San Jose, CA, for “systems and methods for writing servo patterns.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A computer program product for writing a servo track includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a computer. The program instructions cause the computer to monitor a lateral position of a magnetic tape passing over a servo writing head during a servo track writing operation and write servo marks to the magnetic tape. A timing of the writing of each mark is based on the monitored position of the magnetic tape. A computer program product for writing a servo track includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a computer. The program instructions cause the computer to optically monitor a lateral position of a magnetic tape passing over a servo writing head during a servo track writing operation.”

The patent application was filed on January 24, 2019 (16/256,929).