IBM Assigned Seven Patents

Batch scheme for magnetic-tape operation
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12062384) developed by Iliadis; Ilias, Rueschlikon, Switzerland, Lantz; Mark Alfred, and Sarafijanovic; Slavisa, Adliswil, Switzerland, for a “batch scheme for magnetic-tape operation.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A computer-implemented method and a related tape library system for controlling an operation of a tape library system comprising at least one magnetic-tape drive unit and a plurality of tape cartridges, wherein the operation of the tape library system comprises a usage optimization of available resources of the tape library system, is disclosed. The method comprises determining a load value of the resources of the tape library system, accumulating requests to a tape cartridge in a batch before using tape library system to physically accessing the tape cartridge, and dynamically adjusting a number of requests in the batch before physically accessing the tape cartridge dependent on the load value such that a response time of the tape library system is optimized.”

The patent application was filed on 2023-07-13 (18/351683).

Determining lateral error offsets to adjust lateral position at which to move tape head with respect to tape medium
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12051450) developed by Judd; Kevin Bruce, Inch; Randy Clark, and Swanson; David Lee, Tucson, AZ, for “determining lateral error offsets to adjust a lateral position at which to move a tape head with respect to a tape medium.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Provided are a controller, tape drive, and method for determining a lateral position at which to move a tape head. The tape head, comprising a first module having a first servo reader and a second module having a second servo reader, is rotated to rotate the second servo reader at skew angles with respect to the first servo reader. A determination is made of estimated lateral positions of the second reader at the skew angles. Expected lateral positions of the second servo reader at the skew angles are calculated from a calculated distance between the first and the second servo readers and the skew angles. Lateral error offsets, comprising differences of estimated lateral positions and expected lateral positions at the skew angles, are added to an error offset data structure used to adjust a target lateral position at which to position the tape head.”

The patent application was filed on 2023-07-26 (18/359663).

Cable bonding protection for head dimensional stability
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12033678) developed by Liang; Jason, Campbell, CA, Hamidi; Hoodin, San Francisco, CA, and Brown; Daniel, San Jose, CA, for a “cable bonding protection for head dimensional stability.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “An apparatus includes a beam, a chip coupled to the beam, a cable coupled to the beam by a first material located at opposite edges of the cable, and wire bonds extending from pads of the cable to pads of the chip. An apparatus includes a beam and a chip coupled to the beam. The chip includes an array of magnetic transducers for transducing data on a magnetic recording tape. The apparatus includes a cable coupled to the beam by a first material located at opposite edges of the cable, wire bonds extending from pads of the cable to pads of the chip, and a second material encapsulating ends of the wire bonds that are located adjacent the cable. The second material does not contact the chip.”

The patent application was filed on 2021-09-16 (17/476720).

Minimizing high resolution tape directory recovery time
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12020731) developed by Miyamura; Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, and Masuda; Setsuko, Toshima-ku, Japan, for “minimizing high resolution tape directory recovery time.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Provided is a system, method, and computer program product for minimizing high resolution tape directory (HRTD) recovery time when a HRTD is invalid. A tape drive may load a tape in the tape drive. In response to receiving a write command or a read command at a beginning of tape (BOT) position, the tape drive may execute the write command or the read command without performing HRTD recovery. In response to receiving the write command or the read command at a position other than the BOT position, the tape drive may determine if the HRTD is valid. In response to determining the HRTD is not valid, the tape drive may clear a timer.”

The patent application was filed on 2023-06-18 (18/211279).

Side erasure control for track writing in system
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12014755) developed by Lantz; Mark Alfred, Adliswil, Switzerland, Rothuizen; Hugo E., Oberrieden, Switzerland, Furrer; Simeon, Altdorf, Switzerland, Brach; Stella, Oberrieden, Switzerland, Liang; Jason, Campbell, CA, Iben; Icko E. T., Santa Clara, CA, Lauhoff; Georg Lothar, San Jose, CA, and Swanson; David Lee, Tucson, AZ, for a “side erasure control for track writing in a system.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “In one aspect of the present disclosure, the degree of side erasure occurring in neighboring tracks is controlled by controlling the skew angle of the tape head, relative to the longitudinal direction of motion of the tape past the head as a track is written. In one embodiment, the tape head is rotated relative to the longitudinal direction of tape travel, and the trailing edge of the tape head which forms an acute angle with the edge of a track being written, is used for writing tracks at a desired track pitch. Other aspects and advantages may be provided, depending upon the particular application.”

The patent application was filed on 2023-07-31 (18/362337).

Tape unmounting protocol
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (12001405) developed by Hasegawa; Tohru, Tokyo, Japan, Miyamura; Tsuyoshi, Yokohama, Japan, Abe; Atsushi, Ebina, Japan, Mitsuma; Shinsuke, Yamamoto; Noriko, and Matsui; Sosuke, Tokyo, Japan, for a “tape unmounting protocol.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Described are techniques for a tape unmounting protocol. The techniques include selecting a tape for unmounting from a plurality of tape drives, where the tape for unmounting includes a remaining capacity below a first threshold and a number of migrated files below a second threshold. The techniques further include unmounting the tape for unmounting from a tape drive.”

The patent application was filed on 2020-03-13 (16/817674).

Guide roller having magnets and bushings to stabilize roller barrel for tape medium
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Armonk, NY, has been assigned a patent (11994169) developed by Judd; Kevin Bruce, Tucson, AZ, Haeberle; Walter, Waedenswil, Switzerland, Furrer; Simeon, Altdorf, Switzerland, Lantz; Mark Alfred, Adliswil, Switzerland, and Argumedo; Armando, Tucson, AZ, for a “guide roller having magnets and bushings to stabilize a roller barrel for a tape medium.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Provided are a tape guide roller and tape drive having a guide roller having magnets and bushings to stabilize a roller barrel for a tape medium. The tape guide roller has a roller barrel extending around a vertical axis. The tape medium passes across the roller barrel to guide the tape medium on a tape path. A plurality of magnets positioned with respect to the vertical axis provide an axial force to stabilize the tape guide roller axially.”

The patent application was filed on 2022-08-22 (17/821248).