Apparatus and method to display information using an information layer laminate

A method to display information using an information layer laminate comprising at least three color layers each comprising a different color by selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer to display portions of a second color layer, and selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer and one or more portions of a second color layer to display portions of a third color layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method to display information using an information layer laminate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lasing devices are used to encode and decode information in and from various kinds of data storage media. Optical drives, including CD and DVD drives, detect variations in various optical properties in the surface of an optical data storage layer. Such optical drives direct laser light beam onto that surface and detect either the presence or absence of a corresponding reflected beam.

In holographic information storage an entire page of information is stored at once as an interference pattern within a thick, photosensitive material comprising a holographic data storage layer. This is done by intersecting two coherent laser beams within the storage layer. The first, called the data beam, contains the information to be stored; the second, called the reference beam, is designed to be simple to reproduce, for example a simple collimated beam with a planar wavefront.

The resulting interference pattern causes chemical and/or physical changes in the photosensitive medium: a replica of the interference pattern is stored as a change in the absorption, refractive index, or thickness of the photosensitive medium.

When the stored interference pattern is illuminated with one of the two waves that were used during recording, some of this incident light is diffracted by the stored interference pattern in such a fashion that the other wave is reconstructed. Illuminating the stored interference pattern with the reference beam reconstructs the data beam, and vice versa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants' invention comprises an apparatus and method to display information using an information layer laminate comprising at least three color layers each comprising a different color. The method selectively removes portions of a first color layer to display portions of a second color layer. The method further selectively removes portions of a first color layer and a second color layer to display portions of a third color layer.

In certain embodiments, Applicants' information layer laminate comprises a visible portion of an information storage assembly comprising a data storage medium. In certain embodiments, a lasing device used to encode and/or decode information in and from the data storage medium is also used to ablate portions of one or more color layers comprising Applicants' information layer laminate to visually display information relating to the information storage assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described herein in embodiments wherein a top of an information layer laminate comprises a visible portion of an information storage assembly. This description should not be taken to limit Applicant's invention to information storage assemblies. Rather, Applicants' color layer laminate, and method to display information using same, can be implemented in embodiments that do not comprise storage media, such as for example and without limitation commercial signage, employee badges, and the like.

FIG. 1shows Applicants' information layer laminate100. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1, information layer laminate100comprises 5 layers, namely color layer110, color layer120, color layer130, color layer140, and color layer150. Color layer110comprises top surface102comprising surface area160. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1, each layer of information layer laminate comprises a length104, width106, and thickness108. In certain embodiments, thickness108is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

Length104and width106can vary depending on the implementation of information layer laminate100. As an example and without limitation, in certain embodiments information layer laminate100is disposed in a data storage medium or a housing/cassette for a data storage medium. In other embodiments, information layer laminate comprises a portion of, or all of, an employee badge.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1, Applicants' information layer laminate100comprises a parallelepiped comprising a square or rectangular cross-section. In other embodiments, Applicants' information layer laminate comprises (M) layers, wherein (M) is greater than 2, and may comprise a circular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, a pentagonal cross-section, a hexagonal cross-section, and the like.

As a general matter, Applicants' color layer laminate comprises at least three layers. In certain embodiments, each of three color layers disposed in Applicants' color layer laminate comprises a different color. In certain embodiments, each of three color layers disposed in Applicants' information layer laminate comprises a different primary color.

Primary colors are sets of colors that can be combined to make a useful range of colors. For human applications, three are often used. For additive combination of colors, as in overlapping projected lights or in CRT displays, the primary colors normally used are red, green, and blue. For subtractive combination of colors, as in mixing of pigments or dyes, such as in printing, the primaries normally used are magenta, cyan, and yellow.

In certain embodiments, each of three color layers disposed in Applicants' information layer laminate comprises a different color selected from the group consisting of red, green, and blue. By “blue,” Applicants mean visible light comprising one or more wavelengths between about 440 and about 490 nanometers. By “green,” Applicants mean visible light comprising one or more wavelengths between about 520 and about 570 nanometers. By “red,” Applicants mean visible light comprising one or more wavelengths between about 625 and about 750 nanometers.

In certain embodiments, each of three color layers disposed in Applicants' information layer laminate comprises a different color selected from the group consisting of magenta, cyan, and yellow. By “magenta,” Applicants mean visible light comprising less power in yellowish-green wavelengths than in blue and red wavelengths (complements of magenta have wavelength 500-530 nm. By “cyan,” Applicants mean visible light obtained by mixing equal amounts of green and blue light or the removal of red from white light. As such, cyan is the complement of red. By “yellow,” Applicants mean visible light comprising one or more wavelengths between about 570 and about 580 nanometers.

FIG. 2Aillustrates information storage assembly200. Information storage assembly200comprises center point210, Applicants' information layer laminate100, and data storage medium220. In certain embodiments, data storage medium220is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage layer an electronic storage medium, a holographic data storage medium, and combinations thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 2B, Applicants' information layer laminate comprises five layers, wherein each layer comprises a different color. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 2B, top surface102of information layer laminate100is contiguous with top layer202of data storage medium220.

In certain embodiments, three of the five color layers each comprises a different primary color, wherein one of the remaining layers comprises a black color and wherein the other remaining color layer comprises a white color. By a color layer that “comprises a black color,” Applicants mean a color layer that does not emit or reflect light comprising any wavelengths in the visible spectrum. By a color layer that “comprises a white color,” Applicants mean a color layer that emits or reflects light comprising a plurality of colors in the visible spectrum.

Applicants' invention comprises a method to display information using Applicants' color layer laminate. Referring now toFIG. 6, in step610the method supplies a substrate, such as information storage assembly100, comprising Applicants' information layer laminate, wherein that information layer laminate comprises at least three layers, and wherein each of those three layers comprises a different color. For example and referring now toFIG. 3A, Applicants' information layer laminate300comprises three layers, namely color layer310comprising a first color, color layer320comprising a second color, and color layer330comprising a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color, differ from one another.

In step620, the method selectively removes one or more portions of color layer310to display one or more portions of color layer320. Instep630, the method selectively removes one or more portions of color layer310and color layer320to display one or more portions of color layer330. Portions of color layer310that are not removed continue to display first color layer310.

Applicants' method ofFIG. 6allows information layer laminate300to visually display one or more text elements in combination with one or more design elements, using three colors. In step640, the method determines if the substrate of step610comprises an information storage assembly. If the substrate of step610does not comprise an information storage assembly, then the method transitions to step690and ends.

Alternatively, if the substrate of step610does comprise an information storage assembly, then the method transitions from step640to step650wherein the method determines whether to read information from a data storage medium disposed in that information storage assembly.

If the method determines in step650not to read information, then the method transitions from step650to step670. Alternatively, if the method determines in step650to read information, then the method transitions from step650to step660wherein the method reads information from a data storage medium disposed in the information storage assembly.

The method transitions from step660to step670, wherein the method determines whether to write information to a data storage medium disposed in an information storage assembly. If the method determines in step670not to write information, then the method transitions from step670to step690, and ends. Alternatively, if the method determines in step670to write information, then the method transitions from step670to step680wherein the method writes information to a data storage medium disposed in the information storage assembly.

In certain embodiments, steps620,630,660, and680, are performed using one drive apparatus. In certain embodiments, steps620,630,660, and680, are performed using one lasing device disposed in a drive apparatus.

In certain embodiments, drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) performs step620and/or630. In certain embodiments, drive apparatus402(FIG. 4B) performs step620and/or630. Drive apparatus400or402are used with Applicants' information storage assembly200(FIGS. 2A,2B), wherein data storage medium220(FIG. 2A) comprises a holographic data storage medium.

In certain embodiments, drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C) performs step620and/or630. Drive apparatus500is used with Applicants' information storage assembly200(FIGS. 2A,2B), wherein data storage medium220(FIG. 2A) comprises an optical data storage layer.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4A, drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) further comprises member472slidably disposed within member474, which is slidably disposed within optical head motor476. Drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) can cause optical head motor476to extend members474and472outwardly. In the illustrated embodiment of4A, first lasing device405(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D), beam splitter415(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D), optical sensor420(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D), reflective spatial light modulator440(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D), second lasing device480(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D), are disposed on member472.

FIG. 4Ashows lasing device480directing laser beam490onto Applicants' information layer laminate, such as laminate300(FIG. 3A), to perform steps620(FIG. 6) and 630(FIG. 6). By varying the output power of laser beam490, and/or varying the time that laser beam490is directed onto a selected portion of, for example, information layer laminate300, drive controller410can selectively cause lasing device480to ablate portions of first information layer310to display a portion of color layer320, or to ablate a portion of both first color layer310and the underlying portion of second color layer320to display a portion of third color layer330.

FIG. 4Billustrates drive apparatus402wherein drive apparatus402comprises the elements of drive apparatus400(FIG. 4A), except drive apparatus402does not comprise second lasing device480.FIG. 4Bshows laser beam495being directed from beam splitter415onto Applicants' information layer laminate, such as laminate300(FIG. 3A), to perform steps620(FIG. 6) and 630(FIG. 6). By varying the output power of laser beam495, and/or varying the time that laser beam495is directed onto a selected portion of, for example, information layer laminate300, drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) can selectively cause lasing device to ablate portions of first information layer310to display a portion of color layer320, or to ablate a portion of both first color layer310and the underlying portion of second color layer320to display a portion of third color layer330.

Referring now toFIG. 5A, drive apparatus500can be used with Applicants' information storage assembly200wherein data storage medium220comprises an optical storage layer525. Drive apparatus500comprises optical head motor476, member474, member472, lasing device480disposed on member474, optical sensor490disposed on member472, drive motor450, and drive controller410.FIG. 5Ashows laser beam510being directed from lasing device480onto Applicants' information layer laminate, such as laminate300(FIG. 3A), to perform steps620(FIG. 6) and 630(FIG. 6). By varying the output power of laser beam510, and/or varying the time that laser beam510is incident on a selected portion of, for example, information layer laminate300, drive controller410can selectively cause lasing device480to ablate portions of first information layer310to display a portion of color layer320, or to ablate a portion of both first color layer310and the underlying portion of second color layer320to display a portion of third color layer330.

In certain embodiments, drive apparatus400,402, or500, are used to perform step660and/or step670. Regarding performing step660,FIGS. 4C and 5Bshows drive apparatus400and500, respectively, reading information encoded in data storage medium220, wherein data storage medium220comprises a holographic data storage medium or an optical data storage layer, respectively. Referring now toFIG. 4C, in step660(FIG. 6) data drive400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) causes reference beam430to be projected onto an encoded interference pattern419. As the reference beam430interacts with interference pattern419, a reconstructed data beam435is generated, wherein that reconstructed data beam435comprises a reconstructed data image.

Reconstructed data beam435is projected onto optical sensor420. Optical sensor420comprises a plurality of detector elements. Optical sensor420digitally captures the information comprising the reconstructed data image of the reconstructed data beam435, and provides that information to drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C). In certain embodiments, in step660(FIG. 6) drive controller410provides the information to a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7).

Referring now toFIG. 5B, in step660drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C) utilizes lasing device480to read information from optical data storage layer225. Lasing device480, using laser beam520, scans optical data storage layer525. Drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) causes optical head570to move along one or more of the three orthogonal axes, and as that optical head570moves laser beam520is selectively reflected as reflected laser light530. The three orthogonal axes are typically radial, tangential, and vertical, and comprise a cylindrical coordinate system (R,θ,Z). The radial direction is typically associated with optical head570seeking across data storage medium120, and the vertical direction is often associated with focusing the light from lasing device480. In step660, sensor490detects the presence or absence of reflected laser light530, and provides signals to data drive410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) and/or storage controller760(FIG. 7), to read information encoded in data storage layer525(FIGS. 5B,5C).

Regarding performing step670,FIGS. 4D and 5Cshow drive apparatus400and500, respectively, writing information to data storage assembly200, wherein data storage medium220comprises a holographic data storage medium or an optical data storage layer, respectively.FIG. 4Dshows drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) being used to encode a hologram as interference pattern419(FIGS. 4C,4D) in holographic data storage medium220(FIG.2A). The light generated by first lasing device405is split by beam splitter415into reference beam416, and carrier beam417.

A data image comprising information is displayed on reflective spatial light modulator (RSLM)440. Carrier beam417is directed onto, and is reflected from, RSLM440to form reflected data beam418comprising the data image. Reference beam416interferes with data beam418to form a hologram. That hologram is encoded in holographic data storage medium220(FIG. 2A) as an interference pattern419(FIGS. 4C,4D). That optical interference pattern causes chemical and/or physical changes in the photosensitive medium. The interference pattern is encoded within holographic data storage medium220as a change in the absorption, refractive index, and/or thickness of the photosensitive medium.

Referring now toFIG. 5C, in step680drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,7) utilizes lasing device480and laser light540to write information to optical data storage layer120(FIG. 1). Drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) causes optical head570to move along one or more of the three orthogonal axes, and as optical head570moves the second laser light582incident on optical data storage medium120(FIG. 1). The three orthogonal axes are typically radial, tangential, and vertical, and comprise a cylindrical coordinate system (R,θ,Z).

FIG. 7illustrates one embodiment of Applicants' data storage and retrieval system700. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, data storage and retrieval system700communicates with computing devices710,720, and730. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, computing devices710,720, and730communicate with storage controller760through a data communication fabric740. In certain embodiments, fabric740comprises one or more data switches750. Further in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, storage controller760communicates with one or more holographic data storage systems. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, data storage and retrieval system700comprises drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D) and drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C).

In certain embodiments, computing devices710,720, and730, are selected from the group consisting of an application server, a web server, a work station, a host computer, or other like device from which information is likely to originate. In certain embodiments, one or more of computing devices710,720, and/or730are interconnected with fabric740using Small Computer Systems Interface (“SCSI”) protocol running over a Fibre Channel (“FC”) physical layer. In other embodiments, the connections between computing devices710,720, and730, comprise other protocols, such as Infiniband, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet, or Internet SCSI (“iSCSI”). In certain embodiments, switches750are configured to route traffic from the computing devices710,720, and/or730, directly to the storage controller760.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, storage controller760comprises a data controller762, memory763, instructions436encoded in memory763, first laser energy431encoded in memory763, second laser energy432encoded in memory763, third laser energy433encoded in memory763, fourth laser energy434encoded in memory763, and fifth laser energy435encoded in memory763, processor764, and data caches766,767, and768, wherein these components communicate through a data bus765. In certain embodiments, memory763comprises a magnetic information storage medium, an optical information storage medium, an electronic information storage medium, and the like. By “electronic storage media,” Applicants mean, for example, a device such as a PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash PROM, compactflash, smartmedia, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the storage controller760is configured to read data signals from and write data signals to a serial data bus on one or more of the computing devices710,720, and/or730. Alternatively, in other embodiments the storage controller760is configured to read data signals from and write data signals to one or more of the computing devices710,720, and/or730, through the data bus765and the fabric740.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 8, in certain embodiments steps620and630recited inFIG. 6comprise steps810through890, inclusive, recited inFIGS. 8A and 8B, wherein the information layer laminate comprises a surface area and (M) information layers each comprising a different color, as recited in step805. In step810the method supplies a lasing device capable of emitting a laser beam having a cross-section comprising an ablating surface area. In certain embodiments, the lasing device of step810is disposed in a drive apparatus, such as for example drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) or drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C,7).

In step820, the method defines, for each value of (j), a (j)th laser energy comprising a (j)th power, wherein (j) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (M), wherein a first laser energy comprises 0 watts power. Referring toFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D, drive apparatus400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D) comprises first laser energy431(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), second laser energy432(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), third laser energy433(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), fourth laser energy434(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), and fifth laser energy435(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), encoded in memory425(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) disposed in drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C). Referring toFIGS. 5A,5B, and5C, drive apparatus500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C) comprises first laser energy431(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), second laser energy432(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), third laser energy433(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), fourth laser energy434(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), and fifth laser energy435(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C), encoded in memory425(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) disposed in drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In certain embodiments, the method in step820sets, for each value of (j), a (j)th laser power per second. In certain embodiments, the method in step820sets, for each value of (j), a (j)th time interval. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a (j)th laser energy comprises the multiplication product of the (j)th power per second and the (j)th time interval in seconds.

In certain embodiments, step820is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step820is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step820is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS.FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step830, the method divides the information layer laminate surface area by the ablating surface area to define (N) surface area portions. For example and referring toFIG. 3A, top surface340of information layer laminate300comprises surface area350. Referring toFIG. 3B, surface area350is shown divided into surface area portions starting with surface area portion360and ending with surface area portion399, wherein each surface area portion comprises an ablating surface area.

In certain embodiments, step830is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step830is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step830is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS.FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step840, the method, for each value of (i), associates an (i)th surface area portion, such as for example surface area portion360(FIG. 3B), with a (j)th color, wherein (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N). In certain embodiments, step840is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step840is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step840is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step850, the method selects an (i)th surface area portion, wherein (i) is initially set to 1. In certain embodiments, step850is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step850is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step850is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step860, the method determines a (j)th color associated with the selected (i)th surface area portion of step850. In certain embodiments, step860is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step860is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step860is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step870, the method directs (j)th laser energy onto the selected (i)th surface area portion of step850. In certain embodiments, step870is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step870is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step870is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

In step880, the method determines if each surface area portion of the information layer laminate has been processed, i.e. if (i) equals (N). In certain embodiments, step880is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step870is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step880is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

If the method determines in step880that (i) does equal (N), then the method transitions from step880to step640and continues as described herein. Alternatively, if the method determines in step880that (i) does not equal (N), then the method transitions from step880to step890wherein the method increments (i) by unity. The method transitions from step890to step850and proceeds as described herein. In certain embodiments, step890is performed by a computing device, such as one or more of computing devices710(FIG. 7),720(FIG. 7), and/or730(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step890is performed by a storage controller, such as for example storage controller760(FIG. 7). In certain embodiments, step890is performed by a drive controller, such as for example drive controller410(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C).

The following example is presented to further illustrate to persons skilled in the art how to make and use the invention. This example is not intended as a limitation, however, upon the scope of the invention, as set forth by claims recited hereinbelow.

EXAMPLE

As an example and referring now toFIG. 3B, top surface340of information layer laminate300is shown divided into a plurality of surface area portions. Referring now toFIGS. 3B and 3C, surface area portions370through390define the top of cross-sectional slice395of information layer laminate300.FIG. 3Dshows a side view of slice395after processing using Applicants' method. Surface area portions370,372,374,375,379,380,381,382,383,387,388,389, and390, were exposed to first laser energy comprising 0 watts, meaning that no ablation took place at those surface area portions, and therefore, those surface area portions display the first color layer310.

Surface area portions376,377, and378, were exposed to second laser energy which removed the first color layer310. As a result, surface area portions376,377, and378, display the second color layer320. Surface area portions371,373,384,385, and386, were exposed to third laser energy which removed first color layer310and second color layer320. As a result, surface area portions371,373,384,385, and386, display third color layer330.

In certain embodiments, Applicants' invention includes instructions, such as instructions436(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C,7), encoded in memory425(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) and/or instructions memory763(FIG. 7), where those instructions are executed by a processor, such as processor420(FIGS. 4A,4B,4C,4D,5A,5B,5C) and/or processor764(FIG. 7), to perform one or more of steps620,630,650,660,670, and/or680, recited inFIG. 6, and/or one or more of steps820,830,840,850,860,870,880, and/or890, recited inFIGS. 8A and 8B.

In certain embodiments, Applicants' invention includes instructions residing in any other computer program product, where those instructions are executed by a computer external to, or internal to data drive400(FIGS. 4A,4C,4D), and/or data drive500(FIGS. 5A,5B,5C,7), and/or data storage and retrieval system700(FIG. 7), to perform one or more of steps620,630,650,660,670, and/or680, recited inFIG. 6, and/or one or more of steps820,830,840,850,860,870,880, and/or890, recited inFIGS. 8A and 8B. In either case, the instructions may be encoded in an information storage medium comprising, for example, a magnetic information storage medium, an optical information storage medium, an electronic information storage medium, and the like. By “electronic storage media,” Applicants mean, for example, a device such as a PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash PROM, compactflash, smartmedia, and the like.