Methods for enabling functionality in multi-modal data storage systems

• US 7,602,579 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Biskeborn, Robert Glenn, Liang, Jason, Lo, Calvin Shyhjong
• Primary Examiner(s): Tzeng; Fred
• Application Number:
  US12/172,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 360/77.12, 360/75, 360/240, 369/30.32, 380/282, 709/246, 345/710
• US Class Current: 360/77.12
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/026 by using processor, e.g. microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/265 Structure or manufacture of a head with more than one gap for erasing, recording or reproducing on the same track G11B5/33 takes precedence in thin film structures G11B5/31
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/29 Structure or manufacture of unitary devices formed of plural heads for more than one track G11B5/33, G11B5/49 and subgroups take precedence; in thin film structure G11B5/31

Abstract

A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal data storage system such as a tape-based data storage system includes enabling a data storage system to operate in at least one of two modes, a first of the modes being different than a second of the modes. In one embodiment, the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes. An ability to operate in at least one of the modes is not allowed prior to enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the modes.

Claims

1. A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal tape-based data storage system, the method comprising:

enabling a tape-based data storage system to operate in a first of at least two modes, the first of the modes being different than a second of the modes, wherein the first mode includes operation in a first tape format and the second mode includes operation in a second tape format, and

allowing the data storage system to operate in the second of the modes only upon at least one of installation of additional computer instructions and receiving a key.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each mode corresponds to an ability to operate in a particular format.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising charging a sum of money for enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the two modes.

5. A method for enabling operation in different tape formats on a multi-modal tape-based data storage system, the method comprising:

enabling a tape-based data storage system to operate in a second format different than a first format, the tape-based data storage system being enabled to operate in the first format but not in the second format prior to enabling the tape-based data storage system to operate in the second format,

wherein enabling the data storage system to operate in the second format includes at least one of installation of computer instructions, and using a key to unlock functionality for enabling the data storage system to operate in the second format,

wherein the operation in the second format includes at least one of reading and writing in the second format.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the tape-based data storage system is enabled to operate in the second format by installation of the computer instructions, the tape-based data storage system being incapable of operating in the second format without the computer instructions.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the computer instructions are loaded to the tape-based data storage system via a network.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the computer instructions are presented to the tape-based data storage system on a computer readable medium.

9. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the tape-based data storage system is enabled to operate in the second format by receipt of the key, and further comprising determining whether the key is authorized or valid prior to enabling the tape-based data storage system to operate in the second format.

10. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising executing a security protocol for determining whether to enable the tape-based data storage system to operate in the second format.

11. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the tape-based data storage system includes a first array of elements associated with the first format and a second array of elements associated with the second format.

12. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising charging a sum of money for enabling the tape-based data storage system to operate in the second format.

13. A method for on-demand enablement of functionality of a multi-modal data storage system, the method comprising:

allowing a tape based data storage system to operate in a first mode but not a second mode, the first mode being different than the second mode, wherein the first mode includes operation in a first tape format and the second mode includes operation in a second tape format;

allowing the data storage system to operate in the second mode upon occurrence of a first condition, wherein the first condition includes a purchase of computer instructions; and

upon occurrence of a second condition, no longer allowing the data storage system to operate in the second mode.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the mode of operation relates to compatibility with a data storage medium.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the computer instructions are purchased from a third party.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the computer instructions are selected from a group consisting of firmware, software, and a key.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the second condition is expiration of a prespecified time period.

18. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the second condition is receipt of an instruction from a user of the data storage system.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the data storage system is a tape-based data storage system.

20. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising charging a sum of money for enabling the data storage system to operate in the second mode.