Mass storage device and mass storage assembly
First Claim
1. A mass storage device comprising an input connector for receiving both a first set of data signals and a second set of data signals, the first set of data signals being used to effect storage and retrieval of information on said mass storage device;
- and a pathway for conducting said second set of data signals from said input connector to an output connector of said mass storage device, the second set of data signals being used to effect storage and retrieval of information on an adjacent mass storage device when said adjacent mass storage device is connected to said output connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a mass storage device (such as a hard disk drive) comprising an input connector for electrically receiving both a first set of data signals and a second set of data signals. The first set of data signals are used to store or retrieve information on the mass storage device, whereas the second set of data signals are electrically conducted to an output connector on the mass storage device. When an adjacent mass storage device is connected to the output connector, the second set of data signals are used to store or retrieve information on this adjacent mass storage device.
16 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A mass storage device comprising an input connector for receiving both a first set of data signals and a second set of data signals, the first set of data signals being used to effect storage and retrieval of information on said mass storage device;
- and a pathway for conducting said second set of data signals from said input connector to an output connector of said mass storage device, the second set of data signals being used to effect storage and retrieval of information on an adjacent mass storage device when said adjacent mass storage device is connected to said output connector.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- 8. A mass storage assembly comprising a carrier, a plurality of mass storage devices on said carrier, each of said devices having an input connector to receive data signals to effect storage retrieval of information on said devices, at least one of said devices having an output connector connectible to an input connector of another of said devices, said input connector of said one of said devices having a first set of connections to receive a first set of data signals used to effect storage and retrieval of information from said one device and a second set of connections connected to a pathway to transfer data signals from said input connector to said output connector of said one device.
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15. A storage unit for storing digital data on a plurality of mass storage devices, said unit having a midplane having a plurality of midplane connectors to connect said mass storage devices to controllers to effect storage and retrieval of information, each of said midplane connectors having a plurality of sets of data signals supplied thereto, at least one of said mass storage units connected to said midplane connector having an input connector to receive said sets of data signals from one of said midplane connectors, said at least one mass storage device having an output connector for connection to an adjacent mass storage device, and a pathway to connect said input connector to said output connector, whereby a first set of said data signals is directed to effect data storage and retrieval on said one mass storage device and said second set of data signals is directed to said output connector to effect data storage and retrieval from said adjacent mass storage device.
Specification