Modular and symmetrical data storage unit
AssigneeSphere Entertainment Group, LLC
InventorsMichael Graae, Deanan Dasilva, David Woods
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data storage device can be symmetrically designed for multiple-orientation connection to a storage appliance. An electromagnetic locking mechanism can secure the data storage device in a connected state while data is being transferred to/from the data storage device. The electromagnetic locking mechanism can respond to changes in the state of data transfer to/from the data storage device. To facilitate increased bandwidth and capacity, the data storage device is optimally designed for increased thermal transfer from the device's memory to a finned housing comprising a material of substantial thermal mass.
Claims23
A device for electronic data storage, the device comprising:
- a data storage magazine comprising:
- a plurality of symmetrical data storage magazine connectors,
- a ferromagnetic material, and
- a memory;
- and
- a storage appliance comprising:
- a housing,
- a cavity in the housing to receive the data storage magazine,
- a plurality of symmetrical storage appliance connectors to detachably couple to the plurality of symmetrical data storage magazine connectors, and
- an electromagnet to detachably couple to the ferromagnetic material.
A data storage magazine, comprising:
- a memory;
- a data storage magazine connector to engage with a complementary external connector;
- and
- a ferromagnetic material to engage with a complementary electromagnetic locking mechanism, the complementary electromagnetic locking mechanism being configured to:
- switch on in response to a first signal generated when data begins to be transferred to/from the data storage magazine, and
- switch off in response to a second signal generated when data ceases to be transferred to/from the data storage magazine.
A method for electronically storing and accessing data, the method comprising:
- connecting a data storage magazine comprising memory to a storage appliance via a plurality of symmetrical data storage magazine connectors detachably coupled to a plurality of symmetrical storage appliance connectors,
- securing the data storage magazine to the storage appliance in a connected configuration using an electromagnetic locking mechanism engaged when data is being transferred to/from the data storage magazine,
- switching on the electromagnetic locking mechanism in response to a first signal generated when data begins to be transferred to/from the data storage magazine, and
- switching off the electromagnetic locking mechanism in response to a second signal generated when data ceases to be transferred to/from the data storage magazine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.