Modular and symmetrical data storage unit
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.
1 . 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.
2 . The device of claim 1 , the data storage magazine further comprising one of or any combination of the following elements: a second housing that comprises a material with substantial thermal mass, a low modulus thermally conductive material, a plurality of holes, or a protrusion for a user gripping the data storage magazine.
3 . The device of claim 2 , the storage appliance further comprising a fan to blow air over a finned housing of the data storage magazine.
4 . The device of claim 1 , the storage appliance further comprising a support plate positioned on the storage appliance to abut at least one of the plurality of storage appliance connectors, the electromagnet, or a spring.
5 . The device of claim 1 , the storage appliance further comprising a mechanical locking mechanism to secure the data storage magazine to the storage appliance in a connected configuration.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the storage appliance is a distinct structure in communication with a camera or other device.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the storage appliance is integrated into a camera housing.
8 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a case to receive the data storage magazine, the case comprising a magnet to detachably couple to the ferromagnetic material.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symmetrical data storage magazine connectors are arranged symmetrically about an axis of the data storage magazine corresponding to a direction of insertion into the storage appliance to allow connection of the data storage magazine to the storage appliance in a plurality of orientations.
10 . 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.
11 . The data storage magazine of claim 10 , further comprising one of or any combination of the following elements: a low modulus thermally conductive material, a plurality of holes, or a protrusion for a user gripping the data storage magazine.
12 . The data storage magazine of claim 11 , wherein the low modulus thermally conductive material is positioned adjacent to the memory.
13 . The data storage magazine of claim 10 , the memory comprising:
a first layer associated with first data read and write speeds,
a second layer associated with second data read and write speeds slower than the first data read and write speeds of the first layer, and
a third layer associated with third data read and write speeds slower than the second data read and write speeds of the second layer.
14 . The data storage magazine of claim 13 , wherein the data storage magazine is a high-speed data storage magazine that only stores data on the first layer.
15 . The data storage magazine of claim 13 , wherein the data storage magazine is a high-capacity data storage magazine that stores data on the first, second, and third layers.
16 . The data storage magazine of claim 10 , further comprising an indicator of available capacity of the memory.
17 . 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.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising removing the data storage magazine from the connected configuration is assisted by with assistance from a spring.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising actively cooling the data storage magazines by a fan.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
connecting a plurality of data storage magazines comprising a plurality of memories to the storage appliance, and
transferring data to/from a single data storage magazine of the plurality of data storage magazines individually or a combination of data storage magazines of the plurality of data storage magazines simultaneously.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the memory of a first data storage magazine of the plurality of data storage magazines comprises:
a first layer associated with first data read and write speeds,
a second layer associated with second data read and write speeds slower than the first data read and write speeds of the first layer, and
a third layer associated with third data read and write speeds slower than the second data read and write speeds of the second layer, and
wherein the first data storage magazine only stores data on the first layer.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the memory of a second data storage magazine of the plurality of data storage magazines comprises:
a fourth layer associated with fourth data read and write speeds,
a fifth layer associated with fifth data read and write speeds slower than the fourth data read and write speeds of the fourth layer, and
a sixth layer associated with sixth data read and write speeds slower than the fifth data read and write speeds of the fifth layer, and
wherein the second data storage magazine stores data on the fourth, fifth, and sixth layers.
23 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of symmetrical data storage magazine connectors are arranged symmetrically about an axis of the data storage magazine corresponding to a direction of connection to the storage appliance to allow connection of the data storage magazine to the storage appliance in a plurality of orientations.