Data storage cartridge with optical waveguide

1. An electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system, the storage cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body includes at least two outer surfaces;

a connector for removable coupling to the computing system, wherein the connector couples information outside the cartridge body;

an optical waveguide configured to couple light between the two outer surfaces;

a hard disk drive coupled to the connector; and

a write-protect switch, which is a mechanical switch on the cartridge body that prevents modification of information on the hard disk drive when active.

2. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the cartridge body is configured for removable insertion of the cartridge body into a bay comprising a mating system; and

the write-protect switch is configured to engage with the mating system.

3. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the cartridge body is configured for removable insertion of the cartridge body into a bay; and

the position of the write-protect switch is not visible once the cartridge body is inserted into the bay.

4. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the cartridge body is configured for removable insertion of the cartridge body into a bay comprising an optical indicator; and

the optical waveguide receives light at one outer surface from the optical indicator and couples it to the other outer surface to visibly signal that the electronic data storage cartridge is write-protected.

5. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two outer surfaces are on opposite ends of the storage cartridge.

6. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hard disk drive is restrained between the at least two outer surfaces.

7. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector is at least one of an optical connector and an electrical connector.

8. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising electronic circuitry within the cartridge body and coupled to the connector.

9. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hard disk drive comprises a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) or parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA) interface.

10. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein one end of the optical waveguide provides a status indicator that indicates at least one of:

access of the storage cartridge; and

power to the storage cartridge.

11. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an ejection selection means for signaling to the computing system that the storage cartridge should be unlocked and/or ejected.

12. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide couples light of at least two different colors between the two outer surfaces, providing multiple color indications of the status of the electronic data storage cartridge using a single optical waveguide.

13. A method of providing removable data storage for a computing system, the method comprising:

providing an electronic data storage cartridge, the electronic data storage cartridge comprising a cartridge body that includes at least two outer surfaces, an optical waveguide configured to couple light between the two outer surfaces, a hard disk drive coupled to a connector wherein the connector is configured to couple information to the computing system, and a mechanical write-protect switch on the cartridge body;

providing the write-protect switch configured to allow

determination of a position of the write-protect switch and

prevention of modification of information on the hard disk drive when the write-protect switch is in an active position;

receiving light at one outer surface from an optical indicator in the computing system; and

coupling the light to the other outer surface to visibly signal that the electronic data storage cartridge is write-protected.

14. A system for processing and removably storing information, the system comprising:

a computing system;

an electronic data storage cartridge comprising a cartridge body that includes at least two outer surfaces, an optical waveguide configured to couple light between the two outer surfaces, a hard disk drive coupled to a connector wherein the connector is configured to couple information to the computing system, and a mechanical write-protect switch on the cartridge body;

a bay in the computing system configured to receive the electronic data storage cartridge; and

a multi-colored optical indicator in the bay;

wherein when the cartridge is inserted into the bay, a first color of light from the optical indicator is received into the optical waveguide at one outer surface of the electronic data storage cartridge and coupled to the other outer surface to visibly signal a first status of the electronic data storage cartridge, and a second color of light from the optical indicator is received into the optical waveguide at one outer surface of the electronic data storage cartridge and coupled to the other outer surface to visibly signal a second status of the electronic data storage cartridge.

15. The system for processing and removably storing information as recited in claim 14 , wherein the position of the mechanical write-protect switch is not visible when the electronic data storage cartridge is inserted into the bay.

16. An electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system, the storage cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body includes an outer surface;

a connector for removable coupling to the computing system, wherein the connector couples information outside the cartridge body;

an optical waveguide configured to couple light from outside the outer surface to an inside of the cartridge body;

a storage medium coupled to the connector; and

a mechanical write-protect switch, which is a mechanical switch on the cartridge body that prevents modification of information on the storage medium when active;

wherein the cartridge body is configured for removable insertion of the cartridge body into a bay comprising a mating system;

and wherein the write-protect switch is configured to engage with the mating system.

17. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the storage medium comprises an off-the-shelf hard disk drive.

18. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the storage medium uses solid state memory to store information.

19. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 16 , wherein:

the position of the write-protect switch is not visible once the cartridge body is inserted into the bay.

20. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 16 , wherein:

the cartridge body is configured for removable insertion of the cartridge body into a bay comprising an optical indicator; and

the optical waveguide receives light at one outer surface from the optical indicator and couples it to the other outer surface to visibly signal that the electronic data storage cartridge is write-protected.

21. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to the computing system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the optical waveguide is configured to couple light of at least two different colors from outside the outer surface to the inside of the cartridge body, providing multiple color indications of the status of the electronic data storage cartridge using a single optical waveguide.

22. An electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system, the storage cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body includes an outer surface;

a connector for removable coupling to the computing system, wherein the connector couples information outside the cartridge body;

an optical waveguide configured to couple light from an emitter to a visible indicator on the outer surface of the cartridge body;

a storage medium coupled to the connector; and

a mechanical write-protect switch, which is a mechanical switch on the cartridge body that prevents modification of information on the storage medium when active;

wherein:

the outer surface is a first outer surface;

the emitter is comprised in the computing system;

the optical waveguide extends between the first outer surface and a second outer surface;

the optical waveguide receives light at the second outer surface from the emitter; and

the optical waveguide couples the light to the visible indicator.

23. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system as recited in claim 22 , wherein the storage medium is a hard disk drive.

24. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system as recited in claim 22 , wherein the storage medium uses solid state memory to store information.

25. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system as recited in claim 22 , further comprising a second emitter inside the electronic data storage cartridge and coupled to the optical waveguide.

26. The electronic data storage cartridge for removable coupling to a computing system as recited in claim 22 , wherein the optical waveguide is configured to couple light of at least two different colors from the emitter to the visible indicator on the outer surface of the cartridge body, providing multiple color indications of the status of the electronic data storage cartridge using a single optical waveguide.