1. A method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a data storage device comprising a first interface associated with a read-write head configured to read data from and write data to said data storage device, said data storage device further having a second interface associated with a read-only head configured to only read data from said data storage device, wherein said first interface comprises a hardware selection switch for configuring a first head assembly carrying said read-write head to read data from and write data to said data storage device, and wherein said second interface comprises a second hardware selection switch for configuring a second head assembly carrying said read-only head to only read data from said data storage device;
connecting at least a first computing device to said first interface for exchanging data and transmitting commands to and from said first computing device, wherein said first computing device connected can both read data from and write data to said data storage device; and
connecting at least a second computing device to said second interface for accessing data and transmitting commands to and from said at least second computing device, wherein said second computing device connected can only read data from said data storage device.
2. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
establishing a plurality of parameters for a common drive controller coupled to each of said first interface and said second interface of said data storage device;
determining, using a logical state for one or more of said plurality of parameters, a current state of at least one data storage disk within said data storage device for which a data function is received before executing said data function request in order to avoid a failure associated with said at least one data storage disk; and
transmitting to said common drive controller said data function request that is received, wherein said read-write head associated with said first interface does not use a same data storage disk address argument as said read-only head associated with said second interface.
3. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 2, wherein said first interface associated with said first head assembly carrying said read-write head of said data storage device is configured to determine a respective logical state associated with a first parameter corresponding to whether or not said at least one data storage disk is on or off, and wherein said first interface is configured to determine a respective logical state associated with a second parameter corresponding to whether or not said read-write head is in a secure position before executing a read or write function.
4. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 3, wherein said second interface associated with said second head assembly carrying said read-only head of said data storage device is configured to determine said respective logical state associated with said first parameter corresponding to whether or not said at least one data storage disk is on or off, and wherein said second interface is configured to determine said respective logical state associated with said second parameter corresponding to whether or not said read-only head is in a secure position before executing a read function.
5. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 4, wherein said first interface is adapted to connect to an administrator server and wherein said second interface is adapted to connect to a network server.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An apparatus for forming a concrete foundation, comprising:
a generally hollow fixture that is adapted to receive concrete and that is shaped to form at least a portion of the foundation, the fixture including two tapered portions that are removably attached together by use of at least one fastener, effective to allow the fixture to be easily removed from a completed foundation;
at least one vibrating element for selectively vibrating the concrete to reduce air bubbles and defects within the foundation; and
a plurality of legs that are attached to and extend from the fixture, the legs including at least one adjustable leveling mechanism that engages a ground surface, the legs and at least one adjustable leveling mechanism cooperating to allow the form to be supported over a foundation hole and leveled relative to the ground surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one vibrating element comprises an air vibrator.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one vibrating element is removably attached to at least one side of the fixture.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each portion of the fixture includes a pair of flanges, which orthogonally project from opposing corners of the portion, each of the flanges mating with a corresponding flange of the other portion and including at least one hole that receives a fastener, effective to removably attach the portions together to form the fixture.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the foundation includes one or more bolts that extend from the top of the fixture, the apparatus further comprising:
one or more bolt holders attached to and extending over the fixture, the one or more bolt holders including holes for receiving the bolts and allowing the bolts to be attached to the fixture.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fixture further comprises a plurality of handles extending from sides of the fixture.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one adjustable leveling mechanism comprises a plurality of jacks.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the jacks comprise screw jacks.
9. An apparatus for forming a railroad-crossing signal foundation including a plurality of cantilever bolts that are integrated into the foundation and extend from a top surface of the foundation, the apparatus comprising:
a generally hollow fixture that is adapted to receive concrete for forming an upper portion of the foundation, the fixture including two tapered portions that are removably attached together by use of at least one fastener, effective to allow the fixture to be easily removed from a completed foundation;
at least one bolt holding member that is attached to and extends over the fixture, the at least one bolt holding member being adapted to receive and secure the plurality of cantilever bolts;
at least one vibrating element for vibrating the concrete to reduce air bubbles and defects within the foundation; and
a pair of legs that are removably attached to and extend from the fixture, each of the legs including two leveling mechanisms that are attached to opposing ends of the leg and that engage a ground surface, the legs and leveling mechanisms cooperating to allow the form to be supported over a foundation hole and leveled relative to the ground surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one vibrating element is adapted to be removably attached to one or more of the cantilever bolts.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one side of the fixture includes a projecting portion, and wherein the at least one vibrating element is adapted to be removably attached to the projecting portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one vibrating element comprises an air vibrator.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the portions of the fixture includes a pair of flanges, which orthogonally project from opposing corners of the portion, each of the flanges mating with a corresponding flange of the other portion and including at least one hole that receives a fastener, effective to removably attach the portions together to form the fixture.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fixture includes four sides each having a top and a bottom edge.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each top edge is approximately 32 inches in length and each bottom edge is approximately 34 inches in length.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each top edge is approximately 65 inches in length and each bottom edge is approximately 67 inches in length.
17. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the leveling mechanisms comprise screw jacks.
18. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one bolt holding member is formed from box tubing.
19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fixture includes a plurality of handles that are attached to sides of the fixture.
20. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the legs is adapted to be attached to the fixture in a plurality of offset positions, thereby allowing the legs to be offset relative to each other.