Patents by Inventor Frank Tucker Smith

Frank Tucker Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7255525
    Abstract: A safety system for online servicing of a media library is provided, wherein the library comprises a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, and wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means. The safety system detects whether the access means in the enclosure is open or closed and operates the robot in the media library in one of two corresponding modes. If the access means is closed, the robot operates in a normal mode at a first specified speed. If the access means is open, the robot operates in a safe mode at a second specified speed that is slower than the first speed of the normal mode. In another embodiment, while in safe mode, the picker robot is excluded from moving within a restricted zone in the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Tucker Smith, Timothy C. Ostwald, James M. Frary
  • Publication number: 20030113191
    Abstract: A safety system for online servicing of a media library is provided, wherein the library comprises a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, and wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means. The safety system comprises a sensor that detects if the access means in the enclosure is open and a control component that operates the robot in the media library in one of two modes. If the access means is closed, the robot operates in a normal mode, wherein the robot moves at a first specified speed. If the access means is open, the robot operates in a safe mode, wherein the robot moves at a second specified speed that is slower than the first speed of the normal mode. In another embodiment, while in safe mode, the picker robot is excluded from moving within a restricted zone in the library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Tucker Smith, Timothy C. Ostwald