Patents Represented by Attorney Allen K. Bates
  • Patent number: 6940683
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and article of manufacture to provide for filtering a servo signal in a tape drive using a matched filter that is optimized for the operating tape velocity of the tape drive. A servo controller for track following on a tape uses a digital filter implementation of the matched filter to produce a filtered servo signal. The digital filter is optimized for different tape velocities by selecting digital filter coefficients for the digital filter that depend upon the tape velocity presently in use. The filtered servo signal is used by the servo controller to provide improved track following in a tape drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Berman, Nhan Xuan Bui, Michael Constantin Melas, Mark Allan Taylor
  • Patent number: 6903895
    Abstract: A system, method and an article of manufacture to provide more accurate magnetic tape servo operation are disclosed. Accurate measurements of the width of the servo pattern written on the magnetic tape are accomplished in the presence of relatively large motion of the magnetic tape. The accurate measurements of the width of the servo pattern are used to produce a corrected position error signal that provides improved servo track following to maintain the tape head at an optimal alignment for writing and reading data tracks on the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Chliwnyj, David Lee Swanson
  • Patent number: 6898480
    Abstract: An automated data storage library is partitioned into multiple logical libraries. A cartridge memory attached to each data storage cartridge in the library is used to hold library identification information. The library identification information is used to associate each data cartridge with one or more logical libraries. The library identification information may also be used to associate each data storage cartridge to an automated data storage library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski, Dietrich Etzel
  • Patent number: 6895300
    Abstract: A cartridge memory attached to each data storage cartridge in an automated data storage library is used to hold library identification information. The library identification information may be used to associate each data storage cartridge to an automated data storage library. In an automated data storage library that is partitioned into two or more logical libraries, the library identification information may be used to associate each data storage cartridge to a logical library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski, Dietrich Etzel
  • Patent number: 6891691
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and a computer program product to disable the power-saving sleep mode of a disk drive if the drive detects an error at spinup that is a result of the read/write head sticking to the disk surface. The power saving sleep mode is avoided to prevent further spinup problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Winarski, Susan Encinas
  • Patent number: 6834372
    Abstract: A web browser program presents historical information about hyperlinks shown on web pages. Initially, the computer determines whether it is receiving certain user input, such as placement of a cursor over a hyperlink for a certain time. When this occurs, the computer accesses a database to determine whether one or more users in a predefined access group have previously selected the hyperlink for the purpose of downloading underlying data represented by the hyperlink. Some examples of the underlying data include web pages, graphics images, software programs, and the like. If the hyperlink has not been previously selected, no action needs to be taken. However, if the database shows that the hyperlink has been previously selected, the computer consults the database to gather characteristics of the underlying data obtained from previous selections of the hyperlink by access group members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Henry Becker, David Wayne Glass, Michael David Hocker, James Gordon McLean, Clifford Alan Pickover, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: 6771456
    Abstract: A magnetic head is disclosed that utilizes MEMS technology to form microsliders and micromotors to provide fine movement of read, write and/or servo heads. In one exemplary embodiment, the head block includes cavities in which the microsliders are movably disposed. Read, write and/or servo elements are disposed on the microsliders. In other exemplary embodiments, the microsliders are disposed on the body block. Micromotors are mechanically coupled to the microsliders to move the microsliders with respect to the head body. Exemplary control systems include a controller that receives independent fine position data of the microslider and controls the micromotors to move the microsliders into a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Winarski, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 6738887
    Abstract: A system and method for concurrent operations in a microcontroller's program memory is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a microcontroller system is provided that includes a microcontroller, programmable read-only memory (PROM), random access memory (RAM) and a bridge circuit disposed between the PROM and microcontroller. The bridge is adapted with memory-mapped registers to map specific address locations from RAM to PROM, to permit the microcontroller to update PROM while concurrently executing code from RAM. In another exemplary embodiment, the bridge circuitry includes microcontroller reset and RAM enable/disable capabilities to further efficiently manage memory resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yolanda Colpo, Enrique Garcia
  • Patent number: 6735704
    Abstract: A power management system and method for multiple redundant power supplies. The present invention provides management and control of N+M power supplies, where N represents the minimum number of power supplies required and where M is the number of redundant power supplies (M>1), where any one of the power supplies may be capable of supplying power to all the loads of the power subsystems. In the preferred embodiment each power subsystem includes a power supply and a controller coupled to a power bus. A communication bus is provided common to each power subsystem. During reset or power-on periods, the controllers are programmed to uniquely delay the start time of each power supply, thereby protecting against an overcurrent/overvoltage condition on the power bus during reset periods. A master controller is provided to monitor normal operating conditions of the power subsystems and communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Butka, Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski, Michael Philip McIntosh, Robin Daniel Roberts, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 6728601
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for multiple hosts to control one or more power systems redundantly, by constructing a power supply system having a plurality of physically separate and redundant communication interfaces, one coupled to each host, wherein a software algorithm determines whether the power supply system should be on or off at a given point in time, based on signals received from the hosts. In an exemplary embodiment, a power control system consistent with the invention comprises at least two hosts, each host comprising a host communications interface; and a power supply system comprising a power supply, control software, and a plurality of power supply system communications interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Enrique Garcia, Yvonne Hanson