Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6882943
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program for configuring power supply apparatus to supply a voltage optimized to tolerate a range about a nominal operating voltage of a device comprises a tester to test and communicate to a comparator a present utility voltage value. The comparator compares the present utility voltage with a present nominal operating voltage of the device. A configurator responds to the present utility voltage falling within an upper half of a first range having a centre point higher than the present nominal operating voltage and lower than an upper out-of-tolerance voltage of the device or within a lower half of a second range having a centre point lower than the present nominal operating voltage and higher than a lower out-of-tolerance voltage of the device, by configuring the power supply apparatus to supply a voltage respectively within the first range or the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Jonathan Quelch
  • Patent number: 6822820
    Abstract: A data tape drive for recording information on the data tape of a tape cartridge has a transducer head with air bleed slots that define side walls, a tape guide, and a device for detecting damage to the transducer head and tape guide. The damage detection device has a conductor loop that is located along the outer edges of the air bleed slots and tape guide for detecting any brittle fracture damage that may be present. The conductor loop is a thin filament of wire that is preferably attached to the ends of the side walls. When the transducer head or tape guide experiences a fracture, such as a fracture in one of the side walls, the delicate filament breaks and forms an open circuit. The open circuit in the conductor loop is detected by the data tape drive so that remedial actions can be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Winarski, Lee C. Randall, Craig A. Klein, Robert G. Emberty
  • Patent number: 6816941
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently importing/exporting a removable storage volume having a number of data files from a first virtual storage system to a second virtual storage system. The method includes writing a table of contents to the end of the removable storage volume in the first virtual storage system. The table of contents uniquely identifies the data files residing in the removable storage volume. Next, the removable storage volume is transferred to the second virtual storage system. Upon receipt of the removable storage volume, the second virtual storage system updates a database in the second virtual storage system utilizing the information contained in the table of contents without having to read each of the data files in the removable storage volume. In a related embodiment, for each of the data file in the removable storage volume, the table of contents includes a filename, starting record on the removable storage volume and number of records in the data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Charles Carlson, Gregory Tad Kishi, Jonathan Wayne Peake
  • Patent number: 6791910
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automated data storage library for storing and retrieving data storage media in a plurality of storage slots, for a host processor. At least one drive unit is coupled to the host processor for reading and/or writing data on the data storage media. A library manager includes a stored table for identifying the data storage media stored in the storage slots, the stored table indicating artificial scaling of the data storage capacity of selected data storage media to selected values less than the actual data storage capacity thereof. The stored table also stores indicators of attributes of the library with respect to ones of the data storage media, such as indicating that the drive unit is to communicate at the drive/host interface in a specific protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Kay James, Raymond Anthony James
  • Patent number: 6745340
    Abstract: A file recovery logic implemented within a data processing system is disclosed that recovers data from a file on a write once read many (WORM) medium when the file cannot be accessed due to the damage to both the hash and hierarchical directory entries. The file recovery logic controls access to the WORM medium and also access to a target medium via optical devices that enable read from the WORM medium and write to the target medium. The file recovery logic scans each logical sector of the WORM medium's data surface and identifies a location of a data header sector that corresponds to the unaccessible file. In the preferred embodiment, identification of the data header sector is completed by analyzing only the first few bytes of the sector. Upon location of the header sector, a new file is opened in a target medium and the data from contiguous sectors on the WORM medium beginning at the data header sector are retrieved and written to the new file on the target medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zheng Henry Liu, Pamela Lynn Glenn
  • Patent number: 6718427
    Abstract: A method and system utilizing data fragments for efficiently importing/exporting a removable storage volume having a number of data files from a first virtual storage system to a second virtual storage system. The method includes writing data fragments to the end of the removable storage volume in the first virtual storage system. In an advantageous embodiment, the data fragments are written to the end of the removable storage volume when the removable storage volume is closed. The data fragments contain information, such as data file headers, that uniquely identifies the data files residing in the removable storage volume. Next, the removable storage volume is transferred to the second virtual storage system. Upon receipt of the removable storage volume, the second virtual storage system updates a tape volume cache in the second virtual storage system utilizing the information contained in the data fragments without having to read each of the data files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Charles Carlson, Gregory Tad Kishi, Jonathan Wayne Peake
  • Patent number: 6681290
    Abstract: A data storage subsystem which reduces seek time, by defining a logical storage space wherein part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of a first physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of a second physical data storage device, and another part of the logical storage space is defined to correspond to a primary storage space of the second physical data storage device, and correspond to a secondary storage space of the first physical data storage device. For hard disk drives having an arm assembly with a read/write head, the average seek distance for both drives reduced, since the pivoting arm assembly need not travel as far to reach each physical storage address within a primary storage area. The invention may additionally take advantage of geometric or other aspects of the storage devices which result in some portion of the device having a faster access time that another portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William John Brower, Jr., Carl Evan Jones, Joe Edward Smothers
  • Patent number: 6661596
    Abstract: A data tape drive senses the ambient temperature and the relative humidity of the environment in which the tape drive is operating. The tension exerted on the data tape by the tape drive is then adjusted as a function of the temperature and/or humidity. When the tape is more rigid at low temperature/humidity, the tension is increased. At nominal temperature/humidity, a nominal tape tension is used. However, under elevated conditions a lower tension is utilized to avoid damaging the tape. The sensors also may be used to completely prohibit drive and tape operation when the tape drive is in an extreme environment that is beyond an acceptable design range. Tape acceleration profiles due to atmospheric conditions are changed based on the propensity of the tape to stick to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Chliwnyj, James Mitchell Karp
  • Patent number: 6657806
    Abstract: A data tape drive for recording information on the data tape of a tape cartridge has a transducer head with air bleed slots that define side walls, a tape guide, and a device for detecting damage to the transducer head and tape guide. The damage detection device has a conductor loop that is located along the outer edges of the air bleed slots and tape guide for detecting any brittle fracture damage that may be present. The conductor loop is a thin filament of wire that is preferably attached to the ends of the side walls. When the transducer head or tape guide experiences a fracture, such as a fracture in one of the side walls, the delicate filament breaks and forms an open circuit. The open circuit in the conductor loop is detected by the data tape drive so that remedial actions can be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Winarski, Lee C. Randall, Craig A. Klein, Robert G. Emberty
  • Patent number: 6618224
    Abstract: A device for mechanically isolating the media tape reel of a data tape cartridge from its outer protective housing utilizes a compliant, cylindrical object. The object prevents relative movement between the reel and the housing in three degrees of freedom. The object is inserted into an opening in the housing of the tape cartridge for applying force against the reel. The compliant nature of the object allows it to be retained in the opening and engage the hub of the reel. The reel is pushed and held against an inner surface of the housing to prevent axial, radial, and rotational motion of the reel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Ryan Cripps, David Michael Davis, Ernest Stewart Gale, Robert Allen Hutchins, James Mitchell Karp
  • Patent number: 6597972
    Abstract: A fan controller for use with a variable speed fan. The fan controller includes a processor coupled to a communication circuit that, in an advantageous embodiment, includes a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART). The communication circuit allows an external controller to monitor and establish a desired speed setting of the variable speed fan. The fan controller also includes a memory device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), coupled to the processor, that contains the desired speed setting of the variable speed fan. The fan controller further includes a feedback circuit, coupled to the processor, that receives a feedback signal indicative of the variable speed fan operation and a fan driver circuit, coupled to the processor, that provides a driving signal to control a speed of the variable speed fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Emberty, Craig Anthony Klein, Blanca Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6466540
    Abstract: A self-healing coupler for a serially linked device that is serially coupled to other devices. The serially linked device has a communication input and a communication output. When a break occurs between a first serially linked device and other devices, as indicated by a lack of communication output from the first serially linked device, the self-healing coupler by-passes the break in the first serially linked device to maintain communication between the other devices. The invention is particularly suited to maintaining communication to serial Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert George Emberty, Craig Anthony Klein, Edward Joseph Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 6430738
    Abstract: A method and system for permitting reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system which includes a processor, memory containing a first version of a selected software application and a storage system for receiving a removable storage medium. A removable storage medium which includes at least one alternate version of a selected software application is inserted into the storage system and a user is then prompted to select an alternate version of the selected software application for installation within the data processing system. The existing version of the selected software application within the data processing system is then automatically copied from memory to the removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of the alternate version of the selected software application in response to a selection of the alternate version, such that the installation may be selectively reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Louis Gross, Mark Edward Hill, Gerald Damian John, Charley David Lillard, Douglas Eugene Torrens
  • Patent number: 6421579
    Abstract: Multiple intelligent pickers for an automated data storage library, the library having a library controller which identifies the start and end locations of the received move jobs, and places the move jobs in a job queue. The picker processor receives information over a communication link from other pickers describing movement information for the current move job of each of the other pickers. Upon completion of a move job, the picker communicates with the library controller, selecting a move job which avoids interference with the movement of the other pickers. The movement for the selected move job is determined so as to avoid interference with the stored movement profiles of the other pickers. A movement profile may be communicated to the other pickers over the communication link, and the move job is conducted according to the movement profile. Alternatively, movement information comprising the current location and vector are communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kamal Emile Dimitri, John Edward Kulakowski, Rodney Jerome Means
  • Patent number: 6404621
    Abstract: A laptop computer has a base and a cover with a display monitor that are connected together by a hinge. The base and cover have congruent trapezoidal shapes that give the laptop a unique appearance. A pair of segregated right and left keyboards are mounted to the base. Each keyboard is rotated by a small angle from the center of the base to align with the natural position of the arms of the user. The keyboards are further articulated such that their front ends are elevated relative to their rearward ends. Alternate embodiments of the invention utilize various mechanisms for articulating the keyboards. In addition, the keys on each keyboard may be arranged in a curvilinear formation. The laptop has a wedge that is slidably mounted to the rearward end of the base for varying the angle of inclination of the keyboards. The wedge can raise or lower the angle of the keyboards to suit the preference of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Zamora, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: 6367046
    Abstract: An improved multi-bit error correction system. The inventive error correcting system performs a fast error correction operation on individual bits within multi-bit modules. In a specific implementation, the invention uses Hamming codes and divides an n times m bit data word into m modules, with each module having n bits. Next, the ith bits of each module are combined to form a set of parity bits. Syndrome bits are generated from the parity bits and used to locate errors in the bits and provide an indication of same. Finally, errors in the bits are corrected in a conventional manner to provide corrected data bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald James Chapman, Ariel Brent Christensen, Carl Evan Jones, Sushama Mahesh Paranjape
  • Patent number: 6356801
    Abstract: A work queuing system and method to increase the availability of an automated data storage library for accessing and storing data storage media. At least one accessor moves the data storage media among storage shelves and data storage drives in response to work requests. The work queuing system comprises a communication processor node for receiving the work requests and for broadcasting the work requests, e.g., over a common bus network, to a plurality of work processor nodes coupled to the communication processor node and coupled to each other. Each work processor node responds to the broadcast work requests, establishing a work queue of jobs. At least one of the work processor nodes selects ones of the jobs in the work queue for an accessor and directs the accessor to conduct the selected job. The work processor nodes then synchronize the work queues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Patent number: 6356803
    Abstract: A distributed control system is provided for an automated data storage library. The library accesses data storage media in response to received commands, and comprises an accessor having a gripper for accessing the data storage media, and an XY system having servo motors for moving the accessor and the gripper. The distributed control system comprises a communication processor node for receiving commands, providing a communication link for the commands. An accessor processor node, which may be located at the accessor, is coupled to the communication processor node, the accessor processor node responsive to the linked commands, operating the gripper and providing move commands. An XY processor node may be provided at the XY system, coupled to the accessor processor node, the XY processor node responsive to the move commands, operating the servo motors. A common bus couples the communication processor node to the accessor processor node, and couples the accessor processor node to the XY processor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Leonard George Jesionowski, Michael Philip McIntosh, Fernando Quintana, Charles Anthony Thompson, Jr., Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 6351685
    Abstract: A wireless communication link provides picker to picker communication between multiple intelligent pickers for an automated data storage library, and provides central communication between at least one of the pickers with a central job queue. Each intelligent picker comprises a processor located thereon for operating the picker to conduct a move job and providing movement information describing movement of the picker for the current move job of the picker. The wireless communication link comprises a wireless central communication link between at least one of the pickers and a central job queue for communicating a move job to the picker processor from the central job queue, and a wireless picker to picker communication link for communicating between the pickers, each linked picker transmitting the movement information over the wireless picker to picker communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kamal Emile Dimitri, John Edward Kulakowski, Rodney Jerome Means
  • Patent number: 6344967
    Abstract: A laptop computer has a base and a cover with a display monitor that are connected together by a hinge. The base and cover have congruent trapezoidal shapes that give the laptop a unique appearance. A pair of segregated right and left keyboards are mounted to the base. Each keyboard is rotated by a small angle from the center of the base to align with the natural position of the arms of the user. The keyboards are further articulated such that their front ends are elevated relative to their rearward ends. Alternate embodiments of the invention utilize various mechanisms for articulating the keyboards. In addition, the keys on each keyboard may be arranged in a curvilinear formation. The laptop has a wedge that is slidably mounted to the rearward end of the base for varying the angle of inclination of the keyboards. The wedge can raise or lower the angle of the keyboards to suit the preference of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Zamora, Daniel James Winarski