Patents Assigned to Imation Corp.
  • Patent number: 6340548
    Abstract: Organic photoreceptors that include a charge transport compound, a charge generating compound, and an electroconductive support in which the charge transport compound is a novel aryl hydrazone-functional carbazole compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Nusrallah Jubran, Zbigniew Tokarski, Terrance P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6332942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a hub to an optical disk with an adhesive. The optical disk includes opposing first and second major surfaces and a central opening. The adhesive is predisposed onto the second major surface. The method includes supporting the first major surface of the disk at a defined three-dimensional position and orientation. The hub is aligned above the central opening of the disk such that the hub is movable to a plurality of three-dimensional positions and orientations with a hub placement assembly supporting an inner portion of the hub. The defined three-dimensional position and orientation of the first major surface is transferred to the hub placement assembly. The hub is maneuvered into contact with the adhesive by the hub placement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Hector, Harold J. DeBlieck, Joseph F. Fuller, Robert J. Hanowski
  • Patent number: 6330572
    Abstract: A system and method for managing the storage of files within an HSM system incorporate an architecture and methodology that facilitate the storage and retrieval of large image files as part of an overall image processing workflow. In particular, the system and method may find ready application in a workflow that involves the processing of groups of images associated with particular customers, projects, or transactions, and may act as a storage server for a client application that implements the workflow. The system and method may be useful, for example, in handling the storage of images uploaded from scanned photographic film, or digital images submitted to a photo-processing shop by amateur or professional photographers. In this case, the client application can be a photo-processing application that could provide for various media formats, sizes, and quantities of image reproductions for a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Larry Sitka
  • Patent number: 6330123
    Abstract: A tape servo system includes tape having bands of tracks including at least one data band having a plurality of data tracks of track pitch P and a servo band dedicated for servo information. The servo band includes two or more noncontiguous servo tracks with each pair of adjacent servo tracks of the two or more noncontiguous servo tracks having a center to center separation equal to M*P, wherein M for each pair of adjacent servo tracks may be any integer≧2. The system may further include a head assembly having a single magnetoresistive read element tapped to provide at least (K+1) tapped servo read elements for use in reading servo information written to the servo band; wherein K is equal to the integer M for the pair of adjacent servo tracks having the greatest center to center separation and a repositioning assembly for repositioning the head assembly as a function of the servo information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Theodore A. Schwarz, Robert J. Youngquist, Hung T. Tran
  • Patent number: 6318659
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly for use with a data storage tape cartridge. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, a tape reel pin, the tape reel assembly, and a storage tape. The housing includes a first housing section and a second housing section. The tape reel pin extends in a generally perpendicular fashion relative to an interior surface of the first housing section. With this configuration, the tape reel pin forms a cylindrical side surface and terminates in a leading end. The tape reel assembly is rotatably associated with the tape reel pin and includes a hub and a sleeve. The hub defines an axial bore. In one preferred embodiment, the tape reel assembly further includes opposing flanges connected to the hub. Regardless, the sleeve is disposed within the axial bore and forms a thrust surface. Finally, the storage tape is maintained by the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Zwettler, Daniel C. Egan
  • Patent number: 6320991
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a sensor comprising a dielectric film stack having a plurality of dielectric layers. For at least one angle of incidence the dielectric layers operate as a waveguide for light incident upon the sensor. In one configuration, each dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material selected from a first dielectric material having a first index of refraction and a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction. The dielectric film stack is formed such that the dielectric material of the dielectric layers alternates between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The dielectric film stack is either formed as a dielectric mirror such that light incident upon the sensor reflects from the sensor or as an anti-reflection film stack such that light incident upon the light beam propagates through the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Challener, James M. DePuydt, William A. Tolbert
  • Patent number: 6315230
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly for maintaining a data storage tape. The tape reel assembly includes a hub ring, an engagement section, a metallic ring and opposing flanges. The hub ring defines a tape-winding surface and forms a central opening. The engagement section extends substantially radially inwardly relative to the tape-winding surface and includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an annular flange. The annular flange extends substantially axially from the outer surface and defines an axial passage. The metallic ring is secured to the outer surface of the engagement section and has an inner diameter. In this regard, the inner diameter of the metallic ring is greater than a diameter of the axial passage such that the annular flange extends axially within the inner diameter of the metallic ring. Finally, the opposing flanges extend radially from opposite ends of the hub ring, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Carter J. Hansen, William D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6311916
    Abstract: A leader block assembly for use with a data storage tape cartridge. The leader block assembly is configured to hold a free end of a storage tape and includes a generally rectangular body having opposing sides, a leading end, a trailing end terminating in an end surface, and first and second ears. The ears are formed in an opposing fashion at the trailing-end and extend radially relative to the sides along a substantial portion of a width of the trailing end. In this regard, the cars are configured to substantially prevent longitudinal sliding movement of the end surface upon insertion of the leader block assembly into a tape drive take-up reel. In one preferred embodiment, the leader block assembly includes a base block and a tape clamp, with the first ear being formed on the base block and the second ear being formed on the tape clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, G. Phillip Rambosek
  • Patent number: 6305630
    Abstract: A data cartridge includes a length of magnetic tape which is formed at one end with a first pattern of holes to enable identification of the end of the tape and a second pattern of holes located within the first pattern of holes and configured to provide a binary code to enable automatic identification of the cartridge type or tape type. The binary code provides for a least significant bit and a most significant bit in a hexadecimal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Danny J. Argento
  • Patent number: 6305631
    Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a first rotatable hub and a second rotatable hub. The first hub and the second hub are wound so that they are substantially full of the flexible recording tape. The flexible tape between the first and second hub crosses a centerline including the two hubs. Both the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub are removable from the cartridge. The hubs have a flange with a conical edge which nests into a first opening and a second opening in the tape cartridge with conical receiving surfaces. The conical edges have a plurality of reliefs therein to form conical teeth within each of the first and second hub. The conical teeth of one of the hubs engages the reliefs of the other hub to seal the cartridge and to support the tape between the hubs. The cartridge also includes a base, a latch for engaging the first rotatable hub and the second rotatable hub. A cartridge cover covers the latch and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Leif O. Erickson, Arne B. Boberg
  • Patent number: 6299088
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge (10) includes a housing (12) having a first section (13) operatively connected to a second section (14). A chip retaining section (30) includes a forward stop (33), first lateral stop (34), second lateral stop (35) and a rear-positioning member (31) having an angled support surface (32). A memory chip (50) is positioned on the rear-positioning member (31). A chip retaining post (40) extends toward the memory chip (50) wherein the chip (50) is positioned laterally by the lateral stops and the post maintains the memory chip (50) in position on the rear-positioning member (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: G. Phillip Rambosek
  • Patent number: 6301200
    Abstract: An air-incident, optical data storage medium has a substrate, a reflector layer, a magneto-optic recording layer, and a protective layer. The reflector later has at least one of an electrical conductivity greater than about 5.0×104 (&OHgr;-cm)−1, an RMS surface roughness less than about 1.0 nm as measured by atomic force microscopy, and an index of refraction of less than about 0.5 at a read wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Frank E. Aspen, Joseph H. Sexton, Richard F. Willson
  • Patent number: 6292996
    Abstract: A method of making a rotating removable data storage device hub, such as a hub for a micro-floppy magnetic data storage disc, that has a core of plain carbon steel and a primary coating. The hub also includes a vapor corrosion inhibiting layer on the primary coating. The plain carbon steel can have about 0.5% or less carbon. The primary coating can be tin, nickel, zinc, chrome, paints, epoxies, epoxy-urethanes, phenolic resins, and combinations thereof. The vapor corrosion inhibiting layer may include an amine to reduce the rate of oxidation of the plain carbon steel core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Hilton, Gregory A. Laska, John W. Swanson, Richard E. Domonkos
  • Patent number: 6295181
    Abstract: A tape bearing surface for a tape that reduces tape surface contact near the edge, while minimizing variation in cross-web tension, and a method of making the same. The tape surface piece has a longitudinal axes defining a tape path and a lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a top surface. The top surface defines a convex shape having at least one distinct radii extending along the lateral axis. In one embodiment, the convex shape is elliptical or parabolic. In one embodiment, two distinct radii are formed so that a first radius proximate a center of the lateral axis is greater then a second radius proximate edges of the lateral axis. The present invention is also directed to a tape guide and a tape cartridge containing the present tape bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Aboutorab S. Fahimi, Durkee B. Richards, Leif O. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6291143
    Abstract: A laser addressable thermal imaging element comprising a bleachable photothermal converting dye in association with a heat-sensitive imaging medium, and a photoreducing agent for said dye, said photoreducing agent bleaching said dye on laser address of the element. The imaging element may be in the form of a colorant transfer system, a peel-apart system, a phototackification system or a unimolecular thermal fragmentation system. Also provided is a method of crosslinking a resin by laser irradiation, which is useful in the production of colored images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Robert J. D. Nairne, Andrew W. Mott, Mark R. I. Chambers, Dian E. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6279846
    Abstract: A tape cartridge including a cartridge housing, one or more tape hub pins substantially fixed at both ends to the cartridge housing, and tape hubs, carrying tape, e.g., magnetic tape, that are mounted around the tape hub pins for rotation within the cartridge housing. Also described is a method for preventing tilt of a tape hub including fitting a first end of the pin into a baseplate, which is part of the tape cartridge housing. The method also includes fitting a second end of the pin into a pin retention device formed into a cover, which is another part of the tape cartridge housing. The pin retention device of this method may take the form of a ring-like feature, provided in the cover, which retains the second end of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Leslie M. Collins
  • Patent number: 6277653
    Abstract: An optical assaying method and system having a movable sensor is described. In one aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a rotating sensor disk coated with indicator dyes sensitized to a variety of substances. In this configuration the sensing system further includes a detector for sensing spectral changes in light received from one or more of the indicator dyes. In another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a surface plasmon resonance sensor disk having grooves extending radially from a center of the disk. In yet another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system including a diffraction anomaly sensor disk having a dielectric layer that varies in thickness. The present invention allows for construction of an inexpensive sensing system that is capable of easily detecting a variety of substances either in a sample or a surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Challener, Richard R. Ollmann
  • Patent number: 6273352
    Abstract: A data storage tape drive system includes a data storage tape cartridge and a tape drive mechanism. The data storage tape cartridge includes a tape reel including a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation thereof and an engagement surface spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth. The tape drive mechanism includes a drive hub including a circular ring of teeth projecting in a direction generally parallel to an axis of rotation thereof and an engagement feature spaced radially from the circular ring of teeth of the drive hub. When the drive hub is operatively engaged with the tape reel, the teeth of the drive hub are engaged with the teeth of the tape reel and the engagement feature of the drive hub is engaged with the engagement surface of the tape reel so as to control operative engagement between the data storage tape cartridge and the tape drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignees: Imation Corp., Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, David T. Hoge
  • Patent number: 6274227
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic substrate, a liquid lubricant-containing coating layer having a porosity (U) formed on the substrate, and a magnetic layer having a porosity (M) formed directly on the coating layer. The ratio of porosity (U/M) between the coating and magnetic layers is between 0.75 and 1.25. The volume percentage of the lubricant contained in the pores of the coating layer based on the whole pore volume in the coating layer is from 35 to 85%. This improves the durability of the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Shigeto Oiri, Yoji Tsukamoto, Hideaki Yasui
  • Patent number: RE37473
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a diffraction anomaly grating sensor. The optical sensor has a diffraction grating coated with at least one dielectric layer such that the sensor is sensitized to interact with the targeted substance. Upon interaction, light incident upon the sensor at a particular angle propagates through the dielectric, thereby exhibiting a dip in zero-order reflectance. Advantages of the present invention include facilitating increased sensitivity while protecting the metal grating from tarnishing and degradation. The present invention also allows for the construction of sensors that are sensitized to a plurality of substances, thus eliminating the need for an operator to reconfigure the sensing system in order to assay different substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: William A. Challener