Patents Assigned to Spectra Logic
  • Patent number: 8843725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a storage system comprising at least one mobile random access storage device capable of storing first or second data. At least one docking station is associated with an address wherein the address is identifiable by at least one host computer. A first and second sub-address is associated with the at least one docking station wherein the first and second sub-addresses are identifiable by the at least one host computer. The first sub-address corresponds to a first virtual device adapted for storing the first data on a first virtual media. The second sub-address corresponds to a second virtual device adapted for storing the second data on a second virtual media wherein the second virtual media is a different media type from the first virtual media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Richard Douglas Rector, Nathan Christopher Thompson
  • Patent number: 8838872
    Abstract: Described are systems for and methods of improving the efficiency of an automated data storage library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8780490
    Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Peter L. Groel
  • Publication number: 20140195633
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing removable data storage elements as a cloud based storage system. More specifically, the method achieves this for at least one embodiment by receiving at least one generally random stream of data objects, each data object having at least one identifiable element. The method directs the selection of at least a first identifiable element. The method then orders the stream of data objects against the first identifiable element and disposes the data objects upon at least one of the removable data storage elements in accordance with the ordered stream of data objects. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SPECTRA LOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joshua Daniel Carter
  • Publication number: 20140192433
    Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8767328
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method related to reading from memory an indicia that is dedicated to identifying a first portion less than an entirety of an addressable storage medium, the first portion having previously been subjected to a certification scrutiny. In relation to results of the reading, a second portion less than the entirety of the addressable storage medium is selected for subsequently subjecting the second portion to the certification scrutiny.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong
  • Patent number: 8768510
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for a robotic storage system. The system includes at least a first and second portable data element and at least a first and second data read/write device, structured and arranged to read portable data storage elements. A repository is structured and arranged to store the first and second portable data storage elements. At least one robot is structured and arranged to move a selected data storage element between the repository and a selected data read/write device. The system includes a history of prior commands, each prior command executed by a prior path selected from a group of optional paths. A receiver is structured and arranged to receive a current command for the robotic storage system, and a director is structured and arranged to direct the robotic storage system based on the current command and the history. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Carter, Richard Douglass Rector
  • Patent number: 8767330
    Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges wherein each of the tape cartridges possesses an auxiliary radio frequency memory device in which auxiliary digital data is stored. The library also includes at least one drive disposed substantially within the library capable of transferring user data to and from one of the tapes. The library further includes at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader that capable of reading the auxiliary digital data and transmitting the auxiliary digital data to at least one designated location, the reader is independent of the at least one drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corp.
    Inventors: Ray D. Heineman, Samuel J. Guleff, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Jerard Goberis, Walter Wong
  • Publication number: 20140181054
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplate a data storage system having a removable storage device operably transferring user data between the data storage system and another device via execution of a plurality of input/output commands. A commonality factoring module executes computer instructions stored in memory to assign commonality information to the user data. A deduplication module executes computer instructions stored in memory to combine a plurality of files of the user data (user data files) with at least one file of corresponding commonality information (commonality information file), the combined files forming a sequential data stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8699177
    Abstract: A system for and method of properly positioning a media magazine in a mass data storage library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Aldo Nespeca
  • Patent number: 8682471
    Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a tape magazine that possesses at least one spare slot and a number of other addressable slots that each contains a tape cartridge. Each addressable slot is mapped and made known to a host when the host is linked to the storage library. One of the addressable slots contains a tape cartridge that prior to being mapped as an addressable slot was formerly a spare slot unmapped to the host and the current spare slot was formerly mapped as an addressable slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Nathan Christopher Thompson, Mark Lorin Lantry, Daniel Spencer Zmolek
  • Patent number: 8675301
    Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8665553
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Pollard, Lee A. Southerland
  • Patent number: 8666537
    Abstract: A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Gerard Goberis
  • Publication number: 20140052907
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplate a data storage system having a removable storage device operably transferring data between the data storage system and another device via execution of a plurality of input/output (I/O) commands. A commonality factoring (CF) module executing computer instructions stored in memory assigns a CF tag to a data pattern in the transferred data. A deduplication module executing computer instructions stored in memory determines if the data pattern corresponding to the CF tag is previously stored in the removable storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Publication number: 20140048389
    Abstract: A system, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media, especially in a data storage environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Aldo Nespeca
  • Patent number: 8615322
    Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a single tape picker device that is adapted to hold two tape cartridges at the same time facilitating an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Publication number: 20130335858
    Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SPECTRA LOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Peter L. Groel
  • Publication number: 20130332754
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology for a data storage system having an enclosure containing a plurality of drives that are individually selectable to transfer data corresponding to an execution of input/output (I/O) commands between the data storage system and another device. A memory in the enclosure temporarily stores unexecuted I/O commands, and a power supply device is capable of simultaneously operating all of the plurality of drives in support of multiple transfers of data. A power management device operably reduces a power output of the power supply device in response to a forecasted interruption in the transfer of data with one of the drives at a time when an unexecuted I/O command for the one of the drives resides in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Neal Downey
  • Publication number: 20130326134
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology for a data storage system having a data storage space operably transferring user data via input/output (I/O) commands between the data storage system and another device. The data storage space includes a first memory device operably storing location information for a selected user data set corresponding to one of the I/O commands. The first memory also operably stores a first amount of the selected user data set. The data storage space also includes a second memory device different than the first memory device and operably storing a different second amount of the selected user data set. The data storage system has a controller that interleaves an entirety of the selected user data set from the first and second memory devices during execution of another of the I/O commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Carter, Burkhard Eichberger, Matthew Thomas Starr