Patents Assigned to Spectra Logic
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Publication number: 20120127607Abstract: 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 temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
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Publication number: 20120089650Abstract: Provided is a system and method for a system for a storage system. The system includes a policy based file system and a virtualization environment permitting native file system primitives among a plurality of virtual machines. Each virtual machine has a virtual file system. Each virtual file system structured and arranged with native file system operations to access, based on policy, a portion of the policy based file system. An associated method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Justin Theodore Gibbs, Joshua Daniel Carter
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Patent number: 8149532Abstract: A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive is adapted to transmit the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Randall Curtis Hood, Michael Gerard Goberis, Alexander Dillard Segars, III
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Publication number: 20120076621Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
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Publication number: 20120076622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Nathan Christopher Thompson, Mark Lorin Lantry, Daniel Spencer Zmolek
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Patent number: 8145825Abstract: A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second drive from the first drive such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first drive is masked from being identified by the host.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Gerard Goberis
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Patent number: 8108599Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus relating generally to erasure techniques for emulating a streamed data format for non tape media capable of being used with a data storage arrangement to generate replenished user data space. The data storage arrangement comprises a host computer and a storage system in communication with the host computer, the storage system comprising at least one random access storage medium. The random access storage medium is capable of receiving data by streaming protocol and storing the data emulated in a contiguous format. The data comprises at least one data file which further comprise a plurality of records wherein each of the records comprise user data and meta data. A deletion algorithm is adapted to issue at least one deletion command capable of deleting at least one portion of the data stored on the medium up to at least a last segment of the data to create replenished storage space.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Richard Douglas Rector, Larry Alan Fenske
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Publication number: 20120019949Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Ray D. Heineman, Samuel J. Guleff, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Jerard Goberis, Walter Wong
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Publication number: 20110317305Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong
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Patent number: 8082058Abstract: A data storage library is described including a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary memory device adapted to maintain a load count that is incremented whenever the tape cartridge is loaded in a tape drive. The library also includes, a library tape drive adapted to increment the load count every time the tape cartridge is loaded in the library tape drive, an auxiliary storage device capable of maintaining knowledge of the incremented load count only from when the tape cartridge is loaded with the library tape drive, and an auxiliary memory device reader capable of reading the load count from the auxiliary memory device. The library further includes a processing device adapted to receive and compare the knowledge maintained in the auxiliary storage device with the load count from the auxiliary memory device that is read via the auxiliary memory device reader that if different, the processing device is capable of transmitting a notification to an end user.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Jerard Goberis
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Publication number: 20110211273Abstract: Methods for certifying data retained by a tape cartridge in a tape library are shown. Error rates that are encountered when the tape cartridge is being read by a tape drive can be accounted for without actually reading data for data content retrieval. A record of the error rate can be stored in a medium auxiliary memory device associated with the tape cartridge. An older record containing a formerly accounted for error rate of read errors when the tape cartridge was formerly read can be accessed and compared with the record presently assessed. If there is a difference between the presently found error rate and the formerly found error rate an action can be executed if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventor: Nathan Christopher Thompson
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Patent number: 8009385Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, the media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in the cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting the plurality of data storage elements to the electrical power source and the communication source such that power from the electrical power source and communication from the communication source may be provided to the media blade without interruption when the media blade is moved in the drawer like motion outward from at least partially within the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong, Michael Edward Figaro, Ronald Gregory Duren, Matthew John Ninesling, Joshua Daniel Carter, Scott Edward Bacom
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Publication number: 20110157742Abstract: A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Gerard Goberis
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Publication number: 20110141874Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, the media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in the cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting the plurality of data storage elements to the electrical power source and the communication source such that power from the electrical power source and communication from the communication source may be provided to the media blade without interruption when the media blade is moved in the drawer like motion outward from at least partially within the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong, Michael Edward Figaro, Ronald Gregory Duren, Matthew John Ninesling, Joshua Daniel Carter, Scott Edward Bacom
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Patent number: 7916423Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, said media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in said cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting said plurality of data storage elements to said electrical power source and said communication source such that power from said electrical power source and communication from said communication source may be provided to said media blade without interruption when said media blade is moved in said drawer like motion outward from at least partially within said interior space.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong, Micheal Edward Figero, Ronald Gregory Duren, Matthew John Ninesling, Joshua Daniel Carter, Scott Edward Bacom
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Publication number: 20110051279Abstract: A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second tape drive, from the first tape drive, such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first tape drive is masked from being identified by the host.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Gerard Goberis
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Publication number: 20110019304Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Ray D. Heineman, Samuel J. Guleff, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Jerard Goberis, Walter Wong
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Patent number: 7864538Abstract: A slide apparatus that provides horizontal support to a disc drive blade is described. The slide apparatus essentially includes a slider beam, a guide rail, a chassis and a retaining member. The slider beam possesses a slotted feature that extends at least partially along the length of the slider beam. The guide rail, which is adapted to be attached to a frame, constrains the slider beam to move only along the length of the guide rail. A retaining member is anchored to the chassis and extends into said slotted feature. The chassis, which supports the disc drive blade, is confined by the retaining member to move essentially only along the slotted feature in the slider beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Edwin Jack Wadsworth, Christopher Anthony Pollard, Matthew Thomas Starr
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Publication number: 20100321811Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus that monitor tape drive health for tape drives in a tape library. The tape library generally contains a data base that is adapted to maintain functional status records for interactions that occur when a tape drive physically engages a tape cartridge. More specifically, errors associated with tape drive and tape cartridge interactions can be stored in the data base and monitored to make determinations relative to problems encountered by a specific tape drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Michael Gerard Goberis, Matthew Thomas Starr, Jeff Robert Boyton, Walter Wong, Nathan Christopher Thompson
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Publication number: 20100265606Abstract: A method for recovering data from a failed tape cartridge is presented. The reliability of a tape cartridge is assessed via the number of read errors encountered. If the number or read errors is excessive, the tape cartridge is deemed unreliable and the tape cartridge is restricted from storing anymore data. A search is performed to look for duplicate data and if found a copy of the duplicate data is stored to a replacement tape cartridge. The replacement tape cartridge assumes all identity of the original failed tape cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Spectra Logic CorporationInventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong