Patents by Inventor Friedhelm Steinhilber

Friedhelm Steinhilber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9053741
    Abstract: A docking station for receiving a cartridge includes a housing having a receiving space configured to receive the cartridge. A movable carriage is disposed in the receiving space and configured to transport the cartridge into the receiving space. A movable mouth piece is configured to at least partially surround a multipoint connector of a non-tape storage medium of the cartridge through a horizontal access side opening of the cartridge so as to fix the multipoint connector. A fixing slider is configured to move the mouth piece through the horizontal access side opening so as to fix the multipoint connector within the receiving space. A connector slider is configured to move a connector within the docking station through a vertical access bottom opening of the cartridge against the electrical multipoint connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BDT MEDIA AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20130080713
    Abstract: A docking station for receiving a cartridge includes a housing having a receiving space configured to receive the cartridge. A movable carriage is disposed in the receiving space and configured to transport the cartridge into the receiving space. A movable mouth piece is configured to at least partially surround a multipoint connector of a non-tape storage medium of the cartridge through a horizontal access side opening of the cartridge so as to fix the multipoint connector. A fixing slider is configured to move the mouth piece through the horizontal access side opening so as to fix the multipoint connector within the receiving space. A connector slider is configured to move a connector within the docking station through a vertical access bottom opening of the cartridge against the electrical multipoint connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: BDT MEDIA AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 7800860
    Abstract: A device for storing data carriers has a housing (10). In the housing (10) magazines (12) can be inserted, which accommodate data carriers, e.g. magnetic tape cartridges (26) lying flat. In order to be able to exchange cartridges (26) without moving the magazine (12) out of the housing (10) and without interrupting the operation of the device, end-sided receptacles of the magazines (12) are designed as a changing device (28), which is mounted as a drawer in the associated magazine (12) and which, in the case of the inserted magazine (12), can be extended out of this magazine (12) and out of the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: BDT AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 7639573
    Abstract: A robotic unit with a picker (18) serves for handling data media in a storage device. The robotic unit can be traversed with a base plate (24) on a guide bar (16). On the base plate (24) a rotary plate (28) is disposed which can be turned about a vertical axis. On the rotary plate (28) two motors (52, 56) are disposed, each of which causes, via a toothed wheel drive, the translational and the turning movement of the robotic unit. The toothed wheel drives (48, 50, 54, 58) are disposed in a common plane in an indented recess (46) of the base plate (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: BDT AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 7369354
    Abstract: For storage of data on data carriers accommodated in cassettes (28), a device is used with a magazine, having receptacles for cassettes (28) and with a robot unit (44) for changing the cassettes (28) between the receptacles and a drive (16). The magazine is movable relative to robot unit (44), in order to position the selected receptacle for changing of the cassette (28). For positioning, a sensor unit is provided on robot unit (44) and a light guide element on each receptacle. The light emitted from the light transmitters of the sensor unit is guided via the light guide element to the light receivers of the sensor unit, when they are congruent with the positioning position of the robot unit (44) and receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: BDT AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20070159715
    Abstract: A robotic unit with a picker (18) serves for handling data media in a storage device. The robotic unit can be traversed with a base plate (24) on a guide bar (16). On the base plate (24) a rotary plate (28) is disposed which can be turned about a vertical axis. On the rotary plate (28) two motors (52, 56) are disposed, each of which causes, via a toothed wheel drive, the translational and the turning movement of the robotic unit. The toothed wheel drives (48, 50, 54, 58) are disposed in a common plane in an indented recess (46) of the base plate (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20070147192
    Abstract: A device for storing data carriers has a housing (10). In the housing (10) magazines (12) can be inserted, which accommodate data carriers, e.g. magnetic tape cartridges (26) lying flat. In order to be able to exchange cartridges (26) without moving the magazine (12) out of the housing (10) and without interrupting the operation of the device, end-sided receptacles of the magazines (12) are designed as a changing device (28), which is mounted as a drawer in the associated magazine (12) and which, in the case of the inserted magazine (12), can be extended out of this magazine (12) and out of the housing (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20070120315
    Abstract: A paper separating system, based on the frictional separation and feeding of the uppermost sheet (13) from a stack (14) of sheets of paper and flat substrates over a hurdle (8) using a separating and feeding head (1) and a deflection mechanism (35) for the head (1), the head (1) and the deflection mechanism (35) having, in particular, a roller (7) and a driving means (4, 5, 6) for the roller (7) and a resetting means (10), a means (31, 32, 36, 37, 28, 30, 23, 27, 28) for definitively or temporarily stopping, delaying or slowing down the head (1) being provided in the region of a separating distance (dv, d2-d1) between the hurdle (8) and head (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20060044672
    Abstract: For storage of data on data carriers accommodated in cassettes (28), a device is used with a magazine, having receptacles for cassettes (28) and with a robot unit (44) for changing the cassettes (28) between the receptacles and a drive (16). The magazine is movable relative to robot unit (44), in order to position the selected receptacle for changing of the cassette (28). For positioning, a sensor unit is provided on robot unit (44) and a light guide element on each receptacle. The light emitted from the light transmitters of the sensor unit is guided via the light guide element to the light receivers of the sensor unit, when they are congruent with the positioning position of the robot unit (44) and receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6983469
    Abstract: A modular data storage system is disclosed. The data storage system comprises at least one module housing. Each housing has a front chamber and a rear chamber running parallel to a front side of the module housing and extending across a width of the module housing. An open shaft is arranged between the front chamber and the rear chamber. The shaft extends across the width of the module housing. The front chamber is adapted to receive at least two storage modules adapted to hold storage media, and the rear chamber is adapted to receive at least one function module for the data storage media. At least one transfer unit is arranged in the shaft. The transfer unit has a vertically traveling elevator and a carriage adapted to travel on the elevator between the front chamber and the rear chamber. The carriage has a grip mechanism for the data storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: BDT Buro-und Datentechnik GmbH & CO KG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6943975
    Abstract: An automatic library for cartridges of data storage tapes comprises a drive for cartridges having the form of a flat right parallelepiped having a flat side and a magazine. The drive has a cartridge pocket adapted to receive the cartridges. The magazine comprises one or more receivers for the cartridges. The receivers are adapted to revolve on a closed path of revolution about the drive, the path of revolution being substantially in a plane. The cartridge pocket of the drive and the receivers of the magazine are disposed such that the magazine is positionable with one of the receivers being aligned with the cartridge pocket along an insertion axis for transfer of a cartridge. The cartridges are adapted to be disposed in the receivers of the magazine and in the cartridge pocket of the drive with the flat side lying flat in the plane of the path of revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Patentia Hergiswil AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6885515
    Abstract: A library for cartridges of a data storage tape comprises a drive with a cartridge pocket and a magazine revolving about the drive with a plurality of receivers for the cartridges. The receivers are positionable in front of a cartridge pocket in order to change a cartridge between the receiver and the cartridge pocket. Cartridges can be inserted or removed through a port of the housing of the library into the receiver of the magazine. The cartridge pocket, a receiver positioned in front of the cartridge pocket, and the port of the housing may be linearly aligned such that cartridges can also be inserted through the port directly into the cartridge pocket or can be removed directly from the cartridge pocket through the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Patentia Hergiswil AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6865046
    Abstract: An automatic library for cartridges of a data storage tape comprises a magazine with a plurality of receivers for holding the cartridges. The magazine revolves on a closed path of revolution about at least one drive. The path of revolution of the magazine is non-circular and may have the shape of a rectangle with rounded-off corners. Thus, a low installation width of the library is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Patentia Hergiswil AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20030088334
    Abstract: An automatic tape loader system for a media storage drive, such as a digital linear tape drive, comprises a robotics portion adapted interact with an interface drive, such as a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) drive. An integrated controller is provided to integrate the mechanical operations of various components of the media storage device and the drive operations of the media storage device. A robotics module of the integrated controller is adapted to communicate with various mechanisms of the media storage device and various sensors associated with these mechanisms to control various mechanical operations of the media storage device. External devices such as an operator control panel (OCP) and a bar code reader may also be connected to the integrated controller to exchange information or commands between various components of the media storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: BDT Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk M. Enochs, Barbara Lawson, Philip McClelland, Michael E. Moy, Timothy P. Vander Veen, Glenn Klein, Friedhelm Steinhilber, Lew Frauenfelder, John Herron
  • Publication number: 20020181341
    Abstract: A modular data storage system is disclosed. The data storage system comprises at least one module housing. Each housing has a front chamber and a rear chamber running parallel to a front side of the module housing and extending across a width of the module housing. An open shaft is arranged between the front chamber and the rear chamber. The shaft extends across the width of the module housing. The front chamber is adapted to receive at least two storage modules adapted to hold storage media, and the rear chamber is adapted to receive at least one function module for the data storage media. At least one transfer unit is arranged in the shaft. The transfer unit has a vertically traveling elevator and a carriage adapted to travel on the elevator between the front chamber and the rear chamber. The carriage has a grip mechanism for the data storage media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: BDT Buro-und DATENTECHNIK GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20020149870
    Abstract: An automatic library for cartridges of a data storage tape comprises a magazine with a plurality of receivers for holding the cartridges. The magazine revolves on a closed path of revolution about at least one drive. The path of revolution of the magazine is non-circular and may have the shape of a rectangle with rounded-off corners. Thus, a low installation width of the library is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: BDT Buro und Datentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20020118482
    Abstract: A library for cartridges of a data storage tape comprises a drive with a cartridge pocket and a magazine revolving about the drive with a plurality of receivers for the cartridges. The receivers are positionable in front of a cartridge pocket in order to change a cartridge between the receiver and the cartridge pocket. Cartridges can be inserted or removed through a port of the housing of the library into the receiver of the magazine. The cartridge pocket, a receiver positioned in front of the cartridge pocket, and the port of the housing may be linearly aligned such that cartridges can also be inserted through the port directly into the cartridge pocket or can be removed directly from the cartridge pocket through the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: BDT Buro und Datentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Publication number: 20020080513
    Abstract: An automatic library for cartridges of data storage tapes comprises a drive for cartridges having the form of a flat right parallelepiped having a flat side and a magazine. The drive has a cartridge pocket adapted to receive the cartridges. The magazine comprises one or more receivers for the cartridges. The receivers are adapted to revolve on a closed path of revolution about the drive, the path of revolution being substantially in a plane. The cartridge pocket of the drive and the receivers of the magazine are disposed such that the magazine is positionable with one of the receivers being aligned with the cartridge pocket along an insertion axis for transfer of a cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: BDT Buro und Datentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6203001
    Abstract: The sheets (18) output from an office machine (10) are deposited in stacked form in a sheet depository (16). Combined with the sheet depository (16) is a tray or container (22) in which separating films (20) are stored. The separating films (20) are placed via a guiding device (26) onto the stack of sheets (18) in the sheet depository (16) in order to be able to separate associated groups of sheets (18) in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6089559
    Abstract: The device is disposed above an office machine stacking tray and stores circular divider films in a magazine. The divider films are selectively output singly from the magazine and deposited between successive sheet groups in the stacking tray to separate and identify the sheet groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber