Patents by Inventor Gary M. McClelland
Gary M. McClelland 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).
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Patent number: 9858958Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for data; determining whether the data is stored in a linear storage media tier and/or in a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier. The linear storage media tier includes: reels having linear media thereon, a rest area for storing the reels when not in use, linear media drive(s) configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and mobile robot(s) for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the linear media drive(s). The method also includes instructing the mobile robot to transport one of the reels having the data thereon to one of the linear media drives in the linear storage media tier when the data is stored in the linear storage media tier; receiving the data from the one of the linear media drives; and sending the data.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland, Robert M. Rees
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Patent number: 9570221Abstract: An apparatus usable as a chucking device to temporarily couple two mechanical objects together. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arbor configured to receive an at least partially ferromagnetic object; and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple permanent magnets mounted in a soft ferromagnetic enclosure. The magnet assembly is rotatably coupled to the arbor such that the magnet assembly and the arbor are positionable relative to one another in locking and unlocking positions upon relative rotation therebetween. The magnet assembly is configured to exert a pulling force on the object in the locking position and a lesser force in the unlocking position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David J. Altknecht, James Best, William M. Dyer, Pierre-Olivier Jubert, Ronald R. Labby, Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 9418696Abstract: Various methods for threading a tape on the one or more reels onto the tape drive. A method according to one embodiment uses a mobile robot to thread a tape on the one or more reels onto the tape drive. A method according to another embodiment includes threading a tape across a tape drive by moving at least one of a tape reel and a take up reel coupled to the tape. A method according to yet another embodiment includes threading the tape across a tape drive using at least one of rollers and cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20160125989Abstract: An apparatus usable as a chucking device to temporarily couple two mechanical objects together. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an arbor configured to receive an at least partially ferromagnetic object; and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple permanent magnets mounted in a soft ferromagnetic enclosure. The magnet assembly is rotatably coupled to the arbor such that the magnet assembly and the arbor are positionable relative to one another in locking and unlocking positions upon relative rotation therebetween. The magnet assembly is configured to exert a pulling force on the object in the locking position and a lesser force in the unlocking position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: David J. Altknecht, James Best, William M. Dyer, Pierre-Olivier Jubert, Ronald R. Labby, Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 9263082Abstract: A system includes a linear storage media tier; a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier; a data controller for moving data between the tiers; and a host interface responsive to disk and/or network storage commands. The linear storage media tier includes: a rest area for storing reels having linear media thereon, at least one linear media drive configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and at least one robot for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the at least one linear media drive. The robot moves along a first surface via contact with the surface. A system according to another embodiment includes a linear storage media tier characterized by having a read access time to any block of data stored on any reel in the rest area in less than 10 seconds.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland, Robert M. Rees
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Publication number: 20160005432Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for data; determining whether the data is stored in a linear storage media tier and/or in a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier. The linear storage media tier includes: reels having linear media thereon, a rest area for storing the reels when not in use, linear media drive(s) configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and mobile robot(s) for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the linear media drive(s). The method also includes instructing the mobile robot to transport one of the reels having the data thereon to one of the linear media drives in the linear storage media tier when the data is stored in the linear storage media tier; receiving the data from the one of the linear media drives; and sending the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland, Robert M. Rees
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Patent number: 9117462Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tape drive systems having overlapped operations. In one aspect, a system includes a head for performing read and/or write operations, a first set of motors for performing positioning operations on a first tape, a second set of motors for performing positioning operations on a second tape, and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the first set of motors to pass the first tape over the head while causing the second set of motors to perform at least one of a coarse locate and a rewind operation on the second tape. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David J. Altknecht, John S. Best, Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20150002958Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tape drive systems having overlapped operations. In one aspect, a system includes a head for performing read and/or write operations, a first set of motors for performing positioning operations on a first tape, a second set of motors for performing positioning operations on a second tape, and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the first set of motors to pass the first tape over the head while causing the second set of motors to perform at least one of a coarse locate and a rewind operation on the second tape. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: David J. Altknecht, John S. Best, Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20140371902Abstract: Various methods for threading a tape on the one or more reels onto the tape drive. A method according to one embodiment uses a mobile robot to thread a tape on the one or more reels onto the tape drive. A method according to another embodiment includes threading a tape across a tape drive by moving at least one of a tape reel and a take up reel coupled to the tape. A method according to yet another embodiment includes threading the tape across a tape drive using at least one of rollers and cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 8862265Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes causing, using a controller, a mobile robot having a volume of less than about 1000 cubic inches to selectively retrieve one or more of a plurality of tape reels; and causing the mobile robot to transport the one or more retrieved tape reels to a tape drive that is configured for reading data from tape stored on at least one of the plurality of tape reels. A method according to another embodiment includes causing, using a controller, at least one mobile robot to selectively retrieve at least one of a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface; and causing the mobile robot(s) to transport the retrieved tape reels to a tape drive. Preferably, the mobile robot(s) in either embodiment move unconstrained, e.g., along an upper surface that overlies the plurality of tape reels.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20140211602Abstract: A system includes a linear storage media tier; a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier; a data controller for moving data between the tiers; and a host interface responsive to disk and/or network storage commands. The linear storage media tier includes: a rest area for storing reels having linear media thereon, at least one linear media drive configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and at least one robot for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the at least one linear media drive. The robot moves along a first surface via contact with the surface. A system according to another embodiment includes a linear storage media tier characterized by having a read access time to any block of data stored on any reel in the rest area in less than 10 seconds.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Gary M. McClelland, Robert M. Rees
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Patent number: 8773810Abstract: In one general embodiment, a system includes a module having multiple transducers; and a sizing mechanism for actively applying a force to at least one lateral side of the module for selectively compressing the module, thereby adjusting a pitch between the transducers, wherein the lateral side of the module intersects an axis of the module oriented parallel to the direction of the force. Additional systems and methods are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 8666535Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface, a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels, and at least one mobile robot configured for selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20130245813Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes causing, using a controller, a mobile robot having a volume of less than about 1000 cubic inches to selectively retrieve one or more of a plurality of tape reels; and causing the mobile robot to transport the one or more retrieved tape reels to a tape drive that is configured for reading data from tape stored on at least one of the plurality of tape reels. A method according to another embodiment includes causing, using a controller, at least one mobile robot to selectively retrieve at least one of a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface; and causing the mobile robot(s) to transport the retrieved tape reels to a tape drive. Preferably, the mobile robot(s) in either embodiment move unconstrained, e.g., along an upper surface that overlies the plurality of tape reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 8509946Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface; and a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels. At least one mobile robot is configured for: selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels; and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive. The at least one mobile robot moves unconstrained along an upper surface that overlies the plurality of tape reels. A controller directs movement of the at least one mobile robot.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 8494674Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface, a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels, and at least one mobile robot configured for selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20130054007Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface; and a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels. At least one mobile robot is configured for: selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels; and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive. The at least one mobile robot moves unconstrained along an upper surface that overlies the plurality of tape reels. A controller directs movement of the at least one mobile robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20130054006Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface, a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels, and at least one mobile robot configured for selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Gary M. McClelland
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Publication number: 20120188665Abstract: In one general embodiment, a system includes a module having multiple transducers; and a sizing mechanism for actively applying a force to at least one lateral side of the module for selectively compressing the module, thereby adjusting a pitch between the transducers, wherein the lateral side of the module intersects an axis of the module oriented parallel to the direction of the force. Additional systems and methods are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Gary M. McClelland
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Patent number: 7982312Abstract: The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Matthew E. Colburn, Kenneth Raymond Carter, Gary M. McClelland, Dirk Pfeiffer