Patents by Inventor Gregory S. Rinard

Gregory S. Rinard 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: 7292405
    Abstract: Disclosed is a data cartridge library system capable of using a data cartridge holder. The data cartridge holder comprises a bottom and side walls wherein the side walls are attached to the bottom wall at one end and form a terminal edge at another. The terminal edge defines an opening through which a plurality of data cartridges can be inserted and removed from the data cartridge holder. In one embodiment, the data cartridge holder can comprise at least a pair of hook-like structures on opposite sides of the data cartridge holder to engage a mounting structure in the data cartridge library. The data cartridge holder can further be adapted to be covered by a dust cover wherein the dust cover can be capable of engaging the data cartridge holder in a first and second position without impeding either the insertion or extraction of a data cartridge or the engagement with the mounting structure of the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Brace, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 6819525
    Abstract: A removable data cartridge holder that comprises a box-like structure for holding data cartridges and a dust cover that can be placed over the opening of the box-like structure when the holder is not in use and when the holder is in use, attached to the box-like structure. In another embodiment, an orientation structure that-prevents insertion of a data cartridge into the box-like holder if the cartridge is improperly oriented. Retention clips for preventing accidental dislodgement of a data cartridge located in the box-like structure are present in yet another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Brace, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20030147174
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library system that realizes a reduced cost by reducing the number of certain components, especially expensive components, that are needed to perform certain functions within the library. With respect to certain functions, a reduced cost is realized by using lower precision compenentry in combination with componentry that compensates for lower precision while still providing a reduced component cost with respect to a given function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Clark D. Brace, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 6493178
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library system that realizes a reduced cost by reducing the number of certain components, especially expensive components, that are needed to perform certain functions within the library. With respect to certain functions, a reduced cost is realized by using lower precision compenentry in combination with componentry that compensates for lower precision while still providing a reduced component cost with respect to a given function. In one embodiment of the invention, a data cartridge picker is provided that: (1) uses a single electro-mechanical device for the functions of grasping a data cartridge, retracting a grasped cartridge from a drive/storage location, inserting a grasped cartridge into a drive/storage location, and releasing a grasped cartridge once position in a desired location; (2) is capable of compensating for variations in cartridge positioning; (3) has a gripping mechanism that.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Clark D. Brace, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 5894376
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring the read/write reliability of data storage devices contained within a data cartridge library system. The data cartridge library system includes multiple player/recorder devices. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the data cartridge library computer queries a player/recorder device after it has been involved in a read/write operation. In one embodiment, the information queried is the Write and/or Read ECC Error Rates. In another embodiment, the Write and/or Read ECC Error Rates are assessed to determine whether the subject player/recorder device is experiencing read/write problems and whether remedial action is warranted. In another embodiment, the subject player/recorder device is tested using a certified test cartridge and a known data pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory S. Rinard
  • Patent number: 5682276
    Abstract: A storage system (10) is disclosed that provides random access storage/retrieval of data on data cartridges within the storage system (10). In one embodiment, the storage system (10) includes a storage array (20), a player/recorder device (22), and a cartridge transport device (40). The player/recorder device (22), a guard device (80) and the transport device (40) are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the storage array. The transport device (40) moves cartridges between the storage array (20) and the player/recorder device (22). The guard device (80) pushes a prolapsed data cartridge back into the storage array (20) and/or limits the distance a data cartridge will prolapse from the storage array (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Western Automation Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett C. Hinnen, Hai T. Ho, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff, Nathan C. Thompson, Hossein Zia-Shakeri
  • Patent number: 5621586
    Abstract: A storage system (10) is disclosed that provides random access storage/retrieval of data on data cartridges within the storage system (10). In one embodiment, the storage system (10) includes a storage array (20), a player/recorder device (22), a guard device (80) and a cartridge transport device (40). The player/recorder device (22) and the transport device (40) are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the storage array. The transport device (40) moves cartridges between the storage array (20) and the player/recorder device (22). The guard device (80) pushes a prolapsed data cartridge back into the storage array (20) and/or limits the distance a data cartridge will prolapse from the storage array (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Western Automation Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett C. Hinnen, Hai T. Ho, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff, Nathan C. Thompson, Hossein Zia-Shakeri
  • Patent number: 5555143
    Abstract: A storage system (10) is disclosed that provides random access storage/retrieval of data on data cartridges within the storage system (10). In one embodiment, the storage system (10) includes a storage array (20), a player/recorder device (22), a guard device (80) and a cartridge transport device (40). The player/recorder device (22) and the transport device (40 ) are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the storage array. The transport device (40) moves cartridges between the storage array (20) and the player/recorder device (22). The guard device (80) pushes a prolapsed data cartridge back into the storage array (20) and/or limits the distance a data cartridge will prolapse from the storage array (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Western Automation Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett C. Hinnen, Hai T. Ho, Eric A. Rinard, Gregory S. Rinard, Brian A. Ruff, Nathan C. Thompson, Hossein Zia-Shakeri