Patents by Inventor Jim Mechalke

Jim Mechalke 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).

  • Storage device method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7380088
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a data storage system having a number of virtual storage devices. Each of the virtual storage devices may include a number of physical storage devices. The physical storage devices need not be separately addressable by a host system. Each virtual storage device unit may comprise a field replaceable unit encompassing no more than a single virtual storage device. Physical storage devices included in a virtual storage device that are not in active use may be powered down, even while one or more other physical devices included in that virtual storage device are powered up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Dot Hill Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Yuanru Frank Wang, Jim Mechalke
  • Method and apparatus for identifying a faulty component on a multiple component field replacement unit
    Publication number: 20060212752
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data storage system utilizing a number of data storage devices. The data storage system features one or more storage device sleds, which may each carry multiple storage devices. Each storage device sled and its interconnected storage devices may comprise a field replaceable unit. In response to the detection of a failure associated with a field replaceable unit, information related to that failure may be stored in memory or storage associated with the field replaceable unit. Repair personnel may access the stored information in order to positively identify the failed component of the field replaceable unit in connection with the repair or replacement of that component, in order to return the field replaceable unit to service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Dot Hill Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Jim Mechalke, Yuanru Wang
  • Storage device method and apparatus
    Publication number: 20060179209
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a data storage system having a number of virtual storage devices. Each of the virtual storage devices may include a number of physical storage devices. The physical storage devices need not be separately addressable by a host system. Each virtual storage device unit may comprise a field replaceable unit encompassing no more than a single virtual storage device. Physical storage devices included in a virtual storage device that are not in active use may be powered down, even while one or more other physical devices included in that virtual storage device are powered up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Dot Hill Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Yuanru Wang, Jim Mechalke