Patents by Inventor L. Knowles
L. Knowles 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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Publication number: 20100079897Abstract: A system and method for overcoming adhesion between media and a surface of a storage device in contact with the media. A storage device comprises a media velocity detector and a media drive motor controller. The media velocity detector detects storage media velocity as torque is applied to a storage media. The media drive motor controller causes a media drive motor to apply acceleration torque to the storage media. If the media velocity detector detects no increase in media velocity as acceleration torque is applied to the storage media, then the media drive motor controller causes the media drive motor to apply a torque pulse to the storage media.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Donald J. Fasen, Vernon L. Knowles
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Publication number: 20100079907Abstract: A system and method for reducing tape wear in a magnetic tape system. A tape drive comprises a wrap reverse location controller. The wrap reverse location controller determines a magnetic tape reversal location. The tape drive reverses the direction of the magnetic tape at the reversal location. The wrap reverse location controller determines the tape reversal location by varying, relative to the tape heads, the longitudinal tape location at which tape direction reversals are performed at each end of the tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: James C. Anderson, Vernon L. Knowles
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Patent number: 7529060Abstract: In one embodiment, an arrangement of elements on a head includes a first group of data element spanning a first distance on the head and a second group of data elements spanning a second spanning distance on the head greater than the first spanning distance. The second group of elements overlaps the first group of elements such that some elements are common to both groups.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Ralph F. Simmons, Jr., Vernon L Knowles
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Patent number: 7289289Abstract: To access data on a storage medium, at least three servo stripes simultaneously recorded in a servo track are read. The at least three servo stripes have different orientations on the servo track. An indication of a lateral position of a storage medium access head with respect to the servo track is generated based on reading the at least three servo stripes.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Carl R. Hoerger, Vernon L. Knowles
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Patent number: 7273280Abstract: A method and system of selectively projecting images is disclosed. An illuminated area is created on a projection surface by directing a light source to the projection surface. The illuminated area is detected with a camera. Electrical signals are transmitted from the camera to the projector, the electrical signals being indicative of the position of the illuminated area in relation to the projection surface. Based on the received electrical signals, an image and a second image are projected on the projection surface. The image is projected on the illuminated area of the projection surface. The second image is projected on an area of the projection surface that is not illuminated by the light source. Applications of this method and system include the projection of background and foreground images creating the illusion of an x-ray beam, the projection of a normal image and an overblown image creating the illusion of a magnifying light beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Lanny Smoot, Alfredo Medina Ayala, William Joseph McArdle, Arthur Jun Tanaka, Don Kravitz, James Stephen Frankenberger, Deborah Susan Kurth, Kenneth L. Knowles
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Patent number: 7268970Abstract: Electromagnetic tape head position is adjusted according to vibration indicative information received from vibration sensor secured to tape transport mechanism that supports the tape head.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: James Clifford Anderson, Martin John Harper, Vernon L. Knowles, Donald J. Fasen
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Publication number: 20060283514Abstract: A manifold with interconnecting, non-threaded modular sections. The connected sections define a fluidic passageway and at least one valved outlet. The valved. outlet is reversible to enable the valve to be readily accessible when the modular section is in any orientation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Randall Rehder, Gary Hutko, L. Knowles
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Publication number: 20060032542Abstract: A manifold with interconnecting, non-threaded modular sections. The connected sections define a fluidic passageway and at least one valved outlet. The valved outlet is reversible to enable the valve to be readily accessible when the modular section is in any orientation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Randall Rehder, Gary Hutko, L. Knowles
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Patent number: 6992857Abstract: In one embodiment, a servo positioning method includes deriving a first servo signal S1 from a first servo band, deriving a second servo signal S2 from a second servo band, defining a head element reference between the servo bands, weighting each servo signal according to a ratio of distances between the head element reference and a location on each servo band, and computing a servo control signal based on the weighted servo signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Vernon L. Knowles, Ralph F. Simmons, Jr.
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Publication number: 20050275221Abstract: A connector with a connector body, a seal (such as an O-ring), a guide, a cap, and a collet. The guide may include in an outboard radiused surface and a substantially flat surface to contact the seal. The cap may be fixed in one end of the connector body. The collet may be reversibly and placed within the cap and include a surface to bias tooth members against inserted tubing, thereby to prevent the tubing from being withdrawn from the connector body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Randall Rehder, Gary Hutko, L. Knowles
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Patent number: 6937425Abstract: A head-track alignment system and method. An embodiment of the system comprises: a head assembly capable of detecting arrival of servo frames in a first and second servo track of a tape; an alignment processor coupled to the head assembly generating a head-track alignment signal based on a comparison of the arrival times of the servo frames in the first and second servo tracks; and wherein the head-track alignment signal can be generated while accessing the tape. An embodiment of the method comprises: determining tape tilt with respect to a head assembly of a tape drive while accessing a tape, and compensating for the tape tilt.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Vernon L. Knowles, Ted A. Brooks
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Patent number: 6912777Abstract: A helical corrugated coaxial cable possesses low cost of manufacture comparable to that of braided shield coaxial cable, electrical performance comparable to solid tubular shielded cable, flexibility of helical and annular corrugated cable, and fluid blockage comparable to annular shielded cable. The cable has an inner conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric insulator. A tubular shield surrounds the dielectric and has helical corrugations penetrating into and compressing the foam dielectric to effectively suppress the formation of fluid migration air gaps or passageways between the shield and the dielectric. The shield is preferably composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the shield may be annularly corrugated for improved water blocking performance. The manufacturing process employs high speed welding and multi-lead corrugating operations to reduce cost.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Andrew CorporationInventors: Bruce Carlson, Jack L. Knowles, James Krabec, Leonard Visser
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Publication number: 20040257694Abstract: A head-track alignment system and method. An embodiment of the system comprises: a head assembly capable of detecting arrival of servo frames in a first and second servo track of a tape; an alignment processor coupled to the head assembly generating a head-track alignment signal based on a comparison of the arrival times of the servo frames in the first and second servo tracks; and wherein the head-track alignment signal can be generated while accessing the tape. An embodiment of the method comprises: determining tape tilt with respect to a head assembly of a tape drive while accessing a tape, and compensating for the tape tilt.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Vernon L. Knowles, Ted A. Brooks
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Patent number: 6693241Abstract: A helical corrugated coaxial cable possesses low cost of manufacture comparable to that of braided shield coaxial cable, electrical performance comparable to solid tubular shielded cable, flexibility of helical and annular corrugated cable, and fluid blockage comparable to annular shielded cable. The cable has an inner conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric insulator. A tubular shield surrounds the dielectric and has helical corrugations penetrating into and compressing the foam dielectric to effectively suppress the formation of fluid migration air gaps or passageways between the shield and the dielectric. The shield is preferably composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the shield may be annularly corrugated for improved water blocking performance. The manufacturing process employs high speed welding and multi-lead corrugating operations to reduce cost.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Andrew CorporationInventors: Bruce Carlson, Jack L. Knowles, James Krabec, Leonard Visser
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Publication number: 20030201116Abstract: A helical corrugated coaxial cable possesses low cost of manufacture comparable to that of braided shield coaxial cable, electrical performance comparable to solid tubular shielded cable, flexibility of helical and annular corrugated cable, and fluid blockage comparable to annular shielded cable. The cable has an inner conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric insulator. A tubular shield surrounds the dielectric and has helical corrugations penetrating into and compressing the foam dielectric to effectively suppress the formation of fluid migration air gaps or passageways between the shield and the dielectric. The shield is preferably composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the shield may be annularly corrugated for improved water blocking performance. The manufacturing process employs high speed welding and multi-lead corrugating operations to reduce cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Andrew CorporationInventors: Bruce Carlson, Jack L. Knowles, James Krabec, Leonard Visser
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Publication number: 20030201115Abstract: A helical corrugated coaxial cable possesses low cost of manufacture comparable to that of braided shield coaxial cable, electrical performance comparable to solid tubular shielded cable, flexibility of helical and annular corrugated cable, and fluid blockage comparable to annular shielded cable. The cable has an inner conductor surrounded by a foam dielectric insulator. A tubular shield surrounds the dielectric and has helical corrugations penetrating into and compressing the foam dielectric to effectively suppress the formation of fluid migration air gaps or passageways between the shield and the dielectric. The shield is preferably composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the shield may be annularly corrugated for improved water blocking performance. The manufacturing process employs high speed welding and multi-lead corrugating operations to reduce cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Andrew CorporationInventors: Bruce Carlson, Jack L. Knowles, James Krabec, Leonard Visser
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Patent number: 5997295Abstract: An all weather inlet/exhaust structure (32) for an outdoor furnace (10,12,14) includes a generally rectangular upper compartment (40) having an imperforate upper wall (42) and horizontally louvered, vertical side walls (44) along with an imperforate bottom wall (46) with a generally central opening (48) therein. A lower compartment (56) in the form of an inverted truncated pyramid with its upper wall being defined by the lower wall (46) of the upper compartment is provided. The lower compartment has horizontally louvered, sloped, inwardly directed side walls (58) terminating in an open bottom (60) of smaller size than the first compartment lower wall (46). A generally rectangular inlet air duct (66) depends from the lower edges of the lower compartment side walls (58) and an exhaust duct (26) is disposed within the inlet air duct (66) and extends upwardly through the lower compartment (56) to the generally central opening (48) and the bottom wall (46) of the upper compartment (40).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Norman E. Mattson, Colette L. Knowles
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Patent number: 5982711Abstract: A device for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media, the device comprising a head having a plurality of read/write elements for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media in respective tracks, and a plurality of servo elements for reading servo code from the media in respective bands different from the data tracks, the read/write elements and servo elements being arranged such that a plurality of the tracks operated on by the read/write elements are disposed between two servo bands operated on by two of the servo elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.Inventors: Vernon L. Knowles, Donald J. Fasen, Richard D. Barndt
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Patent number: 5684653Abstract: A system for minimizing seek time in a disk drive having a power amplifier for controlling a servo actuator. The system includes at least one output terminal of the power amplifier connected to a processor for detecting and calculating a head room voltage for the power amplifier for seek operations, the head room voltage indicative of a margin of power available for controlling seek operations. A preferred method includes calculating a head room voltage for the power amplifier by detecting a saturation value of the amplifier during an acceleration phase in a first seek direction, and detecting an output voltage during a deceleration phase for a second seek operation in an opposite direction. The method further includes adjusting power to the power amplifier on a next seek operation based on the head room voltage calculated, such that at least some of the margin of power available identified by the head room voltage is used on the next seek operation for reducing seek time.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Vernon L. Knowles
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Patent number: 5682159Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a zero order hold function in the digital to analog conversion process in a digital control system reduces the phase lag contributed by the digital to analog conversion process relative to a conventional implementation of the zero order hold function. The apparatus for implementing the reduced phase lag zero order hold function employs a digital signal processor, a plurality of digital buffers, a digital multiplexing element, and a digital to analog converter. Phase lag is reduced by generating, from the digital to analog converter, for a fraction of the sample period, a waveform having a constant analog voltage with an amplitude which is scaled by the reciprocal of said fraction relative to a conventional zero order hold function. During the remainder of the sample period a substantially constant offset analog voltage is generated by the digital to analog converter.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: William P. Proctor, Vernon L. Knowles, Robert Kier