Patents by Inventor Mark Ayars Smith

Mark Ayars Smith 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).

  • Intrusion monitors for media storage systems
    Patent number: 6980884
    Abstract: An intrusion monitor for a media storage system. One embodiment of the intrusion monitor comprises a flag operatively associated with at least one storage compartment in the media storage system, the flag moving between a first position and a second position to indicate the state of at least one storage compartment. A sensor provided in the media storage system, the sensor detecting the position of the flag to determine the state of the at least one storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Curtis C. Ballard, Leslie G. Christie, Jr., Mark Ayars Smith
  • Intrusion monitors for media storage systems
    Publication number: 20040013051
    Abstract: An intrusion monitor for a media storage system. One embodiment of the intrusion monitor comprises a flag operatively associated with at least one storage compartment in the media storage system, the flag moving between a first position and a second position to indicate the state of at least one storage compartment. A sensor provided in the media storage system, the sensor detecting the position of the flag to determine the state of the at least one storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Curtis C. Ballard, Leslie G. Christie, Mark Ayars Smith
  • Door assembly for a cartridge handling device
    Patent number: 6233215
    Abstract: A door apparatus for a cartridge handling device, such as an optical disk cartridge insertion apparatus, is provided. The door apparatus includes a door which automatically retracts and lifts to open when the handling device is ready to receive or discharge a cartridge and which automatically lowers and extends to close when the handling device is busy and a user cannot insert a cartridge. The door is actuated by movement of the handling device and includes a self-aligning feature which allows the door to float with respect to the panel access opening. The door actuating mechanism is constructed to operate substantially in the same plane as the existing handling device, thus minimizing the overall size of the handling device and door apparatus combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: D. Scott Paul, Mark Ayars Smith
  • Media holding device incorporating a media locking mechanism
    Patent number: 6042205
    Abstract: A media holding device incorporating a media locking mechanism is disclosed herein. The media holding device comprises a housing comprising a plurality of media receiving bays formed therein; a plurality of detent mechanisms mounted on the housing and associated with the plurality of bays, each of the detent mechanisms having a media retaining operating position and a media releasing operating position; and a lock mechanism mounted on the housing and having a detent locking operating position and a detent releasing operating position, wherein the detent locking operating position locks the plurality of detent mechanisms in the media retaining operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Paul C. Coffin, Mark Ayars Smith, Robert L. Mueller