Patents by Inventor Ronald F. Hales

Ronald F. Hales 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: 6718446
    Abstract: Data on a master is read into a master image file, and the master image file is manipulated to include a benchmark comprising tracking and verification information tied to at least a portion of the master image file. Thus, a copied-to storage media as copied from the master image file also includes such benchmark, a data alteration of the master image file causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such master image file, and a data alteration of the copied-to storage media also causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such storage media as copied from such master image file. The benchmark may include a part identifier and a security identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Ryon Peters, Robert L. Short, Chad Adams, Ronald F. Hales
  • Patent number: 6445523
    Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Refael Bar, Daniel Alfonsi, Dai Feng, Jeff G. Carter, Charlie M. Monroe, Jr., Ronald F. Hales, George T. Krieger
  • Publication number: 20010024337
    Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, Refael Bar, Daniel Alfonsi, Dai Feng, Jeff G. Carter, Charlie M. Monroe, Ronald F. Hales, George T. Krieger
  • Patent number: 6274844
    Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beuch, Ronald F. Hales, Brian Schick, Carl Thomas Gucker, Michael William Nordmeyer
  • Patent number: 6259575
    Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C. Thomas, III, Refael Bar, Daniel Alfonsi, Dai Feng, Jeff G. Carter, Charlie M. Monroe, Jr., Ronald F. Hales, George T. Krieger
  • Patent number: 6256168
    Abstract: A disk cartridge has a rotary inner shell, or shutter, to permit access to a data-storage medium disposed within the shell. A driving-access opening is located in a bottom surface of the cartridge's outer shell to allow a drive mechanism to rotate the storage medium. A portion of the inner shell projects into the driving-access opening to aid in the rotational alignment of the shell. The outer shell has a wedge-shaped disk-access opening. The inner shell rotates over a predefined arc to expose the data storage medium via the disk-access opening. A liner is disposed between the inner and outer shells to reduce sliding friction between the shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald F. Hales, Richard Tolan Brown, Brian Schick
  • Patent number: 6185803
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric liner comprising a plurality of bonded fibers is attached to the inner surface of one of the upper and lower shells of a disk cartridge. A main body of the fabric liner lies against the inner surface of the shell and is spaced a predetermined distance from a corresponding surface of the storage media within the cartridge. A region of the fabric liner is subjected to a fuzzing process in which the bonded fibers in that region are loosened to form a region of upstanding fibers that extend from the main body of the liner to the surface of the disk. The upstanding fibers wipe the surface of the disk while the main body of the liner remains spaced from the disk, thereby reducing drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Yiping Ma, Theodore D. Hodapp, Ronald F. Hales, Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 6166884
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for improving the contact between the heads of a disk drive and the storage media of the disk by improving disk stability. The apparatus comprises a disk having a disk stability pattern disposed proximate a center region of the disk. The disk stability pattern improves disk stability by reducing vibration modes in the spinning disk, thereby minimizing the formation of standing waves in the spinning disk media, and by improving disk compliance, thereby minimizing disk anisotropic curl and tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: James Eggebeen, Ronald F. Hales, Tolan Brown, Robert Allen Bruce
  • Patent number: 6160680
    Abstract: A disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages an annular groove in a drive motor. The hub can be constructed of either one piece or two pieces of joined sheet metal. In either embodiment, the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. The hub can be attached to the medium via adhesive or mechanically by way of a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Don Beuch, Ronald F. Hales, Tolan Brown, Shawn Ray Isaacson, Brian Schick
  • Patent number: 6148495
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric liner comprising a plurality of bonded fibers is attached to the inner surface of one of the upper and lower shells of a disk cartridge. A main body of the fabric liner lies against the inner surface of the shell and is spaced a predetermined distance from a corresponding surface of the storage media within the cartridge. A region of the fabric liner is subjected to a fuzzing process in which the bonded fibers in that region are loosened to form a region of upstanding fibers that extend from the main body of the liner to the surface of the disk. The upstanding fibers wipe the surface of the disk while the main body of the liner remains spaced from the disk, thereby reducing drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Yiping Ma, Theodore D. Hodapp, Ronald F. Hales, Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 6133544
    Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beuch, Ronald F. Hales, Brian Schick, Carl Thomas Gucker, Michael William Nordmeyer
  • Patent number: 6021031
    Abstract: A data-storage cartridge has a rotary inner shell, or shutter, to selectively permit access to a data-storage disk disposed within the shell. The shutter is equipped with a wedge-shaped opening through which access to the data-storage disk is attained. A fabric liner is affixed to the inner surface of the shutter to isolate the disk from direct contact with the shutter. The ends of the liner extend beyond, i.e., overhang, the edges of the shutter which form the disk-access opening, thereby preventing direct contact between the data-storage disk and the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald F. Hales, Richard T. Brown, Brian Schick, Robert H. Lundgreen
  • Patent number: 5951890
    Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Beuch, Ronald F. Hales, Michael William Nordmeyer, Brian Schick, Carl Thomas Gucker
  • Patent number: 5677818
    Abstract: A disk cartridge comprises a rotatable disk having upper and lower surfaces and an outer casing for rotatably housing the disk. The casing comprises upper and lower shells that mate to form the casing. Each of the upper and lower shells has an inner surface disposed in facing relation to a respective surface of the disk. The cartridge has a head access opening on its front peripheral edge, and the upper and lower shells have grooves formed therein to provide sufficient space for the magnetic heads of a disk drive to move across the surface of the disk. A non-woven fabric liner comprising a plurality of bonded fibers is attached to the inner surface of one of the upper and lower shells. A main body of the fabric liner lies against the inner surface of the shell and is spaced a predetermined distance from the corresponding surface of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Yiping Ma, Theodore D. Hodapp, Mark S. Thayne, Ronald F. Hales
  • Patent number: 5419733
    Abstract: The current invention substantially removes particulate waste materials or debris from the floptical medium after laser etching. A low-temperature gas containing ice crystals is applied at a predetermined angle while the floptical medium is being rotated to improve the cleaning effect. The temperature of the disk is maintained above freezing to maintain the cleaning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Johnson, James Bero, Jeff G. Carter, Anthony M. Candia, George T. Kieger, Ronald F. Hales, Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 5285077
    Abstract: A system for differentiating magnetic recording media of varying shades of black comprises a controller 10, first and second amplifiers 12A, 12B, and first and second fiber optic cables 14A, 14B. The sensitivity of the first fiber optic unit is adjusted such that it detects gamma ferric oxide media but not metal particle or barium ferrite media. The sensitivity of the second unit is adjusted such that it detects both barium ferrite and gamma ferric oxide media, but not metal particle media. The controller employs binary logic to determine which type of media is being viewed by the fiber optic units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald F. Hales
  • Patent number: D414977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald F. Hales, Robert W. Jones, Donald R. Rochelo
  • Patent number: RE44969
    Abstract: Data on a master is read into a master image file, and the master image file is manipulated to include a benchmark comprising tracking and verification information tied to at least a portion of the master image file. Thus, a copied-to storage media as copied from the master image file also includes such benchmark, a data alteration of the master image file causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such master image file, and a data alteration of the copied-to storage media also causes a mis-match with regard to the benchmark in such storage media as copied from such master image file. The benchmark may include a part identifier and a security identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bozak Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Ryon Heiser, Robert L. Short, Chad Adams, Ronald F. Hales