Changer Patents (Class 360/98.04)
  • Patent number: 11704040
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes initiating a copy request for a data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge includes data storage media having host data thereon. The method also includes transparently loading the data storage cartridge into a first data storage drive of a data storage library and establishing drive-to-drive communication for copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to data storage media in a second data storage drive. The method includes copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to the data storage media in the second data storage drive. A system includes a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. The logic is configured to perform the foregoing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Jesionowski, Brian Gerard Goodman, Ronald Faye Hill, Jr., Jason L. Peipelman
  • Patent number: 10146445
    Abstract: A memory is disclosed comprising a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and an interface, wherein the memory portions are electrically isolated from each other and the interface is capable of receiving a row command and a column command in the time it takes to cycle the memory once. By interleaving access requests (comprising row commands and column commands) to the different portions of the memory, and by properly timing these access requests, it is possible to achieve full data bus utilization in the memory without increasing data granularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Billy Garrett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9928008
    Abstract: Supporting of both reading and writing data to a storage media is provided. A data request is received and a storage medium to support the data request is identified. A parameter related to the data request is retrieved and pre-loaded to an associated media accessor prior to loading the storage media. The parameter includes a setting adjustment of the media accessor in support of the data request. The media accessor performs the data request in compliance with the setting adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 9690492
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to data storage media, and reading data from the media and writing data to the media. A data structure is provided to identify storage location and/or media parameters. One or more parameters of storage media is pre-loaded and conveyed to an associated media accessor prior to transferring data across the storage media in support of an associated read or write request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 9417800
    Abstract: A memory is disclosed comprising a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and an interface, wherein the memory portions are electrically isolated from each other and the interface is capable of receiving a row command and a column command in the time it takes to cycle the memory once. By interleaving access requests (comprising row commands and column commands) to the different portions of the memory, and by properly timing these access requests, it is possible to achieve full data bus utilization in the memory without increasing data granularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Billy Garrett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9001447
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for media drive operational data retrieval in a storage library in a manner that is asynchronous with respect to other drive-related communications. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a robotic assembly that ferries media cartridges between media slots and media drives to fulfill requests by host systems. The media drives can communicate with a drive controller over a control path and with host systems over a data path. The drive controller can retrieve operational data from the media drive while the drive is effectively idle, and can communicate the retrieved operational data over the control path to the library. Accordingly, retrieval and communication of the drive operational data can be performed via the control path in a manner that is asynchronous with respect to data path and/or other drive-related communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Hyoungjin Kim, Alexander Edward Amador, Stephanie Lynn Russell
  • Patent number: 8898684
    Abstract: An optical disc device according to the present invention performs, in parallel, a first control to convey a first tray in the first optical disc drive group from the disc replacing position to the recording and reproducing position, and a second control to convey a second tray in the second optical disc drive group 40R from the recording and reproducing position to the disc replacing position. The second tray is opposed to the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kuze, Hirokuni Hagita, Daichi Tamaki, Akihito Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8879199
    Abstract: Disclosed is a locking mechanism which can perform the reduction of non-actual working hours of the library apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a first locking unit which fits with a cutout provided on a side surface of an object to be locked, the object being formed with a plurality of surfaces and the side surface being one of the surfaces in a insertion/extraction direction of the object; and a second locking unit, provided on an opposite side of the first locking unit in a manner sandwiching the object, which includes a contact member which is in contact with a back surface of the object, the back surface being one of the surfaces and far from a slot to/from which the object is inserted/extracted, wherein at least a part of the contact member is located in a path of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishii, Hidehiro Urahama
  • Patent number: 8218309
    Abstract: A hard disk backplane structure includes a main body and an additional board. The hard disk backplane structure includes a first side surface and second side surface adjacent to the first side surface and a backplane connector. The additional board includes a receptacle for connection with an additional electrical component. A hard disk cooling assembly using the hard disk backplane structure is also provided in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zeu-Chia Tan
  • Patent number: 8059363
    Abstract: The magazine includes a rail installed on its bottom surface approximately parallel to an insertion/extraction direction, the rail including a plurality of stepped portions formed at a side surface thereof. A device body includes: a lock lever installed rotatably within the same plane as the bottom surface of the magazine, the lock lever including one portion located in a space below the magazine and another portion located beside the magazine; a spring which urges in a direction in which the rail is installed so that a portion of the lock lever located in a space below the magazine is engaged with the stepped portion; and an accessor which moves beside the magazine along the insertion/extraction direction. The lock lever engaged with each stepped portion is released in such a way that the accessor rotates the lock lever in an opposite direction to an urging direction of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Personal Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Suzuki, Tadashi Kosugi
  • Patent number: 8009385
    Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, the media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in the cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting the plurality of data storage elements to the electrical power source and the communication source such that power from the electrical power source and communication from the communication source may be provided to the media blade without interruption when the media blade is moved in the drawer like motion outward from at least partially within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong, Michael Edward Figaro, Ronald Gregory Duren, Matthew John Ninesling, Joshua Daniel Carter, Scott Edward Bacom
  • Patent number: 7852624
    Abstract: A server enclosure includes an enclosure body, hard disk drives (HDDs), and heat dissipating devices. The enclosure body includes HDD receiving spaces. The HDD receiving spaces are positioned at one end portion of the enclosure body. Each of the receiving spaces receives one of the heat dissipating device or one of the HDDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 7515987
    Abstract: A media library assembly (10) includes a host controller (12), a first data transfer assembly (18A) and a second data transfer assembly (18B), which can be remotely positioned from the first data transfer assembly (18A). The host controller (12) sends a first command signal to the first data transfer assembly (18A) to request a transfer of a first block of data relative to a target storage media (22). The first data transfer assembly (18A) receives the first command signal, determines the location of the target storage media (22), and initiates a second command signal to the second data transfer assembly (18B) to request the transfer of the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22). The second data transfer assembly (18B) transfers the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22) in response to the second command signal. The first data transfer assembly (18A) then returns a status to the host controller (12) regarding the transfer of the first block of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventor: George A. Saliba
  • Patent number: 7376961
    Abstract: A contactless power system for an automated data storage library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage cartridges, at least one picker for accessing the data storage cartridges with respect to the storage shelves, and a transport system for guiding the picker(s) along at least one path with respect to the storage shelves. The contactless power system comprises a plurality of segmented coils arranged in parallel to the path(s), and in proximity to at least one induction receiver of the picker(s); and at least one power source supplying power to the segmented coils, for inductive transmission of power by the segmented coils to the induction receiver(s) of the picker(s). The power source(s) may switch the supplied power to selected segmented coils based on an indication of the position of the induction receiver(s) of the picker along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Diana Joyce Hellman, Michael Philip McIntosh, Daniel Scott Moore
  • Patent number: 7218514
    Abstract: An I/O interface cover assembly includes a panel, a bracket for accommodating an I/O interface element, a driving device, a locking device and a button. The panel defines an opening and a button hole adjacent the opening. The bracket is received in the opening, and includes one end pivotally connected to the panel and the other end defining an I/O slot and a locking hole therein. The driving device is disposed between the panel and the bracket for driving the bracket out from the opening of the panel. The locking device is movably arranged to the panel, and engagable with the locking hole of the bracket. The locking device is disposed with a resilient element. The button is disposed in the button hole of the panel, and is able to press the locking device to disengage from the locking hole of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Bo Han, Zhen Kang
  • Patent number: 7016144
    Abstract: A robot hand that does not depend on cartridge types wherein high reliability can be ensured and the size and cost can be reduced with a simple construction. In a library apparatus including a recording and reproducing device for cartridge type media and cartridge accommodating racks, a robot hand is configured to include a hand mechanism including hooks for holding the cartridge and actuators for performing to and fro movement and opening and closing movement of the hooks, and a mounter for pushing the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the recording and reproducing device by the hand mechanism, wherein the to and fro movement and the opening and closing movement of the robot hand and the pushing movement of the mounter is performed by one motor. The cartridge is grasped/released efficiently by the movement of the hooks, the actuators and the mounter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kengo Yamakawa, Kenji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6987641
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a recording medium container into which a recording medium unit is detachably loaded and that has an insertion inlet through which the recording medium unit is loaded. A cover is detachably attached to the insertion inlet of the recording medium container. A first detector is configured to detect a first state in which the cover is removed from the insertion inlet. A second detector is configured to detect a second state in which the recording medium unit is unloaded from the recording medium container. Stopping means is configured to stop supplying power from a power supply to a load if at least one of the first and second detectors detect at least one of the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Matsumura, Hirokazu Arai
  • Patent number: 6985329
    Abstract: A magnetic disk cartridge for use in a disk drive having both a slot and a guide portion. The magnetic disk cartridge comprises a generally disk-shaped housing in which a magnetic disk is rotatably housed, and protrusions. The protrusions are formed on the main surface of the housing and are used for positioning the magnetic disk cartridge in a direction capable of recording and reproduction in cooperation with the guide portion of the disk drive when the magnetic disk cartridge is loaded in the disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Niitsuma, Ryosuke Ogura, Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 6977795
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus, such as an on-vehicle navigation system, is provided. The apparatus comprises a hard disc container (2) and a contacting piece (31) for grounding. The hard disc container contains a hard disc unit (7) detachably loaded thereinto. A loading/unloading passage (21) through which the hard disc unit is loaded and unloaded is formed in the container. The contacting piece is disposed in the loading/unloading passage. When the hard disc unit is loaded into the container, the hard disc unit is made to come into contact to the contacting piece before an electrical connection between the hard disc and the hard disc container is realized. Thus, even if static electricity is charged on the hard disc unit, the static electricity is grounded steadily prior to the electrical connection, thereby no harm being given to data stored by a hard disc incorporated in the hard disc unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6947356
    Abstract: A method for providing user-friendly selection of a storage medium, in particular an optical storage disk, from a plurality of storage mediums. The storage mediums are assigned to a playback device, in particular a compact disk changer, for reading out and reproducing stored data and can be stored in a storage apparatus, arrangement or structure, in which a playback probability is determined for each storage medium, and in which the storage medium having the lowest playback probability is then released to be ejected from the playback device or from the storage apparatus, arrangement or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Becker
  • Publication number: 20040165309
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data which employ a hard disk memory media which is operably supported within a cartridge shell to form a disk cartridge. The disk cartridge can be employed in the manner of a tape cartridge wherein the disk cartridge can be stored in a communicatively isolated condition until required for read/write operations whereupon the disk cartridge can be communicatively linked to another device which transmits data to, or receives data from, the disk cartridge. The disk cartridge can adhere to a given tape cartridge form factor so as to enable both tape cartridges and disk cartridges to be employed together in a single automated library system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen V. Deckers
  • Patent number: 6604165
    Abstract: The library device is divided into a plurality of logical units in units of frames, and a transport element, an import/export element, a data transfer element etc, are provided in each logical unit. The library controller receives commands for each logical unit containing a virtual element address and processes these commands as being linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshinori Terao
  • Patent number: 6552866
    Abstract: In order to improve a data carrier archiving system with a data carrier store comprising a plurality of storage compartments and at least one disk drive for data carriers and with a data carrier transport unit movable in the space in three different spatial directions by a handling unit for transporting the data carriers between different compartments of the data carrier store and/or the at least one drive, in such a manner that checking of the positioning of the data carrier transport unit is possible with measures which are as simple as possible it is suggested that the data carrier transport unit be provided with a position detection unit, by which scanning of a reference object can be carried out after random operational phases for the exact determination of a position the data carrier transport unit in at least one of three different spatial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Grau Software GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Lechner
  • Patent number: 6549358
    Abstract: A gripper for clutching cartridges for transport in a computer information storage library. The library includes storage locations for the data cartridges, a transporter with the gripper for moving the cartridges between the storage locations and a read/write cartridge drive. The gripper provides a positive grip on the end of the cartridge by providing a positive retention finger to hook into the centrally located lip provided on the bottom of the cartridge and at least one opposing finger to contact the top of the cartridge to balance the mechanical forces between the positive retention finger and the opposing finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Billy, Steven Lloyd Felde, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 6426922
    Abstract: Two reproducing systems are provided for reproducing CDs respectively. Each port is provided in each recording system for connecting the reproducing systems by an external cord. A switch circuit is provided in the port and arranged such that an output level is changed by connecting the external cord. A system controller is provided in each reproducing system and responsive to the change of the output level for designating one of the reproducing systems as a master system, and for designating the other reproducing system as a slave system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Moriyasu Machida, Yukimasa Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Koike, Takakazu Sugiyama, Kimio Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 6347020
    Abstract: A double-door safety access port for use with an automated tape library cartridge machine utilizes two doors that operate independently, but are interconnected mechanically with a latch mechanism and a self-locking gear drive arrangement to control loading and unloading of tape cartridges into the library machine. An inner door of the access port is motor-driven between two positions, an open position allowing robot access to the cartridges, and a closed position that unlatches an outer door to allow operator access to the tape cartridges. The closed position closes off the inside of the library machine to prevent any possibility of operator contact with the library robot. The self-locking gear drive arrangement allows the inner door to be moveable only by operation of a motor. This prevents any manual rotation of the inner door by an operator. Until the outer door is latched, the inner door can not be driven back to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kipley T. Carpenter, Mike A. Aschenbrenner
  • Publication number: 20010019533
    Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Luffel, Paul Clinton Coffin, Robert Lee Mueller