John Robert Owens

US Patent:

6577467, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/059915

Inventors:

David T. Hoge - Westminster CO
William C. Dodt - Broomfield CO
John C. Owens - Arvada CO

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G11B 1567

US Classification:

360 85, 360 95, 242332, 2423324, 2423483, 226 92

Abstract:

A helical scan transport apparatus for reading and writing data on to a magnetic recording tape which is wound on a supply reel rotatably mounted within a removable tape cartridge includes a chassis having a front end portion and rear end portion. An elevator assembly is mounted on the chassis at the front end. The elevator assembly is configured to receive the tape cartridge and to position the tape cartridge in a loaded position. A take-up reel assembly is coupled to the chassis at the rear end position. A helical deck is mounted on a central portion of the chassis between the elevator assembly and the take-up reel assembly. The helical deck includes a rotary read/write head, a substantially linear tape loading path between the elevator assembly and the take-up reel assembly, and a movable guide for the seizing the tape from the tape loading path and for at least partially wrapping the tape around the rotary head. A linear threading mechanism is configured to grasp the leader block of the tape, thread the tape through the tape loading path of the helical deck, and couple the leader block to the take-up reel assembly. The helical transport has a form factor compatible with the Storage Technology Corporation Model 4400 Automated Cartridge System.

US Patent:

6693759, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/895816

Inventors:

John C. Owens - Arvada CO
Paddy Eliot Collins - Colorado Springs CO
Ryan Stuart Porter - Monument CO
Peter A. Johnson - Black Forest CO
Alexander Chan - Colorado Springs CO
Kim M. Thomas - Colorado Springs CO
Christopher Lee Felton - Colorado Springs CO
David Ray Berry - Colorado Springs CO
Thua Nang Dai - Colorado Springs CO
Dominic John Maglia - Pueblo CO
Theodore James Oade - Colorado Springs CO
Scott Ryan Patterson - Manitou Springs CO
Gary Eugene Sadler - Colorado Springs CO
Sam Wen - Superior CO

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G11B 1700

US Classification:

360 69, 360 92

Abstract:

A tape cartridge autoloader library system including at least one read/write tape drive, a tape cartridge picker, a single tape cartridge interface, and a pair of tape cartridge magazines within a compact form factor that fits into a standard library rack mount. The autoloader/library system is a complete tape cartridge library that stores, manages, and automatically exchanges a plurality of tape cartridges between the tape drive, the single cartridge interface, and the pair of tape cartridge magazines. The tape cartridge magazines are each configured to receive and store a plurality of individual tape cartridges in a horizontal relationship. The tape cartridge magazines transport the individual tape cartridges within the tape cartridge magazines so that an individual one of the tape cartridges is in position for selection by the cartridge picker. The cartridge picker rotates to exchange tape cartridges between one of the tape drive, the pair of tape cartridge magazines, and/or the single tape cartridge interface. The single cartridge interface exchanges individual tape cartridges between an operator and the autoloader/library system.

US Patent:

6829116, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Nov 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/710645

Inventors:

John C. Owens - Arvada CO
Pat Eliot Collins - Colorado Springs CO
Ryan Stuart Porter - Monument CO
Peter A. Johnson - Black Forest CO
Alexander Chan - Colorado Springs CO
Kim M. Thomas - Colorado Springs CO
Christopher Lee Felton - Colorado Springs CO
David Ray Berry - Colorado Springs CO
Thua Nang Dai - Colorado Springs CO
Dominic John Maglia - Pueblo CO
Theodore James Oade - Colorado Springs CO
Scott Ryan Patterson - Manitou Springs CO
Gary Eugene Sadler - Colorado Springs CO
Sam Wen - Superior CO

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G11B 1700

US Classification:

360 69, 360 92

Abstract:

The tape cartridge autoloader library system comprises at least one read/write tape drive, a tape cartridge picker, a single tape cartridge interface, and at least one pair of tape cartridge transport magazines within a compact form factor that fits into a standard library rack mount of cabinet. The autoloader/library system is a complete tape cartridge library that stores, manages, and automatically exchanges a plurality of tape cartridges between the tape drive unit, the single cartridge interface, and the tape cartridge transport magazines. The tape cartridge transport magazines are each configured to receive and store a plurality of individual tape cartridges in a horizontal relationship. The tape cartridge transport magazines also transport the individual tape cartridges within the tape cartridge transport magazine so that a specific one of the tape cartridges is in position for selection by the cartridge picker. The cartridge picker is configured to rotate to position the cartridge picker to exchange the individual tape cartridges with one of the tape drive, the tape cartridge transport magazines, and/or the single tape cartridge interface.

US Patent:

8065694, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Dec 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/607189

Inventors:

John C. Owens - Arvada CO, US
Leland Hawkins - Monument CO, US

Assignee:

Communications Capital Partners, LLC - Greenwood Village CO

International Classification:

G11B 23/03

US Classification:

720732, 720614, 369 3083

Abstract:

The removable optical disc storage cartridge stores a plurality of optical disc media in a substantially stacked orientation for later extraction and presentation to a picker in an optical disc storage library. Each optical disc media is stored on a separate extractor that slides between a retracted and a stored position. An extractor tab, accessible outside or inside of the removable optical disc storage cartridge, is connected to each one of the extractors located within the removable optical disc storage cartridge. The removable optical disc storage cartridge further includes a security front door that operates between a closed and open position and further includes a locking element. The locking element may be operated by the picker or a release element contained on a magazine that handles multiple disc storage cartridges. The removable optical disc storage cartridge also includes seals to prevent dust from entering the removable optical disc storage cartridge.

US Patent:

20070127323, Jun 7, 2007

Filed:

Dec 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/607490

Inventors:

John Owens - Arvada CO, US

International Classification:

G11B 7/085

US Classification:

369030380

Abstract:

The present network attached mountable optical disc storage library provides a plurality of disc media drives and at least one removable disc storage magazine. A picker traveling on a picker track transports the discs between the disc storage cartridges that are located in the disc storage magazines and the disc media drives. The disc media drives and the disc storage cartridges are coplanar and horizontally located around the picker track such that as the picker travels along the picker track, the disc media drives and the disc storage cartridges are aligned with the picker. The disc storage magazines are located one on each side of the picker track and the disc media drives are radially arranged around the end of the picker track so the picker executes a rotational movement when it reaches the end of the picker track to access the disc media drives.

US Patent:

52394379, Aug 24, 1993

Filed:

Apr 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/870578

Inventors:

David T. Hoge - Arvada CO
Michael W. Johnson - Cottage Grove MN
John C. Owens - Arvada CO

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN
Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G11B 1504

US Classification:

360132

Abstract:

The universal data storage element presents a of uniform form factor that enables the user to vary the contents to include a selection of media types to provide variable data storage and/or recording characteristics. The physical characteristics of the media located within the data storage element are identified by a coding arrangement located on the exterior housing of the data storage element. The data storage element self identification apparatus consists of a plurality of coding apertures arranged in a linear array and located along one edge of the exterior housing of the data storage element. These coding apertures are placed as a function of the type of media contained within the data storage element or various data management characteristics of this media. The coding apertures are implemented by inserting a block into a corresponding recess in the front of the housing. One of the apertures is manually definable by a slide mechanism to enable a user to set the write protect status of the media.

US Patent:

52321800, Aug 3, 1993

Filed:

Feb 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/833317

Inventors:

David T. Hoge - Arvada CO
John C. Owens - Arvada CO
George P. Rambosek - Shafer MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN
Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G03B 104
G11B 1532

US Classification:

242195

Abstract:

The improved magnetic tape cartridge includes a leader block latch mechanism that includes an arm pivotally connected to the magnetic tape cartridge housing. A first end of the latch arm is accessible to the tape drive via an aperture in the magnetic tape cartridge housing and engagable with a feature on the leader block. The latch arm is normally in a first position where the first end of the latch arm engages a feature on the leader block to prevent its withdrawal from the magnetic tape cartridge housing. A spring biases the latch arm in the first position to maintain the leader block locked status as the preferred state. The tape drive uses a leader block latch release pin which enters the magnetic tape cartridge through an aperture in the housing to reposition the latch arm to a second position where the leader block is free to exit the magnetic tape cartridge housing.

US Patent:

54651875, Nov 7, 1995

Filed:

Oct 17, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/323610

Inventors:

David T. Hoge - Westminster CO
Michael V. Konshak - Louisville CO
John C. Owens - Arvada CO
Michael W. Johnson - Cottage Grove MN
George P. Rambosek - Shafer MN
Thomas J. Rieger - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Storage Technology Corporation - Louisville CO

International Classification:

G11B 23027
G11B 23037
G11B 2302

US Classification:

360132

Abstract:

The improved magnetic tape cartridge includes a leader block retainer mechanism that provides a positive locking function to automatically secure the leader block in place in the opening of the magnetic tape cartridge housing. The leader block retainer mechanism comprises detent members springably attached to both the top and bottom sides of the housing, juxtaposed to the opening, to engage corresponding features on the leader block to resist withdrawal of the leader block from the housing.