Nathan D Thompson

US Patent:

7177723, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Aug 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604969

Inventors:

Matthew T. Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Joshua D. Carter - Lafayette CO, US
Nathan C. Thompson - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corporation - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G05B 15/00
G05B 19/00

US Classification:

700264, 700247, 700248, 700251, 700257, 700258, 700259, 700260, 700261, 700262, 700245, 31856811, 31856812, 31856813, 31856816, 31856821, 31856825, 606 1, 606102, 606130, 606139, 600117, 600118, 600407, 600426, 600429, 600587, 600595, 901 1, 901 2, 901 27

Abstract:

A robotic storage library is provided for reducing the transition time to reach an operational state following a transition from a power-off to a power-on state. The robotic storage library can generally include a transport unit for moving data cartridges, or other storage elements, between a location in a shelf system and a drive, or data transfer interface, to complete storage operations for a host computer. The library can further include a controller for causing an audit to be performed to create an inventory of the locations. The audit can be stored in nonvolatile memory prior to the power transition. The inventory information can be transmitted to a host computer after the power transition.

US Patent:

7227715, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Jun 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604122

Inventors:

Jennifer L. Woodruff - Erie CO, US
Ronald M. Permut - Louisville CO, US
Nathan C. Thompson - Boulder CO, US
Matthew T. Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Christopher A. Pollard - Monument CO, US
Marek W. Christer - Loveland CO, US
Peter J. Kumpon - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corporation - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G11B 15/68

US Classification:

360 92

Abstract:

The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

US Patent:

7446971, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Jul 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/779404

Inventors:

Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US
Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Ronald Permut - Louisville CO, US
Lee A. Sutherland - Hamilton MT, US
Peter J. Kumpon - Binghamton NY, US
Christopher A. Pollard - Monument CO, US
Clark D. Brace - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corporation - Denver CO

International Classification:

G11B 5/00

US Classification:

360 91

Abstract:

Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

US Patent:

7681048, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Apr 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/412565

Inventors:

Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Jeff Robert Boyton - Fort Collins CO, US
Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
G06F 12/14

US Classification:

713193, 713189, 713182, 713183, 713168, 713165, 711100, 711114, 711115, 711163, 711170, 711173

Abstract:

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for a data storage library comprising a plurality of drives and a combination bridge controller device adapted to direct and make compatible communication traffic between a client and the plurality of drives. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to encrypt a first data package received from the client. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to transmit the encrypted first data package, a first moniker and a first message authentication code to one of the plurality of drives for storage to a cooperating mobile storage medium. The combination bridge controller device is further adapted to decrypt the first data package when used in combination with a first key associated with the first moniker and guarantee the decryption of the first data package was successfully accomplished with authentication of the first message authentication code.

US Patent:

8082058, Dec 20, 2011

Filed:

Oct 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927032

Inventors:

Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US
Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Michael Jerard Goberis - Broomfield CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corporation - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

700214, 360 69

Abstract:

A data storage library is described including a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary memory device adapted to maintain a load count that is incremented whenever the tape cartridge is loaded in a tape drive. The library also includes, a library tape drive adapted to increment the load count every time the tape cartridge is loaded in the library tape drive, an auxiliary storage device capable of maintaining knowledge of the incremented load count only from when the tape cartridge is loaded with the library tape drive, and an auxiliary memory device reader capable of reading the load count from the auxiliary memory device. The library further includes a processing device adapted to receive and compare the knowledge maintained in the auxiliary storage device with the load count from the auxiliary memory device that is read via the auxiliary memory device reader that if different, the processing device is capable of transmitting a notification to an end user.

US Patent:

8233231, Jul 31, 2012

Filed:

Apr 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/761289

Inventors:

Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US
Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Michael Jerard Goberis - Broomfield CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corp. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G11B 15/68

US Classification:

360 921, 369 3401

Abstract:

A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.

US Patent:

8239059, Aug 7, 2012

Filed:

Aug 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/537146

Inventors:

Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US
Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Michael Jerard Goberis - Broomfield CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corp. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G11B 15/18
G11B 15/68
G11B 5/02
G11B 17/00

US Classification:

700214, 360 69, 360 921, 360 25, 360 27, 360 722

Abstract:

Described is a tape library which can generally include a tape drive, a tape cartridge that possesses a medium auxiliary memory device, a device for reading information retained on the medium auxiliary memory device and a program that runs on a processor capable of manipulating information received by the reading device. The tape cartridge's medium auxiliary memory device can contain at least one record of a previous access event, such as an approximate point in time when the tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive. The program may be operable to determine how much time has elapsed from the access event. Knowledge of the elapsed time can, among other things, cause an action to be taken relative to the tape cartridge and/or the data thereon. A method of using the system is also described.

US Patent:

8255705, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/933393

Inventors:

Matthew Thomas Starr - Lafayette CO, US
Jeff Robert Boyton - Fort Collins CO, US
Michael Gerard Goberis - Broomfield CO, US
Nathan Christopher Thompson - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Spectra Logic Corp. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G06F 12/14
G06F 13/00
H04L 9/00

US Classification:

713193, 713189, 380277, 711111

Abstract:

A tape cartridge is described including tape storage medium maintaining stored encrypted data that can be unencrypted via an encryption key. The tape cartridge also contains a medium auxiliary memory possessing a moniker wherein the moniker identifies the encryption key. The tape cartridge further includes a threshold parameter stored in the medium auxiliary memory wherein the threshold parameter influences a moniker state control, the moniker state control comprises an on state and an off state wherein the off state disables the moniker from identifying the encryption key.