Quantum Corporation

Quantrum Corporation

Quantum Corpoaration

Stephen J Stamm

James Justin Kuhar

George A Saliba

Satya Mallick

Chan S Kim

Victor C Finley

Gregory P Argys

John Goode

David T Hoge

Christopher Rathweg

Mark Ackerman

Richard Chaney

David Pitcher

William E Faulkner

Jeffrey A Gariepy

Greg Hertrich

Dana Kritter

Dave Pitcher

Geoffrey G Hogan

Christopher J Reinke

Geoff Hogan

Michael Barrell

Chris Reinke

Don Armstrong

A combination includes a family of cartridge drives () including a first cartridge drive and a second cartridge drive, and a family of cartridges () including a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge drive includes a first protrusion pattern (), and the second cartridge drive includes a second protrusion pattern () that is different than the first protrusion pattern (). The first cartridge includes a first recess pattern () that receives the first protrusion pattern () thereby allowing full insertion of the first cartridge into the first cartridge drive. The second cartridge includes a second recess pattern () that receives the second protrusion pattern () thereby allowing full insertion of the second cartridge into the second cartridge drive. The second protrusion pattern () can impede full insertion of the first cartridge into the second cartridge drive. Further, the first protrusion pattern () can impede full insertion of the second cartridge into the first cartridge drive. The protrusion patterns () include protrusions () each having a protrusion length (A-D) which can vary between cartridge drives (). The cartridge () includes a cartridge housing () having a cartridge rear wall () and a plurality of cartridge side walls (). The recess patterns () can be positioned along one or more of the cartridge side walls () and/or the cartridge rear wall (). The cartridge () includes a cartridge housing () that defines a housing interior (). The recess pattern () can be configured to not allow access into the cartridge interior ().

Tape cartridge with multiple keying features

A data drive for detecting loading/unloading positions and media type is provided. The drive includes: a drive base; a receiver for receiving a storage media device, the receiver being movably coupled to the drive base and translatable from an unloaded position to a loaded position; a media flag, for detecting a media type of the storage media device, movably coupled to the receiver and translatable from a first position to a second position when the storage media device is inserted into the receiver; a media flag sensor fixedly coupled to the drive base for detecting movement of the media flag; a receiver flag, for detecting position of the storage media device, fixedly coupled to the receiver; and a receiver flag sensor fixedly coupled to the drive base for detecting movement of the receiver flag.

Tape drive sensor system

Described herein are centering systems, including cartridge reels, reel drivers, and methods of using them. Aspects of the invention may include cartridges, tape drives, and systems of using the cartridge reels and reel drivers. A centering system may comprise a cartridge reel having gear teeth and a guide channel. The guide channel may mate with an alignment ring on a reel driver to center the cartridge reel with respect to the reel driver so that gear teeth on the reel driver may properly engage the gear teeth on the cartridge reel. Thus, the centering system (or components of the centering system) may be used to prevent misalignment and slipping between a cartridge reel and a reel driver.

Cartridge reel centering device

A system and method for direct measurement of torque is disclosed herein. The system includes a torque transducer and a contact arm, wherein the torque transducer, contact arm, and pivot point of the device being measured are positioned along a rotational axis of the pivot point of the device. A cartridge door of a tape cartridge may be measured.

System and method for testing media device doors

In one example of one aspect of the invention, a data storage cartridge is provided. The data storage cartridge includes a housing having at least one opening, a reel rotatably disposed within the housing and accessible through the opening, the reel capable of translating axially, a biasing member for biasing the reel toward the opening, and an absorbing member disposed between the reel and a portion of the housing opposite the opening. In one example, the absorbing member includes a spring constant value of greater than 30 ounces per inch. The absorbing member may be disposed to engage and dampen the motion of the reel when the reel is displaced beyond a desired distance.

Media cartridge having reel suspension system and method of manufacture

A tape cartridge housing allowing for both pre-shell closure and post-shell closure insertion of an auxiliary memory unit is provided. A flexible tape cartridge housing allows a manufacturer of tape cartridges to select whether to incorporate an auxiliary memory unit into the tape cartridge during the manufacturing process while a tape cartridge is still not fully assembled, during the end of the manufacturing process when the tape cartridge top and bottom shells have been combined, or after the manufacturing process when the tape cartridge is ready for operation.

Mam assembly process and features

A cartridge assembly () includes a cartridge () and a cartridge retainer (). The cartridge () includes a reel () having a rotational axis () and a flange (). The cartridge () also includes a cartridge housing () that rotatably secures the reel (). The cartridge housing includes one or more interior surfaces (). The reel () is adapted to tilt relative to the cartridge housing (). The cartridge housing () includes a plurality of ribs () each having a chamfer (). The ribs () can be disposed on an upper housing section () and/or a lower housing section () of the cartridge housing (). The reel () has a contact tilt angle &#x3b8;relative to the interior surface (), and at least one of the chamfers () has a chamfer angle &#x3b8;relative to the interior surface () that is substantially similar to the contact tilt angle &#x3b8;. The flange () contacts the chamfer () so that the flange () is substantially parallel with the chamfer (). The cartridge () can also include a positioner rib () for laterally positioning the reel (). Further, a flange edge () of the flange () does not contact the cartridge housing () when the reel () tilts. The cartridge assembly () includes a reel positioner () that biases the reel () of the cartridge () toward the upper housing section () of the cartridge housing () while the cartridge () is retained within the cartridge retainer ().

Cartridge housing for inhibiting damage to recording media

Methods and apparatuses for identifying a single reel tape cartridge format, in a single reel tape handling device, from a plurality of available formats. According to one aspect of the invention, cartridge identification information is provisioned on a single reel tape cartridge leader. The cartridge identification information is detectable by the tape handling device and usable to identify a format of the tape cartridge from a plurality of available formats. The cartridge identification information includes at least one feature on the tape cartridge leader having characteristics indicative to the tape handling device of the format of the tape cartridge presented to the tape handling device.

Tape cartridge format identification in a single reel tape handling device

Tape cartridge

A tape storage system ( ) includes a rack assembly ( ), a plurality of cartridges ( ), a first tape drive ( ) and a second tape drive ( ). The rack assembly ( ) includes a rotatable magazine mount ( ), a cartridge magazine ( ) secured to the magazine mount ( ), and a magazine mover ( ) to rotate the cartridge magazine ( ). The tape storage system ( ) also includes a first transport assembly ( ) to transport one of the cartridges ( ) between the cartridge magazine ( ) and the first tape drive ( ). Uniquely, the cartridge magazine ( ) rotates to position one of the cartridges ( ) over the first transport assembly ( ). The tape storage system ( ) can also include a second transport assembly ( ) for transporting one of the cartridges ( ) between the cartridge magazine ( ) and the second tape drive ( ). With this design, the rack assembly ( ) can efficiently transport two different sized cartridges ( A, B).

Rotary magazine tape storage system

A tape cartridge including a repositionable memory element is provided. The tape cartridge includes a cartridge housing that includes a supply reel having a magnetic tape media spooled thereon and a memory element to communicate with a tape cartridge handling device via a wireless connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory element is connected to the cartridge housing using an attachment apparatus that provides a detachable connection with the cartridge housing. The attachment apparatus includes a positioning mechanism for repositioning the memory element following attachment to the tape cartridge housing to align the memory element with a mating transceiver in the tape-handling device to facilitate communication exchange therebetween.

Repositionable memory element in a single reel tape cartridge

A universal tape path subassembly that forms a data storage tape supply and path and fits within tape cartridge housings of varying form factors. The universal subassembly includes registration datum features and surfaces that can be made accessible externally to a tape cartridge (containing the tape path subassembly) for aligning the tape path subassembly relative to a drive unit adapted to receive the tape cartridge.

Multi-purpose wide media cartridges and cartridge chassis subassemblies

A cartridge adapter ( ) that allows for a smaller form factor cartridge ( ) to be used with a tape drive ( ) is provided herein. The cartridge ( ) includes a cartridge reel ( ) and a reel lock ( ). The reel lock ( ) is movable between a locked position ( ) and an unlocked position ( ). The tape drive includes a receiver ( ) and a release ( ). The release ( ) is movable relative to the receiver ( ). The cartridge adapter ( ) includes an adapter housing ( ) and a transfer device ( ). The adapter housing ( ) fits within the receiver ( ). The adapter housing ( ) includes a cartridge slot ( ) that receives the cartridge ( ). As provided herein, the transfer device ( ) includes a first device section ( ) that engages the release ( ) and a second device section ( ) that engages the reel lock ( ) so that movement of the release ( ) results in movement of the reel lock ( ). Uniquely, the first device section ( ) is ramped so that movement of the release ( ) results in substantially transverse movement of the transfer device ( ). Additionally, the cartridge adapter ( ) includes a device return ( ) that is biased to move the transfer device ( ) away from the reel lock ( ).

Transfer linkage for a cartridge adapter of a tape drive

The invention relates to a break-resistant tape cartridge. Reinforcing ribs on the housing and door of the cartridge protect against breakage. The reel and brake of the cartridge employ short teeth with widened roots that strengthen the teeth and reduce shear forces which might cleave the teeth from the reel or the brake. An extra lobe on the hinge of the door reinforces the hinge. The door and the housing are made of a plastic that lacks glass fibers or has a reduced glass fibers content. Furthermore, the plastic without glass fibers improves wear-resistance, and reduces production of debris that can damage the tape and devices that read the tape. The result is a cartridge which is less prone to breakage and wear. The reel may be used in applications other than tape cartridges.

Growing community of inventors

Ft. Lupton, CO, United States of America

Stephen J Stamm