Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Thomas W Holmquist

Kelly John Reasoner

Gregg S Schmidtke

Ron L King

Robert L Mueller

David W Boyd

Ronald L Ehrlich

Joseph A Eccher

Dean J Geilenkirchen

John T Meredith

Walter M Wang

Curtis C Ballard

Richard Alan Irwin

Nicholas D Thayer

Bruce G Williams

Jeffrey E Feneis

Joe A Eccher

An element handling system utilizes an element retrieval device and a decoder. The element retrieval device is configured to retrieve and transport a movable element in response to control data. The decoder is coupled to the element retrieval device. The decoder is configured to filter a combined power and control signal to recover an encoded control signal. The decoder is further configured to decode the control signal to recover the control data.

System and method for providing power and control signals to an element retrieval device

A cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system is designed to retrieve a cartridge from a storage device and to transfer the cartridge to a particular location within the system. Once the cartridge is no longer needed at the particular location, the cartridge access device retrieves the cartridge from the particular location and returns the data cartridge to the storage device. The data cartridge device preferably includes at least two engaging members that engage a respective surface of a frame assembly. Channels in the surfaces of the frame assembly guide the engaging members and, therefore, the cartridge access device as the cartridge access device moves. The engaging members are engaged with a respective conductive track member that extends through the channels in the frame assembly. Electrical current is passed through the conductive track members and the engaging members to the cartridge access device in order to supply the cartridge access device with electrical power and/or to communicate control signals to the cartridge access device. Therefore, a power cable and/or a control cable does not have to be physically connected to the cartridge access device in order for the components on the cartridge access device to receive electrical power and/or control signals.

System and method utilizing a conductive brush for providing power signals to a cartridge access device

A positioning apparatus and method for assembling the same on a rotating member. An embodiment of the positioning apparatus comprises an encoder having index markings indicative of the rotational position of the rotating member, a decoder for reading the index markings from the encoder when the encoder is mounted to the rotating member at a desired distance from the decoder to determine the rotational position of the rotating member, and at least one spacer for mounting the encoder on the rotating member at the desired distance from the decoder.

Positioning apparatus and assembly thereof

A light emitter is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitter comprises a tube, a first aperture, a second aperture, a lens, a base mechanism, and a light path. The tube has a first end and a second end. The first aperture is located proximate the tube first end and the second aperture is located proximate the tube second end. The lens is located within the tube. The base mechanism is attached to the tube first end and has a cavity formed therein. The light path extends between the cavity and the second aperture and passes through the first aperture and through the lens.

Light emitting device providing a collimated light beam

An autochanger has a plurality of media holding bays to hold media pieces. A light emitter and light receiver are placed within the autochanger to establish a light path adjacent the media holding bays. When the light path is disrupted an indication is provided that a media piece is dislodged from its media holding bay. The light emitter has a tube with a light source located adjacent an input end of the tube and a lens located adjacent an output end of the tube. The input end of the tube has a relatively small aperture to limit light passing into the tube and to the lens. The light emitter serves to provide pseudo-collimated light that illuminates a specific light receiver.

A motor driver high current protector includes a voltage source, a current sensor, a comparator, a switch, a delay circuit, and an inhibitor. The current sensor is configured to sense current passing through the motor driver and output a voltage responsive to the sensed current. The comparator has an output and is configured to generate a low voltage at its output while the output of the current sensor exceeds a first reference voltage. The switch has an input, an output, and a base. The base is activated by a low voltage at the output of the comparator to close the switch. Closing the switch provides electrical connection between the input and the output of the switch. The input of the switch is connected to the voltage source. The delay circuit is connected to the output of the switch and is configured to delay the voltage at the output of the switch while the switch is open. The delay circuit may include a resistor and a capacitor each connected to the output of the switch. The inhibitor is configured to inhibit the motor driver while the output of the switch exceeds a second reference voltage. The inhibitor may include first and second inhibitor comparators, each of the inhibitor comparators has an output. Each of the first and second inhibitor comparators is configured to generate a low voltage at its output while the output of the switch exceeds a second reference voltage.

Motor driver fault protector

The present invention provides a device for sensing when a portable memory element (&ldquo;PME&rdquo;) has been properly inserted and secured within a receiving port. The present invention achieves the objective by recognizing a change in an inductive current once a locking device properly secures the PME within an optimal location of the receiving port.

Method and system for sensing the proper insertion of a portable memory element

System and method for providing power and control signals to a cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system

A cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system is designed to retrieve a cartridge from a storage device and to transfer the cartridge to another location within the system. Once the cartridge is no longer needed in the new location, the cartridge access device retrieves the cartridge and returns the cartridge to the storage device. A computer system preferably communicates wireless control signals with a control system on the cartridge access device. The control system utilizes these control signals to determine which cartridges should be manipulated by the cartridge access device. Control signals transmitted to the cartridge access device are reflected off of a conical device and received by a communications device associated with the cartridge access device. Likewise, signals transmitted from the cartridge access device are reflected off of the conical device and into the other communications device. By reflecting the wireless signals off of the conical device, communication can be maintained between the communications devices regardless of the cartridge access device's location in the cartridge storage system.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Thomas W Holmquist