Location History:
- Los Altos, CA (US) (1984 - 2005)
- Los Altos Hills, CA (US) (1999 - 2006)
Company Filing History:
4 out of 164,244 
1 out of 2,636 
Years Active: 1984-2006
Title: The Innovative Contributions of William Harlow McConnell
Introduction
William Harlow McConnell is a notable inventor based in Los Altos Hills, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of technology, particularly in the area of disk drive reliability and error correction in storage devices. With a total of 5 patents to his name, McConnell's work has had a lasting impact on the industry.
Latest Patents
One of McConnell's latest patents is titled "Method and apparatus for testing the reliability of a disk drive." This invention provides a comprehensive method, apparatus, and program product for assessing the reliability of disk drives. It involves measuring the head-to-disk clearance under various slider airbearing conditions and calculating the changes in clearance. If the changes exceed a predetermined threshold, the disk drive is verified as reliable.
Another significant patent is "Method, system, and program for performing error correction in a storage device having a magnetic storage medium." This invention defines multiple zones within a magnetic storage medium, each containing addressable locations. It determines if the signal-to-noise ratio in a specific zone exceeds a threshold and performs operations to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio when necessary.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, McConnell has worked with prominent companies such as IBM and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to develop and refine his innovative ideas, contributing to advancements in storage technology.
Collaborations
McConnell has collaborated with notable professionals in the field, including Norman Kermit Frater and Bernd Lamberts. These collaborations have further enriched his work and expanded the scope of his inventions.
Conclusion
William Harlow McConnell's contributions to technology through his patents and collaborations highlight his role as an influential inventor. His work continues to shape the future of disk drive reliability and error correction in storage devices.