The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1993
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1992
David T Hoge, Arvada, CO (US);
Michael W Johnson, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
John C Owens, Arvada, CO (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Storage Technology Corporation, Louisville, CO (US);
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. A human readable mark is also provided on the slide mechanism to indicate the write protect state of the media. The insertable block can be color coded to provide a human readable definition of the pattern of coding apertures.