Robert L Mueller

US Patent:

6404585, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/799834

Inventors:

Gregg S. Schmidtke - Fort Collins CO
Robert L. Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 92

Abstract:

A cartridge handling system for storing and accessing at least one data cartridge according to the present invention may comprise a frame that defines at least one curvilinear cartridge access side. A curvilinear guide member is mounted to the frame so that substantially all points along the curvilinear guide member are positioned an equal spaced distance from the curvilinear cartridge access side defined by the frame. A cartridge access device is mounted to the curvilinear guide member so that a cartridge access end of the cartridge access device is positioned adjacent the curvilinear cartridge access side defined by the frame at substantially all positions along the curvilinear guide member. An actuator system operatively associated with the cartridge access device moves the cartridge access device along the curvilinear guide member.

US Patent:

6404724, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

May 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/853811

Inventors:

Robert Wesley Luffel - Greeley CO
Paul Clinton Coffin - Fort Collins CO
Robert Lee Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 1704

US Classification:

369178, 360 92

Abstract:

A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

US Patent:

6469850, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Feb 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/074100

Inventors:

Robert Wesley Luffel - Greeley CO
Paul Clinton Coffin - Fort Collins CO
Robert Lee Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 3043

Abstract:

A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

US Patent:

6480443, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/549792

Inventors:

Wayne E. Foslien - Greeley CO
Robert L. Mueller - Windsor CO
Paul C. Coffin - Fort Collins CO
Gregg S. Schmidtke - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Co. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 2108

US Classification:

369 3042, 36917801

Abstract:

In general, the present invention provides an autochanger device having a cavity for receiving a magazine containing a media cartridge, wherein a retention arm of the cavity retrains the media pieces within the magazine while the magazine fills the cavity. In particular, a detent mechanism attached to the magazine interacts with the retention arm of the library, via a magazine transport handle, to secure media cartridges contained within the magazine as the magazine is received by a cavity of the autochanger.

US Patent:

6483710, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

May 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/862359

Inventors:

Kelly J. Reasoner - Ft. Collins CO
Robert L. Mueller - Windsor CO
Gregg S. Schmidtke - Ft. Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H05K 500

US Classification:

361726, 439157, 3123321, 29830

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for facilitating the removal and installation of components of a system. The installation and removal of the component may be a completed without the need to manually disconnect connectors, use tools, take a lengthy amount of time, or interrupt a SCSI loop. A latch assembly is utilized to control connecting and locking conditions of the component.

US Patent:

6490122, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Aug 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/143208

Inventors:

Thomas W. Holmquist - Fort Collins CO
Gregg S. Schmidtke - Fort Collins CO
Kelly J. Reasoner - Fort Collins CO
Ronald L. Ehrlich - Greeley CO
Robert L. Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 92

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6510020, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Aug 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/641331

Inventors:

Thomas W. Holmquist - Fort Collins CO
Gregg S. Schmidtke - Fort Collins CO
Kelly J. Reasoner - Fort Collins CO
Ronald L. Ehrlich - Greeley CO
Robert L. Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 92

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6570735, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Jul 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/910086

Inventors:

Paul C. Coffin - Fort Collins CO
Robert L. Mueller - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G11B 1568

US Classification:

360 92, 369 3045

Abstract:

A cartridge picker assembly may include a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall positioned in spaced-apart relation and a cartridge access end. A lateral guide surface being substantially parallel to a lateral plane is associated with the first side wall of the frame. A thumb assembly is slidably mounted to the first and second side walls of the frame so that the thumb assembly is capable of moving toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame. A guide member flaunted to the thumb assembly engages the lateral guide surface on the first side wall of the frame so that lateral motion of the thumb assembly is controlled as the thumb assembly moves toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame.