Patent US369299A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5274584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solid state memory device having optical data connections
Assignee: Storage Technology Corp
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Filing: 1991-05-06
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Granted: 1993-12-28
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Expires: 2011-05-06
Abstract
Abstract The solid state memory device consists of a circuit board based system which is mounted in a 3480 type magnetic tape cartridge form factor housing to make this media physically compatible with the 3480 type magnetic tape cartridges. The interconnection of the solid state memory device with the read/write device is by an optical connections which transfer data between the solid state memory device and the associated read/write device. A plurality of batteries in the solid state memory device provide power for the memory retention capability required of the volatile solid state memory devices. The batteries are recharged by the use of a pair of power rails that are incorporated into the exterior housing of the 3480 form factor cartridge. Thus, the associated read/write device applies power to the solid state memory via these power rails when the 3480 form factor cartridge is placed in the associated read/write device. Likewise, an associated manual or automated cartridge storage system supplies power when the cartridge is offline, in storage.
Inventors
- 👤 Watson R. Henderson
- 👤 Michael S. Kelly
- 👤 Michael L. Leonhardt
- 👤 Floyd G. Paurus
- 👤 Archibald W. Smith
- 👤 Stanley R. Szerlip
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:12
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C5/00; G11C5/14; G11C5/141; G11C7/00; G11C7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A removable solid state memory device, for removably inserting into a mating data read/write device to read data from said solid state memory device and write data thereon, comprising: carrier means for mounting thereon a plurality of circuit elements; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; optical transceiver means connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device; and storage cell means for charging said battery means from an external power source when said solid state memory device is located external to said mating data read/write device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A removable solid state memory device, for removably inserting into a mating data read/write device to read data from said solid state memory device and write data thereon, comprising: carrier means for mounting thereon a plurality of circuit elements; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; optical transceiver means connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device; and storage cell means for charging said battery means from an external power source when said solid state memory device is located external to said mating data read/write device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said optical transceiver means contains a plurality of optical transceivers and wherein said removable solid state memory device is loosely coupled to said mating data read/write device to allow an operative distance of up to approximately 3 inches therebetween when each of said optical transceivers has a beamwidth of approximately 7 degrees and is separated from each adjacent one of said optical transceivers by approximately 3/8 inch center-to-center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said charging means includes: means for electrically coupling a charging current from a source of power, located external to said solid state memory element and in said read/write device, to said battery means to charge said battery means when said solid state memory element is inserted into said read/write device to exchange data between said read/write device and said solid state memory element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said charging means includes: power rails mounted on said carrier means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in said read/write device in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory device is inserted into said read/write device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solid state memory device includes: exterior housing means, having predetermined exterior dimensions, to present a uniform physical data storage element image to said read/write device and having an opening in one end thereof; power rails mounted on said exterior housing means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in said read/write device in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory device is inserted into said read/write device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said optical transceiver means is mounted on said carrier means adjacent to and optically directed at said opening in said exterior housing means and includes: a plurality of transmitter means, each producing a beam of modulated light for transmitting data from said solid state memory devices to said read/write device, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence to permit loose coupling between said plurality of transmitter means and said read/write device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said optical transceiver means is mounted on said carrier means adjacent to and optically directed at said opening in said exterior housing means and includes: a plurality of receiver means, each receptive to a beam of light modulated to transmit data from said associated read/write device to said solid state memory devices, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, for storing said received data in said solid state memory devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solid state memory device includes: at least one photovoltaic means for charging said battery means from ambient light received by said photovoltaic means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said charging means includes: means for electrically coupling a charging current from a source of power, located external to said solid state memory element and in a cartridge storage apparatus, to said battery means to charge said battery means when said solid state memory element is inserted into said cartridge storage apparatus for storage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said charging means includes: power rails mounts on said carrier means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in a cartridge storage apparatus in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory device is inserted into said cartridge storage apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solid state memory device includes: exterior housing means, having predetermined exterior dimensions, to present a uniform physical data storage element image to said read/write device, and having an opening in one end thereof; power rails mounted on said exterior housing means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in a cartridge storage apparatus in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory device is inserted into said cartridge storage apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical transceiver means includes: a plurality of transmitter means, each producing a beam of modulated light for transmitting data from said solid state memory devices to said associated read/write device, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence to permit loose coupling therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical transceiver means includes: a plurality of receiver means, each receptive to a beam of light modulated to transmit data from said associated read/write device to said solid state memory devices, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, for storing said received data in said solid state memory devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A data storage element for housing solid state memory in an optical connectorized media format for handling by a robotic data storage and retrieval system comprising: exterior housing means having predetermined exterior dimensions, to present a uniform physical data storage element image to said robotic data storage and retrieval system, and having an opening in one end thereof; carrier means located within said exterior housing means for mounting thereon a plurality of circuit elements; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; optical transceiver means mounted on said carrier means and optically facing said opening, connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted into said opening between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device; and means for charging said battery means from a power source located external to said exterior housing of said solid state memory element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
A data storage element for housing solid state memory in an optical connectorized media format for handling by a robotic data storage and retrieval system comprising: exterior housing means having predetermined exterior dimensions, to present a uniform physical data storage element image to said robotic data storage and retrieval system, and having an opening in one end thereof; carrier means located within said exterior housing means for mounting thereon a plurality of circuit elements; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; optical transceiver means mounted on said carrier means and optically facing said opening, connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted into said opening between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device; and means for charging said battery means from a power source located external to said exterior housing of said solid state memory element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said charging means includes: power rails mounted on a surface of said exterior housing means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in said read/write device in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory element is inserted into said read/write device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said charging means includes: means for electromagnetically coupling a charging current from a source of power, located external to said solid state memory element exterior housing means and in said read/write device, to said battery means to charge said battery means when said solid state memory element is inserted into said read/write device to exchange data between said read/write device and said solid state memory element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said optical transceiver means includes: a plurality of transmitter means, each producing a beam of modulated light for transmitting data from said solid state memory devices to said associated read/write device, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence to permit loose coupling between said plurality of transmitter means and said associated read/write device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said optical transceiver means includes: a plurality of receiver means, each receptive to a beam of light modulated to transmit data from said associated read/write device to said solid state memory devices, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, for storing said received data in said solid state memory devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said solid state memory device includes: at least one photovoltaic means for charging said battery means from ambient light received by said photovoltaic means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said charging means includes: power rails mounted on a surface of said exterior housing means for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in a cartridge storage apparatus in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory element is inserted into said cartridge storage apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said charging means includes: means for electrically coupling a charging current from a source of power, located external to said solid state memory element exterior housing means and in a cartridge storage apparatus, to said battery means to charge said battery means when said solid state memory element is inserted into said cartridge storage apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
252 words
A removable solid state memory element, for removably inserting into a mating data read/write device to read data from said solid state memory element and write data thereon, comprising: carrier means for mounting thereon a plurality of devices; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; and optical transceiver means connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device, including: a plurality of transmitter means, each producing a beam of modulated light for transmitting data from said solid state memory devices to said associated read/write device, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, a plurality of receiver means, each receptive to a beam of light modulated to transmit data from said associated read/write device to said solid state memory devices, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, for storing said received data in said solid state memory devices; means for charging said battery means from a power source located external to said solid state memory element, including: power rails mounted on an exterior surface of said solid state memory element for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in said read/write device in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory element is inserted into said read/write device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
252 words
A removable solid state memory element, for removably inserting into a mating data read/write device to read data from said solid state memory element and write data thereon, comprising: carrier means for mounting thereon a plurality of devices; a plurality of solid state memory devices mounted on said carrier means; battery means mounted on said carrier means for supplying power to said solid state memory devices; and optical transceiver means connected to said solid state memory devices for reading/writing data thereon as optically transmitted between said optical transceiver means and said read/write device, including: a plurality of transmitter means, each producing a beam of modulated light for transmitting data from said solid state memory devices to said associated read/write device, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, a plurality of receiver means, each receptive to a beam of light modulated to transmit data from said associated read/write device to said solid state memory devices, which beam of light has a narrow field of divergence, for storing said received data in said solid state memory devices; means for charging said battery means from a power source located external to said solid state memory element, including: power rails mounted on an exterior surface of said solid state memory element for electrically contacting mating power source contacts, carrying a source of power to charge said battery means, mounted in said read/write device in a position to engage said power rails when said solid state memory element is inserted into said read/write device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-27 | 1997-06-28 | 1997-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-27 | 2001-06-28 | 2001-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-27 | 2005-06-28 | 2005-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |