(19)

(11)

EP 1 075 693 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.02.2001 Bulletin 2001/07 (21) Application number: 98913306.1 (22) Date of filing: 30.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G11B 5/584 (86) International application number: PCT/US9806/265 (87) International publication number: WO 9950/839 (07.10.1999 Gazette 1999/40)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Louisville, CO 80028-4309 (US)	(72) Inventors: MANTEY, John, Paul Boulder, CO 80303-3504 (US) TRABERT, Steven, Gregory Boulder, CO 80303 (US) GILLINGHAM, Ronald, Dean Longmont, CO 80503 (US) O'DAY, Richard, Lewis Boulder, CO 80303-1107 (US) (74) Representative: W.P. Thompson & Co.  Coopers Building,Church Street Liverpool L1 3AB Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)