UK networking group Network Technology Plc reckons it has got hold of a patent that could for the basis of a number of new storage system products. The patent, acquired from an unnamed German company, concerns a method of storing disk shaped storage media in very high density. It enables fast transport of a selected disk to the player, which can be read/write CD, Magneto Optical or DVD disk drives. Network Technology says it will form the basis for small or large modular storage systems holding any number of disks from 250 up to 4,000. Devices, controlled by a Fast Ethernet/Ethernet structure, will integrate with software as a standard drive does – although the technology acquired from Germany also includes a browser-based archiving and retrieval system. The company says it will license the technology to other vendors, and produce its own systems, to be marketed through distributors under its Ringdale brand name (CI No 3,236). It is said to be in negotiations with both US and Japanese companies. Network Technology Inc’s chief executive, Klaus Bollmann, said he expected the patent would enable the development of a new product line that will produce significant revenue for the group over the coming years. The technology, he said, wasn’t restricted to storage and was a natural progression from network connectivity products. There was no word on the terms of the patent acquisition, or on product availability – though there are said to be a number of products currently at the prototype stage.
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