Storage Technology Corporation

Other

Exabyte Corporation

Tandberg Data Corporation

Frederick G Munro

Michael E Moy

David L Trachy

Kelly J Beavers

Raymond L Lucchesi

Frank A Goodknight

Larry K Carmichael

Thomas J Studebaker

Paul Kummli

Thomas Edward Zaczek

Stuart W Bray

Richard G Sellke

Eugene Kutasy

Cheryl E Netter

Aaron Dailey

William E Dunphy

James L Apple

Richard H McAuliffe

Ronald W Korngiebel

August P Epina

Robert W Schmidt

Bernie R Marasco

Ronald Permut

Steven Michael Halladay

Paul Newsome

McClain Marshall Buggle

Robert Cope

William Edward Dunphy

Catherine L Griffith

Karen L Fields

David A Beidle

Scott Allen

Richard Defouw

Jamie Mark Stiger

Hilliard M Scott

Joseph K Puhr

A computer memory system () which comprises a media module (); a host computer () configured to accommodate the media module () in removable fashion; and a display unit (). The media module () is configured to store electronic data. The host computer () comprises a docking station () configured to accommodate the media module (); an interface () through which electronic signals representing the electronic data are transmitted between the host computer () and the media module (); an optical indicator (); and a host processor (). The host processor () is configured to control a read/write operation over the interface between the host computer () and the media module () and to activate the optical indicator () whereby the optical indicator () provides a first optical signal depicting transmission of electronic signals over the interface in the read/write operation. The host processor () is further configured to drive the optical indicator () whereby the optical indicator provides a second optical signal modulated to represent media module management information which can be displayed upon an output display device ().

Display for information storage module

A method and system for monitoring and/or adjusting the positioning of a magnetic tape using central control packets that are recorded to the tape is presented. Central control packets are used for adjusting the timing of the read head signal over the tape, adapting the reel count to that of the drive at the time the tape was recorded, and monitoring filemarks for logical tape positioning.

Method and system for monitoring and adjusting tape position using control data packets

A computer program product embodied in a memory (FD1, FD2) implements procedures for replicating the contents of a first hard disk on a second hard disk. In a backup operation mode, the program enables a suspect computer (20S) to copy or backup sectors of its hard disk (22S) onto a temporary storage media (84) without recording on hard disk (22S). A user-designated signature, dimensioning parameters of hard disk (22S) and first checking information is also recorded on the temporary storage media (84, FD3). In a restore operation mode, the program enables a lab computer (20L) to read sectors of the hard disk (22S) from the temporary storage media (84) and to record sectors of first hard disk (22S) on the hard disk (22L) in accordance with the dimensioning parameters of hard disk (22S). The program prompts computation of second checking information with respect to sectors recorded on hard disk (22L) and usage of a comparison of the first checking information and the second checking information to confirm integrity of replication of sectors on the hard disk (22L).

Non-intrusive replication of hard disk

The data storage and protection apparatus maintains an index of all data file activity on a computer system and stores copies of data files in a manner to enable a user to recreate the state of the computer system at any selected point in time. A data file monitor intercepts all communication between application programs and the file system to obtain data file status and activity information. This information is used to identify data files which are transmitted to a data file backup media for storage along with directory information that identifies the stored files to enable the system to later locate and retrieve data files that were stored on the backup media.

Data storage and protection system

An automated memory cartridge system prioritizes requests for tape retrieval. The requests to transfer cartridges may be assigned a priority relating to the importance of the request. The system will recognize these requests and organize them so that higher priority requests will be executed ahead of other lower priority requests. This prioritization will be accomplished in such a manner which allows even very low priority requests to eventually be carried out.

Task prioritization for a tape storage system

An automated cartridge system optimizes the time it takes to execute a series of cartridge requests. After cartridge requests are received, the library controller calculates the approximate time it will take to execute each possible sequence of pending cartridge requests. The library controller then executes the first request in the sequence of pending requests which will take the shortest elapsed time. This series of calculations and executions continues until all requests are completed. It is another object of the present invention to carry out the motion optimization in such a manner that assures that a particular cartridge request is not put off indefinitely. Each time a hand or arm is allocated to a request, all other requests waiting for these mechanisms have their calculated execution times reduced to increase the likelihood of execution.

Motion optimization for a tape storage system

A bar code conversion system and method identifies good data in the scan data array and analyzes that data to generate machine-interpretable code. A vision system optically scans bar code labels and places the resulting digital camera data into a two dimensional line scan data array of pixels. A process.sub.-- line function then searches the scan data array for three lines that intersect the initial bars and spaces of the bar code (called starting lines) and 3 lines that intersect the last bars and spaces (called ending lines). For each pair of starting and ending lines, a build.sub.-- composite generates a composite line using pixels in positions between the first pixel of a starting line and the last pixel of a corresponding ending line. A run.sub.-- length decode function is then invoked on each composite line to create a run length array of width values, each of which indicates the width (in pixels) of a bar or space of the bar code. Using statistical analysis, a convert.sub.-- bars.sub.-- and.sub.-- spaces function converts the run length array to a bar and space array of binary width values. The three resulting bar and space arrays are synthesized by a vote.sub.-- bars.sub.-- and.sub.-- spaces function. Finally, a build.sub.-- bar.sub.-- code function identifies machine-interpretable values (e.g., ASCII codes) represented by the width values in the synthesized bar and space array.

System and method for converting bar code scan line data into

A method is disclosed for providing a host-independent cartridge entry mode in an automated tape cartridge library connected to more than one host computer. In host-independent cartridge entry mode, a message is broadcast by a library management unit to all of the host computers when an operator loads a cartridge or cartridges into the library cartridge access port. The host computers then vie for control of the cartridge access port, and a selection algorithm determines which host computer is allocated to control the cartridge access port. The selected host computer then catalogs the cartridges contained in the cartridge access port and issues a command to move the cartridges out of the cartridge access port. When the automated library is in host-independent mode, the operator need not issue a command each time additional cartridges are to be entered into the library, since the method of the present invention initiates automatic cartridge catalog and cartridge move operations whenever a cartridge access port door is closed.

Method for host-independent cartridge entry in an automated library

A method and apparatus are described for on-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library. This method decouples the robotic arm motion/tape cartridge label scanning process from the image processing software/hardware. In accordance with the present invention, tape cartridge label images are captured at a library system processor priority which is higher than the priority of the image processing task. These captured images are stored in a circular buffer while image processing continues to take place in a lower priority task. Both the image processing system hardware and software are asynchronous with respect to the velocity of the robotic arm used to scan the tape cartridge cells. The scanning velocity of the robotic arm can be maximized with respect to purely mechanical, electrical, or optical camera considerations and is independent of the library system processor image processing speed. The present method provides a further advantage with respect to robotic arm position calibration. Not only can tape cartridge labels be read with maximum camera line speed, but arm calibration data can also be read on-the-fly to allow continual and rapid verification and calibration of robotic arm positioning.

On-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic

This data security arrangement provides a significant level of data security in an automatic magnetic tape cartridge library by isolating the actual data from the control of the data retrieval process. This isolation is accomplished by the use of a plurality of architectural devices that dissociate control and data. The data written on the magnetic tape cartridges cannot be accessed by the library modules. The library modules are not electrically connected to the tape drives or the data bus that connects the tape drives to the host computer. In addition, library software on the host computer emulates an operator's console and intercepts all tape mount commands generated by the host computer. The library software translates these commands into control signals to activate the library module to retrieve a designated magnetic tape cartridge and load this cartridge into a tape drive. Thus, the data retrieval apparatus is separate from the library control apparatus. The library module is unaware of the identity of the data stored on the magnetic tape cartridges and the host computer is unaware of the existence of the automated magnetic tape cartridge library.

Data security arrangement for an automated magnetic tape cartridge

A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive. A first controller outboard the channel communicating with the host computer is adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and the library storage module, and a second controller inboard of the channel is adapted to receive commands from the outboard controller for interfacing between the outboard controller and the robot.

Automated cartridge system

A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality or magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive. A first controller outboard the channel communicating with the host computer is adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and the library storage module, and a second controller inboard of the channel is adapted to receive commands from the outboard controller for interfacing between the outboard controller and the robot.

The tape cartridge movement management apparatus for an automated tape cartridge library system includes a database that identifies each tape cartridge stored in the library system and its physical location, whether in its home position or in transit. In addition, a path selection apparatus is used to regulate the movement of the tape cartridges between their home positions and the designated destinations. This apparatus selects a path between two end points, reserves the apparatus to transport the designated tape cartridge between these two end points and maintains the apparatus reservations until the movement of the tape cartridge is successfully completed. In this fashion, if the movement of the tape cartridge is blocked somewhere along the path, the apparatus remains reserved to return the designated tape cartridge back to its original or home position.

Tape cartridge movement management in an automated tape cartridge

A magnetic tape drive has swing arm tensioning devices with two rollers. During normal operation, the tape passes between the two swing arm rollers and a fixed roller. During automatic threading, a pneumatic trough formed by the base casting and an opening in the bottom of the base casting transports tape for threading.

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Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Frederick G Munro