International Business Machines Corporation

Tom Haberman

Shawn Michael Nave

Brian Gerald Goodman

Michael Philip McIntosh

Kenny Nian Gan Qiu

George G Zamora

A data storage system that moves and transfers components (e.g., the data storage cartridges, data storage magazines, etc.) utilizing drone systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one data storage library for storing, reading, and writing of data to or on a plurality of data storage cartridges and at least one drone vehicle. The system also includes a processing device and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and by the drone vehicle, perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location. In accordance with another embodiment, a drone vehicle for transferring data storage components is disclosed. According to yet another embodiment, a method of transferring data storage components within a data storage system utilizing drones is disclosed.

Methods and systems for transfer of data storage components in an automated data storage system using unmanned aerial vehicles

A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Automated data storage library drone accessor

A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drone systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of data storage libraries comprising a first data storage library for the storage, reading, and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges and a second data storage library for the storage of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, and at least one drone vehicle. The system also includes a processing device and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to transfer the data storage component to the destination location, and transfer the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Tom Haberman