The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 01, 1993
Thomas E Idleman, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Robert S Koontz, Atherton, CA (US);
Beaufort River, Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling data flow between a computer (10) producing a high speed data stream coupled to a buffered storage device including a disc array (43) and to a group of slower speed storage devices including tape drives arranged in a predetermined logical configuration including arrays (42). The system includes controllers (41) that work together such that if one of the controllers fails, the routing between the controllers and the tape drives is switched to the properly functioning controller without the need to involve the computer or operator in the rerouting process thus providing a redundancy of access control and sequencing. The apparatus also includes components which permit a functioning controller to assume control of tape arrays formerly primarily controlled by the failed controller. In addition, the apparatus provides error check and correction generation devices (45, 58) as well as tape storage device configuration circuitry.