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:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1998
Patrick K. Wong, Louisville, CO (US);
Timothy L. Puckett, Thornton, CO (US);
Keith F. Noe, Westminster, CO (US);
Storage Technology Corporation, Louisville, CO (US);
Abstract
A tape library system for handling multi-volume tapes includes an automated tape system with at least one tape unit and a robotic tape handling system. The tape library system receives requests from at least one host for access to a specified tape volume in a specified tape unit. The tape library system includes a tape/library control unit that receives the request from the host computer and maps the specified tape volume to a tape cartridge. The TLCU determines if the tape cartridge is currently loaded in a tape unit and, if the tape cartridge is not loaded, commands the robotic tape handling system to load the cartridge into an available unit. The TLCU forms a virtual path between the host computer and the loaded tape unit. Data is then transferred between the loaded tape unit and the host computer. Thus, the host computer is presented with a virtual view of connection to the specified tape volume loaded in the specified tape unit.