Mounting a smartphone to robotic accessor of automated data storage library

• US 10,096,336 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2018
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Macias, Luis R., Nave, Shawn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Renner, Craig A.
• Application Number:
  US15/890,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20180158479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 245 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0407 using stacker cranes constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/041 Camera
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/6835 the cassettes being transferred to a fixed recorder or player using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/006 with video camera or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/04 modified to store record carriers containers, storing means adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/127 Mounting arrangements of constructional parts onto a chassis

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a capture of images of a data storage library during operation thereof with a bracket on an accessor includes pairing a remote controller to a wireless image capture device that is coupled to a bracket mounted on an accessor, instructing the wireless image capture device to start recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof, including movement of the accessor, thereafter, instructing the wireless image capture device to stop recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof, and instructing the wireless image capture device to save the recorded images to a file.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a capture of images of a data storage library during operation thereof, the computer-implemented method comprising:

pairing a remote controller to a wireless image capture device that is coupled to a bracket mounted on an accessor;

instructing the wireless image capture device to start recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof, including movement of the accessor;

thereafter, instructing the wireless image capture device to stop recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof; and

instructing the wireless image capture device to save the recorded images to a file.

2. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment.

3. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, comprising instructing the wireless image capture device to zoom in to record magnified images of the data storage library during operation thereof.

4. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to stop recording when the accessor completes an operation.

5. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to restart recording images after stopping, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to again stop recording when the accessor completes an operation.

6. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless image capture device is a mobile telephone.

7. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, comprising instructing the wireless image capture device to upload the file of recorded images to a computer.

8. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, comprising instructing the wireless image capture device to send the file of recorded images to a support center.

9. A computer-implemented method for remotely controlling, by a support center, a capture of images of a data storage library during operation thereof with a wireless image capture device located at a customer site, the computer-implemented method comprising:

connecting to the wireless image capture device, wherein the wireless image capture device is configured to be controlled remotely by a remote controller located at the support center;

sending an instruction to the data storage library, by the remote controller located at the support center, to move an accessor of the data storage library;

sending an instruction to the wireless image capture device, by the remote controller, to start recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof, wherein the wireless image capture device is mounted in a bracket on the accessor;

sending an instruction to the data storage library, by the remote controller, to stop moving the accessor;

sending an instruction to the wireless image capture device, by the remote controller, to stop recording images of the data storage library; and

receiving the recorded images from the wireless image capture device.

10. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment.

11. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, comprising sending an instruction to the wireless image capture device, by the remote controller, to zoom in to record magnified images of the data storage library during operation thereof.

12. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to stop recording when the accessor completes an operation.

13. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the accessor is stopped when the accessor completes an operation.

14. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to restart recording images after stopping, wherein the wireless image capture device is instructed to again stop recording images when the accessor completes an operation.

15. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, comprising sending an instruction to the wireless image capture device, by the remote controller, to upload the recorded images to a remote computer.

16. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, further comprising sending a notification to a field representative at the customer site to mount the wireless image capture device into the bracket on the accessor.

17. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, further comprising sending a notification to a field representative at the customer site to remove the wireless image capture device from the bracket on the accessor.

18. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the wireless image capture device is a mobile telephone.

19. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 18, further comprising, sending an instruction to the mobile telephone, by the remote controller, to send the recorded images of accessor activity of the data storage library and operation thereof via a wireless application on the mobile telephone from the customer site to the support center.