Mounting a smartphone to robotic accessor of automated data storage library

• US 10,170,146 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2018
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• 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:
  US15/890,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20180158480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 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 method for mounting a wireless capture device to an accessor to capture images of an operation in a data storage library includes mounting a bracket to the accessor, where the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment. Moreover, the bracket is configured to receive a wireless image capture device therein, and the bracket is mounted in a position to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges.

Claims

1. A method for mounting a wireless capture device to an accessor to capture images of an operation in a data storage library, the method comprising:

mounting a bracket to the accessor,

wherein the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment,

wherein the bracket is configured to receive a wireless image capture device therein,

wherein the bracket is mounted in a position to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges,

wherein the accessor includes a gripper, wherein the bracket is positioned to enable capture of images of the gripper,

wherein the bracket is configured to allow detachable coupling of the wireless image capture device thereto.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is fixedly coupled to the accessor.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned to cause the wireless image capture device to move in a vertical and a horizontal direction with the gripper to enable capture of images of the gripper as the gripper moves in the vertical and the horizontal direction.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of the gripper performing work on at least one of a plurality of storage slots in the library environment.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of the gripper performing work on at least one of a plurality of data storage drives in the library environment.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessor includes at least two grippers, wherein the bracket is positioned to enable capture of images of at least two of the grippers.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned to hold the wireless image capture device without interfering with movement of the accessor.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned to hold the wireless image capture device without interfering with operations within the library environment.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket securely holds the wireless image capture device so that the wireless image capture device does not move in the bracket while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless image capture device is a mobile telephone.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the bracket includes an aperture therethrough, said aperture being aligned with a camera of the mobile telephone when the mobile telephone is mounted in the bracket.

12. A method for capturing an image of an operation in a data storage library with a bracket on an accessor, the method comprising:

locating the bracket mounted in a position to orient a wireless image capture device on the accessor;

mounting the wireless image capture device into the bracket, wherein an aperture of the bracket is aligned with an aperture of the wireless image capture device;

running the accessor while the wireless image capture device is recording images of the operation in the data storage library;

stopping the recording of images of the operation by the wireless image capture device;

removing the wireless image capture device from the bracket on the accessor; and

viewing the recorded images.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, comprising instructing the wireless image capture device to zoom in to record magnified images.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the recording is stopped when the accessor completes the operation.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the accessor is stopped when the accessor completes the operation.

17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the wireless image capture device is a mobile telephone.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, comprising instructing the mobile telephone to send the recorded images of accessor activity of the operation via a wireless application on the mobile telephone to a support center.