Method and apparatus for automatically tracking and communicating data storage device information using RF tags: operating condition, configuration and location

• US 20050011948A1
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: LSI Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pate, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically tracking and communicating data storage device information using RF (radio frequency) tags. An apparatus includes a data storage device and a RF tag attached to the data storage device, wherein the RF tag contains information about the data storage device. Using such an apparatus, assembling, selecting, logging and maintaining a data storage device may be done automatically.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a data storage device, comprising:

placing a RF tag on a data storage device; and

assembling said data storage device based on said RF tag,

wherein said RF tag provides information on an assembly method.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said RF tag is a read-only tag.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said RF tag is a write once read many tag.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said RF tag is a read/write tag.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

testing said data storage device based on said RF tag,

wherein said RF tag provides information on a test method.

6. A method for shipping a data storage device, comprising:

reading a RF tag attached on a data storage device to select said data storage device; and

shipping said data storage device to a customer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said RF tag is a read-only tag.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said RF tag is a write once read many tag.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said RF tag is a read/write tag.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising removing said data storage device from an inventory based on said RF tag.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising billing said customer based on said RF tag.

12. A method for tracking and utilizing a data storage device, comprising:

entering information about a data storage device into a database through reading a RF tag placed on said data storage device when a customer receives said data storage device from a manufacturer; and

storing said data storage device in an inventory based on said RF tag,

wherein said RF tag contains hardware and software configuration information about said data storage device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising retrieving said data storage device from said inventory based on said RF tag.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing said data storage device into service based on said RF tag.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising communicating said hardware and software configuration information to said manufacturer via said RF tag.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising communicating location of said data storage device to said manufacturer via global position system and said RF tag.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising tracking a physical location of said data storage device based on said RF tag before said data storage device reaches said customer.

18. A method for a manufacturer to maintain a data storage device, comprising:

notifying a manufacturer of a failure or potential failure of a data storage device; and

locating said data storage device via a RF tag placed on said data storage device and via global positioning system by said manufacturer,

wherein said RF tag contains hardware and software configuration information about said data storage device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said notifying step is performed via a remote monitoring system and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) technology.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising repairing said data storage device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising writing repair and modification information on said RF tag.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising communicating with a billing system of said manufacturer via said RF tag and sending charge to a customer.

23. A method for a manufacturer to repair a returned data storage device, comprising:

reading a RF tag attached on a returned data storage device, said RF tag containing hardware and software configuration information about said returned data storage device; and

inquiring whether a warranty period for said returned data storage device has expired or whether said hardware and software configuration information is different from original configuration information.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising routing said returned data storage device to a correct location for repair and reconfiguration based on said RF tag when said warranty period has not expired and when said hardware and software configuration information is not different from said original configuration information.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising repairing said returned data storage device.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising storing a new configuration on said RF tag.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

a data storage device; and

a RF tag attached to said data storage device,

wherein said RF tag contains information about said data storage device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said information about said data storage device comprises at lease one of a hardware and software configuration, an operating condition, and a location of said data storage device.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said RF tag comprises EEPROM for storing said information about said data storage device.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said RF tag comprises flash memory for storing said information said data storage device.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a remote monitoring system communicatively coupled to said RF tag, wherein said information about said data storage device is communicated to a manufacturer via said remote monitoring system.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said remote monitoring system comprises at least one of EDI (electronic data interchange), Internet, extranet, and intranet.