Accurate time information for the operation of an automated data storage library

• US 20050138071A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Colvig, Arthur John, Goodman, Brian Gerard
• Application Number:
  US10/741,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20050138071A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/14 Time supervision arrangements, e.g. real time clock
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2003/0697 device management, e.g. handlers, drivers, I/O schedulers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems

Abstract

Disclosed are a system, a method, and article of manufacture to provide for obtaining time information in an automated data storage library. A receiver coupled to the library controller provides time information to the library controller for library operation. In another exemplary embodiment the automated data storage library further comprises an external interface for interfacing to at least one external system to provide time information to at least one external system.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining time information in an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library having a library controller for operating said automated data storage library, where said method comprises the steps of:

a.) receiving a first signal using a first receiver;

b.) providing information derived from said first signal to said library controller; and

c.) obtaining time information from said information;

d.) said library controller using said time information for library operations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises at least one GPS receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises at least one radio receiver.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises at least one television receiver.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises at least one cellular telephone receiver.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a network interface for interfacing to one or more devices, and wherein said receiving step further comprises said receiver receiving said first signal from said one or more devices using said network interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a remote computer interface for interfacing to at least one remote computer and wherein said receiving step further comprises said receiver receiving said first signal from said at least one remote computer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said automated data storage library further comprises an external interface for interfacing to at least one external system, comprising the additional step of said automated data storage library providing said time information to said at least one external system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said automated data storage library further comprises an internal real-time clock, where said method comprises the additional steps of synchronizing said real-time clock with said time information at an interval.

10. A system for obtaining time information, comprising:

a) an automated data storage library;

b) a library controller for operating said automated data storage library; and

c) a receiver coupled to said library controller, wherein said library controller obtains time information from said receiver and uses said time information for library operations.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said receiver comprises at least one GPS receiver coupled to at least one GPS antenna.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said receiver comprises at least one radio receiver coupled to at least one radio antenna.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said receiver comprises at least one television receiver coupled to at least one television antenna.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said receiver comprises at least one cellular telephone receiver coupled to at least one cellular telephone antenna.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said receiver comprises a network interface for interfacing to one or more devices coupled to said network interface.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising at least one remote computer and wherein said receiver comprises a remote computer interface for interfacing to said at least one remote computer.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a) at least one external system; and

b) an external interface, for interfacing to said at least one external system and coupled to said library controller, wherein said library controller provides said time information to said at least one external system.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising an internal real-time clock, wherein said internal real-time clock is synchronized with said time information at an interval.

19. An article of manufacture comprising a data storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for obtaining time information in an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library having a library controller for operating said automated data storage library, a first receiver for receiving a first signal and where said method comprises the steps of:

a.) providing information derived from said first signal to said library controller;

b.) obtaining time information from said information; and

c.) said library controller using said time information for library operations.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein said automated data storage library further comprises an external interface for interfacing to at least one external system and wherein said method comprises the additional step of said automated data storage library providing said time information to said at least one external system.