Backup media with wireless identifications tags

• US 20080136648A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Elrif, Paul Michel, Endrikhovski, Serguei N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,131,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1458 Management of the backup or restore process
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to using wireless identification tags (e.g., RFID tags) with backup media. In aspects, a wireless identification tag may be attached to, incorporated into, or otherwise associated with backup media, a container holding the backup media, or a location (e.g., a shelf) associated with the backup media. In response to a signal, this wireless identification tag may provide an identifier that uniquely identifies the wireless identification tag. This identifier may be associated with a data set that is stored or to be stored on the backup media. The wireless identification tag may be used to locate the backup media and to identify what is on particular backup media. In some embodiments, the wireless identification tag may store backup information thereon that may be subsequently retrieved and used identify what is on its associated backup media.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed perform actions, comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal adapted to cause an identification tag associated with a backup media to generate a second wireless signal;

receiving the second wireless signal that includes an identifier associated with the identification tag;

creating an association between the identifier and a data set stored or to be stored on the backup media; and

storing the association to facilitate subsequent identification of the data set in response to subsequently receiving the identifier.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification tag is attached to the backup media.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification tag is attached to a container holding the backup media.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification tag is embedded in the backup media.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification tag obtains power to transmit the second wireless signal solely from the first wireless signal.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification tag obtains power to transmit the second wireless signal at least in part from a power supply connected to the identification tag.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a third wireless signal that contains information to store on the identification tag.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the information includes one or more of:

a date of a backup set stored on the backup media, a time of the backup set, a name of the backup set, a name of a backup file associated with the backup set, a size, a retention policy, a destruction/recycle date, ownership information, a machine name, whether the backup set is a full or incremental backup, whether the backup set is an archive, and whether the backup set is encrypted.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising transmitting a fourth wireless signal to request a portion or all of the information.

10. A method implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal adapted to cause an identification tag associated with a backup media to generate a second wireless signal;

receiving the second wireless signal that includes an identifier associated with the identification tag;

retrieving information regarding backup data associated with the identifier, the backup data being stored on the backup media; and

displaying the information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving information regarding backup data associated with the identifier comprises transmitting a third wireless signal to the identification tag and receiving the information in response thereto.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving information regarding backup data associated with the identifier comprises using the identifier to retrieve the information from a data source other than the identification tag.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the information comprises displaying the information on a display of an identification reader that transmitted the first wireless signal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the information comprises displaying the information on a computer connected to an identification reader that transmitted the first wireless signal.

15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed perform actions, comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal adapted to cause a identification tag associated with a backup media to generate a second wireless signal;

receiving a second wireless signal that includes an identifier associated with the identification tag; and

determining a location or direction of the backup media based at least in part on the second wireless signal.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining a location or direction of the backup media based at least in part on the second wireless signal comprises measuring a signal strength of the second wireless signal and indicating the signal strength.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein receiving the second wireless signal that includes an identifier associated with the identification tag comprises receiving the second wireless signal at two or more locations and wherein determining a location or direction of the backup media based at least in part on the second wireless signal comprises triangulating the location based on the two or more locations.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein receiving a second wireless signal that includes an identifier associated with the identification tag comprises receiving the second wireless signal at an entry/exit and wherein determining a direction or location of the backup media based at least in part on the second wireless signal comprises storing data that indicates whether the backup media has moved off-site or returned on-site.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising directing a light in the direction of the backup media.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein information included in the second wireless signal is encrypted.