METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO AN AUTOMATED MEDIA LIBRARY

• US 20090282461A1
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Haustein, Nils, Winarski, Daniel J., Krick, Frank
• Application Number:
  US12/116,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20090282461A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/14 With a sequence of inputs of different identification information
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

A method of controlling access to an automated media library receives a request for access to the library from an individual having an identity. Access may include importing media to the library, exporting media from the library, and opening a locked door to a cabinet containing the library. If the access includes the importing media, the method moves a robotic media handler to a locked import/export station. If the access includes exporting media, the method moves the requested media to the locked import/export station. If the access includes the opening the door, the method takes a first inventory of the media in the library. The method authenticates the identity of the individual and determines an access level associated with the individual. If the access level is insufficient for the requested access, the method denies the requested access and issues an alert. If the access level is sufficient for the requested access, the method determines if the requested access requires a second authentication. If a second authentication is required, the method prompts the individual to perform the second authentication. If the second authentication is verified, the method logs the access by the individual and grants the access. If the access is granted and the access is importing or exporting media, the method unlocks the import/export station. If the access is granted and the access is opening the door, the method unlocks the door. The method closes and locks the import/export station a predetermined length of time after unlocking the import/export station. The method locks the door a predetermined length of time after unlocking the door and takes a second inventory of the media. The method issues an alert if the second inventory differs from the first inventory.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An automated media library, which comprises:

a cabinet, said cabinet including a door and an import/export station;

a robotic media handler inside said cabinet;

means for receiving a request for access to said library from an individual having an identity, said access including import of media to said library, export of media from said library, and opening said door;

if said access includes said import of media, means for moving a robotic media handler to said import/export station;

if said access includes said export of media, means for actuating said robotic media handler to move requested media to said import/export station;

if said access includes said opening said door, means for taking a first inventory of the media in said library;

means for authenticating the identity of said individual;

means for determining an access level associated with said individual;

if said access level is insufficient for said requested access, means for denying said requested access and issuing an alert;

if said access level is sufficient for said requested access, means for determining if said requested access requires a second authentication;

if a second authentication is required, means for prompting said individual to perform said second authentication;

if said second authentication is verified, means for logging said access by said individual and granting said access;

if said access is granted and said access is import or export of media, means for opening said import/export station;

if said access is granted and said access is opening said door, means for unlocking said door;

means for closing and locking said import/export station a predetermined length of time after opening said import/export station;

means for locking said door a predetermined length of time after unlocking said door and taking a second inventory of said media; and

,

means for issuing an alert if said second inventory differs from said first inventory.