Wireless communication between multiple intelligent pickers and with a central job queue in an automated data storage library

• US 6,351,685 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kulakowski, John Edward, Means, Rodney Jerome, Dimitri, Kamal Emile
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/434,396
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/214, 700/218, 700/228, 700/229, 700/245, 700/255, 414/273, 414/275, 414/807
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/689 Control of the cassette changing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/228 Control systems for magazines G11B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22

Abstract

A wireless communication link provides picker to picker communication between multiple intelligent pickers for an automated data storage library, and provides central communication between at least one of the pickers with a central job queue. Each intelligent picker comprises a processor located thereon for operating the picker to conduct a move job and providing movement information describing movement of the picker for the current move job of the picker. The wireless communication link comprises a wireless central communication link between at least one of the pickers and a central job queue for communicating a move job to the picker processor from the central job queue, and a wireless picker to picker communication link for communicating between the pickers, each linked picker transmitting the movement information over the wireless picker to picker communication link.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of media storage slots for storing data storage media, a plurality of read/write stations, at least two pickers arranged alongside said media storage slots and said read/write stations, each said picker having at least one gripper for accessing and delivering media at said media storage slots and said, read/write stations, each said picker having a processor located thereon, said library having a controller receiving input commands for jobs to move media amongst said media storage slots and said read/write stations, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying said received move jobs, placing said move jobs in a central job queue;

at least one of said pickers and it respective processor communicating with said central job queue over a wireless central communication link, receiving a move job from said central job queue;

said receiving picker conducting said move job; and

each of said pickers transmitting information to at least one other said picker over a wireless picker to picker communication link describing movement of said transmitting picker for the current move job of said transmitting picker.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless picker to picker communication link comprises infrared transceivers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said picker transmitting movement information step is conducted in response to a query from another said picker.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said picker transmitting movement information step comprises periodically transmitting said movement information.

5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the steps of:

each of said pickers periodically communicating with said library controller over said wireless central communication link;

said library controller determining whether said periodic communication has been received from each of said pickers over said wireless communication link within a predetermined time period; and

upon said library controller failing to receive said periodic communication from each of said pickers within said predetermined time period, indicating an error.

6. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of said receiving picker determining a movement of said receiving picker for conducting said move job received from said central job queue.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said picker transmitting movement information step comprises transmitting over said wireless picker to picker communication link, a movement profile for said determined movement of said received move job, said movement profile comprising at least start and end locations for said determined movement, and a clock time at which said movement commences.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said picker transmitting movement information step comprises transmitting over said wireless picker to picker communication link, at least the present location and vector of said transmitting picker, and an end location of said movement of said transmitting picker.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of communicating with said central job queue additionally comprises receiving a plurality of move jobs from said central job queue.

10. An automated data storage library, comprising:

a plurality of media storage slots for storing data storage media;

a plurality of read/write stations;

an input for receiving input commands for jobs to move media amongst said media storage slots and said read/write stations;

a library controller coupled to said input for identifying said received move jobs, said library controller having a central job queue, said library controller placing said move jobs in said central job queue;

at least two pickers arranged alongside said media storage slots and said read/write stations, each said picker having at least one gripper for accessing and delivering media at said media storage slots and said read/write stations, and a processor located on each of said pickers for operating said picker to conduct a move job and providing movement information describing movement of said picker for the current move job of said picker;

a wireless central communication link between at least one of said pickers, coupled to said picker processor, and said central job queue for communicating a move job to said picker processor from said central job queue; and

a wireless picker to picker communication link, coupled to said picker processor of at least two of said pickers, for communicating between said pickers, each said linked picker transmitting said movement information over said wireless picker to picker communication link.

11. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said wireless picker to picker communication link comprises infrared transceivers at each said linked picker, said transceiver coupled to said picker processor.

12. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said wireless central communication link comprises an infrared transceiver at said one of said pickers, coupled to said picker processor, and an infrared transceiver at said central job queue, coupled to said central job queue.

13. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said picker processor queries another said linked picker over said wireless picker to picker communication link, said linked picker processor responding to said query to transmit said movement information.

14. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein each said linked picker processor periodically transmits said movement information over said wireless picker to picker communication link.

15. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said wireless central communication link is additionally coupled to said library controller, and wherein said linked picker processor additionally periodically communicates with said library controller over said wireless central communication link;

wherein said library controller additionally determines whether said periodic communication has been received from each of said linked pickers within a predetermined time period; and

wherein said library controller additionally, upon failing to receive said periodic communication from each said linked picker within said predetermined time period, indicates an error.

16. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said picker processor communicating with said central job queue receiving said move job, additionally determines a movement of said picker for conducting said move job received from said central job queue;

and transmits a movement profile for said determined movement over said wireless picker to picker communication link, said movement profile comprising at least start and end locations for said determined movement, and a clock time at which said movement commences.

17. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said transmitted movement information transmitted by each said linked picker over said wireless picker to picker communication link comprises at least the present location and vector of said linked picker, and an end location of said movement of said linked picker.

18. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said picker processor coupled to said wireless central communication link additionally receives a plurality of move jobs from said central job queue at one time over said wireless central communication link.

19. An intelligent picker for an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of media storage slots for storing data storage media, a plurality of read/write stations, said media storage slots and said read/write stations arranged so as to be accessible to said intelligent picker and at least one other picker, said library having a controller receiving input commands for jobs to move media amongst said media storage slots and said read/write stations, said library controller having a central job queue, said library controller identifying said received move jobs, and placing said move jobs in said central job queue, said library controller having a communication link, said intelligent picker comprising:

at least one gripper for accessing and delivering media at said media storage slots and said read/write stations;

a picker processor located on each of said pickers for operating said intelligent picker to conduct a move job information and providing movement information describing movement of said intelligent picker for the current move job of said intelligent picker;

a wireless communication link coupled to said picker processor for communicating, as a wireless central communication link with said library controller central job queue, for communicating a move job to said picker processor from said library controller central job queue, and, as a wireless picker to picker communication link for communicating with said at least one other picker, transmitting said movement information over said wireless picker to picker communication link.

20. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said wireless communication link comprises an infrared transceiver coupled to said picker processor.

21. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said picker processor queries said at least one other linked picker over said wireless picker to picker communication link for said movement information of said another picker, and wherein said picker processor responds to said query received from said at least one other linked picker to transmit said movement information.

22. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein each said picker processor periodically transmits said movement information over said wireless picker to picker communication link.

23. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said wireless communication link additionally provides communication with said library controller as said wireless central communication link, and wherein said picker processor additionally periodically communicates with said library controller over said wireless central communication link;

whereby said library controller additionally determines whether said periodic communication has been received from each of said linked pickers within a predetermined time period, and, upon failing to receive said periodic communication from each said linked picker within said predetermined time period, indicates an error.

24. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said picker processor additionally determines a movement of said intelligent picker for conducting said move job received from said central job queue;

and transmits a movement profile for said determined movement over said wireless picker to picker communication link, said movement profile comprising at least start and end locations for said determined movement, and a clock time at which said movement commences.

25. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said transmitted movement information transmitted by said picker processor over said wireless picker to picker communication link comprises at least the present location and vector of said intelligent picker, and an end location of said movement of said intelligent picker.

26. The intelligent picker of claim 19, wherein said picker processor additionally receives a plurality of move jobs from said central job queue at one time over said wireless central communication link.

27. A wireless communication link for an automated data storage library, said library having a plurality of media storage slots for storing data storage media, a plurality of read/write stations, said media storage slots and said read/write stations arranged so as to be accessible to a plurality of pickers, said library having a controller receiving input commands for jobs to move media amongst said media storage slots and said read/write stations, said library controller having a central job queue, said library controller identifying said received move jobs, and placing said move jobs in said job queue;

and at least two pickers arranged alongside said media storage slots and said read/write stations, each said picker having at least one gripper for accessing and delivering media at said media storage slots and said read/write stations, and having a processor located on each of said picker located on said picker for operating said picker to conduct a move job and providing movement information describing movement of said picker for the current move job of said picker;

said wireless communication link comprising;

a wireless central communication link between at least one of said pickers, coupled to said picker processor, and said central job queue, for communicating a move job to said picker processor from said central job queue; and

a wireless picker to picker communication link, coupled to said picker processor of at least two of said pickers, for communicating between said pickers, each said linked picker transmitting said movement information over said wireless picker to picker communication link.

28. The wireless communication link of claim 27, wherein said wireless picker to picker communication link comprises infrared transceivers at each said linked picker, said transceiver coupled to said picker processor.

29. The wireless communication link of claim 27, wherein said wireless central communication link comprises an infrared transceiver at said one of said pickers, coupled to said picker processor, and an infrared transceiver at said central job queue, coupled to said central job queue.

30. The wireless communication link of claim 27, wherein said wireless central communication link is additionally coupled to said library controller, whereby said linked picker processor additionally periodically communicates with said library controller over said wireless central communication link, said library controller additionally determines whether said periodic communication has been received from each of said linked pickers within a predetermined time period, and said library controller additionally, upon failing to receive said periodic communication from each said linked picker within said predetermined time period, indicates an error.