Multiple independent intelligent pickers with dynamic routing in an automated data storage library

• US 6,421,579 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• 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 P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/435,023
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 700/214, 700/218, 700/213, 700/228, 700/229, 700/245, 700/255, 414/273, 414/275
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/689 Control of the cassette changing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/225 wherein the disks are transferred from a fixed magazine to a fixed playing unit using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/228 Control systems for magazines G11B17/225 takes precedence

Abstract

Multiple intelligent pickers for an automated data storage library, the library having a library controller which identifies the start and end locations of the received move jobs, and places the move jobs in a job queue. The picker processor receives information over a communication link from other pickers describing movement information for the current move job of each of the other pickers. Upon completion of a move job, the picker communicates with the library controller, selecting a move job which avoids interference with the movement of the other pickers. The movement for the selected move job is determined so as to avoid interference with the stored movement profiles of the other pickers. A movement profile may be communicated to the other pickers over the communication link, and the move job is conducted according to the movement profile. Alternatively, movement information comprising the current location and vector are communicated.

Claims

1. 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 the start and end location of said received move jobs, and placing said move jobs in a 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;

a communication link for communicating with at least one other said picker; and

a picker processor coupled to said communication link;

each said picker receiving information from said at least one other picker over said communication link describing movement of said other picker for a current move job of said other picker;

each of said pickers selecting a move job from said job queue having both said start and said end locations accessible by said picker and which avoids interference with said movement of said at least one other picker;

said selecting picker processor, upon selecting said move job, determines a movement for said selected move job which avoids interference with said movement of said at least one other picker;

said selecting picker processor communicates information describing said movement to said at least one other picker over said communication link; and

said selecting picker, conducts said move job according to said processor determined movement.

2. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein said movement information comprises a movement profile comprising at least said start and said end locations, any intermediate location at which said picker will change direction, and a clock time at which said selected move job commences.

3. The automated data storage library of claim 2, wherein said selecting picker processor additionally determines an area of occupancy both of said picker and of said other picker, adding said areas of occupancy to said interference avoidance for selecting said next move job and for determining said movement profile for said selected move job.

4. The automated data storage library of claim 2, wherein said selecting picker processor determines said current clock time and selects said next move job and determines said movement profile for said selected move job, employing said current clock time and said other picker movement profile to determine the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker.

5. The automated data storage library of claim 4, wherein said selecting picker processor additionally subsequently receives present location of said at least one other picker over said communication link, compares said subsequently received present location of said at least one other picker to an expected said current determined location of said at least one other picker, and upon said comparison indicating said received and determined locations are different, aborting said move job.

6. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein each of said pickers additionally, upon completion of said move job, communicating said completion to said library controller;

and wherein said library controller, upon receiving said completion communication, additionally removes said move job from said job queue.

7. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein each of said pickers additionally periodically communicates with said library controller, and wherein said library controller additionally, upon failing to receive said communication from any said picker, stops all of said pickers.

8. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein ones of said move jobs are begun by said pickers at a beginning position different from said start location, and wherein said selecting picker processor movement profile for said ones of said move jobs additionally comprises pre positioning said picker from said beginning position to said start location.

9. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein said pickers exhibit different movement profiles when empty or loaded with said data storage media, and wherein said picker processor additionally determines said movement profile for said pre positioning comprising an empty movement profile, determines said movement profile for said move job between said start location and said end locations comprising a loaded movement profile, and wherein each said determined movement profile determined by said picker processor comprises at least said beginning position, said start and said end locations, any intermediate location at which said picker will change direction, a clock time at which said move job commences, and wherein said determined movement profile comprises said empty and said loaded movement profiles.

10. The automated data storage library of claim 1, wherein said movement information comprises at least the present location and vector of said picker, and said end location of said move job of said picker.

11. The automated data storage library of claim 10, wherein said selecting picker processor additionally selects said next move job and determines said movement for said selected move job, comprising determining from said other picker movement information, the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker, limited by said end location.

12. The automated data storage library of claim 11, wherein said selecting picker processor additionally:

subsequently receives present movement information of said at least one other picker over said communication link;

again determines, from said subsequently received other picker movement information, the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker;

determines whether said determined movement of said selecting picker potentially interferes with any of said again determined current and projected locations of said at least one other picker; and

upon determining potential interference, discontinuing said selected move job of said selecting picker.

13. 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 a plurality of said 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 identifying the start and end locations of said received move jobs, and placing said move jobs in a job queue, said intelligent picker comprising:

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

a communication link for communicating with at least one other said picker; and

a picker processor coupled to said communication link;

said picker processor storing information received from said at least one other picker over said communication link describing movement of said other picker for a current move job of said other picker;

selecting one of said move jobs from said job queue having both said start and said end locations accessible by said picker and which avoids interference with said stored movement of said at least one other picker;

upon selecting said move job, determining a movement for said selected move job which avoids interference with said stored movement of said at least one other picker;

communicating information describing said movement to said at least one other picker over said communication link; and

conducting said move job according to said processor determined movement.

14. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said movement information comprises a movement profile comprising at least said start and said end locations, any intermediate location at which said picker will change direction, and a clock time at which said selected move job commences.

15. The intelligent picker of claim 14, wherein said picker processor additionally determines an area of occupancy both of said picker and of said other picker, adding said areas of occupancy to said interference avoidance for selecting said next move job and for determining said movement profile for said selected move job.

16. The intelligent picker of claim 14, wherein said picker processor additionally determines said current clock time for selecting said next move job and for determining said movement profile for said selected move job, said picker processor employing said current clock time and said other picker movement profile to determine the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker.

17. The intelligent picker of claim 16, wherein said picker processor subsequently receives present location of said at least one other picker over said communication link, compares said subsequently received present location of said at least one other picker to said current determined location of each said other picker, and upon said comparison indicating said received and determined locations are different, aborts said move job.

18. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said picker processor, upon completion of said move job, communicates said completion to said library controller, so that said library controller, upon receiving said completion communication, removes said move job from said job queue.

19. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said picker processor, additionally periodically communicates with said library controller so that said library controller, upon failing to receive said communication from any said picker, stops all of said pickers.

20. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein ones of said move jobs are begun by said pickers at a beginning position different from said start location, and wherein said picker processor includes in said movement profile for said ones of said move jobs, pre positioning said picker from said beginning position to said start location.

21. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said pickers exhibit different movement profiles when empty or loaded with said data storage media, and wherein said picker processor additionally determines said movement profile for said pre positioning comprising an empty movement profile, determines said movement profile for said move job between said start location and said end locations comprising a loaded movement profile, and wherein each said determined movement profile determined by said picker processor comprises at least said beginning position, said start and said end locations, any intermediate location at which said picker will change direction, a clock time at which said move job commences, and wherein said determined movement profile comprises said empty and said loaded movement profiles.

22. The intelligent picker of claim 21, wherein picker processor determined movement profiles comprise determinations from a table of x direction locations, y direction locations, and timing of said locations.

23. The intelligent picker of claim 22, wherein said picker processor stores said table, and communicates said determined movement profile by identification of the respective movement profile from said table.

24. The intelligent picker of claim 21, wherein said picker processor generates said movement profile.

25. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said communication link comprises an infrared transceiver.

26. The intelligent picker of claim 13, wherein said movement information comprises at least the present location and vector of said picker, and said end location of said move job of said picker.

27. The intelligent picker of claim 26, wherein said picker processor additionally selects said next move job and determines said movement for said selected move job, comprising determining, from said other picker movement information, the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker, limited by said end location.

28. The intelligent picker of claim 27, wherein said picker processor additionally:

subsequently receives present movement information of said at least one other picker over said communication link;

again determines, from said subsequently received other picker movement information, the current and projected locations of said at least one other picker;

determines whether said determined movement of said selecting picker potentially interferes with any of said again determined current and projected locations of said at least one other picker; and

upon determining potential interference, discontinuing said selected move job of said selecting picker.