Tracking physical inventory of data storage media
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating a non-proprietary media tracking database for tracking a set of data storage media;
populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are unique for all media manufactured by a media supplier, and wherein the unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media are stored in readable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to or within housings of the data storage media, the RFID tags being selected from a group consisting of international organization for standardization (ISO) 18000 tags and AutoID Center electronic product code (EPC) tags;
populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with VolSer numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the VolSer numbers are not unique for all media manufactured by the media supplier;
populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with purchase order numbers for each of the storage media;
populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturing data for each of the data storage media;
populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with one or more performance data, usage data, and physical inventory data;
defining the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers as primary keys of the non-proprietary media tracking database for each of the data storage media such that the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are relationally linked to the VolSer numbers, the purchase order numbers and the manufacturing data for each of the data storage media; and
selling the set of data storage media with the non-proprietary media tracking database to an end user.
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Abstract
The invention is directed to a business technique for supplying customers with a set of data storage media and a database for tracking physical inventory of the set of data storage media. The media tracking database is generated by the media supplier from a proprietary manufacturer database that stores a unique identification number, volume/serial (VolSer) number, purchase order data, and other manufacturing data. Accordingly, the media tracking database includes a subset of the plurality of fields that form the manufacturer database. Specifically, the media tracking database is populated with the manufacturer assigned unique identification umber, VolSer number, and purchase order data for each of the data storage media prior to selling the database to the customer. When the customer receives the media tracking database, it can be relationally linked to tape management, library management, and off-site storage software thereby providing complete cradle-to-grave traceability of the set of data storage media.
74 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a non-proprietary media tracking database for tracking a set of data storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are unique for all media manufactured by a media supplier, and wherein the unique identification numbers for each of the data storage media are stored in readable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to or within housings of the data storage media, the RFID tags being selected from a group consisting of international organization for standardization (ISO) 18000 tags and AutoID Center electronic product code (EPC) tags; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with VolSer numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the VolSer numbers are not unique for all media manufactured by the media supplier; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with purchase order numbers for each of the storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with manufacturing data for each of the data storage media; populating one or more fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database with one or more performance data, usage data, and physical inventory data; defining the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers as primary keys of the non-proprietary media tracking database for each of the data storage media such that the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are relationally linked to the VolSer numbers, the purchase order numbers and the manufacturing data for each of the data storage media; and selling the set of data storage media with the non-proprietary media tracking database to an end user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 13)
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6. A system for tracking physical inventory of a set of data storage media comprising:
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a set of data storage media wherein the data storage media include unique identifiers that store manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are unique for all media manufactured by a media supplier, and wherein the unique identifiers comprise identifiers associated with readable radio frequency identification (RFID) tags affixed to or within housings of the data storage media, the RFID tags being selected from a group consisting of international organization for standardization (ISO) 18000 tags and an AutoID Center electronic product code (EPC) tags; and a non-proprietary media tracking database comprising a first field that includes manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are unique for all media manufactured by a media supplier, wherein a second field of the non-proprietary media tracking database includes VolSer numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein the VolSer numbers are not unique for all media manufactured by the media supplier, wherein a third field of the non-proprietary media tracking database includes purchase order numbers for each of the data storage media, wherein a fourth field of the non-proprietary media tracking database includes manufacturing data for each of the data storage media, wherein one or more additional fields of the non-proprietary media tracking database include one or more of performance data, usage data, and physical inventory data, wherein the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are defined as primary keys of the non-proprietary media tracking database for each of the data storage media such that the manufacturer-assigned unique identification numbers are relationally linked to the VolSer numbers, the purchase order numbers and the manufacturing data for each of the data storage media. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification