Tracking location and usage of a mechanical sub assembly (MSA) within an automated storage library utilizing a unique identifier associated with location coordinates of the MSA

• US 8,009,058 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lehmann, Stefan, Nave, Shawn M., Yardy, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US12/236,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20100073184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 340/679, 340/540, 235/383, 235/385, 235/486, 360/92.1
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/689 Control of the cassette changing arrangement

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for sensing the presence and/or misplacement of mechanical sub assemblies (MSAs) within storage slots of automated storage libraries. Each MSA is tracked based on signed empty cell barcode labels. Signed empty cell barcode labels are utilized to uniquely identify the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more MSAs. The storage library automatically scans all signed empty cell barcode labels utilizing a scanner mounted on a robotic device. The system provides a counter for each MSA, allowing the storage library to track the usage of the MSA. As usage of the MSA reaches a predefined lifecycle, the library automatically generates an alert to replace the MSA. When a MSA is rearranged within the storage library, the library automatically maps the new frame, column, and row coordinates of the MSA. The counter dynamically modifies the usage count of the MSA according to the unique cell barcode label, thereby tracking all current and previous cartridges, and/or other items that may be scanned during MSA activity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

assigning a unique identifier to a mechanical sub assembly (MSA), wherein the MSA is located within an automated storage library;

associating the unique identifier with the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more mechanical sub assemblies (MSAs);

dynamically tracking a location of the MSA when one or more changes are detected affecting the MSA from among;

rearrangement of the MSA, relocation of the MSA, and removal of the MSA; and

automatically incrementing a usage counter associated with the automated storage library, in response to a data cartridge being inserted or removed from the MSA.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically scanning one or more unique identifiers associated with the MSA;

receiving one or more of the frame, column, and row coordinate of the MSA; and

dynamically identifying an empty cell in response to the MSA being removed from a cell containing the MSA.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling the usage counter to track one or more MSAs;

comparing a value of the usage counter against a predefined threshold count, wherein the threshold count corresponds to a lifecycle of the MSA; and

automatically sending an alert in response to usage of the MSA indicating one or more of;

nearing completion of the lifecycle and completion of the lifecycle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically tracking a location of the MSA when one or more changes are detected further comprises:

scanning the unique identifier of the MSA; and

incrementing the usage counter in response to one or more unique identifiers being scanned.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

in response to the unique identifier of a first MSA being scanned in a first position, storing a first frame, a first column, and a first row coordinate of the MSA;

in response to the first MSA being detected in a second position, identifying one or more of a second frame, a second column, and a second row coordinate of the MSA; and

recording one or more of the first position and the second position of a MSA.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the unique identifier with the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more MSAs, further comprises:

assigning an electronic signal to the unique identifier, wherein the electronic signal identifies the frame, column, and row coordinates;

receiving the electronic signal;

identifying the frame, column, and row coordinates in response to the electronic signal being received; and

storing the frame, column, and row coordinates of the one or more MSAs.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining when the MSA is at least one of;

nearing completion of the lifecycle and completing the lifecycle;

displaying the alert in response to the MSA having reached one or more of;

near completion of the lifecycle and completion of the lifecycle; and

enabling one of replacement and modification of the MSA in response to the MSA being one or more of;

near completion of the lifecycle and completed with the lifecycle.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

initializing the usage counter of the MSA in response to the MSA being replaced; and

adjusting the usage counter of the MSA in response to the MSA being replaced or modified.

9. An electronic device comprising:

a processing component;

a scanning mechanism;

a usage counter;

an input mechanism that receives a scan of a unique identifier;

an output mechanism that outputs an electronic signal associated with the unique identifier;

a mechanism for receiving the electronic signal;

a utility for processing the electronic signal and which comprises code for;

assigning a unique identifier to a mechanical sub assembly (MSA), wherein the MSA is located within an automated storage library;

associating the unique identifier with the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more mechanical sub assemblies (MSAs);

dynamically tracking a location of the MSA in response to detecting one or more changes affecting the MSA from among;

rearrangement of the MSA, relocation of the MSA, and removal of the MSA; and

automatically incrementing a usage counter associated with the automated storage library, in response to a data cartridge being inserted or removed from the MSA.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising:

a scanning mechanism that automatically scans one or more unique identifiers associated with the MSA; and

wherein the utility further comprises code for;

receiving one or more of the frame, column, and row coordinate of the MSA; and

dynamically identifying an empty cell in response to the MSA being removed from a cell containing the MSA.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the utility further comprises code for:

enabling the usage counter to track one or more MSAs;

comparing a value of the usage counter against a predefined threshold count, wherein the predefined threshold count corresponds to a lifecycle of the MSA; and

automatically sending an alert in response to usage of the MSA being one or more of;

near completion of the lifecycle and completed with the lifecycle.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein dynamically tracking a location of the MSA when one or more changes are detected further comprises:

scanning the unique identifier of the MSA; and

incrementing the usage counter in response to one or more unique identifiers being scanned.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, the utility further comprising code for:

in response to the unique identifier of a first MSA being scanned in a first position, storing a first frame, a first column, and a first row coordinate of the MSA;

in response to the first MSA being detected in a second position, identifying one or more of a second frame, a second column, and a second row coordinate of the MSA; and

recording one or more of the first position and the second position of a MSA.

14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein associating the unique identifier with the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more MSAs, further comprises:

assigning an electronic signal to the unique identifier, wherein the electronic signal identifies the frame, column, and row coordinates;

receiving the electronic signal;

identifying the frame, column, and row coordinates in response to receipt of the electronic signal; and

storing the frame, column, and row coordinates of the one or more MSAs.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, the utility further comprising code for:

determining when the MSA one or more of;

nears completion of the lifecycle and completes the lifecycle;

displaying the alert in response to the MSA being one or more of;

near completion of the lifecycle and completed with the lifecycle; and

enabling one of replacement or modification of the MSA in response to the MSA being one or more of;

near completion of the lifecycle and completed with the lifecycle.

16. The RFID or other electronic device of claim 15, the utility further comprising code for:

initializing the usage counter of the MSA in response to the MSA being replaced; and

adjusting the usage counter of the MSA in response to the MSA being one of replaced or modified.

17. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the device is a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.