Patents by Inventor Satoru Yamaura

Satoru Yamaura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9329781
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Patent number: 8868878
    Abstract: Even if an arbitrary hard disk drive is added, the hard disk drive is operated in a specific operation mode suited for that hard disk drive. As triggered by attachment of a hard disk drive to a disk adapter, a processor operates the hard disk drive in a predetermined operation mode based on predetermined parameter information that has been prepared in advance. The hard disk drive stores, in advance, particular parameter information including information about the specific operation mode suited for operation. The processor reads the particular parameter information from the hard disk drive in the predetermined operation mode and operates the hard disk drive in the specific operation mode based on the particular parameter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Inoue, Hiroshi Suzuki, Satoru Yamaura, Takeki Okamoto, Yosuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8612644
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20130179595
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Publication number: 20130132666
    Abstract: Even if an arbitrary hard disk drive is added, the hard disk drive is operated in a specific operation mode suited for that hard disk drive. As triggered by attachment of a hard disk drive to a disk adapter, a processor operates the hard disk drive in a predetermined operation mode based on predetermined parameter information that has been prepared in advance. The hard disk drive stores, in advance, particular parameter information including information about the specific operation mode suited for operation. The processor reads the particular parameter information from the hard disk drive in the predetermined operation mode and operates the hard disk drive in the specific operation mode based on the particular parameter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya INOUE, Hiroshi SUZUKI, Satoru YAMAURA, Takeki OKAMOTO, Yosuke NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8397002
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Patent number: 8364927
    Abstract: In the case of adding an arbitrary hard disk drive, the hard disk drive is operated in a specific operation mode suited for that hard disk drive. As triggered by the attachment of a hard disk drive to a disk adapter, a processor operates the hard disk drive in a predetermined operation mode based on predetermined parameter information that has been prepared in advance. The hard disk drive stores, in advance, particular parameter information including information about the specific operation mode suited for operation. The processor reads the particular parameter information from the hard disk drive in the predetermined operation mode and operates the hard disk drive in the specific operation mode based on the particular parameter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Inoue, Hiroshi Suzuki, Satoru Yamaura, Takeki Okamoto, Yosuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8131892
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20110252195
    Abstract: Even if an arbitrary hard disk drive is added, the hard disk drive is operated in a specific operation mode suited for that hard disk drive. As triggered by attachment of a hard disk drive to a disk adapter, a processor operates the hard disk drive in a predetermined operation mode based on predetermined parameter information that has been prepared in advance. The hard disk drive stores, in advance, particular parameter information including information about the specific operation mode suited for operation. The processor reads the particular parameter information from the hard disk drive in the predetermined operation mode and operates the hard disk drive in the specific operation mode based on the particular parameter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Inoue, Hiroshi Suzuki, Satoru Yamaura, Takeki Okamoto, Yosuke Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20110231683
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KUMASAWA, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Patent number: 7917551
    Abstract: One or more storage controllers include a folder configuration unit for configuring a plurality of folders to store the plurality of contents in the plurality of logical volumes, a core-contents management unit for specifying and managing core-contents to become the core from the plurality of contents to be stored in the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders, a related contents management unit for managing the core-contents and one or more related contents associated with a part or the whole of the core-contents from a plurality of contents to be stored in the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders, and a group folder configuration unit for configuring a group folder that groups the core-contents and the related contents across the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Kenichi Saitou, Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Masanobu Uryuu
  • Publication number: 20100241765
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Publication number: 20100223418
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KUMASAWA, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Patent number: 7739416
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Patent number: 7730235
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20090276568
    Abstract: Proposed are a storage system, data processing method and storage apparatus capable of performing stable data I/O processing. Each of the storage apparatuses configured in the storage group stores group configuration information containing priority information given to each storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus with the highest priority becomes a master and performs virtualization processing and data I/O processing, and another storage apparatus belonging to this storage group performs internal processing of the storage group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Takashi CHIKUSA, Satoru YAMAURA, Hiroyuki KUMASAWA, Hironori NAKAMA, Masashi YUKAWA
  • Patent number: 7558916
    Abstract: Proposed are a storage system, data processing method and storage apparatus capable of performing stable data I/O processing. Each of the storage apparatuses configured in the storage group stores group configuration information containing priority information given to each storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus with the highest priority becomes a master and performs virtualization processing and data I/O processing, and another storage apparatus belonging to this storage group performs internal processing of the storage group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Hironori Nakama, Masashi Yukawa
  • Publication number: 20080208927
    Abstract: One or more storage controllers include a folder configuration unit for configuring a plurality of folders to store the plurality of contents in the plurality of logical volumes, a core-contents management unit for specifying and managing core-contents to become the core from the plurality of contents to be stored in the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders, a related contents management unit for managing the core-contents and one or more related contents associated with a part or the whole of the core-contents from a plurality of contents to be stored in the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders, and a group folder configuration unit for configuring a group folder that groups the core-contents and the related contents across the plurality of logical volumes or the plurality of folders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Kenichi Saitou, Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Masanobu Uryuu
  • Publication number: 20080126616
    Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kumasawa, Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20070255870
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma