Patents by Inventor Steven R. Hetzler

Steven R. Hetzler 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: 10430123
    Abstract: A method includes distributively encoding data stored in a storage system using an erasure-correcting code. The encoded data is distributed into multiple w storage device arrays in the storage system. Each storage device array includes n storage devices. Each storage device is divided into m sectors or pages. The n storage devices are grouped into l groups of t storage devices each. Data erasures in the w storage device arrays are corrected by recovering erased data using the erasure-correcting code of un-erased data based on each row and column in each m×n array being protected by the erasure-correcting code for the data. Each group of t storage devices contains extra second responder parities to correct extra data erasures in addition to data erasures corrected by first responder vertical parities in each m×t subarray, and w, n, m, l and t are positive integers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Best, Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20190258409
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system including a computer processor, a computer-readable hardware storage device, and program code embodied with the computer-readable hardware storage device for execution by the computer processor to implement a method that includes selecting a first blob for reclamation from a first data center. The first blob includes multiple erasure code groups. A first message is sent to a second data center indicating the first blob is to be reclaimed. A second message is sent to the second data center after reclaiming the first blob in the first data center. A global reclamation complete message is received from the second data center. The global reclamation complete message indicates a second blob in the second data center has been reclaimed. The global reclamation complete message is sent in response to the second data center receiving a local reclamation complete message from a third data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Wayne C. Hineman
  • Patent number: 10372334
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for reclaiming free space. The method comprises selecting a first blob for reclamation from a first data center; sending a first message to a second data center indicating the first blob is to be reclaimed; sending a second message to the second data center after reclaiming the first blob; receiving a global reclamation complete message from the second data center; reading at least one data set from the first blob; and storing in a write buffer the at least one data set for encoding into a erasure code group in an alternative blob in the first data center. Further, upon receipt of the global reclamation message from the second data center, indicating the first blob is free in the map in the first data center. In one embodiment, selecting the first blob is based on the map indicating free space in the first data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Wayne C. Hineman
  • Publication number: 20190171523
    Abstract: A method for memory page erasure-correcting property generation in a storage array includes dividing data into multiple stripes for storage in a storage array including multiple storage devices with a topology of a hypercube of a dimension t?3. The storage devices in same hypercubes of dimension t?1 including the hypercube of dimension t have even parity. An intersection of two non-parallel planes in the hypercube topology is a line, and each point along a line is a storage device in the storage array. Erasure-correcting properties are generated for the data using three nested codes, wherein a first nested code has even parity over planes of class 0, 1 and 2, a second nested code has a first global parity, and a third nested code has a second global parity and a third global parity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Aayush Gupta, James Hafner, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20190130939
    Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs. A platform portion abuts the curved portion. A movable bale is configured to maintain discs securely in the disc cassette except when rotated off the discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, Donald S. Bethune, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler, Drew B. Lawson, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10242705
    Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs. A platform portion abuts the curved portion. A movable bale is configured to maintain discs securely in the disc cassette except when rotated off the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, Donald S. Bethune, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler, Drew B. Lawson, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10241862
    Abstract: A method for memory page erasure reconstruction in a storage array includes dividing data into multiple stripes for storage in a storage array including multiple storage devices with a topology of a hypercube of a dimension t?3. The storage devices in same hypercubes of dimension t?1 including the hypercube of dimension t have even parity. An intersection of two non-parallel planes in the hypercube topology is a line, and each point along a line is a storage device in the storage array. A reconstructor processor reconstructs erased data for erased memory pages from non-erased data in the storage array by using parities in at least three dimensions based on the hypercube topology of the storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Aayush Gupta, James Hafner, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Patent number: 10186295
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw device, a second jaw device, and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc including an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, John S. Best, Donald S. Bethune, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler, Drew B. Lawson, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10146652
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for storing data in a data storage system. The method comprises copying a data set into a buffer in a data storage center in response to receiving a write command for the data set; updating a content map; and sending to a second data storage center a parity write command for the data set. The method continues with copying the data set into a buffer in the second data storage center; updating a second content map; and sending to the first data storage center an acknowledgement indicating the parity write command is complete. Then in response to receiving the acknowledgement, updating the first content map; moving the data set to a storage unit in first data storage center; and acknowledging the data set is protected. Finally, releasing the data set from the first buffer; and updating the first map content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Hetzler
  • Patent number: 10127941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to enable loading and/or unloading of a storage drive. The body has a first end, a second end, and a path extending from the first end to the second end. The body is configured to receive the computer readable storage device and maintain the computer readable storage device in a first position. The body is configured to passively change orientation from a first orientation to a second orientation responsive to contact from the computer readable storage device. The first orientation maintains the first position of the computer readable storage drive and the second orientation facilitates traversal of the computer readable storage device along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, John S. Best, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20180294009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to enable loading and/or unloading of a storage drive. The body has a first end, a second end, and a path extending from the first end to the second end. The body is configured to receive the computer readable storage device and maintain the computer readable storage device in a first position. The body is configured to passively change orientation from a first orientation to a second orientation responsive to contact from the computer readable storage device. The first orientation maintains the first position of the computer readable storage drive and the second orientation facilitates traversal of the computer readable storage device along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, John S. Best, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20180267857
    Abstract: A method for memory page erasure reconstruction in a storage array includes dividing data into multiple stripes for storage in a storage array including multiple storage devices with a topology of a hypercube of a dimension t?3. The storage devices in same hypercubes of dimension t?1 including the hypercube of dimension t have even parity. An intersection of two non-parallel planes in the hypercube topology is a line, and each point along a line is a storage device in the storage array. A reconstructor processor reconstructs erased data for erased memory pages from non-erased data in the storage array by using parities in at least three dimensions based on the hypercube topology of the storage devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Aayush Gupta, James Hafner, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20180246679
    Abstract: A method includes distributively encoding data stored in a storage system using an erasure-correcting code. The encoded data is distributed into multiple w storage device arrays in the storage system. Each storage device array includes n storage devices. Each storage device is divided into m sectors or pages. The n storage devices are grouped into l groups of t storage devices each. Data erasures in the w storage device arrays are corrected by recovering erased data using the erasure-correcting code of un-erased data based on each row and column in each m×n array being protected by the erasure-correcting code for the data. Each group of t storage devices contains extra second responder parities to correct extra data erasures in addition to data erasures corrected by first responder vertical parities in each m×t subarray, and w, n, m, l and t are positive integers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: John S. Best, Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Patent number: 10055278
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for increasing the failure tolerance of an array of storage elements in a storage system. The computer-implemented method includes configuring an array to include a plurality of storage elements in n>1 sets of storage elements. The computer-implemented method also includes configuring an erasure-correcting code such that at least one column of the storage elements of the array stores row parity information, and at least one row of the storage elements of the array stores column parity information. Still yet, the computer-implemented method includes, subsequent to a failure of one of the storage elements storing data, selecting a recipient storage element from the array, and rebuilding at least a portion of the data onto the recipient storage element by performing a parity exchange operation that retains a failure tolerance of the set of storage elements containing the failed storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Publication number: 20180225045
    Abstract: A controller including an object aggregator process that combines multiple data objects into a data segment, and transfers the data segment with reduced location metadata to storage media of at least one of multiple storage units. An erasure coder process generates code to encode the data segment into an erasure code that protects against concurrent data loss in the multiple storage units based on data reconstruction using a first responder, a second responder and a last responder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler, Wayne C. Hineman, Robert M. Rees
  • Publication number: 20180211691
    Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs. A platform portion abuts the curved portion. A movable bale is configured to maintain discs securely in the disc cassette except when rotated off the discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: David J. Altknecht, Donald S. Bethune, William M. Dyer, A. David Erpelding, Steven R. Hetzler, Drew B. Lawson, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10031803
    Abstract: A method for distributed coding in a storage array is presented. The method includes dividing data into multiple stripes for storage in a storage array including storage devices with a topology of a hypercube of a dimension t?3. The storage devices in same hypercubes of dimension t?1 including the hypercube of a dimension t have even parity. Global parities are added to the hypercube such that a minimum distance of a code is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Aayush Gupta, James L. Hafner, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Patent number: 10031701
    Abstract: A method for hierarchical correction coding includes converting data for a storage system into w storage device arrays, each storage device array including n storage devices, and each storage device divided into m sectors or pages. The n storage devices are grouped into l groups of t storage devices each. Erasures in the w storage device arrays are corrected based on protecting each row and column in each m×n array by an erasure-correcting code. Each group of t storage devices contains extra parities to correct extra erasures in addition to erasures corrected by vertical parities in each m×t subarray, and w, n, m, l and t are positive integers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Best, Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler
  • Patent number: 10001922
    Abstract: A data storage structure, comprising: a plurality of storage units, each comprising: a storage media; and a library executive configured to manage the storage media. The structure further comprises a buffer connected to a controller, the controller comprising: a host interface configured to receive the instruction from the host machine; an object aggregator configured to combine the plurality of data objects into a data segment; a persistent write buffer configured to store the data segment; a persistent map configured to identify a location of each of the plurality of objects in the data segment; an erasure coder configured to encode the data segment into an erasure code; a destager configured to transfer the data segment from the persistent write buffer to the storage media in a given storage unit; and a library controller configured to communicate with the library executive in the given storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Steven R. Hetzler, Wayne C. Hineman, Robert M. Rees
  • Patent number: 9990325
    Abstract: Embodiments relate a universal serial bus (USB) filter hub. An aspect includes receiving, by the USB filter hub that is in communication with a host computer system, a connection from a USB device at a USB port of the USB filter hub. Another aspect includes determining, by the USB filter hub, a type of the USB device. Another aspect includes determining whether the type of the USB device is valid. Yet another aspect includes, based on determining that the type of the USB device is valid, filtering commands that are communicated between the USB device and the host computer system via the USB filter hub based on a predetermined command set corresponding to the determined type of the USB device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven R. Hetzler, Daniel F. Smith