Patents by Inventor Ikuko Kobayashi

Ikuko Kobayashi 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: 8448167
    Abstract: A storage system includes an information apparatus in which a virtualization mechanism is implemented to build a virtual machine, a storage apparatus which is coupled to the information apparatus, which includes a first logical volume proving a storage area to be used by the virtual machine, and which includes a virtual disk area and a virtual disk management area on the first logical volume, the virtual disk area used by the virtual machine to store data, the virtual disk management area storing management data for managing the virtual disk area; and a management computer which is coupled to the information apparatus and the storage apparatus, and which includes a remote copy controller configured to copy the virtual disk area and the virtual disk management area on the first logical volume of the storage apparatus to a storage area on a second logical volume included in a second storage device coupled to the storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Daisuke Yokota
  • Patent number: 8402239
    Abstract: An administrator's work load increases because the administrator has to both allocate volumes of PC server device applications and take over volumes for applications based on changes in PC server devices. A volume management system solves the problem with a computer system having storage devices each having a unit managing volume configuration information based on each application, a unit managing volume usage information based on the application volumes, and a unit managing and partitioning allocatable areas of the storage devices based on performance and reliability. The system has a unit selecting suitable allocation regions in accordance with the volume usages of the applications; a unit selecting a suitable allocation region based on change of host performance and migrating a volume to the suitable allocation region when the host configuration of an application changes; and a unit changing configuration information to perform change of setting on each host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120131296
    Abstract: An administrator's work load increases because the administrator has to both allocate volumes of PC server device applications and take over volumes for applications based on changes in PC server devices. A volume management system solves the problem with a computer system having storage devices each having a unit managing volume configuration information based on each application, a unit managing volume usage information based on the application volumes, and a unit managing and partitioning allocatable areas of the storage devices based on performance and reliability. The system has a unit selecting suitable allocation regions in accordance with the volume usages of the applications; a unit selecting a suitable allocation region based on change of host performance and migrating a volume to the suitable allocation region when the host configuration of an application changes; and a unit changing configuration information to perform change of setting on each host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8103826
    Abstract: The work load imposed on an administrator increases because the administrator has heretofore performed the work of allocating volumes to applications of PC server devices and the work of taking over volumes for applications in accordance with change in PC server devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8091135
    Abstract: A computer system uses a virus-scan method capable of full-scanning the logical volume of a SUTOSEN PC with high frequency while limiting the number of virus-scan devices. The computer system includes a primary volume storing data from a personal computer, a snapshot volume storing the status of the primary volume at a given point in time, and a save destination volume storing an updated memory area within the primary volume as information on an updated block address reflected in a bitmap. The updated block address corresponds to a memory area within the primary volume. The computer system detects only an updated file in the primary volume from the snapshot volume and the save destination volume, creates an updated volume for storing a relevant updated file, and thereby executes a virus-scan on the updated volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110061049
    Abstract: A storage system includes an information apparatus in which a virtualization mechanism is implemented to build a virtual machine, a storage apparatus which is coupled to the information apparatus, which includes a first logical volume proving a storage area to be used by the virtual machine, and which includes a virtual disk area and a virtual disk management area on the first logical volume, the virtual disk area used by the virtual machine to store data, the virtual disk management area storing management data for managing the virtual disk area; and a management computer which is coupled to the information apparatus and the storage apparatus, and which includes a remote copy controller configured to copy the virtual disk area and the virtual disk management area on the first logical volume of the storage apparatus to a storage area on a second logical volume included in a second storage device coupled to the storage apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Daisuke Yokota
  • Patent number: 7844711
    Abstract: A management device selects a storage device having a plenty of unallocated storage regions, selects a target using a port having a small allocation quantity from the storage device targets, and allocates the target, an initiator, and a storage region. When the number of targets and the allocated storage regions prepared by the storage device is within a predetermined number, the storage device manages the storage device as an allocation candidate. When the predetermined number is exceeded, the exceeding one is excluded from the allocation candidate. When the number of storage devices excluded from the allocation candidate has reached a certain number, the management device manages a new storage device and a new storage region as an allocation candidate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Daisuke Yokota, Akihisa Nagami, Mitsuru Ikezawa, Yukinobu Mizoguchi, Hiroji Shibuya
  • Patent number: 7725940
    Abstract: The system management server 10 makes a request to the virus detection and removal server 30 for virus detection processing on a specified primary volume of the storage system 20. The virus detection and removal server 30 executes virus detection processing on the requested primary volume and the secondary volume that forms the volume pair at the storage system 20. Even during virus detection processing on the storage system 20, it is possible for the centric PCs 40 and 42 to continue write and read processing on the requested primary volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100100678
    Abstract: The work load imposed on an administrator increases because the administrator has heretofore performed the work of allocating volumes to applications of PC server devices and the work of taking over volumes for applications in accordance with change in PC server devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Ikuko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7673033
    Abstract: The invention enables the control of the information in a storage unit in a user terminal, prevents data from leaking to unauthorized users and protects information in the user terminal. A management OS manages the input/output to/from a user work OS in the user terminal, identifies a control-triggering condition set by a management server, controls the information in the storage unit storing the user work OS-related information so that information leakage can be prevented, and it also backs up the user work OS-related information to the storage apparatus using the user work OS input/output information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Saigo, Yukio Ogawa, Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7634620
    Abstract: To provide a technique whereby a user can carry out operations in the same operating environment, regardless of whether the user uses a computer inside a network system, or uses a terminal outside the network system. A network system comprises: a first computer used by a designated user; and a plurality of second computers capable of being shared by a plurality of users. A management device, if a storage device is utilized by the first computer, allows the first computer to connect to a designated storage area and execute the boot-up program stored therein. The management device, if the storage device is utilized by an external terminal used by the designated user, allows one designated computer selected from the plurality of second computers to connect to the designated storage area and execute the boot-up program, and allows the external terminal to connect to the designated computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Hirofumi Inomata
  • Publication number: 20090248979
    Abstract: The storage apparatus includes an external logical unit as a target of a plurality of host apparatuses, and an internal logical unit assigned to the external logical unit. The internal logical unit includes a common logical unit having common files commonly used by the plurality of host apparatuses, and an individual logical unit having individual files used by each of the plurality of host apparatuses. Upon receipt of a write request from the host apparatus, the storage apparatus performs data matching by comparing write data depending on the write request with data stored in the common logical unit at a management block unit. The storage apparatus stores matching data block in the common logical unit, and stores a non-matching data block in an individual logical block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7594070
    Abstract: A storage management system for managing, in a computer system, access to a storage area for storing data, the computer system includes: a storage system that provides the storage area; a host computer system that mounts the storage area of the storage system via a network; and a maintenance system that performs maintenance for the storage area of the storage system, the storage management system includes: a mounting decision module that decides, according to a preestablished maintenance schedule, whether the host computer system is currently mounting the storage area of the storage system; a maintenance instruction module that instructs the maintenance system to execute the scheduled maintenance when the mounting decision module decides that the host computer system is not currently mounting the storage area; a host-on detecting module that detects a boot of the host computer system; a maintenance decision module that decides whether the maintenance system is currently performing the maintenance for the stor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ikezawa, Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Akihisa Nagami
  • Publication number: 20090089880
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a computer system and virus-scan method that are capable of full-scanning the logical volume of a SUTOSEN PC with high frequency while limiting the number of virus-scan devices. A computer system including a primary volume storing data from a personal computer, a snapshot volume storing the status of the primary volume at a given point in time, and a save destination volume storing an updated memory area within the primary volume as information on an updated block address reflected in a bitmap, the updated block address corresponding to a memory area within the primary volume, wherein the computer system detects only an updated file in the primary volume from the snapshot volume and the save destination volume, creates an updated volume for storing a relevant updated file, and thereby executes a virus-scan on the updated volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura
  • Patent number: 7512643
    Abstract: For a computer system that includes a storage system and a management computer, the storage system includes a first storage area, for storing data used by a computer connected to the storage system, and a second storage area, for storing a duplicate of the data included in the first storage area. The management computer includes first management information, for managing the frequency at which the data in the first storage area are copied. When the management computer receives a notification indicating the first storage area has been unmounted from another computer, the management computer employs the first management information for determining whether the data in the first storage area should be copied. Then, when the data should be copied, the first storage area is mounted on the computer and the data in the first storage area are copied to the second storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20080307084
    Abstract: The invention enables the control of the information in a storage unit in a user terminal, prevents data from leaking to unauthorized users and protects information in the user terminal. A management OS manages the input/output to/from a user work OS in the user terminal, identifies a control-triggering condition set by a management server, controls the information in the storage unit storing the user work OS-related information so that information leakage can be prevented, and it also backs up the user work OS-related information to the storage apparatus using the user work OS input/output information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Saigo, Yukio Ogawa, Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20080215767
    Abstract: In an environment where there is a possibility that the user connects from a plurality of blade PCs to the storage, the present invention prevents the data destruction by realizing the exclusive control of the storage device. The storage connection from a blade PC which was possible to connect until now is made to be impossible by that the management server newly generates and sets to the storage device the connection information between the storage device which the blade PC keeps. Further, by sending the newly generated connection information to the other blade PC the connection from that blade PC becomes possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Akihisa Nagami, Shinji Kimura, Mitsuru Ikezawa, Ikuko Kobayashi, Daisuke Yokota, Hiroji Shibuya, Yukinobu Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20080209041
    Abstract: A management device selects a storage device having a plenty of unallocated storage regions, selects a target using a port having a small allocation quantity from the storage device targets, and allocates the target, an initiator, and a storage region. When the number of targets and the allocated storage regions prepared by the storage device is within a predetermined number, the storage device manages the storage device as an allocation candidate. When the predetermined number is exceeded, the exceeding one is excluded from the allocation candidate. When the number of storage devices excluded from the allocation candidate has reached a certain number, the management device manages a new storage device and a new storage region as an allocation candidate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Ikuko KOBAYASHI, Shinji Kimura, Daisuke Yokota, Akihisa Nagami, Mitsuru Ikezawa, Yukinobu Mizoguchi, Hiroji Shibuya
  • Patent number: 7404201
    Abstract: A copy computer includes a storage device which stores a copy of contents from a distribution computer and a module which creates a copy of updated contents based on a copy request and which sends a copy of contents requested by a search computer to a distribution request computer. The search computer includes a module which searches for a copy computer storing the copy of the contents requested by the distribution request computer, a module which forwards a send request to a specified copy computer, and a module which sends the copy request and the copy contents to a predetermined copy computer when the contents are updated. The copy request gives an instruction to create the copy of the updated contents in the storage device of the copy computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Takeuchi, Hiroshi Mine, Damien Le Moal, Ikuko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20080115015
    Abstract: A storage management system for managing, in a computer system, access to a storage area for storing data, the computer system includes: a storage system that provides the storage area; a host computer system that mounts the storage area of the storage system via a network; and a maintenance system that performs maintenance for the storage area of the storage system, the storage management system includes: a mounting decision module that decides, according to a preestablished maintenance schedule, whether the host computer system is currently mounting the storage area of the storage system; a maintenance instruction module that instructs the maintenance system to execute the scheduled maintenance when the mounting decision module decides that the host computer system is not currently mounting the storage area; a host-on detecting module that detects a boot of the host computer system; a maintenance decision module that decides whether the maintenance system is currently performing the maintenance for the stor
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Mitsuru IKEZAWA, Ikuko Kobayashi, Shinji Kimura, Akihisa Nagami