Patents by Inventor James Arthur Fisher

James Arthur Fisher 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: 9141821
    Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption, one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge, the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Patent number: 8750516
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Glen Alan Jaquette, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20120239944
    Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption, one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge, the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Patent number: 8271744
    Abstract: A device, method, and system for switching library managers of a data library while maintaining data library storage devices online. A library manager accepts and executes data transaction commands for access to data residing on the storage devices of the data library. A transition manager module receives a directive to transition library management functions from a first library manager to a second library manager. The transition manager module stops the first library manager from accepting new data transaction commands while maintaining the storage devices online. The first library manager may execute previously accepted data transaction commands. The transition manager module suspends the library management functions of the first library manager and activates the library management functions of the second library manager. The storage devices of the data library may complete data transaction commands throughout the library manager transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Anthony Andrew Lambert, Dennis Paul Martinez, Tom Owen Pringle, Timothy Clyde Sample, Christine Lynette Telford
  • Patent number: 8230235
    Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20120102335
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Glen Alan Jaquette, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Patent number: 8130959
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Glen Alan Jaquette, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Patent number: 8020107
    Abstract: An Internet web application interfaces to a machine to give users information about the status of the machine. The information on the status of the machine is constantly changing. This design only dynamically builds a web page when the page is requested for viewing. Once built, the page is retained so that the next time it is requested, if the information it contains has not changed, the page can be served without having to be rebuilt. If the information has changed, the design will not update the page until the page has been requested. In addition, the page is only built in the human language requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vickie Lynn Brewer, Sue Ann Erstad, James Arthur Fisher, Raymond Anthony James, William Henry Travis
  • Patent number: 7962645
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically and transparently mapping tape drives within tape libraries to IP addresses. In one embodiment, the tape library includes, a DHCP server, a LAN to serial switch, and a library manager configured with the necessary modules to map the tape library devices to the proper IP addresses. The entire process may be transparent to users. The result is that the tape library is configured with the proper IP addressing without costly, time-consuming, and error-prone manual intervention. The tape library can be configured more quickly with accurate IP addressing and is able to operate efficiently and properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Whitney Dain, James Arthur Fisher, Raymond Anthony James, David Luciani
  • Publication number: 20090158165
    Abstract: An Internet web application interfaces to a machine to give users information about the status of the machine. The information on the status of the machine is constantly changing. This design only dynamically builds a web page when the page is requested for viewing. Once built, the page is retained so that the next time it is requested, if the information it contains has not changed, the page can be served without having to be rebuilt. If the information has changed, the design will not update the page until the page has been requested. In addition, the page is only built in the human language requested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Vickie Lynn Brewer, Sue Ann Erstad, James Arthur Fisher, Raymond Anthony James, William Henry Travis
  • Patent number: 7536501
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to manage one or more reserved volume serial numbers in a virtual library grid. The method supplies a virtual library grid comprising one or more virtual library clusters, wherein each of said one or more virtual library clusters comprises a management interface node, at least one virtualization node, at least one management node, at least one library manager node, at least one direct access storage device, one or more information storage media, and at least one data storage device to read information from and to write information to the one or more information storage media. The method then reserves in each of the one or more virtual library system clusters one or more volume serial numbers, and establishes a time out period. The method then determines if the time out period has expired. If the time out period has expired, the method unreserves in each of the one or more virtual library clusters the one or more volume serial numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Mark Albert Reid, Joseph M. Swingler
  • Publication number: 20090013337
    Abstract: A device, method, and system for switching library managers of a data library while maintaining data library storage devices online. A library manager accepts and executes data transaction commands for access to data residing on the storage devices of the data library. A transition manager module receives a directive to transition library management functions from a first library manager to a second library manager. The transition manager module stops the first library manager from accepting new data transaction commands while maintaining the storage devices online. The first library manager may execute previously accepted data transaction commands. The transition manager module suspends the library management functions of the first library manager and activates the library management functions of the second library manager. The storage devices of the data library may complete data transaction commands throughout the library manager transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Anthony Andrew Lambert, Dennis Paul Martinez, Tom Owen Pringle, Timothy Clyde Sample, Christine Lynette Telford
  • Patent number: 7428620
    Abstract: A device, method, and system for switching library managers of a data library while maintaining data library storage devices online. A library manager accepts and executes data transaction commands for access to data residing on the storage devices of the data library. A transition manager module receives a directive to transition library management functions from a first library manager to a second library manager. The transition manager module stops the first library manager from accepting new data transaction commands while maintaining the storage devices online. The first library manager may execute previously accepted data transaction commands. The transition manager module suspends the library management functions of the first library manager and activates the library management functions of the second library manager. The storage devices of the data library may complete data transaction commands throughout the library manager transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Anthony Andrew Lambert, Dennis Paul Martinez, Tom Owen Pringle, Timothy Clyde Sample, Christine Lynette Telford
  • Patent number: 7409638
    Abstract: An Internet web application interfaces to a machine to give users information about the status of the machine. The information on the status of the machine is constantly changing. This design only dynamically builds a web page when the page is requested for viewing. Once built, the page is retained so that the next time it is requested, if the information it contains has not changed, the page can be served without having to be rebuilt. If the information has changed, the design will not update the page until the page has been requested. In addition, the page is only built in the human language requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vickie Lynn Brewer, Sue Ann Erstad, James Arthur Fisher, Raymond Anthony James, William Henry Travis
  • Patent number: 7404184
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to shutdown a library manager while the library system remains in a partially online state. A message module is included to send a suspend message to a host such that the host stops sending library manager commands, a shutdown module is included to shutdown a library manager while a data storage device remains coupled to the host in an online state, a startup module is included to restart the library manager in response to a completed library manager maintenance operation, and a resume module is included to send a resume message to the host that the library manager is available for library manager commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Jonathan Wayne Peake, Christine Lynette Telford
  • Patent number: 7401175
    Abstract: A method for displaying physical address of data storage media residing within an automated data storage library. A drive, including a drive processor and a drive display, recognizes a load display request received from a host computer/application that includes an identification of a data storage medium. The drive generates a request for the physical address of the data storage medium corresponding to the identification and transmits the request to a library controller. The library controller looks up the corresponding physical address and transmits it back to the drive, where it is displayed on the drive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20080065903
    Abstract: In an automated data storage library, selective encryption for data stored or to be stored on removable media is provided. One or more encryption policies are established, each policy including a level of encryption one or more encryption keys and the identity of one or more data cartridges. The encryption policies are stored in a policy table and the encryption keys are stored in a secure key server. A host requests access to a specified data cartridge and the cartridge is transported from a storage shelf in the library to a storage drive. Based on the identity of the specified cartridge the corresponding encryption policy is selected from the table and the appropriate encryption key is obtained from the key server. The storage drive encrypts data in accordance with the key and stores the data on the media within the specified data cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20080063210
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, James Arthur Fisher, Glen Alan Jaquette, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20080061138
    Abstract: In an automated data storage library, procedures are implemented to ensure that a correct volume is mounted before data is written to or read from the volume. After a host requests access to a specified volume, the volume is retrieved and mounted in a storage drive. The drive then verifies the volume serial number (VolSer) to ensure that it matches the VolSer of the requested volume. If the two VolSers are the same, the host is notified that the identity has been verified and access is allowed. If the two VolSers are different, an error recovery procedure may be initiated. The VolSer may be read by the drive through electronic means, such as a cartridge memory reader or an RFID tag reader, thereby avoiding potential problems which may result from physically reading or scanning an external label affixed to the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Leonard George Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20080040535
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to manage one or more reserved volume serial numbers in a virtual library grid. The method supplies a virtual library grid comprising one or more virtual library clusters, wherein each of said one or more virtual library clusters comprises a management interface node, at least one virtualization node, at least one management node, at least one library manager node, at least one direct access storage device, one or more information storage media, and at least one data storage device to read information from and to write information to the one or more information storage media. The method then reserves in each of the one or more virtual library system clusters one or more volume serial numbers, and establishes a time out period. The method then determines if the time out period has expired. If the time out period has expired, the method unreserves in each of the one or more virtual library clusters the one or more volume serial numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Arthur Fisher, Mark Albert Reid, Joseph M. Swingler