Abstract: Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, media and signals for controlling a wireless communication appliance are disclosed. A method implemented by the apparatus, media and signals involves producing a message signal comprising an address portion and a payload portion, in response to an action signal received at an adjunct apparatus, causing the adjunct apparatus to perform a function identified in the payload portion when the address portion satisfies a condition and transmitting the message signal to the wireless communication appliance when the address portion fails to satisfy the condition.

Abstract: An automated data storage library accesses data storage media from storage shelves in response to commands from external host(s). The library receives a code update image while continuing to operate. The library is operated to an off-line status at external interface(s) that permit communication with the host(s). Then, and after the image is stored in nonvolatile memory, the processor(s) are reset, thereby activating the code update image, the processor(s) subsequently coming up from the reset to an operational state. Then, the library goes to an on-line status at the external interface(s).

Abstract: Verification of a primary or backup copy of vital information of a processing system employs a pseudo-fixed reference identifier, defined as an identifier unlikely to change over the life of the system, and controls which copy of vital information is correct. The primary copy of vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier and a backup copy of the vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier. A processor, when triggered, reads the pseudo-fixed reference identifier, compares it to the stored copies of the identifier of the primary and backup non-volatile storage. (1) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the primary copy of the identifier, the processor indicates the vital information is valid. (2) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the backup only, indicating that the backup copy of vital information is to be restore copied to become the primary copy.

Abstract: A method is provided for nondestructive adhesion testing of a coating on a component surface through ultrasonic cavitation. The disclosed method includes submerging a tip end of a vibratory horn in a liquid medium and operating a converter, coupled to the vibratory horn, at a frequency and an amplitude to generate a cavitation field within the liquid medium. A first portion of a component having an adhered coating on at least a portion of the component is moved into the cavitation field. Areas of the coating that are poorly adhered to the component are located by the removing areas of the coating that are poorly adhered, while not removing areas of the coating that are properly adhered to the component.

Abstract: A converter is utilized with at least one implicit addressing sequential media device to simulate explicit addressing sequential media device performance from the perspective of host applications. Responsive to receiving explicit addressing read/write commands from the host application, the converter converts the explicit addressing read/write commands into implicit addressing read/write commands and passes the implicit addressing read/write commands through to the device. Optionally, responsive to device capability queries from a host application, the converter reports that the device utilizes explicit addressing. As another option, responsive to receiving commands other than explicit addressing read/write commands from the application host, the converter examines the commands to monitor sequential media address, and relays the commands to the device substantially free of any modification.

Abstract: A method is provided for nondestructive adhesion testing of a coating on a component surface through ultrasonic cavitation. The disclosed method includes submerging a tip end of a vibratory horn in a liquid medium and operating a converter, coupled to the vibratory horn, at a frequency and an amplitude to generate a cavitation field within the liquid medium. A first portion of a component having an adhered coating on at least a portion of the component is moved into the cavitation field. Areas of the coating that are poorly adhered to the component are located by the removing areas of the coating that are poorly adhered, while not removing areas of the coating that are properly adhered to the component.

Abstract: A metal building includes a joist system having upper and lower longitudinally extending chords, the upper and lower chords being substantially parallel, and a plurality of web members interposed between the parallel chords. Each of the chords includes an upper chord segment, opposed parallel side walls, inwardly extending lower chord segments, the lower chord segments being parallel to the upper chord segment, and a pair of flanges extending downwardly from the innermost edges of lower chord segments, the flanges defining a longitudinally extending continuous web receiving aperture traversing the length of the chord, the upper chord segment, lower chord segment, parallel side walls and flanges, the web receiving apertures of the upper and lower chords being positioned in opposed relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning unique names to data storage products. The system and method is applicable for assigning unique World Wide Names to library storage products having removable or fixed media storage devices, or existing library storage products to be provisioned with Fibre Channel interface connections. When configuring new library storage products the method comprises the steps of: allocating a range of names to the library storage product, a name being assigned in one-to-one correspondence with a device position in the library and, the range including a base name (Base_N) for indicating where device position numbering begins; and, storing the base name in a memory associated with the library; installing a data storage device at a position in the library; and automatically calculating a unique name N based on the stored base name and the data storage device position of the installed device and assigning the calculated name to the installed device.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical router for an optical communications system comprises a pair of transmissive Echelle gratings having their grating surfaces coupled by a waveguide grating. The arrangement provides for substantial design freedom in that the dispersive parameters include the shapes of the first and second Echelle gratings as well as the path length difference among the waveguides. Moreover the device eliminates any need for reflective surfaces in the Echelle gratings.

Abstract: Data storage drives of an automated data storage library are allocated to received requests. A drive resource provider, upon receiving a request for a drive when all of the drives of the pool are allocated, holds any mount of a portable data storage cartridge relative to the request, releasing the hold when a drive is allocated. Spare drives are provided, outside of the pool. A spare drive may be allocated in response to the request, and a message is posted indicating use of the spare data storage drive. The posted message may comprise a notification that action may be taken to permanently transfer a spare data storage drive to the pool.

Abstract: A metal building includes a joist system having upper and lower longitudinally extending chords, the upper and lower chords being substantially parallel, and a plurality of web members interposed between the parallel chords. Each of the chords includes an upper chord segment, opposed parallel side walls, inwardly extending lower chord segments, the lower chord segments being parallel to the upper chord segment, and a pair of flanges extending downwardly from the innermost edges of lower chord segments, the flanges defining a longitudinally extending continuous web receiving aperture traversing the length of the chord, the upper chord segment, lower chord segment, parallel side walls and flanges, the web receiving apertures of the upper and lower chords being positioned in opposed relationship.

Abstract: Drive image providers of a virtualization system for an automated data storage library provide an image of a fixed plurality of virtual data storage drives with fixed identifications to a host application. A drive resource provider, at any one time, assigns any number “m” of a pool of “n” drives to the drive image providers, and “n”−“m” of the pool are freed and available for assignment. The drive resource provider responds to a triggering event requesting a drive, and dedicates one of the “n”−“m” drives of the pool to the virtual drive. The drive image provider characterizes and directs communication between the host and the dedicated drive as a fixed virtual drive; and prior to the dedication of a drive, characterizes the virtual drive to the requesting host application as “not ready”.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for storing data in a storage medium. A layout of a storage medium including a first and second user data sections is provided, wherein the first user data section comprises a faster access storage space than the second user data section. A determination is made of a first set of data to be accessed at a faster rate than a second set of data. The first set of data is written to the first user data section and the second set of data is written to the second user data section.

Abstract: A location-centric library host manages cartridge movement according to functional storage addresses and functional I/O addresses. In reality, the library has multiple data storage cartridge receiving slots, which include physical I/O slots and physical storage slots. In contrast with the physical I/O slots and physical storage slots, functional I/O addresses and functional storage addresses are virtual locations used by the host in managing cartridge locations. Thus, host knowledge of cartridge locations is limited to their functional addresses. The library includes a library map that correlates functional addresses with physical addresses. The library automatically empties new cartridges from the physical I/O slots into physical storage slots, using various steps. First, the library hardware automatically recognizes external placement of cartridges into the physical I/O slots.

Abstract: An automated system having removable system components is self-configured, first, determining whether configuration data is available, for example, in a non-volatile memory. If available, the processor reads a system identifier of the configuration data, compares the read and a sensed system identifier, and, if they match, ends the self-configuration. Otherwise, the system senses the removable system components, configuring the system. A sensor is moved to sense the presence or absence each of the removable system components at substantially the expected location of the component. The system operates a movable sensor to calibrate a relative position with respect to the calibration mark.

Abstract: A data storage library features a dual purpose data/control path between a host computer and one or more media drives. The dual purpose path conveys data exchange control signals and related data between the host and drive, and also conveys robotic device management signals from the host to the drive, for ultimate conveyance to a robotic device coupled to the drive. In one embodiment, the drives may comprise relay drives, each directly coupled to the robotic device by a communications path such as a bus or loop. Alternatively, the drives may include a master drive and a number of relay drives, each relay drive coupled to the master drive to relay robotic device management signals from its host to the robotic device through the master drive. The master media drive's connection to other drives, for example, may be direct or through a communications loop interconnecting all drives.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for allowing communication among nodes in a system. A request is received in a source node from a source object executing in the source node to send a message to a destination object executing in a destination node. Each node includes a processor capable of multitasking multiple program objects and a communication interface to transmit and receive data with the other nodes. A determination is made in the source node as to whether the destination node and source node are a same node. The message is sent in the source node to the destination object within the source node if the destination node is the source node. If the destination node is not the source node, then the source node transmits the message to the destination node through the communication interface. The destination node sends the message to the destination object within the destination node.

Abstract: A data storage library utilizes library-local features to regulate access to shared read/write drives among multiple hosts, and thereby avoid the need for arbitrating host software. The library includes multiple data storage media, multiple data storage media slots, multiple read/write drives, and a library controller. The slots are originally partitioned into multiple logical libraries. Normally, the library shares the read/write drives among all hosts. However, when a host submits a request to unload a cartridge from a read/write drive, the library only honors that request if the host has access rights to the logical library from where the cartridge was originally loaded. Similarly, for each slot, the controller prevents a requesting host from loading a cartridge from that storage slot unless the requesting host has access rights to the logical library that includes that storage slot.

Abstract: Multiple function bandwidth management systems. Bandwidth-management systems for an optical network are easily assembled by concatenating a plurality of intelligent, miniaturized, bandwidth-management modules (BMM's) together. The BMM's subdivide the wide available spectrum into narrow band segments. Each individual BMM is designed to overcome loss and optimize dispersion, gain, and power or gain equalization for a few channels at a time. Each device includes optical connectors and filters, as well as any other components necessary to direct the band of optical channels through the device's optical path while passing other optical channels within the spectrum to additional devices which can be connected without disturbing existing bandwidth-management modules. Each BMM also includes a digital control module that operates the BMM in any one of a plurality of selectable operating modes.