Patents by Inventor Manabu Kitamura

Manabu Kitamura 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: 7069393
    Abstract: A computer system in which a host computer is connected to a storage unit, the storage unit operating in a unit of a file. A file attribute control unit and the storage unit execute the processing being linked together so that, in response to a request from a client computer, the host computer executes a file attribute control program to add a particular attribute to the file, and that the storage unit operates in response to the attribute that is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Miyata, Naoto Matsunami, Koji Sonoda, Manabu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7065679
    Abstract: A system for managing clock adjustment in a storage system is provided. The system includes a clock configured to provide a current time, wherein the current time is used to enforce a content retention period, a memory configured to store clock management information, wherein the clock management information includes a last adjustment time and a number of maximum adjustable time ranges, wherein the last adjustment time represents the time which the clock was last adjusted, and a storage access program. The storage access program is configured to receive a proposed new time for the clock, determine whether the proposed new time is reasonable using the current time, the last adjustment time and a specific range selected from the maximum adjustable time ranges, and adjust the current time of the clock to the proposed new time if it is determined that the proposed new time is reasonable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20060127071
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus (20) measures shake of the apparatus by a gyro sensor (9), performs “a center stop control” until receiving an instruction for start of recording the still picture, and performs “a lens correction control” after the start of exposure in the imaging apparatus. The center stop control controls the correction lens position so as to stop a correction lens at an optical axis center position which is a position of the correction lens at which an optical axis of the imaging lenses (1) coincides with an optical axis of a correction lens (2). The lens correction control controls the correction lens position so as to correct blurring of the image formed on an imaging element (3) on the basis of the measuring result. The imaging apparatus (20) returns the correction lens (2) to the optical axis center position before receiving a next instruction for start of next recording after completion of the exposure to the imaging element, and then performs the center stop control on the correction lens (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshio Takeuchi, Yosuke Yamane, Manabu Kitamura, Hiroyuki Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20060117211
    Abstract: A storage system 1 including multiple slots for loading a block I/O interface controller, a file I/O interface controller, and any other kinds of interface controllers that are combined freely. The storage system 1 includes a management table that manages fail-over-enabled devices by grouping those devices in accordance with the interface type and the domain to which each device belongs; an information table that directs a fail-over procedure; and fail-over controlling means that takes over the processing of a failed interface controller belonging to a fail-over-enabled group. The fail-over system offers several modalities for monitoring failures, selecting takeover controllers and restoring functionality. Storage system 1 solves conventional problems by providing a system that can mount a plurality of file systems, and that resists multiple failures detected in a fail-over server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Matsunami, Kouji Sonoda, Manabu Kitamura, Takashi Oeda, Yutaka Takata
  • Publication number: 20060117157
    Abstract: Techniques to assure genuineness of data stored on a storage device are provided. The storage device includes a storage controller that conducts I/O operations and management operations. A description of management operations and corresponding timestamps are recorded to an operation log stored in a memory. The memory additionally stores an attribute for each storage volume of the storage device. Write access to each of the storage volumes is dependent on the attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20060106878
    Abstract: A system and method for object-level snapshot creation in an object-based storage system. The host device includes a first object management table (OMT) and a file system. The object-based storage system is connected to the host device and includes a controller and object-based storage devices (OSD). The controller includes a snapshot module, a second OMT. The snapshot module receives and processes OSD and other commands from the file system or a service processor, creates an original object and a mirror object in an OSD, and initiates a snapshot operation in an OSD. The first OMT may also reside at a metadata server. A snapshot operation may be a mirror operation or a copy on write operation. The first OMT and the second OMT maintain mapping information of a file identifier, a partition ID, and an object ID, and an object status and a generation number of snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Hidehisa Shitomi, Manabu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7047261
    Abstract: An object of remote copy can be specified in units of a file or a directory more detailed than in units of a volume. If a host computer issues a write request of a file to NASa, NASa references a source NAS of remote copy and a source directory of remote copy at each entry on a copy file table and determines whether the file to be written is an object of remote copy; if it is determined to be an object of remote copy, the file to be written is remotely copied to a target directory of remote copy of a target NAS thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyosuke Achiwa, Kazuhiko Mogi, Manabu Kitamura, Yoshiki Kano, Katsunori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7039662
    Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20060075005
    Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20060053287
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a storage system for storing data on an object basis, where the object has attribute information and data. The storage system has a plurality of (N) data storage devices and at least one redundant data storage device. When the storage system receives a write request with an object, the object is divided into N sub-objects each of which have the same size. Thereafter, each of the N sub-objects is written to the data storage devices. Further, the parity is calculated from each of the sub-objects. In one embodiment the parity is stored in a redundant data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7003687
    Abstract: A storage system 1 including multiple slots for loading a block I/O interface controller, a file I/O interface controller, and any other kinds of interface controllers that are combined freely. The storage system 1 includes a management table that manages fail-over-enabled devices by grouping those devices in accordance with the interface type and the domain to which each device belongs; an information table that directs a fail-over procedure; and fail-over controlling means that takes over the processing of a failed interface controller belonging to a fail-over-enabled group. The fail-over system offers several modalities for monitoring failures, selecting takeover controllers and restoring functionality. Storage system 1 solves conventional problems by providing a system that can mount a plurality of file systems, and that resists multiple failures detected in a fail-over server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Matsunami, Kouji Sonoda, Manabu Kitamura, Takashi Oeda, Yutaka Takata
  • Publication number: 20060036736
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for implementing a storage management system for limiting management operation of a storage network element by determining whether the storage network element is related to a host computer and determining whether the management operation is restricted based on the host computer and the time at which the management operation is to be conducted. The invention is set forth in a system including a network, a plurality of storage network elements connected to the network, and the storage management system, connected to the network, for controlling storage management operation of the storage network elements in response to operation requests from users of the storage management system. Each of the storage network elements is related to at least one of a plurality of host computers and information of these relations is used to determine whether a management operation can be conducted on the storage network element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Manabu Kitamura, Shoji Kodama, Yuichi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20060010169
    Abstract: A hierarchical storage system comprises a host computer and a storage system. The storage system comprises at lease two kinds of storage devices, a first tier storage and a second tier storage. The first tier storage is a high performance (or high cost) storage device, and the second tier storage is a lower performance (or lower cost) storage device. The storage system creates a virtual volume based on the first and second tier storages, and enables the host computer to access the virtual volume. A file system in the host computer knows which region of the virtual volume corresponds to the first tier storage and which region of the virtual volume corresponds to the second tier storage. When the file system receives a command to migrate a file from the first tier to the second tier storage, e.g., from a user, the file system examines the address information of the virtual volume where the file resides, and instructs the storage system to migrate the blocks of the designated addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050268043
    Abstract: A storage system having multiple I/O interface ports is configured to detect a failed communication condition at a port. The storage system is configured to then attempt communication using a port configuration of another port that also exhibits a failed communication condition. If communication is established, the port is reconfigured using the configuration of the other port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050267950
    Abstract: A storage system coupled to a plurality of clients via a communication link includes a first file server including a first switching module and a first resource manager, the first resource manager configured to maintain a first resource table that provides mapping information; a second file server including a second switching module and a second resource manager, the second resource manager configured to maintain a second resource table that provides mapping information; a storage unit including a storage area of first type that is assigned to the first file server and a storage area of second type that is assigned to the second file server, the storage area of first type including a plurality of file systems, each file system having an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The storage area of first type includes first, second, and third file systems having first, second, and third IP addresses, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050267929
    Abstract: A storage system comprises a plurality of processors, a plurality of volumes, and interconnecting means to connect the plurality of processors and the plurality of volume to each other. The storage system detects and determines the cause of the performance bottleneck, wherein the cause may be one of plurality of reasons. The storage system applies an appropriate load balancing method according to the determined cause of the performance bottleneck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050223164
    Abstract: Techniques to assure genuineness of data stored on a storage device are provided. The storage device includes a storage controller that conducts I/O operations and management operations. A description of management operations and corresponding timestamps are recorded to an operation log stored in a memory. The memory additionally stores an attribute for each storage volume of the storage device. Write access to each of the storage volumes is dependent on the attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050223297
    Abstract: A system for managing clock adjustment in a storage system is provided. The system includes a clock configured to provide a current time, wherein the current time is used to enforce a content retention period, a memory configured to store clock management information, wherein the clock management information includes a last adjustment time and a number of maximum adjustable time ranges, wherein the last adjustment time represents the time which the clock was last adjusted, and a storage access program. The storage access program is configured to receive a proposed new time for the clock, determine whether the proposed new time is reasonable using the current time, the last adjustment time and a specific range selected from the maximum adjustable time ranges, and adjust the current time of the clock to the proposed new time if it is determined that the proposed new time is reasonable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Manabu Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20050198451
    Abstract: A method for migrating a block of data within a storage system includes migrating first data stored in a first storage volume of a first storage subsystem to a second storage volume in a second storage subsystem. The first data is a block of data that is presented to a host so that the first data may be accessed by the host. First setting information relating to the first data is copied from a first setting volume to a second setting volume. The first and second setting volumes are provided in the first and second storage subsystems, respectively. The second storage volume is presented to the host, so that the host may access the first data stored in the second storage volume via a communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Akira Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20050149688
    Abstract: A computer system which has a plurality of computers and a storage device subsystem connected to the plurality of computers. The storage device subsystem has a plurality of storage devices and a plurality of interfaces, through which the subsystem is connected to the computers. One of the plurality of computers has a management means for holding therein data indicative of the storage devices and a connection relationship between the computers and storage device subsystem. Each computer, when wanting a new device, informs the management means of its capacity and type. The management means receives its notification and selects one of the storage devices which satisfies the request. And the management means instructs the storage device subsystem to set predetermined data in such a manner that the computer can access the selected device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Manabu Kitamura, Kenji Yamagami, Tatsuya Murakami