Patents by Inventor Timothy K. Pierce

Timothy K. Pierce 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: 10983698
    Abstract: Embodiments for predetermining optimal demount position for demounting data storage cartridges in an automated data storage library by a processor. A selected demount position may be predetermined, while performing one of a plurality of robotic movements by an accessor, for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting data storage cartridges in the automated data storage library. The selected demount position is recalculated for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting the data storage cartridges while performing a subsequent demount operation, where the selected demount position is determined according to the recalculation prior to a demount command being issued. Accordingly, the idle time of the accessor during a demount operation may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Illarion Borisevich, Shawn M. Nave, Khanh V. Ngo, Timothy K. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20190324642
    Abstract: Embodiments for predetermining optimal demount position for demounting data storage cartridges in an automated data storage library by a processor. A selected demount position may be predetermined, while performing one of a plurality of robotic movements by an accessor, for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting data storage cartridges in the automated data storage library. The selected demount position is recalculated for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting the data storage cartridges while performing a subsequent demount operation, where the selected demount position is determined according to the recalculation prior to a demount command being issued. Accordingly, the idle time of the accessor during a demount operation may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Illarion BORISEVICH, Shawn M. NAVE, Khanh V. NGO, Timothy K. PIERCE
  • Patent number: 10423334
    Abstract: Embodiments for predetermining optimal demount position for demounting data storage cartridges in an automated data storage library by a processor. A selected demount position may be predetermined, while performing one of a plurality of robotic movements by an accessor, for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting data storage cartridges in the automated data storage library such that each predetermined selected demount position is stored in a lookup table of predetermined selected demount positions for a subsequent demount operation. The idle time of the accessor during a demount operation may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Illarion Borisevich, Shawn M. Nave, Khanh V. Ngo, Timothy K. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20180188955
    Abstract: Embodiments for predetermining optimal demount position for demounting data storage cartridges in an automated data storage library by a processor. A selected demount position may be predetermined, while performing one of a plurality of robotic movements by an accessor, for each mounted data storage cartridge for demounting data storage cartridges in the automated data storage library such that each predetermined selected demount position is stored in a lookup table of predetermined selected demount positions for a subsequent demount operation. The idle time of the accessor during a demount operation may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Illarion BORISEVICH, Shawn M. NAVE, Khanh V. NGO, Timothy K. PIERCE
  • Patent number: 7941242
    Abstract: A method to provide redundant accessor availabilty in an automated data storage library. The method provides a data storage and retrieval system comprising one or more data storage devices a robot accessor and a gripper. Either at the same time or at a later time, the user obtains a second gripper and/or a second accessor. The method allows selection and/or authorization for additional support from the second gripper and/or the second accessor upon request and authorization. The redundant accessor capabilities are provided on an honor system for payment for the additional capability, and/or uses a system for tracking the redundant accessor usage, and/or uses license keys or other controls that must be obtained prior to enabling redundant accessor capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Colvig, Brian G. Goodman, Ronald F. Hill, Jr., Timothy K. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7647469
    Abstract: A method for assigning element addresses in an automated data storage library includes determining if a data storage device, such as a tape cartridge, belongs to a particular host's cartridge assignment policy. If so, the data storage device is issued a virtual import/export element address taken from a set of non-common virtual import/export element addresses, if available. If no non-common address is available, then a common virtual import/export element address is assigned to the data storage device. If no addresses, either common or non-common, are available, then the data storage device is queued until an address becomes available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Gallo, Theresa M. Lopez, Steven N. Pierce, Timothy K. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6725352
    Abstract: A method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, one or more data storage drives and one or more control ports. A data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to partition the data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants' data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Ronald Faye Hill, Jr., Timothy K. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20020199077
    Abstract: A method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, one or more data storage drives and one or more control ports. A data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants' method to partition the data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants' data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Ronald Faye Hill, Timothy K. Pierce