Patents by Inventor Tomokazu Yokoyama

Tomokazu Yokoyama 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).

  • Publication number: 20080177906
    Abstract: A storage control system of the present invention can carry out settings for a storage device using redundantly configured access channels. A controller of the storage control system can access a storage device using a plurality of access channels of system A and system B. Respective I/F control units each comprise a plurality of normally open-type switches. The switches of system A and the switches of system B are respectively wired-OR connected. A disk control unit outputs a control signal to an I/F control unit on the basis of a setting table. When a failure occurs in an I/F control unit of system A, the output signals of the respective switches transfer to a high-impedance state. Therefore, a storage device can be set by outputting, from an I/F control unit of system B, a signal corresponding to a desired operational mode and identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi SUZUKI, Hiromi Matsushige, Tetsuya Inoue, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20080093926
    Abstract: A power device of the present invention makes a plurality of DC/DC converters redundant, and supplies power individually to a plurality of disk drives. Each first DC/DC converter is respectively made correspondent to a subgroup. One first DC/DC converter is connected to the disk drives respectively inside one subgroup, and the other first DC/DC converter is connected to the disk drives inside the other subgroup. A second DC/DC converter is made correspondent to all of the subgroups. Second DC/DC converters respectively supply direct-current power to any one disk drive of the disk drives in the subgroups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Tetsuya Inoue, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20080005396
    Abstract: A storage system includes a plurality of disk drives, one or more controller boards for controlling data read and write from/to the plurality of the disk drives, and a Fibre Channel switching board for controlling path switching between the controller boards and the plurality of the disk drives. The Fibre Channel switching board has a control logical circuit for adjusting a control signal system between the controller boards and the disk drives according to a connection confirmation signal indicating whether or not the control signal cable is connected to the Fibre Channel switching board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Masato Ogawa, Tetsuya Inoue, Hiromi Matsushige, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20070255968
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7284140
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20070174719
    Abstract: The storage control device of the present invention detects faults on the disk drives at an early stage, thus enhancing convenience of use. The disk drives are switchingly connected to a subordinate communication control unit via a switching circuit. An error information collection unit of an error monitoring unit detects errors which have occurred at each port of the switching circuit. The errors which have been detected are stored in an intermediate storage unit, and are input via an error information notification unit to a fault recovery control unit of the subordinate communication control unit. By doing this, it is possible to immediately specify whether or not a fault has occurred on any of the disk drives, and to start a fault recovery procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Tetsuya Inoue, Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20070170782
    Abstract: In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs 33 are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard 28. The HDD packs 33 each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD 107, 181, 185 or 187 with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter 109 to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs 33 have a data transfer interface conversion circuit 195 as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20070063587
    Abstract: In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs 33 are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard 28. The HDD packs 33 each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD 107, 181, 185 or 187 with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter 109 to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs 33 have a data transfer interface conversion circuit 195 as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20070016811
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20060250724
    Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable disk array device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Katsunori Hayashi, Hiroshi Suzuki, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Toshiyuki Nagamori
  • Patent number: 7131014
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7120736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage unit comprising: a channel control portion for receiving a data input/output request; a cache memory for storing data; a disk control portion for performing input/output processing on data in accordance with the data input/output request; and a plurality of disk drives for storing data, wherein at least two of the disk drives input data to and output it from the disk control portion at different communication speeds. Further, the storage unit has a plurality of communication paths provided to connect at least one of the disk drives in such a manner as to constitute a loop defined by the FC-AL fiber channel standards, so that the communication speeds can be set differently for these different communication paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Matsushige, Hiroshi Suzuki, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Yasuhiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 7111081
    Abstract: A storage device that is communicably connected to a host computer includes a plurality of disk units for storing data from the host computer. Each of the disk units includes a plurality of hard disks and is connected to one of a plurality of ports. A plurality of disk unit control units control the plurality of disk units, and each of the disk unit control units includes a memory for temporarily holding data from the host computer. A plurality of control signal transmission cables transmit control signals from the disk unit control units to the disk units. At least one of the control signal transmission cables is connected to at least two of the disk unit control units and transmits different control signals to at least two of the disk units. This enables device miniaturization and reduced costs for the storage device without a drop in reliability, even when a variety of devices are mounted in a highly dense configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Testuya Inoue
  • Publication number: 20060206660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage unit comprising: a channel control portion for receiving a data input/output request; a cache memory for storing data; a disk control portion for performing input/output processing on data in accordance with the data input/output request; and a plurality of disk drives for storing data, wherein at least two of the disk drives input data to and output it from the disk control portion at different communication speeds. Further, the storage unit has a plurality of communication paths provided to connect at least one of the disk drives in such a manner as to constitute a loop defined by the FC-AL fiber channel standards, so that the communication speeds can be set differently for these different communication paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Hiromi Matsushige, Hiroshi Suzuki, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Yasuhiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 7096286
    Abstract: The present invention enables the configuration of a disk array device to be changed in accordance with its purpose of use. Plural disk drive groups each comprising plural disk drives 81 are disposed in the same disk drive unit. Respective disk drive groups are connected to respectively different HDD control boards 82. Each HDD control board 82 is disposed with a connection circuit 200 and switch circuits 210. A signal is outputted from a management terminal to switch the switch circuits 210, whereby adjacent HDD control boards 82 can be connected and operated. Also, by switching the switch circuits 210, adjacent HDD control boards 82 can be mutually separated and operated independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20060176648
    Abstract: In a disk array device on which plural power supply units and plural HDD modules operated by the power supplied from power supplies of the power supply units subjected to temperature control by the airflow generated by cooling fans are connected in parallel and mounted via a relay substrate, the power supply unit has a power control unit for supplying power to the cooling fan in a normal operation from the power supply in the self power supply unit having the relevant cooling fan, and, when failure occurs in the power supply, supplying power to the cooling fan in the self power supply unit having the relevant power supply from another power supply in another power supply unit different from the relevant self power supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Tetsuya Inoue, Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 7051233
    Abstract: A disk array device having two or more disk units, each disk unit including at least one disk drive, at least either of said disk units having parity bits carrying data recovery information, comprises at least one backup battery provided for each of said disk unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fukumori, Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7051216
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7047427
    Abstract: A power source control apparatus for a disk subsystem includes a plurality of hard disk drives (HDDs) each with two systems of fiber channel interface ports, an HDD drive section, and an HDD control logic section. The HDD drive section includes two systems of fiber channel control sections, each of which includes a fiber channel interface and a fiber channel control interface. The HDD control logic section includes two systems of HDD control logics that control read/write accesses to the HDDs. Fiber channel control signals are supplied from the HDD control logics to the fiber channel control interfaces, respectively, and the fiber channel control signals are also used to control the power source of the HDD drive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20050216777
    Abstract: A disk array device and a method of supplying power to a disk array device to which power is supplied by at least two AC inputs are provided. Where at least two AC/DC power-supply groups are provided in correspondence with each of the AC inputs and each AC/DC power-supply group includes at least two AC/DC power supplies that are connected to the AC input corresponding to that group, outputs from the AC/DC power supplies are summed separately for each group to obtain group total outputs for each group, and the group total outputs are input to each of a plurality of loads in the disk array device to provide power to each of the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Hiromi Matsushige, Masato Ogawa, Tomokazu Yokoyama