US 5,323,327 A · On-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described for on-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library. This method decouples the robotic arm motion/tape cartridge label scanning process from the image processing software/hardware. In accordance with the present invention, tape cartridge label images are captured at a library system processor priority which is higher than the priority of the image processing task. These captured images are stored in a circular buffer while image processing continues to take place in a lower priority task. Both the image processing system hardware and software are asynchronous with respect to the velocity of the robotic arm used to scan the tape cartridge cells. The scanning velocity of the robotic arm can be maximized with respect to purely mechanical, electrical, or optical camera considerations and is independent of the library system processor image processing speed. The present method provides a further advantage with respect to robotic arm position calibration. Not only can tape cartridge labels be read with maximum camera line speed, but arm calibration data can also be read on-the-fly to allow continual and rapid verification and calibration of robotic arm positioning.

Claims25

Dependent claims

In a storage system having a robotic arm for placing objects in and removing objects from a plurality of cells, said robotic arm having scanning means attached thereto for scanning images of identification labels affixed to said objects, said storage system having a processor for processing said images to identify said objects;

a method of operating said system for capturing said images asynchronously with the processing of said images, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) moving said robotic arm past said cells;
(b) scanning each of said labels with said scanning means to generate a scanned image for each of said labels;
(c) storing each said scanned image in a first buffer;
(d) processing each said scanned image stored in said first buffer seriatim to determine an identity of each of said objects;
(e) continuing to move said robotic arm at a substantially constant velocity while continuing said processing;
(f) storing in a second buffer said scanned images whose identity is undeterminable in said step of processing;
and
(g) using said scanned images stored in said second buffer for diagnostic purposes related to said storage system.

6 more elements

In a storage system having a robotic arm for placing media cartridges in and removing media cartridges from a plurality of cells, said robotic arm having scanning means attached thereto for scanning images of identification labels affixed to said media cartridges, said storage system having a processor for processing said images to identify said media cartridges;

a method of operating said system for capturing said images asynchronously with the processing of said images, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) moving said robotic arm past said cells;
(b) scanning each of said labels with said scanning means to provide a scanned image for each of said labels;
(c) storing each said scanned image in a circular buffer;
(d) processing each said scanned image stored in said circular buffer seriatim to determine the identity of each of said media cartridges, wherein said scanning is controlled asynchronously by said processor at a higher priority than said processing of said image;
(e) moving said robotic arm at a substantially constant velocity while said processing is performed;
(f) storing in a diagnostic buffer said scanned images whose identity is undeterminable in said step of processing;
and
(g) transmitting said scanned images stored in said diagnostic buffer to a remote site for purposes of diagnosis of problems encountered in said scanning of said labels and optimization of algorithms used for said processing of said images.

6 more elements

In a storage system having a robotic arm for placing media cartridges in and removing media cartridges from a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of adjacent columns, said robotic arm having scanning means attached thereto for scanning images of identification labels affixed to said media cartridges, said storage system having a processor for processing said images to identify said media cartridges, wherein said arm moves in a first direction for said scanning any given column and in a second direction opposite said first direction for said scanning either column adjacent thereto, and wherein said scanning occurs while said arm moves in said first as well as in said second direction;

a method for capturing said scanned images asynchronously with respect to the processing of said scanned images, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) moving said arm from a position near one end of said column toward the opposite end of said column;
(b) scanning each of said labels to provide a scanned image for each of said labels;
(c) storing each said scanned image in a circular buffer;
(d) processing each said scanned image stored in said circular buffer seriatim to determine the identity of each of said media cartridges, wherein said scanning is controlled by said processor asynchronously at a higher priority than said processing of said image;
(e) moving said arm at a substantially constant velocity while said processing is performed;
(f) storing in a diagnostic buffer said scanned images whose identity is undeterminable in said processing step;
and
(g) transmitting said scanned images stored in said diagnostic buffer to a remote site for the diagnosis of problems encountered in said scanning of said labels and optimization of algorithms used for said processing of said images.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

On-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library

Life of this patent

On-the-fly cataloging of library cell contents in an automated robotic tape library

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25