Catherine Lynn Griffith

US Patent:

53434030, Aug 30, 1994

Filed:

Aug 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/745015

Inventors:

David A. Beidle - Longmont CO
Karen L. Fields - Broomfield CO
Catherine L. Griffith - Louisville CO
Frederick G. Munro - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G11B 1500
G11B 1722

US Classification:

364478

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for providing a host-independent cartridge entry mode in an automated tape cartridge library connected to more than one host computer. In host-independent cartridge entry mode, a message is broadcast by a library management unit to all of the host computers when an operator loads a cartridge or cartridges into the library cartridge access port. The host computers then vie for control of the cartridge access port, and a selection algorithm determines which host computer is allocated to control the cartridge access port. The selected host computer then catalogs the cartridges contained in the cartridge access port and issues a command to move the cartridges out of the cartridge access port. When the automated library is in host-independent mode, the operator need not issue a command each time additional cartridges are to be entered into the library, since the method of the present invention initiates automatic cartridge catalog and cartridge move operations whenever a cartridge access port door is closed.