Tape cartridge auxiliary memeory based library

Abstract

A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges wherein each of the tape cartridges possesses an auxiliary radio frequency memory device in which auxiliary digital data is stored. The library also includes at least one drive disposed substantially within the library capable of transferring user data to and from one of the tapes. The library further includes at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader that capable of reading the auxiliary digital data and transmitting the auxiliary digital data to at least one designated location, the reader is independent of the at least one drive.

1 . A data storage library comprising: 
 a plurality of tape cartridges wherein each of said tape cartridges possesses an auxiliary radio frequency memory device in which auxiliary digital data is stored;    at least one drive disposed substantially within said library capable of transferring user data to and from one of said tapes;    at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader that capable of reading said auxiliary digital data and transmitting said auxiliary digital data to at least one designated location, said reader is independent of said at least one drive.    
   
   
       2 . The data storage library of  claim 1  further comprising a cartridge transport that moves one of said tape cartridges to and from said at least one drive wherein said cartridge transport comprises said at least one auxiliary memory reader.  
   
   
       3 . The data storage library of  claim 1  further comprising at least one cartridge magazine containing at least two of said plurality of tape cartridges wherein said magazine is moved within said library via a magazine transport, said magazine transport comprises said at least one auxiliary memory reader.  
   
   
       4 . The data storage library of  claim 1  further comprising a shelf system that accommodates said plurality of tape cartridges wherein said shelf system comprises said at least one auxiliary memory reader.  
   
   
       5 . The data storage library of  claim 4  wherein said at least one auxiliary memory reader reads said auxiliary digital data when each of said plurality of tapes is moved to said shelf system.  
   
   
       6 . The data storage library of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary digital data comprises at least attribute information about an associated tape cartridge, said at least one drive used with said associated tape cartridge and said library.  
   
   
       7 . The data storage library of  claim 6  wherein said attribute data are manipulated by an algorithm that imposes performance thresholds on said attribute data and wherein said library provides an alert when any of said performance thresholds are exceeded.  
   
   
       8 . The data storage library of  claim 7  wherein said attribute data are selected from the group consisting of: tape error rates, born on date, tape bar code, tape library history, library vital statistics, date the media was generated, tape writing time, time the cartridge was last accessed, list of Single Character Display.  
   
   
       9 . The data storage library of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary digital data is transmitted to designated memory associated with said library, said designated memory capable of storing said auxiliary digital data from all of said plurality of tape cartridges.  
   
   
       10 . The data storage library of  claim 9  wherein said auxiliary digital data stored in said designated memory is displayed on a displaying means associated with said library.  
   
   
       11 . The data storage library of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary digital data is transmitted to a user of data via a library interface.  
   
   
       12 . The data storage library of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary digital data contains a virgin bit that indicates when one of said plurality of tape cartridges is loaded a single time in said at least one drive.  
   
   
       13 . The data storage library of  claim 1  wherein said at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader also comprises a means for writing to said auxiliary radio frequency memory device.  
   
   
       14 . A data storage library comprising: 
 a first tape cartridge possessing a first auxiliary radio frequency memory device, said first device containing first attribute data relating to at least a first historical event associated with said first tape cartridge;    a second tape cartridge possessing a second auxiliary radio frequency memory device, said second device containing second attribute data relating to at least a second historical event associated with said second tape cartridge;    at least one drive disposed substantially within said library that capable of transferring user data to and from said first tape cartridge and to and from said second tape cartridge;    at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader independent of said drive capable of reading said first and second attribute data;    a designated memory device capable of receiving said first and second attribute data from said reader; and    an algorithm adapted to manipulate said first and second attribute data received by said designated memory device.    
   
   
       15 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a library with a tape drive, a tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device associated with said tape drive, a auxiliary memory reader device independent of said tape drive, a designated cumulative auxiliary storage location, and a first tape cartridge that possesses a first auxiliary memory device;    b) loading said first tape cartridge in said tape drive for a first time;    c) recording that said first tape cartridge has been loaded into said tape drive for said first time as a first loading event wherein said recording is to said first auxiliary memory device via said tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device;    d) unloading said first tape cartridge from said tape drive;    e) reading said first loading event from said first auxiliary memory device via said auxiliary memory reader device independent of said tape drive;    f) transmitting said first loading event from said auxiliary memory reader device independent of said tape drive to said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location; and    g) recording said first loading event in said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 loading said first tape cartridge in said tape drive for a second time;    recording that said first tape cartridge has been loaded into said tape drive for said second time as a second loading event wherein said recording is to said first auxiliary memory device via said tape drive auxiliary memory writer device;    unloading said first tape cartridge from said drive;    reading said second loading event from said first auxiliary memory device via said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive;    transmitting said second loading event from said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive to said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location; and    recording said second loading event in said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location with said first loading event.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 providing said library with a second tape drive and a second tape drive auxiliary memory writer device associated with said second tape drive;    loading said first tape cartridge in said second tape drive for a first time;    recording that said first tape cartridge has been loaded into said second tape drive for said first time as a third loading event wherein said recording is to said first auxiliary memory device via said second tape drive auxiliary memory writer device;    unloading said first tape cartridge from said second drive;    reading said third loading event from said first auxiliary memory device via said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive;    transmitting said third loading event from said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive to said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location; and    recording said third loading event in said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location with said first loading event and said second loading event.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 providing said library with a shelf system wherein said shelf system accommodates a plurality of tape cartridges wherein each of said tape cartridges possess an associated auxiliary memory device;    moving each of said plurality of tapes between said shelf system and said tape drive;    reading each of said tape cartridges during a portion of said moving step via said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive;    transmitting all information associated with each of said plurality of associated auxiliary memory devices from said auxiliary memory reader device independent from the tape drive to said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location; and    recording said all information in said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising reporting at least one parameter associated with said information from at least one of said tape cartridges to a user of data.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said at least one reported parameter is associated with a threshold limit that when said threshold limit is reached an alert message is also reported to said user of data.