Automated Media Changer Failure Reporting Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated removable media systems often suspend operations when a requested movement of storage media fails, causing interruptions, even for unsuccessful move operations that do not require immediate attention, as they lack the ability to differentiate and report certain types of unsuccessful moves as successful.

Innovation Solution

The system receives user-defined parameters to indicate which types of unsuccessful media move operations should be reported as successful, allowing it to determine if an unsuccessful move operation meets these criteria and report it as successful, thereby preventing system pauses for non-critical failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system reports all unsuccessful move operations as failures, then operational reliability is improved, but system productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary suspensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments unsuccessful move operations into different categories based on their criticality. It introduces a classification mechanism that divides move failures into reportable failures (affecting data integrity or critical operations) and non-reportable failures (cosmetic or non-critical issues). This segmentation allows the system to selectively report only those failures that truly matter, preventing unnecessary suspensions while maintaining reliability for critical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of failure reporting by introducing a classification parameter that determines whether an unsuccessful move should be reported. Instead of a binary success/failure report, the system now uses parameters such as move type, target position, and operational context to determine reporting behavior. This parameter change enables differentiated handling of failures based on their actual impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the system suspends operations on any unsuccessful move, then measurement precision of failure detection is improved, but loss of time increases due to unnecessary operational pauses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection precisionVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments failure detection into precise identification of critical versus non-critical failures. By classifying unsuccessful moves based on their nature and impact, the system achieves precise failure detection for critical issues while avoiding time loss from suspending operations for non-critical failures. The segmentation enables selective response based on failure severity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that provides detailed information about the nature of move failures to the host system. Instead of simple success/failure binary feedback, the system returns classified failure information that enables the host to make informed decisions about whether to suspend operations. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision while reducing unnecessary operational pauses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system distinguishes between different types of unsuccessful moves, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure handling adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation to create a structured classification system for different types of unsuccessful moves. By organizing failure types into distinct categories (reportable vs. non-reportable) based on clear criteria, the system achieves adaptability in handling various failure scenarios without creating excessive complexity. The segmented approach provides a manageable framework for differentiated response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes to enhance adaptability by introducing classification parameters that determine failure reporting behavior. These parameters (such as move type, target position, and operational context) allow the system to adapt its response to different failure scenarios. The parameter-based approach provides flexibility without requiring complex decision logic, as the parameters directly guide the reporting decision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10032474B2Unsuccessful storage media movement handling in automated removable storage media environments
Publication Date: 2018.07.24 ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC AS AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
  • US10032474B2 patent drawing
  • US10032474B2 patent drawing
  • US10032474B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer readable media to handle unsuccessful movements of removable storage media in an automated removable media system. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving one or more user provided parameters that indicate one or more types of unsuccessful media move operations that should be reported as successful. The method further provides receiving a first request to move a first item of removable storage media from a first position in the automated removable media system to a second position in the automated removable media system and initiating a first move operation of the first item from the first position to the second position by at least one changer device. The method then provides determining that the first move operation resulted in one of the one or more types of unsuccessful media move operations and indicating that the first move operation was successful in response to the first request.