Mounting a smartphone to robotic accessor of automated data storage library

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9953676-B2
Application number	US-201615264214-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 13, 2016
Priority date	Sep 13, 2016
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an accessor configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment, and a bracket configured to receive a wireless image capture device therein where the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges. In another embodiment, a method for mounting a wireless capture device to an accessor to capture images of an operation in a data storage library includes mounting a bracket to the accessor, where the accessor is configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment, where the bracket is configured to receive a wireless image capture device therein. The bracket is mounted in a position to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an accessor configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment; and
a bracket configured to receive a wireless image capture device therein,
wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges,
wherein the accessor includes a gripper, wherein the bracket is positioned to enable capture of images of the gripper,
wherein the bracket is configured to allow detachable coupling of the wireless image capture device thereto.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is fixedly coupled to the accessor.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is positioned to cause the wireless image capture device to move in a vertical and a horizontal direction with the gripper to enable capture of images of the gripper as the gripper moves in the vertical and the horizontal direction.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , comprising at least two grippers, wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of at least two of the grippers.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of activity of the gripper performing work on at least one of a plurality of storage slots in the library environment.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of activity of the gripper performing work on at least one of a plurality of data storage drives in the library environment.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is positioned to hold the wireless image capture device without interfering with movement of the accessor.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is positioned to hold the wireless image capture device without interfering with operations within the library environment.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket securely holds the wireless image capture device so that the wireless image capture device does not move in the bracket while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket is formed from a 3D printer.

11. An apparatus, comprising:
an accessor configured to transport data storage cartridges in a library environment;
a wireless image capture device, wherein the wireless image capture device is a mobile telephone; and
a bracket configured to receive the wireless image capture device therein,
wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images while the accessor is transporting data storage cartridges.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the bracket includes an aperture therethrough, said aperture being aligned with a camera of the mobile telephone when the telephone is mounted in the bracket.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the wireless image capture device is not hard-wired to a power source.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the bracket is fixedly coupled to the accessor.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the accessor includes a gripper, wherein the bracket is positioned to enable capture of images of the gripper.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein the bracket is positioned to cause the wireless image capture device to move in a vertical and a horizontal direction with the gripper to enable capture of images of the gripper as the gripper moves in the vertical and the horizontal direction.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein the bracket is positioned to orient the wireless image capture device to capture images of activity of the gripper performing work on at least one of a plurality of storage slots and/or data storage drives in the library environment.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the bracket is configured to allow detachable coupling of the wireless image capture device thereto.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Macias Luis R
• Nave Shawn M

Classifications

• G11B33/127

  Mounting arrangements of constructional parts onto a chassis · CPC title

• G11B31/006

  with video camera or receiver · CPC title

• G11B15/6835 Primary

  the cassettes being transferred to a fixed recorder or player using a moving carriage · CPC title

• G11B33/04

  modified to store record carriers {(containers, storing means adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/02)} · CPC title

• B65G2203/041

  Camera · CPC title