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 tape library comprising a first tape drive and a second tape drive, a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary memory device, said tape library adapted to perform method steps of:
 loading said tape cartridge in said first tape drive;   recording to said auxiliary memory device that said tape cartridge has been loaded into said first tape drive as a first loading event;   unloading said tape cartridge from said tape drive;   loading said tape cartridge in said second tape drive;   recording to said auxiliary memory device that said tape cartridge has been loaded into said second tape drive as a second loading event.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said steps of recording to said auxiliary memory device are accomplished by a first tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device associated with said first tape drive and a second tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device associated with said second tape drive. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising recording both of said first and said second loading events to a designated cumulative auxiliary storage location that is further comprised by said tape library. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said cumulative auxiliary storage location includes a plurality of other loading events wherein some of the plurality of other loading events includes different tape cartridges and different tape drives. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising transmitting said first and said second loading events to said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location via an auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader that is independent of said first or said second tape drive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first loading event includes, in addition to a record of said first tape drive, an error associated with said first loading event. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said error is linked to a single character display readout associated with said first tape drive. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising determining that said first tape drive is faulty based on said recording of said error associated with said first loading event. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first loading event includes, in addition to a record of said first tape drive, at least one vital statistic associated with said tape library at the time of said first loading event. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary memory device further includes records of other loading events associated with other tape drives. 
     
     
         11 . A library arranged to perform method steps comprising:
 engaging a tape cartridge with a first tape drive from when said tape cartridge first encounters said first tape drive to when said tape cartridge is unloaded from said first tape drive;   determining an error based on said engagement of said tape cartridge and said first tape drive wherein said first tape drive causes said error;   making a first record that includes said error and knowledge that said engaging step occurred with said first tape drive;   maintaining said first record in an auxiliary memory device comprised by said tape cartridge.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said auxiliary memory device further includes at least one other record of an engagement between said tape cartridge and a different tape drive and any records of errors between said tape cartridge and said different tape drive. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising storing said first record in a designated cumulative auxiliary storage location that is independent of said first tape drive or said tape cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said designated cumulative auxiliary storage location contains additional records that include engagements between other tape cartridges and different tape drives and any errors detected between said other tape cartridges and said different tape drives. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising determining if any of said tape drives is not functioning properly based on said records. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said error corresponds to a single character display result associated with said first tape drive. 
     
     
         17 . A tape library comprising:
 a first tape drive adapted to engage a tape cartridge from when said tape cartridge first encounters said first tape drive to when said tape cartridge is unloaded from said first tape drive;   an auxiliary memory device, essentially disposed in said tape cartridge, adapted to retain a record that includes knowledge of said first tape drive, knowledge of said engagement between said tape cartridge and said first tape drive, and knowledge of an error based on said engagement of said tape cartridge and said first tape drive wherein said first tape drive caused said error.   
     
     
         18 . The tape library of  claim 17  wherein said auxiliary memory device further includes at least one other record of an engagement between said tape cartridge and a different tape drive and any associated record of errors between said tape cartridge and said different tape drive. 
     
     
         19 . The tape library of  claim 17  further comprising a designated cumulative auxiliary storage location that is adapted to maintain said record in addition to other records that include engagements between other tape cartridges and other tape drives and any between said other tape cartridges and said other tape drives. 
     
     
         20 . The tape library of  claim 17  further comprising a display device that is adapted to alert a user of data that said first tape drive is faulty based on said record of said error.