Spectra Logic Assigned Patent

Robotic storage library with queued move instructions
and method of queuing such instructions

Spectra Logic Corp., Boulder, CO, has been assigned a patent (8,340,810) developed by Matthew Thomas Starr, Lafayette, CO, and Michael Gerard Goberis, Broomfield, CO, for a "robotic storage library with queued move instructions and method of queuing such instructions."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order."

The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2008 (12/262,339).