Patent ID: 6438459
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A computer program product usable with a plurality of programmable computer processors having computer readable program code embodied therein, said programmable computer processors each at a corresponding plurality of pickers in an automated data storage library, each of said pickers having a communication link coupled to said programmable computer processor, said library having a plurality of media storage slots for storing data storage media, a plurality of read/write stations, said media storage slots and said read/write stations arranged so as to be accessible to said pickers, each said picker having at least one gripper for accessing and delivering media at said media storage slots and said read/write stations, said library having a controller receiving input commands for jobs to move media amongst said media storage slots and said read/write stations, said library controller identifying the start and end locations of said received move jobs, and placing said move jobs in a job queue, said computer program product comprising:computer readable program code which causes each of said picker programmable computer processors to store information received from at least one other said picker over said communication link, said information describing movement of said other picker for a current move job of said other picker; computer readable program code which causes said picker programmable computer processors to select a move job from said job queue having both said start and said end locations accessible by said picker and which avoids interference with said movement of said at least one other picker; computer readable program code which causes said picker programmable computer processors, upon selecting said move job, to determine a movement for said selected move job, which movement avoids interference with said movement of said at least one other picker; computer readable program code which causes said picker programmable computer processors to communicate information describing said movement to said at least one other picker over said communication link; computer readable program code which causes said programmable computer processors to cause said picker to conduct said move job according to said determined movement.