 Secure electronic mail system |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention ... |
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| Method for managing concurrent processes using dual locking |
| Broadly, the present invention concerns a method and apparatus for managing access to a shared ... |
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| Complex document security |
| OF THE INVENTION When a document is created and verified visually by its author it is preferable ... |
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| Method and system for restricting access to the private key of a user in a public key infrastructure |
| An aspect of one object of the present invention is to provide an improved encryption/decryption ... |
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| Circuit and method for testing a disk drive head assembly without probing |
| OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 represents a block diagram of the present invention preamplifier test ... |
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| Parallel test circuit for semiconductor memory device |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of ... |
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| I/O module for a serial multiplex data system with a programmable communication module selector |
| It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a data link module for use ... |
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Determination of status of storage cells in an automated storage and retrieval system
| Details |
Inventors: Ellis, John F.; Gallo, Frank D.; Gooding, Gary F.; Rockwell, Scott M.;
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
Primary Examiner: Neyzari; Ali
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shifrin; D. A.
Each storage cell in an automated storage and retrieval system is provided with a mark, such as a bar code label, which is detectable to a vision system when the cell is empty. Further, each item storable in a cell is also provided with a mark, such as a bar code label uniquely identifying the item, which is detectable by the vision system. During an inventory of the contents of the system, the vision system is moved across the openings of the cells and scans for the marks. If an item mark is detected, entries in a data table are made indicating the location of the cell being scanned and its occupied status. The identity of the item detected can also be entered into the data table. On the other hand, if a cell mark is detected, entries in a data table are made indicating the location of the cell being scanned and its empty status. If neither mark is detected at a cell, additional steps can be initiated to determine the status of the cell. Consequently, the location of each empty cell and each occupied cell can be positively identified and recorded in a single scanning operation. The identity of each stored item can also be recorded with its location in the same operation. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to positively identify each cartridge and positively locate each empty cell in a library without a time consuming physical verification of the actual status of cells reported as being not occupied.
It is a further object to positively identify each cartridge and positively locate each empty cell in a library in a single scanning operation.
These and other objects are achieved in this invention by providing each cell in a library with a mark, such as a bar code label, which is detectable to a vision system only when the cell is empty.
Further, each cartridge is also provided with a mark, such as a bar code label uniquely identifying the cartridge, which is also detectable by the vision system when the cartridge properly occupies a cell.
During an inventory of the contents of the library, the vision system is moved across the openings of the cells and scans for the marks.
If a cartridge mark is detected, entries in a data table are made indicating the location of the cell being scanned (based upon its coordinates) and its occupied status.
The identity of the cartridge detected can also be entered into the data table with the cell location and status.
On the other hand, if a cell mark is detected, entries in a data table are made indicating the location of the cell being scanned and its empty status.
Consequently, the location of each empty cell and each occupied cell can be positively identified and recorded in a single scanning operation.
The identity of each cartridge can also be recorded with its location in the same operation.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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I/O Systems 
