Patent US6684306B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6684306B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data backup in presence of pending hazard
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 2000-07-14
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Granted: 2004-01-27
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Expires: 2020-07-14
Abstract
Abstract According to the present invention, techniques for performing real time backup of data in the presence of a pending hazard, such as a natural disaster, or the like are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide data storage controllers, networked data storage systems, methods and the like, that detect imminent hazardous conditions and alter backup behavior to provide greater integrity of backed up data. In a representative embodiment according to the present invention, update of the primary data is temporarily suspended after the recognition of a probable occurrence of a hazardous event. By suspending updating the primary data temporarily, the increase of un-updated secondary data can be prevented, so that lost data is decreased. Then, the un-updated secondary data can be updated quickly or exclusively, in order to avoid un-updated secondary data.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruo Nagasawa
- 👤 Takahisa Kimura
- 👤 Takeshi Koide
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1446; G06F11/1456; G06F11/1458; G06F11/1461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor configured to detect a probable occurrence of a hazardous event external of the data storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor configured to detect a probable occurrence of a hazardous event external of the data storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The data storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event external of the data storage system includes at least one of: operation of a seismograph, recognition of an indicator of a fire, operation of a smoke sensor, detection of voltage fluctuation, sensing lightning, receiving public information from a meteorological agency, sensing moisture, sensing a flood and receiving external attention/warning information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller receiving data from said external source delays sending an acknowledgment to said external source until said data is copied into said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller receiving data from said external source delays sending an acknowledgment to said external source until said data is copied into said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The data storage apparatus of claim 3 , wherein: responsive to said hazard sensor determining that a hazardous event is no longer probable, said controller receiving data from said external source sends an acknowledgment to said external source prior to copying said data into said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller receiving data from said external source for storage is temporarily suspended while said controller copying said data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media is performed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller receiving data from said external source for storage is temporarily suspended while said controller copying said data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media is performed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller copying said data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media is performed with a higher priority than said controller receiving data from said external source for storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller copying said data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media is performed with a higher priority than said controller receiving data from said external source for storage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; and a link to a remotable storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and wherein said controller copying data from said cache memory further comprises said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; and a link to a remotable storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and wherein said controller copying data from said cache memory further comprises said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The data storage apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said controller responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system is performed with a higher priority than said controller copying data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The data storage apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said controller responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, copying data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media is performed with a higher priority than said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
171 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; and a link to a remotable storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller copying data from said cache memory further comprises said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system, wherein said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system is performed asynchronously, until, responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller performs said copying of said data over said link to said remotable storage system synchronously.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
A data storage apparatus comprising: at least one of a plurality of storage media; a cache memory; a controller configured to move data into and out of said at least one of a plurality of storage media and said cache memory; said controller further configured to receive data from an external source for storage; and a hazard sensor; and a link to a remotable storage system; wherein responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller copies data from said cache memory to said at least one of a plurality of storage media, and said controller copying data from said cache memory further comprises said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system, wherein said controller copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system is performed asynchronously, until, responsive to said hazard sensor detecting a probable occurrence of a hazardous event, said controller performs said copying of said data over said link to said remotable storage system synchronously.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The data storage apparatus of claim 10 , wherein responsive to said hazard sensor determining that a hazardous event is no longer probable, said controller switches from copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system synchronously to copying said data over said link to said remotable storage system asynchronously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A data storage system, comprising: a first data storage system, said first data storage system further comprising: a storage device that stores data received from a computer; and a storage controller, said storage controller comprising: a memory to hold said data temporarily, and a recognition part to recognize a possibility of a hazard; a data link; and a second data storage system, connected by said data link to said first data storage system; wherein when said recognition part of said first data storage system provides a warning of a possibility of a hazard, thereupon said storage controller of said first data storage system copies data stored in said memory to said second data storage system over said data link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
A data storage system, comprising: a first data storage system, said first data storage system further comprising: a storage device that stores data received from a computer; and a storage controller, said storage controller comprising: a memory to hold said data temporarily, and a recognition part to recognize a possibility of a hazard; a data link; and a second data storage system, connected by said data link to said first data storage system; wherein when said recognition part of said first data storage system provides a warning of a possibility of a hazard, thereupon said storage controller of said first data storage system copies data stored in said memory to said second data storage system over said data link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The data storage system of claim 12 , wherein: responsive to said recognition part of said first data storage system providing said warning of said possibility of a hazard, said storage controller of said first data storage system switches from an asynchronous copying to a synchronous copying of said data stored in said memory to said second data storage system over said data link.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
The data storage system of claim 12 , further comprising: a third data storage system, said third data storage system having a third data storage controller; and a communication link connecting said third data storage controller to said data storage controller of said first data storage system; and wherein: when said first data storage system and said third data storage system function co-operatively, said data storage controller of said first data storage system and said third data storage controller communicate with each other over said communication link after recognition of a hazard of losing said data.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; reporting completion of said request to write to said external source; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; reporting completion of said request to write to said external source; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, delaying reporting completion of said request to write to said external source until completing copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, delaying reporting completion of said request to write to said external source until completing copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; reporting completion of said request to write to said external source; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, performing copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device at a higher priority to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for controlling a data storage system, said data storage system comprising a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving from an external source a request to write data to said storage device; storing said data relating to said request within said memory; reporting completion of said request to write to said external source; copying said data held in said memory to said storage device; responsive to recognizing a possibility of losing said data held in said memory, performing copying any data remaining in said memory into said storage device at a higher priority to accepting another request to write data from an external source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
100 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and suspending temporarily receiving of said request to write from said computer if a possibility of losing said held data is recognized.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
100 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and suspending temporarily receiving of said request to write from said computer if a possibility of losing said held data is recognized.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
116 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and thereupon, if said possibility of losing said held data is recognized, performing said copying of any un-copied data held in said memory to said second data storage system prior to storing any data into said storage device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
116 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and thereupon, if said possibility of losing said held data is recognized, performing said copying of any un-copied data held in said memory to said second data storage system prior to storing any data into said storage device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
118 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and thereupon, if said possibility of losing said held data is recognized, performing storing of any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to copying any un-copied data in said memory to said second data storage system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
118 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second data storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and thereupon, if said possibility of losing said held data is recognized, performing storing of any data remaining in said memory into said storage device prior to copying any un-copied data in said memory to said second data storage system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
120 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request to write within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, responsive to recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, copying the data, requested to be written to said storage device by said computer, to said second storage system; and returning a report of completion of writing to said computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
120 words
A control method for use in a data storage system that comprises a storage controller, a storage device, and a memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data to said storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request to write within said memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said memory to a second storage system, recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, responsive to recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, copying the data, requested to be written to said storage device by said computer, to said second storage system; and returning a report of completion of writing to said computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
150 words
A control method for use in a remote copy system that comprises a primary storage system having a primary storage controller, a primary storage device, and a primary memory and a secondary storage system having a secondary storage controller, a secondary storage device, and a secondary memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data into said primary storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said primary memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said primary memory to said secondary storage system; and recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and responsive to recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, copying the data, requested to be written to said primary storage device by said computer to said secondary storage device; and returning a report of completion of writing to said computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
150 words
A control method for use in a remote copy system that comprises a primary storage system having a primary storage controller, a primary storage device, and a primary memory and a secondary storage system having a secondary storage controller, a secondary storage device, and a secondary memory, said method comprising: receiving a request to write data into said primary storage device from a computer, holding the data relating to said request within said primary memory, returning a report of completion of writing to said computer, copying said data held in said primary memory to said secondary storage system; and recognizing a possibility of losing said held data, and responsive to recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, copying the data, requested to be written to said primary storage device by said computer to said secondary storage device; and returning a report of completion of writing to said computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
121 words
The control method for use in a remote copy system of claim 22 , wherein said copying the data, requested to be written to said primary storage device by said computer to said secondary storage device after the recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, further comprises: detecting if un-copied data for said secondary storage system is remaining in said primary memory, holding the copy data which is transferred to said secondary storage system and that is related to a new request to write by said computer if said un-copied data is found, and storing the data in said secondary memory to said secondary storage device in order after receiving all said un-copied data by said secondary storage system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
199 words
The control method for use in a remote copy system of claim 22 , wherein said copying the data, requested to be written to said primary storage device by said computer to said secondary storage device after the recognition of a possibility of losing said held data, further comprises: detecting if un-copied data for said secondary storage system is remaining in said primary memory, copying the data, relating to the request to write by said computer, with an indication for temporary holding to said secondary storage system returning a report of completion of writing to said computer if said uncopied data is found, copying the data, relating to the request to write by said computer, with an indication of end of temporary holding to said secondary storage system; returning a report of completion of writing to said computer after completion of copying said un-copied data, in said secondary storage system, holding the data with said indication for temporary holding and the data with said indication of end of temporary holding, relating to said request to write by said computer, in said secondary memory, and storing the data held in said secondary memory to said secondary storage device in order.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-26 | 2011-07-28 | 2012-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-26 | 2015-07-28 | 2016-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |