Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a magnetic clutch to limit Z-directional motion of a mass (e.g., a carriage for transporting a robotic mechanism in context of a storage library). According to embodiments, the mass is suspended by cabling, and its Z-directional movement is controlled by a Z-drive assembly. The Z-drive assembly includes a drive gear made of a magnetic or conductive material, and the drive gear is in magnetic communication with a biasing magnet. Embodiments configured the biasing magnet with a particular magnetic moment and a position relative to the drive gear, so that the spinning of the drive gear induces magnetic currents that tend to counteract the motion of the gear. For example, in the event of power loss to the Z-drive assembly, magnetic clutching is used to limit or prevent motion of the mass under the force of gravity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing sensing slack on cabling coupled between a drive mechanism and a carriage. Embodiments of the carriage are configured so that the cables are substantially in tension when Z-directional movement of the carriage is substantially unimpeded and at least one cable manifests slack when Z-directional movement is impeded. Accordingly, detecting slack on the cables can be used to detect impedance to Z-directional movement of the carriage. According to some embodiments, a novel slack sensor translates tension on the cables into a forward pulling force that holds the slack sensor in a deactivated state. A reverse force is maintained on the slack sensor in a magnitude and direction that causes the slack sensor to move to an activated state whenever sufficient tension is not manifest on the cables. Slack can thus be detected by detecting when the slack sensor is in its activated state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using topographic and/or contrast spot scanning to facilitate various types of functionality in context of a data storage library. A robotic mechanism includes a hand assembly that has one or more integrated spot scanners. The hand assembly is configured to travel in at least two directions and to rotate, thereby locating and/or pointing the spot scanner in desired locations throughout the data storage library. By sweeping the spot scanner across a scan window, contrast and/or topographic data can be acquired and decoded to generate a profile of a region. The profile can be interpreted to facilitate functions, such as calibration of robot location with respect to media cartridges, targeting, proximity detection, empty cell detection, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using topographic and/or contrast spot scanning to facilitate various types of functionality in context of a data storage library. A robotic mechanism includes a hand assembly that has one or more integrated spot scanners. The hand assembly is configured to travel in at least two directions and to rotate, thereby locating and/or pointing the spot scanner in desired locations throughout the data storage library. By sweeping the spot scanner across a scan window, contrast and/or topographic data can be acquired and decoded to generate a profile of a region. The profile can be interpreted to facilitate functions, such as calibration of robot location with respect to media cartridges, targeting, proximity detection, empty cell detection, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing selective biasing of a platform in context of one or more modules. While moving in the Z-direction with respect to the modules, the platform travels in an unbiased manner. For example, one or more alignment features on the platform are engaged with one or more alignment features on the modules to allow the platform to substantially float within an X-Y region defined by the alignment features. When the platform reaches its desired Z-location, magnetic features bias the platform into a substantially locked and repeatable X-Y position (e.g., using permanent magnets and/or electromagnets). In some embodiments, the platform is locked into an accurate position to allow a robotic mechanism of a storage library to move around efficiently within the modules while still being able to perform operations that involve accurate positioning (e.g., pick and place operations on media cartridges).

Abstract: Methods and systems for upgrading a storage library of a product line having a hardware component such as a storage array operable to run at low and high operating levels in which the hardware component is set to operate at the low operating level includes associating a software key with the storage library. The software key has permission instructions for the hardware component to operate at the high operating level. The hardware component is enabled to operate at the high operating level in response to the software key being associated with the storage library in order to upgrade the storage library.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotics mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotics mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotics mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotics mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A storage library for recording and retrieving information from storage media cartridges each having a label side includes a front side having an opening. Left and right slots are disposed proximate the left and right sides of the storage library for holding the storage media cartridges. The slots and the storage media cartridges are oriented so that each label side of the storage media cartridges is visible to an operator through the opening. Each of the slots are accessible to the operator via the opening for the operator to access the storage media cartridges being held by the slots. A media drive is disposed proximate the back side of the storage library and is operative to receive a storage media cartridge through a port. A robotic mechanism is disposed between the slots and is operative to move the storage media cartridges between the slots and the media drive.

Abstract: A robot apparatus and a barcode scanner to be used for collecting positional data parallel to the scan direction in, for example, a library storage system is provided. In one embodiment, the robotic apparatus includes a barcode scanner having a scan path and an attenuation surface within the scanner scan path. The barcode scanner scans the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction parallel with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target. The central position of the target in a parallel direction to the scan path is determined based on the readability of the barcode target and the correlating positional data. The barcode scanner can also scan the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction perpendicular with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target.

Abstract: A method and system for upgrading a storage library of a product line having a hardware component such as a storage array operable to run at low and high operating levels in which the hardware component is set to operate at the low operating level includes associating an upgrade module with the storage library. The upgrade module is an EEPROM module having permission instructions for the hardware component to operate at the high operating level. The hardware component is then enabled to operate at the high operating level in response to the upgrade module being associated with the storage library in order to upgrade the storage library.

Abstract: A method for scaling a media storage library is provided, wherein the library comprises a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot. The method comprises connecting a new physical component to a section of the library. Examples of new components include additional robots, storage cell arrays, media players, as well as connecting a second adjacent library by means of a pass-through mechanism. Control software integrates this new physical component into the function of the library by auditing the content and function of the new component. During the connection and functional integration of the new component, the rest of the library continues its current operations. The method may further comprise defining at least one work zone within the library, wherein robots do not enter the work zone but continue to operate in other areas of the library.

Abstract: A storage library suitable for rack-mount and desktop installations. Internally the storage media cartridges and one or more media drives are arranged in a horseshoe configuration. The storage media cartridges are positioned in slots along the left and right sides of the library, and the media drives are positioned adjacent the back side. Additional slots may be provided near the middle of the horseshoe configuration to increase the library's storage capacity. A robotic mechanism is positioned between the two rows of storage media cartridges and operative to transport the storage media cartridges between the media drive and the slots. The slots are arranged so that the storage media cartridges can be installed and removed from the library through an opening provided in the front side of the library. The storage media cartridges are oriented in the slots so that their labels are viewable through the opening. A bar-code reader may be mounted on the robotic assembly to read bar-codes on the labels.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing robotic mechanisms between physically remote storage libraries in an automated storage library system includes routing robotic mechanism guide structures between the storage libraries. The guide structures run through robotic mechanism transfer ports located on the sides of the housing enclosures of the storage libraries. A robotic mechanism within an first storage library moves through the transfer port of the enclosure of the first storage library onto the guide structure. The robotic mechanism then moves out of the enclosure of the first storage library along the guide structure towards a second storage library. The robotic mechanism then moves along the guide structure through the transfer port of the enclosure of the second storage library and into the second storage library for performing operations such as accessing media objects within the second storage library.

Abstract: A storage library for recording and retrieving information from storage media cartridges each having a label side includes a front side having an opening. Left and right slots are disposed proximate the left and right sides of the storage library for holding the storage media cartridges. The slots and the storage media cartridges are oriented so that each label side of the storage media cartridges is visible to an operator through the opening. Each of the slots are accessible to the operator via the opening for the operator to access the storage media cartridges being held by the slots. A media drive is disposed proximate the back side of the storage library and is operative to receive a storage media cartridge through a port. A robotic mechanism is disposed between the slots and is operative to move the storage media cartridges between the slots and the media drive.

Abstract: A robot apparatus with a first barcode scanner to be used for collecting positional data perpendicular to its scan direction and a second barcode scanner to be used for collecting positional data perpendicular to its scan direction where the first and second barcode scanner are mounted substantially orthogonal to each other is, for example, a library storage system, is provided. The first barcode scanner scans the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction perpendicular to the scan path of the first barcode scanner. The second barcode scanner scans a second target substantially orthogonal to the first target while the robot is moved substantially perpendicular to the scan path of the second barcode scanner. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the first and the second target.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A system for scaling robotic mechanisms in a storage library is provided. The invention comprises a plurality of storage cell rows and a plurality of robots coupled to guide rails, which allow the robots to move along the rows of storage cells. The robots have picker mechanisms that can manipulate items in the storage cells, and displacement mechanisms that allow the pickers to move between rows of storage cells. The displacement mechanisms on the robots are configurable to allow the picker mechanisms to access a specified number of storage cell rows. The displacement mechanisms of the robots can be reconfigured in order to change the number of storage cell rows covered by a single robot, and guide rails can be added and removed to accommodate different numbers and sizes of robots.

Abstract: A storage library for recording and retrieving information from storage media cartridges each having a label side includes a front side having an opening. Left and right slots are disposed proximate the left and right sides of the storage library for holding the storage media cartridges. The slots and the storage media cartridges are oriented so that each label side of the storage media cartridges is visible to an operator through the opening. Each of the slots are accessible to the operator via the opening for the operator to access the storage media cartridges being held by the slots. A media drive is disposed proximate the back side of the storage library and is operative to receive a storage media cartridge through a port. A robotic mechanism is disposed between the slots and is operative to move the storage media cartridges between the slots and the media drive.

Abstract: A “hot spare” method for facilitating the seamless transition from a failed robotic mechanism to backup unit is provided. A spare robot is located inside a storage library on a section of rail (robotic track) from which it can be utilized on any rail layer in a multi-layer architecture. In one embodiment of the present invention, a motorized elevator assembly is used to transport the spare robot to the proper library level, which allows a single redundant robot to support multiple robots on multiple library rail levels. In another embodiment, a hot spare robot is used on each rail level and is utilized if needed on that particular level. In both embodiments, the spare robots are available for immediate backup without direct user intervention.