Abstract: A plasma generator generates atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma (cold plasma), and includes a thin plate-like first electrode defining a planar bottom surface. A thin plate-like second electrode defines a planar top surface. The second electrode opposes the first electrode, such that the bottom surface of the first electrode faces the top surface of the second electrode. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the bottom surface of the first electrode, and a second dielectric layer is disposed on the top surface of the second electrode. A spacer supports the first and second electrodes to define a predetermined gap between the first and second dielectric layers. A power supply supplies electrical power to the first and second electrodes at a predetermined voltage and frequency, such that, based on the predetermined gap between the first and second dielectric layers, cold plasma is generated.

Abstract: A tape library apparatus includes a transporting rail extending in parallel with a vertical reference plane. A cell is configured to receive a tape cartridge in an upright attitude along an inclined reference plane. The inclined reference plane intersects with the vertical reference plane at an acute angle for establishment of a vertical intersection line within the vertical reference plane. A transporting unit is configured to change its attitude between a parallel attitude and an inclined attitude. The transporting unit in the parallel attitude allows insertion and withdrawal of the tape cartridge in the upright attitude along the vertical reference plane. The transporting unit in the inclined attitude allows insertion and withdrawal of the tape cartridge in the upright attitude along the inclined reference plane.

Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: An external unit is externally attached to a storage-medium storage device. The external unit includes a verification unit that verifies whether a storage medium that is about to be inserted in a storage slot of the storage-medium storage device is legitimate, and an open/close unit that opens the storage slot so that the storage medium can be inserted in the storage slot only upon the verifying unit verifying that the storage medium is legitimate.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape device, upon receiving a magnetic tape cartridge from an insertion slot, an authentication unit reads data that is stored in an electronic tag and based on the read data, checks validity of the magnetic tape cartridge. A robot conveys only a valid magnetic tape cartridge to a drive.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for a library apparatus enabling reduction in a size of the library apparatus. The transfer mechanism of the library apparatus includes first and second guide members extending parallel to a housing rack, a first transfer robot guided by the first and second guide members to move relative to the housing rack, and a second transfer robot guided by the first and second guide members to move relative to the housing rack.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape device, upon receiving a magnetic tape cartridge from an insertion slot, an authentication unit reads data that is stored in an electronic tag and based on the read data, checks validity of the magnetic tape cartridge. A robot conveys only a valid magnetic tape cartridge to a drive.

Abstract: An external unit is externally attached to a storage-medium storage device. The external unit includes a verification unit that verifies whether a storage medium that is about to be inserted in a storage slot of the storage-medium storage device is legitimate, and an open/close unit that opens the storage slot so that the storage medium can be inserted in the storage slot only upon the verifying unit verifying that the storage medium is legitimate.

Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a storage shelf that has a plurality of cells for housing a cartridge that stores a plurality of recording media; a recording and reproducing unit that performs recording/reproducing of information to/from the recording media; and a conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge to a predetermined position in the storage shelf, between the storage shelf and the recording and reproducing unit. The conveying mechanism includes a first conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge during a normal operation of the library apparatus; and a second conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge during an abnormal-operation of the first conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a storage shelf that has a plurality of cells for housing a cartridge that stores a plurality of recording media; a recording and reproducing unit that performs recording/reproducing of information to/from the recording media; and a conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge to a predetermined position in the storage shelf, between the storage shelf and the recording and reproducing unit. The conveying mechanism includes a first conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge during a normal operation of the library apparatus; and a second conveying mechanism that conveys the cartridge during an abnormal-operation of the first conveying mechanism.