Abstract: A robotics module for a storage library includes a robot assembly and a cable mechanism within a housing. A cable is routed around the cable mechanism. An end of the cable is connected to the robot assembly to communicate with the robot assembly. The cable mechanism enables the cable to be pulled out from cable mechanism as the robot assembly moves away from the housing. The cable mechanism prevents the cable from being retracted back into the cable mechanism after the robot assembly has moved out of the housing by wedging the cable with a roller. The cable mechanism enables the cable to be retracted back into the cable mechanism while the robot assembly is in the housing by pulling the roller away from the cable. A retraction handle assembly enables the cable to be manually retracted back into the cable mechanism while the robot assembly is in the housing.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for use with a storage system for storing a plurality of objects in an array of object storage locations. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration apparatus includes a target affixed in a predetermined location to the storage system, an object retrieval mechanism, and an imaging system. The object retrieval mechanism is used for retrieving objects from the object storage locations and has a principal direction of movement which is perpendicular to a plane in which an exposed surface of each of the plurality of objects lie. The imaging system is attached to the object retrieval mechanism for imaging the target. The imaging system is positioned such that the direction from the target to the imaging system is parallel to the principal direction.

Abstract: A total axis, self adjusting pass-through port for use with library storage modules (LSM) of different heights and placed at different angles and distances. The pass-through port may include one or more hinged library storage module terminal ports, telescopic guide rails, and one or more ball joints associated with the guide rails to facilitate the transport of storage medium from a sending LSM to a receiving LSM when the sending and receiving LSM are placed at non-standard angles, have different radii of curvature, different heights, or are placed at non-standard distances from one another.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for use with a storage system for storing a plurality of objects in an array of object storage locations. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration apparatus includes a target affixed in a predetermined location to the storage system, an object retrieval mechanism, and an imaging system. The object retrieval mechanism is used for retrieving objects from the object storage locations and has a principal direction of movement which is perpendicular to a plane in which an exposed surface of each of the plurality of objects lie. The imaging system is attached to the object retrieval mechanism for imaging the target. The imaging system is positioned such that the direction from the target to the imaging system is parallel to the principal direction.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for use with a storage system for storing a plurality of objects in an array of object storage locations. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration apparatus includes a target affixed in a predetermined location to the storage system, an object retrieval mechanism, and an imaging system. The object retrieval mechanism is used for retrieving objects from the object storage locations and has a principal direction of movement which is perpendicular to a plane in which an exposed surface of each of the plurality of objects lie. The imaging system is attached to the object retrieval mechanism for imaging the target. The imaging system is positioned such that the direction from the target to the imaging system is parallel to the principal direction.

Abstract: A system prevents an excessive force from being applied to a handle of a tape drive. The system provides a base coupled to the handle of the tape drive. A lever assembly engages the base to move the handle when a force equal to the force required to move the handle is applied to the lever assembly. The lever assembly disengages the base when a force in excess of the required force is applied to the lever assembly and the force is not applied to the handle.

Abstract: The pass thru mechanism for automated cartridge library systems serves to interconnect two juxtaposed operationally independent automated cartridge library systems and provides a simple apparatus that makes use of gravity to obviate the need for complex mechanical mechanisms to pass the media cartridge between the juxtaposed automated cartridge library systems. In particular, the pass thru mechanism comprises a media cartridge receiver that accepts a media cartridge from an automated cartridge library robot and then deposits the media cartridge in a media cartridge positioning mechanism. The media cartridge positioning mechanism uses gravity to tumble the media cartridge down a ramp into a media cartridge transport that delivers the media cartridge to the robot located in the juxtaposed media cartridge receiving automated cartridge library system.

Abstract: A system prevents an excessive force from being applied to a handle of a tape drive. The system provides a base coupled to the handle of the tape drive. A lever assembly engages the base to move the handle when a force equal to the force required to move the handle is applied to the lever assembly. The lever assembly disengages the base when a force in excess of the required force is applied to the lever assembly and the force is not applied to the handle.

Abstract: A data cartridge shuttle apparatus (100) is used to permit a robotic hand (40) to insert and remove a data cartridge (246) into and out of a manual cartridge drive mechanism (20). A pawl and lever linkage (104) is rotated to open and close a handle (26) of the tape drive mechanism by contact with a pawl stop (134), which is mounted on a spring-biased sliding block/plate assembly (106). The sliding block/plate assembly has a triangular clasp (228) that engages the data cartridge for extraction of the tape cartridge from the drive bay to a point where the robotic hand can grasp and remove it.

Abstract: A pass thru port, for use in an automated cartridge library, is capable of transferring a cartridge from one module of the automated cartridge library to another module of the automated cartridge library without the use of motors or other powered devices. A transfer cell accepts and holds a cartridge to be transferred from one module to another module. A spring loaded toggle mechanism operates to hold the transfer cell at one of the modules until operation of the pass thru port is initiated. The robot arm in either one of the modules is used to depress a lever on the pass thru port. Depression of the lever loads a move spring mechanism. When the lever is released by the robot arm, the force of the move spring mechanism overcomes the force of the toggle mechanism. This causes the transfer cell, holding a cartridge, to be rotated from one module to the other module. There are no separate motors or electrical devices associated with the pass thru port.