Abstract: A power management system and method for multiple redundant power supplies. The present invention provides management and control of N+M power supplies, where N represents the minimum number of power supplies required and where M is the number of redundant power supplies (M>1), where any one of the power supplies may be capable of supplying power to all the loads of the power subsystems. In the preferred embodiment each power subsystem includes a power supply and a controller coupled to a power bus. A communication bus is provided common to each power subsystem. During reset or power-on periods, the controllers are programmed to uniquely delay the start time of each power supply, thereby protecting against an overcurrent/overvoltage condition on the power bus during reset periods. A master controller is provided to monitor normal operating conditions of the power subsystems and communication bus.

Abstract: A two-lever toggle mechanism operates in conjunction with a conventional toggle bracket of an I/O station to prevent the incorrect loading of a DLT cartridge into a dedicated pass-through slot. A rotating front lever includes a leading protrusion facing the slot and a front wing that cooperates with the toggle bracket to prevent its closure when an incorrectly loaded cartridge is present in the slot. A rotating rear lever similarly incorporates a trailing protrusion facing the slot and a shank slidably coupled to an elongated groove in the front lever, such that the two levers rotate together. Therefore, the trailing protrusion provides an additional safeguard to ensure that only a DLT cartridge that is placed correctly into the slot permits the closure of the toggle bracket.

Abstract: Addressing failure is handled in a nodal system of processor nodes, which comprise at least one processor and at least one interface to a network. Upon detection of a node address failure of a processor node for the network, such as lack of a node address, or presence of a duplicate address, the processor node is disabled from the network, thereby temporarily failing the processor node so that the system remains operational. An alternate node address stored in nonvolatile memory may be selected that avoids the node address failure.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism for manipulating tape cartridges in a tape library system, the tape library system having a plurality of storage cells for removably storing a tape cartridge therein, each tape cartridge formed with engageable side slots located at side portions of the cartridge designed for retaining a respective cartridge in a respective storage cell and including a downward sloped lower front edge portion. The gripper mechanism includes a pair of gripping fingers actuated for respectively engaging a respective side slot located at a side portion of the cartridge for manipulating the cartridge, and including support members extending outward from the gripper mechanism at a lower portion thereof for engagement with the sloped lower front edge portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A portable data storage media library includes multiple accessors, various designated access sites, and multiple calibration locations having various spatial relationships to the access sites. Calibration of the accessors begins by determining positional relationships between different accessors to different of the predetermined calibration locations, and determining a positional interrelationship between different accessors to at least one the predetermined calibration locations in common. The positional interrelationships are utilized to establish a positional relationship between each accessor and calibration locations for which the positional relationship has not been determined.

Abstract: A portable data storage media library includes multiple accessors, various designated access sites, and multiple calibration locations having various spatial relationships to the access sites. Calibration of the accessors begins by determining positional relationships between different accessors to different of the predetermined calibration locations, and determining a positional interrelationship between different accessors to at least one the predetermined calibration locations in common. The positional interrelationships are utilized to establish a positional relationship between each accessor and calibration locations for which the positional relationship has not been determined.

Abstract: A gripper for clutching cartridges for transport in a computer information storage library. The library includes storage locations for the data cartridges, a transporter with the gripper for moving the cartridges between the storage locations and a read/write cartridge drive. The gripper provides a positive grip on the end of the cartridge by providing a positive retention finger to hook into the centrally located lip provided on the bottom of the cartridge and at least one opposing finger to contact the top of the cartridge to balance the mechanical forces between the positive retention finger and the opposing finger.

Abstract: In a mass storage library, a module storage array includes a back plate having apertures patterned to form a cartridge storage together with cell blocks that mate with the openings in the back plate. A column of cell blocks are held in place between a shelf and a spring load and include calibration targets to align the cell blocks to the library accessor and reader. One stripe the length of the storage cell stack contains a bar-code. The bar-code extends the entire length of the stripe and identifies the individual cell blocks when empty. A plurality of columns of cell blocks provide the complete storage array. Each column of the cell blocks include one stripe with a bar-code along its length that is directly fastened to the back plate with each cell of the column having a separate bar-coding on the strip. The accessor includes a sensor that reads the coding to provide an indication of an empty cell block.

Abstract: A robotic accessor in a data storage and retrieval system includes a memory reading device to read data position information from a memory device disposed within a portable data storage cartridge. A portable data storage cartridge including a memory device and data position information stored in that memory device. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' robotic accessors and one or more of Applicants'portable data storage cartridges.

Abstract: A system and method to automatically provide frame count, frame identification and status information to each frame within a modular, multi-frame tape library system. In the exemplary embodiment, signals are generated by each frame that have a delay value specific to each frame, which are accumulated and supplied to each frame to determine the total number of frames within the tape library system. A reference pulse is generated by each frame and compared to the delay signal generated by each frame to determine its own identification among the plurality of individual frames. Similarly, a status signal is generated by each frame and supplied to each frame which is indicative, for example, of a door open or other anomaly that can be monitored by all the frames within the tape library system.

Abstract: An automated system having removable system components is self-configured, first, determining whether configuration data is available, for example, in a non-volatile memory. If available, the processor reads a system identifier of the configuration data, compares the read and a sensed system identifier, and, if they match, ends the self-configuration. Otherwise, the system senses the removable system components, configuring the system. A sensor is moved to sense the presence or absence each of the removable system components at substantially the expected location of the component. The system operates a movable sensor to calibrate a relative position with respect to the calibration mark.

Abstract: In a mass storage library, an input/output station for inserting cartridges into and out of the library includes a door pivotally mounted to the station through cams that pivotally rotate a toggle bracket having fingers, one for each cartridge cell in the input/output station. Each cartridge used at least in the input/output station includes a cartridge orientation indicator in the form of a recess at one top edge of each cartridge. After inserting the cartridges into the cells of the input/output station, the door is closed rotating the toggle bracket and its fingers into the recess of each cartridge. The door will close if all of the cartridges have the recess correctly oriented to permit the fingers to clear the cartridges.

Abstract: The detection threshold of an optical sensor is dynamically calibrated by measuring the maximum and minimum levels of the analog output produced by the sensor's light detector and setting the detection threshold of the sensor at an intermediate level between the two. The new detection threshold thus established is then used as the voltage reference that determines the logic state of the system. The invention may be implemented using analog-to-digital converter hardware already embedded in the system. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented using digital-to-analog converter hardware that may also be already present in the system.

Abstract: The detection threshold of an optical sensor is dynamically calibrated by measuring the maximum and minimum levels of the analog output produced by the sensor's light detector and setting the detection threshold of the sensor at an intermediate level between the two. The new detection threshold thus established is then used as the voltage reference that determines the logic state of the system. The invention may be implemented using analog-to-digital converter hardware already embedded in the system. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented using digital-to-analog converter hardware that may also be already present in the system.

Abstract: An automated data storage system which comprises one or more robotic accessors movably disposed therein, each such accessor including a revolving memory buffer and a velocity control program, wherein the velocity control program stores operational data regarding the gripping and pivot mechanisms disposed on the accessor. A method to diagnose the cause of an accessor failure by downloading and analyzing the operational data stored on the defective accessor's revolving memory buffer.

Abstract: A distributed control system is provided for an automated data storage library. The library accesses data storage media in response to received commands, and comprises an accessor having a gripper for accessing the data storage media, and an XY system having servo motors for moving the accessor and the gripper. The distributed control system comprises a communication processor node for receiving commands, providing a communication link for the commands. An accessor processor node, which may be located at the accessor, is coupled to the communication processor node, the accessor processor node responsive to the linked commands, operating the gripper and providing move commands. An XY processor node may be provided at the XY system, coupled to the accessor processor node, the XY processor node responsive to the move commands, operating the servo motors. A common bus couples the communication processor node to the accessor processor node, and couples the accessor processor node to the XY processor node.

Abstract: A read only input system provides a source of information for a controller of an automated data storage library, separate from the controller stored microcode, and that will be available for use by the controller after the controller microcode has been updated or restored. The read only input system comprises a bar code reader mounted on an accessor of the library and coupled to the controller for providing the output of the bar code reader to the controller, and a bar code label mounted in the automated data storage library, positioned at a predetermined fixed location. The bar code label encodes input control information for the controller, which is read by the bar code reader and supplied to the controller. The bar code label input control information may comprise an offset value for at least one of the X, Y and Z direction coordinates of the accessor in order to align the accessor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vision system for partitioning an automated data storage library into multiple logical libraries. The system includes a positionable vision indicator having logical library indicia, which is positioned at a location where it is desired to identify storage slots for a logical library. A reader is provided for reading the indicia and for locating the positionable vision indicator. A logical library controller assigns, in response to the indicia and the location, a sequential portion of the storage slots adjacent the location to one of the multiple logical libraries. Data storage drives and I/O slots may also be identified for logical libraries. The positionable vision indicator may comprise a dummy data storage media positionable in the storage slots. Alternatively, holders are at locations adjacent groups of the storage slots and the positionable vision indicator is a label support mountable on the holders. A snap-on label support assembly may be pressed onto and engage the holders.

Abstract: A library of disk media units for use in a data processing environment wherein receptacle columns hold multiple cartridges which in turn hold multiple media units comprised of caddies and recording disks. A picker system moves media into and from the drive units and receptacle columns. Drive units are also located within the receptacle columns. The caddies and cartridges are supplied with hole patterns to coact with optical sensors within the receptacle columns and thereby provide information to the library controller indicating the proper/improper operation of the picker system in positioning media units. Also, the hole pattern on the media unit enables the sensors to provide informational content about the media unit to the processor.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus in which movable datum pins are held in a base casting. Upon insertion of a cartridge into a holding tray, within the apparatus, the pins are released to move into datum holes in the cartridge when the holes are positioned directly above the pins. The cartridge is then lowered onto the drive spindle and positioned on surfaces of the base casting. During the load cycle, the cartridge is allowed to move relative to the holding tray while continuing to be held in place relative to the base casting by the datum pins.