Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a drive gear that is rotatably driven by a driving device, a first reel that winds a first tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, a second reel that winds a second tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, and a blocking unit that blocks transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the first or second reel.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a drive gear that is rotatably driven by a driving device, a first reel that winds a first tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, a second reel that winds a second tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, and a blocking unit that blocks transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the first or second reel.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a medium storing shelf having a plurality of cells for storing a recording medium, a recording and reproducing device for performing a recording and reproducing process on the recording medium, a transporting device for transporting the recording medium between the medium storing shelf and the recording and reproducing device, a flag provided on the cell and used for obtaining position information for transporting the recording medium, and a flag moving mechanism for moving the flag to retracted position which does not hinder mounting of recording medium into the cell.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus includes a first and second suction tubes, each of which couples the blade with an edge part of the roller of the roller guide, the first suction tube having a blade side opening area at a location where air is sucked by the blade during a forward rotation of a motor, a second suction tube having a blade side opening area at a location where air is sucked by the blade during the backward rotation of the motor, a shutter unit to perform opening and closing of the first and second suction tubes, and an opening and closing control unit to control the shutter unit to open the first suction tube during the forward rotation and open the second suction tube during the backward rotation.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a drive unit for writing data into or reading data from a cartridge, a cell unit having a plurality of cells to store the cartridges and a bottom plate in which a guide groove is formed, a movement unit for moving the cartridge along the guide groove between the cell and the drive unit, the movement unit being arranged under the cell unit, and a control unit for controlling the movement unit to move up through the guide groove, to engage the cartridge, and to move the engaged cartridge.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a drive unit for writing data into or reading data from a cartridge, a cell unit having a plurality of cells to store the cartridges and a bottom plate in which a guide groove is formed, a movement unit for moving the cartridge along the guide groove between the cell and the drive unit, the movement unit being arranged under the cell unit, and a control unit for controlling the movement unit to move up through the guide groove, to engage the cartridge, and to move the engaged cartridge.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a medium storing shelf having a plurality of cells for storing a recording medium, a recording and reproducing device for performing a recording and reproducing process on the recording medium, a transporting device for transporting the recording medium between the medium storing shelf and the recording and reproducing device, a flag provided on the cell and used for obtaining position information for transporting the recording medium, and a flag moving mechanism for moving the flag to retracted position which does not hinder mounting of recording medium into the cell.

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: The invention relates to a library apparatus for use in storage, recording or reproduction of recording media, and its object is to effect a cleaning process on recording media within the apparatus. Another object is to prevent contamination of a recording/reproduction unit through cleaning process of recording media. The apparatus is arranged such that it comprises an enclosure; a recording/reproduction unit disposed in the enclosure and recording data onto a recording medium or reproducing data from the recording medium; and a cleaning unit disposed in the enclosure and cleaning the recording medium ejected from the recording/reproduction unit. The recording medium ejected from the recording/reproduction unit in response to a data check error, etc., is carried for cleaning to the cleaning unit disposed together with the recording/reproduction units in the same enclosure.

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: The invention relates to a library apparatus for use in storage, recording or reproduction of recording media, and its object is to effect a cleaning process on recording media within the apparatus. Another object is to prevent contamination of a recording/reproduction unit through cleaning process of recording media. The apparatus is arranged such that it comprises an enclosure; a recording/reproduction unit disposed in the enclosure and recording data onto a recording medium or reproducing data from the recording medium; and a cleaning unit disposed in the enclosure and cleaning the recording medium ejected from the recording/reproduction unit. The recording medium ejected from the recording/reproduction unit in response to a data check error, etc., is carried for cleaning to the cleaning unit disposed together with the recording/reproduction units in the same enclosure.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive for a single-reel type magnetic tape cartridge having a leader block coupled to a leading end of a magnetic tape wound therein, a hub for winding the tape pulled out of the cartridge is disposed at rear side of a magnetic head unit for writing data on and reading data from the tape, and has a radial slot formed therein for receiving the leader block of the tape threaded through the unit. The rotational direction of the hub is determined such that the leader block is subjected to an radially-inward force in the slot of the hub at the beginning of a rotational movement of the hub, whereby slippage of the leader block from the slot of the hub can be prevented.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive for a single-reel type magnetic tape cartridge having a leader block coupled to a leading end of a magnetic tape wound therein, a hub for winding the tape pulled out of the cartridge is disposed at rear side of a magnetic head unit for writing data on and reading data from the tape, and has a radial slot formed therein for receiving the leader block of the tape threaded through the unit. The rotational direction of the hub is determined such that the leader block is subjected to an radially-inward force in the slot of the hub at the beginning of a rotational movement of the hub, whereby slippage of the leader block from the slot of the hub can be prevented.

Abstract: A magnetic tape device allowing efficient use of space and storage capacity having a cartridge auto loader for taking out cartridges which are stored in a magnetic tape device. The magnetic tape device includes a housing, a door, a magazine tray slidable relative to a bottom portion of the housing, a cleaning cell for receiving a cleaning cartridge, a carrier portion for transferring the cartridge among the magazine, the main body, and the cleaning cell, and an elevator portion for moving the carrier portion. The magnetic tape device allows automatic cartridge insertion and removal while keeping the magazine stationary.

Abstract: A cartridge autoloading apparatus attached to a cartridge recording and retrieval apparatus includes two safety lock mechanisms for stopping abnormal ascending and descending operations of a magazine which accommodates therein a plurality of cartridges. Due to the two safety lock mechanisms, the cartridge autoloading mechanism is safer than a conventional one.