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: 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: 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: A control mechanism for loading/unloading data storage tape is provided. The control mechanism is part of a tape drive that receives a removable tape cartridge. The tape cartridge stores the data storage tape that is movable using the control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a plurality of gears, together with a cam. A leader assembly is operably connected to the control mechanism. At least portions of the leader assembly are movable in connection with loading or unloading the data storage tape relative to the leader assembly. A leader pin is joined to an end of the data storage tape. When the loading operation is performed, portions of the leader assembly are moved generally linearly into the tape cartridge and then the control mechanism causes such portions to pivot in order to engage the leader pin and remove it from its seat. When the unloading operation is performed, the portions of the leader assembly are moved in substantially opposite directions from the loading operation.

Abstract: A control mechanism for loading/unloading data storage tape is provided. The control mechanism is part of a tape drive that receives a removable tape cartridge. The tape cartridge stores the data storage tape that is movable using the control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a plurality of gears, together with a cam. A leader assembly is operably connected to the control mechanism. At least portions of the leader assembly are movable in connection with loading or unloading the data storage tape relative to the leader assembly. A leader pin is joined to an end of the data storage tape. When the loading operation is performed, portions ofthe leader assembly are moved generally linearly into the tape cartridge and then the control mechanism causes such portions to pivot in order to engage the leader pin and remove it from its seat. When the unloading operation is performed, the portions ofthe leader assembly are moved in substantially opposite directions from the loading operation.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a cartridge recording medium; at least one cell for storing the cartridge recording medium, the at least one cell being inclined downward toward an interior portion of the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus has a housing having an opening for allowing direct insertion of the cartridge recording medium from outside of the storage apparatus into the at least one cell, and allowing for direct ejection of the cartridge recording medium from the at least one cell to the outside of the storage apparatus. An accessor is provided for transferring the cartridge recording medium between the at least one cell and the drive unit. A string screw is threadedly engaged with the accessor, and is rotationally driven by a motor.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a selected one of a plurality of cartridge recording media; a cartridge storing member for storing the plurality of cartridge recording media; and an accessor for taking the selected cartridge recording medium out of the cartridge storing member, and feeding the selected cartridge recording medium to the drive unit. The cartridge storing member has a plurality of cells through which the cartridge recording media are allowed to be respectively inserted and passed toward the drive unit. Each of the cells includes a latch for positioning the cartridge recording media into a transfer position wherein the cartridge recording media is transferred to the accessor; improper insertion preventing means for preventing full insertion of the cartridge recording media into cells in an improper orientation; and a shutter mechanism including a door which is allowed to be opened only when a given cartridge recording media is inserted and ejected.

Abstract: A magnetic tape library apparatus having mechanisms for reengaging a disengaged leader block of any magnetic tape cartridge entered. The apparatus comprises a cell unit having a plurality of cells each accommodating a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive unit for writing and reading data to and from the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape cartridge, and an accessor for automatically switching magnetic tape cartridges between the cell unit and the magnetic tape drive unit. The magnetic tape library apparatus further comprises a stacker for stacking a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges entered externally, and a delivery mechanism for selecting one of the magnetic tape cartridges stacked in the stacker for delivery to the accessor. Adjacent to the delivery mechanism is a hammer mechanism that hits the leader block for engagement with a latch.

Abstract: A library apparatus with a plurality of cells for storing cartridges accommodating memory media therein, used for data retrieval needing a large capacity, is provided, which is manufactured at a reduced cost and is capable of using a drive unit of a stand-alone type as a drive unit of the library apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic tape library apparatus having mechanisms for reengaging a disengaged leader block of any magnetic tape cartridge entered. The apparatus comprises a cell unit having a plurality of cells each accommodating a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive unit for writing and reading data to and from the magnetic tape in the magnetic tape cartridge, and an accessor for automatically switching magnetic tape cartridges between the cell unit and the magnetic tape drive unit. The magnetic tape library apparatus further comprises a stacker for stacking a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges entered externally, and a delivery mechanism for selecting one of the magnetic tape cartridges stacked in the stacker for delivery to the accessor. Adjacent to the delivery mechanism is a hammer mechanism that hits the leader block for engagement with a latch.

Abstract: A library apparatus having an accessor equipped with a bar code reader. The library apparatus includes a recording medium drive unit for writing and reading data to and from a recording medium cartridge; a cartridge entry unit for entering recording medium cartridges into the apparatus; and an automatic cartridge exit unit for automatically ejecting recording medium cartridges from inside the apparatus. The accessor transports cartridges through the cell unit, the recording medium drive unit, the cartridge entry unit and the automatic cartridge exit unit. The library apparatus also includes a door for allowing a large number of recording medium cartridges to enter all at once into the cells of a given cell column of the cell unit. Because the accessor is equipped with the bar code reader, the bar code of each cartridge is read thereby every time a cartridge is taken out of its cell by the accessor.