Tape In Container Patents (Class 360/92.1)
  • Patent number: 8213109
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes at least one device insertion section, at least one robot, a replacement detection section, a first determination section, and a movement section. A device can be inserted into the device insertion section. The robot has a moving mechanism. The replacement detection section detects a start of the replacement of the device. When it is detected by the replacement detection section that the replacement of the device is started, the first determination section determines a position of the device insertion section at which the device is replaced. The movement section moves the robot so as to close an opening formed by removal of the device from the device insertion section based on the determination result of the first determination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinobu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8199424
    Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a cell unit including a plurality of cells for storing a storage medium, a drive unit for writing data into or reading data from the storage medium, a medium transportation unit for accessing each of the cells and the drive unit and for transporting the storage medium between the cells and between each of the cells and the drive unit, a cell unit driver for moving the cell unit in vertical direction, and a controller for driving the cell unit driver to move the cell unit through the opening to a position accessible by a medium transportation unit of another library apparatus stacked in vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi Oohara
  • Patent number: 8199433
    Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a housing and a length of magnetic tape disposed within the housing. Additionally, the tape cartridge includes at least one cartridge memory chip disposed within the housing and at least one RFID reader operably connected to at least one of the cartridge memory chips and configured to write at least one message to the cartridge memory chip based on a received RFID signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Randolph E. Stiarwalt
  • Publication number: 20120127606
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for loading a first tape cartridge into a tape drive, the first tape cartridge formatted to include a user data partition and also to include an index partition, different than and sized smaller than the user data partition, to store an index that self-describes user data designated to the user data partition and to also store non-index data, then reading the non-index data in the index partition of the first tape cartridge to self-describe a second tape cartridge different than the first tape cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Publication number: 20120127607
    Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8179630
    Abstract: A storage slot for multiple data storage cartridges, comprising a planar member having a first end, a second end, a side interconnecting the first end and the second end, and a gate moveably connected to the side at the first end of the planar member, wherein the gate can be moved between a closed position and an open position. The storage slot farther comprises a secondary catch moveably disposed between the first end and the second end. When the gate is disposed in a closed position, the secondary catch is disposed in a retracted orientation, and when the gate is disposed in an open position, the secondary catch is disposed in an extended orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 8174787
    Abstract: A library apparatus includes a storage shelf including a first movable shelf and a second movable shelf each having a plurality of rows and columns of cells in which storage mediums are to be stored, a drive unit being disposed such that a direction of access to the drive unit for inserting/ejecting of one of the storage mediums is the same as a direction of access to the storage shelf, a conveyor for conveying one of the storage mediums between the storage shelf and the drive unit, and a movement control unit for controlling to lift a specific row of cells of the first movable shelf to produce a space and to move horizontally a specific row of cells of the second movable shelf to a position in the space accessible by the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kohjiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8175745
    Abstract: A method to audit portable cassettes removeably disposed in a data storage library comprising a plurality of storage slots, a plurality of portable cassettes removeably disposed in one or more of said plurality of storage slots, and a pass-through accessor comprising a moveable fixturing apparatus, wherein the pass-through accessor is moveably disposed in said data storage library. The method disposes the pass-through accessor adjacent a first one of said plurality of storage slots, removes a first portable cassette from the first storage slot, and attaches the first portable cassette to a first fixturing assembly disposed on the fixturing apparatus. The method then removes a second portable cassette from the first storage slot, and attaches the second portable cassette to a second fixturing assembly disposed on the fixturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Charles Compton, Louis Daniel Echevarria, Stefan Lehmann, Richard Albert Welp
  • Patent number: 8169737
    Abstract: A tape library apparatus includes a recording/reproducing unit for accessing data in the tape cartridges, a first driver for producing a driving force, a conveyer for carrying the recording/reproducing unit in the direction of the alignment of the plurality of the tape cartridges, by the driving force produced by the first driver, an identification information reader mounted near the insertion slot and on a surfaces of the tape cartridges, the image identification information being on a surface of each of the tape cartridges which faces opposite to a surface which faces the conveyer, a second driver for moving the tape cartridge in the magazine at opposed position of the conveyer to the recording/reproducing unit, and a controller for controlling the first and second drivers, to move one of the tape cartridges stored in the magazine to a position of the recording/reproduction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsukasa Minemura
  • Patent number: 8154824
    Abstract: A library device includes: cells each containing a storage medium in a first or a second manner; a medium drive accessing and containing the medium differently from a manner of placing the medium in at least one of the cells; and a medium-transferring unit including a housing section housing the medium, and moving the housing section between the cells and the medium drive to transfer the medium. The unit includes: a support member supporting the housing section pivotably between a first and a second postures meeting the first and second manners; a movement-controlling system moving the support member so that the housing section faces the cells and medium drive; a medium-transferring system transferring the medium; a biasing member biasing the housing section toward the first posture; and a posture-changing member interfering with and thereby pivoting the housing section from the first posture to the second posture resisting the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kohjiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8139313
    Abstract: A library device comprises a cell, a drive, and an accessor. The cell is capable of accommodating a plurality of cartridges. The drive performs a recording or reproduction of data between the cartridges and the drive. The accessor carries the cartridges between the cell and the drive. The cell is provided with a first rack gear which extends in a direction in which the accommodated cartridges are arranged. The accessor comprises an accessor base and a feed block. The accessor base comprises a second rack gear. The second rack gear extends in the extension direction of the first rack gear. The second rack gear is formed in correspondence with the first rack gear. The feed block comprises a pinion gear, a driving unit, and a holding unit. The pinion gear is meshed with the first and second rack gears. The driving unit drives the pinion gear. The holding unit holds the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, NEC Personal Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Wada, Toshimitsu Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8139314
    Abstract: A pass-through mechanism that couples a first linear tape library string to a second linear tape library string is maintained. A first robotic assembly associated with the first linear tape library string places a tape from the first linear tape library string into the pass-through mechanism. The pass-through mechanism moves the tape to a position where the tape can be removed by a second robotic assembly associated with the second linear tape library string. The second robotic assembly removes the tape from the pass-through mechanism and places the tape into the second linear tape library string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Stuart Green, Frank Krick, Shawn Michael Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 8134800
    Abstract: A stop position adjusting device for an accessor mechanism in an information recording device using a recording cartridge, includes: the accessor mechanism; a first moving mechanism; a second moving mechanism; and an image taking section. The accessor mechanism inserts the recording cartridge into a cell and takes out the recording cartridge from the cell. The first moving mechanism moves the accessor mechanism in a first direction. The second moving mechanism moves the accessor mechanism in a second direction different from the first direction. The image taking section is provided on the accessor mechanism and detects a position of a mark provided near the cell. An adjustment of a stop position of the accessor mechanism for the cell is executed based on the position detected by the image taking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Embedded Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Suzuki, Shinichi Iwata
  • Patent number: 8134799
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a media cartridge includes a gripper support and first and second gripper members supported by the gripper support. The gripper members are moveable asymmetrically with respect to the gripper support for gripping the media cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ostwald, Daniel J. Plutt
  • Patent number: 8131263
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to using wireless identification tags (e.g., RFID tags) with backup media. In aspects, a wireless identification tag may be attached to, incorporated into, or otherwise associated with backup media, a container holding the backup media, or a location (e.g., a shelf) associated with the backup media. In response to a signal, this wireless identification tag may provide an identifier that uniquely identifies the wireless identification tag. This identifier may be associated with a data set that is stored or to be stored on the backup media. The wireless identification tag may be used to locate the backup media and to identify what is on particular backup media. In some embodiments, the wireless identification tag may store backup information thereon that may be subsequently retrieved and used identify what is on its associated backup media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Serguei N. Endrikhovski, Paul Michel Elrif
  • Patent number: 8125730
    Abstract: The magnetic tape library device is configured, including: a front magazine and a rear magazine for housing a large number of magnetic tape cartridges; a device main body in which the both magazines are housed in a parallel state in a freely slidable manner; an accessor mechanism for transporting the cartridge taken out from the magazines; and a magnetic tape drive which loads the magnetic tape cartridge and reads/writes data. A magazine pullout mechanism for pulling out the rear magazine and a magazine extracting mechanism for extracting the rear magazine from the device main body are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Sudou, Hiroaki Ishii, Satoshi Wada
  • Patent number: 8116027
    Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing, an insertion and ejection mechanism that is provided in an opening formed in the housing and that is configured to insert and eject a magazine, the magazine being arranged to accommodate a cartridge that includes a storage medium, a drive mechanism configured to access the storage medium and a transporting mechanism configured to transport the cartridge to a predetermined position. The insertion and ejection mechanism includes a magazine receiving section having an engagement section configured to be engaged with a portion of the magazine, a guide rail configured to slidably support the magazine receiving section, and a wall member configured to move together with the magazine receiving section along the guide rail and to close the opening upon an ejection of the magazine from the insertion and ejection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi Oohara
  • Publication number: 20120019958
    Abstract: A rack•pinion mechanism in which strength of a member to form a rack can be secured and a member including a pinion can be securely moved in a predetermined direction, and an accessor and a magnetic tape apparatus each including the mechanism are provided. For this purpose, in a picker 22, a pair of projections 222a and 222b are formed to sandwich both side surfaces of a pinion 211, the projections 222a and 222b perpendicularly rising toward a base 21 and curving or bending in an intermediate position thereof; in the base 21, a pair of grooves 212a and 212b are formed on both sides of a rack 211 in a shape to engage with the projections 222a and 222b, a section sandwiched by the grooves 212a and 212b is an engage section 213 including the rack 211 in a center of a wide section 213a at a tip end thereof; and by engaging the projections 222a and 222b with the grooves 212a and 212b, the wide section 213a is held between the projections 222a and 222b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Yuichi Itamoto
  • Patent number: 8102617
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 8059363
    Abstract: The magazine includes a rail installed on its bottom surface approximately parallel to an insertion/extraction direction, the rail including a plurality of stepped portions formed at a side surface thereof. A device body includes: a lock lever installed rotatably within the same plane as the bottom surface of the magazine, the lock lever including one portion located in a space below the magazine and another portion located beside the magazine; a spring which urges in a direction in which the rail is installed so that a portion of the lock lever located in a space below the magazine is engaged with the stepped portion; and an accessor which moves beside the magazine along the insertion/extraction direction. The lock lever engaged with each stepped portion is released in such a way that the accessor rotates the lock lever in an opposite direction to an urging direction of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Personal Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Suzuki, Tadashi Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20110273794
    Abstract: A library device includes: a storage shelf including storage units aligned in a plurality of columns; and a conveying robot that grasps and conveys cartridges stored in the storage units, wherein the conveying robot includes: a base board located to face the plurality of columns, one end of the base board being supported movably up and down by a first support post, and another end of the base board being supported movably up and down by a second support post; a movable unit including a grasping unit grasping the cartridges stored in the storage units and moving on the base board; an inclination measuring unit measuring an inclination of the movable unit; and an inclination correction unit adjusting heights of both ends of the base board according to an inclination value of the movable unit measured by the inclination measuring unit and correcting the inclination of the movable unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Daisuke HORI
  • Publication number: 20110273795
    Abstract: A library apparatus for conveying, with a conveying device, a cartridge storing data between a cartridge storing unit and a drive accessing the data stored in the cartridge, the library apparatus includes: a target position deciding unit configured to decide a target position, to which the conveying device is to be moved, based on a position of a gravity point of the library apparatus, and stable position information that is predetermined position information of the gravity point at which the library apparatus becomes stable; and a controlling unit configured to control and drive the conveying device to move to the target position when a vibration applied to the library device is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Keisuke HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20110235209
    Abstract: A tape library apparatus includes a recording/reproducing unit for accessing data in the tape cartridges, a first driver for producing a driving force, a conveyer for carrying the recording/reproducing unit in the direction of the alignment of the plurality of the tape cartridges, by the driving force produced by the first driver, an identification information reader mounted near the insertion slot and on a surfaces of the tape cartridges, the image identification information being on a surface of each of the tape cartridges which faces opposite to a surface which faces the conveyer, a second driver for moving the tape cartridge in the magazine at opposed position of the conveyer to the recording/reproducing unit, and a controller for controlling the first and second drivers, to move one of the tape cartridges stored in the magazine to a position of the recording/reproduction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tsukasa MINEMURA
  • Patent number: 8019926
    Abstract: A method of assigning a multi-dimensional physical address to a tape-based data storage device is provided. The method includes accessing a first signal from a first communication path electrically coupled to a first tape-based data storage device, wherein the first signal indicates a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a first axis. The method further includes accessing a second signal from a second communication path electrically coupled to the first tape-based data storage device, wherein the second signal is associated with a physical position of the first tape-based data storage device with respect to a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Byers, Travis Jones
  • Patent number: 8009058
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for sensing the presence and/or misplacement of mechanical sub assemblies (MSAs) within storage slots of automated storage libraries. Each MSA is tracked based on signed empty cell barcode labels. Signed empty cell barcode labels are utilized to uniquely identify the frame, column, and row coordinates of one or more MSAs. The storage library automatically scans all signed empty cell barcode labels utilizing a scanner mounted on a robotic device. The system provides a counter for each MSA, allowing the storage library to track the usage of the MSA. As usage of the MSA reaches a predefined lifecycle, the library automatically generates an alert to replace the MSA. When a MSA is rearranged within the storage library, the library automatically maps the new frame, column, and row coordinates of the MSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Lehmann, Shawn M. Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7974040
    Abstract: A pass-through mechanism that couples a first linear tape library string to a second linear tape library string is maintained. A first robotic assembly associated with the first linear tape library string places a tape from the first linear tape library string into the pass-through mechanism. The pass-through mechanism moves the tape to a position where the tape can be removed by a second robotic assembly associated with the second linear tape library string. The second robotic assembly removes the tape from the pass-through mechanism and places the tape into the second linear tape library string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Stuart Green, Frank Krick, Shawn Michael Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Publication number: 20110157742
    Abstract: A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr, Michael Gerard Goberis
  • Patent number: 7962645
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically and transparently mapping tape drives within tape libraries to IP addresses. In one embodiment, the tape library includes, a DHCP server, a LAN to serial switch, and a library manager configured with the necessary modules to map the tape library devices to the proper IP addresses. The entire process may be transparent to users. The result is that the tape library is configured with the proper IP addressing without costly, time-consuming, and error-prone manual intervention. The tape library can be configured more quickly with accurate IP addressing and is able to operate efficiently and properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Whitney Dain, James Arthur Fisher, Raymond Anthony James, David Luciani
  • Publication number: 20110122527
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to storing and locating a self-describing storage cartridge. An aspect of the invention includes a system for storing and locating a self-describing storage cartridge. The system includes a storage cartridge. The storage cartridge includes a first storage module configured to store data objects. The storage cartridge further includes a second storage module configured to store an index describing the data objects stored on the first storage module. The storage cartridge further includes a connector coupled to the second storage module and configured to provide an external device with access to the second storage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Edwin R. Childers, Wayne I. Imaino, Winfried W. Wilcke
  • Publication number: 20110116187
    Abstract: A tape library is provided with a fixed coupling mechanism so that the tape library includes discrete locations via which power and communication are provided to an accessor. The use of such a coupling mechanism in a vertical tape library allows for the use of gravity to ensure that the accessor can couple with the fixed coupling mechanism even when no power is present in the accessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Bosley, Aaron L. Herring, Daniel S. Moore, Shawn M. Nave
  • Publication number: 20110085263
    Abstract: A library device includes: cells each containing a storage medium in a first or a second manner; a medium drive accessing and containing the medium differently from a manner of placing the medium in at least one of the cells; and a medium-transferring unit including a housing section housing the medium, and moving the housing section between the cells and the medium drive to transfer the medium. The unit includes: a support member supporting the housing section pivotably between a first and a second postures meeting the first and second manners; a movement-controlling system moving the support member so that the housing section faces the cells and medium drive; a medium-transferring system transferring the medium; a biasing member biasing the housing section toward the first posture; and a posture-changing member interfering with and thereby pivoting the housing section from the first posture to the second posture resisting the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kohjiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7916423
    Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, said media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in said cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting said plurality of data storage elements to said electrical power source and said communication source such that power from said electrical power source and communication from said communication source may be provided to said media blade without interruption when said media blade is moved in said drawer like motion outward from at least partially within said interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Walter Wong, Micheal Edward Figero, Ronald Gregory Duren, Matthew John Ninesling, Joshua Daniel Carter, Scott Edward Bacom
  • Publication number: 20110069412
    Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a cell unit including a plurality of cells for storing a storage medium, a drive unit for writing data into or reading data from the storage medium, a medium transportation unit for accessing each of the cells and the drive unit and for transporting the storage medium between the cells and between each of the cells and the drive unit, a cell unit driver for moving the cell unit in vertical direction, and a controller for driving the cell unit driver to move the cell unit through the opening to a position accessible by a medium transportation unit of another library apparatus stacked in vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi OOHARA
  • Patent number: 7911731
    Abstract: A tape library system includes a plurality of conductive track assemblies including at least one linear conductive strip, and at least one guide track. The system further includes a first fiber brush assembly and a second fiber brush assembly separated from each other by a predetermined separation distance, each of the first and second fiber brush assemblies comprising a spring biasing a track wheel, and a fiber brush attached to the fiber brush assembly and in electrical contact with the conductive strip. The fiber brush assembly linearly translates along the conductive track assembly on an axis parallel to the conductive strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, George G. Zamora, Lee C. Randall
  • Patent number: 7894157
    Abstract: An apparatus to generate a spring force increasing in accordance with a quantity of tape media cartridges stored in a deep slot cell. The apparatus may include a deep slot cell, a biasing element including a torsion spring, and an advancement element. The deep slot cell may store one or more cartridges. The biasing element may generate a spring force toward the front of the deep slot cell such that the spring force generated increases in accordance with a number of cartridges stored in the cell. The advancement element may be positioned to apply the spring force to the cartridges, thereby advancing the cartridges toward the front of the deep slot cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Stuart Green, Shawn Michael Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7893841
    Abstract: A library includes a frame, a plurality of cartridge slots disposed within the frame and at least one counter configured to determine the presence of cartridges stored within the plurality of cartridge slots without removing the cartridges. The library also includes at least one controller in communication with the counter and configured to count a number of cartridges within the cartridge slots and compare the counted number to a capacity on demand value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian G. Goodman, Leonard G. Jesionowski
  • Publication number: 20110038075
    Abstract: A method is provided to handle portable cassettes removeably disposed in a data storage library, wherein the method supplies a data storage library comprising a plurality of storage slots, and a plurality of portable cassettes removeably disposed a designated storage slot in a first alignment order, and a pass-through accessor comprising a moveable fixturing apparatus to store portable cassettes, wherein the pass-through accessor is moveably disposed in the data storage library. The method positions the pass-through accessor adjacent an open end of a designated storage slot, and sequentially removes and attaches to the fixturing apparatus a plurality of portable cassettes from the designated storage slot. The method then transports the plurality of portable cassettes to a designated location within the data storage library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MATTHEW CHARLES COMPTON, LOUIS DANIEL ECHEVARRIA, STEFAN LEHMANN, RICHARD ALBERT WELP
  • Patent number: 7889455
    Abstract: A computer program product for operating an automated data storage library with storage shelves, data storage drive(s), a bus bar; and a robot accessor with a drive system for moving the robot accessor, an accessor communication interface, a bus bar relay configured to engage and disengage the bus bar; a robot control configured to operate the drive system to move the robot accessor, to operate the picker, to operate the bus bar relay to engage the bus bar when the robot accessor is stationary; and a power storage system configured to receive power via the bus bar relay when the bus bar relay engages the bus bar, to store the received power, and to deliver the stored power to the robot accessor at least when the bus bar relay is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Delorman Schultz
  • Patent number: 7885035
    Abstract: A computer program product for operating an automated data storage library with storage shelves, data storage drive(s), a bus bar; and a robot accessor with a drive system for moving the robot accessor, an accessor communication interface, a bus bar relay configured to engage and disengage the bus bar; and a robot control configured to operate the drive system to move the robot accessor, to operate a picker, and to operate the bus bar relay to engage the bus bar when the robot accessor is stationary, to provide communication capability with a library communication interface via the bus bar relay and the bus bar when the bus bar relay engages the bus bar. Additionally, a second communication system may be provided between the robot accessor and the automated data storage library, which is operable at least when the robot accessor is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Goodman, Glen Alan Jaquette, Leonard George Jesionowski, Mark Delorman Schultz
  • Patent number: 7876524
    Abstract: When a rotation shaft reaches a first standstill position, a contact piece is received in a first hooked groove. A grasping mechanism unit is forced to enjoy a change in the attitude around the rotation shaft by the rotation angle of 90 degrees. When the rotation shaft further reaches a first terminal position, the grasping mechanism unit is forced to restore the predetermined attitude around the rotation shaft by the rotation angle of 90 degrees. The linear motion of the rotation shaft is in this manner interconnected to the rotational movement of the grasping mechanism unit in a library apparatus. A pulley, a timing belt and an electric motor can be omitted from the driving mechanism for the grasping mechanism unit. This results in a simplified structure. The production cost is thus reduced. The transporting mechanism can have a longer service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsukasa Minemura
  • Patent number: 7876525
    Abstract: An expandable storage library for storing digital storage media, such as storage tapes or disks is provided. The library includes a base unit and robotic system to which additional expansion units may be added. Several expansion units may be installed in the library with the base unit so that the robotic system can access media storage racks in any of the expansion units or in the base unit. Doors on the base unit and expansion unit may be interlocked together to function as a single door. A Z pole guide on the base unit may be extended by adding expansion guide poles that guide the movement of the robotic system through the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Wilkin, Daniel J. Plutt, Joseph P. Manes, Donald R. Manes
  • Publication number: 20110013314
    Abstract: A housing apparatus includes a plurality of housing units to have housed objects housed therein, a carrying unit to include the plurality of the housing units arranged in a ring shape, the carrying unit carrying the housing units to a carriage position, and a transferring unit to be disposed facing a carriage destination of the housed objects with the carrying unit existing therebetween to transfer the housed object in the housing unit carried and positioned at the carriage position from the housing unit to the carriage destination or to transfer the housed object in the carriage destination from the carriage destination to the housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenji AOKI
  • Publication number: 20100321811
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus that monitor tape drive health for tape drives in a tape library. The tape library generally contains a data base that is adapted to maintain functional status records for interactions that occur when a tape drive physically engages a tape cartridge. More specifically, errors associated with tape drive and tape cartridge interactions can be stored in the data base and monitored to make determinations relative to problems encountered by a specific tape drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Gerard Goberis, Matthew Thomas Starr, Jeff Robert Boyton, Walter Wong, Nathan Christopher Thompson
  • Patent number: 7843663
    Abstract: A storage cartridge retention device employs a deep storage slot for storing one or more storage cartridge(s) through its front opening and biases the stored storage cartridge(s) in a direction of its front opening. The storage cartridge retention device further employs a retaining gate external to the deep storage slot and movable relative to the front opening of the deep storage slot between a retaining position and a releasing position. The retaining position engages a front storage cartridge to retain the storage cartridge(s) within the deep storage slot based on the bias of the storage cartridge(s) in the direction of the front opening of the deep storage slot, and the releasing position disengages the front storage cartridge to facilitate movement of the one storage cartridge(s) within the deep storage slot based on the bias of the storage cartridge(s) in the direction of the front opening of the deep storage slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7839601
    Abstract: A deep slot tape cartridge library module including a main wall having two major surfaces; a pair of side walls in spaced relation to each other and each extending orthogonally to both major surfaces whereby the main wall and side walls form a substantially “H” shaped structure; an opening in the main wall, the opening extending longitudinally along the main wall a relatively short distance; a spring clip configured complimentarily to the opening and removably retainable therein; and a spring fixedly connected to the spring clip. A method for replacing a spring of a high density tape library where a spring assembly and main wall are utilized, the method including identifying a slot having a failed spring; emptying the identified slot of tape cartridges; extracting the spring assembly from the main wall; and replacing the spring assembly with a non-failed spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7823173
    Abstract: An automated data storage library employing a media accessor, an optical disk drive and a removable disk media. The media accessor includes a cartridge shell gripper. The optical disk drive includes a tape cartridge slot. The removable disk media includes a tape cartridge shell having a structural configuration operable to be physically engaged by the cartridge shell gripper and operable to be physically inserted into the tape cartridge slot by the cartridge shell gripper. The removable disk media further includes one or more optical disks disposed within the tape cartridge shell. A recording surface of each optical disk is extractable, partially or entirely, from the tape cartridge shell by the optical disk drive for writing data onto the optical disk and/or reading data from the optical disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Coufal, Kirby G. Dahman, Glen A. Jaquette, Mark A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100254039
    Abstract: A cell (300) includes a cartridge lock (306) at its opening for securing a data cartridge (100) in the cell by locking. A picker mechanism (500) includes a picker arm (521) and an ejection release part (522) for releasing locking realized by the cartridge lock (306). When the data cartridge (100) is to be inserted into the cell (300), the cartridge lock (306) is caused to retract as far as a position at which locking is released by a tapered surface (101) that is provided on the data cartridge (100); and when the data cartridge (100) is to be ejected from the cell (300), cartridge lock (306) is released by the ejection release part (522) at the same time that picker arm (521) engages engagement hole (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Kawasaki, Manabu Tsuchiya, Tadashi Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100238589
    Abstract: A transport apparatus and a library apparatus are provided. The transport apparatus includes a holding mechanism, a base and a lifting/lowering mechanism. The holding mechanism holds an object to transport. The holding mechanism is mounted on a base. The lifting/lowering mechanism lifts and lowers the base in first directions. The drive mechanism moves the holding mechanism in a plane including second directions that are different from the first directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tsukasa Minemura
  • Patent number: 7800860
    Abstract: A device for storing data carriers has a housing (10). In the housing (10) magazines (12) can be inserted, which accommodate data carriers, e.g. magnetic tape cartridges (26) lying flat. In order to be able to exchange cartridges (26) without moving the magazine (12) out of the housing (10) and without interrupting the operation of the device, end-sided receptacles of the magazines (12) are designed as a changing device (28), which is mounted as a drawer in the associated magazine (12) and which, in the case of the inserted magazine (12), can be extended out of this magazine (12) and out of the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: BDT AG
    Inventor: Friedhelm Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 7800861
    Abstract: The cartridge magazine according to the present invention has a plurality of holding shelves holding a plurality of cartridges, each holding shelf being provided with a shutter opening mechanism for opening a shutter of a cartridge along with insertion of a cartridge. Furthermore, it is provided with a shutter check door having projection parts projecting out into spaces formed by the opening of the shutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yutaka Kobayashi