Abstract: A data storage library includes a number of storage cartridges arranged in a rack accessed by a actuated media player. The actuated media player is adapted to move along a plane relative to a fixed subset of the storage cartridges in the rack to and to selectively couple to each storage cartridge of the fixed subset to facilitate selective read/write access.

Abstract: An optical disk drive comprises a drive body, a spindle motor, an optical pickup device, a sled motor, a tray, a loading motor, and a controller. When the loaded optical disk is ejected, the controller controls the sled motor and the loading motor so that the returning of the optical pickup device and the opening of the tray are performed in non-chronological order. Accordingly, the time for the ejection of the optical disk is reduced.

Abstract: A method for providing user-friendly selection of a storage medium, in particular an optical storage disk, from a plurality of storage mediums. The storage mediums are assigned to a playback device, in particular a compact disk changer, for reading out and reproducing stored data and can be stored in a storage apparatus, arrangement or structure, in which a playback probability is determined for each storage medium, and in which the storage medium having the lowest playback probability is then released to be ejected from the playback device or from the storage apparatus, arrangement or structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly is disclosed herein. The apparatus may be embodied in a cartridge engaging assembly having a plunge mechanism that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunge mechanism is provided with a reference mark that moves with the plunge mechanism. A detector is mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly, wherein the detector senses an image of the reference mark and produces an output signal related thereto. A control system is operatively associated with the detector and is responsive to the output signal produced thereby. The control system is also operatively associated with the plunge mechanism so that it regulates the position of the plunge mechanism based on the output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a media storage system. A transponder (e.g., an RFID transponder) is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data and a reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. The reader is attached to a cartridge plunge mechanism so that the reader is positioned near the transponder regardless of the mechanical tolerances of the media storage system. Once positioned adjacent one another, the transponder is activated and queried by the reader. The transponder transmits a data signal containing the related data to the reader and a controller operatively associated with the reader processes the data signal.

Abstract: A media-detection system for a cartridge-receiving device may comprise, according to one embodiment, a cartridge-referencing member mounted to the cartridge-receiving device. The cartridge-referencing member is resiliently displaceable by a data cartridge received in the cartridge-receiving device. A sensor is operatively associated with the cartridge-referencing member. The sensor detecting the data cartridge in the cartridge-receiving device based on the displacement of the cartridge-referencing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a data cartridge in a cartridge engaging assembly. A signal emitter may be positioned adjacent the cartridge engaging assembly to emit a signal. A signal detector mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly may detect the signal. The signal detector generates output to indicate whether the data cartridge is present in the cartridge engaging assembly based on the detected signal.

Abstract: A recording-medium management apparatus includes a playback unit and a recording-medium management unit. The playback unit includes a reading unit for automatically reading an identifier from a recording medium when data is played back and a transmission unit for transmitting the read identifier to the recording-medium management unit. The recording-medium management unit includes a setting information management unit for managing setting information corresponding to the identifier, a check unit for checking whether or not the setting information corresponding to the identifier received from the playback unit is managed by the setting information management unit, and an obtaining-and-transmitting unit for obtaining the setting information corresponding to the identifier from the setting information management unit and transmitting the setting information to the playback unit.

Abstract: An information providing system includes a loading section in which a recording medium is removably loaded, a content identification information detecting portion for detecting content identification information of the recording medium loaded in the loading section, and a housing section for housing a plurality of recording media in which content information indicated by the content identification information is recorded in advance. An ejecting device ejects a recording medium in which the content information coincident with the content information set by the setting means is recorded. The system also includes a detector for detecting whether or not the remaining number of recording media housed in the housing section and having a particular content information is a minimum threshold value. A replenishing mechanism replenishes the housing section with the recording media of the kind detected by the detector to be at the minimum value.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus includes a housing section for housing recording media including a plural kinds of recording media, which have at least any one of plural kinds of contents information recorded in advance. A content detector is also included for detecting a kind of content information required by a user. An ejecting portion ejects the kind of recording media in which the content information of the kind detected by the content detector is recorded. A remaining recording medium detector detects, for each kind of recording media, whether or not the remaining number of the kind of recording media housed in the housing section is less than or equal to a minimum threshold value. A replenishing device replenishes the recording media of the kind detected by the remaining recording medium detector to be less than or equal to the minimum threshold value.