Abstract: An automated tape library (10) includes a library housing (12) that is substantially rectangular box-shaped, including a first housing side (12A), a second housing side (12B), a housing rear (12C), a housing top (12D), a housing bottom (12E), and a housing front (12F). The library housing (12) defines a library width (10W) that is less than or equal to approximately 550 millimeters and a library depth (10D) that is at least approximately 1000 millimeters. The automated tape library (10) can further include a front door (16) that is movably coupled to the housing front (12F) to move between a closed configuration (11A) and an open configuration (11B); wherein the library housing (12) defines a library interior (14); and wherein full access to the library interior (14) is only provided through the front door (16) when the front door (16) has been moved to the open configuration (11B). The automated tape library (10) can also include at least one tape drive (20) that is coupled to the front door (16).

Abstract: A disc grabbing device including a disc grabbing body, a weight sensing unit and a counter is provided. The disc grabbing body is used for grabbing or unloading at least one disc. The weight sensing unit is disposed on the disc grabbing body for sensing a weight of the at least one disc grabbed on the disc grabbing body. The counter is connected to the weight sensing unit used for obtaining a disc quantity of the discs grabbed on the disc grabbing body according to the weight.

Abstract: A disc device supplies a disc to each of a plurality of disc drives. The disc device includes a carrier which retains a plurality of discs being stacked in such a stacked state, which separates one disc from the retained plurality of discs above a tray ejected from an arbitrary one of the disc drives, and which places the separated disc on the tray. The carrier includes a plurality of claw portions holding the inner circumferential portion of the bottommost disc out of the plurality of discs, and a disc press pressing the topmost disc out of the plurality of discs so as to be in parallel to the disc placing face of the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is an archive system for a double sided optical disc, in which optical disc drives for recording or reading data on second surfaces of double sided optical discs are mounted in at least one of first and second drive bays respectively mounted at left and right sides of a disc picker robot, so that data recording or reading operations on first and second surfaces of double sided optical discs can be automatically performed.

Abstract: A media processing system for processing media having differing properties, the media processing system having a base. The base has a base radial alignment portion, a base vertical alignment portion, and a base retention portion. A set of removable media clamps is included, where each of the set of removable media clamps is adapted for the differing properties of the media, each removable media clamp has a removable media clamp radial alignment portion for engaging the base radial alignment portion and radially aligning the removable media clamp with the base, a removable media clamp vertical alignment portion for engaging the base vertical alignment portion and vertically aligning the removable media clamp with the base, and a media engagement portion for engaging the media. The retention portion is controllable by the media processing system to selectively retain and release a mounted one of the removable media clamps without manual intervention.

Abstract: A media transportation mechanism has: a storage unit that stores disc-shaped media with a center hole in a stack; a transportation arm that moves vertically and has a gripping member to hold a medium stored in the storage unit, and a separating member that moves radially to the medium from the hole of the medium; and a transportation arm drive member that sets the ascent speed of the transportation arm to a first speed, and to a second speed that is slower than the first speed, when moving the transportation arm vertically up while the gripping member holds the medium.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes carriages that are arranged in a matrix and store and transport objects, and a carriage shifting mechanism that is fixed to the storage apparatus and shifts the carriages.

Abstract: An optic disc writer device is an embedded type independent system. It has a host controller, a disc writer assembly, and a printer assembly. The disc writer assembly is electrically connected to the host controller and has a robotic arm, at least one disc writer, and an optic disc deposition zone. The robotic arm is operated to move to the optic disc deposition zone for picking and/or depositing an optic disc and to move the optic disc to the disc writer by which a writing operation is performed on the disc to provide a writing-completed disc. The printer assembly is electrically connected to the host controller. The printer assembly includes a disc tray that is controlled by the host controller for extension and withdrawal for receiving the writing-completed disc therein. The printer assembly is operated to form printing of patterns on a surface of the writing-completed disc.

Abstract: A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for recording, playing, handling, and storing a plurality of media disks in a plurality of configurations and a device for moving any disk into and out of a media disk storage mechanism and into or out of a selected media player/recorder on demand, and a controller for directing operation of the device for moving the disks and controlling selection of operation of the media disk storage mechanism.

Abstract: A recording medium changer includes a plurality of storage trays that are arranged in alignment in a predetermined direction and each store a recording medium, and a conveying mechanism that is movable in an alignment direction of the plurality of storage trays and conveys a recording medium. The plurality of storage trays are rotatable about an axis extending in the alignment direction of the storage trays. At the time of rotation of each of the storage trays, the conveying mechanism is held in a movement preparing position retracted in the alignment direction from the storage tray that is being rotated. Each of the storage trays has a movement cutout for forming at least a part of a movement space through which the conveying mechanism is moved.

Abstract: A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for recording, playing, handling, and storing a plurality of media disks in a plurality of configurations and a device for moving any disk into and out of a media disk storage mechanism and into or out of a selected media player/recorder on demand, and a controller for directing operation of the device for moving the disks and controlling selection of operation of the media disk storage mechanism.

Abstract: A transportation device for moving a compact disc includes a moving arm, a screw bolt, and a guide track device. The moving arm has a first end, and the first end has a protrusive section located on a peripheral surface thereof. The screw bolt is screwed through the first end of the moving arm so that the moving arm can be moved when the screw bolt is rotating. The guide track device is composed of a plurality of crossed slots. The protrusive section of the first end of the moving arm can be slidably connected to the slots of the guide track device when the screw bolt is rotating, whereby the moving arm can be directed in different directions by the slots of the guide track device.

Abstract: A library apparatus comprises a plurality of cartridges each containing a recording medium, a storage rack in which the plurality of cartridges is stored, at least one drive that records or reproduces data in or from the cartridge, and an accessor that holds the cartridge and transports the cartridge between the storage rack and the drive. Herein, a hand mechanism included in the accessor includes a buffer mechanism that, even if the advancement of the hand mechanism is stopped with the hand mechanism abutted against the cartridge within a predetermined range before reaching a normal position, allows the hand mechanism to hold the cartridge. The buffer mechanism is incorporated in a rotary base included in a crank mechanism. When external force is applied to a crank arm, the buffer mechanism moves a rotary shaft of the crank arm.

Abstract: An optical disk changer that is capable of automatically playing both sides of a dual-sided optical disk. By coordinated rotation and delivery of disks taken from a linear disk storage bin, both sides of a dual-sided optical disk can be automatically accessed.

Abstract: A disk dispenser including a spindle having a first end and a second end, the second end having a disk support foot arranged to support a stack of disks, wherein the disk support foot is movable from an extended position at which a portion of the disk support foot is axially extending beyond a diameter of the spindle for supporting a stack of disks and a withdrawn position at which the portion of the disk support foot is not substantially axially extending beyond the diameter of the spindle for loading the stack of disks onto the spindle; and a pusher for separating at least one disk from the stack of disks on the spindle.

Abstract: A contactless power system for an automated data storage library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage cartridges, at least one picker for accessing the data storage cartridges with respect to the storage shelves, and a transport system for guiding the picker(s) along at least one path with respect to the storage shelves. The contactless power system comprises a plurality of segmented coils arranged in parallel to the path(s), and in proximity to at least one induction receiver of the picker(s); and at least one power source supplying power to the segmented coils, for inductive transmission of power by the segmented coils to the induction receiver(s) of the picker(s). The power source(s) may switch the supplied power to selected segmented coils based on an indication of the position of the induction receiver(s) of the picker along the path.

Abstract: A disc processor, such as a printer or a recorder, or a combination processor, has a robotic arm that will pick a compact disc to be processed from a storage stack and move it to a tray associated with the processor. The robotic arm includes a sensor to sense when a disc is in a position to be held in a picker on the arm. The sensor signal can be used for determining whether or not the stack of discs in the input bin is of the correct height; for determining whether or not more than one disc has been picked up by the handler; and also for determining the presence of a disc in the tray or held on the picker arm.

Abstract: A pick for a compact disc controller is provided in which a tip of the pick defines a plurality of flexible outer wall segments. An internal plunger is used to expand the wall segments in a radial direction, thereby retaining a CD onto the outer perimeter of the pick. Upon release of the plunger, the pick returns to its original dimensions and thereby releases the CD.

Abstract: A disc picking device having an engaging member for engaging a disc includes: a contact portion having a contact face for contacting an upper face of the disc; an arm which movably supports the engaging member and has the contact portion; and a moving mechanism moving the arm in a contacting direction for contacting the upper face of the disc, wherein the moving mechanism supports the arm such that the contact portion can be moved in a direction opposite to the contacting direction.

Abstract: A disk device including a first disk holder movable with disk conveyance, a second disk holder opposed to a groove portion formed in the first disk holder and holding a disk grippingly in cooperation with the first disk holder when the first disk holder holds the disk, and a supporter which supports the first disk holder and which causes a support position for the first disk holder to be shifted in accordance with the movement of the first disk holder to be shifted in accordance with movement of the first disk holder, realizes reducing in size and number of parts, prevention of damage to disks, shortening operation time for plurality of operations, improved vibration resistance and less expensive manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A pick for a compact disc controller is provided in which a tip of the pick defines a plurality of flexible outer wall segments. An internal plunger is used to expand the wall segments in a radial direction, thereby retaining a CD onto the outer perimeter of the pick. Upon release of the plunger, the pick returns to its original dimensions and thereby releases the CD.

Abstract: Provided are: a turn table for storing a disk shaped recording medium Dn to be vertically placed; a disk drive unit disposed at the center part of the table, the disk drive unit mounting a recording medium Dn to record and/or reproduce an information signal SIN; disk carrying means for carrying the recording medium Dn between the disk drive unit and the turn table; and a control device, wherein the control device controls the turn table and disk carrying medium so as to detect whether or not the recording medium Dn is stored in the disk storage unit, judge an information recording face of the recording medium Dn removed from the disk storage unit, and based on the judgment result, mount the recording medium Dn intact on the disk drive unit or invert the recording medium Dn, thereby remounting the medium on the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk dispenser including a spindle having a first end and a second end, the second end having a disk support foot arranged to support a stack of disks, wherein the disk support foot is movable from an extended position at which a portion of the disk support foot is axially extending beyond a diameter of the spindle for supporting a stack of disks and a withdrawn position at which the portion of the disk support foot is not substantially axially extending beyond the diameter of the spindle for loading the stack of disks onto the spindle; and a pusher for separating at least one disk from the stack of disks on the spindle.

Abstract: When a medium is stored or removed manually, all slots must be checked to find any change in medium information, and as a result, updating medium storage information takes a long time. A medium controller, having a plurality of media and a medium transfer unit to take a medium in and out of storage and move the medium for reading or writing information, includes slots in which media are stored, sensors each mounted in a slot for detecting whether there is a medium in the slot; a sensor manager for holding a log of the status transitions of the sensors in a period when media are likely to be stored or removed manually and deciding the status transitions; and a part for reading information. Only when it is decided from a decision result of the sensor manager that the medium has been replaced, the media controller causes the part for reading medium information to read medium information in order to update the medium storage information.

Abstract: A pick for a compact disc controller is provided in which a tip of the pick defines a plurality of flexible outer wall segments. An internal plunger is used to expand the wall segments in a radial direction, thereby retaining a CD onto the outer perimeter of the pick. Upon release of the plunger, the pick returns to its original dimensions and thereby releases the CD.

Abstract: A CD transporter includes a CD gripper for gripping a top CD off a vertical stack of CD's is provided. The CD gripper includes an actuatable gripping member and at least one stationary gripping member, each of which includes a hub engaging surface. The actuatable gripping member also includes a CD separating protrusion for separating the top CD from the CD immediately therebelow.

Abstract: A memory storage disk handling system includes a housing, an elevator pin mounted on the housing for lifting disks, a servo motor with a cam arm. The servo motor rotates to pivot the cam arm, which cams against the elevator pin to lift the elevator pin.

Abstract: A disk device constituted that a disk attitude stabilizing mechanism to rotate a disk when a front arm or a rear arm fails to grip the disk 11 and to retry a griping operation of the disk, is included.

Abstract: When a medium is stored or removed manually, all slots must be checked to find any change in medium information, and as a result, updating medium storage information takes a long time. A medium controller, having a plurality of media and a medium transfer unit to take a medium in and out of storage and move the medium for reading or writing information, comprises slots in which media are store, sensors each mounted in a slot for detecting whether there is a medium in the slot; a sensor manager for holding a log of the status transitions of the sensors in a period when media are likely to be stored or removed manually and deciding the status transitions; and means for reading medium information. Only when it is decided from a decision result of the sensor manager that the medium has been replaced, the media controller causes the means for reading medium information to read medium information in order to update the medium storage information.

Abstract: A disk-type recording medium is carried by a disk carrying section and accommodated into one of layered accommodation shelves of a disk accommodation section. A memory stores position information of the disk carrying section with respect to the accommodation shelves. A controller controls the disk carrying section in accordance with the stored position information to move to a position corresponding to each accommodation shelf. A stopping state detection section includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided on the disk carrying section adjacent the disk accommodation section and detects a stopping state of the disk carrying section with respect to each accommodation shelf based on a received light amount of the light receiving element depending upon a state of a light intercepting disk which is transferred between the disk carrying section and the accommodation shelf.

Abstract: A pick for a compact disc controller is provided in which a tip of the pick defines a plurality of flexible outer wall segments. An internal plunger is used to expand the wall segments in a radial direction, thereby retaining a CD onto the outer perimeter of the pick. Upon release of the plunger, the pick returns to its original dimensions and thereby releases the CD.

Abstract: An automatic disc exchanging apparatus including pallets 19 each of which can support a disc D, storage cabinets 12 which stores said pallets 19, recording and reproducing drives 13 for recording and reproducing information on and from said discs D, and a transporting mechanism for transporting said pallets 19 between said storage cabinets 12 and said recording and reproducing drives, magnetic members 20a are provided in the vicinity of claw portions 19c-19f of the pallet 19. The storage cabinet 12 has an opening 12a through which the pallet 19 can move into and out of the storage cabinet, side walls 12d, 12e having grooves 12b, 12c formed therein for guiding side edges of the pallet 19, and a rear wall 12f which receives an end of the pallet 19, and magnets 20b which attract said magnetic members 20a in the pallet 19 are provided on the rear wall 12f.

Abstract: A memory storage disk handling system includes a housing, an elevator pin mounted on the housing for lifting disks, a servo motor with a cam arm. The servo motor rotates to pivot the cam arm, which cams against the elevator pin to lift the elevator pin.