Abstract: A state evaluator for use in a media library includes a housing and a first camera that is coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, the state evaluator can also include one or more of a light assembly, an indicator assembly to indicate different conditions associated with the state evaluator, an input assembly, an internal power source, and a power module. The power source can be rechargeable and/or removable. The first camera can capture visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light images. The light assembly can emit visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light. The state evaluator can have a high intensity light source and can communicate with a host system. The state evaluator can also include a second camera that can be coupled to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing device that records data on a double-sided recordable optical disk for storage and management purposes. The device includes a unit which stores a plurality of optical disks, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from an upper side of an optical disk, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from a lower side of an optical disk, a unit which conveys an optical disk between the disk storage unit and each recording/reproducing unit. When a request for reading data recorded on the lower side of the disk is received while the upper side is being written onto, a control unit interrupts a data recording process on the upper side, reproduces data recorded on the lower side, and after completion of reproducing the recorded data, resumes the interrupted data recording process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing device that records data on a double-sided recordable optical disk for storage and management purposes. The device includes a unit which stores a plurality of optical disks, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from an upper side of an optical disk, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from a lower side of an optical disk, a unit which conveys an optical disk between the disk storage unit and each recording/reproducing unit. When a request for reading data recorded on the lower side of the disk is received while the upper side is being written onto, a control unit interrupts a data recording process on the upper side, reproduces data recorded on the lower side, and after completion of reproducing the recorded data, resumes the interrupted data recording process.

Abstract: The tray carry-out method for a disc changer device, comprising, while transporting the tray from a recording/reproducing position to a stand-by position by driving the first motor, starting to drive the second motor for bringing a tray driving gear unit into a tray simultaneously transportable state, and upon completion of the transport of the tray to the stand-by position, with the tray driving gear unit being set to the tray simultaneously transportable state, starting to drive the second motor to carry out the tray from the stand-by position to an exchange position.

Abstract: A disk changer device including a disk changer mechanism having a drive that can reproduce a disk, a holding mechanism including at least two holding sections, where each of the holding sections can hold the disk, and a picker configured to transfer a disk inserted into the drive to any of the holding sections, a memory configured to store information about the reproduced disk and information about the date and time when the disk is reproduced as reproduction history information when the disk existing in the drive is reproduced, and a control unit configured to determine the position of each of the holding sections where a plurality of the disks held in the holding mechanism is held based on the reproduction history information, and let the disks be held at the determined holding positions is provided.

Abstract: Method for navigating a vehicle in a road system is provided, in which method data is read from a data-storage medium and automatically transferred to a memory of a navigation device after the data medium is inserted into a data-media drive associated with the navigation device. The transferred data remains available for vehicle navigation even after the data medium is removed from the data-media drive.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for a remote monitoring device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a casing to fit at least one of a storage location for storage media and handling mechanisms for the storage media, the storage location and the handling mechanisms being part of a media storage library, one or more monitoring devices within the casing to obtain from the media storage library at least one of environmental measurements and images of components in the media storage library, and a communication transmitter within the casing and communicatively coupled to the one or more monitoring devices to transmit at least one of data signals representing the at least one of environmental measurements and images of the components in the media storage library. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selecting a source cluster in a distributed storage configuration. A measurement module measures system factors for a plurality of clusters over a plurality of instances. The clusters are in communication over a network and each cluster comprises at least one tape volume cache. A smoothing module applies a smoothing function to the system factors, wherein recent instances have higher weights. A lifespan module calculates a mount-to-dismount lifespan for each cluster from the smoothed system factors. A selection module selects a source cluster for accessing an instance of a specified volume in response to the mount-to-dismount lifespans and a user policy.

Abstract: CD storage device is disclosed which includes a housing (12) in which a carousel (40) is supported for rotation in the housing. The carousel has a number compartments (85) each for storing a CD. The device includes a controlling circuit board (46) which can couple with a computer so that CDs can be stored and retrieved by inputting information into the computer which causes the carousel to rotate to present the storage compartment having the required CD at an opening for discharge. The device (10) includes an ejector (96) for ejecting CDs from a storage compartment (85). The storage device (10) may include a reader (210) into which CDs can be loaded for reading and then restored in the device so that the CDs can be used without the user needing to remove a CD from the device and locate it in a reader in the user's computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media device apparatus having an improved design for auto-calibration providing efficient operation and improved engagement to one or more storage discs. In one aspect, the present invention provides a disc transport movable along at least one axis, one or more media device components including an engagement area, and a calibrating device for aligning the disc transport with the engagement area, the calibrating device including a first member associated with the disc transport and a second member associated with the media device component, wherein either the first member or the second member moves along a first axis until a calibration position is sensed, which is at a known distance from the engagement area. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for calibrating at least one of the disc transport and the one or more media device components along an engagement axis.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a slot. A magnetooptical disk is attached to the slot. When the slot is closed, a system controller inputs a corresponding signal to a CPU. The CPU applies a read-out command of disk information to the disk controller. The disk controller drives a spindle motor, an optical pick-up and a recording head in order to read-out vacant capacity information from the magnetooptical disk. The read-out vacant capacity information is sent back to the CPU, and then saved in a flash memory by the CPU.

Abstract: In a structure of accommodating a CD changer, in which the CD changer biased for turning toward a protruding position is covered with a lid plate closing an open end of an accommodating recess in a state in which the CD changer is in an accommodated position, an engagement portion is provided on the lid plate mounted to a support frame so that it can be slid between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A locking portion is provided on each of base plates so that the locking portion engages with the engagement portion in a state in which the lid plate is at the engaged position, and the engagement with the engagement portion is released in response to the sliding of the lid plate toward the disengaged position. A locking mechanism capable of locking the lid plate in the engaged position and releasing the locked state by a manual operation is provided between the lid plate and the support frame. Thus, it is possible to ensure that the CD changer cannot be turned undesirably to the protruding position.

Abstract: To achieve a disc device with a disc changer in which number of motors is reduced, and a quiet and stable switching operation, accurate positioning of a sub-tray, smooth damp and release of a disc are possible, only a first motor for driving a main tray and a second motor for driving the sub-tray are used as driving sources, and a gear switching mechanism is provided, in which driving channels of the first and second motors can be disconnected.

Abstract: To prevent a door opening when a carrier moves without using an electric actuator and without placing a burden on a device. An auto lock/unlock mechanism is composed solely of mechanical elements, and a lock mechanism is switched between an unlocked state and a locked state using the movement of the carrier. Thereby an automatic medium changer, which does not need an electric actuator such as a solenoid and is low price, is provided. Further, an opening manipulation of the door is permitted when the carrier is located at an evacuation position. This prevents a hand or a finger from being caught in an operable portion of the device. Further, since emergency stopping measures of the carrier for preventing an accident is not required, problems of damages, overlords or the like to the device are solved.

Abstract: A method to write information to a designated information storage medium using an allocated data storage device using a specified information recording format, whereby a previously-determined media bit for the designated information storage medium is examined, and a previously-determined device bit for the allocated data storage device is examined, and the write capability of the designated information storage medium using the specified information recording format is determined.

Abstract: Proposed is a playback device (1), especially a compact disc changer, which enables a random selection of data groups of recording media to be reproduced in succession. The playback device (1) comprises an input unit (5) and a random generator (10) for random selection of data groups which are stored on recording media, especially compact discs, that can be loaded into the playback device (1) from a magazine (15). The probability that a data group which is selected by the random generator (10) to be reproduced following a data group reproduced by the playback device (1) on a recording medium inserted in the drive (25) of the playback device (1) is stored on the same recording medium can be predetermined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.