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: 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: An automated storage apparatus having a data transfer device transfers data to and from data storage units. A robotic device moves the data storage units. An area holds the data storage units for which no data is presently required to be transferred thereto or therefrom. A reference data storage unit is in the holding area. In response to information indicating an excessive error level in transferring data between one data transfer device and a respective data storage unit: one data transfer device inserted in the data storage unit is removed; and a reference unit is inserted in the data transfer device for a reference transfer operation.

Abstract: A media exchange device having a removable media handling device is disclosed herein. The media exchanging device may comprise a plurality of library modules, a first module, a media handling device, and an error detector. The first module is located adjacent the library modules and is removable from the library modules. The media handling device is movable between the library modules and the first module. The error detector is operatively associated with the media handling device. The error detector has a first state and a second state, wherein the error detector is in the first state when no errors are detected in the media handling device by the error detector, and wherein the error detector is in the second state when an error is detected in the media handling device by the error detector. The media handling device is adapted to move to the first module when the error detector is in the second state.