Abstract: A cartridge drive apparatus includes a hole detection lever and a hole detector. The hole detection lever is provided with a projection corresponding to an identification hole position of a first shell of a cartridge at an insertion completion position of the cartridge. The projection is supported with respect to the identification hole to be movable in an insertion direction. The movement of the projection in the insertion direction is limited depending on a position of a second shell separated from the first shell. The hole detector is configured to detect whether or not an identification hole is formed at an identification hole position depending on the amount of movement of the projection in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A cartridge transporting device includes: a cartridge holder in which a cartridge receiving a recording medium is inserted and which holds the inserted cartridge; a supporting frame that supports the cartridge holder to be freely move between an insertion position and a drawn-in position; a locking member that moves between a locking position and a non-locking position, moves to the locking position, and locks the cartridge holder at the insertion position; a holder driving member that is movable in a predetermined direction and moves the cartridge holder between the insertion position and the drawn-in position; and a moving mechanism that moves the holder driving member in the predetermined direction, wherein when the cartridge holder starts to move from the insertion position to the drawn-in position, the holder driving member moves such that the cartridge holder locked by the locking member is unlocked.

Abstract: A transferred medium is provided. In one exemplary embodiment a transferred medium includes a projection part projected in a transferring direction of the transferred medium from a front end part of the medium such that the projection part traverses the front end part of the medium. The thickness of a part of the projection part can be configured to be greater than the thickness of the front end part, the width of the projection part in a direction perpendicular to the transferring direction can be narrower than the width of the front part in that same direction, and the urging force by the urging member can act on the projection part and the front end part during transfer of the transferred medium. A recording apparatus system that includes a transferred medium is also provided, as are other embodiments of a transferred medium.

Abstract: A transferred medium is provided. In one exemplary embodiment a transferred medium includes a projection part projected in a transferring direction. The projection part can be integrally formed at a front end of the transferred medium. The transferred medium can have a plate shape that can be nipped between a feed driving roller that is rotationally driven and a feed driven roller that is rotationally driven in contact with the feed driving roller. The transferred medium can also be configured to be transferred in the transferring direction with the rotation of the feed driving roller. Further, the transferred medium can include a plurality of the projection parts at its front end in a direction perpendicular to the transferring direction of the transferred medium with a predetermined pitch. Other embodiments of a transferred medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for performing data library background operations. The present invention teaches one or more data storage drives capable of entering a phantom load mode and a library controller capable of initiating the phantom load mode for the data storage drives. The phantom load mode operates to hide the media status of the data storage drives from host computers during background operations involving the data storage drives. In certain embodiments, the data storage drives exit the phantom load mode as a result of a media unload request. In some embodiments, the library controller receives a media load request from a host computer during the background operation and completes the media load request upon completion of the background operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improve disk retrieving and releasing device and an automation disk burning system, wherein the improve disk retrieving and releasing device is opposite to an optical disk driver of a host and disposed on the host, such that the host and the improve disk retrieving and releasing device constitute the automation disk burning system. The improve disk retrieving and releasing device is adapted for automatically retrieving a disk from a disk tray when disk tray withdraws from the optical disk driver, and releasing and putting the disk into a disk collecting bucket when the disk tray gets back into the optical disk driver. The improved disk retrieving and releasing device comprises: a frame member and two clamping mechanisms, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises: a support member, a clamping member, and an interlocked rod.

Abstract: A data storage system controller having a shock detection sensor and methods utilizing such a controller are provided. The data storage system controller receives information or signals regarding shock events from the associated shock sensor, enabling the data storage system controller to take remedial action. The particular remedial action taken may be dependent on the severity of the detected shock event. The data storage system controller may also receive information regarding shock events from shock sensors provided separately from the data storage system controller, allowing the data storage system controller to take remedial action that is tailored to the locale of a shock event.

Abstract: An information storage disk dispensing apparatus includes a frame, a disk drive and a disk inclining member. The disk drive is connected to the frame and includes a tray. The tray includes a receiving area and has an ejected position. The disk inclining member is mounted on the frame over the receiving area of the tray when the tray is at the ejected position to incline a disk pulled by gravity to fall vertically.

Abstract: A barrier mechanism, which is often utilized in a disk changer device, is disclosed herein, in which the barrier mechanism includes two wheels and a barrier belt loop. The two wheels are respectively installed on a top terminal and a bottom terminal of an edge of the disk insertion opening of the magazine. A barrier belt loop which is used for selectively traverse one of the plurality of disk holding members, includes an inner section with a traversing recess carved therein. The inner section is adjacent to the disk insertion opening of the magazine of the disk changer device, and the mechanical coupling between the barrier belt loop and the processing mechanism enables the traversing recess constantly aligned with the optical pick-up unit. Accordingly, the traversing recess is horizontally aligned with the predetermined disk holding member, thereby the procedure enables the drafting unit to extract the predetermined disk holding member through the traversing recess into the optical pick-up unit.

Abstract: A cartridge library (30) comprises a library frame; at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive; and an entry/exit port. The cartridge magazine comprises at least one cell configured to accommodate a cartridge of information storage media. The entry/exit port (200) is configured to permit selective passage of the cartridge between an exterior of the frame and the at least one cell, the passage being through an aperture provided in the frame. The entry exit port (200) comprises an entry/exit port handle (210) and a cartridge caddy (220). The entry/exit port handle (210) is configured both for selective closure of the aperture and selective translation with respect to the frame for opening the aperture. The cartridge caddy (220), to which the handle (210) is attached, is configured to carry the cartridge out of the at least one cell and through the aperture upon translation of the handle (210).

Abstract: Slider devices having a misalignment tolerance may include a slider frame and two or more approximately parallel shafts that are configured to elastically shift within fixed shaft supports. Each shaft is slideably disposed within one or more fixed shaft support, so that the slider frame may extend or retract along an axis approximately parallel to the long axis of the shafts. In some versions, the shafts are elastically mounted to the slider frame. Also described are methods of sliding a slider having misalignment tolerance by moving the slider device to extend or retract a slider frame comprising two or more approximately parallel shafts that are configured to elastically shift within fixed shaft supports.

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: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for transferring storage cartridges within an automated storage library is provided. The apparatus includes a sled and a track for supporting and guiding the sled. The track includes a corner portion wherein the sled moves through the corner portion without changing the orientation of the sled relative to the track and storage library system. The corner portion may include a 90 degree turn. The sled may further include a gripper mechanism for handling storage cartridges. The gripper mechanism may rotate relative to the sled to access various storage device interface positions adjacent the track. In another example, the apparatus may further include a motor located remotely from the track and coupled to the sled via a cable pulley system, which drives the sled through the corner portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides loading and unloading mechanisms, and data drives for data storage cartridges. Embodiments of the cartridge loading and unloading mechanisms for a data storage cartridge may: operate in a manner such that the drive door of the data drive may be fully closed before the disk medium is exposed, e.g., before opening of the associated shutter of the cartridge; be powered by the same drive motor assembly that is used to move or transport the cartridge to the optical head assembly used for writing and/or reading of data from the disk medium of the cartridge; and may fit within a standard configuration for a data drive. Embodiments of the cartridge loading and unloading mechanisms, as well as the data drives, may provide reliable operation, ease of assembly, and of the parts and components necessary for the reliable operation, and positive data cartridge positioning, as well as minimizing backlash in the drive motor/gear assembly.

Abstract: A recording medium drive unit includes an insertion opening through which a recording medium is inserted, a holder receiving the recording medium inserted through the insertion opening, a connector, a holder drive part moving the holder to a loading position so that the recording medium is connected to the connector, and a clamp mechanism pressing opposing sides of the recording medium when the recording medium is inserted into the holder. The clamp mechanism is provided to a side of the holder so as to be slidable thereon, and holds the recording medium by the opposing sides thereof.

Abstract: A data drive and a method of operating a data drive are provided. The data drive includes a drive base; a data transfer mechanism coupled to the drive base; a carriage assembly for receiving a cartridge containing a data storage medium; and a carriage assembly actuator coupled to the drive base for translating the carriage assembly to expose a plurality of radial positions of the data storage medium to the data transfer mechanism. The method includes receiving a data storage cartridge containing a rotatable data storage medium into a carriage assembly; translating the carriage assembly across a data transfer mechanism; and reading data from the data storage medium using the data transfer mechanism as the carriage assembly is being translated across the data transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A portable carrier for a data storage medium is disclosed. An accessor which includes an electromagnet and a fixturing assembly is disclosed. A data storage and retrieval system which includes at least one of Applicants' carriers and at least one of Applicants' accessors is disclosed. A method to releaseably attach Applicants' carrier to Applicants' accessor is disclosed. A method to retrieve, transport, and place Applicants' carrier within a data storage and retrieval system is disclosed.

Abstract: A media handling device is disclosed herein. One embodiment of the media handling device comprises a picker, a support mechanism, and an imaging device. The support mechanism may comprise a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is attached to the picker and wherein the second portion is movably associated with the first portion. The support mechanism first portion is slidably attached to the support mechanism second portion. The imaging device attached to the support mechanism second portion. The support mechanism second portion has a first operative position and a second operative position relative to the support mechanism first portion.

Abstract: Translation apparatus for moving a cartridge access device along a displacement path may comprise a first elongate gear rack aligned along the displacement path and a second elongate gear rack positioned in spaced-apart relation to the first elongate gear rack so that the second elongate gear rack is aligned along the displacement path. A first drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the first elongate gear rack. A second drive pinion mounted to the cartridge access device engages the second elongate gear rack. A pinion drive apparatus operatively associated with the first and second drive pinions rotates the first and second drive pinions to move the cartridge access device along the first and second elongate gear racks.