Abstract: A data archiving apparatus includes an autoloader for automated transfer of data tape cartridges between at least one tape drive and storage locations of at least one cartridge storage magazine. One or more hard disks is mounted within the autoloader apparatus. The hard disk is connected for data transfer between the hard disk and the tape drive so that data caching can be accomplished during the data archiving process. Interface controls for both the tape drive and the one or more hard disks is provided within the housing of the data archiving apparatus to permit simultaneous operation of the hard disk and the tape drive and for data transfer there between. The hard disks may be exchanged by a user to increase data storage capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for expanding capacity of a data cartridge storage and handling apparatus includes a modification to permit a second data cartridge storage and handling apparatus to be added to the system at a position to permit exchange of data cartridges via a pass-through opening. A pass-through box is added in one of the storage and handling units, the pass-through box having a portion shaped like a cartridge so that it is gripped by a gripper of a cartridge shuttle. A second part of the pass-through box holds a cartridge so that the shuttle can hold the pass-through box in a position to extend the cartridge it is holding into the other storage and handling apparatus. A marking system is provided to ensure proper spacing of the units from one another. A connection and control coordinates the operation thereof. The pass-through box is installed by being inserted in a replacement storage magazine.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval device utilizes a data cartridge recording and playback apparatus and has storage magazines for holding a plurality of data cartridges for use by the recording and playback apparatus. A cartridge shuttle moves the data cartridges between the recording and playback apparatus and the storage magazines. The cartridge shuttle has a translation drive for moving the shuttle and the cartridges held therein along a translation space within the data storage and retrieval device. The shuttle also has an elevator for lifting and lowering the cartridges, a rotation apparatus to rotate the cartridges, and a cartridge gripper to move the cartridges into and out of the rotation apparatus.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval device is provided which includes a tape drive for recording data on to and reading data from data cartridges, at least one storage magazine in which the data cartridges are stored, and a cartridge shuttle which moves the data cartridges between the tape drive and the storage locations and the storage magazine. The present data storage and retrieval device is housed with a housing that is configured to fit a standard form factor for computer network related devices, such as the “U” form factor. The data storage and retrieval device is scalable for different form factors by exchanging only a limited number of parts in the apparatus while retaining the majority of parts and components without change. For example, a change in U form factor may be accomplished by varying only a few components in an elevator portion of the cartridge shuttle and by providing a taller or shorter storage magazine in the housing.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval device utilizes a data cartridge recording and playback apparatus and has storage magazines for holding a plurality of data cartridges for use by the recording and playback apparatus. The storage magazines have slots for storing the data cartridges and retaining the data cartridges in place when not being accessed using a cartridge latch. A spring moves the cartridge to an eject position upon release of the cartridge latch. Similarly, the storage magazines have a latch to secure the magazine in place and to selectively release the magazine when desired. The spring loaded ejection apparatus for the magazines is damped to provide slowed movement during the ejection of the magazine. Further, a catch secures the magazine in a partially ejected position to permit exchange of one or a limited number of the cartridges without complete removal of the magazine from the device, and preferably without halting the operation of the device.

Abstract: A storage magazine for data cartridges includes a plurality of storage slots located side-by-side and potentially above one another. The storage slots are defined by parting walls disposed at spaced intervals between top and bottom surfaces of the storage magazine. The parting walls include a stop rib at the back end and a latch mechanism integrated into the wall of the parting wall. The latch mechanism includes a pivot member extending across an opening in the parting wall and first and second arms extending in substantially opposite directions from one another. On of the arms is a latch arm to engage a recess in a side wall of the data cartridges and the other of the arms is a release arm for pivoting movement to move the latch arm from the recess in the data cartridge.

Abstract: In a method and system for loading and locking a recording tape cartridge in a drive, the cartridge is inserted into a load box in the drive. The load box containing the cartridge is moved in a vertical direction while maintaining the load box and cartridge substantially level. In a final downward operation position, the cartridge is engaged by a drive interface.

Abstract: In a method and system for loading and locking a recording tape cartridge in a drive, the cartridge is inserted into a load box in the drive. The load box containing the cartridge is moved in a vertical direction while maintaining the load box and cartridge substantially level. In a final downward operation position, the cartridge is engaged by a drive interface.

Abstract: A read/write head of a magnetic tape drive is provided, where the matrix write head is provided as a part of an overall flat structure that utilizes the atmospheric pressure to hold the tape against the operational surface of the write head. The read head portion is provided to enable reading of the data immediately after it is written. The present head structure permits writing and reading of written data in both tape travel directions. The matrix write head portions are on chips and wear parts are in the upstream direction with respect to the tape travel from the write head. The wear parts provide a shape edge over which the tape moves. The read head is either optical or magnetic and is between two portions of the write head.

Abstract: A system disposed in a tape drive, for extracting a magnetic recording tape wound on a single reel in a cartridge received in the tape drive, has a lever arm which moves a gripper hook and a gripper hook follower, in hinged engagement with each other, into and out of the tape cartridge to engage the gripper hook with a leader pin at a free end of the tape. A mechanical gripper switch is rotated after the gripper hook has been moved into the tape cartridge to cause the gripper hook to engage the leader pin. The lever arm then moves the gripper hook follower, the gripper hook and the magnetic tape engaged therewith through a tape guide and through a channel in a take-up reel located in the tape drive, so that the leader pin is positioned at a periphery of the hub of the take-up reel.

Abstract: A cartridge handling apparatus includes cartridge storage magazines which define cartridge storage slots therein. A projecting element positioned on a back inside wall of each of the storage slots of the storage magazines fits into a recess in the cartridge when the cartridge is oriented in a proper orientation so as to permit the cartridge to be fully inserted into the storage slot in the proper orientation. The projection prevents full insertion of the cartridge in the cartridge storage slot when the cartridge is not in the proper orientation. By changing the orientation of the projection, the storage slot accepts cartridges in a different orientation as the proper orientation. A snap lock is provided on each of the storage slots to engage the cartridge when fully inserted therein.

Abstract: A cassette transfer apparatus includes a shuttle having four transfer openings through which cassettes are moved. The shuttle is movable along a longitudinal path between a tape drive and a feed slot, and is movable vertically to access vertically disposed storage slots in storage bins. The storage bins are disposed on either side of the path, so that the shuttle is positionable at each of the storage slots. The shuttle includes cassette transfer apparatus which is operable to moved the cassette into and out of the shuttle through the four transfer openings so as to move the cassette into and out of the storage slots in the storage bins, and the tape drive and the feed slot. The cassette transfer apparatus of a preferred embodiment includes belts each provided with a tab to push the cassette as the belt moves.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge loader and unloader includes a platform positionable in front of a storage slot of a storage magazine and having a pivotable gripper that releases the cartridge from the storage slot, engages and pulls the cartridge from the slot onto the platform with a hook, engages a back edge of the cartridge with a second hook, and pushes the cartridge into a tape streaming device. The reverse operation is performed to unload the cartridge from the tape streaming device and store it in the storage magazine. The platform includes a locking device to hold the cartridge in position during movement of the platform. The gripper has two oppositely directed spring loaded hooks to engage the cartridge. The gripper is driven laterally by a threaded nut on a lead screw and is pivoted between engaging and disengaging positions of the cartridge engaging hook by a spur gear and gear segment arrangement on a guide along which the gripper slides.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in a tape transport system or tape autoloader has a lifting platform supported by threaded lead screws. The threaded lead screws extend through threaded nuts held in the platform by floating mountings. A preferred embodiment has three lead screws and three types of floating mountings. The first restricts lateral and rotational motion, the second restricts rotational motion and lateral motion in one direction while permitting motion in a transverse direction, and the third floating mounting permits rotational and lateral motion, to a limited extent. A toothed belt over cog wheels drives the threaded lead screws to move the platform vertically.

Abstract: A read/write head of a magnetic tape drive is provided, where the matrix write head is provided as a part of an overall flat structure that utilizes the atmospheric pressure to hold the tape against the operational surface of the write head. The read head portion is provided to enable reading of the data immediately after it is written. The present head structure permits writing and reading of written data in both tape travel directions. The matrix write head portions are on chips and wear parts are in the upstream direction with respect to the tape travel from the write head. The wear parts provide a shape edge over which the tape moves. The read head is either optical or magnetic and is between two portions of the write head.

Abstract: A matrix array of recording heads, wherein each head is independent from another both in terms of its magnetic circuit and excitation conductors. Each individual head has a planar magnetic circuit and an helical coil wrapped around the lower part of the magnetic circuit. The matrix array is collectively fabricated using full thin film technology on non-magnetic substrates. Preferably, the heads are aligned in an oblique lattice with the write gaps aligned along rows and offset by a constant value along columns. Each individual head is connected to the control electronics through interconnects to the backside of the wafer, allowing independent control of the write parameters. The die forming the device is shaped on its edges and top surface to optimize head/medium positioning and minimize wear.

Abstract: An automated cartridge handling apparatus includes a cartridge storing magazine in which a plurality of cartridges are stored, such as between use in a cartridge drive. Transport of the cartridges between the drive and the cartridge storage magazine is accomplished by a cartridge shuttle having access at openings in an access side of the cartridge storage magazine. An access door is provided in a back surface of the cartridge storage magazine for selectively removing a cartridge from the corresponding cartridge storage slot in the magazine. The access door permits access to the cartridges without removal of the magazine from the automated cartridge handling apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic recording tape has a first pair of reels rotatably mounted therein which carry a first wide magnetic recording tape, and a second pair of reels disposed therein which carry a second wide magnetic recording tape. The reels are disposed in the cartridge so that each of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes spans a central space, which is adapted to receive a magnetic recording head of a tape drive, when the cartridge is inserted in the tape drive. A corresponding tape has four drive motors with respective drive shafts, that respectively engage the four reels of the cartridge for transporting the first and second recording magnetic recording tapes across the central opening. The drive has a recording head and a recording head positioning assembly for selectively positioning the recording head at any location along the width of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes.

Abstract: A cassette transfer apparatus includes a shuttle having four transfer openings through which cassettes are moved. The shuttle is movable along a longitudinal path between a tape drive and a feed slot, and is movable vertically to access vertically disposed storage slots in storage bins. The storage bins are disposed on either side of the path, so that the shuttle is positionable at each of the storage slots. The shuttle includes cassette transfer apparatus which is operable to moved the cassette into and out of the shuttle through the four transfer openings so as to move the cassette into and out of the storage slots in the storage bins, and the tape drive and the feed slot. The cassette transfer apparatus of a preferred embodiment includes belts each provided with a tab to push the cassette as the belt moves.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for magnetic tape cartridges in a tape transport system or tape autoloader has a lifting platform supported by threaded lead screws. The threaded lead screws extend through threaded nuts held in the platform by floating mountings. A preferred embodiment has three lead screws and three types of floating mountings. The first restricts lateral and rotational motion, the second restricts rotational motion and lateral motion in one direction while permitting motion in a transverse direction, and the third floating mounting permits rotational and lateral motion, to a limited extent. A toothed belt over cog wheels drives the threaded lead screws to move the platform vertically.