Abstract: A library of disk media units for use in a data processing environment wherein receptacle columns hold multiple cartridges which in turn hold multiple media units comprised of caddies and recording disks. A picker system moves media into and from the drive units and receptacle columns. Drive units are also located within the receptacle columns. The caddies and cartridges are supplied with hole patterns to coact with optical sensors within the receptacle columns and thereby provide information to the library controller indicating the proper/improper operation of the picker system in positioning media units. Also, the hole pattern on the media unit enables the sensors to provide informational content about the media unit to the processor.

Abstract: A double storage multi-carousel recordable media library is provided which includes a plurality of vertically stacked carousels mounted for rotation about a vertically extending central axis. Each carousel has a plurality of receptacles which are angularly spaced about the central axis, each receptacle being capable of storing a pair of recordable media disks. Each carousel has a large peripheral cutout which is located between a pair of receptacles for allowing passage of the disks and each receptacle has a smaller peripheral cutout for allowing movement of a transport device. Each carousel cutout is capable of alignment along a transport axis which is parallel to the central axis so that a disk can be transported vertically therealong. A disk chucking device is mounted for receiving and releasably retaining disks which are moved vertically along the transport axis.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with an optical disk recorder/player (drive) of the type that receives a removable disk for signal exchanging operations. Once a disk is inserted into the drive, the rotation of the disk begins a period of accelerating rotational speed called spin up. During spin up, the focus and tracking systems of the drive are calibrated. Once the disks reach a desired operating rotational speed, a menu is provided for determining when to calibrate a laser in the drive for recording operations. Such writing or recording calibration of the laser occurs at different times in accordance with the types of signal processing functions to be performed with respect to the particular disk. Description includes a media library in which a plurality of optical disk drives are controlled in a manner for minimizing access times to any optical disk within the media library.