Abstract: A seven-sided housing for an information storage medium, where one of those seven sides is moveable in two planes to allow access to an information storage medium disposed therein. A portable data storage cartridge which includes an information storage medium disposed in Applicants' housing. A method to read information from, and/or write information to, the information storage medium disposed within Applicants' portable data storage cartridge. An information storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' portable data storage cartridges. A method to read information from, and/or write information to, an information storage medium disposed in Applicants' data storage cartridge.

Abstract: A seven-sided housing for an information storage medium, where one of those seven sides is moveable in two planes to allow access to an information storage medium disposed therein. A portable data storage cartridge which includes an information storage medium disposed in Applicants' housing. A method to read information from, and/or write information to, the information storage medium disposed within Applicants' portable data storage cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge magazine with interfaces to automatic cartridge feeder devices. On one side, the magazine has an open interface that provides unencumbered access by a robotic picker that accesses cartridges for a library. The magazine is accessible on another side by a transport mechanism of an automatic cartridge feeder (ACF). The transport carries a cartridge from the magazine to a drive unit where the data stored on the cartridge is read or new data is written. The interface to the ACF includes a handle member for placing the magazine into the feeder. The magazine is mounted by loading it into the feeder and pushing the handle inward allowing a plunger on the ACF to engage a groove on the handle member that locks the magazine into place. Locking the magazine in place activates a sensor, thereby enabling the operation of the feeder. The interface securely engages the ACF so that the magazine cannot be accidentally dislodged from it.