Abstract: A media stackloader for processing media in one or more drives of a personal computer is provided where the stackloader plugs into a half slot or full slot (51/4) inch of the personal computer. The stackloader has a plug portion which is integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the slot and the housing portion housing a magazine which contains media, such as optical disk cartridges. The stackloader is provided with a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A device is provided for locking and unlocking the cartridges, the operator unlocking the cartridges when it is desired to remove from or add cartridges to the magazine.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the position and use of cartridges of machine-readable data storage media in an automated super library. The invention is implemented in a super library that includes a main library bin with a plurality of cartridge slots, a picker, and multiple small libraries, where each small library has a small library bin with multiple slots, a picker, and at least one data drive. Mount queue times are estimated for each small library, and a main library picker is selectively operated to transfer cartridges between the small libraries based on the estimated mount queue times. This provides expedited access of the cartridges at the small libraries. The host processor maintains requests for such inter-library transfers in a main picker queue, for processing by the main picker. When each small library has a non-empty mount queue, the main picker processes small libraries' cartridge transfer requests by efficiently distributing cartridges along the small libraries.

Abstract: One or more stationary bar code readers are provided in an automated storage library to monitor the movement of magazines, cartridges and/or disks within the library and to maintain an updated inventory on the location of each item in the library. Preferably, a reader is positioned at the head of each column of storage cells and at the front of each drive unit. Each magazine and cartridge has a linear bar code label and each bare disk has a concentric bar code label. Each label is fixed to a surface visible to the readers whereby, as a magazine, cartridge or disk is passed in front of a reader, the label is read, decoded and the information used to update a library inventory table.

Abstract: In an automated storage and retrieval library system, a library controller is directed to examine a command queue, as well as the state of the grippers and the state of the data drive units. In general, upon completion of the examination, the controller determines whether an additional command, currently in the queue, can be executed in conjunction with (that is, before, during or after) execution of the current command, thereby optimizing the utilization of the accessor. For example, if the accessor is to execute an exchange command, a move command might be in the queue which requires moving a cartridge from the area in which the accessor will be located after the exchange is made but before the exchanged cartridge is moved to a new location. In such an event, the controller will direct that the move command be overlapped with the second half of the exchange command by using the empty gripper.