Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a cartridge recording medium; at least one cell for storing the cartridge recording medium, the at least one cell being inclined downward toward an interior portion of the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus has a housing having an opening for allowing direct insertion of the cartridge recording medium from outside of the storage apparatus into the at least one cell, and allowing for direct ejection of the cartridge recording medium from the at least one cell to the outside of the storage apparatus. An accessor is provided for transferring the cartridge recording medium between the at least one cell and the drive unit. A string screw is threadedly engaged with the accessor, and is rotationally driven by a motor.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a selected one of a plurality of cartridge recording media; a cartridge storing member for storing the plurality of cartridge recording media; and an accessor for taking the selected cartridge recording medium out of the cartridge storing member, and feeding the selected cartridge recording medium to the drive unit. The cartridge storing member has a plurality of cells through which the cartridge recording media are allowed to be respectively inserted and passed toward the drive unit. Each of the cells includes a latch for positioning the cartridge recording media into a transfer position wherein the cartridge recording media is transferred to the accessor; improper insertion preventing means for preventing full insertion of the cartridge recording media into cells in an improper orientation; and a shutter mechanism including a door which is allowed to be opened only when a given cartridge recording media is inserted and ejected.

Abstract: A library apparatus having a motor driving control circuit including a processor, a motor driver circuit, a relay, a motor abnormal condition detection circuit, a current control circuit, an excess current detection circuit, and an abnormal current monitor circuit. The motor abnormal condition detection circuit is connected to the motor driver circuit, and detects an abnormal condition of at least one of the motor and the motor driver circuit. Upon detecting an abnormal condition, the motor abnormal condition detection circuit outputs a motor abnormal condition detection signal which prompts the current control circuit to regulate the current flowing through the motor driver circuit. If the current control circuit is unsuccessful, the excess current detection circuit outputs an excess current detection signal which triggers the relay to close the power source circuit of the motor driver circuit.

Abstract: An MPU of a second subcontroller in a library apparatus executes an intra-memory apparatus construction data creation program, thereby controlling operations of an accessor and of a bar code reader. Unit construction data is thereby obtained from a bar code label attached to each unit. It is therefore feasible to automatically input the data about a position where a drum unit is disposed, and the number of magnetic tape cartridges that can be housed in the drum unit.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus has an automatic loading mechanism for automatically loading a cartridge containing a recording medium. The magnetic tape apparatus includes, in addition to the automatic loading mechanism, a recording/reproducing unit, a magazine for storing a plurality of cartridges, an accessor for feeding a cartridge, a charger/discharger for charging and discharging a cartridge other than the cartridges stored in the magazine, and a positioning unit for positioning a charged cartridge in a normal position. The magnetic tape apparatus is capable of carrying out special processes including an interrupting process.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a non-volatile memory and applications of the control apparatus to electronic computer peripheral equipments are disclosed. For example, a NOVRAM (non-volatile static random access memory) is used as the non-volatile memory so that data of the status of the apparatus are stored into the non-volatile memory while the apparatus is operating in order to perform recovery of the apparatus quickly after a trouble such as turning off of the power or service interruption occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic tape machine including a magnetic tape unit for performing read and write of data on a cartridge recording medium; a cartridge storing member having a plurality of cells each capable of storing the cartridge recording medium; and an automatic cartridge loader for carrying the cartridge recording medium between each cell of the cartridge storing member and the magnetic tape unit and between one of the cells and another of the cells of the cartridge storing member. The automatic cartridge loader includes an accessor for holding the cartridge recording medium; a moving member for supporting the accessor and moving the accessor in a direction of arrangement of the cells; and a speed control device for controlling a moving speed of the accessor. The speed control device decides the moving speed according to friction data between the accessor and the moving member.

Abstract: A library apparatus having an accessor equipped with a bar code reader. The library apparatus includes a recording medium drive unit for writing and reading data to and from a recording medium cartridge; a cartridge entry unit for entering recording medium cartridges into the apparatus; and an automatic cartridge exit unit for automatically ejecting recording medium cartridges from inside the apparatus. The accessor transports cartridges through the cell unit, the recording medium drive unit, the cartridge entry unit and the automatic cartridge exit unit. The library apparatus also includes a door for allowing a large number of recording medium cartridges to enter all at once into the cells of a given cell column of the cell unit. Because the accessor is equipped with the bar code reader, the bar code of each cartridge is read thereby every time a cartridge is taken out of its cell by the accessor.