Abstract: A library device includes: a first robot configured to transport a storage medium stored in a storage rack; and a second robot configured to transport a storage medium stored in the storage rack; and wherein the first robot and the second robot each include: a hand device; a transportation body including a slot to store the storage medium; a rotation device configured to rotate the transportation body between a first orientation in which an opening of the slot faces the hand device of at least one of the first robot and the second robot and a second orientation in which the opening of the slot faces the hand device of the other one of the first robot and the second robot; and a switch device configured to control the rotation device.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store a plurality of recording media and a transporting unit configured to shift in a first direction and in a second direction that intersect each other and to transport the recording media. The transporting unit includes an accommodating unit configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of the recording media and a transferring unit configured to transfer the recording media one by one between the storing unit and the accommodating unit.

Abstract: A magnetic head is arranged between two reels around which a magnetic tape is wound and contacts one side of the magnetic tape spanned between the two reels. A driver moves the magnetic head. A controller causes the driver to generate a driving force for pressing the magnetic head against the one side of the magnetic tape while keeping the magnetic head in contact with the magnetic tape. It is possible to cause the magnetic head to stably contact the magnetic tape even when the running position of the magnetic tape varies in accordance with the winding state of the magnetic tape around the reel.

Abstract: A switching hub device includes a connector group including a plurality of connectors, the plurality of connectors each having a hole to insert a cable and including a locking unit to lock the cable inserted into the hole, a plurality of lock releasing members each to release the cable from the locking unit of each of the connectors by pressing a lock releasing unit provided in the cable, a supporting member to pivotally support each of the lock releasing members facing the lock releasing unit, and a handle having a fitting portion to fit with each of the lock releasing members supported by the supporting member, the handle gripping each of the lock releasing members fitted with the fitting portion.

Abstract: A library device includes: a first robot configured to transport a storage medium stored in a storage rack; and a second robot configured to transport a storage medium stored in the storage rack; and wherein the first robot and the second robot each include: a hand device; a transportation body including a slot to store the storage medium; a rotation device configured to rotate the transportation body between a first orientation in which an opening of the slot faces the hand device of at least one of the first robot and the second robot and a second orientation in which the opening of the slot faces the hand device of the other one of the first robot and the second robot; and a switch device configured to control the rotation device.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a rack that holds a magazine loaded with plural tape cartridges, the rack including an insertion slot through which the magazine is inserted, a conveying mechanism that attaches the plural tape cartridges to the magazine and detaches the plural tape cartridges from the magazine, the conveying mechanism including a reader for reading an identifier provided on each of the plural tape cartridges, and a control device that moves the conveying mechanism, prior to the magazine being inserted into the insertion slot, to an identifier reading position enabling the reader to read the identifiers as the magazine is inserted through the insertion slot.

Abstract: A library system which is provided with a cartridge magazine which stores a plurality of cartridges and enables cartridges to be taken out of and inserted into the library system, a key lock mechanism which prevents takeout of a cartridge by a key, and a key and a takeout lock mechanism of the cartridge magazine in the library system, wherein when a key locked cartridge magazine is loaded into the library system, a robot inside of the library system is used to operate the key to disengage the key lock of the cartridge magazine and lock takeout from the library system.

Abstract: A key data recording device includes a key data recording medium section which stores key data of the encrypted data; and a reading/writing section which reads and writes the key data from and into the key data recording medium section, which sections are contained in a cartridge casing accommodatable in a library unit. When the cartridge casing is irregularly ejected from the library unit, the key data recorded in the key data recording medium section is deleted. This configuration can enhance the confidentiality of encrypted data because the key data is not leaked even when the recording medium in which key data of the encrypted data is recorded is carried away.

Abstract: A library system which is provided with a cartridge magazine which stores a plurality of cartridges and enables cartridges to be taken out of and inserted into the library system, a key lock mechanism which prevents takeout of a cartridge by a key, and a key and a takeout lock mechanism of the cartridge magazine in the library system, wherein when a key locked cartridge magazine is loaded into the library system, a robot inside of the library system is used to operate the key to disengage the key lock of the cartridge magazine and lock takeout from the library system.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes cartridges each including a first fitting portion formed on a first surface and a second fitting portion formed on a second surface, a storage unit, and a transporting unit including a pulling unit to pull out a first cartridge from the storage unit, a first supporting unit provided under the pulling unit, having a tapered first distal end unit, and to insert the first distal end unit between the first cartridge and a second cartridge positioned under the first cartridge to release the fitting between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and a second supporting unit provided above the pulling unit, having a tapered second distal end unit and to insert the second distal end unit between the first cartridge and a third cartridge stacked on the first cartridge to release the fitting between the first cartridge and the third cartridge.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transport mechanism allows a first mobile carrier to move based on a power source incorporated in the first mobile carrier when an instructions signal specifying an access to a cell defined in a storage is supplied to a controller. When a fault is detected in the first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier is moved based on the action of a second mobile carrier. The method ensures the movement of the first mobile carrier with the assistance of the second mobile carrier even when the first mobile carrier suffers from a fault. The first mobile carrier can be moved out of the movable range of the second mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier is allowed to move in the own movable range without an interference to the first mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier keeps operating without an interruption.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a rack that holds a magazine loaded with plural tape cartridges, the rack including an insertion slot through which the magazine is inserted, a conveying mechanism that attaches the plural tape cartridges to the magazine and detaches the plural tape cartridges from the magazine, the conveying mechanism including a reader for reading an identifier provided on each of the plural tape cartridges, and a control device that moves the conveying mechanism, prior to the magazine being inserted into the insertion slot, to an identifier reading position enabling the reader to read the identifiers as the magazine is inserted through the insertion slot.

Abstract: A key data recording device includes a key data recording medium section which stores key data of the encrypted data; and a reading/writing section which reads and writes the key data from and into the key data recording medium section, which sections are contained in a cartridge casing accommodatable in a library unit. When the cartridge casing is irregularly ejected from the library unit, the key data recorded in the key data recording medium section is deleted. This configuration can enhance the confidentiality of encrypted data because the key data is not leaked even when the recording medium in which key data of the encrypted data is recorded is carried away.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a cartridge type sensor and a robot. The cartridge type sensor includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium stored in a cell, an optical reader for reading a medium identification code, and a medium detector for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium in a target cell. The optical reader and the medium detector are disposed in the cartridge of the cartridge type sensor. The robot picks up the cartridge type sensor from a cell which stores the cartridge type sensor and positions the cartridge type sensor at a predetermined location in the library apparatus while holding the cartridge type sensor.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes: a support body; a media container rack rotatable around a horizontally extending rotation shaft and having cells radially arranged to respectively contain removable storage media in a horizontal direction; a media drive fixed to the support body and accessing a storage medium loaded therein; and a media delivery device that delivers the storage media between the media container rack and the media drive. The apparatus further includes: a guide member that guides the media delivery device; and a controller which controls the media drive and rotation of the media container. The controller causes the guide member to guide the media delivery device and rotates the media container rack so as to set the target cell at a position where the media delivery device guided by the guide member can take and put one of the storage media out of and back in a target cell.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a cartridge type sensor and a robot. The cartridge type sensor includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium stored in a cell, an optical reader for reading a medium identification code, and a medium detector for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium in a target cell. The optical reader and the medium detector are disposed in the cartridge of the cartridge type sensor. The robot picks up the cartridge type sensor from a cell which stores the cartridge type sensor and positions the cartridge type sensor at a predetermined location in the library apparatus while holding the cartridge type sensor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transport mechanism allows a first mobile carrier to move based on a power source incorporated in the first mobile carrier when an instructions signal specifying an access to a cell defined in a storage is supplied to a controller. When a fault is detected in the first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier is moved based on the action of a second mobile carrier. The method ensures the movement of the first mobile carrier with the assistance of the second mobile carrier even when the first mobile carrier suffers from a fault. The first mobile carrier can be moved out of the movable range of the second mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier is allowed to move in the own movable range without an interference to the first mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier keeps operating without an interruption.

Abstract: A position detecting apparatus and a library apparatus that have a flag and a sensor for detecting the flag can shorten time required to perform a position detecting process. The position detecting apparatus comprises a flag 50 and a CCD sensor 36, the flag 50 being provided in a cabinet 23 or a magnetic tape recording-playing apparatus 24 and being formed of a first white part 51 and a second white part 52 with high reflectivity of light and a black part 53 with low reflectivity of light, and the CCD sensor 36 being provided in a medium holding mechanism 30 and detecting optically the first white part 51, the second white part 52 and the black part 53 in the flag 50. The first white part 51 and the second white part 52 are formed as a pair of right isosceles triangles and are positioned symmetrically with respect to an axis of the flag. Furthermore, the CCD sensor 36 is formed of a line type CCD sensor so as to detect the flag 50 linearly.

Abstract: The library apparatus of the present invention includes a cell unit having a plurality of cells which are configured to accept cartridges for accommodating storage media. The library apparatus also includes a drive unit for writing and reading to the storage media, and an accessor robot for transferring cartridges between the cell unit and the drive unit. A flat cable connects from a reference position to the accessor robot with a connecting mechanism. The flat cable winds around a cable drum, and an arm rotatably supports the cable drum. A wire rope and the arm are arranged to keep tension on the flat cable. The connecting mechanism and cable drum are constructed and arranged to prevent damage to the flat cable by preventing the flat cable from deviating towards either end of the cable drum.