Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment an automated storage library is provided. The automated storage library may include a media drive, an array of storage bins for holding storage devices, and a robotic transfer mechanism for transporting storage devices between the media drive and the storage bins. The storage library includes a housing for supporting the media drive, the robotic transfer mechanism, and the storage bins, and a structure within the housing that is associated with one or more storage bins, wherein the structure is extendable at least partially from the housing.

Abstract: Storage systems for use with data storage devices (including cartridges) may include a track connecting a plurality storage libraries and a transporter for transferring a cartridge within and between the storage libraries. The track may comprise a cam pathway, and the transporter may comprise a shuttle for holding a cartridge and a cam follower for following the cam pathway. Thus, as the transporter is moved along the track, the position of the transporter's shuttle may correspond to the position of the cam follower as it follows the cam pathway. Methods of transporting a storage device from a first storage library to a second storage library are also described.

Abstract: A cabinet, rack frame or equipment that includes a temporary workshelf that may be stowed within the profile of a cabinet, rack frame or equipment when not in use. When in use, the workshelf extends to provide a work surface that may be used, for example to hold a laptop computer or other portable equipment, as a writing surface. The workshelf may be positioned in the cabinet or rack so that when extended, the workshelf provides an ergonomic work surface. Additionally, when extended, the workshelf may expose a portion of a front face of the cabinet, rack frame or equipment. The front face may house one or more functional units such as a data port, door latch, power switch, display or a control panel. When the workshelf is extended, a technician may have access to the functional units.

Abstract: A cabinet, rack frame or equipment that includes a temporary workshelf that may be stowed within the profile of a cabinet, rack frame or equipment when not in use. When in use, the workshelf extends to provide a work surface that may be used, for example to hold a laptop computer or other portable equipment, as a writing surface. The workshelf may be positioned in the cabinet or rack so that when extended, the workshelf provides an ergonomic work surface. Additionally, when extended, the workshelf may expose a portion of a front face of the cabinet, rack frame or equipment. The front face may house one or more functional units such as a data port, door latch, power switch, display or a control panel. When the workshelf is extended, a technician may have access to the functional units.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment an automated storage library is provided. The automated storage library may include a media drive, an array of storage bins for holding storage devices, and a robotic transfer mechanism for transporting storage devices between the media drive and the storage bins. The storage library includes a housing for supporting the media drive, the robotic transfer mechanism, and the storage bins, and a structure within the housing that is associated with one or more storage bins, wherein the structure is extendable at least partially from the housing.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a tape insertion opening, a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening, and a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening. The first and second guides are separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides. The first and second guides are movable within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable portion of a position detector is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A fixed portion of the position detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator.

Abstract: A CD-ROM tower holds 100 CD-ROM disks or like media in five removable magazines. The magazines are identifiable by a robotics control system in the tower. The tower further includes four drives which receive the disks and transfer data from the disks to a SCSI bus. A transport mechanism controlled by the robotics control system raises and lowers an elevator with respect to the magazines and the drives. A tray picker mechanism on the elevator pulls a tray out of a magazine, and a disk lifter mechanism on the elevator lifts a disk from the tray. After the tray is returned to the magazine, the elevator is moved a drive and the disk is lowered onto the drive drawer. In similar manner, a disk is removed from a drive drawer and returned to a magazine tray. The tower is configured to use commercially available CD-ROM drives or other media drives so that the drives are available at commodity prices and are easily replaceable and upgradeable.

Abstract: A voice coil driven positioner is provided for positioning the magnetic head of a tape drive relative to the tape of a removable tape cartridge. The head positioner includes a low-mass carriage that supports the head on one end and the voice coil on an opposed second end. A low friction guide mechanism guides the carriage along a precision movement path that carries the head across tracks of a supplied multi-track tape and simultaneously carries the voice coil through a flux field generated by a stator. A movable magnet is attached to the carriage and located within the hollow of the voice coil for reciprocating into a hollow passageway of the stator together with reciprocation of the voice coil into another hollow of the stator. A flux detector is attached to the stator and located compactly within the hollow passageway of the stator for detecting the position of the magnet.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a tape insertion opening, a first guide at a first side of the tape insertion opening, and a second guide at a second side of the tape insertion opening. The first and second guides are separated from one another to provide a first opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a first size between the first and second guides. The first and second guides are movable within the tape insertion opening to provide a second opening width that accommodates insertion of tape cartridges of a second size.

Abstract: A low profile mechanism for biased driving of driven roller in tape cartridge includes a rotor-on-the-outside motor placed on a reciprocating base plate and moved by the base plate to engage a drive roller with a predefined control force. The drive roller is translatable such that it conveys all or part of the control force to the driven roller of a supplied tape cartridge.

Abstract: A tape drive for accommodating tape cartridges of different sizes and capacities is provided with a drive mouth and a movable door opening mechanism within the drive mouth. The movable door opening mechanism opens a cartridge door of a tape cartridge as it is inserted into the drive mouth. The movable door opening mechanism remains in a first position during initial insertion of a tape cartridge until the cartridge door of the tape cartridge is open, and moves to a second position during further insertion of the tape cartridge to accommodate that tape cartridge within the drive mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for fine positioning a tape head relative to a head carriage that is coarsely positionable by a lead screw. The fine positioning apparatus includes parallel first and second resilient support beams oriented generally parallel to the direction of tape travel and having their ends fixedly secured to the head carriage so as to be deflectable in a direction transverse to the direction of tape travel. The centers of the parallel first and second support beams have their centers secured to a tape head frame which contains the tape. A linear motor drives the tape head frame against the resilience of the first and second resilient support beams in response to a drive signal which, for example, is derived from tracking error information produced pursuant to reading of servo information on tape. Pursuant to the displacement of the tape head frame against the resilience of the support beams, the magnetic tape head is moved along a linear path transverse to the tape travel direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an end loaded tape drive for an elongate tape cartridge having a door in one of its sides proximate one end of the cartridge. The tape drive includes an elongate table mounted at least partially within an elongate housing upon which the cartridge may rest. The table is movable in an x-y plane defined by an x axis and a y axis. The drive includes a magnetic head which is fixed against movement in an x-y plane. A cartridge door opening mechanism is provided for opening the access door of the cartridge sufficiently to provide access to the tape by the magnetic head. Movement of the table in the y direction actuates the door opening mechanism and movement of the table in the x direction positions the tape in a read/write position. A motor is further provided for moving the length of tape within the cartridge along the magnetic head when the tape is in the read/write position.

Abstract: The present invention is an end loaded tape drive for an elongate tape cartridge having a door in one of its sides proximate one end of the cartridge. The tape drive includes an elongate table mounted at least partially within an elongate housing upon which the cartridge may rest. The table is movable in an x-y plane defined by an x axis and a y axis. The drive includes a magnetic head which is fixed against movement in an x-y plane. A cartridge door opening mechanism is provided for opening the access door of the cartridge sufficiently to provide access to the tape by the magnetic head. Movement of the table in the y direction actuates the door opening mechanism and movement of the table in the x direction positions the tape in a read/write position. A motor is further provided for moving the length of tape within the cartridge along the magnetic head when the tape is in the read/write position.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head is mounted on a carriage having a semi-circular recess therein. A threaded lead screw is partially surrounded by the recess. A partial nut having an arcuate front surface with two male thread segments thereon engages the lead screw. The partial nut is supported on the carriage so that rotation of the screw causes movement of the carriage relative to the screw, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw. The partial nut is biased into engagement with the screw by a coil spring which extends between the partial nut and a cap which is spaced from the rear surface of the partial nut. The spring applies a constant, predetermined force on the partial nut. The direction of the spring force is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring. Thus, the head can be precisely positioned by the rotation of the lead screw. Also disclosed is a method of positioning the magnetic head.