Abstract: A sensor system includes: a sensor insert sub-assembly including a sensor holder, a biasing magnet connected to the sensor holder, and a first sensor connected to the sensor holder, wherein a first end of the sensor housing insert sub-assembly is configured to face a target; and a pressure barrier connected to the sensor insert sub-assembly. A portion of the pressure barrier extends between the first end of the sensor housing insert sub-assembly and the target. There is a gap between the portion of the pressure barrier and the first end of the sensor insert sub-assembly. The first sensor includes a magneto-resistive sensor that is configured to detect a displacement of the target relative to the sensor housing insert sub-assembly.

Abstract: A media cartridge autoloader including a media cartridge holding mechanism by which one of media cartridges whose sizes are different is selectively inserted into a media cartridge container is disclosed. When a media cartridge container is used for a media cartridge, a recess formed at an inserting side upper face of the media cartridge moves through a protruding section of a second cartridge holding member. When another media cartridge is inserted, sliding sections of first and second cartridge holding members abut on the other media cartridge and insertion thereof is prevented. When the media cartridge is inserted in a wrong direction, the protruding section abuts on the media cartridge and insertion thereof is prevented. When the media cartridge container is used for the other media cartridge, the first cartridge holding member is attached to a third holding member attaching section of the media cartridge container.

Abstract: A media cartridge autoloader is disclosed which includes a main module including a media cartridge picker that pulls in a media cartridge via a mail slot and ejects the media cartridge via the mail slot. A media drive selectively receives the media cartridge. First and second media cartridge transport magazines transportably store the media cartridge. The main module further includes a stopper mechanism that inhibits the media cartridge from being fully reinserted when inserting the media cartridge is attempted in a state where the media cartridge has been ejected so as to at least partially protrude outside of the mail slot. The stopper mechanism contacts a lower part of a rear side of the media cartridge to stop the media cartridge in a state where a front side of the media cartridge is at least partially ejected through the mail slot.

Abstract: A media cartridge autoloader is disclosed that includes a main module having a rotation transmission path forming device and one or more media cartridge transport magazines. The rotation transmission path forming device can include a drive shaft unit, a drive shaft unit shifting mechanism, and a magazine drive motor module. A mechanism that rotates a turntable of a media cartridge picker can be used to move and selectively couple the drive shaft unit with one or more of the media cartridge transport magazines. A drive shaft of the drive shaft unit can be driven by a magazine drive motor of the magazine drive motor module, so that the coupled magazine is driven. This magazine drive motor can also release one or more of the media cartridge transport magazines from the engagement with one or more magazine locking mechanisms of the main module.

Abstract: A media cartridge autoloader including first and second media cartridge transport magazines is disclosed. A magazine drive includes a drive shaft unit, a drive shaft unit shifting mechanism, and a magazine drive motor module. A mechanism that rotates a turntable of a media cartridge picker is also used to move the drive shaft unit such that the drive shaft unit is selectively coupled with either one of the first or second media cartridge transport magazines. A drive shaft of the drive shaft unit is driven by a magazine drive motor of the magazine drive motor module, so that the coupled media cartridge transport magazine is driven.

Abstract: A housing for receiving and securing storage devices of varying dimensions useful in automated library systems is provided. In one example, the housing has an interior space defined by a base and a perimeter wall extending along at least two sides of the base. A first arm is coupled to the perimeter wall, and at least a portion of the first arm is biased to extend into the interior space at a height above the base for allowing insertion of thinner storage devices without pushing on the arm. The first arm is configured to evacuate the interior space in response to a thicker storage device pushing on the first arm. Stand-offs or other length differentiating features may be disposed and sized to provide a common pick point among storage devices of different types insertable in the housing. Further examples include providing additional arms that may be configured similar to the first arm.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for handling storage cartridges within an automated storage library is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a frame, a translating member, e.g., a leadnut/leadscrew, and a finger mechanism slidably mounted to the frame. The translating member is operable to translate along the frame. The finger mechanism includes a finger member for engaging a storage device, and the finger mechanism is mechanically associated with the translating member such that translation of the translation member relative to the picker frame results in a translation of the finger mechanism relative to the translation member such that the finger mechanism moves a greater distance than the translation member. A gear assembly, mounted to the translation member, may rotate during translation to cause relative movement of the translation member and finger mechanism.