Abstract: Media storage system and control panel for use therewith. One embodiment of the control panel may comprise a frame assembly, and a quick-release attachment system operable to readily mount the frame assembly to the media storage system and readily release the frame assembly from the media storage system.

Abstract: A high-density media storage system. One embodiment of the high-density media storage system may comprises a plurality of storage libraries, each configured to store data cartridges in a horizontal orientation in high-density relation to one another. Such system also comprises a cartridge-handling apparatus having a drive assembly, the drive assembly moving the cartridge-handling apparatus through a displacement path through the plurality of storage libraries. The system further comprises an operational envelope provided at one end of the displacement path in one of the plurality of storage libraries, the operational envelope sized to receive only the drive assembly of the cartridge-handling apparatus when the cartridge-handling apparatus is positioned at the one end of the displacement path.

Abstract: A media picker assembly includes a frame, a plunge assembly operable to travel along a predetermined axis of the frame to engage and disengage a media cartridge, and first and second cables coupled to the frame for transmitting first and second predetermined sets of signals, respectively.

Abstract: A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system having a drawer with at least a first data cartridge storage location and a second data cartridge storage location. The drawer is operatively associated with the data storage system so that the first data cartridge storage location is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first data cartridge storage location is operatively associated with the second data cartridge storage location so that the first data cartridge storage location is independently moveable from the second data cartridge storage location.

Abstract: A cartridge picker assembly may include a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall positioned in spaced-apart relation, the first side wall of said frame defining lateral plane. A thumb assembly is slidably mounted to the first and second side walls of the frame so that the thumb assembly is capable of moving toward and away from a cartridge access end of the frame. A guide member mounted to the thumb assembly engages the lateral guide surface on the first side wall of the frame so that lateral motion of the thumb assembly is controlled as the thumb assembly moves toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame.

Abstract: Shipping lock apparatus for securing a moveable cartridge picker assembly to a frame may comprise a lock member mounted to the cartridge picker assembly so that the lock member can be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position. A thumb assembly contained within the cartridge picker contacts the lock member as the thumb assembly moves to a retracted position so that the lock member is moved to the unlocked position when the thumb assembly reaches the retracted position. A slot associated with the frame engages the lock member when the cartridge picker assembly is located at a stowed position and when the lock member is placed in the locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a multi-plane media storage system. One or more data retrieval devices are attached to the cartridge access device. A transponder is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data, and at least one reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. A scanner adapted to scan bar code indicia on the data cartridges may also be attached to the cartridge access device at the opposite end from the reader.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly are disclosed herein. In one method, the position of a plunge mechanism associated with a cartridge engaging assembly is regulated by 1) providing a reference mark on the plunge mechanism, 2) detecting a size of the reference mark on the plunge mechanism, and then 3) determining the position of the plunge mechanism based on the size of the detected reference mark. In another method, a plunge mechanism is moved to an extended position within a cartridge engaging assembly by 1) initiating movement of the plunge mechanism from a retracted toward an extended position in accordance with an open loop control schedule, and then 2) after moving the plunge mechanism for a predetermined distance, switching control of the movement of the plunge mechanism to a closed loop control schedule, and monitoring a detector which detects a reference mark provided on the plunge mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly is disclosed herein. The apparatus may be embodied in a cartridge engaging assembly having a plunge mechanism that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunge mechanism is provided with a reference mark that moves with the plunge mechanism. A detector is mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly, wherein the detector senses an image of the reference mark and produces an output signal related thereto. A control system is operatively associated with the detector and is responsive to the output signal produced thereby. The control system is also operatively associated with the plunge mechanism so that it regulates the position of the plunge mechanism based on the output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a media storage system. One or more data retrieval devices are attached to the cartridge access device. A transponder is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data, and at least one reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. A scanner adapted to scan bar code indicia on the data cartridges may also be attached to the cartridge access device at the opposite end from the reader.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method in which the focus of the imaging apparatus can be adjusted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cartridge engaging assembly includes a plunge mechanism which is mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly. The plunge mechanism is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A reference mark is provided on the plunge mechanism so that the reference mark moves with the plunge mechanism. A detector is also mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly. As the plunge mechanism is extended, the detector detects the reference mark and produces an output signal which is related thereto. A control system is operatively associated with the detector and is responsive to the output signal produced thereby. The control system is also operatively associated with the plunge mechanism. As a result, the control system can regulate the position of the plunge mechanism based on the output signal produced by the detector.

Abstract: A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system may comprise a drawer having a first data cartridge storage location and a second data cartridge storage location. The drawer is operatively associated with the data storage system so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved between a first position and a second position and so that the second data cartridge storage location may be moved between a third position and a fourth position. The first data cartridge storage location is operatively associated with the second data cartridge storage location so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved independently from the second data cartridge storage location and so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved together with the second data cartridge storage location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying objects within a set of objects, the method comprising the steps of transmitting a signal toward a region of interest, receiving energy reflected from said region of interest, establishing a baseline field strength for said received reflected energy, determining at least one frequency at which said field strength substantially differs from said baseline field strength for said received reflected energy, and identifying at least one object within said region of interest based upon said determined at least one frequency.

Abstract: A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system may comprise a drawer sized to receive at least one data cartridge. The drawer is operatively associated with a cartridge handling system of the data storage system so that the drawer may be moved by the cartridge handling system between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retaining at least two different sizes of data cartridges in a storage magazine. A frame assembly defines a chamber in the storage magazine. The chamber is dimensioned to receive the largest of the two different sizes of data cartridges therein. A cartridge referencing member is mounted to the frame assembly and is resiliently displaceable within the chamber. The cartridge referencing member applies a biasing force to a data cartridge received therein to retain the received data cartridge in a registration position within the chamber to keep it from floating into an unknown position within the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A data storage system comprises a plurality of cartridge receiving devices provided within the data storage system. A cartridge engaging apparatus having a cartridge access side and a back side is mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging apparatus moves along a displacement path. The arrangement of the plurality of cartridge receiving devices and the displacement path is such that at least one of the plurality of cartridge receiving devices is located opposite the back side of the cartridge engaging apparatus. An information reader mounted to the cartridge engaging apparatus reads cartridge information provided on a data cartridge located adjacent the back side of the cartridge engaging apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge picker assembly may include a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall positioned in spaced-apart relation and a cartridge access end. A lateral guide surface being substantially parallel to a lateral plane is associated with the first side wall of the frame. A thumb assembly is slidably mounted to the first and second side walls of the frame so that the thumb assembly is capable of moving toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame. A guide member flaunted to the thumb assembly engages the lateral guide surface on the first side wall of the frame so that lateral motion of the thumb assembly is controlled as the thumb assembly moves toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame.

Abstract: A cartridge picker assembly may include a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall positioned in spaced-apart relation and a cartridge access end. A lateral guide surface being substantially parallel to a lateral plane is associated with the first side wall of the frame. A thumb assembly is slidably mounted to the first and second side walls of the frame so that the thumb assembly is capable of moving toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame. A guide member is mounted to the thumb assembly, engaging the lateral guide surface on the first side wall of the frame so that lateral motion of the thumb assembly is controlled as the thumb assembly moves toward and away from the cartridge access end of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which utilize a feedback loop arrangement to control the accurate positioning of components. The system and method may utilize the feedback loop to control a component engaging member operable to retrieve a component. The feedback loop may control the component engaging member by activating a drive subsystem operable to translate the component engaging member. Additionally, the feedback control loop may implemented by utilizing a signal source operable to emit a signal and a signal receiver operable to receive the signal emitted by the signal source. The signal source and signal receiver are fixedly attached to the device. Also, the feedback loop may involve a processor operable to control retrieval of a desired component utilizing at least in part the signal emitted by the signal source and received by the signal receiver.