Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. One embodiment is a method for attaching a spring mechanism to a media storage device configured to receive one or more data media, the spring mechanism having at least one finger and at least one elongate spring tab. One such method comprises: engaging the at least one elongate spring tab with an opening in a spring alignment member attached to the media storage device, the at least one elongate spring tab having an aperture; and engaging the aperture of the at least one elongate spring tab with a spring retention member attached to the media storage device.

Abstract: An antenna is disclosed that comprises a flexible printed circuit material having first and second halves that are joined by a fold section. A coil trace is on the first half and a coil trace is on the second half. The antenna further comprises a first jumper between coil traces. The flexible printed circuit material is folded along the fold section so that the first and second halves are disposed back-to-back. An apparatus for reading information from a transponder is also disclosed that comprises a reader having an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving signals from a transponder, with the reader using an antenna according to the present invention. A media storage system is also disclosed that comprises a plurality of transponders, each of which is disposed on a respective one of a plurality of data cartridges and transmits a data signal related to its data cartridge.

Abstract: A media-detection system for a cartridge-receiving device may comprise, according to one embodiment, a cartridge-referencing member mounted to the cartridge-receiving device. The cartridge-referencing member is resiliently displaceable by a data cartridge received in the cartridge-receiving device. A sensor is operatively associated with the cartridge-referencing member. The sensor detecting the data cartridge in the cartridge-receiving device based on the displacement of the cartridge-referencing member.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. In one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of data media, a plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing, and a spring mechanism attached to the housing. The spring mechanism includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of elongate spring tabs. Each of the plurality of fingers extend into one of the plurality of slots and are configured to engage one of the plurality of data media when received in the slot. Each of the plurality of elongate spring tabs have an aperture and are configured such that one of the plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing engages the aperture.

Abstract: A storage tray adapted to be mounted to an extendable drawer for providing access to a plurality of data media in a data storage system is provided. The data storage system comprises a data exchange device configured to exchange data stored on the plurality of data media and a media handling system configured to transfer the plurality of data media between the storage tray and the data exchange device. Briefly described, the storage tray comprises: a floor section, a back section, a front end wall, and a back end wall defining a first volume sized to receive the plurality of data media; a base member extending away from the front end wall, the base member adapted to be attached to a front access panel of the extendable drawer; and a first slot media member extending away from the base member. The first slot member defines a second volume between the front end wall and the first slot member. The second volume is sized to receive a first spare data medium that is not accessible by the media handling system.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. In one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of data media, a plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing, and a spring mechanism attached to the housing. The spring mechanism includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of elongate spring tabs. Each of the plurality of fingers extend into one of the plurality of slots and are configured to engage one of the plurality of data media when received in the slot. Each of the plurality of elongate spring tabs have an aperture and are configured such that one of the plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing engages the aperture.

Abstract: A versatile walking cane adapted to be used alternatively as a stringed musical instrument. The cane has a handle portion, a tip portion and an elongate, preferably cylindrical body portion therebetween. The body portion has a plurality of tuning pegs rotatably mounted thereon adjacent the handle portion, a nut rigidly mounted near the tip portion and a bridge rigidly mounted between the tuning pegs and the nut. One end of each of a plurality of strings are spaced from one another and attached to the nut while the opposing ends of the strings are attached to the tuning pegs such that the strings contact the bridge and the nut and are spaced from the portion of the body portion therebetween. The portion of the strings between the bridge and the nut overlie a plurality of frets rigidly attached to the portion of the body portion between the nut and the bridge. The body portion, which is preferably hollow, may further include a hole therein disposed between the bridge and the nut.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in a data storage system are provided. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage system comprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a lift system. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks and each of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of data media. The media handling system is configured to access the plurality of data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly is configured to move the media handling system vertically between the plurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assembly are configured such that the media handling system is removably attached to the lift assembly.

Abstract: Media storage devices for, and methods of storing data media in, a data storage system are provided. The data storage system may comprise a data exchange device configured to exchange data stored on data media and a media handling system configured to transfer the data media between the media storage device and the data exchange device. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing configured to receive the data media. The housing includes a first elongate alignment groove adapted to slidably engage with a corresponding first elongate reference rail located adjacent an opening in the data storage system such that the media storage device may be inserted and removed by slidably engaging the first elongate reference rail and the first elongate alignment groove.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. In one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of data media, a plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing, and a spring mechanism attached to the housing. The spring mechanism includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of elongate spring tabs. Each of the plurality of fingers extend into one of the plurality of slots and are configured to engage one of the plurality of data media when received in the slot. Each of the plurality of elongate spring tabs have an aperture and are configured such that one of the plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing engages the aperture.

Abstract: A storage tray adapted to be mounted to an extendable drawer for providing access to a plurality of data media in a data storage system is provided. The data storage system comprises a data exchange device configured to exchange data stored on the plurality of data media and a media handling system configured to transfer the plurality of data media between the storage tray and the data exchange device. Briefly described, the storage tray comprises: a floor section, a back section, a front end wall, and a back end wall defining a first volume sized to receive the plurality of data media; a base member extending away from the front end wall, the base member adapted to be attached to a front access panel of the extendable drawer; and a first slot media member extending away from the base member. The first slot member defines a second volume between the front end wall and the first slot member. The second volume is sized to receive a first spare data medium that is not accessible by the media handling system.

Abstract: A system for providing access to a plurality of data media contained in a data storage system is provided. The data storage system comprises a plurality of media storage devices for storing the plurality of data media, a data exchange device for exchanging data stored on the plurality of data media, and a media handling system for transferring the plurality of data media between the plurality of media storage devices and the data exchange device. The system comprises a bulk access apparatus configured to cover a plurality of openings in the data storage system. Each of the plurality of openings in the data storage system provide access to one of the media storage devices.

Abstract: A method for providing automated access to a plurality of data media located in an extendable drawer in an opening in a data storage system is provided. Briefly, one such method comprises the steps of: receiving information associated with one of the plurality of data media located in the drawer; based on the information associated with one of the plurality of data media, determining the corresponding predefined position relative to the opening in the data storage system; and positioning the drawer in the predefined position relative to the opening in the data storage system.

Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge picker for selectively engaging and disengaging a cartridge may comprise a thumb assembly mounted to the cartridge picker so that the thumb assembly is moveable along a first displacement path between an extended position and a retracted position. An automatically splaying picker finger having an engagement end and a mounting end is mounted to the thumb assembly at the mounting end and is moveable between a retracted position and a splayed position, so that the finger moves into the splayed position when the engagement end is moved against a cartridge. A cartridge picker positioning system is operatively associated with the cartridge picker to move the cartridge picker between a first position and a second position along a second displacement path that is substantially perpendicular to the first displacement path. The finger disengages the cartridge when the thumb assembly is in the extended position and the cartridge picker is moved to the second position.