Abstract: The pass thru mechanism serves to interconnect two juxtaposed automated cartridge library systems and provides an apparatus to obviate the need for complex alignment compensation mechanisms or precise alignment between the juxtaposed automated cartridge library systems. An alignment platform is located at each end of the pass thru mechanism and a repositioning assembly is located midway between the two ends of the pass thru mechanism. The alignment platforms are typically located entirely within the confines of the housing of the automated cartridge library systems and the repositioning assembly is either completely external to the housing of the automated cartridge library systems or only partially included therein. The operation of the alignment platforms and the repositioning assembly are decoupled in that there is no physical connection among these elements or interaction among these elements.

Abstract: A magazine for handling a plurality of tape cartridges. The magazine includes a plurality of vertically spaced, parallel shelves having tapered front edges with notches formed therein for ease of tape cartridge insertion. The slots slant downward to precisely position and restrain the tape cartridges magazine. A rib extends through each slot to engage in a tape cartridge notch. Improperly inserted tape cartridges will be forced to extend further out of the magazine so that they will be easily identified. A handle formed on the upper end of the front face of the magazine causes the lower end of the magazine to pivot forward to restrain the tape cartridges from accidental dislodgement. A locking strap is also provided to prevent the tape cartridges from accidentally dislodging from the magazine.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality or magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and unclamping an optical disk in an information storage and retrieval device having removabe media. The apparatus has rotating and a non-rotating disk support assemblies, the non-rotating disk support assembly being attached to an elevator which reciprocatively raises and lowers the rotating and non-rotating disk support assemblies. The rotating disk support assembly is magnetically clamped to the non-rotating disk support assembly by an electromagnet during the loading and centering operation. The rotating disc support assembly has a centering stem which cooperates with a hole in the device spindle to center the rotating disk support assembly relative to the device spindle. In the preferred embodiment, the disk has a flexure and a tapered disk centering hub which cooperates with a taper on the hole in the device spindle to center the disk relative to the device spindle.

Abstract: A continuously variable magnification optical system for use in document copier machines wherein multiple cams are used to provide motion input to the continuously variable drive system. Multiple cams are used in order to provide capability to the machine of copying at 1:1 reduction on various size copy papers without causing the scanning mechanism to scan beyond the usable length of the document glass. A cam-select mechanism is disclosed.

Abstract: A continuously variable reduction scanning optical system wherein a preferred embodiment is disclosed with mechanisms for continuously adjusting the magnification ratio, the total conjugate length, scan speed, scan length, and leading edge registration. Either a single focus or variable focus lens can be used.