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.

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: An improved optical assembly for acquiring an image of an object is disclosed. The optical assembly comprises an illuminator used to illuminate the object and an imaging device used to generate an image of the object. The illuminator has a light source associated with an illuminating lens wherein the illuminating lens has an optical axis. A light beam is generated by the light source and passes through the illuminating lens to illuminate the object. The imaging device has a photosensor associated with an imaging lens wherein the imaging lens has an optical axis. An image beam of light reflects from the object and is focused by the imaging lens onto the photosensor. The light beams associated with the illuminator and the imaging device are steered to intersect at a common point on the object. Steering the light beam is accomplished by spacing the light source a distance from the optical axis of the illuminating lens.

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 retrieving data cartridge information associated with a data cartridge contained in a cartridge receiving device of a media storage system. An identification device is attached to the data cartridge for storing the data cartridge information and a reader is attached to the cartridge receiving device adjacent the data cartridge for reading the data cartridge information from the identification device. The identification device transmits a data signal containing the data cartridge information to the reader. A controller operatively associated with the reader may process the data signal.

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: 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 alignment system for an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The alignment system aligns the image beam associated with the imaging apparatus relative to predetermined reference points, such as the vertex and base of a right triangle. The base of the right triangle may be normal to the image beam and the vertex of the right triangle may be located at a fixed and predetermined location relative to the imaging apparatus. The image beam may intersect a hypotenuse point on the hypotenuse of the right triangle and the image beam may intersect a base point on the base of the right triangle. The alignment system measures the distance between the base point and the hypotenuse point. The distance between the base point and the hypotenuse point corresponds to a single location on the base relative to the vertex. The alignment systems, thus, references the transverse position of the image beam relative to the vertex.

Abstract: A system to guide a media handler used by an automated media exchanger is disclosed. The automated media exchanger is of the type that uses an imaging apparatus to identify media located in the automated media exchanger. The imaging apparatus images a guidance target that is affixed to a predetermined location relative to media within the automated media exchanger. The guidance target comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge define boundaries of reflective difference. A first axis intersects the first edge at a first point and the second edge at a second point. The distance between the first point and the second point corresponds to a location on a second axis. The system measures the distance between the two points to correlate the location, relative to the second axis, where the target was imaged. The location of the imaging apparatus and, thus, the media handler, may, be readily determined relative to the media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved imaging system of the type having a photosensor package and at least one optical component, e.g, a lens, mounted within an optical assembly housing. The photosensor package may be mounted to a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, in a conventional manner. The substrate, however, may be formed having a shorter length than the photosensor package. This shorter length causes the ends of the photosensor package to extend beyond the substrate and, thus, be exposed. The exposed ends of the photosensor package, in turn, allow the photosensor package to be directly referenced to reference surfaces formed on the optical assembly housing.

Abstract: An automated object detection system and method is disclosed. The automated detection system uses an imaging apparatus, such as a bar code reader, to determine if an object is located at a predetermined location. The automated object detection system has a reference surface with a target located on the reference surface. The imaging apparatus is positioned relative to the reference surface so as to image the target. The automated object detection system is adapted to have objects located in a light path between the target and the imaging apparatus so as to block the target from being imaged. If the imaging apparatus is able to image the target, the automated optical detection system may determine that no object is located between the target and the imaging apparatus. If the imaging apparatus is unable to image the target, the automated optical detection system may determine that an object is located between the target and the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A calibration system for an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The calibration system determines the image distance between a lens and a photosensor located in the imaging apparatus. Calibration involves generating an image of a calibration target where the calibration target has a predetermined length and is located a predetermined distance from the photosensor in the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus may then measure the length of the image of the calibration target on the photosensor. Based on the length of the image of the calibration target on the photosensor, the calibration system may calculate the image distance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved lens focusing and holding arrangement for an imaging system of the type which may include a photosensor array. The lens may be in contact with a reference surface or surfaces formed within the imaging system housing and may be translatable along the surface in directions toward and away from the photosensor array in order to adjust the focus of the imaging system. A lens retention clip may be provided to secure the lens within the imaging system housing and to cause translational movement of the lens along the imaging system reference surface. When focusing the imaging system, the lens retention clip may be in a first operating condition in which the lens retention clip applies a relatively small force tending to hold the lens in contact with the housing reference surface.