Abstract: The capacity of a rack-mounted storage library having a media element handling assembly is expanded by mounting a panel segment to a rack side such that the panel segment faces the rack interior. At least one of media element housing cells and a media player are supported on the panel segment such that the cells and the player face the rack interior. The library capacity is increased by mounting another panel segment having cells or a player to another rack side. The panel segments are mounted to the rack sides independent of one another or are connected together prior to being mounted to the rack sides. The handling assembly moves through the rack interior to load media elements held by cells into a player. The panel segments may be mounted to the rack sides at the same or different rack length positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a data storage cartridge. The apparatus includes a shuttle, a frame, and a lift mechanism. The shuttle is adapted to receive the data storage cartridge. The frame is adapted to receive the shuttle and has a stop. The lift mechanism is configured to move the shuttle between an unloaded position and a loaded position. The stop inhibits movement of the shuttle when the shuttle is in the unloaded position.

Abstract: Track anomalies are detected by measuring track impedance. A robotic device is moved along the track. A conductor on the track is contacted with a pair of pickups moved by the robotic device. Track health is determined based on impedance sensed between the pickups.

Abstract: A storage library includes cells supported within a frame for holding media elements. A robot assembly is operable for moving toward the cells and manipulating media elements held by the cells. The robot is containable within a module which is removably mountable to the frame to provide modular replacement and removal of the robot from the frame. The robot is contained within the module as the module is mounted to the frame and moves out from the module to move toward the cells and manipulate media elements held by the cells while the module is mounted to the frame. The module is removably dismounted out of the frame while the robot is contained within the module to provide the modular removal of the robot. The module is removably mounted into the frame while a new robot is contained within the module to provide the modular replacement of the robot.

Abstract: A storage library which enables capacity expansion without additional robotics hardware includes a frame, first and second modules having respective cells, and a robot. The frame supports the first module at a first frame length position such that the first cells are positioned at the first frame length position and along the periphery of a channel extending within the frame interior through the frame length. The frame supports the second module when the second module is mounted to the frame such that the second cells are positioned at the second frame length position and along the channel periphery. The robot has a support connected to the frame and a picker movably connected to the support. The picker moves through the channel to manipulate media elements held by the first cells, and to manipulate media elements held by the second cells when the second module is mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A robotics module for a storage library includes a robot assembly and a cable mechanism within a housing. A cable is routed around the cable mechanism. An end of the cable is connected to the robot assembly to communicate with the robot assembly. The cable mechanism enables the cable to be pulled out from cable mechanism as the robot assembly moves away from the housing. The cable mechanism prevents the cable from being retracted back into the cable mechanism after the robot assembly has moved out of the housing by wedging the cable with a roller. The cable mechanism enables the cable to be retracted back into the cable mechanism while the robot assembly is in the housing by pulling the roller away from the cable. A retraction handle assembly enables the cable to be manually retracted back into the cable mechanism while the robot assembly is in the housing.

Abstract: A storage library for recording and retrieving information from storage media cartridges each having a label side includes a front side having an opening. Left and right slots are disposed proximate the left and right sides of the storage library for holding the storage media cartridges. The slots and the storage media cartridges are oriented so that each label side of the storage media cartridges is visible to an operator through the opening. Each of the slots are accessible to the operator via the opening for the operator to access the storage media cartridges being held by the slots. A media drive is disposed proximate the back side of the storage library and is operative to receive a storage media cartridge through a port. A robotic mechanism is disposed between the slots and is operative to move the storage media cartridges between the slots and the media drive.

Abstract: A method for gripping objects by means of a robotic gripper mechanism is provided, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises gripping jaws, a wedge actuator between the gripping jaws, wherein the wedge actuator moves the gripping jaws together and apart as it slides backward and forward, and a motor that moves the wedge actuator by means of a connecting leadscrew. The method comprises applying current to the motor so that the motor reaches maximum operating speed before the gripper mechanism comes into contact with any object. When the gripping jaws contact an object, e.g., media cartridge, they collapse over the object, gripping it. The inertia from the rotating mass of the motor increases the force and speed of the gripping action. In another embodiment, a flywheel may be added to the leadscrew to provide additional rotating mass and increase the inertia before contact.

Abstract: An automated library system having multiple storage cells for storing multiple data cartridges. Rails are provided adjacent to the storage cells to guide one or more robots among the storage cells. Primary coils are disposed proximate the rails. A power supply produces an alternating current in the primary coils. One or more magnetic cores are mounted on each robot. Each magnetic core is adjustable to form a normally gap-less closed magnetic path, and a gapped magnetic path when transitioning between primary coils. Alternating currents in the primary coils induce secondary alternating currents in secondary coils wound around the magnetic cores. The secondary alternating currents are controlled and converted into mechanical movement that include loading and unloading the data cartridges to and from the robots, and moving the data cartridges along the rails.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing media objects in an automated storage library using a robotic mechanism included mounting the robotic mechanism to a horizontally arranged track arranged in the same plane as first and second horizontal rows of media object storage cells. Each of the media object storage cells houses a media object. The horizontally arranged track is disposed adjacent to the first row of media object storage cells. The robotic mechanism is mounted to the track for moving horizontally along the track. A media object manipulation mechanism such as a gripper mechanism is coupled to the robotic mechanism. The media object manipulation mechanism is vertically movable for moving between the first and second rows of media object storage cells when the robotic mechanism is coupled to the track to manipulate the media objects housed within the first and second rows of media object storage cells.

Abstract: A system for relocating elements within a storage library is provided, the library comprising plurality of adjacent horizontal arrays of storage cells and at least one robot that moves along the horizontal arrays and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The present invention comprises a cross-cabinet guide rail that is placed at the end of the adjacent horizontal arrays and serves as a means 1) to move media elements and robots between adjacent arrays of storage cells, 2) to provide an easy access method for the entry and removal of components from the library, and 3) to provide a method for movement of cartridges and robots between separate library enclosures.

Abstract: Power strip health is monitored by detecting power supplied through the power strip as sensed by a robotic device. An indication of power is sensed from the power strip with a first power pickup and a second power pickup. The second power pickup is located on the robotic device away from the first power pickup along a direction of travel of the robotic device. A determination is made that the difference between the power sensed with the first power pickup and the power sensed with the second power pickup exceeds a threshold. A power strip failure is determined based on this difference.

Abstract: A data storage library is disclosed that provides a variable sized load/unload area within the library. The data storage library includes a housing defining an exterior and an interior region, storage slots disposed in the interior region for storing data cartridges, a barrier door, a front door, and a controller. The barrier door has a closed position for dividing the interior region into a first interior region and a second interior region. Thus, the interior region is divided into two regions when the barrier door is closed. The controller closes the barrier door prior to the front door being opened, and opens the barrier door after the front door is closed. Thus, access is permitted to only the first interior region from the exterior region when the front door is opened. The first interior region is sized to permit a user to entirely physically enter the first interior region.

Abstract: A method for scaling a storage library is provided, the library comprising at least one horizontal array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns, and at least one robot that moves on guide rails along the length of the horizontal array and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The present invention comprises expanding the library longitudinally along the guide rails and/or expanding the width of the library. Longitudinal expansion is accomplished by adding more horizontal storage cell arrays end-to-end. Width expansion is accomplished by means of side-by-side accumulation of additional horizontal storage cell arrays.

Abstract: A method for scaling a media storage library is provided, wherein the library comprises a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot. The method comprises connecting a new physical component to a section of the library. Examples of new components include additional robots, storage cell arrays, media players, as well as connecting a second adjacent library by means of a pass-through mechanism. Control software integrates this new physical component into the function of the library by auditing the content and function of the new component. During the connection and functional integration of the new component, the rest of the library continues its current operations. The method may further comprise defining at least one work zone within the library, wherein robots do not enter the work zone but continue to operate in other areas of the library.

Abstract: Library system health is monitored and displayed based on the location of equipment within the library relative to track layout. Robotic devices travel on rails within the data storage library accessing data storage devices such as cartridges, cassettes, media packages, media access equipment, identification devices, access ports and the like. The rails are divided into a plurality of rail segments. A database holds information about each rail segment. The database is updated based on use of each rail segment by the robotic devices. Data is generated and displayed to describe the use of each rail segment.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing media objects in an automated storage library using a robotic mechanism included mounting the robotic mechanism to a horizontally arranged track arranged in the same plane as first and second horizontal rows of media object storage cells. Each of the media object storage cells houses a media object. The horizontally arranged track is disposed adjacent to the first row of media object storage cells. The robotic mechanism is mounted to the track for moving horizontally along the track. A media object manipulation mechanism such as a gripper mechanism is coupled to the robotic mechanism. The media object manipulation mechanism is vertically movable for moving between the first and second rows of media object storage cells when the robotic mechanism is coupled to the track to manipulate the media objects housed within the first and second rows of media object storage cells.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing electrical power to an automated robotic device for transporting media cartridges in a data storage library. The system and method include a power distribution strip having a substantially planar insulating member with opposed first and second sides, and first and second oppositely charged electrical conductors on the opposed first and second sides for providing power to the robotic device. The system and method also include multiple contacts on the robotic device for contacting the first and second conductors. The multiple contacts include a first pair of contacts for contacting the first conductor and a second pair of contacts for contacting the second conductor. At least one of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the second pair of contacts maintain contact with the first and second conductors, respectively, as the robotic device moves in the library.

Abstract: A segmented power strip for supplying electrical power to a robotic device for use in a data storage system, the robotic device adapted to move along a guide rail. The power strip includes first and second substantially planar members each having an end and a conductor for making electrical contact with the robotic device. The first and second members are assembled to create a joint where the conductor of the first member is proximate the conductor of the second member such that the robotic device maintains electrical contact with at least one conductor as the robotic device traverses the joint. The ends of the first and second members are adapted to cooperate such that at least one of the first and second members moves laterally relative to the other during assembly thereof. At least one of the first and second members is biased against lateral motion relative to other.

Abstract: A deep storage cell for a data library that allows stacking of cartridges behind one another. Effective wall area is increased by stacking the cartridges two or three deep (or more) in a single storage slot. A spring provides force to expel the cartridges, and a toggle block with a catch lip holds the spring back when cartridges are inserted.