Abstract: A noncontact storage medium that is mounted in a magnetic tape cartridge includes an IC chip that is connected to an antenna to be coupled to a communication destination by electromagnetic induction through a magnetic field applied from a communication destination, and performs communication with the communication destination through the magnetic field, and the IC chip corresponds to a plurality of communication standards.

Abstract: An industrial IoT system is provided that has adaptable, re-configurable, connected and integrated suite of smart, synchronized sensors and video/thermal cameras for continuous monitoring, access and control from anywhere in an industrial environment. A path sensor comprises a multi-sensor device with lookaround housing feature for monitoring conditions of conveyor brushes. A package sensor comprises a multi-sensor device with sensors adapted for mounting in different form factor carriers for monitoring conditions during package transport. A software platform integrates multiple layers of information from the sensors and video/thermal cameras and corresponding RFID locations into a single meaningful experience/assessment tool that can further be superimposed on a scaled representation of a monitored industrial environment generated from a map and dimensions for same.

Abstract: In an approach to improving write performance by enabling host data transfer immediately after a reposition command, responsive to receiving on a tape drive a reposition command from a host, a ready response is returned to the host. Write data from the host is accumulated in a write buffer, where the write data is accumulated in the write buffer while simultaneously moving a tape media in the tape drive to a target location. The write data from the write buffer is written to the tape media immediately after the target location is reached on the tape drive.

Abstract: A screen provision system, for a printing device with a screen receptacle for a printing screen-and a squeegee device associated with the screen receptacle, has a conveying device for conveying a printing screen and at least one screen magazine with multiple screen storage portions that can each receive a printing screen. The screen provision system has at least one treatment station for treating the printing screens. The conveying device supplies printing screens to the screen magazine and to the at least one treatment station.

Abstract: A deep slot cell configured to house a plurality of tape cartridges. The deep slot cell includes a front side of the deep slot cell configured to allow insertion and removal of a locking tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges by a robotic mechanism. The deep slot cell includes a depth side of the deep slot cell configured with an opening to engage a locking mechanism that prevents a biasing spring mechanism of the deep slot cell from advancing a rearmost tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges forward toward the front side of the deep slot cell. The deep slot cell includes a front air gap at the front side of the deep slot cell that prevents the robotic mechanism from reaching a front-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges after the robotic mechanism removes the locking tape cartridge from the deep slot cell.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology is directed to maximizing cleanliness, reliability, and space efficiency within a jukebox-style HDD, while minimizing overall cost of the HDD. In an effort to reduce the movement of a robotic arm assembly, cassettes within a jukebox-style HDD may be configured to be magnetically repositionable to replace some of the movement of the robotic arm assembly, without adding another significant source of potential mechanical failure within the HDD enclosure. Further, the overall number of moving parts is reduced, which may improve reliability of the HDD, as well as cleanliness within the HDD enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that is configured to receive and retain a plurality of removable storage media, and a shuffler that is positioned at least partially within the housing. The housing includes an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that receives and retains a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that receives and retains a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media. The first channel and the second channel are shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end. The shuffler is movable between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position.

Abstract: A tape library having a robot zone and a robot on the robot zone, movable in the robot zone of the tape rack in at least a first direction and a second direction. A tape drive, which has an opening to receive cartridges, is positioned so that the robot nears the tape drive when the robot moves in a second direction. A width of the tape drive is wider than a width of the robot zone. This tape drive design is called the “Sideways Format Path for 19? Rack Libraries.” It is achieved by using unique dimensions for a new tape drive that uses blind spaces existing in tape libraries unreachable by the robot to provide a bigger space to design longer tape paths, resulting in higher cartridge density with longer tape path without requiring bigger overall library dimensions for a library of tape cartridges.

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a service tray and a capture assembly. The service tray is removably positionable within the library housing. The service tray includes a tray body. The capture assembly is configured to enable the service tray to securely receive and releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position. The capture assembly includes at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body when the media mover is in the removable position.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables automatic implementation of a physical barrier to protect access to data on removable storage media. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining that the item moved into a storage position using an automatic transfer mechanism and determining that a condition for protecting the item is satisfied. Upon determining that the condition is satisfied, the method provides implementing a physical barrier that prevents the automatic transfer mechanism from removing the item from the storage position.

Abstract: An apparatus with a housing which stores a plurality of data storage magazines where each data storage magazine includes a plurality of data storage devices. The housing includes a movable carriage configured to selectively couple a set of data storage devices held by a particular data storage magazine to a host device. The housing also includes a physical locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent data storage devices from coupling to the host device.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables a gripper to shuffle items of removable storage media within a storage apparatus for those items. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing for items of removable storage media. A top channel and a bottom channel are shaped to accept and store the items in respective single-file rows via an opening at one end of the rows. The apparatus also includes a shuffler for moving a first subset of the items, including ones of the items located in the bottom channel, towards the opening. When in a resting position, the shuffler includes a catch located at the opening and is connected to a rake at a closed side of the housing at an opposite end from the opening. The rake moves the first subset towards the opening when a gripper grips the catch and pulls outward from the opening. The shuffler returns to the resting position when the gripper releases the catch.

Abstract: A deep slot cell for providing data storage protection. The deep slot cell includes a front side of the deep slot cell to allow insertion and removal of the plurality of tape cartridges by a robotic mechanism. The data slot cell includes a front air gap at the front side of the deep slot cell that prevents the robotic mechanism from reaching a front-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges without manual interaction. The deep slot cell includes a depth side of the deep slot cell with an opening at the depth side of the deep slot cell to accept a pushing tool for manually advancing the rear-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges forward toward the front side of the deep slot cell to enable the robotic mechanism to remove the front-most tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges from the deep slot cell.

Abstract: A data storage system can provide low cost and optimized performance with a cartridge housing multiple separate data storage devices and each of the data storage devices being concurrently engaged by a device player. The device player may have a processor configured to analyze mechanical performance of each data storage device and data performance of data resident in each data storage device.

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a module housing and a service tray. The module housing forms at least a part of a library housing. The service tray is removably positionable within the module housing. The service tray is configured to releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position so that the service tray and the media mover are movable as an integral unit out of and into the module housing. The service tray includes a tray body and at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of mounts, each mount being configured to support at least one tape spool pair thereon. A magnetic head is configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. A product apparatus, in accordance with another approach, includes a mount having a tape spool pair thereon. The mount is configured to be inserted in a receiving area of an apparatus configured to receive a plurality of mounts.

Abstract: A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head.

Abstract: An apparatus for big data tape management tape cartridge management. The apparatus includes a tape gripper for storing one or more additional tape cartridges within a housing of the tape gripper, wherein the housing of the tape gripper includes a tape cartridge cache, where the tape cartridge cache is a modification to the housing of the tape gripper for holding the one or more additional tape cartridges stacked internally within the tape gripper, the tape cartridge cache is affixed to a bottom portion of the housing of the tape gripper, and the tape cartridge cache includes a plate, oriented above and centered to the tape cartridge cache, capable of being raised and lowered within the tape cartridge cache utilizing one or more springs mounted under the plate inside the tape cartridge cache.

Abstract: Racks for operation in a data center, robots for use with racks of a data center, and methods of removing sleds from, and inserting sleds into, racks of a data center are disclosed herein. A rack includes a plurality of sled spaces and a plurality of sleds. Each sled is mounted in a corresponding sled space such that the plurality of sleds are spaced from one another in a vertical direction. A robot is configured to interface with any of the plurality of sleds mounted in the sled spaces.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge storage case includes a case body made of resin having a bottom plate that is rectangular in a bottom view and a peripheral wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom plate, and storing a plurality of recording tape cartridges with label areas thereof directed upward, respectively, and a lid member made of resin that is attached to an upper end of the peripheral wall, seals the case body, and has transmission parts that are transparent flat surfaces being in contact with at least a peripheral part of the label area and being formed closer to the bottom plate than a support part that supports another case body stacked thereon is, on a portion facing the label area.

Abstract: A method comprising: determining, by a tape library, respective tape densities supported by each of a plurality of tape drives and respective tape densities indicated for each of a plurality of tape cartridges; receiving, by the tape library, a command to load a given one of the tape cartridges into a given one of the tape drives; determining, by the tape library, that the indicated tape density for the given tape cartridge matches a tape density supported by the given tape drive; and in response to the determination that the tape densities match, configuring, by the tape library, the given tape drive to initialize the given tape cartridge to the tape density indicated for the given tape cartridge.

Abstract: A method for updating a non-current data model using a current data model. The update exports a first data set which includes a file with a model object for the current data model, another with option group (“OG”) objects, another with rule objects, and another with junction objects that relate a rule to an OG. The update exports a second data set that includes a file with model-to-OG junction objects, and a file with model-to-rule junction objects. The update transports the first, and second data sets from a first data repository to a second data repository. The update imports, to the non-current data model, the first, and second data sets. The update recreates, in the non-current data model, the model-to-option-group junctions and the model-to-rule junctions.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide robotic multiple-slot test card support systems comprising: a test robot system comprising a robotic arm and an end-effector; and a first card support apparatus comprising: a plurality of lateral supports; a plurality of angled shelf supports each extending between a pair of the plurality of lateral supports defining an array of angled card slots, wherein the shelf supports along the columns are vertically separated and each comprises: a guide exterior surface and an interior surface configured to support a payment test card with at least a portion of a face of the test card being flush with the interior surface; wherein each card slot repeatedly positions the respective test card at substantially the same position within the card slot each time the test card is released by the end-effector enabling repeated accurate retrieval by the end-effector.

Abstract: A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.

Abstract: The present description is directed to moving a cartridge including a storage medium within a shuttle complex that includes numerous shuttle connections, and a plurality of library strings connected by at least one shuttle connection. Each shuttle connection has a car able to move within the shuttle connection and each library string has at least one cartridge including a storage medium. The shuttle complex identifies a library string that contains the access-cartridge (LSAC), identifies whether there is a drive within the LSAC that has a second cartridge mounted therein which comprises only inactive data chunks, removes the second cartridge from the drive within the LSAC if an elapsed time since the drive within the LSAC most recently accessed the second cartridge exceeds a predetermined time period threshold, and mounts the access-cartridge to the drive within the LSAC.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system comprising a motor and a disc selector mechanism. The disc selector mechanism is coupled to a bottom of a guide cage and maintained in a space below the cage. The disc selector mechanism comprises a shaft, transmission components, and a slide assembly that is laterally slidable along the shaft in response to the motor driving the transmission components. The slide assembly comprises a slide coupled to the shaft, a pivot bar coupled to the slide, and pick blades pivotally coupled to the pivot bar. A linear motion of the slide assembly along the shaft drives a linear translation of the pivot bar. The linear translation drives a pick blade of the slide assembly to move towards a side of the cage and out of the space and to pivot to a raised position to contact and lift a disc upwards into a disc gripper device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: designating a first set of drives as higher availability drives, and designating a second set of drives as lower availability drives. Each of the drives is configured to receive cartridges via one or more accessors. Moreover, each of the one or more accessors is assigned a servicing location corresponding to the lower availability drives. A first cartridge is also correlated with at least one of the higher availability drives and a second cartridge is correlated with at least one of the lower availability drives. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by translating (e.g., displacing) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first storage array of a storage library away from a central reference plane as the robot arm is being pivoted into a first position adjacent the first storage array to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly, even when the robot arms of the first and second robot arms are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis) within the storage library. For instance, a pivot member of the robot arm may be mounted on a carriage that is configured to translate between the first and second storage arrays in response to the pivot member being pivoted about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously interacting with persons in a public environment to store and transport their personal material items are described herein. A service robot includes one or more secure storage cells, and is configured to collect items such as personal belongings, refuse, etc., from users and transport the collected items to different locations. The service robot maneuvers through a crowded environment autonomously, avoiding collisions with people and objects, and minimizing disturbances to traffic flow. Users indicate a desire to store and transport items to a desired location. In response, the service robot unlocks a lid of a storage cell, and the user is able to load material items. In some examples, access to the storage cell is controlled based on access codes. In some examples, access to the storage cell is controlled based on receipt of an electronic payment.

Abstract: A transportation system for paraffin embedded tissues includes a placing assembly, a bearing unit and a storage device. The placing assembly includes a horizontal moving assembly, a vertical moving assembly, a rotation assembly and a placing unit. The horizontal and vertical moving assemblies move the placing unit in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, and the rotation assembly allows the placing unit to rotate around a vertical axis. The bearing unit receives the paraffin embedded tissues. The storage device has a rotation plate including a plurality of receiving slots each for storing the bearing unit. The placing unit is configured to remove the bearing unit from the storage device, move the bearing unit to a processing apparatus located at another side of the placing assembly, remove the bearing unit from the processing apparatus, and transport the bearing unit to the receiving slot of the storage device.

Abstract: A method of servicing a data storage library having at least one access opening and at least one access door to permit access to an interior of the data storage library, the method including providing at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configured to resist environmental conditions from exterior the barrier and data storage library from intruding into the interior of data storage library when the barrier is deployed. The method also includes deploying the at least one barrier when the at least one access door is opened to form an interior working space, accessing the interior space formed by the at least one barrier, and accessing the interior of the data storage library via the at least one library access opening.

Abstract: A data-center-module deployment apparatus may include a gantry robot adapted to move a sliding element parallel to a face of an information technology rack, where the face of the information technology rack exposes information technology device modules stored by the information technology rack. The apparatus may also include at least one track that is coupled to the sliding element and that extends away from the sliding element and toward the face of the information technology rack. In addition to the track(s), the apparatus may include an engaging element that is adapted to move along the track(s) and to engage with one or more of the information technology device modules stored by the information technology rack, such that the engaging element is adapted to insert into the information technology rack and remove from the information technology rack one or more of the plurality of information technology device modules.

Abstract: A barrier system configured to at least partially surround at least one access opening that permits access to an interior of a data storage library. The barrier system includes at least one side surface configured to be coupled to at least one door along a first side surface location and to the data storage library along a second side surface location. The at least one side surface may be configured to be deployable to surround the at least one access opening and form a working space when the at least one door is in an open position, and is configurable to be collapsible when the at least one door is in a closed position. The at least one side surface may also be configured to resist environmental conditions external to the data storage library from intruding into the working space when the at least one side surface is deployed.

Abstract: An electronics rack comprising a frame, a heat sink coupled to the frame, and a cage adapted to support an electronic component. The cage is movable between first and second positions toward and away from the heat sink. The rack further includes an eccentric cam operatively positioned between the frame and the cage and being rotatable to move the cage between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, the cage comprises a cooling brick movable toward and away from the heat sink when the cage moves between the first and second positions. The cooling brick can include a first heat pipe extending generally in a first direction and a second heat pipe extending generally in a second direction transverse to the first direction. For example, the first heat pipe can be embedded in a top plate and the second heat pipe can be embedded in a top cold rail.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: designating a first set of drives as higher availability drives, designating a second set of drives as lower availability drives, and correlating a first cartridge with at least one of the higher availability drives and a second cartridge with at least one of the lower availability drives. Each of the drives is configured to receive and store cartridges via one or more accessors. Moreover, each of the one or more accessors is assigned a servicing location corresponding to the lower availability drives. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of storing and using biosamples with a cartridge that includes slots for storing biosample capillary tubes. The methods include providing access to a holder inside an enclosure of the cartridge, the enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge used in an automated tape library. The holder is configured to receive a plurality of capillary tubes in the holder, the capillary tubes including one or more biosamples. Exemplary methods may also include receiving capillary tubes in the cartridge, withdrawing capillary tubes from the cartridge, scanning and/or analyzing the capillary tubes and/or biosamples. Exemplary methods may additionally or alternatively include retrieving the cartridge from a storage slot of the automated tape library, loading the cartridge onto a drive of the automated tape library, and/or receiving and/or exporting a cartridge to/from the automated tape library via a mail slot.

Abstract: A barrier system configured to at least partially surround at least one access opening that permits access to an interior of a data storage library. The barrier system includes at least one side surface configured to be coupled to at least one door along a first side surface location and to the data storage library along a second side surface location. The at least one side surface may be configured to be deployable to surround the at least one access opening and form a working space when the at least one door is in an open position, and is configurable to be collapsible when the at least one door is in a closed position. The at least one side surface may also be configured to resist environmental conditions external to the data storage library from intruding into the working space when the at least one side surface is deployed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer readable media to handle unsuccessful movements of removable storage media in an automated removable media system. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving one or more user provided parameters that indicate one or more types of unsuccessful media move operations that should be reported as successful. The method further provides receiving a first request to move a first item of removable storage media from a first position in the automated removable media system to a second position in the automated removable media system and initiating a first move operation of the first item from the first position to the second position by at least one changer device. The method then provides determining that the first move operation resulted in one of the one or more types of unsuccessful media move operations and indicating that the first move operation was successful in response to the first request.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by rotating (e.g., flipping, swinging, etc.) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first of first and second spaced storage arrays in a storage library into a first position between the first storage array and a central reference plane disposed between and parallel to the first and second storage arrays to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly (e.g., in a direction along or parallel to an x-axis parallel to the first and second storage arrays), even when the robot arms of the first and second robotic assemblies are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the x-axis) within the storage library.

Abstract: A disc device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of magazine units aligned in height direction of the disc device. Each of the magazine units includes a plurality of magazine holders each storing at least one magazine, a rail that is slidable in depth direction of the disc device along a side of a housing of the disc device and has higher stiffness than the magazine holders, and a box-shaped handle mounted to a front end of the rail to extend in width direction of the disc device. The plurality of magazine holders is arranged in depth direction of the disc device. The rail holds the plurality of magazine holders at one side of the magazine holder. The handle extends from the front end of the rail toward a free-end side of the magazine holders and includes a recessed engagement portion that admits a finger in depth direction of the disc device and enables the finger to engage when each of the magazine units is pulled out in depth direction of the disc device.

Abstract: A tray feeder extracts one of trays where components are stored from corresponding one of magazines, and moves the extracted tray to a component feed position. The tray feeder includes a rack portion having a plurality of magazine holding portions disposed in a vertical direction, and a tray movement portion that extracts one of the trays from corresponding one of the magazines through a corresponding one of tray extraction ports. The magazine holding portions hold the magazines respectively which are inserted horizontally through magazine exits/entrances. Each of the magazine holding portions includes a block unit which blocks communication between the magazine exit/entrance and the tray extraction port of corresponding magazine holding portion when the magazine is removed from the corresponding magazine holding portion through the magazine exit/entrance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a controller for controlling a robotic accessor, and a memory in communication with and/or integrated with the controller for storing information about media and storage slots. The information includes data corresponding to a physical distribution of the media in the storage slots. Logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller is configured to position the robotic accessor at a computed optimal position during an idle period of the robotic accessor, the computed optimal position being based at least in part on at least one of: (a) the data corresponding to the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots, and (b) a center of access calculated using the data corresponding to the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for ejecting an electric DVD deck may include a housing fixedly disposed in an internal space of a vehicle body trim panel, the DVD deck disposed in a lower portion of the housing, an actuator disposed between the housing and the DVD deck such that the DVD deck is ejected from the internal space of the vehicle body trim panel by upward and downward movement of the DVD deck, a sensor to detect upward and downward movement of the DVD deck, and a control module to control the actuator, in which, when a signal of the sensor is not received within a reference time during operation of the actuator, the control module may allow the DVD deck to return to a movement start position.

Abstract: A library device includes: a housing for accommodating a magazine to be able to be put in and out, wherein the magazine has slots for accommodating recording medium cartridges to be able to be put in and out; an accessor for conveying the recording medium cartridge ejected from the slot to the magnetic tape drive; and a cartridge jump-out preventing mechanism for preventing the recording medium cartridge from jumping out to a moving path of the accessor. The cartridge jump-out preventing mechanism includes: an elastic pushing mechanism which can push the recording medium cartridge into the slot by using an elastic force when the magazine is inserted into the housing; and a latch mechanism which can hold the recording medium cartridge so that the recording medium cartridge does not jump out of the slot when the recording medium cartridge is completely accommodated in the slot.

Abstract: A tray feeder extracts one of trays where components are stored from corresponding one of magazines, and moves the extracted tray to a component feed position. The tray feeder includes a rack portion having a plurality of magazine holding portions disposed in a vertical direction, and a tray movement portion that extracts one of the trays from corresponding one of the magazines through a corresponding one of tray extraction ports. The magazine holding portions hold the magazines respectively which are inserted horizontally through magazine exits/entrances. Each of the magazine holding portions includes a block unit which blocks communication between the magazine exit/entrance and the tray extraction port of corresponding magazine holding portion when the magazine is removed from the corresponding magazine holding portion through the magazine exit/entrance.

Abstract: Utilities that increase the volume of media elements that can be simultaneously loaded and/or unloaded into or from a storage library, facilitate mounting of media element magazines into a storage library, and limit access to an interior of a storage library by users during operation of robotics assemblies of the storage library. One disclosed utility includes a cartridge access port for use with a storage library that has a storage container that is pivotable (e.g., swingable) between at least first and second positions. In the first position, the storage container is adjacent an opening in the housing of the library for loading and unloading of media elements by a user into or from the container via the opening. After the storage container has swung into the second position, the storage container is spaced from the opening and faces the interior of the library for access by a robotics assembly.

Abstract: A method of operationally prioritizing the hierarchy of storage areas of an automated library having a plurality of storage cells, according to one embodiment, includes designating a first set of storage cells as higher availability cells; and designating a second set of storage cells as lower availability cells. Each of the storage cells is configured to receive and store cartridges via one or more accessors. Each of the one or more accessors is assigned a servicing location corresponding to the lower availability cells. The method also includes correlating a first cartridge with at least one of the higher availability cells and a second cartridge with at least one of the lower availability cells. The correlating includes: assessing previous usage of a cartridge, and determining whether the cartridge should be assigned to one of the higher availability cells or one of the lower availability cells based on the assessing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and fully automatic output of a multiplicity of different products having substantially cuboid geometry, such as packaged CDs, DVDs, printer cartridges, books, etc., comprising at least one permanently installed storage rack for stocking the multiplicity of products, at least one selection station for selecting, from the multiplicity of stocked products, one product to be output by the apparatus at a product output point, at least one handling device that is movable relative to the at least one storage rack for retrieval of a selected product from the at least one storage rack and for transport of the product in question to a product output point of the apparatus, and at least one computer-assisted control unit for controlling the apparatus and its components.