Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for facilitating relatively simple installation and/or removal of magazines in context of modules of a data storage system. For example, it may be desirable to fill a magazine with data storage cartridges and to install the full magazine into the data storage system. Embodiments use staged structural features to sequentially guide and align the magazine into a desired position in a data storage system. The structural features are designed to facilitate relatively simple installation while providing sufficiently accurate and secure positioning.

Abstract: Provided is a medium delivery control apparatus that can prevent the wear of a means relating to the delivery of a recording medium and extend the life of the delivery means.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for handling optical discs in a media library appliance and for replacing optical drives in the field. In one embodiment, the media library appliance comprises optical disc handling robotics developed for slim form factor slot load drives in a vertical orientation located on both sides of the robotics within a 19 inch rackable appliance. On the system level, the optical disc storage system provides modularity and scalability. The drives reside in field replaceable units (“FRUs”) that are oriented vertically on a horizontal backplane. The disc handling robotics access discs on each side stored in horizontal stacks within large disc cartridges. A small disc shuttle cartridge attaches to a large disc cartridge to provide a means to import and export a smaller number of discs from the disc cartridge.

Abstract: A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot.

Abstract: Storage systems and methods for publishing device addresses are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving addresses for a plurality of device objects in the storage system over an out-of-band path to each of the device objects. The method may also include storing the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system. The method may also include returning the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system over another out-of-band path to an interface manager for the storage system.

Abstract: A storage system is provided having at least one storage unit, the storage unit including an electrical power source, a communication source and a cover that defines, at least in part an interior space. The storage system operates with a media blade that comprises a plurality of data storage elements, said media blade moveable in a drawer like motion though a cooperating opening in said cover. The storage system further includes a motion accommodating conductor apparatus connecting said plurality of data storage elements to said electrical power source and said communication source such that power from said electrical power source and communication from said communication source may be provided to said media blade without interruption when said media blade is moved in said drawer like motion outward from at least partially within said interior space.

Abstract: A device for storing data carriers has a housing (10). In the housing (10) magazines (12) can be inserted, which accommodate data carriers, e.g. magnetic tape cartridges (26) lying flat. In order to be able to exchange cartridges (26) without moving the magazine (12) out of the housing (10) and without interrupting the operation of the device, end-sided receptacles of the magazines (12) are designed as a changing device (28), which is mounted as a drawer in the associated magazine (12) and which, in the case of the inserted magazine (12), can be extended out of this magazine (12) and out of the housing (10).

Abstract: The cartridge magazine according to the present invention has a plurality of holding shelves holding a plurality of cartridges, each holding shelf being provided with a shutter opening mechanism for opening a shutter of a cartridge along with insertion of a cartridge. Furthermore, it is provided with a shutter check door having projection parts projecting out into spaces formed by the opening of the shutters.

Abstract: Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

Abstract: Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

Abstract: An operator alterable space is described, for use with a data storage library. The library has a frame substantially defines an interior environment and is exposed to an exterior environment. The operator alterable space is adapted to accommodate either a drive module that is capable of storing data to a magazine storage element or a shelf module capable of accommodating at least the magazine storage element whereby the magazine storage element can be disposed in the shelf module. The operator alterable space is accessible from the exterior environment for installing either the shelf module or the drive module via an opening in the frame. The operator alterable space is also accessible to a magazine transport from the interior environment, wherein the magazine transport is capable of moving the magazine storage element to the operator alterable space.

Abstract: A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval system according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a front and a back positioned on opposite ends of the housing; a plurality of cells in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge; and a drive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells.

Abstract: A recording disk cartridge includes a plurality of flexible recording disk media integrally rotatably housed within a cartridge case. Each of the recording disk media is fixed to a center core which is stacked one on another through a spacer. The cartridge case includes: a lower plate for configuring a lower wall parallel to the plurality of the recording disk media; at least one inner plate that is stacked and fixed on the lower plate, and partitions the plurality of the recording disk media; and an upper plate that is stacked and fixed on the inner plate, and configures an upper wall of the cartridge case. Each spacer is provided with locking protrusions at upper and lower surfaces thereof, and each center core is provided with locking holes for engagement with the locking protrusions of adjacent spacers.

Abstract: An external load port magazine for use with a storage unit includes a casing detachably mountable on an exterior of the storage unit and defining therein a space for holding at least one item to be loaded into the storage unit. An opening is formed in the casing for enabling automatic withdrawal or insertion of the at least one item from or into the space when the casing is mounted on the exterior of the storage unit. A mechanism is provided for moving the at least one stored item towards the opening.

Abstract: A disc processor, such as a printer or a recorder, or a combination processor, has a robotic arm that will pick a compact disc to be processed from a storage stack and move it to a tray associated with the processor. The robotic arm includes a sensor to sense when a disc is in a position to be held in a picker on the arm. The sensor signal can be used for determining whether or not the stack of discs in the input bin is of the correct height; for determining whether or not more than one disc has been picked up by the handler; and also for determining the presence of a disc in the tray or held on the picker arm.

Abstract: A storage magazine for data cartridges includes a plurality of storage slots located side-by-side and potentially above one another. The storage slots are defined by parting walls disposed at spaced intervals between top and bottom surfaces of the storage magazine. The parting walls include a stop rib at the back end and a latch mechanism integrated into the wall of the parting wall. The latch mechanism includes a pivot member extending across an opening in the parting wall and first and second arms extending in substantially opposite directions from one another. On of the arms is a latch arm to engage a recess in a side wall of the data cartridges and the other of the arms is a release arm for pivoting movement to move the latch arm from the recess in the data cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data cartridge library system capable of using a data cartridge holder. The data cartridge holder comprises a bottom and side walls wherein the side walls are attached to the bottom wall at one end and form a terminal edge at another. The terminal edge defines an opening through which a plurality of data cartridges can be inserted and removed from the data cartridge holder. In one embodiment, the data cartridge holder can comprise at least a pair of hook-like structures on opposite sides of the data cartridge holder to engage a mounting structure in the data cartridge library. The data cartridge holder can further be adapted to be covered by a dust cover wherein the dust cover can be capable of engaging the data cartridge holder in a first and second position without impeding either the insertion or extraction of a data cartridge or the engagement with the mounting structure of the library.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment an automated storage library is provided. The automated storage library may include a media drive, an array of storage bins for holding storage devices, and a robotic transfer mechanism for transporting storage devices between the media drive and the storage bins. The storage library includes a housing for supporting the media drive, the robotic transfer mechanism, and the storage bins, and a structure within the housing that is associated with one or more storage bins, wherein the structure is extendable at least partially from the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, is comprised of: (a) a frame or cabinet that defines an interior space; (b) a magazine; (c) a drive bay; (d) a picker; (e) an elevator for moving the picker; and (f) a robotics module that can be removed from the interior of the frame and is comprised of the picker and a substantial portion of the elevator.

Abstract: At least an optical disk, a spindle motor, an optical head assembly and a seeking mechanism are mounted in a disk cartridge to accordingly establish a hermetically sealed structure. On the other hand, a disk cartridge guide member, an optical assembly, a disk cartridge lock mechanism, and an optical path switching mechanism are mounted in an optical disk drive. This enables the structure of improving the dust immunity of the disk cartridge and the low cost. Moreover, the optical disk drive can accommodate a plurality of disk cartridges. Thus, a disk cartridge implements a memory corresponding to various services. Or, an optical library of the present invention has mechanisms for mounting and detaching the optical disk cartridge accordingly accommodating a large number of disk cartridges in a limited space. Moreover, it is possible to provide an extremely small type of an optical disk drive to thereby design a memory unit applicable to various services including a portable apparatus.

Abstract: A portable canister for upgrading, converting, or servicing an automated data storage library includes an assembly with cartridge cells. The portable canister is mounted within a data storage drive compartment, and/or another slot within the automated data storage library. The storage capacity of the library may be increased by adding portable storage canisters. When occupying a data storage drive slot, the portable storage canister may be removed and replaced with a data storage drive. Dual accessor library expansion may be simplified by using the portable canister as a test canister in the service bay of the library. Any library frame or storage module may become the service bay simply by inserting a test canister into the frame or storage module. This eliminates the need to shut down the library and reconfigure the frames to relocate the service bay.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated storage library suitable for rack-mount and desktop installations. Storage media cartridges and a robotic mechanism that transport the storage media cartridges internal to the library are mounted on a moveable drawer. With the drawer at an internal position, the robotic mechanism transports the storage media cartridges between cartridge slots mounted on the drawer and read-write media drives and other cartridge handling devices not mounted on the drawer. The drawer is capable of moving through an opening in the storage library housing to an external position where the storage media cartridges and the robotic mechanism are readily accessible. At the external position, the storage media cartridges can be inserted and removed from the cartridge slots. The drawer may be detachable from the housing to allow unobstructed access to the components housed in the interior of the storage library.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tape library (10) and a cartridge magazine (22) for transferring cartridges (24) to and from a tape library (10), without interrupting the operation of the tape library (10). The cartridge magazine (22) is sized and shaped to selectively fit within a load port (20) of the tape library (10). Further, the cartridge magazine (22) selectively retains at least two cartridges (24) simultaneously. With this design, the cartridge magazine (22) allows for the bulk transfer of cartridges (24) into and out of a tape library (10) without interrupting the operation of the tape library (10). Further, the cartridge magazine (22) provides temporary or permanent storage of a set of cartridges (24) containing a particular data set.

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: In general, the present invention provides an autochanger device having a cavity for receiving a magazine containing a media cartridge, wherein a retention arm of the cavity retrains the media pieces within the magazine while the magazine fills the cavity. In particular, a detent mechanism attached to the magazine interacts with the retention arm of the library, via a magazine transport handle, to secure media cartridges contained within the magazine as the magazine is received by a cavity of the autochanger.

Abstract: A library apparatus can reduce number of motors to be incorporated and can reduce number of parts for simplification of construction for contributing to down-sizing of the apparatus and reducing a cost. The library apparatus of a storage media reads and/or writes information from and in a storage medium housed in a cartridge by withdrawing a desired one of a plurality of cartridges housed within a magazine which is loaded in an apparatus body, by cartridge loading and unloading means and loading the withdrawn cartridge in medium drive means. The cartridge loading and unloading means performs loading and unloading of the magazine to the apparatus body.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated storage library suitable for rack-mount and desktop installations. Storage media cartridges and a robotic mechanism that transport the storage media cartridges internal to the library are mounted on a moveable drawer. With the drawer at an internal position, the robotic mechanism transports the storage media cartridges between cartridge slots mounted on the drawer and read-write media drives and other cartridge handling devices not mounted on the drawer. The drawer is capable of moving through an opening in the storage library housing to an external position where the storage media cartridges and the robotic mechanism are readily accessible. At the external position, the storage media cartridges can be inserted and removed from the cartridge slots. The drawer may be detachable from the housing to allow unobstructed access to the components housed in the interior of the storage library.