Abstract: Cartridge-handling apparatus for a media storage system. One embodiment comprises a carriage and a translate frame pivotally mounted to the carriage. A rotational drive system is operatively associated with the carriage, the rotational drive system rotating the translate frame about a y-axis in the media storage system. At least one cartridge-engaging assembly is mounted in the translate frame.

Abstract: A housing for an information storage medium where at least one surface of that housing includes a plurality of grooves. A locomotion apparatus to move Applicants' housing within an information storage and retrieval system, where that apparatus includes at least one rotatable shaft and at least one drive member disposed on that shaft, where each such drive member has the shape of a truncated cone, and where each such drive member includes a drive surface which includes a plurality of ribs. Applicants' drive member contacts the grooved surface of Applicants' housing such that one or more of the ribs disposed on the drive surface intermeshes with one or more of the grooves in the housing. Rotation of the rotatable shaft in a first direction causes the housing the move in a second direction. Rotation of the rotatable shaft in a third direction causes the housing to move in a fourth direction.

Abstract: A media handling device is disclosed herein. One embodiment of the media handling device comprises a picker, a support mechanism, and an imaging device. The support mechanism may comprise a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is attached to the picker and wherein the second portion is movably associated with the first portion. The support mechanism first portion is slidably attached to the support mechanism second portion. The imaging device attached to the support mechanism second portion. The support mechanism second portion has a first operative position and a second operative position relative to the support mechanism first portion.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which utilize a retaining mechanism to retain a first part against a second part in a manner that supplements or supplants use of adhesive. A retaining mechanism retains a first part against the surface of a second part, wherein the second part comprises a rib that is spatially separated from and oriented over such surface. The retaining mechanism is arranged tightly between the rib and the first part to impart force against the first part to retain it against the surface of the second part. In one implementation, the retaining mechanism is utilized to secure an illuminator cable against the surface of a lid assembly within a media picker device. For instance, a retaining mechanism may be arranged to fit tightly between a rib of the lid assembly and an illuminator cable to retain such illuminator cable against the surface of the lid assembly.

Abstract: A portable carrier for a data storage medium, where that carrier includes a bezel component, at least one permanent magnet disposed in that bezel portion, and a guidepin having at least one groove disposed on that bezel portion. An accessor which includes an electromagnet and a fixturing assembly where that fixturing assembly includes one or more solenoids in combination with one or more moveable fixturing blades. A data storage and retrieval system which includes at least one of Applicants' carriers and at least one of Applicants' accessors.

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: A storage library with a stand-alone guide rail system is provided. The library comprises at least one array of storage cells and a guide rail running along the storage cells. A picker robot is coupled to the guide rail, wherein the robot moves along the guide rail and can manipulate objects within the storage cells. The library also comprises a central power source and controller that controls the movement of the robot. The robot receives power and control only from the central power source and controller directly through the guide rail, without any external input from other components in the library. In one embodiment, multiple library enclosures are connected with guide rails, wherein the guide rails form a single, integrated power and communication connection between the robot and the central power source and controller, independent and exclusive of the separate enclosures.

Abstract: A method of displacing a media holder assembly of a media autochanger between a first rotational registration position and a second rotational registration position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library system that realizes a reduced cost by reducing the number of certain components, especially expensive components, that are needed to perform certain functions within the library. With respect to certain functions, a reduced cost is realized by using lower precision compenentry in combination with componentry that compensates for lower precision while still providing a reduced component cost with respect to a given function. In one embodiment of the invention, a data cartridge picker is provided that: (1) uses a single electro-mechanical device for the functions of grasping a data cartridge, retracting a grasped cartridge from a drive/storage location, inserting a grasped cartridge into a drive/storage location, and releasing a grasped cartridge once position in a desired location; (2) is capable of compensating for variations in cartridge positioning; (3) has a gripping mechanism that.

Abstract: A method of displacing a media holder assembly of a media autochanger between a first rotational registration position and a second rotational registration position.

Abstract: An autochanger includes an imaging device affixed to a media handling device. The autochanger is of the type that uses optical indicia to identify media pieces located therein. The imaging device is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the media handling device. The autochanger moves the imaging device to positions relative to the media pieces where the imaging device can read the indicia. The autochanger further moves the imaging device relative to the media handling device to optimize the reading capability of the imaging device without increasing the size of the autochanger.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which utilize a retaining mechanism to retain a first part against a second part in a manner that supplements or supplants use of adhesive. A retaining mechanism retains a first part against the surface of a second part, wherein the second part comprises a rib that is spatially separated from and oriented over such surface. The retaining mechanism is arranged tightly between the rib and the first part to impart force against the first part to retain it against the surface of the second part. In one implementation, the retaining mechanism is utilized to secure an illuminator cable against the surface of a lid assembly within a media picker device. For instance, a retaining mechanism may be arranged to fit tightly between a rib of the lid assembly and an illuminator cable to retain such illuminator cable against the surface of the lid assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking and placing media supported in stores and drives of a data storage library without electrical actuation or separate mechanical actuation means of grasping and releasing the media's pick feature, the apparatus including: a carriage movable toward and away from the media, the media being supported in the stores and drives; at least one picker member pivotally attached to the carriage at a pivot point and having a latching portion adapted to engage the media's pick feature. The picker member is movable between an open state wherein the latching portion is spaced from the media's pick feature and a closed state wherein the latching portion engages the media's pick feature. The apparatus also includes a spring having a first end attached to the carriage and a second end attached to the picker member.

Abstract: In a data media storage library for storing and accessing storage media, the storage media being contained in cartridges, the data media storage library having a library housing, an access opening in the library housing for inserting cartridges, a storage array within the library housing including a number of storage locations, a plurality of media storage elements adapted to hold the storage media, a plurality of data transfer elements adapted to read and write information on the storage media, and a media transport element within the library housing adapted to move the storage media between the media storage element and the data transfer element, an import/export element including: a cartridge holder receiving the media cartridge from the access opening; a first lead screw mounted in a first direction between a first point and a second point and rotating about a first axis parallel to the first direction; a cartridge holder carrier threaded on the first lead screw and connected to the cartridge holder for t

Abstract: A method for disengaging a cartridge picker from a data cartridge includes moving a thumb assembly in the cartridge picker in a first direction to insert the data cartridge in a cartridge receiving device, then moving the cartridge picker in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, until a finger pivotally mounted to the thumb assembly is withdrawn from a notch in the data cartridge.

Abstract: A method of displacing a media holder assembly of a media autochanger between a first rotational registration position and a second rotational registration position.