Abstract: Systems and methods that dynamically distribute status, cartridge movement and other types of requests and communications from a library manager to one or more libraries of a library string based on target or subject libraries in the requests. Upon receiving and/or generating a request, the library manager determines whether active connections (e.g., control paths) are available from the library manager substantially directly to the subject libraries and then distributes the requests over such active connections when available. When such active connections are unavailable, the library manager may distribute such requests over active connections to non-subject libraries which may forward such requests to the subject libraries via an inter-library communication interconnect.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a medium storage unit that has a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells being storable a recording medium for each, a recoding and reproducing unit that reads data from and writes data onto the recording medium, and a transport unit that transports the recoding and reproducing unit to one of the plurality of cells in which the recoding medium subject to data access is stored and inserts the recording medium into a medium insertion and removal opening of the recoding and reproducing unit.

Abstract: A system for and method of properly positioning a media magazine in a mass data storage library.

Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.

Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a media mobility unit includes a media cartridge holding portion for storing media cartridges, a sensing mechanism for sensing at least an approximate location of the holding portion in relation to other objects, a drive mechanism for moving the holding portion from a source media library to a destination media library, and a power source electrically coupled to at least one of the sensing mechanism and the drive mechanism for providing current to the at least one of the drive mechanism and the sensing mechanism. In another embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination media library. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: Provided is a library device with which an accessor can move even when a magnetic tape cartridge is ejected out from a magazine onto a transporting path on which the accessor moves. The library device includes: a magazine inside which slots are provided; a device main body which houses the magazine; an accessor provided on one side of the device main body; and a magnetic tape drive which transports cartridges. A cartridge ejection preventing mechanism for preventing ejection of the entire part of the cartridge from the slot is provided in an opening-part front face of the slot, and a cartridge stopper member of the ejection preventing mechanism is set to be reciprocally rotatable along the moving direction of the accessor.

Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

Abstract: A library device includes: a storage shelf including storage units aligned in a plurality of columns; and a conveying robot that grasps and conveys cartridges stored in the storage units, wherein the conveying robot includes: a base board located to face the plurality of columns, one end of the base board being supported movably up and down by a first support post, and another end of the base board being supported movably up and down by a second support post; a movable unit including a grasping unit grasping the cartridges stored in the storage units and moving on the base board; an inclination measuring unit measuring an inclination of the movable unit; and an inclination correction unit adjusting heights of both ends of the base board according to an inclination value of the movable unit measured by the inclination measuring unit and correcting the inclination of the movable unit.

Abstract: A library apparatus for conveying, with a conveying device, a cartridge storing data between a cartridge storing unit and a drive accessing the data stored in the cartridge, the library apparatus includes: a target position deciding unit configured to decide a target position, to which the conveying device is to be moved, based on a position of a gravity point of the library apparatus, and stable position information that is predetermined position information of the gravity point at which the library apparatus becomes stable; and a controlling unit configured to control and drive the conveying device to move to the target position when a vibration applied to the library device is detected.

Abstract: A tape library apparatus includes a recording/reproducing unit for accessing data in the tape cartridges, a first driver for producing a driving force, a conveyer for carrying the recording/reproducing unit in the direction of the alignment of the plurality of the tape cartridges, by the driving force produced by the first driver, an identification information reader mounted near the insertion slot and on a surfaces of the tape cartridges, the image identification information being on a surface of each of the tape cartridges which faces opposite to a surface which faces the conveyer, a second driver for moving the tape cartridge in the magazine at opposed position of the conveyer to the recording/reproducing unit, and a controller for controlling the first and second drivers, to move one of the tape cartridges stored in the magazine to a position of the recording/reproduction unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to storing and locating a self-describing storage cartridge. An aspect of the invention includes a system for storing and locating a self-describing storage cartridge. The system includes a storage cartridge. The storage cartridge includes a first storage module configured to store data objects. The storage cartridge further includes a second storage module configured to store an index describing the data objects stored on the first storage module. The storage cartridge further includes a connector coupled to the second storage module and configured to provide an external device with access to the second storage module.

Abstract: A tape library is provided with a fixed coupling mechanism so that the tape library includes discrete locations via which power and communication are provided to an accessor. The use of such a coupling mechanism in a vertical tape library allows for the use of gravity to ensure that the accessor can couple with the fixed coupling mechanism even when no power is present in the accessor.

Abstract: A library device includes: cells each containing a storage medium in a first or a second manner; a medium drive accessing and containing the medium differently from a manner of placing the medium in at least one of the cells; and a medium-transferring unit including a housing section housing the medium, and moving the housing section between the cells and the medium drive to transfer the medium. The unit includes: a support member supporting the housing section pivotably between a first and a second postures meeting the first and second manners; a movement-controlling system moving the support member so that the housing section faces the cells and medium drive; a medium-transferring system transferring the medium; a biasing member biasing the housing section toward the first posture; and a posture-changing member interfering with and thereby pivoting the housing section from the first posture to the second posture resisting the biasing member.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a cell unit including a plurality of cells for storing a storage medium, a drive unit for writing data into or reading data from the storage medium, a medium transportation unit for accessing each of the cells and the drive unit and for transporting the storage medium between the cells and between each of the cells and the drive unit, a cell unit driver for moving the cell unit in vertical direction, and a controller for driving the cell unit driver to move the cell unit through the opening to a position accessible by a medium transportation unit of another library apparatus stacked in vertical direction.

Abstract: A housing apparatus includes a plurality of housing units to have housed objects housed therein, a carrying unit to include the plurality of the housing units arranged in a ring shape, the carrying unit carrying the housing units to a carriage position, and a transferring unit to be disposed facing a carriage destination of the housed objects with the carrying unit existing therebetween to transfer the housed object in the housing unit carried and positioned at the carriage position from the housing unit to the carriage destination or to transfer the housed object in the carriage destination from the carriage destination to the housing unit.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus that monitor tape drive health for tape drives in a tape library. The tape library generally contains a data base that is adapted to maintain functional status records for interactions that occur when a tape drive physically engages a tape cartridge. More specifically, errors associated with tape drive and tape cartridge interactions can be stored in the data base and monitored to make determinations relative to problems encountered by a specific tape drive.

Abstract: A cell (300) includes a cartridge lock (306) at its opening for securing a data cartridge (100) in the cell by locking. A picker mechanism (500) includes a picker arm (521) and an ejection release part (522) for releasing locking realized by the cartridge lock (306). When the data cartridge (100) is to be inserted into the cell (300), the cartridge lock (306) is caused to retract as far as a position at which locking is released by a tapered surface (101) that is provided on the data cartridge (100); and when the data cartridge (100) is to be ejected from the cell (300), cartridge lock (306) is released by the ejection release part (522) at the same time that picker arm (521) engages engagement hole (102).

Abstract: A transport apparatus and a library apparatus are provided. The transport apparatus includes a holding mechanism, a base and a lifting/lowering mechanism. The holding mechanism holds an object to transport. The holding mechanism is mounted on a base. The lifting/lowering mechanism lifts and lowers the base in first directions. The drive mechanism moves the holding mechanism in a plane including second directions that are different from the first directions.

Abstract: A tape library apparatus includes a transporting rail extending in parallel with a vertical reference plane. A cell is configured to receive a tape cartridge in an upright attitude along an inclined reference plane. The inclined reference plane intersects with the vertical reference plane at an acute angle for establishment of a vertical intersection line within the vertical reference plane. A transporting unit is configured to change its attitude between a parallel attitude and an inclined attitude. The transporting unit in the parallel attitude allows insertion and withdrawal of the tape cartridge in the upright attitude along the vertical reference plane. The transporting unit in the inclined attitude allows insertion and withdrawal of the tape cartridge in the upright attitude along the inclined reference plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: A stop position adjusting device for an accessor mechanism in an information recording device using a recording cartridge, includes: the accessor mechanism; a first moving mechanism; a second moving mechanism; and an image taking section. The accessor mechanism inserts the recording cartridge into a cell and takes out the recording cartridge from the cell. The first moving mechanism moves the accessor mechanism in a first direction. The second moving mechanism moves the accessor mechanism in a second direction different from the first direction. The image taking section is provided on the accessor mechanism and detects a position of a mark provided near the cell. An adjustment of a stop position of the accessor mechanism for the cell is executed based on the position detected by the image taking section.

Abstract: An automated data storage library with storage shelves, data storage drive(s), a bus bar; and a robot accessor with a drive system for moving the robot accessor, an accessor communication interface, a bus bar relay configured to engage and disengage the bus bar; a robot control configured to operate the drive system to move the robot accessor, to operate the picker, to operate the bus bar relay to engage the bus bar when the robot accessor is stationary; and a power storage system configured to receive power via the bus bar relay when the bus bar relay engages the bus bar, to store the received power, and to deliver the stored power to the robot accessor at least when the bus bar relay is disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing, an insertion and ejection mechanism that is provided in an opening formed in the housing and that is configured to insert and eject a magazine, the magazine being arranged to accommodate a cartridge that includes a storage medium, a drive mechanism configured to access the storage medium and a transporting mechanism configured to transport the cartridge to a predetermined position. The insertion and ejection mechanism includes a magazine receiving section having an engagement section configured to be engaged with a portion of the magazine, a guide rail configured to slidably support the magazine receiving section, and a wall member configured to move together with the magazine receiving section along the guide rail and to close the opening upon an ejection of the magazine from the insertion and ejection mechanism.