Automated cartridge system
First Claim
1. In a data processing system, a storage and retrieval subsystem comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, each of said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges being adapted to have data written thereto and read therefrom;
a host computer;
library means for storing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions, said library means including a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis and a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about said first array;
a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of said tape drives being adapted to receive one of said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position;
robotic means for transferring said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright storage positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at said plurality of tape drives;
outboard controller means adapted to receive commands from said host computer for interfacing between said host computer and said library means; and
inboard controller means, within said library means, adapted to receive commands form said outboard controller means for interfacing between said outboard controller means and said robotic means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive. A first controller outboard the channel communicating with the host computer is adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and the library storage module, and a second controller inboard of the channel is adapted to receive commands from the outboard controller for interfacing between the outboard controller and the robot.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a data processing system, a storage and retrieval subsystem comprising:
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a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, each of said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges being adapted to have data written thereto and read therefrom; a host computer; library means for storing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions, said library means including a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis and a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about said first array; a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of said tape drives being adapted to receive one of said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position; robotic means for transferring said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright storage positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at said plurality of tape drives; outboard controller means adapted to receive commands from said host computer for interfacing between said host computer and said library means; and inboard controller means, within said library means, adapted to receive commands form said outboard controller means for interfacing between said outboard controller means and said robotic means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An improved storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system having a host computer and a plurality of tape transports coupled for communication with the host computer, each of the tape transports being adapted for use with magnetic tape cartridges, wherein the improvement in combination therewith comprises:
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a first array of storage cells, each of said cells consisting essentially of a back portion and bottom portion separating two side portions, and an open front portion adapted for insertion of one of the magnetic tape cartridges, wherein said cells are radially disposed about a vertical axis with their respective front portions inwardly directed thereto; structural means for supporting said first array, said structure means including a floor portion, ceiling portion, and a segmented wall portion substantially surrounding said first array; a second array of storage cells, an upper portion thereof being suspended from said ceiling portion and a lower portion thereof mounted on said floor portion wherein an open path is defined there between, said upper and lower portions having their cells radially disposed about said vertical axis, concentrically inward from said first array, with their respective front portions outwardly directed therefrom; a robot mounted for rotation about said vertical axis, said robot including means for transferring the cartridges between said cells and the tape transports; and means adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and said robot. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of storage and retrieval of data contained in a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, comprising:
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forming a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, said first array comprising an upper and a lower portion; forming a second cylindrical array of storage cells concentrically arranged about said first array; rotatably deploying robotic means for picking and placing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges from and to said first and second arrays; providing a plurality of tape drives adapted to receive said magnetic tape cartridges from said robotic means; and interfacing said first and second arrays, robotic means, and tape drives for maximizing access by a host computer to the data stored in said magnetic tape cartridges. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An automated method of retrieving data contained in a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, comprising:
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storing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a library having an outer cylindrical array of cells and an inner cylindrical array of cells, said outer array being radially inwardly disposed and said inner array being radially outwardly disposed; forming an access path between said outer and inner arrays; controlling a robot having six degrees of freedom within said access path for selectively picking and placing said cartridges; and coupling at least one tape drive adapted for use with magnetic tape cartridges with said library. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification