Storage library with multiple-directional picker

• US 5,659,444 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dang, Chi Thanh, Dang, Chi Hung
• Primary Examiner(s): Tupper, Robert S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Brian E.
• Application Number:
  US08/474,834
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 360/92, 360/98.04, 360/98.05, 369/36, 369/178, 369/192, 369/77.2, 414/277-278, 414/280, 414/751
• US Class Current: 360/98.04
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/6835 the cassettes being transferred to a fixed recorder or player using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/22 from random access magazine of disc records
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/225 wherein the disks are transferred from a fixed magazine to a fixed playing unit using a moving carriage

Abstract

An automated data storage library of unique design includes a plurality of storage cell magazines containing storage cells for holding storage media cartridges therein. A picker mechanism having multiple direction capability is positioned for accessing and transporting the storage media cartridges between at least three adjacent storage cell magazines. The picker mechanism includes a pair of gripper pickers configured for releasably gripping and supporting the storage media cartridges during transport between the storage cells. The picker mechanism is rotatable so that one of the grippers can be utilized to access two of the adjacent storage cell magazines while the second gripper accesses the third storage cell magazine. For increased efficiency, the picker mechanism can be positioned between opposing columns of storage cell magazines together with a single storage cell column at one end. Plural picker mechanisms can also be positioned between adjacent sets of storage cell magazines having three adjacent storage cell magazines each. Still further, the picker mechanism could be positioned to access a peripheral storage device in communication with a host processor, together with a pair of rotatable cartridge carousels containing plural storage cell magazines.

Claims

1. A data storage library comprising:

a picker assembly including,

a picker casing having top and bottom sides which are bounded laterally by right, left, front and back sides, each of the right and left sides being bisected by a horizontally oriented x axis and each of the front and back sides being bisected by a horizontally oriented y axis, the x and y axes being perpendicular with respect to one another so as to define an x-y horizontal plane which is perpendicular to a vertically oriented axis and the top and bottom sides being bisected by a z axis which is perpendicular to said x-y horizontal plane;

first and second gripper devices mounted in picker casing for gripping cartridges, the first gripper device being for reciprocable movement parallel to the x axis and the second gripper device for reciprocable movement parallel to the y axis;

one of the front and back sides of the picker casing having a first casing opening for receiving said cartridge with in said picker casing and one of the right and left sides of the picker casing having a second casing opening for receiving said cartridge within said picker casing, and

first and second translation means for reciprocably moving the first and second gripper devices respectively parallel to the x and y axes respectively in a common plane with respect to one another so that said cartridge is received or ejected from the picker casing through either of said open end without moving from said common plane;

means for reciprocably moving the picker casing along said z axis;

first, second and third columns of cartridge receptacles, each column having a plurality of vertically stacked cartridge receptacles with openings along a vertical receiving side of the column;

the first column being located adjacent the picker casing with its vertical receiving sides facing said first casing opening as the picker casing is moved along said z axis so that said cartridge can be transferred between a receptacle in the first column and picker casing;

the second and third columns being located adjacent the picker casing with their vertical receiving sides facing the right and left sides respectively the picker casing as the picker casing is moved along said z axis so that said cartridge is transferred between a receptacle in either of the second and third columns and the picker casing, depending upon the location of said second casing opening; and

means for flipping the picker casing about the y axis so that the first gripper device can be positioned to grip said cartridge from a receptacle in either of the second or third columns.

2. A data storage library as claimed in claim 1 wherein each gripper device has a magnetic gripper for gripping said cartridge.

3. A data storage library as claimed in claim 2 wherein the picker assembly and the first and second columns are replicated from said second column one or more times parallel to the x axis away from said third column.

4. A data storage library as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said columns has a receptacle which contains a peripheral storage device which is in communication with a host data processing device.

5. A data storage library as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second translation means include:

one of the top and bottom sides of the picker casing having a first slot which extends parallel to said x axis and the other of the top and bottom sides of the picker casing having a second slot which extends parallel to said y axis;

first and second screws with respective first and second engaging nuts located in said first and second slots respectively with each screw being rotatably mounted to the picker casing so that upon rotation of the screw the respective nut can reciprocate in the respective slot; and

the first and second nuts being connected to the first and second gripper devices for reciprocating the first and second gripper devices parallel to said x and y axes respectively.

6. A data storage library as claimed in claim 5 wherein the picker assembly and the first and second columns are replicated from said second column one or more times parallel to the x axis away from said third column.

7. A data storage library as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one of said columns has a receptacle which contains a peripheral storage device which is in communication with a host data processing device.