Data cartridge library system architecture
First Claim
1. A data cartridge library apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
storage array means, operatively attached to said base so as to be stationary relative to said base, for storing a plurality of data cartridges, wherein said storage array means includes a first side and a second side that is opposite to said first side, a plurality of cartridge housings, wherein said plurality of cartridge housings includes a pass-through housing and a storage housing, wherein each of said pass-through housing and said storage housing includes a first opening on said first side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved, wherein said pass-through housing includes a second opening on said second side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved;
player/recorder means, positioned adjacent to said second side of said storage array means, for reading/writing data on a data cartridge, wherein said player/recorder means includes a port for receiving/erecting a data cartridge, wherein said port is positioned adjacent to said second opening of said pass-through housing so that a data cartridge can be passed between said player/recorder means and said pass-through housing; and
picker means, positioned adjacent to said first side of said storage array means, for moving a data cartridge between said storage array means and said player/recorder means, which includes the ability to extract a data cartridge through said first opening of said storage housing and to extract a data cartridge through said first opening of said pass-through housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage system (10) is disclosed that provides random access storage/retrieval of data on data cartridges within the storage system (10). In one embodiment, the storage system (10) includes a storage array (20), a player/recorder device (22), and a cartridge transport device (40). The player/recorder device (22), a guard device (80) and the transport device (40) are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the storage array. The transport device (40) moves cartridges between the storage array (20) and the player/recorder device (22). The guard device (80) pushes a prolapsed data cartridge back into the storage array (20) and/or limits the distance a data cartridge will prolapse from the storage array (20).
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A data cartridge library apparatus, comprising:
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a base; storage array means, operatively attached to said base so as to be stationary relative to said base, for storing a plurality of data cartridges, wherein said storage array means includes a first side and a second side that is opposite to said first side, a plurality of cartridge housings, wherein said plurality of cartridge housings includes a pass-through housing and a storage housing, wherein each of said pass-through housing and said storage housing includes a first opening on said first side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved, wherein said pass-through housing includes a second opening on said second side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved; player/recorder means, positioned adjacent to said second side of said storage array means, for reading/writing data on a data cartridge, wherein said player/recorder means includes a port for receiving/erecting a data cartridge, wherein said port is positioned adjacent to said second opening of said pass-through housing so that a data cartridge can be passed between said player/recorder means and said pass-through housing; and picker means, positioned adjacent to said first side of said storage array means, for moving a data cartridge between said storage array means and said player/recorder means, which includes the ability to extract a data cartridge through said first opening of said storage housing and to extract a data cartridge through said first opening of said pass-through housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A data cartridge library apparatus, comprising:
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a base; storage array means, operatively attached to said base so as to be stationary relative to said base, for storing a plurality of data cartridges, wherein said storage array means includes a first side and a second side that is opposite to said first side, a plurality of cartridge housings arranged along an arc about an axis, wherein said plurality of cartridge housings includes a pass-through housing and a storage housing, wherein each of said pass-through housing and said storage housing includes a first opening on said first side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved, wherein said pass-through housing includes a second opening on said second side of said storage array means through which a data cartridge can be moved; player/recorder means, positioned adjacent to said second side of said storage array means, for reading/writing data on a data cartridge, wherein said player/recorder means includes a port for receiving/ejecting a data cartridge, wherein said port is positioned adjacent to said second opening of said pass-through housing so that a data cartridge can be passed between said player/recorder means and said pass-through housing; and picker means, positioned adjacent to said first side of said storage array means, for moving a data cartridge between said storage array means and said player/recorder means by (1) extracting a data cartridge through said first opening of said storage housing, inserting the data cartridge through said first opening of said pass-through housing, and pushing the data cartridge through said second opening of said pass-through housing to a point at which said player/recorder means can receive the data cartridge and (2) pulling a data cartridge that has been elected from said player/recorder means through said second opening of said pass-through housing, extracting the data cartridge through said first opening of said pass-through housing, and inserting the data cartridge through said first opening of said storage housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification