Automated library system with vertically translating input/output station
First Claim
1. An automated library for storing and retrieving removable information storage elements comprising:
- an array of storage cells for storing the information storage elements, each said storage cell having a front opening for inserting and removing an information storage element;
an Input/Output station for inserting and removing said information storage element from said automated library, said Input/Output station comprising an elevator mechanism for vertically translating said information storage element between a minimum vertical position beneath a top surface of said automated library and a maximum vertical position above said top surface;
a drive for reading information from said information storage element, said drive having a drive opening for loading and unloading said information storage element;
an accessor for gripping said information storage element, said accessor further transporting said information storage element between said storage cells, said Input/Output station, and said drive; and
a controller interconnected to said accessor, said drive, and a host processor, said controller receiving control instructions from said host processor and directing actions to said accessor and said drive in response to said control instructions,wherein said Input/Output station is positioned within said automated library such that said elevator mechanism located in said minimum vertical position is aligned with said array of storage cells thereby allowing said Input/Output station and said accessor to operate concurrently without interfering with each other.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an Input/Output station of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which uses an elevator mechanism to vertically translate a cartridge or a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges from a maximum vertical position above the top surface of the library to a minimum vertical position beneath the top surface and internal to the library. The Input/Output station is aligned with the other components of the library such that the vertical path of the elevator mechanism does not interfere with the path of the accessor. The operation of the Input/Output station does not pause the accessor and thus, does not interfere with the operation of the other automated processes within the library. Cartridges can be added to or removed from the library using the Input/Output station while the accessor is moving a different cartridge from a storage cell in the storage array to a drive.
50 Citations
7 Claims
-
1. An automated library for storing and retrieving removable information storage elements comprising:
-
an array of storage cells for storing the information storage elements, each said storage cell having a front opening for inserting and removing an information storage element; an Input/Output station for inserting and removing said information storage element from said automated library, said Input/Output station comprising an elevator mechanism for vertically translating said information storage element between a minimum vertical position beneath a top surface of said automated library and a maximum vertical position above said top surface; a drive for reading information from said information storage element, said drive having a drive opening for loading and unloading said information storage element; an accessor for gripping said information storage element, said accessor further transporting said information storage element between said storage cells, said Input/Output station, and said drive; and a controller interconnected to said accessor, said drive, and a host processor, said controller receiving control instructions from said host processor and directing actions to said accessor and said drive in response to said control instructions, wherein said Input/Output station is positioned within said automated library such that said elevator mechanism located in said minimum vertical position is aligned with said array of storage cells thereby allowing said Input/Output station and said accessor to operate concurrently without interfering with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
Specification