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Small library cartridge access mail slot method

  • US 6,411,462 B1
  • Filed: 10/26/1999
  • Issued: 06/25/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A storage library for housing a plurality of storage media cartridges, the storage library comprising:

  • a housing having an opening;

    a plurality of cartridge slots each having a first opening and being disposed inside the housing to hold the plurality of storage media cartridges, wherein at least one cartridge slot of the plurality of cartridge slots is a mail slot, wherein the mail slot disposed adjacent to the opening in the housing, is pivotable between a first position and a second position, and has a second opening that is disposed on a top of the mail slot as defined with the mail slot at the first position, wherein manual insertion of one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and manual removal of one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot are accomplished at least partially through the second opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the second position; and

    a robotic mechanism disposed inside the housing and operative to move the plurality of storage media cartridges one at a time among the plurality of cartridge slots including the mail slot, wherein the robotic mechanism inserts one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and removes one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot through the first opening in the mail slot when the mail slot is at the first position.

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