International Business Machines Corporation

Brigham Young University

Aaron Lyle Herring

Shawn Michael Nave

Jonathan Edward Bosley

Brian Gerard Goodman

Larry L Howell

Raymond Yardy

Daniel Scott Moore

Michael Philip McIntosh

Spencer P Magleby

Daniel J Moore

Robert H Todd

Steven Martin Flaherty

Michael Sean Baker

Christian Dennis Lott

A tape library is provided with a fixed coupling mechanism so that the tape library includes discrete locations via which power and communication are provided to an accessor. The use of such a coupling mechanism in a vertical tape library allows for the use of gravity to ensure that the accessor can couple with the fixed coupling mechanism even when no power is present in the accessor.

Contactless method for power and communications in a tape library

A hinged flap including an angled surface and a flat surface prevent the incorrect loading of a 3592 data cartridge into a dedicated pass-through slot. The angled surface of the hinged flap is pushed by a recessed angled surface in the front face of the 3592 data cartridge to force the hinged flap out of the slot, allowing the cartridge to be inserted. In the absence of the recessed angled surface in the front face of the data cartridge, the flat surface of the flap blocks insertion of the data cartridge.

Mechanism for locking out improperly inserted cartridge

A distributed nodal system with a source computer processor node storing program code for target node(s). A target node has an updatable firmware memory storing program code for operating a target processor. The target code comprises application code for controlling an embedded device, primary communication code for communicating with a network, backup communication code also having copy code for copying code between portions of the firmware memory, and primary boot code for booting the target processor and having check code. The check code determines whether the primary communication code is corrupted, and if it is corrupted, employs the copy code to overwrite the primary communication code with the backup code. If uncorrupted, the check code determines whether the application code is corrupted, and if corrupted, prevents execution of the code.

Updatable firmware having boot and/or communication redundancy

A portable canister for upgrading, converting, or servicing an automated data storage library includes an assembly with cartridge cells. The portable canister is mounted within a data storage drive compartment, and/or another slot within the automated data storage library. The storage capacity of the library may be increased by adding portable storage canisters. When occupying a data storage drive slot, the portable storage canister may be removed and replaced with a data storage drive. Dual accessor library expansion may be simplified by using the portable canister as a test canister in the service bay of the library. Any library frame or storage module may become the service bay simply by inserting a test canister into the frame or storage module. This eliminates the need to shut down the library and reconfigure the frames to relocate the service bay.

System and method of providing and relocating a portable storage canister in an automated data storage library

A lockout lever is hinged on the side of a slot in an I/O station of an automated library. The lever includes a leading blade and a trailing blade that protrude into the slot. The leading blade is urged open by a spring. When an LTO cartridge or a DLT cartridge in the wrong position is introduced into the slot, the forward motion of the cartridge is impeded by its substantially flat side that faces both the leading and trailing blades and prevents rotation of the lockout lever. When a DLT cartridge is introduced correctly, the cavity in its side accommodates the leading blade as the trailing blade is pushed out of the slot. The leading blade is sized to clear the gap in the door hinge of the DLT cartridge when removed from the interior of the station.

Lockout mechanism for I/O station of automated library

The positioning of a robot accessor in an automated data storage library is rezeroed with respect to a home position which potentially avoids moving the robot accessor to the home position in every rezero operation. The robot accessor is moved to the expected location of a reference point in the library. If the reference point is sensed by a robot accessor sensor at substantially the expected location, the rezero operation is completed; else, the rezero operation is continued. Alternatively, if there is an offset between the sensed location of the reference point and the expected location, the robot accessor is moved to a second expected location of a second reference point. If the offsets are consistent, the calibration is updated, completing the rezero operation.

Rezeroing a robot accessor of an automated data storage library

A compliant mechanism and method of manufacturing the same includes a plurality of layers formed from stamping a plurality of layers from a layer of thinner material and stacking the layers together. Compliant mechanisms can include clutches, switches, derailleurs, brakes and other mechanisms. The compliant mechanism includes rigid and flexible sections of integral construction. The rigid and flexible sections provide an integral device capable of achieving motion by elastic deformation. The flexible section is deflectable, and stores energy in the form of strain energy when deflected.

Multi-layered compliant mechanisms and method of manufacture

A derailleur, and more particularly, to a bicycle derailleur device that is compliant and self returning. There is a derailleur for moving a chain from one location to another while maintaining parallel alignment to a set of gears that mounted to a cycle. Specifically, the derailleur has a first and second rigid segments, parallel to each other, where the first segment means is fixed to the cycle and the second segment means is free to traverse from a first to a second position. In addition there is a first linking means, coupled between the first and second segments, for linking the first and second rigid segments together, and designed to move from the first position to the second position. Moreover, there is a second linking means, coupled between the first and second segments and spaced from the first linking means in about a parallel position, for linking the first and second rigid segments together, and designed for resiliently biasing the derailleur into the first position and for resiliently bending into the second position. Wherein the first linking means being shorter than the second linking means. Additionally, there is a chain wheel, coupled to the second segment, having a first axis that remains about parallel through all successive locations between the first and second positions. Uniquely, the first link ( ) is rotatably coupled to the first and second rigid segments through a first and second pivot pins ( and ) respectively. Wherein the second link fully comprises a flexible material allowing the entire second link to bend into a shape approximating an &ldquo;S&rdquo; shape during movement between the first and second positions.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Aaron Lyle Herring