International Business Machines Corporation

Chi-Hung Dang

Chi-Thanh Dang

Rodney Jerome Means

John Edward Kulakowski

Kamal Emile Dimitri

Jerry Walter Hammar

Francisco Antonio Baca

Raymond Yardy

Robert Lamar Bingham

Zara F Hudson

A storage and retrieval library has a column of storage cells including at least some side-by-side storage cells. A media accessor with a picker gripper for accessing media in one side of the side-by-side cells is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for accessing media in the other side of the side-by-side cells. For multi-sized media, a column may have storage cells extending the full width of the column for holding a large sized media, and a second type of smaller cells arranged side-by-side, each for holding a small sized media. A media picker has a first gripper for accessing large sized media from the full width cells, and a second gripper for accessing small sized media from one side of the side-by-side cells. The media picker is rotatable about a pivot to an opposed position for the second gripper for accessing small sized media from the other side of the side-by-side cells.

Storage and retrieval library with side-by-side storage cells

A media stackloader processes removable data storage media cartridges containing optical disks, magnetic diskettes, or tape media. A moveable rail on the stackloader locks cartridges in the stackloader. The rail is pivotable on the stackloader to permit access to a cartridge so that the rail can be pivoted to a position where the cartridges are locked in the stackloader or to a position where cartridges can be removed and replaced in the stackloader. A locking solenoid engages the moveable rail to permit or prevent pivoting of the rail.

Plugable media stackloader system using a locking solenoid for pivoting

A media stackloader processes removable data storage media such as optical disks, magnetic diskettes, or tape media. The stackloader removably couples to a storage drive, such as by plugging into a slot of the host computer. The stackloader has a plug portion integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the host computer and the housing portion housing a magazine containing the removable media. The stackloader includes a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A locking mechanism selectively locks and unlocks the cartridges to prevent improper removal of cartridges from the magazine. Another aspect of the invention includes a method for operating a media stackloader, supporting operations needed to add new cartridges to a magazine, remove existing cartridges, read data from a cartridge, write data to a cartridge, audit the status of cartridges in a magazine, and aid the operator in exchanging mounted magazines and cartridges with different, un-mounted magazines or cartridges.

Plugable media stack loading system

A file management system facilitates both physical and logical file groupings with convenient access to surplus media for sub-volume expansion. Each item of media includes a local file directory, which provides a list of files stored on the medium, cross-referenced to the files' addresses on the medium. The media items are organized as one or more primary sub-volumes, an auxiliary sub-volume, and a media reservoir. Each primary sub-volume preferably comprises a single sub-directory, and includes one or more media items used to store files of a specific class. Initially each primary sub-volume includes a single piece of media. The library also includes at least one auxiliary sub-volume, which may include multiple sub-directories, to store leftover files that do not fall under classes corresponding to the primary sub-volumes. Files may be stored on the auxiliary sub-volume on a random, 'space available' basis. A media reservoir includes a bank of new, erased, or re-formatted media items available for individual inclusion into the primary and auxiliary sub-volumes as these sub-volumes expand.

Sub-volume with floating storage space

A file management system for accessing mass storage systems, employing a compressed common file directory ('CCFD') that occupies a minimum amount of storage space. The CCFD is implemented in a storage system including a library of media, one or more storage drives that may be permanently or selectively coupled to the media, and a controller connected. Each piece of media includes a local file directory, which contains a listing of the files stored on that piece of media cross-referenced to those files' addresses on the media item. The controller contains or has convenient access to the CCFD. When access to a file is desired, the CCFD is used to quickly identify the piece of media containing that file. More particularly, the CCFD includes a first data structure including a list of encoded filenames cross-referenced to a list oil compressed media IDs. Each encoded filename comprises a filename of a file stored in one or more of the media, encoded with a selected encoding scheme. For each encoded filename, the associated compressed media ID comprises an encoded name of a piece of media containing that file. A second data structure includes a list of each compressed media ID cross-referenced to a media location identifier specifying the location of that media item in the library. To access a desired file stored in the library, the file's name is first encoded. Then, the encoded filename is cross-referenced in the first data structure to obtain a compressed media ID. Using the second data structure, the compressed media ID is used to determine the media's location identifier. The media location identifier is then used to locate the media containing the file. After the media is located and obtained, the media's local file directory is searched to find the desired file's address in that piece of media.

Compressed common file directory for mass storage systems

Plugable media stackloading system

A media stackloader for processing media in one or more drives of a personal computer is provided where the stackloader plugs into a half slot or full slot (51/4) inch of the personal computer. The stackloader has a plug portion which is integral with a housing portion, the plug portion plugging into the slot and the housing portion housing a magazine which contains media, such as optical disk cartridges. The stackloader is provided with a device for moving the magazine vertically within the housing to align selected cartridges with an opening in one of the drives of the personal computer. After the cartridge is aligned, a device is employed for moving the cartridge horizontally into the drive for processing and, after processing, for withdrawing the cartridge from the drive back into the magazine. A device is provided for locking and unlocking the cartridges, the operator unlocking the cartridges when it is desired to remove from or add cartridges to the magazine. In the preferred embodiment the stackloader receives its power from the personal computer and employs an autochanger controller which is connected to a microprocessor on the mother board of the personal computer via a SCSI interface. The autochanger controller operates the devices for vertically moving the magazine and horizontally moving the cartridges as well as operating sensing and indicating functions. The stackloader enables a small user to operate a mini-library of cartridges in a standard home type personal computer.

Plugable media stackloader for personal computer

Data storage apparatus having an array of cartridge-storing receptacles with a media device at one extremity of the array, provides cartridge input-output either at all of the receptacles or at a predetermined number of such receptacles. The media device may face the travel of an accessing mechanism such that a holder in accessing mechanism loads a cartridge onto the media device while the holder is situated at the media device. Interlock means prevent the removal of cartridges while the accessing means holder is active in an IO range of the receptacles. Moving the accessing means out of the IO range of receptacles, such as to the media device, enables manual insertion and removal of cartridges. A plurality of the cartridges are kept in respective slots of the cassettes. These cassettes are removably inserted into respective ones of the receptacles. Insertion and removal of cartridges is via manually removing a cassette from its receptacle, changing any cartridges, then returning the cassette, or a replacement, into its receptacle. Each slot of each receptacle in the IO range provides for cartridge input-output as well as long-term storage of cartridges therein. Manual requests for changing cartridges are honored during data processing. In response to a request, the holder is move out of the IO range and kept outside of the IO range. The cartridges are exchanged. Then a manual indication is given that the cartridge changing is complete. An automatic inventory of the removed cassettes ensues followed by usual data processing.

Data storage method having a columnar array of storage receptacles that

Data storage apparatus having a columnar array of input-output storage

A checkerboard data storage library is provided which includes a plurality of receptacle modules and a plurality of picker modules. The receptacle modules and the picker modules are arranged alternately side by side in a closed loop planar array. Each receptacle module has a plurality of open-ended receptacles arranged one above the other in a column which extends perpendicular to the planar array. Each open-ended receptacle is capable of receiving and storing a recording medium. Each picker module has a picker which reciprocates vertically in a respective column opposite open ends of the receptacles in receptacle modules for transporting recording media therebetween. The above arrangement facilitates simpler expansion of the library and assures its operability even though one or two picker modules should fail.

Checkerboad data storage library

The present invention provides a retainer system of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which prevents information storage elements, or cartridges, from escaping from their respective storage cells when the entire library is transported from one location to another. The retainer system comprises a retractable cable, a null, or dummy, cartridge, and an array of storage cells. One end of the retractable cable is attached to the null cartridge and the other end of the cable is affixed to one end of the array of storage cells. Initially, the null cartridge is positioned in a storage cell located adjacent to the end of the storage array where the cable is affixed. When all the information storage elements are placed inside their respective storage cells within the array, the null cartridge is moved from its original position to a storage cell at the opposite end of the storage array. As the null cartridge is moved, the cable is extended across the front opening of all the intermediate storage cells between the initial storage cell adjacent to the affixed end of the cable and the final storage cell at the opposite end of the storage array. Extending the cable across the front opening of the storage cell holds the information storage element within the storage cell and prevents its escape during the transportation of the library.

Cartridge retention in storage cell arrays

A library of disk media units for use in a data processing environment wherein receptacle columns hold multiple cartridges which in turn hold multiple media units comprised of caddies and recording disks. A picker system moves media into and from the drive units and receptacle columns. Drive units are also located within the receptacle columns. The caddies and cartridges are supplied with hole patterns to coact with optical sensors within the receptacle columns and thereby provide information to the library controller indicating the proper/improper operation of the picker system in positioning media units. Also, the hole pattern on the media unit enables the sensors to provide informational content about the media unit to the processor.

Disk cartridge storage system

A single accessing mechanism is deployed adjacently to two optical media libraries. Each library has a plurality of record medium storage compartments arranged respectively into a one-compartment wide column. Each library has its own media drive (player or recorder). An accessing module in the accessing mechanism is movable along the column lengths. The accessing module has two transfer compartments respectively for transferring record media in respective ones of said libraries between the respective storage compartments and the respective media drives. The compartments, either in the accessing module or the library, are vertically offset. A vertical space between vertically adjacent record media enables a fetching apparatus to simultaneously enter such space in both libraries. Moving the accessing module upward or downward respectively selects the record medium to be fetched--in only one of the two libraries.

Record media library accessing using a common accessing mechanism for a

A write protection system for machine-readable data storage disks, such as optical disks, of a single or multiple disk cartridge, where write protection of any disk can be individually enabled or disabled while the cartridge is inserted into a disk drive. Separate trays support each of the disks, all trays being housed by a cartridge. When the cartridge is inserted into the disk drive, only a face of the cartridge is exposed. Each tray includes a write protection mechanism positioned near the cartridge face when that tray is housed by the cartridge. Each mechanism provides a user-selectable, machine-readable indication of the protection status of its associated disk. An exemplary mechanism includes a resilient finger, deformably pivotable from a released position to an activated position when a deflection pin is pressed against the finger through an activation hole in the cartridge face. A detente is resiliently urged toward the finger, at an intersecting angle thereto. The detente includes a ramp with a catch facing the finger. As the finger moves from its released position to its activated position, the ramp slidably contacts the finger's tip. The catch maintains the finger in its activated position after the tip slides past the catch. Manually extending a deflecting pin against the detente through a releasing hole in the face pivots the detente away from the finger, causing the tip and the catch to move apart, whereupon the finger's resiliency snaps it back into its released position.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Chi-Hung Dang