Spectra Logic Corporation

Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Other

Digital Equipment Corporation

Magnetic Peripherals Inc.

Sanmina Corporation

Laser Magnetic Storage International Company

Miniscribe Corporation

Christopher Anthony Pollard

Matthew Thomas Starr

Lee A Sutherland

Ronald Marc Permut

Peter J Kumpon

Nathan Christopher Thompson

Clark D Brace

Charles M Riggle

John D Read

Jennifer L Woodruff

Thomas Edward Berg

Walter Wong

David W Roecker

Marvin B Davis

Edwin Jack Wadsworth

Kent Thomas Murphy

Frank W Bernett

Michael V Konshak

James W Boeckner, Jr

Rebecca Joyce Amparan

William B Noe

Marek W Christer

Lee A Southerland

Ron M Permut

Ivan H Hults, Jr

Delroy E Miller

Michael Cranna

Kevin W McGinnis

Eric Edgar Wermel

Richard Winfrey

The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Magazine-based data cartridge library

A retaining clip to be used with a storage device in a host computer system, wherein the retaining clip is configured to secure an interposer serving as electrical and logic state interface between the device and the structure of the host system. The retaining clip engages with the device through a peg inserted into a mounting hole for the device and secures the interposer by holding it against the device's data or power connector by a tab extending over the interposer and exerting pressure against it towards the device. Additional fins extending from the body of the clip in substantially opposite direction from the tab secure the tab against the enclosure of the host computer system.

Retaining clip for use with a mass storage device

A slide apparatus that provides horizontal support to a disc drive blade is described. The slide apparatus essentially includes a slider beam, a guide rail, a chassis and a retaining member. The slider beam possesses a slotted feature that extends at least partially along the length of the slider beam. The guide rail, which is adapted to be attached to a frame, constrains the slider beam to move only along the length of the guide rail. A retaining member is anchored to the chassis and extends into said slotted feature. The chassis, which supports the disc drive blade, is confined by the retaining member to move essentially only along the slotted feature in the slider beam.

Slider support arrangement

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for transferring storage media between storage units comprising an expandable multi-unit storage system. The expandable storage apparatus comprises a first and second storage unit comprising media support locations. The support locations are capable of supporting at least one storage media element. At least one storage device is adapted to store and retrieve data to and from the storage media element associated with at least one of the storage units. At least one robotic system is associated with each of the storage units. A media pass-through transfer device is substantially disposed in the first storage unit and is adapted to transfer the storage element between the first and second storage units wherein the media pass-through transfer device is capable of temporarily extending into the second storage unit. The robotic system is capable of transferring the storage media element between at least the support locations, the storage device and the media pass-through transfer device.

Storage media transferring method and apparatus within a multi-unit storage apparatus

Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

Expandable magazine-based library

Disclosed is a method and apparatus system for aligning a multi-unit storage system. The alignment system for a storage apparatus includes a first and second storage unit which includes media support locations. The media support locations are capable of supporting at least one storage media element and at least one storage device adapted to store and retrieve data to and from the storage media element associated with at least one of the storage units. The storage apparatus further includes at least one robotic system, an alignment indication device and an alignment means capable of positioning the first and second storage unit substantially in alignment for the robotic system to access the media support locations and the storage device wherein the alignment means cooperates with the alignment indication device to confirm the positioning is in alignment.

Alignment system method and apparatus for multi-unit storage systems

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a magazine that is used to move data cartridges into and out of the library via an entry/exit port. In one embodiment, the magazine comprises a box-structure that is capable of holding a plurality of data cartridges, a dust cover, and a coupling structure comprised of a member that extends away from the side wall of the box structure.

Entry/exit port magazine for a data cartridge library

A disk cartridge engagement system having a carriage disposed within a sleeve for movement in the longitudinal direction, gripper arms pivotally mounted to the carriage for engaging a disk cartridge positioned distally of the sleeve, and a pair of biasing springs movable between first and second biasing conditions which correspond to gripping and releasing of the cartridge, respectively.

Cartridge engagement system for optical disk cartridges

A jukebox for a plurality of recording medium assemblies (such as trays bearing discs) which includes a horizontal transport system wherein an engagement actuator (such as a solenoid) effects movement of an engagement piece. The engagement piece is moved between a position of being engaged with the recording medium assembly and a position of non-engagement with the recording medium assembly. The engagement actuator is linked to the engagement piece through a pivoting crank, so that the direction of motion of the engagement actuator is different than the direction of motion of the engagement piece.

Recording medium assembly transport system with perpendicular engagement

A carriage assembly for transporting a sleeve assembly between multiple locations in which the drive motors are spring mounted so as to be self tensioning, the carriage is movably mounted to the worm screw by a two-way flexure which allows for planar movement of the carriage relative to the worm screw yet allows only minimal rotation of the carriage relative to the worm screw, and wherein the sleeve assembly is pivotally mounted to the carriage near the open end of the sleeve. first and second flex plates extending in a first direction perpendicular to the main plate from a first pair of opposing edges of the main plate, respectively,

Carriage for optical disk storage and retrieval array

A disk cartridge engagement system having a carriage disposed within a sleeve for movement in the longitudinal direction, gripper arms pivotally mounted to the carriage for engaging a disk cartridge positioned distally of the sleeve, and a pair of biasing springs movable between first and second biasing conditions which correspond to gripping and releasing of the cartridge, respectively. The carriage includes a first cartridge receiving position in which the gripping arms are positioned to engage with a cartridge advanced onto the end of the base by a first distance, and a second cartridge receiving position in which the gripping arms are positioned to engage with a cartridge advanced onto the end of the base by a second distance which is shorter than the first. Thus, the gripping apparatus is capable of receiving disks ejected from apparatuses such as disk drives which can push ejected cartridges short distances as well as from those which can push ejected cartridges relatively longer distances.

Cartridge engagement system for optical disk cartridges having a

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Monument, CO, United States of America

Christopher Anthony Pollard