Advanced Digital Information Corporation

Other

Advanced Digital Information System

Nathan H Searle

Allen E Fleckenstein

Steve T Kaneko

Jeffrey C Brown

A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a removable module and a chassis having a module receptacle. Cartridge storage slots are disposed within the chassis, and a media drive is disposed within the removable module. A cartridge transporter is disposed within the chassis and transports the cartridge between one of the cartridge slots and the media drive when the module is inserted within the module receptacle. A library control circuit is disposed within the chassis and controls the cartridge transporter. An interface circuit is disposed within the removable module and electronically interfaces a host computer to the media drive, and, when the removable module is inserted within the module receptacle of the chassis, electronically interfaces the host computer to the library control circuit.

Library for storing data-storage media and having a removable interface module

A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a removable module and a chassis having a module receptacle. Cartridge storage slots arc disposed within the chassis, and a media drive is disposed within the removable module. A cartridge transporter is disposed within the chassis and transports the cartridge between one of the cartridge slots and the media drive when the module is inserted within the module receptacle. A library control circuit is disposed within the chassis and controls the cartridge transporter. An interface circuit is disposed within the removable module and electronically interfaces a host computer to the media drive, and, when the removable module is inserted within the module receptacle of the chassis, electronically interfaces the host computer to the library control circuit.

A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a chassis and includes cartridge slots, a media drive, a cartridge transporter having a cam mechanism, and transporter and cam drive assemblies all located within the chassis. The cartridge slots each have an outer slot opening that faces outward of the chassis and an inner slot opening that faces inward of the chassis, and each slot allows insertion and removal of the cartridge through both of the respective inner and outer slot openings. The media drive has a cartridge opening that faces the inner slot openings and receives and ejects the cartridge via this opening. The cartridge transporter is located between the slots and the media drive and includes a first transporter opening that faces the slots, a second transporter opening that faces the drive, a cartridge passage that extends between the first and second transporter openings, a first roller arm that is located at a side thereof toward the first transporter opening, a second roller arm that is located at a side thereof toward the second transporter opening, a cam mechanism that moves the first and second roller arms, and a roller mechanism that includes respective first and second rollers mounted to the first and second roller arms and that moves the cartridge through the cartridge passage. The transporter drive assembly moves the cartridge transporter to align the first transporter opening with the inner slot opening of a selected slot or to align the second transporter opening with the cartridge opening of the media drive. The cam drive assembly moves the cam mechanism to cause the first roller of the first roller arm to engage the cartridge while the first roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the selected slot, or to cause the second roller of the second roller arm to engage the cartridge while the second roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the media drive. The library also includes a circuit that controls the operation of the transporter and cam drive assemblies.

Library for storing data-storage media and having an improved media transporter

A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a chassis having a plurality of walls that each have inner and outer sides. A cartridge storage receptacle is mounted to the inner side of a first of the walls and has a receptacle port facing away from the first wall. A cartridge mailbox is mounted within an port that is formed in a second of the walls. The mailbox has a slot with a first slot port accessible from the inner side of the second wall and a second slot port accessible from the outer side of the second wall. The slot is constructed to allow insertion of the cartridge into the slot via the first and the second slot ports, and to allow removal of the cartridge from the slot via the first and the second slot ports. An x-y drive assembly is mounted within the chassis. A cartridge picker is mounted to the drive assembly and has a first picker port and a second picker port. The picker is operable to receive the cartridge from and provide the cartridge to the mailbox slot via the first slot port and the first picker port. The picker can also receive the cartridge from and provide the cartridge to the storage receptacle via the receptacle port and the second picker port.

Library for storing data-storage media

A data storage unit includes multiple media processors that are each moveable between a transfer position and a corresponding standby position, and are able to receive a storage medium. A shuttle assembly moves a selected one of the media processors between the transfer position and the corresponding standby position. A magazine is provided with a plurality of compartments that are each able to receive a storage medium. A magazine drive assembly moves the magazine so as to move a selected one of the compartments into the transfer position. A transfer assembly transfers a storage medium between the selected media processor and the selected compartment while the selected media processor and the selected compartment are in the transfer position. A controller controls the operations of the shuttle assembly, magazine drive assembly, and transfer assembly.

Device and method for storing and retrieving data

A computer storage unit usable with DAT cassettes. The unit has a tape drive, a carriage that is movable laterally relative to the tape drive opening, and a magazine having slots sized to releasably hold the cassettes therein. The magazine is releasable attachable to the carriage. A pair of gripper arms is rotatably mounted at the end of an arm attached to a traveler which moves the gripper arms between a selected magazine slot and the tape drive opening. The gripper arms are rotatable between a grasping position, a pushing position and an open position using a solenoid-driven actuator arm which linearly moves a head block to which the gripper arms are loosely connected at a position offset from their axis of rotation. A sensor is used in conjunction with the gripper arms to selectively move the cassettes during a test cycle to determine if cassettes are present in the magazine slots and whether the cassettes are in backwards. The magazine has a base and a detachable cover with integrally molded spring latches. Walls in the magazine base which define the magazine slots each have a recess which receives a movable button releasably holding the cassettes within the slots.

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Snohomish, WA, United States of America

Nathan H Searle