The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 16, 1999
Antonio Borrego, Louisville, CO (US);
Storage Technology Corporation, Louisville, CO (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for providing fine alignment of a robotic assembly with multiple storage cells in a storage library system. One or more docking targets are fixed inside the library in a predetermined orientation with respect to the cells. One or more mating members are attached to the robotic assembly's hand. The mating members and docking targets are shaped to be self-aligning when pressed together. In operation the robotic hand is coarsely aligned with a selected cell. Next, the robotic hand is moved toward the selected cell causing the mating member(s) to engage with the docking target(s) associated the selected cell. The transverse force produced by the robotic hand pushing the mating member(s) against the docking target(s) causes further alignment. When the mating member(s) is fully aligned with the docking target(s) the robotic hand is finely aligned with the selected cell.