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:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 22, 2000
Jacques Debiez, Saint Simon, FR;
Storage Technology Corporation, Louisville, CO (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and system for handling and storing a plurality of data storage discs includes a toroidal configuration of storage locations for the discs, a plurality of disc drives mounted above the storage locations in a generally annular arrangement, a means for moving any disc into and out of each selected drive on demand, and a control means for directing operation of the means for moving the discs and controlling selection of operation of the disc drives. The apparatus also has another plurality of data storage discs in a secondary module comprising another torodial configuration of storage locations for the discs mounted below the first plurality, a means for moving any disc between the two pluralities of storage locations, and a control means for directing the movement of the discs. The apparatus also has a supplies module mounted beneath the secondary module and houses the power supplies and environmental control equipment necessary for the system. The apparatus includes a access port for the loading and unloading of discs by the user and control means for directing the loading and unloading of discs.