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Claims  |
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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being mounted on the
frame and vertically aligned with the storage receptacle, the drive being
oriented whereby data storage units are insertable therein with the major
dimensions of the data storage units lying in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
in a direction perpendicular to the unit orientation plane whereby data
storage units are transportable between the drive and the storage
receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device pivoting about an axis
perpendicular to the unit orientation plane as the selected data storage
unit is transported;
wherein the entry/exit transport device comprises an entry/exit transport
arm which travels in the entry/exit transport plane when transporting the
selected data storage unit, and wherein the entry/exit transport arm is
extensible in a direction lying in the entry/exit transport plane.
2. The library of claim 1, wherein the entry/exit transport arm is
extensible for selectively engaging and releasing the selected data
storage unit at the entry/exit port.
3. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive mounted on the frame for performing input/output
operations with respect to a data storage unit inserted therein;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
whereby data storage units are transportable between the drive and the
data storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device having a cartridge engagement
portion which has two edges, a first of the edges being configured to
load/unload the selected data storage unit at the entry/exit port and a
second of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data
storage cartridge at the predetermined position,
wherein the entry/exit transport device comprises a unit engagement arm
which travels in the entry/exit transport plane when transporting the
selected data storage unit, and wherein the unit engagement arm is
extensible in a direction lying in the entry/exit transport plane.
4. The library of claim 3, wherein the unit engagement arm is extensible
for selectively engaging and releasing the selected data storage unit at
the entry/exit port.
5. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being oriented whereby
data storage units are insertable therein with the major dimensions of the
data storage units lying in planes parallel to the unit orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
between the drive and the storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device comprising:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
cartridge therein and being extensible in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
a selective biasing spring which selectively biases the entry/exit
transport device second section toward either the entry/exit port or to
the predetermined position;
wherein the selective biasing spring selectively biases the entry/exit
transport device second section toward either a home position or a rotated
position, and wherein in the home position the entry/exit transport device
second section is oriented at a 180 degree angle with respect to the
entry/exit transport device first section and wherein in the rotated
position the entry/exit transport device second section is oriented at a
90 degree angle with respect to the entry/exit transport device first
section.
6. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being oriented whereby
data storage units are insertable therein with the major dimensions of the
data storage units lying in planes parallel to the unit orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
between the drive and the storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device comprising:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
cartridge therein and being extensible in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
a selective biasing spring which selectively biases the entry/exit
transport device second section toward either the entry/exit port or to
the predetermined position;
wherein the selective biasing spring biases the entry/exit transport device
second section toward either the entry/exit port or to the predetermined
position depending upon an angular positioning of the entry/exit transport
device second section relative to the entry/exit transport device first
section.
7. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being oriented whereby
data storage units are insertable therein with the major dimensions of the
data storage units lying in planes parallel to the unit orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
between the drive and the storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device comprising:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
cartridge therein and being extensible in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
wherein the entry/exit transport device first section has an arcuate
aperture formed therein, wherein the entry/exit transport device first
section has a bracket which engages a first end of a selective biasing
spring, wherein the entry/exit transport device second section has a
bracket which extends through the arcuate aperture and engages a second
end of the selective biasing spring, and wherein the selective biasing
spring changes biasing directions when the bracket of the entry/exit
transport device second section rotates past a midpoint of the arcuate
aperture.
8. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being oriented whereby
data storage units are insertable therein with the major dimensions of the
data storage units lying in planes parallel to the unit orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
between the drive and the storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device comprising:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
cartridge therein and being extensible in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
wherein the entry/exit transport device second section includes a gear,
wherein a linkage has a first end connected to the cartridge handling
section and a second end connected to the gear of the entry/exit transport
device second section, and wherein rotation of the gear causes selective
extension and retraction of the cartridge handling section relative to the
entry/exit transport device second section.
9. The library of claim 8, wherein a spring biases the cartridge handling
section in a retracted position toward the entry/exit transport device
second section.
10. An automated library for handling a plurality of data storage units
stored therein, the library comprising:
a frame having a storage receptacle for receiving a plurality of data
storage units with the data storage units having major dimensions thereof
lying in planes parallel to a unit orientation plane;
at least one I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect
to a data storage unit inserted therein, the drive being oriented whereby
data storage units are insertable therein with the major dimensions of the
data storage units lying in planes parallel to the unit orientation plane;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting data storage units
between the drive and the storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device comprising:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
cartridge therein and being extensible in a plane parallel to the unit
orientation plane;
a gear mounted for rotational motion about the entry/exit pivot axis;
a motor for rotating the gear about the entry/exit pivot axis;
a linkage having a first end connected to the cartridge handling section
and a second end connected to the gear, and wherein rotation of the gear
causes selective extension and retraction of the cartridge handling
section relative to the entry/exit transport device second section; and
wherein the entry/exit transport device first section has an arcuate
aperture formed therein, wherein the entry/exit transport device first
section has a bracket which engages a first end of a selective biasing
spring, wherein the entry/exit transport device second section has a
bracket which extends through the arcuate aperture and engages a second
end of the selective biasing spring, and wherein the selective biasing
spring changes biasing directions when the gear is rotated and the bracket
of the entry/exit transport device second section travels past a midpoint
of the arcuate aperture.
11. An automated data storage library comprising:
a frame having a plurality of cells for accommodating a data storage unit,
the data storage unit having a major dimension thereof lying in a plane
parallel to a unit orientation plane;
an I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect to a data
storage unit inserted therein, the drive being mounted on the frame;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting a data storage unit
whereby the data storage unit is transportable between the drive and a
selected cell;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the selected data storage unit being engagable by the unit
engagement device in the predetermined position in the cabinet, the
entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within the cabinet,
the entry/exit transport device pivoting 90 degrees about an axis
perpendicular to the unit orientation plane to transport the selected data
storage unit between the entry/exit port and the predetermined position in
the cabinet.
12. The library of claim 11, wherein the predetermined position is aligned
with the selected cell and the drive in a plane perpendicular to the
entry/exit transport plane.
13. The library of claim 11 wherein a storage medium cleaning device is
mounted on the frame and aligned with the drive and the selected cell
along an axis perpendicular to the unit orientation plane.
14. The library of claim 11, further comprising a drum-like member mounted
on the frame for rotational motion about a drum axis, the drum-like member
having a plurality of faces on an exterior periphery thereof with at least
one of the faces having the selected cell mounted thereon.
15. The library of claim 11, wherein the unit engagement device transports
the data storage unit in a direction perpendicular to the unit orientation
plane.
16. The library of claim 11, wherein the drive is vertically aligned with
at least one of the cells, the drive being oriented whereby a data storage
unit is insertable therein with the major dimension of the data storage
unit lying in a plane parallel to the unit orientation plane.
17. The library of claim 11, wherein the entry/exit transport device
comprises a unit engagement arm which travels in the entry/exit transport
plane when transporting the selected data storage unit, and wherein the
unit engagement arm is extensible in a direction lying in the entry/exit
transport plane.
18. The library of claim 17, wherein the entry/exit transport arm is
extensible for selectively engaging and releasing the selected data
storage unit at the entry/exit port.
19. An automated data storage library comprising:
a frame having a plurality of cells for accommodating a data storage unit,
the data storage unit having a major dimension thereof lying in a plane
parallel to a unit orientation plane;
an I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect to a data
storage unit inserted therein, the drive being mounted on the frame;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting a data storage unit
whereby the data storage unit is transportable between the drive and a
selected cell;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the entry/exit transport device having a cartridge engagement
portion which has two edges, a first of the edges being configured to
load/unload the selected data storage unit at the entry/exit port and a
second of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data
storage cartridge at the predetermined position, the first and second
edges being orthogonal to one another in the entry/exit transport plane.
20. The library of claim 19, wherein the entry/exit transport device pivots
about an axis perpendicular to the entry/exit transport plane as the
selected data storage unit is transported.
21. The library of claim 19, wherein the predetermined position is aligned
with the selected cell and the drive in a plane perpendicular to the
entry/exit transport plane.
22. The library of claim 19, wherein the unit engagement device transports
the data storage unit in a direction perpendicular to the unit orientation
plane.
23. The library of claim 19, wherein the drive is vertically aligned with
at least one of the cells, the drive being oriented whereby a data storage
unit is insertable therein with the major dimension of the data storage
unit lying in a plane parallel to the unit orientation plane.
24. The library of claim 19, wherein the entry/exit transport device
comprises a unit engagement arm which travels in the entry/exit transport
plane when transporting the selected data storage unit, and wherein the
unit engagement arm is extensible in a direction lying in the entry/exit
transport plane.
25. The library of claim 24, wherein the entry/exit transport arm is
extensible for selectively engaging and releasing the selected data
storage unit at the entry/exit port.
26. An automated data storage library comprising:
a frame having a plurality of cells for accommodating a data storage unit,
the data storage unit having a major dimension thereof lying in a plane
parallel to a unit orientation plane;
an I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect to a data
storage unit inserted therein, the drive being mounted on the frame;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting a data storage unit
whereby the data storage unit is transportable between the drive and a
selected cell;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the selected data storage unit being engagable by the unit
engagement device in the predetermined position in the cabinet, the
entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within the cabinet,
the entry/exit transport device pivoting 90 degrees about an axis
perpendicular to the unit orientation plane to transport the selected data
storage unit between the entry/exit port and the predetermined position in
the cabinet, the entry/exit transport device having a cartridge engagement
portion which has two edges, a first of the edges being configured to
load/unload the selected data storage unit at the entry/exit port and a
second of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data
storage cartridge at the predetermined position, the first and second
edges being orthogonal to one another in the entry/exit transport plane.
27. The library of claim 26, wherein the unit engagement device transports
the data storage unit in a direction perpendicular to the unit orientation
plane.
28. The library of claim 26, wherein the drive is vertically aligned with
at least one of the cells, the drive being oriented whereby a data storage
unit is insertable therein with the major dimension of the data storage
unit lying in a plane parallel to the unit orientation plane.
29. The library of claim 26, wherein the entry/exit transport device
comprises a unit engagement arm which travels in the entry/exit transport
plane when transporting the selected data storage unit, and wherein the
unit engagement arm is extensible in a direction lying in the entry/exit
transport plane.
30. The library of claim 29, wherein the entry/exit transport arm is
extensible for selectively engaging and releasing the selected data
storage unit at the entry/exit port.
31. The library of claim 11, 19, or 26, wherein the selected cell and the
I/O drive are aligned along a first axis, the first axis being
perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; and wherein the entry/exit
transport device pivots about a second axis to transport the selected data
storage unit between the entry/exit port and the predetermined position in
the cabinet, the second axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation
plane and spaced apart from the plurality of cells in a direction
perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis.
32. An automated data storage library comprising:
a frame having a plurality of cells for accommodating a data storage unit,
the data storage unit having a major dimension thereof lying in a plane
parallel to a unit orientation plane;
an I/O drive for performing input/output operations with respect to a data
storage unit inserted therein, the drive being mounted on the frame;
a unit engagement device for engaging and transporting a data storage unit
whereby the data storage unit is transportable between the drive and the
storage receptacle;
a cabinet substantially enclosing the frame, the I/O drive, and the unit
engagement device, the cabinet having an entry/exit port formed therein;
wherein the storage receptacle and the I/O drive are aligned along a first
axis, the first axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane;
an entry/exit transport device for transporting a selected data storage
unit in an entry/exit transport plane parallel to the unit orientation
plane between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit
port, the selected data storage unit being engagable by the unit
engagement device in the predetermined position in the cabinet, the
entry/exit transport device being substantially housed within the cabinet,
the entry/exit transport device pivoting about a second axis to transport
the selected data storage unit between the entry/exit port and the
predetermined position in the cabinet, the second axis being perpendicular
to the unit orientation plane and spaced apart from the plurality of cells
in a direction perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis.
33. The library of claim 32, wherein the plurality of cells are mounted to
a rotating hub, the rotating hub having an outer circumference, and
wherein the second axis is spaced away from the outer circumference of the
rotating hub.
34. The library of claim 11, 19, 26, or 32, wherein the entry/exit
transport device comprises:
an entry/exit transport device first section;
an entry/exit transport device second section attached to the entry/exit
transport device first section whereby the entry/exit transport device
second section pivots about an entry/exit pivot axis, the entry/exit pivot
axis being perpendicular to the unit orientation plane; a cartridge
handling section carried by the entry/exit transport device second
section, the cartridge handling section being configured to accommodate a
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