Supports: cabinet structure – For storing audio or visual recording medium – Disk or parallelepiped shape
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-06-12
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
For storing audio or visual recording medium
Disk or parallelepiped shape
C312S009630
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244677
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an array and method for standardizing the location of data cartridges within storage cells of a data storage library.
BACKGROUND ART
A popular device for handling large amounts of information in a data processing system is the data storage library. These libraries store and manage large numbers of data cartridges, typically containing magnetic tape on which data is recorded. A data storage library is composed of arrays of storage cells, each cell being formed to contain a single data cartridge. The arrays each hold a plurality of data cartridges, and each data cartridge has some kind of identifying information, such as a label or bar code. Typically, the arrays surround a robotic arm which has an optical system for selecting cartridges, and is operable to locate a particular storage cell and retrieve and transport a data cartridge therefrom. The cartridges must be positioned within the storage cells in a precise manner if the robotic arm is to grasp them correctly.
Different hardware manufacturers have independently developed data cartridges that are unique to each manufacturer. Accordingly, the owner of a data storage library may wish to use a variety of different cartridge types within a single library system. However, it has traditionally been a problem in library design to accommodate data cartridges of different sizes into the same library enclosure. One approach is to provide a fixed number of storage cells sized for each different type of cartridge within the data storage library. However, this solution is undesirable since each library must be specially customized with fixed numbers of storage cells corresponding to the owner's needs, and those needs may change over time.
If a single size storage cell is used for storing data cartridges of different sizes, the storage cell width and length must be sufficient to allow the widest and longest cartridge to easily be contained therein. However, for data cartridges with substantially smaller dimensions than the storage cell size, misalignment of the cartridges within the storage cells often occur and result in transfer difficulties for the robotic arm. In particular, cartridges having different widths will not be positioned in a standard location within the storage cells. This width variation has typically been addressed by attempting to center the cartridges within the storage cells, however, the centering attempts often leave cartridge labels in skewed positions which the optical system of the robotic arm must resolve with its depth of field capability. The skewed alignment of the cartridges also reduces the reliability of engagement by the robotic arm. Furthermore, cartridges having different lengths will extend forwardly, if at all, from the storage cells at different distances, further reducing the reliability with which the robotic arm can accomplish cartridge transfer.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an array and method for standardizing the location of cartridges within storage cells of a data storage library.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an array and method for standardizing the location of cartridges while accommodating cartridges of different sizes within a single size storage cell.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an array and method for standardizing the location of cartridges within storage cells by aligning cartridges with respect to a reference width location of each storage cell.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an array and method for standardizing the location of cartridges within storage cells by aligning cartridges with respect to a reference depth location of each storage cell.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an array and method for standardizing the location of cartridges within storage cells that aligns cartridges of different sizes without altering the force required by the robotic arm.
Accordingly, an array for standardizing the location of cartridges in a data storage library is provided. The array includes at least one storage cell for receiving at least a portion of a cartridge, where the storage cell includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall. The first side wall has a resilient member mountable thereon for engaging a first side face of the received cartridge and disposing a second side face of the cartridge in contact with the second side wall.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resilient member is movable between a fully extended position and a fully displaced position, where in the fully displaced position the resilient member can extend through and beyond the first side wall. Furthermore, the resilient member preferably has a low spring rate such that the force exerted on the cartridge is substantially independent of the width of the cartridge. In further accordance with the preferred embodiment, the storage cell includes a back abutment that is operable to engage a back face of the received cartridge and limit the depth of the cartridge in the storage cell. In addition to the back abutment, the storage cell also preferably includes at least one stop extending generally perpendicularly from one of the first or second side walls, where the at least one stop is operable to engage a back face of the cartridge and limit the depth of the cartridge in the storage cell. Most preferably, a plurality of stops are provided and are located at a common depth along the first or second side wall.
The present invention can also be provided as a data storage library, where the data storage library includes a housing and a plurality of arrays mounted therein. Each array has at least one storage cell for receiving at least a portion of a data cartridge, where the storage cell includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall. The first side wall includes a resilient member mountable thereon for engaging a first side face of the received cartridge and disposing a second side face of the cartridge in contact with the second side wall. In a preferred embodiment, the data storage library includes an automated, robotic arm located within the housing.
Correspondingly, a method of standardizing the location of cartridges within a data storage library is provided. The method includes providing at least one array having at least one storage cell for receiving at least a portion of a cartridge. According to the method, the storage cell includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall, where the first side wall has a resilient member mountable thereon. The method further includes inserting a cartridge into the storage cell, and engaging a first side face of the received cartridge with the resilient member. Still further, the method includes disposing a second side face of the cartridge in contact with the second side wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes engaging a back face of the received cartridge using at least one stop extending generally perpendicularly from the first or second side wall to limit the depth of the cartridge in the storage cell.
In addition, a method is provided for standardizing the location of at least two differently sized cartridges within a data storage library. The method includes providing at least one array having at least one storage cell for receiving at least a portion of a cartridge, where the storage cell includes a first side wall and a second side wall substantially parallel to the first side wall. In accordance with the method, the first side wall has a resilient member mountable thereon. The method further includes inserting a first cartridge having a first width dimension into the storage cell, then engaging a first side face of the first cartridge with the resilient member in order to dispose a second side face of the first cartridge in contact with the second side wall. Next, the method incl
Millhiser David R.
Plutt Daniel J.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Storage Technology Corporation
Wilkens Janet M.
LandOfFree
Array and method for standardizing cartridge location within... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Array and method for standardizing cartridge location within..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Array and method for standardizing cartridge location within... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2476123