Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Dynamic mechanism subsystem – Access of multiple storage elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2003-02-25
Cao, Allen (Department: 2652)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Dynamic mechanism subsystem
Access of multiple storage elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06526017
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a media holding device for use in an autochanger, and more particularly to a magazine incorporating a retention and ejection system that is fixed within an autochanger library assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Autochangers are devices that read/write data from/to media pieces. The media pieces or cartridges are stored in a plurality of storage slots, sometimes referred to as a library, which are located within the physical structure of the autochanger. At least one media “player” or “drive” is also located within the physical structure of the autochanger and serves to read and write data from and to the media pieces. A media handling device, often referred to herein simply as a picker, is also located within the autochanger and serves to transport the media pieces between the library and the media player. Autochangers may be adapted to operate with several different media formats, thus “media cartridges” may comprise optical discs, magnetic discs, and magnetic tapes, e.g., digital linear tapes, CD's etc.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a cutaway view of a conventional library
110
illustrates a fixed magazine
112
for storing a media cartridge
114
. The magazine
112
is located deep within a cavity
116
of the library
110
, approximately 15 to 25 inches, and within close proximity to other parts
118
(e.g., media drive) and the interior walls of the library
110
. Each media cartridge
114
is stored within a holding location or slot
120
of the magazine
112
until the picker or the user (not shown) removes them while the library door
122
is closed.
Since the magazine
112
is fixably mounted deep within the library
110
, the process of inserting/removing a cartridge
114
into/from the magazine
112
is a difficult task. In particular, to insert a cartridge
114
a user must blindly reach their hand (not shown), which would be grasping a media cartridge
114
, into the library cavity
116
until a front portion of the media cartridge
114
contacts a front portion of the magazine
112
, or at least another part
118
of the library. Next, the user rotates and slides the cartridge up, down and side-to-side, while applying a slight force, until a slot
120
of the magazine
112
is located that has not already been filled. Finally, the user inserts the cartridge
114
with a force of one to three pounds into the slot
120
until it locks in place by a conventional detent mechanism (not shown) of the magazine
112
.
To resolve some of the difficulty of inserting a cartridge
114
into the autochanger library
110
described above, a small window (not shown) may be located in a wall of the autochanger library to allow light into the cavity
116
adjacent the magazine
112
. The light will help the insertion process if there is room in the autochanger system for a user's head to either look through the window or down the length of the cavity as a cartridge is being inserted.
As above, the first step for the manual removal of a cartridge
114
from the magazine
112
involves the user blindly reaching their hand into the cavity
116
of the library
110
to detect the magazine
112
and the cartridge
114
contained therein. However, the insufficient space between neighboring cartridges
114
and above or below each cartridge
114
because of other components contained by the autochanger cavity
116
or its ceiling makes the detection of a cartridge very difficult. In turn, the same limited space nearly prevents the user's fingers from being able to grasp any side of the cartridge. Consequently, the process of pulling out a cartridge, assuming a cartridge can be grasped while trying to overcome the retention force created by a detent mechanism of the magazine, is nearly impossible.
Therefore, a need exists for a fixed magazine of an autochanger library to provide a compact insertion and ejection mechanism that will allow a user to easily exchange cartridges within the magazine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an autochanger device provides a cavity having a magazine being fixably mounted deep within the cavity. The device includes a rocker arm having a logic path and a spring mechanism having a lift element and a logic finger. The rocker arm is coupled to the magazine at a pivot point, the lift element is coupled between the magazine and the pivot point, and the logic finger is coupled between the magazine and the logic path such that the location of the logic finger within the logic path controls the position of a media cartridge within the magazine.
In another aspect of the present invention, a media cartridge is securing and/or ejecting within a magazine of an autochanger. The cartridge includes a pivotal door and a tab for opening the door. The method comprises the steps of positioning the cartridge within a portion of the magazine to interact with a rocker arm being pivotally coupled to the magazine and having a guide path, the magazine also includes a spring mechanism coupled between the magazine and the rocker arm and having a lift element and a guide finger; and applying a force to the cartridge to rotate a distal end of the rocker arm and move a portion of the guide finger into a first region of the guide path so that the lift element applies a force to pivot the rocker arm.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5163037 (1992-11-01), Ohmori et al.
patent: 5231552 (1993-07-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 5576911 (1996-11-01), Porter
patent: 5781368 (1998-07-01), Kotaki et al.
patent: 5979755 (1999-11-01), Chaya
patent: 6038099 (2000-03-01), Heinze et al.
patent: 6042205 (2000-03-01), Coffin et al.
patent: 6160678 (2000-12-01), Meikle et al.
Cao Allen
Mason David M.
Nguyen Dzung C.
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