Patent ID: 6721118
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: G06F,G11B

Abstract:
A recording medium library device comprising:a drive console including one or more recording and reproducing means for performing at least either recording or reproduction of information by using a removable recording medium, a basic console for importing said recording medium to the library device and for exporting said recording medium from the library device; recording medium housing means having a plurality of housing sections, each capable of housing the recording medium; carrying means for carrying the recording medium between any one of the housing sections in the recording medium housing means and the recording and reproducing means; detecting means for detecting carriage of the recording medium by the carrying means to the recording and reproducing means; and control means for controlling the carrying means and the recording and reproducing means, the control means having the function of sending a request to load the recording medium housed in the housing section in the recording medium housing means into the recording and reproducing means to the carrying means, and when the detecting means detects the carriage of the recording medium to the recording and reproducing means, determining that the loading of the recording medium has been completed, without waiting for completion of a preparing operation in the recording and reproducing means after the loading of the recording medium; whereby said drive console and said basic console are selectively connected to one another so that the respective positions of said drive console and said basic console can be readily changed; and whereby said preparing operation is performed after it is determined that the loading of the recording medium has been completed and said preparing operation includes determining at least one address of data recorded on the recording medium.