Patent ID: 8169737
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A tape library apparatus comprising: a magazine holder for holding a magazine removable, the magazine storing a plurality of tape cartridges in a linear manner; an insertion slot for inserting the magazine; a recording/reproducing unit for accessing data in the tape cartridges; a first driver for producing a driving force; a conveyer for carrying the recording/reproducing unit in the direction of the alignment of the plurality of the tape cartridges, by the driving force produced by the first driver; an identification information reader mounted near the insertion slot and on surfaces of the tape cartridges, the image identification information being on a surface of each of the tape cartridges which faces opposite to a surface which faces the conveyer; a storage unit for storing related information, the related information being information of relation between the image identification information read by the identification information reader and locations of the tape cartridges stored in the magazine; a second driver for moving the tape cartridge in the magazine at opposed position of the conveyer to the recording/reproducing unit; and a controller for controlling the first and second drivers, to move one of the tape cartridges stored in the magazine to a position of the recording/reproduction unit.