Patent ID: 6041026
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method for storing and retrieving multi-sized media, comprising large sized media and small sized media, in at least one column of storage cells, comprising full width storage cells and side-by-side storage cells, and by a media picker having a first gripper for accessing large sized media and a second gripper for accessing small sized media, and positionable in one orientation and in an opposed orientation, comprising the steps of:storing said small sized media in one side of said column of side-by-side storage cells in a first orientation, said storage cells of said one side of said column having one type of address;storing said small sized media in the other side of said column of side-by-side storage cells in a second orientation, said storage cells of said other side of said column having another type of address;storing said large sized media in said full width storage cells, said full width storage cells having a third type of address;determining that an address of a storage cell to be accessed is said third type of address, operating said media picker to position said first gripper for accessing said large sized media in said full width storage cells;determining that an address of a storage cell to be accessed is said one type of address, operating said media picker to position said second gripper in said one orientation for accessing said small sized media in said one side of said column of side-by-side storage cells in said first orientation; anddetermining that an address of a storage cell to be accessed is said another type of address, operating said media picker to position said second gripper in said opposed orientation for accessing said small sized media in said other side of said column of side-by-side storage cells in said second orientation.