Patent ID: 6560510
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An apparatus for simultaneous automatic loading of discs into multiple disc recording drives, comprising:a supporting framework, further comprising a base with platform and at least one tower disposed on said platform, wherein each said tower has an operational face; a plurality of disc drives, each having a horizontally positioned drive bay wherein each such bay has a center, and wherein said disc drives are vertically aligned within said tower face so that said disc drive bays when simultaneously opened project outward from said tower operational face; a first activator means within said supporting framework to synchronize simultaneous alignment of said disc drive bay centers; a pivotal transport tower means upon said platform for picking up and transporting at least a single disc within the apparatus framework; a plurality of disc storage modules vertically positioned upon said platform in a symmetric circular arrangement around said pivotal transport tower means; a plurality of uniform discs vertically stacked in said disc storage modules, wherein each disc has a hub defining a center hole; a rotatable delivery means within said supporting framework to simultaneously position a plurality of disc center holes in alignment with said open drive bay centers; an articulate arm means within said tower operational face to simultaneously transfer discs between said rotatable delivery means and said drive bays; a second activator means within said supporting framework to coordinate the movements of said articulate arm means; and computer processing memory means whereby said first and second activator means and disc drives are interconnected, coordinated, and controlled, and whereby source digital information to be copied is contained and controlled.