Patent ID: 6198984
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media, comprising:a chassis;cartridge slots disposed within the chassis, each of the slots having an outer slot opening that faces outward of the chassis and an inner slot opening that faces inward of the chassis, each of the slots constructed to allow insertion and removal of the cartridge through both of the inner and outer slot openings thereof;a media drive disposed within the chassis and spaced from the slots, the media drive having a drive opening that faces the inner slot openings, the media drive operable to receive and eject the cartridge through the drive opening;a cartridge transporter disposed within the chassis between the slots and the media drive, the cartridge transporter having a first transporter opening that faces the slots, a second transporter opening that faces the media drive, a cartridge passage that extends between the first and second transporter openings, a first roller arm mounted to the cartridge transporter at a side thereof toward the first transporter opening, a second roller arm mounted to the cartridge transporter at a side thereof toward the second transporter opening, a cam mechanism operable to independently move the first and second roller alms, and a roller mechanism including at least one first roller mounted on the first roller arm and at least one second roller mounted on the second roller arm, the first and second roller arms being selectively and independently operable to move the cartridge through the cartridge passage;a transporter drive assembly disposed within the chassis, coupled to the cartridge transporter, and operable to move the cartridge transporter to align the first transporter opening with the inner slot opening of a selected one of the slots and to align the second transporter opening with the drive opening of the media drive;a cam drive assembly disposed within the chassis and coupled to the cam mechanism, the cam drive assembly being operable to move the cam mechanism to cause the first roller of the first roller arm to engage the cartridge while the first roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the selected slot, and operable to control the cam mechanism to cause the second roller of the second roller arm to engage the cartridge while the second roller moves the cartridge between the cartridge transporter and the media drive; anda control circuit coupled to the transporter and cam drive assemblies and operable to control the transporter and cam drive assemblies.