Patent ID: 6600623
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
A storage library for recording and retrieving information from a plurality of storage media cartridges, wherein each storage media cartridge has a label side, the storage library comprising:a housing having a left side, a right side, a front side, and a back side; a left plurality of slots disposed proximate the left side of the housing for holding some of the plurality of storage media cartridges; a right plurality of slots disposed proximate the right side of the housing for holding some of the plurality of storage media cartridges; at least one media drive disposed proximate the back side of the housing, the at least one media drive being operative to receive one storage media cartridge of the plurality of storage media cartridges through a port; and a robotic mechanism disposed between the left multitude of slots and the right multitude of slots, the robotic mechanism being operative to move the plurality of cartridges between the plurality of slots and the at least one media drive, wherein the robotic mechanism comprises: a first linear carriage disposed between the left plurality of slots and the right plurality of slots, and operative to move along a first path approximately perpendicular to the back side of the housing; a second linear carriage disposed on the first linear carriage and operative to move in a direction perpendicular to the first linear carriage; a rotational carriage disposed on the second linear carriage and operative to rotate between the left plurality of slots, the right plurality of slots, and the at least one media drive; and a picker assembly disposed on the rotational carriage and operative to insert and remove at least one storage media cartridge of the plurality of storage media cartridges from the left plurality of slots, the right plurality of slots, and the at least one media drive.