Patent ID: 7486472
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An expandable storage apparatus comprising: a first storage unit and a second storage unit, each of said storage units comprising media support locations, and each of said support locations capable of supporting at least one storage media element; at least one storage device adapted to store and retrieve data to and from at least one of said storage media elements associated with at least one of said storage units; a first media pass-through transfer device in a mounting relationship with said first storage unit but not permanently mounted with said second unit such that said media pass-through transfer device is substantially disposed in said first storage unit and adapted to transfer said storage media element between said first storage unit and second storage unit wherein said first media pass-through transfer device is capable of temporarily extending into said second storage unit; at least one robotic system, separate from said first media pass-through transfer device, associated with each of said storage units, said robotic system capable of transferring said storage media elements between at least said support locations, said storage device and said first media pass-through transfer device.