Patent ID: 6085123
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A pass through system for transporting data storage media between two automated data storage libraries and for bulk loading data storage media into or out of said libraries, each of said libraries having at least one picker with at least one gripper, comprising:a first portal opening into a first one of said libraries;a second portal opening into a second one of said libraries;a housing capable of supporting at least one removable magazine, each said removable magazine for holding a plurality of said data storage media;a pivoting robot supporting said at least one housing, said pivoting robot rotating about a pivot axis between a first position directed at said first portal, a second position directed at said second portal, and a bulk load/unload position between said first and said second positions;an actuator supported by said pivoting robot, said actuator withdrawing said housing toward said pivot axis and extending said housing away from said pivot axis; anda pass through controller operating said pivoting robot and said actuator, said pass through controller responding to a ""library load/unload"" command for one of said libraries to operate said pivoting robot to position said housing at said portal of said one library and operating said actuator to extend said housing away from said pivot axis into said portal, whereby said picker of said one library may load and/or unload said data storage media into or out of said at least one removable magazine in said housing, said pass through controller responding to a ""library load/unload completed"" command for said one library to operate said actuator to withdraw said housing out of said portal toward said pivot axis.