Patent ID: 6754037
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
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, the left plurality of slots being aligned in a vertical posture for holding some of the plurality of storage media cartridges in the vertical posture; a right plurality of slots disposed proximate the right side of the housing, the right plurality of slots being aligned in the vertical posture for holding some of the plurality of storage media cartridges in the vertical posture; 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 aligned in the vertical posture; and a robotic mechanism disposed between the left and right plurality of slots, the robotic mechanism being operative to move respective ones of the plurality of storage media cartridges between the plurality of slots and the at least one media drive while maintaining the storage media cartridges in the vertical posture as the robotic mechanism moves the storage media cartridges, wherein the robotic mechanism includes a track, a first linear carriage, a rotational carriage, and a picker assembly each entirely disposed between the left and right plurality of slots, wherein the track runs parallel to the left and right sides of the housing and perpendicular to the back side of the housing, the first linear carriage is disposed on the track and is operable for moving along the track in a path parallel to the left and right sides of the housing and perpendicular to the back side of the housing, the rotational carriage is disposed on the first linear carriage and is operable to rotate between the plurality of slots and the at least one media drive, the picker assembly is disposed on the rotational carriage and is aligned in the vertical posture, the picker assembly being operable to insert and remove a storage media cartridge from the plurality of slots and the port of the at least one media drive while maintaining the storage media cartridge in the vertical posture.