Patent ID: 6930855
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: G05B,G11B

Abstract:
1. In an automated tape cartridge library system having a first library and a second library, each of the first and second libraries having a plurality of storage cells for housing tape cartridges and a robotic device for moving the tape cartridges in the library, a system for exchanging tape cartridges between the first and second libraries comprising: a carriage assembly for carrying tape cartridges from the first library to the second library and from the second library to the first library, the carriage assembly comprising at least one cartridge transport cell adapted to cooperate with a first pass through port In the first library for providing access to the plurality of storage cells in the first library and a second pass through port in the second library for providing access to the plurality of storage cells in the second library; a guide structure extending between the first and second libraries for supporting the carriage assembly, the guide structure defining an envelope; a drive mechanism for driving the carriage assembly along the guide structure between the first and second pass through ports; and a rotation mechanism for rotating the carriage assembly, wherein the at least one cartridge transport cell is accessible by the robotic device of the first library when the carriage assembly is aligned with the first pass through port, the rotation mechanism automatically rotates the carriage assembly substantially within the envelope as the drive mechanism drives the carriage assembly along the guide structure between the first and second libraries, and the at least one cartridge transport cell is accessible by the robotic device of the second library when the carriage assembly is aligned with the second pass through port; wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a first toothed member and a second toothed member cooperating to rotate the carriage assembly between a first position for alignment with the first pass through port and a second position for alignment with the second pass through port.