Patent ID: 6751040
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G05B,G11B

Abstract:
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 method for exchanging tape cartridges between the first and second libraries, the method comprising:providing 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, wherein the carriage assembly has a substantially vertical axis and is 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; providing a guide structure extending between the first and second libraries for supporting the carriage assembly, the guide structure defining a linear path and having first and second sides substantially parallel to the linear path, the first and second sides defining an envelope; providing means for driving the carriage assembly along the guide structure between the first and second pass through ports; and providing means for rotating the carriage assembly about the substantially vertical axis, 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 rotating means automatically rotates the carriage assembly substantially within the envelope as the driving means 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.