Patent ID: 6359855
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A data media storage library for storing and accessing storage media, the library comprising:(a) a housing; (b) a storage array within the housing, the storage array having a number of storage locations; (c) a plurality of media storage elements adapted to hold the storage media; (d) a plurality of data transfer elements adapted to read and write information on the storage media; (e) a media transport element within the housing adapted to move the storage media between the media storage element and data transfer element; (f) a store guide within the storage array and wherein the storage locations are slots arranged in the store guide; (g) a media storage element adapter engaging the store guide slot and the media storage element for holding the media storage element in the slot and allowing the media storage element to be removed from the slot; and (h) a data transfer element adapter engaging the store guide slot and the data transfer element for holding the data transfer element in the slot and allowing the data transfer element to be removed from the slot, the data transfer element adapter further comprising a mounting plate and a spring-loaded latching mechanism for engaging the data transfer element, wherein each storage location may engage one of the media storage elements and the data transfer elements, thereby allowing the interchangeability of media storage elements with data transfer elements within the storage array,wherein the data transfer element can be removed from the slot while power is supplied to the data storage library.