Patent ID: 6690530
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A cassette auto changer system including means for selectably providing a plurality of cassettes to be loaded into one or more tape signal reading means, comprising:a cassette rack including a plurality of cassette receiving compartments; a cassette port including an inlet cassette port and an outlet cassette port accessible from an outer side of the auto changer apparatus whereby cassettes may be respectively inserted or removed from the auto changer apparatus; a tape transfer mechanism operable to selectably transport cassettes between said cassette rack and said tape signal reading means and said cassette port; an inlet YES/NO sensor at said inlet cassette port for determining by means of a respective YES indication and a NO indication whether a cassette is present in said inlet cassette port and an outlet YES/NO sensor at said outlet cassette port for determining by means of a respective YES indication and a NO indication whether a cassette is present in said outlet cassette port; and control means operable to set a condition of said cassette port such that, when the YES indication of said inlet or outlet YES/NO sensor changes to the NO determination, said control means sets said inlet or outlet cassette port at an IN port empty condition and, when in such IN port empty condition said inlet or outlet YES/NO sensor changes to the YES indication to indicate that a cassette is present in the inlet or outlet cassette port so that operation of said tape transfer mechanism to said inlet or outlet cassette port is disabled and an IN port loaded condition is determined by said control means, and when, in an IN port empty condition of said cassette port, operation of said tape transfer mechanism is detected by said inlet or outlet YES/NO sensor so that said control means determines an OUT port loaded condition of said inlet or outlet cassette port, and when in said OUT port loaded condition a change from a YES indication to a NO indication is determined by said inlet or outlet YES/NO sensor, an IN port empty condition of said inlet or outlet cassette port is determined by said control means.