ROTARY ACCESS PORT FOR AUTOMATED TAPE LIBRARY

Abstract: An automatic rotary access port (10) for a robotic tape library machine (12) includes a cylindrical door (13) controllably rotatable between an open position that allows an operator access to insert or remove tape cartridges from a stationary tape holder, and a closed position allowing cartridge access by a robotic tape handling mechanism located within the library machine (12). Cartridges are inserted and removed with labels facing a robot side of the library and remain fixed in an initial cell position within the holder during rotation of the door (13). The door (13) is formed as a shell (14) having an opening therein. The opening (16) is dimensioned to accept insertion of a tape cartridge into the inner cavity for placement within a stationary retaining cell or slot (28) in the tape holder. The shell (16) is configured relative to a corresponding access opening (16) in the housing of the library machine (12) such that a portion of the shell (14) always blocks any direct contact between an operator and the inside of the library machine (12).

Description: ROTARY ACCESS PORT FOR AUTOMATED TAPE LIBRARY Technical Field The present invention relates to automated tape library machines used for mass storage of data, and more particularly to an improved access port which allows removal of a tape cartridge while minimizing the risk of operator injury. Background Art Automated tape library machines have been used to greatly increase the efficiency and ease at which large quantities of data, such as generated by a computer network, can be stored and accessed by external host systems. Such machines are well known in the art, and generally include a robotic unit that moves within a housing under control of a microprocessor to retrieve and load desired tape cartridges into a tape drive unit. Theses machines further include a customer access port (CAP) or door arranged to allow a user to insert and remove data storage cartridges into the automated tape library machine without taking the entire machine offline. The mechanical design of a CAP for any given tape library machine must satisfy a wide variety of design factors relating to particular functional, safety, aesthetic, economic, and reliability requirements. Of these design factors, safety is perhaps the most important. In other words, customer operation of a CAP must be safe at all times such that at no time can the operator be in danger of physical harm from the moving robotic mechanisms of the library. Known CAP arrangements typically provide an input slot for receiving a cartridge from the customer, and a mechanism that subsequently moves the an inserted cartridge from the input slot into engagement with the robotic tape system. However, such CAP arrangements suffer form requiring expensive and complicated mechanical arrangements in order to meet high speed tape loading/de-loading and reliability demands. Therefore, a need exists for a simple access port arrangement which is reliable without otherwise compromising customer safety. Disclosure of Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic access port for a tape library machine which allows a tape to remain fixed in an initial cell position during loading and unloading, while preventing any potential contact between an operator and a robotic mechanism located inside the machine. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic access port for a tape library machine which includes a door arranged to rotate about a stationary tape retention mechanism between an operator accessible position and a robot accessible position, wherein the door is arranged to prevent any potential contact between the operator and robot mechanism during tape loading and unloading. In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention provides an access port mounted to an automated tape cartridge library housing for allowing insertion and removal of tape cartridges from the library that includes a cartridge access opening formed in the library housing, and a rotatable door mounted adjacent the access opening. The door comprises a shell having a door opening in the surface thereof, and a cavity within the shell aligned with the door opening for allowing the shell to rotate about a stationary cartridge retainer mechanism mounted therein. The rotatable door is dimensioned relative to the access opening in the library housing such that a portion of the door shell is always positioned between an operator side of the access port and the inside of the tape library irrespective of whether the door is open or closed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an automatic rotary access port for an automated tape library utilizes a rotatable door arrangement to meet the above noted safety and performance criteria. The door is controllably rotatable between an open position that allows an operator to insert or remove tape cartridges from the holder, and a closed position allowing access to a tape cartridge by a robot tape handling mechanism located within the library. Cartridges are inserted and removed with labels facing the robot side of the access port and remain fixed in an initial cell or slot position within the holder. The door is arranged to rotate about tape holder. The door is formed as a shell having an opening therein dimensioned to accept insertion of a tape cartridge into an inner cavity for placement within a retaining slot. The shell is configured relative to a corresponding opening in an access panel or side in the housing of the library such that a portion of the shell is always positioned between an operator and the inside of the library machine. In a preferred embodiment, the shell is cylindrical shaped, and the opening in both the shell and tape library is smaller than a 90 degree arc in the outer surface of the shell, thereby insuring that a portion of the shell is always positioned between the operator and the inside of the library even during rotation of the shell. The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective diagram of an automated tape library rotary access port in a open position as seen from an external view relative to the tape library machine; FIGURE 2 is a perspective diagram of an automated tape library rotary access port in a open position as seen looking outwardly from within the tape library machine; FIGURE 3 is a perspective diagram of an automated tape library rotary access port in an closed position as seen from an external view relative to the tape library machine; and FIGURE 4 is a perspective diagram of an automated tape library rotary access port in an closed position as seen looking outwardly from within the tape library machine; FIGURE 5 is a perspective frontal view of the rotary door of the present invention; and FIGURE 6 is a perspective rear view of the rotary door of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Figures 1-4 illustrate an automated rotary access port 10 for an automated tape library machine 12 in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the access port includes a door 13 formed from a shell 14 having an opening 16 located therein. A front and rear view showing door 13 in isolation is provided in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. Opening 16 allows tape cartridges to be inserted and removed from a stationary tape retention arrangement 18 integrated or mounted to machine 12 within an inner cavity of the shell. In a preferred embodiment, the shell is cylindrical in shape. As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, shell 14 is dimensioned to have a diameter large enough such that opening 16 and a corresponding access opening 20 provided in an access panel in the housing of library tape machine 12 are large enough to accept a tape cartridge, but smaller than a 90 degree arc of the shell circumference. Such an arrangement insures that a portion of shell 16 always extends past both sides of opening 20 thereby providing a barrier between an operator and the inside of the library machine. Library machine 12 can be of any conventional design, and includes a tape retrieval robot mechanism located therein. The operation and structural details of such a library machine are well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and do not form a part of the present invention. Shell 16 is rotatably mounted to the inside wall of the library machine housing via a suitable shaft and journal mechanism 22. While only one mechanism is shown, it will be appreciated that both ends of shell 16 can mounted to a shaft journaled on the inside of the library housing or access panel. An electric motor 24 is also mounted to the library housing and coupled to the shell shaft so as to controllably rotate the shell into an open position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or a closed position such as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the embodiment shown, motor 24 drives a belt 26 wrapped via a set of shaft mounted pulleys to cause rotation of shell 16. However, such a belt drive arrangement is not to be construed as limiting since one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other gear or shaft drive arrangements could be alternatively employed. For example, motor 24 could be transverse mounted relative to shell 16 and include a worm gear drive mechanism. Operation of motor 24 can be controlled from a control panel switch (not shown) mounted on the outside of the library housing near opening 20, and/or from any other suitable remote operator interface. Stationary tape retention arrangement 18 includes at least one slot or cell 28 arranged to retain a tape in position until accessed by a robotic tape mechanism (not shown) located within library machine 12. As shown, tape retention arrangement preferably forms a vertical stack of cells 28 allowing insertion of multiple tape cartridge volumes into the library machine at the same time. In operation, an operator controls the motor to rotate the cylindrical shell into the open position of Figures 1 and 2. In the open position, an operator will have direct access to the tape retention arrangement to allow insertion or removal of cartridges. Tape cartridges are inserted with a label end facing toward the robot side of the access port. Once the desired tape cartridges have been inserted, the motor is controlled to rotate the shell about the tape retention arrangement into the closed position of Figures 3 and 4. Once in the closed position, the library machine robot will have direct access to the loaded tape cartridges. During access port operation, the dimensioning of shell 16, opening 18, and opening 20 insure that at no time can an operator reach into the library machine, thereby preventing potential injury resulting from contact with the robot mechanism located therein. Thus, the access port of the present invention is mechanically safe at all times, which in turn obviates the need to take the library machine off-line simply to load and unload tape cartridges. In addition, reliability of access by the machine robot is improved because the loaded cartridges remain stationary within the access port shell until engaged by the robot. While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims: What Is Claimed Is: 1. An access port mounted to an automated tape cartridge library housing for allowing insertion and removal of tape cartridges from the library, said access port comprising: a cartridge access opening formed in the library housing; and a rotatable door mounted adjacent the access opening, said door comprising a shell having a door opening in the surface thereof, and a cavity within the shell aligned with the door opening and arranged to allow rotation of the shell about a cartridge retainer mechanism mounted therein, wherein the rotatable door is dimensioned relative to the access opening in the library housing such that a portion of the door shell is always positioned between an operator side of the access port and the inside of the tape library. 2. The access port of claim 1 wherein the door shell is cylindrical shaped. 3. The access port of claim 2 the shell has a diameter large enough so that the door opening and the access opening are large enough to accept the dimension of a tape cartridge, but smaller than a 90 degree arc of the shell circumference. 4. The access port of claim 1 further comprising a motor connected to the door to control rotation between an open position in which the door opening and the access opening are aligned and opposed to allow operator access to the tape retainer mechanism, and a closed position in which the door opening is aligned and opposed to a robot tape handling mechanism located inside the tape library.

Inventors: ASCHENBRENNER MIKE A, CARPENTER KIPLEY T, ASCHENBRENNER, MIKE, A., CARPENTER, KIPLEY, T.
Applicants: STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORP, STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G07F11
IPC codes: G11B15, G11B17