Abstract:
There is disclosed a media cartridge autoloader. The media cartridge autoloader includes at least one mail slot through which a media cartridge is inserted and ejected, at least one media drive into which the media cartridge is loaded, at least one media cartridge storage section that stores the media cartridge, and a media cartridge picker. The media cartridge picker includes a turntable that supports the media cartridge and rotates to change the orientation of the media cartridge, a turntable rotating mechanism that rotates the turntable, and a media cartridge transporter that transports the media cartridge between the turntable and one of the mail slot, the media drive and the cartridge storage section. The turntable is provided with a media cartridge stopper member that stops the media cartridge inserted manually from the mail slot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a media cartridge autoloader, and particularly relates to a media cartridge picker that moves a media cartridge in a media cartridge autoloader serving as a data storage unit. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A typical media cartridge autoloader includes a media cartridge picker in the center, a mail slot at the front side, a read/write media drive at the rear side, and media cartridge transport magazines disposed one at each lateral side. The media cartridge picker is configured to transport a media cartridge between the mail slot, the media drive, and the media cartridge transport magazines. 
   When the media cartridge autoloader is turned on, the media cartridge picker is initialized to rotate the turntable to a home position thereof. The media cartridge is then manually inserted from the mail slot by an operator. Then, the media cartridge picker starts operations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media cartridge autoloader comprising at least one mail slot through which a media cartridge is inserted and ejected, at least one media drive into which the media cartridge is loaded, at least one media cartridge storage section that stores the media cartridge, and a media cartridge picker. The media cartridge picker includes a turntable that supports the media cartridge and rotates to change the orientation of the media cartridge, a turntable rotating mechanism that rotates the turntable, and a media cartridge transporter that transports the media cartridge between the turntable and one of the mail slot, the media drive and the cartridge storage section. 
   In certain embodiments, the turntable is provided with a media cartridge stopper member capable of stopping the media cartridge inserted manually from the mail slot. The media cartridge stopper member can include a shaft and a main body section having a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the main body section includes a first side surface to stop a further insertion of the media cartridge when the media cartridge is manually inserted and brought into contact with the first side surface, and a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface to permit the further insertion of the media cartridge. The shaft can also include a first shaft portion formed along a third side surface of the main body section that opposes the first side surface and is adjacent to the second side surface, and second and third shaft portions projecting from the opposing ends of the first shaft portion. The media cartridge stopper member can be attached by engaging the second and third shaft portions with the turntable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a media cartridge autoloader with an upper cover thereof removed according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the media cartridge autoloader of  FIG. 1  with a side cover thereof removed; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration showing operations of a media cartridge picker; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the media cartridge picker; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the media cartridge picker with a pillar and a turntable removed; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the media cartridge picker; 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a turntable lifting mechanism of  FIG. 6  in detail; 
       FIG. 8A  is a perspective view illustrating a turntable; 
       FIG. 8B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a media cartridge stopper mechanism; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration showing a media cartridge transport mechanism; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a media cartridge stopper mechanism; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the media cartridge stopper mechanism, viewed from the opposite side of a top plate shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIGS. 12A-12D  are illustrations each showing a media cartridge stopper member; 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate the state of the media cartridge stopper mechanism at the time when manual insertion of media cartridge is started; 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the state of the media cartridge stopper mechanism at the time when the manual insertion of a media cartridge is stopped; 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate the state of the media cartridge stopper mechanism at the time when transportation of the media cartridge into the turntable is started; 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate the state of the media cartridge stopper mechanism at the time when the transportation of the media cartridge into the turntable is completed; and 
       FIGS. 17A-17F  illustrate operations of the media cartridge picker for transporting the media cartridge, inserted from a mail slot, into the turntable. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   First Embodiment 
   The description of a first embodiment includes the following: 
   1. Configuration and Operations Overview of Tape Cartridge Autoloader  100   
   2. Configuration and Operations of Tape Cartridge Picker  102   
   3. Configuration of Tape Cartridge Stopper Mechanism  220   
   4. Operations of Tape Cartridge Stopper Mechanism  220   
   1 [Configuration and Operations Overview of Tape Cartridge Autoloader  100 ] 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a tape cartridge autoloader  100  with an upper cover thereof removed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the media cartridge autoloader is used with one or more tape cartridges, and is therefore referred to as a tape cartridge autoloader. It is recognized, however, that although the following description and the figures provided herein pertain particularly to an autoloader used for tape cartridges, any other suitable type of media cartridge can equally be used with the present invention, such as an optical disk cartridge, as one non-exclusive example. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner to use with tape cartridges or any other particular type of media. In other words, it is understood that the term “tape” as used herein can equally be substituted for the term “media”. 
     FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the tape cartridge autoloader  100  with a side cover thereof removed. Throughout the drawings, the width direction is indicated by a line X 1 -X 2 , the depth direction is indicated by a line Y 1 -Y 2 , and the height direction is indicated by a line Z 1 -Z 2 . 
   In one embodiment, the tape cartridge autoloader  100  generally includes a control panel  105 , a mail slot  107 , both on a front panel, a tape cartridge picker  102  at a position opposing the mail slot  107 , tape cartridge transport magazines  103  and  104  located on the X 1  and X 2  side, respectively, and a tape drive  101  on the Y 1  side of the tape cartridge picker  102 . Alternatively, the structures included in the autoloader  100  can be positioned and/or oriented in other suitable locations. A suitable tape cartridge  10  is applied to the tape cartridge autoloader  100 . Non-exclusive examples of suitable tape cartridges include Digital Linear Tape (DLT) cartridges, Super Digital Linear Tape (SDLT) cartridges and Linear Tape Open (LTO) cartridges. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the tape cartridge  10  includes a magnetic tape  11  wound on a reel  12  therein such that the magnetic tape  11  is pulled out from a rear face of the tape cartridge  10 . The tape cartridge  10  includes a front face  13 , a rear face  14 , side faces  15  and  16 , and a notch  15   a  formed on the side face  15  which a cartridge pin (described below) engages. 
   The tape cartridge transport magazines  103  and  104  are each configured to store plural tape cartridges  10  in an orientation in which the front faces  13  oppose the tape cartridge picker  102 . The tape cartridge transport magazines  103  and  104  can also transport the tape cartridges  10  along a racetrack path elongated in the Y 1 -Y 2  direction ( FIG. 2 ). 
   The tape drive  101  is operable to read and/or write data from or to the magnetic tape  11  pulled out from the loaded tape cartridge  10 . The tape drive  101  includes a tape cartridge ejecting mechanism (not shown). The tape drive  101 , which may be selected from tape drives having different heights available from various manufacturers, is attached to the tape cartridge autoloader  100 . For this operation, the tape cartridge picker  102  is provided with a turntable lifting mechanism  150  (described below). 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the tape cartridge picker  102  is configured to transport the tape cartridge  10  into or out of a turntable  140  for operations such as loading the tape cartridge  10  inserted through the mail slot  107  into the tape drive  101 , retrieving the tape cartridge  10  from the tape cartridge transport magazines  103  and  104  to load the tape cartridge  10  onto the tape drive  101 , retrieving the tape cartridge  10  from the tape drive  101  to return the tape cartridge  10  to one of the tape cartridge transport magazines  103  and  104 , and ejecting the tape cartridge  10  through the mail slot  107 . The tape cartridge picker  102  is also configured to rotate the turntable  140  by a predetermined rotational increment, such as by approximately 90-degree increments, for example, although it is recognized that the predetermined rotational increment can be less than or greater than 90 degrees based on the design requirements of the autoloader  100 . Further, the tape cartridge picker  102  can also raise/lower the turntable  140  as necessary. When the turntable  140  is rotated, the orientation of the tape cartridge  10  is changed. 
   2 [Configuration of Tape Cartridge Picker  102 ] 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the tape cartridge picker  102  with a top plate  143  of the turntable  140  removed.  FIG. 5  illustrates the tape cartridge picker  102  with a pillar  130  and the turntable  140  removed.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the tape cartridge picker  102 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the turntable lifting mechanism  150  in detail. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the tape cartridge picker  102  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a base  120 , the pillar  130  mounted on the base  120 , the turntable  140  configured to support the tape cartridge  10 , the turntable lifting mechanism  150  ( FIG. 7 ) configured to slightly raise and lower the turntable  140  for height position adjustment, and a turntable rotating mechanism  160  ( FIG. 5 ) configured to rotate the turntable  140  in approximately 90-degree increments, or another suitable rotational increment. The tape cartridge picker  102  has ports  131 X 1 ,  131 X 2 ,  131 Y 1 , and  131 Y 2  on four sides thereof. 
   In one embodiment, a rotating ring gear  161 , a cylindrical stand  162 , a lifting ring gear  163 , and a sub base  164  are disposed on the base  120 . The rotating ring gear  161  is rotatably attached on the base  120 . The cylindrical stand  162  is arranged at the inner side of the rotating ring gear  161  and the lifting ring gear  163  so as to be rotated along with the rotating ring gear  161  and be raised independently from the rotating ring gear  161 . The lifting ring gear  163  is arranged at the upper side of the rotating ring gear  161  so as to be rotated independently from the rotating ring gear  161 . A boss  162   a  ( FIG. 10 ) of the cylindrical stand  162  is configured to engage a diagonal groove  163   a  of the lifting ring gear  163 . The cylindrical stand  162  is rotated by rotation of the rotating ring gear  161 , and raised/lowered by rotation of the lifting ring gear  163 . The sub base  164  is a semi-circular plate fixed to a position slightly separated from and at the upper side of the base  120 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8A , the turntable  140  includes a base plate  141 , a floor plate  142 , the top plate  143 , with a clearance  144  between the floor plate  142  and the top plate  143  to accommodate the tape cartridge  10 . The base plate  141  is screwed onto the cylindrical stand  162  ( FIG. 7 ). The turntable  140  is provided with a cartridge transporter  170  and a tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220 , which are described below in greater detail. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lifting mechanism  150  includes a stepping motor  151 , a gear train  152 , and the lifting ring gear  163 . Both the stepping motor  151  and the gear train  152  are provided on the sub base  164 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the turntable rotating mechanism  160  includes a stepping motor  165 , a reduction gear train  166 , and the rotating ring gear  161 , all of which are provided on the base  120 . 
   In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism  150  has a function of initializing the turntable  140  by raising/lowering the turntable  140  to a home position thereof in the Z direction. The turntable rotating mechanism  160  has a function of initializing the turntable  140  by rotating the turntable  140  to the home position in the rotation direction. The home position of the turntable  140  is a position where a y-axis (described later) becomes parallel to the aforesaid Y-axis. The lifting mechanism initialization operation and the turntable rotating mechanism initialization operation apply a method of moving an object to an operation end position defined as a reference position, and then moving the object back by a predetermined distance. The same method is applied to operations for initializing the cartridge transporter  170  (described below). 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , coordinates are applied to the turntable  140 , wherein the position of a pin  141   a  (to be described below) is defined as the origin, a guide groove  142   a  (to be described below) is defined as an x-axis, and an axis passing through the origin and being orthogonal to the x-axis is defined as a y-axis. 
   The cartridge transporter  170  and a stepping motor  210  (described later), both shown in  FIG. 9 , are provided on the base plate  141 . 
   The cartridge transporter  170  has a function of moving the tape cartridge  10  between a position inside the turntable  140 , i.e., a position inside the clearance  144 , and a position outside the tape cartridge picker  102 . In one embodiment, this movement can be substantially linear. In an alternative embodiment, the movement can be non-linear, such as arcuate or some other suitable non-linear movement that can depend upon the design requirements of the autoloader  100 . The cartridge transporter  170  includes a rotary arm  180  rotatably attached to the pin  141   a  formed on the base plate  141 , the stepping motor  210  ( FIG. 9 ) configured to bi-directionally rotate the rotary arm  180  between positions Q 1  and Q 4  within a predetermined angular range, a reduction gear mechanism  211  configured to transmit the rotation of the motor  210  at a reduced rotation rate to the rotary arm  180 , and a lever  212  with a center part rotatably connected to a tip end of the rotary arm  180 . A cartridge pin  213  is vertically fixed to an end of the lever  212 , while a pin  214  is fixed to the other end of the lever  212 . The pin  214  engages a guide groove  142   a  formed on a lower face of the floor plate  142 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the guide groove  142   a  is substantially linear. However, in an alternative embodiment, the guide groove  142   a  can have a non-linear configuration. 
   3 [Configuration of Tape Cartridge Stopper Mechanism  220 ] 
     FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220 .  FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the opposite side of the top plate  143  of  FIG. 11 . 
   The tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220  includes a tape cartridge stopper member  230  attached on the top plate  143 , and a torsion coil spring member  250 . 
   The tape cartridge stopper member  230  can be formed from any suitably rigid or resilient material. In one non-exclusive embodiment, for example, the tape cartridge stopper member  230  is formed from a synthetic resin molded product. The tape cartridge stopper member  230  includes a shaft  231 , and a main body section  232  extending from the shaft  231  as shown in FIGS.  11  and  12 A- 12 D. 
   In one embodiment, the shaft  231  includes a first shaft portion  231   a  formed along a rear surface of the main body section  232 , and second and third shaft portions  231   b  and  231   c  projecting from the opposing ends of the first shaft portion  231   a.    
   Referring to  FIG. 12A , the main body section  232  includes a front edge  233 , side edges  234  and  235  at opposite sides thereof, and upper and lower faces  236  and  237  ( FIG. 12B ), respectively. Referring to  FIG. 12B , the main body section  232  further includes a vertical side face  23 B as a first side surface at the front edge  233 , and an inclined face  239  as a second side surface extending from the corner between the front side edge  233  and the right side edge  235  along the right side edge  235  as well as extending from the upper face  236  to the lower face  237  while inclining toward the center of the main body section  232 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12D , the main body section  232  further includes two projecting portions  240  and  241  projecting from the front edge  233 , and a projecting portion  242  projecting from the side edge  235  at the same level as the upper face  236 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , the top plate  143  includes a attachment section  260  in which the tape cartridge stopper member  230  is attached. The attachment section  260  includes an opening  261  of a size corresponding to the main body section  232 , bearing portions  262  and  263  ( FIG. 8A ), and a holder portion  264  formed adjacent to the opening  261  on an upper face of the top plate  143 . 
   Reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the tape cartridge stopper member  230  can be directly or indirectly attached or coupled to the top plate  143  with the second shaft portion  231   b  engaging the bearing portion  262 , the third shaft portion  231   c  engaging the bearing portion  263 , the first shaft portion  231   a  supported by the holder portion  264 , and the main body section  232  engaging the opening  261 . In this way, the tape cartridge stopper member  230  is directly attached to the top plate  143  without the use of additional component parts.  FIG. 8B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line B-B of  FIG. 8A . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the torsion coil spring member  250  engages the second shaft portion  231   b  while being held by the top plate  143  and the projecting portion  242 . The tape cartridge stopper member  230  is biased in A 1  direction ( FIG. 8B ) with a spring force of the spring member  250 . The projecting portions  240  and  241  are held on the edge of the opening  261  formed in the top plate  143  while the main body section  232  at the side of the front edge  233  projects toward the lower side of the top plate  143 . 
   In one embodiment, the top plate  143  is fixed with respect to the base plate  141  and the floor plate  142  such that a direction in which the bearing portions  262  and  263  and the holder portion  265  are aligned, i.e., the axial direction of the shaft  231  can be aligned with an x-axis as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   4 [Operations of Tape Cartridge Stopper Mechanism  220 ] 
   When the tape cartridge autoloader  100  is turned on, the tape cartridge picker  102  is initialized. In one embodiment, during the initialization operations, the turntable  140  can be rotated to a position shown in  FIG. 17A , and then rotated by a predetermined rotational increment, such as by approximately 30 degrees counterclockwise, for example, to reach a home position shown in  FIG. 17B . Insertion of the tape cartridge  10  from the mail slot  107  is unimpeded in this state. In this state, the turntable  140  can be said to be positioned at a first rotational angle. The first rotational angle can be rotation of the turntable  140  any suitable increment in either direction. In one embodiment, the first rotational angle is between zero and 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the first rotational angle is between 10 degrees and 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the first rotational angle is between 15 and 60 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the first rotational angle is between 20 degrees and 45 degrees. 
     FIG. 13A  illustrates the tape cartridge picker  102  with the tape cartridge  10  being inserted through the mail slot  107 .  FIG. 13B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line B-B of  FIG. 13A . The tape cartridge stopper member  230  is oriented such that the vertical side face  238  formed at the front edge  233  faces the Y 2  side, i.e., the mail slot  107 . 
   When an operator inserts the tape cartridge  10  from the mail slot  107  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the tape cartridge  10  is partially inserted into the turntable as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  until the rear face  14  of the tape cartridge  10  contacts the vertical side face  238  of the tape cartridge stopper member  230 . 
   The tape cartridge stopper member  230  receives a tape cartridge insertion force F by the operator at three points, that is, the bearing portions  262  and  263  and the holder portion  264 . The tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220  has a rigid construction in this sense. 
   A height position H 1  of the tape cartridge stopper member  230  to which the force F is applied is located at the Z 2  side with respect to a height position H 2  of the second shaft portion  231   b . Accordingly, a moment applied to the tape cartridge stopper member  230  is in A 1  direction ( FIGS. 8A and 8B ), that is, the direction in which the main body section  232  is rotated into the clearance  144  ( FIG. 8B ), but not in the direction in which the main body section  232  is rotated out of the clearance  144 . The tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220  can therefore securely receive the tape cartridge insertion force F and impede full insertion of the tape cartridge  10  onto the turntable  140  when the turntable  140  is positioned at the first rotational angle. 
   Accordingly, even if the operator inserts the tape cartridge  10  with a relatively strong force, the progress of the tape cartridge  10  is impeded, and the tape cartridge is positioned at a location shown in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  17 C, that is, full insertion onto the turntable  140  is inhibited. 
   Once the tape cartridge  10  is positioned, the cartridge pin  213  is moved out of the turntable  140  to the position P 4  shown in  FIG. 17D  by the cartridge transporter  170 . 
   Then, in this embodiment, the turntable  140  can be rotated by approximately 30 degrees clockwise, for example, by the turntable rotating mechanism  160  as shown in  FIG. 15A . The turntable  140  is said to be positioned at a second rotational angle, which as set forth below, does not impede full insertion of the tape cartridge  10  onto the turntable  140 . In one embodiment, the second rotational angle is rotation of the turntable in the opposite direction of the first rotational angle. Alternatively, the second rotational angle can be rotation of the turntable  140  any suitable increment in either direction, which can be the same as the first rotational angle, for example. In one embodiment, the second rotational angle is between zero and 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the second rotational angle is between 10 degrees and 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the second rotational angle is between 15 and 60 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the second rotational angle is between 20 degrees and 45 degrees. Importantly, the terms “first rotational angle” and “second rotational angle” are provided for ease of discussion, and it is recognized that these terms are used interchangeably provided the effects are different from one another as set forth herein. 
   Thus, the inclined face  239  of the tape cartridge stopper member  230  faces the tape cartridge  10  as shown in  FIG. 15B  and does not impede full insertion of the tape cartridge  10 , and the cartridge pin  213  engages the notch  15   a  of the tape cartridge  10  as shown in  FIG. 17E . Since the tape cartridge stopper mechanism  220  is rigid as explained above, the tape cartridge  10  is accurately positioned at a predetermined location even if the operator inserts the tape cartridge  10  with a strong force. The cartridge pin  213  therefore securely engages the notch  15   a.    
   In the last step, the cartridge transporter  170  operates so as to have the state as shown in  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B, and  17 F. Specifically, the tape cartridge  10  is transported in the Y 1  direction to be located completely inside the turntable  140  by the cartridge transporter  170  while contacting the inclined face  239  of the tape cartridge stopper member  230  to push up the tape cartridge stopper member  230  in the Z 1  direction. 
   The tape cartridge  10  is transported toward the center of the turntable  140  while being guided by guide members  280  and  281  ( FIG. 4 ) fixed to the base plate  141  and a guide member  290  ( FIG. 8A ) attached on the top plate  143 . 
   The guide member  290  is attached on the upper face of the top plate  143 , and includes a guide section  291  ( FIG. 11 ) that is biased by a spring (not shown) to project in a direction substantially toward the floor plate  142 . The guide section  291  has a shape that does not impede insertion of the tape cartridge  10  by the operator. 
   The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2005-269193 filed on Sep. 15, 2005, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   While the particular autoloader  100  as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of various embodiments of the invention. No limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.