Patent GB-1444428-A (GB)
Title: Storage and retrieval apparatus for information bearing documents
IPC: G06K13/08
Filed: 1973-10-24
Abstract: 1444428 Storage systems INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP 24 Oct 1973 [8 Nov 1972] 49470/73 Heading A4T [Also in Division G5] Storage and retrieval apparatus for information bearing documents has spaced apart walls, 10, 11, Fig. 1, provided with compartments each adapted to receive a document-containing cartridge, a read/ write station 10A, and a transporter mounted for movement to and from said station along a first axis 12 intermediate said walls and including a platform 28, Fig. 5, movable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that the platform can be selectively aligned with said station 10A or with a selected said compartment by displacement of the transporter and platform along said axes, a rotatable bed 40, Fig. 6, being mounted on said platform 28 for rotation relative thereto about an axis parallel to the second axis, a carrier 41 being mounted on bed 40 for movement relative thereto between a store/retrieve position peripheral of bed 40 and a transport position relatively central of bed 40 and a cartridge engaging member 45 being carried by carrier 41 and adapted when the carrier is in its store/retrieve position to engage a cartridge for removal from one of said compartments with which platform 28 is aligned, to hold such cartridge for transport to another said compartment or to the read/write station with the carrier 41 in its transport position, and to release the cartridge with the carrier again in its store/retrieve position in alignment with said other compartment or with the read/write station. Three such transporters, 13, 14 and 18, Fig. 1, for magnetic tape cartridges are. movable along paths 12, 21 between which is a transfer device 22 whereby tapes in storage walls 10, 11, 16, 17, 23, 24 may be removed therefrom and passed via transfer ports 15, 20 to read/write stations 10A, 10B connected to data processors DPA, DPB, DPC, DPD. Each transporter 13, 14 and 18 has a main lower carriage (25), Fig. 2 (not shown), movable along lower rails and an upper carriage (25a) movable along an upper rail with the platform 28 movable vertically between said carriages by a motor-driven cable 30, Fig. 5, the horizontal and vertical positions of platform 28 being controlled in the manner disclosed in Specification 1289759. The bed 40 is rotated by a motor 47 via cable 50 between a first stable position as in Fig. 6, a second stable position 180 degrees therefrom and a third stable position intermediate the other two, these positions being defined by a detent system 81, 83, 85 and being sensed to control motor 47 by an array of six light emitting diodes co-operating with six phototransistors to sense edges and apertures of a disc 60 rotatable with bed 40. A similar LED/transistor arrangement 94, 95, 96 senses the position of the carrier 41 which is reciprocable on rails 103, 105 by a motor 43, 44 and cable 97. When carrier 41 is at its store/ retrieve position, an electromagnet 45 thereon can be energized to withdraw a tape cartridge from a selected wall compartment or transfer port 15, 20, the cartridge being retained between fingers 46 while platform 28 moves to a desired location whereat the cartridge is deposited on movement of carrier 41 from its transport to its store/retrieve position and de-energization of electromagnet 45.