Patent ID: 12254897

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following reference characters identify the associated elements depicted in the drawings describing the present invention:

100 Example Cartridge Library310 Cartridge Slot110 Left Cartridge Magazine410 Data Cartridge120 Right Cartridge Magazine420 Notch130 Control Panel510 Example Detent Element210 Right Cartridge Magazine Key610 Example Locking Element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application discloses an improved cartridge magazine for use in a tape library system. The cartridge magazine of the present application embodies several improvements over the prior art. According to one aspect of the present application, the disclosed cartridge magazine comprises a locking element that provides an operator physical control over a data cartridge. According to another aspect of the present application, the disclosed cartridge magazine restricts access to the cartridge until the magazine is opened.

A significant advantage of the disclosed cartridge magazine and library system is that when an operator completes data transfer to a cartridge and wants to protect the data, he inserts the cartridge in this disclosed cartridge magazine. The magazine is designed to allow the automated picker to insert the cartridge and lock it in so the picker cannot take the cartridge out, much like a door lock when you close it. Just like the door, where a human must manipulate the handle to open the door, the disclosed cartridge magazine requires a human to remove the cartridge. So unlike current magazines, a malicious hacker cannot command the picker to remove the cartridge as the disclosed magazine locks the cartridge. The magazine provides a standard library with the option of keeping important data away from hackers. In one embodiment, the disclosed locking element can be employed in all slots of a magazine or in selected slots.

One of ordinary skill will recognize that the disclosed cartridge magazine will work equally well with removable cartridges regardless of the storage media. The disclosed magazine cartridge will work with libraries of tape cartridges, CDs, DVDs, and other storage media.

Referring now toFIG.1, there is shown an orthographic view of an example cartridge library100. Example cartridge library100comprises three (3) left side cartridge magazines110and three (3) right side cartridge magazines120to physically store a plurality of data cartridges410, as shown inFIG.4. Cartridge magazines110and120are removable from the example cartridge library100as necessary to insert, remove, and/or replace data cartridges stored therein.

Example cartridge library100further comprises a control panel130for controlling the operation of the example cartridge library100. Example cartridge library100may comprise a conventional cartridge library except for the improvements set forth herein.

Referring now toFIG.2, there is shown a magnified orthographic view of a right side cartridge magazine120inserted into the example cartridge library100. The right side cartridge magazine120comprises a manual lock to secure the magazine and any data cartridges stored therein. An operator can lock and unlock the right side cartridge magazine120using a key210. While the locking capability prevents unauthorized personnel from physically accessing any data cartridges stored within the right side cartridge magazine120, data stored on the data cartridges may still be accessible using the standard functions of the example cartridge library100.

Referring now toFIG.3, there is shown an orthographic view of a left side cartridge magazine110completely removed from the example cartridge library100. As illustrated inFIG.3, left side cartridge magazine110comprises a plurality of slots310. Each slot310is configured to physically receive and store a data cartridge410. The left side cartridge magazine110further comprises a plurality of locking elements610. Each locking element610is associated with a slot310, and each locking element is operative to physically lock a cartridge410in the associated slot310.

Referring now toFIG.4there is depicted an orthographic view of a conventional data cartridge410. The outer casing of the data cartridge410forms multiple notches420which can be used to secure the cartridge410within a slot310. Conventional slots typically have conventional detent elements510, shown in more detail with reference toFIG.5, immediately below.

Referring now toFIG.5there is depicted a schematic diagram of a conventional detent element510which operates to stabilize and temporarily secure the cartridge410within the slot310. The conventional detent element510does not prevent or otherwise impede removal of the cartridge410from the slot310.

Referring now toFIG.6there is depicted a schematic diagram of novel locking element610which operates not only to stabilize the cartridge410within the slot310, but also to prevent removal of the cartridge410from the slot310. Once the cartridge410is in operation to store/retrieve data, the tape library100may place the cartridge410into a slot310which is configured with a locking element610. Once the locking element610is engaged, the cartridge410is locked in the magazine until an operator manually unlocks the locking element610. In this way, the cartridge is prevented from being reused by the tape library100because the automated picker140(seeFIG.1) is unable to remove the locked cartridge410. As shown inFIG.6, the locking element610comprises a spring loaded locking mechanism.

The mechanism (e.g., locking element610) used to lock the cartridge in the magazine is a mechanical function. The mechanism allows the cartridge to be inserted in the slot by the automated picker, but not removed. Conventional magazines allow the automated picker to store and retrieve the cartridge. A tape library employing a cartridge magazine comprising the novel locking element secures access to the cartridge.

The mechanism (e.g., locking element610) locks the cartridge in the magazine so the automated picker cannot retrieve the cartridge. The only way the cartridge can be removed, is for the operator to take out the magazine and manually unlock the locking element (interposer) to allow the cartridge to be removed. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there may be many different embodiments that allow the cartridge to be inserted by the robot while preventing retrieval. One example embodiment has been described herein. The example embodiment has the advantage that use of a mechanical interposer is elegantly simple.

While the devices, systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict, or in any way, limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the devices, systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Finally, to the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).