Patent ID: 6950856

Claim:
A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media, the library being connectable to a power source, comprising: a removable module having a first signal connector and a first powerline; a chassis having a module receptacle sized to receive the removable module, the module receptacle having a second signal connector that releasably mates with the first signal connector when the removable module is in the module receptacle, the module receptacle having a second powerline coupleable to the power source and coupleable to the first powerline; cartridge storage slots disposed within the chassis; a media drive disposed within the removable module and coupled to the first powerline, the media drive having a drive opening, the media drive operable to receive and eject the cartridge through the drive opening; a cartridge transporter disposed within the chassis and operable to transport the cartridge between one of the cartridge slots and the media drive when the module is disposed within the module receptacle; a library control circuit disposed within the chassis, coupled to the second powerline, and coupled to the cartridge transporter; and an interface circuit disposed within the removable module, coupled to the first powerline, and coupled to the media drive, the interface circuit being operable to interface with a host computer that is external to the chassis, and being coupled to the library control circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle, wherein power is provided from the library control circuit to the interface circuit and the media drive when the removable module is in the module receptacle.