Patent ID: 7181313

Claim:
A scalable automated data storage library system comprising: a first base unit comprising: a first base housing; a plurality of data storage locations for storing data storage elements, and a first robotic mechanism traveling within said first base housing along both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, said first robotic mechanism having a first swivelling gripper which swivels about said vertical axis to access said plurality of data storage locations in said first base unit; a first expansion module, comprising: a first expansion housing, and a first rotary carousel, located within said first expansion housing, and having a plurality of data storage locations, each accommodating a data storage element; a second base unit comprising: a second base housing; a plurality of data storage locations for storing data storage elements; a second robotic mechanism traveling within said second base housing along both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis from a first end thereof to second end thereof, said second robotic mechanism having a second swiveling gripper which swivels about said vertical axis to access said plurality of data storage locations in said second base unit; wherein said first base unit is connected on a first side to said first expansion module and said first swiveling gripper of said first robotic mechanism extends into said first expansion module and swivels to access said data storge locations in said first expansion module; wherein said second base unit is connected to said first expansion module and said second swiveling gripper of said second robotic mechanism extends into said first expansion module and swivels to access said data storage locations in said first expansion module; and wherein said first base unit and said second base unit are connected to adjacent sides of said first expansion module in a right angle configuration.