Patent ID: 7414805

Claim:
A tape library storage system, comprising: at least one tape drive tray having a tape drive, power supply, fan, fault indicator light, and temperature sensor mounted therein; an intelligence module stationary within the at least one tape drive tray, said intelligence module having electronics to control and monitor tape drive tray functions in the storage library, including electronics to control and monitor the tape drive, power supply, fan, temperature sensor, and fault indicator light; a main library controller interfaced to the intelligence module, wherein the intelligence module sends tape drive tray function data to the main library controller for use by the main library controller in commanding operations of the at least one tape drive tray, wherein, in response to receipt of the tape drive tray function data, the main library controller transmits a command to the intelligence module that the intelligence module decodes for use in controlling the at least one tape drive tray, including controlling the tape drive, power supply, fan, and fault indicator light.