Patent ID: 6973509

Claim:
A multi-frame tape library system, comprising: a plurality of individual library frames connected in series, each said frame comprising a pulse signal generator, a plurality of tapes, a plurality of tape drive mechanisms for reading and writing data to said tapes, one or more controllable robot members to move said tapes to and from said tape drive mechanisms and a delay signal generator, at least one said frame also comprising a total count counter; a multi-channel bus coupled to each said frame and comprising a frame bus for carrying information indicative of the presence of each said frame, and a power bus return bus carrying information indicative of the last frame in said series; wherein one of said frames being defined as a first frame and adapted to receive a signal indicative of power being supplied to any one of said frames and generate a delayed signal, each subsequent frame receiving said delayed signal and generating a further delayed signal and each frame generating a pulse on said frame bus; wherein one of said frames being defined as said last frame and receiving said delayed signal and generating a signal to activate said power return bus; and wherein said total count counter being incremented by each said pulse on said frame bus until said power return bus is activated.