Patent ID: 8176505

Claim:
A method of manipulating a data storage cartridge, the method comprising: retrieving a first data storage cartridge from a storage compartment using a device, wherein the device comprises: a housing sized and dimensioned to hold a plurality of data storage cartridges, the housing adapted to be operable with a robot, the robot adapted to move the housing to a plurality of locations within a library of data storage cartridges such that an opening in the housing may be aligned with the data storage cartridges in the library; a gripping mechanism extending from the opening in the housing, the gripping mechanism operably attached to the housing and adapted to grip the first data storage cartridge when the first data storage cartridge is disposed outside the housing, wherein the gripping mechanism is further adapted to pull the first data storage cartridge into the opening; and a first transport mechanism disposed within and operably connected to the housing, the first transport mechanism adapted to pull the first data storage cartridge away from the gripping mechanism and further into the housing through the opening as the first data storage cartridge comes into contact with the first transport mechanism.