Patent ID: 8687349

Claim:
A storage device transfer station of a storage device system, comprising: a plurality of slots, with a slot being capable of holding a storage device, and with the plurality of slots arranged in at least one field between two parallel planes; wherein a slot has a first open end and a second open end, the first open end and the second open end being accessible for loading and for unloading the storage device; and wherein the first open end is accessible at a first plane of the two parallel planes and the second open end is accessible at a second plane of the two parallel planes; wherein the storage device transfer station is a component of the storage device system, with the storage device transfer station being in proximity to (i) one or more racks of the storage device system, and (ii) an automated transporter of the storage device system, and with the storage device transfer station differing from a rack; and wherein the storage device transfer station is configured for feeding of storage devices to the automated transporter of the storage device system.