Patent ID: 7009798

Claim:
An automated tape library system, comprising: a first tape library; a second tape library located adjacent to said first tape library; and an exchange unit for transporting at least one tape storage unit from said first tape library to said second tape library, said exchange unit arranged between said first tape library and said second tape library, said exchange unit comprising: a movable transport unit, said movable transport unit for transport of said at least one tape storage unit from said it tape library to said second tape library; a movable drive unit, said movable drive unit linked to said movable transport unit; and a direction translation unit coupled to said movable transport unit and said movable drive unit, said direction translation unit operable to translate a forward and reverse stroke of the movable transport unit in a first axis directed parallel to a sidewall of said first tape library and a sidewall of said second tape library to a radial movement of said movable transport unit directed toward and away from said sidewall of said first tape library or toward and away from said sidewall of said second tape library.