480results about "Automatic cassette changing arrangements" patented technology

The invention provides a method and system for transferring storage media scheduled for export from a storage device. The storage media is identified according to retention characteristics for export, and placed in a location near to the storage device exit point prior to it scheduled export out of the storage device to offsite storage. The storage device interfaces with the storage management system used at the offsite storage to provide tracking of the storage media at the offsite location. The location of the media is tracked within the storage system and at the offsite storage, for administrative, reporting or other uses.

A robotic data storage library is disclosed that is capable of operating with at least one data storage element and with the ability to reduce the transition time to reach an operational state after a transition of the library from a power-off state to a power-on state. Methods for reducing the transition time to reach an operational state of a robotic data storage library after a transition of the library from a power-off state to a power-on state are also disclosed. One embodiment of a robotic data storage library with the ability to reduce the transition time to reach an operational state after a transition of the library from a power-off state to a power-on state comprises: (1) a plurality of storage locations, each capable of holding at least one data storage element; (2) a data transfer interface for receiving a data storage element and establishing a communication path with a data storage element so that data can be transferred between the data storage element and a host computer; (3) a transport unit for moving a data storage element between one of the plurality of storage locations and the data transfer interface; (4) a nonvolatile memory for storing an inventory of locations of the robotic data storage library; and (5) a controller for causing an audit to be performed to create an inventory, causing the inventory to be stored in the nonvolatile memory prior to a transition of the robotic data storage library from a power-off state to a power-on state, and causing the inventory to be transmitted to a host computer after the transition of the robotic data storage library from a power-off state to a power-on state.

The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library system that realizes a reduced cost by reducing the number of certain components, especially expensive components, that are needed to perform certain functions within the library. With respect to certain functions, a reduced cost is realized by using lower precision componentry in combination with componentry that compensates for lower precision while still providing a reduced component cost with respect to a given function. In one embodiment of the invention, a data cartridge picker is provided that: (1) uses a single electro-mechanical device for the functions of grasping a data cartridge, retracting a grasped cartridge from a drive/storage location, inserting a grasped cartridge into a drive/storage location, and releasing a grasped cartridge once position in a desired location; (2) is capable of compensating for variations in cartridge positioning; (3) has a gripping mechanism that moves in a sinusiodal manner; and (4) avoids the wear and tear associated with moving fully retracted gripper mechanism that is not holding a data cartridge from a fully retracted position to a position at which a cartridge can be retrieved. Another embodiment provides a elevator mechanism for moving the cartridge picker in which the guiding portion of the mechanism is also part of the portion of the mechanism that moves the cartridge picker. A further embodiment employs a face plate extension that facilitates insertion of a data cartridge into a drive by a low precision cartridge transport device. Yet another embodiment provides a removable data cartridge holder that: (1) includes a box-like structure for holding data cartridges and a dust cover that can be placed over the opening of the box-like structure when the holder is not in use and when the holder is in use, attached to the box-like portion; (2) an orientation structure that prevents insertion of a data cartridge into the box-like holder if the cartridge is improperly oriented; and (3) retention clips for preventing accidental dislodgement of a data cartridge located in the box-like structure.

A storage system comprises a first plurality of storage cartridges along an accessible side of a path, a second plurality of storage cartridges along a non-accessible side of the path, and a transport device to move the first and second plurality of magazines around the path. The storage system further comprises a controller that determines the location of a particular cartridge and operates the transport device to move the particular cartridge to the accessible side of the path to gain access to the particular cartridge. The controller can also be configured to re-position a movable accessor device along the accessible side of the path to access the particular cartridge. The ability to move the cartridges on both sides of the path can at least double the accessible storage capacity of the system.

A robotic data storage library comprising a virtual port and a method for providing a virtual port for a robotic data storage library are disclosed. The virtual exit port, for example, comprises one or more storage locations of the library that are defined as a virtual port. In one embodiment, for example, the virtual port comprises a virtual exit port for holding a data storage element that is to be exported from the library. In this embodiment, for example, the virtual exit port is defined prior to the library receiving a command to export a data storage element. In another embodiment, the virtual port comprises an entry port, an exit port or an entry/exit port. In yet another embodiment, a method for transferring a data storage element directly between an actual port (entry and/or exit) of a robotic data storage library and another location within the robotic data storage library not defined as the virtual port is disclosed.

An automated data center management system includes one or more equipment racks housing at least one server farm equipment, each of the at least one server farm equipment having a respective attachment point, a spare equipment repository having at least one replacement equipment, and a hardware management robot. The hardware management robot includes a robotic arm having an interface point, the interface point configured to couple to the attachment point. A hardware management controller is communicates with the hardware management robot, the hardware management controller including at least one processor, and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions to receive a service request indicating a server farm equipment needing service, determine a location of the server farm equipment, generate a path to the location of the server farm equipment, and transmit the path to the hardware management robot.

A servo track configuration includes at least one servo track having a width. A servo pattern is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. Repeatedly recording the servo pattern includes repeating the simultaneous recording of first and second reference pattern lines and a track pattern line in the at least one servo track. Each of the first and second reference pattern lines has an identical predetermined geometry and extends across the width of the at least one servo track. Further, the track pattern line has a predetermined geometry that is different than the predetermined geometry of the first and second reference pattern lines and extends across the width of the at least one servo track.

A picture signal recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed in which a CPU 11 records the identification information for discriminating the video cassette during picture recording on a magnetic tape, while recording the recording information indicating the recording contents, such as the still picture data for program scenes, in memories 13 and 14 in association with the identification information. During reproduction, the CPU 11 reads out still picture data of each program from the memories 13 and 14, while a digital signal processing circuit 15 converts the still picture data of each program as a multi-picture into analog signals which are outputted to a TV receiver via an analog signal processing circuit 23 and an output terminal 33. The result is that the scenes of plural programs recorded in each of plural video cassettes are displayed on the TV receiver. This permits the user to easily recognize the program recorded on the video cassettes and to reproduce the desired program or to record a program in an optimum video cassette.

A data storage and retrieval system such as a robotic library has a large plurality of removable storage media, such as tape cartridges, for purposes of I/O. To enhance performance and reliability of the library, a thermodynamic model of the library is constructed and stored in the library, and environmental conditions such as the temperature, humidity, and flow rate of cooling air coming into, flowing through, and leaving the library are monitored. The thermodynamic model of the library includes an acceptable operating range for the library in a psychrometric chart; and the product of the effective thermodynamic mass and specific heat of the library.

The invention relates generally to controlling access to a storage device. In a three-tier storage system including a storage manager, media management devices and storage devices, access to a storage device containing a robotic arm is dynamically assignable to one or more media management devices in accordance with user preferences, storage policies or other logical bases, such as network efficiency or availability. The invention also provides a computerized method for assigning control of a robotic arm to one or more media management devices.

A tape drive assembly includes a tape drive adapted to receive a tape cartridge and control electronics. The control electronics are adapted to identify whether the tape cartridge comprises a disaster recovery tape, identify a disaster recovery request, and configure the tape drive as a bootable device in response to identifying the disaster recovery request. A method for restoring a computer having a tape drive includes autonomously determining whether a tape cartridge inserted into the tape drive comprises a disaster recovery tape; identifying a disaster recovery request; and configuring the tape drive to emulate a bootable device in response to identifying the disaster recovery request.

Methods and apparatus for storing data which employ a hard disk memory media which is operably supported within a cartridge shell to form a disk cartridge. The disk cartridge can be employed in the manner of a tape cartridge wherein the disk cartridge can be stored in a communicatively isolated condition until required for read/write operations whereupon the disk cartridge can be communicatively linked to another device which transmits data to, or receives data from, the disk cartridge. The disk cartridge can adhere to a given tape cartridge form factor so as to enable both tape cartridges and disk cartridges to be employed together in a single automated library system.

Disclosed is an apparatus for a data storage library comprising at least one of a plurality of docking stations adapted to receive a disc drive magazine wherein the magazine comprises a plurality of disc drives. The docking station is adapted to receive the disc drive magazine via a loading device capable of automatically engaging the magazine with the at least one docking station to establish a communication link between the magazine and the at least one docking station. A retaining device is adapted to retain the magazine when engaged with the at least one docking station and when the magazine is in at least an active state. The library comprises at least one interface that is adapted to establish a communication link capable of transferring data between at least one data consumer and the library. The disc drive magazine when linked with the at least one docking station is capable of storing data received by the at least one data consumer. The magazine is capable of changing from a fully active state to at least one quiescent state when storage operations as performed by the magazine requires less than a fully active magazine.

An automated storage library including: an enclosure having a cartridge storage area in an interior of the enclosure; a plurality of media cartridges disposed in the cartridge storage area; and a cooling unit operatively connected to the enclosure for cooling at least the cartridge storage area of the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure has an exterior wall and the cooling unit is at least partially disposed in the exterior wall. More preferably, the cooling unit is a thermoelectric cooler having a hot side disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and a cold side disposed in the interior of the enclosure.

A method and system for connecting a host to a tape drive for accessing a tape cartridge in a data storage system having a tape library provided with cartridges and tape drives includes the host requesting a desired cartridge to access. In response to the request, a proxy agent queries the library to determine which of the tape drives are available to receive the desired cartridge. The proxy agent then selects a tape drive from the available tape drives to receive the desired cartridge. The desired cartridge is then mounted into the selected tape drive. An access controller then connects a virtual tape drive associated with the host to the selected tape drive to provide the host with access to the desired cartridge. The selected tape drive may be selected as a function of its location with respect to the storage location of the desired cartridge. While the host computer is accessing the desired cartridge, the access controller may simultaneously connect another virtual tape drive associated with a second host to another tape drive to provide the second host with access to a different cartridge.