Storage Magazine Integrated Targeting Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage library systems are costly and complex due to the use of various sensors and targets for accurate positioning of robotic mechanisms within data storage environments, which increases the complexity and cost of maintaining and servicing these systems.
Innovation Solution
The integration of targeting features directly into the magazine base structure, utilizing optical scanners to identify and position data cartridges, reduces the need for additional sensors and targets, providing a space-efficient and cost-effective solution for accurate robotic mechanism positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors and targets are used for positioning robotic mechanisms, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magazine structure with targeting features by integrating optically active features directly into the magazine slot walls. This merging eliminates the need for separate targeting components, reducing system complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through the integrated optical features that work with the robotic mechanism's optical scanner.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine structure serves multiple functions: it stores data cartridges and simultaneously provides positioning targets through its integrated optically active features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate robotic positioning.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sensors and targets are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the magazine structure with targeting features, the patent eliminates the need for separate expensive positioning components. The optically active features are integrated into the magazine slot walls during manufacturing, reducing component count and system cost while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine structure provides its own positioning targets through integrated optically active features, eliminating the need for external positioning systems. This self-service approach reduces system cost by removing redundant components while maintaining accurate positioning capability.
3Reliability
If lead-in features are added to minimize collisions, then cartridge safety is improved, but magazine structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges lead-in features with the magazine slot wall structure, integrating the collision-prevention geometry directly into the slot configuration. This integration provides cartridge protection without adding separate components, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the targeting process, reduces costs, and minimizes interference between cartridges and magazine slot walls, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of data storage operations while allowing for customer-serviceable components.
Implementation Method 1
scanning across the storage magazine using an optical scanner to acquire scan data; processing the scan data to identify a targeting feature and a target location corresponding to the identified targeting feature
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include systems and methods for targeting using storage magazines. Some embodiments operate in context of a data storage environment, in which the magazines are used to hold data cartridges, and the data cartridges are installed in, removed from, and ferried between the magazines by a robotic mechanism. Magazine implementations include integrated targeting features in the magazine base structure. For example, some side walls of the magazine slots are shaped for optical targeting, while other side walls of the magazine slots are shaped for lead-in (i.e., to minimize undesirable collisions or interference between the cartridges and the magazine slot walls). Some embodiments describe novel locating functionality in context of magazines with integrated targeting features. Other embodiments include other geometric magazine features.