Robotic Optical Storage Media Transport Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical libraries experience low performance due to slow access times, limited by media move time and drive initialization times, making them unsuitable for fast data retrieval and storage operations.
Innovation Solution
A high-performance optical storage system incorporating specialized robotics, robust mechanical design, performance-enhanced drives, and high failure tolerance erasure codes, featuring a robotic delivery device that rapidly transports disc media between disc cassettes and drives, enabling tight disc spacing and accurate positioning for rapid access and initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional optical libraries use standard media handling mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but access time increases to 10s of seconds or more
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides media handling into separate specialized components: a robotic delivery device for precise disc transport, a kicker device for disc ejection, and a gripper device for disc handling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall access time despite increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical media handling mechanisms with a robotic system that uses controlled motion and positioning. The robotic delivery device uses motorized actuators and feedback control to transport discs directly to drive spindles, eliminating the delays associated with conventional tray loading and mechanical arm movement.
2Productivity
If optical systems are designed for slow tier operations, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic delivery device is positioned and ready to transport discs before data retrieval requests are processed. The system pre-positions media in cassettes and maintains the robotic arm in standby positions, allowing immediate response to data access requests without waiting for media loading sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic delivery device as an intermediary between media cassettes and drive spindles. This intermediary component buffers and manages disc transport independently of drive operations, allowing parallel processing and eliminating the bottleneck where drives must wait for media loading.
3Loss of time
If media move time is reduced through direct robotic delivery, then access time decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic delivery device incorporates feedback control systems with sensors that monitor disc position, velocity, and orientation during transport. Real-time feedback allows the system to correct positioning errors and maintain high precision despite rapid movement, enabling fast media transfer without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic motion control with variable speed profiles during disc transport. The robotic arm accelerates and decelerates smoothly with programmed trajectories, maintaining precise control throughout the motion sequence. This dynamic approach allows rapid media move times while ensuring accurate disc placement at the drive spindle.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes one or more disc media cassettes configured to store multiple disc-based media. Multiple disc drives are configured to read and write data to the multiple disc-based media. A robotic delivery device is configured to transport a selected disc-based media to and from at least one disc drive of the multiple disc drives, and to transport the selected disc-based media directly to a spindle on the at least one disc drive.