Cell auditing scheme for storage library system
US5814171A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/6825
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for auditing cartridges and empty cells in a storage library system including a plurality of cells for storing cartridges and further including a robotically actuated hand assembly. A line-scan camera is secured to the hand assembly, and a visible pattern is positioned within each cell such that the visible pattern is readable by the line-scan camera when the line-scan camera is moved to a position adjacent the particular cell if the cell is empty. The visible pattern is positioned such that the presence of a cartridge within the particular cell would prevent viewing of the visible pattern within the cell by the line-scan camera. The line-scan camera is operated in a manner to search for the visible pattern within each cell for auditing numbers of cartridges and empty cells in the storage library system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.