Small library cartridge access mail slot method
US6411462B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/6835
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A mail slot mechanism, a small automated storage library incorporating the mail slot mechanism, and method of operating the mail slot mechanism to insert and remove storage media cartridges from a small automated storage library are disclosed. The storage library includes an array of cartridge slots. Each cartridge slot is adapted to hold one storage media cartridge. One or more of these cartridge slots may function as the mail slot. Each mail slot has a top opening and a side opening through which one storage media cartridge can pass. The mail slot is disposed adjacent an opening in the storage library's housing and is pivotable between a user access position and a robot access position. A resilient member biases the mail slot toward the robot access position. A storage media cartridge may be manually inserted and removed through the top opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the user access position. The storage library's robotic mechanism may insert and remove one storage media cartridge at a time through the side opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the robot access position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.