Method and system for moving cartridges between storage libraries
US6550391B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B17/225
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and a method for moving cartridges between individual cartridge libraries of a multi-library system. The system includes one or more transport robots operating on one or more guide structures. The transport robots carry the cartridges independently of all individual libraries, except the sending and receiving libraries. Load ports at each library transfer the cartridges between the transport robots and the library's robotic arm. The load ports can also hold the cartridges allowing for asynchronous operations between the transport robots and sending/receiving libraries. The guide structures may be routed through one, two or all three dimensions allowing individual library placements to account for walls, columns, floors, ceilings, and other physical obstacles. One or more controllers may be included to coordinate transport robot and cartridge movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.