Flexible media storage and organization in automated data storage systems
US9923966B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/1097
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques and systems for storing and retrieving data storage devices of a data storage system are disclosed. In some embodiments, inventory holders are used to store data storage devices used by a data storage system. When data is to be transacted with the data storage devices, mobile drive units locate appropriate inventory holders and transport them to a device reading station, where an appropriate device retrieval unit transacts the data. The inventory holders are configured such that any of the mobile drive units may interchangeably interact with any of the inventory holders and/or the data device reading stations. After the data has been transacted, the data storage devices are returned to the appropriate inventory holders, and the inventory holders are placed by the mobile drive units in locations where they may be accessed in response to further data transactions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.