Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for auditing cartridges and empty cells (28, 34) in a storage library system including a plurality of cells (28, 34) for storing cartridges and further including a robotically actuated hand assembly (10). A line-scan camera (20, 22) is secured to the hand assembly (10), and a visible pattern (30) is positioned within each cell (28, 34) such that the visible pattern (30) is readable by the line-scan camera (20, 22) when the line-scan camera (20, 22) is moved to a position adjacent the particular cell (28, 34) if the cell (28, 34) is empty. The visible pattern (30) is positioned such that the presence of a cartridge within the particular cell (28, 34) would prevent viewing of the visible pattern (30) within the cell (28, 34) by the line-scan camera (20, 22). The line-scan camera (20, 22) is operated in a manner to search for the visible pattern (30) within each cell (28, 34) for auditing numbers of cartridges and empty cells (28, 34) in the storage library system.
Abstract:
An apparatus for latching and ejecting cartridges from a cartridge tape drive (84) in a storage library system includes a robotically actuated hand assembly (82) having a pin (92) extending therefrom. A rotatable lever (90) extending from the tape drive is pivotable between a first position in which the cartridge is locked in the drive, and a second position in which the cartridge is ejected. The pin (92) is moved to engage the lever (90) to rotate the lever (90) between the two positions as the hand assembly (82) is actuated. A visible pattern (116) is applied to a rotatable rod (112) in the tape drive. The pattern is offset such that it moves into and out of alignment with a target (118) as viewed by a line-scan camera to indicate the status of the tape drive.
Abstract:
An apparatus for latching and ejecting cartridges from a cartridge tape drive (84) in a storage library system includes a robotically actuated hand assembly (82) having a pin (92) extending therefrom. A rotatable lever (90) extending from the tape drive is pivotable between a first position in which the cartridge is locked in the drive, and a second position in which the cartridge is ejected. The pin (92) is moved to engage the lever (90) to rotate the lever (90) between the two positions as the hand assembly (82) is actuated. A visible pattern (116) is applied to a rotatable rod (112) in the tape drive. The pattern is offset such that it moves into and out of alignment with a target (118) as viewed by a line-scan camera to indicate the status of the tape drive.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for auditing cartridges and empty cells (28, 34) in a storage library system including a plurality of cells (28, 34) for storing cartridges and further including a robotically actuated hand assembly (10). A line-scan camera (20, 22) is secured to the hand assembly (10), and a visible pattern (30) is positioned within each cell (28, 34) such that the visible pattern (30) is readable by the line-scan camera (20, 22) when the line-scan camera (20, 22) is moved to a position adjacent the particular cell (28, 34) if the cell (28, 34) is empty. The visible pattern (30) is positioned such that the presence of a cartridge within the particular cell (28, 34) would prevent viewing of the visible pattern (30) within the cell (28, 34) by the line-scan camera (20, 22). The line-scan camera (20, 22) is operated in a manner to search for the visible pattern (30) within each cell (28, 34) for auditing numbers of cartridges and empty cells (28, 34) in the storage library system.