 Disk drive controller with a posted write cache memory |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the letter D general represents a disk array ... |
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| Decoupled DMA transfer list storage technique for a peripheral resource controller |
| The problems outlined above are in large part solved by a decoupled DMA transfer list storage ... |
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| Method and apparatus for enhancing throughput of disk array data transfers in a controller |
| In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for ... |
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| Apparatus and method for analyzing and modifying data transfer reguests in a raid system |
| The invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of data transfer ... |
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| Disk file apparatus |
| What is claimed is: 1. A disk file apparatus comprising: a pair of stockers arranged to be opposite ... |
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| Document retrieval system |
| We claim: 1. Apparatus for selecting, removing and storing at least one desired document selected ... |
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Single tape cartridge access port
| Details |
Inventors: Apple, James L.; Campbell, Ronald L.;
Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation (Louisville, CO)
Primary Examiner: Tupper; Robert S.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Duft, Graziano & Forest
An access port for loading single tape cartridges into and retrieving single tape cartridges from an automated tape cartridge library system. A door is rotatably mounted in an opening in an exterior panel of the library system. The shape of the door is designed so that the opening is blocked at all times, regardless of the position of the door. A tape cartridge tray is mounted on the rear side of the door, slanted downward at a ten degree angle. The downward slant of the tray enables the robot to accurately find tape cartridges placed therein and restrains the tape cartridge from accidental dislodgement. A latch mechanism is provided to prevent the door from rotating when the robot is operating near the access port. The latch has an actuator preventing unlatching of the door. The actuator is activated by the operating system when it is safe to rotate the door. A tape cartridge is inserted into the tray and the actuator is activated to unlatch the door. The door is unlatched and rotated so the tape cartridge is removed. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides an access port for loading and retrieval of single tape cartridges into an automated tape cartridge library system, such as the library system disclosed in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,864,438, issued to Munro on Sep.
5, 1989.
The access port of the present invention is able to load or retrieve a single tape cartridge with priority over the other library operations.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.
1-8.
It is to be expressly understood that the exemplary preferred embodiment is for descriptive purposes only and is not meant to limit the present invention.
Other variations and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present inventive concept.
Access port 10, shown in FIG.
1, is mounted in opening 12 of panel 14 which is mounted on the automated tape cartridge library system (not shown), such as the system disclosed in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,864,438.
The automated tape cartridge library system disclosed therein includes a dodecahedron shaped library module with a robot pivotally mounted in the center of the module.
The robot includes a tape cartridge retrieval mechanism to selectively retrieve and transfer tape cartridges between the library module and tape drive units.
Tape cartridges were previously loaded in bulk into these systems.
Loading or retrieval of a single tape cartridge was not possible without numerous complications, including shutting down the main loading and retrieval system.
It is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not limited to this system but includes other types of systems with which the present invention may have application.
Access port 10 also includes alphanumeric display 16 which reflects the status of the system and access port.
Access port door 20 is rotatably mounted within opening 12, as discussed in detail below.
Door 20, shown in FIG.
2, extends into the interior of the library module (not shown).
Door 20 is mounted to pivot about axis 22 relative to panel 14 in opening 12 through an angle of approximately 127 degrees, in this particular embodiment, due to the dodecahedron shape of the library module
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I/O Systems 
