Media cartridge storage device for an autoloading data storage and retrieval system

Abstract

A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval system according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a front and a back positioned on opposite ends of the housing; a plurality of cells in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge; and a drive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells.

1 . A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval system, comprising:
 a housing having a front and a back positioned on opposite ends of the housing;   a plurality of cells in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge; and   a drive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells,   wherein the drive mechanism drives the cells through the housing along a path of movement between the front and back,   wherein the front opening lies on a line tangent to the path of movement of the cells through the housing and generally parallel to a portion of the path of movement of the cells through the housing.   
   
   
       2 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridges protrude beyond the front opening when driven towards the front opening. 
   
   
       3 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted for insertion in an unoccupied slot of the data storage and retrieval system. 
   
   
       4 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 3 , wherein the slot is also dimensioned to receive a tape drive. 
   
   
       5 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 3 , wherein the housing includes friction members thereon adapted to frictionally engage the slot. 
   
   
       6 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a rear opening in the back of the housing, wherein a user can insert a cartridge onto one of the cells or retrieve a cartridge from one of the cells through the rear opening while the housing is inserted in the slot. 
   
   
       7 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a rear opening in the back of the housing, wherein a user can view a cartridge on one of the cells through the rear opening while the housing is inserted in the slot. 
   
   
       8 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display coupled to the housing, the display outputting information about the cartridges in the housing. 
   
   
       9 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller and a connector for allowing a data storage and retrieval system to communicate with the controller of the cartridge storage device. 
   
   
       10 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reader mounted to the housing for reading a nonvolatile memory of a cartridge, the nonvolatile memory being different than a data storage medium of the cartridge. 
   
   
       11 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 10 , wherein the reader is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader. 
   
   
       12 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an optical scanner mounted to the housing for reading an optical code of a cartridge. 
   
   
       13 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical sensor coupled to each cell for communicating with a nonvolatile memory of a cartridge. 
   
   
       14 . The cartridge storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism drives the cells in a closed loop through the housing. 
   
   
       15 .- 20 . (canceled)