Using a rechargeable power source for tape cartridge handling

Abstract

A charge level for a first rechargeable power source, a second rechargeable power source, and a third rechargeable power source is determined. The first rechargeable power source is determined to be below a threshold level of charge. In response to determining that the first rechargeable power source is below a threshold level of charge, a switch is made from the first rechargeable power source to the second rechargeable power source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for replacing a rechargeable power source in an automated tape library, the method comprising:
 determining, by one or more computer processors, a charge level for a first rechargeable power source, a second rechargeable power source, and a third rechargeable power source of a plurality of rechargeable power sources in an automated tape library, wherein:
 the third rechargeable power source is selected from the group consisting of a rechargeable power source closest to the first rechargeable power source, a rechargeable power source with a highest level of charge, and a rechargeable power source able to perform a remaining workload in an instruction queue in the automated tape library; and 
 a first location of the third rechargeable power source in the automated tape library is selected from the group consisting of a tape slot in a plurality of tape slots in the automated tape library, and a charging station in a plurality of charging stations in the automated tape library; 
   responsive to determining that the charge level for the first rechargeable power source is below a threshold level of charge, switching, by one or more computer processors, from the first rechargeable power source to the second rechargeable power source in the automated tape library, wherein:
 the threshold level of charge is defined from the group consisting of: a user and a number of tape retrievals during a life of the rechargeable power source; and 
 the life of the rechargeable power source is determined by an average duration of a plurality of rechargeable power sources; 
   replacing, by one or more computer processors, the first rechargeable power source with the third rechargeable power source in the automated tape library, wherein the step of replacing the first rechargeable power source with the third rechargeable power source comprises:
 receiving, by one or more computer processors, a first instruction to move the first rechargeable power source from a first slot in a rechargeable power device to a second location selected from the group consisting of: an empty charging station and an empty tape slot; and 
 receiving, by one or more computer processors, a second instruction to move the third rechargeable power source, from the first location selected from the group consisting of: a charging station with the third rechargeable power source and a tape slot with the third rechargeable power source, to the first slot in the rechargeable power device; 
   receiving, by one or more computer processors, an indication to remove the third rechargeable power source from one charging station of the plurality of charging stations; and   sending, by one or more computer processors, a request to place the third rechargeable power source in one tape slot of the plurality of tape slots for storage.