System and method for evaluating the internal state of a media library

Abstract

A state evaluator for use in a media library includes a housing and a first camera that is coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, the state evaluator can also include one or more of a light assembly, an indicator assembly to indicate different conditions associated with the state evaluator, an input assembly, an internal power source, and a power module. The power source can be rechargeable and/or removable. The first camera can capture visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light images. The light assembly can emit visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light. The state evaluator can have a high intensity light source and can communicate with a host system. The state evaluator can also include a second camera that can be coupled to the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A state evaluator for evaluating an internal state of a media library, the media library being configured to retain a plurality of media cartridges, the media library including a media drive system, a control system, and a retriever replacement system, the state evaluator comprising:
 a housing having a form factor of one of the media cartridges, the housing including a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, a top, and a bottom;   a camera that is coupled to the housing, the camera having a field of view that is external to the housing, the camera generating data representative of the field of view; and   an indicator assembly including an indicator that is disposed on the housing, the indicator being configured to indicate an internal condition of one of (i) the media drive system, (ii) the control system, and (iii) the retriever replacement system.   
     
     
         2 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator assembly further includes a plurality of indicators that is disposed on the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is disposed on one of the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate different information by varying its output color. 
     
     
         5 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate different information by one of (i) strobing its output, and (ii) pulsing its output. 
     
     
         6 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate that power is being applied to the state evaluator. 
     
     
         7 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate that the state evaluator is charged. 
     
     
         8 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate detection of an issue with the state evaluator. 
     
     
         9 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to indicate when communication has been established with one of (i) the media library, and (ii) an external device. 
     
     
         10 . The state evaluator of  claim 1  wherein the indicator is configured to pulse to indicate that data is being exchanged with one of (i) the media library, and (ii) the external device. 
     
     
         11 . The state evaluator of  claim 10  wherein the pulse has a pulse rate that depends upon a data exchange rate. 
     
     
         12 . A state evaluator for evaluating an internal state of a media library, the media library being configured to retain a plurality of media cartridges, the media library including a media drive system, a control system, and a retriever replacement system, the state evaluator comprising:
 a housing having a form factor of one of the media cartridges, the housing including a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, a top, and a bottom;   a camera that is coupled to the housing; and   an indicator assembly including a plurality of indicators that are disposed on the housing, the indicator assembly being configured to indicate an internal condition of one of (i) the media drive system, (ii) the control system, and (iii) the retriever replacement system.   
     
     
         13 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is disposed on one of the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate different information by varying an output color. 
     
     
         15 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate different information by one of (i) strobing its output, and (ii) pulsing its output. 
     
     
         16 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate that power is being applied to the state evaluator. 
     
     
         17 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate that the state evaluator is charged. 
     
     
         18 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate detection of an issue with the state evaluator. 
     
     
         19 . The state evaluator of  claim 12  wherein one of the plurality of indicators is configured to indicate when communication has been established with one of (i) the media library, and (ii) an external device. 
     
     
         20 . A state evaluator for evaluating an internal state of a media library, the media library being configured to retain a plurality of media cartridges, the media library including a media drive system, a control system, and a retriever replacement system, the state evaluator comprising:
 a housing having a form factor of one of the media cartridges, the housing including a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, and a recess that is disposed on one of the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the housing;   a camera that is coupled to the housing, the camera having a field of view that is external to the housing, the camera generating data representative of the field of view, the camera being positioned at least partially within the recess; and   an indicator assembly including a plurality of indicators disposed on the housing, the indicator assembly being configured to indicate an internal condition of one of (i) the media drive system, (ii) the control system, and (iii) the retriever replacement system.