GB2314451A

GB2314451A - Cartridge library storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2314451A
Application number: GB9712979A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuhiko Inoue
Original assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-19
Filing date: 1997-06-19
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-19
Also published as: GB9712979D0; JPH1011869A; GB2314451B

Abstract

Disclosed is a library type storage apparatus for picking a designated memory cartridge among a plurality of memory cartridges and reading from this memory cartridge. This storage apparatus comprises a magazine 25 having a plurality of holders 20 for housing the memory cartridges, 8 a drive unit for at least reading from the memory cartridge, a transferring unit for transferring the memory cartridge between the magazine and the drive unit, and a magazine moving unit for moving the magazine in directions perpendicular to a transferring directions of the transferring unit. This storage apparatus further comprises a slide member 24 provided in each holder and slide-movable on insertion of the memory cartridge into said holder, and a detecting unit for detecting a position of the slide member. This detection mechanism detects whether or not the cartridge exists in the holder in a short time in the case of even a seethrough cartridge.

Description

LIBRARY TYPE STORAGE APPARATUS The present invention relates to a library type storage apparatus constructed to take out a memory cartridge designated among a plurality of memory cartridges and to read the designated memory cartridge by a drive mechanism.

For example, in an optical disk library apparatus, a holder accommodates a plurality of optical disk cartridges. Then, a cartridge access mechanism known as an accesser picks a designated optical disk cartridge and thereafter transfers a read/write mechanism such as a drive, etc.. This read/write mechanism executes read/writing processes from and to the set optical disk cartridge. After finishing the read/write processes, the optical disk cartridge is returned to a previous housing position.

In the thus constructed library type storage apparatus, an existence or non-existence of the cartridge in each holder is detected, and a host computer is notified of a result thereof as a status. Subsequently, the host computer issues a command to transfer the cartridge on the basis of that piece of information.

Therefore, the mechanism for detecting the existence or non-existence of the cartridge is of much importance.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the prior art.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, a magazine 91 has a plurality of holders. These holders respectively accommodate optical disk cartridges (hereinafter simply referred to as "cartridges"). An optical disk drive mechanism 92 performs the read and write processes from and to the set cartridge.

An accesser 93 is movable along a movement shaft 94.

Then, the accesser 93 picks the cartridge out of the designated holder and transfers the cartridge to the optical disk drive mechanism 92. Further, the accesser 93 transfers the cartridge to the previous holder from the optical disk drive mechanism 92.

In the thus constructed optical disk library apparatus, the user, when operating the apparatus, is required to load the cartridges one by one into the apparatus. For saving this labor, as illustrated in FIG.

18, the magazine 91 is constructed to be movable forwardly and backwardly of the apparatus as shown in arrowed directions. Then, the apparatus is provided with a door 90.

Then, the user, after moving the magazine 91 toward the door, opens the door 90. The user is thereby capable of collectively loading or picking the cartridges. With the arrangement, conveniently the user has no necessity for loading the cartridges one by one.

The thus constructed library type storage apparatus incorporates a cartridge checking mechanism for checking whether or not the cartridge exists in a slot of the holder. FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams each showing a prior art cartridge checking mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 19A, the accesser 93 has hands 96, provided on both sides thereof, for picking the cartridge 95. Provided then between the two hands 96 is a mechanical switch 97 for detecting the cartridge 95.

In this cartridge checking mechanism, as shown in FIG. 19B, the accesser 93, upon switching ON a power supply, accesses sequentially all the bolders of the magazine 91. On this accessing, the cartridge checking mechanism, when the mechanical switch 97 operates because of the cartridge 95, detects that there exists the cartridge. While on the other hand, the cartridge checking mechanism, when the mechanical switch 97 does not operate, detects that there exists no cartridge.

Another prior art cartridge checking mechanism will be explained with reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B.

As illustrated in FIG. 20A, transmission type sensors 98a, 98b are provided outwardly of the hands 96 of the accesser 93. Then, as shown in FIG. 20B, upon switching ON the power supply, the accesser 93 moves in holder installing directions (in up-and-down directions in FIG.

20B) of the magazine 91, thereby detecting a state of how the cartridge is housed in each holder. A reflection type sensor may be available instead of this transmission type sensor.

There arise, however, the following problems inherent in the prior art.

First, according to the prior art shown in FIG. 19A, the accesser must access each of the holders of the magazine. Consequently, if the number of holders increases, it might take a long period of time till the detection is finished since the power supply was switched ON.

Second, according to another prior art shown in FIG.

20A, it might take a short period of time till the detection is finished since the power supply was switched ON. With a wide spread of the optical disks, a seethrough cartridge with a transparent case has been popularized. This see-through cartridge is transparent and therefore does not reflect the light. For this reason, according to the above-described prior arts, the cartridge can not be detected.

Third, when the user freely loads the cartridge into the apparatus, it might happen that the cartridge is not housed in a specified position within the holder.

According to the prior arts illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 20A, even when being capable of detecting whether or not the cartridge exists, it is impossible to detect that the cartridge is housed in the specified position within the holder.

Fourth, when the user freely loads the cartridge into the apparatus, the cartridge is easy to replace.

In the prior art shown in FIGS. 19A and 20A, however, the replacing of the cartridge is undetectable. In the case of the cartridge being replaced, the host computer detects that the old cartridge is housed and therefore inputs and outputs the data for the old cartridge.

Hence, it follows that the host computer recognizes that this cartridge is not a target cartridge.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a library type storage apparatus, for accommodating a plurality of memory cartridges and for at least reading from a designated one of the memory cartridges, said storage apparatus comprising: a magazine having a plurality of holders for accommodating the memory cartridges; reading means for at least reading from said designated memory cartridge; transferring means for transferring a memory cartridge between said magazine and said drive means in a transferring direction; magazine moving means for moving said magazine in directions perpendicular to said transferring direction; a slide member provided in said each of said holders and adapted to be slideably moved by an insertion of a memory cartridge into said holder; and detecting means for detecting a position of said slide member to detect whether or not a memory cartridge is housed in said holder.

The invention thus provides a cartridge check mechanism which includes a slide member provided in each holder and slideable by an insertion of the memory cartridge into the holder, and a detecting unit for detecting a position of the slide member to check the presence of the cartridge in the holder.

According to embodiments of the present invention, firstly, a detection mechanism for mechanically detecting the cartridge is provided on the side of the magazine. With this arrangement, there is no necessity for the transferring unit (accesser) to operate for detecting the cartridge, and therefore it is possible to detect whether or not the cartridge exists in the holder in a short time. Further, the detection mechanism is, because it is mechanical, capable of detecting even a see-through cartridge.

Secondly, the detection mechanism is constructed of the slide member that is slideably-movable corresponding to the insertion of the memory cartridge into the holder, and the detecting unit for detecting a position of the slide member. The cartridge to be inserted is directly detected and can be therefore precisely detected. Also, the cartridge can be accurately detected without any malfunctions in the case of even a device having a magazine that is to be moved.

Also, the replacement of the cartridge can readily be detected, together with the presence of the cartridge in a correct, predetermined position.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principle of the invention, in which: FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the principle of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the whole construction of one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a mechanism of a magazine shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a top view of the magazine when a cartridge is inserted into a holder; FIG. 5 is a top view of the magazine when the cartridge is not inserted into the holder; FIG. 6 is a side view of the magazine shown in FIG.

4; FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams each showing a cartridge-in detecting mechanism in FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a connecting relationship between signal lines of the cartridge-in detecting mechanism in FIGS. 7A and 7B; FIG. 9 is a control block diagram in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a flowchart of loading operations in one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing an operation in a forward position in one embodiment of the present invention (Part 1); FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views showing the operation in the forward position in one embodiment of the present invention (Part 2); FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are explanatory views showing an operation in a sense position of the first time in one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory views showing an operation in a home position of the first time in one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory views showing the operation in the sense position of the second time in one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views showing the operation in the home position of the second time in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 17 is an explanatory chart showing a slot detecting operation in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 18 is an explanatory view illustrating the prior art; FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory views showing a prior art cartridge checking mechanism; and FIGS. 20A and 20B are explanatory views illustrating another prior art cartridge checking mechanism.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the principle of the present invention.

An optical disk library apparatus includes, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, a magazine 1 having a plurality of holders 10 for respectively housing memory cartridges, and a drive mechanism 2 for executing read/write processes from and to the memory cartridge. The optical disk library apparatus also includes an accesser 3 for transferring the memory cartridge between the magazine 1 and the drive mechanism 2, and a magazine moving unit for moving the magazine 1 in directions perpendicular to a movement shaft 6 of the accesser 3.

Further, the magazine 1 incorporates detection mechanisms 11 for detecting an existence or non-existence of the cartridge. This detection mechanism 11 is, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, provided in each holder 10, and has a slide member 21 that slides in accordance with an insertion of the memory cartridge 8 into the holder 10, and a detecting unit 30 for detecting the insertion of the memory cartridge 8 into the holder 10 by detecting a position of the slide member 21.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the whole construction of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing a mechanism of the magazine in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4 and 5 are top views each illustrating the magazine in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views each illustrating the magazine in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magazine 1 has a plurality of holders 10 for respectively housing optical disk cartridges (hereinafter simply termed "cartridges") 8.

Each of the holders 10 is provided in the perpendicular directions in FIG. 2. An optical disk drive 2 performs the read and write process from and to the cartridge 8.

The accesser 3 has hands for grasping the cartridge 8. Then, the accesser 3 moves along the vertical shaft 6.

The accesser 3 thereby transfers the cartridge 8 between the magazine 1 and the optical disk drive 2.

The door 4 is provided in a front part of the ap paratus and is openable. The user is allowed to open the door 4 and pick the cartridge 8 out of the magazine 1 or insert the cartridge 8 into the magazine 1.

Supporting legs 5 support the magazine 1. Upper guide rails 7 guide the magazine 1 for moving.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each holder 10 of the magazine 1 includes an L-shaped slot plate 20, a slidemovable cartridge catcher 23, a sensor slider 24 engaging with the cartridge catcher 23, and s deck 27 for supporting the cartridge.

Each of these holders 10 is attached to a case 25 of the magazine 1. A pair of supporting legs 5 are formed downwardly of the case 25. A slot of each holder for housing the cartridge is defined by the slot plate 20, the cartridge catcher 23 and the deck 27.

A magazine moving mechanism includes a motor 34 for moving the magazine, drive belts 36 for driving the supporting legs of the magazine 1, a drive mechanism 35 for driving the drive belts 36 by use of the motor 34, and guide members 37 for guiding the supporting legs 5 of the magazine 1.

The detection mechanism includes a slot sensor 30 moving along a vertical shaft 30a, a motor 31 for moving the slot sensor 30, drive belts 33 for driving the slot sensor 30, and a drive mechanism 32 for driving the drive belts 33 by using the motor 31.

This slot sensor 30 is constructed of a light trans mission type sensor and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Then, as will be stated later on, the slot sensor 30 detects a position of a detection element of the sensor slider 24 and thereby checks whether or not the cartridge is housed in the slot.

A base 26 performs a function of the guide for moving the magazine 1. The magazine 1 is, as will hereinafter be mentioned, positioned in a forward position, a sense position and a home position within the base 26.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the cartridge 8 is inserted into the slot of the holder 10. FIG. 5 shows a state where the cartridge 8 is not inserted into the slot of the holder 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge catcher 23 includes two legs 23-1, and a stopper member 23-2 for the sensor slider 24. Then, the cartridge catcher 23 is biased toward the cartridge 8 by a plate spring 22 provided in the case 25. The cartridge 8 is thereby caught between the fixed slot plate 20 and the cartridge catcher 23. Thus, the cartridge 8 can be held.

The sensor slider 24 has a stopper member 24-1 provided at a front edge, and a detection element 24-2 provided at a rear edge. Then, the sensor slider 24 is connected to a spring member 28 one end of which is fixed to the case 28. The sensor slider 24 is thereby biased in a right direction in the Figure.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the cartridge 8 is held, the cartridge catcher 23 is in a down position (second position). The sensor slider 24 impinges upon the stopper member 23-2 of the cartridge catcher 23 and is then locked. At this time, the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 protrudes from the case 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a state where the cartridge 8 is not housed in the slot, the cartridge catcher 23 is biased by the plate spring 22 in an upper direction in the Figure. At this time, the legs 23-1 of the cartridge catcher 23 engage with holes 25-1 of the case 25 illustrated in FIG. 6A, thus restricting an upper limit position of the cartridge catcher 23. This position is defined as an up position (first position).

Then, with an upward movement of the cartridge catcher 23, the sensor slider 24 is unlocked from the stopper member 23-2 of the cartridge catcher 23. the sensor slider 24 is thereby pulled in the right direction in the Figure by the spring 28.

When the cartridge catcher 23 is located in the down position, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 is located in a narrow hole 25-3 of the case 25. Then, with the rightward movement of the sensor slider 24, the detection element 24-2 is located in a wide hole 25-2 of the case 25 shown in FIG. 6A.

At this time, the stopper member 24-1 provided at the front impinges edge upon the legs 23-1 of the cartridge catcher 23. Thereby, the sensor slider 24 is restricted in terms of its position. In this position, the detection element 24-2 is located in the wide hole 25-2 of the case 25.

From a difference in position between the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 shown in FIG. 4 and the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to check whether or not the cartridge 8 exists in the slot of the holder 10.

According to this construction, the mechanical cartridge detecting unit is provided on the side of the magazine 1, and hence even when housing the see-through cartridge, a short-time check can be done.

Further, the slide members 23, 24 operating directly in response to the cartridge are provided as a cartridge detecting unit, and therefore even when the magazine 1 is moved, it is possible to surely detect the existence or non-existence of the cartridge.

Moreover, since the slide member is constructed of the cartridge catcher 23 and the sensor slider 24 interlocking therewith, a shift of the cartridge catcher can be changed to a position of the sensor slider 24.

Because of taking a large variation in terms of the position of the sensor slider 24, the existence or nonexistence of the cartridge 8 can be checked easily.

Next, a cartridge-in mechanism for detecting that the cartridge 8 is in a normal position within the holder, will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge catcher 23 is provided with a first contact point S3. On the other hand, the slot plate 20 is provided with a second contact point S1 and a third contact point S2 in face-to-face relationship with the first contact point S3. The second contact point S1 of the slot plate 20 is connected to a contact plate 29 provided on a bottom portion of the slot plate 20. This contact plate 29 faces to a fourth contact point S4 provided on the slot plate 20. This fourth contact point S4 is electrically connected to the third contact point S2.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a state where the cartridge 8 is not inserted into the slot at all, the cartridge catcher 23 is located in the up-position.

Therefore, the first contact point S3 of the cartridge catcher 23 contacts the third contact point S2 of the slot plate 20. Then, the contact plate 29 is not in contact with the fourth contact point S4. Hence, the first contact point S3 gets conductive to an output of the fourth contact point S4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the cartridge 8 is completely inserted into the slot, the cartridge catcher 23 is located in a down-position.

Therefore, the first contact point S3 of the cartridge catcher 23 contacts the second contact point S1 of the slot plate 20. Then, the contact plate 29 is pushed by the inserted cartridge 8 and then connected to the fourth contact point S4. Therefore, the first contact point S3 gets conductive to an output of the fourth contact point S4.

On the other hand, there will be explained a state where the cartridge 8 is incompletely inserted into the slot. Namely, this is a state where the cartridge 8 protrudes out of the slot. In this state, as in the case of FIG. 4, the cartridge catcher 23 is located in the down-position. Therefore, the first contact point S3 of the cartridge catcher 23 contacts the second contact point S1 of the slot plate 20. Then, the cartridge 8 is not completely inserted, and hence, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact plate 29 is not connected to the forth contact point S4. Therefore, the first contact point S3 does not get conductive to an output of the fourth contact point S4.

With this difference, it is possible to detect whether or not the cartridge is housed in the normal position within the holder.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams showing the cartridge-in detecting mechanism. FIG. 8 is a diagram of a connecting relationship between signal lines.

FIG. 7A shows the connecting relationship in two states (the state where the cartridge is completely inserted into the holder, and the state where the cartridge is not absolutely inserted into the holder at all) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Given, on the other hand, is an explanation of a state where the cartridge 8 is incompletely inserted into the slot. Namely, this is a case where the cartridge 8 protrudes out of the slot. In this state, as in the same way with FIG. 4, the cartridge catcher 23 is located in the down-position. Hence, the first contact point S3 of the cartridge catcher 23 contacts the second contact point S1 of the slot plate 20. Then, the cartridge 8 is not completely inserted thereinto, the contact plate 29 is not connected to the fourth contact point S4.

Consequently, the first contact point S3 does not get conductive to the fourth contact point S4. FIG. 7B shows this connecting relationship.

When the first contact point 53 gets conductive to the output of the fourth contact point S4, this indicates either the state where the cartridge is completely inserted into the slot or the state where the cartridge is not absolutely inserted into the slot. On the other hand, when the first contact point S3 does not get conductive to the output of the fourth contact point S4, this indicates a state where the cartridge is inserted into the slot but protrudes from the slot.

A state where the cartridge protrudes, can be recognized. Thus, the protrusion of the cartridge can be easily detected by providing the first switch S3, S1, S2 the contact position of which changes corresponding to whether the cartridge catcher is in the down-position or in the up-position, and the second switch 29, S4 that operates based on the cartridge 8.

As will be mentioned later on, the magazine 1 is returned from the forward position to the home position.

If there exists the state where the cartridge protrudes from even one slot, it is impossible for the accesser 3 to execute the take-out operation in the home position.

Accordingly, it is required that the protruded state of the cartridge be detected in each slot, and a control circuit be informed of this. It might be, however, timeconsuming to examine the detected states of the respective slots.

If the cartridge protrudes from even one slot, this might become a problem, and therefore it may not be essential for the control circuit to detect which slot the cartridge protrudes from. Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the signal lines of the cartridge-in detection mechanisms of the respective holders 10-1, 10-2 ..., 10-n are connected in series. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, the output line of the fourth contact point S4 of the holder 10-1 is connected sequentially to the input line of the first contact point S3 of the next holder 10-2.

The electric current runs across the signal lines connected in series, and, if the signal lines get conductive, this indicates the state where the cartridge does not protrude. Whereas if the signal lines do not get conductive, this indicates the state where the cartridge protrudes from any one of the slots. Thus, the protrusion of the cartridge can be detected by decreasing the number of signal lines.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram illustrating the present invention.

A microprocessor-based control circuit 40 drives the magazine motor 34 to locate the magazine 1 in the forward position, the sense position and the home position.

Further, the control circuit 40 drives the sensor motor 31 in the sense position, thereby moving the slot sensor 30. Then, the control circuit 40 receives an output of the slot sensor 30. The control circuit 40 is thereby capable of detecting the existence or the non-existence of the cartridge in each holder (slot).

Moreover, the control circuit 40 transmits a signal to the above-described cartridge-in mechanism 41 and obtains an output thereof. The control circuit 40 thereby detects whether or not the cartridge protrudes out of each of the slots. Furthermore, the control circuit 40 controls the accesser 3 and the optical disk drive 2 as well.

FIG. 10 is a load operation flow in one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. llA through 12B are explanatory diagrams showing operations in the forward position. FIGS. 13A to 13C are explanatory diagrams showing operations in the sense position of the first time. FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams showing operations in the home position of the first time. FIGS.

15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing operations in the sense position of the second time. FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory diagrams showing operations in the home position of the second time. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a slot detecting operation.

(Al) In response to an indication from the operator, the control circuit 40 moves the magazine 1 to the forward position. In this forward position, the user is allowed to open the door 4, and remove and insert the cartridge 8 from and into the magazine 1. As illustrated in FIG. llA, when replacing the cartridge 8, the cartridge 8 is removed from the holder 10. With this operation, as shown in FIG. 11B, the cartridge catcher 23 moves in the cartridge-direction and is then located in the up-position. With this locating process, the sensor slider 24 released from the cartridge catcher 23 and is slid backward.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when removing the cartridge 8 and then reinserting the cartridge 8, the cartridge catcher 23 is pushed up. The sensor slider 24, however, remains as it is slid.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the cartridge 8 is completely inserted, the first contact point S3 gets conductive to the output line of the fourth contact point S4. Contrastingly when the cartridge 8, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, protrudes, the first contact point S3 does not get conductive to the output line of the fourth contact point S4.

Upon an indication from the operator, the loading operation starts. To begin with, the control circuit 40 checks an output of the cartridge-in mechanism 41. The control circuit 40, as explained above, when outputted to the signal line connected in series as shown in FIG. 8, the judgement is that the cartridge does not protrude, and the operation proceeds to step A2. Reversely when the control circuit 40, when there is no output to the signal line of the cartridge-in mechanism 41, judges that the cartridge protrudes. Then, the control circuit 40 notifies the operator of this judgement. In this case, loading operation is not executed.

(A2) The control circuit 40 drives the motor 34, thereby moving the magazine 1 to the sense position. In this sense position, the control circuit 40 detects whether or not the cartridge 8 exists in the holder (slot). For this purpose, the control circuit 40 drives the motor 31, thereby detecting a position of the detection element 24-2 of each slot by moving the slot sensor in the up-and-down directions in FIG. 3.

In this position, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the sensor slider 24 slides, the detection element 24-2 is not detected by the slot sensor 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, if the sensor slider 24 does not slide, the detection element 24-2 is detected by the slot sensor 30.

That is, there must be two detectable states in the sense position of the first time, which states will be explained as below. The first state is a case where, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, the cartridge is removed, and no cartridge exists in the slot, or alternatively a case where, as shown in FIG. 13B, the cartridge is once removed and reinserted. The second state is a case where, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, the cartridge already exists in the slot but is neither removed nor inserted even once.

(A3) The control circuit 40 drives the motor 34, thereby moving the magazine 1 back to the home position.

In this home position, the accesser 3 removes and inserts the cartridge 8 from and into the magazine 1. When moved back to the home position, as depicted in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 impinges upon a stopper 26-1 of the base 26. With this operation, the sensor slider 24 returns to the position before being slid.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the cartridge catcher 23 is in the down-position with the cartridge 8 inserted,the sensor slider 24 is locked by the cartridge catcher 23. Reversely when the cartridge 8 is, as shown in FIG. 14A, no

(A4) The control circuit 40 drives the motor 34, thereby moving forward the magazine 1 to the sense position. In this sense position, the control circuit 40 again detects whether or not the cartridge 8 exists in the holder (slot). For this purpose, the control circuit 40 drives the motor 31, thereby moving the slot sensor in the up-and-down directions in FIG. 3 and again detects a position of the detection element 24-2 of each slot.

As illustrated in FIG. 15B, when the cartridge 8 is not inserted into the slot, the cartridge catcher 23 is in the up-position. Therefore, with this forward movement, the sensor slider 24 is not locked by the cartridge catcher 23. As a result, the detection element 24-2 thereof is not detected by the slot sensor 30.

Reversely when the cartridge 8 is, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, inserted into the slot, the cartridge catcher 23 is in the down-position. Consequently, the sensor slider 24 is locked by the cartridge catcher 23. As consequence of this, the detection element 24-2 thereof is detected by the slot sensor 30.

That is, there must be two detectable states in the sense position of the second time, which will be stated as follows. The first state is a state where, as shown in FIG. 15A, the cartridge exists in the slot. The second state is a state where, as illustrated in FIG.

15B, the cartridge does not exist in the slot.

(A5) The control circuit 40 drives the motor 34, thereby again moving the magazine 1 back to the home position. In this home position, the accesser 3 removes and inserts the cartridge 8 from and into the magazine 1.

When moved back to the home position, as depicted in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the detection element 24-2 of the sensor slider 24 impinges upon the stopper 26-1 of the base 26. With this operation, the sensor slider 24 returns to the position before being slid.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the cartridge catcher 23 is in the down-position with the cartridge 8 inserted, the sensor slider 24 is locked by the cartridge catcher 23. Reversely when the cartridge 8 is, as shown in FIG. 16A, not inserted, the sensor slider 24 is not locked by the cartridge catcher 23.

Then, the loading operation comes to an end.

The control circuit 40 holds slot-sense results in the sense positions of the first and second times to inform this results. These results go as shown in FIG.

17. That is, it is feasible to indicate whether or not the cartridge exists in the slot, and whether or not the cartridge existing in the slot is the one that has been once removed or inserted by human hands.

Thus, whether or not the cartridge in the slot is the one that has been once removed or inserted by human hands, can be also detected. Besides, the above is attainable by making use of the slide operation of the sensor slider 24 and the lock operation of the cartridge catcher 23 as well as by providing the sense position.

Therefore, the same can be actualized with a simple structure.

In addition to the embodiments discussed above, the present invention can be modified as below. First, the detection mechanism is used in common to each slot for simplifying the configuration but may be provided per slot. Second, the slot sensor is constructed of the transmission type sensor. However, other sensors such as a reflection type sensor, etc. are also usable. Third, the memory cartridge has been explained by exemplifying the optical disk cartridge. Other memory cartridges such as magnetic disk cartridge, etc. may be, however, usable.

The present invention has been discussed so far by way of the embodiments but may be modified in a variety of forms within the scope of the purport of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the range of the present invention.

As discussed above, the present invention exhibits the following advantages.

Firstly, since the detection mechanism for mechanically detecting the cartridge is provided on the magazine-side, there is no necessity for the accesser to operate for detecting the cartridge. It is thereby possible to detect whether or not the cartridge exists in the holder for a short period of time.

Secondly, the detection mechanism is, because of being mechanical, capable of detecting even the seethrough cartridge. Thirdly, the detection mechanism consists of the slider member that is slide-movable corresponding to whether to remove or insert the memory cartridge, and the detecting unit for detecting the position of the slider member. The removing and inserting operations of the cartridge are directly detected, and hence, the cartridge can be precisely detected without any malfunctions even in the device with the magazine that is to be moved.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A library type storage apparatus, for accommodating a plurality of memory cartridges and for at least reading from a designated one of the memory cartridges, said storage apparatus comprising: a magazine having a plurality of holders for accommodating the memory cartridges; reading means for at least reading from said designated memory cartridge; transferring means for transferring a memory cartridge between said magazine and said drive means in a transferring direction; magazine moving means for moving said magazine in directions perpendicular to said transferring direction; a slide member provided in said each of said holders and adapted to be slideably moved by an insertion of a memory cartridge into said holder; and detecting means for detecting a position of said slide member to detect whether or not a memory cartridge is housed in said holder.

2. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said slide member is located in a first position when a memory cartridge is not housed in said holder and located in a second position when a memory cartridge is housed in said holder.

3. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said slide member includes: a catcher member for holding a memory cartridge and slideably moved by the memory cartridge when the memory cartridge is within said holder ; and a slide plate having a detection element detected by said detecting means and engaging with said catcher member -

4. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 3, adapted such that when a memory cartridge is removed from a holder and a memory cartridge is replaced in the same holder, said slide plate is moved from a first position to a second position whereby the possible exchange of the memory cartridge can be detected.

5. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, in which said catcher member is moveable between a first position in which said slide plate is not held in its first position, when a memory cartridge is not housed in said holder, and a second position in which said slide plate is held in place in its first position by said catcher member, when a memory cartridge is housed in said holder, and said slide plate is biased towards said second position, whereby when a memory cartridge is removed and a memory cartridge replaced in said holder, said slide plate is released and is moved to its second position by the action of said biasing during the period when a memory cartridge is not in place.

6. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said catcher member is located in a first position when a memory cartridge is not housed in said holder and located in a second position when a memory cartridge is housed in said holder.

7. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said slide plate can be held in place by said catcher member when said catcher member is located in its second position and cannot be held in place by said catcher member when said catcher member is located in its first position.

8. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting means includes: sensor means for detecting a position of said slide member; and sensor moving means for moving said sensor means in a direction along the holders to detect the position of said slide member of each of said holders.

9. A library type storage apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein said detecting means includes: sensor means for detecting the detection element of said slide plate; and sensor moving means for moving said sensor means in a direction along the holders to detect the detection element of said slide plate of each of said holders.

10. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said magazine moving means locates said magazine in a forward position for the user to handle a memory cartridge with respect to said magazine, in a sense position for said detecting means to detect the detection element of said slide member, and in a home position for said transferring means to access said magazine.

11. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a stopper for moving said slide plate to a position in which said slide plate is locked by said catcher member if a memory cartridge is present within said housing; and a control circuit for causing said detecting means to execute a first detection operation after moving said magazine to the sense position from the forward position and causing said detecting means to execute a second detection operation by moving said magazine to the sense position after moving said magazine to the home position from the sense position.

12. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch member provided in said each holder and operating in accordance with the position of said slide member and a memory cartridge in said holder to detect that the memory cartridge is housed in said holder.

13. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said switch members of said respective holders are connected in series, said storage apparatus further comprising control means for controlling a loading operation of said magazine in accordance with results of detections by said switch members connected in series.

14. A library type storage apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said switch member includes: a first switch corresponding to a position of said slide member; and a second switch connected to said first switch and detecting a memory cartridge within said holder.

15. A library type storage apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.