JP2847327B2 - Loader mechanism in tape cartridge system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems for storing large amounts of data on digital audio tape (DAT) or other formats, and more particularly, to systems using an automatic loader mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Magnetic tape storage devices are widely used for storing large amounts of digital data because they provide an economical and reliable means of temporary and permanent storage. Since a magnetic tape system is originally based on serial recording, its access time is considerably longer than that of other storage devices today, but there is no failure due to an accident. Thus, by reading the entire contents of the random access memory system at the end of a day or other run time and storing this data until the next backup date or time, the tape system can be used as a data backup means for floppy disk and hard disk files. It has become common practice to use. If the amount of data is limited, a single tape system and tape reel or cartridge will suffice, but if the database is large,
Many tape reels or cartridges are required.
In order to use the backup system efficiently, backup data is recorded at a high data transfer rate during the time when the system is normally out of service, for example, between the end of the evening and the start of the next morning. Is preferred.

[0003]

[0003] Tape drive systems have recently evolved with technological advances that have resulted in a significant increase in capacity with a reduction in size. Large independent tape drives using parallel track recording technology and relatively wide tapes have been used,
These tape drives were not compatible in size, cost and power requirements with the compact and efficient central processing units and disk drives currently in use. Inserting tape through open reel devices has always been a cumbersome task, and an efficient tape cassette and cartridge system utilizing longitudinal scan recording technology has emerged. Due to advances in recording technology and the construction of efficient cartridges, these tape drives are used for standard peripheral slots in consoles, such as slots for driving 51/4 inch floppy disks. It was built to the right configuration and size.

More recently, spiral scan recording technology originally devised for video recording has been adopted in compact systems to achieve high density, high fidelity digital audio tape recording. The DAT format is a so-called Sony / Hewlett-Pack.
Adopted for digital data processing based on ard criteria. Cassettes used in these applications are very small,
A standard 4 mm digital audio cassette has a height of 0.39 inches (10 mm), a depth of 2.1 inches (54 mm), and a nominal tape width of 0.15 inches (3.81 mm). The recording technology used is (D
This is a group code encoding (with an error correction code) according to X3B5 / 88-185A of the DS specification. "DDS"
Is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard / Sony. Spiral scan recording technology and 61 per inch
By using a linear density of K bits, each cassette has a data capacity of 1.3 gigabytes / second and thus at a sustained transfer rate of 183 Kbytes / second (burst transfer rate of 4.0 megabytes / second). Two big six
Equivalent to the contents of a 50 megabyte disk drive,
It has the ability to capture 2.2 hours of data. However, a large commercial organization may have many such drives in a database system.
As a result, large mainframe and parallel processors need to use many backup cassettes, even in DAT format. In order to continuously record many tapes, it is preferable to use a single drive rather than to use many drives in parallel. This is not only more costly, but also less efficient. A stacker-type loader that is attached as an additional unit to the front of a console provided with a tape drive and provides a handler for a cassette has been considered. This method is not satisfactory for aesthetic, safety and technical reasons, and depending on the location of the tape drive,
Often it becomes unavailable because of insufficient space available for other parts of the computer console.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cassette loading system for a tape drive includes a tape drive unit having a flat, wide surface on one side, typically the upper or lower side, and a cassette adjacent the flat, wide surface. A storage / circulation progress mechanism, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the cassette between the insertion level (height) and the discharge level of the storage mechanism and the loading door of the tape drive unit.

[0006]

Such a configuration is preferably used for a tape storage system that uses a cassette and records and reproduces data in a DAT format, such as a fluid tape drive for backing up a random access memory.

In the preferred embodiment, 5.25 inches
The space in a standard height enclosure such as that used for (approximately 13.3 cm) enclosures is occupied by a DAT drive unit that is less than full height and adjacent magazine frames in the space within the enclosure. And the available forms are fully utilized. The magazine assembly includes a removable cassette tray and an internal adjacent mechanism for moving cassettes in the tray. The tray includes an insertion level passage, and a discharge level passage polymerized above the passage, both passages are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis toward the rear from the side front of the tape drive. At the front of the tape drive unit, there is provided vertical transfer means including means for moving a single cassette across the longitudinal axis, the means for transferring the cassette received from the tape drive to the magazine assembly. The cassette transferred to the insertion level and received from the discharge level of the magazine assembly is supplied to the loading door of the tape drive. With such a configuration,
A completely self-contained unit can be mounted within the standard configuration of the enclosure at the processor console, allowing high density storage in DAT format for extended periods of time. In addition, the cassette tray can be inserted and removed from the magazine assembly as desired. In practice, this allows a substantially continuous data transfer with only slightly more than once daily operator intervention for cassette tray replacement.

In a more detailed example of the mechanism according to the present invention, a vertical transfer means for transferring the cassette in a vertical direction is provided for bridging from a front loading door area of the tape drive to the magazine assembly. The transfer means includes a cassette holder that can move up and down with a side drive mechanism that can push the cassette into the tape drive or magazine assembly and remove the partially ejected cassette. The magazine assembly comprises a cassette holder disposed within the enclosure and holding a slidably removable cassette tray having two levels of front and rear rows of slidable cassettes.
The cassette holder and tray include an access opening that allows a rear lifter to move the cassette from a lower insertion level to an upper discharge level. further,
The magazine assembly includes a separately operable propulsion mechanism insertable into a cartridge tray for advancing an ejection level cassette toward a cassette holder of the transfer mechanism. The cassette holder has a side-connected rack engagable by an adjacent mechanism to retract the cassette tray into the fully inserted position.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The system according to the present invention is described as being implemented in a data processing system having a console 10, such as one having a standard 5.25 inch high enclosure 12. The standard 5.25 inch high surrounding wall 1
2 has a height of 3.25 inches, a depth of 8 inches, and a width of 5.75 inches to accommodate tape drives, floppy disks and other peripheral units. The present invention is described in the context of a DAT (Digital Audio Tape), as there is a special need for an automatic loader in this environment so that large amounts of data can be recorded without operator intervention. However, the concepts of the present invention are applicable to many other environments and applications, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A tape drive / loader housing 14 (hereinafter, referred to as “housing 14”) including the apparatus according to the present invention and having a front-rear axis extending from front to rear is fitted into the surrounding wall 12 and is usable. It fills the space and includes a front extension 16 having a front surface 18. The front surface 18 has a single cassette door 20 which is a cassette insertion port at an upper part, and a magazine door 22 which is a magazine insertion port for taking in a multi-cassette magazine as described later. The door cover and the lock mechanism attached by the hinge are not shown for the sake of simplicity, but may be of ordinary forms. An interlock system may be provided to prevent the door from opening when the cartridge is loaded and operating.

[0011] In FIGS. 1 and 4, the cassette 24 in order to show the operation structure more clearly, the state in the middle position, not at the operating position is shown. The tape drive unit 26 is located in the upper portion. The tape drive unit 26 is located in W, Costa Mesa, California.
Der available as angDAT, Inc. model 1300
And is half the height of a DAT . Front door 28 is a cassette the charging port of the drive unit 26 is opposed to the single cassette door 20 provided on the front face 18. The internal mechanism of the drive unit 26, including the recording and playback circuits, servo drives, controller functions and cassette handling elements, will not be described as these are commercially available products. The key thing to note about this storage and loader system is that the partially inserted cassette 24 is subsequently retracted into the operating position and, when data transfer is completed, fully ejected so that it can be accessed by an external retrieval mechanism. That is to be done.

The lower portion of the housing 14 is occupied by a half height magazine assembly 30 relative to the standard height enclosure 12 and within the enclosure 12 adjacent to a rectangular magazine frame 32. It consists of a number of mechanisms . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magazine frame 32 is slidable along a lower rail (not shown) or other low-friction support between limit points on the front-rear axis . Magazine frame 32
Are the opening front end and the side notch 33 adjacent to the rear end.
And an upper slot 34 opening toward the rear end. The detachable cassette tray 36 is used for the magazine door 2.
2 and can be inserted into the opening front end of the magazine frame 32 from the front through the extension 16. The cassette tray 36 includes a rotatable front door 38 that opens when the cassette tray 36 and the magazine frame 32 are fully inserted .
The state is shown in FIG. 2, and the closed state is shown in FIG . The cassette tray 36 is divided by a central horizontal plate 39 into upper and lower internal areas for storing cassettes. In this example, the cassette tray holds four cassettes each level, the number of the cassette Ru determined or by the depth of the surrounding wall 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 39 extends rearward from the front by the length of three cassettes, and the detent 37 provided on the side wall and loaded with a spring is the fourth (last ) from the front side. Cassette 2)
4 is held at the upper level. A central web 35 or strip is provided at the center of the lower level to hold the rearmost cassette while allowing the side lifter to raise the latter, as described below. The lower cassette level is a level having an insertion opening 40 at the end of the front door 38 , and the upper level is a level having a discharge opening 42. Used to be done. The front door 38 is operated by a slide rod 43 connected to a pin 44 that passes through a slot on the side of the magazine frame 32. When the magazine frame 32 and the cassette tray 36 are fully inserted, the pins 44 engage with a fixed stop (not shown) of the adjacent structure, so that the front door 38 is automatically opened. Various other automatic door opening mechanisms are known in cassettes and various will be used for this function, so details are not shown.

The mechanism for circulating cassettes in the magazine , which is also part of the magazine assembly 30, is mounted in the lower half of the enclosure 12 outside the magazine frame 32. Details of these will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the transfer mechanism 46 includes the single cassette door 20 and the magazine door 2.
It is arranged on the front extension 16 of the housing 14 so that the bridge 2 can be bridged. This mechanism 46 allows a single cassette
The unit is mounted on the tape drive unit 26 or a plurality of cassettes.
Directly into a loaded cassette tray 36 containing
Can be inserted into Further, this mechanism 46 is
Live unit 26 and cassette tray 36,
Puts cassettes in and out of these. This mechanism 46
Is disposed one on each side of the housings 14, it includes a lead screw 48 and 49 of a pair of cassette tray 36 is separated from each other to allow passage without restriction therebetween. The lead screws 48 and 49 are connected to a square central cassette holder 52.
The lateral carriage 50 supporting and driving including, the carriage 50, these door 2 when located at the same height as the holder 52 painters set door 20 and the front door 28
0 and 28. Cassette holder 52, in order to have a open gap at the bottom, the cassette 24 on the holder 52
Can be engaged from the lower side so as to cross the longitudinal axis.
ing. A position sensor 56 for detecting the height of the cassette holder 52 at the lead screws 48 and 49 is provided with a sequencer 58 for controlling the mechanism and other mechanisms of the present system.
Give a signal. The particular form of the sensor is not shown in detail since the optical sensor element, electromechanical sensor element, vertical scale or increment motor with pulse count used can also be used for this purpose. Sequencer 5
8 may be a microprocessor or a dedicated control circuit to operate the various structures in the proper order and in various modes. A microprocessor system is preferred because the stepper motor can be directly incremented between operating limits. Since most movements are strictly repetitive, only limited movements corresponding to the sensors are required. Other functions may be added through the use of a microprocessor.

The transfer mechanism 46 includes a side shifter 60 for moving a single cassette into and out of the tape drive unit 26 and the cassette tray 36. The side shifter 60 is mounted on a bracket 62 on the cassette holder 52 together with the drive unit. The motor 64 for the shifter 60 is connected via a drive pulley 66 and a belt 67 to a driven pulley 68 that operates a worm gear 70 that drives a gear 72. The gear 72 is connected to the cassette 24 on the cassette holder 52.
Is controlled to rotate arm 74 extending radially toward.
Under the control of the motor 64, the rotating arm 74 is capable of rotating in both directions between predetermined arcs. Rotating arm 74
A locking pin 76 provided at the end of the cassette presses a specific portion of the cassette 24 to move the cassette forward or backward as necessary. When the cassette 24 is loaded, the locking pin 76 presses the lower front edge thereof, and
Moves the cassette back a suitable distance. Cassette sensor system 75 detects the direction in which cassette 24 enters holder 52 and when the cartridge is centered. A number of means, such as a row of photosensitive elements, may be used to provide a signal to sequencer 58.
Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, detailed examples will be omitted.

When the cassette 24 is removed, the locking pin 76 (FIG. 5) engages a standard depending lip along the leading edge of the cassette 24 to deliver the cassette to the desired location.

The lead screws 48 and 49 are connected to the front extension 16
Driven by means attached to the upper part of the. Lead screw motor 8 provided along one wall of the front extension
0 is relative to the elevator drive pulley 86 located in the plane above the door 28 of the tape drive unit 26.
The drive pulley 82, the belt 83, and the drive pulley 84 are connected. The lead screw pulleys 88 and 89 connected to the lead screws 48 and 49 are located on the same plane as the elevator drive pulley 86, and are driven by the elevator drive belt 90 in response to the drive of the motor 80 by the sequencer 58.

Aligned with and adjacent to the notch 33,
Behind the fully inserted magazine frame 32, a pair of L-shaped lifter brackets 97, 98 having an inwardly facing right-angled base that fits on the underside of the magazine frame 32 in the rest position are provided. It is arranged separately. In this position, the brackets 97 and 98 are separated from the magazine frame 32 and the cassette tray 36 as they are inserted. The bracket 97 and 98, when they are raised, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, to transport engage the opposite edges of the cassette the <br/> the cassette from below the level above level. For this reason, the cassette lifter mechanism 100 is attached to both sides of the magazine frame 32 inside the surrounding wall 12. The lifter motor 102 includes a worm gear 10 rotatable about a vertical axis and engaged with the circumference of a gear 108.
6 is connected via a pulley drive 104, and the other end of the worm gear 106 rotates a horizontal rotation shaft 113 that rotates around a fixed shaft.
The shaft 113 extends across the lower surface of the magazine frame 32 in the width direction. The shaft 11 is connected to the shaft 113
The lifter arm 114 that rotates together with the lifter 3 extends rearward toward the lifter bracket 97.
Is rotatably engaged at the lower position of. A rod 118 substantially parallel to the lifter arm 114 is rotatably mounted at a front end thereof about a fixed axis adjacent to a rotation axis of the shaft 113. The rear end of the rod 118 is rotatably connected to a position above the lifter bracket 97. These elements, as shown in Figure 7, the lifter bracket 97 by the lifter arm 114
Horizontally maintain Sai該bracket 97 to be raised or lowered Te constitute a link mechanism consisting of four bars.

On the opposite side of the magazine frame 32,
The lateral pivot shaft 113 activates a second lifter arm 122 which similarly controls the lifter bracket 98 with a second parallel rod 124.

The cassette 24 is inserted into the insertion opening 40,
Until the innermost cassette is supplied toward the rear end of the opening of the cassette tray 36 and stops above the lifter brackets 97, 98, the lifter brackets 97, 98 are always at the lowest position during standby. After the cassette is raised to the upper level, the cassette advance mechanism 130 moves the upper row of cassettes and pushes the foremost cartridge out of the discharge opening 42.

The cassette advance mechanism 130 (FIG. 8) has a housing 1 on the side opposite to the cassette lifter mechanism 100.
4 mounted inside. The mechanism 130 includes a drive motor 132 having a rotation axis parallel to the front-rear axis ,
The motor 132 is connected to the end mount 1 within the surrounding wall 12.
It is connected by a pulley drive 134 so that a rotatable lead screw 136 can be rotated in 38. A sliding panel 140 having a lead screw pedestal 142 engaged with the lead screw 136, and thus movable along the longitudinal axis as the lead screw 136 rotates, has an end tab facing the upper slot 34 of the magazine frame 32. 144. The sliding panel 140 is located at a rear portion of the magazine frame 32 in the standby position. When the motor is activated, the panel 140 and end tab 144 are driven forward to engage the rearmost cassette on the lifter mechanism 100 and advance the circulation of the cassette. After this action, sequencer 58 returns panel 140 and end tab 144 to the park position.

Multiple guide rails (not shown in detail)
Are arranged below the magazine frame 32 to facilitate movement along the longitudinal axis.

To facilitate the insertion and removal of the cassette tray 36, as shown in FIG.
Is driven forward and backward by a magazine frame drive mechanism 150 on one side of the magazine frame 32 structure. The drive motor 152 includes a pulley drive 154
Through, they are connected in the longitudinal direction of the worm gear 156 which rotates about a horizontal axis. A pinion 158 concentric with the gear 157 is engaged with a lateral rack 159 mounted on the outside of the magazine frame 32. When the magazine frame 32 is empty, the rack 159 and the rack 1
The magazine frame 32 connected to 59 is driven by the drive motor 152 to the front limit point. In this position, the open front end of the magazine frame 32 is close to the magazine door 22 and the front surface 18, so that the loaded cassette tray 36 can be completely inserted into the magazine frame 32. Thereafter, the sequencer 58 is fully inserted with the magazine frame 32 and the cassette tray 36 contained therein, and the rotating door 38 of the magazine is opened.
Until the lifter bracket 97, 98 is opposed to the cutout portion 33 of the rear portion of the magazine frame 32, to drive the magazine frame 32 and the cassette tray 36 rearward.

In operation, the system circulates cassettes in the removable cassette tray 36,
The cassette is taken in and out of the tape drive unit 26. Each cassette 24 is thus supplied, captured and used for data transfer, then returned to the individual cassette tray 36, and a new cassette is supplied to the tape drive unit 26. 1
At a capacity of 83 Kbytes / sec, and 1.3 gigabytes, each cassette provides 2 hours of data transfer time, resulting in 9 cassettes providing about 16 hours of operation time. Further, the present system allows a single cassette to be loaded into a tape drive unit, as well as by cassette tray operation.

The transfer mechanism 46 is maintained in alignment with the door 20 on the front surface 18 and the tape drive unit 26 when waiting for the insertion of one or more cartridges. When a single cassette is inserted through the single cassette door 20, the cassette moves into the cassette holder 52. Next, the side shifter 60 transfers the cassette 24
The tape drive unit 2 is moved through the front door 28 a sufficient distance for the tape drive unit to receive the command.
Send it into 6. When the operation is completed, the first cassette is ejected from the tape drive unit 26, returned to the cassette holder 52, and taken out. At this point, the side shifter 60 has engaged the standard lip on the underside of the front cartridge to complete its movement to the holder 52.

Alternatively, a cassette tray 36 loaded with eight cassettes may be inserted into the magazine frame 32 through the magazine door 22. In the standby mode, the magazine frame drive 150 has finished transferring the magazine frame 32 toward the magazine door 22, so that the cassette tray 36 can be completely engaged in the magazine frame 32. By detecting the presence of a cassette Toto laser 36 according to a micro switch (not shown) automatically, or by activation of the start control unit by an operator, the magazine frame drive 150, rearward entire cassette tray magazine frame assembly Position and the front door 38 is opened at this position. Automatic control may be used, but the operator of the data processing system knows how much data is to be transferred and takes action to stop the operation after completing the data transfer for up to eight fixed number of cartridges. Will be prepared.

To begin a continuous cassette insertion sequence into the tape drive unit 26, the transfer mechanism 46 is first positioned to align with the discharge level 42 of the cassette tray 36 (FIG. 2) and the cassette-related mechanism is in the standby mode position. The Rukoto. In this mode, the lifter brackets 97, 98 are in the lowered position and the end tabs 14
4 and the cartridge advance mechanism 130 are in its rearward position. When the height position sensor 56 (FIG. 1) indicates that the cassette holder 52 is aligned with the discharge opening 42, the sequencer 58 operates the cassette advance mechanism 130 (FIG. 8) one cycle. In this cycle, the motor 132 and the lead screw 136 connected thereto are first driven to move the upper level cassette 24 forward by the size of one cassette. The rear cassette is
As the front cassette is fed into the cassette holder 52 by the transfer mechanism 46, it moves to leave a gap. Side shifter 60 can be used to finalize the position of the cassette by engaging or acting as a stop with the lip. Next, the cassette advance mechanism 130 returns to the standby position.

Available at the rear of the upper level,
Empty cassette positions could thus be filled by cassettes behind the lower row. However, this requires that the transport mechanism 46 be a staple drive unit.
Ascends vertically to be the same height as the front door 28 of 26
After that , the sequencer 58 and the height position sensor 56 can be executed during standby. When you reach this position,
Tables drive unit 26 is engaged with the cassette engages the front edge of the locking pin 76 is a cassette 24 to be sufficient to position the cassette inwardly the cassette 2
As to feed 4 during tables drive unit 26,
The rotation of the rotation arm 74 is performed. In this way,
Data is transferred is opened started is executed for all the capacity of the tape. Meanwhile, the cassette advancing mechanism 130 is caused to return to the standby mode position behind, the transfer mechanism 46 is left in the tape drive level. The cassette on the lower level at the back is
The upper level is moved by the operation of the lifter mechanism 100 of FIGS. 6 and 7 controlled by the sequencer 58.
The rearmost cassette, resting on the central web 35, has its edges raised by lifter brackets 97 , 98, which move somewhat forward but are kept horizontal by the parallel arm sets 144 , 118 and 122, 124 respectively. Can be

The detents on the sides of the cassette tray 36 (FIG. 4 only) hold the rear cassette at the upper level, leaving a gap at the lower level rear position. Lifter mechanism 100
Is then returned to the lower position.

[0030] tables drive unit 26 finishes the data transfer for the first cassette, the cassette is positioned in the holder 52 is discharged, the transport mechanism 46 is the same height as the insertion opening 40 of the cassette tray 36
Can be lowered. Next, the cassette is moved to a lower level, pushing the previous cassette backward to fill the void.
Confuse . Then, the transfer mechanism 46 is raised to the discharge level,
A new cassette is supplied, the transfer mechanism 46 inserts the cassette into tables drive unit.

When all cassettes are in the staple drive unit
Filled with data by preparative 26 until the transfer mechanism 46 is made possible stop in the upper position, the sequence is repeated for each cassette. Magazine frame drive 1
50 is operated to feed the magazine frame 32 and the cassette tray 36 forward, where the cassette tray 36
Is manually removed and a new cassette tray 36 is removed.
Can be inserted.

[0032]

The system does not require small precision parts, as would be required with a very compact and chain type circulation conveyor. However, such conveyors may be used where space or other conditions permit.

[0033] The configuration of the present invention, a tape drive Uni
Since the cassette, the detachable cassette tray and the transfer mechanism can all be incorporated behind the front panel, the possibility of damage is greatly reduced and the appearance is maintained. If the length of the tape drive unit can be reduced and smaller or fewer cartridges can be used,
The front protrusion can be removed so that all units are flush with the console. Conversely, if space permits, more cartridges can be used in a row.

Other changes are possible. The built-in unit may be used as a console type with a surrounding wall as in the illustrated example, or as a single unit. In the latter case, an internal or separate power supply is used.
By appropriately changing the lifter mechanism and the cassette advance mechanism, the moving direction of the cassette in the cassette tray can be changed so that the insertion level is higher and the ejection level is lower. The system works with any tape, digital or audio or video. If it directly loads the tables drive unit of a single cassette with the cassette tray in the storage system is desired, two free space is held in the rear position, the sequence is somewhat changed. In this way, a cassette which is allowed to return from the tape drive unit,
The cassette is inserted into the cassette tray, and the lifter mechanism first raises the rear cassette, and then moves based on the inserted row so that the advance mechanism can move the upper row forward. Furthermore, the magazine frame system and tape drive unit may be reversed so that the tape drive unit is lower.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a tape drive system provided with an automatic loader mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the cassettes of the multi-cassette tray and cassette holder used in the system of FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette tray of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the longitudinal and lateral transfer mechanisms used in the system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cassette lifter mechanism used in the system of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the cassette lifter mechanism of FIG. 6 in different operating positions.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a cassette advancing mechanism used in the system of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an automatic insertion mechanism for the cassette tray and the cassette holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Surrounding wall 20 Single cassette door 22 Magazine door 24 Cassette 26 Tape drive unit 30 Magazine assembly 32 Magazine frame 36 Cassette tray 40 Insertion opening 42 Discharge opening 46 Transfer mechanism 52 Cassette holder 58 Sequencer

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor James Victor Tierney United States 92626 California, Costa Mesa, Begonia Avenue 1022 (56) References JP-A-63-241752 (JP, A) JP-A-3 -280235 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Hei 2-72443 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G11B 15/675-15/68

Claims (38)

(57) [Claims] 1. A data storage system comprising: a front loading port (2) for receiving a tape cassette (24);
A tape drive (26) having 8), said housing the tape drive (26) therein with surrounding the peripheries of the storage system, the tape drive (2
6) The surrounding wall (12) having a cassette insertion port (20) provided at a position facing the front loading port (28).
And the cassette (24) from the cassette insertion opening (20).
Means for loading the cassette (24) with the surrounding wall (12).
Loading means for loading the tape loading port (28) of the tape drive (26) along the front-rear axis of the tape drive (26); and a plurality of tape cassettes (24) in the surrounding wall (12).
Cassette for storing in a row substantially parallel to the front-rear axis
A magazine, wherein the tape in the surrounding wall (12) is provided.
Removably at the position adjacent to the drive (26)
Disposed toward the cassette (24) is disposed beneath the wide surface to maintain a low profile cassette magazine (30), the cassette magazine (30) and said tape drive (26) The tape drive (2
6) and a transfer means (46) for transferring the cassette (24) between the cassette magazine (30) and the cassette magazine (30). Wherein said surrounding wall (12) provided adjacent the data storage system of claim 1, further comprising a housing extending portion (16) surrounding said transport means (46). Wherein the cassette magazine (30) includes a magazine frame (32), at the time of complete insertion of the cassette magazine arranged on the said front loading opening of the tape drive (28) on a plane parallel to the surface having the The insertion port (40) and the discharge port (4
(2) a cassette tray (36) having a lower storage area and an upper storage area, and lifter means (10) for transferring a cassette between the lower storage area and the upper storage area of the cassette tray.
0), from said cassette tray (36), before Symbol transfer means (4
2. The data storage system of claim 1, further comprising: means for advancing the cassette to 6) . 4. Elevator means, wherein said lifter means (100) is disposed in a rear portion of said cassette tray (36) for transferring a cassette (24) between said lower storage area and said upper storage area. Claim 3 comprising:
A data storage system according to claim 1. 5. Mounted within said surrounding wall (12),
Pushing means for pushing the partially inserted cassette magazine to a fully inserted position; and a cassette (24) disposed inside the surrounding wall outside the cassette tray (36) and in the cassette tray (36). 4. The data storage system according to claim 3, further comprising: advancing means (130 ) for pushing at least one cassette (24) toward an outlet of the cassette tray (36) by pressing the cassette tray (36). 6. A system for storing data in a plurality of tape cassettes (24), comprising: a housing (14); a tape drive (26) disposed in the housing (14); and a cassette (24). A cassette magazine (30) disposed in the housing (14) adjacent to the tape drive (26), the cassette magazine (30) having a lower storage level and an upper storage level for storing ) And an exchange means (46) for exchanging the cassette (24) between the tape drive (26) and the cassette magazine (30).
And circulating means for circulating the cassette (24) in the lower storage level and the upper storage level of the housing (14).
A data storage system comprising: means (130) for moving along the front-rear axis of the vehicle; and means (100) for moving between the lower storage level and the upper storage level. 7. The cassette magazine (30) extends from the housing (14) to a front-rear axis of the housing (14).
The system of claim 6 which is removable along. 8. The cassette magazine (30) is provided in the housing (1) substantially in parallel with the tape drive (26).
4) it is disposed in the system of claim 6 which is configured to store a cassette a plurality of rows so as to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the housing (14) therein. 9. The front-rear shaft of the housing (14) with its wide side down to maintain a low attitude
The system of claim 6 arranged movably the cassette magazine along. 10. A means (4 ) provided adjacent to said housing (14) for exchanging cassettes between said tape drive (26) and said cassette magazine (30).
The system of claim 6, further comprising a housing extension (16) surrounding 6) . 11. The cassette magazine (30) comprises: a magazine frame (32); and the front loading port (28) of the tape drive (26).
Cassette tray (36) having a lower storage area and an upper storage area respectively having an insertion port (40) and a discharge port (42) provided on a plane parallel to the plane having
The tape drive (2) is disposed adjacent to the magazine frame (32), and is provided from the cassette tray (36).
6) and means (46) for exchanging the cassette (24) between the cassette magazine (30) and the cassette (2 ).
(4) advancing means, and lifter means (10) for transferring a cassette between the lower storage area and the upper storage area of the cassette tray.
The system of claim 6, comprising: 0) . 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the magazine frame further includes a cassette tray loading port. 13. The lifter means (100) further includes an elevator means disposed inside the rear portion of the cassette tray for transferring a cassette between the lower storage area and the upper storage area of the cassette tray. Claim 1
2. The system according to 1. 14. The system according to claim 11, further comprising pushing means for pushing a cassette magazine partially inserted into the housing to a fully inserted position. 15. A cassette mounted inside the magazine frame (32) outside of the cassette tray (36) and directing at least one cassette to the outlet of the magazine frame by pressing a cassette in the cassette tray. The system of claim 11, further comprising advancing means (130) . 16. A system for supplying a cassette (24) to a tape drive (26), comprising: a housing (14); and the tape drive (30) disposed in a first portion within the housing (14). 26) and the wide surface of the cassette (24) to maintain a low attitude.
Row down along the longitudinal axis of the housing (14)
And has a lower storage area and an upper storage area for storing, and is detachably disposed adjacent to the tape drive (26) in a second portion in the housing (14). A cassette magazine (30), an exchange means (46) for exchanging a cassette (24) between the cassette magazine (30) and the tape drive (26), and an exchange means (46) in the cassette magazine (30). Li performing the transfer of the cassette between the lower storage area with the upper storage area
A cassette supply system comprising: a lid means (100) ; 17. The system of claim 16 wherein provided adjacent to the housing (14), further comprising a housing extending portion surrounding the front Symbol exchange means (46) to (16). 18. The cassette magazine (30) is parallel to the magazine frame (32), at the time of complete insertion of the cassette magazine, said surface having a front loading opening (28) of said tape drive and
An insertion port provided on the surface (40) and an outlet (4
A cassette tray (36) having a lower storage area and the upper storage area comprises 2), respectively, disposed adjacent to said housing (14), to said cassette tray (36) or al before Symbol exchange means (46) Advancing means for advancing the cassette, and lifter means (1) for transferring the cassette between the lower storage area and the upper storage area of the cassette tray.
The system according to claim 16, comprising: ( 00) . 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said magazine frame further includes a cassette tray loading port. 20. The lifter means (100) is provided behind and inside the cassette tray (36), and comprises elevator means for transferring a cassette between the lower storage area and the upper storage area. 19. The system according to 18. 21. Push means for pushing a cassette magazine (30) partially inserted into said housing (14) to a fully inserted position, and said housing (14).
Wherein an inner disposed outside of the cassette tray (36), said cassette tray (36) within the cassette at least one advancing means for advancing towards the cassette to the outlet by pressing on (24) ( 130) . The system of claim 18, further comprising: 22. A data storage system, comprising: an enclosing wall (12); disposed in said enclosing wall (12) for recording data on a tape cassette (24), in front of said enclosing wall (12). rear
Tape drive (26) having a front loading port (28) for loading said tape cassette (24) along an axis
It is arranged with a wide surface down to maintain a low attitude , and
The surrounding wall (12) is arranged in a row substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Disposed in the water <br/> horizontal direction for storing a plurality of tape cassette (24) which, said surrounding wall (12 in a position adjacent to the tape drive (26) of said surrounding wall (12) )
And the front rear axle and cassette magazine substantially parallel to arrangement of (30), the said front loading opening of the tape drive (26) (28)
Transfer means (46) disposed between the vicinity of the cassette magazine (30) and the cassette magazine (30) to transfer the cassette (24) between the tape drive (26) and the cassette magazine (30 ). And a data storage system comprising: 23. Adjacent in front of said transfer means (46)
A front surface (18) parallel to a surface having the front loading port (28) of the tape drive (26), and provided at an upper position facing the front loading port (28).
Is a cassette insertion opening for taking a single cassette (24) (20) and before Symbol cassette magazines provided et al is in lower position (30) magazine insertion opening for taking in (2
Further comprising a surface (18) before having 2), before Symbol transfer means (46), said tape drive the cassette (24) through said cassette insertion slot (20) of said front face (18) (26 23. The data storage system according to claim 22, further comprising insertion means for directly inserting the data into the data storage system. 24. An upper storage level and a lower storage level which form a discharge level and an insertion level for the cassette in the cassette magazine, and are connected between the upper storage level and the lower storage level, and the upper storage level is provided. 24. The data storage system of claim 23, further comprising: lifter means (100) for transferring a cassette between a level and the lower storage level. 25. The transfer means (46), retaining device (5 to receive and hold the cassette (24)
2) connected to the holding device, between the discharge level and the insertion level of the cassette magazine, and between these levels and the front loading port (28) of the tape drive (26). 25. The transfer device according to claim 24, further comprising: transfer means for transferring the holding device; and shifter means (60) for moving the cassette laterally so as to approach or separate from the tape drive and the cassette magazine. Data storage system. 26. A drive device (6) attached to one side of the transfer means of the holding device (52) and movable with the holding device (52).
26. The data storage system according to claim 25, further comprising: (4). 27. A sensing means for sensing a cassette (24) removed from said tape drive (26), and in response to said sensing means, the cassette (24) is loaded with said ejection level or said insertion level of said cassette magazine. place until in feed Ri Komu feeding means of the inner (74) and further comprising a
Data storage system according to claim 26 that. 28. The cassette magazine (30) is disposed adjacent to a magazine frame (32) accommodating the cassette tray (36), and the magazine frame (32). Magazine frame (3
2) an entry means for entering into the cassette magazine (30), provided at the rear of the cassette magazine (30), and the insertion level (4) in the cassette tray (36).
0) and the cassette (2) between the discharge level (42).
4) a lifter means (100 ) for upward movement; and a cassette (2) disposed adjacent to the cassette tray (36) at the insertion position and at the discharge level (42).
4), it is advanced by a dimension portion of one cassette toward the front Symbol transfer means (46), and the insertion level (40)
27. The data storage system according to claim 26, further comprising: advancing means (130) for advancing a cassette (24) located at the same position toward the lifter means. 29. The holding device (52) between the cassette magazine (30) and the tape drive (26).
29. The data storage system according to claim 28, further comprising sequencer means for continuously controlling the operation of the transfer means and the shifter means for transferring the data. 30. A system that transfers data using a plurality of tape cassettes (24), housing Oite in (14), the housing (14)
And a DAT type tape drive (26) for recording data on the cassette (24), and the tape drive (2) in the housing (14).
A cassette magazine (30) detachably disposed adjacent to (6), having a wide surface and a narrow surface.
And substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing (14).
The plurality of cassettes (24) arranged in a row are
Is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing (14).
And align its narrow surface at right angles to the longitudinal axis.
A cassette magazine (30) for accommodating the entirety of the cassette, a cassette disposed adjacent to the tape drive (26) and the cassette magazine (30), and disposed between the tape drive (26) and the cassette magazine (30). And a transfer means (46) for transferring the data. 31. The system of claim 30 wherein provided adjacent to the housing (14), further comprising a housing extending portion surrounding the front Symbol transfer means (46) to (16). 32. The system of claim 30, further comprising means for loading a single externally supplied cassette (24) into said tape drive (26). 33. A data storage system using a plurality of tape cassettes (24), the tape drive having a front loading port (28) for taking in individual cassettes (24) and recording data in the cassettes. (26), and an exchanging means attached adjacent to the tape drive (26) for exchanging the cassette (24). The cassette (24) is mounted in a detachable cassette magazine (30). horizontal is arranged to form a plurality of rows along the shaft, the cassette string of each of the multiple cassette (2
4) contains a data storage system, wherein each of the overlap in a state that the narrow not to face each other facing in the previous SL column possess a not plane and narrow surface wide of the cassette (24). 34. The tape drive and the exchange means are mounted in an enclosure (12).
A data storage system according to claim 1. 35. A system for driving the tape drive (26) in order to transfer data using a plurality of cassettes (24), for taking the cassette (24) along a first horizontal axis The tape drive (26) has a front loading port (28), and the tape drive (26) is partially attached thereto.
6) a housing (14) further including a cassette insertion port (20) located in front of the front loading port (28); and the cassette insertion port (20) of the housing (14).
From the front loading port (2) of the tape drive (26).
8) means for loading a cassette (24) into the tape drive (26) of the housing (14);
Cassette holding means (52) attached to a portion different from the above, and for storing the cassette in a state of being separated along a second horizontal axis parallel to the first horizontal axis; and loading the tape drive (26) forward. Transfer means (46) for transferring the cassette (24) between a mouth (28) and said cassette holding means along a third vertical axis perpendicular to said first horizontal axis. 36. The cassette holding means includes means for circulating the cassette inside the cassette holding means, and the cassette transfer means moves the space between the outside of the housing and the tape drive on the first horizontal axis. 36. The system of claim 35, including means for moving the cassette along. 37. A cassette magazine (30) for storing a tape cassette (24), the cassette magazine (30) having an open front end and means for forming openings in side and rear areas thereof. A magazine frame (32), a rectangular cassette tray (36) disposed within the magazine frame (32), comprising a partition separating the cassette tray into adjacent and parallel cassette passages;
A cassette tray (36), wherein the partition wall is interrupted near an opening in the side area of the magazine frame (32) and has a rear wall opening formed near an opening in the rear area of the magazine frame; A cassette magazine consisting of 38. The cassette tray (36), 該Ka
Set the cassette so that the set tray (36) takes a low attitude.
38. The cassette magazine according to claim 37, further comprising a rotatable door at a front end thereof, which holds a wide surface of the cassette in both of the slot passages .