Some embodiments include a cold storage system that processes an input/output (I/O) request. The cold storage system can have a buffer rack and one or more archival storage racks. The buffer rack can be closer to an I/O drive of the cold storage system than the archival storage racks. The cold storage system can operate a fetcher robot to pre-fetch a first data storage medium from the archival storage racks to the buffer rack. The cold storage system can operate a buffer robot to move a second data storage medium from a slot in the buffer rack to the I/O drive. The cold storage system can execute, according to the I/O request, an I/O operation on the second data storage medium at the I/O drive.

An apparatus includes a motor configured to drive a driving element within a housing. A caliper is connected to the housing and configured to force a first jaw device toward a second jaw device based on movement of the driving element. A disc sensor is configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc.

The scissor-type conveying device moves vertically in an optical disk library device and includes a scissor-type conveying device including a slave table including a first driving mechanism used for horizontal movement of an optical-disk handling section that handles optical disks, a base table including a second driving mechanism for lifting and lowering movement, a link mechanism including a plurality of scissors links that couple the slave table and the base table and pins that combine crossing points of the scissors links crossing in an X shape, an opening and closing action of the scissors links being realized by the second driving mechanism, and a movable fixing mechanism that fixes the slave table and the base table to inner wall surfaces defining moving spaces of the slave table and the base table or releases the slave table and the base table from a fixed state to the inner wall surfaces.

A disc device according to the present disclosure is a disc device for supplying a disc to each of a plurality of disc drives, and includes a carrier for retaining a plurality of discs in a stacked state, for separating one disc from the retained plurality of discs above a tray that is ejected from an arbitrary disc drive, and for placing the separated one disc on the tray. The carrier includes a first support claw that is capable of moving forward and backward below the plurality of discs, a second support claw that is capable of moving forward and backward into and out of a gap between a bottom disc and a disc that is adjacent to the bottom disc, among the plurality of discs, and a separation claw that is capable of moving forward and backward into and out of the gap and of pushing the bottom disc downward, where the bottom disc is separated from the retained plurality of discs by moving the first support claw, the second support claw, and the separation claw forward and backward, and pushing the bottom disc downward by the separation claw.

A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs and a platform portion abuts the curved portion. The platform portion and the curved portion each include multiple rib pairs configured to separate adjacent discs from touching one another, and to form a disc slot between each rib pair. Disc slots of the platform portion of the disc cassette are configured to provide a guide for disc removal from the disc cassette.

The controller selects one command of the plurality of commands included in the command list. The controller selects one magazine that stores therein one recording medium designated by the one selected command, based on the magazine information, the controller moves the one selected magazine between the storing position of the one selected magazine and the plurality of recorder and player apparatuses using the carrier mechanism. The controller extracts all commands designating recording media stored in the one selected magazine, from the command list, based on the magazine information. The controller moves all the recording media designated by the extracted commands between the one selected magazine and the plurality of recorder and player apparatuses using the carrier mechanism.

A retrieval assembly (22) for moving storage media (16) within a media library (10), the media library (10) including a rack assembly (20) having a first rack (20A) and a spaced apart second rack (20B), comprises a picker system (32), an assembly base (30), a first mover (28A), a second mover (28B), and a control system (26). The picker system (32) selectively engages the storage media (16). The assembly base (30) supports the picker system (32). The first mover (28A) is secured to the assembly base (30), and selectively moves along the first rack (20A). The second mover (28B) is also secured to the assembly base (30), and selectively moves along the second rack (20B). The second mover (28B) is spaced apart from the first mover (28A). The control system (26) controls independent movement of the first mover (28A) and the second mover (28B) to position the assembly base (30) relative to the storage media (16).

A retrieval assembly (22) for moving storage media (16) within a media library (10), the media library (10) including a rack assembly (20) having a first rack (20A) and a spaced apart second rack (20B), comprises a picker system (32), an assembly base (30), a first mover (28A), a second mover (28B), and a control system (26). The picker system (32) selectively engages the storage media (16). The assembly base (30) supports the picker system (32). The first mover (28A) is secured to the assembly base (30), and selectively moves along the first rack (20A). The second mover (28B) is also secured to the assembly base (30), and selectively moves along the second rack (20B). The second mover (28B) is spaced apart from the first mover (28A). The control system (26) controls independent movement of the first mover (28A) and the second mover (28B) to position the assembly base (30) relative to the storage media (16).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a drive storage system, method, and computer program process for automatically replacing drives. In one embodiment, one or more computer processors receive a request for a new drive. One or more computer processors direct an exchange robot to obtain the new drive from a drive repository and to proceed to a location of a used drive. One or more computer processors then direct the exchange robot to remove the used drive from the location and to insert the new drive into the location of the used drive.

A safety stop mechanism for an automated storage library in which a connector has first and second ends. The first end is configured to contact a door of the automated storage library when the door is in at least a first position. A safety stop is connected to the second end of the connector and adapted to move from a down position to an up position. The safety stop is in the down position when the door is in the first position allowing for travel of the robotic accessor over the safety stop.