A data storage system that moves and transfers components utilizing drones is disclosed. The data storage system comprises a data storage library for reading and writing of data on a plurality of data storage cartridges, at least one drone vehicle, a processing device, and a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions. The programming instructions are configured to cause the processing device to: receive a request to transfer a data storage component to a destination location in the data storage library, in response to receiving the request, instruct a drone vehicle to perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location, and perform at least part of the transfer of the data storage component to the destination location by the drone vehicle.

Embodiments for passive retraction of a hub clamp in an optical disc drive. The optical disc drive may comprise a spindle hub coupled to an optical assembly. The optical disc drive may further include a disc clamp assembly configured to hold an optical disc on the spindle hub, the disc clamp assembly including a hub clamp partially comprised within a clamp carriage. The hub clamp of the optical disc drive may be biasedly drawn toward the spindle hub when in a first position and biasedly drawn toward the clamp carriage when in a second position. The bias may be generated by at least one ferromagnetic material integrated into the hub clamp and at least one ferromagnetic material integrated into the spindle hub.

An apparatus for changing a record comprising a record changing fork comprising first and second spaced apart tines arranged in a record plane and extending from a fork base to a fork mouth, each tine comprising a groove extending from the fork mouth at least part way to the fork base, the grooves being arranged to hold a record therebetween in the record plane; at least one tine comprising a resiliently deformable record gate, the record gate being adapted to prevent sliding of a record in the grooves past the record gate unless the record is slid with a force exceeding a threshold force; at least one shelf adapted to support a record, the width of the shelf being less than the separation between the tines; and, a control mechanism connected to the record changing fork.

A disc storage device rack includes: an accommodation space surrounded by left and right side plates and upper and lower partition plates and configured to accommodate a disc storage device; a guide portion provided on the side plates and configured to fit to a guided unit provided in the disc storage device to guide a sliding operation of the disc storage device; and a shutter provided on each end surface of the side plates so as to be slidable in an up-and-down direction and configured to open an opening of the guide portion when the disc storage device is pulled out from the accommodation space or when the disc storage device is pushed into the accommodation space.

A calibration system includes a moveable arm configured for movement within an optical disc storage system. A disc kicker device includes a stop portion, an actuator and an actuator tip that contacts an optical disc. The disc kicker device is connected to the moveable arm. The calibration system: determines an operation state based on a stop position for the actuator tip in response to an applied torque to the disc kicker device, and performs alignment of the actuator tip with the optical disc.

One embodiment provides a system comprising a motor and a disc selector mechanism. The disc selector mechanism is coupled to a bottom of a guide cage and maintained in a space below the cage. The disc selector mechanism comprises a shaft, transmission components, and a slide assembly that is laterally slidable along the shaft in response to the motor driving the transmission components. The slide assembly comprises a slide coupled to the shaft, a pivot bar coupled to the slide, and pick blades pivotally coupled to the pivot bar. A linear motion of the slide assembly along the shaft drives a linear translation of the pivot bar. The linear translation drives a pick blade of the slide assembly to move towards a side of the cage and out of the space and to pivot to a raised position to contact and lift a disc upwards into a disc gripper device.

A calibration system includes a moveable arm configured for movement within an optical disc storage system. A disc kicker device includes a stop portion, an actuator and an actuator tip that contacts an optical disc. The disc kicker device is connected to the moveable arm. The calibration system: determines an operation state based on a stop position for the actuator tip in response to an applied torque to the disc kicker device, and performs alignment of the actuator tip with the optical disc.

An apparatus includes a motor configured to drive a driving element within a housing. A pivoting element on a shaft is connected to the housing. The pivoting element is connected to a moveable jaw device and configured to force the moveable jaw device at any given moment towards or away from a face of a storage disc, as the pivoting element pivots about a first axis. A fixed jaw device is connected to the housing. The moveable jaw device and the fixed jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of opposite first and second surfaces of a storage disc.

A disc cassette includes a curved portion. The curved portion includes multiple ribs that define multiple disc slots. The disc slots are configured to hold multiple discs that are spaced apart by the ribs. The disc cassette further includes multiple index features positioned on an inside edge of the curved portion. The index features are configured to allow alignment of a kicker device of a disc retrieval unit (DRU) to a disc of the disc cassette to lift the disc into a disc gripper device without disturbing one or more other discs of the disc cassette that are adjacent to the disc.

An apparatus for changing a record comprising a record changing fork comprising first and second spaced apart tines arranged in a record plane and extending from a fork base to a fork mouth, each tine comprising a groove extending from the fork mouth at least part way to the fork base, the grooves being arranged to hold a record therebetween in the record plane; at least one tine comprising a resiliently deformable record gate, the record gate being adapted to prevent sliding of a record in the grooves past the record gate unless the record is slid with a force exceeding a threshold force; at least one shelf adapted to support a record, the width of the shelf being less than the separation between the tines; and, a control mechanism connected to the record changing fork.