Mechanized take-up reel and method for loading and unloading a tape storage medium

A method for loading a tape storage medium comprising:

• positioning a mechanized take-up reel with respect to a tape supply reel;
• positioning a feature coupled to a tape storage medium on the tape supply reel with respect to the mechanized take-up reel;
• rotatably decoupling an inner hub of the mechanized take-up reel from an outer hub of the mechanized take-up reel;
• extending a tongue of the mechanized take-up reel;
• engaging the tongue with the feature;
• retracting the tongue and feature into the outer hub;
• and
• nonrotably coupling the inner hub with the outer hub,
• wherein positioning the feature comprises rotating the tape supply reel such that the feature is positioned to couple with the tongue of the mechanized take-up reel.

A method for unloading a tape storage medium comprising:

• positioning a mechanized take-up reel with respect to a supply reel;
• rotatably decoupling an inner hub of the mechanized take-up reel from an outer hub of the mechanized take-up reel;
• extending a tongue coupled with the tape storage medium;
• disengaging the tongue from the tape storage medium;
• nonrotably coupling the inner and outer hubs together while the tongue is extended;
• and
• moving the extended tongue away from the supply reel by rotating the inner and outer hubs.