US 10,472,186 B1 · Inter-library exchange of a removable medium

Abstract

A port is used for exchanging removable media with a media library. The port includes a port housing with an opening exchanging the media between an internal volume and another opening permitting an exchange of the media between the internal volume and the media library. The port also includes a guiding funnel for guiding the media from the environment to the opening, an elastic element and a plate for receiving the medium. The elastic element and the plate are installed in the internal volume, and the plate is coupled to the elastic element. The elastic element is configured for pressing the plate against the opening to seal the port when the plate is unloaded and for permitting a movement of the plate into the internal volume to allow the exchange of the medium through the other opening when the plate is loaded.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A port for exchanging a removable medium with a media library, the port comprising:

a port housing, the port housing including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening configured to allow an exchange of the removable medium between an internal volume of the port housing and an environment external to the port, the second opening configured to allow an exchange of the removable medium between the internal volume and the media library, the port further comprising:
a guiding funnel configured to guide the removable medium from the external environment to the first opening;
an elastic element;
and
a plate configured to receive the removable medium, the elastic element and the plate installed within the internal volume, the plate being coupled to the elastic element, the elastic element configured to press the plate against the first opening to, in response to the plate being unloaded, seal the port, the elastic element further configured to allow a movement of the plate into the internal volume that allows, in response to the plate being loaded, the exchange of the removable medium through the second opening.

2 more elements

A library system for a removable medium, the library system comprising:

a library frame;
and
a port for exchanging the removable medium between the library frame and an environment external to the library frame, the library frame including:
a library rack configured to receive the removable medium into a location selected from the group consisting of:
a storage slot of the library rack, and a drive installed in the library rack;
and
an accessor for transporting the removable medium between the selected location and the port, the port including a port housing having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is configured to allow an exchange of the removable medium between an internal volume of the port housing and an environment of the library frame, and wherein the accessor is configured to exchange the removable medium with the internal volume of the port housing through the second opening, the port further including:
a guiding funnel configured to guide the removable medium from the environment to the first opening;
an elastic element;
and
a plate configured to receive the removable medium, the elastic element and the plate installed in the internal volume of the port housing, the plate coupled to the elastic element, the elastic element configured to press the plate against the first opening to seal the port when the plate is unloaded, the elastic element further configured to allow a movement of the plate into the internal volume of the port housing to allow the exchange of the removable medium through the second opening in response to the plate being loaded.

8 more elements

A method of operating a library system for a removable medium, wherein the library system includes:

a library frame;
a port for exchanging the removable medium between the library frame and an environment of the library frame;
a magazine for transporting the removable medium;
and
a controller configured to control the movement of an accessor of the library frame, the port including a port housing, the port housing including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening configured to allow an exchange of the removable medium between an internal volume of the port housing and an environment external to the library frame, the accessor configured to exchange the removable medium with the internal volume of the port housing through the second opening, the port further including:
a guiding funnel configured to guide the removable medium from the environment to the first opening;
an elastic element;
and
a plate for receiving the removable medium, the elastic element and the plate installed in the internal volume of the port housing, the plate coupled to the elastic element, the elastic element configured to press the plate against the first opening to seal the port when the plate is unloaded, the elastic element further configured to allow a movement of the plate into the internal volume of the port housing to allow the exchange of the removable medium through the second opening when the plate is loaded, the method comprising:
causing, with the controller, the accessor to exchange the removable medium with the magazine.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inter-library exchange of a removable medium

Life of this patent

Inter-library exchange of a removable medium

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20