Storage device mounted in portable data storage media type cartridges

A transfer station for providing data transfer with respect to portable data storage cartridges, said data storage cartridge having generally an exterior dimensional form factor of a tape cartridge having a leader block, said leader block comprising a hole therethrough for engagement by a threading pin, said transfer station comprising:

• a receiver for receiving said portable data storage cartridge;
• an optical source directed toward said location of said leader block hole when a cartridge is at the end of travel in said receiver;
• and
• a sensor positioned at the location of said leader block hole at the opposite side of said cartridge from said optical source for sensing the blockage of said optical source by a cartridge shell blocking portion, thereby identifying said differentiated identification of said data storage cartridge, and indicating the presence of said data storage cartridge at said end of travel in said receiver.

An automated data storage library comprising:

• a plurality of storage shelves for storing portable data storage cartridges, some of said portable data storage cartridges comprising data storage media cartridges containing data storage media, and some of said cartridges comprising magnetic disk drive cartridges containing magnetic disk drives;
• at least one data storage drive for reading and/or writing data on said data storage media of said data storage media cartridges;
• at least one transfer station for providing data transfer with respect to said magnetic disk drive cartridges;
• and
• at least one robot accessor for gripping and transporting said portable data storage cartridges amongst said storage shelves, said at least one data storage drive, and said at least one transfer station.

A portable magnetic disk drive cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge shell;
• an encased, self-contained, magnetic disk drive assembly having a rear end;
• an external data transfer interface for providing data transfer with respect to a transfer station, said external data transfer interface mounted at said cartridge shell;
• a shock mount supporting and mounting said encased magnetic disk drive assembly within said cartridge shell, said encased magnetic disk drive assembly positioned such that said rear end is opposite said external data transfer interface;
• and
• a flex cable interconnecting said rear end of said encased magnetic disk drive assembly with said external data transfer interface, said shock mount and said flex cable mechanically isolating said encased magnetic disk drive assembly from said cartridge shell.

A portable magnetic disk drive cartridge for use with an automated data storage library which is capable of storing portable data storage media cartridges in storage shelves and having at least one robot accessor for gripping and transporting said portable data storage cartridges, comprising:

• a cartridge shell comprising an exterior dimensional form factor for storage in said storage shelves and gripping by said robot accessor;
• an encased magnetic disk drive assembly mounted in said cartridge shell;
• and
• an external data transfer interface coupled to said encased magnetic disk drive assembly for providing data transfer with respect to said automated data storage library.