Gripper assembly for interfacing with portable storage devices in a storage library

A method for storing data in a storage library including a gripper assembly, transfer station, and at least one data storage cartridge, comprising:

• engaging, with the gripper assembly, a data storage cartridge including a data storage device, wherein the data storage device includes a storage medium and a power supply;
• supplying power, with the gripper assembly, to the data storage device power supply;
• moving, with the gripper assembly, the data storage cartridge to the transfer station and inserting the data storage cartridge in the transfer station;
• and
• performing, with the transfer station, data transfer operations with respect to the storage medium in the data storage device.

An article of manufacture including logic for controlling a gripper assembly and transfer station to manage data in a storage library including at least one data storage cartridge by causing the gripper assembly and transfer station to perform:

• engaging, with the gripper assembly, a data storage cartridge including a data storage device, wherein the data storage device includes a storage medium and a power supply;
• supplying power, with the gripper assembly, to the data storage device power supply;
• and
• moving, with the gripper assembly, the data storage cartridge to a transfer station and inserting the data storage cartridge in the transfer station;
• and
• performing, with the transfer station, data transfer operations with respect to the storage medium in the data storage device inserted into the transfer station.