Online, safe service technique for automated libraries

A safety system for a media library comprising a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means, the safety system comprising:

• an access sensor that detects if the access means in the enclosure is open;
• and
• a control component that operates the robot in the media library in one of the following modes:
• if the access means is closed, a normal mode, wherein the picker robot may access the entire media library;
• if the access means is open, a safe mode, wherein the picker robot is excluded from moving in at least one restricted zone within the library.

A method for providing a safety procedure for a media library comprising a plurality media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means, the method comprising:

• determining if the access means in the enclosure is open;
• if the access means is closed, operating the picker robot in a normal mode, wherein the robot moves at a first specified speed;
• and
• if the access means is open, operating the picker robot in a safe mode, wherein the robot moves at a second specified speed that is slower than the first speed of the normal mode.

A method for providing a safety procedure for a media library comprising a plurality of media storage cells and at least one media picker robot that moves along the media storage cells, wherein the library is contained within an enclosure having at least one access means, the method comprising:

• determining if the access means in the enclosure is open;
• and
• if the access means is closed, operating the picker robot in a normal mode, wherein the robot may access the entire media library;
• if the access means is open, operating the picker robot in a safe mode, wherein the robot is excluded from moving in at least one restricted zone in the library.