Automated cartridge system

An improved storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system having a host computer and a plurality of tape transports coupled for communication with the host computer, each of the tape transports being adapted for use with magnetic tape cartridges, wherein the improvement in combination therewith comprises:

• a first array of storage cells, each of said cells consisting essentially of a back portion and bottom portion separating two side portions, and an open front portion adapted for insertion of one of the magnetic tape cartridges, wherein said cells are radially disposed about a vertical axis with their respective front portions inwardly directed thereto;
• structural means for supporting said first array, said structure means including a floor portion, ceiling portion, and a segmented wall portion substantially surrounding said first array;
• a second array of storage cells, an upper portion thereof being suspended from said ceiling portion and a lower portion thereof mounted on said floor portion wherein an open path is defined there between, said upper and lower portions having their cells radially disposed about said vertical axis, concentrically inward from said first array, with their respective front portions outwardly directed therefrom;
• a robot mounted for rotation about said vertical axis, said robot including means for transferring the cartridges between said cells and the tape transports;
• and
• means adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and said robot.

A method of storage and retrieval of data contained in a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, comprising:

• forming a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, said first array comprising an upper and a lower portion;
• forming a second cylindrical array of storage cells concentrically arranged about said first array;
• rotatably deploying robotic means for picking and placing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges from and to said first and second arrays;
• providing a plurality of tape drives adapted to receive said magnetic tape cartridges from said robotic means;
• and
• interfacing said first and second arrays, robotic means, and tape drives for maximizing access by a host computer to the data stored in said magnetic tape cartridges.

An automated method of retrieving data contained in a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, comprising:

• storing said plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in a library having an outer cylindrical array of cells and an inner cylindrical array of cells, said outer array being radially inwardly disposed and said inner array being radially outwardly disposed;
• forming an access path between said outer and inner arrays;
• controlling a robot having six degrees of freedom within said access path for selectively picking and placing said cartridges;
• and
• coupling at least one tape drive adapted for use with magnetic tape cartridges with said library.