Small library cartridge access mail slot method

A method of operating a plurality of cartridge slots, wherein each cartridge slot of the plurality of cartridge slots has a first opening, and at least one cartridge slot of the plurality of cartridge slots is a mail slot having a second opening, the method comprising:

• allowing the mail slot to pivot between a first position and a second position;
• allowing gravity to bias the mail slot toward the second position;
• receiving and discharging one storage media cartridge at a time through the first opening of each cartridge slot of the plurality of cartridge slots, including the mail slot when the mail slot is at the first position;
• and
• receiving and discharging one storage media cartridge at a time at least partially through the second opening of the mail slot when the mail slot is at the second position.

A storage library for housing a plurality of storage media cartridges, the storage library comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• a plurality of cartridge slots disposed inside the housing and being configured to hold the plurality of storage media cartridges, each cartridge slot having a first opening, one cartridge slot being a mail slot, wherein the mail slot is disposed adjacent to the opening in the housing, is pivotable between a first position and a second position, is biased toward the second position by gravity, and has a second opening, and wherein manual insertion of one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and manual removal of one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot are accomplished at least partially through the second opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the second position;
• and
• a robotic mechanism disposed inside the housing and operative to move the plurality of storage media cartridges one at a time among the plurality of cartridge slots including the mail slot, wherein the robotic mechanism inserts one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and removes one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot through the first opening in the mail slot when the mail slot is at the first position.

A storage library for housing a plurality of storage media cartridges, the storage library comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• a door attached to the housing and being alignable with the opening in the housing, the door being movable between an open position and a closed position;
• a plurality of cartridge slots disposed inside the housing and being configured to hold the plurality of storage media cartridges, each cartridge slot having a first opening, one cartridge slot being a mail slot, wherein the mail slot is disposed adjacent to the opening in the housing, is pivotable between a first position and a second position, and has a second opening, and wherein manual insertion of one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and manual removal of one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot are accomplished at least partially through the second opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the second position;
• a resilient member disposed between the door and the mail slot to bias the mail slot toward the first position when the door is at the closed position;
• and
• a robotic mechanism disposed inside the housing and operative to move the plurality of storage media cartridges one at a time among the plurality of cartridge slots including the mail slot, wherein the robotic mechanism inserts one storage media cartridge at a time into mail slot and removes one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot through the first opening in the mail slot when the mail slot is at the first position.

A storage library for housing a plurality of storage media cartridges, the storage library comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• a plurality of cartridge slots disposed inside the housing and being configured to hold the plurality of storage media cartridges, each cartridge slot having a first opening, one cartridge slot being a mail slot, wherein the mail slot is disposed adjacent to the opening in the housing, is pivotable between a first position and a second position, and has a second opening, and wherein manual insertion of one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and manual removal of one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot are accomplished at least partially through the second opening in the mail slot while the mail slot is at the second position;
• a resilient member that engages the mail slot in an over-center arrangement to bias the mail slot toward the first position when the mail slot is at the first position, and toward the second position when the mail slot is at the second position;
• and
• a robotic mechanism disposed inside the housing and operative to move the plurality of storage media cartridges one at a time among the plurality of cartridge slots including the mail slot, wherein the robotic mechanism inserts one storage media cartridge at a time into the mail slot and removes one storage media cartridge at a time from the mail slot through the first opening in the mail slot when the mail slot is at the first position.