Depth spreading placement of data storage cartridges in multi-cartridge deep slot cells of an automated data storage library

A method for operating an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library comprising at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear, and comprising at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• and
• positioning data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• while maintaining the rearmost tier of said at least selected multi-cartridge deep slot cells vacant in said selectively extracting, placing and transporting data storage cartridge step.

An automated data storage library comprising:

• at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear;
• at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• a library controller configured to:
• operate said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• position data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• determine whether all tiers of at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except said rearmost tier are full;
• and
• in response to said determining operation indicating that all tiers of at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except said rearmost tier are full, in said selectively extracting, placing and transporting operation, placing data storage cartridges to fill said rearmost tier of said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except for an evenly spread selection of said multi-cartridge deep slot cells.

An automated data storage library comprising:

• at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear;
• at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• a library controller configured to:
• operate said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• position data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• said multi-cartridge deep slot cells maintaining the rearmost tier vacant of said at least selected multi-cartridge deep slot cells vacant in said selectively extracting, placing and transporting operation.

A computer program product embodied in a computer usable medium, said computer program product comprising a computer readable program when executed on at least one computer processor causes the computer processor to operate an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library comprising at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear, and comprising at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells, said computer program product operating said automated data storage library via said at least one computer processor in accordance with the steps of:

• operating said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• positioning data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• determining whether all tiers of at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except said rearmost tier are full;
• and
• in response to said determining step indicating that all tiers of at least selected said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except said rearmost tier are full, in said selectively extracting, placing and transporting data storage cartridge step, filling said rearmost tier of said multi-cartridge deep slot cells except for an evenly spread selection of said multi-cartridge deep slot cells.

A method for operating an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library comprising at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear, and comprising at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• positioning data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• accessing a target data storage cartridge having at least one other data storage cartridge overlying said target in said sequential order of a target multi-cartridge deep slot cell, moving and depositing said at least one other data storage cartridge at a multi-cartridge deep slot cell having at least one vacant tier therein and having the closest proximity to the source of the move.

An automated data storage library comprising:

• at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear;
• at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• a library controller configured to:
• operate said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• position data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• when accessing a target data storage cartridge having at least one other data storage cartridge overlying said target in said sequential order of a target multi-cartridge deep slot cell, operate said at least one accessor to move and deposit said at least one other data storage cartridge at a multi-cartridge deep slot cell having at least one vacant tier therein and having the closest proximity to the source of the move.

A computer program product embodied in a computer usable medium, said computer program product comprising a computer readable program when executed on at least one computer processor causes the computer processor to operate an automated data storage library, said automated data storage library comprising at least a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store up to a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear, and comprising at least one accessor configured to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells, said computer program product operating said automated data storage library via said at least one computer processor in accordance with the steps of:

• operating said at least one accessor to selectively extract, place and transport data storage cartridges with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of said automated data storage library;
• positioning data storage cartridges in said sequential order with respect to said multi-cartridge deep slot cells;
• and
• accessing a target data storage cartridge having at least one other data storage cartridge overlying said target in said sequential order of a target multi-cartridge deep slot cell, moving and depositing said at least one other data storage cartridge at a multi-cartridge deep slot cell having at least one vacant tier therein and having the closest proximity to the source of the move.