Tape cartridge identification

A computer program product comprising:

• one or more computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions comprising instructions to:
• receive a tape cartridge label read request including at least a position indicator corresponding to a location of a tape cartridge of interest;
• move a tape cartridge gripper to the location indicated by the position indicator;
• activate a field coil on the tape cartridge gripper to provide power to an RFID chip on a selected tape cartridge;
• detect information transmitted by the RFID chip on the selected tape cartridge;
• determine if the selected tape cartridge is the tape cartridge of interest according to the detected information provided by the RFID chip on the selected tape cartridge and the position indicator;
• and
• activate a next RFID chip on an adjacent tape cartridge responsive to determining the selected tape cartridge is not the tape cartridge of interest.

An apparatus comprising:

• a tape cartridge housing;
• an RFID chip attached to the tape cartridge housing, wherein said RFID chip includes a tape cartridge ID and tape cartridge information;
• a time relay operably connected to the RFID chip;
• and
• external contact points configured to contact another RFID chip of another tape cartridge within the same tier.