Library apparatus, cartridge type sensor, and method for positioning cartridge type sensor

Abstract

A library apparatus includes a cartridge type sensor and a robot. The cartridge type sensor includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium stored in a cell, an optical reader for reading a medium identification code, and a medium detector for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium in a target cell. The optical reader and the medium detector are disposed in the cartridge of the cartridge type sensor. The robot picks up the cartridge type sensor from a cell which stores the cartridge type sensor and positions the cartridge type sensor at a predetermined location in the library apparatus while holding the cartridge type sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a library apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the structure of a cartridge type sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the sensor;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the sensor held by a hand according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the structure of the library apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an example of storage of the cartridge type sensor;

FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining a dead space in the library apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing a conventional library apparatus, FIGS. 8A and 8B each showing the appearance of the apparatus, FIG. 8C showing the cross section thereof;

FIGS. 9A and 9B showing a robot provided for the conventional library apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of a hand provided for the conventional library apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining an example of barcode reading in the conventional library apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining an example of flag reading in the conventional library apparatus; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B each show a dead space in the conventional library apparatus.

Claims

1. A library apparatus for storage of recording media in cells, each recording medium housed in a first cartridge in the cell, the apparatus comprising: (a) a controller for robot control;(b) a cartridge type sensor stored in the cell, said cartridge type sensor including (1) an optical reader for reading a medium identification code,(2) a medium detector for detecting a presence/absence of the recording medium in the cell, and(3) a second cartridge having the same shape as the first cartridge of each recording medium to be stored in the cell, said second cartridge arranging both of the optical reader and the medium detector; and(c) a robot operating to pick up the cartridge type sensor from the cell and position the cartridge type sensor at a location indicated by the controller while holding the cartridge type sensor on the basis of an instruction from the controller.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge type sensor further includes:(a) a first connector electrically connected to the optical reader and the medium detector; and(b) pairs of rollers arranged in the second cartridge such that each pair of rollers protrude from face opposite to a associated first reference face to a predetermined extent, each pair of rollers being movably pressed by elastic members arranged inside the second cartridge, said first reference faces serving as the top or bottom and the left or right side of the second cartridge,wherein the robot includes a hand, said hand includes:(a) a picker for picking up the cartridge type sensor;(b) a second connector capable of engaging with the first connector; and(c) a holding mechanism including second reference faces that are in contact with the respective first reference faces while the surfaces of the rollers press against the inner surfaces of the top or bottom and the left or right sides of the hand.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge type sensor includes either the optical reader or the medium detector.

4. A cartridge type sensor for a library apparatus for storage of recording media in cells, each recording medium housed in a first cartridge in the cell, the cartridge type sensor comprising: (a) an optical reader for reading a medium identification code;(b) a medium detector detecting a presence/absence of a recording medium in the cell; and(c) a second cartridge having the same shape as the first cartridge of each recording medium to be stored in the cell, said second cartridge arranging either or both of the optical reader and the medium detector.

5. A method for positioning a cartridge type sensor for a library apparatus having cells for the cartridge type sensor and storage of recording media, each recording medium housed in a first cartridge, said library apparatus including the cartridge type sensor, a robot, and a controller, the cartridge type sensor includingan optical reader, a medium detector, and a second cartridge having the same shape as the firstcartridge of each recording medium, the optical reader and the medium detector being arranged in the second cartridge, the method comprising:(a) picking up the cartridge type sensor from any of the cells through the robot on the basis of an instruction from the controller; and(b) positioning the sensor held by the robot to a at a location indicated by the controller in the library apparatus.