STORAGE APPARATUS FOR SHUFFLING REMOVABLE STORAGE MEDIA

Abstract

The technology disclosed herein enables a gripper to shuffle items of removable storage media within a storage apparatus for those items. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing for items of removable storage media. A top channel and a bottom channel are shaped to accept and store the items in respective single-file rows via an opening at one end of the rows. The apparatus also includes a shuffler for moving a first subset of the items, including ones of the items located in the bottom channel, towards the opening. When in a resting position, the shuffler includes a catch located at the opening and is connected to a rake at a closed side of the housing at an opposite end from the opening. The rake moves the first subset towards the opening when a gripper grips the catch and pulls outward from the opening. The shuffler returns to the resting position when the gripper releases the catch.

Description

Please delete paragraphs [0003] through [0017] provided in the Summary Section beginning at page 2, line 2 and continuing through page 4, line 9, and please replace with the following paragraphs:

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus including a housing and a shuffler. The housing is configured to receive and retain a plurality of removable storage media. In various embodiments, the housing includes an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that is configured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media. The first channel and the second channel are shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end. The shuffler is positioned at least partially within the housing. In many embodiments, the shuffler is movable between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position. The shuffler includes a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

In some embodiments, when the rake contacts and moves the first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end as the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position, the shuffler moves each of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end.

In certain embodiments, the shuffler further includes a catch that is coupled to the rake. When the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch is located near the open first end and the rake is positioned near the closed second end.

In many embodiments, the apparatus further includes a gripper that is configured to selectively grip the catch and pull the catch outwardly away from the open first end to move the shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

In some embodiments, the gripper includes a robotic transport within an automated removable storage media library. The robotic transport can include a body and a claw that is coupled to the body. In one embodiment, the claw is configured to selectively grip the catch to move the shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

In certain embodiments, when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch is positioned relative to a second removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media such that, when the gripper grips the second removable storage medium, the gripper also grips the catch.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes computing architecture including a processing system that is configured to control the gripper.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes a spring that is attached to the shuffler and the housing. In one embodiment, force from the spring returns the shuffler to the resting position when the catch is released by the gripper.

In some embodiments, the shuffler further includes a second rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a second removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position. In one embodiment, the second rake is collapsible.

In various embodiments, the first channel is a bottom channel that is configured to receive and retain the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and the second channel is a top channel that is configured to receive and retain the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media. In some embodiments, the top channel is positioned substantially directly above the bottom channel.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes a separator that inhibits the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media from falling onto the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media.

In some embodiments, a gap in the separator at the closed second end is large enough to allow a second removable storage medium of the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media to fall into the bottom channel. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes a retaining catch that is located in the gap.

In many embodiments, when the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the retaining catch holds the second removable storage medium in the top channel, and when the shuffler returns to the resting position, the retaining catch is released to allow the second removable storage medium to fall into the bottom channel.

In certain embodiments, when inserting a third removable storage medium into the top channel for inclusion in the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the third removable storage medium pushes other removable storage media in the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media towards the closed second end, and the second removable storage medium falls into the bottom channel upon clearing the gap.

In various embodiments, the plurality of removable storage media include magnetic tape cartridges.

The present invention is further directed toward a method including the steps of (i) receiving and retaining a plurality of removable storage media within a housing, the housing including an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that is configured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the first channel and the second channel being shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end; (ii) positioning a shuffler at least partially within the housing; and (iii) moving the shuffler between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the shuffler including a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0027] for the previous paragraph [0027] beginning on page 5, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 1A illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 100 includes housing 101 and shuffler 111. Housing 101 may be manufactured out of metal, plastic, composite, or some other type of manufacturing material—including combinations thereof. Shuffler 111 may be manufactured out of the same material(s) as housing 101 or the material(s) may differ. The housing includes an open first end 131 and an opposed, closed second end 132. It should be understood that closed side second end 132 is called the closed second end because media items are not intended to be inserted/removed from closed second end 132 through an opening in housing 101. There may still be an opening of some kind in closed second end 132, although, that opening would not be one through which media items may pass during the operation described herein. While only shown in two dimensions, housing 101 is shaped as a substantially rectangular box to accept and store items of removable storage media therein. Items of removable storage media may include magnetic tape cartridges, optical disk cartridges, hot-swappable hard disk drives, or some other type of storage media designed to be readily inserted into and removed from an access device. Two such items of removable storage media, media item 121 and media item 124, are peeking out from open first end 131 in this example. In other examples, media item 121 and/or media item 124 may be flush with open first end 131 or not extending out from open first end 131 at all. Similarly, shuffler 111 may be flush with open first end 131 or not extend out from open first end 131 at all despite what is shown in this example. In some cases, storage apparatus 100 may be considered a storage magazine for items of removable storage media.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0029] for the previous paragraph [0029] beginning on page 6, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 1B illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. In FIG. 1B, the side of housing 101, which would otherwise be blocking a view inside of housing 101, is omitted to view an example of what may be contained inside housing 101. In this example, media items 121-123 are located in top channel 102 while media items 124-127 are located in bottom channel 103. While housing 101 is four media items deep in this example, other examples may be any number of two or more media items deep. Like is the case with housing 101, media items 121-127 are shown as rectangular boxes but, in practice, may be shaped differently and have different features (e.g., may not be perfectly rectangular, may include depressions and/or protrusions, may include access holes, etc.).

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0030] for the previous paragraph [0030] beginning on page 6, line 24, as follows:

Separator 104 is a part of housing 101, or is otherwise attached to housing 101, to separate top channel 102 from bottom channel 103 so that media items in top channel 102 do not fall into bottom channel 103. Though shown above separator 104 for clarity, it should be understood that media items 121-123 will rest on separator 104 due to gravity when housing 101 is oriented with top channel 102 on top and bottom channel 103 on bottom. Separator 104 may be a continuous piece of material from open first end 131 towards closed second end 132, or may be a series of smaller pieces, such as tabs, that are spaced an appropriate distance apart so as media items 121-123 do not fall into bottom channel 103 and are still able to slide within top channel 102 as described herein. Likewise, while shown under media items 121-123, separator 104 may instead protrude into a channel in each side of media items 121-123 or a protrusion(s) from each side of media items 121-123 may insert into a channel in the sides of housing 101 that act as separator 104. Other manners of preventing items in top channel 102 from falling into bottom channel 103 may also be used. Separator 104 does not extend the entire length of housing 101. Rather, a gap exists between the end of separator 104 and closed second end 132 that is large enough for a media item to drop from top channel 102 into bottom channel 103. In this example, no media item is in top channel 102 over the gap so as to not fall through the gap onto media item 127.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0031] for the previous paragraph [0031] beginning on page 7, line 11, as follows:

In this example, shuffler 111 includes catch 112 and rake 113 that are coupled to one another at opposite ends of the shuffler 111. Catch 112 is located at or near first open end 131 so that a gripper can grip catch 112 at first open end 131 and pull shuffler 111 outward away from first open end 131 (i.e., to the left with respect to FIG. 1B). A gripper may be a mechanical device, such as a robotic transport in an automated removable media storage library, although, in some cases, the gripper may be a human hand for manual operation. Rake 113 is at the end of shuffler 111 that is at or near closed second end 132. While the portion of shuffler 111 between catch 112 and rake 113 is shaped/positioned so as not to interfere with movement of media items 124-127, rake 113 protrudes into bottom channel 103 so as to make contact with media item 127 when catch 112 is pulled outward from open second end 131. As such, when catch 112 is pulled outward from open second end 131, rake 113 also moves to the left towards open second end 131 and pushes media item 127 towards open second end 131 as well. Since media items 124-126 are between media item 127 and open second end 131, media item 127 pushes media items 124-126 towards open second end 131 as well. While shown with a gap between items, it should be understood that media items 124-127 abut one another to allow for the items to push one another (same for items 121-123). Although rake 113 contacts the back of media item 127 in this example, rake 113 may catch other places in other examples. For instance, rake 113 may protrude into a cavity on the underside of media item 127. Alternatively, rake 113 may protrude inward from the sides of housing 101 rather than up from the bottom, as currently shown. In those examples, shuffler 111 may route through housing 101 along the sides as well rather than under media items 124-127, as currently shown. Shuffler 111 is currently shown in a resting position and may be held in the resting position by a spring, elastic band/rope, or some other mechanism that holds shuffler 111 back towards closed second end 132.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0032] for the previous paragraph [0032] beginning on page 8, line 4, as follows:

FIG. 1C illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 100 is shown from the perspective looking directly at open first end 131. As such, media item 121 and media item 124 can be seen at open first end 131. Media item 121 is held up from falling onto media item 124 by separator 104. Separator 104 in this example is split into two separate lips protruding from the sides of housing 101 and extending back towards closed second end 132. In other examples, separator 104 may be a single piece stretching all the way across housing 101 to form a floor under media item 121 and the other media items in top channel 102.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0033] for the previous paragraph [0033] beginning on page 8, line 13, as follows:

In this example, the internal area of housing 101 is shaped such that top channel 102 and bottom channel 103 substantially match the shape of the media items stored therein. By maintaining a snug fit, items in single file within the channels can push each other along the channel towards open first end 131 and away from open first end 131 while keeping movement in other directions to a minimum. In some examples, guides may be installed within housing 101 to maintain proper orientation of the media items within each channel. Though not shown, housing 101 may also include a guide channel, or some other type of guide, to ensure shuffler 111 only moves predominantly in an inward and outward direction (i.e., to the left and right in FIG. 1B). In some examples, one or more tabs may be positioned inside of housing 101 that enable media items to move one way and not the other. In this case, media items in top channel 102 would be allowed to move towards closed second end 132 and media items in bottom channel 103 would be allowed to move towards open first end 131.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0035] for the previous paragraph [0035] beginning on page 9, line 4, as follows:

FIG. 1D illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 100 is shown from the perspective looking directly at closed second end 132 with any material blocking the view of the inside of housing 101 removed. Media item 123 and separator 104 are shown as dashed lines because, as shown in FIG. 1B, separator 104 does not extend all the way to closed second end 132 and media item 123 is not positioned above media item 127 at the back of housing 101. Rake 113 includes two tabs that protrude upwards from shuffler 111. This arrangement of rake 113 is merely an example showing that rake 113 will catch media item 127 if shuffler 111 is moved towards open first end 131. In other examples, rake 113 may be a single element, more than two elements, may have a different shape, may approach media item 127 from the sides rather than the bottom, or may take some other form that still enables rake 113 to catch and push media item 127.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0036] for the previous paragraph [0036] beginning on page 9, line 16, as follows:

FIG. 2 illustrates operation 200 for shuffling items of removable storage media in a storage apparatus. In operation 200, a gripper grips catch 112 of shuffler 111 (201). The gripper may be a mechanical device (e.g., one controlled by a computing system like computing architecture 700) or may be a human user's hand. In these examples, bottom channel 103 is at capacity, so gripping catch 112 may also grip media item 124. In other examples, the spot in which media item 124 occupies may be empty (e.g., during initial loading of media items into storage apparatus 100) so only catch 112 may be gripped. The gripper pulls catch 112 outwards away from open first end 131 (i.e., to the left, as illustrated in FIG. 1B) to move shuffler 111 (201). Rake 113, being a part of shuffler 111, is propelled by shuffler 111 to move media items 124-127 towards open first end 131. A catch, or other type of movement limiter, within housing 101 may prevent shuffler 111 from moving more than necessary to move media item 125 into media item 124'sprevious position at open first end 131, media item 126 into media item 125'sprevious position, and media item 127 into media item 126'sprevious position. As such, shuffler 111 may only move a distance of the length of one media item from its resting position. The gripper releases catch 112 and shuffler 111 returns to its resting position (203). One or more springs, elastic bands/ropes, or some other object that stores mechanical energy when shuffler 111 is moved outward may then expend that energy to pull shuffler 111 back to its resting position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0039] for the previous paragraph [0039] beginning on page 10, line 19, as follows:

In operational scenario 300, shuffler 311 is at resting position in step 1 because it is not being acted upon by an outside force, such as gripper 340. Gripper 340 may simply be waiting for something to do or may be performing some other task (e.g., moving media items other than those stored in housing 301). At step 2, gripper 340 moves into position in front of media item 324 and grips catch 312. Once catch 312 is gripped, gripper 340 pulls catch 312 outwards from open first end 331 at step 3 to a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position. Catch 312 pulls out a distance equal to a distance necessary to move media item 325 into media item 324'svacated position when rake 313 pushes on media item 327. With media items 325-327 now all moved over one position within bottom channel 303, media item 324 has been removed from within housing 301.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0041] for the previous paragraph [0041] beginning on page 11, line 14, as follows:

In this example, gripper 340 is being controlled to shuffle media items 321-327 so that a certain one of media items 321-327 other than media item 321 and media item 324 is positioned at the open first end. That certain media item can then be extracted from housing 301 and moved to another position in the library (e.g., to an access device). As such, gripper 340 moves media item 324 upward at step 5 to be in line with top channel 302 for placement back into housing 301 within top channel 302.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0042] for the previous paragraph [0042] beginning on page 11, line 20, as follows:

FIG. 3C illustrates operational scenario 300C for shuffling items of removable storage media in a storage apparatus. Operational scenario 300C is a continuation of operational scenario 300. Once gripper 340 has aligned media item 324 with top channel 302, gripper 340 pushes media item 324 at step 6 into top channel 302. Pushing media item 324 into top channel 302 causes media item 324 to push media items 321-323 deeper into top channel 302 towards closed second end 332. Pushing media item 324 all the way into top channel 302 causes media item 323 to be fully over the gap in separator 304. Since the gap is large enough to for media item 323 to pass, media item 323 falls into bottom channel 303 at step 7. Specifically, media item 323 falls into a space in bottom channel 303 that was created when media item 327 was moved by rake 313 in step 3. At the end of operational scenario 300, top channel 302 and bottom channel 303 both contain the same number of media items, but those media items are in a different order than they were at the onset of operational scenario 300.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0043] for the previous paragraph [0043] beginning on page 12, line 3, as follows:

If media item 325 is the media item targeted by gripper 340, then gripper 340 can now perform steps 2-4 again to move media item 325 out of housing 301 (e.g., into an access device). However, if another media item is the targeted item, then gripper 340 may repeat steps 2-7 until the targeted item is accessible. For instance, if media item 326 is the targeted item, then steps 2-7 would repeat just one more time to bring media item 326 to the front of bottom channel 303. In some examples, a control system (e.g., computing architecture 700 described below) for gripper 340 may track positions of media items 321-327 within housing 301 to recognize how many iterations of steps 2-7 need be performed until the targeted media item is accessible. Moreover, for the storage apparatus to work properly, media items can only be added into top channel 302 but can be removed from open first end 331 in either top channel 302 or bottom channel 303. Removing a media item from top channel 302 results in an open space at open first end 331 in top channel 302. That media item could, therefore, simply be placed back into the empty space left in top channel 302 or a new media item can take its place.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0046] for the previous paragraph [0046] beginning on page 13, line 1, as follows:

Advantageously, despite seven media items fitting into housing 301, open first end 331, which faces gripper 340 (e.g., faces an aisle in which gripper 340 moves within a library), uses the same amount of two-dimensional space as two single media item slots would (e.g., one slot would hold media item 321 and the other would hold media item 324 but none of the other media items would be located behind them). Gripper 340 also does not require more space than is necessary to remove one media item from housing 301 in order to shuffle media items within housing 301. As such, if gripper 340 moves within an aisle of an automated removable storage media library, the aisle does not need to be widened to accommodate access to media items stored behind those at open first end 331. Also, since the media item at open first end 331 in top channel 302 can be removed and then replaced back where it was taken (e.g., after accessing the media item), media items that are accessed more frequently may be stored in that position. Media items that require shuffling to remove from housing 301 may be items that are less often accessed.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0047] for the previous paragraph [0047] beginning on page 13, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 4A illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 400 is an example where storage apparatus 100 is a magazine for storing magnetic tape cartridges. In this example, housing 401 of storage apparatus 400 is transparent to show tape cartridges 421-427 housed therein, although, a different number of tape cartridges may be accommodated by housing 401 in other examples. Tape cartridges 421-423 are located in a top channel while tape cartridges 424-427 are located in a bottom channel. Shuffler 411 is also shown under tape cartridges 424-427. When in its resting position, catch 412 of shuffler 411 is positioned next to a depression in tape cartridge 424 that is used to grab tape cartridge 424. Each of the other tapes include the same depression, as shown. Rake 413 of shuffler 411 protrudes into the bottom channel between tape cartridge 427 and a closed second end of housing 401.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0048] for the previous paragraph [0048] beginning on page 13, line 26, as follows:

FIG. 4B illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. In this example, the end of storage apparatus 400 towards closed second end 432 is shown from a side perspective with the side of housing 401 removed for visibility. From this angle, shuffler 411 can be seen running between tape cartridges 424-427 and a bottom side of housing 401. Similarly, rake 413 can be seen protruding upward from shuffler 411 into the bottom channel to rest between tape cartridge 427 and closed second end 432. Also, separator 404 can be seen separating tape cartridges 421-423 in the top channel and tape cartridges 424-427 in the bottom channel. Separator 404 ends before extending over tape cartridge 427 to allow a tape cartridge to drop into the bottom channel, as described above.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0049] for the previous paragraph [0049] beginning on page 14, line 5, as follows:

FIG. 4C illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 400 is viewed at an angle that shows the underside of storage apparatus 400 with a bottom side omitted from housing 401. This angle shows the two tabs that make up catch 412 are bent upwards from shuffler 411 along the side of tape cartridge 424. Shuffler 411 splits into two rails that extend back through housing 401 and end at closed second end 432 with two tabs that make up rake 413. Spring 405 is connected to shuffler 411 where shuffler 411 splits into the two rails. While the other end of spring 405 is not shown connected to anything, that end of spring 405 is connected to the bottom side of housing 401 when present. Since shuffler 411 moves outward from housing 401 when pulled, spring 405 stores energy due to one end being connected to housing 401, which does not move. When shuffler 411 is released, the energy stored in spring 405 moves shuffler 411 back to resting position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0052] for the previous paragraph [0052] beginning on page 15, line 13, as follows:

FIG. 7 illustrates storage apparatus 700 in which items of removable storage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 700 is similar to storage apparatus 100. Storage apparatus 700 includes housing 701, having open first end 731 and closed second end 732, and shuffler 711. A side of housing 701 is omitted in this example to show the inner workings of storage apparatus 700. In this example, storage apparatus 700 is currently storing media items 721-727 with media items 721-723 in top channel 702 and media items 724-727 in bottom channel 703. Separator 704 separates top channel 702 from bottom channel 703. In storage apparatus 700, shuffler 711 includes two components, bottom shuffler 711A and top shuffler 711B. Bottom shuffler 711A is similar to the shufflers described above and includes catch 712 and rake 713. However, in this example, bottom shuffler 711A includes collapsible rakes 714A-B spaced between media items to assist with the shuffling process when, housing 701 is not completely full (e.g., when there is a gap of one or more of media items 721-727 not presently stored in storage apparatus 700). For example, if media item 727 was not present, then media item 726 could not be pushed by media item 727 when catch 712 is pulled outward from open first end 731 (i.e., to the left as shown) in a manner similar to step 3 from operational scenario 300. Collapsible rakes 714A-B, as their name implies, are collapsible so that they can move under media items in bottom channel 703 when shuffler 711 returns to its resting position. Specifically, collapsible rakes 714A-B may each hinge from at the bottom so that they collapse down towards the left, rather than catching on a media item, when bottom shuffler 711A is moving to the right to return to the resting position. If no media item is present in a position, the corresponding collapsible rake for that position may remain erect. Collapsible rakes 714A-B may be spring loaded (or use some other mechanism) so as to pop back up when not passing under a media item. Collapsible rakes 714A-B do not collapse in the other direction (i.e., down and towards the right). Thus, when catch 712 is pulled to the left, collapsible rakes 714A-B with both catch on any media item(s) that may be present and pull the media items to the left as well. For instance, if only media item 726 was located in bottom channel 703, collapsible rake 714B would push media item 726 to the left into the spot where media item 725 is shown to be located. Then, when bottom shuffler 711A returns to its resting position, collapsible rake 714A will collapse to travel under media item 726 before returning to its erect position on the right side of media item 726.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0059] for the previous paragraph [0059] beginning on page 18, line 11, as follows:

In particular, media shuffle module 808 directs processing system 803 to grip, via a gripper, a catch of a shuffler for moving a first subset of items of removable storage media that are in a housing. The housing includes a top channel and a bottom channel that are shaped to accept and store the items in respective single-file rows via an open first end. The first subset includes ones of the items that are located in the bottom channel and, when in a resting position, the shuffler includes the catch located at the open first end and a rake located at a closed second end of the housing at an opposite end from the open first end. The media shuffle module 808 directs processing system 803 to pull, via the gripper, the catch outward from the open first end to move the shuffler, which propels the rake to move the first subset towards the open first end. The media shuffle module 808 also directs processing system 803 to release the catch via the gripper, wherein the shuffler returns to the resting position upon the catch being released.

Please delete the Abstract beginning at page 24, line 2, and replace with the following Abstract:

An apparatus includes a housing that is configured to receive and retain a plurality of removable storage media, and a shuffler that is positioned at least partially within the housing. The housing includes an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that receives and retains a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that receives and retains a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media. The first channel and the second channel are shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end. The shuffler is movable between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position. The shuffler includes a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing that is configured to receive and retain a plurality of removable storage media, the housing including an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that is configured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the first channel and the second channel being shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end; anda shuffler that is positioned at least partially within the housing, the shuffler being movable between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the shuffler including a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the rake contacts and moves the first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end as the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position, the shuffler moves each of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shuffler further includes a catch that is coupled to the rake; and wherein when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch is located near the open first end and the rake is positioned near the closed second end.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a gripper that is configured to selectively grip the catch and pull the catch outwardly away from the open first end to move the shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the gripper includes a robotic transport within an automated removable storage media library, the robotic transport including a body and a claw that is coupled to the body; and wherein the claw is configured to selectively grip the catch to move the shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch is positioned relative to a second removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media such that, when the gripper grips the second removable storage medium, the gripper also grips the catch.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising computing architecture including a processing system that is configured to control the gripper.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a spring that is attached to the shuffler and the housing; and wherein force from the spring returns the shuffler to the resting position when the catch is released by the gripper.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shuffler further includes a second rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a second removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second rake is collapsible.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first channel is a bottom channel that is configured to receive and retain the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media; and wherein the second channel is a top channel that is configured to receive and retain the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the top channel being positioned substantially directly above the bottom channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a separator that inhibits the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media from falling onto the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a gap in the separator at the closed second end is large enough to allow a second removable storage medium of the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media to fall into the bottom channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a retaining catch that is located in the gap; wherein when the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the retaining catch holds the second removable storage medium in the top channel; and wherein when the shuffler returns to the resting position, the retaining catch is released to allow the second removable storage medium to fall into the bottom channel.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein when inserting a third removable storage medium into the top channel for inclusion in the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the third removable storage medium pushes other removable storage media in the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media towards the closed second end; and wherein the second removable storage medium falls into the bottom channel upon clearing the gap.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of removable storage media include magnetic tape cartridges.

17. A method comprising the steps of: receiving and retaining a plurality of removable storage media within a housing, the housing including an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that is configured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the first channel and the second channel being shaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows via the open first end;positioning a shuffler at least partially within the housing; andmoving the shuffler between a resting position and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the shuffler including a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving includes the shuffler further including a catch that is coupled to the rake; wherein when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch is located near the open first end and the rake is positioned near the closed second end; and the method further comprising the steps of selectively gripping the catch with a gripper; and pulling the catch outwardly away from the open first end with the gripper to move the shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of receiving and retaining includes the first channel being a bottom channel that is configured to receive and retain the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media, and the second channel being a top channel that is configured to receive and retain the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the top channel being positioned substantially directly above the bottom channel; and the method further comprising the step of inhibiting the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media from falling onto the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media with a separator.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of inhibiting includes the separator including a gap at the closed second end that is large enough to allow a second removable storage medium of the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media to fall into the bottom channel; and the method further comprising the steps of positioning a retaining catch in the gap; wherein when the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position, holding the second removable storage medium in the top channel with the retaining catch; and wherein when the shuffler returns to the resting position, releasing the retaining catch to allow the second removable storage medium to fall into the bottom channel.