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  Passive data cartridge pass-throughUSPTO Application #: 20060103271Title: Passive data cartridge pass-through Abstract: Data storage device pass-through devices, systems incorporating data storage device pass-though devices and methods of using data storage device pass-through devices are described. Extensible storage device holders are capable of passing data storage device into and out of a data storage device library storage unit. The described extensible storage device holder comprises a pass-through housing and one or more extensible supports. The extensible storage device holder vertically passes storage device held within the pass-through housing. Thus, the extensible storage device holder may pass storage device from a first (source) library to a second (target) library. The extensible storage device holder does not require a guide or track connecting the first library and the second library. (end of abstract) Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP - Palo Alto, CA, US Inventors: Thomas A. Thorson, Corey L. Brenner USPTO Applicaton #: 20060103271 - Class: 312223200 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060103271. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure [0002] Described herein are devices and methods for manipulating data storage media, particularly devices and methods for transporting storage media between or within storage media libraries. [0003] 2. Background [0004] Automated storage systems, including cartridge libraries, are commonly used to store data storage media. One or more individual storage units may contain many data storage devices, as well as multiple media drives for reading from and writing to the storage devices. Automated robotic devices may be used to move storage devices between the various storage cells and to and from the media drives within the storage unit. Individual storage devices may be indexed, and the entire system may be controlled by a device (or devices) capable of coordinating the movement of the storage devices. [0005] One type of storage system includes two or more storage device libraries which may be linked together for coordinated control. With this type of system, each library may include a library housing, a plurality of storage devices (e.g. cartridges) stored in one or more storage device bins within the housing, at least one robotic handling mechanism, and one or more media drives. If multiple libraries are used as part of the same storage system, it may be desirable to coordinate the handling of storage devices between individual storage units. Moving storage devices between libraries may help avoid bottlenecks and delays. For example, if many storage devices in a library storage unit are requested at the same time, delays may result if the number of demanded storage devices exceeds the number of media drives, or the ability of the robotic handlers to process the demand. Thus, it may be desirable to distribute storage devices between library units. Further, if one or more of the storage device drives in a library fails, it may be desirable to transfer storage devices to another library unit having functional drives. [0006] Transfer mechanisms have been developed to transfer storage devices between storage units. These transfer mechanisms typically include additional hardware that provide or assists movement of storage devices between individual libraries. For example, motors with lead screws, belts and rack/pinion mechanisms are used to transfer storage devices between libraries. These mechanisms add material costs and take up space within the storage units. [0007] Most transfer mechanisms capable of transferring storage devices between library storage units include a track or guide connecting the storage units; storage devices are moved from one storage unit to another storage unit along this track. Further, most transfer mechanisms transfer storage devices between side-by-side storage units. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,574 describes a transfer mechanism for a storage system in which storage devices are passed between laterally adjacent tape libraries along a frame or track spanning the distance between the two tape libraries. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,040, U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,125, U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,173, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,623 describe transferring storage devices between storage units using a track. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,509 describes transferring storage devices between vertically stacked storage modules. A guide rail is provided along which a pass-through tray moves. The guide rail extends through pass-through ports in both library storage modules. [0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a self-contained storage device pass-through device. In particular, there is a need for a storage device pass-through device which does not require a rack or guide rail extending between the storage device libraries. None of the cited prior art suggests the device and methods described and claimed below. BRIEF SUMMARY [0010] Described here is an extensible storage device holder for moving a storage device comprising a pass-through housing and at least one extensible support coupled to the pass-through housing. The pass-through housing is configured to hold one or more storage devices. "Storage device" refers to any kind of data storage device, including, but not limited to, magnetic tape media devices (e.g. cassettes, including cassettes have 1 or more reels), optical storage media devices, and semiconductor storage media devices. The extensible support is configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing. The extensible support limits lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. [0011] In some versions, the first position of the pass-through housing and the second position of the pass-through housing define an axis which is perpendicular to the major plane of the pass-through housing. The major plane of the pass-through housing may be the bottom support region of the pass-through housing. In some versions, the first position of the pass-through housing is located vertically with respect to the second position. [0012] In some versions, the extensible storage device holder further comprises a chassis to which the extensible support is coupled. The chassis may be further configured to seat the pass-through housing when the extensible support is in the collapsed configuration. In one version, the extensible support comprises a scissor-lift support. In one version the extensible support comprises a telescoping member. More than one extensible support may be used, and any combination of different sizes and different types of extensible supports may be used in the extensible storage device holder. For example, three scissor-lift supports may be used. [0013] In some versions, the extensible storage device holder further comprises an actuator configured to translate the pass-through housing between a first position and a second position that is located vertically to the first position. The actuator may be a manual or an automatic actuator. Any type of actuator may be used (e.g. mechanical, electrical, magnetic, pneumatic, etc.). In one version, the actuator is a z-translator. In one version, the actuator is the z-translator of the robotic manipulator. [0014] In some versions, the extensible storage device holder further comprises a biasing member for altering the force required to translate the pass-through housing between the first position and the second position. The biasing member may be a passive biasing member (e.g. a spring, a dashpot, etc) or an active biasing member (e.g. a motor or other actuator). In some versions, the extensible storage device holder further comprises a releasable lock configured to secure the pass-through housing in a predetermined position. The same lock, or an additional lock, may also be used to secure the pass-through housing in a second position (or any number of other positions). The lock may act by directly securing the pass-through housing, or the lock may act by immobilizing the extensible support (or supports). [0015] Also described herein are extensible storage device holders for moving a storage device vertically comprising a pass-through housing and three extensible scissor-lift support members coupled to the pass-through housing. The scissor-lift support members are configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing that is vertical to the first position. The extensible supports substantially limit lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. [0016] Also described herein are library storage units adapted to vertically pass and accept storage devices comprising a first storage device library unit including a first library cavity, and an extensible storage device holder located substantially within the first library cavity. The extensible storage device holder is configured to move at least one storage device vertically in or out of the first library cavity. The extensible storage device holder comprises a pass-through housing configured to hold one or more storage devices and at least one extensible support coupled to the pass-through housing. The extensible support is configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing that is vertical to the first position. Further, the extensible support substantially limits lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. The first storage device library unit is configured to stack with a second storage device library unit so that storage devices may be passed between the first and second storage device library cavities by the extensible storage device holder. [0017] In one version of the library storage unit, the library storage unit includes at least one sensor that is configured to indicate the location of a pass-through housing. The sensor may be any type, including but not limited to optical, electrical, mechanical, or pressure-based sensors. The sensor may be located anywhere in the library storage unit or on the extensible support. [0018] In one version, the extensible storage device holder in the library storage unit comprises three extensible supports. The extensible supports may be scissor-lift support, telescoping supports, or any combination thereof. [0019] Also described herein are storage device storage systems for use with more than one storage device storage unit. The storage device storage systems comprise a first storage device library, a second storage device library, an extensible storage device holder, and an actuator. The first and second storage device libraries each include a library cavity. The first storage device library is located vertically relative to the second storage device library. The extensible storage device holder is located substantially within the first storage device library cavity. This extensible storage device holder comprises a pass-through housing configured to hold one or more storage devices and at least one extensible support coupled to the pass-through housing. The extensible support is configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing within the first storage device library and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing within the second storage device library. The extensible support substantially limits lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. The actuator is located within the first storage device library and is configured to translate the pass-through housing of the extensible storage device holder between the first position and the second position. [0020] In some versions of the storage device storage system, the extensible storage device holder comprises three scissor-lift extensible supports. [0021] Also described herein are methods of transferring storage devices between a first storage device library and a second storage device library comprising inserting a storage device from a first storage device library into an extensible storage device holder, and translating the pass-through housing containing the storage device between the first position and the second position. The extensible storage device holder is located substantially within the first storage device library, and comprises a pass-through housing and at least one extensible support coupled to the pass-through housing. The pass-through housing is configured to hold one or more storage devices. The extensible support is configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing located substantially within the second storage device library. The extensible support substantially limits lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. [0022] Also described herein are methods of transferring a storage device vertically between a first storage device library and a second storage device library. The methods comprise inserting a storage device into an extensible storage device holder, and translating the pass-through housing of the extensible storage device holder containing the storage device from a first position to a second position vertical to the first position. The extensible storage device holder is located substantially within the first storage device library, and comprises a pass-through housing configured to hold one or more storage devices and three extensible scissor-lift supports coupled to the pass-through housing. The scissor-lift supports are configured to translate between a collapsed configuration corresponding to a first position of the pass-through housing within the first storage device library and an extended configuration corresponding to a second position of the pass-through housing within the second storage device library. The scissor-lift supports substantially limit lateral motion of the pass-through housing during translation between the first position and the second position. Continue reading... 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