U.S. patent application number 10/235269 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for easily configurable and swappable multicomponent library system.
Invention is credited to Carlson, Grant E., Patterson, Scott R., Roth, Brian K., White, Merion D..
Application Number | 20040056568 10/235269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29250240 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040056568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlson, Grant E. ; et
al. |
March 25, 2004 |
Easily configurable and swappable multicomponent library system
Abstract
An easily expandable and interchangeable library system is
achieved by integrating several storage library modules which are
specifically designed to allow easy transfer of storage media there
between. Each library module is equipped with an integral elevator
track which is capable of directing and accommodating the movement
of a storage media elevator between the various modules. The
storage elevator is appropriately designed to easily travel between
the storage library modules, without the need for additional
components or additional equipment. The use of wireless
communication between an elevator controller and a library
controller allows for the controlled movement an interaction of the
elevator between library modules, thus creating an expandable
library system within which storage capacity can be easily and
economically increased without the need for additional
equipment.
Inventors: |
Carlson, Grant E.;
(Florissant, CO) ; White, Merion D.; (Colorado
Springs, CO) ; Roth, Brian K.; (Elbert, CO) ;
Patterson, Scott R.; (Manitou Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
45 South Seventh Street, Suite 3300
Minneapolis
MN
55402-1609
US
|
Family ID: |
29250240 |
Appl. No.: |
10/235269 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.1 ;
G9B/15.139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 15/682
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 097/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A library module for incorporation into an expandable library
system, comprising: a housing having an upper surface and lower
surface, at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface
having a reclosable opening adapted for expansion of the library
system; a plurality of media storage compartments within the
housing, each adapted to contain a single piece of storage media; a
media drive to at least read data from the storage media; a picker
mechanism adapted to selectively transport the storage media from a
selected media compartment to the media drive; and an elevator
support structure within the housing and adjacent the reclosable
opening, the elevator support structure adapted to cooperate with a
media elevator, the elevator support structure having a guiding
rail adapted to guide the movement of the media elevator, the
guiding rail positioned to allow the media elevator to travel in
and out of the housing though the reclosable opening, and to
position the media elevator to cooperate with the picker
mechanism.
2. The library module of claim 1 wherein the elevator support
structure includes a gear track adapted to couple with a gear drive
mechanism in the media elevator.
3. The library module of claim 1 wherein the elevator support
structure is positioned adjacent the media storage
compartments.
4. The library module of claim 1 wherein the guiding rail has a
plurality of guiding grooves adapted to interact with cooperating
tabs in the elevator mechanism.
5. The library module of claim 1 wherein the storage media is
contained in a storage cartridge.
6. The library module of claim 1 wherein the guiding rail is
positioned such that a media transport compartment carried by the
elevator mechanism and adapted to contain at least one of the
storage media is positioned adjacent the plurality of storage
compartments.
7. An expandable data storage library system, comprising: a
plurality of mountable library modules, each module adapted to
house and read data from a plurality of data storage media, each
module including a housing with at least one expansion opening
adapted to be selectively opened; a media elevator system adapted
to travel between the plurality of library modules using the at
least one expansion opening in the library module, wherein the
media elevator system comprises an elevator designed to interact
with an elevator support track positioned within each module such
that the elevator support track in each of the plurality of library
modules will be cooperatively aligned when the plurality of modules
are mounted.
8. The library system of claim 7 wherein the elevator travels along
the elevator support track.
9. The library system of claim 8 wherein the elevator includes a
media transport bin to carry storage media between the various
library modules.
10. The library system of claim 9 wherein the elevator further
comprises a support coupling designed to couple with the elevator
support track so that movement of the elevator is guided by the
elevator support track, and a motor to drive the movement of the
elevator.
11. The library of claim 10 wherein the elevator further comprises
drive gears coupled to the motor, the drive gears designed to
interact with track gears which exist on the elevator support
track.
12. The library system of claim 10 further comprising an elevator
controller operatively coupled to the motor so as to control the
movement of the elevator, and a communication transceiver
operatively coupled to the elevator controller, thus allowing the
elevator controller to communicate with a library controller.
13. The library system of claim 12 wherein the transceiver is an
infrared transceiver.
14. The library system of claim 12 wherein the transceiver is a
optical transceiver.
15. The library system of claim 12 wherein the transceiver is an
acoustic transceiver.
16. The library system of claim 10 wherein the elevator support
track includes an electrically energized power contact which is
electrically isolated from the elevator support track, and the
elevator includes a pickup contact connected to the motor so as to
provide power to the motor whenever the coupling support is coupled
to the support track, thus causing the pickup contact to be in
contact with the power contact.
17. A storage library module for incorporation into a modular
storage library system, comprising: a housing having at least one
elevator opening therein; a media storage bin positioned within the
housing and capable of storing a plurality of storage media; a
storage drive within the housing for reading the storage media; a
picker mechanism for the selective transportation of storage media
between the media storage bin and the storage drive; an elevator
support track attached to and within the housing, the elevator
support track positioned adjacent the elevator opening; and an
elevator coupled to the elevator support track so as to travel
along the support track and capable of traveling out of the housing
through the elevator opening, the elevator having a media transport
bin positionable within the housing such that media can be place in
or removed from the media storage bin by the picker.
18. The library module of claim 17 wherein the elevator includes an
elevator controller and a motor coupled to the controller, wherein
the controller communicates with motor so as to control the motion
of the elevator.
19. The library module of claim 18 wherein the elevator further
includes a communication device to receive signals from a library
system controller, the communication device connected to the
controller so as to provide communication between the library
system controller and the elevator controller.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a dynamic information
storage and retrieval system, and particularly to an easily
expandable library system. More particularly, the invention relates
to a library system which is easily expandable by adding additional
library modules.
[0002] Advances in manufacturing technologies and system
architecture have led to increasingly powerful electronic devices
and computers. These electronic devices and computers support
features and applications, in which vast amounts of information are
processed and stored. Generally, the amount of information is not
only vast, but also ever-increasing.
[0003] To provide the information needed by today's high powered
applications, storage technologies have been developed to meet the
high capacity data storage needs created. Various storage options
include hard disk drives, or drives using removable storage media
such as magnetic, optical and magneto-optical media. Although these
technologies provide relatively large storage capabilities, ongoing
improvement is continually necessary so as to overcome factors
limiting storage capacity and performance.
[0004] Data storage libraries, or jukeboxes, are robotically
controlled storage devices that have been developed to improve the
efficacy of storage by automating nearly all data management
functions. Every phase of library operations minimizes human
intervention, which is the most common cause of data loss. A
traditional tape jukebox consists of a series of bays or slots
storing a number of tapes. A robotic picker is computer controlled
so that it can move any chosen tape from its storage bay and load
the tape onto a tape drive unit. The entire jukebox is housed in a
sealed environment to prevent contamination of the tapes. Similar
jukebox libraries have also been built for virtually all types of
storage media, including optical disks. Because jukeboxes store
tens or hundreds of tapes, optical disks, or other media, and
because the jukeboxes can automatically swap disks and tapes in and
out of the read devices, a single jukebox can effectively store
much more information than a single tape drive or optical drive.
This makes jukeboxes very advantageous.
[0005] As can be easily appreciated, the capacity of a standard
jukebox can be limited by its physical size. Simply stated, only so
many tapes or optical media can fit within the prescribed housing
size, resulting in a limitation. Obviously, the jukeboxes are
available in various sizes, however it is often not economical to
buy vastly oversized devices simply for the sake of possible future
expansion. Consequently, it would be desirable to create a jukebox
system which could easily be expanded to include additional modules
which would cooperate with one another.
[0006] In one example of past library systems, a rack mounted
library module is used initially to meet the user's storage needs.
When it is desired to expand, a number of library modules are
connected to one another via an external conversion mechanism. Some
example expansion products include the Stacklink, manufactured by
Quantum Corporation of Milpitas, Calif., and the XpressChannel,
manufactured by Overland Data of San Diego, Calif. Using these
expansion devices, each particular module is its own operating
jukebox or library including a picker mechanism and appropriate
storage slots. Expandability is achieved through the use of the
aforementioned external integration system which is specifically
designed and configured to allow tapes to be transferred from one
library module to another library module. Essentially, these
expansion systems physically tie the various modules together.
[0007] Unfortunately, these expansion systems are specifically
designed for the particular expansion being undertaken. For
example, if two library modules are to be connected, a specific
"two library rail" is required, which is attached to the back of
the libraries. Similarly, a specifically configured expansion
device is required for three library modules. Further, another
module is required for four modules, etc. While these expansion
mechanisms do achieve the goal of integrating multiple library
modules to one another, they are not easily expandable as a new
expansion mechanism is required for each additional expansion. This
becomes costly and cumbersome when trying to expand library
modules. Furthermore, this does not accommodate the easily removal
and replacement of library modules should that be necessary.
[0008] It would be particularly beneficial to devise a system which
would allow for the easy integration of multiple library modules,
without additional hardware. Further, such a system would be
beneficial if it also accommodated the swapping (removal and
replacement) of library modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In order to address the above referenced issues related to
expandability and module swapping, the present invention provides
an integral elevator support, or guide rail within each library
module. This elevator support easily allows an elevator mechanism
to move storage media between the various library modules without
the use of additional components or pieces.
[0010] As mentioned above, the elevator system includes a guide
rail or support which is rigidly attached to each library module.
This guide rail will include the necessary guide structures (slots)
to direct elevator movement within an appropriately constrained
area. These guide rails are also designed to provide necessary
power to the elevator mechanism during its travel. Additionally,
the guide rail also includes gear teeth designed to interact with
corresponding gears on the elevator mechanism itself.
[0011] The elevator mechanism or crawler itself is designed to
interact with the guide rail to accommodate its movement. Further,
a media holding mechanism is attached to the elevator in order to
carry the desired media. In the preferred embodiment, this includes
media tape, however accommodations could easily made to handle
optical storage disks or other storage media.
[0012] The elevator itself includes a drive motor and appropriate
gearing, which will interact with gear teeth on the guide rail so
as to carry the elevator along the path defined by the guide rail.
Appropriate contacts are provided to carry electrical power to the
motor at all points along its travel.
[0013] Also included on the elevator is a control system coupled to
the drive motor. As would be expected, this control system directs
the actual movement of the elevator as it travels between the
various library modules. The control system also includes a
communication device which will communicate with a master library
controller. In one embodiment, the communication is done through
infrared or IR signals. This wireless communication between these
components allows for unrestrained movement of the elevator
throughout its entire range of travel in a multi-module library
system. Naturally, many alternative communication methods could be
utilized, including RF, etc.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
library module with the capability of being easily integrated into
a library system including multiple modules. This capability is
achieved by providing an integral structure to accommodate a
transport mechanism which is specifically configured and designed
to transport storage media between the various modules.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
library module which can be expanded without the use of additional
hardware. In the design of the present invention, only integral
components of the library module are necessary to accommodate the
expandability of the overall system.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
continual expansion capability at any time throughout the life of
the storage library.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a elevator mechanism to a library module which is specifically
configured and designed to carry storage media between various
library modules within an overall storage system. The elevator
mechanism cooperates with structures within the library module to
easily accommodate and guide its movement.
[0018] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an elevator mechanism which includes communication capabilities so
that the operation elevator can easily be controlled as it travels
throughout the library system. The communication capabilities are
preferably achieved in a wireless fashion, thus accommodating free
movement of the library through the entire library system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further objects and advantages of the present invention can
be seen by reading the following detailed description in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack mounted library
system;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a library module;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of an opened library module;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional drawing showing a portion of the
library module;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the elevator
assembly;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the elevator
assembly;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the elevator mechanism
alone;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating elevator
110 "bridging the gap" between two library modules; and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the elevator system control
devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] As is known and understood by those skilled in the art, a
data storage libraries can take on many different configurations
and layouts depending on the particular needs and design involved.
One configuration is a rack-mounted data storage library which is
capable of being mounted in a traditional equipment cabinet.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of a
rack-mounted storage library 20 which includes a first library
module 22, second library module 24 and a third library module 26.
Each of these library modules is mounted within a rack or cabinet
28. As can be seen, cabinet 28 includes two front face rails 30
which have a number of mounting holes 32 therein.
[0030] As can be seen, first library module 22, second library
module 24 and third library module 26 are mounted within cabinet 28
at positions which are immediately adjacent one another. This
alignment allows for the exploitation of cartridge sharing
functions, which are described further below.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a more detailed
drawing of a first library module 22. It is understood that first
library module 22, second library module 24 and third library
module 26 are all similarly configured. Consequently, all comments
and description regarding the structure of these components are
equally applicable to any library module. As can be seen, first
library module 22 includes an enclosed housing 40 which includes a
front panel 42, a top panel 44, a bottom panel 46 (not shown) and a
pair of side panels 48. Front panel 42 is designed to extend beyond
side panels 48, which facilitates rack mounting as shown in FIG.
1.
[0032] Front panel 42 includes a cartridge loading opening 50 which
allows data storage cartridges to be inserted into the interior of
housing 40 and accommodates the population of this library module
22. In order to accommodate the disk cartridge sharing capabilities
of the present invention, housing 40 also includes an opening 52
positioned in the top panel 44 thereof. Opening 52 has a pair of
cover mount rails 54 positioned on either side of the opening to
accommodate the attachment of a cover plate 56 (not shown). A pair
of cover screw attachment holes 58 are also shown in cover mount
rails 54. As can be appreciated, these holes accommodate the
attachment of cover plate 56.
[0033] As mentioned above, the first library module 22 (and all
library modules contained within a rack mounted library system) are
configured to allow storage cartridges to be transferred between
the various modules. The first portion of the structure which
accommodates this features is the opening 52 in top panel 44. It
should be understood, although not shown in FIG. 2, that a similar
opening exists in bottom panel 46 which again is configured to
allow a removable cover plate to be attached thereto.
[0034] As mentioned above, each library module includes the ability
to house and manipulate a number of media storage elements. It will
be understood that the present invention is not limited to any
specific type of storage media, and could be implemented with any
media type, such as magnetic tape, and storage disks, including
optical, magneto optical, magnetic disks, etc. Traditionally, the
library includes a number of storage locations or storage bins, at
least one media drive for reading the storage media, and
pickers/placer mechanisms to transport the storage media.
Additionally, some mechanism is typically necessary to allow media
to be inserted or imported into the library module for use.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown a top view
of first library module 22 with the top panel 44 removed. Further,
shown in FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing certain interior
components of first library module 22 shown from section line 4-4
of FIG. 3.
[0036] As mentioned above, library module 22 includes a media
storage drive 70 along with a storage bin 72 which is configured to
have a plurality of storage slots 74 therein. Also contained within
first library module 22 is a picker/placer mechanism 80 which is
configured to transport media elements from storage slots 74 to
media drive 70. Picker/placer 80 travels along a guide rail 82
located along a back portion of library module 22. An import
mechanism 86 is provided at a front portion of library module 22.
Import mechanism 86 allows library module 22 to be populated by
receiving and appropriately placing media elements within first
library module 22. This involves a coordinated effort between
picker/placer 80 and the library module controller (not shown) to
appropriately receive and place media elements in the desired
storage slot 74.
[0037] The library modules of the present invention are easily
incorporated into a storage library system which can include
multiple library modules. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three
such library modules are utilized. In order to incorporate these
multiple modules into one library system, accommodations are made
to allow a media transport to carry media elements between the
various modules. In order to accomplish this, an elevator system
100 is incorporated into the library system. As can be seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4, library system 100 is positioned adjacent storage
bin 72 so as to easily cooperate with picker/placer 80. As can be
anticipated, this allows picker placer 80 to remove the particular
storage media carried by elevator system 100 and place it in a
desired storage slot 74, or directly to media drive 70.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, elevator system 100 is shown in
more detail. At a general level, elevator system 100 includes a
support track or support rail 102 which is rigidly attached to the
housing 40 of library module 22. Elevator system 100 also includes
a climber or elevator 110 which is adapted to interact with
elevator support track 102. Climber 110 includes a drive motor 112
and related gearing 114 which is designed to interact or cooperate
with related track gears 104. Both motor 112 and gearing 114 are
attached to coupling support 116 which is designed to interact with
guiding slots 106 in elevator support track 102. More specifically,
a number of tabs or protrusions 118 are specifically designed to
fit within guiding slots 106 as climber 110 travels along elevator
support track 102.
[0039] Attached to coupling support 116 is a media transport bin
130 which is configured to receive and transport the particular
storage media being used in library system 20. In this particular
embodiment, media transport bin 130 is configured to receive and
carry a magnetic tape cartridge. Media transport bin 130 has a
substantially rectangular housing forming a rectangular opening 132
therein.
[0040] On a backside of coupling support 116 is located a
controller housing 140 which contains an elevator controller 142
and communication devices 144. Controller 142 will direct the
operation of elevator system 100 and achieve appropriate movement
and direction. FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating the
electrical connection and control operation for elevator system
100.
[0041] As mentioned above, controller housing 140 contains
communication devices 144 which provide the necessary link to a
library system controller 150 contained within library system 20.
In one embodiment of the present invention, communication is
achieved via radio frequency signals transmitted between elevator
controller 142 and library system controller 150. Based on the
signals received, and programming logic within controller. Library
controller 150 obviously includes similar communication device 154.
Alternative communication methods could include infrared or visible
light signals. While wireless communication is obviously
preferable, systems could be incorporated to have wired
communication depending on the number of modules included.
[0042] In order to provide power to motor 112 and controller 142,
power connections are provided on coupling support 116.
Specifically, a first power connector 160 and a second power
connector 162 are provided. These power connectors interact with
power strips incorporated into elevator track 102. More
specifically, elevator rail 102 includes a first power slot 122 and
a second power slot 124. These power slots contain conducting
material which provide the necessary power signals to the elevator
100. As expected, this would traditionally include a ground signal
and a positive power supply signal.
[0043] Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the various
library modules (i.e., first library module 22, second library
module 24 and third library module 26) are all located relatively
close to one another. With the appropriate housing openings 52
aligned with one another, and the common geometry of the various
library modules, elevator system 100 is capable of transporting
storage media between the various library modules. As mentioned
above, the configuration of the various library modules causes each
elevator track 102 to be aligned with one another. Consequently,
multiple elevator tracks 102 aligned with one another would create
a semi-continuous rail system along which elevator 110 could
travel. Naturally, some gaps exist between the various elevator
tracks 102. The ability to bridge these gaps is achieved by the
configuration of gears 114 and coupling support 116. More
specifically, gears 114 includes a drive gear 170, a first travel
gear 172 and a second travel gear 174. As can be seen in FIG. 7,
first travel gear 172 and second travel gear 174 are spaced a
distance apart. In practice, this distance is sufficient to allow
elevator system 110 to bridge any existing gap between the various
library modules. Similarly, coupling support 116 is sufficient in
size and configuration to bridge the existing gaps.
[0044] The step of bridging gaps between library modules is further
illustrated in FIG. 8. More specifically, an elevator support track
110 for first library module 22 and a elevator library track 110
for second library module 24 are shown. As can be seen, the
elevator support rails 110 are aligned with one another and closely
spaced to allow consistent travel of elevator 110.
[0045] As can be seen, the top panel 44 of first library module 22
is adjacent the bottom panel 46 of second library module 24. The
rack mounted systems are designed and configured so that a minimum
distance exists between these two library modules when
appropriately mounted. This minimizes the gap that elevator 110
must bridge during its travel between modules.
[0046] Coupling support 116 is sized to be substantially larger
than the gap which must be bridged during this operation.
Consequently, during any point in travel coupling support 116 will
be sufficiently coupled with elevator support track 102 so that its
movement is closely guided. Additionally, first travel gear 72 and
second travel gear 74 are sufficiently spaced so that at least one
travel gear will continuously be engaged with the gears 104 on
elevator support track 102. As can be seen from this figure, the
movement of elevator 110 across the gap is easily achieved through
the appropriate placement and configuration of
components--specifically first travel gear 172, second travel gear
174, and coupling support 116.
[0047] In operation, the elevator will be largely controlled by the
library controller 150. A schematic drawing of the control system
is shown in FIG. 9. When library controller 150 determines it is
necessary for a cartridge to be moved from one module to another,
appropriate communication signals will be transmitted via library
communication device 154 to elevator controller 142. Upon receipt
of such signals, elevator controller 142 will cause motor 112 to be
appropriately actuated, thus causing the movement of elevator 110.
Elevator controller 142 will then cause elevator 110 to proceed to
the desired location. In the library system, at least one proximity
switch 146 may be utilized to control the precise positioning of
elevator 110. Once at position, library controller 150 will actuate
the related systems, such as picker/placer 80, causing the
appropriate movement of storage media. This may include the
placement of a storage cartridge within media transport bin 130,
or, the removal of a storage cartridge therefrom.
[0048] In order to provide necessary communication, elevator
controller 142 will provide appropriate signals back to library
controller 150, indicating that elevator 110 is in an appropriate
position. Likewise, other information could be communicated back to
the library controller, such as cartridge information, etc. For
example, each cartridge could include an identifier which could be
read by a sensor on the elevator. This could then be communicated
back to library controller 150. Example identifiers may include bar
codes, RFID chips, etc.
[0049] While a proximity switch 142 is mentioned above, it is
understood that positioning of elevator 110 could be accomplished
via several mechanism. For example, tracking of motor operation
would also allow positioning of elevator 110. Further,
micro-switches or optical sensors could also be utilized.
[0050] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or central attributes thereof. In that
the foregoing description of the present invention discloses only
exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that other
variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not
limited in the particular embodiments which have been described in
detail therein. Rather, reference should be made to the appended
claims as indicative of the scope and content of the present
invention.
* * * * *