Apparatus for and method of retrieving data

摘要

In a media storage system (10;100) including an enclosure (12) having a user-accessible surface (16;116), an apparatus for retrieving data cartridge-related information from a memory unit (50;112) mounted to a data cartridge (30;102) in relationship to a surface (44;110) of the housing (32;104) of the cartridge. The apparatus comprises a registration area (62;114) on the user-accessible surface (16;116) of the enclosure (12), the registration area being configured to be engaged by the surface (44;110) of the data cartridge housing in registration with the registration area. The apparatus further comprises a reader (64;120) mounted to the media storage system for receiving from the memory unit (50;112) a signal containing the data cartridge-related information when the surface of the data cartridge housing is held in engagement with the registration area (62;14). Also disclosed is a method of transferring data cartridge-related information between an IC memory unit (50;112) mounted to a data cartridge (30;102) and an IC memory unit reader (64;120) mounted to a media storage system, the IC memory unit being mounted in relationship to a surface (44;110) of the cartridge and the IC memory unit reader being mounted in relationship to a user-accessible surface (16;116) of the media storage system. The method comprises the steps of manually positioning the data cartridge (30;102) so as to hold the surface (44;110) of the data cartridge into registered engagement with a registration area (62;114) on the user-accessible surface of the media storage system; and transferring the information between the IC memory unit (50;112) and the IC memory unit reader (64;120). <IMAGE>