Cartridge orientation insertion detection for mass storage systems including finger detections of recesses in the cartridges

摘要

In a mass storage library, an input/output station for inserting cartridges into and out of the library includes a door pivotally mounted to the station through cams that pivotally rotate a toggle bracket having fingers, one for each cartridge cell in the input/output station. Each cartridge used at least in the input/output station includes a cartridge orientation indicator in the form of a recess at one top edge of each cartridge. After inserting the cartridges into the cells of the input/output station, the door is closed rotating the toggle bracket and its fingers into the recess of each cartridge. The door will close if all of the cartridges have the recess correctly oriented to permit the fingers to clear the cartridges. If at least any one or more of the cartridges are incorrectly inserted into the cell of the station, the toggle bracket fingers will not clear the cartridges and the toggle bracket blocks the closure of the door thereby preventing further operation of the input/output station until all cartridges placed in the station are correctly inserted. A stop prevents insertion of the cartridge into the library robotics when the input/output station is open.