DATA CARTRIDGE LIBRARY SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention is directed to a data cartridge library system (50) that realizes a reduced cost by reducing the number of components. In one embodiment of the invention, a data cartridge picker (62) is provided that: (1) uses a single electro-mechanical device (104) for the functions of grasping a data cartridge, retracting a grasped cartridge from a drive/storage location, and releasing a grasped cartridge once positioned in a desired location; (2) is capable of compensating for variations in cartridge positioning; (3) has a gripping mechanism that moves in a sinusoidal manner; and (4) avoids the wear and tear associated with moving a fully retracted gripper mechanism that is not holding a data cartridge from a fully retracted position to a position at which a cartridge can be received.