System and method for the storage and retrieval of off-line performatted optical media

摘要

A system and method for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical disk cartridges for use with an optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device which stores a number of optical disk cartridges near-line. Each of the off-line and near-line optical disk cartridges is assigned a unique alphanumeric code, and a label including this unique alphanumeric code and an optical code representing same is externally affixed on the optical disk cartridge. Each of the optical disks encased by the optical disk cartridges is then preformatted so that the unique alphanumeric code of the optical disk cartridge encasing the optical disk becomes the unique preformatted disk ID of the optical disk. A list of the preformatted disk ID's is then stored in data storage in the optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device. A request to access a selected optical disk cartridge is made by a computer connected to the optical disk cartridges storage and retrieval device by a media ID associated with at least the selected optical disk cartridge. If it is determined that the selected optical disk cartridge is not located in the optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, the computer displays a prompt to load the selected optical disk cartridge according to the unique preformatted disk ID.