UNIVERSAL DATA STORAGE ELEMENT

摘要

The universal data storage element (100) presents a uniform form factor data storage element but enables the user to vary the contents to include a selection of media types (601, 70*, 802) or miniaturized drive elements (1002) used therein to provide variable data storage and/or recording characteristics. This enables the user to use multiple types of media in an automated library system or a manually operated media storage and retrieval system, since the form factor of all of the data storage elements contained therein is uniform. The use of the universal data storage element (100) provides the capability of varying the data storage capabilities of the data storage element to be consistent with the data recording technique used therein. This capability enables the user to use a diversity of drive elements connected to the computer system without having to have a corresponding diversity in media element handling systems.