Daniel O Evanson

20020006030, Jan 17, 2002

Apr 5, 2001

09/827077

Daniel Evanson - Prior Lake MN, US
Darren Groth - Fridley MN, US
Glendon Kappel - Eagan MN, US
Donald Selg - Mendota Heights MN, US
Gerard Weisensel - Savage MN, US

H05K007/16
H05K005/00

361/724000, 361/725000, 361/726000, 361/727000

A universal media module for use with a data storage library system containing at least one storage array for holding at least one universal media module. The universal media module is removable from the storage array. The universal media module is capable of containing a variety of media cartridges of various sizes, and the media cartridges may vary in size in at least one dimension. The universal media module has a housing having a top wall, bottom wall, side walls, rear wall, and an open front; a mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the data storage library system; and at least one media storage slot formed by supporting members engaging the side walls of the housing and extending along the side walls from the open front to the rear wall. Optionally, each media storage slot can have: an adaptive part selector apparatus to contact the media cartridge and being deflectable along at least one dimension to securely hold a media cartridge within the media storage slot; a media cartridge identification apparatus to engage the identification feature of a media cartridge and to identify the media cartridge type to the operator; and an automatic media cartridge retention apparatus to disengage the media cartridge's retention feature when the media storage module is attached to the data storage library system and to engage the media cartridge's retention feature when the media storage module is removed from the data storage library system.

6454509, Sep 24, 2002

Apr 6, 2000

09/544364

Glendon D. Kappel - Eagan MN
Warren D. Pannkuk - Lakeville MN
Darren A. Groth - Fridley MN
Robert J. McPherson - Eden Prairie MN
Daniel R. Evanson - Prior Lake MN

Plasmon IDE, Inc. - Eden Prairie MN

G11B 1704

414280, 360 92, 369 3043

An apparatus for picking and placing media supported in stores and drives of a data storage library without electrical actuation or separate mechanical actuation means of grasping and releasing the medias pick feature, the apparatus including: a carriage movable toward and away from the media, the media being supported in the stores and drives; at least one picker member pivotally attached to the carriage at a pivot point and having a latching portion adapted to engage the medias pick feature. The picker member is movable between an open state wherein the latching portion is spaced from the medias pick feature and a closed state wherein the latching portion engages the medias pick feature. The apparatus also includes a spring having a first end attached to the carriage and a second end attached to the picker member. The spring is alternately orientable between a first orientation wherein the spring biases the picker member toward the media and a second orientation wherein the spring biases the picker member away from the media. The movement of the picker member between the open state and the closed state and between the closed state and the open state is caused by movement of the picker member against the media supported in the stores and drives without any electrical or separate mechanical actuation means cooperating with the picker member.