Abstract:
A robotic data storage library with soft power on/off capability and a method for providing soft power capability in a robotic data storage library are disclosed. The method and apparatus control the application of power to at least one component of a robotic data storage library to reduce issues caused by transitioning the library between an ON state and an OFF state. One embodiment of a robotic data storage library, for example, comprises: (a) a plurality of storage locations, each capable of holding at least one data storage element; (b) a data transfer interface for receiving a data storage element and establishing a communication path with a data storage element so that data can be transferred between the data storage element and a host computer; (c) a transport unit for moving a data storage element between one of the plurality of storage locations and the data transfer interface; (d) a power supply for providing power to a component of the library; (e) a power switch switchable between an ON state and an OFF state; and (f) a power controller for monitoring the power switch for a transition between the ON state and the OFF state and after detecting a transition of the power switch between the ON state and the OFF state, controlling the application of power to the component.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a media library controller that can communicate with multiple physical libraries that are physically separate from each other. The media library controller can maintain a virtualized aggregate media library representing the physical media libraries with which it is in communication. From the physical media libraries, the media library controller can establish a virtual media library and associate a host with the virtual media library. The virtual media library can represent the portions of a physical media library to which the host is allowed access.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a media library controller that can communicate with multiple physical libraries that are physically separate from each other (i.e., that cannot pass media back and forth). The media library controller can maintain a virtualized aggregate media library representing the physical media libraries with which it is in communication. From the physical media libraries, the media library controller can establish a virtual media library and associate a host with the virtual media library. The virtual media library can represent the portions of a physical media library to which the host is allowed access.
Abstract:
Methods, systems and software components are described for exporting media in a library according to a schedule. At a first time, a user provides and a system receives export identification data including data identifying one or more media from the library to be exported and data identifying a second time at which the one or more media is scheduled to be exported. The first data may be a list of media identified by media identifiers and related data or may be a set of one or more criteria which are evaluated to determine which media in the library should be exported at the scheduled time. The export identification data is stored in a relational database table. At the second, scheduled time, the stored export identification data is used to select the one or more media to be exported to export the selected media from the library.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the user-friendly selection of a storage medium (1), in particular, for the selection of an optical storage disc from a number of storage media (1, 5, 10). The storage media (1, 5, 10) are allocated to a playback unit (15), in particular, a compact-disc changer, for reading and reproducing memorised data and can be stored in a reserve memory (20). A playback probability is determined for each storage medium (1, 5, 10). The storage medium (1) with the lowest playback probability is released for ejection from the playback unit (15) or from the reserve memory (20).
Abstract:
In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media changer mechanism of a multi-item media player. The multi-item media player stores a plurality of media items and can play any of the plurality of media items. A media changer mechanism having a plurality of slots for storing the plurality of media items is included within the multi-item media player. A computer system is built into the multi-item media player. A software based media changer model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media changer mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media changer mechanism. The media changer model provides a set of standardized commands that allow the plurality of devices on the network to access the media changer mechanism and access any of the plurality of media items stored therein.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method of scheduling audio tracks on audio compact discs in a CD jukebox to be played at predetermined times is disclosed. The method includes storing, in a CD audio track index location on an audio CD, a value indicating that the audio CD is a sequence CD containing audio tracks that are to be played at predetermined times. The stored value also specifies a predetermined sequence, or schedule to use with the sequence CD. A controller computer (108), within the CD jukebox and external to the CD player, utilizes CD-DA commands to query (118) the CD player for the CD audio track index (120) on each audio CD. The responses are used to distinguish normal audio CDs from sequence CDs. A periodic interrupt invokes a sequence interrupt handler that determines whether any audio tracks on any sequence CDs are scheduled to be played. If one or more audio tracks are scheduled (122) to be played, the CD slot number and audio track number are inserted at the front of a queue of selections to be played, causing the newly-entered selections to be played after a presently-playing audio track completes.
Abstract:
A data carrier archiving system has a storage system with data carrier storage locations. The storage system has a storage unit for a first form of data carrier cassettes, a read/write arrangement with slots for the data carrier cassettes and a read/write unit for the first form of data carrier cassettes. A handling arrangement transports the data carrier cassettes from the storage locations to the slots and vice-versa. According to the invention, the storage system has a storage unit for a second form of data carrier cassettes. The read/write arrangement has a read/write unit for the second form of data carrier cassettes and the same handling arrangement is capable of transporting both the first and the second form of data carrier cassettes from their storage locations in the respective storage units to the slots of the respective read/write units and vice-versa.