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

Claim 1

A method for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical disk media, comprising the steps of: storing into first data storage means in an optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, a list of preformatted disk ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; sending an inquiry, from a computer connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said inquiry comprising a request to access a selected one of a said plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein said request to access said selected optical disk cartridge is by a media ID associated with said selected optical disk cartridge; addressing said first data storage means through said computer according to said media ID, wherein said media ID corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's; determining through controller means whether said selected optical disk cartridge is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device; and, controlling said computer display through said controller means to provide a prompt to load said selected optical disk cartridge into said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device when said selected optical disk cartridge is not stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said prompt including said unique preformatted disk ID corresponding to said selected optical disk encased by said optical disk cartridge.

Claim 2

A method for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical disk media, comprising the steps of: storing into first data storage means in an optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, a list of preformatted disk ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; sending an inquiry, from a computer connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said inquiry comprising a request to access a selected one of a said plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein said request to access said selected optical disk cartridge is by a media ID associated with said selected optical disk cartridge; addressing said first data storage means through said computer according to said media ID, wherein said media ID corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's; determining through controller means whether said selected optical disk cartridge is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device; and, controlling said computer display through said controller means to provide a prompt to load said selected optical disk cartridge into said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device when said selected optical disk cartridge is not stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said prompt including said unique preformatted disk ID corresponding to said selected optical disk encased by said optical disk cartridge.

Claim 18

A system for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical media, said system comprising: optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means, said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means including: data storage means for storing a list of preformatted disk ID's and media ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein each of said media ID's is associated with at least one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are stored in said cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; means for storing a preselected number of said optical disk cartridges; controller means for determining whether a selected one of said optical disk cartridges is stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means; and, a computer including a display, said computer being connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means for accessing information stored in any of said plurality of optical disks encased by said optical disk cartridges, wherein said computer sends an inquiry to access said information according to a desired one of said media ID's, and wherein when said selected optical disk cartridge associated with said desired media ID is not stored within said optical disk storage and retrieval means, said controller means controls said display to provide a message to load said selected optical disk cartridge according to said unique preformatted disk ID associated with said at selected optical disk cartridge.

Claim 19

A system for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical media, said system comprising: optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means, said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means including: data storage means for storing a list of preformatted disk ID's and media ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein each of said media ID's is associated with at least one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are stored in said cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; means for storing a preselected number of said optical disk cartridges; controller means for determining whether a selected one of said optical disk cartridges is stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means; and, a computer including a display, said computer being connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval means for accessing information stored in any of said plurality of optical disks encased by said optical disk cartridges, wherein said computer sends an inquiry to access said information according to a desired one of said media ID's, and wherein when said selected optical disk cartridge associated with said desired media ID is not stored within said optical disk storage and retrieval means, said controller means controls said display to provide a message to load said selected optical disk cartridge according to said unique preformatted disk ID associated with said at selected optical disk cartridge.

Claim 22

A method for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical disk media, comprising the steps of: affixing a label on each of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, each of said labels having a first index and a second index adjacent thereto, wherein said first index comprises an alphanumeric code selected from a sequential series of alphanumeric codes, said alphanumeric code being uniquely associated with one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and comprising a preselected number of color-coded characters, and wherein said second index comprises an optical code capable of being read with an optical code scanning device to generate electrical signals representing said unique alphanumeric code; preformatting optical disks encased by said plurality of optical disk cartridges with a unique preformatted disk ID, said unique preformatted disk ID comprising said unique alphanumeric code of said optical disk cartridge; storing into data storage in an optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, a list of said unique preformatted disk ID's, wherein each of said optical disk cartridges is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; sending an inquiry from a computer connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said inquiry comprising a request to access a selected one of a said plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein said request to access said selected optical disk cartridge is by a media ID associated with said selected optical disk cartridge; addressing said data storage through said computer according to said media ID, wherein said media ID corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's; determining through a controller whether said selected optical disk cartridge is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device; and, controlling said computer display through said controller to provide a prompt to load said selected optical disk cartridge into said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device when said selected optical disk cartridge is not stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said prompt including said unique preformatted disk ID corresponding to said selected optical disk encased by said optical disk cartridge.

Claim 23

A method for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical disk media, comprising the steps of: affixing a label on each of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, each of said labels having a first index and a second index adjacent thereto, wherein said first index comprises an alphanumeric code selected from a sequential series of alphanumeric codes, said alphanumeric code being uniquely associated with one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and comprising a preselected number of color-coded characters, and wherein said second index comprises an optical code capable of being read with an optical code scanning device to generate electrical signals representing said unique alphanumeric code; preformatting optical disks encased by said plurality of optical disk cartridges with a unique preformatted disk ID, said unique preformatted disk ID comprising said unique alphanumeric code of said optical disk cartridge; storing into data storage in an optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, a list of said unique preformatted disk ID's, wherein each of said optical disk cartridges is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device or off-line; sending an inquiry from a computer connected to said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said inquiry comprising a request to access a selected one of a said plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein said request to access said selected optical disk cartridge is by a media ID associated with said selected optical disk cartridge; addressing said data storage through said computer according to said media ID, wherein said media ID corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's; determining through a controller whether said selected optical disk cartridge is located in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device; and, controlling said computer display through said controller to provide a prompt to load said selected optical disk cartridge into said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device when said selected optical disk cartridge is not stored in said optical disk cartridge storage and retrieval device, said prompt including said unique preformatted disk ID corresponding to said selected optical disk encased by said optical disk cartridge.

Claim 24

A system for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical media, said system comprising: a jukebox device, said jukebox device including: a data storage for storing a list of preformatted disk ID's and media ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein each of said media ID's is associated with at least one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are stored in said jukebox or are off-line; a storage unit for storing a preselected number of said optical disk cartridges; a controller for determining whether a selected one of said optical disk cartridges is stored in said jukebox device; and, a computer including a display, said computer being connected to said jukebox device for accessing information stored in any of said plurality of optical disks encased by said optical disk cartridges, wherein said computer sends an inquiry to access said information according to a desired one of said media ID's, and wherein when said selected optical disk cartridge associated with said desired media ID is not stored within said optical disk storage and retrieval means, said controller controls said display to provide a message to load said selected optical disk cartridge according to said unique preformatted disk ID associated with said at selected optical disk cartridge.

Claim 25

A system for the storage and retrieval of off-line optical media, said system comprising: a jukebox device, said jukebox device including: a data storage for storing a list of preformatted disk ID's and media ID's, wherein each of said preformatted disk ID's is unique to one of a plurality of optical disk cartridges, wherein each of said media ID's is associated with at least one of said plurality of optical disk cartridges and corresponds to at least one of said unique preformatted disk ID's, and wherein said optical disk cartridges are stored in said jukebox or are off-line; a storage unit for storing a preselected number of said optical disk cartridges; a controller for determining whether a selected one of said optical disk cartridges is stored in said jukebox device; and, a computer including a display, said computer being connected to said jukebox device for accessing information stored in any of said plurality of optical disks encased by said optical disk cartridges, wherein said computer sends an inquiry to access said information according to a desired one of said media ID's, and wherein when said selected optical disk cartridge associated with said desired media ID is not stored within said optical disk storage and retrieval means, said controller controls said display to provide a message to load said selected optical disk cartridge according to said unique preformatted disk ID associated with said at selected optical disk cartridge.