JP2001093121A - Information recording / reproducing apparatus and cleaning method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To enable automatic cleaning of a recording / reproducing apparatus using a cleaning medium stored in a recording medium storage console and appropriate use management of the cleaning medium. SOLUTION: The cassette library 1 includes a drive device 13, cassette storage shelves 14, 15, and a cassette transporter 16 for transporting cassettes. The library controller 2 automatically operates the cassette transporter 1 at a predetermined time.
6, the cassette for cleaning is stored in the cassette storage shelf 1
5 and transported to a cassette transporter 16 from which the recording / reproducing head of the drive device 13 is cleaned, and after that, the cleaning cassette is transported to the original storage portion of the cassette storage shelf 15. Let it. The library controller 2 also monitors the use status of the cleaning cassette, and automatically discharges the cleaning cassette from the input / output port unit 11 when it reaches the use limit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage medium for storing a plurality of recording media such as a cassette tape which can be attached to and detached from a recording / reproducing apparatus. The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing device capable of reproducing information from a device, and a method of cleaning such an information recording / reproducing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of recording media (for example, cassette tapes or disk-shaped recording media) which can be attached to and detached from a recording / reproducing apparatus are stored, and if necessary, the recording media are stored in the storage media. To record various information,
There is a system for reproducing recorded information. Such a system is called a library system or an autochanger or the like, but will be referred to as a library system in the following description.

Some library systems have a predetermined configuration, while others have a configuration that can be changed to some extent according to the user. As a library system that can change the configuration in this way, for example,
A recording / reproducing console having a recording / reproducing device for recording / reproducing information on / from a recording medium, a recording medium storing console having a plurality of storage sections each capable of storing a recording medium, and the like, such that the positions thereof can be changed. Some consoles are provided with a plurality of consoles, and a library system of various scales and arrangements can be constructed by arbitrarily combining these consoles. Some recording / playback consoles have a plurality of storage sections each capable of storing a recording medium. Further, such a library system includes a transport device that transports a recording medium between an arbitrary storage unit in a recording medium storage console and a recording / reproducing device, and a control unit that controls the recording / reproducing device and the transport device. Have.

In this library system, various types of information can be recorded on a large number of recording media and information can be automatically reproduced from the recording media. Therefore, the library system is applied to a system that handles a large amount of information such as video data. In this case, significant labor savings can be achieved. In particular, when the library system is constructed as a configuration whose configuration can be changed, it is possible to take a flexible response according to a change in situation, such as when the amount of information to be handled increases.

[0005] In such a library system, a large number of recording media are handled.
In order to always maintain good recording / reproducing quality, it is necessary to clean the recording / reproducing head of the recording / reproducing apparatus periodically or as needed. For this reason, conventionally, a cleaning medium is stored in a part of the recording medium storage console, and the user manually removes the cleaning medium from the recording medium storage console periodically or as needed. They were transported to a recording / reproducing device to perform head cleaning.

[0006]

As described above, conventionally, the head cleaning of the recording / reproducing apparatus is manually performed by manual operation, so that it is troublesome and the head cleaning time is missed for each recording / reproducing apparatus. It was not easy to manage accurately without it. For this reason, the operating cost of the system has increased, and it has been difficult to properly manage the system operation. In order to cope with this problem, it is conceivable to automatically and periodically perform a head cleaning process of each recording / reproducing apparatus using the cleaning medium stored in the recording medium storage console.

When the recording medium used in the above-described library system is a tape-shaped recording medium such as a video cassette tape, the cleaning medium used for cleaning the recording / reproducing apparatus is also tape-shaped. Becomes That is, a cleaning cassette is used. Some of these cleaning cassettes cannot be rewound and used repeatedly, and are intended to be discarded when the tape has been used up. In order to reliably perform cleaning using such a cleaning cassette, it is essential that a usable tape area remains in the cleaning cassette.

In this regard, when head cleaning is performed manually by a manual operation as in the prior art, the number of times of use of each cleaning cassette is checked so that the amount of usable tape area of the cleaning cassette is always kept. It is possible to accurately grasp the cleaning cassette, which has been used a specified number of times, and it is possible to remove it from the cassette storage shelf and dispose of it.

However, when the head cleaning is automatically performed as in the above-described measure,
The user can no longer grasp the number of times the cleaning cassette has been used. Therefore, a cleaning cassette that has already reached the tape end or a cleaning tape that does not have a sufficient tape remaining amount (an unused area of the tape) may be used for the head cleaning process. It is also anticipated that a situation may occur that has not been done or has not been performed sufficiently. To prevent this, every time the head cleaning process is performed, the user removes the cleaning cassette used for the head cleaning from the cassette storage shelf and visually checks the remaining amount of the tape, and the head cleaning is correctly performed. Or whether the head cleaning has failed due to reaching the tape end. However, in this case, there is no point in automating the angled head cleaning process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable appropriate use management of a cleaning medium stored in a recording medium storage console in a library system and to reliably perform cleaning. To provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus and a cleaning method thereof.

[0011]

An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can use a removable recording medium to record / reproduce at least one of information and / or reproduce information, and to accommodate the recording medium. A storage medium having a plurality of storage sections, a transport section for transporting the recording medium between any storage section and the recording / reproduction section in the storage medium storage section, and controlling the transport section and the recording / reproduction section. An information recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a control means, wherein the control means controls the transport means and the recording / reproducing means, and automatically at a predetermined time, a cleaning medium used for cleaning the recording / reproducing means. Is transported from the storage section of the recording medium storage means to the recording / reproduction means, and the recording / reproduction means is cleaned by the cleaning medium. In addition to having an automatic cleaning function of transporting the cleaning medium to the storage section of the recording medium storage means, it has a function of monitoring the usage state of the cleaning medium and determining whether the cleaning medium has reached the usage limit. Things. Here, the control means is configured to determine that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit when the number of times of use of the cleaning medium has reached a predetermined number or when the usable area of the cleaning medium has run out. It is possible to Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium and the cleaning medium to the outside is provided, and when the cleaning medium reaches the use limit, the cleaning medium is transported to this discharge unit. It is also possible to configure so that Further, the control means may be configured to output information for urging the discharge of the cleaning medium when it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit.

[0012] A cleaning method for an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproducing of information by using a removable recording medium;
A recording medium storage unit having a plurality of storage units each capable of storing a recording medium, a conveyance unit for conveying a recording medium between an arbitrary storage unit and the recording / reproduction unit in the recording medium storage unit, a conveyance unit, and A cleaning method for an information recording / reproducing apparatus for cleaning a recording / reproducing means in an information recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a control means for controlling the recording / reproducing means. Automatically at the time of, the cleaning medium used for cleaning the recording and reproducing means is transported from the storage section of the recording medium storing means to the recording and reproducing means, and the recording and reproducing means is cleaned by the cleaning medium. The cleaning medium is transported to the storage section of the recording medium storage means, and the cleaning medium is Cleaning media use situation monitoring is that so as to determine whether or not it reaches its limit.

In the information recording / reproducing apparatus or the cleaning method according to the present invention, the cleaning medium is automatically conveyed from the storage section of the recording medium storage means to the recording / reproduction means at a predetermined time, and the recording medium is recorded by the cleaning medium. The cleaning of the reproducing means is performed. Thereafter, the cleaning medium is transported to the storage section of the recording medium storage means. Further, the usage status of the cleaning medium is monitored to determine whether or not the cleaning medium has reached the usage limit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the outline of a library system as an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the library system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration,
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of the cassette library 1 shown in FIG. The method of cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is embodied by a library system as the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and will be described below.

The library system according to the present embodiment accommodates a plurality of video tape cassettes (hereinafter simply referred to as cassettes) K as recording media, and uses an arbitrary cassette K accommodated as required. Library 1 for recording and reproducing information by means of a library, and a library controller 2 for controlling the cassette library 1
And

The library controller 2 comprises a controller main body 21 which is a device for controlling the cassette library 1, and a mouse and a keyboard for inputting and instructing information necessary for control to the controller main body 21. An input device 22 and a display device 23 connected to the controller body 21 and having a display screen for displaying information and the like accompanying control are provided. The controller main body 21 is, for example, a transmission line 24, 2 of the RS-232C standard.
5 is connected to the cassette library 1. The controller main body 21 is, for example, a SCSI (Small
(Computer System Interface) The transmission path 31 of the standard enables connection to the host computer 3 as a client using the cassette library 1. Further, the controller main body 21 is, for example, an Ethernet (E
It is also possible to connect to the host computer 3 via a communication network 32 of a predetermined standard such as thernet).

The cassette library 1 includes four types of consoles: a basic console 1B, a drive console 1D, a cassette console 1C, and a junction console 1J, and a cassette transporter for transporting the cassette K inside the cassette library 1. 16 are provided. The four types of consoles are selectively connected so that their positions can be changed, and the cassette library 1 can be configured as a library using some or all of these four types of consoles. . The minimum required configuration of the cassette library 1 for realizing the library system is the configuration of the basic console 1B and the drive console 1D. Here, the cassette transporter 16 corresponds to the “transporter” in the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows only the basic configuration of the cassette library 1, in which one side of the drive console 1D is connected to one side of the basic console 1B.
An example is shown in which one side of the cassette console 1C is connected to the other side of the drive console 1D. Further, in FIG. 2, the drive console 1D is sequentially arranged in one side direction of the basic console 1B from the side of the basic console 1B.
_{(1D 11, 1D 12, ..} ) and cassette consoles 1
_{C (1C 11, 1C 12,} ..) to form a console lines L1 underlying connected alternately, junction console 1J toward the front of the drive console 1D ₁₁
Via _a drive console 1D (1D _21, 1
D ₂₂ ,. . ) And cassette consoles 1C (1C _21,
1C ₂₂ ,. . ) Forming a console column L2 that is extended by connecting alternately, further, the drive console 1D (1D _31, 1D ₃₂ toward the front of the cassette console 1C ₁₂ via the junction console 1 J _2, ..) and cassette consoles _{1C (1C 31, 1C 32,} ..) shows an example of forming the console column L3 that is expanded by connecting alternately. As shown in FIG. 2, when there are a plurality of console rows, the cassette transporter 16 is installed in each console row. The transfer of the cassette K between the console rows is performed via the junction port section 18 of the junction console 1J.

The connection relationship between the consoles is not limited to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, even if only the basic console 1B and the drive console 1D are connected, the library system As a basic function can be realized.

In the cassette library 1, the drive console 1D has a plurality of (for example, four) drive devices 13 as recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing information on / from the cassette K, and a cassette K having a plurality of storage sections. And a cassette storage shelf 14 capable of storing a plurality of. In addition, the drive console 1D includes a drive control unit 70 (FIG. 2) for controlling the drive device 13. Data to be recorded on the cassette K in the drive device 13 is controlled by the host computer 3 under the control of the host computer 3.
For example, RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disk)
s) and the like, are directly input to the drive control unit 70 via a data line (not shown) from a video editing device (not shown) or the like, and are supplied to the drive device 13. Further, in the drive device 13, the cassette K
The data reproduced from is output directly to the video editing device or the like via the drive control unit 70 and the data line. The drive device 13 also includes the mounted cassette K or the cleaning cassette KC.
Has a mechanism (not shown) for detecting whether or not is in the tape end state. This mechanism, for example, to make the reflectance of the final end of the tape higher than the others, a method of detecting this with a reflection type optical sensor, and to make the transmittance of the final end of the tape higher than the other, This can be realized by a method of detecting this with a transmission type optical sensor. Cassette console 1C
Is provided with a cassette storage shelf 15 having a plurality of storage sections and capable of storing a plurality of cassettes K. In the drive console 1D and the cassette console 1C to which the junction console 1J is connected, the junction console 1J is connected when the junction console 1J is connected.
The storage portion of the cassette storage shelf 14 is partially removed so that the cassette K can be transferred to and from the cassette J. Here, the drive device 13 corresponds to “recording / reproducing means” in the present invention, and the cassette storage shelves 14 and 1
Reference numeral 5 corresponds to “recording medium storage means” in the present invention.

One or a plurality of cleaning cassettes KC (not shown) used for cleaning a recording / reproducing head (not shown) of the drive device 13 are stored in predetermined storage sections of the cassette storage shelves 14 and 15. ing. The position of the storage section of this cleaning cassette is
It is grasped by the library controller 2. Specifically, as described later, the library controller 2
In the system information file on the hard disk in the hard disk drive 49 (FIG. 3), address information indicating the position of the storage section of the cleaning cassette is stored. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the cleaning cassette KC cannot be rewound and used repeatedly, and is scheduled to be discarded when the tape is completely used up. Here, the cleaning cassette KC corresponds to the “cleaning medium” in the present invention.

The basic console 1B has an input / output port 11 for taking in the cassette K or the cleaning cassette KC from the front into the library and automatically discharging the cassette K or the cleaning cassette KC in the library to the outside. And a display unit 12 for displaying various information such as control information on the cassette library 1 on the front of the basic console 1B. Further, the basic console 1B has a barcode reader (not shown) for reading barcode information indicating an ID (identification information) added to the loaded cassette K or the cleaning cassette KC. The input / output port unit 11 includes an upper port unit 11 provided on the upper stage of the basic console 1B.
a and a lower port portion 11b provided in the lower stage. The upper port portion 11a and the lower port portion 11b for inputting / outputting the cassette K or the cleaning cassette KC each have a plurality (for example, four) of input / output ports. The display unit 12 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device. Basic console 1B
Further includes a basic control unit 60 connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 via the transmission line 24.
(FIG. 2) and a main drive control unit 61 (FIG. 2) connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 by the transmission line 25 and connected to the drive control unit 70 of the drive console 1D. . Here, the input / output port 11 corresponds to the “discharge unit” in the present invention.

The junction console 1J is used to extend the connection between the consoles.
It is configured such that one side of itself can be connected to the front or rear surface of another console. Junction console 1J
As shown in FIG. 2, a junction port 18 having a mechanism for transferring the cassette K to and from another connected console is provided on one side of the upper console 11a of the basic console 1B. Is provided at a position corresponding to. An input / output port 17 having the same function as the input / output port 11 of the basic console 1B is provided on the front of the junction console 1J.
B is provided at a position corresponding to the lower port portion 11b. Further, the junction console 1J includes a basic control unit 8 for controlling a mechanism for transferring the cassette K at the junction port unit 18 and controlling the cassette transporter 16 and the like in an extended console row.
0 is provided. The basic control unit 80 controls the basic console 1
B is electrically connected to the basic control unit 60. In addition,
Other basic configurations of the junction console 1J are the same as those of the basic console 1B.

At the central portion inside the basic console 1B, drive console 1D, cassette console 1C and junction console 1J, as shown in FIG. 2, a transfer area 103, which is a space for the cassette transfer device 16 to move, is provided. Is provided. In the transfer area 103, a guide rail 101 serving as a transfer path when the cassette transfer device 16 moves is provided along the transfer direction of the cassette transfer device 16. Further, on the side of the guide rail 101, an energizing rail 102 for supplying electric power to the cassette transporter 16 is provided.

The cassette transporter 16 has a transport area 103
Inside, the cassette K can be moved in the horizontal direction while holding the cassette K along the guide rail 101 by supplying electric power from the power supply rail 102, and the cassette K can be moved in each console by a vertical movement mechanism (not shown). Can be moved in the vertical direction (vertical direction) while maintaining the position. In addition, the cassette transporter 16
Although not shown, a mechanism for transferring the cassette K to each console is provided. For example, the cassette K taken in from the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console 1B is stored in a cassette storage shelf of the cassette console 1C. 1
5 can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the library controller 2. The library controller 2 includes a screen control unit 41 for controlling the display device 23, an input control unit 42 for controlling the input device 22, and an SC
SCSI controller 4 for controlling connection between host computer 3 and library controller 2 according to the SI standard
A network controller 4 for controlling connection between the communication network 32 and the library controller 2
4 is provided. Each block element in the controller main body 21 is connected to each other by an internal bus 40.

The library controller 2 includes, for example, a serial line control unit 45 for controlling the connection between the cassette library 1 and the library controller 2 via the transmission lines 24 and 25 of the RS-232C standard;
A central processing control unit 46 configured to include a PU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and performs overall control of the library controller 2 and substantial control of the cassette library 1, and performs basic operations of the library controller 2 itself. Read-only memory 47 storing basic programs and the like necessary for
And a temporary storage memory 4 serving as a work area used when the central processing control unit 46 executes a program.
And a hard disk drive 49 for driving a built-in hard disk storing a system information file including various system information related to the library system.
And a floppy disk (referred to as FD in the figure) drive 50 for recording and reproducing information on the floppy disk. A program for controlling the cassette library 1 is stored in the hard disk drive 4
9 is stored in the internal hard disk, and the central processing control unit 46 executes this program to
The function of controlling the cassette library 1 is realized. The system information file stored in the built-in hard disk of the hard disk drive 49 includes, in addition to usage frequency information recording the usage frequency of each cleaning cassette, a recording / reproducing head as a criterion for determining when to perform head cleaning of the drive device 13. Information indicating whether or not the cassette library 1 has a cassette ejection mechanism (input / output port 11), and information on the presence or absence of an ejection mechanism indicating whether the cassette library 1 has a cassette ejection mechanism (input / output port 11). Address information indicating the location is stored. here,
Central processing control unit 4 of library controller 2
Reference numeral 6 corresponds to “control means” in the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a control screen displayed on the display device 23 of the library controller 2. The library controller 2 is a GUI that allows the user to perform operations on the screen using a mouse or the like.
A screen realizing an interface based on an I (Graphical User Interface) environment is used as a control screen as a display device 23.
Is displayed. The control screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as, for example, a main control screen when the library controller 2 is started.
On the main screen, a menu bar or the like for instructing control of the library system is displayed in a predetermined area (area 91 in FIG. 7), and information on the basic configuration of the cassette library 1 is displayed in a predetermined area. Region (region 9 in FIG. 7)
In 2), a graphic is displayed in a form that can be understood intuitively. Library controller 2
When the library controller 2 is started, information indicating the current configuration of the console, such as the type of console and the connection relationship between the consoles, is acquired from the cassette library 1, and based on the acquired information, the area shown in FIG. 92
A graphic screen of the form shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part of a functional configuration of the library controller 2. The library controller 2 includes an input device 22, a display device 23, and a control function unit 55 having a function of controlling the cassette library 1. The control function unit 55 controls the entire library controller 2 and the cassette library 1
Main control unit 5 that functions to perform substantial control on
1, a screen control unit 52 connected to the main control unit 51 and functioning to control the display device 23, and a main control unit 5
1, an input control unit 53 that functions to control the input device 22, and a storage unit 5 that functions to store a system information file and the like related to the library system.
And 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the basic console 1B. The basic console 1B is connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 by a transmission path 24, and a basic control unit 60 for controlling the basic console 1B itself and controlling the transport of the cassette transporter 16; A main drive control unit 61 is connected to the controller main body 21 of the controller 2 and connected to the drive control unit 70 of the drive console 1D, and controls the drive control unit 70 to control the drive device 13. I have. The main drive control unit 61 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer.

The basic control unit 60 has a communication line between the console control unit 62 for controlling each component block in the basic control unit 60 and the transfer control of the cassette transfer device 16 and the extended console rows L2 and L3. An inter-console-row communication unit 63 for performing communication via the base 72; a console-configuration collecting unit 64 for collecting information on the configuration of each console constituting the basic console row L1 including the basic console 1B; A display controller 6 for controlling display of a display unit 12 (FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the console 1B.
5, an input / output port control unit 66 for controlling a cassette K transfer mechanism in an input / output port unit 11 (FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the basic console 1B, and an infrared ray A transfer unit communication unit 67 for performing control communication by 71. Basic control unit 6
0 are connected to each other by an internal bus 68. The console control unit 62 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer.

The console configuration collecting section 64 includes configuration information transmitting sections 10B, 10D ₁₁ , 10C ₁₁ , 10D ₁₂ ,... Of each console constituting the basic console row L1. . . , Information about the configuration of each console is collected.

The console control unit 62 receives information on the console configuration in the basic console row L 1 obtained by the console configuration collection unit 64 and the console information in the other console rows received via the inter-console row communication unit 63. Information about the configuration is sent to the library controller 2. The console control unit 62 receives a cassette conveyance detection signal 135 output from a light detection sensor 132 (FIG. 8) described later provided for each drive device 13. 2, illustration of the cassette transport detection signal 135 is omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a junction console 1J _j
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of (j = 1, 2). Junction console 1J _j controls the junction console 1J _j itself and the junction console 1
The console sequence Li extended by J _j (i = 2,
In 3) the basic control unit 80 for controlling the conveyance or the like of the cassette conveying motor 16, carried out the control of the drive unit 13 relative to the drive control unit 70 in the console string extended by the junction console 1 J _j if necessary And a main drive control unit 81 for controlling the operation. The main drive control unit 81 includes a drive console 1D
Are used for interfacing with the main drive control unit 61 of the basic console 1B and the drive control units 70 in the plurality of drive consoles 1D.

The basic control unit 80 includes a console control unit 82
A console line communication unit 83, a console configuration collection unit 84, a display control unit 85, and an input / output port control unit 86
And a transporter communication section 87. The console configuration collection unit 84 includes configuration information transmission units 10J, 10D _i1 , 10 of the consoles constituting the extended console row Li.
C _i1 , 10D _i2,. . . , Information about the configuration of each console is collected. Further, the basic control unit 80 has a junction port control unit 89 for controlling a mechanism for transferring the cassette K in the junction port unit 18 (FIG. 2) provided on the side surface of the junction console 1J. Each block element of the basic control unit 80 is connected to each other by an internal bus 88. Each block element of the basic control unit 80 except the junction port control unit 89 basically has the same function as each block element of the basic control unit 60 of the basic console 1B. Incidentally, the console control unit 82, in the example of the junction another console column console 1 J _j are connected (FIG. 2, the console column L
The information on the configuration is transmitted from the configuration information transmission unit of the console in 1). For example,
When the junction console 1 J _1, the configuration information sending unit 10D drives console 1D ₁₁ in FIG. 5
_{From 11} , information on the configuration is sent to the console control unit 82 in FIG. 6. This allows
It is possible to recognize the connection relationship between the console rows.

Next, the operation of the information recording / reproducing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, the overall operation will be described.

When the library controller 2 is started, a main screen for control in a GUI environment as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 23 of the library controller 2. The user performs an operation using a mouse or the like on the displayed main screen for control,
Make various settings for controlling the library system.

The library controller 2 responds to a request from the host computer 3 and operates the cassette library 1
For the basic console 1B, the desired cassette K is
A command for moving the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console 1B, the cassette storage shelf 15 of the cassette console 1C, the drive device 13 of the drive console 1D, and the like using the cassette transporter 16 and the drive console 1D. The drive device 13 transmits a command for recording or reproducing information. Cassette K
Is transmitted to the basic control unit 60 of the basic console 1B via the transmission path 24. In the drive device 13, a command for recording or reproducing information is transmitted via the transmission line 25 to the main drive control unit 6 of the basic console 1 </ b> B.
1 is sent.

The basic control unit 60 controls the cassette transporter 16 based on a command received from the library controller 2 via the transmission path 24. The control from the basic control unit 60 to the cassette transporter 16 is performed by the transporter communication unit 67.
This is performed by infrared communication via (FIG. 5). Based on the control from the basic control unit 60, for example, the cassette transporter 16 can control the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console 1B.
The cassette K taken in from the cassette console 1
The transport operation is performed such that the transport is performed to and transferred to the cassette storage shelf 15 of C. In the console row extended by the junction console 1J, the basic control unit 80 of the junction console 1J receives a command from the library controller 2 from the basic control unit 60 of the basic console 1B, and transfers the cassette in the extended console row. The machine 16 is controlled in the same manner as the basic control unit 60.

The main drive control section 61 receives a command from the library controller 2 received via the transmission path 25 and, based on a command from the library controller 2, controls the drive control section 70 of the drive console 1D.
, And controls the drive device 13 to record and reproduce information. The drive control unit 70
Under the control of the main drive control section 61, the drive device 13 is caused to record and reproduce information.

Next, referring to FIG.
The processing related to the head cleaning operation will be described.
FIG. 8 mainly illustrates the operation of the central processing control unit 46 related to the head cleaning process in the controller main body 21 (FIG. 3) of the library controller 2.

As shown in this figure, when the head cleaning time of the drive unit 13 arrives, the central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2 causes the cassette library 1 to transport the cleaning cassette to the drive unit 13. (Step S101 in FIG. 8). Here, the head cleaning timing of the drive device 13 is set to a point in time when the cumulative use time of the recording / reproducing head from the previous head cleaning has reached, for example, 50 hours, but to a point in time when the use time has become less or longer. Is also good. The determination as to whether or not the head cleaning time has come is made, for example, by the central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2. Specifically, the central processing control unit 46 always drives the drive device 1
The recording / reproducing head use time of No. 3 is cumulatively counted, and when the count value reaches the head use time information set in the system information file in the hard disk drive 49, it is determined that the time has come. However, the determination may be made by another method. Alternatively, cleaning may be performed when a cleaning request is issued from the host controller 3.

The command for transporting the cleaning cassette sent from the central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2 is transmitted to the basic control unit 60 of the basic console 1B.
It is sent to the cassette transporter 16 via (FIG. 5). In accordance with the received command, the cassette transporter 16 takes out the cleaning cassette from the designated storage shelf in the cassette storage shelf 15 and transports it to the designated drive device 13. When the mounting of the cleaning cassette is completed, the drive control unit 70 of the drive device 13
To that effect, the main drive control unit 61 of the basic console 1B
It is sent to the library controller 2 via (FIG. 5).

The central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2 which has received the notification of the completion of mounting the cleaning cassette.
Sends a head cleaning command to the drive device 13 (step S102). This command is sent to the drive control unit 70 via the main drive control unit 61 (FIG. 5) of the basic console 1B, and the drive device 13 executes head cleaning using a cleaning cassette. Predetermined time (for example, about 5 to 10 seconds)
When the head cleaning over is completed normally, the drive control unit 70 sends a head cleaning completion notification to the central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2. At this time, when the head cleaning is normally completed, the drive control unit 70 further checks whether or not the cleaning cassette has reached the tape end at the time of completion of the cleaning, and the result is transmitted to the library together with the above-described head cleaning completion notification. It is sent to the central processing control unit 46 of the controller 2. The drive control unit 70
When the cleaning cassette KC reaches the tape end in the middle of the current head cleaning and the cleaning is interrupted in the middle, a cleaning interruption notification is sent to the central processing control unit 46.

The central processing control unit 46 of the library controller 2 receives, from the drive control unit 70, information indicating whether the tape end has been reached and a cleaning completion notification or a cleaning interruption notification (step S103; Y). ), It is determined from these notifications whether the cleaning cassette is in a further usable state. That is, when the head cleaning has been completed normally and the tape has not reached the tape end yet (step S104; N), the central processing control unit 46 sets the cleaning cassette of the cleaning cassette in the system information file stored in the hard disk drive 49. 1 use
Is updated by incrementing only by one (step S10).
5). As a result of this update, if the number of times of use of the cleaning cassette is still within the specified number of times (step S
106; Y), the central processing control unit 46 sends a command for transporting the cleaning cassette of the drive device 13 to the original storage unit of the cassette storage shelf 15 to the cassette library 1 (step S107).

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S104, the head cleaning has been completed normally but the cleaning cassette has reached the tape end, or the cleaning has been interrupted because the tape has reached the tape end during the cleaning (step S104; Y) Or, as a result of updating the number of uses performed in step S105, if the number of uses has reached the specified number (step S10)
6; N), the central processing control unit 46 performs the processing after step S108.

In step S108, the central processing control unit 46 checks whether or not the cassette library 1 has the input / output port 11 as a cassette discharging mechanism. This process is performed by reading the system information file of the hard disk drive 49 and checking the ejection mechanism presence / absence information. As a result, when the cassette library 1 has the input / output port 11 (step S108;
Y), the central processing control unit 46 sends a cassette discharge command for cleaning to the cassette library 1 (step S109), and the cassette library 2
Is displayed on the display unit 12 of the basic console 1B and the display device 23 of the library controller 2 to prompt replenishment of a new cleaning cassette (step S110). On the other hand, when the cassette library 1 does not have the input / output port 11 (step S108;
N), the central processing control unit 46 displays on the display unit 12 of the basic console 1B of the cassette library 2 and the display device 23 of the library controller 2 a message for urging replacement of the cleaning cassette (step S11).
1).

As described above, according to the library system of the present embodiment, the cleaning cassette KC is stored in the storage section at the predetermined position of the cassette storage shelves 14 and 15, and the cleaning is automatically performed by the instruction from the library controller 2. The cassette is transported from the cassette storage shelves 14 and 15 to the drive device 13 to clean the recording / reproducing head of the drive device 13, so that the head cleaning is performed manually as in the conventional case. In addition, the labor required for head cleaning can be greatly reduced. Further, since the head cleaning is automatically performed at a predetermined time, it is possible to accurately manage the head cleaning time for each drive device 13 without missing the time.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the usage status of the cleaning cassette is monitored to determine whether or not the cleaning cassette has reached the usage limit. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the unusable cleaning cassette is used again for cleaning and the head cleaning is not properly performed. In particular, when the use limit is determined based on the number of times of use, there is no need for a means for detecting the presence or absence of an actually usable tape area in the cleaning cassette, and a mechanism for managing the use of the cleaning cassette is not required. Can be simplified.

Further, according to the present embodiment, not only the number of times of use of the cleaning cassette is monitored but also whether or not the cleaning cassette has reached the tape end is checked. At the end point, even if it is within the specified number of uses, a cleaning cassette in which an unused tape area sufficient for the next cleaning does not remain can be determined to be the usage limit. Therefore, it is possible to avoid in advance a situation in which the cleaning operation is expected to be interrupted when the cleaning cassette in such a state is used for the next cleaning, and a cleaning cassette whose use history is unknown. Even when the cleaning cassette is used, it is possible to perform appropriate use management of the cleaning cassette.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning cassette judged to have reached the use limit is automatically discharged from the input / output port section 11, so that the unusable cleaning It is possible to prevent the use cassette from being repeatedly used, and it is not necessary to remove the unnecessary cleaning cassette by the user himself. In addition, when the cleaning cassette is ejected from the input / output port section 11, a display urging the replenishment of a new cleaning cassette is displayed, so that the user does not forget to replenish the cleaning cassette. In addition, it is possible to prevent the head cleaning operation from being affected by the shortage of the cleaning cassettes in the cassette storage shelves 14 and 15. Further, when the cassette library 1 does not have the input / output port section 11, the display prompting the user to replace the cleaning cassette which has reached the usage limit with a new cleaning cassette is displayed. Even without the cassette automatic discharge mechanism, the possibility that the cleaning cassette which has become unusable can be used repeatedly can be reduced. In addition, a display urging the replenishment or replacement of the cleaning cassette is displayed not only on the display unit 12 of the cassette library 1 but also on the display device 23 of the library controller 2. Even when there is no user, it is possible to know the status of the cleaning cassette (necessity of replenishment or replacement) while staying in the room where the library controller 2 is installed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be variously modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a cleaning cassette of a type that is not rewound and used is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a type of a rewritable and reusable type is used. The present invention is also applicable to a cleaning cassette. In this case, when the remaining tape in the cleaning cassette is exhausted, the tape is rewound and used again from the beginning, and the count of the number of times of use is not reset every time the tape is rewound, but is accumulated sequentially. Then, when the specified number of uses has been reached, it may be determined that the use limit has been reached.

In the above embodiment, the recording medium is described as being a cassette tape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of recording medium (for example, an optical disk or an exchangeable magnetic Disc-shaped recording media such as discs). Of course, in that case, the form of the cleaning medium also corresponds to the form of the recording medium.

[0055]

As described above, the method for cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the method for cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 is provided. According to this, at a predetermined time, the cleaning medium is automatically conveyed from the storage section of the recording medium storage section to the recording / reproduction section, and the recording / reproduction section is cleaned with the cleaning medium. The cleaning medium is conveyed to the storage section of the recording medium storage means, and the usage status of the cleaning medium is monitored to determine whether the cleaning medium has reached the usage limit. Even if cleaning of the means is performed automatically, the cleaning medium that has reached the use limit and has become unusable It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the cleaning've been used to clean again is not performed correctly. In other words, there is an effect that it is possible to perform appropriate use management of the cleaning medium and to reliably perform cleaning of the information recording / reproducing apparatus.

In particular, according to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the second aspect or the method of cleaning the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the number of times of use of the cleaning medium is monitored, and the number of times of use reaches a predetermined number. In such a case, it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit, so that it is not necessary to monitor the presence or absence of an actually usable area in the cleaning medium. That is, since the use limit can be determined only by monitoring the number of uses, the use of the cleaning medium can be easily managed.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the third aspect or the cleaning method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the presence or absence of the usable area of the cleaning medium is monitored, and the usable area is eliminated. In such a case, it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached the usage limit. For example, when cleaning is performed using a cleaning medium that has already been used to some extent, if the usage history (number of times) is unknown, Even if the cleaning medium is used, the use limit can be determined before the cleaning medium becomes unusable. Therefore, even when a cleaning medium whose use history is unknown is used, appropriate use management of the cleaning medium can be performed, and the information recording / reproducing apparatus can be reliably cleaned. .

Further, according to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth aspect or the cleaning method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the ninth aspect, a discharge section for discharging the recording medium and the cleaning medium to the outside is further provided. When the control means determines that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit, the control means controls the transport means so that the cleaning medium is transported to the discharge unit. This has the effect of reliably ejecting the cleaning medium out of the apparatus and eliminating the need for the user to remove the unnecessary cleaning medium with his / her own hand.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus described in claim 5 or the method for cleaning the information recording / reproducing apparatus described in claim 10, when the cleaning medium reaches the use limit, the cleaning medium is discharged. Is output so that the user can immediately know that an unneeded unnecessary cleaning medium has occurred. Therefore, even in an information recording / reproducing apparatus having no recording medium discharging mechanism, there is an effect that such an unnecessary cleaning medium can be prevented from occupying a part of the storage shelf or being reused.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a basic configuration of a library system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of the cassette library shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a library controller illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a library controller illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a basic console shown in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the junction console shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a control main screen displayed in the library controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to head cleaning of a drive device by the library controller illustrated in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1: cassette library, 1B: basic console, 1C
... cassette console, 1D ... drive console, 1
J: junction console, 2: library controller, 3: host computer, 11: input / output port unit, 13: drive unit, 14, 15: cassette storage shelf, 16: cassette transporter, 46: central processing control unit, 6
0: basic control unit, 61: main drive control unit, 62: console control unit, 70: drive control unit, 131: cassette attaching / detaching port, 132: light detection sensor, K: cassette, KC
... Cleaning cassette.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masato Yokota 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Toru Yumine 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5D057 AA26 BD10 EB20

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproduction of information by using a removable recording medium, and a recording medium accommodating means having a plurality of accommodating portions each capable of accommodating the recording medium. An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a transport unit that transports the recording medium between an arbitrary storage section of the recording medium storage unit and the recording / reproducing unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the recording / reproducing unit. An apparatus, wherein the control means controls the transport means and the recording / reproducing means to automatically store a cleaning medium used for cleaning the recording / reproducing means at a predetermined time in the recording medium storing means. From the recording medium to the recording / reproducing means, and the recording / reproducing means is cleaned by the cleaning medium. Information recording / reproducing, which has an automatic cleaning function of transporting the cleaning medium to a storage unit, and has a function of monitoring the usage state of the cleaning medium and determining whether the cleaning medium has reached a usage limit. apparatus. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit monitors the number of times of use of the cleaning medium, and determines that the number of times of use of the cleaning medium has reached a use limit when the number of times of use reaches a predetermined number. Item 2. An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit monitors whether or not the usable area of the cleaning medium is available, and determines that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit when the usable area is exhausted. Item 2. An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to Item 1. 4. A discharging unit for discharging a recording medium and a cleaning medium to the outside, wherein the control unit controls the transport unit when it determines that the cleaning medium has reached a use limit. 2. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning medium is transported to the discharge unit. 5. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs information for prompting discharge of the cleaning medium when it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached a use limit. . 6. A recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproduction of information by using a detachable recording medium, and a recording medium accommodating means having a plurality of accommodating portions each capable of accommodating the recording medium. An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a transport unit for transporting the recording medium between any storage unit of the recording medium storage unit and the recording / reproducing unit; and a control unit for controlling the transport unit and the recording / reproducing unit. A method of cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus for cleaning said recording / reproducing means in an apparatus, wherein said control means controls said transport means and said recording / reproducing means to automatically clean said recording / reproducing means at a predetermined time. The cleaning medium used for cleaning is transported from the storage section of the recording medium storage section to the recording / reproducing section, and the cleaning medium is The recording / reproducing means is cleaned, and then the cleaning medium is transported to the storage section of the recording medium storage means, and the usage status of the cleaning medium is monitored to determine whether the cleaning medium has reached the usage limit. A method for cleaning an information recording and reproducing apparatus. 7. The usage status of the cleaning medium may be as follows:
7. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the number of uses of the cleaning medium is monitored, and when the number of uses reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached a use limit. Method. 8. The use condition of the cleaning medium is as follows.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of monitoring whether or not the usable area of the cleaning medium is available, and judging that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit when the usable area is exhausted.
The method for cleaning the information recording / reproducing apparatus described in the above. 9. The information recording / reproducing apparatus further comprises a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium and the cleaning medium to the outside, and when it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit,
7. The method for cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning unit is controlled to transport the cleaning medium to the discharge unit. 10. The method for cleaning an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when it is determined that the cleaning medium has reached the use limit, information for urging the discharge of the cleaning medium is output.