JP2003228960A - Magnetic reproducing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic reproducing device which exactly manages the life and fault history of a magnetic tape even when the magnetic tape is taken out of the magnetic reproducing device and is again inserted therein and a control method for the same. <P>SOLUTION: The magnetic reproducing device has a reproducing section for reproducing identification information recorded to the magnetic tape to specify the magnetic tape, a use information detecting section for detecting the use information of the magnetic tape, a fault information detecting section for detecting the fault information of the magnetic tape, a memory section for associating the identification information of the magnetic tape and the use information and fault information of the magnetic tape with each other and storing the same, and a communication section for transmitting the identification information of the magnetic tape and the information including the use information and fault information of the magnetic tape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic reproducing device for accurately managing a magnetic tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art relating to the management of the life of a magnetic tape, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-46869 is known. According to this, the degree of wear of each section is measured by a recording / reproducing running operation, and when a predetermined value is exceeded, a warning is issued to manage the magnetic tape.

[0003]

However, in the determination of the degree of wear of the magnetic tape according to the above-mentioned prior art, the usage state of the magnetic tape is determined by actually recording and reproducing the data area after inserting the magnetic tape. When the magnetic tape was ejected, the information on the number of times it was used disappeared.
Therefore, when the magnetic tape once ejected is used again, the degree of wear of the magnetic tape cannot be accurately measured.
Further, for example, even if a failure has occurred in a specific section of the magnetic tape before, since the failure information is not recorded,
There is a problem that it is not possible to prevent a failure from occurring again in the same section. The present invention provides a magnetic reproducing apparatus and a control method thereof that accurately manages the life and failure history of the magnetic tape even when the magnetic tape is taken out of the magnetic reproducing apparatus and reinserted, and the failure is prevented in advance. With the goal.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following constitution. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing section for reproducing identification information for identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a use information detecting section for detecting use information of the magnetic tape, and failure information of the magnetic tape. A failure information detection unit for detecting, a storage unit that stores the identification information of the magnetic tape, the usage information and the failure information of the magnetic tape in association with each other, the identification information of the magnetic tape, and the use of the magnetic tape. And a communication unit that transmits information including information and failure information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a reproducing section for reproducing identification information for identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a use information detecting section for detecting use information of the magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape A failure information detection unit that detects failure information, a storage unit that stores identification information of the magnetic tape, usage information and failure information of the magnetic tape in association with each other, and based on the usage information and the failure information ,
A magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising: a magnetic tape determination unit that determines whether or not the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard; and a display unit that displays a determination result of the magnetic tape determination unit. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a position detecting section for detecting which section of the magnetic tape is used, and the use information includes information on the number of passages of each section of the magnetic tape. The use information detecting unit detects a moving direction detecting unit that detects a moving direction of the magnetic tape, and a moving direction of the magnetic tape based on information of the moving direction and the use period of the magnetic tape detected by the position detecting unit. The number of passages addition unit that detects a new passage and adds the new number of passages of the section to the number of passages of the section stored in the storage unit. 2 is a magnetic reproducing apparatus described in 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a position detecting section for detecting which section of the magnetic tape is used, and the storage section stores fault information for each section of the magnetic tape. The magnetic reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the magnetic tape determination unit determines whether the number of passages of at least one section of the magnetic tape exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or at least one of the magnetic tapes. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic tape is determined to have deteriorated below a predetermined standard when the failure that occurred in the section (1) corresponds to the predetermined failure. The magnetic reproducing apparatus described in 1.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the magnetic tape determination unit determines that the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard, the magnetic tape is stopped and ejected. The magnetic reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a reproducing step of reproducing identification information identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a use information detecting step of detecting use information of the magnetic tape, and a reproducing step of the magnetic tape. A fault information detecting step of detecting fault information; a storage step of storing the identification information of the magnetic tape, the use information and the fault information of the magnetic tape in a storage unit in association with each other; the use information and the fault information On the basis of the above, a magnetic tape determination step of determining whether or not the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard, and a display step of displaying the determination result in the magnetic tape determination step are included. It is a control method of a magnetic reproducing device.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the magnetic tape determining step, when it is determined that the magnetic tape has deteriorated to a predetermined standard or less, the magnetic tape is stopped to be discharged and discharged. The magnetic reproducing apparatus control method according to claim 7, further comprising:

According to the present invention, even if a magnetic tape which has reached the end of its life or a magnetic tape having a failure is inserted, immediately after the magnetic tape is inserted, the identification information recorded on the magnetic tape is read and stored in the memory. By reading the usage information and fault information of the magnetic tape by collating it with the identification information, and knowing the position where the magnetic tape has reached the end of life and the fault occurrence position without actually running the magnetic tape at that position. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to realize a magnetic reproducing apparatus and a control method thereof that accurately manages the usage information and the failure information of the magnetic tape and prevents the failure in advance. In the description of the present specification and claims, the “magnetic reproducing device” includes a magnetic recording / reproducing device.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments specifically showing the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. << Embodiment >> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10
Reference numeral 1 is a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus (a streamer in the embodiment), 102 is a host computer, 103 is a display, and 104 is a magnetic tape. The host computer 102 is connected to a large number of magnetic recording / reproducing devices 101 having the same configuration, but in FIG. 1, only one magnetic recording / reproducing device 101 is representatively displayed.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101 has a storage unit 111 for storing the identification information of the magnetic tape, the usage information and the failure information of the magnetic tape in association with each other, the usage information and the failure information of the magnetic tape (these are combined). "Management information"
Call. ) Managing magnetic tape management information processing unit 11
2. Information (including identification information of the magnetic tape, usage information and failure information of the magnetic tape, and reproduced data) is transmitted to the host computer 102 and information transmitted from the host computer 102 (of the magnetic tape). The communication unit 11 receives the identification information, the usage information and the failure information of the magnetic tape, and the data to be recorded.
3. A recording / reproducing unit 114 for recording information (including identification information for identifying the magnetic tape and data) on the magnetic tape and reproducing the information recorded on the magnetic tape, and a running system of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101. An image for generating image information for outputting the control unit 115 for controlling (including the capstan motor and the reel motor) and the recording management information of the magnetic tape 104 (stored in the storage unit 111) to the display. A display unit that lights up when the information generation unit 116 and the magnetic tape 104 become unusable (red LED (light
emitting diode)) 117, display image information 1
It has an output unit 118 for outputting to 03.

The magnetic tape management information processing unit 112 stores the identification information of the magnetic tape in the storage unit.
21, a failure information detector 122 for detecting failure information of the magnetic tape, a position detector 123 for detecting position information of the magnetic tape, a usage information detector 124 for detecting usage information of the magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape 114 can be used. And a magnetic tape determination unit 125 for determining whether or not it is possible. The use information detection unit 124 detects a new passage of the magnetic tape based on the moving direction detection unit 126 that detects the moving direction of the magnetic tape and the information of the used section of the magnetic tape detected by the position detection unit,
And a pass count adding unit 127 that adds the new pass count of the section to the pass count of the section stored in the storage unit.

The recording area of the magnetic tape of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the head portion (BOT (be
The identification information is recorded in the area near the ginning of the tape). The area for recording data is from the first section to the nth section.
It has n sections up to a section. The n sections are divided by any method. For example, in the embodiment, the tape amount is measured based on the rotation period of the capstan and the rotation period of both reels, and the tape amount is divided into n equal parts. Alternatively, for example, an absolute address is recorded on a magnetic tape, and the section is determined based on the absolute address. Alternatively, for example, the number of control pulses recorded on the magnetic tape is counted from the beginning to define the section. An example of the recorded contents of the magnetic tape management information in the storage unit 111 is shown in FIG. Magnetic tape identification information (8-digit number in the embodiment), usage information (passage count in the embodiment) for each section (1 to n) on the magnetic tape, failure information, and the magnetic tape. Is stored in association with each other.

The operation of the magnetic recording device configured as described above will be described below. The magnetic tape 104 is inserted into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101. Recording / playback unit 114
When reproducing the unique identification information from the magnetic tape 104, outputs the reproduced identification information to the identification information processing unit 121. When the recording / reproducing unit 114 reproduces the unique identification information from the magnetic tape 104 and the magnetic tape management information in the storage unit 111 does not have the same identification information, the identification information processing unit 121 uses the identification information as the magnetic tape. Add new to management information. The communication unit 113 is the host computer 1
02 requesting the management information of the magnetic tape of this identification information. The host computer 102 has management information for all magnetic tapes. The host computer 102 uses the magnetic tape management information of the identification information as the magnetic tape management information.
01 to the communication unit 113. The storage unit 111 stores the management information of the magnetic tape received by the communication unit 113 in association with the identification information.

The identification information processing section 121 includes a recording / reproducing section 11
When the identification information 4 is not recorded on the magnetic tape 104, new identification information is written on the magnetic tape 104, and the same identification information is stored in the magnetic tape management information of the storage unit 111. The recording / reproducing unit 114 reproduces the data recorded on the magnetic tape 104 during reproduction, outputs the data to the host computer 102 via the communication unit 113, and inputs the data from the host computer 102 via the communication unit 113 during recording. Magnetic tape 104
To record. The recording / reproducing unit 114 outputs error rate information to the failure information detecting unit 122 during reproduction.

The position detecting section 123 detects the position on the magnetic tape currently recorded or reproduced by the recording / reproducing section 114 via the control section 115 and detects the detected position information from the failure information detecting section 122 and the number of passages. It is output to the unit 127. The moving direction detection unit 126 detects the moving direction of the magnetic tape via the control unit 115, and outputs the detected moving direction to the pass number addition unit 127. The passing count adding unit 127 inputs the position on the magnetic tape currently recorded or reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 114 from the position detection 123, and the moving direction detecting unit 1
From 26, the current moving direction of the magnetic tape is input. The passing count adding unit 127 determines the recording / reproducing unit 11 from the information.
When it is detected that 4 has passed from the boundary of a certain section on the magnetic tape to the other boundary of the section (the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is in the recording, reproducing, FF or REW mode, for example), the storage unit 111. Access the magnetic tape management information, and add 1 to the number of passages in the new section.

For example, in FIG. 2, the reproduction direction of the magnetic tape is in the forward direction (from BOT to EOT (end of the t
direction toward ape)), the j−1th section and the jth section (1
≦ j ≦ n) and the boundary between the j-th section and the j + 1-th section, the value of the usage information (the number of times of passage) of the j-th section is incremented by 1. When the failure information detection unit 122 inputs the information that the error rate is high from the recording / reproducing unit 114 and the abnormality occurrence information (for example, tape jam information) from the control unit 115 and detects that the failure has occurred in the magnetic tape 104. The position detecting unit 123 detects a section on the magnetic tape in which the failure has occurred, accesses the storage unit 111, and records the content of the failure in failure information corresponding to the section in which the failure has occurred.

The communication unit 113 stores the magnetic tape stored in the storage unit 111 at regular intervals, when receiving a transmission request from the host computer 102, or whenever the magnetic tape management information in the storage unit is updated. The management information is transmitted to the host computer 102. Also, the communication unit 1
13 is a new magnetic tape 104 at regular intervals.
Is inserted, the management information corresponding to the identification information stored in the storage unit 111 is requested to the host computer 02, and the storage unit 111 updates the management information of the magnetic tape. Thereby, for example, a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101 uses a magnetic tape storing identification information in another magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, and the magnetic tape is used again for the original magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
Even when inserted in 1, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101 can correctly integrate the number of passages and fault information of each section in the other magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

The magnetic tape determination unit 125 has a storage unit 111.
Occurred when the number of passages of at least any one section of the magnetic tape 104 exceeds a predetermined threshold value by inputting the magnetic tape management information stored in the section of the magnetic tape 104, or at least one section of the magnetic tape. If the failure corresponds to a predetermined failure, it is determined that the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard, the display unit (red LED) 117 is turned on, and the control unit 115 cannot use the magnetic tape. Is output to the control unit 115. Control unit 115
Receives a signal indicating that the magnetic tape is unusable, stops the magnetic tape 104 and takes it out. When the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines that the magnetic tape 104 is unusable, it outputs a signal indicating that the magnetic tape 104 is unusable to the host computer 102 through the communication unit 113. The image information generation unit 116 generates an image signal for displaying the contents of the magnetic tape management information stored in the storage unit 111, and outputs the magnetic tape management information to the display 103 via the output unit 118.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the control method of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. In step 401, the user inserts the magnetic tape into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101. In step 402, it is determined whether or not the identification information is recorded on the inserted magnetic tape. Step 402
If it is determined that the identification information is recorded in step S403, it is determined in step 403 whether the same identification information as the identification information recorded on the magnetic tape is recorded in the storage unit 111. When it is determined in step 403 that the same identification information as the identification information recorded on the magnetic tape is stored in the storage unit 111, the process proceeds to step 407.
When it is determined in step 403 that the same identification information as the identification information recorded on the magnetic tape is not stored in the storage unit 111, the identification information is stored in the storage unit in step 404. The communication unit 113 requests the host computer 102 for the management information of the magnetic tape of this identification information. The host computer 102 transmits the management information of the magnetic tape of the identification information to the communication unit 113 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 101. The storage unit 111 stores the management information of the magnetic tape received by the communication unit 113 in association with the identification information. Go to step 407. When it is determined that the identification information is not recorded on the inserted magnetic tape in step 402, the new identification information is stored in the storage unit 111 in step 405, and the identification stored in step 405 in step 406. The same identification information as the information is recorded on the magnetic tape, and the process proceeds to step 407.

At step 407, the magnetic tape is used. In step 408, it is determined whether the recording / reproducing unit has detected the passage of a new section on the magnetic tape. If it is determined in step 408 that the new section has not been passed, the process proceeds to step 410. When the recording / reproducing unit has passed a new section on the magnetic tape in step 408, the storage section 111 is accessed in step 409 to update the usage information of the newly passing section, and the process proceeds to step 410. . In step 410, it is determined whether the failure information is detected. If no fault information is detected in step 410, the process proceeds to step 412.
When the failure information is detected in step 410, the storage unit 111 is accessed in step 411 to record the detected failure information and the section in which it occurred. In step 412, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines whether the magnetic tape can be used. If it is determined in step 412 that the magnetic tape is usable, the process returns to step 407 to continue using the magnetic tape. When it is determined in step 412 that the magnetic tape is unusable, the magnetic tape is ejected in step 413, and the process ends.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for determining whether or not it is possible to continue using the magnetic tape in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. In step 501, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 accesses the storage unit 111 and reads the magnetic tape usage information. In step 502, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines whether the number of passages of each section of the magnetic tape has exceeded a certain threshold. Step 5
When the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines in 02 that the number of passages exceeds the predetermined threshold value in at least one section, the process proceeds to step 507. When the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines in step 502 that the certain threshold is not exceeded in any of the sections, fault information of each section is read in step 503.

At step 504, it is judged whether or not there is serious fault information in the fault information of each section. If there is significant fault information in the fault information of each section, the process proceeds to step 507. In step 507, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines that the magnetic tape currently used is unusable. It writes in the storage unit 111 that the magnetic tape is unusable. In step 508, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 lights the red LED to indicate to the user that the magnetic tape is unusable.
In step 509, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 instructs the control unit to stop the magnetic tape and eject it. In step 510, the controller stops the magnetic tape, ejects it, and ends. When it is determined in step 504 that the magnetic tape has no serious trouble, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 determines in step 505 that the magnetic tape is usable, and the storage unit 111 can use the magnetic tape. Write a thing. In step 506, the magnetic tape determination unit 125 turns off the red LED indicating that the magnetic tape is unusable, and ends.

[0027]

According to the present invention, identification information peculiar to a magnetic tape is recorded in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, and usage information and failure information are recorded for each magnetic tape. As a result, when a magnetic tape having a failure is inserted, the usage information and failure information of the magnetic tape are read out, and the position where the magnetic tape has reached the end of life and the failure occurrence position are actually detected. You can know without running the magnetic tape. The advantageous effect is that the user can be immediately notified that the inserted magnetic tape has a fault. Further, according to the present invention, since past usage information and failure information are recorded in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus even for a magnetic tape that has been ejected once, the usage information and failure from the time the magnetic tape is first used to the present The advantageous effect is that the information can be read and it can be determined whether the magnetic tape is usable or not. Further, by stopping the running of the unusable magnetic tape and discharging it, it is possible to prevent information recording mistakes and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording area of identification information of a magnetic tape and a recording area of n pieces of data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of management information of a magnetic tape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control method of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a magnetic tape determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 102 host computer 103 display 104 magnetic tape 111 storage 112 Magnetic Tape Management Information Processing Unit 113 Communication unit 114 recording / playback unit 115 control unit 116 Image Information Generation Unit 117 Display 118 Output section 121 identification information processing unit 122 Fault Information Detection Unit 123 Position detector 124 Usage information detector 125 Magnetic tape determination unit 126 Moving direction detector 127 Passage addition section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A reproducing section for reproducing identification information for identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a use information detecting section for detecting use information of the magnetic tape, and fault information of the magnetic tape. A failure information detection unit, a storage unit that stores the magnetic tape identification information, the magnetic tape usage information and the failure information in association with each other, the magnetic tape identification information, and the magnetic tape usage information and A magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that transmits information including failure information. 2. A reproducing unit for reproducing identification information for identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a use information detecting unit for detecting use information of the magnetic tape, and fault information of the magnetic tape. A failure information detection unit, a storage unit that stores the magnetic tape identification information, the usage information and failure information of the magnetic tape in association with each other, and the magnetic tape based on the usage information and the failure information. A magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising: a magnetic tape determination unit that determines whether or not deterioration has occurred below a predetermined standard; and a display unit that displays a determination result of the magnetic tape determination unit. 3. A position detector for detecting which section of the magnetic tape is being used, wherein the use information includes information on the number of passages of each section of the magnetic tape. The section detects a new passage in the section based on a moving direction detecting section that detects a moving direction of the magnetic tape, and information on the moving direction and information on a used section of the magnetic tape detected by the position detecting section. The magnetic field according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a passing count adding unit that adds a new passing count of the section to the passing count of the section stored in the storage unit. Playback device. 4. A position detecting section for detecting which section of the magnetic tape is used, the storage section storing failure information for each section of the magnetic tape. The magnetic reproducing device according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The magnetic tape determination unit is generated when the number of passages of at least any one section of the magnetic tape exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or occurs in at least any one section of the magnetic tape. The magnetic reproduction according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the failure corresponds to a predetermined failure, it is determined that the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard. apparatus. 6. The magnetic tape is stopped and ejected when the magnetic tape determination unit determines that the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard. The magnetic reproducing device according to claim 5. 7. A reproducing step of reproducing identification information for identifying the magnetic tape recorded on the magnetic tape, a usage information detecting step of detecting usage information of the magnetic tape, and failure information of the magnetic tape. A failure information detecting step, a storage step of storing identification information of the magnetic tape, usage information and failure information of the magnetic tape in a storage unit in association with each other, based on the usage information and the failure information, Control of a magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising: a magnetic tape determination step of determining whether or not the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard; and a display step of displaying a determination result in the magnetic tape determination step. Method. 8. The magnetic tape determining step,
8. The magnetic reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a discharging step of stopping the running of the magnetic tape and discharging the magnetic tape when it is determined that the magnetic tape has deteriorated below a predetermined standard. Control method.