JPH07320473A - System for managing the number of times tape-shaped recording media are used - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To manage the number of times a tape recording medium is used in a short time without accessing user data. A system for managing the number of times of use of a tape-shaped recording medium, comprising a tape-shaped recording medium and an input / output device, and alerting an operator when the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium exceeds its limit of use In the tape-shaped recording medium, the tape-shaped recording medium has a number-of-uses recording area for recording the number of times of use in its system area, and the input / output device, when the tape-shaped recording medium is inserted into the input / output device, A reading means for reading the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium from the number-of-uses recording area in the tape-shaped recording medium; a writing means for incrementing the number of times of use to record the number of times of use in the area of number-of-uses; And a warning means for warning the operator when the number of times the recording medium has been used is exceeded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape-shaped recording medium use count management system capable of managing the number of times of use without accessing user data of the tape-shaped recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout of an entire magnetic tape in a digital data storage (DDS) format format adopted in a digital audio tape or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, a magnetic tape of the digital data storage (DDS) format type is
Start of media (BOM) 401 and device area 40
2, a partition start point (BOP) 403, a system area 410 in which a tape log of the usage status and soft error occurrence status is stored, a data area 404 in which user data is stored, and data writing. The EOD area 405 indicating the position on the finished tape, the early warning (EW) mark 406, the partition /
It is composed of a media end (EOP / M) 407.

The device area 402 is located between the tape portion wound around the drum when the tape is first loaded, the drive electronic circuit, the test portion where the servo read / write test is executed, and the beginning of the recorded frame. It is composed of a guard part provided in the.

Here, the system area 410 is an area for storing information uniquely managed by the input / output device, and the data area 404 is a data area in which a user can freely rewrite additional data.

The digital data storage (DD)
As described above by taking the S) format type magnetic tape as an example, the tape-shaped recording medium can be roughly divided into a system area and a user area including a data area.

Generally, cassette magnetic tape, digital
In a tape-shaped recording medium such as an audio tape or an 8 mm tape, a read / write operation is repeated to make a medium defect, which makes it unusable.

Further, tape-shaped recording media such as cassette magnetic tapes, digital audio tapes, and 8 mm tapes often store important data for users of computer systems. Damage when the tape recording medium becomes unusable is serious.

Therefore, in the conventional example, an area for storing the number of times of use is provided in the user area of the tape-shaped recording medium, and when the tape-shaped recording medium is inserted into the input / output device, the user area of the tape-shaped recording medium is changed. A means for reading the number of times the medium has been used, incrementing the number of times the medium has been used, writing it in the user area of the tape-shaped recording medium, and warning the operator when the number of times the medium has been used exceeds the maximum number of times the medium can be connected to the input / output device. The number of times the tape-shaped recording medium is used is managed by providing it in the user program operating on the central processing unit.

[0010]

However, the conventional method of managing the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium is used has the following problems: (1) The user area is reduced and the amount of data that can be written by the user is reduced. Further, (2) in the case of the sequential access device, there is a problem that it is necessary to read and write all the user data because only part of the user data cannot be rewritten.

In order to solve the above problem (2), when the tape-shaped recording medium is inserted into the input / output device, the user data can be accessed only for reading, and the user data is not added or rewritten. A method of adding a file mark to the end of data and checking the number of file marks to determine the number of times the recording medium has been used is also known.

However, in the above method, since it is necessary to access from the start end of the tape-shaped recording medium to the end of the data, the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium is used is read,
There is a problem that the process of incrementing the number of times of use takes time, the processing time is delayed, and access to user data is only for reading, and can be applied only when there is no addition or rewriting.

Further, as a means for displaying the wear of the information processing apparatus and the time of replacement of the regular replacement parts, it is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-103253.

The above-mentioned publication (JP-A-61-103253)
The information described in (1) uses the accumulated information such as the power-on time of the target information processing device, the number of printed sheets, etc. to notify and warn of the next replacement time. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to give advance notice or warn when the tape-shaped recording medium should be replaced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to manage the number of times of use of a tape-shaped recording medium in a short time without accessing user data. It is to provide the technology that makes it possible.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0017]

Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, a brief description will be given to the outline of typical ones.
It is as follows.

(1) Use of a tape-shaped recording medium which is composed of a tape-shaped recording medium and an input / output device, and which warns an operator when the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium exceeds the maximum number of times of use. In the frequency management system, the tape-shaped recording medium has a usage-number recording area for recording the number of times of use in its system area, and the input / output device inserts the tape-shaped recording medium into the input / output device. At this time, reading means for reading out the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium from the number-of-uses recording area in the tape-shaped recording medium, writing means for incrementing the number of times of use to record the number of times of use, and the number of times of use Is equipped with a warning means for warning the operator when the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium has been used is exceeded.

[0019]

According to the means of the above item 1, the number-of-uses storage area is provided in the system area in the tape-shaped recording medium, and the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium is used when the tape-shaped recording medium is inserted into the input / output device. The usage count is read from the storage area, the read usage count is incremented, the usage count is written to the usage count storage area, it is determined whether the usage count exceeds the usage limit count of the medium, and if it exceeds, the user Since the warning is given to the user, it is possible to manage the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium has been used without accessing any user data by using only the tape-shaped recording medium and the input / output device.

[0020]

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

In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system including a tape-shaped recording medium use frequency management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 100 is a magnetic tape and 20 is a magnetic tape.
0 is an input / output device, 300 is a processor (CPU), 31
Reference numeral 0 is a main memory device, 320 is an I / O bus, and the input / output device 200 is a processor (C) via the I / O bus 320.
PU) 300.

FIG. 2 shows a magnetic tape 1 used in a tape-shaped recording medium usage count management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the layout of 00.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic tape 10 in the usage management system for the tape-shaped recording medium according to the present embodiment.
In No. 0, the medium use count storage area 101 is provided in the system area 102 for storing the information that is independently managed by the input / output device.

FIG. 5 shows a digital data storage (D
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a layout of the entire magnetic tape when the present invention is applied to a magnetic tape of a DS format format, in which a system use area storage area 101 is provided.
Is provided.

FIG. 3 shows an input / output device 2 in a tape-shaped recording medium usage count management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of 00.

In FIG. 3, 201 is a central processing unit, 2
Reference numeral 02 is a self-diagnosis unit, 203 is a system area management unit, 20
Reference numeral 4 is a medium use count management unit, 205 is a head control unit that moves the head up and down, 206 is a motor control unit, 207 is a front panel display control unit, 208 is a tape control unit,
Reference numeral 209 is a tape sensor, and 210 is a read / write / erase control unit.

The input / output device 200 in this embodiment is provided with a medium use count management unit 204, which is different from the conventional input / output device.

When the magnetic tape 100 is inserted, the input / output device 200 of this embodiment is used from the usage count storage area 101 provided in the system area 102 of the magnetic tape 100 in the read / write / erase controller 210. The number of times of use is read out, the number of times of use read out by the medium number-of-uses management section 204 is incremented, and the number of times of use is written in the number-of-uses storage area 101 provided in the system area 102 of the magnetic tape 100 by the read / write / erase control section 210. .

In this case, the medium usage count management unit 204 determines whether the number of times the magnetic tape has been used exceeds the usage limit number.

When the number of times the magnetic tape has been used exceeds the maximum number of times the magnetic tape can be used, the LED provided in the front panel display control unit 207 blinks to warn the user.

As a result, in this embodiment, the magnetic tape 1
00 and the input / output device 200 alone, it is possible to manage the number of times the magnetic tape is used without accessing the data in the user area 103 of the magnetic tape.

In the input / output device 200 of this embodiment, the read / write operation with respect to the magnetic tape 100 is the same as that of the conventional input / output device, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for managing the number of times the magnetic tape 100 is used in the input / output device 200 shown in FIG.

First, in step 301, the magnetic tape 10
0 is waited for to be inserted in the input / output device 200, and when it is inserted, the process proceeds to step 302. In step 302, the read / write / erase control unit 210 causes the magnetic tape 10 to be read.
The number of times of use is read from the number-of-uses storage area 101 provided in the 0 system area 102, and the process proceeds to step 303.

In step 303, the number of times of use read out by the medium use number management unit 204 is incremented, and the process proceeds to step 304.

At step 304, read / write / at
The erase control unit 210 writes the number of times of use in the number-of-uses storage area 101 provided in the system area 102 of the magnetic tape 100, and proceeds to step 305.

In step 305, the medium usage count management unit 204 determines whether the usage count of the magnetic tape 100 has exceeded the usage limit count.

In step 305, the magnetic tape 10
If the number of uses of 0 exceeds the limit of use, the process proceeds to step 306.

In step 306, the LED provided in the front panel display control section 207 is made to blink.

However, in this case, since the magnetic tape 100 is still usable at this time, the input / output device 200 is used.
It can be used by the user as it is without being discharged from.

When the LED provided on the front panel display control unit 207 of the input / output device 200 blinks, the user recognizes that the number of times the magnetic tape 100 has been used exceeds the maximum number of times of use, and the magnetic tape 100 is changed to another magnetic field. Copy to tape 100.

After that, the copied new magnetic tape 100 is used.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the loss of data due to the medium failure of the magnetic tape 100 caused by the repeated read / write, and it is possible to protect the important data stored in the magnetic tape 100 for the user.

In this embodiment, when the number of times the magnetic tape 100 is used exceeds the maximum number of times of use, the input / output device 2
Although the user is warned by blinking the LED provided in the front panel display control unit 207 of 00, it is also possible to display from the front panel display control unit 207 of the input / output device 200.

When the number of times the magnetic tape 100 has been used exceeds the maximum number of times that the magnetic tape 100 can be used, I / O from the input / output device 200 is performed.
By reporting an error to the CPU 300 via the bus 320, it is possible to warn the user through the OS operating on the CPU 300.

Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

(1) The number-of-uses storage area is provided in the system area in the tape-shaped recording medium, and when the tape-shaped recording medium is inserted into the input / output device, the number-of-uses is recorded from the usage-number storage area of the tape-shaped recording medium. Read out, increment the read usage count, write the usage count in the usage count storage area, judge whether the usage count exceeds the limit usage count of the medium, and warn the user when it exceeds Therefore, the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium is used can be managed only by the tape-shaped recording medium and the input / output device in a short time without accessing the user data at all.

Further, since the processing on the side of the central processing unit is not required, it becomes possible to perform parallel processing, and it is possible to improve the processing of the entire computer system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system including a usage count management system for a tape-shaped recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a magnetic tape layout in a system for managing the number of times of use of a tape-shaped recording medium which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input / output device in the usage count management system for a tape-shaped recording medium that is an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for managing the number of times the magnetic tape is used in the input / output device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a layout of the entire magnetic tape when the present invention is applied to a magnetic tape of a digital data storage (DDS) format format adopted in a digital audio tape or the like.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout of an entire magnetic tape in a digital data storage (DDS) format format adopted in a digital audio tape or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... magnetic tape, 101 ... medium use count storage area,
102 ... System area, 103 ... User area, 200 ...
I / O device, 201 ... Central processing unit, 202 ... Self-diagnosis unit, 203 ... System area management unit, 204 ... Medium usage count management unit, 205 ... Head control unit, 206 ... Motor control unit, 207 ... Front panel display control unit , 20
8 ... Tape control unit, 209 ... Tape sensor, 210 ... Read / write / erase control unit, 300 ... Processor (CP
U), 310 ... Main storage device, 320 ... I / O bus, 40
1 ... Start of media (BOM), 402 ... Device area, 403 ... Start of partition (BOP), 404
... data area where user data is stored, 405 ... EOD indicating the position on the tape where the writing of data has been completed
Area, 406 ... Early Warning (EW) mark, 4
07 ... partition / media end (EOP /
M).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. The number of times the tape recording medium is used, which comprises a tape recording medium and an input / output device, and warns an operator when the number of times the tape recording medium is used exceeds a limit number of times of use. In the management system, the tape-shaped recording medium has a usage-number recording area for recording the number of times of use in the system area, and when the input / output device inserts the tape-shaped recording medium into the input / output device. The reading means for reading the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium from the number-of-uses recording area in the tape-shaped recording medium, the writing means for incrementing the number of times of use and recording it in the number-of-uses area, and the number of times of use A warning means for warning an operator when the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium has been used is exceeded. The number of times management system use. 2. The number-of-uses management system for tape-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit indicates the number of times the tape-shaped recording medium has been used.
A system for managing the number of times of use of a tape-shaped recording medium, which is a light emitting diode that blinks when the number of times of use is exceeded. 3. The system for managing the number of times of use of a tape-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the input / output device further comprises an IF controller connected to an I / O bus, and I / O. When the tape-shaped recording medium is connected to a processor via a bus and the number of times of use of the tape-shaped recording medium exceeds its limit of use, the input / output device notifies the processor that the number of times of use exceeds its limit of use. A system for managing the number of times a tape-shaped recording medium is used, wherein the processor notifies the operator of the notification.