JP2000137941A - Library device and logic number allocation method in it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control an enlarged recording/reproducing device only with a simple change without accompanying a large scale change of a system even when a console is increased and the recording/reproducing device is enlarged. SOLUTION: A main picture 90 shows respective consoles with a logic console number. That is, a basic console B is the logic console number 1, and a driver console D1 is the logic console number 2. Then, a junction console J is the logic console number 3, and the driver console D2 is the logic console number 4. Further, a cassette console C is the logic console number 5. That is, even when the cassette console C is added, the logic console number before it is added isn't changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a library apparatus capable of remotely controlling a recording / reproducing apparatus and a method of assigning logical numbers in the library apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of recording media (for example, cassette tapes, disk-shaped magnetic recording media, etc.) that can be attached to and detached from a recording / reproducing apparatus are stored, and if necessary, the stored There is a system that records various types of information and reproduces the recorded information. Such a system is called a library system or an autochanger device, etc., but will be called a library system in the following description.

[0003] The library system includes a cassette console composed of a plurality of shelves for accommodating the recording media described above, a drive console including a recording / reproducing device for recording and reproducing information on and from the recording media, and the like. A transporter (also called an elevator) that moves and selectively transports the recording medium between the shelf and the recording / reproducing device, and furthermore, the status of each console and the status of the recording / reproducing device, the shelf, etc. constituting the console A monitor that displays
And a control device for controlling the recording / reproducing device, the transporter, and the like.

In this library system, a recording medium is selectively moved between an arbitrary shelf and a recording / reproducing device by a transport device based on control by a control device, and a recording medium conveyed to the recording / reproducing device. Recording and reproduction of information are performed on the medium by a recording and reproducing device.

[0005] By combining these plural types of consoles, a freely configured library system can be configured, and the configuration can be further changed.

On the other hand, in such a library system, identification of a plurality of recording media is performed by, for example, identification information (cassette ID) such as barcode information assigned to each recording medium or a shelf (so-called bin) in each console. ) By storing a database composed of numbers in the control device, the recording medium in the recording / reproducing device and the recording medium in the bin are managed, and the managed contents are graphically displayed on a monitor.

[0007]

Incidentally, this library system manages the entire system by assigning a logical number to each console, bin, etc. in advance on the basis of model-specific information. When the assigned identification information is a physical number, a logical number is allocated and managed so as to correspond to the physical number on a one-to-one basis.

When a console is added to the logical numbers allocated in this way, the logical numbers must be changed.

For example, the bin number of each console is shown in FIG.
Suppose further that the logical numbers for the bins in the console number “3” are allocated from “3200” to “3299” as shown in FIG. A cassette console is added next to the console number “2” in FIG. 55, and the console number “3” is added to the added console.
56, the console of logical number "3" in FIG. 55 is changed to the console of "4", and the internal bin number is also changed from the number in FIG. 56 to "330".
Must be allocated from "0".

Since the control device controls the recording / reproducing device and the recording medium based on the logical number, when the logical number is changed, there arises a problem of controlling a completely different console or the like.

In order to avoid such a problem, it is conceivable to initialize all logical numbers and assign new logical numbers. However, in order to perform such processing, it is necessary to record data already stored in each console. If the medium is ejected once and the logical number is not assigned again, the logical number and the cassette ID do not correspond, and the entire library system may be out of control.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to control an extended library system simply by making changes without making a significant change in the system, even when the console is added and the library system is expanded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a library device and a logical number allocation method in the library device.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproducing of information by using a removable recording medium, a plurality of storing means capable of storing the recording medium, A transport unit that transports the recording medium between an arbitrary storage section in the storage unit and the recording / reproducing unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit and / or the recording / reproducing unit. In a library device, wherein the consoles are combined and the consoles are connected so that the positional relationship therebetween can be changed, and any one of the units is disposed in the console for each type of the console, the control unit includes the console A logical number is assigned to each of the storage units in the console, and a logical number is assigned to each of the storage units in the console. Characterized in that allocated to be continuous with the item.

Further, the present invention provides a recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproduction of information by using a removable recording medium, a plurality of storing means capable of storing the recording medium, A transport unit that transports the recording medium between an arbitrary storage unit and the recording / reproducing unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit and / or the recording / reproducing unit. In a method of assigning logical numbers in a library device in which any one of the above-mentioned means is arranged in the above-mentioned console for each kind of the above-mentioned consoles so that the positional relationship between them can be changed, In addition to displaying the positional relationship on the display means, the installation location of each of the consoles before the change is attached to each console. A second step of the first step of displaying on the display means, changing the location of the console that you want to change from the physical number is determined by number,
Enter the logical number of the console you want to change,
A third step of assigning a logical number of the changed console based on the input logical number, and a logical number for each of the storage units in the changed console; And a fourth step of allocating the logical numbers of the sections so as to be consecutive.

[0015]

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

1. Basic Configuration of Cassette Library System FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a library system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG.
2 shows an outline of the basic configuration of the library system, and FIG.
This shows a state in which the entire configuration of the library system is viewed from directly above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette library system stores a plurality of video tapes (referred to as cassette tapes) as recording media built in a cassette, and records and reproduces information using an arbitrary cassette tape stored therein. And a library controller 2 for controlling the cassette library 1.

The cassette library 1 includes four types of consoles: a basic console B, a drive console D, a cassette console C and a junction console J, and a cassette transporter for transporting cassette tapes inside the cassette library 1. 16 are provided. The outer shape of each console has a rectangular parallelepiped shape like a container. The consoles are selectively connected so that their positions can be changed. The cassette library 1 can be configured using some or all of these four types of consoles.

The library controller 2 includes a controller body 21 which is a device for controlling the entire cassette library 1 and a pointing device (for example, a pointing device (for example, an input device) for inputting or giving instructions to the controller body 21 for information necessary for control. An input device 22 including a mouse and a keyboard, and a display device 23 connected to the controller main body 21 and having a display screen for displaying information and the like accompanying control are provided. The controller main body 21 is connected to the cassette library 1 by, for example, transmission lines 24 and 25 of the RS-232C standard. The controller main body 21 is, for example, a SCSI (Small Computer Sy
(Stem Interface) A standard transmission path 31 enables connection to a host computer 3 as a client that uses the cassette library 1. In addition, the controller body 21 can be connected to the host computer 3 via a communication network 32 of a predetermined standard such as Ethernet.

FIG. 1 shows the most basic configuration of the cassette library 1. This cassette library is configured such that one side of the drive console D is connected to one side of the basic console B, and one side of the cassette console C is connected to the other side of the drive console D.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of the cassette library 1, which is composed of three console rows L1, L2 and L3 as a whole. Console row L1
Goes from one side of the basic console B to the outside,
The drive consoles D1, D3, D4 and the cassette consoles C1, C2 are alternately connected and formed. The console row L2 is provided in front of the drive console D1 with drive consoles D2 and D5 and cassette consoles C3 and C4 via a junction console J1.
Are alternately connected. The console row L3 is
Drive consoles D6 and D7 are connected via a junction console J2 to the front of the cassette console C2.
And cassette consoles C5 and C6 are alternately connected. Note that a cassette transporter 16 is provided in each console row. Also,
Delivery of the cassette tape between the respective console rows is performed via the junction port sections 18 of the junction consoles J1 and J2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette library system is a library controller (hereinafter, referred to as a first remote controller) connected to the library controller 2 via a communication network 32 so as to be capable of remote operation. 2A) and a library controller (hereinafter, referred to as a second remote controller) 2B connected to the telephone line 27 via the modem 28.

The first remote controller 2A has substantially the same configuration as the library controller 2,
A controller main body 21A, an input device 22A including a mouse and a keyboard, and a display device 23A connected to the controller main body 21A and having a display screen for displaying information and the like accompanying control are provided. The second remote controller 2B has the same configuration.

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

The basic console B is, as shown in FIG.
An input / output port unit 11 for loading cassette tapes into the library from the front and automatically ejecting the cassette tapes in the library to the outside, and various information such as control information relating to the cassette library 1 on the front of the basic console B. And a display unit 12 for displaying. Further, the basic console B has a barcode reader (not shown) for reading barcode information indicating an ID (identification information) added to the loaded cassette tape. The input / output port unit 11 includes an upper port unit 11a provided in an upper stage of the basic console B and a lower port unit 11b provided in a lower stage. The upper port portion 11a and the lower port portion 11b for inputting / outputting a cassette tape each have a plurality (for example, four) of input / output ports. For example, the upper port unit 11
Reference numeral a denotes a port for inserting a cassette tape into the library system, and the lower port portion 11b may be used as a port for discharging the cassette tape from the library system. The display unit 12 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The basic console B is further connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 by a transmission path 24 and to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 by a transmission path 25, as shown in FIG. And the drive control unit 7 of the drive console D
0 and a main drive control unit 61 connected to the main drive control unit 61.

The drive console D has a plurality of (for example, four) drive devices 13 as recording / reproducing devices for recording and reproducing information on and from a cassette tape, and has a plurality of storage sections and can store a plurality of cassette tapes. And a cassette storage shelf (a so-called bin) 14. Further, the drive console D includes a drive control unit 70 for controlling the drive device 13 as shown in FIG.

The cassette console C has a cassette storage shelf (bin) 15 having a plurality of storage sections and capable of storing a plurality of cassette tapes. In the drive console D and the cassette console C to which the junction console J is connected, cassette storage shelves 14 and 15 are provided so that when the junction console J is connected, cassette tapes can be transferred to and from the junction console J.
Has been partially removed.

The junction console J is used to extend the connection between the consoles, and is configured such that one side thereof can be connected to the front or back of another console. On one side of the junction console J, as shown in FIG. 2, a junction port 18 having a mechanism for transferring a cassette tape to and from another connected console is provided.
Is provided at a position corresponding to the upper port portion 11a. On the front surface of the junction console J, an input / output port unit 17 having the same function as the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console B is provided at a position corresponding to the lower port unit 11b of the basic console B. Further, the junction console J is provided with a basic control unit 80 for controlling a mechanism for transferring cassette tapes at the junction port unit 18 and for controlling the cassette transporter 16 and the like in an extended console row. The basic control unit 80 is electrically connected to the basic control unit 60 of the basic console B. The other basic configuration of the junction console J is the same as that of the basic console B.

As shown in FIG. 2, a transport area 1 as a space for the cassette transporter 16 to move is provided in the central portion of the inside of the basic console B, the drive console D, the cassette console C, and the junction console J.
03 is provided. In the transport area 103, a guide rail 101 serving as a transport path when the cassette transporter 16 moves is provided along the transport direction of the cassette transporter 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
Power is supplied from the power supply rail 102 to move the cassette tape along the guide rail 101 in the horizontal direction while holding the cassette tape. Can be moved in the vertical direction (up-down direction) while holding. Although not shown, the cassette transporter 16 has a mechanism for transferring a cassette tape to each console. For example, the cassette transporter 16 can transfer a cassette tape taken in from the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console B. It is possible to carry out an operation of transporting and transferring to the cassette storage shelf 15 of the cassette console C.

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 controller 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 for storing various information such as a database relating to system information of the cassette library system.
And a floppy disk (FD) drive 50 for recording and reproducing information on the floppy disk. A program for controlling the cassette library 1 is stored in a hard disk driven by the hard disk drive 49, and is stored in the central processing control unit 46.
Executes the program to realize a function of controlling the cassette library 1.

The library controller 2 uses, as a control screen, a screen realizing an interface based on a GUI (Graphic User Interface) environment in which a user can perform operations on the screen using the input device 22 such as a mouse.
The information is displayed on the display device 23.

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 for controlling the cassette library 1. The control function unit 55 includes a main control unit 51 that performs overall control of the library controller 2 and substantial control of the cassette library 1, and a screen control unit 41 that is connected to the main control unit 51 and controls the display device 23. And an input control unit 42 connected to the main control unit 51 for controlling the input device 22, and a storage unit 54 for storing various information such as a database on system information of the cassette library system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the basic console B. The basic console B is connected to the transmission path 24
The basic control unit 60 is connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 and controls the basic console B itself and controls the transfer of the cassette transfer device 16.
And a main drive that is connected to the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 by the transmission path 25 and is connected to the drive control unit 70 of the drive console D so that the drive control unit 70 controls the drive device 13. And a control unit 61. The main drive control unit 61 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer.

The basic control unit 60 is a communication line between the console control unit 62 for controlling each component block in the basic control unit 60 and controlling the transport of the cassette transporter 16 and the extended console rows L2 and L3. A console inter-communication unit 63 for performing communication via the interface 72; a console configuration collection unit 64 for collecting information on the configuration of each console constituting the basic console sequence L1 including the basic console B; A display controller 65 for controlling the display of the display unit 12 (FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the console B;
An input / output port control unit 66 for controlling a cassette tape transfer mechanism in an input / output port unit 11 (FIG. 1) provided on the front of the basic console B; And a carrier communication unit 67 for performing communication for control. Basic control unit 60
Are connected to each other by an internal bus 68. The console control unit 62 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer.

The console structure collecting unit 64, the console configuration information sending unit 10B configuring the console lines L1 _{underlying, 10D 1, 10C 1, 10D} 3, taken information concerning the configuration of each console from ... It is supposed to. That is, the configuration information transmission unit 10 of the console
D _1, 10C _1, the information sent from ..., further adds the configuration information sending unit 10B console configuration information of the base now containing wool, and outputs to the console configuration collecting part 64 .

The console control unit 62 receives information on the configuration of the consoles in the basic console row L 1 obtained by the console configuration collection unit 64 and the consoles in other console rows received via the inter-console row communication unit 63. Information about the configuration is sent to the library controller 2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the junction console J. The junction console J includes a basic control unit 80 for controlling the junction console J itself and controlling the transport of the cassette transporter 16 in the extended console row Li (i ≧ 2).
And a main drive control unit 81 for causing the drive control unit 70 in the expanded console row Li to control the drive device 13. The main drive control unit 81 is used for interfacing the main drive control unit 61 of the basic console B with the drive control units 70 in a plurality of drive consoles D when a large number of drive consoles D are used.

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, 10 of the respective consoles constituting the extended console sequence Li.
Information about the configuration of each console is collected from C, 10D,.... That is, the configuration information transmission unit 10J of the junction console J adds information about the console to the information on the configuration transmitted from the configuration information transmission units 10D, 10C,. The output has been made. The basic control unit 80 has a junction port control unit 89 for controlling a cassette tape transfer mechanism in the junction port unit 18 (FIG. 2) provided on the side surface of the junction console J. 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 is basically a basic console B
Has the same function as each block element of the basic control unit 60.

It should be noted that the console control unit 82 receives information about the configuration from another console row (console row L1 in the example of FIG. 2).

The library controller 2 has a function of recognizing the configuration of the cassette library 1 including the types and connection relationships of the respective consoles constituting the cassette library 1 and outputting image information representing the recognized configuration. Also,
When outputting image information indicating the configuration, the library controller 2 can selectively perform a plurality of types of display with different sizes of display portions of each console.

The library controller 2 further includes a drive unit 13, a storage unit, and a cassette transporter 16.
It has a function of recognizing the state of each part of the cassette library 1 and outputting at least a part of the information indicating the recognized state together with image information indicating the configuration. When outputting image information indicating the configuration, the library controller 2 can selectively perform a plurality of types of display in which at least one of the size of the display portion of each console and the display mode of the information indicating the state is different. It has become.

The library controller 2 further has a function of outputting detailed information indicating a state related to the specified location in response to an instruction designating a predetermined location in the image information representing the configuration. .

2. Operation of Cassette Library System (2-1) Basic Operation When the library controller 2 is started, a main screen for control in a GUI environment is displayed on the display device 23 of the library controller 2. The user performs various settings for controlling the cassette library system by performing an operation using a mouse or the like on the displayed main screen for control.

The library controller 2 responds to a request from the host computer 3 and operates the cassette library 1
For the basic console B, a desired cassette tape is transferred to the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console B, the cassette storage shelf 15 of the cassette console C, and the drive device 1 of the drive console D by using the cassette transporter 16.
3 and the like, and a command for recording and reproducing information in the drive device 13 of the drive console D are transmitted. The instruction for moving the cassette tape using the cassette transporter 16 is as follows:
Basic control unit 60 of basic console B via transmission line 24
Sent to. Further, in the drive device 13, a command for recording or reproducing information is transmitted to the main drive control unit 61 of the basic console B via the transmission line 25.

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. This control is performed by infrared communication via the carrier communication unit 67 (FIG. 5). The cassette transporter 16 transports and transfers, for example, a cassette tape taken in from the input / output port unit 11 of the basic console B to the cassette storage shelf 15 of the cassette console C based on the control from the basic control unit 60. Such a transport operation is performed. In the console row extended by the junction console J, the basic control unit 80 of the junction console J receives a command from the library controller 2 from the basic control unit 60 of the basic console B, 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 controls the drive control section 70 of the drive console D based on the command received from the library controller 2 via the transmission path 25, and records and reproduces information in the drive device 13. The control to make it perform is performed. The drive control unit 70 controls the drive device 1 based on the control of the main drive control unit 61.
3 for recording and reproducing information. This allows
Recording / reproduction of a cassette tape is performed.

(2-2) Display Screen at Startup Next, description will be made assuming that the cassette library 1 has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the cassette library 1 includes the basic console B and the drive console D1.
And a console row L2 formed by connecting a junction console J and a drive console D2. The console rows L1 and L2
Are connected to the drive console D1 and the junkson console J so as to be orthogonal to each other.

When the library controller 2 starts,
A main screen 90 for control as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 23. That is, by displaying image information that simulates the actual arrangement of consoles as image information, the user can easily and intuitively grasp the configuration of the cassette library 1 and the state of each unit in the cassette library 1. .

The main screen 90 has a menu bar area 91 on which an icon menu for instructing control of the cassette library system is displayed, and a console configuration area 92 showing a basic configuration of the cassette library 1. In this menu bar area 91, Bin
There are a data button 93 and a cassette data button 94. When the bin data button 93 is clicked, a bin window, which will be described in detail later, is displayed. When the cassette data button 94 is clicked, a cassette data window is displayed.

When the library controller 2 is activated, the library controller 2 obtains information indicating the current console configuration such as the type of console and the connection relationship between the consoles from the cassette library 1, and based on the obtained information, the main screen 90. The configuration of each console is displayed in the console configuration area 92.

The main screen 90 shows the configuration of the cassette library system 1 for each console row. Line 1 [Line: 1] indicates the console row L1, and line 2 [L
[ine: 2] indicates the console row L2.

The GUI (Graphic User
Interface) is arranged on the horizontal line of the display of “Line: 1” and is displayed as “No. 1”. Basic console B
Indicates the physical console number 1 in line 1. The status area 95 of the basic console B is
Shows the main operating state. For example, the operation state of the entire cassette library 1 or the operation state of the cassette transporter 16 in the console row L1 when a plurality of console rows exist. Specifically, “Ready” indicates that the cassette transporter 16 is operable, and “Not Read”
"y" indicates that the cassette transporter 16 cannot be operated.

The GUI of the drive console D1 is arranged on the horizontal line of the display of the line 1 [Line: 1], and "No.
2 "is displayed. GU of drive console D1
I is the physical console number 2 on line 1 [Line: 1]
It shows. Drive console D1 GUI
Is a status area 96 indicating its own operation state, a drive status area 97 indicating the operation state of each drive device 13 provided therein, and a cassette area 98 indicating the contents of the cassette tape loaded in each drive device 13.
And That is, the drive status area 97
And the cassette area 98 are displayed corresponding to the number of the drive devices 13.

The status area 96 of the drive console D1 displays the status of the drive console 1D having a higher priority. For example, "Fan
"1 Stop" indicates that the first cooling fan in the drive console D1 is stopped.

The drive status area 97 displays the status of the drive device 13 having a higher priority. For example, “Tape In” indicates that a cassette tape is in the drive unit 13 and “No Tap
"e" indicates that no cassette tape is inserted in the drive unit 13, "Write" indicates that the drive unit 13 is writing, and "Read" indicates that the drive unit 13 is reading. And "No Use"
"No C" indicates that the drive device 13 is not used.
“ommunication” indicates that the drive device 13 cannot communicate or power is not supplied.

The cassette area 98 stores the ID (identification information) of the cassette tape contained in the drive unit 13.
Is displayed.

On the other hand, the GU of the junction console J
I is arranged on the horizontal line of the display of the line 2 [Line: 2], and is displayed as “No. 1”. Junction console J is physical console number 1 on line 2. Further, the junction console J has a status area 95 like the drive console D. The status area 95 displays a high priority state among the operation states of the console row 2 and the junction console J itself.

The GUI of the drive console D2 is on the horizontal line of the display of the line 2 [Line: 2], and is “No. 2”.
Is displayed. Therefore, the drive console D2
Is the physical console number 2 on line 2. The GUI of the drive console D2 displays a status area 96, a drive status area 97, and a cassette area 98, similarly to the drive console D1.

Here, the physical console number indicates a physical position of each console in each console row, and 1, 2, 3, and 3 are assigned to each console in each console row.
... means the number given. For example, console row 1
Then, from the basic console B, which is the core,
3... Are assigned physical console numbers.
Are assigned physical console numbers. Therefore, the same physical console number (for example, “1”) exists in one console row and another console row.

On the other hand, a logical console number, which will be described later, refers to a number assigned to each console across all console rows. The logical console row numbers are mainly assigned in ascending order of the console row numbers.

3. Retention and movement of cassette tape The cassette library system uses cassette library 1
In order to manage each cassette tape stored in
A cassette data window showing information on each cassette tape or the like can be displayed. Further, the desired cassette tape can be retained and moved using the window.

Here, the term "retention" means to temporarily rewind the wound cassette tape. When a cassette tape is stored for a long period of time, it is necessary to periodically rewind the cassette tape in order to prevent the transfer of the cassette tape. Further, when recording / reproducing is repeated, the winding of the cassette tape may be disordered, and the edge of the cassette tape may be damaged. Therefore, such inconvenience is prevented by performing retention.

Next, processing related to cassette tape retention and movement performed by the library controller 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the controller main body 21 of the library controller 2 is started, in a first step S1, a main screen 90 shown in FIG.

In the next step S 2, the controller body 21 displays the view menu [View] on the main screen 90.
(V)] item [Cassette Data] is an input device 2 such as a mouse.
It is determined whether or not the selection has been made in step S2. In particular,
When the view menu [View (V)] on the main screen 90 is clicked, the controller body 21 causes a pull-down menu (not shown) to be displayed on the display device 23, and whether the item [Cassette Data] in the pull-down menu is selected. Determine whether or not. And the controller body 21
Means that if the determination result in step S2 is YES, that is, if the item [CassetteData] is selected,
4 and the determination result is NO, that is, the item [Cassette
If [Data] is not selected, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

In step S3, the controller body 21 determines whether or not the cassette data button 94 on the main screen 90 has been clicked with a mouse. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S3 is YES, that is, the cassette data button 94
Is clicked, the process proceeds to step S4. If the determination result is NO, that is, if the cassette data button 94 is not clicked, the process returns to step S2 to return to the item [Cassette Dat
It is determined again whether or not a] has been selected.

In step S4, the controller body 21 displays the cassette information display screen 10 as shown in FIG.
0 is displayed on the display device 23.

Here, the cassette information display screen 100 is
A search text box 101, a search item drop-down list box 102, a display sort drop-down list box 103, a search word list text box 104, and a search word list box 105 are provided.

The search text box 101 is for inputting a character string to be searched. Here, the user inputs a cassette ID as a search target. Further, an asterisk (*) and a question mark (?) Can be used as wild cards in the search text box 101. An asterisk indicates any string,
The question mark indicates an arbitrary character.

The search item drop-down list box 102 indicates which item of the data of the cassette tape the character string to be searched is, for example, whether to search by the item of the cassette ID or by another item. . Here, the search is performed using the cassette ID.

The display sort drop-down list box 103 is used to set what displays the searched result. Cassette ID, logical bin number (L
-Bin), physical bin number (P-Bin), cassette insertion date (Entr
y), tape initialization date (Erase), last unthreaded date (Last
Unthread), last retention date (Last Retension), load count (LC), and volume label (Label) can be selected.

Here, the bin is a so-called cassette tape shelf. One for one cassette tape
One bin corresponds. The logical bin number is a serial number assigned to all bins of all consoles. The logical bin number is assigned to not only the bin but also the drive device 13, the input / output port unit 11, and the like. Also,
The physical bin number refers to a number that specifies a specific position on the cassette shelf. The physical bin number is, for example, “010103”.
01R ". Here, the first two digits “01” indicate the console row, and the next two digits “0”.
“1” indicates the physical console number in the console row, and the next “03” indicates the shelf level (third shelf from the top) of the specified console. And the next "01"
Indicates the first bin on the shelf, and “R” indicates the front side (F)
Or the back side (R).

Search word list text box 10
Reference numeral 4 is used to register a character string frequently used for search. This registration is performed using the search word list text box 105. The add button 105a is
This is for displaying a dialog box (not shown) by clicking with the mouse. When a frequently used character string is entered in this dialog box and the confirm button is clicked, this character string is registered in the search word list box 104. The delete button 105b is
By clicking with the mouse, the character string selected in search word list box 104 is deleted. The scroll button 105c is used to select a desired character string from the character strings registered in the search word list box 104.

The search button [Search] 106 is used to execute a search in accordance with the setting contents of the search text box 101 and the search item drop-down list box 102 when clicked with a mouse.

In the next step S5, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the search button [Search] 106 on the cassette information display screen 100 has been clicked by the mouse. And the controller body 21
Proceeds to step S6 when the determination result in step S5 is YES, that is, when the search button [Search] 106 is clicked, and proceeds to step S7 when the determination result is YES, that is, when the search button [Search] 106 is not clicked. .

The user inputs a search button [Search] 1
Before clicking 06, it is necessary to input the cassette ID of the cassette tape to be searched. Here, for example, as shown in FIG.
"A *" is input to the search item drop-down list box 102 and "Cassette ID" is set. This setting means that all cassette IDs starting with “A” are searched.

In step S6, the controller main body 21 determines the cassette I starting from "A" according to the set contents.
Search for D. Then, the controller body 21 returns to step S4, and causes the display device 23 to display the cassette information display screen 100. At this time, a cassette ID starting from A is displayed in the display sort drop-down list box 103. FIG. 11 shows “A0000
003 ”,“ A0000011 ”,“ A000002 ”
The state where the cassette ID “2” is displayed in the display sort drop-down list box 103 is shown.

In step S7, the controller body 21 determines whether any of the cassette IDs displayed in the display sort drop-down list box 103 has been selected by the mouse and clicked.
Then, if the decision result in the step S7 is YES, that is, if the cassette ID is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S8, and the decision result is N
If O, that is, if the cassette ID is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S8, the controller body 21 displays a pull-down menu 109 on the display device 23 as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the cassette ID "A0000022" is
Is selected and clicked, a pull-down menu 109 showing an item [Retension] and an item [Move Cassette] is displayed.

In the next step S9, the controller main body 21 waits for the selection of the pull-down menu 109. When the item [Retension] is clicked from the state shown in FIG. 12, the controller body 21 proceeds to step S21 shown in FIG. When [Move Cassette] is clicked, the flow advances to step S31 shown in FIG. 14. When anything other than these menus is clicked, the flow advances to the next step S10.

In step S10, the controller body 21 deletes the pull-down menu 109 from the cassette information display screen 100. And the controller body 21
Returns to step S5 to return to the cassette information display screen 100.
It is determined again whether or not the search button [Search] 106 has been clicked.

In step S11, the controller body 21 determines whether or not the close button [Close] 107 has been clicked by the mouse. And
If the decision result in the step S11 is YES, that is, the close button [Close]
When 7 is clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S12,
The determination result is NO, that is, the close button [Close] 107
If is not clicked, the process returns to step S5, and the search button [Search] 1 on the cassette information display screen 100 is displayed.
It is determined again whether or not 06 has been clicked.

In step S12, the controller main body 21 displays the cassette information display screen 10 on the display device 23.
Turn off 0. Then, the controller main body 21 returns to step S2 and determines again whether or not the item [Cassette Data] has been selected.

Further, when it is determined in step S9 that the retention has been clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S21 shown in FIG. 13, and the tape retention (Tape Retension) window 11 shown in FIG.
0 is displayed on the display device 23.

The tape retention window 110 is
As shown in FIG. 15, a cassette ID (Cassette ID) check box 111, a bin number (Bin No.) check box 112, and a source cassette ID (Source Cassette ID).
(ID) drop-down list box 113, a source bin (Source Bin) box 114 indicating the logical bin number of the bin to which the cassette tape belongs, an execute button [Execute] 115 for starting the execution of the retention, and a display of a tape retention window 110. A cancel button [Cancel] 116 for canceling the command and a help button [Help] 117 for displaying the help are provided.

The cassette ID check box 111 and the bin number check box 112 have a source type (Sou
rce Type), and a mark is shown on any of these. Source cassette ID drop-down list box 113 contains cassette ID check box 1
A cassette tape to be retained is designated in accordance with the selection made in 11 or the bin number check box 112. The source bin box 114 performs the above-described step S
7 shows a cassette tape having the cassette ID selected in FIG.

In the next step S22, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the execute button [Execute] 115 of the tape retention window 110 has been clicked. When the determination result in step S22 is YES, that is, when the execution button [Execute] 115 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S23, and when the determination result is NO, that is, when the execution button [Execute] 115 is clicked. If not, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S23, the controller main body 21 controls the cassette library 1 so as to execute the retention for the cassette tape of the cassette ID selected in step S7. At this time, in the cassette library 1, the basic console B controls the cassette transporter 16 to load the cassette tape into the empty drive device 13, and controls the drive device 13 to rewind the cassette tape. And controls the cassette transporter 16 to return the cassette tape to the original bin.

In step S24, the controller body 21 determines whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 116 of the tape retention window 110 has been clicked with the mouse. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S24 is YES.
That is, when the cancel button [Cancel] 116 is clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S25, and when the determination result is N
If O, that is, if the cancel button [Cancel] 116 is not clicked, the process returns to step S22 and the execution button [Execut]
e] It is determined again whether or not 115 has been clicked.

In the next step S25, the controller main body 21 erases the tape retention window 110 which is the retention execution screen displayed on the display device 23. Then, the controller body 21
Returning to step S5 shown in FIG.
It is determined again whether or not 6 has been clicked.

In step S9, the controller main body 21 selects the item [Move Casset
If it is determined that [te] has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S31 shown in FIG.
The cassette move window 120, which is a cassette move screen shown in FIG. 16, is displayed on the display device 23.

Here, the cassette move window 120
A cassette tape into a desired bin, input / output port, drive device (eg, data recorder)
It is used when moving to.

[0095] A cassette ID check box 121 and a bin number check box 122, which are source type option buttons, are used to select whether a cassette tape to be moved is specified by a cassette ID or a bin number. When specifying with a cassette ID, the cassette ID check box 121 is checked with a mouse, and when specifying with a bin number, the bin number check box 122 is checked with a mouse.

Source Cassette ID
The drop-down list box 123 contains the cassette ID
Input is possible only when the check box 121 is selected, and specifies a cassette tape to be moved by inputting with a mouse or the like.

The source bin (Source BIN) drop-down list box 124 includes a bin number check box 12
The input is possible only when 2 is selected, and specifies the cassette tape to be moved by inputting with a mouse or the like.

The destination bin (Destination BIN) drop-down list box 125 is used to specify the bin number of the destination of the cassette tape. When moving to a drive device, specify the bin number instead of the drive number.

The execution mode column 126 sets an operation mode effective only for the movement performed in this dialog box.

Here, the setting items of the operation mode will be described.

The item [Thread with Load (L)] is an item for setting whether or not the operation up to loading the cassette tape is automatically performed when the cassette tape is moved to the drive device 13. Note that loading means reading information in the header of a wound cassette tape.

The item [Unthread at Load Error (U)] indicates that when the cassette tape is moved to the drive device 13 and the drive device 13 detects an error, the cassette tape is returned to the original bin or the drive device 13 This is an item to set whether or not to leave it. When this item is off, the cassette tape remains in the drive device 13 as it is.

The item [Unthread with Eject (E)] is an item for setting whether or not to automatically eject the cassette tape before moving the cassette tape from the drive device 13.

The item [Unthread with Fast Unload (F)] is
This item is used to set whether high-speed unloading is performed when a cassette tape is moved from the drive device 13. The setting of this item [Unthread with Fast Unload (F)] is
hread with Eject (E)] is enabled only.

The item [Drive Auto Load Mode] indicates that the movement of the cassette tape to the drive device 13 has been completed.
This is an item for setting whether to notify the library controller 2 as a host computer of the completion of the cassette movement. This item is provided in the drive device 13 in the automatic load mode (the operation up to the loading operation of the cassette tape is performed by the drive device 13).
Mode is set automatically on the side). With the setting of this item [Drive Auto Load Mode], when the movement of the cassette tape is completed, the library controller 2 notifies the library controller 2 of the completion of the movement, and the library controller 2 receives this notification and can move another cassette tape. it can.

Item [BC Read with Cassette Move (B)]
Is an item for reading a bar code attached to the cassette tape when moving the cassette tape, and setting whether or not to stop moving the cassette tape when the data does not match the database of the library controller 2. is there.

The item [Erase of New Tape (N)] is an item for setting whether or not to automatically initialize when an unformatted cassette tape is detected when the cassette tape is loaded.

The item [Recover of Destroy (R)] contains “Recover Request” or “Updat” when loading a cassette tape.
This item is used to set whether to automatically restore the data in the header portion of the tape when "e Flag ON" is detected.
This item [Recover of Destroy (R)] is the item [Thread wi
Valid only when th Load (L)] is turned on.

The item [Wait for Drive Use] is an item for setting whether or not to use a cassette tape without a barcode label and a cassette tape without a barcode. If this option is turned off, use only cassette tapes that can read bar codes correctly.

The movement result window 129 displays the result of movement of the cassette tape when executed according to the contents of the execution mode column 126. Execute button [Execute] 1
27 is an execution mode column 12 when clicked.
The items checked in 6 are the controller body 2
1 for execution. Cancel button [Can
[cel] 128 is for deleting the display of the cassette move window 120 from the screen.

Then, in the next step S32, the controller main body 21 moves the cassette move window 12
It is determined whether or not the 0 execute button [Execute] 127 is clicked. When the determination result in step S32 is YES, that is, when the execution button [Execute] 127 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S33, and when the determination result is NO, that is, when the execution button [Execute] 127 is clicked. If not, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S33, the controller main body 21 determines whether the target bin (Destination Bin) has been designated, that is, the cassette move window 12
It is determined whether or not a bin number has been input to the target bin drop-down list box 125 of 0. When the determination result in step S33 is YES, that is, when the bin number has been input, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S35. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the bin number has not been input, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S3.
Proceed to 4.

In step S34, the controller body 21 causes the display device 23 to display an error screen. Then, the process returns to step S32, and the execution button [Execute] 1
It is determined again whether or not 27 has been clicked.

In step S35, the controller main body 21 controls the cassette transporter 16 so as to move the cassette tape to the designated bin. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

On the other hand, in step S36, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 128 of the cassette move window 120 has been clicked. When the determination result in step S36 is YES, that is, when the cancel button [Cancel] 128 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S37, and when the determination result is NO, that is, when the cancel button [Cancel] 128 is clicked. If not, the flow returns to step S32 to determine again whether or not the execute button [Execute] 127 has been clicked.

In step S37, the controller main body 21 erases the cassette move window 120 which is the cassette moving screen displayed on the display device 23. Then, the controller body 21 returns to step S5 shown in FIG. 9, and determines again whether or not the search button [Search] 106 on the cassette information display screen 100 has been clicked.

As described above, according to the cassette library system, what the user has done conventionally, that is, the tape retention window is opened, a desired cassette tape is searched, and the cassette ID of the searched cassette tape is read.
For example, can be saved in the tape retention window 110. In other words, after searching for a cassette ID, a desired cassette ID can be selected and a cassette tape retention setting operation can be performed at a stretch, so that the retention operation can be performed more easily than in the past. Also, the cassette information display screen 100
The information on the retention of the cassette tape can be displayed on the screen, a desired cassette tape can be searched on the cassette information display screen 100, and the date when the cassette tape was last retained can be displayed. That is, the cassette information requiring maintenance can be easily searched in one cassette information display screen 100, and further, the movement of the cassette tape and the execution of the retention can be easily performed through the screen.

4. Except for the basic console B, the number of the drive consoles D, the cassette consoles C, and the junction consoles J is not particularly limited, and the cassette library system is configured so that various consoles can be added later. Here, the cassette library 1 of the cassette library system will be described as having a configuration as shown in FIG. 7 described above.

When the library controller 2 starts,
On the display device 23, as shown in FIG. 8 described above, a main screen 90 showing the configuration of the console for each console row is displayed.

On the main screen 90, the actual connection state of each console constituting the cassette library 1 is displayed using small icons according to a predetermined mouse operation, as shown in FIG. FIG. 17 shows a state where the basic console B is displayed as “No. 1” and the drive console D1 is displayed as “No. 2”. “No.” indicates the physical console number. This indicates that the basic console B is the physical console number 1 in the console row 1, and the drive console D1 is the physical console number 2 in the console row 2. The junction console J is displayed as "No. 1", and the drive console D2 is displayed as "No. 2". This means that the junction console J is the physical console number 1 in the console row 2 and the drive console D2 is the physical console number 2 in the console row 2
It is shown that. That is, the physical console number is
Are assigned to each console in each console row.

On the main screen 90, each console can be indicated by a logical number. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, the basic console B, the drive console D1, the junction console J, and the drive console D2 are
"LNo.1", "LNo.2", "LNo.3", "LNo.4" respectively
, Respectively, indicating that they are logical number 1, logical number 2, logical number 3, and logical number 4, respectively. In addition,
“LNo.” Indicates a logical number.

When the bin data button 93 on the main screen 90 shown in FIG.
19, a bin data window 130 for displaying the logical bin number in the console is displayed as shown in FIG.

The bin data window 130 shows each bin of the designated console and the state of its cassette tape. In the bin data window 130,
Display the front and back blocks of the console. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, each console is composed of two blocks, a front block and a back block, centered on the cassette transporter 102, and the two blocks are respectively displayed in the bin data window 130 on the front. It is displayed in the display area 133 and the rear display area 134.

The line number box 131 is for selecting a console row of a console to be displayed.
The console number box 132 is for selecting the physical console number of the console in the console row selected in the line number box 131. FIG. 19 shows a case where the console row 1 is the physical console number 1. That is, the case of the basic console B is shown.

In the front display area 133, a GUI (hereinafter, referred to as “import”) 135 of the input / output port unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed. Import 135
Has eight ports for inputting and outputting cassette tapes. Each port is set to start with a logical bin number 401. Therefore, each port of the import 135 is assigned a logical bin number from 401 to 408.

In the rear display area 134, 15 cassette bins 136 are displayed. The logical bin number of the cassette bin starts from 3001. Since the basic console B has 15 bottles on the rear side, FIG.
9 shows a state in which logical bin numbers 3001 to 3015 are assigned to the respective cassette bins 136.
Here, “TEST_001” is displayed in the cassette bin 136 of the logical bin number 3003. "TEST_001"
This shows the cassette ID of the cassette tape stored in the cassette bin. The cassette ID is recorded on a label attached to the cassette tape. Therefore, there is no cassette ID in the cassette bin when no cassette tape is stored or when the cassette ID of the label is not read.

The user ID box 137 selects the user ID of the initiator occupied here to check the occupation state of each bin. Bins occupied by the selected user ID are displayed with a yellow background color. Note that "AL
You can also select "L" to display all applicable occupied bins.

The reserved ID box 138 selects the reserved ID of the bin occupied here to check the occupation state of each bin. A close button [Close] 139 is for deleting the bin data window 130.

When "2" is input to the console number box 132 and an execution key (not shown) is operated, as shown in FIG. 20, the bin data window 130 displays the drive console D1 having the physical console number 2 in the console row 1 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

More specifically, in the front display area 133, a junction 141 indicating a GUI of the junction port section 18 and 79 cassette bins 142 are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the junction port section 18 is for transferring a cassette tape to and from the junction console J1. The cassette port is connected to a cassette tape arranged in parallel with the console row L2.
The direction is changed substantially at right angles so as to be parallel to the direction of the console row L1 so that they can be exchanged with each other. The drive console D1 has a junction 141 as shown in FIG. 20 so that the cassette tape transported by the junction port section 18 can be ejected or inserted. Junction 141 has two ports. Junction ports start at logical bin number 201. Therefore, the logical bin number of each port of the junction 141 is 201, 202
It has become.

The cassette bin 142 has a logical bin number of 30.
16 to 3094. Therefore, the last logical bin number 3015 of the cassette bin of the basic console B and the first logical bin number 3016 of the cassette bin 142 of the drive console D1 are continuous.

In the rear display area 134, drive devices 143, 144, 145, 146 and 25 cassette bins 147 are displayed.

The drive device 143 indicates the state inside the drive console D1. Other drive device 1
The same applies to 44 and the like. The logical bin number of the drive device starts from the 1000th. In the example shown in FIG.
Four drive devices 13 are included in the drive console D1.

The cassette bin 147 has a logical bin number of 30.
95 to 3119. Therefore, the cassette bin in the drive console D1 has the logical bin number 301.
It is a serial number from 6 to 3119.

Enter “2” in the line box 131,
When "1" is input to the console number box 132 and the execution key is operated, the bin data window 130 is displayed.
As shown in FIG. 21, the logical row number of the junction console J which is the physical console number 1 is displayed in the console row 2.

More specifically, the junction port 18
Is displayed in the front display area 133. A junction 151 indicating the GUI of the input / output port unit 11 and an import 152 indicating the GUI of the input / output port unit 11 are displayed.

The junction port section 18 changes the direction of the cassette tape transported by the transporter 102 in the direction of the above-mentioned console row L2 and transfers it to the drive console D1, and the delivered cassette tape is transferred via the transporter 102. The direction is changed so as to be transferred in the direction of the console row L1, and two cassette tapes can be moved. The junction port section 18
It is composed of a bin, a motor, a belt, a gear, and the like. The rotation of the motor causes the gear to rotate, the torque is transmitted to the belt, and the belt is moved while changing the direction to the junction console J and the drive console D1. . The same applies to the reverse direction. Junction port 1
8 also has two bins, so logical numbers 201 and 202
Is attached.

The import 152 is for inserting a cassette tape from the outside, and is composed of four bins, and a logical number is assigned to each bin. Each bin of the import 152 has logical bin numbers 409 to 412 as shown in FIG.

In the rear display area 134, 15 cassette bins 153 are displayed. Cassette bin 153
Are logical bin numbers 3120 to 3134. Therefore, the logical bin number 3 in the drive console D1
119 and the first logical bin number 3120 in the junction console J are serial numbers.

Further, when "2" is entered in the console number box 132 and the execution key is operated, the bin data window 130 displays the drive console D having the physical console number 2 in the console row 2 as shown in FIG.
2 is displayed.

Specifically, in the front display area 133, 90 cassette bins 161 are displayed. The cassette bin 161 has logical bin numbers 3135 to 3224. Therefore, the last logical bin number 3134 in the junction console J and the drive console D
The first logical bin number 3135 in 2 is a serial number.

In the rear display area 134, four drive devices (for example, data recorders) 162, 163, 16
4, 165 and 25 cassette bins 166 are provided.

The drive device 162 displayed in the rear display area 134 indicates the status of the drive device 13 in the drive console D2. Other drive device 1
The same applies to 63 and the like. Here, the drive device 162,
163, 164 and 165 are logical bin numbers 10 respectively.
05, 1006, 1007, and 1008.

The cassette bins 166 have logical bin numbers 3135 to 3224 on the front side and logical bin numbers 3225 to 3249 on the rear side.

(4-2) Processing for Adding (Adding) a Console Next, processing for adding a logical bin number of a console when a console is added will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 23 to 31.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts showing processing relating to the addition of the logical bin number of the console.

When the library controller 2 starts,
The controller body 21 of the library controller 2
In step S41, it is determined whether or not the console configuration of the cassette library 1 has been set. Then, if the decision result in the step S41 is YES, that is, if the configuration of the console of the cassette library 1 is set, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the step S4.
If the determination result is NO, that is, if the configuration of the console of the cassette library 1 is not set, the process proceeds to the next step S42.

At step S42, the controller main body 21 acquires the console configuration of the cassette library 1.

In the next step S43, the controller body 21 uses the data indicating the configuration of the console to
Associate the physical console number with the logical console number. Specifically, a logical console number is assigned to each console in the order of lines 1, 2, 3,. At first,
In line 1, physical console numbers 1, 2, 3, ...
• Assign logical console numbers in the order shown. Next, in the line 2, the subsequent logical console numbers are allocated in the order of the physical console numbers 1, 2, 3,.... For example, as shown in FIG. 55, when a console is connected,
Logical console numbers 1, 2, 3 are allocated in order from line 1 and logical console numbers 4, 5 are allocated in order from line 2 so as to be serial numbers.

In the next step S44, the controller main body 21 allocates logical bin numbers to the end for each logical console number. Here, the above-described logical numbers are assigned to the bins in all consoles, but the logical bin numbers are assigned according to the order of the logical console numbers.

In the next step S45, the controller main body 21 displays the main screen 90 on the display device 23.

At the next step S46, the controller main body 21 displays the console configuration on the main screen 90 in response to the operation input. For example, the controller main body 21 displays the above-described main screen 90 shown in FIG. 8 when there is an operation input of an M-size console configuration, and when there is an input operation of an S-size physical console number console operation The above-described main screen 90 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed, and when there is an input operation of the console configuration of the logical number of S size, the above-described main screen 90 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. The change of the size and the change of the physical number and the logical number can be performed by, for example, the main screen 9 shown in FIG.
When the cursor is placed on a blank portion other than the display portion of the console and a right-click operation of the mouse is performed, a selection menu pop-up shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. In the pop-up, in addition to the above-described S size and M size, a menu for selecting a physical number and a logical number of L size (displayed as one line in FIG. 8) is displayed, and an item to be displayed on the main screen 90 is selected with a cursor. Thus, the number is displayed in a desired size.

In the next step S47, the controller main body 21 sets up the setup menu on the main screen 90.
It is determined whether or not the item [Console Composition] of [Setup (S)] is selected. And the controller body 21
If the determination result in step S47 is YES, that is, if the item [Console Composition] is selected, FIG.
When the determination result is NO, that is, when the item [ConsoleComposition] is not selected, the determination in step S47 is repeated. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 34, when the setup menu [Setup (S)] on the main screen 90 is selected, a pull-down menu 9
01 is displayed. Then, a pull-down menu 901
[Console Compositio (C)] 901A is selected.

In step S48 shown in FIG. 24, the controller main body 21 causes the display device 23 to display the console setting configuration screen 200 shown in FIG. That is,
When the item [Console Composition] of the setup menu [Setup (S)] on the main screen 90 is selected, a console setting composition screen 200 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed.

Here, the console setting configuration screen 200
A line box 201 for specifying a line of a console to be added, a console box 202 for specifying a physical console number of the console to be added, an add button 203 for additionally registering a console to be added, and a delete button 204 for deleting a console. , Console configuration display area 205, and OK button 206 for determining the settings
And a load button [Load] 207 and a help button [Help] 208 for displaying help.

The console setting configuration screen 200 is a screen for setting which console is to be connected to the console to be added. That is, the console setting configuration screen 200
Is for determining which console of which line is to be connected to the additional console. For example, when each console is connected as shown in FIG. 17, the console of console number 2 of line 1, that is, the drive console To add a console to D1, "1" is input to the line box 201 and "2" is input to the line box 202. To add a console to the drive console D2, "2" is input to the line box 201 and "3" is input to the line box 202.

At the next step S49, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the load button [Load] 207 on the console setting configuration screen 200 has been clicked. Then, the controller body 21 determines in step S
49 is YES, that is, the load button [L
When the [oad] 207 is clicked, the process returns to step S42 shown in FIG. 23 to acquire the console configuration of the cassette library 1. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the load button [Load] 207 is not clicked, the next step is performed. Proceed to S50.

In step S50, the controller main body 21 determines whether the delete button 204 on the console setting configuration screen 200 has been clicked. When the result of the determination in step S50 is YES, that is, when the delete button 204 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S53 to perform a delete process,
When the determination is NO, ie, when the delete button 204 is not clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S51.

In step S51, the controller body 21 determines whether the add button 203 on the console setting configuration screen 200 has been clicked. When the determination result in step S51 is YES, that is, when the add button 203 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S56 to perform additional processing. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the add button 203 is not clicked, Goes to the next step S52.

In step S52, the controller main body 21 determines whether the OK button 206 on the console setting configuration screen 200 has been clicked. The controller main body 21 proceeds to step S56 when the determination result in step S52 is YES, that is, when the OK button 206 is clicked, and returns to step S49 when the determination result is NO, that is, when the OK button 206 is not clicked. It is determined again whether or not the load button [Load] 207 has been clicked.

In step S53, the controller main body 21 determines whether there is a console selected from among the consoles displayed in the console configuration display area 205. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S53 is YES.
That is, when the console is selected, the process proceeds to the next step S54. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the console is not selected, the process returns to the step S49 and the load button [Load] 207 on the console setting configuration screen 200 is displayed.
It is determined again whether or not is clicked.

In step S54, the controller body 21 executes a process of deleting the selected console from the configuration of the cassette library 1. Then, the controller main body 21 returns to step S48, and displays the console setting configuration screen 200 in which the selected console has been deleted from the configuration of the cassette library 1 on the display device 2.
3 is displayed.

If the controller main body 21 determines in step S51 that the add button 203 has been clicked, it proceeds to step S55 to perform a console addition process. Then, the controller main body 21 returns to step S48, and causes the display device 23 to display the console setting configuration screen 200 on which the console addition processing has been performed.

Here, in step S55, a console addition process is performed by specifically executing a subroutine process from step S61 shown in FIG.

That is, in step S61, the controller main body 21 causes the display device 23 to display a newly added console setting display screen 210 shown in FIG. The newly added console setting display screen 210 is displayed by selecting the add button 203 of the console setting configuration screen 200 shown in FIG. 26 with a cursor. That is, after the setting of the console as the connection source of the console to be added is performed on the console setting configuration screen 200, the newly added console setting display screen 210 is displayed to allocate the logical number of the additional console.

Here, the newly added console setting display screen 210 has a line number (Line No.) for displaying the line number.
A box 211, a console number (Console No.) box 212 for displaying a console number, a console type (Console Type) box 213 for selecting a console type, a logical console number (Logical No.) box 214, and an OK button 215 and Cancel button [Cance
l] 216 and a help button [Help] 21 for displaying help.
Seven.

The line number box 211 displays the same number as the console column number input in the line box 201 shown in FIG. 26, so that the user cannot input numbers. The console number box 212
The same numbers as those on the console box 202 are displayed so that the user cannot input them. The console type box 213 is for selecting the type of console to be added. Logical console number box 214
Is for the user to select and enter a logical console number. That is, the user can set the logical console number to a desired value and register it.

At step S62, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 216 on the newly added console setting display screen 210 has been clicked. Then, if the decision result in the step S62 is YES, that is, if the cancel button [Cancel] 216 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the step S6.
7 and the determination result is NO, that is, the cancel button
If [Cancel] 216 is not clicked, the flow advances to the next step S63.

In step S63, the controller main body 21 displays the O on the newly added console setting display screen 210.
It is determined whether or not the K button 215 has been clicked. Then, when the determination result in this step S63 is YES, that is, when the OK button 215 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S64, and
If the determination result is NO, that is, if the OK button 215 is not clicked, the process returns to step S62 and the cancel button [Can.
cel] 216 is determined again.

In step S64, the controller main body 21 associates the physical console number with the logical console number based on the logical console number data entered in the logical console number box 214.

In the next step S65, the controller body 21 assigns a logical bin number for each logical console number as described above.

In the next step S66, the controller main body 21 causes the display device 23 to display a main screen 90 showing the added cassette console C as shown in FIG. That is, the main screen 90 shown in FIG. 17 to which the cassette console C has been added is displayed.

On the main screen 90, as shown in FIG. 29, the newly added cassette console C is displayed as the physical console number 3 of the console row 1. In the cassette console C, "A: 180" indicates that a total of 180 cassette tapes are stored, and "U: 0" indicates that there are no cassette tapes being used, that is, recording or reproducing. "F: 180" indicates that there are 180 cassette tapes not in use.

In step S67, the controller main body 21 deletes the newly added console setting display screen 210 shown in FIG. Then, the controller main body 21 returns to step S48 shown in FIG. 24 described above, and causes the display device 23 to newly display the console setting configuration screen 200.

On the other hand, when the controller main body 21 determines in step S52 shown in FIG. 24 that the OK button 206 of the console setting configuration screen 200 has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S56, where the console setting configuration displayed on the display device 23 is displayed. The screen 200 is erased, and the process ends.

As a result of the above processing, a main screen 90 shown in FIG. 30 is displayed on the display device 23.

The main screen 90 shows each console by a logical console number. That is, the basic console B has the logical console number 1 and the drive console D1 has the logical console number 2. The junction console J has the logical console number 3 and the drive console D2 has the logical console number 4, which is the same as that in FIG. Furthermore, cassette console C
Is the logical console number 5. That is, even if the cassette console C is added, the logical console number before the addition does not change.

FIG. 31 shows an added cassette console C.
Of the bin data window 130 of FIG. In the bin data window 130, 90 cassette bins 171 are displayed in the front display area 133, and the rear display area 134 is displayed.
90 cassette bins 172 are displayed.

The cassette bin 171 in the front display area 133 has a logical bin number 3250 to a logical bin number 33.
Up to 39. That is, the logical bin number is continuous with the logical bin number 3249 of the cassette bin of the drive console D2 shown in FIG. Rear display area 1
The 34 cassette bins 172 have logical bin numbers 3340 to 3429.

That is, since the last logical part number 3249 in the drive console D2 having the logical console number 4 and the logical bin number of the cassette console C having the added logical console number 5 are continuous values, a new console number is obtained. Does not change the console's previously assigned logical bin number. Therefore,
There is no need to change the logical bin number registered in the library controller 2. As a result, the cassette console C can be easily controlled without significantly changing the host application in the library controller 2.

Further, when a new console is added to the console row 1, a console setting configuration screen 200 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 32, and the above-described console addition processing may be performed.

The above-described function is not only used when adding consoles, but also when adding a new console between consoles or when changing the logical console number or logical bin number in accordance with the convenience of the application. Can be applied.

[0184] 5. Remote control (5-1) Processing on the host side The cassette library system uses cassette library 1
Not only can you remotely control the
It is configured to prevent unauthorized operation by a third party during remote control. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, when remote control is performed from the remote controllers 2A and 2B, processing for preventing unauthorized operation will be described first by the library controller 2 and by the remote controllers 2A and 2B.

First, processing for preventing unauthorized operation of the library controller 2 when remote control is performed will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

When the library controller 2 starts up,
The controller body 21 of the library controller 2
The processing from step S71 shown in FIG. 33 is executed.

In step S71, the controller main body 21 displays a main screen 90 shown in FIG.

At the next step S72, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the state of the first remote controller 2A has changed. Then, when the determination result in this step S72 is YES, that is, when the state of the first remote controller 2A has changed, the controller main body 21 proceeds to a step S shown in FIG.
If the result of the determination is NO, that is, if the state of the first remote controller 2A has not changed, the flow proceeds to the next step S73. Here, the state change of the first remote controller 2A is determined based on whether or not a request signal for connection or disconnection has been input from the first remote controller 2A to the library controller 2.

[0189] In step S73, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the remote maintenance menu has been selected from the main screen 90. Then, when the determination result in this step S73 is YES, that is, when the remote maintenance menu is selected, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S74, and when the remote maintenance menu is not selected, returns to step S72. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
0 setup menu [Setup (S)] is clicked and a pull-down menu 901 is displayed.
emote Maintenance (N)] is determined based on whether or not 901B is clicked.

The controller main body 21 has an item [Remote Ma
When “intenance (N)” 901 </ b> B is clicked, the process advances to step S <b> 74 to display the remote maintenance screen 240 shown in FIG. 35 on the display device 23.

The remote maintenance screen 240 includes a remote access control (Remote Access Control) list box 241, an add button [Add] 242, a change button [Revise] 243, and a delete button [Delete] 244.
, A Remote Connecting Users list box 245 and a disconnect button [Disconnect] 246
And a close button [Close] 2 to close the screen
47 and a help button [Help] 2 for displaying help
48.

The remote access control list box 241 displays a list of remote controller host names registered in the controller main body 21, permitted modes (service mode, user mode, etc.), and comments. The mode is provided with a service mode, a user mode, and the like, and control contents that can be operated by the host set in the service mode and the host set in the user mode are different. Details will be described later.

The add button [Add] 242 is used when additionally registering a new remote controller in the controller main body 21. When an add button [Add] 242 is clicked, a remote access control dialog box described later is displayed.

A change button [Revise] 243 is used to select an already registered remote controller from the remote access control list box 241 to change the contents of the remote controller.

A delete button [Delete] 244 is for selecting a remote controller already registered from the remote access control list box 241 and deleting it.

Remote connection user list box 245
Displays the host name, user name (login name of the remote controller), mode, connection date and time, and the comment input by the user of the remote controller at the time of connection, in which is displayed the remote controller host name currently accessing the controller main body 21.

The disconnect button [Disconnect] 246 is used to select the remote controller currently being accessed from the remote connection user list box 245 and forcibly disconnect the access.

Then, in step S75, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the state of the first remote controller 2A has changed. Then, when the result of the determination in step S75 is YES, that is, when the state of the first remote controller 2A has changed, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S101 shown in FIG. 39, which will be described later. If there is no change in the state of the first remote controller 2A, the process proceeds to step S76. That is, when a request signal for connection or disconnection from the remote controllers 2A and 2B is input, the process proceeds to step S101, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S76.

At step S76, the controller main body 21 moves to the remote maintenance screen 24 shown in FIG.
It is determined whether the 0 close button [Close] 247 has been clicked. When the determination result in step S76 is YES, that is, when the close button [Close] 247 is clicked, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S77, and when the determination result is NO, that is, when the close button [Close] 247 is not clicked. Goes to step S78 shown in FIG.

[0200] In step S77, the controller main body 21 deletes the remote maintenance screen 240 displayed on the display device 23. Then, the controller main body 21 returns to step S72, and determines again whether or not the state of the first remote controller 2A has changed.

On the other hand, in step S78 shown in FIG. 36, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the change button [Revise] 243 on the remote maintenance screen 240 has been clicked. And the controller body 2
When the determination result in step S78 is YES, that is, when the change button [Revise] 243 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S79. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the change button [Revise] 243 is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S80. move on.

[0202] In step S79, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not a host registered in the remote access control list box 241 has been selected. When the determination result in step S79 is YES, that is, when the host is selected, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S81. When the determination result is YES, that is, when the host is not selected, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S80. .

[0203] In step S80, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the add button [Add] 242 on the remote maintenance screen 240 has been clicked. Then, the controller body 21 determines in step S
80 is YES, that is, the additional button [Ad
d] When 242 is clicked, the next step S81 is performed.
And the determination result is YES, that is, the add button [A
If [dd] 242 is not clicked, the flow proceeds to step S86.

In step S81, the controller body 21 sets the remote device setting screen, that is, the remote access control (Remote Access Control) shown in FIG.
l) Display the dialog box 250 on the display device 23. That is, when an add button [Add] 242 on remote maintenance screen 240 shown in FIG. 35 is clicked on with a mouse, a remote access control dialog box 250 shown in FIG. 37 is displayed.

The remote access control dialog box 250 is used to register and change a remote controller that can access the controller body 21. That is, the remote maintenance screen 24
0 Select a host etc. in the remote access control dialog box 241 and click the [Add] button.
When the user clicks on the button 242, the remote controller is changed, nothing is selected in the remote access control dialog box 241, and the add button [Add] 2 is clicked.
When 42 is clicked, registration is performed. As shown in FIG. 37, the remote access control dialog box 250 includes a host name (Host Name) drop-down list box 251, a mode (Mode) drop-down list box 252, a comment (Comment) drop-down list box 253, OK button 254,
A cancel button [Cancel] 255 and a help button [Help] 256 for displaying help are provided.

The host name drop-down list box 251 is for designating the host name of the remote controller to be registered.

Mode drop-down list box 25
Reference numeral 2 is used to select an operation mode permitted for a remote controller to be registered, from a user mode, a service mode, and a disable mode. Here, the user mode mainly refers to an operation mode in which processing on the host side is confirmed on the remote controller side, and the remote controller cannot perform processing that affects the operation of the library system such as setting of the cassette library 1. . The service mode mainly refers to an operation mode in which substantially the same processing as on the host side can be performed. In this service mode, the remote controller can perform almost the same operation as the operation of the administrator operating the library controller 2, such as the setting and operation of the cassette library 1. The disable mode is an operation mode in which the access is temporarily registered in the remote access control list box 241 to temporarily permit access, and in principle, remote access is not allowed.

Comment drop-down list box 2
Reference numeral 53 is for inputting a comment for the remote controller. The comment input to the comment drop-down list box 253 is displayed in the remote access control list box 241.

[0209] In step S82, the controller main body 21 determines whether necessary items have been entered in the respective items of the remote access control dialog box 250 and the OK button 254 has been clicked. And
When the determination result in this step S82 is YES, that is, when the OK button 254 is pressed, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S83, and when the determination result is N
If O, that is, if the OK button 254 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S84.

In step S83, the controller body 21 determines the host name entered in the host name drop-down list box 251, the operation mode entered in the mode drop-down list box 252, etc. in the hard disk or the semiconductor memory of the controller body 21. And so on. And step S
Proceed to 85.

As described above, since the operation mode can be registered in the remote controller that can be remotely accessed, for example, the service mode is set for the user of the trusted remote controller.
A user mode can be set for a remote controller user who is not very trustworthy. Thus, the user on the remote controller side can perform an operation according to the trust relationship with the host side.

Further, it is also possible to set the disable mode to prohibit remote control in principle, and to permit remote control when requested by the remote controller. In this case, since the remote controller is already registered in the remote access control list box 241, the controller main body 21 can immediately permit the remote access.

In step S84, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 255 of the remote access control dialog box 250 has been clicked, that is, whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 255 has been clicked with a mouse. . Here, the remote access control dialog box 250
The cancel button [Cancel] 255 is clicked with the mouse when the user wants to close the remote access control dialog box 250 without registering the input items of the remote access control dialog box 250. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S84 is YES, that is, the cancel button [Cancel] 255
Is clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S85, and if the determination result is NO, that is, if the cancel button [Cancel] 255 is not clicked, the process returns to step S82 to determine again whether the OK button 254 is clicked.

[0214] In step S85, the controller main body 21 closes the remote access control dialog box 250 which is the remote device setting screen displayed on the display device 23. When the remote access control dialog box 250 is closed, a remote maintenance screen 240 is displayed.

In step S86, the controller main body 21 determines whether the delete button [Delete] 244 on the remote maintenance screen 240 has been clicked.
Then, the controller main body 21 determines in step S86
Is YES, ie delete button [Delete]
If 244 is clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S87, and the determination result is NO, that is, the delete button [Delete].
If 244 is not clicked, the flow proceeds to step S89 shown in FIG.

At step S87, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not a host registered in the remote access control list box 241 has been selected. Then, if the decision result in the step S87 is YES, that is, if the host is selected, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S88,
If the determination result is NO, that is, if no host is selected, the process proceeds to step S89.

In step S88, the controller main body 21 deletes the registration of the selected host from the remote access control list box 241.
Step S89 shown in FIG.

In step S89, the controller body 21 determines whether or not the disconnect button [Disconnect] 246 on the remote maintenance screen 240 has been clicked. Then, the controller body 21 determines in step S
89 is YES, that is, the disconnect button [Dis
connect] 246 is clicked, the next step S
Proceeding to 90, if the determination is YES, that is, if the disconnect button [Disconnect] 246 is clicked and not pressed, the remote control process ends.

[0219] In step S90, the controller main body 21 determines whether or not the host indicated in the remote connection user list box 245 on the remote maintenance screen 240 has been selected. When the determination result in step S90 is YES, that is, when the host is selected, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S91. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the host is not selected, the controller body 21 ends the remote control process. .

[0220] In step S91, the controller body 21 disconnects the connection with the first remote controller 2A.

In the next step S92, the controller main body 21 transmits the first remote controller 2 being connected.
It is determined whether or not A has disappeared from the remote connection user list box 245, that is, whether or not the access from the first remote controller 2A has been reliably disconnected. Then, when the determination result in step S92 is YES, that is, when the connected first remote controller 2A has disappeared from the remote connection user list box 245, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S93.
If the determination result is NO, that is, if the connected first remote controller 2A has not disappeared from the remote connection user list box 245, the remote control process ends.

In step S93, the controller main body 21 displays the above-described main screen 90 shown in FIG. 8 on the display device 23, and ends the remote control processing. When the remote control process is performed again after the end of the remote control process, the process starts from step S75.

In step S101 shown in FIG. 39, the controller main body 21 determines the state of the remote controller. Specifically, it is determined whether the first remote controller 2A is about to be connected or the connected first remote controller 2A has been disconnected. Then, the controller body 21 determines in step S
If the result of determination in step 101 is that the first remote controller 2A is to be connected, step S10
Then, when the connection from the first remote controller 2A is disconnected, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0224] In step S102, the controller main body 21 transmits the connected first remote controller 2A.
Is lost, that is, from the remote connection user list box 245 to the first remote controller 2A
It is determined whether the host name has disappeared. Then, when the determination result in this step S102 is YES, that is, when the connected first remote controller 2A disappears, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S103.
If the determination result is NO, that is, if the connected first remote controller 2A is not gone, the process returns to step S74 shown in FIG. 33 to display the remote maintenance screen 240 on the display device 23.

In step S103, the controller main body 21 displays the main screen 90 shown in FIG.
To be displayed. Then, the controller body 21
Returning to step S74 shown in FIG. 3, the remote maintenance screen 240 is displayed on the display device 23.

In step S104, the controller body 21 sends the first remote controller 2
It is determined whether A is a registered host. And
When the determination result in step S104 is YES, that is, when the host is registered, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S105. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the host is not registered, step S73 or step S73 shown in FIG. Proceed to S76. Here, when the process has proceeded from step S72 to step S101, the process proceeds to step S73, and when the process has proceeded from step S75 to step S101, the process proceeds to step S76.

In step S105, the controller body 21 determines whether the password transmitted from the first remote controller 2A is correct. And
When the determination result in step S105 is YES, that is, when the password is correct, the controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S106. When the determination result is NO, that is, when the password is incorrect, the controller main body 21 proceeds to step S73 or S76 shown in FIG. . Here, when the process has proceeded from step S72 to step S101, the process proceeds to step S73, and when the process has proceeded from step S75 to step S101, the process proceeds to step S76.

[0228] In step S106, the controller main body 21 performs processing for connecting the first remote controller 2A. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, as shown in FIG. 40, the controller main body 21 causes the display device 23 to display a main screen 90 indicating that a remote connection is being made from the outside. Then, the process proceeds to step S74 shown in FIG.

At this time, on the main screen 90, a warning “Remote User Login” is displayed in the remote connection display area 902. Further, the remote connection display area 902 blinks yellow to call the user's attention. Also, even when another window is open, if a remote connection is made, the main screen 9
0 is displayed at the top and the remote connection display area 902
Flashes yellow. Thus, the user can reliably recognize an external remote connection regardless of what window is open.

When the user wants to disconnect the remote connection in order to prevent unauthorized operation, step S7 is repeated.
4 and the process proceeds to step S89, and then the disconnection button [Disconnect] 246 may be clicked.

(4-2) Processing on Remote Controller Side Next, the first remote controller side during remote operation
Of the remote controller 2A will be described. When the controller main body 21A of the first remote controller 2A is connected to the controller main body 21 on the host side, the controller main body 21A executes the processing from step S111 shown in FIG. 41.

In step S111, the controller body 21A reads the remote-side main image 26 shown in FIG.
0 is displayed on the display device 23A.

The remote side main image 260 includes a menu bar area 261 for displaying an icon menu for instructing control of the cassette library system, a console configuration area 262 showing a basic configuration of the cassette library 1, and an operation. A mode drop-down list box 264 indicating the mode, and is graphically displayed so that it can be easily visually recognized.

[0235] In the console configuration area 262, one console 263 is displayed. Here, since the library controller 2 and the first remote controller 2A are not connected, one console 263 shown in FIG. 42 is conceptually displayed.

Mode drop-down list box 26
4 includes user mode, service mode, and disable
Displays one of the (Disable) modes. The mode drop-down list box 264 displays the user mode immediately after connection, regardless of the operation mode permitted by the library controller 2. If operation in the service mode is required, the mode drop-down list box 26
It is necessary to click 4 to switch the mode.

The remote main image 260 has substantially the same structure as the main screen 90 except that the main image is restricted by the library controller 2.

At the next step S112, controller main body 21A determines whether or not the remote maintenance menu has been selected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 43, the setup menu [Setup (S)] of the remote side main image 260 is clicked to display a pull-down menu 265, and the item [Remote Maintenanc] is displayed.
e (N)] 265A is determined. Incidentally, the pull-down menu 265 is the same as the pull-down menu of the library controller 2 on the host side as shown in FIG.

In the next step S113, the controller main body 21A displays a remote connection start screen 270 shown in FIG. 44 on the display device 23A.

The remote connection start screen 270 includes a host name (Host Name) drop-down list box 271 for inputting or selecting the host name of the library controller 2 to be connected, and a password (Password) for inputting the password of the library controller 2 to be connected. A text box 272, a comment drop-down list box 273, and a connection button [Conne
ct] 274 and disconnect button [Disconn
ect] 275 and the close button [Close] 2 to close the screen
76, and a help button [Help] 277 for displaying help.

[0241] Comment drop-down list box 2
Reference numeral 73 is for the user to input a comment as needed. The comment input here is, as shown in FIG. 35, the remote maintenance screen 240 on the host side.
Comment on the remote connection user list box 245
Displayed in the (Comment) column.

[0242] Then, the user enters
Enter the host name, password, and comments as needed.

In the next step S114, the controller body 21A determines whether or not the connection button [Connect] 274 has been clicked. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S114 is Y
If ES, that is, the connection button [Connect] 274 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S119. If the determination result is NO, that is, if the connection button [Connect] 274 is not clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S115.

In step S115, the controller body 21A determines whether or not the disconnect button [Disconnect] 275 has been clicked. Then, the controller main body 21 determines that the determination result in step S115 is YE
If S is determined, that is, if the disconnect button [Disconnect] 275 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S117. If the determination result is NO, that is, if the disconnect button [Disconnect] 275 is not clicked, the process proceeds to the next step S116.

In step S116, the controller body 21A determines whether or not the cancel button [Cancel] 276 has been clicked. And the controller body 2
1 indicates that the determination result in step S116 is YES
That is, when the cancel button [Cancel] 276 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S121, and the determination result is NO.
That is, when the cancel button [Cancel] 276 is not clicked, the process returns to step S113.

On the other hand, in step S115, the disconnection button [Dis
In step S117 when it is determined that [connect] 275 has been clicked, the controller body 21A disconnects the remote connection with the library controller 2.

In the next step S118, the controller body 21A displays the remote-side main image 260 shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S121.

In step S114, the connection button [Con
nect] In step S119 when it is determined that the button 274 has been clicked, the controller body 21A determines whether the library controller 2 has given permission for remote connection. The controller main body 21 proceeds to the next step S120 when the determination result in step S119 is YES, that is, when the remote connection is permitted, and proceeds to step S120 when the determination result is NO, that is, when the remote connection is not permitted. Proceed to S115. As described above, when permission is not obtained from the host side, remote control cannot be performed, and unauthorized operation by a third party can be prevented.

In step S120, as shown in FIG. 45, the controller body 21A sends the remote main image 26 indicating the configuration of the cassette library 1 on the host side.
0 is displayed on the display device 23. Then, step S1
Proceed to 21.

In step S121, the controller main body 21A erases the remote connection start screen 270 displayed on the display device 23, and ends the remote control processing. When the process is restarted after the end of the process, the process starts from the process of step S112.

(4-3) Example of Remote Control Next, an example of a case where the first remote controller 2A controls the library controller 2 on the host side will be described.

(4-3-1) Password Function The password function referred to here is a function of a person who manages the cassette library system (hereinafter, referred to as a "system administrator") or a function of changing the password which is obvious to the user. Say.

As shown in FIG. 34, the setup menu [Setup] on the main screen 90 of the library controller 2 is displayed.
(S)], and select the item [Pas
When sword (P)] 901C is selected, a password dialog box 280 shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

The password dialog box 280
Old Password text box 2
81, a New Password text box 282, and a Confirm New Password
New Password) text box 283, an OK button 284, and a cancel button [Cancel] 285.

Old Password Text Box 28
1 is for inputting the password of the current system administrator or user. Upon input, an asterisk is displayed in the old password text box 281.

New password text box 282
Is for entering a new password for the system administrator or user. The confirm new password text box 283 is also for inputting a new password of the system administrator or the user. The reason why the same password is input twice is to prevent an incorrect password from being set due to an input error.

(4-3-2) Drive Condition Function The drive condition function is a function for setting whether each drive device 13 mounted on the cassette library 1 can be used or not. In the user mode, only monitoring can be performed. In the service mode, not only monitoring but also the following setting operations can be performed. In addition,
Here, only the drive device 13 set as “usable” can be used. To use the drive condition function, select the setup menu [Setup (S)] in the main screen 90 and select the item [Drive Condition (D)] 901D from the pull-down menu 901 to obtain the configuration shown in FIG. As shown, a drive condition dialog box 290 is displayed.

The drive condition dialog box 290 includes a drive check box 291 corresponding to each drive device 13 of the cassette library 1.
Having. The number of drives displayed in the drive check box 291 matches the number of drives in the library device. That is, when the drive condition dialog box 290 is displayed, “Drive” is displayed for the number of drives of the library device. When the check of the drive check box 291 is deleted by the mouse and the OK button 292 is selected, the drive device 13 corresponding to the drive check box 291 becomes unusable.

(4-3-3) Execution Mode (Execute Mode) The execution mode function is a function for making settings relating to the control operation of the library controller 2 when controlling the library device 1. In the user mode, only monitoring can be performed. In the service mode, not only monitoring but also the following setting operations can be performed.

To make such a setting, select the setup menu [Setup (S)] from the main screen 90 shown in FIG. 34, and select the item [Excute] from the pull-down menu 901.
By selecting [Mode] 901E, an execution mode dialog box 300 shown in FIG. 48 is displayed.

For the library apparatus 1, the library controller 2 sets the division, that is, a plurality of consoles,
Alternatively, it is possible to set the entire library device 1 from a plurality of library devices 1 collectively for each console. In this case, the specification of each of the divided and set library devices 1 is indicated by a bus number box [Bus No. (N)]
301 and the user ID drop-down list box [U
ser ID (I)] 302. In other words, which of the divided areas is set is set in the two boxes 301 and 302. By the way, when the setting of division is not performed, the item [Other] is selected from the pull-down menu in the bus number box 301 as shown in FIG.

The standard setup 303 is used when a desired menu is selected from a pull-down menu to omit necessary input for each of the operation mode items 304 to 314, or when the default setting is made and the operation mode items 304 to 314 are selected. Used when you want to omit input.

Here, each item of the operation mode will be described.

An item [Auto Entry (A)] 304 automatically moves to an empty cassette storage shelf when a cassette tape is inserted into an input port (for example, 11a) of the input / output port unit 11 of the library apparatus 1. It is an item for setting whether or not. If this item [Auto Entry (A)] 304 is not checked, it is necessary to send a command to the library controller to move the cassette tape.

The item [Thread With Load (L)] 305 is used to move the cassette tape to the drive device 13.
This item is used to set whether or not the cassette tape is automatically loaded in the drive device 13 until the loading operation.

Item [Unthread at Load Error (U)] 306
Is an item for setting whether the cassette tape is returned to the original cassette storage shelf or left in the drive device 13 when an error is detected in the drive device 13 when the cassette tape is moved to the drive device 13. . This item
If [Unthread at Load Error (U)] 306 is not checked, the cassette tape is directly
Will be left in.

Item [Unthread With Fast Unload (F)] 30
Reference numeral 7 denotes an item for setting whether or not to unload the cassette tape at high speed in the drive device 13 when moving the cassette tape to the drive device 13.

The item [Unthread With Eject (E)] 308 is
When the cassette tape is moved from the drive unit 13, first, whether the cassette tape is ejected from the drive unit 13 is set. This item [Unt
If the [hread With Eject (E)] 308 is not checked, it is necessary to send a command to eject the cassette tape from the drive device 13 before the command to move the cassette tape.

Item [Drive Auto Load Mode (D)] 309
Is an item for setting whether or not to issue a cassette tape movement completion notification to a higher-level control device such as the library controller 2 when the movement of the cassette tape to the drive device 13 is completed. By issuing a cassette tape movement completion notification to the host controller, the library controller 2 is notified.
Can control the movement of another cassette tape.
If this item [Drive Auto Load Mode (D)] 309 is not checked, it is necessary to notify the host controller of the completion of the movement of the cassette tape after confirming that the cassette tape has been inserted into the drive device 13.

Item [BC Read With Casette Move (B)] 31
0 is an item for setting whether or not to read the bar code of the cassette tape when moving the cassette tape. If this item [BC Read With Casette Move (B)] 310 is checked, the cassette tape is not moved when the read barcode data does not match the cassette tape database held by the library controller 2.

An item [Erase Of New Tape (T)] 311 indicates that when an unformatted cassette tape is detected when the cassette tape is loaded in the drive device 13,
This item is used to set whether or not to automatically initialize the cassette tape.

Item [Recovery Of Destoroy (R)] 312
Is an item for setting whether or not to automatically restore the data of the header portion of the cassette tape when the cassette tape is loaded in the drive device 13.

The item [Wait For Drive Use (W)] 313 is
When a cassette tape is moved to the drive device 13 and another cassette tape is inserted in the destination drive device 13, whether or not to wait for another cassette tape to be ejected from the drive device 13 Is an item to be set. This item [Wait For Drive Use (W)] 313
Is not checked, the destination drive device 13
An error occurs if another cassette tape is inserted in the unit.

Item [Use Cassette Without BC (C)] 314
Is an item for setting whether or not to use a cassette tape to which a barcode label is not attached or a barcode which cannot be read. This item [Use Casse
tte Without BC (C)] 314 is not checked,
Use only cassette tapes that can read barcodes correctly.

When the user checks these dialog boxes with the mouse, the checked functions are set in the library controller 2. Then, the library controller 2 controls the cassette library 1 according to the set contents.

(4-3-4) Hours Meter (DMS Hour)
In the monitor window (not shown) displayed by selecting the menu bar [Test (T)] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG. 34, the DMS hours meter window 320 selects the toolbar [DMS Hours]. As a result, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the hours meter (integrated usage time and usage count) is displayed for each console row. The DMS hours meter window 320 is displayed in the library device 1
Hours meter data every 24 hours is displayed as a history of 7 days.

Drive hours meter window 33
0 is the menu bar [Tes] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG.
By selecting the toolbar [Drive Hours] in the monitor window (not shown) displayed by selecting [t (T)], the hour meter (integrated usage time) of each drive device 13 is set as shown in FIG. Displayed in drive number order. The display “drive not connected” in the drive hours meter window 330 is
This shows a state where the drive device 13 is not recognized by the library controller 2.

(4-3-5) Log Menu FIG. 51 shows a view log window 340. The view log window 340 displays various logs recorded by the library controller 2. FIG.
Is an example of displaying an error log. The view log window 340 shown in FIG. 51 includes an item [View log] from a pull-down menu (not shown) displayed by selecting a menu bar [Log (L)] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG.
Is displayed by selecting.

FIG. 52 shows a Take Log dialog box 350. The take log dialog box 350 is displayed by selecting an item [Take log] from a pull-down menu (not shown) displayed by selecting a menu bar [Log (L)] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG. The take log dialog box 350 is used to collectively record logs necessary for analysis when any inconvenience occurs in the entire system. In the Comment text box, enter a comment for the inconvenience that has occurred. In addition, a text file in which system information is written is created, and comments are recorded in the text file.

FIG. 53 shows a copy log dialog box 360. The copy log dialog box 360 is displayed by selecting an item [Copy log] from a pull-down menu (not shown) displayed by selecting a menu bar [Log (L)] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG. The copy log dialog box 360 is used to specify the log data to be copied when the log data recorded on the hard disk drive 49 (FIG. 3) of the library controller 2 by the take log command is recorded on the floppy disk.

FIG. 54 shows the system information (S
ystem Information) window. The system information window 370 is displayed by selecting an item [System] from a pull-down menu (not shown) displayed by selecting a menu bar [Log (L)] on the main screen 90 shown in FIG.
Displayed by selecting [Information]. The system information window 370 displays a list of files of the system information acquired so far. From here, it is also possible to newly obtain the current system information or display the contents of the displayed system information file. The system information file is a text file.

(4-3-6) Others Table 1 shows the operation contents of the remote controller in the user mode or the service mode when executing each control command.

[0283]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, “R” indicates that only monitoring is possible, “R / W” indicates that monitoring and setting operations are also possible,
“X” indicates that monitoring and setting operations are also impossible.

Note that the above-described commands are merely examples, and it goes without saying that monitoring and setting operations can be performed by remote connection for the execution of other control commands.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that a magnetic disk or an optical disk may be used instead of a cassette tape, for example, except for the case of a retention operation. is there.

[0287]

As described above in detail, according to the library apparatus and the logical number assignment method in the library apparatus according to the present invention, when a new console is added to the recording / reproducing apparatus, the original logical number is kept unchanged. Each console is used to determine the logical number of this console from the physical number of the added console, and the added console is controlled using the obtained console number. Even if the apparatus is expanded, the expanded recording / reproducing apparatus can be controlled with simple changes without any significant change in the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cassette library system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a cassette library of the cassette library system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a library controller in the cassette library system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part of a functional configuration of the library controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a basic console of the cassette library.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a junction console of the cassette library.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example showing a configuration of a cassette library.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main screen displayed on the display screen of the display device of the library controller.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller body of the library controller when the cassette tape is retained or moved.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cassette data window.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a cassette data window after a search is executed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a cassette data window when a cassette tape is retained or moved after a search is performed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller body of the library controller when the cassette tape is retained or moved.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller body of the library controller when the cassette tape is retained or moved.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a cassette retention window for setting the retention of the cassette tape.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a cassette move window for moving a cassette tape.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a main screen for displaying the configuration of the cassette library with small icons.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a main screen when each console is represented by a logical console number.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a bin data window for displaying a logical bin number in the basic console.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a bin data window for displaying a logical bin number in the drive console D1.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a bin data window for displaying a logical bin number in a junction console J.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a bin data window for displaying a logical bin number in the drive console D2.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the controller body when a console is added to the cassette library.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a controller body when a console is added to a cassette library.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a selection menu pop-up screen.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a console setting configuration screen.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a subroutine for explaining a processing operation of a controller main body when a console is added to a cassette library.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a newly added console setting display screen.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a main screen after a cassette console is added.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a main screen after a cassette console is added.

FIG. 31 is a view showing a bin data window showing logical bin numbers of the cassette console.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a console setting configuration screen.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller main body at the time of remote control.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a main screen when a pull-down menu is displayed.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a remote maintenance screen.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller main body at the time of remote control.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a remote access control dialog box.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller main body at the time of remote control.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the controller main body at the time of remote control.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a main screen at the time of remote connection.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating operation processing of the remote controller during remote control.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a remote-side main image on the remote controller side.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a remote-side main image when a pull-down menu is displayed.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a remote connection start screen.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a remote-side main image.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a password dialog box.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a drive condition dialog box.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an execution mode dialog box.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a DMS hours meter window.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a drive hours meter window.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a view log window.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a take log dialog box.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a copy log dialog box.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a system information window.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a cassette library.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an example of allocating bin numbers of consoles when consoles are added.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating an example of allocation of logical numbers to bins in a console number.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cassette library, 2 library controller, 21 controller body, 23 display device, B basic console, C cassette console, D drive console

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Nobuhiro Tsurumaki 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Masato Yokota 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproduction of information by using a removable recording medium, a plurality of storing means capable of storing the recording medium, and an optional storing part in the storing means Transport means for transporting the recording medium between the recording medium and the recording / reproducing means;
Or control means for controlling the recording / reproducing means, wherein a plurality of consoles are combined and the consoles are connected so that the positional relationship between them can be changed with each other. In one of the library apparatuses, the control means assigns a logical number to each of the consoles, and assigns a logical number to each of the storage sections in the console, and a logical number of the storage section of the console before the change. A library device which is allocated so as to be consecutive with a number. 2. A display device for displaying a console configuration setting screen for assigning a logical number to an added console, wherein the control means includes a console information before the change displayed on the console configuration setting screen. 2. The library device according to claim 1, wherein a location of a console to be changed is determined from a physical number indicating the logical number, and the logical number is assigned to the console. 3. The control means, when the physical number is input to the console configuration setting screen, displays a logical number assignment setting screen of the console on the display means, and inputs the logical number assignment setting screen to the console. 3. The library apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a logical number is assigned to said changed console. 4. The logical number assigned to the storage section includes a logical number assigned to an insertion port or an ejection port of the recording / reproducing means into which the recording medium is inserted and ejected. 2. The library device according to 1. 5. A console having an input / output port for taking in the recording medium and / or discharging the recording medium to the outside, a storage console having the plurality of storage means, A drive console having a reproducing means, and a junction console having a transfer portion for transferring the recording medium from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the transport means moves between the consoles and 2. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is selectively transported between a storage section and the recording / reproducing means. 6. The transfer section has an opening for inserting and ejecting the recording medium, and a logical number assigned to the storage means is assigned to the opening. Library device as described. 7. A recording / reproducing means for performing at least one of recording and reproducing of information by using a removable recording medium, a plurality of storing means capable of storing the recording medium, and an optional storing part in the storing means. Transport means for transporting the recording medium between the recording medium and the recording / reproducing means;
Or control means for controlling the recording / reproducing means, wherein a plurality of consoles are combined and the consoles are connected so that the positional relationship between them can be changed with each other. In a method of assigning logical numbers in a library device in which one of the consoles is provided, a physical relationship is provided in which the relative positions of the consoles are displayed on a display means and the installation location of each console before the change is assigned to each console. A first step of displaying a number on the display means, a second step of determining a change location of the console to be changed from the physical number, and a logical number of the console to be changed is input;
A third step of allocating the logical number of the changed console based on the input logical number; and storing the logical number for each storage unit in the changed console, storing the logical number of the console before the change. And a fourth step of allocating the logical numbers so as to be continuous with the logical numbers of the units. 8. The system further comprises display means for displaying a console configuration setting screen for assigning a logical number to the added console. In the third step, a logical number assignment setting screen for inputting the logical number is provided. Display on the display means,
8. The logical number assignment method according to claim 7, wherein a logical number input to the logical number assignment setting screen is assigned to the changed console. 9. The logical number assigned to the storage unit includes a logical number assigned to an insertion port or an ejection port of the recording / reproducing means into which the recording medium is inserted and ejected. Item 7. The logical number assignment method according to Item 7. 10. The console includes a basic console having an input / output port for taking in the recording medium and / or discharging the recording medium to the outside, a storage console having the plurality of storage means, and a storage console. A drive console having a reproducing means, and a junction console having a transfer portion for transferring the recording medium from a first direction to a second direction, wherein the transport means moves between the consoles and 8. The logical number assignment method according to claim 7, wherein the recording medium is selectively conveyed between a storage section and the recording / reproducing means. 11. The transfer section has an opening for inserting and ejecting the recording medium, and the opening is provided with a logical number assigned to the storage means. Logical number assignment method described.