JP2000195148A - Disk exchange device control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk exchange device control system in which a failure is speedingly repaired and the cost for educating operators is reduced. SOLUTION: A control device 6 is put into a standby state until a command, which asks to reply the information related to the presence and the absence of error data from a control device 3, is transmitted. If the command is transmitted, discrimination is made to determine whether an operation command is given from a host computer 1 or not. If the device 6 determines that an operation command is given from the computer 1, the instruction transmitted from the device 3 is stored in a memory 7 and the device 6 controls the operations of an exchange operation section 50 and a disk drive section 70 so that they conduct the specified operations by the operating command given by the computer 1. The device 6 executes the above control until the specified operations are completed. If it is judged that the operations are completed, the states of the sections 50 and 70 are returned to the states which are the states before the operation commands were given from the computer 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for managing a disk exchange device for exchanging a disk or a disk cartridge containing a disk in a case with a built-in disk drive by a management device via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A disk exchange apparatus is provided with a storage shelf provided with a plurality of storage sections for storing disk cartridges in a housing provided with an insertion outlet through which a disk cartridge storing a disk is inserted, and a loaded disk cartridge. One or more disk drives for writing information to the disk and reading information from the disk are provided, and a loading / unloading device for loading / unloading the disk cartridge, a moving device for moving the loading / unloading device, and A control device is provided for controlling the movement of the loading / unloading device by the moving device and the loading / unloading operation of the disk cartridge by the loading / unloading device.

In order to store a new disk cartridge in the storage shelf, the loading / unloading device is moved to the insertion / exit port by the moving device, and the disk cartridge inserted from the insertion / exit port is loaded into the loading / unloading device. Then, the carrying-in / out device is moved by the moving device to a position facing the empty storage portion, the disk cartridge is carried out from the carrying-in / out device to the storage portion, and the disk cartridge is stored in the storage portion.

In order to load a new disk cartridge into the disk drive, the loading / unloading device is moved to a position facing the disk drive by a moving device.
The disk cartridge already loaded in the disk drive is loaded into the loading / unloading device, the loading / unloading device is moved by the moving device to a position facing the empty storage section, and the disk cartridge is unloaded from the loading / unloading device to the storage section. I do. After moving the loading / unloading device by the moving device to a position opposite to the storage unit in which the required disk cartridge is stored, and loading the disk cartridge into the loading / unloading device from the storage unit, the loading / unloading device is moved by the moving device. The disk cartridge is moved to a position facing the disk drive, the disk cartridge is unloaded from the loading / unloading device to the disk drive, and the disk cartridge is loaded into the disk drive.

[0005] Such a disk exchange device includes an SCS.
A host computer is connected via the I interface, and the host computer gives a SCSI command to the control device of the disk exchange device. The loading / unloading operation of the disk cartridge by the loading / unloading device is controlled.

[0006]

When a failure occurs in a disk replacement device, a worker dispatched to a place where the disk replacement device is installed specifies a failure occurrence portion as follows, and identifies the specified failure. The affected part was being repaired. The disk exchange device includes the above-described moving device, loading / unloading device,
And an operation panel for individually operating the disk drive and the like is provided, and the operator operates the operation panel to operate the moving device, the loading / unloading device, the disk drive, and the like,
It was checked whether or not they were operating normally, and if they were not operating normally, the motors and sensors or the electric circuits, etc. related to the device were inspected.

As described above, there is a problem that it takes a long time to specify a portion where a failure has occurred. In addition, workers
There is a problem that the cost for training the workers is high because the technique for identifying the failure occurrence part must be acquired. On the other hand, if a part needs to be replaced and the user does not bring the part, the operator must carry the part again to the installation site and repair the disk replacement device quickly. There was also a problem that it was not possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a disk capable of quickly repairing a failure and reducing the cost required for training workers. An exchange device management system is provided.

[0009]

A disk exchange device management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a disk drive for writing information to a disk and / or reading information from a disk, and attaching and detaching the disk to and from the disk drive. Detachable machine, and a disk exchange device including a control device for controlling the operation of the detachable machine and the disk drive,
A disk exchange device management system comprising: a management device that manages the disk exchange device, wherein the management device and the control device can communicate with each other, wherein the management device includes the detachable device and / or the disk drive. Means for transmitting a first command for returning information relating to the failure to the control device, means for diagnosing the failure based on the information returned from the control device, and means for outputting the obtained diagnosis result. The control device, the control device, a reception determination unit that determines whether the first command transmitted by the management device has been received, and when it is determined that it has been received, based on the received first command,
And a return unit for returning information relating to the failure of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive.

[0010] A control device provided in the disk exchange device is connected to a management device which is arranged at a distance from the disk exchange device via a communication line. The management device includes information on whether failure information relating to the detachable machine and / or the disk drive whose operation is controlled by the control device is stored, and a failure of the detachable device and / or the disk drive, such as the failure information. Is transmitted to the control device.

When the control device receives the first command, it returns information on the failure in accordance with the first command. The management device diagnoses a failure based on the information returned from the control device. If necessary, the management device transmits a first command for returning more detailed information to the control device, and specifies the failed component based on the returned information. Then, the management device displays or prints the diagnosis result.

Thus, when a failure occurs in the disk replacement device, the operator can recognize the failure location based on the diagnostic result output by the management device, and can prepare necessary replacement parts in advance. Failures can be quickly repaired. As described above, since the worker does not need to specify the failed part of the disk exchange device, the cost required for training the worker can be reduced.

[0013] In a disk exchange device management system according to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the disk drive comprises:
The disk drive is provided with storage means for storing information relating to the failure of the disk drive, and the reply means is provided with means for reading the information from the storage means.

In accordance with the first command transmitted from the management device, the control device reads out the information relating to the failure of the disk drive stored in the disk drive from the disk drive, and returns it to the management device. As a result, the management apparatus can obtain detailed information on the failure of the disk drive, and can diagnose whether the disk drive can be repaired.

The disk exchange device management system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the disk exchange device management system according to the first or second aspect, wherein:
It is characterized by comprising means for operating the detachable machine and means for generating information relating to the state of the detachable machine after the operation.

According to the first command transmitted from the management device, the control device operates the detachable machine. When receiving a first command for performing a so-called initialization for returning a plurality of driving devices included in the detachable machine to a predetermined initial state, the control device controls the respective driving devices to initialize. Then, the control device checks whether each drive device has returned to the initial state,
When it returns to the initial state, it generates the restored information, while
If it has not returned to the initial state, it generates non-return information,
The information is returned to the management device as information relating to the state of the detachable machine after the operation.

When the returned information is returned, the management device diagnoses that the failure has been recovered, and when the unrecovered information is returned, the failure location of the detachable machine is inspected in detail. This makes it possible to recover a sudden defective state of the detachable machine without dispatching a worker.

A disk exchange device management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the disk exchange device management system according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a host computer for giving a second command for operating the detachable device and / or the disk drive to the control device. The control device determines whether or not a second command has been given from the host computer, and if the control device determines that the second command has been given, operates the detachable machine and / or the disk drive according to the given second command. Control end determining means for determining whether or not the control has been completed, and when the reception determining means determines that the first command has been received when it is determined that the control has not been completed, the first received Means for storing a command, and when the control end determining means determines that the control has ended,
Means for reading out the stored first command.

[0019] Even when the control device controls the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive according to the second command given from the host computer, the control device receives the first command transmitted from the management device. When the first command is received, the received first command is stored in order to give priority to the control by the second command. And
The control device determines whether or not the control of the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive according to the second command has been completed. If the control device has determined that the control has been completed, the control device reads the stored first command, and reads the stored first command. The operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive is controlled according to one command.

As a result, the first command and the second command are prevented from overlapping, so that writing of information to the disk and / or reading of information from the disk is ensured, and the information is destroyed. Is avoided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the disk exchange device management system according to the fourth aspect, the control device receives a second command from the host computer while executing the received first command. Means for determining whether the first command has been given, first command interrupting means for interrupting the operation according to the first command, and the first command And a first command re-executing means for re-executing the operation according to (1).

[0022] The control device transmits the first data transmitted from the management device.
When the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive is controlled by the command, the second
When the command is given, the operation according to the first command is interrupted, and the control according to the second command is performed. The control device determines whether the control of the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive according to the second command has been completed, and when it is determined that the control has been completed, performs the control operation according to the first command again. . As a result, the first command and the second command are prevented from being duplicated as before, so that information can be written to the disc and / or
Alternatively, reading of information from the disk is ensured, and the destruction of the information is avoided.

A disk exchange device management system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the disk exchange device management system according to the fifth aspect, wherein:
Means for storing information on interruption of the state of the detachable machine when the operation according to the command is interrupted, wherein the first command re-executing means determines whether or not the control Means for generating difference information between the end time information relating to the state of the machine and the interruption time information, and means for returning the detachable machine to the state at the time of interrupting the operation according to the first command in accordance with the obtained difference information And characterized in that:

[0024] The control device transmits the first data transmitted from the management device.
When a second command is given from the host computer while the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive is being controlled by the command, the operation according to the first command is performed in order to execute the second command with priority. Interrupt. At this time, the control device stores the information at the time of interruption relating to the state of the detachable machine at the time of interruption, and when the control of the operation of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive according to the second command is completed, the detachable machine at that time Then, the difference information between the end time information and the interruption time information relating to the state (1) is generated, and the detachable machine is returned to the interruption state based on the difference information. As a result, the second command can be prioritized during the execution of the first command without affecting the failure diagnosis.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a disk exchange apparatus according to the present invention.
Is a rectangular parallelepiped shell-like housing that is long vertically. A front panel 52 is provided in the housing 51, and an insertion outlet 53 for inserting and ejecting a disk cartridge D storing a magnetic disk or an optical disk or the like is opened near the upper end of the front panel 52. In the housing 51, a loader 54 for temporarily storing the disk cartridge D is disposed facing the insertion outlet 53,
The loader 54 is suspended so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction approaching the insertion outlet 53 and in a direction away from the insertion outlet 53.

In the vicinity of the front panel 52 described above, a cylindrical guide rod 60 is provided vertically between the bottom surface of the housing 51 and the ceiling. The guide rod 60 has a disc cartridge D
Loading / unloading device 55 with built-in picker unit for loading / unloading
Is supported so as to be able to move up and down, and the loading / unloading device 55 is supported by the supporting member 56 so as to be orthogonal to the guide rod 60.

On the upper surface of the loading / unloading device 55, the above-described loader 54 is provided.
An engaging portion 57 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward so as to be engaged with the lower surface of the device. In the vicinity of the guide rod 60, a screw shaft 61 driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown) is arranged in parallel with the guide rod 60. The support member 56 is screwed to the screw shaft 61. By rotating the screw shaft 61 forward and reverse, the support member 56 is rotated.
The 56 and the loading / unloading device 55 are raised and lowered.

A plurality of storage sections 63, 63,... For accommodating the disk cartridge D, facing the elevation area of the loading / unloading device 55.
Are provided at the top and bottom, and a storage shelf 62 is provided.
Two disk drives 71, 71 for writing and reading information are stacked between the disk drive and the bottom surface of the housing 51. Further, the rotation of the screw shaft 61, the loading / unloading of the disk cartridge D by the picker unit incorporated in the loading / unloading device 55, the forward / backward driving of the engaging portion 57 by the driving portion 58, and the like are controlled by a control device described later.

In order to accommodate a new disk cartridge D by such a disk exchange device, the control device operates the loading / unloading device 55 to engage the engaging portion 57 with the lower surface of the loader 54, and the driving portion 58 Then, the engaging portion 57 is retracted to the front panel 52 side, and the loader 54 is arranged to face the insertion outlet 53, and when the disc cartridge D is inserted from the insertion outlet 53, the driving portion 58 is engaged to engage. Move part 57 forward and loader
The 54 is moved above and below the loading / unloading device 55.

The control device rotates the screw shaft 61 forward to raise the carry-in / out device 55 to a position parallel to the loader 54,
The disc cartridge D is carried into the carry-in / out device 55 from the loader 54 by using the picker unit. Then, the control device rotates the screw shaft 61 in the reverse direction to lower the carry-in / out device 55 to the position of the empty storage portion 63, and operates the picker unit to transfer the disk cartridge D from the carry-in / out device 55 to the storage portion 63. Let me take it out.

When the disk cartridge D is set in the disk drive 71, the control device rotates the screw shaft 61 in the normal and reverse directions, and moves the carry-in / out device 55 to the storage section 63 in which the required disk cartridge D is stored. The disc cartridge D is loaded into the loading / unloading device 55 from the storage section 63 by using the picker unit. Then, the control device rotates the screw shaft 61 in the reverse direction, and
55 to the required disk drive D position,
The disk cartridge D is carried out from the carry-in / out device 55 to the disk drive 71 by using the picker unit.

At this time, if another disk cartridge D is set in the disk drive 71, the control device causes the loading / unloading device 55 to perform an operation reverse to the above-described operation, and the disk cartridge D Is collected in the storage shelf 62 or the loader 54, and then a required disk cartridge D is inserted.

Then, the control device controls the disk drive 7
By performing steps 1 and 71, information is written to or read from the disks stored in the disk cartridges D and D mounted thereon.

The loading / unloading device 55, picker unit, storage shelf 62, loader 54, disk drives 71, 71, drive unit 58, drive motor of the screw shaft 61, support member 56, etc. Various sensors for detecting the rotation angle, the movement position, and the like are provided, and a detection signal detected by each sensor is provided to a control device. Then, the control device determines the presence or absence of a failure based on the detection signal given from each sensor, and when it is determined that the failure, determines the type based on the detection signal, and as the error data, the detection signal Together with the data.

Further, microcomputers are mounted on the disk drives 71, 71, respectively, and each microcomputer determines whether there is a failure based on detection signals given from a plurality of sensors provided in the disk drives 71, 71. In the case of a failure, the type is determined based on the detection signal and stored in the memory, and an error notification is given to the control device. When an error notification is given, the control device stores it in the memory as error data relating to the disk drive.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a disk exchange device management system according to the present invention.
Is a disk exchange device. In the disk exchange device 5,
The above-described carry-in / out device 55, drive unit 58, picker unit,
An exchange operation unit 50 provided with a loader 54, a drive motor for a screw shaft 61, a storage shelf 62, and the like, a disk drive unit 70 provided with disk drives 71, 71 containing memories 72, 72, and controls the operations thereof. A control device 6 and a memory 7 for storing the above-described error data and detection signals are provided.

The host computer 1 is connected to the control device 6 via SCSI interfaces 22 and 2. The host computer 1 sends a SCSI command to the control device 6, and the control device 6 controls the operation of exchanging the disk cartridge by the exchange operation section 50 and the operation of writing / reading information by the disk drive section 70 in accordance with the given SCSI command. I do.

The control device 6 is connected to the first modem 11 via the serial interface 21, and the first modem 11 can be connected to the second modem 12 via the communication line 15. The second modem 12 is connected to the management device 3 that manages the disk switching device 5, and
Is executed at appropriate time intervals as follows.
Then, maintenance of the disk exchange device 5 is performed.

FIGS. 3 to 7 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the management device 3 shown in FIG. The management device 3
Time is counted by a built-in timer (step S1), and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S2). When determining that the predetermined time has elapsed, the management device 3 calls the first modem 11 via the second modem 12 and the communication line 15 (step S3), and determines whether the line has been connected by the first modem 11. Is determined (step S4).

When the line is connected, the management device 3 sends a command to return information on the presence or absence of error data to the control device 6 (step S5), and waits until the information is received (step S6). . When receiving the information, the management device 3 determines whether or not there is error data (step S7). When there is no error data, the management device 3 transmits a command to disconnect the line to the control device 6 (step S8). Then, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S7 that there is error data, the management device 3 sends a command to return the error data to the control device 6 (step S9), and waits until the error data is received (step S10). ). When receiving the error data, the management device 3 stores it in the memory.
13 and stored therein (step S11), it is determined whether or not error data relating to the disk drive is included (step S12).
A command to read and return detailed error data stored in each disk drive is transmitted to the control device 6 (step S13).

The management device 3 waits until detailed error data relating to each disk drive is received (Step S).
14) If it is received, store the error data in memory
13 (step S15). The management device 3 identifies the failed disk drive based on the stored error data (step S16), and gives the ID number of the identified disk drive to the host computer 1 via the control device 6 (step S17). .

If the management device 3 determines in step S12 that error data relating to the disk drive is not included, it determines that a failure has occurred in any of the devices provided in the replacement operation unit 50 and determines in step S21. Move to the replacement unit 50
Is transmitted to the control device 6 to return all the devices provided in the device to the preset initial state.

The management device 3 determines whether or not a recovery notification has been received indicating that all devices have returned to the initial state (step S).
22) If it is received, it is determined that the error has occurred suddenly, and an operation check command for returning to the state before returning to the initial state is transmitted to the control device 6 (step S23).
Thereafter, a command to disconnect the line is transmitted to the control device 6 (step S24), and the process returns to step S1.

If the management device 3 cannot receive the recovery notification in step S22, that is, if any device cannot return to the initial state, the management device 3 A command to return the first information as the error data is transmitted to the control device 6 (step S30).
The management device 3 waits until the first information is received (step S31). When the first information is received, the management information is given to the memory 13 and stored therein (step S32).

The management device 3 transmits to the control device 6 a command to return information as to whether or not the disk cartridge D is stored in the plurality of storage portions 63, 63,... Of the storage shelf 62 (step S33). ). The management device 3 waits until the information is received (step S34). When the information is received, it is given to the memory 13 and stored there (step S3).
Five).

Further, the management device 3 controls a command for returning second information such as the rotation angles of a plurality of drive motors provided in the exchange operation unit 50, the position of the carry-in / out device 55, and the ON / OFF of each sensor. The data is transmitted to the device 6 (step S36). The management device 3 waits until the second information is received (step S3).
7) If it is received, it is given to the memory 13 and stored there (step S38).

The management device 3 compares the first information and the second information stored in the memory 13 to determine whether or not a component such as a drive motor and a sensor provided in the replacement operation unit 50 is faulty. Then, if it is determined that any of the components has failed (step S39), the component is stored in the memory 13 (step S40). Then, after transmitting the command to disconnect the line to the control device 6 (step S41), the management device 3 displays information on the component on the display (step S4).
2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that the failure is not a component failure, the management device 3 determines that the failure is in another component such as a power supply circuit, a timer or a memory provided in the CPU, and the other component is not failed. Is transmitted to the control device 6 (step S50). The management device 3 waits until the inspection result is received (step S51), and when receiving it, gives the received inspection result to the memory 13 and stores it therein (step S52). Then, the management device 3 transmits a command to disconnect the line to the control device 6 (step S5).
3) After that, the failed component is specified based on the inspection result stored in the memory 13 (step S54), and it is displayed on the display (step S55).

FIGS. 8 to 14 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control device 6 shown in FIG. The control device 6
It is determined whether a call has been received from the second modem 12 of the management device 3 to the first modem 11 (step S100). If the call has not been received, it is further determined whether or not an operation command has been given from the host computer 1. It is determined (step S101), and if it is not given, the process returns to step S100.

When the control device 6 determines in step S101 that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 controls the operation of the exchange operation unit 50 and the disk drive unit 70 so as to perform the operation specified by the operation command. Control is performed (step S102). The control device 6 determines whether or not the designated operation has been completed (step S103). If not, the second modem 12 to the first modem of the management device 3
It is determined whether or not a call has been received at step 11 (step S105). If the call has not been received, control device 6 returns to step S103.

If it is determined in step S105 that the call has been received, the control device 6 connects the line (step S106) and waits until a command to return information on the presence or absence of error data is sent from the management device 3. (Step S107) If it is transmitted, the received command is stored in the memory 7 (Step S108), and the process returns to Step S103. During this time, the control device 6 controls the operations of the replacement operation unit 50 and the disk drive unit 70.

When the control device 6 determines that the operation specified in step S103 has been completed, the control device 6 stores the management device 3 in the memory 7.
Is determined (step S104), and if it is stored, the process proceeds to step S131 to be described later, while if it is not stored,
End the operation.

If it is determined in step S100 that the call has been received, the control device 6 connects the line (step S110) and waits until a command to return information on the presence or absence of error data is transmitted from the management device 3. (Step S111) If it is transmitted, it is determined whether or not an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (Step S112).
When the control device 6 determines that the operation command is given from the host computer 1, it performs a priority process of giving priority to the operation command (step S120).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the priority process. The control device 6 stores the command transmitted from the management device 3 in the memory 7 (step S121), and then performs the replacement operation unit 50 and the disk so as to perform the operation specified by the operation command given from the host computer 1. The operation of the drive unit 70 is controlled (step S122). The control device 6 performs the above-described control until the designated operation is completed (step S123), and when it is determined that the operation is completed, the state of the replacement operation unit 50 and the disk drive unit 70 is changed to
After performing the differential processing for returning to the state before the operation command is given from the host computer 1 (step S124), the process returns.

If the control device 6 determines in step S112 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it has determined that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs a priority process, 7 is searched to check whether error data is stored therein (step S131), and the check result is transmitted to the management device 3 (step S132).

The control device 6 determines whether or not a command to disconnect the line has been given (step S133). If the command has been given, the first modem 11 causes the first modem 11 to disconnect the line (step S134). If the command to disconnect the line has not been given, the control device 6 further determines whether or not a command to return the error data stored in the memory 7 has been transmitted from the management device 3 (step S135). If has not been transmitted, the process returns to step S133.

If the control device 6 determines in step S135 that a command to return error data has been transmitted from the management device 3, the control device 6 determines whether an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (step S136). When it is determined that the operation command is given from the computer 1,
The priority processing as described above is performed (steps S141 to S144).
).

If the control device 6 determines in step S136 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it determines that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs a priority process, 7 is read (step S151), and transmitted to the management device 3 (step S152).

The control device 6 determines whether or not a command to read out and return detailed error data stored in each disk drive from the management device 3 has been transmitted (step S153), and it has not been transmitted. In this case, the process moves to step S181.

When determining that the command has been transmitted, the control device 6 determines whether or not an operation command has been provided from the host computer 1 (step S154), and has determined that the operation command has been provided from the host computer 1. If
The priority processing as described above is performed (steps S161 to S164).
).

If the controller 6 determines in step S154 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it determines that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs priority processing, The detailed error data stored therein is read from the disk drive (step S171), and is read by the management device 3
(Step S172).

The control device 6 waits until the ID number of the failed disk drive 71 is transmitted from the management device 3 (step S173).
The number is given to the host computer 1 (step S17)
Four ). Then, the control device 6 determines whether or not a command to disconnect the line has been given (step S175), and when given, the first modem 11 causes the first modem 11 to disconnect the line (step S176).

On the other hand, in step S153, the control device 6
If it is determined that a command to read and return detailed error data stored in each disk drive from the management device 3 has not been transmitted, it is determined whether an error recovery processing command has been transmitted from the management device 3 ( Step S181
), If it has not been transmitted, the flow returns to step S153.

If the control device 6 determines in step S181 that an error recovery processing command has been transmitted, it determines whether or not an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (step S182). If it is determined that it has been given, the priority processing as described above is performed (steps S191 to S194).

If it is determined in step S182 that the operation command has not been given from the host computer 1 or if it has been determined that the operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs priority processing and then performs replacement. For all the devices provided in the operation unit 50, an error recovery process for trying to return to a preset initial state is executed (step S201).

During this time, the control device 6 determines whether or not an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (step S202). If no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, when the control device 6 determines that the operation command is given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 stores the given operation command in the memory 7 (step S203), and then determines whether or not the error recovery processing is completed. (Step S204).

The control device 6 executes the error recovery process until the process is completed. When the error recovery process is completed, the control device 6 determines whether or not all devices have returned to the initial state (step S205). Then, the operation command is read out from step 7 (step S206), and the read operation command is executed (step S207). The control device 6 determines whether or not the operation control specified by the operation command has been completed (step S208),
If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S211.

The control device 6 determines whether or not all the devices have returned to the initial state in step S 211, and if so, transmits a recovery notification to the management device 3 (step S 21).
2) After that, it waits until a command to disconnect the line is transmitted from the management device 3 (step S213), and when it is transmitted, disconnects the line (step S214).

On the other hand, the control device 6 determines in step S211
If it is determined that any one of the devices has not returned to the initial state, the management device 3 waits until a command to return the first information, which is all error data related to the exchange operation unit, is transmitted (step S221). ), Upon receiving that order,
It is determined whether or not an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (step S222). If it is determined that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, priority processing as described above is performed (steps S231 to S234).

If the control device 6 determines in step S222 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it has determined that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs a priority process, Then, the first information is read out from Step 7 (Step S241) and transmitted to the management device 3 (Step S242).

Further, the control device 6 waits until a command to return information as to whether or not the disk cartridge D is stored in the plurality of storage portions 63 of the storage shelf 62 is transmitted from the management device 3. Then, if it is determined that the command has been received (step S243), it is determined whether an operation command has been given from the host computer 1 (step S244).
When it is determined that the operation command is given from the host computer 1, the priority processing as described above is performed (step S25).
1 to S255).

If it is determined in step S244 that the operation command has not been given from the host computer 1 or if it has been determined that the operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 executes the priority processing and then stores the data. shelf
Disk cartridge D in a plurality of storage sections 63, 63,.
Is generated (step S26).
1), and transmits the generated information to the management device 3 (step S262).

The control device 6 sends a command to return second information such as the rotation angles of a plurality of drive motors provided in the exchange operation section 50, the position of the carry-in / out device 55, and the ON / OFF of each sensor. And waits for transmission (step S263).
), When it is received, it is determined whether an operation command is given from the host computer 1 (step S26).
Four). When the control device 6 determines that the operation command is given from the host computer 1, it performs the priority processing as described above (steps S271 to S274).

If the control device 6 determines in step S 264 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it determines that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, it performs priority processing, The second information is generated (step S281), and the generated second information is transmitted to the management device 3 (step S282).

The control device 6 determines that another component such as a timer or a memory provided in the CPU is out of order, and waits until a command to inspect the other component is transmitted from the management device 3 (step S283). ), When it is received, it is determined whether or not an operation command is given from the host computer 1 (step S284). When the control device 6 determines that the operation command is given from the host computer 1, it performs the priority processing as described above (steps S291 to S294).
).

If the controller 6 determines in step S284 that no operation command has been given from the host computer 1, or if it determines that an operation command has been given from the host computer 1, the control device 6 performs priority processing, and then performs other processing. Inspection is performed to determine whether or not the component has a failure (step S301), and the inspection result is transmitted to the management device 3 (step S302). Control device 6
Waits until a command to disconnect the line is transmitted from the management apparatus 3 (step S303), and upon receiving the command, disconnects the line (step S304).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the host computer 1 shown in FIG. The host computer 1 waits until a command related to the disk exchange device 5 is input from the user (step S401), and when it is input, generates a corresponding operation command (step S402). The host computer 1 gives the generated operation command to the control device 6 (step S403), and the control device 6
Then, the operations of the exchange operation unit 50 and the disk drive unit 70 are controlled.

The host computer 1 determines whether or not the ID number of the disk drive 71 has been given from the control device 6 (step S404). If the ID number has been given, it is stored in a built-in memory (step S405). After the disk drive having the ID number is deleted from the operation target (step S406), the process returns to step S402. Then, the host computer 1 waits until the control operation of the control device 6 ends (step S407), and ends the operation.

[0080]

As described above in detail, in the disk exchange device management system according to the first aspect of the invention, when a failure occurs in the disk exchange device, the operator can determine the location of the failure based on the diagnosis result output by the administration device. Can be recognized, and necessary replacement parts can be prepared in advance, and the failure can be quickly repaired. In this way, the worker does not need to specify the failure location of the disk replacement device,
The cost required for training workers can be reduced.

In the disk exchange device management system according to the second invention, the management device can obtain detailed information on the failure of the disk drive, and diagnoses whether the disk drive can be repaired. be able to.

In the disk exchange device management system according to the third aspect of the present invention, a sudden state defect of the detachable machine can be recovered without dispatching an operator.

In the disk exchange device management systems according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, since the first command and the second command are prevented from being duplicated, information is written to the disk and / or the disk is read from the disk. Reading of the information is secured, and the destruction of the information is avoided.

In the disk exchange apparatus management system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the second command can be prioritized during execution of the first command without affecting the failure diagnosis. The invention has excellent effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a disk exchange device management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a disk exchange device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a priority process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the host computer shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 host computer 3 management device 5 disk exchange device 6 control device 7 memory 11 first modem 12 second modem 15 communication line 50 exchange operation unit 70 disk drive unit 71 disk drive 72 memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A disk drive for writing information to and / or reading information from a disk, a detachable machine for attaching and detaching a disk to and from the disk drive, and controlling operations of the detachable machine and the disk drive. A disk exchange device management system, comprising: a disk exchange device including a control device; and a management device that manages the disk exchange device, wherein the management device and the control device can communicate with each other. Means for transmitting a first command for returning information relating to the failure of the detachable machine and / or disk drive to the control device; and means for diagnosing a failure based on the information returned from the control device. Means for outputting the received diagnosis result, wherein the control device determines whether or not the first command transmitted by the management device has been received. A disk exchange device comprising: a determination unit; and a return unit configured to return information relating to a failure of the detachable machine and / or the disk drive based on the received first command when determining that the determination unit has received the disk exchange device. Management system. 2. The disk drive according to claim 1, wherein the disk drive comprises storage means for storing information relating to the failure of the disk drive, and the reply means comprises means for reading the information from the storage means. Disk exchange device management system. 3. The disk exchange device management system according to claim 1, wherein said reply means includes means for operating said detachable machine, and means for generating information on the state of the detachable machine after actuation. 4. A host computer for giving a second command for operating the detachable machine and / or the disk drive to the control device, wherein the control device determines whether a second command has been given from the host computer. Means, and if it is determined that it has been given, the detachable machine and / or
Or, control end determining means for determining whether or not control of the operation of the disk drive has been completed, and when the receiving determining means determines that the first command has been received, when determining that the control has not been completed. 4. The disk exchange according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing the received first command; and means for reading out the stored first command when the control completion determination means determines that the control has been completed. Equipment management system. 5. The means for determining whether or not a second command has been given from the host computer while executing the received first command, and a case where it has been determined that the second command has been given. A first command suspending means for suspending the operation according to the first command, and a first command re-executing means for re-executing the operation according to the first command when it is determined that the control end determining means has ended. The disk exchange device management system according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to store information on an interruption related to a state of the detachable machine when the operation according to the first command is interrupted, wherein the first command re-executing unit includes:
Means for generating difference information between the end time information and the interruption time information relating to the state of the detachable machine when the control termination judgment means has determined that the detachable machine is in the first position in accordance with the obtained difference information 6. The disk exchange device management system according to claim 5, further comprising means for restoring a state in which an operation according to the command is interrupted.