JP2001014792A - Recording device and method as well as recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the access after the insertion of a cassette cartridge higher in speed by executing control in such a manner that the data indicating the file breaks read out repetitively plural times are recorded on a magnetic tape to form a region and the discharge of the magnetic tape is executed in the prescribed position within the region. SOLUTION: A tape streamer repetitively writes the same file mark plural times and users the formed region as the discharge region of the cartridge when the writing of the file mark is instructed. In this forming operation this discharge region is built during the processing of writing the user data and is made common with retry processing, by which a need for such processing as to evade the discharge region is eliminated. The discharge region is formed so as to include a damage zones in the region for 10 block-components where, for example, the file mark FM 1 is written. The discharge insertion position where the discharge and insertion of the cartridge are made possible during mid-way of the tape is set at approximately the central part of the discharge region.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method for recording and / or reproducing digital data using a magnetic tape stored in a cassette cartridge, and a recording / reproducing apparatus. The present invention relates to a recording device and a method that perform high-speed operations, and a recording and reproducing device and a method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the increase in data capacity, there is an increasing need for a data recording device for recording data on a magnetic tape housed in a cassette cartridge as means for storing a large amount of data. . Conventionally, such a recording apparatus has been often used for backup of a large-capacity hard disk, for example. In recent years, there are many cases in which an archive system is used, which is constituted by a cart machine configured to perform recording and reproduction by automatically exchanging a large number of stored cartridges under the control of a host computer.

On the other hand, for a tape device, quick cueing to a target tape position is an important performance index. In particular, in a computer streamer (hereinafter, abbreviated as a streamer) that handles computer data, it is required to speed up cueing of a file recorded on a tape, that is, to shorten a file access time.

[0004] When the streamer is used for the above-mentioned data backup, the data recorded on the tape is read out, for example, when a trouble occurs in a computer in use. Not so demanded. However, in the above-mentioned archive system, reading of a file on a tape frequently occurs. Therefore, when the streamer is used for the archive system, the high-speed access performance to the file requested to be read affects the performance of the entire system to which the streamer is connected. In particular, in the case of an archive system combined with the cart machine described above,
It is strongly desired that the first file access be performed at high speed after the tape is inserted, that is, after the cassette cartridge is inserted into the recording / reproducing unit in the cart machine.

Since access is sequential in a tape device, it is obvious that the longer the distance from the currently stopped tape position to the target file position, the longer the access time to that file is. . In order to access an arbitrary file recorded on a tape at high speed, for example, if the system has a function of statistically distributing a file on a tape or a distribution of a file access request, the system is accessed next. It is conceivable to send the tape to a position with a high probability and eject the cassette cartridge.

On the other hand, in the case of a general system not having such a statistical function, minimizing the average access time after inserting a tape means minimizing the worst value of the access time. Will be the same. This is the same as minimizing the distance from the tape insertion position to the farthest file.

[0007]

In a conventional streamer, the ejection and insertion of a cassette cartridge are often performed while the tape is rewound to the beginning of the tape. In this case, next insert this cassette cartridge into the device,
For example, when data is to be additionally recorded, the tape must be sent to the end of the recording after the cartridge is inserted, so that high-speed access immediately after the insertion of the tape cannot be expected.

To solve this problem, there is a streamer which feeds the tape to the end of the user data recorded on the tape and ejects the cassette cartridge. In this case, for example, when data is recorded over the entire length of the tape, the cassette cartridge is ejected with the tape being fed to the end of the user data, that is, near the end of the tape. Therefore, when a cassette cartridge is next inserted into the apparatus to access the leading data, there is a problem that a long search from the end to the beginning of the tape must be performed.

This method has a substantial effect in a system in which data is frequently added, such as a backup application, but the worst value of the access time is an example in which the cartridge is ejected by rewinding to the beginning of the tape. And does not change.

In order to solve these problems, a method of ejecting the cassette cartridge at a position in the middle of the tape can be considered. For example, as described above, statistics regarding tape access are obtained, a position having a high probability of next access is determined based on the statistical information, and the tape is sent to that position before the cassette cartridge is ejected. In this way, if the tape can be ejected in the middle of the tape,
The next time a cartridge is inserted, high-speed access becomes possible.

In order to eject the cartridge in the middle of the user data on the tape, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for protecting the user data from damage to the tape due to the ejection and insertion of the cartridge. In order to protect user data from damage to the tape due to ejection in the middle of the tape, a streamer where a user data is not written is provided on the tape, and the cartridge is ejected by feeding the tape to that area. , Exists.

However, this method has a problem in that, when the tape is initialized, an area in which user data is not written must be created in advance to protect data.

Further, when user data is written on a tape, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide a mechanism for continuing the writing while avoiding an area where the user data is not written in order to protect the data.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to perform high-speed access after inserting a cassette cartridge,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus and method, and a recording / reproducing apparatus and method, which can easily protect data at a tape position when a cassette cartridge is ejected.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording data on a magnetic tape, a memory means for storing data indicating a file break, and a method for recording data on a magnetic tape. Recording means, and when recording data by the recording means, when instructed to write data indicating a file delimiter,
The data indicating the file break is repeatedly read out from the memory means a plurality of times, the data indicating the file break read out a plurality of times is recorded on a magnetic tape to form an area, and the ejection of the magnetic tape is performed at a predetermined position in the area. And a control means for performing control as described in (1).

According to the present invention, in a recording method for recording data on a magnetic tape, a step of storing data indicating a file delimiter in a memory means, a recording step of recording the data on the magnetic tape, and a data recording step. At the time of recording, when instructed to write data indicating a file delimiter, the data indicating the file delimiter is repeatedly read out from the memory means a plurality of times,
A step of recording data indicating a file break read repeatedly a plurality of times on a magnetic tape to form an area, and controlling the magnetic tape to be ejected at a predetermined position in the area. Is a recording method.

According to the present invention, in a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a magnetic tape and reproducing the recorded data, a memory means for storing data indicating a file delimiter, and a recording means for recording data on the magnetic tape And a reproducing means for reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape; and when recording the data by the recording means, when instructed to write data indicating the file delimiter, the file delimiter is repeated a plurality of times from the memory means. The data indicating the file delimiter that is read multiple times repeatedly is recorded on a magnetic tape to form an area,
A recording / reproducing apparatus having control means for controlling discharge of the magnetic tape at a predetermined position in the area.

As described above, according to the present invention, when instructed to write data indicating a file delimiter,
The data indicating the file delimiter read from the memory means is controlled to be repeatedly read out a plurality of times, and the data indicating the file delimiter read out a plurality of times is read out of the magnetic tape within the area recorded on the magnetic tape. Since the ejection is controlled to be performed, the influence of damage to the tape when the ejection is performed in the middle of the magnetic tape can be suppressed.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a connection form of each device applicable to an embodiment of the present invention. The host computer 1 and the tape streamer 3 to which the present invention is applied are SCSI (Small Computer System).
m Interface) as an interface.
That is, a SCSI board is mounted on the host computer 1 (not shown). A SCSI cable 2 is connected to the SCSI board, and the host computer 1 and the tape streamer 3 are connected by the SCSI cable 2.
Are connected. The tape streamer 3 has a CPU and a memory, and performs recording / reproduction of data using a magnetic tape housed in a cassette cartridge (hereinafter abbreviated as a cartridge) as a recording medium under the control of the CPU.

The SCSI board has, for example, a CPU,
Based on an instruction issued from the host computer 1, the SC
Issue SI command. Also, with SCSI boards,
Various phases of data transfer are controlled according to an instruction from the host computer 1. An exchange based on the SCSI command is performed between the other party (the tape streamer 3 in this example) via the SCSI cable 2, and data is transferred between the host computer 1 and the tape streamer 3. The interface between the tape streamer 3 and the host computer 1 is not limited to SCSI. As this interface, another type of interface capable of performing digital data communication, for example, an IPI (Intelligent Peripheral Interface) is used.
rface) can be applied.

At the time of recording, a cartridge for recording is inserted into a cartridge insertion opening (not shown) provided in the tape streamer 3. When the cartridge is inserted, a predetermined loading operation is performed. That is, the cartridge is set at a predetermined position, and the magnetic tape accommodated in the cartridge is pulled out and recorded. The host computer 1 transfers to the tape streamer 3 the recording data to be recorded and a command to instruct recording. According to this command,
The recording data is recorded on the magnetic tape by the tape streamer 3. When the recording is completed, a predetermined unload operation is performed. That is, the magnetic tape is stored in the cartridge, the cartridge is moved, and is ejected from the cartridge insertion slot. During reproduction, the operation of the cartridge is substantially the same as during recording.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a data image on a magnetic tape in the tape streamer 3 applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, data is written on the tape in file units. At the end of each file, a file mark FM, which is a delimiter code of the file, is written by a command from the user. A new file is written after the mark FM. Each of the files is
As shown in FIG. 2B, it is composed of one or a plurality of blocks. The size of each block may be different from each other as shown in FIG. 2B, or may be all equal.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, a management table for managing data written on the tape is provided at the beginning of the entire tape. By reading this management table when this tape is loaded into the tape streamer 3, it is possible to refer to the arrangement of files and the like on the tape. The management table is not limited to this example,
It can be supplied from the host computer 1 or a higher-level system (not shown) via a network or the like. Further, as will be described later in detail, it is also possible to provide a memory means in the cassette cartridge in which the magnetic tape is stored, and to store all or a part of the management table in this memory means.

The tape streamer 3 performs recording on a magnetic tape by a helical scan method. Therefore, a helical track is formed on the magnetic tape. A track set is formed by four tracks, and writing of data to the magnetic tape is performed on a track set basis. Each of the track sets is provided with an ID for identifying the track set from each other. That is, one ID is assigned to every four tracks. In one track set, at the head of the area where the data body is stored,
An area of subcode data is arranged, and an ID is described.
On the other hand, a block management table for managing the block configuration of the data body is arranged at the end of the area where the data body is stored.

FIG. 3 shows a track pattern on the tape of the tape streamer 3. Longitudinal tracks are formed above and below in the width direction of the tape, and helical tracks are formed therebetween. A control signal is recorded on the upper longitudinal track 26, and a time code is recorded on the lower longitudinal track 27. These control signals and time codes are recorded over the entire length of the magnetic tape, for example, when the magnetic tape is initialized. The time code indicates a position in the longitudinal direction of the tape. For example, an SMPTE time code is used. With one rotation of a rotating drum (not shown), two helical tracks Ta and Tb are simultaneously formed by different heads Ra and Rb of azimuth which are arranged close to each other, and then opposed to the heads Ra and Rb. Different heads Rc and Rd of azimuth arranged
Thereby, two helical tracks Tc and Td are formed simultaneously. In each helical track, a first half and a second half are formed separately, and a recording area 28 for a pilot signal for tracking is provided in an intermediate portion.

The SMPTE time code has been developed for a video signal such as a VTR, and its minimum unit is a frame (1/30 second). As will be described later, the tape streamer has four tracks Ta to T shown in FIG.
d is a data unit (called a track set) that handles recordable data. For example, in the case where 16 tracks correspond to one frame of the video signal, the lower digits (0,
It is necessary to use a time code (also referred to as an ID) in units of a track set by providing 1, 2, or 3 values). In the case of the SMPTE time code, such a correction is possible because a user data area is prepared.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tape streamer 3 applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the tape streamer 3 and the host computer 1 are connected via the terminal 100 by the SCSI cable 2 using the SCSI as an interface. Recording data and commands output from the host computer 1 are transmitted to the
It is supplied to the I / F 101. The SCSI II / F 101 analyzes and executes the SCSI command supplied from the terminal 100, and separates the transferred print data from the print data body and the data accompanying the print data.

The recording data output from the SCSI I / F 101 is supplied to the buffer memory 103 via the memory controller 102, and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 103. The communication by the SCSI I / F 101 is bidirectional, for example, the memory controller 1
02 output from the SCSI I / F1
01 and transferred to the host computer 1 via the terminal 100.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the buffer memory 103. As one example is shown in FIG. 5B, the data is:
One ID is stored in the buffer memory 103 in units. FIG. 5A shows an example of the configuration of 1 ID data. As described above, the subcode area and the user data area storing the data body are arranged from the top side, and the end side is the block management table area. The storage area of the buffer memory 103 is composed of a plurality of banks each having a plurality of IDs as one bank. In this example, one bank includes 40 IDs, and the buffer memory 103 has a total of six banks. Writing to the magnetic tape 107 to be described later or the magnetic tape 107
The reading of data from and the retry processing are performed in units of one bank.

The recording data stored in the buffer memory 103 is stored under the control of the memory controller 102.
Each ID is read out at a predetermined timing, and is read via an ECC (Error Correction Code) via the memory controller 102.
ng) is supplied to the encoder 104. The recorded data is 1
The ECC encoder 104 performs error correction coding using a product code using, for example, a Reed-Solomon code in units of IDs. The error correction encoded recording data is
The timing is controlled by a system controller (system controller) 115 which will be described later, and is supplied to the equalizer 105.

The recording data supplied to the equalizer 105 is converted into a recording signal suitable for recording on a recording medium, and supplied to a recording head provided in the rotary head 106.
A recording signal is recorded on the magnetic tape 107 by the recording head on the rotating head 106.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the rotary head 106. A recording head and a reproducing head are respectively arranged as a pair of two heads having different azimuths. The recording head REC is disposed at a position where two sets of heads face each other, and forms an angle of 90 ° with these heads.
Further, two sets of heads are arranged. That is, four sets of the recording heads REC are arranged with the angle changed by 90 °. Similarly, four sets of the reproducing heads PB are arranged by changing the angle by 90 °. The angle between the recording head REC and the reproducing head PB is shifted by 45 °.

A signal recorded on the magnetic tape 107 is reproduced by a reproducing head provided on the rotary head 106, and the reproduced signal is supplied to an equalizer 108. The equalizer 108 performs a predetermined process on the supplied reproduction signal and converts the reproduction signal into digital data. The reproduction data output from the equalizer 108 is supplied to the ECC decoder 109.

The ECC decoder 109 decodes the supplied reproduced data with the error correction code applied at the time of recording. As a result of the decoding process, if an error exists in the data beyond the error correction capability of the error correction code, the error detection result is returned without error correction, for example, a flag indicating that no error correction was performed. Is output. The error detection result by the ECC decoder 109 is supplied to the system controller 115.

As described above, the rotary head 106
, A recording head REC and a reproducing head PB are both arranged. The track formed by recording by the recording head REC is traced immediately by the reproducing head PB,
The signal recorded immediately before is reproduced. The reproduced signal is supplied to an ECC decoder 109 via an equalizer 108, and is subjected to error correction code decoding processing. By using the result of the decryption processing, it is possible to perform read-after-write for detecting whether or not recording has been correctly performed. The write retry process described later is realized by performing the read after write.

The output of the ECC decoder 109 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 103 via the memory controller 102. The reproduction data stored in the buffer memory 103 is read out, for example, by a request from the host computer 1 under the control of the memory controller 102, and is led out to the terminal 100 via the SCSI I / F 101.

On the other hand, the running of the magnetic tape 107 is controlled by the servo 113. That is, the magnetic tape 107 is driven to run by the capstan motor 110 whose rotation speed is controlled by the servo 113. On the other hand, as described above, the control signal is recorded on the longitudinal track 26 of the magnetic tape 107, and the control signal is read by a fixed head (not shown). The output of the fixed head is supplied to the servo 113,
The running speed of the tape is measured, and the rotation speed of the capstan motor 110 is controlled based on the measurement result.

Note that the sensor 111 is a magnetic tape 107
And various sensors for detecting the state of the cassette cartridge or the like in which the magnetic tape 107 is stored. This sensor 1
Based on the detection result of No. 11, the loading state of the magnetic tape 107 and the like can be determined. The output of the sensor 111 is supplied to the servo 113 and the system controller 1
15 is supplied.

The TCR circuit 114 is a circuit for decoding and generating a time code. For example, an SMPTE time code is generated in the TCR circuit 114 based on the control of the system controller 115. The generated time code is recorded on the longitudinal track 27 of the magnetic tape 107 by the fixed head 112 when, for example, the magnetic tape 107 is initialized. Further, the time code recorded on the longitudinal track 27 is read by the fixed head 112, and T
It is supplied to the CR circuit 114. The TCR circuit 114 decodes this time code and converts it into an ID representing the corresponding track set. The ID obtained by the conversion is supplied to the system controller 115.

The system controller 115 is composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls recording on the magnetic tape 107 and reproduction from the magnetic tape 107 and control of running drive of the magnetic tape 107 based on the ID supplied from the TCR circuit 114. Do. ECC by Syscon 115
Control of the output timing of the data from the encoder 104 is performed based on the ID. Further, in the system controller 115, control for moving the magnetic tape 107 to a predetermined position is performed based on the ID so as to access target data in accordance with a command from the host computer 1.

The insertion (loading) and ejection (unloading) of the cassette cartridge containing the magnetic tape 107 into and from the tape streamer 3 is performed by the system controller 11.
5 is performed. Information when the cartridge is ejected,
For example, position information of the magnetic tape 107 and the like are supplied to a main CPU 117 described later.

The main CPU 117 comprises a microprocessor or the like, and controls the entire tape streamer 3. The main CPU 117 and the system controller 115 are connected via a DP-RAM 116 which is a dual port RAM.

The ID obtained by converting the time code described above.
Is supplied from the system controller 115 to the main CPU 117 via the DP-RAM 116. The command output from the host computer 1 is a SCSI I / F 10
1 and the main CP via the memory controller 102
It is supplied to U117. The main CPU 117 gives an instruction to the system controller 115 to control each unit based on the supplied command. Furthermore, the main CP
U117 issues an instruction to the memory controller 102 to control storage of data in the buffer memory 103.

A random access memory (RAM) 118 is connected to the main CPU 117. Syscon 1 mentioned above
The main CPU 117 generates header information based on the information at the time of discharging the cartridge supplied from the printer 15. The generated header information is stored in the RAM 118. Further, based on a command supplied from the host computer 1 for instructing writing of a file mark, the main C
File mark data is created by the PU 117, and the created file mark data is stored in the RAM 118.

The I / F CPU 120 is composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls each interface for controlling communication between the tape streamer 3 and the outside. I /
The FCPU 120 is a dual port RAM DP-
Connected to the main CPU 117 via the RAM 119. The DP-RAM 119 is the DP-RAM 116 described above.
And a common configuration. The SIO 121, the Ethernet IO 124, and the display CPU 125 are connected to the I / F CPU 120.

The SIO 121 is, for example, RS-422 or R
This is a serial interface based on S-232C, and communication of information for maintenance is performed via a terminal 122. The Ethernet IO is an Ethernet interface and can communicate with an external device connected via the terminal 124. For example, the header information stored in the RAM 118 can be transmitted to another externally connected computer system via the I / F CPU 120 and the Ethernet IO 124.

The display CPU 125 is, for example, based on data supplied from the main CPU 117 via the I / F CPU 120, to display data displayed on a display screen provided on an operation panel (not shown) of the tape streamer 3. Create. At the same time, the display CPU 125 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Dis
play), and controls the drive of the display device.

Further, the display CPU 125 transmits a signal generated based on the operation of various switches (not shown) provided on the operation panel to the main CPU 117.
Converts to decipherable data. The state of the tape streamer 3 can be monitored on the operation panel, and the recording / reproducing processing in the tape streamer 3 can be controlled.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a cassette cartridge 130 has a memory label 1 on its back side.
31 is attached. The memory label 131 is configured such that an antenna and a receiving circuit integrally formed in a film shape and a non-volatile memory are formed in a sheet having an adhesive surface on one side. In the memory label 131, C
A PU can be built in.

When a radio wave transmitted from the corresponding antenna is received, an electromotive force is generated by the antenna in the memory label 131, and the electromotive force causes data to be written into the nonvolatile memory and data from the nonvolatile memory to be written. Can be read out in a non-contact manner.

A memory label I / F 126 that interfaces with an internal circuit of a memory label 131 attached to the cassette cartridge 130 via an antenna 127 is connected to the display CPU 125.
The display CPU outputs from the main CPU 117.
Based on the command and data supplied via 125
A predetermined signal is generated by the memory label I / F 126. The generated signal is transmitted from the antenna 127. When this signal is received by the antenna in the memory label 131, data and commands are supplied to the internal circuit of the memory label 131, and the data is read from the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131, and the memory label 1 is read.
Data is written to the nonvolatile memory 31.

For example, the header information stored in the RAM 18 is read by the main CPU 117 and supplied to the memory label I / F 126 together with a command for writing the memory label 131 into the nonvolatile memory. The header information and the write command are transmitted to the antenna 1
27 and received by the antenna in the memory label 131. In the memory label 131, the command and the header information are extracted from the received signal, and the header information is written in the built-in nonvolatile memory according to the command.

Next, a tape format when recording digital data will be described. First, FIG. 8 shows a layout of the entire tape (for example, a tape in one cartridge). The entire tape is a physical volume.
The recordable area between the beginning PBOT (Physical Beginning of Tape) and the end PEOT (Physical End of Tape) of the physical tape to which the leader tape is connected is LBOT (Logical Beginning of Tap).
e) and LEOT (Logical End of Tape). This is because the tape is easily damaged at the beginning and end of the tape, and the error rate is high. As an example, the invalid area between PBOT and LBOT is 7.7.
It is defined as ± 0.5 m, and the invalid area between PEOT and LEOT is specified as greater than 10 m.

A logical volume is arranged in one physical volume, and a VSIT (Volume Set Information Table) comprising management information for managing the logical volume is recorded at the head of the recording area. The head position of VSIT is the position of 0ID. The ID (Identification) is an address corresponding to a position on the tape assigned to each of the four track sets. The ID is monotonically increased from the VSIT area to the DIT area of the last volume. The length of one VSIT is one ID.

The logical volume is a DIT (Directory Inf
ormation Table), UIT and user data area. The DIT has information for managing files in the logical volume. The length of one DIT is 40
ID. The UIT is optional and is user-specific information for managing a file.

In FIG. 8, the hatched area is a run-up area. The data track is servo-locked by the run-up area. The area with dots is a margin band. With this position margin band, when VSIT and DIT are updated, erasure of valid data is prevented.

The VSIT is repeatedly recorded ten times as shown in FIG. 9A to improve the reliability of data. Therefore, the VSIT area is a 10 track set (= 10 ID). After the VSIT area, a retry area of 90 track sets or more is secured.

DIT is repeatedly recorded seven times as shown in FIG. 9B in order to improve the reliability of data. DIT is composed of six tables as shown in FIG. 9C. The six tables are VI
T (Volume Information Table), BST (Bad Spot Tabl
e), LIDT (Logical ID Table), FIT (File Inform
ation table), UT (Update Table), UIT (User Info
rmation Table). VIT, BST, LIDT, U
T is the length of one ID, and FIT is the length of 20 IDs. The remaining 16 ID areas are reserved.

Each table of DIT will be described. V
The ID address of the IT is the top physical ID of the volume written in the VSIT, and its logical ID is VSIT
Is the same as the physical ID at the head of the volume described in. V
The IT includes volume information such as a volume label, a start physical ID of the first data block in the physical volume, and the last physical ID.

The ID address of the BST is the physical I of the VIT.
D + 1, and its logical ID is the logical ID of VIT + 1.
It is. The BST has position information of logically invalidated data. Logically invalid data means that data having the same track set ID is written later,
Data that should be treated as invalid. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the shadow area A is logically invalid data. Logically invalid data is generated by the write retry operation and the accompanying write operation. If it is determined that an error has occurred during writing by the above-described read-after-write, a write retry is automatically performed,
The error location is output and registered with the BST. Then, at the time of the read operation, an invalid area is specified by the BST. Logically invalid data is also called a bad spot. The BST manages the start physical ID and end physical ID of up to 14592 bad spots.

The ID address of the LIDT is the physical ID of the VIT + 2, and its logical ID is the logical ID of the VIT +
2. LIDT is a data table for fast block space and locate operations.
That is, the logical ID of each of the first to 296th pointers, its physical ID, file number, I
The first block number of the D data in the block management table is included in the LIDT.

The FIT ID address is the physical I
D + 3, and its logical ID is the logical ID of VIT + 3
It is. The FIT is composed of a plurality of pairs in which two types of data corresponding to a file mark are paired. The file mark is the file delimiter code (code for delimiter)
It is. The Nth data pair corresponds to the Nth file mark from the beginning of the volume. One data of the pair is the physical ID of the Nth file mark. The other data is the absolute block number of the Nth file mark. This value is the absolute block number of the last block having the same file number as the file mark.
Since the position of the file mark can be accurately determined from the physical ID of the file mark and the absolute block number, the physical position on the tape can be accessed at high speed.

The ID address of the UT is the physical ID of the VIT.
+39. The UT is information indicating whether the volume has been updated. Before updating, the word (4 bytes) indicating the update status in the UT is FFFFFFFFh
(H means hexadecimal), and after updating, this is set to 00000000h.

The UIT is optional and is, for example, an area of 100 ID. This is a data table that can be accessed by the user and is reserved for the user header.

In this example, one ID is assigned to each track set including four helical tracks. The logical structure of the data block is defined for each track set.
FIG. 11 shows a logical track set structure. The first 4 bytes of the logical track set are the format ID,
This is FFFF0000h.

The next 136 bytes (34 words) are the subcode data area. The subcode data stores track set management information. For example, the above-mentioned tables (VSIT, VIT, BST, etc.), identification codes such as user data and file marks are included in the subcode.

The number of bytes obtained by subtracting the length of the block management table from the next 116884 bytes is the user data write area. When the track set is for writing user data, if the size of the user data does not reach the prescribed size, dummy data is packed in the remaining area. The format of the track set defined in the user data area includes a user data track set for writing user data, a file mark (FM) track set for indicating a file mark, and an EOD (End Of Data) track. Set and dummy track set. A subcode is defined for each type of these track sets.

After the user data area, a block management table area is provided. The block management table is
The maximum length is 4096 bytes. The last four bytes of the track set are the end code of the track set (0F0
F0F0Fh), and the preceding 12 bytes are reserved. The block management table manages a data block configuration of user data.

The retry processing of the tape streamer 3 is performed as follows. As a result of performing signal processing during data recording, if an uncorrectable error is detected by the ECC decoder 109, when recording of a block including the block in which the error is detected is completed, the same block is buffered. It is read from the memory 103 again. The block read from the buffer memory 103 is subjected to error correction encoding by the ECC encoder 104,
The data is recorded on the magnetic tape 107 following the block containing the data in which the error is detected. The retry process is performed by repeating the process of reading the block in which the error is detected from the buffer memory 103, performing error correction encoding of the read block, and recording the block on the magnetic tape 107 a predetermined number of times.

The determination as to whether or not to perform the retry is made, for example, by using 40 IDs, which are bank units of the buffer memory 103.
Is made as a unit. The data for 40 IDs are stored in the buffer memory 103, and if there is an error even in one of the stored data for 40 IDs, a retry process is performed for the 40 IDs.

Next, the creation of a discharge area for the magnetic tape 107 according to the gist of the present invention will be described. According to the present invention, when the tape streamer 3 is instructed to write a file mark from the host computer 1, the same file mark is repeatedly written a plurality of times. The area created by writing this file mark multiple times is called the ejection area of the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as the cartridge ejection area).
Discharge area). The process of repeatedly writing the file mark a plurality of times can be performed by the same process as the retry process described above.

When the user data sent from the host computer 1 to the tape streamer 3 for recording on the magnetic tape 107 reaches a predetermined break, the host computer 1 sends the magnetic tape 1 to the tape streamer 3.
07, a write file mark command (hereinafter abbreviated as a write FM command) instructing to write a file mark is sent.

In the tape streamer 3, this write FM
When the command is received, for example, file mark data to be written as a file mark is created by the main CPU 117, and the created file mark data is R
Stored in AM 118. File mark data is R
The data is read from the AM 118 and written to a predetermined area of the buffer memory 103. Under the control of the main CPU 117 based on the write FM command, the memory controller 1
In step 02, the file mark data written in a predetermined area of the buffer memory 103 is repeatedly read. The read file mark data is sent to the ECC encoder 104
Then, the data is supplied to 106 via an equalizer 105 and recorded on a magnetic tape 107. On the magnetic tape 107,
A discharge area in which the file mark is repeatedly written is formed.

As described above, according to the present invention, a discharge area is constructed during the process of writing user data. Therefore, for example, when the magnetic tape 107 is initialized, it is not necessary to separately initialize the ejection area. In addition, since the operation of creating the discharge area is common to the retry processing for guaranteeing the error rate, there is no need to perform processing for avoiding the discharge area. Further, since the same file mark data is repeatedly written, even if the tape is damaged during ejection and insertion of the cartridge in the ejection area and the file mark cannot be read, the file mark of the next block can be read. .

The method for creating the discharge area will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the magnetic tape 107
Initially, the number of discharge areas created for the whole is preset in a predetermined method. Then, the total length of the magnetic tape 107 is equally divided based on the set number of ejection areas, and the equally divided positions are set as ejection position candidates. Hereinafter, this discharge position candidate is expressed as a discharge position candidate ID using the ID on the magnetic tape 107. In the following, the ID is
It is assumed that all are logical IDs. The present invention is not limited to this, and the ID may be a physical ID.

The number of discharge areas differs depending on the worst value of the access speed of the entire system. For example, the number of discharge areas is based on the worst value of the access speed of the entire system, and the discharge position candidate ID is
It is preferable that the position is determined to be an appropriate position on the line 7.

The number of discharge areas to be set can be specified by the user from the host computer 1 to the tape streamer 3, for example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a switch for setting the number of discharge areas may be provided in the tape streamer 3 main body, and the user may directly set the number of discharge areas in the tape streamer 3.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of the process of creating a discharge area. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining creation of a discharge area based on this flowchart. In FIG. 13A, LBOT is on the left end side, the entire magnetic tape 107 is already divided into eight equal parts, and the position indicated by the downward arrow is set as a discharge position candidate. That is, the number of discharge areas is set to seven. Each discharge position candidate is represented by a discharge position candidate ID. Also, the written user data is indicated by oblique lines, indicating that the first three discharge areas are created, and that the user data is written between the third discharge area and the fourth discharge area. ing. Hereinafter, the process of creating the third discharge area will be described.

The reason why the discharge area corresponding to the third discharge position candidate has not been created is that the write FM command has not been sent from the host computer 1 until the next discharge position candidate.

ID set as each discharge position candidate ID
The information is stored in the RAM 118. At this time, each ID
The information includes a determination bit indicating whether or not the ID has been determined as the ejection / insertion position ID by the processing described below,
It is stored in the RAM 118.

Prior to the execution of the flowchart of FIG. 12, the size of the damage zone is determined in advance by the number of IDs. The damage zone is an area where the tape 107 may be damaged when the cartridge is ejected or inserted in the middle of the tape 107. The discharge area is created so as to cover the damage zone according to the size of the set damage zone. Here, it is assumed that the damage zone has a size of 8 blocks and the discharge area has a size of 10 blocks.

First, the cartridge has already been inserted into the tape streamer 3, and writing of user data has also started. In step S10, user data for 40 IDs (referred to as user data UD1) is written, and in step S11, the current ID is confirmed. Fixed head 1
At 12, the time code recorded on the longitudinal track 27 of the magnetic tape 107 is read, and the read time code is converted into an ID by the TCR circuit 114 and supplied to the system controller 115. This ID is supplied from the system controller 115 to the main CPU 117, and the ID is confirmed.

In the next step S12, the above-mentioned step S
The main CPU 117 determines whether or not the ID confirmed in step 11 is a discharge position candidate ID. If the ID is not the discharge position candidate ID, the process returns to step S10, and the next user data is written on the magnetic tape 107.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the ID has become the discharge position candidate ID, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, it is determined whether the first write FM command has been received from the host computer 1 after passing the discharge position candidate ID. If it is determined that the write FM command has not been received, the process returns to step S10, and the next user data is written to this discharge position candidate ID without creating a discharge area. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that a write FM command has been received from host computer 1, the process proceeds to step S14. Step S14
In, file mark data is created based on the received write FM command. The created file mark data is stored in the buffer memory 103, for example.
The stored file mark data is read from the buffer memory 103, and a file mark based on the file mark data is written on the magnetic tape 107.

At the same time as writing the file mark, the main CPU 117 counts the number of IDs for which the file mark has been written.

In the next step S15, the main CPU 117 determines whether or not the number of IDs in which the file marks are written exceeds the number of IDs set as the damage zone. If not, the process returns to step S14, and the file mark with the same file mark data is repeatedly written on the magnetic tape. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has exceeded, it is determined that the creation of one discharge area has been completed, the number of IDs in which the file mark has been written is reset, and the process proceeds to step S1.
The value is returned to 0, and the next user data UD2 is written.

In step S15, the number of IDs in which the file mark is repeatedly written is the ID of the damage zone.
If it is determined that the number is exceeded, one discharge area is created and determined. When the ejection area is determined, the tape 107
During ejection of the cartridge 130, the ejection / insertion position for ejecting or inserting the cartridge 130 is determined, and the ID of that position is determined. The discharge insertion position is preferably substantially at the center of the discharge area, and the ID of this position is the discharge insertion position I in this discharge area.
D is determined.

The determined ejection / insertion position ID is stored in the RAM 1
18 is stored. At this time, the discharge insertion position ID is, for example, the corresponding discharge position candidate I stored in the RAM 118.
D is overwritten, and the corresponding determined bit is changed to a value indicating that the ejection / insertion position ID has been determined. For example, initially

The determined bit value that was [0] is changed to [1].

FIG. 14 schematically shows the discharge area created in this way. The discharge area is the file mark FM
This is an area for 10 blocks in which 1 is written. In the figure, the hatched portions are the above-mentioned damage zones. The length of the damage zone is, for example, about 10 cm to 50 cm on the magnetic tape 107 due to the mechanical elements of the tape streamer 3 used. The discharge area is created so as to cover the damage zone.
A discharge insertion position at which the cartridge 130 is discharged or inserted in the middle of the tape 107 is set at substantially the center of the discharge area.

The determined ejection / insertion position ID is stored in the RAM 118 as header information. The header information stored in the RAM 118 is transferred to and stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131 attached to the cartridge 130. The data content stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131 will be described later. RAM 118
Is stored in the magnetic tape 1
07 VSIT or sent to the host computer 1. The header information stored in the RAM 118 may be transferred to a higher-level system connected by, for example, Ethernet.

When the cartridge 130 is ejected, for example, the main CPU 117 outputs the current tape position I
While the D information is obtained, the ejection / insertion position ID stored as header information in the RAM 118 is read. The main CPU 117 compares the ID information of the current tape position with the ejection / insertion position ID, and instructs the system controller 115 to move the magnetic tape 107 to the position of the ejection / insertion position ID closest to the current tape position. Instructions are given. The servo control is performed by the system controller 115 based on the instruction, and the magnetic tape 107 is driven to move to the instructed ID, and then the cartridge 130 is ejected.

The header information is not limited to this example. For example, the header information may be supplied to the Ethernet IO 123 via the I / F CPU 120 and transferred from the terminal 124 to the outside via the Ethernet. The header information is supplied to, for example, a higher system via the Ethernet, and is used as management information for each cartridge 130.

At the time of reading data from the magnetic tape 107, the file mark FM as a discharge area is read following the user data UD1. At this time, usually, the file mark FM read first, that is, the first file mark FM1 in the discharge area is used. However, when the tape is damaged and the first file mark FM1 in the discharge area cannot be read, for example, when the discharge position shifts before the discharge insertion position ID when the previous cartridge is discharged, if the next user data UD2 is not read. Used.

This will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 15, the file mark FM1 for 10 blocks in the discharge area
File mark FM1 # 1 of # 1 to UD2 # 10
UD2 # 5 and file marks FM1 # 7, # 8 cannot be read due to tape damage or the like.
In this example, when a request to read the file mark FM1 is received from the host computer 1, the data is returned to the host computer 1 using the undamaged data of the file mark FM1 # 6. Since the same file mark data is repeatedly written in the ejection area, user data can be protected from tape damage due to ejection and insertion operations.

The tape streamer 3 can write the header information, in this case, VSIT and DIT described above, onto the magnetic tape 107 when ejecting the cartridge 130. VSIT and DIT on tape 1
07 is instructed from the host computer 1. Not limited to this, for example, VSIT and D
It is also possible to instruct to write the IT on the tape 107.

An extra write retry process for creating a discharge area is performed so that header information including VSIT and DIT can be written continuously to the discharge area. That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, in the above-described processing, the same file mark data is repeatedly recorded in the discharge area 200 created by repeatedly writing the file mark data, and the area 201 Is created. When writing header information including VSIT and DIT to the tape 107, the cartridge 130
As shown in FIG. 16B, the VSI
The header information including T and DIT is overwritten on the file mark FM1 created in the area 201.

FIG. 17 shows the data stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131 among the cartridges 130.
An example of items related to the discharge (unloading) of an object is shown below. An address is assigned to each of the non-volatile memories of the memory label 131, and various information relating to unloading or discharging of the cartridge 130 to which the memory label 131 is attached is stored. Address [0x0000024
In the four bytes from [8] to [0x0000024B], the position of the cartridge 130 to which the memory label 131 has been affixed last time is stored as the physical ID of the magnetic tape 107.

Further, in this example, the memory label 131
Non-volatile memory address [0x00000260]
To [0x0000027F] in 32 bytes,
As the “midway unload position”, the above-mentioned determined discharge / insertion position IDs for eight locations can be stored. That is, in the cartridge 130, eight discharge areas are provided for the entire length of the magnetic tape 107. When the determined bit value stored in the RAM 118 is a value indicating that the ejection / insertion position ID is determined, for example, ID information of [1] is the determined ejection / insertion position ID
Is stored at the above-mentioned address of the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131.

The contents of the RAM 118 may be stored in the nonvolatile memory of the memory label 131 in order from the ID in which the determined bit is set to [1], or may be collectively stored in the RAM 118 from the RAM 118 when the cartridge 130 is ejected. May be stored in the non-volatile memory. The present invention is not limited to this, and the contents of the RAM 118 may be transferred to an external system connected via, for example, Ethernet, or may be transferred to the host computer 1.

In the above description, the discharge area is created based on the discharge position candidate ID, but the present invention is not limited to this example. All the file mark data created on the magnetic tape 107 may be repeatedly written and used as the ejection area. Further, the user may designate a file mark FM as a discharge area.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the ejection area is constructed during the process of writing the user data, for example, when the magnetic tape is initialized, the ejection area is initialized. Is not required to be separately performed.

According to the present invention, the discharge area includes:
Since the same file mark FM is repeatedly written, even if the tape is damaged during ejection and insertion of the cartridge in the ejection area and the file mark FM cannot be read, the file mark FM of the next block is not read.
There is an effect that M can be read.

Further, according to this embodiment, the file mark F is added more than the area designated as the discharge area.
Since M can be written, it is possible to cope with a case where header information is written when the cartridge is ejected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a connection form of each device applicable to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data image on a magnetic tape in a tape streamer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a track pattern on a tape of the tape streamer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a tape streamer applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a buffer memory;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a rotary head.

FIG. 7 is an external view of an example of a cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layout of an example of an entire tape.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining VSIT and DIT.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a bad spot.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a logical track set structure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of a process of creating a discharge area.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of creating a discharge area.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a created discharge area.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating reading of a file mark when damage has occurred.

FIG. 16 shows VSIT and DI when the cartridge is ejected.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining creation of a discharge area when writing T.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of items related to ejection of a cartridge among data stored in a memory label.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 3 ... Tape streamer, 102 ... Memory controller, 103 ... Buffer memory, 104 ... ECC encoder, 106
... Rotating head, 107 ... Magnetic tape, 109
..ECC decoder, 112, fixed head, 113
... Servo, 114 ... TCR circuit, 115 ...
System controller, 117: Main CPU, 1
18 ... RAM, 123 ... Ether IO, 126
..Memory label I / F, 130 ... cassette cartridge, 131 ... memory label

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shingo Shingo 6-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5D044 AB01 BC01 CC03 DE03 DE37 DE91 GK11

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording data on a magnetic tape, a memory means for storing data indicating a file delimiter, a recording means for recording data on a magnetic tape, and a recording means for recording the data by the recording means. When instructed to write the data indicating the delimitation of the file, the memory means repeatedly reads the data indicating the delimitation of the file from the memory means a plurality of times, and indicates the delimitation of the file read out multiple times. A recording apparatus, comprising: control means for recording data on the magnetic tape to form an area, and controlling ejection of the magnetic tape to a predetermined position in the area. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the magnetic tape to be ejected at a substantially central position in the area. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: position information storage means for storing position information indicating the area controlled by the control means to eject the magnetic tape. A recording device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein position information indicating the area controlled by the control means so that the magnetic tape is ejected is provided in a cassette cartridge in which the magnetic tape is stored. A recording device characterized by being stored in a non-volatile memory means. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means forms the extra area by an amount corresponding to recording of predetermined header information. 6. A recording method for recording data on a magnetic tape, a step of storing data indicating a file break in a memory means, a step of recording data on a magnetic tape, and a step of recording the data by the recording step. At the time of recording, when instructed to write data indicating the delimitation of the file, the data indicating the delimitation of the file is repeatedly read out from the memory means a plurality of times, and the file read out multiple times is read out. A step of recording data indicating a break in the area on the magnetic tape to form an area, and controlling to eject the magnetic tape at a predetermined position in the area. 7. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a magnetic tape and reproducing the recorded data, a memory means for storing data indicating a file delimiter, a recording means for recording data on a magnetic tape, A reproducing unit for reproducing data recorded on a tape; and when recording the data by the recording unit, when instructed to write data indicating a break of the file, the memory unit repeats the data plural times. The data indicating the delimitation of the file is read out, the data indicating the delimitation of the file read out plural times is recorded on the magnetic tape to form an area, and the ejection of the magnetic tape is performed at a predetermined position in the area. A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the recording / reproducing operation. 8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means controls the magnetic tape to be ejected at a substantially central position in the area. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: position information storage means for storing position information indicating the area controlled by the control means to eject the magnetic tape. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the position information indicating the area controlled by the control means so that the magnetic tape is ejected is stored in a cassette cartridge in which the magnetic tape is stored. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by being stored in a provided nonvolatile memory means. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means forms the extra area by an amount corresponding to the recording of the predetermined header information.