JPH0620234A - Large-capacity external storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a large-capacity external storage device wherein the device itself can clean a head automatically. CONSTITUTION:In a large-capacity external storage device, recording media 3 which have been housed in a medium housing part 4 are delivered between it and recording and replay parts 5 by a carrier part 7 and data is recorded and regenerated. In the large-capacity external storage device, a cleaning-tape housing part 13 which has housed a cleaning tape 14 at the inside is installed within the movement range of the carrier part 7. The usage situation of the recording and regenerating parts 5 is monitored in a main control part 15, the cleaning tape 14 is inserted in the recording and regenerating parts 5 by responding that the recording and regenerating parts 5 have been used for a prescribed time or higher, the tape is turned and heads 6 are cleaned automatically.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a large-capacity external storage device such as a DAT changer library device connected to a computer or the like, and more particularly to a large-capacity external storage device for automatically performing a cleaning operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a magnetic tape device for a computer, for example, DAT (Digital Audio Ta).
pe) A large-capacity external storage device such as a changer library device is connected to an external host computer and used for storing a large amount of data such as image data. In this type of apparatus, for example, a large number of DAT tape cartridges are housed in a storage location, and a carrier serves as a cartridge storage location and a DAT as a recording / reproducing unit in response to a command from an external computer or an internal computer.
The DAT tape cartridge is delivered to and from the drive, and necessary information is recorded and reproduced.

By the way, in this type of storage device, the performance is improved and it is difficult for dust to adhere to the magnetic head. However, when used for a long period of time, dust adheres to the magnetic head of the device and the basic performance deteriorates. It is inevitable to do. Therefore,
The user of the apparatus must regularly or irregularly perform cleaning processing on the magnetic head and the like. In this case, the user voluntarily cleans the magnetic head using the cleaning tape, or the apparatus itself waits for the cleaning request to be issued to the user to perform the cleaning process. It is also known that the drive of the apparatus itself has a cleaning mechanism, and a user manually performs a cleaning process using the cleaning mechanism.

[0004]

However, in the above-described cleaning operation, the user must always control the cleaning operation by himself, which is not only complicated, but sometimes the user performs the cleaning. There were even times when I forgot. Particularly, in the case of a device such as a DAT changer library device which is wholly incorporated in one housing and a user cannot directly touch the drive, it is very difficult to perform a cleaning operation. was there. The present inventor has focused on the above problems and was devised in order to effectively solve them. The purpose thereof is to provide a large-capacity external storage capable of automatically cleaning the head by the apparatus itself. To provide a device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a medium storage unit for storing a plurality of recording media and a head for recording / reproducing information on / from the recording media. A recording / reproducing unit having; a carrier unit for transferring the recording medium between the recording / reproducing unit and the medium storage unit; a carrier control unit for controlling the movement of the carrier unit; and an external host computer. In a large-capacity external storage device having a main control unit that manages part or all of the operations of the medium storage unit, the recording / reproducing unit, the carrier unit, and the carrier control unit while interfacing with each other, the movement range of the carrier unit A cleaning tape accommodating section for accommodating a cleaning tape for cleaning the head in the recording / reproducing section is provided therein, and the main control section is configured to control the recording / reproducing section. In response to the unit having been used for a predetermined time or longer, the carrier unit is operated to insert the cleaning tape into the recording / reproducing unit, and then the recording / reproducing unit is driven to clean the head. It was controlled to do so.

[0006]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the main control section manages how long the recording / reproducing section is used, and when the recording / reproducing section is used for a predetermined time, The carrier control unit drives the carrier unit in response to a command from the control unit, and loads the cleaning tape housed in the cleaning tape housing unit into the recording / reproducing unit. The head cleaning process is automatically performed by driving the recording / reproducing unit.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the large capacity external storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail below. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a large capacity external storage device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the storage device shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the recording / reproducing unit when the medium containing unit is removed in FIG. 3 (the carrier unit is omitted), FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the carrier part used in the device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the carrier part shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, a DAT changer library device will be described as an example of a large capacity external storage device. As shown, this changer library device 1
Is entirely covered with a rectangular housing 2, and a medium housing portion 4 for housing a large number of DAT tape cartridges 3 as recording media is provided on the front side of the housing 2. The medium container 4 is divided into four blocks 4A, and each block 4A is slidably slid forward (see FIG. 6). Each block 4A can accommodate, for example, 12 cartridges 3, and thus the medium accommodating portion 4 as a whole can accommodate 48 cartridges. Inside the housing 2, a plurality of, for example, three drives 5 as recording / reproducing units for recording / reproducing information on / from the tape of the tape cartridge 3 are provided. 5 is a head 6 for recording and reproducing by contacting the tape.
Is provided.

A carrier unit 7 which is movable vertically and horizontally by a moving mechanism 9 such as a linear motor is provided between the medium storage unit 4 and the drive 5 to store the medium. The tape cartridge 3 can be transferred between the unit 4 and the drive 5. The operation of the carrier unit 7 is controlled by a command from a carrier control unit 8 including, for example, a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 7, the carrier portion 7 has a cartridge passage 10 for holding the cartridge in the front-rear direction so that it can be connected to gears 11 on both sides of the passage 10. Two belts 12 are provided which are rotatable in mutually opposite directions. By rotating these belts 12 in the forward and reverse directions, the cartridge 3 can be pulled into or pushed out of the carrier portion 7.

A cleaning tape accommodating portion 13 is provided in the moving range of the carrier portion 7, and the appearance of the cleaning tape accommodating portion 13 for cleaning the head 6 in the drive 5 is the tape. A cleaning tape 14 having the same structure as the cartridge 3 is housed, and the cleaning tape 14 is conveyed by the carrier unit 7 and loaded into a predetermined drive 5 as required. As the installation location of the cleaning tape accommodation unit 13, a part of the medium accommodation unit 4 may be used, or the cleaning tape accommodation unit 13 may be installed in parallel with the drive 5, and in any case, the carrier unit is installed. 7 is within a range in which the cleaning tape 14 can be delivered. Further, in order to manage some or all of the operations of the medium storage unit 4, the drive 5, the carrier unit 7, and the carrier control unit 8, for example, a main control unit incorporating a microcomputer, that is, in the present embodiment, SCSI (Small Compu
A ter System Interface) adapter 15 is provided.

The adapter 15 is provided with an external host computer 17 via a connector 16 provided on the back side of the housing 2.
The host computer 17 is electrically connected to and exhibits the function as an interface, and the entire apparatus is controlled by a command from the host computer 17 within a range defined by SCSI. Therefore, in this embodiment, the main control unit is defined as an interface that interprets a command from the host computer 17. This SCSI is a general-purpose interface that was standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986 and then standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO), and is currently used in many computers and externally connected devices. Instruction codes, hardware and software of error contents are standardized for each device from electric signals and timings.

In the adapter 15, the carrier unit 7 is operated so as to insert the cleaning tape 14 into the drive 5 in response to the drive 5 being used for a predetermined time or longer, and then the drive unit 5 is operated. A program for controlling to drive the corresponding head 6 by driving the drive 5 is incorporated, and the adapter 15 counts the usage time of each drive 5 in order to judge the time condition at that time. The operating time counter 18 and the unused time counter 19 for counting the unused time after taking out the cartridge are incorporated. Here, as a method of grasping the usage status,
In the SCSI adapter of the type shown in FIG. 1, "DAT
It is possible to judge that "the tape cartridge has been inserted into the drive", but it is possible to judge whether the inserted tape cartridge has been used (whether data was written or read)? It cannot be judged because it is performed directly between 17 and the drive 5. Therefore, in the SCSI adapter of the type shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined ratio of the time when the tape cassette is inserted in the drive, for example 40%, is defined as the actual usage time, which is the basis of the judgment, and this is the basis for the cleaning. This is the start condition for the operation. In this embodiment, when the tape cartridge has been inserted into the drive for a cumulative time of 50 hours or more, it is determined that the tape cartridge has been used for a predetermined time or longer, and the cleaning operation is started. Therefore, the cleaning operation is started when the actual usage time reaches 20 hours. Further, in this case, when the drive is frequently used, in order to extend the start of the cleaning operation, after the tape cassette is taken out of the drive, the next tape cassette is inserted for a predetermined time, for example, 2 minutes or more. If not, the cleaning operation is started.

A front cover 20 covering the front surface is provided on the front side of the housing 2 slidably in the vertical direction, and the front cover 20 is locked on the front side portion of the housing 20. A key 21 is provided for locking the front cover 20 so that the tape cartridge 3 cannot be replaced while the library apparatus is in use.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the outline of the cleaning operation will be described based on the flow shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the SCSI adapter 15 is connected to the host computer 17 by the interface specification of SCSI as described above, and is the same SCSI as each drive 5.
Are connected by the interface. Therefore, the host computer 17 and each drive 5 are directly connected by SCSI. All the operations of this library device are executed by the SCS command from the host computer 17.
It is received by the adapter 15 through I and executed. In this case, the storage location of the cartridge 3 in the medium storage section 4 and the storage location of the cleaning tape 14 are determined by an instruction from the host computer 17, and the following operation is mainly performed.

(1) The carrier control section 8 drives the carrier section 7 to take out a desired DAT tape cartridge 3 from the medium accommodating section 4, and to drive it into a desired drive 5
To insert. (2) When recording and reproduction in the drive 5 are completed, the carrier unit 7 is driven to receive the cartridge 3 from the drive 5 and return it to the original or desired storage location in the medium accommodation unit 4. (3) The medium containing portion 4 is driven by driving the carrier portion 7.
The cartridge 3 is taken out from the storage location of and the storage cartridge is moved to another storage location.

Under such circumstances, the adapter 15
Watches the usage status of each drive 5 (S1), and determines whether it is time to perform cleaning (S2). In this case, the usage time counter 18 built in the adapter 15
The cumulative use time of each drive (the cumulative time when the drive is actually used or the cumulative time when the cartridge 3 is inserted in the drive may be used) is set to a predetermined time, for example, 50 hours. When it reaches, it is judged that it is time to perform cleaning. If it is time to perform cleaning, that is, if YES, the adapter 15 determines whether or not the cartridge 3 is taken out from the corresponding drive 5 (S3), and if YES, that is, the cartridge 3
If the cartridge 3 is inserted into the corresponding drive 5, that is, whether or not the drive 5 is used, the unused time counter 19
Is used to make a determination (S4). In the case of YES, that is, when the cartridge 3 is inserted and the drive is used, the process returns to step S3 again, and in the case of NO, that is, when the cartridge 3 is not inserted and the drive 5 is not used, cleaning is performed. To carry out the operation, the carrier unit 7 is driven to drive the cleaning tape housing unit 13.
Then, the cleaning tape 14 is inserted into the corresponding drive 5 and a cleaning operation is performed (S5). Then, the usage status of the drive 5 to be cleaned, that is, the content of the usage time counter 18 is cleared (S6).

The above series of operations will be described in more detail based on the flow shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the cleaning operation conditions are set as shown in the following items (1) to (4). Whether the cleaning tape 14 is stored in the cleaning tape storage 13 or the cleaning tape storage 1
The cleaning tape 14 was stored in No. 3. Insert the cartridge 3 into the drive 5 for a predetermined time,
For example, 50 hours or more have passed, or the time during which the cartridge 3 has been inserted into the drive 5 has been integrated and 50 hours or more have passed. The cartridge 3 is not reinserted for a predetermined time, for example, 2 minutes or more after the cartridge 3 is taken out from the drive 5.

First, a command from the host computer 17 is input to the adapter 15 via the connector 16 to control the operation of each component. Host computer 17
In response to a command from the carrier control unit 8 via the adapter 15, the carrier control unit 8 drives the carrier unit 7 to take out a desired DAT tape cartridge 3 from the medium accommodating unit 4 and set it in a desired drive, for example, the n-th (in the present embodiment). Is inserted into the drive 5 of n = 1 to 3) (S1). When the insertion is completed in this way, the adapter 15 prohibits the counting of the unused time counter 19 for the n-th and clears this content. Simultaneously with this operation, time counting of the n-th usage time counter 18 is started in order to count the drive usage time and the cartridge insertion integrated time (S2). Then, when the recording or the reproduction with respect to the inserted tape cartridge 3 is completed, the adapter 15 drives the carrier unit 7 via the carrier control unit 8 to take out the cartridge from the nth drive 5 (S3). Then, according to a command from the host computer, the adapter 15 prohibits the timer count of the n-th use time counter 18 and starts the timer count of the n-th unused time counter 19 (S
4).

Next, the adapter 15 judges whether or not the value of the n-th usage time counter 18, that is, the cumulative cartridge insertion time has reached a predetermined time, for example, 50 hours (H) (S5). In the case of NO, that is, when it has not reached 50 hours, the process ends as it is, and in the case of YES,
That is, when it has reached 50 hours, it is determined whether or not the cleaning tape 14 has been stored in the cleaning tape storage portion 13 (S6). If NO, that is, if the cleaning tape 14 has not been stored, If it is YES and the cleaning tape 14 is stored, it is next determined whether or not the cartridge 3 is inserted into the nth drive 5 to be cleaned (S7). . YES here
If the cartridge 3 is inserted, that is, if the cartridge 3 is not inserted into the drive 5, the process returns to step S1. If the cartridge 3 is not inserted into the drive 5, the value of the unused time counter 19 is equal to the predetermined time. For example, it is determined whether or not counting is performed for 2 minutes or more (S8). If NO, that is, if 2 minutes or more has not elapsed, the process returns to step S7. If YES, that is, if 2 minutes or more has elapsed, the cleaning operation is actually performed and the n-th use is performed. The contents of the time counter 18 are cleared to zero (S9). That is, by driving the carrier unit 7, the cleaning tape 14 is taken out from the cleaning tape housing unit 13, is inserted into the nth drive S whose usage time has been 50 hours or more, and the cleaning tape 14 is rotated. As a result, the head 6 in the drive 5 is cleaned. After the cleaning operation is performed for a predetermined time, the cleaning tape 14 is returned to the original cleaning tape accommodating portion 13 by operating the carrier portion 7 in the reverse direction.

The usage status of the drive is watched by each of the three drives 5, and the cleaning operation is carried out when the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied. still,
During execution of the cleaning operation, if a command from the host computer requests a drive for which the cleaning operation is being executed, the adapter 15 returns a BUSY signal to the host computer 17. Thus, in this embodiment, the usage status of each drive 5 is watched,
Since the cleaning tape 14 stored in advance when the predetermined time condition is satisfied is inserted into the corresponding drive 5, the head can be automatically cleaned. 5 which is the judgment time of the values of the counters 18 and 19
Needless to say, 0 hours and 2 minutes are not limited to this and can be arbitrarily changed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 1 and is not limited to SCSI or SCSI-under consideration.
2 by "Medium Changer Device"
Any model having "e" can be applied. For example, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a device having a hardware configuration different from that of FIG. 1, and the SCSI adapter 15 manages the carrier unit 7 and the internal SCSI for the drive 5 according to a command from the host computer 17. Is automatically switched to. In this type of device, the method of grasping the usage status of the drive is different, and the cartridge 3
It is possible to judge whether or not is actually used, that is, whether data is written or read. Therefore, the time when the cartridge is actually used can be measured more accurately, and the cleaning start time can be accurately determined.

[0022]

As described above, according to the large capacity external storage device of the present invention, the following excellent operational effects can be exhibited. It is possible to monitor the usage status of the recording / reproducing unit and automatically insert a cleaning tape to clean the head when the recording / reproducing unit is used for a predetermined time. Therefore, the cleaning can be performed at an appropriate time without bothering the user for the cleaning.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a large capacity external storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a recording / reproducing unit when the medium containing unit is removed in FIG. 3 (the carrier unit is omitted).

5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the carrier unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a carrier unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic operation of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a detailed operation of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another device for carrying out the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Changer library device (large-capacity external storage device), 3 ... DAT tape cartridge (recording medium), 4
... medium storage section, 5 ... drive (recording / reproducing section), 6 ... head, 7 ... carrier section, 8 ... carrier control section, 13 ... cleaning tape storage section, 14 ... cleaning tape, 1
5 ... SCSI adapter (main control unit), 17 ... Host computer, 18 ... Used time counter, 19 ... Unused time counter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A medium storage section for storing a plurality of recording media, a recording / reproducing section having a head for recording / reproducing information on / from the recording medium, the recording / reproducing section and the medium storage section. Between the medium storage unit, the recording / reproducing unit, and the carrier unit while performing an interface between a carrier unit that transfers the recording medium, a carrier control unit that controls the movement of the carrier unit, and an external host computer. A cleaning tape for cleaning the head in the recording / reproducing unit within a moving range of the carrier unit in a large-capacity external storage device having a main controller for managing part or all of the operation of the carrier controller. And a cleaning tape accommodating section for accommodating the recording tape, the main control section responding to the recording / reproducing section being used for a predetermined period of time or longer. A large-capacity external storage device, characterized in that the carrier section is operated so as to insert a burning tape into the recording / reproducing section, and then the head is cleaned by driving the recording / reproducing section.