JPH0895718A - Magnetooptic disk drive system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a disk which can not be used because its alternate areas are full to be used by recording information that should be recorded in the alternate areas of the disk on one drive to be recorded on the disk on the other drive. CONSTITUTION: Two magnetooptic disk drives OD1 and OD2 are connected to ode controller DC, and the disks 51 and 52 are set on the drives OD1 and OD2 respectively. When an alternate processing is needed for one disk, e.g. the 1st disk 51, an alternate processing is performed for the other disk 52. Namely, the operation for the alternate processing to be done on the 1st driver OD1 is performed on the 2nd drive OD2 instead. For the purpose, an auxiliary management area is newly provided as an area where information having the same contents with pieces DDS and PDS of alternate, information recorded on the 1st disk 51 before is recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magneto-optical disk drive system including two magneto-optical disk drives and a controller, and a magneto-optical disk library apparatus for operating two magneto-optical disk drives with a single controller. The present invention relates to an improvement, and more particularly to a magneto-optical disk drive system that enables effective use of a disk by performing necessary replacement processing even when a large number of defective sectors are present on the disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information recording / reproducing apparatus such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk, when a defective sector exists on the disk, data to be recorded in the sector is recorded in another area (alternate area). Processing, that is, a so-called replacement processing is performed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-63970). In this replacement process, immediately after writing data to the disc, reading is performed to check whether the data was recorded normally (verify operation). If normal recording was not possible, that sector is registered as a defective sector on the disc. In addition, the data to be written in the defective sector is recorded in another spare sector.

The spare sector used in this case is called a spare sector, and an area in which such spare sectors are gathered is called a spare area. By carrying out such a replacement process, the practical application of the magneto-optical disk with many subsequent defective sectors has been realized.

However, if there are many defective sectors and the replacement process is performed one after another, the replacement area becomes full, and the replacement process cannot be performed thereafter. As the order of description, first, the configuration of a general magneto-optical disk device will be shown.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main part configuration of a conventional general magneto-optical disk device. In the figure, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a SCSI bus, OD is a magneto-optical disk device, 3 is its control unit, 31 is a SCSI adapter, and 32 is a CP.
U, 33 is a ROM, 34 is a RAM, 35 is an ECC circuit,
36 is a buffer RAM, 37 is an I / O (input / output) control unit, 38 is an internal bus, 4 is a drive unit, and 5 is a disk.

The magneto-optical disk device OD shown in FIG.
The function is roughly divided into a control unit 3 and a drive unit 4. First, the control unit 3
SCSI adapter 3 to connect with host computer 1
1, a CPU 32 that controls overall control of the control unit 3,
ROM 3 for recording operations to be executed by the CPU 32
3, a RAM 34 as a storage unit for recording the contents to be recorded by the CPU 32 during operation, an ECC circuit 35 for performing error correction processing, and an I / O for controlling the drive unit 4.
SC via control unit 37 and SCSI adapter 31
The buffer RAM 36 is composed of various parts for temporarily recording data to be sent to the SI bus 2.

The control unit 3 receives a command from the host computer 1 via the SCSI bus 2 and returns the result of executing the command to the SCSI bus 2. When the operation of the drive unit 4 is required at the time of executing the command, for example, when the control unit 3 receives a command for writing data to the disk 5, the control unit 3
Writes the received data to a predetermined sector (certain sector) on the disk 5 via the drive unit 4.

More specifically, the write operation is performed by first erasing data in a certain sector, then writing the instructed data, and then reading the written data to confirm whether or not normal writing is performed. (Verify operation). Disk 5 set in drive unit 4
For example, in the case of a 5-inch (inch) magneto-optical disk, it has the following format.

FIG. 19 shows a type 5 magneto-optical disk,
It is a figure which shows an example of the format notionally. The vertical direction in the figure indicates the track number, and the horizontal direction indicates the sector number.
Reference numeral A denotes an inner management area, 5B a recording area, 5C a replacement area, and 5D an outer management area.

As shown in FIG. 19, the track numbers are "0" to "18,75" in order from the inner circumference to the outer circumference.
It is attached up to 0 ". In addition, the sector number is common to each track, and is "0" to "3" in order from left to right.
"0" is attached.

This magneto-optical disk has a recording area (user's data area) 5B in the center thereof, and disk management areas (DMA areas) 5A, 5D on both sides thereof. On the outer peripheral side, a spare area 5C is provided between the recording area 5B and the disc management area 5D.

In the disk management areas 5A and 5D, four pieces of DMA information, which are information for managing the disk, are written. In this way, as the DMA information, the same information 4
Writing the information once prevents the DMA information from becoming unreadable.

This DMA information includes DDS, PDL, SD.
It is composed of three pieces of information L. The contents of each information are shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 below.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing details of the contents of the DDS which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disk shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing details of the contents of the PDL which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disk shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing details of the contents of the SDL which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disk shown in FIG.

The DMA information is used for controlling writing and reading of data on the magneto-optical disk. The above is the outline of the configuration and operation of the conventional general magneto-optical disk device, and the format of the magneto-optical disk.

As described above, when the defective sector exists on the disk, the replacement process is performed. However, since the replacement area is limited, if a large number of defective sectors occur, the replacement area will be generated. Is full, and if a defective sector occurs after that, writing cannot be performed. Even with such a disc, the data can be read out and not all the information is lost, but the written data cannot be edited.

As a countermeasure, it is sufficient to copy to a new disc, but since the storage capacity is large, it takes a lot of time for the copying process and the disc is expensive.
The situation that one magneto-optical disk cannot be used,
It is a big loss to the user. As one conventional measure for solving such a problem, there has been proposed a method in which a drive automatically performs disk cleaning when the number of defective sectors increases and reaches a preset allowable number. (JP-A-3-147583).

According to this method, since the cleaning is performed before the replacement area is full, replacement processing is possible, but even if the replacement area is cleaned, it is necessary due to the existence of defective sectors. It is impossible to prevent an increase in replacement sectors. Therefore, it is impossible to completely avoid the problem that the replacement area becomes full for a disk which has many defective sectors and requires replacement processing.

[0021]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a conventional magneto-optical disk drive system, in particular, a defective sector that is subsequently generated in a magneto-optical disk, when a replacement area necessary for replacement processing is full (replacement) When the area is insufficient)
However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magneto-optical disk device system that enables effective use of an expensive magneto-optical disk by ensuring a necessary replacement area (the invention of claims 1 to 7).

[0022]

According to the present invention, firstly,
In a magneto-optical disk drive system consisting of two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, information to be recorded in the alternate area of the disk of one drive is recorded on the disk of the other drive. .

Secondly, in a magneto-optical disk drive system consisting of two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, a disk dedicated to the replacement processing is provided with a replacement processing dedicated determining means for determining that the disk is dedicated to the replacement processing. When the controller detects the processing-dedicated determining means, the controller operates the drive only for the replacement processing, and when it does not detect the processing-dedicated determining means, operates like a general drive.

Thirdly, the above-mentioned first or second magneto-optical disk drive system is provided with an identification number giving means for giving an identification number peculiar to the disk to the disk whose replacement area is full, and the replacement processing Information is recorded on the dedicated disk side so that the identification information of the disk having the identification number can be recognized.

Fourth, in the second magneto-optical disk drive system, when a disk having a full spare area is set in one of the drives, or when the spare area of the disk is full while the drive is operating. The controller is configured to send an error message to the host computer when it is detected that the replacement processing disk is not set in the other drive.

Fifthly, in a magneto-optical disk library device in which two magneto-optical disk drives are operated by one controller, a storage area for a disk dedicated to replacement processing is provided.

Sixthly, in the first to fifth magneto-optical disk device systems, when the replacement area of the replacement processing dedicated disk is full, the operator is instructed to insert another replacement processing dedicated disk. Is configured to be sent from the controller to the host computer.

Seventhly, in the sixth magneto-optical disk drive system, when the disks dedicated to the replacement process are inserted into both of the two drives, the replacement area of the disks having the same identification number in both the disks is changed to one disk. It is a configuration provided with a means for collecting.

[0029]

According to the present invention, in a conventional magneto-optical disk drive system comprising two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, if the spare area of one disk becomes full, it cannot be used thereafter. In order to avoid inconvenience, paying attention to the fact that the disk set in one drive should be dedicated to the replacement process, and the information to be recorded in the replacement area of the disk of one drive should be recorded in the other drive. The data is recorded on the disc (the invention of claim 1).

In this case, a normal disk (read / write disk) is first subjected to a replacement process in its replacement area so that it can be used even in a magneto-optical disk device having only one drive ( The invention of claim 2).

Normally, for the replacement processing required for one disk, one disk dedicated to the replacement processing is unnecessary,
If both of them are prepared in a one-to-one manner, a free space is created in the disk dedicated to the replacement process, and the disk cannot be effectively used. So, you can use one disc for exclusive use for the replacement process as multiple normal discs (read / write discs).
The disc dedicated to the replacement process is effectively used by recording disc-specific identification information indicating which disc is the replacement information on the disc dedicated to the replacement process (the invention of claim 3).

When the spare area of the normal disk set in one drive is full, or when the spare area is full during the operation of the drive, the disk dedicated to the spare processing is not set in the other drive. Since the former (one) drive cannot operate normally, a message is displayed via the host computer prompting the operator to set a disk dedicated to the replacement process to the latter (other) drive. Thus, the disk can be smoothly replaced (the invention of claim 4).

In the magneto-optical disk library apparatus, since the disks can be exchanged by the changer, it is necessary to provide a storage area for the exclusive disk for replacement processing, and to set the exclusive disk for replacement processing in any of the drives. Immediately, the replacement processing disk is set (the invention of claim 5).

When the number of replacement processes for a plurality of disks becomes large and the recording area of the replacement processing disk becomes full (when the recording area is insufficient), the host computer should be replaced with a new replacement processing disk. A message prompting the operator to replace the replacement-dedicated disk is displayed to improve the operability of disk replacement (the invention of claim 6).

When the recording area of the disk for exclusive use for replacement processing is full (the recording area is insufficient) and a new disk for exclusive use for replacement processing is exchanged, the replacement processing for one read / write disk is replaced by two replacement disks. If it is performed across the processing-dedicated disks, it is necessary to use the replacement areas of the replacement-processing dedicated disks differently when reading, so the replacement areas of the two replacement-processing dedicated disks should be combined into the replacement area of one of the disks. To improve operability (the invention of claim 7).

[0036]

Embodiment 1 A magneto-optical disk drive system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 1, but is also related to the inventions of claims 2 to 7.

This first embodiment is premised on a magneto-optical disk drive system comprising two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller. Specifically,
Two magneto-optical disk devices OD shown in FIG.
The magneto-optical disk device OD has almost the same configuration as that of the magneto-optical disk device OD, but does not directly record / reproduce information on / from the disk 5, but sets it in each magneto-optical disk device OD via the magneto-optical disk device OD. A single magneto-optical disk system is configured by connecting one controller (magneto-optical disk device controller) that records / reproduces information to / from the created disk 5.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the essential structure of the magneto-optical disk drive system according to the present invention. In the figure, DC is a magneto-optical disk device controller, OD1 and OD2 are first and second drives, and 51 and 52 are first and second drives OD, respectively.
1 shows a disc set to OD2.

The magneto-optical disk device system shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which two magneto-optical disk drives OD1 and OD2 are connected to one controller DC, and each of the drives OD1 and OD2 is respectively connected. Disks 51 and 52 are set. When one disk, for example, the first disk 51 needs to be replaced, the other disk, for example, the second disk 52 is configured to be replaced.

That is, the operation of the replacement process performed by the first drive OD1 is executed by the second drive OD2 instead. Therefore, in the second disc 52 set in the second drive OD2, as an area for recording information having the same contents as the replacement information DDS, PDL which is conventionally recorded in the first disc 51, A new auxiliary management area has been established. To facilitate understanding, the auxiliary management area provided on the second disk 52 will be described first.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the format of a disc dedicated to replacement processing used in the magneto-optical disc apparatus system of the present invention. (1) is the position of the auxiliary management area provided on the disc, (2) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the detailed contents of a newly established auxiliary management area. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 19, 5E is an auxiliary management area, and 5E is an auxiliary management area 5E.
Similarly, the first information recorded in the auxiliary management area 5E
2 shows the second information recorded in.

In FIG. 2 (1), the auxiliary management area 5E is
In the format shown in FIG. 19 described above as a conventional example, it is provided between the data management area 5A on the inner circumference side and the recording area 5B. Then, in the auxiliary management area 5E,
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2 (2), the first information and the second information are recorded.

First, the first information is the address of the replacement information of the normal (read / write) disk recorded on the replacement processing disk, and the information indicating how many pieces of the second information there are. . That is, the second information and the information indicating where the replacement information of the normal disk (first disk 51) is recorded from where in the recording area 5B of the replacement processing dedicated disk (second disk 52) are recorded. This is information that records the number of writings.

The second information is the information indicating the address of the defect-occurring portion of the normal disc and the address of the recording area 5B on the disc dedicated to the replacement process instead of recording at the address. is there. That is, the address of the defect occurrence point of the normal disk (first disk 51) and the data that should have been originally recorded at the defect occurrence point of the normal disk are stored in the replacement-dedicated disk (second disk 52). ) Is information indicating where the data is recorded in the recording area 5B.

In the first embodiment, a normal disk (first disk 51) and a spare disk (second disk 52) are inserted into the two magneto-optical disk drives constituting the system. When a defective sector occurs in the first disk 51, the first information and the second information are recorded in the second disk 52 auxiliary management area 5E, and the recording area 5B is used as a replacement area. To do. Therefore, conventionally, the disk (the first disk 5) is difficult to use because the replacement area is full.
Regarding 1), it can be used as it is.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow during a write operation in the magneto-optical disk drive system of the present invention. In the figure, # 1 to #
4 indicates a step.

In step # 1, the write operation is executed in the first drive OD1. At step # 2, it is checked whether the replacement process is necessary.

If the replacement process is required, the process proceeds to the next step # 3. In step # 3, the second disk 5
In the second auxiliary management area, the address of the defective sector of the first disk 51 and the address on the second disk 52 where the data that should have been recorded in the defective sector are to be recorded are recorded. , Record that data,
The flow of FIG. 3 is ended.

Further, as a result of the judgment made in the previous step # 2,
Even when the replacement process is not necessary, the flow of FIG. 3 is terminated. By the processing of steps # 1 to # 4 described above, the data write operation to the first disk 51 and the second disk 5 in the magneto-optical disk device system of the present invention are performed.
The necessary replacement process for 2 is executed.

[0050]

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. This second
This embodiment mainly corresponds to the invention of claim 2, but is also related to the invention of claim 1 above.

In the above first embodiment, the first drive O
The replacement process when the first disk 51 for reading and writing is set in D1 has been described. In the case of the first embodiment, the first disk 5 must be stored in the second drive OD2.
There is a problem that the disk (second disk 52) dedicated to the replacement process No. 1 must be set and used.

That is, one disk (for example, 51)
In order to read the data from the
1 and 52) must be set, which is a constraint on usage. As a result, not only does it actually function as a single drive,
There is a problem that a disk whose replacement area is not full (for example, the first disk 51) cannot be used in another device.

In the second embodiment, such restrictions on use are removed and the conventional magneto-optical disk device (see FIG. 1) is used.
8 OD). Therefore, the first replacement process is performed using the replacement area of the disk itself, as in the conventional case, and a new replacement process is required when the replacement area of the disk is full. When a defective sector occurs, another disc dedicated to replacement processing (for example, the second disc 52) is used.

More specifically, a normal disk (hereinafter referred to as the first disk 51) is filled with a conventional spare area and a disk having a new defective sector. Add code 1 (see FIG. 4, below). Corresponding to this processing, another replacement processing dedicated disk (hereinafter referred to as the second disk 52)
, A second code indicating that it is dedicated to the replacement process is added (see FIG. 5 described later).

By recording such a code,
When the first disk 51 is set in the drive OD1, by checking the presence or absence of the first code, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine the necessity of the disk 52 dedicated to the replacement process for the read operation of the disk 51. can do. Moreover, the first disk 51 can be used in a conventional drive (one magneto-optical disk device) if the replacement area is not full.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the format of a management area in a normal disk used in the magneto-optical disk drive system of the present invention. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 2, and is a first code indicating that the spare area of the disk is full and a new defective sector has occurred.

In FIG. 4, an unused sector of the management area (DMA area) 5A (or 5D) of the disk having the same format as the conventional one is allocated to the recording area of the first code, and the disk of that disk is allocated. If the replacement area is full and a new defective sector occurs,
The first code is recorded in that area. Then, when this disk is set in the drive (OD1 in FIG. 1), the controller (DC in FIG. 1) first moves DM from the management area (DMA area) 5A (5D) of the disk.
The A information is read and it is checked whether or not the first code is recorded.

If the first code is recorded, it can be seen that it is necessary to set the disc (second disc 52) dedicated to the replacement process in the other drive (OD2 in FIG. 1). It should be noted that the conventional device can read the data as it is without any check.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the format of the management area in the disk dedicated to the alternation process used in the magneto-optical disk drive system of the present invention. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 4, and is a second code indicating that the disc is dedicated to the replacement process.

The new auxiliary management area 5E described with reference to FIG. 2 is provided in the disk (second disk 52) dedicated to the replacement process.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a second code indicating that the replacement process is dedicated is recorded. Therefore, if the controller (DC in FIG. 1) checks the presence or absence of the second code, it can be accurately determined whether or not the disc is a disc dedicated to the replacement process.

In the second embodiment, with respect to the disk set in the drive (OD1 in FIG. 1), the auxiliary management area 5E is read out, and when there is no second code indicating that it is dedicated to the replacement processing, Read / write information on the disc. In this case, if there is no second code indicating that it is exclusively used for the replacement process, the same read / write as the conventional one is performed. Next, the processing at the time of writing according to the second embodiment will be described with a flow.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of main processing during the write operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 11 to # 17 indicate steps.

One drive, for example the first drive O
Set the first disk 51 to D1, and then step # 1.
At 1, the write operation is performed. In the next step # 12, it is checked whether the replacement process is necessary.

If the replacement process is required, the process proceeds to the next step # 13. In step # 13, it is checked whether or not the spare area of the first disk 51 is full.

If the replacement area is full, the routine proceeds to step # 14, where it is checked whether or not the second disk 52 dedicated to the replacement processing is set in the other drive, for example, the second drive OD2. This step # 14
Then, when it is detected that the second disk 52 dedicated to the replacement process is set, the process proceeds to step # 15.

In step # 15, in the auxiliary management area of the second disk 52, the address of the defective sector of the first disk 51 and the data which should have been recorded in the defective sector are stored in the second disk 52. Information such as where to write is recorded, and the data is recorded in the recording area. Step # 16
Then, the information of the replacement process is recorded in the memory in the controller DC, and the flow of FIG. 6 ends.

If it is determined in step # 13 that the replacement area of the first disk 51 is not full, the process proceeds to step # 17, replacement processing is performed, and the flow of FIG. 6 ends. It should be noted that, as a result of the determination made in the previous step # 12, even when the replacement process is not necessary, the flow of FIG. 6 is terminated.

When the replacement area of the first disk 51 is not full by the processing of steps # 11 to # 17 described above, the replacement area of the disk 51 is used, so that the disk that can be used in the conventional apparatus is also available. Is obtained. Also,
When the replacement area of the first disk 51 is full,
Since the replacement area is used by using the replacement area of the second disk 52 dedicated to the replacement processing, the first disk 51 can be effectively used. Next, the process when the power is turned on or when the power is reset will be described with a flow.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow at power-on or reset in the magneto-optical disk drive system of the present invention. In the figure, # 21 to # 27 indicate steps.

At step # 21, it is monitored whether a disc is set in the drive. When it is detected that the disc has been set, in the next step # 22, the DMA information is read from the management area (DMA area) 5A (5D) in FIG.

In step # 23, it is checked whether or not the first code indicating that the spare area is full is recorded.
The first code is not recorded (first disc 5
If the replacement area 1 is not full), the process proceeds to step # 27.

As a result of the judgment in the previous step # 23, if the first code is recorded (when the spare area is full), the process proceeds to step # 24, and the second disk is loaded in another drive. Watch if is set. If the second disc is set, step #
25, the management area (D
The DMA information is read from the MA area) 5A (5D).

The process proceeds to step # 26, and it is checked whether or not the second code indicating exclusive use for the replacement process is recorded. If the second code is recorded (when it is dedicated to the replacement process), the replacement information is stored in the second disk in the next step # 27, and the flow of FIG. 7 ends. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to effectively operate the two drives, and it is possible to use the disk in which the spare area is not full in the conventional device.

[0074]

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. This third
The above embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 3 but is also related to the inventions of claims 1 and 2 above.

In the case of the first embodiment, one disk dedicated to the replacement process is required for one disk whose replacement area is full. Normally, the replacement area required by one disk is not so large as when one replacement processing disk is used, and therefore, the replacement processing disk has an empty area and cannot be effectively used.

In the third embodiment, one disk dedicated to the replacement process is commonly used by a plurality of disks (for read / write) to enable effective use of the disk dedicated to the replacement process. It is characterized by points. Therefore, a unique ID (identification code) is given to each of the read / write disks (first disk 51). Since this unique ID only needs to be able to identify each disk, for example, a serial number is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the format of a management area in a normal disk used in the third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIG. 4, and is an ID unique to the disc.

In FIG. 8, the first code indicating that the spare area is full (the spare area is insufficient) in the management area 5A (5D) of the disk shown in FIG.
The state has already been recorded. In this state,
An empty area in the management area 5A (5D), for example, the first area
The ID unique to the disc is recorded in the vicinity of the code.

Further, when the replacement area of the read / write disk (first disk 51) is full, when the replacement information is recorded on the replacement processing dedicated disk (second disk 52), first, Read / write disk I
By writing D and then writing data, the replacement information of a plurality of read / write disks is recorded on the replacement processing disk.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the format of the auxiliary management area in the disk dedicated to the replacement process used in the third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 2, and indicates the third information recorded in the auxiliary management area 5E, is the same fourth information, and is the fifth information.

Auxiliary management area 5E of the replacement-dedicated disk
As shown in FIG. 9, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information are recorded in. First, the third information is from which position (address) to which position (address) of the recording area (5B) of the replacement processing disc.
It is information indicating whether replacement information of another disc (read / write disc) is recorded, and information indicating how many fourth information and fifth information are recorded.

Next, the fourth information is the first disc 5
1. IDs (identification codes) of other disks (read / write disks). Further, the fifth information includes a defect occurrence point of the disc (read / write disc) corresponding to the fourth information (ID) and data that should originally be recorded at the defect occurrence point of the disc. Instead, it is information indicating from which position (address) to which position (address) the recording has been performed on the recording area (5B) of the replacement-dedicated disc.

When the controller (DC in FIG. 1) reads information from the management area 5A or the auxiliary management area 5E of the replacement processing dedicated disk set in the second drive OD2,
Only the replacement information corresponding to the read / write disk set in the first drive OD1 is recorded in the memory in the controller. It should be noted that the read / write disk (the disk whose replacement area has been newly filled) for which the replacement processing is performed first is a code other than the identification code (ID) such as the number already recorded on the replacement processing dedicated disk. Allocate (fourth information).

It is also possible to divide the auxiliary management area 5E of the replacement processing disk into a plurality of blocks in advance and record the information for each read / write disk in each area.

FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the format of the auxiliary management area in the disc dedicated to the replacement process. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG.
~ En are divided areas.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the auxiliary management area 5E is divided into n areas E1 to En in advance and designated by the fourth information. If this method is adopted, it is only necessary to first record the fourth information of the disc once, and it is not necessary to record the fourth information every time a replacement process occurs, as shown in FIG. , It suffices to write the data to the relevant block. Next, with respect to the third embodiment, the processing at the time of the write operation, at the time of turning on the power and at the time of resetting will be described with a flow.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow during a write operation in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 31 to # 39 indicate steps.

At step # 31, the first drive OD1
The write operation is performed at. At step # 32, it is checked whether the replacement process is necessary.

If the replacement process is necessary, the process proceeds to the next step # 33, and as shown in FIG. 8, whether or not the disc ID is recorded in the management area 5A of the first disc 51. Check. If the ID is recorded, the process proceeds to step # 36, and if the ID is not recorded, the process proceeds to step # 34.

At step # 34, it is checked whether the spare area of the first disk 51 is full. If the replacement area is full, in the next step # 35, the ID of the disk is recorded in the management area 5A of the first disk 51.

At step # 36, the second drive OD2
Then, it is checked whether or not a disc (second disc 52) dedicated to the replacement process corresponding to the first disc 51 is set. If the corresponding disc for exclusive use for the replacement process (second disc 52) is set, step #
At 37, in the auxiliary management area of the second disk 52, as shown in FIG. 9 (or FIG. 10), the first disk 5
ID (unique code) of 1 and address of defective sector,
The address or the like on the second disk 52 where the data to be originally recorded in the sector is actually stored (fifth information)
Is recorded, and data is recorded in the recording area of the disc 52.

At the next step # 38, the replacement process information is recorded in the memory in the controller DC, and the flow of FIG. 11 is terminated. If the replacement area of the first disk 51 is not full as a result of the determination in the previous step # 33, the process proceeds to step # 39, the replacement process is performed, and the flow of FIG. 11 ends.

It should be noted that, as a result of the determination in the previous step # 32, even when the replacement process is not necessary, the flow of FIG. 11 is terminated. The write operation according to the third embodiment is performed by the above processing of steps # 31 to # 39.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow at power-on / reset in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 41 to # 48 indicate steps.

At step # 41, it is monitored whether or not a disc is set in the drive. When it is detected that the disc is set, DMA information is read from the management area (DMA area) 5A (5D) in FIG. 4 in the next step # 42.

At step # 43, it is checked whether or not the first code indicating that the spare area is full is recorded. If the first code is recorded,
In step # 44, DMA information is read from the management area (DMA area) 5A (5D) of FIG. 8 for the disc.

At step # 45, it is checked whether the second disk is set in another drive (second drive OD2). If the second disc has been set, in step # 46, the fourth information is read from the auxiliary management area 5E of FIG. 9 for the second disc.

In step # 47, it is determined whether the second disk is a disk dedicated to the replacement process of the first disk (if the fourth information in FIG. 9 is the ID of the first disk, , It is determined that the replacement process only). if,
If the second disk is not a disk dedicated to the replacement process of the first disk, the process returns to step # 44 again,
Similar processing is performed for the (replaced) second disk.

Then, if the second disk is a disk dedicated to the replacement process of the first disk, the following step #
At 48, the replacement information is stored in the second disk, and the flow of FIG. 12 ends. If the replacement area of the first disk 51 is not full as a result of the determination in step # 43, then the flow of FIG. 12 is terminated.

[0100]

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. This fourth
The embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 4, but is also related to the inventions of claims 1 to 3. In the disk devices of the first to third embodiments described so far, the disk (first disk 51) whose replacement area is full is inserted into one drive (first drive OD1). If the other drive (second drive OD
There is a problem that the first drive OD1 cannot operate normally unless the disk (second disk 52) dedicated to the replacement process corresponding to the first disk 51 is inserted in 2).

In the fourth embodiment, the first drive O
When the first disk 51 whose replacement area is full is set in D1, the replacement processing dedicated disk (second disk 52) corresponding to the first disk 51 is set in the second drive OD2. When it is detected that there is no such error, an error code for displaying a message prompting the operator to set the corresponding replacement processing disk in the second drive OD2 is returned to the host computer side. Have Such error code return processing can be executed by software between the controller DC and the host computer. Next, a flow is shown, but it is only necessary to add to the flow of FIG. 11 described above.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow when setting both disks in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 36 and # 37 indicate steps in FIG. 11, and # 51 indicates a newly set step.

As shown in FIG. 13, a disk dedicated to the replacement process (second disk) corresponding to the first disk 51 is stored in the second drive OD2 (in step # 36 of FIG. 11).
As a result of checking whether or not the corresponding disk 52) has not been set, the process proceeds to step # 51. In step # 51, an error code indicating that the two disks do not match is returned to the host computer.

The host computer receiving this error code determines that the second disk 52 set in the second drive OD2 is not a disk dedicated to the replacement process corresponding to the first disk 51. OD2
, A message asking you to set the corresponding disc for replacement processing is displayed. Therefore, it becomes possible to smoothly exchange the disks, and the operability is improved.

[0105]

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. This fifth
This embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 5, but is also related to the invention of claim 4 above.

In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, in the magneto-optical disk drive system comprising two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, the disk set in one drive (first disk 51). The case where the disk (second disk 52) dedicated to the replacement processing set in the other drive is used for the replacement processing of 1. The fifth embodiment is a case of a magneto-optical disk library device system in which two magneto-optical disk drives are operated by one controller, but the basic processing is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. There is.

The fifth embodiment is characterized in that a storage area for a disk dedicated to replacement processing is provided in the magneto-optical disk library device. In general, a magneto-optical disk library device is equipped with two drives in order to improve the durability of the device and to enable quick disk exchange.

Further, there is also provided a disc storage section capable of storing a plurality of discs. As described above, in the magneto-optical disk library device, since a plurality of disks can be housed in the device, the first drive is stored in the second drive OD2.
It is extremely easy to set the replacement processing dedicated disk (second disk 52) corresponding to the disk (51).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the essential parts of a magneto-optical disk library device. Reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 1, 21 is a magneto-optical disk library device, 22
Is a changer, and 23a to 23n are disk storage units.

The magneto-optical disk library device 21 shown in FIG. 14 has the same structure as the conventional one, and the changer 22 selects the disks stored in the disk storage portions 23a to 23n according to an instruction from the controller DC. Then, it operates to set the first drive OD1 and the second drive OD2. In the fifth embodiment, the controller performs processing according to the following flow.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow when setting both disks in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 61 and # 62 indicate steps.

At step # 61, the first drive OD1
Then, it is checked whether or not a disk (first disk 51) whose replacement area is full is set. If the disc with the full spare area is set, the process proceeds to step # 62.

At step # 62, the changer 22 is controlled so that the corresponding disk for exclusive use for replacement processing (second disk 52) is stored in the disk storage section (23a-2).
The disk dedicated to the replacement process is taken out from one of 3n) and set in the second drive OD2. As a result of checking in step # 61, if the disk set in the first drive OD1 has a spare area (not full), the flow of FIG. 15 is terminated.

[0114]

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. This 6th
This embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 6, but is also related to the invention of claim 7. In the above first to fifth embodiments, a disk dedicated to the replacement process (second disk 52)
The case where there is one is described.

In this case, if the recording area of the disk dedicated to the replacement process becomes full, each drive OD1,
There is a problem that the operation of OD2 is disabled. In the sixth embodiment, when the recording area of the disc dedicated to the replacement process is full, the operator is urged to insert another disc dedicated to the replacement process. It can be implemented by only adding a part to the flow of FIG. 11 shown in the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow in the sixth embodiment of the present invention when the recording area of the replacement processing disk is full. In the figure, # 36 and # 37 are steps in FIG. 11, # 71.
And # 72 indicate the newly set step.

As shown in FIG. 16, a disk dedicated to the replacement process (second disk) corresponding to the first disk 51 is stored in the second drive OD2 (in step # 36 of FIG. 11).
As a result of checking whether or not the corresponding disk 52) has been set, if the corresponding replacement-dedicated disk (second disk 52) is set, the process proceeds to step # 71.

At step # 71, it is checked whether or not the recording area of the disc dedicated to the replacement process (second disc 52) is full (the recording area is insufficient). When the recording area is full, the process proceeds to step # 72, and an error code indicating that the recording area of the disk (second disk 52) dedicated to the replacement process is full is returned to the host computer. .

The host computer which has received this error code displays a message to set another disk dedicated to the replacement process in the second drive OD2. Therefore, even when the recording area of the disc dedicated to the replacement process is full, the disc dedicated to the replacement process can be replaced smoothly, and the operability is improved.

[0120]

Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. This 7th
This embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 7, but is also related to the invention of claim 6. In the above-described sixth embodiment, when the recording area of the replacement processing dedicated disk (second disk 52) is full, a message or the like is displayed so as to replace it with another (new) replacement processing dedicated disk. .

In this case, since there are two replacement-dedicated disks, the replacement processing for one disk (the first disk 51) is spread over two replacement-processing dedicated disks. In some cases, such cases may occur. In the seventh embodiment, when the replacement processing dedicated disks are inserted into the two drives OD1 and OD2, the replacement area of the disks (first disk 51) having the same identification code (ID) in both disks. Is characterized in that it is arranged on one of the discs dedicated to the replacement process.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow when the replacement processing disk is inserted into the two drives in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, # 81 to # 85 indicate steps.

At step # 81, the first drive OD1
Check if the disc is set in. If the disc is set, it is checked in the next step # 82 whether or not the disc is a disc dedicated to the replacement process.

If the disc is a disc dedicated to the replacement process, the process proceeds to step # 83 to check whether the disc is set in the second drive OD2. If the disc is set, it is checked in the next step # 84 whether or not the disc is a disc dedicated to the replacement process.

If it is a disc dedicated to the replacement process, the process proceeds to step # 85 to record the disc dedicated to the replacement process set in the first drive OD1 and the disc dedicated to the replacement process set in the second drive OD2. It is checked whether or not the existing replacement information is related to the same disk, the information related to the same disk is copied to one of the replacement processing dedicated disks, and is erased from the other replacement processing dedicated disk, and the flow of FIG. 17 is ended. .

By the above processing, even if the replacement process for one disk is spread over two replacement processing disks, it is combined into one replacement processing disk, and the replacement area is for only one disk. become. In this way, once the replacement area is put together on one replacement processing disk, it is only necessary to set one replacement processing disk thereafter, which reduces operator's work and improves operability. Be improved.

[0127]

According to the magneto-optical disk device of the first aspect, 2
In a magneto-optical disk device including one magneto-optical disk drive and one controller, information to be recorded in the alternate area of the disk of one drive is recorded on the disk of the other drive. Therefore, in the case of the conventional device, it is possible to use even a disk that has become unusable because the replacement area is full.

In the magneto-optical disk apparatus according to the second aspect, the replacement processing dedicated determining means for determining that the replacement processing dedicated disk is dedicated to the replacement processing is provided, and when the replacement processing dedicated determining means is detected by the controller, The controller operates the drive only for the replacement process, and when it does not detect it, operates it like a general drive. Therefore, it is possible to effectively operate the two drives.

According to a third aspect of the magneto-optical disc device of the present invention, in the magneto-optical disc device according to the first or second aspect, an identification number is assigned to the disc whose replacement area is full. Means are provided to record information capable of recognizing the disc identification information of the disc having the identification number on the disc dedicated to the alternation process. Therefore, a spare area for a plurality of disks can be secured in the spare disk for replacement processing, and the disks can be effectively used in addition to the effects of the magneto-optical disk device according to the first and second aspects.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the magneto-optical disk device, when a disk having a full spare area is set in one of the drives, or when the spare area of the disk is full while the drive is operating, the other drive is loaded in the other drive. When it is detected that the exclusive disk for replacement processing is not set, the controller sends an error message to the host computer. Therefore, the operator can be prompted via the host computer to set the replacement-dedicated disk, and smooth disk replacement can be performed, so that operability is improved.

In the magneto-optical disk library device according to the present invention, a storage area for the exclusive disk for replacement processing is provided, and when a disk with a full replacement area is set in one drive, the changer selects the exclusive disk for replacement processing. I set it in the drive. Therefore, the disk can be replaced more smoothly than the magneto-optical disk device according to the fourth aspect.

In the magneto-optical disk device of the sixth aspect, when the disk dedicated to the replacement process is full, an error code for prompting the operator to insert another disk dedicated to the replacement process is sent to the host computer. I am trying to do it. Therefore, the operator can know that the recording area of the replacement-dedicated disk is full, and the disk can be smoothly replaced, so that the operability is improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the magneto-optical disc apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the replacement processing dedicated discs are inserted into both of the two drives, the discs having the same identification number in both the discs. Means are provided to combine the replacement areas of the above into one disc.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the essential configuration of a magneto-optical disk device system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a format of a disc dedicated to replacement processing used in the magneto-optical disc device system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow during a write operation in the magneto-optical disk device system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing a format of a management area in an ordinary disk used in the magneto-optical disk apparatus system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a format of a management area in a disc dedicated to a replacement process used in the magneto-optical disc device system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main processing flow during a write operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow at power-on or reset in the magneto-optical disk device system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing a format of a management area in an ordinary disc used in the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a format of an auxiliary management area in a disc dedicated to a replacement process used in the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the format of the auxiliary management area in the disc dedicated to the replacement process.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow during a write operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main processing flow at power-on / reset in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a main processing flow when setting both disks according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a magneto-optical disk library device.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a main processing flow when setting both discs according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the main processing flow when the recording area of the replacement-dedicated disc is full in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the main processing flow when a disc dedicated to replacement processing is inserted into two drives according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a main part configuration of a conventional general magneto-optical disk device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the format of a 5 type magneto-optical disk.

20 is a diagram showing details of the contents of DDS which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disc shown in FIG.

21 is a diagram showing details of the contents of PDL which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disc shown in FIG.

22 is a diagram showing details of the contents of SDL which is one of the DMA information in the type 5 magneto-optical disc shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 magneto-optical disk library device 22 changer 23a to 23n disk storage unit DC magneto-optical disk device controller OD1 first drive OD2 second drive 51 disk set in first drive OD1 52 set in second drive OD2 Disc

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A magneto-optical disk device system comprising two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, wherein information to be recorded in a spare area of a disk of one drive is recorded on a disk of the other drive. A magneto-optical disk device system. 2. In a magneto-optical disk device system comprising two magneto-optical disk drives and one controller, replacement processing dedicated determination means for determining that the replacement processing dedicated disk is dedicated to replacement processing is provided, and the replacement processing dedicated A magneto-optical disk device system characterized in that, when the controller detects the deciding means, the controller operates the drive exclusively for the replacement process, and when not detecting the deciding means, the controller operates in the same manner as a general drive. 3. The magneto-optical disk drive system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an identification number assigning means for assigning an identification number peculiar to the disk to the disk whose replacement area is full, the replacement processing only. A magneto-optical disk device system characterized by recording information capable of recognizing which identification number of the disk is the replacement information on the disk side. 4. The magneto-optical disk drive system according to claim 2, wherein when a disk having a full spare area is set in one of the drives, or when the spare area of the disk is full while the drive is operating, the other The magneto-optical disk device system, wherein the controller sends an error message to the host computer when it is detected that the exclusive disk for replacement processing is not set in the drive. 5. A magneto-optical disk device system, comprising: a magneto-optical disk library device in which two magneto-optical disk drives are operated by a single controller; 6. The magneto-optical disk device system according to claim 1, wherein when the replacement area of the replacement-dedicated disk is full,
A magneto-optical disk device system, wherein an error code for instructing an operator to insert another disk for exclusive use for replacement processing is sent from the controller to the host computer. 7. The magneto-optical disk drive system according to claim 6, wherein when the replacement processing dedicated disks are inserted into both of the two drives, the replacement areas of the disks having the same identification number in both the disks are combined into one disk. A magneto-optical disk drive system comprising means.