JP2001283562A - Recording medium cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate mounting of a non-contact type memory element to a recording medium cartridge and writing and reading of information to and from the memory element. SOLUTION: The recording medium cartridge housed with a recording medium in a cartridge case comprising an upper case and a lower case is constituted by disposing the non-contact type memory element recorded with the contents of the information recorded at the recording medium and the information of the recording medium cartridge in a position on the outside surface of the cartridge case where the loading of the recording medium cartridge is not hindered when the recording medium cartridge is loaded to a recording and reproducing position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium cartridge such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, or an optical recording medium, and more particularly to a recording medium provided with a non-contact type memory element (cartridge memory (CM)) in its cartridge case. It relates to a media cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic tape cartridge used as a recording medium or the like used in an external storage device such as a computer includes a system in which a pair of winding hubs around which a magnetic tape is wound is housed, and a single unit. A one-reel type in which a magnetic tape is wound around one reel and the reel is rotatably housed in a cartridge case is known. These magnetic tapes are used for storing data in a computer or the like, and record important information.

[0003] Such magnetic tape cartridges include:
Various types of information are recorded.In order to identify the content of the recorded information and the type of the magnetic tape without reading the information from the magnetic tape, the information is stored in the cartridge case in a non-contact manner separately from the tape. Non-contact type memory device (cartridge memory (C
M)). The mounting of such a cartridge memory on a cartridge is of a built-in type that is mounted inside the cartridge from the viewpoint of expanding the design variation of the drive, protecting dust from adhering to the cartridge memory, and preventing external impact. Was. Such a cartridge memory is capable of recording information on a medium other than a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and is capable of writing and reading information to and from an IC memory without contact. As described below, the cartridge memory itself has no power supply, operates by an induced current electromagnetically induced by a reader or writer of the recording / reproducing apparatus (deck), and records information by an electric signal. .

For example, an example of the one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-31050. This is provided with a cartridge memory inside the outer casing as shown in FIG. The illustrated magnetic tape cartridge 100 is usually inserted into a recording / reproducing apparatus (deck, not shown) from the direction of the arrow 105. In this example, the cartridge memory includes a data transmitting / receiving antenna 110 and a memory device 115. The memory device 115 is a storage device, such as a conventional memory chip, from which information can be retrieved electronically, and stores information related to the magnetic tape cartridge 100 or its contents.

The data transmission / reception antenna 110 converts a magnetic field emitted from an antenna of a data reading / writing device for reading / writing data from / to a cartridge memory provided inside the deck, and supplies power to the data transmission / reception antenna 110 and the memory device 115. This is a coil antenna for supplying Then, the data transmission / reception antenna 110 transmits the digital data from the memory device 115 to the antenna of the data reading / writing device on the deck side. The data transmitting / receiving antenna 110 is attached near the bottom 120 and the back 125 inside the magnetic tape cartridge 100. In the example shown in FIG.
0 is attached at an angle of about 45 ° to both the bottom surface 120 and the back surface 125 of the magnetic tape cartridge 100.

[0006]

However, in the case where the cartridge memory is built in the magnetic tape cartridge as in the prior art, if the cartridge memory is incorporated in the magnetic tape cartridge, the operation of the cartridge memory is checked in the subsequent operation check. If the cartridge is defective, the outer casing of the assembled magnetic tape cartridge must be disassembled to replace the cartridge memory, and there is a problem that the operation of the cartridge memory must be checked before being assembled. Also, since the cartridge memory is expensive, even if there is no problem with the cartridge memory, if the magnetic tape cartridge itself becomes unusable for some reason, when reusing the cartridge memory, the magnetic tape cartridge must be disassembled. There is also a problem that the cartridge memory must be taken out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is intended to facilitate mounting of a cartridge memory on a recording medium cartridge such as a magnetic tape cartridge and writing and reading of information on the cartridge memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium cartridge having the above configuration.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium cartridge in which a recording medium is accommodated in a cartridge case formed by an upper case and a lower case. When the non-contact type memory element for recording the content of the information recorded on the medium and the information of the recording medium cartridge is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus of the recording medium cartridge on the outer surface of the cartridge case, the loading is prevented. And a recording medium cartridge provided at a position where the recording medium cartridge is not located.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a recording medium cartridge according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking a magnetic tape cartridge as an example and based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to this embodiment. This magnetic tape cartridge conforms to JISX6127, X612
9, X6130 or as defined in ECMA-288, mainly comprises an upper half 10 and a lower half 12, between which a winding hub 14a on the supply side and a winding hub 14b on the winding side. The magnetic tape 16 wound around is accommodated. On the front side of the upper half 10, a front lid (lid) 18 that covers and protects the magnetic tape 16 when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used is rotatably mounted around a support shaft 18a. Further, a slider 20 is attached to the outer lower surface of the lower half 12 so as to cover the open portion on the lower side of the case and to improve the sealing performance so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

In order to prevent the magnetic tape 16 wound around the winding hubs 14a and 14b from sagging when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, the brake member 22 is provided with the upper half 1
It is attached to 0. The brake member 22 has two braking pieces 22a and 22b, and engages the braking piece 22a with a gear 15a provided on an upper portion of the supply-side winding hub 14a, and also rotates the braking piece 22b on the winding side. By engaging with the gear 15b provided on the upper part of the hub 14b, the rotation of the winding hubs 14a and 14b is prohibited, and the slack of the magnetic tape 16 is prevented. The brake member 22 is urged by a brake spring 24 to a position where the brake pieces 22a and 22b are engaged with the gears 14a and 14b when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used. Brake spring 24
Is locked to a projection 10 a provided on the upper half 10.

The lower half 12 has a rectangular bottom surface 12a.
In addition, when a magnetic tape cartridge is used, the cartridge case has reel shaft insertion holes 12b, 12b for inserting a reel shaft into the cartridge case, and has protrusions 12c, 12c extending forward from both left and right ends of the bottom surface 12a. ing. The left and right overhanging portions 12c, 12c have magnetic tape 16
Column-shaped ribs 12d, 12d for guiding the ribs. The space between the left and right overhangs 12c, 12c is a space into which a so-called tape loading device provided on the deck side in which the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded enters.

The slider 20 is mounted on the bottom surface 12 of the lower half 12.
a from below, and slides in the front-rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge.
The space between the left and right overhang portions 12c, 12c and the reel shaft insertion hole 12b are closed by the bottom surface 20a of the slider 20 for dust protection. When the slider 20 is located rearward, the left and right overhanging portions 12c, 12c
While releasing the space between
The two holes 20b, 20b provided in the hole 0a are aligned with the reel shaft insertion holes 12b, 12b.
When the magnetic tape cartridge is mounted on the deck, the slider 20 is automatically positioned rearward by the action of the device in the deck. However, when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used, the biasing means (provided on the lower half 12) is provided. Leaf spring 2
6) is located forward.

Two split-tube-shaped ribs are formed vertically on the bottom surface 12a of the lower half 12 perpendicular to the side facing the space between the left and right overhangs 12c, 12c (the side where the magnetic tape is exposed). A wall-shaped member 12e provided in a U-shape is erected. The U-shaped curved portion of the wall-shaped member 12e has a shape that follows the magnetic tape 16 wound around the winding hubs 14a and 14b when the magnetic tape 16 is placed thereon. Then, a columnar rib 12g is disposed substantially perpendicularly to a substantially central portion of a bottom portion 12f divided into a triangular shape by a wall-shaped member 12e.
Is erected. A leaf spring 26 for urging the slider 20 forward is fitted between the columnar rib 12g and the wall-like member 12e. Also, the slider 20
Is urged by a leaf spring 26 to be fixed at a front position when the magnetic tape cartridge is not used,
A vertical wall-shaped rib 20c is provided in front of the bottom surface 20a to receive the urging force of the leaf spring 26.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem in the case where the conventional cartridge memory is built in by providing a cartridge memory built in a conventional recording medium cartridge such as a magnetic tape outside the cartridge case. Things. However, when the cartridge memory is provided outside the cartridge case, the following problem may occur depending on the mounting location and the mounting method.

That is, when the magnetic tape cartridge is attached to or detached from a drive, a deck, or the like, the cartridge memory provided on the outside of the cartridge case may be obstructed by being caught or the like. Further, when carrying the magnetic tape cartridge or operating the magnetic tape cartridge, there is a possibility that the cartridge memory may be damaged due to an external force applied directly to the cartridge memory mounted outside.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in consideration of these problems that occur when the cartridge memory is externally attached to the cartridge case, when the cartridge memory is mounted on the outer surface of the cartridge case, the magnetic tape cartridge is attached to the recording / reproducing apparatus. At the time of loading, it is designed to be installed at a position that does not hinder loading. Specifically, for example, the following is performed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a coupling structure of the upper half 10, the lower half 12, the slider 20 and the like according to the present invention, and shows a magnetic tape cartridge formed by combining the members shown in FIG. It is. As shown in FIG. 2, a slightly recessed label area 30 is provided outside the back surface of the magnetic tape cartridge 1. In the present embodiment, the cartridge memory 40 is to be attached to the concave label area 30. The cartridge memory 40 is formed of a rectangular plate-like member, and can read and write information in a non-contact manner by, for example, a method such as electromagnetic induction.

FIG. 3 shows a magnetic tape cartridge 1.
FIG. However, this is a view for showing the mounting state of the cartridge memory 40, and the inside of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 and the shape of the cross-sectional details are omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, although the depth of the label area 30 is very small, the thickness of the cartridge memory 40 is also substantially the same or smaller, so that the cartridge memory 40 is provided outside the cartridge case. However, it does not protrude greatly outward, and there is no particular problem.

Since the loading and unloading of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 to and from the deck is performed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the cartridge memory 40 attached to the outside of the back surface of the magnetic tape cartridge 1 hinders the attachment and detachment to and from the deck. Never be. Further, when the magnetic tape cartridge 1 is loaded on the deck, the read / write mechanism 50 of the cartridge memory 40 on the deck side is located at a position immediately adjacent to the cartridge memory 40 provided just outside the back surface of the magnetic tape cartridge 1. To come to.

Normally, when handling a magnetic tape cartridge, fingers are touched to the cartridge memory on the back side so that the cartridge case is held right and left.
No force is applied, and there is no risk of damage due to external force. Further, the external attachment of the cartridge memory exposes the cartridge memory to the surrounding environment. However, when the cartridge memory is not normally used, it is stored in a case or the like, so that the storage environment is not affected.

As described above, the present embodiment has been described with respect to the magnetic tape cartridge accommodating a pair of winding hubs each having a magnetic tape wound in a cartridge case. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a one-reel type magnetic tape cartridge, a recording medium cartridge such as a magnetic disk or an optical recording medium. In the case of these recording medium cartridges, similarly, a cartridge memory may be provided, for example, on the outside of the back of the cartridge case. In the case of the magnetic tape cartridge described in the embodiment, the mounting position is not limited to the back side, and may be any position that does not hinder the loading when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus. I just need. For example, the rear of the side surface of the cartridge case may be slightly cut to form a concave portion, and the cartridge memory may be mounted therein.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the cartridge memory is mounted outside the magnetic tape cartridge, so that the mounting of the cartridge memory becomes easy and the writing of information into the cartridge memory is performed. And reading becomes easy. In addition, since the cartridge memory is mounted on the outside, the operation of the cartridge memory can be checked at any time. Further, even if the magnetic tape cartridge becomes defective, the cartridge memory can be easily collected and reused.

Although the recording medium cartridge of the present invention has been described in detail by taking a magnetic tape cartridge as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above example. It goes without saying that various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, mounting of a cartridge memory on a recording medium cartridge, writing and reading of information to and from the cartridge memory are facilitated, and collection and reuse of the cartridge memory are also facilitated. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a magnetic tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the magnetic tape cartridge of FIG. 1 is assembled, as viewed obliquely from the rear.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the magnetic tape cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional magnetic tape cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic tape cartridge 10 Upper half 12 Lower half 14a Supply side take-up hub 14b Take-up side take-up hub 15a, 15b Gear 16 Magnetic tape 18 Front lid (lid) 20 Slider 22 Brake member 22a, 22b Brake piece 22c Horizontal plate portion Reference Signs List 24 brake spring 26 leaf spring 30 label area 40 cartridge memory 50 cartridge memory read / write mechanism

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium cartridge in which a recording medium is accommodated in a cartridge case constituted by an upper case and a lower case, wherein contents of information recorded on the recording medium and information of the recording medium cartridge are stored. A recording medium cartridge, wherein a non-contact type memory element for recording is provided on an outer surface of the cartridge case at a position which does not hinder the loading when the recording medium cartridge is loaded into a recording / reproducing apparatus.