JP2002150739A - Single tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the mechanism and control circuit of a cartridge changer. SOLUTION: A pair of left and right changer grips 28 are formed on the two corner parts 2C, 2D among three corner parts other than a gate way 13 of tape of the single reel tape cartridge 1 so as to penetrate the upper and lower sides of tape cartridge 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, such as a tape streamer, for example.
The present invention relates to a reel type tape cartridge, and particularly to a technical field corresponding to automatic cartridge replacement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a one-reel type tape cartridge has been known as a backup tape cartridge for a computer device. This one-reel type tape cartridge rotatably accommodates a single tape reel having a large diameter in a substantially rectangular cartridge,
The inner peripheral end of the magnetic tape is fastened to the outer periphery of the tape reel and wound thereon, and the outer peripheral end of the magnetic tape is pulled out from a tape entrance formed on one side of the front surface of the cartridge to the outside of the take-up reel. Wrap around the outer circumference, load the middle part of the pulled out magnetic tape onto the outer circumference of the rotating head drum, and wind up the magnetic tape on the take-up reel,
The rotary head drum is used to record audio and image data on a magnetic tape. However, since this type of conventional one-reel type tape cartridge does not have a changer grip, it cannot be applied to a library device or the like to automatically replace the tape cartridge.

On the other hand, the applicant of the present invention discloses Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-5
For example, a two-reel type tape cartridge such as an AIT cartridge or a DV cartridge used in this kind of library device has been A pair of left and right changer grips formed of substantially trapezoidal recesses are formed at positions deviated to the rear side. A pair of left and right openable hand arms are mounted on the tray for transporting the tape cartridge, and a pair of left and right changer grips of the tape cartridge housed in the magazine are held from the left and right sides by the pair of left and right openable hand arms. The tape cartridge is automatically exchanged so that the tape cartridge is transferred between the magazine and the tray and between the tray and the magnetic recording / reproducing device.

[0004]

However, the conventional AIT
Since the pair of left and right changer grips formed of substantially trapezoidal recesses formed in a cartridge or a DV cartridge are not penetrated above and below the cartridge, the pair of left and right openable hand arms mounted on the tray are The pair of left and right changer grips must be gripped so as to be sandwiched by opening and closing operations from both left and right sides. Therefore, the pair of left and right openable hand arms requires a sliding operation for transferring the tape cartridge between the magazine and the tray and between the tray and the magnetic recording and reproducing device, and an opening and closing operation for grasping the tape cartridge. However, there has been a problem that the mechanism and control thereof are extremely complicated and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a one-reel type tape cartridge is applied to a library apparatus or the like, and is provided between a magazine of a tape cartridge and a tray and between a tray and a magnetic recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of performing transfer with a playback device by a simple mechanism.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a one-reel type tape cartridge for achieving the above object.
A pair of changer grips are formed so as to penetrate up and down the cartridge at two of the three corners other than the corner where the tape entrance of the cartridge is formed.

The one-reel type tape cartridge of the present invention constructed as described above has a pair of right and left changers formed at two corners of three corners other than the corners where the tape entrance is formed. Since the grip is formed to penetrate the cartridge up and down, when this one-reel type tape cartridge is applied to a library device or the like, the hand arm mounted on the transport tray has no opening / closing function. However, the tape cartridge can be transferred between the magazine and the tray and between the tray and the magnetic recording / reproducing device.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cartridge of one reel type to which the present invention is applied, an information recording / reproducing apparatus, and an information recording / reproducing system. . (1) General description of one-reel type tape cartridge and magnetic recording / reproducing device (2) ... Description of changer grip and cartridge changer of one-reel type tape cartridge (3) ... One-reel type Description of a memory module of a tape cartridge, a magnetic recording / reproducing device, and a memory access module of a cartridge changer (4)... Description of a magnetic tape rewinding mechanism of a one-reel type tape cartridge (5). Description of cartridge removable memory and information recording / reproducing system

(1) Description of one-reel type tape cartridge and magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus First, the outline of the one-reel type tape cartridge and the information recording / reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. . The information storage cartridge of the present invention is applicable to various information storage cartridges that can use various recording media such as a tape-shaped recording medium such as a magnetic tape and a disk-shaped recording medium such as an optical disk. In the embodiment, a one-reel type tape cartridge using a magnetic tape and a magnetic recording / reproducing device such as a tape streamer which is an information recording / reproducing device for recording and / or reproducing information on / from the magnetic tape are described.

The outline of a one-reel type tape cartridge (hereinafter simply referred to as a tape cartridge) 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. The cartridge 2 of the tape cartridge 1 is formed of synthetic resin or the like. The upper and lower shells 3 and 4 form a substantially square and flat shape. In the cartridge 2, a pair of upper and lower circumferential wall portions 5 are integrally formed on the inner periphery of the upper and lower shells 3 and 4, and one tape reel 6 having a large diameter rotates inside the circumferential wall portion 5. It is stored freely. This tape reel 6 has upper and lower flanges 8 and 9 having a large diameter integrally formed on the upper and lower ends of a hub 7 at a central portion, and a long magnetic field is provided on the outer periphery of the hub 7 between the upper and lower flanges 8 and 9. An inner peripheral end of the tape 10 is fastened and wound by an inner peripheral leader tape (neither is shown). A leader tape 11 is connected to an outer peripheral end 10 a of the magnetic tape 10, and a leader block 12 formed of a synthetic resin or the like is connected to a leading end of the leader tape 11.

The cartridge 2 of the tape cartridge 1 has a front surface 2a corresponding to the front surface, a rear surface 2b corresponding to the back surface, and right and left side surfaces 2c and 2d which are both right and left sides when the front surface 2a is viewed from the front. And upper and lower surfaces 2e, 2f
And four corner portions 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D which are substantially perpendicular to each other are formed at four locations on the outer periphery. Then, these four corner portions 2A, 2B, 2
The insides of C and 2D are formed in substantially triangular spaces 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D between the peripheral wall 5 and the inside.

A substantially triangular space 14A in the corner 2A on the left side 2d of the front surface 2a of the cartridge 2 is formed in the tape entrance 13, and the leader block 12 at the leading end of the leader tape 11 is pulled out. Have been. A reel shaft insertion hole 16 is formed substantially at the center of the lower shell 3 of the tape cartridge, and a pair of left and right positioning reference holes 17 and positioning groove 18 and a magnetic tape 10 are formed in the lower shell 3. A plurality of detection holes 19 and the like for detecting the type are formed.

The substantially triangular space 14B of the corner 2B on the right side 2c of the front surface 2a of the cartridge 2
The reel lock mechanism 21 is housed in the upper part 8 of the tape reel 6.
A lock lever 23 rotatably mounted on the lower shell 4 in the cartridge 2 via a fulcrum shaft 23a and engaged with and disengaged from the outer gear 22; A shutter 24 configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction along the inside of the right side surface 2 c of the cartridge 2, and to rotate the lock lever 23 in a direction to disengage from the outer peripheral gear 22, and to engage the lock lever 23 with the outer peripheral gear 22. It is constituted by an urging means for rotationally urging in the (meshing) direction and an urging means for slidingly urging the shutter 24 in the closing direction (all the urging means are not shown). In addition,
As shown in FIG. 5, on the right side 2c of the corner 2B of the cartridge 2, a slit-shaped shutter opening / closing horizontally cut from the front surface 2a of the cartridge 2 toward the rear is located outside the shutter 24. A groove 120 is formed, and the shutter opening / closing groove 120 also corresponds to a shutter 117 of the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111 and a shutter 157 of the removable memory 151 described later.

The substantially triangular space 14D of the corner 2D on the left side 2d side of the rear surface 2b of the cartridge 2
Inside, it is slidable left and right along the rear surface 2b,
A write protect 26 that can be positioned at two positions on both left and right ends is stored, and an MIC (Memory In) that forms a non-contact type memory module is provided at a corner 2C on the right side 2c side of the rear surface 2b of the cartridge 2. Cacette) 3
1 is stored (mounted). The details of the MIC 31 will be described later.

Next, a magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 such as a tape streamer which is an information recording / reproducing device incorporated in a computer device or the like will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 22. The cassette compartment 54 is formed horizontally inside the front panel 52.

Then, when the tape cartridge 1 is inserted horizontally from the front surface 2a side into the cassette compartment 54 through the cartridge insertion port 53 in the direction of arrow a, the tape cartridge 1 is inserted by the cassette retraction mechanism (not shown) in the cassette compartment 54. Is drawn horizontally into the cassette compartment 54 in the direction of arrow a. When the tape cartridge 1 is completely pulled into the cassette compartment 54, the lock of the tape reel 6 by the reel lock mechanism 21 in the tape cartridge 1 is released. Then, later, the cassette compartment 54 is vertically lowered in the direction of arrow c from the raised position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 22 to the lowered position indicated by the solid line, and one reel mounted vertically on the mechanical deck 55. The shaft 56 is relatively inserted from below into the hub 7 of the tape reel 6 in the tape cartridge 1 through the reel shaft insertion hole 16 of the tape cartridge 1 and engaged therewith.
The tape reel 6 is slightly floated above the lower shell 4, and the loading of the tape cartridge 1 is completed.

At this time, after the tape cartridge 1 is drawn horizontally into the cassette compartment 54,
The reel shaft 56 is d above the reel motor 57
The reel shaft 56 may be raised vertically in the direction, and the reel shaft 56 may be inserted into the hub 7 of the tape reel 6 from below and engaged therewith.

After the loading of the tape cartridge 1 is completed, the leader block 12 is moved by the leader block loading means (not shown) of the tape loading mechanism as shown by a dashed line in FIG. Is pulled out substantially linearly in the direction of arrow e along the tape pull-out path 58 and is coupled to the hub 60 of the take-up reel 59 mounted on the mechanical deck 55. At this time, the leader block 12
The tape reel 6 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow g, which is the tape feeding direction, by the supply reel motor 57 that rotates the reel shaft 56 at the same time when the magnetic tape 10 is pulled out in the direction of arrow e. 1 is pulled out in the direction of arrow e.

Thereafter, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 11, the magnetic tape 10 is moved to the mechanical deck 55 by a pair of left and right loading guides 62 of the tape loading mechanism.
The tape is loaded on the outer periphery of the upper rotary head drum 63 in a substantially Ω shape, and a series of tape loading operations is completed.
When a recording and / or reproducing command signal is input from a computer device or the like to the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51, the take-up side of the magnetic tape 10 is pressed against the capstan 65 on the mechanical deck 55 by the pinch roller 64, and At the same time, the supply reel motor 57 drives the tape reel 6 in the tape cartridge 1 to rotate in the direction of arrow g, and the take-up reel motor 61 on the mechanical deck 55 causes the take-up reel 59 to move in the direction of arrow i, which is the tape take-up direction. The magnetic tape 10 is driven at a constant speed in the direction of arrow k, and the rotary head drum 63 records and / or backups information such as image data and audio data in the computer device on the magnetic tape 10. Will be played.

When an ejection command signal is input after recording and / or reproducing this information, the pair of left and right loading guides 62 and pinch rollers 64 of the tape loading mechanism are automatically returned to their original positions, and the supply reel motor is controlled. The tape reel 6 in the tape cartridge 1 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow h, which is a tape winding direction, by a motor 57, and the winding reel 59 is also driven to rotate in a direction, indicated by an arrow j, which is a tape rewinding direction, by a winding reel motor 61. Then, the magnetic tape 10 is rewound from the tape entrance 13 of the tape cartridge 1 to the outer periphery of the tape reel 6, and
The leader block 12 is pulled back into the tape entrance 13 of the tape cartridge 1 again. And this magnetic tape 1
After the winding of the tape cartridge 1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 22, the tape cartridge 1 is vertically moved in the direction of arrow d from the lowered position shown by the solid line to the raised position shown by the dashed line, and then the tape cartridge 1 is moved into the cassette compartment 54. Then, the tape reel 6 is pushed out of the cartridge insertion port 53 by a predetermined stroke in the direction of arrow b. At this time, the tape reel 6 is locked again by the reel lock mechanism 21. Thereafter, the tape cartridge 1 is manually pulled out of the cartridge insertion slot 53 in the direction of arrow b.

(2) Description of changer grip and cartridge changer of one-reel type tape cartridge Next, a changer grip and a library formed on the tape cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, 12 and 13. A cartridge changer such as an apparatus will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
Of the three corner portions 2B, 2C, and 2D other than the one corner portion 2A where the first and second corner portions 3 are formed, the two left and right end portions 2C and 2D of the rear surface 2b have a pair of left and right symmetrical changer grips. 28 is formed at a position close to the rear surface 2b in a state of completely penetrating between the upper and lower shells 3 and 4 of the cartridge 2 in the vertical direction. However,
The pair of right and left changer grips 28 is formed by a substantially U-shaped notch 29 having a symmetrical shape.

As described above, a pair of left and right changer grips 28 are formed in the left and right corners 2C and 2D of the rear surface 2b of the tape cartridge 1 so as to be symmetrical and pass completely through the cartridge 2 in the vertical direction. By doing so, the tape cartridge (one-reel type tape cartridge) 2 can be automatically replaced by the cartridge changer of the library apparatus, and the mechanism and control of the cartridge changer can be simplified.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a cartridge changer 71 applied to a library device or the like is composed of a vertical magazine 72 and a plurality of upper and lower shelves 7 in a vertical magazine 72, for example.
A plurality of tape cartridges 1 are inserted into the magazine 3 from the front surface 2a side, and the rear surfaces 2b of the tape cartridges 1 project forward of the front surface 72a of the magazine 72.
It is stored in a plurality of upper and lower stages. Therefore, at this time, the rear surface 2 of the tape cartridge 1 stored in the upper and lower
a pair of left and right changer grips 2 close to b
8 is projected forward of a front surface 72a of the magazine 72, and a pair of left and right changer grips 28 is provided.
Are arranged in the same phase with respect to the vertical direction.

On the other hand, this cartridge changer 71
The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 described above is disposed below (or above) a magazine 72, and its cartridge insertion port 5
3 is directed toward the front surface 72 a of the magazine 72. Then, the tray 74 for carrying the cartridge is placed in the magazine 72.
It is arranged so as to be able to move up and down along the front surface of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 in the direction of the arrow m which is the vertical direction. A pair of left and right hand arms 75 that are horizontally moved in the directions of the arrows n1 and n2 at the same time are mounted. The pair of left and right hand arms 75 is configured to be symmetrical in the left and right direction, and their tips 75a are bent at right angles to the opposing directions on the inner side. No opening / closing function is required.

According to the tape cartridge 1 and the cartridge changer 71 configured as described above, when the tray 74 is vertically moved in the direction of arrow m, the tips 75a of the pair of left and right hand arms 75 are vertically inserted into the magazine 72. The tape cartridge 1 can be smoothly moved in the direction of the arrow m along the pair of left and right changer grips 28 of the tape cartridge 1 stored in the step.

Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 13, after stopping the tray 74 at the designated shelf position, the pair of left and right hand arms 75 are simultaneously moved in the direction of arrow n1 to the position shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Then, these tip ends 75a hook the pair of left and right changer grips 28 of the designated tape cartridge 1, and the tape cartridge 1 can be pulled out of the magazine 72 and received on the tray 74 in the direction of arrow n1. Then, after that, after lowering (or ascending) the tray 74 vertically to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, the pair of left and right hand arms 75 is
Move in the direction of arrow n2 at the same time.
a pushes the tape cartridge 1 on the tray 74 in the direction of the arrow n2 via the pair of left and right changer grips 28 so that the tape cartridge 1 is
Cartridge insertion port 53 of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 from the side
As described above, the tape cartridge 1 can be loaded into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 to record and / or reproduce information.

After recording and / or reproducing information on the tape cartridge 1 by the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51, the pair of left and right hand arms 75 of the tape cartridge 1 are connected to the pair of left and right hand arms 75 by the reverse operation of the above operation. After the tape cartridge 1 is received on the tray 74, the tray 74 is raised (or lowered) to a designated shelf position. Then, the tape cartridge 1 on the tray 74 is inserted into the designated shelf position of the magazine 72 with the tips 75a of the pair of left and right hand arms 75, and a series of automatic exchanges of the tape cartridge 1 is completed.

(3)... Description of the memory module of the one-reel type tape cartridge, the memory access module of the magnetic recording / reproducing device and the cartridge changer Next, the memory mounted on the tape cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The MIC 31, the module, the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51, and the remote interfaces 81, 82, which are memory access modules mounted on the tray 74 of the cartridge changer 71, will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS.
The IC 31 is configured as a non-contact type non-volatile memory having no connection terminal. The MIC 31 has a memory section mounted on one surface 32a of an MIC board 32 formed of a small printed wiring board. The antenna section 34, which is a wireless communication antenna of the memory section, is constituted by a copper foil pattern printed and wired on the surface 32a. The memory unit 33 includes the magnetic tape 10
Various types of management information such as length, thickness, and material are recorded.

Then, the MIC 31 is used as a corner portion 2C between the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c of the cartridge 2 of the tape cartridge 1 (other corner portions 2B, 2D).
And so on. ) In the substantially triangular space 14C
It is buried inside. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, both ends 32b in the length direction of the MIC board 32 are vertically fitted into vertical board fitting grooves 35 formed in the upper and lower shells 3, 4 of the cartridge 2. Thus, the MIC 31 is vertically mounted in the substantially triangular space 14C. In addition, by mounting the MIC board 32 vertically at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c of the cartridge 2, the antenna unit 34
Are arranged in two directions perpendicular to the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c of the cartridge 2 in directions indicated by arrows A and B, respectively. One of the pair of left and right changer grips 28 is effectively disposed in a substantially triangular space 36 surrounded by the MIC 31, the rear surface 2b, and the right side surface 2c.

The MIC 31 shown in FIGS.
Has a similar memory section 33 and antenna section 34 mounted and printed on one surface 37a of an MIC board 37 composed of a flexible printed board. The MIC board 37 is formed on upper and lower shells 3 and 4. Then, it is vertically fitted and mounted in a substantially right-angled bent state in a board fitting groove 38 bent substantially at a right angle along the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c. And the antenna unit 3
4 is bent substantially at right angles so as to face the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c.
The right and left side surfaces 2b and 2c are arranged so as to face two directions perpendicular to the arrow A and the arrow B, respectively.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show solid lines,
As shown in FIG. 11, a memory interface 81 mounted on the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 for writing and reading management information to and from the MIC 31 of the tape cartridge 1
Is the right side 2 of the loaded tape cartridge 1.
For example, it is mounted on the cassette compartment 54 or the like so as to be arranged in a position parallel to c and close to the MIC 31. Also, as shown by the dashed line in FIGS. 1 to 4 and as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tape cartridge 1
The memory interface 82 for reading the management information from the IC 31 is parallel to the rear surface 2b of the tape cartridge 1 housed in the magazine 72, and is arranged at a position close to the MIC 31, for example, such as a tray 74.
Is mounted on the inside of one hand arm 75 or the like.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the loading of the tape cartridge 1 into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 is completed, the MIC
31 is a remote interface 8 parallel to the right side surface 2c
1 Then, wireless communication (access) from the direction of arrow A between an antenna section of the remote interface 81 and an antenna section 34 of the MIC 31 described later.
Thereby, power supply to the memory unit 33 of the MIC 31 and writing and reading of various management information can be performed.
At this time, since the remote interface 81 can be arranged on one side of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51,
The rear surface 2b of the tape cartridge 1 loaded with the remote interface 81 and the front panel 5
2, it is possible to prevent the depth dimension of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 in the front-rear direction from increasing. Further, even in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 in which the rear surface 2b of the loaded tape cartridge 1 is exposed outside the cartridge insertion port 53, the wireless communication (access) to the MIC 31 can be accurately performed.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the cartridge changer 71, the remote interface 82 is arranged in parallel with the rear surface 2b of the tape cartridge 1 stored in the magazine 72.
For example, since it is mounted inside one hand arm 75 of the tray 74, for example, the remote interface 82
Is arranged outside the hand arm 75, so that the moving space of the hand arm 75 in the directions of the arrows m and n is not enlarged and enlarged, and the tip 75a of the pair of left and right hand arms 75 is attached to the magazine 72. At the moment when the remote interface 82 is inserted into the pair of left and right changer grips 28 of the specified tape cartridge 1, the remote interface 82 is brought close to the MIC 31 in the direction of arrow B,
Since the management information recorded in the IC 31 can be read quickly, the time required for the automatic replacement of the tape cartridge 1 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the antenna section 34 of the MIC 31 is disposed so as to face two directions, that is, the rear face 2a and the right side face 2c of the tape cartridge 1. Two directions of the rear surface 2a and the upper surface 2e, two directions of the rear surface 2a and the lower surface 2f, two directions of the right surface 2c and the upper surface 2e, and two directions of the right surface 2c and the lower surface 2f. , Left side 2d
And the upper surface 2e, and the left side surface 2e and the lower surface 2f. Further, in a state where the MIC 31 is inclined at 45 ° with respect to the rear surface 2b and the right side surface 2c, for example, the surface 32a of the MIC 31 is inclined upward or downward at 45 °, and the antenna unit 34 is moved to the rear surface 2b and the right side surface. 2c and the upper surface 2e or the lower surface 2f.

Here, the MIC 31 mounted on the tape cartridge 1 and the control circuit 8 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51
4 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 14, the MIC 31 mounted on the tape cartridge 1
And an antenna unit 34. The memory unit 33 includes, for example, a power circuit 40 as a semiconductor IC,
RF processing unit 41, controller 42, and EEP-RO
M43. For example, the memory unit 33 is mounted on the MIC substrate 32, and the antenna unit 34 is formed by a copper foil pattern.

The MIC 31 is configured to be driven by receiving power from the outside in a non-contact manner by a communication antenna of a remote interface 81 described later. That is, the communication between the MIC 31 and the communication antenna uses, for example, a 13 MHz band carrier, but when the radio wave from the communication antenna is received by the antenna unit 34, the power circuit 40 converts the 13 MHz band carrier into DC power. Convert to Then, the RF processing unit 41, the controller 42, the EEP-ROM 4
Supply 3

The RF processing section 41 demodulates received information and modulates information to be transmitted. Controller 42 is RF
Decoding of the received signal from the processing unit 41 and processing according to the decoded information (command), for example, EEP-R
It controls the execution of write / read processing and the like for the OM 43. In other words, for example, the MIC 31 enters a power-on state when a radio wave from a communication antenna is received, and the controller 42 executes a process instructed by a command superimposed on a carrier wave to execute the EEP which is a nonvolatile memory.
-Manage data in the ROM 43.

The MIC 31 records the date and place of manufacture of each tape cartridge 1, identification information indicating the thickness and material of the magnetic tape 10, and the type of tape cassette. Therefore, when the tape cartridge 1 is loaded into the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51, such information is read out via the communication antenna. The MIC 31 stores information related to the usage history of the recording data recorded on the magnetic tape 10, user information, and the like.

Next, a control circuit 84 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 having a memory drive circuit and a system control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 records / reproduces data on the loaded magnetic tape 10 of the tape cartridge 1 by the helical scan method by the rotary head drum 63. The rotary head drum 63 is provided with two recording heads WH1 and WH2 having different azimuth angles and three reproducing heads RH1, RH2 and RH3 having a required azimuth angle at predetermined angular intervals. A supply reel motor SRM and a take-up reel motor T
A plurality of drive motors such as an RM, a drum motor DM, a capstan motor CM, a tape loading motor LDM, and a cartridge loading motor EM are provided. These drive motors are driven to rotate by application of electric power from a mechanical driver 85.

The mechanical driver 85 drives and controls each drive motor based on the control of the servo controller 86. Then, the servo controller 86 controls the rotation speed of each drive motor to perform constant speed running during normal recording / playback, tape running during high speed playback, tape running during fast forward and rewind, tape cartridge loading and discharging operations, A tape loading / unloading operation, a tape tension control operation, and the like are executed. In order for the servo controller 86 to execute servo control of each drive motor, each drive motor is provided with an FG (frequency generator) so that rotation information of each drive motor can be detected. I have.

Then, the servo controller 86 determines the rotation speed of each drive motor based on these FG pulses, thereby detecting an error between the rotation operation of each drive motor and the target rotation speed. Is applied to the mechanical driver 85, so that the rotation speed control in a closed loop can be realized. Therefore, constant speed running during recording / reproduction, high speed search,
During various operations such as fast-forward and rewind, the servo controller 86 can perform control so that each drive motor is rotated at a target rotation speed according to each operation.

The EEP-ROM 87 stores constants used by the servo controller 86 for servo control of each drive motor. The servo controller 86 stores the EEP-RO
M87 and a system controller 89 which is a system control circuit that executes control processing of the entire system via an interface controller / ECC formatter 88 (hereinafter, referred to as 1F / ECC controller).
And are connected bidirectionally.

The hole detection mechanism 90 detects the plurality of detection holes 19 as described above, and generates detection information for detecting the presence or absence of erroneous erasure prevention and the type of the tape cartridge 1. The detection information generated by the hole detection mechanism 90 is supplied to the system controller 89, and the system controller 89 can grasp the write protection setting status and type of the loaded tape cartridge 1.

In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, a SCSI interface 91 is used for inputting / outputting data. For example, at the time of data recording, data is sequentially input from the host computer 92 via the SCSI interface 91 in a transmission data unit of a fixed-length record (record), and supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 94 via the SCSI buffer controller 93. . In addition,
The SCSI buffer controller 93 controls the data transfer of the SCSI interface 91. In order to obtain a predetermined transfer rate of the SCSI interface 91, the SCSI buffer memory 95 serving as a buffer means is controlled by the SCSI buffer memory 95.
The buffer controller 93 is provided. In such a control circuit 84, there is also a mode in which data is transmitted from the host computer 92 in units of variable-length data sets.

In the compression / expansion circuit 94, if necessary, the input data is subjected to compression processing by a predetermined method. As an example of the compression method, when a compression method using, for example, an LZ code is adopted, a special code is assigned to a character string processed in the past and stored in the form of a dictionary. Then, the character string to be input thereafter is compared with the contents of the dictionary. If the character string of the input data matches the code of the dictionary, the character string data is replaced with the code of the dictionary. Data of the input character string that does not match the dictionary is sequentially given a new code and registered in the dictionary. In this manner, the data of the input character string is registered in the dictionary, and the data is compressed by replacing the character string data with the code of the dictionary.

The output of the compression / decompression circuit 94 is I
Although supplied to the F / ECC controller 88, the IF / E
The CC controller 88 temporarily stores the output of the compression / expansion circuit 94 in the buffer memory 96 by the control operation. Under the control of the IF / ECC controller 88, the data stored in the buffer memory 96 is finally handled as a fixed-length unit corresponding to, for example, 58 tracks of the magnetic tape 10 called a group. Then, ECC format processing is performed on this data. As the ECC format processing, an error correction code is added to the recording data, and the data is subjected to a modulation processing so as to be suitable for magnetic recording, and is supplied to the RF processing unit 97.

The RF processing section 97 performs processing such as amplification and recording equalization on the supplied recording data to generate a recording signal, and supplies the recording signal to the recording heads WH1 and WH2. Magnetic tape 1
Data recording for 0 is performed.

The data reproducing operation will be briefly described. The data recorded on the magnetic tape 10 is read from the reproducing head RH.
1, RH2, and RH3, read out as an RF reproduction signal, and the reproduction output thereof is subjected to reproduction equalization, reproduction clock generation, binarization, decoding (for example, Viterbi decoding), and the like in an RF processing unit 97. The signal read in this way is supplied to the IF / ECC controller 88, where the signal is first subjected to error correction processing and the like. And the buffer memory 9
6 is read out at a predetermined time and supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 94. The compression / decompression circuit 94
Then, based on the judgment of the system controller 89, if the data has been compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 94 at the time of recording, the data decompression processing is performed here, and if it is uncompressed data, the data decompression processing is not performed. Is output as it is. The output data of the compression / decompression circuit 94 is output to the host computer 92 as reproduction data via the SCSI buffer controller 93 and the SCSI interface 91.

FIG. 15 shows the MIC 31 in the tape cartridge 1. For this MIC 31, the tape cartridge 1 is
, A state in which data can be input / output to / from the system controller 89 in a non-contact state via the remote memory interface 81 which is a memory drive circuit.

Next, the remote memory interface 81 will be described with reference to FIG. The data interface 10 of the remote memory interface 81
1 exchanges data with the system controller 89. As will be described later, data transfer to the MIC 31 is performed by a command from the device side and the corresponding MIC3.
The data interface 101 receives command data and a clock from the SCSI buffer controller 93 when the system controller 89 issues a command to the MIC 31. Then, the data interface 101 supplies command data to the RF interface 102 based on the clock. The data interface 101 supplies a carrier frequency CR (13 MHz) to the RF interface 102.

The command (transmission data) WS is amplitude-modulated (100 KH) to the RF interface 102.
z), an RF modulation / amplification circuit 104 is formed for superimposing the modulated signal on the carrier frequency CR, amplifying the modulated signal, and applying the amplified signal to the communication antenna 103. This RF modulation /
The command data is wirelessly transmitted from the communication antenna 103 to the antenna section 34 of the MIC 31 in the tape cartridge 1 by the amplifier circuit 104. On the tape cartridge 1 side, according to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 14, the command data is received by the antenna unit 34 and the power is turned on.
2 operates. For example, the data transmitted together with the write command is written to the EEP-ROM 43.

When a command is issued from the remote interface 81 in this way, the MIC 31 issues an acknowledgment corresponding to the command. That is, the controller 42 of the MIC 31 modulates and amplifies the data as the acknowledgment by the RF processing unit 41, and transmits and outputs the data from the antenna unit 34. When such an acknowledgment is transmitted and received by the communication antenna 103 of the remote interface 81, the received signal is RF
After being rectified by the rectifier circuit 105 of the interface 1102, the data is demodulated by the comparator 106 as data.
Then, the data is supplied from the data interface 101 to the system controller 89. For example, when a read command is issued from the system controller 89 to the MIC 31, the MIC 31 transmits data read from the EEP-ROM 43 together with a code as an acknowledgment corresponding to the command. Then, the acknowledgment code and the read data are received and demodulated by the remote memory interface 81 and supplied to the system controller 89.

Here, returning to FIG.
The RAM 98 and the flash ROM 99 store data used by the system controller 89 for various processes. For example, the flash ROM 99 stores constants and the like used for control. Further, the S-RAM 98 is used as a work memory, or data read from the MIC 31 or MI-MI.
This is a memory used for storing data to be written in C31, mode data set in units of tape cartridges, various flag data, and for performing arithmetic processing. The S-RAM 9
8. The flash ROM 99 stores the system controller 8
9 may be configured as an internal memory of the microcomputer, or a part of the area of the buffer memory 96 may be used as a work memory.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the tape cartridge 1 provided with the MIC 31 is loaded. However, as the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51, for example, the tape cartridge 1 not provided with the MIC 31 is used. Even when loaded, recording / reproduction can be performed. In this case, since the management information of the tape cartridge 1 is recorded in the management area formed on the magnetic tape 10, the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 reads the management information recorded on the magnetic tape 10, Will be updated.

(4) Description of the Magnetic Tape Rewinding Mechanism of the One-Reel Type Tape Cartridge Next, referring to FIGS. 17 to 22, the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 1 mounted on the one-reel type tape cartridge 1 will be described.
11 will be described. This magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes three corners 2B other than the corner 2A where the tape entrance 13 of the tape cartridge 1 is formed.
One of the corners C, 2D, for example, the front surface 2a
The right side surface 2c is provided in a substantially triangular space portion 14B in the corner portion 2B.

The magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111
The reel lock mechanism 21 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 has been improved to a new reel lock mechanism 112. That is, the reel lock mechanism 112 includes an outer peripheral gear 113 formed on the outer periphery of the lower flange 9 of the tape reel 6, and a vertical fulcrum 1 integrally formed on the lower shell 4.
14, a reel lock lever 115 configured to be rotatable in the directions of arrows o and p, and an arrow a, which is a front-rear direction within a slide groove 116 formed inside the right side surface 2c of the cartridge 2. and a shutter 117 configured to be slidable in the b direction. The reel lock lever 115 is integrally formed horizontally and integrally with the end of the boss 115a inserted into the fulcrum shaft 114, and is configured to be capable of engaging and disengaging with the outer peripheral gear 113 from the directions of arrows o and p. I have. A pair of shutter abutting portions 115b and 115c are integrally formed at the upper end of the boss portion 115a at intervals in the directions of arrows a and b.
The reel lock lever 115 is rotated by a rotation urging means such as a torsion coil spring 118 inserted around the outer peripheral gear 11.
3 is rotationally urged in the direction of the arrow o, which is the direction of engagement with the third member.

At a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction at the tip of the shutter 117 in the direction of the arrow a, a tip projection 119 bent substantially inward at a substantially right angle is integrally formed. On the right side surface 2c of the cartridge 2, a slit-shaped shutter opening / closing groove 120 described in FIG. 5 is formed so as to be cut horizontally from the front surface 2a of the cartridge 2. A reference numeral 119 is provided in the shutter opening / closing groove 120 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows a and b, which are the front and rear directions. However, in the cartridge 2, an inner wall 120a parallel to the right side surface 2c is integrally formed inside the shutter opening / closing groove 120, and the tip projection 119 of the shutter 117 is formed in an inner groove 120b formed in the inner wall 120a. The inner end is movably inserted in the directions of arrows a and b. Then, an inner protrusion 121 integrally formed on the inner surface of the shutter 117 forms a pair of protrusions 115 b and 115 of the reel lock lever 115.
The shutter 117 is slid in the forward direction of the arrow a by slide urging means such as a compression coil spring 122.

Next, the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111 is engaged with the outer peripheral gear 113 of the lower flange 9 of the tape reel 6 and is formed of a synthetic resin or the like. A gear 124 for rotating the tape reel to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow h is provided. This tape reel rotation operation gear 124 is rotatably inserted around the outer periphery of a vertical fulcrum shaft 125 integrally formed on the upper portion of the lower shell 4, and is moved between a raised position shown in FIG. 19 and a lowered position shown in FIG. Arrow q, which is a vertical direction,
It is configured to be able to move up and down in the r direction. The operation unit 12 is provided at the upper end of the tape reel rotation operation gear 124.
6 is formed concentrically and integrally, and at the center of the upper end surface of the operating portion 126, a jig engaging portion 127 which is a driver engaging groove of a + shape or the like is formed. On the lower surface of the upper shell 3 of the cartridge 2, a cylindrical portion 128 is vertically formed integrally at a position directly above the operation portion 126, and the inside of the cylindrical portion 128 is formed in a jig insertion hole 129. I have. The tape reel rotation operation gear 124 is moved from the lowered position to a raised position where the tape reel rotation operation gear 124 is locked by being brought into contact with the lower end of the cylindrical portion 128 by rising urging means such as a compression coil spring 130 inserted around the fulcrum shaft 125. Is biased upward.

Next, the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111 is provided with a cam mechanism 132 for automatically releasing the lock of the tape reel 6 by the reel lock mechanism 112. The cam mechanism 132 is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the tape reel rotation operation gear 124, and is an operation arm 134 which is a reel lock release operation unit locked by a retaining washer 133; Cam part 13 integrally formed on the lower surface of the tip of 134
5 and a cam 136 integrally formed at a position near the base of the reel lock lever 115 with respect to the boss 115a. An operation arm 134 is inserted between a pair of guide projections 137 which are integrally formed vertically on the upper portion of the lower shell 4.
The rotation of the operation arm 134 is regulated between the 37, and the operation arm 134 is configured to move up and down in the directions of the arrows q and r, which are the up and down directions, in these guide projections 137.

The magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111 is configured as described above. In a normal state in which the magnetic tape 10 is completely wound around the outer periphery of the tape reel 6 and completely stored in the tape cartridge 1, As shown by a solid line in FIG. 18, the reel lock lever 1 of the reel lock mechanism 112 is
15 is rotated in the direction of arrow o by the torsion coil spring 118 so that the outer peripheral gear 113 of the lower flange 9 of the tape reel 6 is rotated.
And the rotation of the tape reel 6 is locked.

Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the cassette compartment 54 from the cartridge insertion port 53 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, and the tape cartridge 1 is inserted into the cassette compartment 54 in the direction of arrow a. 18, the shutter opening protrusion 138 in the cassette compartment 54 is relatively inserted into the shutter opening / closing groove 120 of the tape cartridge 1 from the direction of the arrow b, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. , Its shutter opening projection 13
8, the tip protrusion 119 of the shutter 117 is indicated by an arrow b.
, The shutter 117 is opened in the direction of arrow b against the compression coil spring 122. The inner projection 121 of the shutter 117 is connected to one of the shutter contact portions 115 c of the reel lock lever 115.
Is pressed in the direction of arrow b, the reel lock lever 115 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow p against the torsion coil spring 118 about the fulcrum shaft 114, disengaged from the outer peripheral gear 113 of the tape reel 6, and The lock is released. Thereby, the magnetic tape 10 is pulled out from the tape entrance 13 of the tape cartridge 1 to the outside, locked on the take-up reel 59, loaded on the outer periphery of the rotary head drum 63, and recording and / or reproducing information becomes possible. .

When the tape cartridge 1 is pulled out of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, only the tape cartridge 1 is pulled out for some reason while the magnetic tape 10 is pulled out of the tape cartridge 1. In such an emergency or during transportation of the tape cartridge 1, the magnetic tape 1
In the event of an emergency such as when 0 is pulled out of the tape cartridge 1, the magnetic tape 10 can be safely and easily rewound onto the tape reel 6 by the magnetic tape rewound mechanism 111.

That is, as shown in FIG. 20, a driver 140 as a jig is vertically inserted downward through a jig insertion hole 129 opened in the upper shell 3 of the tape cartridge 1. The distal end 140a is engaged with the jig engaging portion 127 of the operation unit 126. Then, the driver 140 pushes down the operation unit 126 against the compression coil spring 130 in the downward direction of the arrow r. Then, the operation arm 134 is moved to the tape reel rotation operation gear 1.
24, the reel lock lever 115 is first pressed by the torsion coil spring 118 by the cam action of the pair of cam portions 135 and 136 of the cam mechanism 132, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The outer peripheral gear 1 of the tape reel 6 is rotated in the direction
13 and the lock of the tape reel 6 is released.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 20, the tape reel rotating operation gear 124 is pushed down in the direction of the arrow r to the lowered position and engaged (engaged) with the outer peripheral gear 113 of the tape reel 6. . Then, after this, the tape reel rotation operation gear 1 is
18 is rotated in the direction of arrow s in FIG. 18, the tape reel 6 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow h in the tape winding direction via the outer peripheral gear 113, and the magnetic tape 10 is manually moved to the tape reel 6 by arrow. It can be rewound in the h direction.

Next, FIG. 22 shows a state in which the tape cartridge 1 is loaded at the loading position in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, and a state in which the magnetic tape 10 cannot be rewound to the tape reel 6 for some reason. Shows the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism 111 when falling into
In this case, jig insertion holes 143 and 144 leading to the jig insertion holes 129 of the tape cartridge 1 are formed in the upper cover 142 of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 and the top plate 54a of the cassette compartment 54, and the jigs are used. A certain driver 140 is vertically inserted into the jig insertion hole 129 of the tape cartridge 1 from the upper portion (outside) of the upper cover 142 through these jig insertion holes 143 and 144, and the magnetic tape 10 is subjected to the manual operation described above. Tape reel 6
And can be rewound into the tape cartridge 1.

(5) Description of Removable Memory of One-Reel Type Tape Cartridge and Information Recording / Reproducing System Next, referring to FIGS.
A description will be given of a removable memory, which is a card-type memory module removably mounted on a memory, and an information recording / reproducing system.

First, FIGS. 23 to 25 show a contact-type removable memory 151. The removable memory 151 has a plurality of contact terminals 152 formed on the outer surface of the tip, and a locking recess 153. Etc. are formed. The removable memory 151 is, for example, a front surface 2 of the cartridge 2 in the tape cartridge 1.
a and right side 2c at the corner 2B of right side 2c
This shows an example in which the removable memory 151 is mounted at a position P1 parallel to the right side 2c and a memory insertion portion 154 formed parallel to the right side surface 2c. It is configured to be removably inserted and mounted in the direction b. An opening 15 for exposing a plurality of terminals 152 formed on the outer surface of the removable memory 151 inserted into the memory insertion portion 154 to the outside is provided on the right side surface 2 b of the cartridge 2.
6, a shutter 157 for opening and closing the opening 156 in the directions of arrows a and b is incorporated. The memory insertion portion 15 is provided on the front surface 2a of the cartridge 2 or the like.
A push button 158 and the like for removing the removable memory 151 inserted into the cartridge 4 are attached, and a slit-like portion cut horizontally from the front surface 2a at a position on the right side 2b of the cartridge 2 in front of the opening 156. A shutter opening / closing groove 120 is formed.

FIG. 24 shows a solid line and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the removable memory 151 is inserted from the memory insertion slot 155 into the memory insertion portion 154 in the direction of arrow b, the locking means (not shown) provided therein is engaged with the locking recess 153. Then, the removable memory 151 is locked in the memory insertion unit 154. Then, when the tape cartridge 1 is loaded into the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 in the direction of the arrow a from the front surface 2a side as described above, the shutter opening projection 159 in the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 is moved as shown in FIG. The tape cartridge 1 is relatively inserted into the shutter opening / closing groove 120 from the direction of the arrow b in the direction of the arrow b, and the shutter 157 is moved by the shutter opening protrusion 159 in the direction of the arrow b against the slide urging spring (not shown). The opening 156 is opened by being relatively pressed, and the magnetic recording and reproducing device 51 is opened.
A plurality of contact terminals 16 of a data transmitting / receiving unit 161 which is a contact-type memory access module mounted in the inside
2 contacts the plurality of terminals 152 of the removable memory 151 through the opening 156.

As described above, the power supply to the removable memory 151 and the writing and reading of various information can be performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit 161. When the push button 158 is pressed after the tape cartridge 1 is removed from the inside of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51, the lock of the removable memory 151 by the lock means is released.
As indicated by the dashed line, the removable memory 151 is pushed out of the memory insertion slot 155 by a discharging spring (not shown) in the direction of arrow a in a pop-up manner, so that the removable memory 151 is pinched by a finger and pulled out in the direction of arrow a. be able to.

FIG. 26 shows a non-contact type removable memory 151. In this case, the removable memory 151 is inserted into the memory insertion portion 154 of the tape cartridge 1 and locked. When the loading of the cartridge 1 into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 is completed, the data transmission / reception unit 161 which is a non-contact type memory access module is connected to the removable memory 15.
1 and the antenna 163 in the removable memory 151 and the antenna 16 in the data transmitting / receiving unit 161.
4 through the wireless communication with the removable memory 15.
1 and the writing and reading of various information. However, if the tape cartridge 1 is dedicated to the non-contact type removable memory 151, FIG.
6. Contact-type removable memory 1 such as opening 156, shutter 157 and shutter opening / closing groove 120 shown in FIG.
It is possible to omit the necessary structural parts when using 51.

FIG. 27 shows a removable memory 151 inserted into the cartridge 2 of the tape cartridge 1.
The rear surface 2b and the left and right side surfaces 2c, 2d in the corner portions 2C, 2D are shown.
, A total of four positions P2 to P5, corners 2B, 2C, 2
D, a total of six positions P6 to P6 of the upper and lower surfaces 2e, 2f
11 can be mounted at any position.

By the way, in the removable memory 151 detachably mounted on the tape cartridge 1, it is possible to record a part or all of various information such as image data and audio data recorded on the magnetic tape 10. At the same time, management information of various kinds of information recorded on the magnetic tape 10, such as a decryption key for security management (right information for decryption), a scramble key for inhibiting writing, and the like can be recorded and managed. It is.

An example of recording in the removable memory 151 will now be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 28. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 communicates between the removable memory 151 and the data transmitting / receiving unit 161 and outputs an external write command. Thus, a part of the contents of the magnetic tape 10 is recorded in the removable memory 151.
Then, the decryption key, which is the access right of the magnetic tape 10, is recorded in the removable memory 151 (S001). The decryption key at this time may be read only, whether both recording and reproduction are possible, whether it is valid for the entire magnetic tape 10,
It is possible to select whether only some of the files recorded on the magnetic tape 10 are valid (S002), and record them in the removable memory 151 (S003).

Next, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 29, a decryption key indicating whether or not the image file recorded on the magnetic tape 10 can be recorded (S011) is recorded, and the head portion of the image file is recorded in the removable memory 151. Is recorded (S
012).

Next, an example in which the removable memory 151 is used as a decryption key will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 30. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 communicates with the removable memory 151 and the data transmission / reception unit 161 from the removable memory 151. The access right to various information recorded on the magnetic tape 10 is determined based on the obtained decryption key. That is, the decryption key of the removable memory 151 is read (S111), and it is determined whether or not the access is possible (S112). If the access is not possible, the tape cartridge 1 is ejected (automatic ejection).
(S113) is performed. If it is accessible, it is determined whether the information is all or part of the information recorded on the magnetic tape 10 (S114).
In all cases, it is determined whether only reproduction is possible or both recording and reproduction are possible (S115), and all reproduction (S116) or all recording and reproduction (S117) is performed. If only a part is accessible, it is determined whether only reproduction is possible or both recording and reproduction are possible (S118).
119) or partial recording and reproduction (S120). However, regarding the access right of the tape cartridge 1, the fixed memory of the tape cartridge 1 or the magnetic tape 10
Is recorded in a part (system area, etc.).

Next, in the block diagram shown in FIG. 31, the microcomputer 171 in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 selects the data of the magnetic recording / reproducing section 173 via the data processing section 172, and the data transmitting / receiving section 161 selects the tape cartridge. 1 shows an example in which data such as a decryption key is written and read by communicating with the removable memory 151 of the personal computer, a workstation, a network (Ne).
2 shows an information recording / reproducing system in which an external controller 175 such as twork) reads a decryption key or the like of the removable memory 151 and manages information.

Next, in the block diagram shown in FIG. 32, a removable memory 151 in which information is recorded by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 51 is loaded into a personal computer 176, and a data receiving section 178 is provided by a microcomputer 177.
1 shows an information recording / reproducing system for managing information by reading information from the removable memory 151 and recording the information in the memory 179.

Next, in the block diagram shown in FIG. 33, the microcomputer 182 of the handy remote control 181 which is an example of the external controller 175 reads the information of the removable memory 151 by the data receiving section 183 and records it in the memory 184. The information is transmitted to the receiving unit 1 of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 51 by the transmitting unit 185.
The data is transmitted to the microcomputer 171 via the data processor 86, transmitted to the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 173 via the data processing unit 172, and recorded on the magnetic tape 10. In addition, the external controller 17 shown in FIG.
5 shows an information recording / reproducing system for performing information management.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing an information recording / reproducing system using the library device 191. Information read from the removable memory 151 by the data receiving unit 192 is stored in the memory 194 by the microcomputer 193. On the other hand, while recording, the motor driver 195 and the tray transport section 196 are controlled to take out the designated tape cartridge 1 from the plurality of tape cartridges 1 in the magazine 72 of the cartridge changer 71, and to perform magnetic recording / reproduction of the tape cartridge 1 Loading to the device 51. Then, the information is recorded on the magnetic tape 10 by the magnetic recording and reproducing unit 173 via the data processing unit 172 by the microcomputer 171 in the magnetic recording and reproducing device 51. The external controller 175 inputs information such as a management information decryption key to the microcomputer 193 via the interface 197, and the external controller 175 records and reproduces information on the magnetic tape 10 via the interface 174. Things.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0082]

The one-reel type tape cartridge of the present invention constructed as described above has a left and right pair formed at two of three corners other than the corner where the tape entrance is formed. When the one reel type tape cartridge is applied to a library device or the like by forming the changer grip in a state penetrating above and below the cartridge, the hand arm mounted on the transport tray does not have an opening / closing function. However, since the tape cartridge can be transferred between the magazine and the tray and between the tray and the magnetic recording / reproducing device, the structure of the hand arm and the control circuit can be simplified, and the library device and the like can be realized. Significant cost reduction can be realized. In addition, the wireless communication memory module storing the management information of the magnetic tape is mounted obliquely inside one corner of the cartridge, and the wireless communication antenna of the memory module is arranged so as to face at least two directions. And
In addition, since one of the changer grip portions is arranged in a substantially triangular space surrounded by the memory module and the two sides of the cartridge, the management information of the recording medium recorded in the memory module can be stored in at least two directions of the cartridge. From the back of the information recording cartridge loaded into the information recording / reproducing device such as a magnetic recording / reproducing device. Is exposed to the outside,
The memory module can be accessed by the memory access module, and the degree of freedom in designing the information recording / reproducing apparatus is expanded. Still, since one of the changer grips can be effectively placed in a substantially triangular space surrounded by the two surfaces of the memory module and the cartridge, the tape cartridge can be formed by providing the changer grip and the memory module. Enlargement can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an MIC according to a first embodiment for explaining an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a one-reel type tape cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the tape cartridge for explaining a mounting position of the MIC of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of a MIC according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway plan view of the tape cartridge for explaining a mounting position of the MIC of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge in a top view state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge when viewed from below.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a tape reel and a lower shell of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a tape reel and a lower shell of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an MIC mounting portion of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a magnetic recording / reproducing device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a cartridge changer.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway plan view of a main part of the cartridge changer.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an MIC.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a remote interface of the control circuit of the above.

FIG. 17 is an overall plan view illustrating a magnetic tape rewinding mechanism of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA of FIG. 18, showing the tape reel locked.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA of FIG. 18, showing the state of rewinding operation of the magnetic tape.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the magnetic tape rewinding mechanism.

FIG. 22 is a sectional side view illustrating a magnetic tape rewinding mechanism in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a structure for mounting a removable memory on a tape cartridge.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which a removable memory is mounted on the tape cartridge.

FIG. 25 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a contact state between a contact-type removable memory and a data transmitting / receiving unit.

FIG. 26 is a partially cutaway plan view illustrating a non-contact type removable memory and a data transmitting / receiving unit.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting position and variety of the removable memory with respect to the tape cartridge.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating one example of recording information in a removable memory.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating another example of recording information in a removable memory.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating management of information by a removable memory.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating an example of managing information in a removable memory in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating an example of managing information in a removable memory in a personal computer.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating an example of managing information on a removable memory by a handy memory control and a magnetic recording / reproducing device.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating an example of managing information on a removable memory by a library device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a tape cartridge, 2 is a cartridge, 2A, 2
B, 2C and 2D are corner portions, 3 is an upper shell of the cartridge, 4 is a lower shell of the cartridge, 6 is a tape reel,
10 is a magnetic tape, 13 is a tape entrance, 28 is a changer grip, 71 is a cartridge changer of a library device, 74 is a tray, 75 is a hand arm, 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes an MIC as a memory module, and 191 denotes a library device.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuaki Kano 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Atsushi Mitani 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 72 within Sony Corporation (72) Ryoji Taki, Inventor 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Motoyoshi Fujimori 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan No. Sony Corporation

Claims (2)

[Claims] A tape reel and a magnetic tape wound around an outer periphery of the tape reel are housed in a cartridge, and an outer peripheral end of the magnetic tape is pulled out from a tape entrance of the cartridge to the outside. In the mounted one-reel type tape cartridge, a pair of changer grip portions are formed at two of three corner portions other than the corner portion where the tape entrance of the cartridge is formed. One reel type tape cartridge. 2. A wireless communication memory module in which management information of the magnetic tape is recorded, wherein the memory module is one of the cartridges.
The antenna for wireless communication of the memory module is disposed so as to face in at least two directions, and one of the changer grips is disposed on two sides of the memory module and the cartridge. 2. The one-reel type tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tape cartridge is disposed in a substantially triangular space surrounded by the tape cartridge.