JP2013065377A - Library device, method for identifying model type, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a library device capable of preventing false recognition of a model type of the self device by a setting mistake by manual work, a method for identifying a model type, and a program.SOLUTION: The library device is mounted with one or more magazines capable of storing a plurality of media that a computer can read and write information, and sets a model type of the self device according to the mounting mode of the magazines. The library device includes: detecting means for detecting a predetermined mark attached to a magazine from all the magazines mounted on the self device; and identification means for identifying the model type on the basis of the position of the predetermined mark detected by the detecting means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of accommodating a plurality of media in which a computer can read and write information are mounted, a model type identification method for the library apparatus, and a program.

  A magazine capable of storing a plurality of media on which information can be read and written (for example, a cartridge wrapped with magnetic tape) is inserted, and an accessor conveys the media between the magazine and the drive, and the drive stores information on the media. A library apparatus that performs reading and writing is known (see Patent Document 1).

  In the library apparatus, the number and position of magazines to be mounted vary depending on the model type of the apparatus. Therefore, the library apparatus needs to recognize the number and position of magazines mounted in order to properly operate the accessor.

  Therefore, a dedicated EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) in which the model type of the device is described is inserted into the library device. The library apparatus recognizes the model type of the apparatus by reading the model type of the apparatus from the dedicated EEPROM, and recognizes the number and position of magazines mounted according to the recognition result.

  The writing of the model type of the device into the dedicated EEPROM and the insertion of the dedicated EEPROM into the library device have been performed manually.

JP 2006-196075 A

  Writing the model type of the device to the dedicated EEPROM or inserting the dedicated EEPROM into the library device was done manually, so if a manual setting error occurs, the library device incorrectly sets its model type. There was a problem of recognizing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a library device, a model type identification method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems.

The library apparatus of the present invention is a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of storing a plurality of media on which a computer can read and write information are mounted, and the model type of the apparatus is set according to the mounting form of the magazines. ,
A predetermined mark attached to the magazine in units of the magazine;
Detecting means for detecting the predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all the magazines mounted on the apparatus;
Identification means for identifying the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark detected by the detection means.

The model type identification method of the present invention is a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of accommodating a plurality of media in which a computer can read and write information are mounted, and the model type of the own apparatus is set according to the mounting form of the magazines. A model type identification method,
A detection step of detecting a predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all magazines mounted on the own device;
And identifying for identifying the model type based on the position of the detected predetermined mark.

The program of the present invention is provided in a computer in a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of accommodating a plurality of media in which a computer can read and write information are mounted, and the model type of the apparatus is set according to the mounting form of the magazines.
A detection procedure for detecting a predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all the magazines mounted on the device using a detection means;
And an identification procedure for identifying the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark to be detected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the library apparatus from erroneously recognizing its own model type due to a manual setting error.

It is a top view which shows the structural example of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the example of the target mark of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of reading of the target mark of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation example 1 of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation example 2 of the library apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of a library apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a view (top view) of a library apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a side view (perspective view) of a library apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The library device of this embodiment includes a drive device 1, a control device 2, a power supply device 3, an accessor mechanism 4, a front panel 7, and a storage unit 9, and includes magazines 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. Each of these is detachable. The drive device 1 includes drive devices 1a and 1b.

  The magazines 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are inserted from an insertion port (not shown) provided on the front side of the library apparatus. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the magazine 5a is inserted after the magazine 5b is inserted. Thus, the magazine 5b and the magazine 5a are inserted in series along the insertion direction. The magazine 5d and the magazine 5c are also inserted in series along the insertion direction, similarly to the magazine 5b and the magazine 5a. The magazines 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d have a plurality of cells (portions separated by broken lines), and contain two media 6 for each cell. That is, the deep cell method is adopted. Therefore, the magazines 5a and 5c can accommodate a maximum of 18 media 6 in 3 rows x 3 columns x 2, and the magazines 5b and 5d can store up to 12 media 6 in 2 rows x 3 columns x 2. Can be accommodated.

  The library apparatus has a one-to-one correspondence between the mounting form of the magazine 5 and the model type of the library apparatus. For example, when magazines 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are mounted on the library device, the model type of the library device is a 60 volume type, and when magazines 5b, 5c and 5d are mounted on the library device. The model type of the library apparatus is 42 volumes, and when the magazines 5c and 5d are mounted on the library apparatus, the model type of the library apparatus is 30 volumes.

  The medium 6 is a recording medium on which information can be read and written (read and written) by a computer, and examples thereof include a cartridge wrapped with a magnetic tape. Note that the medium 6 is not limited to a cartridge in which a magnetic tape is packaged. The medium 6 is detachable from the magazine 5.

  The accessor mechanism 4 which is an example of the accessor means can move from the front side of the library device to the back side or from the back side to the front side (movement of the library device in the depth direction, the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 1). is there. The movable range of the accessor mechanism in the depth direction of the library apparatus is between the front surface and the back surface of the library apparatus as shown in FIG. Further, the accessor mechanism 4 has a picker unit (not shown) for taking the medium 6 into and out of the magazine 5 and taking the medium 6 into and out of the drive device 1. The picker unit can move in the accessor mechanism 4 from the upper side to the lower side of the library device or from the lower side to the upper side (moving in the vertical direction of the library device; the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 2). The movable range of the picker portion in the vertical direction of the library apparatus is between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the library apparatus. For example, when there is an instruction to read or write a predetermined medium 6, the accessor mechanism 4 transfers the medium 6. That is, the accessor mechanism 4 removes the designated medium 6 from the magazine 5 using the picker unit in accordance with an instruction from the control device 2, transfers it to the drive device 1, and inserts it into the slot of the drive device 1 using the picker unit. . When the reading or writing of the medium 6 is completed, the accessor mechanism 4 extracts the medium 6 from the slot of the drive device 1 using the picker unit, transfers it to the magazine 5 of the storage source, and uses the picker unit to the storage source cell. Plug in. In the deep cell method, when the designated medium 6 is accommodated in the back side of the cell, a retreat operation for temporarily retracting the medium accommodated in front of the cell to an empty cell is required. The accessor mechanism 4 also performs the retreat operation.

  The accessor mechanism 4 includes a camera 8. The camera 8 is an example of detection means, and is used to read a barcode (an example of a recording code) attached to the medium 6 accommodated in the cell when performing inventory. Further, when positioning the accessor mechanism 4, the camera 8 simply uses a target mark (hereinafter simply referred to as “mark”) attached to a latch lever (a member for holding the medium 6 inserted into the cell) provided for each cell. Used to read). FIG. 3 is a view of the insertion opening of the medium 6 in one cell 51 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 3, a latch lever 52 is provided at the upper left corner of the medium insertion port of the cell 51. A triangular target mark 53 is attached to the latch lever 52. The camera 8 captures and reads the target mark 53 shown in FIG. Note that the accessor mechanism 4, the camera 8, and the target mark 53 are techniques applied in a known library apparatus.

  The drive device 1 reads data from or writes data to the medium 6 inserted into the slot 11. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of drive devices 1a and 1b are arranged one above the other.

  The control device 2 which is an example of the identification unit is a computer, for example, and controls the operation of the library device. For example, when the user receives an instruction to read the medium 6, the accessor mechanism 4 is controlled to transfer the medium 6, and the drive device 1 is read from the transferred medium 6. Control. Further, the control device 2 also performs control for performing the operation of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. For example, the control device 2 identifies the model type of the library device based on the detection result of a predetermined target mark by the camera 8.

  The storage unit 9, which is an example of a storage unit, stores the identification result of the control device 2. Note that the storage unit 9 may be provided in the control device 2.

  The power supply device 3 supplies a power supply voltage for operating the library device.

  The front panel 7 receives various operations from the user and displays various information to the user.

  Although not shown, the library apparatus also includes an interface for connecting to another apparatus (for example, a host computer).

  Next, an operation example of the library apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a front view of the side surface of the library device (the side surface on which the accessor mechanism 4 is present). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example 1 of the library apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example 2 of the library apparatus of this embodiment.

<Operation example 1>
First, an operation example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, before the library apparatus is shipped from the factory, when the control apparatus 2 receives an initial setting instruction, the control apparatus 2 controls the accessor mechanism 4 and the camera 8 to perform photographing at a predetermined position at a predetermined magazine insertion position. (Step S1). For example, referring to FIG. 4, the reading position A is photographed at the “upper front side” magazine insertion position where the magazine 5a is inserted. The reading position A is a position where a target mark (predetermined mark) 53 attached to the latch lever 52 of the cell 51 at the left middle stage of the magazine 5a exists when the magazine 5a is inserted. The control device 2 temporarily holds an imaging result for the reading position A, that is, a target mark reading result (detection result) at the reading position A. In addition, although the target mark 53 and the latch lever 52 are provided in the upper left corner of all the cells 51, they are omitted in FIG.

  Next, the control device 2 determines whether or not reading has been completed for all magazine insertion positions (step S2). In the example of FIG. 4, the insertion positions of all magazines are “upper front side” where the magazine 5a is inserted, “upper rear side” where the magazine 5b is inserted, and “lower front side” where the magazine 5c is inserted. , Four of the “lower back side” into which the magazine 5d is inserted. Therefore, the control device 2 determines whether or not photographing for the reading positions A, B, C, and D at these four magazine insertion positions, that is, reading at the reading positions A, B, C, and D is all completed.

  As a result of the determination in step S2, if the reading of the reading positions at all the magazine insertion positions has not been completed (step S2 / NO), the control device 2 reads in the next magazine insertion position in accordance with a predetermined reading order. The position is photographed, that is, the reading position at the next magazine insertion position is read (step S1). For example, when the reading order is defined as “upper front side → lower front side → upper rear side → lower rear side”, after reading of the reading position A on the upper front side and temporarily storing the result, Reads the reading position C on the lower front side and temporarily stores the result.

  As a result of the determination in step S2, when the reading of the reading positions in all the magazine insertion positions and the temporary storage of the results are completed (step S2 / YES), the control device 2 detects the position of the target mark 53 detected by the camera 8 ( Based on the reading position), the model type of the library apparatus is identified (step S3).

  For example, when the target mark 53 is detected at all of the reading positions A to D, the control device 2 identifies the model type of the library device as the 60 volume type. When the target mark 53 is detected only at the reading positions B to D among the reading positions A to D, the control device 2 identifies the model type of the library device as the 42-roll type. When the target mark 53 is detected only at the reading positions C to D among the reading positions A to D, the control device 2 identifies the model type of the library device as the 30-volume type.

  For example, for each model type of the library apparatus, the control device 2 stores in advance model type identification information indicating the position of the target mark corresponding to the model type (combination of the reading positions A to D corresponding to the model type). The control device 2 reads the model type corresponding to the detection position of the target mark (for example, the detection position where the target mark is detected among the reading positions A to D) from the model type identification information, so that the library Identifies the model type of the device.

  When identifying the model type of the library device, the control device 2 stores the identification result in the storage unit 9 (step S4).

  The operation example 1 is executed again after the model type is changed when the model type of the library apparatus is changed before the library apparatus is shipped from the factory.

  In the above example, the operation example 1 is executed before the factory shipment of the library device. However, the operation example 1 is executed on the support side that maintains the library device after the library device is shipped, for example. Also good.

<Operation example 2>
Next, an operation example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation example 2 illustrated in FIG. 6 is performed after the operation example 1 illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed. For example, in the operation example 2 shown in FIG. 6, the user takes out the magazine 5 from the library apparatus, then inserts a new medium 6 into the magazine 5, and then returns the magazine 5 with the new medium 6 inserted back to the library apparatus. Is executed to detect whether the magazine 5 has been erroneously inserted. Note that steps S11, S12, and S13 illustrated in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S1, S2, and S3 illustrated in FIG. 5, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  When step S12 ends, the control device 2 determines whether the identification result in step S12 matches the identification result in the storage unit 9 (step S14).

  If the identification result in step S12 does not match the identification result in the storage unit 9 (step S14 / NO), the control device 2 determines that an erroneous insertion of the magazine 5 has occurred, and that the erroneous insertion of the magazine 5 has occurred. Output (for example, a display output indicating that the magazine 5 has been erroneously inserted, an audio output indicating that the magazine 5 has been erroneously inserted, or an alarm indicating that the magazine 5 has been erroneously inserted) Is emitted from the front panel 7 or a speaker (not shown) (step S15).

  On the other hand, when the identification result in step S12 matches the identification result in the storage unit 9, the operation example 2 is terminated without issuing an output indicating that the magazine 5 has been erroneously inserted.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

  According to this embodiment, the camera 8 detects a predetermined mark (predetermined target mark) attached to the magazine from all the magazines 5 mounted on the library apparatus. The control device 2 identifies the model type of the library device based on the position of the predetermined mark detected by the camera 8. For this reason, the model type of the library apparatus can be automatically identified, and the efficiency of the work of manually setting the model type of the apparatus can be improved. It is possible to prevent the model type from being recognized by mistake.

  In addition, the identification operation of the model type of the library apparatus can be easily performed, for example, every time the model type of the library apparatus is changed before the library apparatus is shipped from the factory. For this reason, it becomes possible to respond flexibly to changes in the model type of the library apparatus in the factory.

  In the present embodiment, the camera 8 is provided in the accessor mechanism 4 that transfers the medium 6. For this reason, the camera 8 can be moved using the accessor mechanism 4. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where the camera 8 is moved by a dedicated moving mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, as the predetermined mark, a target mark attached to a cell at a predetermined position is used among the target marks serving as a reference when positioning the accessor mechanism. For this reason, the target mark can also be used as the predetermined mark.

  In this embodiment, the camera 8 is a camera that is used to read a recording code attached to the medium 6 when performing inventory. For this reason, the camera used for reading the recording code can be used as a camera for detecting a predetermined mark, and the configuration can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 2 determines the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark redetected by the camera 8 when the camera 8 detects the predetermined mark again after the storage unit 9 stores the identification result. Is identified again, and if the identification result based on the re-detection position of the predetermined mark is different from the identification result in the storage unit 9, an output indicating that the magazine is erroneously mounted is issued. For this reason, it is possible to detect erroneous insertion of the magazine 5.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the model type can be identified without using a dedicated EEPROM, so that the cost required for the dedicated EEPROM can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said description, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, the operation in the above-described embodiment can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When processing is performed by software, a program in which a processing sequence is recorded may be installed and executed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Or you may install and run a program in the general purpose computer which can perform various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is stored on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto-Optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program may be wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer in addition to being installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. Or you may wire-transfer to a computer via networks, such as LAN (Local Area Network) and the internet. The computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition to being executed in time series in accordance with the processing operations described in the above embodiment, the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or a configuration to execute in parallel or individually as necessary Is also possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drive apparatus 2 Control apparatus 3 Power supply apparatus 4 Accessor mechanism 5 Magazine 6 Medium 7 Front panel 8 Camera 9 Memory | storage part

Claims (7)

A library device in which one or more magazines capable of accommodating a plurality of media on which information can be read and written by a computer is mounted, and the model type of the device is set according to the mounting form of the magazines,
Detecting means for detecting a predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all the magazines mounted on the own device;
A library apparatus comprising: identification means for identifying the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark detected by the detection means. The library apparatus according to claim 1,
Further comprising accessor means for transferring the medium,
The detecting means is a library device provided in the accessor means. The library apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The magazine is provided with a plurality of cells for containing the medium,
Each of the plurality of cells is provided with a target mark serving as a reference when positioning the accessor means,
The library apparatus, wherein the predetermined mark is a target mark attached to a cell at a predetermined position among the plurality of target marks. The library apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The library device, wherein the detection means is a camera used to read a recording code attached to the medium when performing inventory. The library apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Further comprising storage means for storing an identification result of the identification means;
The identification means determines the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark redetected by the detection means when the detection means detects the predetermined mark again after the storage means stores the identification result. A library apparatus that performs re-identification and outputs an output indicating that the magazine has been erroneously mounted when the identification result based on the re-detection position of the predetermined mark is different from the identification result in the storage means. A model type identification method in a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of accommodating a plurality of media on which information can be read and written by a computer are mounted and the model type of the apparatus is set according to the mounting form of the magazines,
A detection step of detecting a predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all magazines mounted on the own device;
An identification step of identifying the model type based on the position of the predetermined mark to be detected. A computer in a library apparatus in which one or more magazines capable of storing a plurality of media on which information can be read and written by a computer is mounted and the model type of the apparatus is set according to the mounting form of the magazines,
A detection procedure for detecting a predetermined mark attached to the magazine from all the magazines mounted on the device using a detection means;
An identification procedure for identifying the model type based on the position of the detected predetermined mark.

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