JP6164688B2 - Library device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a library apparatus.

  There is a library apparatus as one of storage apparatuses that can exchange recording media (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The library apparatus includes a magazine that stores a recording medium and is detachable from the main body of the library apparatus, and reads / writes data from / to the recording medium stored in the magazine while the magazine is inserted into the main body.

JP 2009-230839 A JP 2009-238260 A

In the library apparatus, as a method for displaying whether or not a magazine can be taken out (ejected), for example, there is a method of providing a dedicated display lamp such as a light emitting diode and turning on the display lamp when the magazine can be taken out.
However, in this method, it is necessary to provide a display lamp package (PKG) and wire the package and the control circuit with a cable or the like. In this respect, the structure of the library apparatus becomes complicated, which is a restriction on the miniaturization of the library apparatus. In particular, in a library apparatus having a plurality of magazines such as a 4U library apparatus, it is necessary to provide a display lamp for each magazine. In this respect, the structure of the library apparatus becomes more complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a library apparatus that can solve the above-described problems.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a library apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a magazine for storing a recording medium, a library apparatus body into which the magazine is inserted in one direction, and the library. When the magazine is inserted into the apparatus main body in the one direction, the magazine is moved in a direction protruding into the movement space of the magazine in the library apparatus main body, and the movement of the magazine in the direction opposite to the one direction is restricted. In a state where the optical path of the light beam from the light source is changed by the movement of the lock device and the lock device, and the lock device does not regulate the movement of the magazine, the light beam passes from the display window to the outside of the library device main body. The light beam is output in the direction of the display window when the lock device regulates the movement of the magazine. Characterized by comprising an optical path, the to the optical path that is not.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display whether or not a magazine can be taken out with a simpler structure.

It is a schematic structure diagram for demonstrating the relationship between the main body of the library apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention, and a magazine. It is an outline figure showing an example of an outline of a storage medium which a library device in the embodiment uses. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the barcode reader and light emitting diode in the accessor of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning inside a library apparatus main body in the state by which the magazine was extracted in the same embodiment. It is an external view which shows the example of the external shape of the optical direction change component in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the positional relationship of the light-incidence part of a light direction change component in the same embodiment, and a light emission part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation of the optical direction change component to the lock lever in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning inside a library apparatus main body in the state in the middle of inserting the magazine in the library apparatus main body in the same embodiment. It is an external view which shows the example of the external appearance which looked at the magazine in the embodiment from the bottom. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning inside a library apparatus main body in the state in which the magazine was locked in the same embodiment. It is another explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning inside a library apparatus main body in the state in which the magazine was locked in the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows direction of the optical direction change component 17 in the state in which the magazine was locked in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning inside a library apparatus main body in the state in which the lock | rock of the magazine was cancelled | released in the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the direction of a light direction change component, and the position of a light emitting diode in the state in which the lock | rock of the magazine was cancelled | released in the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram for explaining the relationship between a main body of a library apparatus and a magazine in an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the library apparatus 1 includes a library apparatus main body 2 and a magazine 19.

The library device 1 is a device that reads / writes data from / to a recording medium stored in a removable magazine, such as a magnetic tape library device.
The magazine 19 can accommodate a plurality of recording media and is inserted into the library apparatus body 2 from the front surface of the library apparatus body 2. In FIG. 1, the insertion direction of the magazine 19 is indicated by an arrow L11. The insertion direction indicated by the arrow L11 corresponds to an example of one direction in the present invention.
The magazine 19 is taken out by moving the magazine 19 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction indicated by the arrow L11. The user (magazine operator) puts in and out the magazine 19.

  As will be described later, the magazine 19 is locked in a state of being inserted into the library apparatus main body 2. The user can take out the magazine 19 from the library apparatus body 2 in the unlocked state (unlocked state). Further, a display window 111 for displaying whether or not the magazine can be taken out is provided on the front surface of the library apparatus body 2.

The library apparatus main body 2 includes a housing 11, a drive device 12 provided inside the housing 11, and an accessor 13.
With the magazine 19 inserted in the library apparatus body 2, the accessor 13 takes out the recording medium from the magazine 19 and inserts it into the drive device 12. The drive device 12 reads / writes data from / to the inserted recording medium 900.

In FIG. 1, the movement direction of the accessor 13 is indicated by an arrow L12. The accessor 13 is movably installed in the movement direction of the magazine 19 and in the opposite direction. The accessor 13 moves in the moving direction indicated by the arrow L12 and carries the medium between the magazine 19 and the drive device 12.
Specifically, when the accessor 13 takes out the recording medium from the magazine 19, the accessor 13 moves in the insertion direction of the magazine 19 and inserts the recording medium into the drive device 12. Further, the accessor 13 takes out the recording medium that has been used by the drive device 12 from the drive device 12, moves it in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the magazine 19, and inserts (stores) the recording medium in the magazine 19.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, reading of the barcode of the recording medium by the accessor 13 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an outline view showing an example of the outline of the storage medium used by the library apparatus 1. In the figure, a barcode label 901 is pasted on the back surface of a recording medium 900. The back surface here is a surface that is visible from the outside of the magazine 19 when inserted into the magazine 19.
The bar code label 901 is a label for identifying the recording medium 900, and the identification information of the recording medium 900 is described in a bar code.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement example of the bar code reader and the light emitting diodes in the accessor 13. In the figure, the accessor 13 includes a bar code reader 131 and a light emitting diode (LED) 132 arranged to face the bar code label 901.
Since the inside of the library apparatus main body 2 is dark, the accessor 13 reads the barcode with the barcode reader 131 in a state where the light emitting diode 132 emits light and the barcode label 901 is illuminated. The light emitting diode 132 is installed near the barcode reader 131 and irradiates light toward the barcode label 901. The light emitting diode 132 corresponds to an example of a light source.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the lock lever and the light direction changing component provided in the library apparatus main body 2 will be described.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement example inside the library apparatus main body 2 in a state where the magazine 19 is removed. In the figure, an example of the arrangement of each part when the library apparatus main body 2 is viewed from the upper surface side is shown.
In the figure, the library apparatus main body 2 includes a lock lever 14, a spring 15, a stopper 16, and an optical direction changing component 17 in addition to the components described in FIG.

The lock lever 14 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis P21 and has a function of locking the magazine 19 inserted in the library apparatus main body 2. The lock lever 14 corresponds to an example of a lock device.
Here, the “lock” of the magazine 19 is to physically fix the magazine 19 inside the library apparatus main body 2. When the magazine 19 is locked, the magazine 19 remains in the library apparatus body 2 even if the library apparatus body 2 is shaken by an earthquake, for example. Further, when the magazine 19 is locked, the user cannot take out the magazine 19.

The spring 15 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis P11. A fixed end P12 which is one end of the spring 15 is fixed to the housing 11. The spring 15 is in contact with the lock lever 14 and applies a force to the lock lever 14 so as to rotate the lock lever 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow L21.
The stopper 16 is fixed to the housing 11 and limits the rotation range of the lock lever 14 within a certain range. In a state where the magazine 19 is removed, the lock lever 14 is stopped while being in contact with the stopper 16.

  When the magazine 19 is removed, the accessor 13 is in a position not in contact with the lock lever 14 as shown in FIG. Specifically, a sensor for detecting whether or not the magazine 19 is inserted is provided in the library apparatus main body 2. When the sensor detects that the magazine 19 is not inserted, the accessor 13 locks. It waits at a predetermined standby position not in contact with the lever 14.

The light direction changing component 17 changes the optical path of the light beam. The light direction changing component 17 corresponds to an example of an optical path.
In particular, when the light direction changing component 17 receives the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132, the light direction changing component 17 changes the direction of the light beam. The light direction changing component 17 is provided on the lock lever 14 and guides the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132 in different directions according to the position (rotation angle) of the lock lever 14. As will be described later, the light direction changing component 17 guides the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132 to the display window 111, and the display window 111 outputs the light beam, thereby indicating that the magazine 19 can be taken out. .
Note that the light emitting diode 132 does not emit light when the magazine 19 is removed. Therefore, the display window 111 does not output a light beam, indicating that the magazine 19 is not ready to be taken out.

FIG. 5 is an external view showing an example of the external shape of the light direction changing component 17. In the figure, the light direction changing component 17 has a light incident part F11, a reflection surface F12 provided inside the light direction changing part 17, and a light emitting part F13.
For example, the light direction changing component 17 is configured by a prism having the shape shown in FIG. 5, and surfaces other than the light incident part F11 and the light output part F13 are processed so as not to transmit light. The reflecting surface F12 reflects the light beam that has entered the light direction changing component 17 from the light incident part F11, thereby changing the optical path of the light beam.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the light incident portion and the light exit portion of the light direction changing component 17. In the drawing, the surface of the light incident portion F11 and the surface of the light exit portion F13 are both provided at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the reflective surface F12. In addition, the light incident part F <b> 11 is provided so as to protrude in order to limit the direction of the light beam entering the light direction changing component 17. Similarly, the light incident portion F13 is provided so as to protrude in order to limit the direction of the light beam emitted from the light direction changing component 17.

  With this arrangement, a light beam (incident light) incident perpendicularly to the surface of the light incident part F11 hits the reflection surface F12 at an angle of 45 degrees, and is emitted from the light output part F13 while changing its direction by 90 degrees. On the other hand, when a light beam having an angle other than perpendicular to the surface of the light incident part F11 enters the light direction changing component 17, the light beam emitted from the outgoing part F13 is weak (the light amount is small).

The light direction changing component 17 only needs to change the optical path in a specific direction when a light beam is received from a specific direction, and is not limited to one configured using a prism.
For example, the light direction changing component 17 is configured using a mirror that configures the reflecting surface F12 and a cover that covers the mirror in order to limit the direction of incident light and the direction of emitted light, and the cover includes the light incident part F11 and You may open in the light emission part F13.
Alternatively, the optical direction changing component 17 may be configured using an optical fiber so as to emit a light beam that is incident perpendicular to one cross section of the optical fiber in a direction perpendicular to the other cross section.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation example of the light direction changing component 17 on the lock lever 14. As in the example of the figure, the light direction changing component 17 is fixedly installed with respect to the lock lever 14, and as the lock lever 14 moves (rotates), the light emitting diode 132 with respect to the light direction changing component 17. The direction of (FIG. 4) changes.

Next, operations of the lock lever 14 and the light direction changing component 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement inside the library apparatus main body 2 in the middle of inserting the magazine 19 into the library apparatus main body 2. In the figure, an example of the arrangement of each part when the library apparatus main body 2 is viewed from the upper surface side is shown.
As shown in the figure, the magazine 19 includes magazine rails 191 and 192. When the magazine 19 is inserted into the library apparatus body 2, the magazine rail 192 hits the lock lever 14. The magazine rail 192 pushes the lock lever 14 and rotates the lock lever 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow L31. As a result, the magazine 19 enters the library apparatus main body 2 without being restricted by the lock lever 14. The magazine rail 192 corresponds to an example of a guide rail.

  FIG. 9 is an outline view showing an example of the outline of the magazine 19 as viewed from below. As described with reference to FIG. 8, the magazine 19 includes magazine rails 191 and 192. The magazine rails 191 and 192 come into contact with guide rails provided in the library apparatus main body 2, and restrict the insertion direction of the magazine 19 in the direction of the arrow L11 in FIG.

Further, the magazine rail 192 is provided with a step A11. In the stepped portion A11, there is no part of the outside of the magazine rail 192 (the side on which the lock lever 14 contacts), and the magazine rail 192 is thin.
The number of guide rails included in the magazine 19 is not limited to two as shown in the figure, and may be one or three or more.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement example inside the library apparatus main body 2 in a state where the magazine 19 is locked. In the figure, an example of the arrangement of each part when the library apparatus main body 2 is viewed from the upper surface side is shown.
When the magazine 19 is inserted into the library apparatus main body 2 (when the insertion is completed), the lock lever 14 enters the stepped portion (stepped portion A11 in FIG. 9) of the magazine rail 192 to lock the magazine 19. Due to the lock, the magazine 19 cannot be removed from the library apparatus body 2.
Thus, the lock lever 14 moves the magazine 19 in the library apparatus main body 2 by inserting the magazine 19 into the library apparatus main body 2 in one direction (in this embodiment, the direction of the arrow L11 (FIG. 1)). It moves in the direction protruding into the space (in this embodiment, the direction protruding toward the stepped portion A11 (FIG. 9)), and restricts the movement of the magazine 19 in the direction opposite to the one direction.

FIG. 11 is another explanatory diagram showing an arrangement example inside the library apparatus main body 2 in a state where the magazine 19 is locked. In the figure, an example of the arrangement of each part when the library apparatus main body 2 is viewed from the front side is shown.
As shown in the figure, the lock lever 14 enters under the magazine 19 using the height of the magazine rails 191 and 192.
Further, the gap in the height direction between the magazine 19 and the housing 11 is limited so that the magazine rails 191 and 192 are not detached from the guide rails of the library apparatus main body 2, and the magazine 19 moves in the vertical direction. Is regulated.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of the light direction changing component 17 in a state where the magazine 19 is locked.
In a state where the magazine 19 is locked, the direction of the light direction changing component 17 is deviated from the direction of outputting the light beam to the display window 111 by the lock lever 14 entering the step portion of the magazine rail 192. For example, in FIG. 12, the light beam output from the light emitting diode 132 is reflected at an acute angle due to the relationship between the incident angle and the reflection angle, and is not output in the direction of the display window 111. Even when the light emitting diode 132 is in a position other than the position shown in FIG. 12, the light direction changing component 17 does not output a light beam toward the display window 111. This indicates that the magazine 19 is not removable.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement example inside the library apparatus main body 2 in a state where the lock of the magazine 19 is released. In the figure, an example of the arrangement of each part when the library apparatus main body 2 is viewed from the upper surface side is shown.
When the user performs a pull-out request operation for the magazine 19 with respect to the library apparatus 1, the accessor 13 moves to the front side of the library apparatus body 2 and rotates the lock lever 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow L41. Due to the rotation, the lock lever 14 is released from the step portion of the magazine rail 192, so that the lock is released. Thereby, the magazine 19 can be pulled out.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of the light direction changing component 17 and the position of the light emitting diode 132 when the magazine 19 is unlocked.
As described with reference to FIG. 13, when the magazine 19 is unlocked, the accessor 13 is in a specific position where the lock lever 14 is rotated. Thereby, the light emitting diode 132 installed in the accessor 13 is also in a specific position. When the magazine 19 is unlocked, the lock lever 14 is pushed by the accessor 13 and rotates to face a specific direction. Thereby, the light direction change component 17 installed in the lock lever 14 also faces a specific direction.

Thus, in the state where the magazine 19 is unlocked, the position of the light emitting diode 132 and the direction of the light direction changing component 17 are specified. Specifically, the light emitting diode 132 is at a position where the light beam is irradiated perpendicularly to the surface of the light incident part (F11 in FIG. 6) of the light direction changing component 17.
When the magazine 19 is unlocked, the light emitting diode 132 emits light. The light direction changing component 17 reflects the light beam from the light emitting diode 132 at an angle of 90 degrees and guides it to the display window 111. The display window 111 displays that the magazine 19 can be taken out by outputting the light beam from the light emitting diode 132 that has reached through the light direction changing component 17 to the outside of the library apparatus main body 2.

  For example, the display window 111 is configured by inserting a colored plastic including a diffusing material into a hole provided in the front surface of the housing 11, and the light from the light emitting diode 132 that has reached through the light direction changing component 17. Scatter. Thereby, even if the user is not located in front of the display window 111, the user can perceive the light output from the display window 111 and know that the magazine 19 can be taken out.

As described above, the lock lever 14 moves in a direction protruding into the movement space of the magazine 19 in the library apparatus main body 2 by inserting the magazine 19 in the library apparatus main body 2 in the insertion direction, Regulate magazine movement in the opposite direction. The light direction changing component 17 changes the optical path of the light beam by moving the lock lever 14.
Thereby, the direction of the light beam whose light direction changing component 17 has changed the optical path can be changed between the locked state and the unlocked state of the magazine 19. Accordingly, when the magazine 19 is locked, the light beam from the light direction changing component 17 can be prevented from going to the display window 111, and when the magazine 19 is unlocked, the light beam from the light direction changing component 17 is displayed. It can be directed to the window 111.
Accordingly, it is possible to display whether or not the magazine 19 can be taken out with a simpler structure that does not require a dedicated lamp for displaying whether or not the magazine 19 can be taken out.

More specifically, when the lock lever 14 is in a position other than the position where the movement of the magazine 19 is restricted, the light direction changing component 17 moves the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (accordingly, the library Guide to the front side of the apparatus body 2). On the other hand, when the lock lever 14 is in a position where the movement of the magazine 19 is restricted, the light direction changing component 17 guides the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132 in a direction other than the insertion direction. The state where the lock lever 14 is located at a position other than the position where the movement of the magazine 19 is restricted includes the unlocked state.
Therefore, the user located on the front side of the library apparatus main body 2 can perceive the light beam in the unlocked state and know that the magazine 19 can be taken out.

Further, the magazine rail 192 is provided with a stepped portion, and the lock lever 14 regulates the movement of the magazine in the direction opposite to the one direction by contacting the stepped portion. The accessor 13 moves the lock lever 14 to a predetermined position not in contact with the stepped portion by moving to a predetermined position (the unlocking position shown in FIG. 13). The light direction changing component 17 guides the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode 132 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction when the lock lever 14 moves to a predetermined position.
Thus, it is possible to display whether or not the magazine 19 can be taken out using a simple configuration in which the light direction changing component 17 is provided on the lock lever 14 that locks the magazine 19 by entering the step portion of the magazine rail 192. Can do.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Library apparatus 2 Library apparatus main body 11 Case 111 Display window 12 Drive apparatus 13 Accessor 131 Bar code reader 132 Light emitting diode 14 Lock lever 15 Spring 16 Stopper 17 Light direction change part 19 Magazine 191 Magazine rail 192 Magazine rail

Claims (3)

A magazine for storing recording media;
A library apparatus body into which the magazine is inserted in one direction;
When the magazine is inserted into the library apparatus main body in the one direction, the magazine is moved in a direction protruding into the movement space of the magazine in the library apparatus main body, and the magazine is moved in a direction opposite to the one direction. A locking device to regulate,
In a state where the optical path of the light beam from the light source is changed by the movement of the lock device and the lock device does not restrict the movement of the magazine, the light beam is output from the display window to the outside of the library device main body. In an optical path, and in a state where the locking device restricts the movement of the magazine, an optical path that makes the light beam not output in the direction of the display window ;
A library apparatus comprising: An accessor which is provided in the library apparatus so as to be movable in the one direction and the opposite direction, and operates a recording medium accommodated in the magazine;
The light source is provided in the accessor is irradiated with light to said recording medium,
The optical path guides a light beam emitted from the light source to the display window located in a direction opposite to the one direction when the lock device is located at a position other than the position where the movement of the magazine is restricted. When in the restricted position, guide the light beam emitted from the light source in a direction other than the opposite direction,
The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the library apparatus main body, the magazine is inserted in the one direction along the first surface of the magazine,
The magazine has a guide rail that is perpendicular to the first surface and extends along the second surface along the one direction and that contacts the library device main body and regulates the insertion direction of the magazine, and the guide rail A step portion that is discontinuous with respect to the surface is provided,
The locking device regulates movement of the magazine in a direction opposite to the one direction by contacting the stepped portion,
The accessor moves the locking device to a predetermined position not in contact with the stepped portion by moving to a predetermined position.
The optical path guides a light beam emitted from the light source to the display window located in a direction opposite to the one direction when the locking device moves to the predetermined position.
The library apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

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