JP6820448B1 - Non-contact communication media, magnetic tape cartridges, non-contact communication media operating methods, and programs - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easier for a destination of a processing result signal to receive a processing result signal as compared with a case where the signal level of the processing result signal is constant regardless of the strength of an external magnetic field. Provide operating methods and programs for tape cartridges, non-contact communication media. A non-contact communication medium has a coil, and a power generator that generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field given from the outside, and a clock signal generation that generates a clock signal using the electric power. It is equipped with a device and a processor that operates using electric power and processes commands contained in the external magnetic field, and a processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by performing the processing transmits the external magnetic field by a coil. When transmitted to the outside via, the processor changes the signal level of the processing result signal according to the strength of the external magnetic field. [Selection diagram] FIG. 11

Description

The techniques of the present disclosure relate to non-contact communication media, magnetic tape cartridges, non-contact communication media operating methods, and programs.

Patent Document 1 discloses a non-contact communication medium including a memory unit, a power generation unit, a power monitoring unit, and a capacity control unit. In the non-contact communication medium described in Patent Document 1, the memory unit stores predetermined management information. The power generation unit has a resonance circuit having an antenna coil and a resonance capacitance unit having a variable capacitance value, and a rectifying circuit that rectifies the resonance output of the resonance circuit, and generates electric power supplied to the memory unit. The power monitoring unit is a current adjustment element that is connected in parallel with the rectifier circuit to the resonant circuit and has a variable resistance value, a reference voltage source that generates a reference voltage, and the output voltage of the rectifier circuit is the reference voltage. It has an operational amplifier that controls the current adjusting element so as to be equal to. The capacitance control unit is configured to control the resonance capacitance unit based on the output of the operational amplifier.

Patent Document 2 discloses a non-contact communication medium for a recording medium cartridge, which includes a circuit component, a support substrate, and an antenna coil. In the non-contact communication medium described in Patent Document 2, the circuit component has a built-in memory unit capable of storing management information regarding the recording medium cartridge. The support board supports the circuit components. The antenna coil has a coil portion electrically connected to a circuit component and formed on a support substrate, and the inductance value of the coil portion is 0.3 μH or more and 2.0 μH or less.

Patent Document 3 discloses a non-contact communication medium including a voltage generation unit, a memory unit, a clock signal generation unit, and a control unit. In the non-contact communication medium described in Patent Document 3, the voltage generating unit has an antenna coil for transmission / reception, receives a signal magnetic field from an external device, and generates electric power. The memory unit stores one or more circuit parameters set in the voltage generation unit and predetermined management information. The clock signal generator is configured to be capable of selectively generating two or more different frequency clock signals. The control unit is configured to select the frequency of the clock signal supplied from the clock signal generation unit to the memory unit.

International Publication No. 2019/198438 International Publication No. 2019/198527 International Publication No. 2019/176325

One embodiment according to the technique of the present disclosure is to make it easier for the destination of the processing result signal to receive the processing result signal as compared with the case where the signal level of the processing result signal is constant regardless of the strength of the external magnetic field. Provided are a non-contact communication medium, a magnetic tape cartridge, an operation method of the non-contact communication medium, and a program.

The first aspect according to the technique of the present disclosure is a power generator which has a coil and generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field applied from the outside, and a clock which generates a clock signal using electric power. It is equipped with a signal generator and a processor that operates using electric power and processes commands contained in an external magnetic field, and a processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by the processing is externally provided by a coil. When transmitted to the outside via a magnetic field, the processor is a non-contact communication medium that changes the signal level of the processing result signal according to the strength of the external magnetic field.

A second aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is the non-contact communication medium according to the first aspect, wherein the processor raises the signal level as the strength of the external magnetic field decreases.

A third aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is a non-contact communication medium in which the processor lowers the signal level as the strength of the external magnetic field increases.

A fourth aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is a non-contact communication medium according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the degree of change in the signal level is determined according to the remaining amount of electric power. Is.

A fifth aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a non-contact communication medium and a magnetic tape according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. The non-contact communication medium is a magnetic tape cartridge that has a memory and the memory stores information about the magnetic tape.

A sixth aspect according to the technique of the present disclosure is a power generator that has a coil and generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field applied from the outside, and a clock that generates a clock signal using electric power. It is an operation method of a non-contact communication medium including a signal generator, a processor that operates by using electric power and processes a command included in an external magnetic field, and the processing is performed. When a processing result signal indicating a processing result is transmitted to the outside through an external magnetic field by a coil, a method of operating a non-contact communication medium including changing the signal level of the processing result signal according to the strength of the external magnetic field. Is.

A seventh aspect according to the technique of the present disclosure is a power generator that has a coil and generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field applied from the outside, and a clock that generates a clock signal using electric power. Processing can be performed on a computer that is applied to a non-contact communication medium, including a signal generator, a processor that operates on power and processes commands contained in an external magnetic field. When a processing result signal indicating the processing result is transmitted to the outside through an external magnetic field by a coil, a program for executing processing including changing the signal level of the processing result signal according to the strength of the external magnetic field. Is.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the structure of the right rear end part inside the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a side view sectional view which shows an example of the support member provided on the inner surface of the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the hardware structure of the magnetic tape drive which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the mode in which the magnetic field is emitted by the non-contact type reading / writing device from the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the mode in which the magnetic field is applied from the non-contact type reading / writing device to the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic bottom view which shows an example of the structure of the back surface of the substrate of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the structure of the surface of the substrate of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer of the IC chip mounted on the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the processing content of the signal level setting processing executed by the CPU of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the signal level setting process which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which shows an example of the correlation between the strength of a magnetic field and the signal level of a response signal. It is a graph which shows an example of the correlation between the remaining amount of electric power, and the degree of raising the signal level of a response signal. It is a graph which shows an example of the correlation between the remaining amount of electric power and the degree of reduction of the signal level of a response signal. It is a schematic plan view of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment, and is the schematic plan view which shows the modification of the connection form of a coil and an IC chip. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the modification of the tilt angle of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the mode in which the magnetic field is applied to the package of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mode in which the signal level setting processing program is installed in the computer from the storage medium which stores the signal level setting processing program which concerns on embodiment.

First, the wording used in the following description will be described.

The CPU is an abbreviation for "Central Processing Unit". RAM refers to the abbreviation of "Random Access Memory". NVM is an abbreviation for "Non-Volatile Memory". ROM is an abbreviation for "Read Only Memory". I / F refers to the abbreviation of "Interface". EEPROM refers to the abbreviation of "Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory". SSD is an abbreviation for "Solid State Drive". USB refers to the abbreviation of "Universal Serial Bus". ASIC refers to the abbreviation of "Application Specific Integrated Circuit". PLD refers to the abbreviation of "Programmable Logical Device". FPGA refers to the abbreviation of "Field-Programmable Gate Array". SoC refers to the abbreviation of "System-on-a-chip". IC refers to the abbreviation of "Integrated circuit". RFID refers to the abbreviation for "radio frequency identifier". LTO refers to the abbreviation of "Linear Tape-Open".

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, the loading direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 into the magnetic tape drive 30 (see FIG. 4) is indicated by an arrow A, and the direction of the arrow A is the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following structural description, "front" refers to the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, the arrow B direction orthogonal to the arrow A direction is the right direction, and the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following structural description, "right" refers to the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, the direction orthogonal to the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction is indicated by an arrow C, the arrow C direction is an upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is described. The upper side is the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following description, in the following structural description, "top" refers to the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, the direction opposite to the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Be on the back side. In the following structural description, "rear" refers to the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Further, in the following description, LTO will be taken as an example as a standard of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Further, in the following description, it is assumed that the specifications shown in Table 1 below are applied to the LTO according to the technique of the present disclosure, but this is merely an example.

In Table 1, "EQUA to SELCET system" means a polling command described later. The "EQUA-SELCET system" includes at least a command "Request A", a command "Request SN", and a command "Select". "Request A" is a command for inquiring about what type of cartridge memory the cartridge memory is. In the present embodiment, the “Request A” is one type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of types may be used. "Request SN" is a command for inquiring the serial number from the cartridge memory. "Select" is a command for notifying the cartridge memory of read / write preparation. The READ system is a command corresponding to the read command described later. The WRITE system is a command corresponding to the write command described later.

Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, the direction opposite to the upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the downward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the downward side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The lower side. In the following structural description, "bottom" refers to the bottom of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and includes a box-shaped case 12. The case 12 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate, and includes an upper case 14 and a lower case 16. The upper case 14 and the lower case 16 are joined by welding (for example, ultrasonic welding) and screwing in a state where the lower peripheral surface of the upper case 14 and the upper peripheral surface of the lower case 16 are in contact with each other. The joining method is not limited to welding and screwing, and other joining methods may be used.

A cartridge reel 18 is rotatably housed inside the case 12. The cartridge reel 18 includes a reel hub 18A, an upper flange 18B1, and a lower flange 18B2. The reel hub 18A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The reel hub 18A is an axial center portion of the cartridge reel 18, and the axial center direction is along the vertical direction of the case 12, and is arranged at the central portion of the case 12. Each of the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2 is formed in an annular shape. The central portion of the upper flange 18B1 in a plan view is fixed to the upper end of the reel hub 18A, and the central portion of the lower flange 18B2 in a plan view is fixed to the lower end of the reel hub 18A. A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 18A, and the end portion of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction is held by the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2.

An opening 12B is formed on the front side of the right wall 12A of the case 12. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the opening 12B.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a cartridge memory 19 is housed in the right rear end portion of the lower case 16. The cartridge memory 19 is an example of a “non-contact communication medium” according to the technique of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is adopted as the cartridge memory 19.

Management information 100 (see FIG. 10) is stored in the cartridge memory 19. The management information 100 is information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The management information 100 includes, for example, identification information that can identify the magnetic tape cartridge 10, a recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, an outline of information recorded on the magnetic tape MT (hereinafter, also referred to as “recording information”), and recording information. Items and information indicating the recording format of the recorded information can be mentioned. The management information is an example of "information on magnetic tape" according to the technique of the present disclosure.

The cartridge memory 19 is a non-contact type and communicates with an external device (not shown). As the external device, for example, a read / write device used in the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and a read / write device (for example, FIG. 4) used in the magnetic tape drive (for example, the magnetic tape drive 30 shown in FIG. 4). A non-contact read / write device 50) shown in FIG. 6 can be mentioned.

The external device reads and writes various information to and from the cartridge memory 19 in a non-contact manner. As will be described in detail later, the cartridge memory 19 generates electric power by electromagnetically acting on a magnetic field applied from an external device. Then, the cartridge memory 19 operates using the generated electric power and communicates with the external device via the magnetic field to exchange various information with the external device.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a support member 20 is provided on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A at the right rear end of the lower case 16. The support member 20 is a pair of tilting tables that support the cartridge memory 19 from below in a tilted state. The pair of inclined tables are the first inclined table 20A and the second inclined table 20B. The first inclined table 20A and the second inclined table 20B are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the case 12, and are integrated with the inner surface of the rear wall 16B of the lower case 16 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. The first inclined table 20A has an inclined surface 20A1, and the inclined surface 20A1 is inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. Further, the inclined surface 20B1 is also inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A.

A pair of position restricting ribs 22 are arranged on the front side of the support member 20 at intervals in the left-right direction. The pair of position restricting ribs 22 are erected on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A, and regulate the position of the lower end portion of the cartridge memory 19 arranged on the support member 20.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a reference surface 16A1 is formed on the outer surface of the bottom plate 16A. The reference plane 16A1 is a flat surface. Here, the flat surface refers to a plane parallel to the horizontal plane when the lower case 16 is placed on the horizontal plane with the bottom plate 16A on the lower side. The inclination angle θ of the support member 20, that is, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 20A1 and the inclined surface 20B1 is 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface 16A1.

The cartridge memory 19 includes a substrate 26. The substrate 26 is placed on the support member 20 with the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 facing downward, and the support member 20 supports the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 from below. A part of the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 is in contact with the inclined surfaces of the support member 20, that is, the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1, and the surface 26B of the substrate 26 is exposed to the inner surface 14A1 side of the top plate 14A.

The upper case 14 includes a plurality of ribs 24. The plurality of ribs 24 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the case 12. The plurality of ribs 24 project downward from the inner surface 14A1 of the top plate 14A of the upper case 14, and the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 has an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1. That is, the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface 16A1.

When the upper case 14 is joined to the lower case 16 as described above with the cartridge memory 19 arranged on the support member 20, the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 comes into contact with the substrate 26 from the surface 26B side. The substrate 26 is sandwiched between the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 and the inclined surface of the support member 20. As a result, the vertical position of the cartridge memory 19 is regulated by the rib 24.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic tape drive 30 includes a transport device 34, a read head 36, and a control device 38. The magnetic tape drive 30 is loaded with the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The magnetic tape drive 30 is a device in which a magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and recorded information is read from the pulled out magnetic tape MT by a linear scan method using a reading head 36. In the present embodiment, reading the recorded information means, in other words, reproducing the recorded information.

The control device 38 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 30. In the present embodiment, the control device 38 is realized by an ASIC, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 38 may be realized by FPGA. Further, the control device 38 may be realized by a computer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Further, it may be realized by combining two or more of ASIC, FPGA, and a computer. That is, the control device 38 may be realized by a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

The transfer device 34 is a device that selectively conveys the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and includes a delivery motor 40, a take-up reel 42, a take-up motor 44, a plurality of guide rollers GR, and a control device 38. ing.

The delivery motor 40 rotates and drives the cartridge reel 18 in the magnetic tape cartridge 10 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the delivery motor 40 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the cartridge reel 18.

When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the delivery motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the forward direction. The rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the delivery motor 40 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT wound by the take-up reel 42.

The take-up motor 44 rotates and drives the take-up reel 42 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the take-up motor 44 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the take-up reel 42.

When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the take-up motor 44 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the forward direction. The rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the take-up motor 44 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT taken up by the take-up reel 42.

By adjusting the rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 in this way, tension within a predetermined range is applied to the magnetic tape MT. Here, the “within the predetermined range” refers to, for example, a range of tension obtained by computer simulation and / or a test by an actual machine as a range of tension in which data can be read from the magnetic tape MT by the reading head 36.

When the magnetic tape MT is rewound on the cartridge reel 18, the control device 38 rotates the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the opposite direction.

In the present embodiment, the tension of the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the tension of the magnetic tape MT may be controlled using a dancer roller or may be controlled by pulling the magnetic tape MT into the vacuum chamber.

Each of the plurality of guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. The traveling path of the magnetic tape MT is defined by arranging a plurality of guide rollers GR separately at positions straddling the reading head 36 between the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and the take-up reel 42.

The reading head 36 includes a reading element 46 and a holder 48. The reading element 46 is held by the holder 48 so as to come into contact with the traveling magnetic tape MT, and reads recorded information from the magnetic tape MT conveyed by the conveying device 34.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a non-contact read / write device 50. The non-contact read / write device 50 is an example of an "external" and "communication device" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The non-contact read / write device 50 is arranged below the magnetic tape cartridge 10 in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded so as to face the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. The state in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 is defined as, for example, a position predetermined as a position where the magnetic tape cartridge 10 starts reading recorded information on the magnetic tape MT by the reading head 36. Refers to the reached state.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the non-contact read / write device 50 emits a magnetic field MF from the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 toward the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic field MF is an example of an "external magnetic field" according to the technique of the present disclosure.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the non-contact read / write device 50 is connected to the control device 38. The control device 38 outputs a control signal for controlling the cartridge memory 19 to the non-contact read / write device 50. The non-contact read / write device 50 emits the magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 19 according to the control signal input from the control device 38. The magnetic field MF penetrates from the back surface 26A side to the front surface 26B side of the cartridge memory 19.

The non-contact read / write device 50 spatially transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the control device 38. As will be described in detail later, the command signal is a signal indicating a command to the cartridge memory 19. When the command signal is spatially transmitted from the non-contact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19, the magnetic field MF includes the command signal by the non-contact read / write device 50 according to an instruction from the control device 38. In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF. That is, the non-contact read / write device 50 transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 38.

An IC chip 52 and a capacitor 54 are mounted on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19. The IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are adhered to the surface 26B. Further, on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are sealed by a sealing material 56. Here, as the sealing material 56, an ultraviolet curable resin that cures in response to ultraviolet rays is adopted. The ultraviolet curable resin is merely an example, and a photocurable resin that is effective in reacting with light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet rays may be used as the sealing material 56, or a thermosetting resin may be used as the sealing material. It may be used as 56, or the adhesive may be used as the sealing material 56.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, a coil 60 is formed in a loop on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Here, copper foil is used as the material of the coil 60. The copper foil is merely an example, and may be another kind of conductive material such as an aluminum foil. The coil 60 induces an induced current by the action of a magnetic field MF (see FIGS. 5 and 6) given by the non-contact read / write device 50.

A first conductive portion 62A and a second conductive portion 62B are provided on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. The first conductive portion 62A and the second conductive portion 62B have solder, and the coil 60 with respect to the IC chip 52 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) and the capacitor 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) on the surface 26B. Both ends of the are electrically connected.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are electrically connected to each other by a wire connection method. Specifically, one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the IC chip 52 is connected to the first conductive portion 62A via the wiring 64A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conductive portion 62A via the wiring 64B. It is connected to 62B. Further, the capacitor 54 has a pair of electrodes. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the pair of electrodes are electrodes 54A and 54B. The electrode 54A is connected to the first conductive portion 62A via the wiring 64C, and the electrode 54B is connected to the second conductive portion 62B via the wiring 64D. As a result, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are connected in parallel to the coil 60.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, the IC chip 52 includes a built-in capacitor 80, a power supply circuit 82, a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, a signal processing circuit 88, and a magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. The IC chip 52 is a general-purpose type IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and functions as an arithmetic unit for the magnetic tape cartridge by installing a program for the magnetic tape cartridge. As an example of the program for the magnetic tape cartridge, the signal level setting processing program 102 described later can be mentioned.

Further, the cartridge memory 19 includes a power generator 70. The electric power generator 70 generates electric power by the magnetic field MF given from the non-contact read / write device 50 acting on the coil 60. Specifically, the power generator 70 generates AC power using the resonance circuit 92, converts the generated AC power into DC power, and outputs the generated AC power.

The power generator 70 has a resonance circuit 92 and a power supply circuit 82. The resonant circuit 92 includes a capacitor 54, a coil 60, and a built-in capacitor 80. The built-in capacitor 80 is a capacitor built in the IC chip 52, and the power supply circuit 82 is also a circuit built in the IC chip 52. The built-in capacitor 80 is connected in parallel with the coil 60.

The capacitor 54 is a capacitor externally attached to the IC chip 52. The IC chip 52 is originally a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes different from those of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Therefore, the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80 is insufficient to realize the resonance frequency required by the cartridge memory 19 used in the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Therefore, in the cartridge memory 19, a capacitor 54 is retrofitted to the IC chip 52 as a capacitor having a capacitance value necessary for resonating the resonance circuit 92 at a predetermined resonance frequency by the action of the magnetic field MF. There is. The predetermined resonance frequency is the same frequency as the frequency of the magnetic field MF, and 13.56 MHz is adopted here. Further, the capacity of the capacitor 54 is determined based on an actually measured value of the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80.

The resonance circuit 92 generates AC power by generating a resonance phenomenon of a predetermined resonance frequency by using the induced current induced by the coil 60 when the magnetic field MF penetrates the coil 60, and the generated AC The power is output to the power supply circuit 82.

The power supply circuit 82 includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, and the like. The rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit having a plurality of diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is merely an example, and may be a half-wave rectifier circuit. The smoothing circuit includes a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit 82 converts the AC power input from the resonance circuit 92 into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “power”) to various drive elements in the IC chip 52. To do. Examples of various driving elements include a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, a signal processing circuit 88, and a magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. In this way, power is supplied to the various drive elements in the IC chip 52 by the power generator 70, so that the IC chip 52 operates using the power generated by the power generator 70.

The computer 84 is an example of a “computer” according to the technique of the present disclosure, and controls the entire cartridge memory 19. The computer 84 holds the management information 100 (see FIG. 10).

The clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal and outputs it to various driving elements. The various driving elements operate according to the clock signal input from the clock signal generator 86. As will be described in detail later, the clock signal generator 86 changes the frequency of the clock signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “clock frequency”) according to the instruction of the computer 84. In the clock signal generator 86, the same frequency as the frequency of the magnetic field MF is used as the reference clock frequency (hereinafter referred to as “reference clock frequency”), and clock signals having different clock frequencies are used based on the reference clock frequency. Is generated. In the present embodiment, the clock signal generator 86 selectively generates clock signals of the first frequency to the third frequency. The first frequency is 1/4 of the reference clock frequency, the second frequency is 1/2 of the reference clock frequency, and the third frequency is the same frequency as the reference clock frequency (FIG. 11). reference). The second frequency is an example of the "default value" according to the technique of the present disclosure.

The signal processing circuit 88 is connected to the resonance circuit 92. The signal processing circuit 88 includes a decoding circuit (not shown) and a coding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 extracts a command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 60, decodes it, and outputs it to the computer 84. The computer 84 outputs a response signal to the command signal to the signal processing circuit 88. That is, the computer 84 executes processing according to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit 88, and outputs the processing result to the signal processing circuit 88 as a response signal. In the signal processing circuit 88, when the response signal is input from the computer 84, the coding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 modulates the response signal by encoding and outputs it to the resonance circuit 92. The resonance circuit 92 transmits the response signal input from the coding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 to the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF. That is, when the response signal is transmitted from the cartridge memory 19 to the non-contact read / write device 50, the magnetic field MF includes the response signal. In other words, the response signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF.

The magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 measures the strength of the magnetic field MF based on the electric power generated by the power supply circuit 82. The electric power generated by the power supply circuit 82 increases within the limited range as the strength of the magnetic field MF applied to the resonance circuit 92 increases. The magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 outputs a signal of an output level corresponding to the power generated by the power supply circuit 82 based on the correlation between the power generated by the power supply circuit 82 and the strength of the magnetic field MF given to the resonance circuit 92. To do. That is, the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 measures the electric power generated by the power supply circuit 82, generates a magnetic field strength signal indicating the strength of the magnetic field MF based on the measurement result, and outputs the magnetic field strength signal to the computer 84. As a result, the computer 84 can execute the process according to the magnetic field strength signal input from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the computer 84 includes a CPU 94, an NVM 96, and a RAM 98. The CPU 94, NVM 96, and RAM 98 are connected to the bus 99. A clock signal generator 86, a signal processing circuit 88, and a magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 are also connected to the bus 99.

NVM96 is an example of a "memory" according to the technique of the present disclosure. Here, EEPROM is adopted as NVM96. The EEPROM is merely an example. For example, the EEPROM may be a ferroelectric memory instead of the EEPROM, and any non-volatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip 52 may be used.

The management information 100 is stored in the NVM 96. The CPU 94 selectively performs polling processing, reading processing, writing processing, and special processing according to a command signal input from the signal processing circuit 88.

The command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, a read command, or a write command. When the command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, the CPU 94 executes the polling process. When the command indicated by the command signal is a read command, the CPU 94 executes the read process. When the command indicated by the command signal is a write command, the CPU 94 executes the write process. Here, for convenience of explanation, one type of signal is illustrated as the polling signal, but the polling signal may be a plurality of types of signals.

The polling process is a process for establishing communication with the non-contact read / write device 50, and is performed as, for example, a preparatory process before the read process and the write process. The read process is a process of reading the management information 100 and the like from the NVM 96. The writing process is a process of writing the management information 100 and the like to the NVM 96. Here, a third frequency is adopted as the clock frequency used in the polling process, the read process, and the write process.

The special process is a process of setting a clock frequency lower than a predetermined start-up frequency as the clock frequency used at the start-up of the cartridge memory 19. Here, the second frequency is adopted as the start-up frequency, and the first frequency is adopted as the clock frequency used in the special processing.

In the special process, for example, communication is retried between the non-contact read / write device 50 and the cartridge memory 19. The communication retry means, for example, that the CPU 94 performs the polling process again when the communication between the non-contact read / write device 50 and the cartridge memory 19 is not established by the polling process.

The polling process, read process, write process, and special process (hereinafter referred to as "various processes" when it is not necessary to distinguish them) are all performed by the CPU 94 according to the clock signal generated by the clock signal generator 86. Will be done. That is, the CPU 94 performs various processes at a processing speed according to the clock frequency.

Therefore, the higher the clock frequency, the higher the processing speed. Increasing the processing speed increases the load on the CPU 94 and also increases the power consumption. Further, as the amount of information such as the management information 100 increases, the execution time of the read process and the write process by the CPU 94 becomes longer, and the power supplied from the power supply circuit 82 to the CPU 94 or the like may be insufficient. In order to avoid the occurrence of such a situation, the CPU 94 executes the signal level setting process in the cartridge memory 19. In the signal level setting process, the process result signal indicating the process result obtained by performing various processes by the CPU 94 is non-contacted by the coil 60 via the magnetic field MF as a response signal to the request from the non-contact read / write device 50. When transmitted to the formula reading / writing device 50, it is a process of changing the signal level of the processing result signal according to the strength of the magnetic field MF. Since the processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by performing various processing by the CPU 94 is a response signal to the request from the non-contact read / write device 50, the processing result signal will be described below for convenience of explanation. Also referred to as a "response signal". The signal level setting process will be described below.

The signal level setting processing program 102 is stored in the NVM 96. The CPU 94 reads the signal level setting processing program 102 from the NVM 96, and executes the signal level setting processing program 102 on the RAM 98. The signal level setting process is realized by executing the signal level setting process program 102 by the CPU 94.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 94 responds according to the strength of the magnetic field MF when transmitting the response signal to the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF by executing the signal level setting process. Change the signal level of the signal. The strength of the magnetic field MF is specified by the CPU 94 based on the magnetic field strength signal input from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 to the CPU 94.

The CPU 94 sets the signal level of the response signal to the first signal level or the second signal level according to the strength of the magnetic field MF. The second signal level is a signal level higher than the first signal level. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the second signal level is twice the first signal level. Here, the signal level means the amplitude (depth in 1-bit units) of the response signal.

The CPU 94 sets the signal level of the response signal to the first signal level when the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and sets the signal level of the response signal to the second signal level when the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value. Set. The threshold value is a value derived in advance by a test using an actual machine and / or a computer simulation or the like as a lower limit value of the strength of the magnetic field MF that does not cause communication failure. The threshold value may be a fixed value or a variable value that is changed according to a given condition.

Next, the operation of the cartridge memory 19 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the flow of the signal level setting process executed by the CPU 94 when the response signal to the command indicated by the command signal is transmitted from the cartridge memory 19 to the non-contact read / write device 50. In the following description of the signal level setting process, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that power is supplied from the power supply circuit 82 to various drive elements. Further, in the following description of the signal level setting process, for convenience of explanation, the command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, a read command, or a write command, and the CPU 94 executes the process according to the command indicated by the command signal. It is assumed that it has been done.

In the signal level setting process shown in FIG. 12, first, in step ST12, the CPU 94 determines whether or not a magnetic field strength signal has been input from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. If the magnetic field strength signal is not input in step ST12, the determination is denied and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST20. When the magnetic field strength signal is input in step ST12, the determination is affirmed, and the signal level setting process shifts to step ST14.

In step ST14, the CPU 94 determines whether or not the strength of the magnetic field MF indicated by the magnetic field strength signal input in step ST12 is less than the threshold value. If the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value in step ST14, the determination is denied and the signal level setting process shifts to step ST30. If the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value in step ST14, the determination is affirmed, and the signal level setting process shifts to step ST16.

In step ST16, the CPU 94 determines whether or not the first signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal. If the second signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal in step ST16, the determination is denied and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST20. If the first signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal in step ST16, the determination is affirmed, and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST18.

In step ST18, the CPU 94 sets the signal level of the response signal to the second signal level, and then the signal level setting process shifts to step ST20.

In step ST30, the CPU 94 determines whether or not the second signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal. If the first signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal in step ST30, the determination is denied, and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST20. If the second signal level is set as the signal level of the response signal in step ST30, the determination is affirmed, and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST32.

In step ST32, the CPU 94 sets the signal level of the response signal to the first signal level, and then the signal level setting process shifts to step ST20.

In step ST20, the CPU 94 determines whether or not the condition for ending the signal level setting process (hereinafter, referred to as “signal level setting process end condition”) is satisfied. Examples of the signal level setting processing end condition include a condition that the magnetic field MF has disappeared. Whether or not the magnetic field MF has disappeared is determined by the CPU 94 based on the magnetic field strength signal input from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 to the CPU 94. If the signal level setting process end condition is not satisfied in step ST20, the determination is denied and the signal level setting process proceeds to step ST12. If the signal level setting process end condition is satisfied in step ST20, the determination is affirmed and the signal level setting process ends.

As described above, when the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the signal level of the response signal is raised from the first signal level to the second signal level. As a result, even if the non-contact read / write device 50 to which the response signal is transmitted is a device that cannot receive the response signal at the first signal level due to a performance problem, it is higher than the first signal level. Since the response signal of the second signal level, which is a high signal level, is transmitted from the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF, it is a non-contact type as compared with the case where the signal level of the response signal is always fixed at the first signal level. It is possible to make it easier for the read / write device 50 to receive the response signal.

Further, in the cartridge memory 19, the response signal of the second signal level is not always transmitted to the non-contact read / write device 50, and the signal level of the response signal is changed from the second signal level to the second signal level according to the strength of the magnetic field MF. It is changed to one signal level. As a result, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the signal level is always the second signal level.

In the above embodiment, the signal level is selectively set between the first signal level and the second signal level, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the signal level of the response signal may be changed steplessly according to the strength of the magnetic field MF. In this case, for example, the smaller the strength of the magnetic field MF, the higher the signal level of the response signal. In other words, the higher the strength of the magnetic field MF, the lower the signal level of the response signal.

In this way, by making the signal level of the response signal raised as the strength of the magnetic field MF becomes smaller, the magnetic field MF is compared with the case where the signal level is maintained at the second signal level regardless of the strength of the magnetic field MF. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the non-contact read / write device 50 cannot receive the response signal due to insufficient strength.

Further, by making the signal level of the response signal lower as the strength of the magnetic field MF increases, the strength of the magnetic field MF is higher than that in the case where the signal level is maintained at the first signal level regardless of the strength of the magnetic field MF. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which a response signal having an unnecessarily high signal level is transmitted to the non-contact read / write device 50.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the signal level changes linearly with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the signal level is non-linear with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF. It may change in terms of (for example, exponentially). Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13, the signal level may be changed stepwise according to the intensity of the magnetic field MF. That is, the signal level of the response signal may be gradually raised as the strength of the magnetic field MF is smaller, and the signal level of the response signal may be lowered stepwise as the strength of the magnetic field MF is higher. Here, the stepwise change of the signal level means, for example, that the signal level is lowered as the strength of the magnetic field MF increases, and the invariant period of the signal level periodically increases as the strength of the magnetic field MF increases. It means that it will come.

Further, the CPU 94 may determine the degree of raising the signal level according to the remaining amount of electric power in the cartridge memory 19. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the degree of increase in the signal level may be increased as the remaining amount of electric power increases. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the degree of increase in the signal level may be reduced as the remaining amount of electric power increases. As a result, compared to the case where the signal level is changed regardless of the remaining amount of power, it is possible to suppress the excess or deficiency of power and the occurrence of the situation where the non-contact read / write device 50 cannot receive the response signal. Can be done.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the degree of increase in the signal level linearly changes with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the signal with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF. The degree of level increase may change non-linearly (for example, exponentially). Further, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the degree of reduction of the signal level linearly changes with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the signal with respect to the strength of the magnetic field MF. The degree of level reduction may change non-linearly (for example, exponentially).

Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 14, the degree of raising the signal level may be changed stepwise according to the remaining amount of electric power. That is, the degree of raising the signal level of the response signal may be gradually increased as the remaining amount of electric power is increased. Here, the stepwise change of the signal level increase degree means, for example, that the signal level increase degree increases as the remaining amount of electric power increases, and the signal level increases as the remaining amount of electric power increases. It means that the invariant period of the degree of increase will come periodically. Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 15, the degree of reduction of the signal level may be changed stepwise according to the remaining amount of electric power. That is, as the remaining amount of electric power increases, the degree of reduction of the signal level of the response signal may be gradually reduced. Here, the stepwise change of the signal level reduction degree means, for example, that the signal level reduction degree decreases as the remaining power amount increases and the signal level decreases as the power remaining amount increases. It means that the invariant period of the degree of reduction will come periodically.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the IC chip 52 and the coil 60 are connected by a wire connection method has been described, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the IC chip 52 and the coil 60 may be connected by a flip chip connection method. In this case, for example, one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the IC chip 52 is directly connected to the first conductive portion 62A, and the other terminal is directly connected to the second conductive portion 62B.

Further, in the above embodiment, 45 degrees is exemplified as the tilt angle θ, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and as an example, as shown in FIG. 17, the tilt angle of the cartridge memory 19 with respect to the reference surface 16A1 is set. An inclination angle θ1 smaller than the inclination angle θ may be adopted. An example of the inclination angle θ1 is 30 degrees. Since the tilt angle θ1 is smaller than the tilt angle θ, more magnetic field lines can be penetrated through the coil 60 (see FIG. 7) than in the case of the tilt angle θ. As a result, when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30, the coil 60 can obtain a large induced current as compared with the case of the inclination angle θ.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 18, in the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, the management process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and / or the distribution process in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is distributed (for example, the distribution process in the market), the upper and lower parts are used. The non-contact read / write device 150 reads / writes the management information 100 or the like to the cartridge memory 19 of each magnetic tape cartridge 10 in the package 200 in which a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 10 stacked in the direction are shrunk with a plastic film. .. To read / write the management information 100 or the like to the cartridge memory 19 by the non-contact read / write device 150, the non-contact read / write device 150 is moved along the direction in which the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 10 are stacked on the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. It is done while. In this case, for example, the non-contact read / write device 150 sequentially emits the magnetic field MF1 to each of the magnetic tape cartridges 10 while repeatedly turning the magnetic field MF1 on and off.

By the way, in an environment in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 (first environment), a magnetic field MF (first magnetic field) is provided by the non-contact read / write device 50 from the lower direction or the upper direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. ), The magnetic field MF is applied from the side facing the reference surface 16A1 toward the surface 26A (coil forming surface) on which the coil 60 is formed in the substrate 26 (see FIG. 17). As a result, more magnetic field lines penetrate the coil 60 than in the case where the tilt angle of the cartridge memory 19 is the tilt angle θ, and a large induced current can be obtained.

On the other hand, under the environment of the production process, the control process, and / or the distribution process (under the second environment), as shown in FIG. 18 as an example, a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 10 are treated as the package 200. In this case, a magnetic field MF1 (second magnetic field) is applied from the side facing the surface 26A toward the surface 26A, which intersects the normal direction of the reference surface 16A1. As a result, compared to the case where the tilt angle of the cartridge memory 19 is the tilt angle θ, it is possible to prevent the management information 100 and the like from being read / written (crosstalk occurs) to the magnetic tape cartridge 10 unintentionally in the package 200. be able to.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, when the non-contact read / write device 150 communicates with each cartridge memory 19 in the package 200 via the magnetic field MF1, the non-contact read / write device 150 moves up and down with respect to the package 200. Although the aspect of moving along the example is illustrated, this aspect is merely an example, and the package 200 may be moved along the vertical direction by fixing the position of the non-contact read / write device 150. Further, the non-contact read / write device 150 and the package 200 may be moved in opposite directions in the vertical direction. In this way, when the non-contact read / write device 150 communicates with each cartridge memory 19 in the package 200 via the magnetic field MF1, the non-contact read / write device 150 is relative to the package 200 in the vertical direction. You just have to move.

When the non-contact read / write device 150 reads / writes the management information 100 or the like to / from the cartridge memory 19, the magnetic field MF1 is emitted from the rear of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 toward the cartridge memory 19. The power generator 70 of the cartridge memory 19 generates electric power by the magnetic field MF1 acting on the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19. Then, the non-contact read / write device 150 transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF1. The cartridge memory 19 uses the electric power generated by the power generator 70 to execute processing according to a command signal, and transmits the processing result as a response signal to the non-contact read / write device 150. That is, various information is exchanged between the non-contact read / write device 150 and the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF1.

Cartridge memory 19 of one magnetic tape cartridge 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as “single cartridge” without a sign) included in the package 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as “read / write target cartridge memory” without a sign). The magnetic field MF1 is applied from the non-contact read / write device 150 toward the read / write target cartridge memory from the rear of the single cartridge. However, in the case of the inclination angle θ, depending on the directivity of the magnetic field MF1, the magnetic field MF1 is also applied to the cartridge memory 19 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as “adjacent cartridge”) adjacent to the single cartridge in the package 200. Is given, and there is a possibility that the management information 100 and the like may be read and written to the cartridge memory 19 of the adjacent cartridge. The fact that the management information 100 and the like are read and written to the cartridge memory 19 of the adjacent cartridge means that crosstalk occurs, in other words.

Here, when the tilt angle θ1 is set, the number of magnetic field lines penetrating the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19 can be smaller than the tilt angle θ, and the number of magnetic field lines penetrating the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19 can be reduced with respect to the cartridge memory 19 of the adjacent cartridge as compared with the tilt angle θ. It becomes difficult to apply the magnetic field MF1. As a result, when the tilt angle θ1 is set, it is possible to prevent the management information 100 and the like from being erroneously read and written with respect to the magnetic tape cartridge 10, that is, crosstalk to occur, as compared with the tilt angle θ1. As a result, for example, in the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, the productivity of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 can be improved without increasing the equipment cost. Further, in the management process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, it is possible to improve the efficiency of management of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 without increasing the equipment cost.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, a form example in which the signal level setting processing program 102 is stored in the NVM 96 is given, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the signal level setting processing program 102 may be stored in the storage medium 300. The storage medium 300 is a non-temporary storage medium. An example of the storage medium 300 is any portable storage medium such as an SSD or a USB memory.

The signal level setting processing program 102 stored in the storage medium 300 is installed in the computer 84. The CPU 94 executes the signal level setting process according to the signal level setting process program 102. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 94 is a single CPU, but may be a plurality of CPUs.

Further, the signal level setting processing program 102 is stored in a storage unit of another computer or server device connected to the computer 84 via a communication network (not shown), and a signal is received in response to a request from the cartridge memory 19. The level setting processing program 102 may be downloaded and installed on the computer 84.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, the computer 84 is illustrated, but the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and a device including an ASIC, FPGA, and / or PLD may be applied instead of the computer 84. .. Further, instead of the computer 84, a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration may be used.

As the hardware resource for executing the signal level setting process, the following various processors can be used. Examples of the processor include software, that is, a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource for executing signal level setting processing by executing a program. Further, examples of the processor include a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration specially designed for executing a specific process such as FPGA, PLD, or ASIC. A memory is built in or connected to any processor, and each processor executes a signal level setting process by using the memory.

The hardware resource that performs the signal level setting process may consist of one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (eg, a combination of multiple FPGAs, etc.). Alternatively, it may be composed of a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Further, the hardware resource for executing the signal level setting process may be one processor.

As an example of configuring with one processor, first, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a hardware resource for executing signal level setting processing. is there. Secondly, as typified by SoC, there is a mode in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of hardware resources for executing signal level setting processing with one IC chip is used. As described above, the signal level setting process is realized by using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware resource.

Further, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined can be used. Further, the above signal level setting process is merely an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed within a range that does not deviate from the purpose.

The contents described and illustrated above are detailed explanations of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, function, action, and effect is an example of the configuration, function, action, and effect of the parts of the present disclosure. Therefore, unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the described contents and illustrated contents shown above within a range not deviating from the gist of the technique of the present disclosure. Needless to say. In addition, in order to avoid complications and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the description contents and the illustrated contents shown above require special explanation in order to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure. The explanation about common technical knowledge is omitted.

As used herein, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." That is, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Further, in the present specification, when three or more matters are connected and expressed by "and / or", the same concept as "A and / or B" is applied.

All documents, patent applications and technical standards described herein are to the same extent as if the individual documents, patent applications and technical standards were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference. Incorporated by reference in the book.

The following additional notes will be further disclosed with respect to the above embodiments.

(Appendix 1)
Using the substrate on which the coil is formed, a power generator that generates electric power by acting an external magnetic field applied from the outside on the coil, and the electric power generated by the electric power generator, the external A non-contact communication medium including a processor for processing a command included in a magnetic field and a reference plane is formed in the magnetic tape cartridge from the outside with respect to the non-contact communication medium. A non-contact management method in which the magnetic tape cartridge is managed by applying the external magnetic field and communicating with the non-contact communication medium via the applied external magnetic field.
Placing the substrate at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the reference plane.
In the first environment in which the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the magnetic tape drive, the external magnetic field is directed from the side facing the reference plane toward the coil forming surface on which the coil is formed. To apply the first magnetic field as
In a second environment where the magnetic tape cartridge exists outside the magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape cartridge intersects the normal direction of the reference plane and faces the coil forming surface from the side facing the coil forming surface. A non-contact management method including applying a second magnetic field as the external magnetic field.

(Appendix 2)
The non-contact management method according to Appendix 1, wherein the second environment is a production process of the magnetic tape cartridge, a management process of the magnetic tape cartridge, and / or a distribution process in which the magnetic tape cartridge is distributed.

(Appendix 3)
Each of the production process, the control process, and the distribution process applies the second magnetic field to the non-contact communication medium in a package in which a plurality of the magnetic tape cartridges are stacked in the normal direction. The non-contact management method according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, which includes a step.

(Appendix 4)
Appendix 3 includes applying the external magnetic field to the coil forming surface of the non-contact communication medium of each of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges while the external device moves along the normal direction. The non-contact management method described.

10 Magnetic Tape Cartridge 12 Case 12A Right Wall 12B Opening 14 Upper Case 14A Top Plate 14A1 Inner Surface 16 Lower Case 16A Bottom Plate 16A1 Reference Surface 16B Rear Wall 18 Cartridge Reel 18A Reel Hub 18B1 Upper Flange 18B2 Lower Flange 19 Cartridge Memory 20 Support Member 20A 1st Tilt 20A1, 20B1 Tilt 20B Second tilt 22 Position regulation rib 24 Rib 24A Tip surface 26 Board 26A Back surface 26B Surface 30 Magnetic tape drive 34 Conveyor device 36 Read head 38 Control device 40 Transmission motor 42 Winding reel 44 Winding Motor 46 Reading element 48 Holder 50, 150 Non-contact read / write device 52 IC chip 54 Capacitor 54A, 54B Electrode 56 Encapsulant 60 Coil 62A First conductive part 62B Second conductive part 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D Wiring 70 Power generation Instrument 80 Built-in capacitor 82 Power supply circuit 84,120 Computer 86 Clock signal generator 88 Signal processing circuit 90 Magnetic field strength measurement circuit 92 Resonant circuit 94,126 CPU
96,128 NVM
98,130 RAM
99,132 Bus 100 Management information 102 Signal level setting processing program 122 Transmitter / receiver 124 Communication I / F
134 Communication retry processing program 200 Package 300,400 Storage media A, B, C Arrows MF, MF1 Magnetic field MT Magnetic tape θ, θ1 Tilt angle

Claims (7)

A non-contact communication medium that communicates with the outside via an external magnetic field given from the outside.
A power generator that has a coil and generates electric power by the external magnetic field acting on the coil.
A processor that operates using the electric power and processes commands included in the external magnetic field is provided.
When a processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by performing the processing is transmitted to the outside by the coil via the external magnetic field.
The processor
When the strength of the external magnetic field is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the signal level of the processing result signal is lowered.
When the strength of the external magnetic field is less than the threshold value, the signal level is raised.
The threshold value is a non-contact communication medium having a predetermined value as a lower limit value of the strength at which the communication failure does not occur. The non-contact communication medium according to claim 1, wherein the processor raises the signal level as the strength of the external magnetic field becomes smaller when the value is less than the threshold value. The non-contact communication medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor lowers the signal level as the strength of the external magnetic field increases when the threshold value is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The non-contact communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the degree of change in the signal level is determined according to the remaining amount of electric power. The non-contact communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A magnetic tape cartridge equipped with a magnetic tape.
The non-contact communication medium has a memory and
The memory is a magnetic tape cartridge that stores information about the magnetic tape. It has a coil and performs processing for a power generator that generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field applied from the outside, and a command that operates using the electric power and is included in the external magnetic field. A method of operating a non-contact communication medium including a processor and communicating with the outside via the external magnetic field.
When a processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by performing the processing is transmitted to the outside by the coil via the external magnetic field.
When the strength of the external magnetic field is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the signal level of the processing result signal is lowered, and
Including raising the signal level when the strength of the external magnetic field is less than the threshold.
The threshold value is a predetermined value as a lower limit value of the strength at which the communication failure does not occur. A method of operating a non-contact communication medium. A power generator that has a coil and generates electric power by acting on the coil by an external magnetic field applied from the outside, and operates using the electric power and performs processing for a command included in the external magnetic field. A program comprising a processor and for causing a computer to perform specific processing applied to a non-contact communication medium that communicates with the outside via the external magnetic field.
The specific process is
When a processing result signal indicating the processing result obtained by performing the processing is transmitted to the outside by the coil via the external magnetic field.
When the strength of the external magnetic field is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the signal level of the processing result signal is lowered, and
It is a process including raising the signal level when the strength of the external magnetic field is less than the threshold value.
The threshold value is a predetermined value as a lower limit value of the strength at which the communication failure does not occur.