JP7376462B2 - Contactless communication media and magnetic tape cartridges - Google Patents

Description

The technology of the present disclosure relates to a non-contact communication medium, a magnetic tape cartridge, a method of operating the non-contact communication medium, and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a contactless communication medium that includes a memory section, a power generation section, a power monitoring section, and a capacity control section. In the contactless communication medium described in Patent Document 1, the memory section stores predetermined management information. The power generating section includes a resonant circuit having an antenna coil and a resonant capacitor section whose capacitance value is variable, and a rectifying circuit that rectifies the resonant output of the resonant circuit, and generates power to be supplied to the memory section. The power monitoring unit includes a current regulating element connected in parallel to the resonant circuit with the rectifier circuit and configured to have a variable resistance value, a reference voltage generation source that generates a reference voltage, and an output voltage of the rectifier circuit that is connected to the reference voltage. and an operational amplifier that controls the current adjustment element so that the current is equal to the current adjustment element. The capacitance control section is configured to control the resonant capacitance section based on the output of the operational amplifier.

Patent Document 2 discloses a contactless communication medium for a recording medium cartridge, which includes a circuit component, a support substrate, and an antenna coil. In the contactless communication medium described in Patent Document 2, the circuit component includes a built-in memory section that can store management information regarding the recording medium cartridge. The support substrate supports circuit components. The antenna coil has a coil portion electrically connected to the circuit component and formed on the 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 contactless communication medium that includes a voltage generation section, a memory section, a clock signal generation section, and a control section. In the non-contact communication medium described in Patent Document 3, the voltage generator includes an antenna coil for transmitting and receiving, receives a signal magnetic field from an external device, and generates electric power. The memory section stores one or more circuit parameters set in the voltage generation section and predetermined management information. The clock signal generation section is configured to be able to selectively generate clock signals of two or more different frequencies. The control section is configured to select the frequency of the clock signal supplied from the clock signal generation section to the memory section.

Patent Document 4 discloses a communication device including a communication means and a control means. In the communication device described in Patent Document 4, the communication means is configured to communicate with a memory means provided in a storage medium and having at least a management information storage area in which management information for managing recording or reproduction of the storage medium is stored. It is possible. The control means performs control such that procedure information describing a procedure to be executed by a required device is written into a procedure information storage area of the memory means by the communication means.

Patent Document 5 discloses a data library recognition device that recognizes the storage position of data in a library that stores cartridges having recording media capable of storing data. The data library recognition device described in Patent Document 5 is provided corresponding to a storage section that stores a cartridge and a storage position of the cartridge, and wirelessly receives identification information transmitted from the cartridge to identify the cartridge or data. and a recognition means that recognizes the data storage location based on the identification information received by the reception means.

Patent Document 6 discloses a contactless IC card that receives driving power and executes instructions. The contactless IC card described in Patent Document 6 includes a determining means for determining the power required to execute an instruction, a clock signal generating means for generating a clock signal with a frequency according to the determination result of the determining means, and a clock signal generating means for generating a clock signal having a frequency according to the determination result of the determining means. and instruction execution means for executing instructions at a processing speed according to the frequency of the clock signal generated by the generation means.

Patent Document 7 discloses a tape drive device that stores data in a tape cartridge that includes a magnetic tape and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The tape drive device described in Patent Document 7 includes a comparing section, a speed determining section, and a data writing section. The comparison unit compares the transfer speed of data sent from the host machine to the tape drive device with a speed threshold. The speed determination unit determines the write speed to the tape cartridge based on the speed threshold. The data writing section writes data to the tape cartridge. If the determined writing speed is faster than the speed threshold, the data writing section writes data onto the magnetic tape provided in the tape cartridge, and if the determined writing speed is slower than the speed threshold, the data writing section writes data onto the magnetic tape provided in the tape cartridge. Subsequent data subsequent to the data written on the magnetic tape is written into a nonvolatile semiconductor memory provided in the cartridge.

International Publication No. 2019/198438 International Publication No. 2019/198527 International Publication No. 2019/176325 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-068052 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-039173 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-134150 JP2013-041646A

One embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure provides a non-contact communication medium, a magnetic tape cartridge, and a non-contact communication medium that can achieve both stable operation and reduced power consumption of the non-contact communication medium. Provides operating methods and programs.

Another embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure provides a non-contact communication medium, a magnetic tape cartridge, and a non-contact communication medium that can achieve both stable operation and improved processing speed of the non-contact communication medium. Provides operating methods and programs.

A first aspect of the technology of the present disclosure includes a power generator that has a coil and generates power by an external magnetic field applied from the outside acting on the coil; , a processor that performs processing on commands included in an external magnetic field; The contactless communication medium has a response time that is longer than a first predetermined time period until the medium starts responding to a command.

In a second aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, the processor makes the response time longer than the first predetermined time by making the processing time required from the start to the end of the process longer than the second predetermined time. It is a non-contact communication medium according to an aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the technology of the present disclosure further includes a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal using electric power, and the processor performs processing at a processing speed that corresponds to the frequency of the clock signal, regardless of the processing time. This is a non-contact communication medium according to a second aspect in which the frequency is maintained or the frequency is lowered as the processing time becomes longer.

A fourth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a contactless communication medium according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the command is one command.

A fifth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the coil transmits a processing result obtained by processing performed by a processor via an external magnetic field. 1 is a contactless communication medium according to one embodiment.

A sixth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is the contactless communication medium according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the processor changes the response time according to the strength of an external magnetic field. be.

A seventh aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that when the processor changes the response time according to the strength of the external magnetic field, the processor lengthens the response time on the condition that the strength of the external magnetic field is below a threshold. This is a non-contact communication medium according to the sixth aspect.

An eighth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the contactless communication medium according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the processor changes the response time depending on the type of command. .

A ninth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure further includes a first memory that stores information, wherein the command is a polling command, a read command, or a write command, and the processor performs polling processing in response to the polling command. perform a read process regarding information to the first memory in response to a read command, perform a write process regarding information to the first memory in response to a write command, and perform at least one of the write process and the read process. A non-contact communication medium according to an eighth aspect in which the time required for read processing is longer than the time required for polling processing.

A tenth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge comprising the non-contact communication medium according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and a magnetic tape, The contactless communication medium is a magnetic tape cartridge having a second memory, the second memory storing information about the magnetic tape.

An eleventh aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a power generator that has a coil and generates power by an external magnetic field applied from the outside acting on the coil; , a processor that processes commands included in an external magnetic field; A method of operating a contactless communication medium, comprising increasing a response time required for the medium to begin responding to a command to be longer than a first predetermined time.

A twelfth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a power generator that includes a coil and generates power by an external magnetic field applied from the outside acting on the coil; , a processor that processes commands included in an external magnetic field, This is a program for executing processing that includes making the response time required for the communication medium to start responding to a command longer than a first predetermined time.

A thirteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the coil is mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge, and the coil and the communication destination are coupled by electromagnetic induction via an external magnetic field given from the communication destination. and a processor for communicating with the external magnetic field, the external magnetic field includes a command depending on the communication destination, and the processor processes the command included in the external magnetic field, the processor The contactless communication medium changes the response time to a command according to the characteristics of at least one of the magnetic tape cartridge, the contactless communication medium, and the communication destination.

A fourteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a first memory in which first information is stored, further comprising a first memory in which at least one of reading and writing of the first information is performed by a processor; A non-contact communication medium according to a thirteenth aspect, in which the processor changes the response time according to the usable storage capacity set for the first memory.

A fifteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the contactless communication medium is compatible with a plurality of communication standards, and the processor selectively performs communication using the plurality of communication standards. This is a non-contact communication medium according to a thirteenth aspect or a fourteenth aspect, in which the response time is changed according to the communication standard used for communication.

A sixteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the communication destination is capable of communicating according to each of a plurality of communication standards, and the processor is configured to perform communication according to a communication standard corresponding to a contactless communication medium among the plurality of communication standards. The present invention is a non-contact communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, in which the response time is changed by changing the response time.

A seventeenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices have one of a plurality of communication standards, and the plurality of communication devices have one of a plurality of communication standards. This is a non-contact communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, in which the response time is changed according to the communication standard used by the communication destination.

An eighteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure further includes a power generator that generates power by an external magnetic field acting on the coil, and the processor operates using the power and adjusts the response time according to the characteristics. The contactless communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein the first predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time.

A nineteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an eighteenth aspect in which the processor makes the response time longer than the first predetermined time by making the processing time required from the start to the end of the process longer than the second predetermined time. It is a non-contact communication medium according to an aspect of the present invention.

A 20th aspect of the technology of the present disclosure further includes a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal using electric power, and the processor performs processing at a processing speed according to the frequency of the clock signal, regardless of the processing time. This is a non-contact communication medium according to a nineteenth aspect, in which the frequency is maintained or the frequency is lowered as the processing time becomes longer.

A twenty-first aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the contactless communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein the command is one command.

A 22nd aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is any one of the 13th aspect to the 21st aspect, wherein the coil transmits a processing result obtained by processing performed by the processor via an external magnetic field. 1 is a contactless communication medium according to one embodiment.

A twenty-third aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is the contactless communication according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-second aspects, wherein the processor further changes the response time according to the strength of the external magnetic field. It is a medium.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in which when the processor changes the response time according to the strength of the external magnetic field, the processor lengthens the response time on the condition that the strength of the external magnetic field is below a threshold. 1 is a non-contact communication medium according to an embodiment.

A twenty-fifth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the contactless communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, in which the processor changes the response time depending on the type of command. .

A twenty-sixth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure includes a second memory that stores second information, the command is a polling command, a read command, or a write command, and the processor performs polling processing in response to the polling command. performs read processing regarding the second information to the second memory in response to the read command, performs write processing regarding the second information to the second memory in response to the write command, and performs write processing and read processing. A non-contact communication medium according to a twenty-fifth aspect, in which the time required for at least read processing among the processes is longer than the time required for polling processing.

A twenty-seventh aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge comprising the non-contact communication medium according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, and a magnetic tape, The contactless communication medium has a third memory, the third memory being a magnetic tape cartridge storing information about the magnetic tape.

A twenty-eighth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the coil is mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge, and the coil and the communication destination are coupled by electromagnetic induction via an external magnetic field given from the communication destination. A method of operating a non-contact communication medium, comprising: a processor that communicates with the external magnetic field, the external magnetic field includes a command depending on the communication destination, and the processor processes the command included in the external magnetic field; A method of operating a non-contact communication medium includes changing a response time to a command according to a characteristic of at least one of a magnetic tape cartridge, a non-contact communication medium, and a communication destination.

A twenty-ninth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the coil is mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge, and the coil and the communication destination are coupled by electromagnetic induction via an external magnetic field given from the communication destination. a processor for communicating with a computer, the external magnetic field includes a command by the communication destination, and the processor is applied to a non-contact communication medium that processes the command included in the external magnetic field; , a program for executing a process that includes changing a response time to a command by a processor according to characteristics of at least one of a magnetic tape cartridge, a non-contact communication medium, and a communication destination.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a magnetic tape cartridge according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the structure of the inner right rear end of the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an example of a support member provided on the inner surface of the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is emitted from the bottom side of the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment by the non-contact reading/writing device. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is applied from a non-contact reading/writing device to a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the structure of the back surface of the substrate of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the structure of the surface of the substrate of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer including an IC chip mounted in a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing contents of an operation mode setting process executed by the CPU of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of operation mode setting processing according to the first embodiment. This is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12A. This is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12B. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st modification of the flow of the operation mode setting process based on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd modification of the flow of the operation mode setting process based on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd modification of the flow of the operation mode setting process based on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th modification of the flow of the operation mode setting process based on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic plan view showing a modification of the connection form between the coil and the IC chip. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of communication distance. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer including an IC chip mounted in a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication distance derivation table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing contents of an operation mode setting process executed by the CPU of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of operation mode setting processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing contents of an operation mode setting process executed by a CPU of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing contents of an operation mode setting process executed by a CPU of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer including an IC chip mounted in a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge according to a fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of processing contents of a non-contact reading/writing device and CPU concerning a 4th embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of processing contents of a CPU according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing contents of an operation mode setting process executed by the CPU of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of processing contents of a non-contact reading/writing device and CPU concerning a modification of a 4th embodiment. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a modification of the inclination angle of the cartridge memory in the magnetic tape cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is applied to packages of a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a manner in which an operation mode setting processing program according to an embodiment is installed in a computer from a storage medium in which the operation mode setting processing program is stored.

First, the words used in the following explanation will be explained.

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

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30 (see FIG. 4) is indicated by arrow A in FIG. The front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is referred to as 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.

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

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction perpendicular to the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction in FIG. The upward side is the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following description, in the following structural description, "upper" refers to the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

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

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

In the following description, LTO will be used as an example of the specifications of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In addition, in the following explanation, it is assumed that the specifications shown in Table 1 below are applied to the LTO according to the technology of the present disclosure, but this is just an example, and the IBM3592 magnetic tape It may be based on the specifications of the cartridge.

In Table 1, "REQA to SELCET series" means polling commands described later. The "REQA to SELCET system" includes at least the command "Request A", the command "Request SN", and the command "Select". “Request A” is a command that inquires of the cartridge memory as to what type of cartridge memory it is. In this embodiment, there is one type of "Request A", but the number is not limited to this, and there may be multiple types. “Request SN” is a command to inquire about the serial number of the cartridge memory. “Select” is a command that foretells preparation for reading and writing to the cartridge memory. The READ system is a command corresponding to a read command described later. The WRITE type is a command corresponding to a write command described later.

[First embodiment]
As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic tape cartridge 10 is substantially rectangular in plan view and includes a box-shaped case 12. As shown in FIG. The case 12 is made of 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, with the lower peripheral surface of the upper case 14 and the upper peripheral surface of the lower case 16 in contact with each other. The joining method is not limited to welding and screwing, but may be other joining methods. Note that the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is an example of a "magnetic tape cartridge" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

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 into a cylindrical shape. The reel hub 18A is the axial center of the cartridge reel 18, the axial direction thereof is along the vertical direction of the case 12, and the reel hub 18A is disposed at the center of the case 12. Each of the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2 is formed in an annular shape. A central portion of an upper flange 18B1 in plan view is fixed to the upper end of the reel hub 18A, and a central portion of a lower flange 18B2 in 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 widthwise ends of the magnetic tape MT are held by an upper flange 18B1 and a lower flange 18B2. Note that the reel hub 18A and the lower flange 18B2 may be integrally molded. The magnetic tape MT is an example of a "magnetic tape" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

An opening 12B is formed in 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 of the lower case 16. The cartridge memory 19 is an example of a "non-contact communication medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is employed as the cartridge memory 19.

The cartridge memory 19 stores management information 100 (see FIG. 10). 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, the recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, a summary of information recorded on the magnetic tape MT (hereinafter also referred to as "recorded information"), and recorded information. and information indicating the recording format of recorded information. Note that the management information 100 is an example of "first information", "second information", and "information regarding magnetic tape" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The cartridge memory 19 communicates with an external device (not shown) in a non-contact manner. External devices include, for example, a read/write device used in the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and a read/write device used in a magnetic tape drive (for example, the magnetic tape drive 30 shown in FIG. 4) (for example, the read/write device shown in FIG. - Non-contact reading/writing device 50) shown in FIG.

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. The cartridge memory 19 operates using the generated electric power and communicates with the external device via a magnetic field, thereby exchanging various information with the external device. Note that the communication method may be, for example, a method based on a known standard such as ISO14443 or ISO18092, or may be a method based on the LTO specification of ECMA319.

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 members 20 are a pair of inclined tables that support the cartridge memory 19 from below in an inclined state. The pair of ramps is a first ramp 20A and a second ramp 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 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A of the lower case 16. 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.

On the front side of the support member 20, a pair of position regulating ribs 22 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. A pair of position regulating ribs 22 are provided upright on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A, and regulate the position of the lower end of the cartridge memory 19 placed 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 surface 16A1 is a plane. Here, the plane refers to a plane parallel to a horizontal plane when the lower case 16 is placed on a horizontal plane with the bottom plate 16A facing downward. 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. Note that 45 degrees is just an example, and may be "0 degrees < inclination angle θ < 45 degrees" or may be 45 degrees or more.

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 portion 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 front surface 26B of the substrate 26 is exposed on 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 protrude downward from the inner surface 14A1 of the top plate 14A of the upper case 14, and the tip end 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 disposed 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. However, 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 ribs 24.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, a magnetic tape drive 30 includes a transport device 34, a read head 36, and a control device 38. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 is a device that extracts the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and reads recorded information from the extracted magnetic tape MT using a read head 36 in a linear serpentine method. Note that in this embodiment, reading recorded information refers to reproduction of recorded information in other words.

The control device 38 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 30. In this embodiment, the control device 38 is realized by an ASIC, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control device 38 may be realized by an 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 AISC, FPGA, and computer. That is, the control device 38 may be realized by a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

The conveyance 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 feed motor 40 rotates the cartridge reel 18 within the magnetic tape cartridge 10 under the control of the control device 38 . The control device 38 controls the rotational direction, rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the cartridge reel 18 by controlling the delivery motor 40 .

The take-up motor 44 rotates the take-up reel 42 under the control of the control device 38 . The control device 38 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the take-up reel 42 by controlling the take-up motor 44 .

When the magnetic tape MT is taken up by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so as to run the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction. The rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT being wound by the take-up reel 42.

When the magnetic tape MT is rewound onto the cartridge reel 18, the control device 38 rotates the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so as to run the magnetic tape MT in the opposite direction. The rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT being wound by the take-up reel 42.

By adjusting the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of each of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 in this manner, tension within a predetermined range is applied to the magnetic tape MT. Here, "within a predetermined range" refers to, for example, a tension range obtained through computer simulation and/or testing using an actual machine, as a tension range in which data can be read from the magnetic tape MT by the read head 36.

In this embodiment, the tension of the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, but the technology 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 by drawing the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

Each of the plurality of guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. The travel path of the magnetic tape MT is determined by a plurality of guide rollers GR being separately arranged 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 a holder 48 so as to be in contact with the running magnetic tape MT, and reads recorded information from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a non-contact reading/writing device 50. The non-contact reading/writing device 50 is an example of a "communication destination" and a "communication device" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The non-contact read/write device 50 is disposed below the magnetic tape cartridge 10 loaded with the magnetic tape cartridge 10 so as to directly face the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Note that the state in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30 means, for example, that the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is at a predetermined position where the reading head 36 starts reading recorded information from the magnetic tape MT. Refers to the state reached.

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

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

The non-contact read/write device 50 spatially transmits command signals to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the controller 38 . As will be described in detail later, the command signal is a signal indicating a command to the cartridge memory 19. When a command signal is spatially transmitted from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 to the cartridge memory 19, the magnetic field MF includes the command signal by the non-contact reading/writing device 50 according to instructions from the control device 38. In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF. That is, the non-contact reading/writing device 50 transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 38. Note that the command signal is an example of a "command" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

An IC chip 52 and a capacitor 54 are mounted on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19. IC chip 52 and capacitor 54 are adhered to surface 26B. Further, on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are sealed with a sealant 56. Here, as the sealing material 56, an ultraviolet curing resin that cures in response to ultraviolet light is used. Note that the ultraviolet curing resin is just one example, and a photocuring resin that reacts to light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet rays may be used as the encapsulant 56, or a thermosetting resin may be used as the encapsulant. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used as the sealant 56.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, a coil 60 is formed in a loop shape on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Here, copper foil is used as the material for the coil 60. Copper foil is just one example, and other types of conductive materials such as aluminum foil may also be used. The coil 60 induces an induced current when a magnetic field MF (see FIGS. 5 and 6) applied from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 acts on the coil 60. Note that the coil 60 is an example of a "coil" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

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 is connected 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 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 terminal of the positive terminal and negative 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 via the wiring 64B. 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 conducting part 62A via a wiring 64C, and the electrode 54B is connected to the second conducting part 62B via a wiring 64D. Thereby, 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 measurement circuit 90. The IC chip 52 is a general-purpose 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. Note that an example of the magnetic tape cartridge program is an operation mode setting processing program 102, which will be described later. Further, the clock signal generator 86 is an example of a "clock signal generator" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The cartridge memory 19 also includes a power generator 70 . The power generator 70 generates power by the magnetic field MF applied from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 acting on the coil 60 . Specifically, the power generator 70 generates AC power using the resonant circuit 92, converts the generated AC power into DC power, and outputs the DC power. Note that the power generator 70 is an example of a "power generator" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

Power generator 70 has a resonant 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 into the IC chip 52, and the power supply circuit 82 is also a circuit built into the IC chip 52. Built-in capacitor 80 is connected in parallel to 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 other than the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Therefore, the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80 may be insufficient to realize the resonant 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 causing the resonant circuit 92 to resonate at a predetermined resonant frequency by the action of the magnetic field MF. There is. Note that the frequency corresponding to the predetermined resonance frequency is, for example, 13.56 MHz, and may be determined as appropriate based on the specifications of the cartridge memory 19 and/or the non-contact reading/writing device 50. Further, the capacitance of the capacitor 54 is determined based on the actually measured value of the capacitance of the built-in capacitor 80.

The resonant circuit 92 generates AC power by generating a resonance phenomenon of a predetermined resonance frequency using an induced current induced by the coil 60 when the magnetic field MF passes through the coil 60. 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 multiple diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is just an example, and a half-wave rectifier circuit may also be used. 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 DC power obtained by the conversion (hereinafter also simply referred to as "power") to various driving elements in the IC chip 52. do. The 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 manner, the power generator 70 supplies power to the various driving elements within the IC chip 52, 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 technology of the present disclosure, and controls the entire cartridge memory 19. The computer 84 holds management information 100 (see FIG. 10).

A clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal and outputs it to various driving elements. The various drive elements operate according to clock signals 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 instructions from the computer 84. The clock signal generator 86 uses the same frequency as the frequency of the magnetic field MF as a reference clock frequency (hereinafter referred to as "reference clock frequency"), and generates a clock signal with a different clock frequency based on the reference clock frequency. is generated. In this embodiment, the clock signal generator 86 selectively generates clock signals of the first to third frequencies. The first frequency is the same frequency as the reference clock frequency, the second frequency is 1/2 the reference clock frequency, and the third frequency is 1/4 the reference clock frequency (Figure 11 reference). That is, the second frequency is lower than the first frequency, and the third frequency is lower than the second frequency. Note that the clock signal is an example of a "clock signal" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

Signal processing circuit 88 is connected to resonant circuit 92 . The signal processing circuit 88 includes a decoding circuit (not shown) and an encoding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 extracts and decodes a command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 60 and outputs it to the computer 84 . Computer 84 outputs a response signal to the command signal to 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 encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 encodes and modulates the response signal and outputs it to the resonance circuit 92 . The coil 60 of the resonant circuit 92 transmits the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 to the non-contact reading/writing device 50 via the magnetic field MF. That is, when a response signal is transmitted from the cartridge memory 19 to the non-contact type reading/writing device 50, the response signal is included in the magnetic field MF. In other words, the response signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF.

The magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 measures the strength of the magnetic field MF based on the power generated by the power supply circuit 82. The power generated by the power supply circuit 82 increases within a limited range as the strength of the magnetic field MF applied to the resonant circuit 92 increases. The magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 outputs a signal with 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. 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 it to the computer 84. This allows the computer 84 to execute processing according to the magnetic field strength signal input from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90.

As shown in FIG. 10 as an example, the computer 84 includes a CPU 94, an NVM 96, and a RAM 98. CPU 94 , NVM 96 , and RAM 98 are connected to bus 99 . Also connected to the bus 99 are a clock signal generator 86 , a signal processing circuit 88 , and a magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 . Note that the CPU 94 is an example of a "processor" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The NVM 96 is an example of a "first memory", a "second memory", and a "third memory" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Here, an EEPROM is employed as the NVM96. The EEPROM is just one example; for example, a ferroelectric memory may be used instead of the EEPROM, and any nonvolatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip 52 may be used.

Management information 100 is stored in the NVM 96. The CPU 94 selectively performs polling processing, reading processing, and writing processing in accordance with command signals input from the signal processing circuit 88 . The polling process is a process of establishing communication with the non-contact reading/writing device 50, and is performed, for example, as a preparatory process before the read process and the write process. The reading process is a process of reading the management information 100 and the like from the NVM 96. The write process is a process for writing the management information 100 and the like into the NVM 96. The polling process, the read process, and the write process (hereinafter referred to as "various processes" unless it is necessary to explain them separately) are all performed by the CPU 94 in accordance with the clock signal generated by the clock signal generator 86. That is, the CPU 94 performs various processes at a processing speed according to the clock frequency.

Therefore, the higher the clock frequency, the faster the processing speed. An increase in processing speed increases the load placed on the CPU 94 and increases power consumption. Furthermore, as the amount of information such as the management information 100 increases, the time taken for the CPU 94 to execute read processing and write processing becomes longer, and there is a possibility that the power supplied from the power supply circuit 82 to the CPU 94 etc. may become insufficient.

One reason for the increased load on the CPU 94 is the time required from the time the non-contact read/write device 50 completes sending a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 until the cartridge memory 19 starts sending a response signal in response to the command signal. One example of this is that the time (hereinafter also referred to as "response time") becomes shorter. The shorter the response time, the faster the cartridge memory 19 must operate, and the higher the clock frequency for processing, the greater the power consumption. It is generally known that there is a trade-off relationship between the response time and the maximum communication distance between the non-contact reading/writing device 50 and the cartridge memory 19. Note that the response time is an example of "response time" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

In the cartridge memory 19, an operation mode setting process is executed by the CPU 94 in order to suppress an increase in power consumption. The operation mode setting process is a process for making the response time longer than a predetermined time as a standard response time. Here, the time predetermined as the standard response time is an example of the "first predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The operation mode setting process will be explained below.

The NVM 96 stores an operation mode setting processing program 102. The CPU 94 reads the operating mode setting processing program 102 from the NVM 96 and executes the operating mode setting processing program 102 on the RAM 98. The operation mode setting process is realized by the CPU 94 executing the operation mode setting process program 102.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 94 sets the operation mode of the cartridge memory 19 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "operation mode") to the operation mode according to the command signal by executing the operation mode setting process. , set the clock frequency according to the operating mode. By changing the operation mode according to the command signal, the CPU 94 sets the processing time (hereinafter also simply referred to as "processing time") required from the start to the end of processing for a command (for example, one command) to a predetermined time. Make it longer than. In this way, the CPU 94 makes the above-mentioned response time longer than the time predetermined as the standard response time by making the processing time longer than the predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time is an example of a "second predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The CPU 94 changes the clock frequency by setting the clock frequency according to the operating mode. Specifically, the CPU 94 lowers the clock frequency as the processing time becomes longer.

The operating mode is set according to a command indicated by a command signal input from the signal processing circuit 88 to the CPU 94. The command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, a read command, or a write command. If the command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, the CPU 94 executes a polling process, and if the command indicated by the command signal is a read command, the CPU 94 executes a read process and writes the command indicated by the command signal. In the case of a write command, the CPU 94 executes a 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 CPU 94 adjusts the length of processing time by setting one of a long-time processing mode, a medium-time processing mode, and a short-time processing mode as the operation mode. The processing time is one of a long time, a medium time, and a short time. A long time refers to a time longer than a medium time, and a short time refers to a time shorter than a medium time. In the long-time processing mode, the time required for the CPU 94 to process a command is long; in the medium-time processing mode, the time required for the CPU 94 to process a command is medium; and in the short-time processing mode, the time required for the CPU 94 to process a command takes a long time. The time required is short.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the command indicated by the command signal is a polling command, the CPU 94 sets the short-time processing mode as the operation mode, and when the command indicated by the command signal is a write command, the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode, and when the command indicated by the command signal is a read command, the CPU 94 sets the long time processing mode.

When the short-time processing mode is set as the operation mode, the CPU 94 sets the first frequency as the clock frequency. That is, when the CPU 94 sets the short-time processing mode as the operation mode, the CPU 94 controls the clock signal generator 86 so that the clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal of the first frequency.

When the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operation mode, the CPU 94 sets the second frequency as the clock frequency. That is, when the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operation mode, the CPU 94 controls the clock signal generator 86 so that the clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal of the second frequency.

When the long-time processing mode is set as the operation mode, the CPU 94 sets the third frequency as the clock frequency. That is, when the CPU 94 sets the long-time processing mode as the operation mode, the CPU 94 controls the clock signal generator 86 so that the clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal of the third frequency.

Note that when the operation mode shifts from the short-time processing mode to the medium-time processing mode, the short time is an example of the "second predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the response time corresponding to the short time is the same as described above. This is an example of a time predetermined as a standard response time, that is, a "first predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Further, when the operation mode shifts from the medium time processing mode to the long time processing mode, the medium time is an example of the "second predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the response time corresponding to the medium time is the same as that described above. This is an example of a time predetermined as a standard response time, that is, a "first predetermined time" according to the technology of the present disclosure. In this way, the operation mode is shifted from short-time processing mode to medium-time processing mode, or from medium-time processing mode to long-time processing mode, resulting in a correspondingly longer response time. Become.

Next, the operation of the cartridge memory 19 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C.

12A to 12C show an example of the flow of the operation mode setting process executed by the CPU 94. In the following explanation of the operation mode setting process, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that power is supplied from the power supply circuit 82 to various driving elements. Furthermore, in the following explanation of the operation mode setting process, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the command indicated by the command signal is one of a polling command, a read command, or a write command. Furthermore, in the following explanation of the operation mode setting process, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation mode is set to a long-time processing mode, a medium-time processing mode, or a short-time processing mode.

In the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 12A, first, in step ST12, the CPU 94 determines whether the signal processing circuit 88 has received a command signal. In step ST12, if the command signal is received by the signal processing circuit 88, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST14. In step ST12, if the command signal is not received by the signal processing circuit 88, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST26.

In step ST14, the CPU 94 determines whether the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 in step ST12 is a polling command. In step ST14, if the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 is not a polling command, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST28 shown in FIG. 12B. In step ST14, if the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 is a polling command, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST16.

In step ST16, the CPU 94 determines whether the currently set operating mode is the long-time processing mode or the medium-time processing mode. In step ST16, if the currently set operation mode is not the long-time processing mode or medium-time processing mode (if the currently set operation mode is the short-time processing mode), the determination is negative and the operation is not performed. The mode setting process moves to step ST22. In step ST16, if the currently set operation mode is the long-time processing mode or medium-time processing mode, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST18.

In step ST18, the CPU 94 shifts the operation mode to short-time processing mode, and then the operation mode setting process shifts to step ST20.

In step ST20, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to the first frequency, and then the operation mode setting process moves to step ST22.

On the other hand, in step ST28 shown in FIG. 12B, the CPU 94 determines whether the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 in step ST12 is a write command. In step ST28, if the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 is not a write command (if the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 is a read command), the determination is made. If the answer is negative, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST36 shown in FIG. 12C. In step ST28, if the command indicated by the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 is a read command, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST30.

In step ST30, the CPU 94 determines whether the currently set operating mode is the long-time processing mode or the short-time processing mode. In step ST30, if the currently set operation mode is not the long-time processing mode or the short-time processing mode (if the currently set operation mode is the medium-time processing mode), the determination is negative and the operation is not performed. The mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A. In step ST30, if the currently set operation mode is the long-time processing mode or the short-time processing mode, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST32.

In step ST32, the CPU 94 shifts the operation mode to medium time processing mode, and then the operation mode setting process shifts to step ST34.

In step ST34, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to the second frequency, and then the operation mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A.

On the other hand, in step ST36 shown in FIG. 12C, the CPU 94 determines whether the currently set operating mode is the medium time processing mode or the short time processing mode. In step ST36, if the currently set operation mode is not medium time processing mode or short time processing mode (if the currently set operation mode is long time processing mode), the determination is negative and the operation is not performed. The mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A. In step ST36, if the currently set operation mode is medium time processing mode or short time processing mode, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST38.

In step ST38, the CPU 94 shifts the operation mode to long-time processing mode, and then the operation mode setting process shifts to step ST40.

In step ST40, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to the third frequency, and then the operation mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A.

In step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A, the CPU 94 executes processing according to the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 in step ST12, and then the operation mode setting processing moves to step ST24.

In step ST24, the CPU 94 transmits a response signal indicating the processing result obtained by executing the processing in step ST22 to the signal processing circuit 88 and the resonance circuit 92 via the magnetic field MF to the non-contact reading/writing device. 50, and then the operation mode setting process moves to step ST26.

In step ST26, the CPU 94 determines whether conditions for terminating the operation mode setting process (hereinafter referred to as "operation mode setting process terminating condition") are satisfied. An example of the condition for terminating the operation mode setting process is 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 to the CPU 94 from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. In step ST26, if the conditions for ending the operation mode setting process are not satisfied, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST12. In step ST26, if the conditions for terminating the operation mode setting process are satisfied, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process ends.

As explained above, in the cartridge memory 19, the processing time is set longer than the predetermined time by the CPU 94, and the response time becomes longer as the processing time becomes longer. The longer the processing time, that is, the longer the response time, the lower the clock frequency is set. In other words, when shifting from the short-time processing mode to the medium-time processing mode, the processing time becomes longer and the response time also becomes longer. Transitioning from the short-time processing mode to the medium-time processing mode means that the processing time changes from a short time to a medium time. Along with this, the clock frequency is changed from the first frequency to the second frequency. Since the second frequency is not a clock frequency of "0", the CPU 94 can execute processing according to the command signal according to the second frequency.

Further, when shifting from the medium time processing mode to the long time processing mode, the processing time becomes long from the medium time, and the response time also becomes longer as the processing time becomes longer. Along with this, the clock frequency is changed from the second frequency to the third frequency. Since the clock frequency of the third frequency is not "0", the CPU 94 can execute processing according to the command signal according to the third frequency. Furthermore, the lower the clock frequency, the lower the power consumption in the CPU 94.

Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and reduction in power consumption. Note that although an example is given here in which the processing time is changed in stages and the clock frequency is also changed in stages accordingly, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The clock frequency may be changed stepwise, and the clock frequency may also be changed steplessly accordingly.

Further, in the cartridge memory 19, the processing time by the CPU 94 for one command is set to be longer than a predetermined time, and the longer the processing time, the lower the clock frequency is set. Therefore, according to this configuration, even when processing for one command is performed by the CPU 94, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and reduction in power consumption.

Further, in the cartridge memory 19, a response signal indicating a processing result obtained by the CPU 94 performing processing according to the command signal is transmitted to the non-contact reading/writing device 50 via the magnetic field MF. Therefore, according to this configuration, the processing result can be transmitted to the non-contact reading/writing device 50 without applying a magnetic field different from the magnetic field MF to the coil 60.

Furthermore, in the cartridge memory 19, processing according to the command signal is not always performed by the CPU 94 according to the clock signal of the first frequency, and the length of the response time is changed depending on the type of command indicated by the command signal. . Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress excess or deficiency of power and processing time compared to a case where the processing time is always constant regardless of the type of command.

Furthermore, in the cartridge memory 19, the time required for read processing and write processing is longer than the time required for polling processing. Therefore, according to this configuration, read processing and write processing are performed at a clock frequency lower than the clock frequency used in polling processing, so power consumption can be reduced compared to when polling processing is performed. . That is, compared to the case where the same clock frequency as the polling process is used for the read process and the write process, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the read process and the write process are not completed due to power shortage.

Note that although the above embodiment has been described using an example in which the process of step ST12 is executed in the operation mode setting process regardless of the strength of the magnetic field MF, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the operation mode setting process, the process of step ST10 may be executed before step ST12.

The operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 13 differs from the operation mode setting process shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C in that the clock signal of the first frequency has already been generated by the clock signal generator 86 in various ways. The difference is that it is supplied to the drive element. Further, the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 13 differs from the operation mode setting process shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C in that it includes the process of step ST10.

In step ST10 shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 94 determines whether the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than a threshold value based on the magnetic field strength signal. Here, the threshold value is, for example, the lower limit value of the magnetic field strength at which power shortage will not occur even if the clock signal of the first frequency is supplied to various drive elements, and is determined in advance by tests using actual equipment and/or computer simulations. This is the derived value.

In step ST10, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST26. In step ST10, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST12.

That is, when the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the clock signal of the first frequency is maintained. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to avoid an increase in processing time even when there is no possibility of power shortage occurring.

Further, when the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the operation mode is changed according to the type of command indicated by the command signal, and the clock frequency is changed according to the operation mode. Therefore, according to this configuration, as compared to a case where the length of the processing time is fixed regardless of the strength of the magnetic field MF, it is possible to suppress excesses and deficiencies in power and processing time.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value before step ST12, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, step ST15 may be inserted between step ST14 and step ST16.

In step ST15 shown in FIG. 14, the same determination as the process in step ST12 described above is performed. Then, in step ST15, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST26. In step ST15, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST16.

Further, the operation mode setting process described in the first embodiment is merely an example, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 12B, the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 15 may be executed by the CPU 94. The operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 15 differs from the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 12B in that it includes the process of step ST29.

In step ST29 shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 94 determines whether the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than a threshold value based on the magnetic field strength signal. In step ST29, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A. In step ST29, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST30.

Further, the operation mode setting process described in the first embodiment is merely an example, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 12C, the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 16 may be executed by the CPU 94. The operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 16 differs from the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 12C in that it includes the process of step ST35.

In step ST35 shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 94 determines whether the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than a threshold value based on the magnetic field strength signal. In step ST35, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST22 shown in FIG. 12A. In step ST35, if the strength of the magnetic field MF is less than the threshold value, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST36.

Note that in the examples shown in FIGS. 12B and 15, when the command indicated by the command signal is a write command, the medium time processing mode is set and the second frequency is set as the clock frequency. The disclosed technique is not limited to this, and when the command indicated by the command signal is a write command, the long-time processing mode may be set and the third frequency may be set as the clock frequency.

Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 12C and 16, when the command indicated by the command signal is a read command, the long-time processing mode is set and the third frequency is set as the clock frequency. The technique is not limited to this, and when the command indicated by the command signal is a read command, the intermediate time processing mode may be set and the second frequency may be set as the clock frequency.

In this way, when the command indicated by the command signal is a write command or a read process, the processing time may be longer than a short time, a medium time or a long time, and the clock frequency is higher than the first frequency. The higher the better.

Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the response time is changed depending on the strength of the magnetic field MF, but the response time may be fixed regardless of the strength of the magnetic field MF. .

Further, in the first 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 technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the IC chip 52 and the coil 60 may be connected by a flip-chip connection method. In this case, for example, one terminal of the positive terminal and the negative 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 first embodiment, the second frequency is set to 1/2 of the first frequency, and the third frequency is set to 1/4 of the first frequency, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. First, the second frequency may be a frequency lower than the first frequency, and the third frequency may be a frequency lower than the second frequency. The level that makes the second frequency lower than the first frequency and/or the level that makes the third frequency lower than the second frequency is determined by the voltage remaining in the capacitor 54 and the built-in capacitor 80, that is, in the cartridge memory 19. It may be changed depending on the remaining power. In this case, for example, if the power remaining in the cartridge memory 19 is lower than the threshold, the computer 84 sets the second frequency to 1/3 or less of the first frequency, and sets the third frequency to the second frequency. The clock signal generator 86 is controlled to make the same frequency as the second frequency or a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the operation mode is changed according to a command signal, but in the second embodiment, the distance between the non-contact read/write device 50 and the cartridge memory 19 is changed. An example in which the operation mode is changed according to the indicated communication distance D will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are represented by the same symbols as in the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 18 as an example, the communication distance D is the distance between the magnetic field emitting surface of the non-contact read/write device 50 and the center of the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 of the cartridge memory 19 in the short side direction. Note that the communication distance D is an example of "characteristics of the magnetic tape cartridge" and "characteristics of the communication destination" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The size of the case 12 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and the location of the cartridge memory 19 within the magnetic tape cartridge 10 are determined in advance depending on the type of the case 12. Further, the size of the magnetic tape drive 30 and the loading position of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 within the magnetic tape drive 30 are determined in advance according to the type of the magnetic tape drive 30. Further, the size of the non-contact reading/writing device 50 is determined in advance according to the type of the non-contact reading/writing device 50, and the position of the non-contact reading/writing device 50 with respect to the magnetic tape drive 30 is fixed. Therefore, when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30, the communication distance D is derived depending on the type of magnetic tape cartridge 10, the type of magnetic tape drive 30, and the type of non-contact reading/writing device 50. be done.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 19, a communication distance derivation table 103 is stored in the NVM 96. The manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 prepares a plurality of types of communication distance deriving tables 103 depending on the type of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the communication distance deriving table 103 is prepared in a plurality of types depending on the type of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. A communication distance derivation table 103 is stored in the NVM 96. The CPU 94 derives the communication distance D based on the communication distance derivation table 103 stored in the NVM 96.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 20, the communication distance derivation table 103 shows communication distances D depending on the type of magnetic tape drive 30 and the type of non-contact reading/writing device 50. The CPU 94 acquires the type of magnetic tape drive 30 and the type of the non-contact reading/writing device 50 from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 via the magnetic field MF. Specifically, for example, the control signal output from the control device 38 of the magnetic tape drive 30 to the non-contact read/write device 50 (see FIG. 6) includes the type of magnetic tape drive 30 (in the example shown in FIG. 20, magnetic tape drive type information indicating the model number of the magnetic tape drive 30; and read/write device type information indicating the type of the non-contact read/write device 50 (in the example shown in FIG. 20, the model number of the non-contact read/write device 50). It is. The non-contact read/write device 50 emits a magnetic field MF including a command signal, magnetic tape drive type information, and read/write device type information toward the cartridge memory 19 in accordance with a control signal input from the control device 38 .

The CPU 94 receives command signals extracted from the magnetic field MF by the signal processing circuit 88, magnetic tape drive type information, and read/write device type information. The CPU 94 derives the communication distance D based on the communication distance derivation table 103 using the received magnetic tape drive type information and read/write device type information.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 94 compares the derived communication distance D with a first communication distance threshold and a second communication distance threshold. The first communication distance threshold is set, for example, under the condition that the strength of the magnetic field MF emitted from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 is always constant, in short-time processing mode, that is, based on the clock signal of the first frequency. This value has been derived in advance through tests using actual devices and/or computer simulations, etc., as the upper limit of the communication distance that can obtain a strong magnetic field that will not cause a power shortage even if the reading process is carried out using the following methods. Further, the second communication distance threshold may be set, for example, under the condition that the intensity of the magnetic field MF emitted from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 is always constant, in the medium time processing mode, that is, the clock signal of the second frequency. This is a value derived in advance through tests using actual devices and/or computer simulations, etc., as the upper limit of the communication distance that can obtain a strong magnetic field that will not cause a power shortage even if read processing is performed based on the above. The first communication distance threshold is smaller than the second communication distance threshold.

If the derived communication distance D is less than the first communication distance threshold, the CPU 94 sets the short time processing mode as the operation mode. Further, when the derived communication distance D is equal to or greater than the first communication distance threshold and less than the second communication distance threshold, the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operation mode. Furthermore, when the derived communication distance D is equal to or greater than the second communication distance threshold, the CPU 94 sets the long-time processing mode as the operation mode.

The CPU 94 executes processing according to the command signal in the set operation mode. That is, the CPU 94 performs the polling process, the write process, and the read process at a processing speed according to the communication distance D. The CPU 94 changes the response time to the command signal by changing the processing speed according to the communication distance D.

Next, the operation of the cartridge memory 19 according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 22.

In the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 22, first, in step ST100, the CPU 94 determines whether a detection timing for detecting reception of a signal including a command signal, read/write device type information, and magnetic tape drive type information has arrived. judge. The detection timing is set every predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). In step ST100, if the detection timing has not arrived, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST113. In step ST100, if the detection timing has arrived, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST101.

In step ST101, the CPU 94 determines whether the signal processing circuit 88 has received a command signal, read/write device type information, and magnetic tape drive type information. In step ST101, if the command signal, read/write device type information, and magnetic tape drive type information are not received by the signal processing circuit 88, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST113. In step ST101, if the command signal, read/write device type information, and magnetic tape drive type information are received by the signal processing circuit 88, the determination is affirmative, and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST102.

In step ST102, the CPU 94 derives the communication distance D based on the communication distance derivation table 103 using the received read/write device type information and magnetic tape drive type information. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST103.

In step ST103, the CPU 94 determines whether the communication distance D is less than the first communication distance threshold. In step ST103, if the communication distance D is equal to or greater than the first communication distance threshold, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST106. In step ST103, if the communication distance D is less than the first communication distance threshold, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST104.

In step ST104, the CPU 94 sets the short-time processing mode as the operation mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST105.

In step ST105, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to a first frequency corresponding to the short-time processing mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST111.

In step ST106, the CPU 94 determines whether the communication distance D is less than the second communication distance threshold. In step ST106, if the communication distance D is equal to or greater than the second communication distance threshold, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST109. In step ST109, if the communication distance D is less than the second communication distance threshold (that is, first communication distance threshold≦communication distance D<second communication distance threshold), the determination is affirmative, and the operation mode setting process proceeds to step ST107. Transition.

In step ST107, the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operation mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST108.

In step ST108, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to a second frequency corresponding to the medium time processing mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST111.

In step ST109, the CPU 94 sets the long-time processing mode as the operation mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST110.

In step ST110, the CPU 94 sets the clock frequency to a third frequency corresponding to the long-time processing mode. After this, the operation mode setting process moves to step ST111.

In step ST111, the CPU 94 executes processing according to the command signal received by the signal processing circuit 88 in step ST101, and then the operation mode setting processing moves to step ST112.

In step ST112, the CPU 94 transmits a response signal indicating the processing result obtained by executing the processing in step ST111 to the signal processing circuit 88 and the resonance circuit 92 via the magnetic field MF to the non-contact reading/writing device. 50, and then the operation mode setting process moves to step ST113.

In step ST113, the CPU 94 determines whether conditions for terminating the operation mode setting process (hereinafter referred to as "operation mode setting process terminating conditions") are satisfied. An example of the condition for terminating the operation mode setting process is 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 to the CPU 94 from the magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90. In step ST113, if the operation mode setting process termination condition is not satisfied, the determination is negative and the operation mode setting process moves to step ST100. In step ST113, if the conditions for terminating the operation mode setting process are satisfied, the determination is affirmative and the operation mode setting process ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the CPU 94 changes the response time to the command signal according to the communication distance D derived from the characteristics of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and the non-contact read/write device 50. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to the case where the response time is set regardless of the communication distance D, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and improvement in processing speed.

Note that although the second embodiment has been described using an example in which the response time is changed depending on the communication distance D, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The CPU 94 may, for example, set the operation mode in advance to the short-time processing mode, and change the operation mode to the medium-time processing mode or the long-time processing mode depending on the communication distance D. That is, the CPU 94 may make the response time longer than the time predetermined as the standard response time, depending on the communication distance D. According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and reduction in power consumption.

[Third embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the operation mode of the cartridge memory 19 is changed depending on the communication distance D, but in the third embodiment, the usable storage capacity set for the NVM 96 is explained. (Hereinafter, also referred to as "usable storage capacity") An example of a mode in which the operation mode is changed according to the storage capacity will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same symbols as in the first and second embodiments, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 23, the NVM 96 stores usable storage capacity information 105 indicating information regarding available storage capacity. The usable storage capacity of the NVM 96 is set to, for example, a fraction of the total storage capacity of the NVM 96. One reason for this is that the memory cells included in the NVM 96 tend to deteriorate compared to the product life of the magnetic tape MT. By setting the usable storage capacity of the NVM96 to a fraction of the total storage capacity, for example, by replacing memory cells that have deteriorated and become unusable with unused memory cells, the product life of the NVM96 can be extended. This is to extend the Note that the usable storage capacity is an example of "characteristics of the non-contact communication medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 94 reads the usable storage capacity information 105 from the NVM 96, and sets the usable storage capacity indicated by the read usable storage capacity information 105 to a first storage capacity threshold and a second storage capacity threshold. Compare with. The first storage capacity threshold is, for example, the upper limit of the usable storage capacity that does not cause a power shortage even if read processing is performed in short-time processing mode, that is, based on the clock signal of the first frequency, and is determined by testing using an actual device. and/a value derived in advance by computer simulation or the like. Further, the second storage capacity threshold is set as the upper limit of the usable storage capacity that does not cause a power shortage even when reading processing is performed based on the clock signal of the second frequency in the medium time processing mode, for example. This is a value derived in advance through tests and/or computer simulations. The first storage capacity threshold is smaller than the second storage capacity threshold.

If the available storage capacity indicated by the available storage capacity information 105 is less than the first storage capacity threshold, the CPU 94 sets the short-time processing mode as the operation mode. Furthermore, when the available storage capacity indicated by the available storage capacity information 105 is greater than or equal to the first storage capacity threshold and less than the second storage capacity threshold, the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operating mode. Further, when the available storage capacity indicated by the available storage capacity information 105 is equal to or greater than the second storage capacity threshold, the CPU 94 sets the long-time processing mode as the operation mode.

The CPU 94 executes processing according to the command signal in the set operation mode. That is, the CPU 94 performs polling processing, writing processing, and reading processing at a processing speed that corresponds to the available storage capacity. The CPU 94 changes the response time to the command signal by changing the processing speed according to the available storage capacity.

As explained above, in the third embodiment, the CPU 94 changes the response time according to the usable storage capacity set for the NVM 96. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to the case where the response time is set regardless of the usable storage capacity, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and improvement in processing speed.

[Fourth embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the operation mode is changed according to the usable storage capacity, but in the fourth embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 selectively uses a plurality of communication standards. A mode in which communication can be performed and the response time is changed depending on the communication standard used will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those described in the first to third embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the first to third embodiments, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 is compatible with a plurality of communication standards, and the CPU 94 communicates with the non-contact reading/writing device 50 by selectively using the plurality of communication standards. Examples of communication standards used in wireless communication between the cartridge memory 19 and the non-contact reading/writing device 50 include ISO18092, ISO14443A, ISO14443B, and ISO15693.

As shown in FIG. 25 by way of example, NVM 96 has a plurality of storage blocks including a configurable parameter storage block 122, a current configuration parameter storage block 124, and a program storage block 126. Management information 100 (see FIG. 10) and the like are stored in the plurality of storage blocks.

The settable parameter storage block 122 stores a plurality of communication standard parameters 130 that can specify communication standards that can be set in the IC chip 52. Current setting parameters 132 are stored in the current setting parameter storage block 124 . The current setting parameter 132 is a communication standard parameter 130 corresponding to the communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52, among the plurality of communication standard parameters 130.

In addition to the operation mode setting processing program 102, the program storage block 126 stores a communication standard setting program 134.

The communication standard specified from the current setting parameter 132 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 124 is the communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52. The CPU 94 changes the response time according to the current setting parameters 132 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 124.

As shown in FIG. 26 as an example, the non-contact reading/writing device 50 is compatible with a plurality of communication standards. The non-contact reading/writing device 50 communicates with the cartridge memory 19 using a communication standard that the cartridge memory 19 can support among a plurality of communication standards. Note that the communication standard used for communication between the non-contact reading/writing device 50 and the cartridge memory 19 is an example of "characteristics of a non-contact communication medium" and "characteristics of a communication destination" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 26, the non-contact read/write device 50 is coupled to the coil 60 by electromagnetic induction by applying a magnetic field MF (see FIGS. 5 and 6) to the coil 60. With the non-contact reading/writing device 50 and the coil 60 coupled by electromagnetic induction, the non-contact reading/writing device 50 transmits a polling command to the signal processing circuit 88 . The signal processing circuit 88 receives a polling command from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 via the coil 60 . The signal processing circuit 88 transmits the received polling command to the CPU 94.

The CPU 94 receives a polling command from the signal processing circuit 88 and determines the communication standard of the received polling command. The CPU 94 selects and sets a communication standard according to the determination result from among the plurality of communication standards.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 27, the CPU 94 acquires communication standard parameters 130 corresponding to the communication standard according to the determination result from the settable parameter storage block 122. Then, the CPU 94 updates the current setting parameters 132 in the current setting parameter storage block 124 by overwriting and saving the communication standard parameters 130 acquired from the configurable parameter storage block 122 in the current setting parameter storage block 124. That is, by rewriting the current setting parameters 132 in the current setting parameter storage block 124 by the CPU 94, the current setting parameters 132 in the current setting parameter storage block 124 are updated.

The communication standard specified from the current setting parameter 132 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 124 is the communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52. The CPU 94 specifies the currently set communication standard based on the current setting parameter 132, and changes the operating mode according to the specified communication standard.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 28, when the currently set communication standard is a high-speed communication standard, the CPU 94 sets the short-time processing mode as the operation mode. Furthermore, if the currently set communication standard is the medium speed communication standard, the CPU 94 sets the medium time processing mode as the operation mode. If the currently set communication standard is the low-speed communication standard, the CPU 94 sets the long-time processing mode as the operating mode.

The CPU 94 executes processing according to the command signal in the set operation mode. That is, the CPU 94 performs polling processing, writing processing, and reading processing at a processing speed according to the currently set communication standard. The CPU 94 changes the response time to the command signal by changing the processing speed according to the currently set communication standard.

As explained above, in the fourth embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 is compatible with a plurality of communication standards. The CPU 94 selectively performs communication using a plurality of communication standards, and changes the response time depending on the communication standard used for communication. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to the case where the response time is set regardless of the currently set communication standard, it is possible to achieve both stable operation of the cartridge memory 19 and improvement in processing speed.

Furthermore, the non-contact reading/writing device 50 is capable of communicating using each of a plurality of communication standards. The CPU 94 changes the response time according to the communication standard corresponding to the cartridge memory 19 among the plurality of communication standards. Therefore, according to this configuration, the degree of freedom in selecting a communication standard is improved compared to a case where only one communication standard can be used.

Although the fourth embodiment has been described using an example in which one non-contact reading/writing device 50 is compatible with a plurality of communication standards, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. As an example, as shown in FIG. 29, when a plurality of non-contact reading/writing devices 50-1 and 50-2 each supporting different communication standards communicate with the same cartridge memory 19, the present disclosure techniques may be applied. In other words, the CPU 94 changes the response time according to the communication standard used by the non-contact reading/writing device 50-1 or 50-2 among the plurality of non-contact reading/writing devices 50-1 and 50-2. Good too. According to this configuration, the highly versatile cartridge memory 19 that is compatible with multiple communication standards of the multiple non-contact reading/writing devices 50-1 and 50-2 is used, compared to a case where the cartridge memory 19 is compatible with only one communication standard. can be provided.

Note that in each of the above embodiments, the inclination angle θ is 45 degrees, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and as an example, as shown in FIG. , 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 inclination angle θ1 is smaller than the inclination angle θ, more lines of magnetic force can penetrate the coil 60 (see FIG. 7) than in the case of the inclination 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 larger induced current than when the tilt angle is θ.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 31, in the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, the management process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and/or the distribution process (for example, the distribution process in the market) in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is distributed, A non-contact read/write device 150 reads and writes management information 100 and the like into the cartridge memory 19 of each magnetic tape cartridge 10 in a package 200 in which a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 10 stacked in a direction are bundled with a plastic film. . The non-contact reading/writing device 150 reads and writes the management information 100 and the like in the cartridge memory 19 by moving the non-contact reading/writing device 150 along the direction in which a 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 where the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 (first environment), the magnetic field MF (first magnetic field ), a magnetic field MF is applied from the side directly facing the reference surface 16A1 toward the back surface 26A (coil formation surface) of the substrate 26 where the coil 60 is formed (see FIG. 30). As a result, more lines of magnetic force pass through the coil 60 than when the inclination angle of the cartridge memory 19 is the inclination angle θ, and a large induced current can be obtained.

On the other hand, in an environment of a production process, a management process, and/or a distribution process (second environment), a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 10 are handled as a package 200, as shown in FIG. 31 as an example. In this case, a magnetic field MF1 (second magnetic field) is applied toward the back surface 26A from the side that intersects with the normal direction of the reference surface 16A1 and faces the back surface 26A. As a result, compared to the case where the inclination angle of the cartridge memory 19 is the inclination angle θ, reading and writing of management information 100, etc. to an unintended magnetic tape cartridge 10 within the package 200 is suppressed (crosstalk occurs). be able to.

In the example shown in FIG. 31, when the non-contact reading/writing device 150 communicates with each cartridge memory 19 in the package 200 via the magnetic field MF1, the non-contact reading/writing device 150 is placed vertically with respect to the package 200. Although a mode in which the package 200 is moved along the vertical direction is illustrated, this mode is just an example, and the position of the non-contact type reading/writing device 150 may be fixed and the package 200 may be moved along the vertical direction. Further, the non-contact reading/writing device 150 and the package 200 may be moved in opposite directions in the vertical direction. In this way, when the non-contact reading/writing device 150 communicates with each cartridge memory 19 in the package 200 via the magnetic field MF1, the non-contact reading/writing device 150 is positioned relative to the package 200 along the vertical direction. All you have to do is move.

When the non-contact read/write device 150 reads or writes management information 100 or the like to the cartridge memory 19, it emits a magnetic field MF1 from the rear of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 toward the cartridge memory 19. The power generator 70 of the cartridge memory 19 generates power by the magnetic field MF1 acting on the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19. The non-contact reading/writing device 150 then transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF1. The cartridge memory 19 uses the power generated by the power generator 70 to execute processing according to the command signal, and transmits the processing result to the non-contact reading/writing device 150 as a response signal. That is, various information is exchanged between the non-contact reading/writing 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 reference numeral) included in package 200 (hereinafter also referred to as "read/write target cartridge memory" without reference numeral) , a magnetic field MF1 is applied from the non-contact reading/writing device 150 toward the cartridge memory to be read/written 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 may also be applied to the cartridge memory 19 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 adjacent to the single cartridge in the package 200 (hereinafter also referred to as "adjacent cartridge"). , and there is a risk that the management information 100 or the like may be read or written to the cartridge memory 19 of an adjacent cartridge. In other words, when the management information 100 and the like are read and written to the cartridge memory 19 of an adjacent cartridge, crosstalk occurs.

Here, when the inclination angle is θ1, the number of magnetic lines of force passing through the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19 can be reduced compared to the inclination angle θ, and compared to the inclination angle θ, the number of lines of magnetic force passing through the coil 60 of the cartridge memory 19 of the adjacent cartridge is smaller than that of the inclination angle θ. It becomes difficult to apply the magnetic field MF1. As a result, when the inclination angle is set to θ1, compared to the inclination angle θ, it is possible to suppress erroneous reading and writing of the management information 100 and the like to the magnetic tape cartridge 10, that is, the occurrence of crosstalk. 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 equipment costs. Furthermore, in the process of managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10, it is possible to improve the efficiency of managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10 without increasing equipment costs.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, an example is given in which the operation mode setting processing program 102 is stored in the NVM 96, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, the operation mode setting processing program 102 may be stored in the storage medium 300. Storage medium 300 is a non-transitory storage medium. An example of the storage medium 300 is any portable storage medium such as an SSD or a USB memory.

The operation mode setting processing program 102 stored in the storage medium 300 is installed in the computer 84. The CPU 94 executes the operation mode setting process according to the operation mode setting process program 102. In the example shown in FIG. 32, the CPU 94 is a single CPU, but it may be a plurality of CPUs.

Further, the operation mode 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 is operated in response to a request from the cartridge memory 19. The mode setting processing program 102 may be downloaded and installed on the computer 84.

Although the computer 84 is illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 32, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and instead of the computer 84, a device including an ASIC, an FPGA, and/or a PLD may be applied. . Further, instead of the computer 84, a combination of hardware configuration and software configuration may be used.

The following various processors can be used as hardware resources for executing the operation mode setting process. Examples of the processor include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource that executes an operation mode setting process by executing software, that is, a program. Examples of the processor include a dedicated electric circuit such as an FPGA, PLD, or ASIC, which is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process. Each processor has a built-in or connected memory, and each processor uses the memory to execute operation mode setting processing.

The hardware resource that executes the operation mode setting process may be configured with one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Furthermore, the hardware resource that executes the operation mode setting process may be one processor.

As an example of configuration using 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 that executes operation mode setting processing. be. Second, as typified by SoC, there is a form that uses a processor that implements the functions of the entire system including a plurality of hardware resources that execute operation mode setting processing with one IC chip. In this way, the operation mode setting process is realized using one or more of the various processors described above as hardware resources.

Furthermore, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit that is a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements can be used. Furthermore, the above operation mode setting process is just an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged without departing from the main idea.

The descriptions and illustrations described above are detailed explanations of portions related to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description regarding the configuration, function, operation, and effect is an example of the configuration, function, operation, and effect of the part related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the written and illustrated contents described above without departing from the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Needless to say. In addition, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the descriptions and illustrations shown above do not include parts that require particular explanation in order to enable implementation of the technology of the present disclosure. Explanations regarding common technical knowledge, etc. that do not apply are omitted.

In this specification, "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. Furthermore, in this specification, even when three or more items are expressed by connecting them with "and/or", the same concept as "A and/or B" is applied.

All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Incorporated by reference into this book.

Regarding the above embodiments, the following additional notes are further disclosed.

(Additional note 1)
A substrate on which a coil is formed, a power generator that generates power by an external magnetic field applied from the outside acting on the coil, and a power generator that uses the power generated by the power generator to generate power from the outside. A processor that processes commands contained in a magnetic field; A non-contact management method for managing the magnetic tape cartridge by applying the external magnetic field and communicating with the non-contact communication medium via the applied external magnetic field,
arranging the substrate at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the reference plane;
In a first environment where the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded into a magnetic tape drive, the external magnetic field is applied from the side directly facing the reference plane toward the coil forming surface of the substrate on which the coil is formed. applying a first magnetic field as
Under a second environment in which the magnetic tape cartridge exists outside the magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape cartridge is directed toward the coil forming surface from a side that intersects with the normal direction of the reference plane and faces the coil forming surface. A non-contact management method comprising applying a second magnetic field as the external magnetic field.

(Additional note 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.

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

(Additional note 4)
Supplementary note 3, wherein the external device applies 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 moving along the normal direction. Contactless 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 Inclined tables 20A1, 20B1 Inclined surface 20B Second inclined table 22 Position regulating rib 24 Rib 24A Top surface 26 Substrate 26A Back surface 26B Front surface 30 Magnetic tape drive 34 Conveying device 36 Reading head 38 Control device 40 Sending motor 42 Take-up reel 44 Winding Motor 46 Reading element 48 Holder 50, 50-1, 50-2, 150 Non-contact reading/writing device 52 IC chip 54 Capacitor 54A, 54B Electrode 56 Sealing material 60 Coil 62A First conducting part 62B Second conducting part 64A, 64B , 64C, 64D Wiring 70 Power generator 80 Built-in capacitor 82 Power supply circuit 84 Computer 86 Clock signal generator 88 Signal processing circuit 90 Magnetic field strength measurement circuit 92 Resonance circuit 94 CPU
96 NVM
98 RAM
99 Bus 100 Management information 102 Operation mode setting processing program 103 Communication distance derivation table 105 Available storage capacity information 122 Settable parameter storage block 124 Current setting parameter storage block 126 Program storage block 130 Communication standard parameter 132 Current setting parameter 134 Communication standard setting Processing program 200 Package 300 Storage medium A, B, C Arrow D Communication distance GR Guide rollers MF, MF1 Magnetic field MT Magnetic tape θ, θ1 Inclination angle

Claims (14)

coil and
a processor that is mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge and that communicates with the communication destination by coupling the coil and the communication destination through electromagnetic induction via an external magnetic field applied from the communication destination; The magnetic field includes a command by the communication destination, and the processor is a non-contact communication medium that processes the command included in the external magnetic field,
further comprising a first memory in which first information is stored, and in which at least one of reading and writing of the first information is performed by the processor;
The processor changes a response time by the processor to the command according to characteristics of the contactless communication medium,
The characteristic is a usable storage capacity set for the first memory. Contactless communication medium. The contactless communication medium is compatible with multiple communication standards,
The processor includes:
performing the communication selectively using the plurality of communication standards;
The contactless communication medium according to claim 1, wherein the response time is changed according to a communication standard used for the communication among the plurality of communication standards. The communication destination is capable of communicating with each of a plurality of communication standards,
The contactless communication medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor changes the response time according to a communication standard corresponding to the contactless communication medium among the plurality of communication standards. The communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices,
The plurality of communication devices have any one of a plurality of communication standards,
3. The contactless communication medium according to claim 1 , wherein the response time is changed according to a communication standard used by the communication destination among the plurality of communication standards. The processor further includes a power generator that generates power by the external magnetic field acting on the coil.
operates using the electric power;
The non-contact communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the response time is made longer than the first predetermined time depending on the characteristics. The contactless communication according to claim 5 , wherein the processor makes the response time longer than the first predetermined time by making the processing time required from the start to the end of the process longer than the second predetermined time. Medium. further comprising a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal using the electric power,
The processor includes:
performing the processing at a processing speed according to the frequency of the clock signal,
7. The non-contact communication medium according to claim 6, wherein the longer the processing time, the lower the frequency. The contactless communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the command is one command . The non-contact communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coil transmits a processing result obtained by performing the processing by the processor via the external magnetic field. The non-contact communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processor further changes the response time depending on the intensity of the external magnetic field. 11. The contactless communication according to claim 10, wherein when changing the response time according to the intensity of the external magnetic field, the processor lengthens the response time on the condition that the intensity of the external magnetic field is below a threshold value. Medium. The contactless communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the processor changes the response time depending on the type of the command. comprising a second memory storing second information;
The command is a polling command, a read command, or a write command,
The processor includes:
Perform polling processing in response to the polling command,
performing read processing regarding the second information on the second memory in response to the read command;
performing a write process regarding the second information in the second memory in response to the write command;
The contactless communication medium according to claim 12, wherein the time required for at least the read processing of the write processing and the read processing is longer than the time required for the polling processing. A contactless communication medium according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape,
The contactless communication medium has a third memory,
The third memory stores information regarding the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.