JPH0224863A - System for diagnosing air lifter function of magnetic tape device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To diagnose the propriety of an air lifter function by separately performing writing and reading operations in both states where the air lifter function is actuated and non-actuated and diagnosing the function based on the error of data blocks when the diagnosis of the air lifter function is instructed from an operator panel. CONSTITUTION:A processor 18 instructs a control means 24 to perform writing and reading out operations to a magnetic tape 2 without actuating an air lifter function in accordance with the instruction of a diagnosing means 23. Then the processor 18 confirms the normality of the magnetic tape by detecting that no error is contained in the data read out to a data transfer control circuit 21. Then the processor 18 causes the means 24 to perform data writing and reading out operations to the tape 2 by actuating the air lifter function and confirms the error in the data read out to the circuit 21. As a result, the floating state of the magnetic tape from a magnetic head is conformed and the normality of the air lifter function is discriminated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to an air lift function diagnostic method for a magnetic tape device that diagnoses the normality of the air lift function of a magnetic tape device that has an air lift function that uses air pressure to levitate a magnetic tape above a magnetic head. The purpose is to check whether the air lifter function is normal or not.In magnetic tape devices equipped with an air lifter function and magnetic tape control devices that control the magnetic tape devices, the magnetic tape control device has an air lifter shell function. Write and read data blocks on the magnetic tape without operating the air lifter function, and if there is no error in the read data block, then send a command to operate the air lifter function and write and read the data block again. The magnetic tape device is provided with a diagnostic means for determining that the air lifter function is normal if there is an error in the read data block, and the magnetic tape device is provided with a control means for controlling the air lifter function in response to a command to operate the air lifter function. , when instructed to diagnose the air lifter function,
If there is an error in the data block that the magnetic tape control device writes or reads to the magnetic tape device without operating the air lifter function, the diagnostic operation is stopped, and if there is no error, the air lifter function is activated. The air lifter function is configured to write and read a data block, and if there is no error, it is determined that the air lifter function is abnormal.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an air lifter function diagnosis method for a magnetic tape device that diagnoses the normality of the air lifter function of a magnetic tape device that has an air lifter function that uses air pressure to levitate a magnetic tape above a magnetic head.

A magnetic tape device writes/reads data by bringing the magnetic tape into contact with a magnetic head, but when rewinding the magnetic tape or performing a search to drive the magnetic tape to a predetermined data block position, Some devices have an air lifter function that allows the magnetic tape to travel at high speed and also blows air near the magnetic head to levitate the magnetic tape above the magnetic head so as to prevent the magnetic tape from coming into contact with the magnetic head.

This is to reduce damage to the magnetic tape and dirt on the magnetic head by avoiding unnecessary contact between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head.

Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the air lifter function is operating normally.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the conventional technique.

The magnetic tape 2 unwound from the file reel 9 contacts the magnetic head l along the guide 11, passes through the tension sensor 10 along the guide 12, and is wound onto the machine reel 8. The air supply section 7 sends air within a predetermined pressure range to the pipe 5, and this pressure is monitored by an air pressure sensor 6. If the pressure falls outside the predetermined range, the air pressure sensor 6 notifies the air supply section 7. be done.

Therefore, the air supply section 7 always sends air within the pressure range detected by the air pressure sensor 6 to the pipe 5.

Based on the control of the host device, the magnetic tape device writes data onto the magnetic tape 2 by sending data to the magnetic node 1 via a write circuit (not shown), and writes the data onto the magnetic tape 2 by a read circuit (not shown). The data read from 2 is sent to the host device.

Further, when the magnetic tape device receives an instruction from a host device to rewind the magnetic tape 2, for example, it operates the air lifter function. That is, the shutter 3 is opened, the air in the pipe 5 is blown out from the outlet 4, and this air pressure is used to levitate the magnetic tape 2 toward the magnetism and away from the throat 1. Then, the machine reel 8 and the file reel 9 are driven to run the magnetic tape 2 at high speed, and the file reel 9 is
Wind up magnetic tape 2.

Further, the air in the pipe 5 is sent to the tension sensor 10, and the air is blown out toward the magnetic tape 2.

Therefore, the pressure inside the tension sensor 10 changes depending on the degree of adhesion of the magnetic tape 2 to the tension sensor 10, that is, the tension of the magnetic tape, and the pressure change measured by the tension sensor 10 changes between the machine reel 8 and the file reel 9. It is used to control the driving force of a motor (not shown) that drives the motor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As described above (conventionally, when the magnetic tape 20 is running at high speed during rewinding, etc., the air lifter function is used to lift the magnetic tape 2 above the magnetic head 1 with the pressure of the air blown out from the air outlet 4, and the magnetic tape 2 and the magnetic By avoiding unnecessary contact with the disk l, the occurrence of damage to the magnetic tape 2 and the occurrence of dirt on the magnetic head l are reduced.

However, in the past, there was no way to diagnose even if this air lifter function was not working properly, so when a failure occurred in the air lifter function and the magnetic tape 2 was running at high speed, the magnetic head l Even if the magnetic tape 2 remains in contact with the magnetic tape 2, this cannot be detected and the use continues, resulting in damage to the magnetic tape 2 or damage to the magnetic head 1.
There is a problem in that dirt and the like rapidly occur on magnetic tape devices, reducing the operating rate of systems using magnetic tape devices.

In view of these problems, the present invention has been devised so that when the magnetic tape device is not occupied by the magnetic tape control device, by giving an instruction from the operator panel of the magnetic tape device,
The purpose of this invention is to activate an air lifter function diagnostic means provided in a magnetic tape control device, and to check whether or not the air lifter function is normal based on instructions from the diagnostic means.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating diagnosis of the air lifter function.

Magnetic tape controller 15 connects magnetic tape devices 16 and 17 to interface circuit 22 . The processor 18 of the magnetic tape control device 15 reads and operates the program stored in the control memory 19, controls the data transfer control circuit 21, and connects a host device such as a channel connected to the interface circuit 20. Data is transferred to and from the magnetic tape device 16 or 17.

When the magnetic tape device 16 is not occupied by the magnetic tape control device 15 and an air lifter function diagnosis is instructed from the operator panel 26 of the magnetic tape device 16, the control means 24 of the magnetic tape device 16 controls the interface circuit 25. Then, via the interface circuit 22 of the magnetic tape control device 15, the processor 18 is notified that diagnosis of the air lifter function has been instructed.

When processor 18 receives this notification, control memory 19
The diagnostic means 23 is read out from the data transfer control circuit 21 and the interface circuit 2 according to instructions from the diagnostic means 23.
2 and 25, the controller 24 of the magnetic tape I6 is instructed to keep the shutter 3 closed, that is, to keep the magnetic tape 2 in contact with the magnetic head 1 as shown in FIG. 2(a). A preset data block is read from the control memory 19, sent to a write circuit (not shown) via the data transfer control circuit 21 and interface circuits 22 and 25, and the data block is written on the magnetic tape 2 by the magnetic head l. Let it happen.

This written data block is read by the magnetic head 1 and transferred from a read circuit (not shown) to the data transfer circuit 21 via the interface circuits 25 and 22.

The data transfer control circuit 21 checks whether there is an error in the read data and notifies the processor 18 if there is an error. If the data has been read normally, the processor 18 then instructs the control means 24 to operate the air lifter function, that is, to open the shutter 3, and writes and reads data in the same manner as described above.

If there is an error in the data read from the data transfer control circuit 21, the processor 18 determines that the air lifter function is normal. If the air lifter function is normal, this will occur as shown in Figure 2 (
As shown in bl, the magnetic tape 2 is separated from the magnetic head 1 by the pressure of the air blown out from the air outlet 4 of the vibrator 5 as shown by the arrow, and the read data becomes inaccurate or cannot be read. Because it shouldn't be possible.

Further, if there is no error in the read data, it is determined that the air lifter function is not operating normally. This is shown in Figure 2 (
As shown in FIG. al, when the pressure of the air blown out from the outlet 4 of the pipe 5 is low, the magnetic tape 2 does not separate from the magnetic head 1, data can be written to the magnetic tape 2 normally, and this data can be read normally. Because I was able to get it out.

Even when the magnetic tape device 17 is not occupied by the magnetic tape control device 15 and a diagnosis is instructed from the operator panel 27 of the magnetic tape device 17, the same is true as described above, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the processor 18 instructs the control means 24 in accordance with the instructions from the diagnostic means 23 to write and read data to and from the magnetic tape 2 without activating the air lifter function, thereby controlling data transfer. circuit 21
After confirming the normality of the magnetic tape device by detecting that there are no errors in the read data, the control means 24
, the air lifter function is activated, data is written to and read from the magnetic tape 2, and the data transfer control circuit 21 checks whether there is an error in the read data. It becomes possible to determine whether or not it is far from.

Thus, processor 18 can diagnose air lifter function.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of FIG. 3.

The processor 18 of the magnetic tape controller 15 has a control memory 1
9 reads and operates the program stored in the interface circuit 20, controls the interface circuit 20, the data transfer control circuit 21, and the interface circuit 22.
Data transfer is performed between the host device connected to the interface circuit 22 and the magnetic tape device 16 or 17 connected to the interface circuit 22.

The processor 29 of the magnetic tape device 16 reads the program stored in the ROM 30 and operates, and as shown in FIG. 4, monitors instructions from the operator panel 26 to diagnose the air lifter function.

Then, when a diagnosis instruction for the air lifter function is given from the operator panel 26, the processor 29 sends the diagnosis to the processor 18 via the interface circuit 25 and the interface circuit 22 of the magnetic tape control device 15, as shown in FIG. Notify that the instructions have been given.

The processor 18 reads the diagnostic program 28 from the control memory 19, and according to the instructions of the diagnostic program 28, the data is transferred via the data transfer control circuit 21 and the interface circuit 22.
As shown in FIG. 4, an instruction to turn off the air lifter, that is, an instruction to keep the shutter 3 closed, is sent to the magnetic tape device 16.

The processor 29 receives the instruction to turn off the air lifter via the interface circuit 25 and keeps the shutter 3 closed.

Processor 18 then reads the data block prepared in advance from control memory 19 and sends it to magnetic tape device 16 via data transfer control circuit 21 and interface circuit 22.

The data block input via the interface circuit 25 is sent to the magnetic head 1 shown in FIG. 5 via a write circuit (not shown), written on the magnetic tape 2, and read out by the magnetic head 1 (not shown). The data is then sent to the magnetic tape controller 15 via the interface circuit 25.

The data block read from the magnetic tape device 16 is
The data is sent to the processor 18 via the interface circuit 22 and data transfer control circuit 21.

At this time, the data transfer control circuit 21 checks whether there is an error in the data block and notifies the processor 18 if there is an error.

As shown in FIG. 4, if there is an error in the read data, the processor 18 determines that there is a failure in the magnetic tape device 16 and stops further diagnostic operations, but if there is no error, it issues an instruction to turn on the air lifter. In the same manner as above, the processor 29
Send to.

When the processor 29 receives an instruction to turn on the air lifter, it opens the shutter 3 and blows out air from the air outlet 4 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the processor 18 reads the data block prepared in advance in the control memory 19 and sends it to the magnetic tape device 16 via the data transfer control circuit 21 and interface circuit 22.

Similarly to the above, the data block read from the magnetic tape device 16 is transferred, and in the data transfer control circuit 21,
The read data block is checked for errors.

As shown in FIG. 4, when an error is detected and the processor 18 is notified of the occurrence of the error, the processor 18 determines that the air lifter function is normal, and if no error is detected, the processor 18 determines that the air lifter function is abnormal. It is determined that

The case where diagnosis of the air lifter function is instructed from the operator panel 27 of the magnetic tape device 17 is the same as described above, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention can check the normality of the air lifter function at any time when the magnetic tape device is not under the control of the magnetic tape control device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram explaining the diagnosis of the air lifter function, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is the operation of Fig. 3. Flowchart explaining the fifth
The figure is a diagram explaining a conventional technique. In the figure, ■ is the magnetic head, 2 is the magnetic tape, 3 is the shutter, 4 is the air outlet, 5 is the vibrator, 6
is an air pressure sensor, 7 is an air supply section, 8 is a machine reel, 9 is a file reel, 10 is a tension sensor, 11.1
2 is a guide, 15 is a magnetic tape control device, 16.1
7 is a magnetic tape device, 18.29 is a processor, 19 is a control memory, 20.22
．． 25 is an interface circuit, 21 is a data transfer control circuit, 23 is a diagnostic means, 24 is a control means, 2627 is an operator panel, 28 is a diagnostic program, and 30 is a ROMI? be. F1J lid kodan ni wa no zenshin bar obfuscation love 1st month moon 3 虞口χ 7? , L mouth

Claims (1)

[Claims] A magnetic tape device (16) (
17) and a magnetic tape control device (15) that controls the magnetic tape devices (16) and (17), the magnetic tape control device (15) is configured to store preset data without operating the air lifter function. The block is sent to the magnetic tape device (16) (17) to perform writing and reading on the magnetic tape, and if there is no error in the read data block, then a command is sent to operate the air lifter function. Then, the preset data block is sent to the magnetic tape device (16) (17) to write and read from the magnetic tape, and if there is an error in the read data block, the air lifter function is normal. A diagnostic means (23) is provided for determining that the air lifter function is activated when a command to operate the air lifter function is sent to the magnetic tape device (16) (17) from the magnetic tape control device (15). is provided with a control means (24) for operating the magnetic tape control device (15) based on the instruction of the diagnostic means (23) when instructed to diagnose the air lifter function by the magnetic tape device (16) (17). If there is an error in the data block written to or read from the magnetic tape device (16) (17) without operating the air lifter function, the diagnostic operation is stopped, and if there is no error, the diagnostic operation is continued. An air lifter function diagnosis method for a magnetic tape device, characterized in that the air lifter function is operated to write and read a data block, and if there is no error in the read data block, it is determined that the air lifter function is abnormal. .