JPH03272073A - Optical disk file device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently and surely execute the retrieval of file data by adding an index number to file management units provided on optical disk cartridges, and connecting interface circuits provided on these file management units in parallel to a controller. CONSTITUTION:In optical disk cartridges 1a, 1b,... 1n, optical disks 6a, 6b,... 6n, and file management units 7a, 7b,... 7n are installed, and interface circuits for constituting these file management units are connected in parallel to a host computer 5 by a retrieval information line 8. Also, an intrinsic index number is given to each file management unit 7a, 7b,... 7n, respectively, and which of the file management units 7a, 7b,... 7n executes an exchange of retrieval information between the computer 5 can be known by the host computer 5 side. In such a way, the retrieval of file data can be executed efficiently and surely.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an optical disc file device that manages a large number of optical disc cartridges. [Prior Art] Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, a library unit 41 containing a large number of optical disk cartridges 40a, 40b, ... 40x, and an optical disk cartridge selected from the library unit 41 are installed, A drive device 42 that performs information recording/reproducing operations, a transport device 43 that selects a desired optical disc cartridge from the library unit 41 and transports it to the drive device @ 42, and a host computer 44 that controls the drive device 42 and the transport device 43. An optical disc file device equipped with the following is known. The optical disc cartridges 40a, 40b. ... 40x stores an optical disk on which file data and management information of the file data are recorded in a form that can be read by irradiating a light beam. The optical disc file device includes a library unit 4
One optical disc cartridge is selected from 1 and transported to the drive unit W142, management information is first read out from the optical disc according to the procedure stored in the drive unit 42, desired management information is searched, and the desired management information is retrieved according to this management information. Desired file data can be read by accessing the address where the file data is recorded with a light beam. (Problem to be Solved by the Invention J) As described above, the conventional optical disc file device cannot read management information unless the optical disc cartridges 40a, . . . , 40x are installed in the drive device 42. 40a..., 40x is taken out from the library unit 41 and installed in the drive unit N42, the drive unit 42 is driven to read the management information, and then the drive unit f!142 is loaded.
Since a series of operations such as ejecting the optical disk cartridges 4a, . . . , 40x and returning them to the library unit 41 takes a long time, the library unit 41
Optical disk cartridge 40a,..., provided in
The method of sequentially applying 40x to the drive device 142 is too troublesome and cannot be put to practical use at all. Therefore, normally, a management information file is created in advance by recording the management information recorded on the optical disk in a magnetic recording Vt attached to the system or by printing it out, and then the operator creates the management information file. Search for an optical disc on which more desired file data is recorded,
A method is used in which a desired optical disc cartridge 40a, . . . , 40x is selected from the library unit 41. However, since optical discs have a huge recording capacity and the library unit 41 is equipped with a large number of optical disc cartridges 40a, . . . , 40x, the amount of management information files becomes enormous. It is difficult to search for file data efficiently, especially when one file data is recorded in a distributed manner on a plurality of optical disks. Additionally, when file data is added, corrected, deleted, etc., the management information file must be rewritten throughout the system, which makes it inconvenient to use and makes it difficult to search for file data. Difficult to do efficiently and reliably. Note that the search time can be shortened by recording the management information on a hard disk provided in the drive unit @42, for example, but the optical disk is a replacement medium and is not used within the system. Once removed, file management is no longer possible, so it cannot be used in cases where one file data is distributed and recorded on multiple optical disks. The applicant of this application previously developed a system for communicating signals between a semiconductor memory that is composed of an optical disk and a cartridge case that rotatably stores the optical disk, and that stores file data management information in the cartridge case and an external device. proposed an optical recording medium equipped with a connector (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-26680). An object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art by utilizing this optical recording medium.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly includes a group of optical disk cartridges, and a desired optical disk cartridge selected from the group of optical disk cartridges is installed, and information is transmitted to the optical disk stored in the optical disk cartridge. an optical disk file device comprising: a drive device for recording/reproducing information; and a controller for controlling a search for the group of optical disk cartridges and controlling the driving of the drive device; an optical disk in which the interface circuits of each of the file management units are connected in parallel to the controller, and the semiconductor memory is attached to each of the semiconductor memories. The management information of the file data recorded on the optical disk in the cartridge can be stored sequentially, and the management information stored in the semiconductor memory can be searched at any time. Second, an optical disc cartridge group consisting of a plurality of optical disc cartridges each having a file management unit comprising at least a semiconductor memory, an arithmetic unit, and an interface circuit with an external device; A drive device that records/reproduces information by installing a desired optical disc cartridge, and sequentially stores management information in each of the semiconductor memories and retrieves the management information stored in the semiconductor memories at any time through the interface circuit. With,
A combination of a controller that controls the drive of the drive device is one unit block, one or more unit blocks are connected to a terminal of a network loop, and one or more search terminals are connected to the network loop. connected. [Operation] By adding an index number to the file management unit of each optical disk cartridge and connecting the interface circuits provided in these file management units to the controller in parallel, it is possible to handle multiple optical disk cartridges without having to install each optical disk cartridge in the drive device. It is possible to search for more desired file data. In addition, file management can be performed for each optical disk cartridge, reducing the burden on the host (controller) side, and allowing file management, such as searching for multiple file data at the same time, which was difficult with conventional methods. Management can be performed easily. Furthermore, since the management information in the semiconductor memory can be automatically updated as file data is updated, the system can be expanded and changed easily. Therefore, according to the first means, file data can be searched efficiently and reliably. In addition, according to the second means of Section 611, the same effect as described above can be achieved, and since a network loop is constructed using one or more search terminals, multiple search terminals can be used. It is possible to search for file data from a search terminal of 1''I.Furthermore, in cases where a plurality of unit blocks are provided, the type of file data can be classified for each unit block. An optical disc file device capable of hierarchical search of file data can be realized.E Embodiment] Fig. 1 shows an optical disc file device according to the first embodiment.As shown in this figure, the optical disc file device of this example is a library unit 2 in which a large number of optical disk cartridges la, Ib, ... ln are stored, and a plurality of drives in which optical disk cartridges selected from the library unit 2 are installed and perform information recording/reproducing operations. Devices 3a, . . . 3m, a transport device 4 that selects a desired optical disc cartridge from the library unit 2 and transports it to the drive device 3a. . . 3m, and a drive device 3a.
, ...3m and a host computer (controller) 5 that controls the transport device 4. Optical disc cartridge la, lb, ...1n
Internally, there are optical disks 6a, 6b, . . . 6n, and file management units 7a, 7b, . ,
These file management units 7a, 7b, ...7
The interface circuits forming part n are connected in parallel to the host computer 5 via a search information line 8. Each file management unit 7a, 7b,
...7n is assigned a unique index number, and which file management unit 7a, 7b,
...7n exchanged search information with the host computer 5, so that the host computer 5 can know. On the other hand, the drive devices 3a, . . . , 3m provide a file data line 9 to the host computer 5
The optical disc 6a is connected to the optical disc 6a. The signals read from 6b, . . . 6n are transmitted to the host computer 5. Compared to the search information line 8, the file data line 9 is
It is configured to transmit large amounts of data at high speed. FIG. 2 shows the optical disc cartridge la. Specific examples of lb, ...In are shown below. The optical disc cartridge la (~In) includes a cartridge case 11 made of synthetic resin, and an optical disc 6a (~6n) rotatably housed within the cartridge case 11.
) and a metal shutter 13 whose side surface is bent into a U-shape. The cartridge case 11 consists of an upper case 11a and a lower case llb, both of which are lla. By joining the parts 11b using screws or the like, a space for storing the optical disc 6a (-6n) and the like is formed. A head access opening 14 is formed in a predetermined position of the cartridge case 11, and the shutter 13 is always elastically biased to close the head access opening 14. The shutter 13 is formed by bending a thin metal plate such as stainless steel into a U-shape, and as shown in FIG. An engagement hole 15 for opening 13 is formed. Further, the shutter 13 is formed with an inward protrusion 16, which is inserted into a guide groove 17 provided in the cartridge case 11, thereby guiding the opening/closing operation of the shutter 13. When the optical disc cartridge is not in use, the shutter 13 is held by a spring member in a position that closes the head access opening 14, as shown in FIG. A large number of recording tracks are formed concentrically on the optical disc 6a (-6n), and each recording track is divided into a plurality of sectors in the circumferential direction. A track address is attached to each of these record tracks, and a sector number is attached to each sector, so that a large amount of information can be recorded in an organized manner. The optical disc 6a (~6n) is housed in the cartridge case 11 in a non-rotating state when not in use.
When the shutter 13 is attached to a drive device and opened, the shutter 13 becomes rotatable by a mechanism (not shown). Optical disc 6a in cartridge case 11 (~
6n), a connector 19 is provided on the front side of the cartridge case 11 facing in the insertion direction A of the optical disk cartridge into the drive device, and this connector 19 has a semiconductor memory 21 and a calculation unit 22.
A file management unit 7a (-7n) consisting of an interface circuit 23 and an interface circuit 23 is connected thereto. Note that this file management unit 7a (~7n) is housed and fixed in a cartridge case 11 for protection.The connector 19 has a function not only for connecting by wire, but also for connecting, for example, a light emitting element. It may also be a connector that has a built-in terminal that is equipped with a light receiving element and has a function of performing optical signal communication back and forth with no contact. In any case, by installing the optical disc cartridge into the drive device, the connector 19 is connected to the connector on the drive side. The semiconductor memory 21 is made up of a read-only memory (ROM) and/or a random access memory (RAM) for storing management information (to be described later), and the arithmetic unit 22 is a semiconductor arithmetic integrated circuit for controlling information signals. It is equipped with a circuit (MPU). Note that when a RAM is used as the semiconductor memory 21, the file management unit? A backup power source is provided within a (~7n). The semiconductor memory 21 stores, for example, a label name (label ID) of file data recorded on the optical disc.
, file name, record length (maximum number of characters per block), BOE address (address of the first sector of the file), EOE address (end address of the file), bypass indicator (data transfer instruction), multiple volume indicator (continued) Management information for searching file data is stored in advance, such as the percentage of data in the file, EOD address (final address of entry data), etc. The operation of the optical disc file device according to the embodiment will be explained below. When search information is sent from the host computer 5 through the search information line 8, the search information is received by the file management units 7a, 7b, . . . 7n attached to each optical disk cartridge Ia, lb, . File management units 7a, 7b, ...
At step 7n, a check is made to see if a file matching the search information exists. Then, the relevant management information is transmitted to the host computer 5 from the file management unit in which the relevant file exists. The host computer 5 that has received the management information displays the search results to the operator and waits for the operator to issue an output instruction. When the host computer 5 receives an instruction from the operator to output the searched file data, the host computer 5 outputs the transport bag a.
t4 to drive the optical disc cartridge in which the file data has been recorded to one of the drive units flt (3a
, ...3m). In the drive device, management information is first read from the optical disc, and then desired file data is read from the management information. The reproduced file data can also be made into a hard copy or the like according to the operator's instructions. Note that if the desired file data is recorded in a distributed manner on multiple optical disc cartridges, reading efficiency of the file data can be increased by installing related optical disc cartridges in parallel in multiple drive devices. I can do it. Further, in the fifth embodiment, when searching for desired file data, search information is sent from the host computer 5 through the search information line 8, and each optical disk cartridge la.
The file management units 7a, 7b, . . . 70 attached to the . It is also possible to specify the cartridge by index number I). 11th edition AII! The optical disc file device of the male embodiment has each optical disc cartridge Ia, Ib, ...l n
File management units 7a, 7b attached to. By adding an index number to 7n and connecting the interface circuits provided in these file management units to the host computer 5 in parallel, it is possible to use multiple optical disk cartridges without having to install two optical disk cartridges in each drive device. Desired file data can be searched. In addition, file management can be performed for each optical disk cartridge, which reduces the burden on the host side, and facilitates file management that is difficult with conventional methods, such as searching for multiple file data at the same time. be able to. Furthermore, the management information in the semiconductor memory can be automatically updated as file data is updated, making it easy to expand and change the system, and to search for file data efficiently and reliably. be able to. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A second embodiment of the present invention uses the device described in the first embodiment as one unit block, connects one or more unit blocks to a terminal of a network loop, and
The present invention is characterized in that one or more search terminals are connected to the network loop. In the example of FIG. 3, there are k unit blocks 31a. 3 l b, ...31, k search terminals 3
2a, 32b, . . . 32Q are connected to the network loop 33. In this example, instead of the host computer 5 described in the first example, a network terminal 34 is provided in each unit block 31a, 31b, . . . 31k as a controller. The optical disk file device of this embodiment can search for desired file data within each unit block 31a, 31b, . . .
2a, 32b, . . . each unit block 31a, 31b completely independently from 328. . . 31 can be accessed and searched. In addition, each unit block 31a, 31b, ...31
By creating a different database for each unit block, and further classifying the database for each unit block 31a, 31b, . Hierarchical file searches can be performed. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, index numbers are added to the file management units attached to the optical disk cartridge, and the interface circuits provided in these file management units are connected in parallel to the controller. File data can be searched efficiently and reliably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of an optical disc file device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an optical disc cartridge applied to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second example of an optical disc file device according to the present invention. An explanatory diagram showing an example, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an optical disc file device according to a conventional example. la, lb, ...In...Optical disc cartridge, 2...Library unit, 3
a,...3m...Drive device, 4...
...Conveyor device, 5...Host computer (controller), 6a, 6b, ...6n...
...Optical disc, 7a, 7b, ...7n.
... File management unit, 21 ... Semiconductor memory, 22 ... Arithmetic unit, 23 ...
...interface circuit, 31a, 31b,
...31k...Unit block, 32a,
32 b, ...32Q...Search terminal. 33...Network loop, 34...
network terminal. 31a] Meeting chart chart

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A group of optical disk cartridges, a drive device that is equipped with a desired optical disk cartridge selected from the group of optical disk cartridges and records/reproduces information on the optical disk stored in the optical disk cartridge, and the optical disk cartridge. In an optical disc file device, the optical disc file device includes a controller that performs group search control and drive control of the drive device, and the optical disc cartridge is provided with a file management unit that includes at least a semiconductor memory, an arithmetic unit, and an interface circuit with an external device. The interface circuits of the file management units are connected in parallel to the controller, and each semiconductor memory is provided with management information of file data recorded on an optical disc in an optical disc cartridge to which the semiconductor memory is attached. What is claimed is: 1. An optical disc file device characterized in that the management information stored in the semiconductor memory can be searched at any time. (2) An optical disk cartridge group consisting of a plurality of optical disk cartridges each of which is equipped with a file management unit consisting of at least a semiconductor memory, an arithmetic unit, and an interface circuit with an external device, and a desired optical disk selected from this optical disk cartridge group. A drive device in which a cartridge is installed to record/reproduce information, and a drive device that sequentially stores management information in each of the semiconductor memories and retrieves the management information stored in the semiconductor memory at any time through the interface circuit; 1 combination with a controller that controls the drive device
An optical disc file device configured by connecting one or more unit blocks to a terminal of a network loop, and connecting one or more search terminals to the network loop.