JPH05325358A - Library device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently transport recording media by providing a preferential processing control function in a recording medium transporting device for transporting the recording media between a recording and reproducing device for the recording media and a housing rack for storing the recording media, etc. CONSTITUTION:The commands from respective host computers 5 are successively stored in a command queue table 4b via a communication control section 4a even while the recording medium transporting device 3 is under operation. A transportation execution control section 4c controls the recording medium transporting device 3 to pickup the recording medium and to transport the recording medium between the recording and reproducing device and the housing rack for the recording media, etc., by preferentially selecting the command of the latency limit over of, characteristic the command queue in accordance with the sequence of the preferential processing or efficient processing among the respective command queues stored in this command queue table section 4b or selecting the command of the short distance between the recording medium transporting device 3 and the housing rack or the recording and reproducing device if there is no command queue of the latency time over.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a recording / reproducing apparatus for at least one recording medium, a large number of storage shelves for storing recording media, a recording / reproducing apparatus and a storage medium storage shelf, and the like. The present invention relates to a library device including a recording medium transfer device (recording medium transfer robot) that transfers a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Labor saving has progressed in the operation of computer systems, and in recent years, for example, there has been a demand for an automatic warehouse system, so-called library device, of an auxiliary storage device (backup storage device) capable of exchanging magnetic recording media.

This library device is roughly classified into a plurality of recording / reproducing devices 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ and 1 ₄ and a plurality of storage shelves for storing magnetic recording media, as schematically shown in FIG. 2 and these recording / reproducing devices 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1
_3, 1 ₄ and is composed of a 3 (transfer robot recording medium) recording medium conveying device for conveying a magnetic recording medium with the storage shelf 2. The recording medium conveying device 3 is configured by providing a vertical guide column 3b on a vehicle body 3a traveling on a rail 6, and by providing a hand 3c for vertically moving the vertical guide column 3b so as to vertically move. The recording medium carrying device 3 is adapted to move along the storage rack 2. This type of library device is usually shared and used by a plurality of host computers.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device 4 of a conventional recording medium carrying device 3, 4a is a communication control unit for communicating with a host computer 5, and 4c is a carrying execution control unit for a magnetic recording medium. The transport execution control unit 4c receives the vehicle body 3a and the hand 3c of the recording medium transport device 3 in accordance with a command from the host computer 5 via the communication control unit 4a.
The magnetic recording medium is grasped by the hand 3c and conveyed to a target place.

FIG. 11 shows a plurality of host computers 5 ₁ ,
5 shows the connection state of 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ , 5 ₄ , 5 ₅ and the recording medium conveying device 3, wherein the recording medium conveying device 3 is a host computer 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ , 5, ₄ , 5. Based on a command from ₅ , the recording / reproducing devices 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ and the storage shelves 2, the storage shelves 2 and the storage shelves 2, or the recording / reproducing devices 1 ₁ , 1 conveying the magnetic recording medium between _2, 1 _3, 1 _4. Usually, there are several hundreds to several tens of thousands of storage shelves 2 for magnetic recording media, and the transport operation of the recording medium transport device 3 also requires several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[0006]

In the case where one host computer uses the library device, that is, as shown in FIG. 12, one host computer 5 is used as one recording medium of the library device. In the case where the host computer 5 is connected to the transport device 3, for example, the host computer 5 instructs the recording medium transport device 3 to transport the magnetic recording medium from any storage shelf to any recording / reproducing device. Issue.

Then, the recording medium carrying device 3 responds to the host computer 5 that the commanded operation has been executed. When this execution is completed, the host computer 5 issues the following command to the recording medium carrying device 3. That is, the priority processing control of the command to the recording medium conveying device 3 is performed in the host computer 5.

However, a plurality of host computers connect the library device, for example, LAN connection, communication line connection,
When used by connecting with a plurality of connection forms such as an IBM standard I / O interface or a SCSI interface, as shown in FIG. 13, the host computers 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ are one of the library devices. It is connected to the recording medium conveying device 3 of the table.

[0009] In such a case, for example, the host computer 5 ₁ to the recording medium transport device 3, whether the transport of the magnetic recording medium in any recording and reproducing apparatus of any storage bin, that issues a command , The recording medium transport device 3 responds that the command is being executed by the host computer 5 ₁
To do. When the host computers 5 ₂ and 5 ₃ issue a command similar to the above to the recording medium carrying device 3 while the recording medium carrying device 3 is operating, the recording medium carrying device 3 is Computer 5 ₂ ,
Against 5 _3, this command can not be executed during operation, the response of (Busy), performs.

The host computers 5 ₂ and 5 _{3 which} are informed that the recording medium conveying device 3 is in operation repeatedly issue a command to the recording medium conveying device 3, and the recording medium conveying device 3 is the most effective after the operation is completed. Execute the command from the host computer that issued the command earlier. Therefore, since the recording medium conveying device 3 processes the command from the host computer "early wins", even if it is efficient to process the command of the host computer 5 ₃ before the command of the host computer 5 ₂ , processing a command of the host computer 5 ₂ issued.

In order to eliminate such processing, it is necessary to perform priority processing control through communication between host computers (conversation control between host computers). There is a problem that the control program to be controlled becomes complicated and the priority process of the command for operating the recording medium conveying device cannot be easily performed.

Further, in response to a command from each host computer issued while the recording medium conveying device is operating, the host computer responds to the host computer that the recording medium conveying device is "in operation". However, there is a problem that the overhead on the host computer side becomes large because it is necessary to repeatedly issue the command.

An object of the present invention is, in a library device connected to a plurality of host computers, a recording medium conveying device for conveying a recording medium between a recording / reproducing device for recording medium and a storage shelf for storing the recording medium. In order to efficiently convey the recording medium and to reduce the overhead of the host computer, a priority processing control function in the conveyance processing of the recording medium is provided.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes at least one recording / reproducing apparatus for recording media, and a plurality of storage shelves for storing the recording media. In a library device including a recording / reproducing device and a recording medium conveying device that conveys a recording medium between storage shelves and the like, the control device 4 of the recording medium conveying device 3 includes at least one host computer 5 A communication control unit 4a for communicating with each other, a command queue table unit 4b for sequentially storing each command from the host computer 5, and an efficient processing in each command queue sequentially stored in this command queue table unit 4b. This is a library device including a transport execution control unit 4c that grips a recording medium and transports the recording medium between a recording / reproducing device and a storage rack in order.

[0015]

Since the library device of the present invention is configured as described above, the commands from the respective host computers 5 are commanded via the communication control section 4a even when the recording medium conveying device 3 is operating. The command queues are stored in the queue table unit 4b sequentially, and according to the order of priority processing or efficient processing among the command queues stored in the command queue table unit 4b, for example, the waiting time limit of the command queue is exceeded. Command preferentially, and when there is no command queue for waiting time limit over, the command for which the distance between the recording medium carrier device 3 and the storage rack or the recording / reproducing device is short is selected, and the carrier execution control is performed. The unit 4c controls the recording medium conveying device 3 to grab the recording medium and convey the recording medium between the recording / reproducing device and the storage shelf of the recording medium.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a library device for magnetic recording media according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, 3 is a recording medium conveying device, and its control device 4 is a communication control unit 4 for communicating with a plurality of host computers 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 _3.
a, a command queue table unit 4b for sequentially storing commands from the host computers 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ via the communication control unit 4a, and a command queue table unit 4b for storing command queues sequentially stored in the command queue table unit 4b. Among them, in accordance with the order of efficient processing, a conveyance execution control unit 4c that controls the conveyance mechanism unit that grasps the magnetic recording medium and conveys the magnetic recording medium between the recording / reproducing device and the storage rack of the magnetic recording medium. It is composed of The transport execution control unit 4c includes a transport execution table 4c 'having a function to be described later.

As in the conventional example, the transport mechanism of the recording medium transport device is provided with a vehicle body 3a running on a rail 6, a vertical guide column 3b provided on the vehicle body 3a, and a vertical guide column 3b movably up and down. It is composed of a hand 3c for gripping a magnetic recording medium, and in each command queue sequentially stored in the command queue table section 4b, the vehicle body 3a of the recording medium transporting device and the hand 3c are arranged in the order of efficient processing. Is driven, and the magnetic recording medium is grasped by the hand 3c and conveyed to a target place.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the command queue table section 4b. Each of the host computers 5 ₁ and 5 is shown in FIG.
The commands from ₂ and 5 ₃ are stored in the command queue table section 4b in the command queues 4b ₁ and 4 corresponding to the host computers.
Sequentially stored as b ₂ and 4b ₃ .

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the command queue.
When the flag F ₁ of the flag portion F is set to “1”, this command queue is valid, when the flag F ₂ is set, it is a processed command queue, and when the flag F ₃ is set, the process ends abnormally. Means the recording medium transport device 3
Etc. has failed, and the library device is temporarily stopped for repair and inspection.

In the command section C, the hand address C ₁ of the magnetic recording medium, that is, the address of the storage shelf or the storage address C ₂ at which the recording medium conveying device 3 holds the magnetic recording medium, that is, the recording medium conveying device 3 carries out the magnetic recording. It stores command information such as addresses of storage shelves that store media.
The time section T stores the time when the command is received.

The command queue table section 4b is configured as described above, and a plurality of host computers 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 are provided.
₃ a communication control unit 4a for performing communication, a command from the host computer sequentially stored in the instruction queue table portion 4b, to enable (set valid bit of the flag F ₁₎ an instruction queue of the flag portion F.

Further, the communication control section 4a searches the processed command queue (set of the flag F ₂ ) of the flag section F of the command queue, and sends a response of execution completion to the host computer,
The command queue is invalidated (the valid bit of the flag F ₁ is reset to “0”). The abnormal end flag F of the flag portion F
_{When 3} is set, all host computers are responded with an abnormal end, and all command queues are invalidated (the valid bit of flag F ₁ is reset).

The transport execution control section 4c for controlling the transport mechanism section of the recording medium transport apparatus 3 is provided with a transport execution table 4c 'as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and each command queue 4b ₁ of the command queue table section 4b. , 4b ₂ and 4b ₃ are searched, and if there is a command queue for which the waiting time limit is exceeded, the command queue is temporarily stored in the transport execution table 4c ′ and this command queue is stored. Execute with priority.

When there is no command queue for which the waiting time limit is exceeded, the command queue with the highest transfer efficiency is selected, and the command queue is temporarily stored in the transfer execution table 4c 'and executed. At the end of the carrying operation, the processed flag of the corresponding command queue is set (flag F ₂
"1"). Further, when the conveyance operation of the magnetic recording medium has not been successfully completed as a result of a malfunction sets an abnormal end bit of the corresponding command flag (flag F ₃ "1"), by pausing the library device repair・ Inspect.

Further, the operation of the communication controller 4a of the library apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the power is turned on in step (1), and the command queue table section is initialized in step (2). Next, in step (3), it is judged whether or not there is a command reception from the host computer. If there is (YES), each command and the reception time are stored in the command queue in step (4), and the command queue Flag F ₁
Set the valid bit of.

If there is no command received from the host computer in the judgment of step (3) (NO), it is judged in step (5) whether the command queue is valid,
If valid (YES), in step (6), it is determined whether or not the command queue is abnormally terminated. If not (NO), in step (7), whether or not the command queue is normally terminated. Is judged, and if it ends normally (YE
S), in step (8), the performed response of normal termination to the host computer corresponding to the command queue, the resets the valid bit flag command queue (the flag F ₁ to "0").

If it is determined in the step (6) that the command queue is abnormally terminated (YES), in step (9) the host computer is notified of the abnormal termination and stored in the command queue table section 4b. Reset the command queue flag F ₁ to "0" (disable)
Then, in step (10), the recording medium conveying device 3
Stop the operation of.

The operation of the transport execution controller 4c will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. First, in step (1), the maximum difference value is set in the difference area of the transfer execution table for initialization. In this difference area, the difference between the current position of the recording medium conveying device 3 and the hand address (distance,
The difference value) is stored.

In step (2), it is judged whether or not the command queue is completed, and if it is not completed (NO),
In the judgment of step (3), the command queue is effective,
If the end and abnormal end flags are not set (Y
ES), in step (4), it is judged whether or not the command queue is over the waiting time limit, and if it is not over the waiting time limit (NO), in step (5), the current position of the recording medium conveying device 3 is determined. Find the difference (distance) from the hand address.

In step (6), the difference value in the carrying execution table is compared with the difference (distance) between the current position of the recording medium carrying device 3 and the hand address obtained in step (5), and the step ( In the determination of 7), if the latter is smaller (closer) than the former (YES) (YES), in step (8), the difference obtained in step (5) is set as the difference value in the transfer execution table, and the compared command queue is compared. The table address is set to the command queue table address, and the command of the compared command queue is set to the command queue information.

If it is determined in step (2) that the command queue is completed (YES), it is determined in step (10) in FIG. 8 whether the transport execution table is valid, and if it is valid (YES), step In (11), the carrying operation indicated in the command section of the carrying execution table is executed.

If it is determined in step (12) that the carrying operation is completed (YES), the carrying execution command queue is obtained from the command queue table address of the carrying execution table in step (13).

If it is determined in step (14) that the conveyance is normally completed (YES), the command queue flag is set to be normally completed in step (15), and the process returns to step (1) shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step (14) that the conveyance is not normally completed (NO), the abnormal end of the command queue flag is set in step (16), and the process returns to step (1) shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step (2) shown in FIG. 7 that the command queue is completed (YES), the process proceeds to step (10) shown in FIG. If it is determined in step (4) shown in FIG. 7 that the command queue has exceeded the waiting time limit (YES), this command queue information is set in the transport execution table in step (9) shown in FIG.
Go to step (10) shown in.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one recording / reproducing device for a recording medium, a large number of storage shelves for storing the recording medium, a recording / reproducing device and a storage medium storage shelf, etc. In a library device including a recording medium conveying device that conveys a recording medium between them, a controller of the recording medium conveying device includes a communication control unit that communicates with at least one host computer, and each command from the host computer. Between the recording / reproducing device and the storage shelf by grasping the recording medium according to the order of efficient processing in the command queue table unit that sequentially stores the command queue table unit and each command queue that is sequentially stored in this command queue table unit. Since it is configured by the transport execution control unit that transports the recording medium, commands from each host computer can be transmitted via the communication control unit even when the recording medium transport device is operating. Stored in the command queue table section sequentially, and the stored command reception time is searched from among the command queues stored in this command queue table section. To execute this command queue preferentially,
If there is no command queue that exceeds the waiting time limit, select the command queue with the highest transport efficiency and select, for example, the command with the shortest distance between the recording medium transport device and the storage rack or recording / playback device. Then, the transport execution control unit controls the transport mechanism unit that transports the magnetic recording medium of the recording medium transport device, grasps the recording medium, and transports the recording medium between the recording / reproducing device and the storage rack of the recording medium. Can be transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a command queue table unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of a command queue.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a transfer execution table.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a communication control unit of the recording medium conveyance device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a transportation execution control unit of the recording medium transportation device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a conveyance execution control unit of the recording medium conveyance device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a general library device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device for a recording medium carrying device in a conventional library device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a connection state of a plurality of host computers and a recording medium carrying device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram in which one host computer is connected to the recording medium transport device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram in which a plurality of host computers are connected to a recording medium carrying device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ₁ to 1 ₄ recording and reproducing apparatus 2 storage shelf 3 recording medium transport device 3a body 3b vertical guide posts 3c hand 4 controller 4a communication control unit 4b command queue table portion 4b ₁ ～4B ₃ command queue 4c conveying run of the recording medium Control unit 4c 'Transport execution table 5 Host computer 5 _{1 to} 5 ₅ Host computer 6 Rail C Command unit C ₁ Hand address C ₂ Storage address F Flag unit F _{1 to} F ₃ flag T Time unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus for at least one recording medium, a plurality of storage shelves for storing the recording medium, and a recording medium for conveying the recording medium between the recording / reproducing apparatus and the storage shelf for the recording medium. In a library device including a carrier device, a controller (4) of the recording medium carrier device (3) includes a communication controller (4a) for communicating with at least one host computer (5), and a host computer (5). Command queue table unit (4b) for sequentially storing each command from
According to the order of efficient processing in each command queue sequentially stored in the command queue table section (4b), the recording medium is grabbed and the recording medium is conveyed between the recording / reproducing device and the storage shelf. A library device comprising a transfer execution control unit (4c).