JPH09134585A - Tape cassette with memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a tape cassette by which (m) kinds of format information on a magnetic tape and (n) kinds of partition information can be managed. SOLUTION: A nonvolatile memory 4 is arranged at a tape cassette 1 on which a magnetic tape in a tape width of 8mm is wound across a reel 2A and a reel 2B. A power-supply terminal 5A at +5V, a data input terminal 5B, a clock input terminal 5C and a grounding terminal 5D are derived from the module of the nonvolatile memory 4. Information on the manufacture of every tape cassette, respective pieces of partition management information, user information and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 4. The maximum of 256 kinds of format information on the magnetic tape 3 and the maximum of 256 kinds of partition information are stored on the nonvolatile memory 4, and 256×256 kinds of information can be managed easily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cassette with a memory provided with a non-volatile memory in which information related to a magnetic tape is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital data is recorded on a magnetic tape /
Since the tape streamer drive for reproduction has a huge recording capacity, it is widely used for backing up data stored in a storage device such as a hard disk. The tape streamer drive is suitable not only for backup but also for recording data of a large file such as moving image data.

As such a tape streamer drive, for example, a tape cassette similar to an 8 mm VTR tape cassette is used, and a rotary head is used to record / reproduce digital data on a magnetic tape by a helical scan system. Something has been proposed.

In such a tape streamer drive, as an input / output interface, for example, SCSI is used.
(Small Computer System Interface) interface is used. At the time of recording, data is input from the host computer via the SCSI interface. This input data is sent in fixed-length block units. In the tape streamer drive, this input data is compressed with a variable length code using, for example, the LZ code, and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory. The data stored in the buffer memory is sent to the recording / reproducing system for each predetermined group and recorded on the magnetic tape by the rotary head. At the time of reproduction, the data on the magnetic tape is reproduced by the rotary head and temporarily stored in the buffer memory. The data from this buffer memory is expanded to the original data and SC
It is sent to the host computer via the SI interface.

It has been proposed to attach a non-volatile memory to a tape cassette mounted in a tape streamer drive in which data is recorded / reproduced by such a rotary head. In this non-volatile memory, information such as the manufacturing date and manufacturing place of each tape cassette, the thickness and length of the tape, and the material is recorded. Further, it is considered to store management information for each partition and user information in this non-volatile memory.

[0006]

When data is stored in the memory provided in the tape cassette as described above, the manufacturing date and manufacturing place of each tape cassette, the thickness and length of the tape, the material, and the partition Secure a storage area on the memory map for each item such as management information and user information,
It is conceivable to store the data of the items corresponding to the respective storage areas. However, the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory added to the tape cassette is limited. Further, if a storage area for data to be stored in the non-volatile memory is secured for each item, there arises a problem that it is not possible to flexibly deal with the format of data to be stored in the tape cassette, changes in items, and the like.

In particular, a tape streamer drive in which the number of partitions can be set by the user is under study. When different formats and / or histories are set for each partition, if the management information for each partition is stored in the non-volatile memory, the maximum number of partitions that can be set is stored in the non-volatile memory. You will have to reserve space. Since the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory is limited, if a large storage area is allocated to the partition management information in this way, it becomes impossible to secure a sufficient storage area for other data, especially for user data.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tape cassette with a memory that can manage management information for each partition even if different formats and / or histories are set for each partition.

[0009]

The present invention comprises a magnetic tape on which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored. A tape cassette with a memory characterized in that a format ID of a magnetic tape is stored.

The present invention comprises a magnetic tape on / from which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored. The format ID of the magnetic tape and a plurality of magnetic tapes are provided. It is a tape cassette with a memory characterized in that partition information related to each partition when divided into partitions is stored in a non-volatile memory.

The present invention comprises a magnetic tape on which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored. The format ID of the magnetic tape and a plurality of magnetic tapes are provided. The partition information related to each partition when divided and used in the non-volatile memory is stored in the non-volatile memory. The partition information is recorded with the cell as a basic unit, and the pointer that specifies the address related to each cell is concatenated. It is a tape cassette with a memory characterized by being added as information.

A non-volatile memory is added to the tape cassette. Partition information and user information are stored in this non-volatile memory. The partition information and the user information are arranged in units of cells in a list structure in which the connection information is indicated by a pointer. Similarly, since the partition management information is also arranged in a list structure, it is possible to easily manage even if the format of each partition is different.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied. This tape streamer drive has a tape width of 8 m
Using a tape cassette of m, by the helical scan system,
Data is recorded / reproduced on the magnetic tape.

As shown in FIG. 2, reels 2A and 2B are arranged in the tape cassette 1, and a magnetic tape 3 having a tape width of 8 mm is wound between the reels 2A and 2B. Digital data is recorded / recorded on this magnetic tape 3.
Will be played. A non-volatile memory 4 is arranged in the tape cassette 1. From the module of the non-volatile memory 4, the plus 5V power supply terminal 5A and the data input terminal 5
B, the clock input terminal 5C, and the ground terminal 5D are led out. The nonvolatile memory 4 stores the manufacturing date and manufacturing location of each tape cassette, the thickness and length of the tape, the material, management information of each partition, user information, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the external appearance of the tape cassette 1 is basically composed of an upper case 6, a lower case 7 and a guard panel 8 and is basically a tape cassette used for a normal 8 mm VTR. It is similarly configured. On the label surface 9 of this tape cassette 1, terminal pins 10A, 10A,
B, 10C and 10D are provided. These terminal pins 1
0A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are plus 5 derived from the nonvolatile memory 4 provided in the tape cassette 1.
The power supply terminal 5A for V, the data input terminal 5B, the clock input terminal 5C, and the ground terminal 5D are respectively connected.

In the above example, the four terminal pins 10
A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are provided, but a type having five terminal pins is being considered.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 is a rotary drum.
Recording heads 12A and 12B and reproducing heads 13A and 13B are arranged on the rotary drum 11. Recording head 1
2A and 12B have a structure in which two gaps having different azimuth angles are arranged very close to each other. Similarly, the reproducing heads 13A and 13B have a structure in which two gaps having different azimuth angles are arranged extremely close to each other.

The magnetic tape 3 drawn from the tape cassette 1 is wound around the rotary drum 11. The rotary drum 11 is rotated by the drum motor 14. Also,
The magnetic tape 3 is sent by a capstan motor and a pinch roller (not shown). The drum motor 14 is rotated under the control of the mechanical controller 17. The mechanical controller 17 performs processing such as drum servo and tracking servo. Mechanical controller 17
And a system controller 15 that performs overall control are bidirectionally connected.

The recording data on the magnetic tape 3 is modulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 and supplied to the recording heads 12A and 12B via the RF amplifier 19. Recording head 12
Data is recorded on the magnetic tape 3 by A and 12B along the inclined track. The recording heads 12A and 12B have different azimuth angles, and the inclined tracks are tracks having different azimuth angles.

The data on the magnetic tape 3 is reproduced by the reproducing head 13.
Reproduced by A and 13B. The outputs of the reproducing heads 13A and 13B are supplied to the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 via the RF amplifier 19. Reproduction data is demodulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 18.

In this tape streamer drive, a SCSI interface is used for data input / output. That is, when recording data, data is sent from the host computer 25, for example, 32 kbytes as one record. This data is SCSI
It is input via the interface 20. This input data is supplied to the data compression / expansion circuit 21.

The data compression / expansion circuit 21 performs data compression / expansion processing by the LZ code. LZ
The code compresses the data by detecting the repetition of the input character string. For example, a dedicated code is assigned to a character string processed in the past and stored in the form of a dictionary. The input character string and the dictionary are compared, and if they match, the dictionary code is rewritten. Character strings that do not match are sequentially registered in the dictionary. In this way, the data is compressed by registering the input character string in the dictionary and rewriting the character string into the code of the dictionary.

The output of the data compression / expansion circuit 21 is output from the buffer memory 2 under control of the buffer controller 22.
It is temporarily stored in 3. Data recording is performed for each group. One group is data of a predetermined number of tracks. One group of data output from the buffer memory 26 is supplied to the modulation / demodulation circuit 18. The recording data is modulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 18. The output of the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 is output via the RF amplifier 19 to the recording head 1
2A and 12B. Recording heads 12A and 1
The data is recorded on the magnetic tape 3 by the 2B in the inclined track.

When reproducing the data, the recording data of the magnetic tape 3 is reproduced by the reproducing heads 13A and 13B. The outputs of the reproducing heads 13A and 13B are supplied to the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 via the RF amplifier 19. Reproduction data is demodulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 18. The output of the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 is the buffer controller 22.
It is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 23 under the control of.

The output of the buffer memory 23 is supplied to the data compression / expansion circuit 21. Data compression / expansion circuit 2
By 1, the data is decompressed and restored to the original data.
The output of the data compression / expansion circuit 21 is output to the host computer 25 via the SCSI interface 20.

The tape cassette 1 has a MIC (Memory I
A non-volatile memory 4 called an n cassette) is provided. Data is input / output to / from the nonvolatile memory 4 by the system controller 15. Information is exchanged between the non-volatile memory 4 and the host computer 25 using SCSI commands. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect between the non-volatile memory 4 and the host computer 25. The tape cassette 1 and the host computer 25 can be connected only by a SCSI interface.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the structure of data recorded on the magnetic tape 3. On the magnetic tape 3,
As shown in FIG. 4, data is recorded / reproduced in units of blocks. As shown in FIG. 4, one block consists of a 1-byte sync A1 and a 6-byte ID used for searching, etc.
It is composed of data A2, 2-byte parity A3, and 64-byte data A4.

Data is arranged in one track as shown in FIG. That is, data for 471 blocks is arranged on one track. As shown in FIG.
ATF area A for tracking control at both ends of the track
12, A16 are provided, and an ATF area A14 is provided in the middle of one track. This ATF area A
Areas for 5 blocks are prepared as 12, A14, and A16. Further ends of the ATF areas A12 and A16 are margins A11 and A17 for four blocks. A data area A13 for 224 blocks is provided between the ATF area A12 and the ATF area A14, and the ATF area A14 and the ATF area A16 are provided.
And a data area A15 for 224 blocks are provided between and.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a predetermined number, for example, 40 tracks (20 frames) is set as one group,
Data is recorded on the magnetic tape 3. The recorded data is L
Since the variable length is compressed by the Z code, it is uncertain how many records of data will be contained in one group. The data of one group includes information on records in the group and an error correction code.

In this tape streamer drive, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
0, P1, P2, ... Can be used separately. The number of partitions can be set up to 256. When divided into partitions, the tape eject area A _E 0 for each partition,
A _E 1, A _E 2, ... Are provided.

In the tape streamer drive, S
The DX mode and the DDS mode can be supported. The SDX mode is the most suitable mode for the above-mentioned tape streamer drive, and the DDS mode is a mode for providing compatibility with the conventional tape streamer drive. The SDX mode and the DDS mode differ in the partition setting method.

In SDX mode, as shown in FIG. 8A,
Up to 256 partitions P in order from the tape top
0, P1, P2, ... Can be set. In contrast, D
In the case of the DS mode, as shown in FIG. 8B, there are at most two partitions, partition P1 and partition P0. Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, the DDS
In the case of the mode, the partition numbers are in the order of P1 and P0 from the tape top, and the capacity of the partition P1 is designated, and the rest is the partition P0. On the other hand, in the SDX mode, the partition numbers are in the order of P0, P1, P2, ... From the tape top, and the partition is added next to the existing partition. Therefore, in the DDS mode, the partition number P1 is the partition number P0 and the partition number P0 is the partition number P1.

As described above, in this tape streamer drive, a tape cassette provided with the non-volatile memory 4 is used. Then, commands are prepared in SCSI in order to exchange data between the non-volatile memory 4 and the host computer 25. The newly prepared command is "Sdx DeviceC
configuration "," Sdx Append
Partition "," Sdx Log Sele
ct ”and“ Sense Page List ”.

[Sdx Device Config]
The “ratio” command is a command for selecting the SDX mode and the DDS mode and setting an optional device area. "Sdx Device Config
"Guration" includes SDX bits, device bits, and ABS bits.

If the SDX bit is set to "0", it is determined that the DDS mode is set, the maximum number of partition stages is 2, partition number P1 is set to partition number P0, and partition number P0 is set to partition number P1. To do. In this case, the optional device area is not provided and the MIC is not used.

If the SDX bit is set to "1", the DDX mode is determined, the maximum number of partitions is 256, the partition number is P0,
The order is P1, P2, P3, .... In this case, the optional device area can be placed and the MIC can be used.

If the SDX bit is set to "1",
If the device has the bit set to 1, the partition numbers are in the order of P0, P1, P2, P3, ....
In this case, each partition must have an optional device area in this case.
Can be used.

If the ABS bit is set to "1", the drive creates and holds an absolute volume map for the fastest search.

[Sdx Append Partiti
The “on” command is a command for adding one partition. "Sdx Append Part
"ition" command includes FDP, SDP, IDP,
PSUM bits are included. The partition is
It is added to the last partition. FDP = 0,
The state of SDP = 0, IDP = 1 and PSUM = 10 is maintained. This command must be issued after the last partition. If the command is issued on another partition, the drive will do a condition check.

The "Sdx Log Select" command is a code for deleting an absolute volume map, a code for creating a new user volume note, a code for deleting an existing user volume note, and a specific user partition note. It is composed of code for deleting the file, code for creating a new user partition note, and code for writing comment information.

The "Sense Page List" command includes a code for reading manufacturing information, a code for reading volume information, a code for reading partition information, and a code for asking whether or not an absolute volume map exists. , Code to read the absolute volume map, code to ask how many bytes are available for the new user volume note,
Code to check the size of existing user volume notes, code to read user volume notes, code to get a list of partitions with user partition notes, and how many bytes for new user partition notes It consists of code to ask for availability, code to read user partition notes, and code to read comment information.

The application volume map, user volume note, user partition note, volume manufacture information, partition information, absolute volume map, etc. are information written in the MIC, and these information will be described later in detail. .

As described above, the tape cassette 1
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory 4 called MIC is provided. The data capacity of the MIC is, for example, 2 kbytes. Of course, it is possible to realize the MIC using a memory having a larger data capacity. The MIC stores the manufacturing information such as the manufacturing location and manufacturing date of the cassette tape, the thickness of the tape and the length of the tape, and the initial information such as the information of the entire cassette at the time of initialization and the information of each partition. Information is stored. Further, information for high-speed search, user information, etc. can be recorded. This MI
The data structure of C will be described in detail below.

FIG. 9 shows the data structure of the MIC. An MIC header is provided for MIC data. This header is further divided into a header for the manufacture part and a header for the drive initialization part. Information at the time of manufacturing is stored in advance in the header of the manufacturer part. In the header of the drive initialization part, tape information and partition information are recorded at the time of initialization.

In FIG. 9, F1 is a checksum field of the manufacture part. In this field F1, the checksum of the manufacture part is arranged. The checksum field F1 of this manufacturer part has, for example, 1 byte secured. The checksum of this manufacturing part is required when the cassette is manufactured.

As will be described later, the manufacture part checksum is a checksum for only the manufacture part, and the drive initialization part is provided with another checksum. Furthermore, a checksum is provided for each cell.
Some nonvolatile memories 4 have a life determined by the number of times of reading and writing at the same location. The data of the drive initialization part is not changed after it is recorded at the time of manufacturing, and if the checksum of only the part of the manufacturer is written, the number of times of rewriting the checksum is reduced. Therefore, the life of the MIC can be extended.

F2 is a MIC type field. In this field F2, the MIC type is arranged.
As the MIC type field F2, for example, 1 byte is reserved. The MIC type has a 4-pin structure and a 5-pin structure.
For example, if the MIC type is "0", it has a 4-pin structure, and if it is "1", it has a 5-pin structure.

F3 is a MIC manufacture date field. The date of manufacture of the MIC is placed in the field F3. The manufacturing date of the MIC is, for example, YY.
/ MM / DD / HH. YY is the year, DD
Indicates day and HH indicates time. For example, if the MIC was manufactured on April 23, 1995, at 3 pm, this field would be "95004315" in binary code.

F4 is a MIC manufacturer line name field. In this field F4, MIC
The name of the line that manufactured the product is placed. Basically, 1
Eight characters are reserved for one byte of character. An ASCII code is used as the character. By the way, the ASCII code is represented by 7 bits. Eight characters in one byte are (8 × 8 = 64) bits, and if described in 7 bits, nine characters can be stored. Therefore, the leading 1-byte MSB can identify whether 1 character represents 8 characters or 1 character represents 7 bits and 9 characters. Normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and 1 character is 1 byte and 8 characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F5 is a MIC manufacturer plant name field. This field F5 contains MI
The name of the factory that manufactured C is shown. This name is
Like the MIC manufacturer line name above,
Basically, 1 character is 1 byte and 8 characters are secured. An ASCII code is used as the character. And usually the MSB of each byte
Is set to "0", and 1 character 1 byte describes 8 characters. The first 1-byte MSB is "1"
If so, 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F6 is a MIC manufacturer name field. In this field F6, the name of the MIC manufacturer is placed. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved.
An ASCII code is used as the character.
Then, normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and one character is 1 byte and 8 characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F7 is a MIC name field. In this field F7, the MIC vendor name is placed. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. An ASCII code is used as the character. Then, normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and one character is 1 byte and 8 characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F8 is a cassette manufacture date field. In this field F8, the manufacturing date of the cassette is described in YY / MM / DD / HH. Y
Y represents year, DD represents day, and HH represents time. For example, if the cassette is manufactured at 3:00 pm on April 23, 1995,
This field is a binary code and is "950423
15 ".

F9 is a cassette manufacturer line name field. In this field F9, the name of the line that manufactured the cassette is arranged. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. As a character, ASCII
I code is used. And usually M of each byte
SB is set to "0", 1 character is 1 byte, 8
The character is described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F10 is a cassette manufacturer plant name field. In this field F10, the name of the factory that manufactured the cassette is arranged. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. As a character, ASC
The II code is used. Then, normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and one character is one byte,
Eight characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F11 is a cassette manufacturer name field. The vendor name of the cassette is placed in this field F11. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. An ASCII code is used as the character. And normally, the MSB of each byte is "0".
Is set to, and 8 characters are described with 1 byte of 1 character. 7 if the first 1-byte MSB is "1"
Nine characters are described in bits.

F12 is a cassette name field. A cassette name is placed in this field F12. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. An ASCII code is used as the character. Then, normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and one character is 1 byte and 8 characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F13 is an OEM cassette name field. In this field F13, OEM (Original
Equipment Manufactures) company name of the other party is placed. This name is basically 1 byte for 1 character, and 8 characters are reserved. An ASCII code is used as the character. Then, normally, the MSB of each byte is set to "0", and one character is 1 byte and 8 characters are described. If the leading 1-byte MSB is "1", 9 characters are described by 7 bits.

F14 is a row format ID field. In this field F14, physical tape characteristics are arranged. That is, the material of the tape, the thickness of the tape, the length of the tape, the track pitch, the frame size, the number of bytes per block, etc. are the fields F1.
4.

F15 is the maximum clock frequency field. The maximum clock frequency of the MIC is placed in this field F15. If 100 kHz, this field is set to "100".

F16 is a maximum write cycle field. In this field F16, information on how many bytes can be recorded at one time is arranged. This value depends on the physical characteristics of the nonvolatile memory used as the MIC.

F17 is a MIC capacity field. In this field F17, the capacity of the non-volatile memory used as the MIC is arranged. If the memory capacity is 2048 bytes, the value of this field is "1.
1 ”(2048 = 2 ¹¹ ).

F18 is a write protect top address field. This field F18 is used to write-protect a part of the MIC. The write protect top address indicates the start address of the write protected area.

F19 is a write protect count field. This field F19 is used to write-protect a part of the MIC. The write protect count indicates the number of bytes in the write protected area.
Therefore, writing is prohibited from the write protect top address shown in the field F18 to the write protect count number shown in the field F19.

F20 is a reserved field, and this field F20 is reserved for arranging information required in the future.

Next, the drive initialization part will be described. Information on the drive initialization part is recorded when the tape is initialized.

F21 is a drive initialization part checksum field. In the field F21,
Checksum of drive initialization part is placed. As described above, in the MIC header, the checksum of the manufacture part and the checksum of the drive initialization part are provided separately.

F22 is a MIC logic format field. The field F22 stores the ID number of the MIC logical format. As the MIC format, in addition to the basic MIC format, there are a firmware update tape MIC format, a reference tape MIC format, a cleaning cassette MIC format, and the like. In this MIC logic format field F22, information of 256 types of MIC formats can be managed separately.

F23 is a volume information pointer field. In this field F23,
A pointer indicating a storage area for volume information, that is, information for one cassette is arranged. The volume information cell C1 is located at the address pointed to by this volume information pointer.

F24 is a user partition note pointer field. A pointer indicating a storage area for user information is arranged in the field F24. this is,
Optional information, if you don't need this information,
It is set to "0". The user partition note cell C6 is located at the address pointed to by the user information pointer.

F25 is an absolute volume map pointer field. A pointer indicating a storage area for absolute position information is arranged in the field F25. This is optional information. If this information is not realized, it is set to "0". The absolute volume map information cell C3 is located at the address pointed to by the absolute volume map pointer.

F26 is a reserve field, which is reserved for inputting necessary information in the future.

F27 is a garbage pointer field. A pointer indicating a garbage cell is arranged in the field F27. This is optional information. If this information is not realized, it is set to "0".
The garbage cell C4 is located at the address pointed to by the garbage pointer.

F28 is a comment field. A comment is arranged in the field F28. As the comment, 1-byte character, 15 characters are prepared.

Next, the structure of the cell whose position is designated by the pointer will be described. C1 is a volume information cell. Eject status information, initialization number information, volume information, a pointer indicating the position of the partition cell, and a pointer indicating the position of the user volume note cell C2 are arranged in this cell C1. The pointer of the volume note cell C2 is optional, and if there is no volume note, this pointer is null. The eject status is reset to "0" while the tape is being initialized, and is updated before being unloaded from the device area.

C2 is a user volume note cell. User data for each volume is stored in this user volume note cell.

C3 is an absolute volume map information cell. This cell C3 contains the absolute value of the frame count and the partition ID.
The group count number, the record count number, the track mark count number, and the file mark count number are stored. The absolute volume map information cell C3 stores the span distance, the absolute volume count, and the volume map information for each span. For example, span 10m
Assuming that the absolute length of the tape is 160 m, the span distance is 10 and the absolute count number of the volume is 16.

C4 is a garbage cell. This cell C
4 stores data that is not particularly used.

C5 is a partition information cell.
The history information of the partition is stored in the cell C5. The partition history includes the load count and access count for each partition.
Further, the partition information cell C5 includes information for setting write permission, read permission, write retry permission, and read retry permission for each partition. As described above, since one tape streamer drive can set up to 256 partitions, up to 256 partition information cells having different histories can be set up. Further, in the set partition information cell C5, the position of the partition 0 information cell is designated by the volume information cell C1 and the position of the partition 1 information cell is designated by the partition 0 information cell as shown in the figure.

C6 is a user partition note cell. User data for each volume is stored in the cell C6.

As described above, the position of the volume information cell C1 is designated by the field F23 of the volume information pointer in the header of the drive initialization part. The position of the user partition note cell C6 is designated by the field F24 having the user information pointer. Further, the position of the absolute volume map information cell C3 is designated by the field F25 having the absolute volume map pointer. Also, a field F2 with a garbage pointer
The position of the garbage cell C4 is designated by 7. In this way, the partition information and the user information are arranged in a list structure.

The list structure has the following structure. FIG. 10 briefly describes the list structure. Each cell CELL11, CELL12,
CELL13 is data DATA11, DATA12,
DATA13 and link information LINK11, LINK1
2 has LINK 13. For example, root ROO
At T10, there is a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL11 as the combined information.
The position of LL11 is designated. In cell CELL11,
There is a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL12 as the combined information, and the position of the cell CELL12 is designated by this pointer. The cell CELL12 has a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL13 as the combined information,
The position of the cell CELL 13 is designated by this pointer.

The cell CELL13 has a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL12 as the combined information, and the position of the cell CELL12 is designated by this pointer. The cell CELL12 has a cell C as combined information.
There is a pointer indicating the address of the ELL11, and the pointer specifies the position of the cell CELL11. In the cell CELL11, the root ROOT10 is combined information.
Of the root ROOT 10 is designated by this pointer.

The above-mentioned volume information cell C1, user volume note cell C2, absolute volume map information cell C3, garbage cell C4, partition information cell C5, and user partition note cell C6 include link information. The link information is basically defined as shown in FIG.

The link information variable name is changed to link_info.
Then, this link_info consists of 8 bytes, and a 1-byte cell checksum (cell_chec).
ksum) and 1-byte reserve area (reserv)
ed) and the length of the cell of 2 bytes (length),
2-byte pointer to the address where the previous cell is located (p
rev_ptr) and 2 of the address where the next cell is located
It consists of a byte pointer (next_ptr). The cell checksum is created from the data in each cell.

As described above, partition information and user information are recorded in the MIC in a list structure. Therefore, the limited capacity of the MIC can be effectively used.

For example, to simplify the explanation, consider a change in the area that can be secured as a user volume note when the number of partitions is changed without adding the information of the absolute volume map and the information of the user partition note. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 shows a case where the partition is 34. In this case, 122 bytes are fixedly allocated to the MIC header and 108 bytes are fixedly allocated to the volume information cell. When the partition is 34, 1768 bytes are allocated as the partition cell. Therefore, 32 bytes can be secured as a user note cell. Of these 32 bytes,
The valid data is 22 bytes.

On the other hand, when the partition is 1, as shown in FIG. 13, 122 bytes are fixedly allocated to the MIC header and 108 bytes are allocated to the volume information cell, and 52 bytes are allocated as the partition cell. Therefore, 1766 bytes can be reserved as a user note cell. In addition, this 1766
Of the bytes, valid data is 1756 bytes.

As described above, since the list structure is used, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the number of partitions. That is, in the tape streamer drive in which the number of partitions can be set by the user, the management information of the partition changes when the number of partitions changes. By using the list structure, it is possible to flexibly deal with changes in the number of partitions and formats, and to efficiently arrange user information. Specifically, a maximum of 256 types of MIC format information and a maximum of 256 types of partition information having different histories are managed, that is, 256 ×
It is possible to easily manage 256 types of information.

[0090]

According to the present invention, the partition information and the user information are stored in the non-volatile memory provided in the tape cassette. The partition information and the user information are arranged in a list structure in which cells have a basic structure and link information is pointed by a pointer. By using the list structure in this way, a maximum of 256 types of MICs can be obtained.
Format information can be managed separately, and up to 2
It is possible to easily manage 56 types of partition information cells having different histories.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a plain view used for explaining an example of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a plain view of a perspective view used for explaining an example of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram used to describe a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram used to describe a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram used to describe a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram used to describe a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram used to describe a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a nonvolatile memory provided in a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram used to describe a nonvolatile memory arranged in a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a nonvolatile memory arranged in a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram used to describe a nonvolatile memory arranged in a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram used to describe a nonvolatile memory arranged in a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2A, 2B reel 3 magnetic tape 4 non-volatile memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape on / from which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored. The non-volatile memory includes a format ID of the magnetic tape. A tape cassette with a memory, which is characterized by being stored. 2. A magnetic tape on which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored, the format ID of the magnetic tape, and the magnetic tape A tape cassette with a memory, characterized in that partition information relating to each of the above partitions when divided into a plurality of partitions and used is stored in the non-volatile memory. 3. A magnetic tape on / from which digital data is recorded / reproduced by a rotary head, and a non-volatile memory in which information related to the magnetic tape is stored. The format ID of the magnetic tape and the magnetic tape are stored. The partition information related to each partition when divided into a plurality of partitions and used is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the partition information records a cell as a basic unit and stores an address related to each cell. A tape cassette with a memory, wherein a designated pointer is added as connection information. 4. The tape cassette with memory according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the format ID of the magnetic tape having a maximum of m types.
A tape cassette with a memory, which stores the partition information of up to n types and manages m × n types of information.