WO1997017703A1 - Information recording and reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a member for determining whether a cassette loaded is a first tape cassette having a tape-like recording medium stored in a cartridge and a nonvolatile memory or a second tape cassette having a tape-like recording medium stored in a cartridge without nonvolatile memory. In the case of the first tape cassette, at least the nonvolatile memory is initialized, while in the case of the second tape cassette, the tape-like recording medium is initialized. The tape in the cartridge includes a plurality of partitions, and their individual history lists are stored in the nonvolatile memory.

Description

 Specification

Title of invention

 Information recording / reproducing device Technical field

 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus suitable for use in a tape-stream drive equipped with a tape cassette with a memory having a nonvolatile memory for storing information related to a magnetic tape. Background art

 Because of the enormous recording capacity of a digital tape drive that records / reproduces digital data on a magnetic tape, it is widely used for backing up data stored on a storage device such as a hard disk. Have been. Also, the tape streamer drive is suitable not only for knock-up but also for recording large files such as video files.

 As such a tape streamer drive, for example, a tape cassette similar to the 8 mm VTR tape cassette is used, and digital data is recorded / reproduced on a magnetic tape by a helical scan method using a rotary head. Something to do is proposed.

In such a tape streamer drive, for example, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) interface is used as an input / output interface. During recording, data is input from the host computer via the SCSI interface. This input data is sent for each fixed-length work. This input data is input to a variable-length code using, for example, an LZ code. , And temporarily stored in the memory. No. The data stored in the buffer memory is sent to a recording / reproducing system for each predetermined group, and is recorded on a magnetic tape by a rotating head. During playback, the data on the magnetic tape is played back by the rotating head and temporarily stored in the buffer memory. The data from this buffer memory is decompressed to the original data and sent to the host computer via the SCSI interface. A tape streamer drive where data is recorded / reproduced by such a rotating head is attached. Attachment of a non-volatile memory to a tape cassette to be manufactured is proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 8-67520 previously filed by the present applicant. In this nonvolatile memory, information such as the date of manufacture and place of manufacture for each tape cassette, and the thickness, length, and material of the tape are recorded.

When the data is stored in the memory provided in the tape cassette in this way, the date and place of manufacture of each tape cassette, tape thickness and length, material, management information of each partition, user information, etc. However, it is conceivable to secure a storage area on the memory map for each item and store the data of the item corresponding to each storage area. Tokoro force ^s, the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory to be added to Tepukase' bets is limited. Also, if a storage area for data to be stored in the nonvolatile memory is secured for each item, it is not possible to flexibly respond to changes in the format of the data stored in the table cassette and changes in the items, etc. Problems such as shortage and waste.

In particular, one tape is divided into multiple partitions so that partition II can manage data overnight. In this way, if one tape is divided into multiple partitions and used, It is desirable to be able to save management information and user information for each application. Thus, in the case of a tape cassette having a nonvolatile memory, the management information and user information for each partition are stored in the nonvolatile memory.

 However, when the management information for each partition is stored in the nonvolatile memory, the storage area for the partition management information must be secured in the nonvolatile memory by the maximum number of partitions that can be set. I have to do it. Since the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory is limited, allocating a large storage area to the partition management information in this way makes it impossible to secure a sufficient storage area for other data, especially user data. If the number of actually set partitions is small, the storage area secured as partition management information will be wasted.

 In addition to the tape cassette having the nonvolatile memory as described above, some tape cassettes do not have the nonvolatile memory. The tape streamer drive has a tape cassette having the nonvolatile memory. However, there is a possibility that a tef cassette having no non-volatile memory will be attached. For this reason, even in the case of a tape set having no nonvolatile memory, it is desired that one tape can be divided into a plurality of partitions and used. Disclosure of the invention

 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus which can flexibly cope with a change of a format or an item of data stored in a tape cassette in a night.

Another object of the present invention is to flexibly respond to the number of partitions to be set. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus which does not waste storage capacity.

 According to the present invention, it is preferable that the mounted cassette is a first tape force set in which a tape recording medium is stored in a cartridge and a nonvolatile memory is provided in a force cartridge. Means for storing the tape-shaped recording medium in the cartridge, and identifying whether or not the tape cassette is the second tape cassette having no nonvolatile memory;

 Initializing means for initializing at least a non-volatile memory for the first tape cassette based on the output of the identification means, and initializing the tape-shaped recording medium for the second cassette when the cassette is the second cassette. When,

 Recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing data on a tape-shaped recording medium included in the tape cassette initialized by the initializing means;

 An information recording / reproducing device comprising:

 According to the present invention, a tape-shaped recording medium is stored in a force cartridge, and data is recorded and reproduced on and from a tape-shaped tape-shaped recording medium provided with a nonvolatile memory in a cartridge. In an information recording / reproducing device,

 The tape-shaped recording medium is classified into a plurality of recording units based on the initialization data, and history information indicating the history of data recorded in each recording unit and history information for the previous and next recording units are recorded. Initializing means for generating management information including pointer information indicating the position in a list structure and storing the management information in a nonvolatile memory;

 Recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing data on and from a tape-shaped recording medium based on management information recorded in a nonvolatile memory; and

 An information recording / reproducing device comprising:

According to the present invention, when an unused tape cassette is mounted, The non-volatile memory and the magnetic tape are initialized according to the tape cassette having a volatile memory or the tape cassette having no non-volatile memory, and the tape cassette having a non-volatile memory and the non-volatile memory are provided. Compatibility with tape cassettes that are not available.

 According to the present invention, partition information and user information are stored in the nonvolatile memory provided in the tape cassette. The partition information and user information have a cell as a basic structure and are arranged in a list structure in which connection information is indicated by a pointer. As described above, by using the list structure, it is possible to flexibly cope with the change in the number of partitions and the format, and user information can be efficiently arranged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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 to explain an example of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views used to explain an example of a tape cassette to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 4 and 5 are used to explain a recording format on a tape in a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram used to describe a group in a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied, and FIGS. 7 and 8A and 8B are tape streamers to which the present invention can be applied. FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams used to explain partitions in a drive, and are used to explain the recording format on a tape in a tape streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied. FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams used to explain the recording format of the MIC disposed on the tape cassette to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams. Schematic diagrams used to explain the list structure, Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 show the list structure. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram used to explain partition information, Fig. 18A is a schematic diagram used to explain partition information, and Figs. 18A and 18B are schematic diagrams used to explain pointers. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a pointer, FIGS. 20A and 20B and FIG. 21 are schematic diagrams for explaining a user ID, and FIG. Schematic diagram used to describe partition notes, Fig. 23 is a flowchart used to describe user volume notes, and Figs. 24, 25, and 26 are used to describe user volume notes. Schematic diagram, Fig. 27 is schematic diagram used to explain MIC initialization, Figs. 28 and 29 are flowcharts used to explain MIC initialization, Figs. 30 and 31 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram used for describing the operation of a portable streamer drive to which the present invention can be applied. You. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described 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 uses a tape cassette with a tape width of 8 mm to record / reproduce data on / from a magnetic tape in a helical scan system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette 1 is provided with reels 2A and 2B, and a magnetic tape 3 having a tape width of 8 mm is wound between the reels 2A and 2B. For example, image information and / or audio information are recorded / reproduced on the magnetic tape 3 as digital data. The tape cassette 1 is provided with a nonvolatile memory (hereinafter referred to as MIC (Memory In Cassette)) 4. From the MIC 4 module, the plus 5 V power supply terminal 5 A, the data input / output terminal 5 B, and the And a ground input terminal 5C and a ground terminal 5D. MIC 4 includes the date and location of manufacture for each tape cassette, the thickness and length of tape, the material, management information for each partition, user information, image information and / or audio information. Will be remembered

 As shown in Fig. 3, the external appearance of the tape cassette 1 is the same as the upper case 6.

It consists of a lower case 7 and a guard panel 8, and has basically the same configuration as the tape force set used for a normal 8mm VTR. On the label surface 9 of the tape cassette 1, terminal pins 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are provided. These terminal pins 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, and 10 D are connected to the positive 5 V power supply terminal 5 A, data input / output terminal 5 B, and clock derived from the MIC 4 provided in the tape cassette 1. Connected to input terminal 5C and ground terminal 5D, respectively.

 In addition to the tape cassette 1 having the MIC 4, there is a tape cassette 1 having no MIC 4. Whether or not the tape force set has the MIC 4 can be determined by supplying a clock to the clock input terminal 5C of the tape cassette 1 and whether or not data is returned from the data input / output terminal 5B.

 Further, in the above example, four terminal pins 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are provided, but a type having five terminal pins is under consideration.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a rotating drum. On the rotating drum 11, recording heads 12A and 12B, and reproducing heads 13A and 13B are arranged. The recording heads 12A and 12B have a structure in which two gaps having different azimuth angles are arranged very close to each other. Similarly, the reproduction 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 pulled out of the tape cassette 1 is wound around the rotating drum 11. The rotating drum 11 is rotated by a drum motor 14. The magnetic tape 3 is sent by a cab and a pinch opening (not shown). The drum motor 14 is rotated under the control of the mechanical controller 17. Processing such as drum servo and tracking servo is performed by the mechanical controller 17. The main controller 17 and the system controller 15 that performs overall control are connected bidirectionally.

 The data recorded 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. Data is recorded on the magnetic table 3 along the inclined track by the recording heads 12A and 12B. The recording heads 12A and 12B have different azimuth angles, and the inclined tracks have different azimuth angles for each track.

 The data on the magnetic tape 3 is reproduced by the reproduction heads 13A and 13B. The outputs of the reproduction heads 1338 and 13B are supplied to a modulation / demodulation circuit 18 via an RF amplifier 19. The reproduction data is demodulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 18.

 This tape streamer drive uses an SCS I interface for data input and output. That is, when recording data, data is sent from the host computer 25, for example, with 32 k bytes as one record. This data is input via the SCS I interface 20. This input data is supplied to a data compression / decompression circuit 21.

The data compression / expansion circuit 21 performs data compression / expansion processing using LZ codes. LZ code is used to repeat the input character string. By detecting, the data is compressed. For example, a special code is assigned to a character string processed in the past and stored in the form of a dictionary. The input character string is compared with the dictionary, and if they match, they are rewritten with the dictionary code. 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 dictionary code.

 The output of the data compression / expansion circuit 21 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 23 under the control of the buffer controller 22. Data recording is performed for each group. One group consists of a predetermined number of tracks. The data for one group output from the NOR memory 26 is supplied to the modulation / demodulation circuit 18. The modulation / demodulation circuit 18 modulates the recording data. The output of the modulation / demodulation circuit 18 is supplied to the recording heads 12 A and 12 B via the RF amplifier 19. The data is recorded on the magnetic tape 3 by the recording heads 12A and 12B in an inclined track.

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

The output of the buffer memory 23 is supplied to the data compression / expansion circuit 21. The data is expanded by the data compression / expansion circuit 21 and returned 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. MIC 4 is provided on the tape cassette 1. The system controller 15 inputs / outputs data to / from MIC 4. Note that M Information is exchanged between the IC 4 and the host computer 25 using SCSI commands. Therefore, there is no need to connect the MIC4 to the host computer 25, and the tape cassette 1 and the host computer 25 can be connected only by the SCSI interface.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 show the structure of the data recorded on the magnetic tape 3. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, data is recorded / reproduced on the magnetic tape 3 in units of blocks. As shown in Fig. 4, one block consists of one byte of sync A1, six bytes of ID data A2 used for search, etc., two bytes of parity A3, and 64 bytes of data A4. Consists of

 As shown in Fig. 5, one track is assigned to one track. In other words, 47 tracks of data are arranged in one track. As shown in FIG. 5, ATF areas A12 and A16 for tracking control are provided at both ends of one track, and an ATF area A14 is provided in the middle of one track. As the ATF areas A12, A14, and A16, areas for five blocks are prepared. Further ends of the ATF areas A12 and A16 have margins A11 and A17 for four blocks. A data area A13 for 224 blocks is provided between ATF area A12 and ATF area A14, and a data area 224 blocks for ATF area A14 and ATF area A16. Data area A 15 is provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, data is recorded on the magnetic tape 3 with a predetermined number, for example, 40 tracks (20 frames) as one group. Since the recorded data is compressed in a variable length by the LZ code, it is unspecified how many records are included in one group. Also one group During the night, information on records within the group and error correction codes are included.

In this tape streamer drive, as shown in FIG. 7, one tape can be divided into a plurality of partitions P0, P1, P2,... And used. The number of partitions can be set up to 256. When used in partitions, areas for loading / unloading tape (device area or optional device area) A _E0 , A _E1 , A _E2 ,… can be set for each partition .

 In addition, the tape streamer drive can support both the SDX mode and the DDS mode. The way in which the partition is set differs between the SDX mode and the DDS mode.

 In the SDX mode, as shown in FIG. 8A, up to 256 partitions P0, P1, P2,... Can be set in order from the tape top. On the other hand, in the case of the DDS mode, as shown in FIG. 8B, there are at most two partitions P1 and P0.

 Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case of the DDS mode, the partition picker is in the order of the tape drive # 1, the next is # 0, and the capacity of the partition # 1 is specified. The rest will be partition # 0.

On the other hand, in the SDX mode, the partition numbers are in the order of # 0, # 1, # 2,… from the tape top, and a partition is added next to the existing partitions. Like that. Commands are provided in SCSI for exchanging data between MIC 4 of tape cassette 1 and host computer 25. As mentioned above, new commands are provided to maintain compatibility between SDX mode and DDS mode. The newly prepared commands are “Sd XD evice Configuration”, “S dx A ppend Partition”, “Sdx Lo S elect”, and “Sense Page List”. is there.

 The “SdxDevice Configurat ion” command is a command for selecting between the SDX mode and the DDS mode, and setting an optional device area. "The Sdx DeviceConfniguratationj contains the SDX bit, the device bit, and the ABS bit.

 If the SDX bit power is set to “0”, it is determined that the mode is the DDS mode, the maximum number of partitions is 2, the partition number # 1 is changed to the partition number # 0, and the partition number # 0 is changed to the partition number # 0. Set it to number 1 for each session. In this case, no optional device area is provided and MIC is not used.

 If the SDX bit is set to “1”, it is determined that the mode is the DDX mode, the maximum number of partitions is 256, and the partition numbers are # 0, # 1, # 2, # 3,…. In order. In this case, an optional device area can be provided, and MIC can be used.

If the SDX bit power is set to “1” and the device bit is set to 1, the partition numbers shall be in the order of # 0, # 1, # 2, # 3,…. In this case, each partition must have an optional device area and MIC can be used. If the ABS bit is set to "1", the drive will create and maintain an absolute volume map for fast search The “Sdx App End Partition” command is: This command is for adding one more session. The “Sdx Append P artition” command contains the FDP, SDP, IDP, and PS UM bits. Partitions are added to the last partition. FDP = 0, SDP = 0, IDP = 1, PSUM = 1 0 are maintained. This command must be issued after the last partition. If the command is issued on another partition, the drive will perform a condition check.

 The “S dx Lo S elect” command consists of a code for deleting the 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. It consists of a code for deleting a note, a code for creating a new user-partition note, and a code for writing comment information.

The “Sense PageList” command has a code for reading manufacturing information, a code for reading volume information, a code for reading partition information, and an absolute volume map. Code to ask, how to read the absolute volume map, code to ask how many bytes are available for the new user volume note, and check the size of the existing user volume note Code to read user volume notes, code to get a list of partitions with user partition notes, and ask how many bytes are available for a new user partition note Code and user It consists of a code for reading an issue note and a code for reading comment information.

 The application volume map, user volume note, user partition note, volume manufacturer information, partition information, absolute volume map, and the like are information written in the MIC, and such information will be described in detail later.

 FIG. 9 shows the configuration of recording data on the magnetic tape 3 when one tape is used as one partition in the SDX mode, and FIG. 11 shows one tape in the SDX mode. This shows the configuration of the recording data on the magnetic tape 3 when used in partitions. As shown in FIG. 9, when one tape is used as one partition in the SDX mode, a device area B1 for loading and unloading the tape is provided at the beginning of the tape. Next, a reference area B2 is provided, followed by a position tolerance band area B3 for absorbing errors. Subsequently, a system area B4 is provided.

 The system area B4 includes a system preamble S1, a system log S2, a system postamble S3, a position tolerance band S4, and a vendor group preamble S5. After the system area B4, a data area B5 is provided.

 In the data area B5, data is recorded in group units. The head of the data area is a vendor group G1, and thereafter, data G2, G2,... For each group are sequentially recorded. The end of the day is Amble frame G3.

After data area B5, EOD (end of data) End Of Data) Area B 6 is added. After the EOD area B6, an optional device area B7 for loading and unloading a tape can be provided.

 As shown in Fig. 10, when one volume of tape is divided into multiple partitions, a device area B11 is provided at the beginning of the tape to load and unload the tape. Next, a reference area B 12 for partition # 0 is provided, followed by a position tolerance band area B 13 for absorbing errors. Subsequently, a system area B for partition number # 0 is provided. 14 are provided.

 The system area B14 of partition # 0 is the system preamble S11, system log S12, system postamble S13, position tolerance band S14, and vendor group preamble S15 for partition # 0. Consists of

 After the system area, a partition area B 15 of the partition # 0 is set up. In the data area B15, as in the case of one partition described above, data is recorded in groups. After the data area, an E 0 D data area B 16 indicating the end of the data of partition # 0 is added.

 Further, when using multiple partitions, a system area for the next partition (partition number # 1) is provided as in partition # 0, and a data area for the next partition is provided after the system area. Can be

When the tape is divided into a plurality of partitions and used, a system area B14 is provided for each partition. This system area B 1 4 has a system log area S 1 2 Can be The system log area S12 records the usage history of the table cassette. This is used for a table cassette that does not have MIC 4. In the case of a tape cassette having MIC 4, the history of each partition can be stored using MIC 4.

 The contents of the system log area are basically the same as the contents of the system entry querier of the MIF 4 partition information described later.

 In FIG. 1, the data capacity of the MIC 4 is, for example, 2 kbytes. Of course, MIC 4 can be realized using a memory having a larger data capacity. The MIC 4 stores manufacturing information such as the location and date of manufacture of the cassette tape, tape thickness and tape length, etc., as well as information on the entire cassette at initialization, and information on each partition. Initialization information such as information is stored. Furthermore, information for high-speed search, user information, image information, and / or audio information can be recorded. The data structure of the MIC 4 will be described in detail below.

 FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the data structure of MIC. FIG. 11 particularly shows the partition information and user information stored in the MIC 4 data area, and FIG. 12 particularly shows the header area. And the relationship between the header area and the data area.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a header area is provided at the head of MIC 4 data, and a data area is provided following this header area. In the temporary storage area, the absolute position information of the magnetic tape (absolute poly map), the information on the usage history of the magnetic tape (volume information), and the user regarding the tape cassette itself are displayed. Information provided by the (vendor) (user volume notes), various histories (partition information) concerning the recording data for each partition written to the magnetic tape, and user-writable by each partition Various kinds of information such as comments (user party notes) are stored. The information stored in these MIC 4 data areas has a list structure. Here, the list structure has the following structure.

 FIG. 13 briefly describes the list structure. In Fig. 13, each cell CELL11, CELL12, CELL13, which is a storage unit, is composed of data DATA1, DATA12, DATA13, and link information LINK1. 1, LINK 12 and LINK 13 For example, in the route R0〇10, there is a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL11 as connection information, and the pointer specifies the position of the cell CELL11. The cell CELL11 has a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL12 as binding information, and the position of the cell CELL12 is designated by this pointer. Cell CELL12 has a pointer indicating the address of cell CELL13 as a binding message, and the position of cell CELL13 is designated by this pointer.

 Also, the cell CELL 13 has a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL 12 as connection information, and the pointer specifies the position of the cell CELL 12. The cell CELL12 has a pointer indicating the address of the cell CELL11 as connection information, and the pointer specifies the position of the cell CELL11.

 In this way, in the list structure, the target cell can be accessed by obtaining the link information of each cell.

As explained later, volume information, user volume The system notes, absolute volume map information, garbage, partition information, and user partition notes contain link information. Link information is basically

It is defined as shown in FIG.

 Assuming that the variable name of the link information is 1 i nk— i n f 0, this l i nk

— Info consists of 8 bytes, 1 cell, 1 byte cell checksum, 1 byte reserved area (reserved), and 2 byte cell length (length ), A two-byte pointer (prev-ptr) at the address where the previous cell is located, and a two-byte pointer (next-ptr) at the address where the next cell is located. The cell checksum is created from the data of each cell. In FIGS. 11 and 12, a header is provided at the head of the MIC4 data. As shown in FIG. 12, this header further includes a header of the manufacture part (fields F1 to F20) and a header of the drive initialization part (fields F22 to F28). ) And. Information at the time of manufacture is stored in the header of the manufacture part in advance. The tape information and partition information are recorded in the header of the drive initialization part at the time of initialization.

 In Fig. 12, field F1 is the checksum field of the manufacturer part. In this field F1, a checksum of the manufacture part is placed. The checksum field F1 of the manufacturer part is, for example, 1 byte. The checksum of this manufacture part is required at the time of cassette manufacture.

Note that the manufacture part checksum is This is a checksum for only the part of the part, and another checksum is provided for the drive initialization part. Further, a checksum is provided for each cell. For some MIC 4, the life is determined by the number of times that the same location is read and written. The data of the drive initialization part is not changed after being recorded at the time of manufacturing, and if the checksum of only the manufacture part is written, the number of times of rewriting the checksum is reduced. As a result, the life of the MIC can be extended.

 Field F2 is a MIC type field. In this field F2, a type of MIC is arranged. For example, one byte is secured as the MIC evening field F2. In the evening of MIC, a 4-bin structure and a 5-pin structure are defined. For example, if MIC is “0”, it has a 4-pin structure, and if “1”, it has a 5-pin structure.

 Field F3 is a MIC manufacturer field. Field F3 contains the date of manufacture of the MIC. The date of manufacture of the MIC is described, for example, as YY / MM / DD / HH. YY represents year, D D represents day, and H H represents time. For example, if the MIC was manufactured at 3:00 pm on April 23, 1995, this field would be a non-numeric code, "950422315".

Field F4 is the MIC Manufacturing Name field. In this field F4, the name of the line that manufactured the MIC is placed. Basically, one character is one byte and eight characters are reserved. ASCII characters are used as characters. By the way, ASCII code is represented by 7 bits. Eight characters in one byte are (8 x 8 = 64) bits, and are written in 7 bits That would hold 9 characters. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether one character and one byte represent eight characters or one character and seven bits represent nine characters by using the MSB of one leading bit. Normally, the MSB power of each pilot is set to “0”, and one character is one byte and eight characters are described. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described with 7 bits.

 Field F5 is the MIC manufacturer plant name field. This field F5 indicates the name of the factory that manufactured the MIC. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are secured, similar to the above-mentioned MIC manufacturer line name. As a character, an ASCII code is used. Normally, the MSB of each byte is set to “0”, and one character per byte describes eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described with 7 bits.

 Field F 6 is the MIC manufacturer name field. In this field F6, the name of the manufacturer of the MIC is placed. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are reserved. As a character, an ASCII code is used. Normally, the MSB of each byte is set to “0”, and one character and one byte describe eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described with 7 bits.

Field F7 is the MIC name field. In this field F7, the name of the MIC vendor is placed. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are reserved. AS CII code is used as the character. Normally, the MSB power of each byte is set to s "0". Eight characters are described. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described in 7 bits.

 Field F8 is a cassette manufacture field. In this field F8, the date of manufacture of the cassette is described in YY / MM / DD / HH. YY 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 will be "950423 15" in binary code.

 Field F9 is a cassette manufacturing line field. In this field F9, the name of the line that manufactured the cassette is placed. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are reserved. As a character, an ASCII code is used. Normally, the MSB power s of each byte is set to “0”, and one character per byte describes eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters can be saved in 7 bits.

 Field F10 is the cassette manufacturer plant name field. In this field F10, the name of the factory that manufactured the cassette is placed. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are reserved. As a character, an ASCII code is used. Normally, the MSB force s of each byte is set to “0”, and one character and one byte describe eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is "1", 9 characters are described in 7 bits.

Field Fl1 is a cassette manufacturer name field. In this field F11, the vendor name of the cassette is placed. . This name is basically 1 character, 1 character, * it, and 8 characters are reserved. ASCII characters are used as characters. Normally, the MSB power s of each byte is set to “0”, and one character and one byte describe eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described with 7 bits. Field F12 is a cassette name field. In this field F12, a cassette name is arranged. This name is basically one byte per character and eight characters are reserved. ASCII characters are used as characters. Normally, the MSB power ^s of each byte is set to “0”, and one character, one character, and eight characters describe eight characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described in 7 bits.

 Field F13 is an OEM cassette name field. The name of the company to which this Fenored F13 (or OEM (Original Equipment Manufactures) is placed. This name is basically one character, one byte, and eight characters. ASCII characters are used as characters, and normally, the MSB power of each byte is set to s “0”, and one character per byte describes 8 characters. If the MSB of the first byte is “1”, 9 characters are described with 7 bits.

 Field F14 is a row formatted 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, and the like are arranged in this field F14.

Field F15 is the maximum clock frequency field. In this field F15, the maximum cut-off frequency of the MIC is arranged. If 100 kHz, this field is set to "100".

 Field F 16 is the maximum light 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.

 Field F 17 is the MIC capacity field. In this field F17, the capacity of the nonvolatile memory used as the MIC is arranged. If the memory capacity is 2048 bytes, the value of this field is described as "1 1" (2048 = 2).

 Field F18 is the 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.

 Field F 19 is a write-block count field. This field F 19 is used to write-protect a part of the MIC. Write protect count indicates the number of bytes in the write protected area. Therefore, writing is prohibited from the write protect top address indicated by the field F 18 to the write protect count indicated by the field F 19.

 Field F20 is a reserved field, and this field F2◦ is reserved for locating necessary information in the future.

Next, the drive initialization part will be described. The drive initialization part information is initialized by the tape drive when the tape is used for the first time. Field F21 is a drive initialization part checksum field. In field F21, a checksum of the drive initialization part is arranged. As described above, of the MIC header, the checksum of the manufacture part and the checksum of the drive initialization part are provided separately.

 Field F22 is a MIC logic format field. 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 slave MIC format, a cleaning cassette MIC format, and the like.

 Field F23 is a volume information pointer field. In this field F23, a pointer indicating a storage area of volume information, that is, information of information of a cassette of one volume is arranged. The cell C1 of the volume information is located at the address indicated by the volume information pointer. Furthermore, Poryu

— From the system information pointer, the partition information cell C5, which is an area for storing information for each partition, can be read.

Field F24 is a user partition note pointer field. In the field F24, a pointer indicating a storage area of data stored on the magnetic tape 3 is arranged. This is optional information. As will be described later, a representative image of a plurality of pieces of image information recorded in the partition is recorded as a still image, and further, a representative sound of a plurality of pieces of audio information is recorded. Is recorded. If this information is not needed, it is set to "0". Pointed by user information pointer In the address to be entered, the user partition note cell C6 is located. The still image and audio information recorded in the user partition note pointer field F24 are recorded after compression such as JPEG or GIF.

 Field F25 is the absolute volume Matsubupoin field. In the field F25, a pointer indicating a storage area of the absolute position information is arranged. This is optional information. If this information is not implemented, it is set to "0". Cell C3 of the absolute volume map information is located at the address pointed to by the absolute volume map pointer.

 Field F26 is a reserved field and is reserved to contain necessary information in the future.

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

Field F28 is a comment field. A comment is placed in field F28. As comments, 1 byte character and 15 characters are prepared. In this comment field F28, the user can freely record / reproduce information. As an example of using the comment field F28 to identify the tape force set, a bar code label was conventionally attached to a tape cassette and read by a bar code reader. Storing the same data as the barcode in the field F28 allows easy management. In this way, comment field F 28 Since the same data as the code can be stored, the identification code (bar code) is the same when viewed from the application that manages the tape cassette. Therefore, only the code sensing part of the bar code subsystem is nonvolatile. Can be used only by corresponding to

 Next, the configuration of the cell whose position is specified by the header pointer as described above will be described. Information of these cells is stored in a list structure in the data area of MIC4.

 Cell C1 is a cell for volume information. In this cell C1, object status information, initialization count information, volume information, a pointer indicating the position of cell C5 of the partition information, and a pointer indicating the position of cell C2 of the user volume note are arranged. Is done. The pointer in cell C2 of the volume note is optional, and if there is no volume note, this pointer is null. The object status is reset to “0” while the tape is being initialized, and is updated before unloading from the device area.

 Cell C2 is a user volume note cell. In the user volume note cell C2, as will be described later, the association of each tape cassette partition is stored.

Cell C3 is a cell for absolute volume map information. This cell C3 stores the absolute value of the number of frame counts, the partition ID, the number of group counts, the number of record counts, the number of track mark counts, and the number of file mark counts. . Further, cell C3 of the absolute volume map information stores information on the span distance, the absolute number of volumes, and the volume map for each span. For example, Assuming that the length of the tape is 10 m and the absolute length of the tape is 160 m, the span distance is 10 and the absolute number of volumes is 16.

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

 Cell C5 is a partition information cell. This cell C5 stores partition history information. The history of a partition includes the number of load counts and the number of access counts for each partition. Further, cell C5 of this partition information contains information for setting write permission, read permission, write retry permission, and read retry permission for each partition. ing. The contents of the cell C5 of the partition information have the same configuration as the contents of the system log of the magnetic tape system area.

 Cell C 6 is the cell of the user partition note. In the cell C6, user data for each volume is stored.

As described above, the position of the cell C1 of the volume information is specified by the field F23 of the volume information pointer in the header of the drive initialization part. The field F24 with the user information pointer specifies the location of cell C6 in the user partition note. In addition, the position of cell C 3 in the absolute volume map information is designated by field F 25 containing the absolute volume map pointer. The position of the garbage cell C4 is designated by a field F27 having a garbage pointer. As described above, the —tioning information and user information are arranged in a list structure. Therefore, the limited capacity of MIC 4 can be used effectively. For example, for the sake of simplicity, consider the change in the area that can be secured as a user volume note when the number of partitions is changed without adding absolute volume map information or user partition note information. Then, it becomes as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. Fig. 15 shows the case where the partition is 34. In this case, 122 bytes are fixedly assigned to the MIC header, and 108 bytes are fixedly assigned to the cell of the volume information. If the number of partitions is 34, 1768 bytes is allocated as a cell of the partition. Therefore, 32 bytes can be secured as a user note cell. Note that, out of these 32 bytes, valid data is 22 bytes.

 On the other hand, when the partition is 1, 122 bytes are fixedly assigned to the MIC header and 108 bytes are assigned to the volume information cell as shown in FIG. As a result, 52 bytes are allocated. Therefore, 1766 bytes can be reserved as a user note cell. Note that, out of the 1766 bytes, valid data is 1756 bytes.

 In this way, the list structure allows for a flexible response to changes in the number of partitions. That is, in a tape streamer drive in which the number of partitions can be set by the user, when the number of partitions changes, the partition management information changes. By using the list structure, if the number of partitions is small, it can be secured as a user cell, and the storage area can be used effectively.

In the case of a tape force set having MIC 4, the partition information cell in which the partition history information is stored. Has C5. Cell C5 of this partition information has a structure as shown in FIG.

 As shown in Fig. 17, at the beginning of the cell, a 1-byte partition information checksum D1 is provided, the following 1-byte area D2 is set to "0", and the following A length for determining the length of the partition information is provided in the 2-byte area D3. Then, a pre-pierce pointer D4, which is a pointer indicating the position of the previous partition information cell, is provided, and a next pointer D5, which is a pointer indicating the position of the cell of the next partition information, is provided. The area D6 of the last 8 bytes of link information is set to "0". These form a link information. Following this link information, each partition information is recorded.

 At the head of the partition information, a pre-piercing group pre-done D7 is provided, and subsequently, a total group return D8 is provided. The pre-pierce group return D7 indicates the number of groups in the partition physically recorded on the magnetic tape, starting from the last update of the system area. Total group return D 8 indicates the number of groups written on the partition since the partition was first written.

Following this, a pre-piercing group lead D9 is provided, and further a total group return D10 is provided. Pre-Pierce Group Read D 9 indicates the number of groups read from the partition since the last update of the system area. Total group return D10 indicates the number of groups read from the partition since the partition was first written. This value is accumulated until, for example, the tape cassette reaches the end of its life and becomes unusable or discarded. For example, when data is being recorded on a magnetic tape by a tape trimmer drive, the system controller 15 of the tape streamer drive processes the brivia glue pretune and the total group return. Thus, the value of the area is incremented according to the number of groups newly recorded by the current recording operation.

 Subsequently, a total lilit frame D11 is provided. The frame D11 indicates the number of frames on the partition that need to be rewritten due to the lid phthalate.

 That is, during recording, the playback heads 13A and 13B write data to the magnetic tape using the recording heads 12A and 12B, and then read data from that frame. And a read after write process is performed to determine whether an error has occurred. If an error occurs, the data in that frame is rewritten. In the retry frame, an integrated value of the number of frames for which rewriting is requested based on such read-after-write is recorded.

 Subsequently, a total 3rdECC count D12 is provided. Total 3 r d ECC count D 12 indicates the number of data groups since the first partition was written that cannot be recovered without the use of C3 correction.

In other words, in this system, error correction is performed using the parity of C1, C2, and C3, but when the 〇3 noise cannot recover data only with the 〇1 and C2 noises, Used. This tour 3rd ECC count uses C3 parity at the partition. A value obtained by integrating the number of groups for which error correction has been performed using the data is shown. Subsequently, an access count D 13 is provided. Access count D13 indicates the number of accesses to the partition. The term “access” includes reading, writing, and the number of partitions that have passed through the tape.

 Subsequently, an update trib race count D 14 is provided. Update Replace count D 14 indicates the number of update write operations to the partition.

 Subsequently, a pre-squirrel resume frame D 15, a pre-pierce 3 rd ECC count D 16, and a load count D 17 are provided. The pre-reset release frame D15 is a frame in the partition where the data rewrite request was made, starting from the last time the system log area was updated, by the above-mentioned read-after-light. Indicates the number of. The pre-pierce 3rdECC count indicates the number of errors that have been corrected using C3 parity since the system area was last updated. Load count D17 indicates the number of tapes that have been spoken since the first time the tape was written.

Subsequently, a maximum absolute frame count D 18 is provided. The Ridum Maximum Absolute Frame Count D18 indicates information on the frame count up to the last frame valid in the partition. Subsequently, a flag D19 is provided for prohibiting write, read, prohibit write retry, and prohibit read retry. Subsequently, a maximum absolute frame count D20 is provided. The maximum absolute frame count D 20 indicates the number of frames in the last partition of all data in the partition. As described above, link information is added to the partition information cells recorded in the data area of MIC 4 to form a list structure. As described above, since the list structure is used, the address of the cell of the partition information for each partition can be found by adding the link information. As a result, the address of the partition information of each partition can be freely determined, and the memory space can be used effectively.In other words, the work area where the drive firmware can be used is limited. . Copying all partition information into this workspace is a waste of drive memory. For all partition information, it is conceivable that only the stored address is stored in the work area, but even in such a case, the work area is required only for the address of the partition information. If the link information is recorded as described above, there is a pointer of the first list in the header of the MIC, and the following partition information can be entered using the link information, so that even the address is stored. Eliminates the need.

In this example, a next pointer D5 indicating the address of the cell in the next partition information is provided, and a pre-pier pointer indicating the address of the information of the cell in the previous partition information is provided. D 4 is provided. At a minimum, if there is a next pointer that indicates the address of the next partition, it is possible to reach the partition information cell of the target partition. Depending on the relationship between the target partition information and cell number, the partition number of the target partition number In some cases, cells may not be efficiently inserted into the information cells.

 On the other hand, if the next pointer D5 and the pre-piercing pointer D4 are provided, the route (first time) is used when moving from the current partition information cell to the target partition information cell. From the current partition-in-formation cell to the desired partition-in-formation cell. You will be able to go there, and in any case, you will be able to efficiently fill in the partition information of the desired partition number—the cell of the partition.

 That is, as shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, for example, it is assumed that the partition information of —tion pick-up # 2 is present in the working memory. Next, suppose that you want to obtain partition information for partition picker # 1. In this case, as shown in Fig. 18A, with the next pointer alone, after returning to the root, go to the partition information of partition number # 0, and from the link information of partition number # 0. You need to go to the partition info cell with partition number # 1.

 On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20B, if there is a pre-piercing pointer D 4 in addition to the next pointer D 5, the partition information of the current partition # 2 is obtained from the partition information cell of the partition # 2. You will be able to go to the partition formation cell in one go.

If the number of partitions increases, the number of partitions will change from the partition information cell of the current partition number to the partition information cell of the target partition number. Using the stop pointer or pre-pierce pointer, is it faster to enter the partition information cell of the target partition number from the partition information cell of the current partition number into the cell of the target partition number? Return to the root from the partition information cell of the partition number once, and determine whether it is faster to enter the target partition cell of the partition number from the root. There is a need. Such a determination can be realized by a flowchart as shown in FIG.

 In FIG. 21, the partition number C of the cell of the current partition information is input (step ST1), and the partition number T of the target partition information cell is input (step ST1). Step ST 2).

 The partition number C of the current partition information cell is subtracted from the partition number of the intended partition cell, and the value of D (T-C2D) is subtracted. Required (step ST 3).

 It is determined whether the value of D is greater than "0" (step ST54). If the value of D is “0”, there is no need to move because the partition number C of the cell of the current partition information and the partition number T of the cell of the target partition information match (step ST 5).

If the value of D is greater than “0”, the partition number of the cell in the current partition information is used as a starting point, and by using the next number of D pointers, the partition is set to the target partition number. Attach to the cell of the partition number of the section number T (step ST 6). If the value of D is smaller than “0”, the value of E (2T—C + 1 = E) is obtained (step ST 7). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of E is greater than "0" (step ST8).

 If the value of E is "0", the partition number C of the cell of the current partition information as a starting point and the cell of the partition information of the partition number T of the target is reached. Since it is also equidistant to reach the cell of the partition information of the partition (step ST 9).

 If the value of E is smaller than “0”, return to the root once, and use the (N + 1) next pointers to move forward to obtain the partition information cell of the target partition number T. You can get in (Step ST 10).

 If the value of E is greater than “0”, the current partition information — starting from the partition number C of the cell in the section, using (E + 1) pre-piercing pointers to move backwards, The partition number can be reached in the partition information cell of the partition number T (step ST11) c

Next, the user partition note will be described. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, cell C6 of the user's party note stores a user's comment and the like in the partition #. The cell C6 of the user partition note is formed by a plurality of cells C6a for each partition actually provided on the magnetic tape. For each cell C6a in each partition, for example, the user (vendor) who provided the data, or writes the data to the partition to write a data stream to the partition. Know the type of drive ID information (user ID) for identification is stored.

 The user ID is 16-bit fixed-length data as shown in FIG. 20A, for example, and the 16-bit data is divided into first to fourth 4-bit units. Each is separated. Then, of these first to fourth 4-bit blocks, an area of a total of 12 bits including the first to third 4-bit units is defined as a “prescribed area”, and the remaining fourth 4-bit block is defined. The area is referred to as the “optional area”.

 Here, assuming that the data storage system has a large number of users, different user ID numbers are preset for each user. The “specified area” is an area for setting a value corresponding to an ID number given to each user. The “optional area” is an area that can be arbitrarily defined and used for each user.

 The ID pick-up is determined by a combination of three pick-ups corresponding to each value of the first to third 4-bit units. For example, assuming that a certain user has been given an ID number of “8-12-1-10”, the user ID of this user is set as shown in FIG. 20B.

 The optional area is an area that can be set independently by the user of the ID number, as shown in FIG. 20B. Therefore, in FIG. 20B, each bit is indicated by X. The required information uniquely set by the user is defined for the 0 to 15 pickers that can be set by 4 bits in this area.

 FIG. 21 shows a specific example of the setting of the ID number of the user ID. As described above, the ID is determined by a combination of the three numbers corresponding to the values of the ID Nanno and the first to third 4-bit blocks (specified areas).

The values of the ID numbers corresponding to the first to third 4-bit units are respectively — If it is set to “0—0,” it is “common.” For example, it indicates that the data recorded in that partition is versatile without any particular limitation on the user. In other words, if the data of the partition is given such a user ID, the host computer can handle the data of the partition reproduced and sent from the tape streamer drive without any problem. Will be considered.

 If the ID number is “0—0—1”, it indicates “ASCII text”, and the ID number is “1—5—2”. As the user ID, the ID Nanno “1-5-3” is assigned as the user ID of Company B. In this way, user IDs are not assigned to vendors and manufacturers, which are generally called "users", but data standards can be regarded as users and ID numbers can be assigned to them. .

 In addition, the specified ID naming is determined by a combination of three naming tools corresponding to the first to third 4-bit blocks. It will be possible to continue.

 In other words, all the users who are to be given ID numbers are classified into 16 types of user groups based on a certain classification term by the first 4-bit block, and further classified by the first 4-bit block. For each classified user group, subdivision is performed by the second 4-bit block. Further, for each user group classified by the second 4-bit block, classification is performed by the third 4-bit block so that one user is finally specified.

If an ID number is given in this way, for example, a magnetic tape Unlike the case where the user independently includes the identification information in the data recorded in the group, it is not necessary for a plurality of users to accidentally use the same ID number. For this reason, a data storage system that can completely identify many users can be constructed even with a bit number of, for example, 16 bits.

 Also, since the user ID is stored in correspondence with each of the lists corresponding to each normal partition, for example, if the user is different for each of a plurality of partitions recorded on one magnetic tape, A different ID can be given to each partition 每. Also in this case, there is no possibility that the user IDs of different users overlap. As a result, the host computer can reliably identify the user of each partition. For example, the host computer recognizes that user data that cannot be handled by the host computer can be handled and can be processed. Malfunctions such as erroneous operations are also prevented. For the user, for example, assuming that the user can be reliably identified on the host computer side, special data management information such as copy protection is included in the recorded data with peace of mind. Things come. In addition, ID hierarchies can be assigned more easily by defining ID hierarchies hierarchically.

FIG. 22 conceptually shows the data structure of the user partition note cell. User partition notes have a list structure. This list is created for each partition in principle. As shown in FIG. 22, the user partition note cell is provided with a variable length user data area following the link information, the data length information, and the user ID. The link information is a pointer indicating the address of the next linked list. The data length information includes the user data area. The data length of the area is indicated. As described above, the user ID data is stored in the user ID area. The user ID can be identified by the user ID.

 Next, the user volume note will be described. In FIGS. 11 and 12, information related to the partition is stored in the cell C2 of the user volume note.

 For example, in the case where information such as television commercials is stored in this TV drive, information on commercials is stored in each partition for each category, and each category is stored in each category. Image information of a representative still image and representative audio information can be stored in a user partition note. The management in the case of recording in this manner will be described with reference to a flowchart in FIG.

 In FIG. 23, in step ST51, the tape cassette is mounted on the tape streamer drive. In step ST52, the management information of the MIC 4 of the attached tape cassette is read. Specifically, when the tape cassette is mounted, the management information of the MIC is acquired as shown in FIG. 24, and the screen IP 1 is displayed on a display serving as a user interface, and further, the tape cassette is displayed. Is displayed as the icon IP2.

In step ST53, the category (partition) of the tape cassette is displayed on the screen. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the tape volume icon IP2 is clicked, and the screen IP11 is displayed. On the displayed screen IP 11, the category 1 (partition) inside the tape cassette is displayed. In this example, the category belonging to the screen IP 11 is: car (new car information) IP 12, housing information IP 13, overseas travel IP 14, bargain information IP 15, music concert Information IP 16 and new movie IP 17 are available.

 In step ST54, one of the categories shown in FIG. 25 is selected. For example, a new image IP 17 is selected by clicking with a mouse or the like. In step ST55, a cell of the user partition note corresponding to the selected category (partition) is read out from the pointer of the user partition note based on the link information. At step ST56, the information stored in the cell of the user partition note corresponding to the read new movie IP17 is displayed on the screen. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 26, one scene (still image) of a new movie commercial is displayed on the screen.

 In this example, the commercials belonging to the new movie IP 17 are Jo e IP 22, Kitty IP 23, Go IP 24, jet IP 25, Hawai i IP 26, Rome IP 27, Tokyo IP 28 , Mind IP 29, Secret IP 30, Top IP 31, Mars IP 32, and Space IP 33. In step S7, one is selected from the displayed commercials. In step 8, the block corresponding to the selected commercial is searched from within the partition. The magnetic tape 3 is moved to the searched block position. In step S9, the selected commercial is read. That is, commercial image information (moving image) and audio information are read.

 Next, initialization of the MIC 4 of the tape cassette and the magnetic tape 3 will be described. As shown in Fig. 27, at the time of shipment from the factory, the MIC 4 has the manufacturing information ゃ serial number written in the header's manufacturer part, and the other parts are set to `` 00h ''. I have.

 When the tape cassette is inserted into the tape streamer drive, the process shown in Fig. 28 is performed, and the tape cassette with an unused MIC is used.

4〇 In the case of a magnetic tape, the MIC 4 is initialized and a system area is added to the magnetic tape 3. In the case of a tape cassette without MIC 4, a system area is added to the magnetic tape 3.

 In FIG. 28, when the tape cassette is mounted, it is determined whether the tape cassette has the MIC4 or the tape cassette without the MIC4 (step ST101). This can be determined by, for example, supplying a clock to the clock input terminal 5C and returning data from the data input / output terminal 5B as described above.

 In step 101, if the tape cassette has MIC4, the MIC flag is set to "1" (step ST102), and if it is determined that the tape cassette does not have MIC4. In this case, the MIC flag is set to "0" (step ST103).

 M l. From the flag, it is determined whether or not the tape cassette has MIC 4 (step ST104). In the case of a tape cassette having MIC 4, the manufacture of the MIC header area is performed. A pointer other than the part, that is, a pointer in the drive initialization part in the MIC header area and data in the data overnight area are checked (step ST105).

 When the MIC 4 is shipped from the factory, all parts other than the manufacturer part of the header area are set to “0”. Therefore, are all parts other than the manufacture part of this MIC 4 set to “0”? By checking whether the tape cassette is unused, you can determine whether it is an unused tape cassette.

It is determined whether or not all data other than the manufacture part in the header area of the MIC is "0" (step ST106). If these data are "0", reading from the magnetic tape 3 is performed (step ST107). And the magnetic tape 3 already has a system area It is determined whether or not to perform (step ST108).

 When the MIC 4 is shipped from the factory, all parts other than the manufacturer parts in the header area are initialized to “0”, so in step ST106, all parts other than the MIC 4 manufacturing parts are initialized. If the MIC 4 is determined to be `` 0 '', the tape cassette with an unused MIC 4 is unused, or the MIC 4 is used in a tape set with an already used MIC 4. Not either.

 Here, if the tape cassette has the MIC 4 used in the past, the magnetic tape 3 is not used, so that the magnetic tape 3 should not have a system area. If you are using a tape cassette with an already used MIC 4 and not using MIC 4, the tape will have been used and there should be a system area on the tape.

 If it is determined in step ST108 that the tape does not have a system area, it is determined that the tape cassette has an unused MIC 4 (step ST109). . In step ST108, if it is determined that a system area already exists on the tape, it is determined that "a tape cassette having an already used MIC 4 is not used and the force MIC 4 is not used". This is memorized (step ST111) and set to the standby state (step ST111)

If it is determined in step ST109 that "the power set has an unused MIC 4", the MIC 4 is initialized (step ST112). _C, that is, a list is created in the data area of MIC 4, and the pointer in the header area is initialized. Then, the MIC format type is set to “1”.

Then, the magnetic tape 3 is initialized (step ST113), a system log area and an E0D area are created, and the system is set to the standby state. (Step ST 1 1 1) o

 If it is determined in step ST106 that all parts other than the manufacture part of the MIC 4 are not “0”, it is supposed that the tape cassette has an already used MIC4. If the tape cassette has an already used MIC 4, the magnetic tape 3 should have a system area because the tape has already been used.

 Therefore, if it is determined in step ST106 that all parts other than the manufacture part of MIC 4 are not “0”, the data is read from the magnetic tape 3 (step ST114). It is determined whether or not the system log of the magnetic tape 3 system area exists (step ST115). If there is a system log area, it is determined that the tape cassette has an already used MIC 4 (step ST116), and the standby state is set (step ST111). If there is no system log area in step ST115, it is a tape cassette with an already used MIC 4, but since magnetic tape 3 has not been properly initialized, it is an NG cartridge. Then, the process goes to step ST113 to create a system log area and an E0D area on the magnetic tape 3.

 In step 104, if the MIC flag is not "1", it is either an unused tape cassette with no MIC4 or an already used tape cassette without MIC4. If an already used tape force set, the tape is used, so there is a magnetic tape 3 system area. If the tape cassette is not used, the tape is not used, so the magnetic tape 3 system is used. The area should not exist.

In step 104, if the MIC flag is not "1", The data is read from the memory (step ST118), and it is determined whether or not the system port in the system area of the magnetic table 3 exists (step 119). If there is no system log area, it is determined that the tape cassette is unused and has no MIC 4 (step 120), and is set to the standby state (step ST111). If there is a system log area, it is determined that the tape cassette is already used and has no MIC 4 (step 12 1), and is set to the standby state (step ST 122).

 As shown in FIG. 29, in the standby state, a command from the host computer 25 is awaited (step ST130). If a command is received from the host computer, the command is determined (step ST131).

 If the received command is an initialization command (step ST1332), it is determined whether or not the tape cassette has MIC4 (step ST133). If the tape cassette has MIC4, the initialization is performed. MIC 4 is initialized according to the command (step ST134). That is, the initialization command specifies the number of partitions and the capacity of each partition. Initialization is performed for each partition according to this initialization command. This initialization involves creating a list of partition information for the specified number of partitions in the MlC data temporary area and storing this pointer in the header. This partition information list stores the history information of each partition.

Then, the magnetic tape 3 is initialized according to the initialization command (step ST135). That is, the magnetic table 3 is divided into a plurality of partitions according to the number of designated partitions, and each partition is divided into a plurality of partitions. —A system area is created in the station. Then, the process returns to step ST130.

 If it is determined in step ST133 that the tape cassette is not a tape cassette with MIC, the process proceeds to step ST135, and the magnetic tape 3 is initialized according to the initial command. Then, the process returns to step ST130.

 If it is determined in step ST132 that the command is not an initialization command, it is determined whether the command is a write command (step ST136). If it is determined that the write command has been given, it is determined whether or not the tape cassette has the MIC 4 (step ST137). The position is determined (step ST138). If it is determined that the tape is a tape top, it is interpreted as a command such as “Initialize with one partition and write data overnight”. In other words, at this time, all data in MIC4 are cleared, and only one system log list is created there (step ST139).

 Then, the data is written as one partition on the magnetic tape 3 and the data is recorded (step ST140). When the recording of the data is completed (step ST141), the data is written on the tape. 0 A D area is created (step ST142), and the process returns to step ST131.

If it is determined in step ST137 that the tape is not a tape power set with MIC 4, it is determined whether or not the tape is a tape top (step ST143). When data is written as one partition and data recording is completed (step ST141), an E0D area is created on the tape (step S14). T142), and the process returns to step ST13.

 If it is determined in step ST136 that the command is another command, processing is performed according to the command (step ST143).

 Next, the operation of accessing the magnetic tape during recording / reproduction by the tape streamer drive will be described.

 The tape streamer drive may be equipped with a tape cassette not provided with MIC4 in addition to a tape cassette provided with MIC4. This tape streamer drive has versatility so that recording / reproducing can be performed even with a tape cassette provided with MIC4 or a tape cassette without MIC4. First, an operation example in the case where a table cassette having no MIC 4 is mounted will be described.

 As shown in FIG. 30, a description will be given of an example of an operation in a case where a partition # 2 is newly added and recorded in a state where partitions # 0 and # 1 are already recorded on the magnetic tape 3.

In the case of a tape force set that does not have the MIC 4, the digging of the magnetic tape 3 is always performed in the first device area B11 of the magnetic tape 3. For this reason, first, the magnetic tape 3 is loaded in the device area B 11 (processing PRC 1), and then the end position of the partition # 1 is searched while feeding the tape at high speed (processing PRC 1). 2 Next, a system port geria B 14 for the partition # 2 is created (processing PRC 3) In addition, a system port is provided in the system area B 14, and a data of the system port is provided. The overnight contents and data structure are the same as the system log area of the MIC 4 partition information cell. When the writing of the system area B14 of the partition # 2 is completed, the data is written next (processing PRC4). As a result, a data overnight area B15 following the system area B14 is formed. When the data writing is completed, writing to the OD area B16 is performed (processing PRC5). Completion of the writing of the EOD area B 16 indicates that there is no valid data area on the magnetic tape 3 thereafter.

 In this way, the system area B 11, data storage area B 15, and E 0D area B 16 of partition # 2 are sequentially recorded, and the physical area of partition # 2 is now provided. become.

 When the writing of the E〇D area is completed, the head of the system area B 14 of the partition # 2 is searched (processing PRC 6). Then, the system log of the system area B14 of the partition # 2 is changed in accordance with writing of the data area (processing PRC4) and writing of the E0D area (processing PRC5).

By the way, when recording / reproducing on a tape cassette without MIC 4, for example, for the system log of the system area B14 of the first partition # 0, the history information of only the partition # 0 Instead, the processing history information of all partitions recorded on the magnetic tape is managed. Therefore, after the system log of partition # 2 is updated, the start of partition # 0 is accessed from the position of this system log (processing PRC 8), and the system port of system area B14 of partition # 0 is accessed. After the update of the recording (processing PRC 9), the device area Bl 1 at the head of the magnetic tape 3 is accessed (processing PRC 10), and the unreading processing is performed here (processing PRC 9). 1 1). In the case of a table cassette without MIC 4, the access operation during reproduction conforms to the access operation during recording.

 That is, the digging is performed in the device area B 11 1 at the head of the magnetic tape, the system log in the system area of the partition # 0 is accessed once, and the system log is read. Next, the system partition in the system area of the desired partition is accessed, and after reading the system partition, the current partition is accessed and data is read. When this is completed, the system log of the current partition is updated, the system area B 14 of partition # 0 is accessed again, the system log is updated, and the unlocking of the device area B 11 is performed. Is performed.

 As described above, in the access operation at the time of recording on a tape cassette that does not have the MIC 4, it is necessary to update the system log of the system area B14 on the magnetic tape 3. For this reason, the number of access functions / the amount of feed of the tape increases, and the access operation during one recording / playback operation takes a long time.

 On the other hand, in the case of a tape cassette equipped with MIC 4, loading / unloading can be performed in the middle of the tape and the system area B on the magnetic tape as described below. No need to update the system port in 14

 FIG. 31 shows an access operation at the time of recording / reproduction in the case of a tape cassette provided with MIC4.

In this example, an access operation in the case where partition # 2 is newly written from the state where partitions # 0 and # 1 on magnetic tape 3 are recorded is shown. For example, suppose that the last operation of the tape streamer drive for the magnetic tape 3 was a recording or reproducing operation for partition # 1. In this case, the tape streamer drive unloads the optional device area B 17 of the partition 31 on the magnetic tape 3 at the end of the recording or reproducing operation on the partition # 1. Therefore, the first operation (processing PRC 51) for writing a new partition # 2 is performed in the optional device area of the partition # 1.

 The optional device area B 17 is a device area provided for each partition, that is, an area provided for mouth loading / unloading on a partition basis.For example, the tape cassette 4 having MIC 4 is used for partitioning. Is recorded, the data is written by the TV stream drive.

 In this way, when loading is performed on the optional device area B 17 of the partition # 1, the end position of the partition # 1 (in this case, the end position of the optional device area B 17 of the partition # 1) From the next frame after, as the write operation of partition # 2, first, a system area B14 for partition # 2 is created, and the system operation is performed in the partition information format of MIC4. A mouth is created (processing PRC 52). Then, data is written to the data area B15 (processing PRC54).

Then, when the writing of E〇DiU7B16 is completed, the writing of the optional device area B17 of the partition # 2 is performed (processing PRC55). When the writing of the option device area B 17 is completed, the writing is performed now and the option device area B 17 is written. The magnetic tape 3 is returned to the approximate middle position of the area of the device area B17, where the unwinding is performed (processing PRC56).

 At this time, for the MIC 4 of the tape cassette 1, the system port of the partition # 2 corresponding to the progress of the recording operation so far is stored in the MIC 4 partition information. At this time, the position information of the unmouthing is stored in the volume information of the MIC4.

 Thus, in the case of a tape cassette in which the MIC 4 is not provided in the tape cassette 1, the loading / unloading must be performed in the first device area B11 of the magnetic tape. In addition, every time recording / playback is performed, the system area of each partition must be accessed, and the history information of each partition must be written to the system log of the system area B14 of each partition. Must. As a result, the recording / playback completion time becomes longer.

 On the other hand, in the case of a tape cassette provided with MIC 4, an optional device area B 17 is provided for each partition, and mouthing / unmouthing in this area can be performed. It is possible. Since the history information of each device (2) is stored in the MIC 4, there is no need to access the system area B 14 on the magnetic tape. This reduces the access time during recording / playback.

Claims

The scope of the claims

 1. The tape-shaped recording medium is stored in the mounted cassette force cartridge, and the non-volatile memory is provided in the cartridge.

Identification means for identifying whether the tape cassette is the first tape cassette or a second tape cassette having no nonvolatile memory by storing a tape-shaped recording medium in a force cartridge;

 Based on the output of the identification means, at least the nonvolatile memory is initialized when the tape cassette is the first tape cassette, and the tape-shaped recording medium is initialized when the tape cassette is the second cassette. Recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing data on / from a tape-shaped recording medium included in the tape cassette initialized by the initializing means;

 An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising:

 2. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said initialization means records initialization information having a list structure in said non-volatile memory of said first tape cassette. .

 3. The initialization means classifies the tape-shaped recording medium into a plurality of recording units, and lists management information for each recording unit for managing data recorded in each recording unit as the initialization information. 3. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information recording / reproducing apparatus is generated in a data structure.

4. The management information according to claim 3, wherein the management information includes history information for data recorded in each recording unit and pointer information indicating a position where the history information is recorded for the next recording unit. Information recording / reproducing device described.

5. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pointer information further includes pointer information indicating a position where the history information is recorded with respect to a previous recording unit.

6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the initializing means initializes the tape-shaped recording medium with a structure different from a list structure.

7. The initialization means, when the cassette is the first tape cassette, initializes the tape-shaped recording medium subsequent to the initialization of the nonvolatile memory. The information recording / reproducing device as described in 1.

 8. Information recording for storing a tape-shaped recording medium in a cartridge and recording and reproducing data on and from the tape-shaped recording medium of a tape cassette provided with a nonvolatile memory in the cartridge. In the playback device, the tape-shaped recording medium is classified into a plurality of recording units based on the initialization data, and history information indicating a history of data recorded in each recording unit, and histories for the previous and next recording units Initialization means for generating management information including pointer information indicating a position where the information is recorded in a list structure and storing the management information in the nonvolatile memory;

 An information recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing data on / from the tape-shaped recording medium based on the management information recorded in the non-volatile memory.

9. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the initialization means initializes the tape-shaped recording medium subsequent to the initialization of the nonvolatile memory.