Copy management system, processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a copy management system, a processing method, and a program that can easily determine whether discarding a recording medium having data stored therein presents no problem.SOLUTION: A copy management system 1 comprises tape drives 203a, 203b being writing means that, when copying data, write copy information with which a second recording medium 204b being a copy destination of the data can be specified, in a first recording medium 204a being a copy source of the data, and writes, in the second recording medium, copy information with which the first recording medium can be specified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a copy management system, a processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Computers are used in a variety of fields. Because the data processed by computers is important, backups (copies of data) are made of much of the data and stored in the computers. Patent Document 1 discloses a related technique relating to a long-term data storage method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5618813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where a user wishes to discard a recording medium that stores data due to its aging or other reasons. However, there is a possibility that data may be stored only on that recording medium, and since this cannot be easily confirmed, the user may not be able to discard the recording medium. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can easily determine whether or not it is okay to discard a recording medium that stores data.

[0005] One of the objectives of each aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a copy management system, processing method, and program that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a copy management system includes: a writing unit for, when copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium as a copy destination of the data onto a first recording medium as a copy source of the data, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium onto the second recording medium; and a means for determining whether a medium position is EOD (End Of Data) when data has been read from the first recording medium. and a copy information holding means for, when the determining means determines that the medium position is the EOD, adding original information, a copy range, and a copy date and time of copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium as copy information, and, when the determining means determines that the medium position when data has been read from the first recording medium is not the EOD and is a copy information area, not adding the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium if it matches, and adding the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium if it does not match; a moving means for moving the EOD backward; and, when obtaining the copy information written to the recording medium, a copy information holding means for moving the medium position to the EOD, and then further moving the medium position by one tape mark in the backward direction, i.e., forward, reading the data for one tape mark, determining whether it is copy information based on the presence or absence of identification information, and, if it is copy information, holding the copy information in a buffer unit. .

[0007] To achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a processing method includes: A processing method executed by a copy management system, the method including, when copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium to which the data is to be copied to a first recording medium to which the data is to be copied, writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium to the second recording medium, and determining whether the medium position when reading data from the first recording medium has reached EOD (End Of Data). and when it is determined that the medium position when data has been read from the first recording medium is not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area, if the medium position matches, no additional information is added if the copy information matches, and if the copy information matches if the copy information matches, the copy information matches; moving the EOD backward. When the copy information written to the recording medium is to be retrieved, the medium position is moved to the EOD, and then moved backward, i.e., forward, by one tape mark, and data corresponding to one tape mark is read, and the data matches, whether it is copy information or not, and if it is copy information, the copy information is stored in a buffer. .

[0008] To achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a program includes: When copying data, copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium as a copy destination of the data is written to a first recording medium as a copy source of the data, and copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium is written to the second recording medium; and when data has been read from the first recording medium, the medium position is determined to be EOD (End Of Data). and when it is determined that the medium position when data has been read from the first recording medium is not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area, if the medium position matches, the computer does not add the copy information that can identify the second recording medium, and if the copy information that can identify the second recording medium does not match, the computer adds the copy information that can identify the second recording medium; and when it is determined that the medium position when data has been read from the first recording medium is not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area, the computer moves the EOD backward; and when obtaining the copy information written to the recording medium, the computer moves the medium position to the EOD, and further moves the medium position backward, i.e., forward, by one tape mark, reads the data for one tape mark, determines whether the data is copy information based on the presence or absence of identification information, and if the copy information is copy information, stores the copy information in a buffer unit. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to each aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily determine whether or not it is okay to discard a recording medium on which data is stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a copy management system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a copy information area in a recording medium according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a processing flow of the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the processing flow of the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the processing flow of the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing an example of data on a recording medium before the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure copies the data. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a process of writing data to a copy destination performed by the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a process of reading data from a copy destination performed by the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of an image of data stored in a source recording medium and a destination recording medium when the copy management system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure copies data. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a processing flow of a copy management system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a processing flow of the copy management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a processing flow of the copy management system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a processing flow of a copy management system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the processing flow of the copy management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a processing flow of the copy management system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 illustrates a minimum configuration of a copy management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of a copy management system with a minimum configuration according to an embodiment of the present [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment The copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that can easily determine whether or not it is okay to discard a recording medium that stores data.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The copy management system 1 includes a higher-level device 10 and a storage device 20.

[0013] The higher-level device 10 communicates with the storage device 20, and instructs a control unit 201 (described later) included in the storage device 20 to execute data copying, obtain copy information, and so on.

[0014] The storage device 20 includes a control unit 201 (an example of an instruction means), a buffer unit 202, a tape drive 203a (an example of a writing means), a tape drive 203b (an example of a writing means), a recording medium 204a, and a recording medium 204b. Hereinafter, the tape drive 203a and the tape drive 203b may be collectively referred to as tape drive 203. The recording medium 204a and the recording medium 204b may be collectively referred to as recording medium 204. The storage device 20 inserts a recording medium stored on a storage shelf or the like into the tape drive 203 to read and write data. The storage device 20 may be a library device that stores a plurality of recording media 204.

[0015] The control unit 201 performs various controls by accessing the buffer unit 202 and the tape drive 203. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 201 includes a copy information identification unit 201a, a copy information write instruction unit 201b, a copy information acquisition unit 201c, and a copy information comparison unit 201d.

[0016] When the control unit 201 reads data from the copy source recording medium 204a, the copy information identification unit 201a identifies whether the read data is copy information or not by using identification information 611, which will be described later. Details of copy information will be described later.

[0017] The control unit 201 issues an instruction to the tape drive 203b to write the copy information to the recording medium 204b using the copy information write instruction means 201b.

[0018] The copy information acquisition unit 201c causes the control unit 201 to acquire copy information from the recording medium 204a via the tape drive 203a.

[0019] Using the copy information comparison means 201d, the control unit 201 compares the information already written to the recording medium 204b (i.e., the copy information written last time) with the copy information that is currently being written to the recording medium 204b, and determines whether the contents of the copy information written last time differ from the contents of the copy information that is currently being written.

[0020] The processing performed by the control unit 201 is not limited to the above-described processing. For example, the control unit 201 may perform the processing described below.

[0021] The buffer unit 202 temporarily holds the data and copy information read from the recording medium 204 via the control unit 201 from the time of reading until the time of writing to the recording medium 204b.

[0022] In response to an instruction from the control unit 201, the tape drive 203 performs an operation to change the medium position of the recording medium 204, and reads and writes data from and to the changed medium position on the recording medium 204. The medium position is an area on the recording medium 204 that is the target of reading or writing. Tape drive 203a reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 204a. Tape drive 203b reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 204b.

[0023] The recording medium 204 is a recording medium on which data can be read and written. For convenience of explanation, in each embodiment of the present disclosure, the recording medium 204a is the source recording medium, and the recording medium 204b is the destination recording medium.

[0024] For example, user data to be copied is recorded on recording medium 204a. Recording medium 204b has a storage capacity equal to or greater than that of recording medium 204a. Recording medium 204 stores information such as the manufacturer name of recording medium 204 and the serial number of recording medium 204, which can be acquired by control unit 201 when recording medium 204 is loaded into tape drive 203.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the copy information area 6 in the recording medium 204 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The copy information area 6 in Fig. 2 is a storage area for storing copy information. As shown in Fig. 2, the copy information area 6 is a writable area that follows data #N and precedes the EOD (End Of Data).

[0026] The copy information area 6 has three areas: a first area, a second area, and a third area. The first area is an area for storing a header 61. The second area is an area for storing copy information 62a and copy information 62b. The third area is an area for storing a trailer 63.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the header 61 includes identification information 611 that identifies the beginning of the copy information area 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the copy information 62 includes copy information 62a and copy information 62b. The copy information 62 is information that can identify the recording medium 204, such as information about the recording medium 204 and copying. Specifically, for example, the copy information 62a includes a manufacturer name 621a of the destination recording medium for the first volume of the recording medium 204a, a serial number 622a, a copy range 623a of the data on the recording medium 204a, and a date and time 624a when the data was copied from the recording medium 204a. Furthermore, for example, the copy information 62b includes a manufacturer name 621b of the destination recording medium for the second volume of the recording medium 204a, a serial number 622b, a copy range 623b of the data on the recording medium 204a, and a date and time 624b when the data was copied from the recording medium 204a.

[0028] Hereinafter, manufacturer name 621a and manufacturer name 621b may be collectively referred to as manufacturer name 621. Serial number 622a and serial number 622b may be collectively referred to as serial number 622. Copy range 623a and copy range 623b may be collectively referred to as copy range 623. Copy date and time 624a and copy date and time 624b may be collectively referred to as copy date and time 624.

[0029] The copy range 623 indicates the range to be copied. The copy range 623 is expressed using block ID (IDentification) or the like. For example, if data #1 to data #N are the range to be copied, the copy range 623 is expressed by the first block ID of data #1 and the last block ID of data #N. Note that if the control unit 201 understands the data format, the copy range 623 may be expressed using identification information within each data item to identify the position of the data in the format.

[0030] When copy information 62 includes multiple pieces of copy information 62a, 62b, 62c, etc., the number of pieces of copy information 62 increases according to the number of volumes copied from the source recording medium 204a, such as copy information 62a being the first volume of recording medium 204a, copy information 62b being the second volume of recording medium 204a, and copy information 62c being the third volume of recording medium 204a. Trailer 63 includes identification information 631 indicating the end of copy information area 6.

[0031] Although not shown in Fig. 2, the copy information area 6 is surrounded by tape marks. The copy information area 6 may also be added to the attributes of an index partition of the LTFS (Linear Tape File System).

[0032] It should be noted that the processes performed by the higher-level device 10 and the storage device 20 in the copy management system 1 are not limited to those described above. For example, in the copy management system 1, the higher-level device 10 and the storage device 20 may perform the processes described below.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a third example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the processing performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0034] First, the process of writing data to a copy destination performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] The control unit 201 acquires the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information from the copy source recording medium 204a via the tape drive 203a (step S101). The buffer unit 202 holds the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information acquired by the control unit 201.

[0036] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203b to write the data held in the buffer unit 202 (data already read in the process of step S202, which will be described later) to the copy destination recording medium 204b (step S102). The control unit 201 also instructs the tape drive 203b to write copy information 62, including the manufacturer name 621, serial number 622, copy range 623, and copy date and time 624 of the recording medium 204a, which is the copy source of the data held in the buffer unit 202, to the copy destination recording medium 204b (step S103). In this case, the tape drive 203b writes the data and copy information of the recording medium 204a to the recording medium 204b.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data on the recording medium 204 before the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure copies the data. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a process of writing copy information to a copy destination, performed by the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Through the processes of steps S101 to S103, the copy management system 1 changes the state of the copy source recording medium 204a shown in Fig. 6, in which the copy source recording medium 204a does not contain copy information and the data on the copy destination recording medium 204b is empty, to a state of the copy source recording medium 204a shown in Fig. 7, in which copy information is written to the copy source recording medium 204a by a process described below, the copy information including the manufacturer name, serial number, copy range, and copy date and time of the copy destination recording medium 204b.

[0038] Next, the process of reading data from the copy source performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] The control unit 201 acquires in advance the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b via the tape drive 203b (step S201). The buffer unit 202 holds the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b acquired by the control unit 201.

[0040] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to read data from the copy source recording medium 204a (step S202). The tape drive 203a reads the data from the copy source recording medium 204a in response to the instruction. The buffer unit 202 holds the data read by the tape drive 203a. The control unit 201 determines whether the medium position when the tape drive 203a finishes reading the data from the recording medium 204a is EOD (step S203).

[0041] If the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading data from the recording medium 204a is not EOD (NO in step S203), it determines whether the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading data from the recording medium 204a is copy information area 6 (step S204). If the control unit 201 determines that the medium position is not copy information area 6 (NO in step S204), it instructs the tape drive 203a to change the medium position to the next area (step S205). Then, the control unit 201 returns to the processing of step S202.

[0042] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a finishes reading data from the recording medium 204a is EOD (YES in step S203), it instructs the tape drive 203a to add copy information including the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b, the copy range, and the copy date and time (step S206). In response to the instruction, the tape drive 203a adds the original information (manufacturer name 621a, serial number 622a, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b, the copy range 623a, and the copy date and time 624a, to the recording medium 204a as copy information 62a. Furthermore, the control unit 201 moves the EOD of the recording medium 204a backward (step S207). Then, the control unit 201 ends the process.

[0043] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the medium position is the copy information area 6 (YES in step S204), it compares the copy information 62a stored in the written source recording medium 204a with the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information on the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S201. Then, based on the comparison result, the control unit 201 determines whether the copy information 62a stored in the written source recording medium 204a matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information on the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S201 (step S208).

[0044] If the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the copy source recording medium 204a, to which the copy information has already been written, does not match (is different from) the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S201 (NO in step S208), the control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to add the original information (manufacturer name 621b, serial number 622b, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b, copy range 623b, and copy date and time 624b to the copy information area 6 as copy information 62b on the copy source recording medium 204a (step S206). In response to the instruction, the tape drive 203a adds the copy information 62b to the copy information area 6 on the copy source recording medium 204a. The control unit 201 also moves the EOD of the recording medium 204a back (step S207).

[0045] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the source recording medium 204a, which has already been written, matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S201 (YES in step S208), the control unit 201 terminates the processing.

[0046] 8 is a conceptual diagram of a process of writing copy information to a copy source, performed by the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Through the processes of steps S201 to S208, the copy management system 1 causes the copy source recording medium 204a shown in FIG. 8 to include copy information. That is, through the processes of steps S201 to S208, if the copy management system 1 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the copy source recording medium 204a written in the process of step S208 is different from the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S201, as shown in FIG. 8, the copy management system 1 adds the original information (manufacturer name 621b, serial number 622b, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S201 as copy information 62b to the copy source recording medium 204a.

[0047] Next, the process of acquiring copy information performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to change the medium position to EOD (step S301). Next, the control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to change the medium position backward (i.e., forward) by one tape mark (step S302). The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to read data for one tape mark from the current medium position. From the read data, the control unit 201 determines whether the current medium position is in the copy information area 6 based on the identification information 611 (step S303).

[0049] If the control unit 201 determines that the data read in step S303 is copy information area 6 (YES in step S303), it stores copy information 62 in the buffer unit 202 (step S304). If the control unit 201 determines that the data read in step S303 is not copy information area 6 (NO in step S303), it discards the data read in step S303 (step S305) and ends the process.

[0050] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image of data stored on a source recording medium and a destination recording medium when data is copied by the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. By performing the above-described processing by the copy management system 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the source recording medium 204a stores copy information (referred to as "copy information B" and "copy information C" in FIG. 9) including the manufacturer name, serial number, copy range, and copy date and time of the destination recording media 204b and 204c. Furthermore, each of the destination recording media 204b and 204c stores the data stored on the source recording medium 204a and copy information (referred to as "copy information A" in FIG. 9) including the manufacturer name, serial number, copy range, and copy date and time of the recording medium 204a.

[0051] The copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. In the copy management system 1, when copying data, the tape drive 203 (an example of a writing unit) writes copy information capable of identifying a recording medium 204b (an example of a second recording medium) that is a destination of the data to a recording medium 204a (an example of a first recording medium) that is a source of the data, and writes copy information capable of identifying the recording medium 204a to the recording medium 204b.

[0052] This copy management system 1 makes it easy to identify whether the same data (i.e., a copy of the data) as that stored on a recording medium exists on another recording medium, and as a result, it is easy to determine whether it is okay to discard the recording medium storing that data.

[0053] Furthermore, the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can immediately identify the recording medium to which data is to be copied. As a result, the copy management system 1 can easily determine whether data can be deleted when the operating policy of the recording medium is changed or when the recording medium is disposed of, without placing a burden on the host device.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when it is desired to delete all specific data, including copies, from a recording medium, it is possible to easily identify the recording medium to which the data to be deleted has been copied.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the data management information held by the higher-level device is corrupted in a configuration in which data copies are always made, it is possible to easily identify the recording medium to which the data is to be copied.

[0056] Second Embodiment (Copy Management System Configuration) The copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a recording medium 204 having a partition function.

[0057] (Processing performed by the copy management system) 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the processing of writing data to the copy destination recording medium 204b performed by the control unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] The control unit 201 acquires the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy source recording medium 204a via the tape drive 203a (step S401). Then, the control unit 201 stores the acquired original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information in the buffer unit 202.

[0059] The control unit 201 also instructs the tape drive 203b to write the data stored in the buffer unit 202 (which has already been read in the process of step S502 in FIG. 11, which will be described later) to the destination recording medium 204b (step S402). The control unit 201 then instructs the tape drive 203b to change the medium position to a partition dedicated to copy information on the destination recording medium 204b (step S403). The control unit 201 then instructs the tape drive 203b to write copy information 62, which includes the manufacturer name 621, serial number 622, copy range 623, and copy date and time 624 of the source recording medium 204a stored in the buffer unit 202, to the destination recording medium 204b (step S404). In this case, the tape drive 203b writes the copy information 62 from the recording medium 204a to the recording medium 204b. The copy information 62 is written to a partition dedicated to copy information on the recording medium 204b.

[0060] 11 is a diagram showing a second example of the processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, the processing of reading data from the copy source performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] The control unit 201 acquires in advance the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b via the tape drive 203b (step S501). The buffer unit 202 holds the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b acquired by the control unit 201.

[0062] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to read data from the copy source recording medium 204a (step S502). The tape drive 203a reads the data from the copy source recording medium 204a in response to the instruction. The buffer unit 202 holds the data read by the tape drive 203a. The control unit 201 determines whether the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading the data from the recording medium 204a is EOD or not (step S503).

[0063] If the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a finishes reading data from the recording medium 204a is not EOD (NO in step S503), it instructs the tape drive 203a to change the medium position on the recording medium 204a to the next area (step S504).Then, the control unit 201 returns to the processing of step S502.

[0064] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a finishes reading data from the recording medium 204a is EOD (YES in step S503), it instructs the tape drive 203a to change the medium position to the partition dedicated to copy information on the recording medium 204a (step S505). Then, the control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to read data equivalent to one tape mark. From the read data, the control unit 201 determines whether copy information exists in the partition dedicated to copy information based on the identification information 611 (step S506).

[0065] If the control unit 201 determines that there is no copy information in the partition dedicated to copy information (NO in step S506), it instructs the tape drive 203a to write the manufacturer name 621a, serial number 622a, copy range 623a, and copy date and time 624a of the recording medium 204b, which is the copy destination of the data held in the buffer unit 202, as copy information 62a to the partition dedicated to copy information of the recording medium 204a, which is the copy source (step S507). In this case, the tape drive 203a writes the copy information of the recording medium 204b to the recording medium 204a. The copy information is written to the partition dedicated to copy information of the recording medium 204a. Then, the control unit 201 ends the process.

[0066] Furthermore, when the control unit 201 determines that copy information exists in the partition dedicated to copy information (YES in step S506), it compares the copy information 62a stored in the written source recording medium 204a with the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information on the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S501. Then, based on the comparison result, the control unit 201 determines whether the copy information 62a stored in the written source recording medium 204a matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information on the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S501 (step S508).

[0067] If the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the source recording medium 204a to which data has already been written does not match the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S501 (NO in step S508), the control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to write the manufacturer name 621b, serial number 622b, copy range 623b, and copy date and time 624b of the recording medium 204b to which the data held in the buffer unit 202 is to be copied as copy information 62b in the copy information area 6 to a partition dedicated to copy information on the source recording medium 204a (step S507).

[0068] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the source recording medium 204a, which has already been written, matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S501 (YES in step S508), the control unit 201 terminates the processing.

[0069] 12 is a diagram showing a third example of the processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, the processing performed by the copy management system 1 to acquire copy information will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to change the medium position to the partition dedicated to copy information (step S601). The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to read the copy information from the partition dedicated to copy information (step S602). In this case, the tape drive 203 reads the copy information from a predetermined partition in the recording medium 204.

[0071] The copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to change the medium position to a partition dedicated to copy information and to write the copy information. The tape drive 203 writes the copy information to a predetermined partition in each of the recording media 204.

[0072] In the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when copy information is written, the checksum changes. Also, in the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when data is added, the copy information is no longer before the EOD, and it becomes impossible to obtain or add copy information.

[0073] The copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage that the checksum does not change even when copy information is written to the copy source recording medium 204a, compared to the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the copy management system 1 has the advantage that the partition dedicated to copy information prevents the recorded copy information from becoming invalid even when user data is added to the recording medium 204 on which copy information has already been recorded, compared to the copy management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] <Third embodiment> (Copy Management System Configuration) The copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure records copy information in a cartridge memory of a cartridge that stores a recording medium 204, instead of the partition dedicated to copy information in the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0075] (Processing performed by the copy management system) 13 is a diagram showing a first example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the processing of writing data to the destination recording medium 204b performed by the control unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] The control unit 201 acquires the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy source recording medium 204a via the tape drive 203a (step S701). Then, the control unit 201 stores the acquired original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information in the buffer unit 202.

[0077] The control unit 201 also instructs the tape drive 203b to write the data held in the buffer unit 202 (which has been read in the process of step S802 in FIG. 14, which will be described later) to the copy destination recording medium 204b (step S702). The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203b to write copy information 62, including the manufacturer name 621, serial number 622, copy range 623, and copy date and time 624 of the recording medium 204a, which is the copy source of the data held in the buffer unit 202, to a cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the copy destination recording medium 204b (step S703). In this case, the tape drive 203b writes the copy information 62 of the recording medium 204a to the cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the recording medium 204b.

[0078] 14 is a diagram showing a second example of the processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, the processing of reading data from the copy source performed by the copy management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] The control unit 201 acquires in advance the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b via the tape drive 203b (step S801). The buffer unit 202 holds the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b acquired by the control unit 201.

[0080] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203a to read data from the copy source recording medium 204a (step S802). The tape drive 203a reads the data from the copy source recording medium 204a in response to the instruction. The buffer unit 202 holds the data read by the tape drive 203a. The control unit 201 determines whether the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading the data from the recording medium 204a is EOD or not (step S803).

[0081] If the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading data from the recording medium 204a is not EOD (NO in step S803), it instructs the tape drive 203a to change the medium position on the recording medium 204a to the next area (step S804).Then, the control unit 201 returns to the processing of step S802.

[0082] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the medium position when the tape drive 203a has finished reading data from the recording medium 204a is EOD (YES in step S803), it instructs the tape drive 203a to read the data stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the source recording medium 204a from that cartridge memory (step S805).Then, the control unit 201 determines whether or not copy information is present in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the recording medium 204a based on the identification information 611 (step S806).

[0083] If the control unit 201 determines that there is no copy information in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the recording medium 204a (NO in step S806), it instructs the tape drive 203a to write the manufacturer name 621a, serial number 622a, copy range 623a, and copy date and time 624a of the recording medium 204b, which is the copy destination of the data held in the buffer unit 202, as copy information 62a in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the recording medium 204a, which is the copy source (step S807). In this case, the tape drive 203a writes the copy information of the recording medium 204b in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the recording medium 204a.

[0084] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that copy information exists in the cartridge memory of the cartridge storing the recording medium 204a (YES in step S806), it compares the copy information 62a stored in the written copy source recording medium 204a with the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S801. Then, based on the comparison result, the control unit 201 determines whether the copy information 62a stored in the written copy source recording medium 204a matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the copy destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S801 (step S808).

[0085] If the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the source recording medium 204a to which data has already been written does not match the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the destination recording medium 204b held in the buffer unit 202 in step S801 (NO in step S808), it instructs the tape drive 203a to write the manufacturer name 621b, serial number 622b, copy range 623b, and copy date and time 624b of the recording medium 204b to which the data held in the buffer unit 202 is to be copied to the cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the source recording medium 204a (step S807).

[0086] Furthermore, if the control unit 201 determines that the copy information 62a stored in the source recording medium 204a, which has already been written, matches the original information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.) of the copy information of the destination recording medium 204b held by the buffer unit 202 in step S801 (YES in step S808), it terminates the processing.

[0087] 15 is a diagram showing a third example of the processing flow of the copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, the processing performed by the copy management system 1 to acquire copy information will be described with reference to FIG.

[0088] The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to read copy information from a cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the recording medium 204 (step S901). In this case, the tape drive 203 reads copy information from the cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the recording medium 204.

[0089] The copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. The control unit 201 instructs the tape drive 203 to write copy information from the cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores the recording medium 204. The tape drive 203 writes the copy information to the cartridge memory of the cartridge that stores each of the recording media 204.

[0090] In the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, if the recording medium 204 is write-protected, copy information cannot be written.

[0091] The copy management system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to record copy information even when the recording medium 204 is write-protected, compared to the copy management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] 16 is a diagram showing a minimum configuration of a copy management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The copy management system 1 includes a writing unit 100. When copying data, the writing unit 100 writes copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium and the second recording medium to both a first recording medium, which is the source of the data, and a second recording medium, which is the destination of the data. The writing unit 100 can be realized, for example, using the functions of the control unit 201, tape drive 203a, and tape drive 203b illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0093] 17 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the copy management system 1 with a minimum configuration according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, the processing of the copy management system 1 with a minimum configuration according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0094] In the copy management system 1, when copying data, the writing means 100 writes copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium and the second recording medium to both the first recording medium from which the data is copied and the second recording medium to which the data is copied (step S1001).

[0095] The above describes a copy management system 1 with a minimum configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This copy management system 1 makes it possible to easily determine whether or not it is acceptable to discard a recording medium that stores data.

[0096] The order of the processes in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed as long as the processes are performed appropriately.

[0097] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the copy management system 1, the higher-level device 10, the storage device 20, and other control devices may have computer systems built in. The above-described processing steps are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer reads and executes this program to perform the above processing. Specific examples of computers are shown below.

[0098] 18 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the computer 5 includes a CPU 6, a main memory 7, a storage 8, and an interface 9. For example, the copy management system 1, the higher-level device 10, the storage device 20, and other control devices described above are each implemented in the computer 5. The operations of each of the processing units described above are stored in the storage 8 in the form of a program. The CPU 6 reads the program from the storage 8, loads it into the main memory 7, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The CPU 6 also allocates storage areas in the main memory 7 corresponding to each of the storage units described above in accordance with the program.

[0099] Examples of storage 8 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and a semiconductor memory. Storage 8 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of computer 5, or an external medium connected to computer 5 via interface 9 or a communication line. In addition, when this program is distributed to computer 5 via a communication line, computer 5 that receives the program may load the program into main memory 7 and execute the above-mentioned processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 8 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0100] The program may also implement some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a file that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0101] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Various additions, omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0102] Note that part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0103] (Appendix 1) a writing means for, when copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium to which the data is to be copied onto a first recording medium to which the data is to be copied, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium onto the second recording medium; A copy management system comprising:

[0104] (Appendix 2) The writing means writing the copy information to a predetermined partition on each of the first recording medium and the second recording medium; 1. A copy control system as described in Appendix 1.

[0105] (Appendix 3) The writing means writing the copy information into a memory provided in each of a first cartridge storing the first recording medium and a second cartridge storing the second recording medium; 10. A copy control system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0106] (Appendix 4) an instruction means for instructing the writing means to write the copy information; Equipped with The writing means writing the copy information in response to an instruction from the instruction means; 4. The copy management system according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0107] (Appendix 5) When copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium as a copy destination of the data to a first recording medium as a copy source of the data, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium to the second recording medium; A processing method comprising:

[0108] (Appendix 6) When copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium as a copy destination of the data to a first recording medium as a copy source of the data, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium to the second recording medium; A program that causes a computer to execute the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1. Copy Management System 5. Computer 6 CPU 7. Main memory 8. Storage 9. Interface 10. Host device 20. Storage device 201 Control unit 202 Buffer section 203, 203a, 203b... Tape drives 204, 204a, 204b... Recording medium

Claims

1. a writing means for, when copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium to which the data is to be copied onto a first recording medium to which the data is to be copied, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium onto the second recording medium; a determination means for determining whether a medium position when data has been read from the first recording medium is an EOD (End Of Data) position; an appending means for appending original information, a copy range, and a copy date and time of copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium as copy information when the determining means determines that the medium position is the EOD, and for not appending when the medium position at the time when data reading from the first recording medium is completed is determined to be not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area and the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium matches, and for appending the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium when the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium does not match; A moving means for moving the EOD backward; a copy information holding means for, when retrieving the copy information written on the recording medium, moving the medium position to the EOD, then moving the medium position in the reverse direction, i.e., forward direction, by one tape mark, reading data for one tape mark, determining whether the data is copy information based on the presence or absence of identification information, and holding the copy information in a buffer section if the data is copy information; A copy management system comprising:

2. an instruction means for instructing the writing means to write the copy information; Equipped with The writing means is writing the copy information in response to an instruction from the instruction means; The copy management system according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. A processing method executed by a copy management system, comprising: When copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium to which the data is to be copied to a first recording medium to which the data is to be copied, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium to the second recording medium; determining whether a medium position when data reading from the first recording medium is completed is an EOD (End Of Data); when it is determined that the medium position is the EOD, original information, copy range, and copy date and time of copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium are added as copy information, and when it is determined that the medium position at the time when data reading from the first recording medium is completed is not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area, if the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium matches, no addition is made, and if the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium does not match, the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium is added. moving the EOD backwards; When acquiring the copy information written on the recording medium, the medium position is moved to the EOD, and then the medium position is moved in the reverse direction, i.e., forward direction, by one tape mark, and data of one tape mark is read, and it is determined whether or not the information is copy information based on the presence or absence of identification information, and if the information is copy information, the copy information is stored in a buffer section; A processing method comprising:

4. When copying data, writing copy information capable of identifying a second recording medium to which the data is to be copied to a first recording medium to which the data is to be copied, and writing copy information capable of identifying the first recording medium to the second recording medium; determining whether a medium position when data reading from the first recording medium is completed is an EOD (End Of Data); when it is determined that the medium position is the EOD, original information, copy range, and copy date and time of copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium are added as copy information, and when it is determined that the medium position at the time when data reading from the first recording medium is completed is not the EOD and is determined to be a copy information area, if the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium matches, no addition is made, and if the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium does not match, the copy information capable of identifying the second recording medium is added. moving the EOD backwards; When acquiring the copy information written on the recording medium, the medium position is moved to the EOD, and then the medium position is moved in the reverse direction, i.e., forward direction, by one tape mark, and data of one tape mark is read, and it is determined whether or not the information is copy information based on the presence or absence of identification information, and if the information is copy information, the copy information is stored in a buffer section; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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