Non-contact storage media, magnetic tape cassettes, working methods of non-contact storage media, and storage media

Abstract

This invention relates to a contactless storage medium, a magnetic tape cassette, a method for operating the contactless storage medium, and the storage medium itself. The contactless storage medium mounted on the magnetic tape cassette includes an IC chip connected to an antenna that is electromagnetically coupled to the communication destination via a magnetic field supplied from the destination, and communicates with the communication destination via the magnetic field. The IC chip corresponds to multiple communication standards and selectively uses multiple communication standards for communication.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The technology of the present application relates to a non-contact storage medium, a tape cartridge, a method of operating a non-contact storage medium, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] A tape cartridge is disclosed in International Publication No. 2019 / 198323. A magnetic tape is housed in the tape cartridge. The tape cartridge is loaded in a tape drive device and used. A head unit is mounted in the tape drive device. The head unit selectively performs writing and reading of data to and from the magnetic tape.

[0003] The tape cartridge described in International Publication No. 2019 / 198323 mounts a cartridge memory. Information that manages the magnetic tape is stored in the cartridge memory. The cartridge memory is a non-contact storage medium that mounts an antenna coil and an IC chip or the like on a substrate. In International Publication No. 2019 / 198323, as the non-contact storage medium, an RFID (radio frequency identifier) tag is exemplified. A reader / writer is mounted in the tape drive device. The reader / writer performs reading and writing of information to and from the cartridge memory in a non-contact manner by performing wireless communication between the cartridge memory. SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the technology of the present application provides a non-contact storage medium, a tape cartridge, a method of operating a non-contact storage medium, and a program, which enable the non-contact storage medium mounted in the tape cartridge to perform non-contact communication with a communication destination of various communication standards, as compared with a case where the IC chip provided in the non-contact storage medium mounted in the tape cartridge uses only one communication standard to perform non-contact communication with the communication destination.

[0005] Means for solving the technical problem

[0006] A first aspect of the technology of the present application is a non-contact storage medium mounted in a tape cartridge, the non-contact storage medium including an IC chip connected to an antenna that is electromagnetically inductively coupled with a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and that performs communication with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponding to a plurality of communication standards and selectively using the plurality of communication standards to perform communication.

[0007] A second aspect of the technology of the present application is the non-contact storage medium according to the first aspect, wherein the communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices, and the plurality of communication devices have any one of the plurality of communication standards.

[0008] The technology according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the IC chip has a nonvolatile memory, stores the compatible communication standard information indicating the compatible communication standard selected based on the determination result in the nonvolatile memory, and communicates with the communication destination using the compatible communication standard indicated by the compatible communication standard information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and erases the compatible communication standard information in the nonvolatile memory as a condition of power shortage.

[0009] The technology according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the IC chip decodes the communication command of which the communication standard is determined by the determination circuit, and transmits a response signal corresponding to an instruction obtained by decoding the communication command to the communication destination using the compatible communication standard.

[0010] The technology according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the IC chip communicates with the communication destination using the compatible communication standard until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0011] The technology according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition of power shortage for driving the IC chip.

[0012] The technology according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the IC chip has a nonvolatile memory, stores the compatible communication standard information indicating the compatible communication standard selected based on the determination result in the nonvolatile memory, and communicates with the communication destination using the compatible communication standard indicated by the compatible communication standard information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and erases the compatible communication standard information in the nonvolatile memory as a condition of power shortage.

[0013] The technology according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the IC chip has a nonvolatile memory, stores the compatible communication standard information indicating the compatible communication standard selected based on the determination result in the nonvolatile memory, and communicates with the communication destination using the compatible communication standard indicated by the compatible communication standard information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and erases the compatible communication standard information in the nonvolatile memory as a condition of power shortage.

[0014] The technology according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein the IC chip skips the determination based on the determination circuit until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0015] The technology according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the third to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein a data length of the communication command is different for each communication standard, and the determination circuit determines the communication standard of the communication command based on the data length.

[0016] The 11th aspect of the present technology is the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the third to tenth aspects, in which the communication command is a special command for determination of a communication standard based on the determination circuit.

[0017] The 12th aspect of the present technology is the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the third to tenth aspects, in which the communication command is a polling command.

[0018] The 13th aspect of the present technology is the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, in which the communication destination is a reader / writer mounted on a drive of a loaded tape cartridge.

[0019] The 14th aspect of the present technology is a tape cartridge including: the noncontact storage medium according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects; and a magnetic tape, the noncontact storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape.

[0020] The 15th aspect of the present technology is a method of operating a noncontact storage medium mounted on a tape cartridge, the noncontact storage medium including an IC chip connected to an antenna electromagnetically coupled to a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and performing communication with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponding to a plurality of communication standards, the method of operating the noncontact storage medium including: the IC chip selectively using the plurality of communication standards for communication.

[0021] The 16th aspect of the present technology is a program for causing a computer applicable to a noncontact storage medium mounted on a tape cartridge to execute a process, the noncontact storage medium including an IC chip connected to an antenna electromagnetically coupled to a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and performing communication with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponding to a plurality of communication standards, the process including: the IC chip selectively using the plurality of communication standards for communication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a tape cartridge.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a structure of a right rear end portion of an inner side of a lower housing of a tape cartridge.

[0024] Figure 3 is a side sectional view showing an example of a support member provided to an inner surface of a lower housing of a tape cartridge.

[0025] Figure 4 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive.

[0026] Figure 5 Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a method of releasing a magnetic field from the lower side of a magnetic tape cartridge by a non-contact type read / write device.

[0027] Figure 6 Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of applying a magnetic field to a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge from a non-contact type read / write device.

[0028] Figure 7 Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a structure of the back surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0029] Figure 8 Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a structure of the front surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0030] Figure 9 Fig. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0031] Figure 10 Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer of an IC chip mounted on a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0032] Figure 11 Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of a CPU.

[0033] Figure 12 Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing contents of a non-contact type read / write device, a communication section, a determination section, and a setting section.

[0034] Figure 13 Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing contents of the setting section.

[0035] Figure 14 Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing contents of the communication section.

[0036] Figure 15 Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing contents of the communication section and the setting section.

[0037] Figure 16 Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a communication standard setting process.

[0038] Figure 17 Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing contents when storing a currently set parameter in a RAM.

[0039] Figure 18 Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a method of determining a communication standard according to the data length of a communication command.

[0040] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a manner in which the communication standard setting program is installed in a computer from a storage medium in which the communication standard setting program is stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a non-contact storage medium, a tape cartridge, a method of operation of the non-contact storage medium, and a program to which the technology of the present application is directed will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] First, words and phrases used in the following description will be explained.

[0043] CPU is an abbreviation for "Central Processing Unit". RAM is an abbreviation for "Random Access Memory". DRAM is an abbreviation for "Dynamic Random Access Memory". SRAM is an abbreviation for "Static Random Access Memory". NVM is an abbreviation for "Non-Volatile Memory". ROM is an abbreviation for "ReadOnly Memory". EEPROM is an abbreviation for "Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory". SSD is an abbreviation for "Solid State Drive". USB is an abbreviation for "Universal Serial Bus". ASIC is an abbreviation for "Application Specific Integrated Circuit". PLD is an abbreviation for "Programmable Logic Device". FPGA is an abbreviation for "Field-Programmable Gate Array". SoC is an abbreviation for "System-on-a-Chip". IC is an abbreviation for "Integrated Circuit". RFID is an abbreviation for "Radio Frequency IDentifier". LTO is an abbreviation for "Linear Tape-Open". IBM is an abbreviation for "International Business Machines Corporation".

[0044] In the following description, for the sake of convenience, in Figure 1 , an arrow A indicates a direction in which the tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the tape drive 30 (refer to Figure 4 ). The arrow A direction is set as a front direction of the tape cartridge 10, and the front direction side of the tape cartridge 10 is set as a front side of the tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "front" means the front side of the tape cartridge 10.

[0045] Also, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, inFigure 1 In the following description of the structure, arrow B, which is orthogonal to arrow A, is defined as the right direction, and the right side of tape cassette 10 is defined as the right side of tape cassette 10. In the following description of the structure, "right" refers to the right side of tape cassette 10.

[0046] Furthermore, in the following explanation, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 In the diagram, arrow C represents a direction orthogonal to both arrow A and arrow B. Arrow C is defined as the upward direction of tape cassette 10, and the upward side of tape cassette 10 is defined as the upper side of tape cassette 10. In the following description of the structure, "upper" refers to the upper side of tape cassette 10.

[0047] Furthermore, in the following explanation, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 In this design, the direction opposite to the front direction of the tape cassette 10 is defined as the rear direction of the tape cassette 10, and the rear side of the tape cassette 10 is defined as the rear side of the tape cassette 10. In the following description of the structure, "rear" refers to the rear side of the tape cassette 10.

[0048] Furthermore, in the following explanation, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 In this design, the direction opposite to the upward direction of the tape cassette 10 is defined as the downward direction of the tape cassette 10, and the downward side of the tape cassette 10 is defined as the lower side of the tape cassette 10. In the following description of the structure, "lower" refers to the lower side of the tape cassette 10.

[0049] Furthermore, in the following description, LTO is used as an example of the standard for tape cartridge 10, but this is just one example and other standards such as IBM 3592 can also be used.

[0050] As an example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the tape cassette 10 is generally rectangular in top view and has a box-shaped housing 12. The housing 12 is made of resin such as polycarbonate and has an upper housing 14 and a lower housing 16. The upper housing 14 and the lower housing 16 are joined together by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding) and screw fixing, with the lower peripheral surface of the upper housing 14 in contact with the upper peripheral surface of the lower housing 16. The joining method is not limited to welding and screw fixing, and other joining methods may also be used.

[0051] A magnetic tape cassette reel 18 is rotatably housed inside the housing 12. The magnetic tape cassette reel 18 includes a reel hub 18A, an upper flange 18B1, and a lower flange 18B2. The reel hub 18A is cylindrical. The reel hub 18A is the central portion of the magnetic tape cassette reel 18, with its axis aligned vertically along the housing 12 and positioned at the center of the housing 12. The upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2 are both annular. The upper flange 18B1 is fixed to the center of the upper flange in plan view at the upper end of the reel hub 18A, and the lower flange 18B2 is fixed to the center of the lower flange in plan view at the lower end of the reel hub 18A. A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub 18A, and the width end of the magnetic tape MT is held by the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2.

[0052] An opening 12B is formed on the front side of the right wall 12A of the housing 12. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out through the opening 12B.

[0053] As an example, such as Figure 2 As shown, a cartridge memory 19 is mounted in the tape cassette 10. Figure 2 In the example shown, a cassette memory 19 is housed at the right rear end of the lower housing 16. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cassette memory 19. Furthermore, the cassette memory 19 is an example of the "contactless storage medium" involved in the technology of this invention.

[0054] The cartridge memory 19 stores information related to the magnetic tape MT (illustration omitted). The information related to the magnetic tape MT refers to, for example, management information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10 (illustration omitted). The management information includes, for example, information related to the cartridge memory 19, information that can identify the magnetic tape cartridge 10, information indicating the recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, a summary of the information recorded in the magnetic tape MT (hereinafter also referred to as "recording information"), the items of the recording information, and the recording format of the recording information.

[0055] The cartridge memory 19 performs contactless communication with an external communication device (not shown). Examples of such external communication devices include, for instance, the read / write device used in the manufacturing process of the tape cartridge 10 and the tape drive (e.g., Figure 4 The read / write device (e.g., tape drive 30) used in the tape drive 30 is shown. Figures 4-6 The non-contact reading and writing device 50 shown.

[0056] The external communication device reads and writes various information to the cassette memory 19 in a non-contact manner. Details will be described later. The cassette memory 19 reads and writes information via a magnetic field MF (reference) applied from the external communication device. Figure 5It generates electricity by acting electromagnetically. Then, the cassette memory 19 uses the generated electricity to operate and communicates with an external communication device via a magnetic field, thereby sending and receiving various information with the external communication device.

[0057] As an example, such as Figure 2 As shown, a support member 20 is provided on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A at the right rear end of the lower housing 16. The support member 20 is a pair of tilting platforms that support the cassette memory 19 from below in an inclined state. The pair of tilting platforms are a first tilting platform 20A and a second tilting platform 20B. The first tilting platform 20A and the second tilting platform 20B are arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction of the housing 12 and are integral with the inner surface of the rear wall 16B and the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A of the lower housing 16. The first tilting platform 20A has an inclined surface 20A1 that slopes downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. The second tilting platform 20B has an inclined surface 20B1 that also slopes downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A.

[0058] On the front side of the support member 20, a pair of limiting ribs 22 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The pair of limiting ribs 22 are vertically provided on the inner surface of the base plate 16A, limiting the position of the lower end of the cassette memory 19 arranged in the support member 20.

[0059] As an example, such as Figure 3 As shown, a reference surface 16A1 is formed on the outer surface of the base plate 16A. The reference surface 16A1 is a plane. Here, a plane refers to a plane that is parallel to the horizontal plane when the base plate 16A is used as the lower side and the lower housing 16 is placed on a horizontal plane. Here, "parallel" means not only perfectly parallel, but also parallel in the sense of a degree of error that is generally permissible in the technical field to which this invention pertains and does not violate the technical spirit of this invention. The tilt angle θ of the support member 20 is the tilt surface 20A1 and the tilt surface 20B1 (see reference). Figure 2 The tilt angle of the plane is 45 degrees relative to the reference plane 16A1. In addition, 45 degrees is just one example, and it can also be "0 degrees < tilt angle θ < 45 degrees".

[0060] The cassette memory 19 includes a substrate 26. The substrate 26 is placed on a support member 20 with its back surface 26A facing downwards, and the support member 20 supports the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 from below. A portion of the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 is connected to the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 of the support member 20 (see reference). Figure 2 The surface 26B of the substrate 26 is exposed to the inner surface 14A1 side of the top plate 14A of the upper housing 14.

[0061] The upper housing 14 has a plurality of ribs 24. The plurality of ribs 24 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the housing 12. The plurality of ribs 24 protrude downward from the inner surface 14A1 of the top plate 14A of the upper housing 14, and the front end face 24A of each rib 24 has inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (see reference). Figure 2 The corresponding inclined surface. That is, the front end surface 24A of each rib 24 is inclined at 45 degrees relative to the reference surface 16A1.

[0062] With the cassette memory 19 disposed on the support member 20, as described above, when the upper housing 14 is engaged with the lower housing 16, the front end face 24A of each rib 24 contacts the substrate 26 from the surface 26B side, and the substrate 26 is held by the front end face 24A of each rib 24 and the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 of the support member 20. Thus, the vertical position of the cassette memory 19 is restricted by the ribs 24.

[0063] As an example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the magnetic tape drive 30 includes a transport device 34, a read head 36, and a control device 38. A magnetic tape cassette 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 is a device for pulling out a magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cassette 10 and reading recorded information from the pulled-out magnetic tape MT in a linear scanning manner using the read head 36. Furthermore, in this embodiment, reading recorded information refers to the playback of recorded information. While the reading of recorded information based on the read head 36 is illustrated here, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this; data can also be written to the magnetic tape MT using a write head, or data can be written to or read from the magnetic tape MT using a magnetic head.

[0064] The control device 38 controls the overall operation of the tape drive 30. In this embodiment, the control device 38 is implemented using an ASIC, but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 38 can also be implemented using an FPGA. Furthermore, the control device 38 can also be implemented using a computer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Moreover, it can also be implemented by combining two or more of the following: ASIC, FPGA, and computer. That is, the control device 38 can also be implemented using a combination of hardware and software structures.

[0065] The conveying device 34 is a device for selectively conveying magnetic tape MT in both forward and reverse directions, and includes a feed motor 40, a take-up reel 42, a take-up motor 44, multiple guide rollers GR, and a control device 38.

[0066] The delivery motor 40 rotates the tape reel 18 inside the tape cassette 10 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the rotation direction, speed, and torque of the tape reel 18 by controlling the delivery motor 40.

[0067] When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the feed-out motor 40 in a manner to make the magnetic tape MT travel in the forward direction. The rotation speed and torque of the feed-out motor 40 and the like can be adjusted in accordance with the speed of the magnetic tape MT wound by the take-up reel 42.

[0068] The take-up motor 44 rotates the take-up reel 42 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, and torque of the take-up reel 42 by controlling the take-up motor 44.

[0069] When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the take-up motor 44 in a manner to make the magnetic tape MT travel in the forward direction. The rotation speed and torque of the take-up motor 44 and the like can be adjusted in accordance with the speed of the magnetic tape MT wound by the take-up reel 42.

[0070] The rotation speed and torque of the feed-out motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 and the like are thus adjusted to impart a tension within a predetermined range to the magnetic tape MT. Here, the predetermined range refers to, for example, a range of tension obtained through computer simulation and / or based on actual machine-based tests and the like as a range of tension with which data can be read from the magnetic tape MT by the read head 36.

[0071] In addition, when the magnetic tape MT is wound back to the cartridge reel 18, the control device 38 rotates the feed-out motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 in a manner to make the magnetic tape MT travel in the reverse direction.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the tension of the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotation speed and torque of the feed-out motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 and the like, but the technology of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the tension of the magnetic tape MT can also be controlled using a tension adjustment roller, or by pulling the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

[0073] The plurality of guide rollers GR are rollers that guide the magnetic tape MT. The travel path of the magnetic tape MT is defined by the plurality of guide rollers GR being disposed separately between the cartridge 10 and the take-up reel 42 across the position of the read head 36.

[0074] The read head 36 is provided with a read element 46 and a holder 48. The read element 46 is held by the holder 48 in a manner to contact the traveling magnetic tape MT, and reads recorded information from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34.

[0075] The magnetic tape drive 30 is provided with the non-contact read / write device 50. The non-contact read / write device 50 is an example of the "communication destination" and the "reader / writer" related to the technology of the present application. The non-contact read / write device 50 is disposed on the lower side of the drive 30 in a state where the tape cartridge 10 is loaded, in a manner so as to face the back surface 26A of the cassette memory 19. Note that the state where the tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 refers to a state where, for example, the tape cartridge 10 has reached a position that is predetermined as a position where the reading of the recording information from the magnetic tape MT is started by the read head 36.

[0076] In Figure 4 In the example shown in FIG. 1, the example in which the non-contact read / write device 50 is mounted in the magnetic tape drive 30 is illustrated, but the technology of the present application is not limited thereto. The non-contact read / write device 50 can be used at the stage of manufacturing the tape cartridge 10, at the stage of inspecting the tape cartridge 10, or at the stage of shipping the tape cartridge 10. In this case, for example, a fixed or portable non-contact read / write device 50 is used.

[0077] As an example, as Figure 5 indicated in FIG. 2, the non-contact read / write device 50 emits the magnetic field MF toward the cassette memory 19 from the lower side of the tape cartridge 10. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cassette memory 19.

[0078] As an example, as Figure 6 indicated in FIG. 3, the non-contact read / write device 50 is connected to the control device 38. The control device 38 outputs a control signal that controls the cassette memory 19 to the non-contact read / write device 50. The non-contact read / write device 50 emits the magnetic field MF toward the cassette memory 19 in accordance with the control signal input from the control device 38. The magnetic field MF penetrates from the back surface 26A side to the surface 26B side of the cassette memory 19.

[0079] The non-contact read / write device 50 imparts a communication command corresponding to the control signal to the cassette memory 19 by performing non-contact communication with the cassette memory 19. To be more specific, the non-contact read / write device 50 spatially transmits the communication command to the cassette memory 19 under the control of the control device 38. The communication command is a signal that indicates an instruction to the cassette memory 19.

[0080] As the communication command, for example, a polling command, a write command, and a read command can be cited. When the communication command imparted from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19 is a polling command, the cartridge memory 19 executes a polling process. The polling command can be one kind or a plurality of kinds, and the cartridge memory 19 executes a polling process corresponding to the kind. When the communication command imparted from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19 is a write command, the cartridge memory 19 executes a write process. When the communication command imparted from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19 is a read command, the cartridge memory 19 executes a read process. Here, for the convenience of explanation, one kind of command is exemplified as the polling command, but the polling signal can be a plurality of signals.

[0081] Further, here, the manner example in which the noncontact read / write device 50 spatially transmits the communication command to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the control device 38 is explained, but the technology of the present application is not limited to this. For example, at the stage of manufacturing the tape cartridge 10, at the stage of inspecting the tape cartridge 10, or at the stage of shipping the tape cartridge 10, the noncontact read / write device 50 spatially transmits the communication command to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of a control device different from the control device 38.

[0082] When the communication command is spatially transmitted from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19, the communication command corresponding to the instruction from the control device 38 is included in the magnetic field MF by the noncontact read / write device 50. In other words, the communication command is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the noncontact read / write device 50. That is, the noncontact read / write device 50 transmits the communication command to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 38.

[0083] However, as the communication standard used in wireless communication between the cartridge memory mounted on the tape cartridge conventionally known and the noncontact read / write device (so-called device also called a reader / writer), there are a plurality of communication standards such as ISO 18092, ISO 14443A, ISO 14443B, and ISO 15693.

[0084] However, the existence of a plurality of communication standards can also be possible that the communication standard differs by product category (for example, by the kind of the tape cartridge in the past), and thus it is necessary to mount an IC chip corresponding to the communication standard on the cartridge memory. As for most of the components (for example, a substrate, a lead wire, and a protective agent, etc.) other than the IC chip among the plurality of components for the cartridge memory, although the same kind of components can be used among the cartridge memories, if the IC chip has to be changed by product category, it can lead to an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0085] In view of this situation, in the tape cassette 10 according to this embodiment, an IC chip 52 is mounted in the cartridge memory 19. Hereinafter, the IC chip 52 and its surroundings will be described in detail.

[0086] An IC chip 52 and a capacitor 54 are mounted on the surface 26B of the cassette memory 19. The IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are bonded to the surface 26B. Furthermore, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are sealed to the surface 26B of the cassette memory 19 by a sealing material 56. Here, an ultraviolet-curable resin that cures upon reaction with ultraviolet light is used as the sealing material 56. However, ultraviolet-curable resin is only one example; light-curable resins that cure upon reaction with light in wavelengths other than ultraviolet light can also be used as the sealing material 56, as can thermosetting resins, or other adhesives.

[0087] As an example, such as Figure 7 As shown, a coil 60 is formed in a ring shape on the back surface 26A of the cassette memory 19. The coil 60 is an example of an "antenna" according to the technology of this invention. Here, copper foil is used as the material for the coil 60. Copper foil is just one example; other conductive materials such as aluminum foil can also be used. The coil 60 is connected by a magnetic field MF (see reference 50) supplied by the contactless read / write device 50. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The induced current is generated by the action of )

[0088] A first conductive portion 62A and a second conductive portion 62B are provided on the back surface 26A of the cassette memory 19. The first conductive portion 62A and the second conductive portion 62B have solder to connect the two ends of the coil 60 to the IC chip 52 (reference) on the surface 26B. Figure 6 and Figure 8 ) and capacitor 54 (reference) Figure 6 and Figure 8 Electrical connection.

[0089] As an example, such as Figure 8 As shown, on surface 26B of the cassette memory 19, IC chip 52 and capacitor 54 are electrically connected to each other via wires. Specifically, one terminal of the positive and negative terminals of IC chip 52 is connected to the first conductive section 62A via wiring 64A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conductive section 62B via wiring 64B. Furthermore, capacitor 54 has a pair of electrodes. Figure 8 In the example shown, the pair of electrodes are electrodes 54A and 54B. Electrode 54A is connected to the first conductive part 62A via wiring 64C, and electrode 54B is connected to the second conductive part 62B via wiring 64D. Thus, for coil 60, IC chip 52 and capacitor 54 are connected in parallel.

[0090] As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the IC chip 52 is provided with a built-in capacitor 80, a power supply circuit 82, a computer 84, a signal processing circuit 88, and a magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. Here, as an example of the IC chip 52, a general-purpose type IC chip that can also be used for purposes other than the tape cartridge 10 is used. Note that the general-purpose type IC chip is merely an example, and an IC chip of a type that is used only for the tape cartridge 10 can also be used. Figure 9

[0091] The cartridge memory 19 is provided with a power generator 70. The power generator 70 generates electric power by the magnetic field MF acting on the coil 60 from the non-contact type read / write device 50. Specifically, the power generator 70 generates alternating-current electric power using a resonance circuit 92, and outputs the generated alternating-current electric power after converting it to direct-current electric power.

[0092] The power generator 70 has the resonance circuit 92 and the power supply circuit 82. The resonance circuit 92 is provided with the capacitor 54, the coil 60, and the built-in capacitor 80. The built-in capacitor 80 is a capacitor built into the IC chip 52, and the power supply circuit 82 is also a circuit built into the IC chip 52. The built-in capacitor 80 is connected in parallel to the coil 60.

[0093] The capacitor 54 is a capacitor that is externally attached to the IC chip 52. The IC chip 52 is originally a general-purpose IC chip that can also be used in purposes other than the tape cartridge 10. Therefore, the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80 is not sufficient to achieve the resonance frequency required in the cartridge memory 19 used in the tape cartridge 10. Therefore, in the cartridge memory 19, as a capacitor having a capacity value required for having the resonance circuit 92 resonate at a predetermined resonance frequency by the magnetic field MF acting thereon, the capacitor 54 is attached to the IC chip 52. Note that the predetermined resonance frequency is the same frequency as the frequency of the magnetic field MF, and 13.56 MHz is used here. Also, the capacity of the capacitor 54 is specified based on the measured value of the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80.

[0094] The resonance circuit 92 generates alternating-current electric power by the resonance phenomenon of the predetermined resonance frequency using the induced current by the magnetic field MF penetrating the coil 60, and outputs the generated alternating-current electric power to the power supply circuit 82.

[0095] ​The power supply circuit 82 has a rectification circuit and a smoothing circuit, etc. The rectification circuit is a full-wave rectification circuit having a plurality of diodes. The full-wave rectification circuit is only an example, and a half-wave rectification circuit can also be used. The smoothing circuit is configured including a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit 82 converts the alternating-current power input from the resonance circuit 92 into direct-current power, and supplies the direct-current power (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "power") obtained by the conversion to various drive elements within the IC chip 52. As the various drive elements, a computer 84, a signal processing circuit 88, and a magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 can be cited. In this way, by supplying the power to the various drive elements within the IC chip 52 using the power generator 70, the IC chip 52 operates using the power generated by the power generator 70.

[0096] The computer 84 is an example of the "computer for non-contact storage medium" related to the technology of the present application, and controls the cassette memory 19 as a whole.

[0097] The signal processing circuit 88 is connected to the resonance circuit 92. The signal processing circuit 88 has a decoding circuit (omitted from the drawing) and an encoding circuit (omitted from the drawing). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 extracts a communication command from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 60, decodes it, and outputs it to the computer 84. The computer 84 outputs a response signal to the communication command to the signal processing circuit 88. That is, the computer 84 performs processing corresponding to the communication command input from the signal processing circuit 88, and outputs the processing result as the response signal to the signal processing circuit 88. In the signal processing circuit 88, if the response signal is input from the computer 84, the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 modulates and outputs the response signal by encoding it to the resonance circuit 92. The resonance circuit 92 transmits the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 to the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF. That is, when the response signal is transmitted from the cassette memory 19 to the non-contact read / write device 50, the response signal is included in the magnetic field MF. In other words, the response signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF.

[0098] The magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 measures the strength of the magnetic field MF based on the power generated by the power supply circuit 82. The greater the strength of the magnetic field MF imparted to the resonance circuit 92, the greater the power generated by the power supply circuit 82 becomes within the limit. The magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 outputs a signal corresponding to the signal level of the power generated by the power supply circuit 82 based on the correlation between the power generated by the power supply circuit 82 and the strength of the magnetic field MF imparted to the resonance circuit 92. That is, the magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90 measures the power generated by the power supply circuit 82, generates a magnetic field strength signal indicating the strength of the magnetic field MF based on the measurement result, and outputs it to the computer 84. Thereby, the computer 84 can perform processing corresponding to the magnetic field strength signal input from the magnetic field strength measurement circuit 90.

[0099] Thus, the IC chip 52 is connected to the coil 60 that is electromagnetically coupled with the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF imparted from the non-contact read / write device 50, and communicates with the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF (refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 ). Also, the IC chip 52 selectively uses a plurality of communication standards corresponding to the plurality of communication standards to communicate with the non-contact read / write device 50. Here, the plurality of communication standards refer to, for example, ISO 18092, ISO 14443A, ISO 1443B, and ISO 15693. The non-contact read / write device 50 has any one of the plurality of communication standards. That is, the non-contact read / write device 50 not only mounts the magnetic tape drive 30 shown in Figure 4 , but also exists in a plurality of manufacturing processes and inspection processes, and the like, and each non-contact read / write device 50 has any one of the plurality of communication standards.

[0100] As an example, as shown in Figure 10 , the computer 84 is provided with a CPU 94, an NVM 96, and a RAM 98. The CPU 94, the NVM 96, and the RAM 98 are connected to a bus 100.

[0101] The CPU 94 controls the operation of the computer 84. The NVM 96 is an example of the "non-volatile memory" related to the technology of the present application. As an example of the NVM 96, an EEPROM can be given. The EEPROM is merely an example, and, for example, a ferroelectric memory can be used instead of the EEPROM, and any non-volatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip 52 can be used. The RAM 98 is an example of the "volatile memory" related to the technology of the present application. The RAM 98 temporarily stores various information, and functions as a work memory. As an example of the RAM 98, a DRAM or an SRAM, or the like, can be given.

[0102] The NVM 96 has a plurality of memory blocks including a settable parameter storage block 102, a current set parameter storage block 104, and a program storage block 106. Management information (omitted from the drawing) and the like are stored in the plurality of memory blocks.

[0103] A plurality of communication standard parameters 108 that can determine the communication standards settable in the IC chip 52 are stored in the settable parameter storage block 102. A current set parameter 110 is stored in the current set parameter storage block 104. The current set parameter 110 is the communication standard parameter 108 of the plurality of communication standard parameters 108 that corresponds to the communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52.

[0104] The program storage block 106 stores a communication standard setting program 112. The communication standard setting program 112 is an example of a "program" according to the technology of this invention. Furthermore, the program storage block 106 also stores a plurality of communication standard-specific programs 114. Each of the plurality of communication standard-specific programs 114 corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of communication standard parameters 108. The CPU 94 achieves communication with the communication standard corresponding to the current setting parameter 110 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by reading the communication standard-specific program 114 corresponding to the current setting parameter 110 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 from the program storage block 106 and executing the read program storage block 106.

[0105] The communication standard determined by the current setting parameter 110 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 is the communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52. That is, by executing the dedicated communication standard program 114 corresponding to the current setting parameter 110 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 through the CPU 94, the IC chip 52 can communicate via the coil 60 using the currently set communication standard. Figure 9 It communicates with the contactless reader / writer 50.

[0106] As an example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the CPU 94 reads the communication standard setting program 112 from the NVM 96 and executes the read communication standard setting program 112 on the RAM 98. The CPU 94 performs the communication standard setting process (see reference) by operating as the communication unit 94A, the determination unit 94B, and the setting unit 94C according to the communication standard setting program 112 executed on the RAM 98. Figure 16 ).

[0107] As an example, such as Figure 12 As shown, the non-contact reader / writer 50 applies a magnetic field MF (reference) to the coil 60. Figure 5 and Figure 6) and electromagnetically coupled with the coil 60. In a state where the noncontact read / write device 50 is electromagnetically coupled with the coil 60, the noncontact read / write device 50 transmits a polling command as a communication command to the communication section 94. The communication section 94A receives the polling command from the noncontact read / write device 50 via the coil 60. The determination section 94B determines a communication standard of the polling command received by the communication section 94A via the coil 60 as an example of a "determination circuit" involved in the technology of the present application. The setting section 94C selects and sets a communication standard corresponding to the determination result in the determination section 94B as an adaptive communication standard from among a plurality of communication standards. The adaptive communication standard refers to a communication standard most suitable for communication with the noncontact read / write device 50. The communication standard most suitable for communication with the noncontact read / write device 50 refers to, for example, a communication standard identical to a communication standard of the polling command imparted to the cartridge memory 19 from the noncontact read / write device 50 among a plurality of communication standards.

[0108] As an example, as shown in Fig. 10, the setting section 94C acquires the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the communication standard corresponding to the determination result in the determination section 94B, that is, the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the adaptive communication standard, from the settable parameter storage block 102. Then, the setting section 94C updates the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by overwriting the communication standard parameter 108 acquired from the settable parameter storage block 102 on the current setting parameter storage block 104 and saving it. That is, the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 is updated by rewriting the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by the setting section 94C to a new current setting parameter 110. Figure 13 The communication standard determined in accordance with the current setting parameter 110 stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 is a communication standard currently set in the IC chip 52. The setting of the communication standard of the IC chip 52 is changed by rewriting the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by the setting section 94C.

[0109] As an example, as shown in Fig. 10, the setting section 94C acquires the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the communication standard corresponding to the determination result in the determination section 94B, that is, the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the adaptive communication standard, from the settable parameter storage block 102. Then, the setting section 94C updates the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by overwriting the communication standard parameter 108 acquired from the settable parameter storage block 102 on the current setting parameter storage block 104 and saving it. That is, the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 is updated by rewriting the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by the setting section 94C to a new current setting parameter 110.

[0110] Figure 14 As an example, as shown in Fig. 10, the setting section 94C acquires the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the communication standard corresponding to the determination result in the determination section 94B, that is, the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the adaptive communication standard, from the settable parameter storage block 102. Then, the setting section 94C updates the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by overwriting the communication standard parameter 108 acquired from the settable parameter storage block 102 on the current setting parameter storage block 104 and saving it. That is, the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 is updated by rewriting the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by the setting section 94C to a new current setting parameter 110.

[0111] ​The communication section 94A acquires the magnetic field strength signal from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90, and determines whether or not the power of the IC chip 52, i.e., the power for driving the IC chip 52, is insufficient, based on the acquired magnetic field strength signal. Then, the communication section 94A executes the communication standard-specific program 114 read out from the program storage block 106 during a period until a predetermined condition is satisfied. That is, the communication section 94A skips the determination based on the determination section 94B during the period until the predetermined condition is satisfied, and continues to execute the communication standard-specific program 114 read out from the program storage block 106. The period until the predetermined condition is satisfied refers to a period until, for example, the power for driving the IC chip 52 is insufficient. The setting section 94C performs communication with the non-contact read / write device 50 via the coil 60 in the communication standard corresponding to the current setting parameter 110, by executing the communication standard-specific program 114 corresponding to the current setting parameter 110.

[0112] Here, "insufficient power" means, for example, that the signal level of the magnetic field strength signal acquired from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90 is less than a predetermined level. The predetermined level is, for example, a fixed value derived in advance by experiments based on actual machines and / or computer simulations, etc., as a signal level of the magnetic field strength signal corresponding to the power at which stable communication between the IC chip 52 and the non-contact read / write device 50 cannot be performed. Here, as the predetermined level, a fixed value is exemplified, but the predetermined level can also be a variable value that changes according to an instruction (e.g., a command) imparted from the outside and / or the operating state of the IC chip 52.

[0113] The setting section 94C transmits a response signal corresponding to the communication command whose communication standard is determined by the determination section 94B (refer to Figure 12 ) to the non-contact read / write device 50, by performing communication with the non-contact read / write device 50 via the coil 60 in the communication standard corresponding to the current setting parameter 110. In this case, first, the setting section 94C decodes the communication command whose communication standard is determined by the determination section 94B (the polling command in the example shown in Figure 12 ). Then, the setting section 94C transmits a response signal corresponding to the instruction obtained by decoding the communication command to the non-contact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF using the communication standard set currently (the adaptive communication standard).

[0114] As an example, as Figure 15As shown, the communication section 94A acquires the magnetic field strength signal from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90, and determines whether the power in the IC chip 52 is insufficient based on the acquired magnetic field strength signal. Then, the communication section 94A erases the current setting parameter 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104, i.e., the current setting parameter 110 corresponding to the communication standard to be adapted, from the current setting parameter storage block 104, with the power in the IC chip 52 being insufficient as a condition. Thus, the setting of the communication standard to be adapted in the IC chip 52 is released, and the communication section 94A ends the communication with the non-contact type read / write device 50.

[0115] Next, the operation of the cartridge 10 will be described with reference to Figure 16 The operation of the cartridge 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0116] In Figure 16 An example of the flow of the communication standard setting process performed by the CPU 94 when the cartridge 10 is loaded in the tape drive 30, and the cartridge memory 19 and the non-contact type read / write device 50 are coupled by electromagnetic induction, so that the driving power is supplied to the IC chip 52, is shown in FIG. 10. Figure 16 The flow of the communication standard setting process shown is an example of the "operation method of the non-contact type storage medium" according to the present technology.

[0117] Further, the example in which the communication standard setting process is performed by the CPU 94 when the cartridge 10 is loaded in the tape drive 30 has been given, but the present technology is not limited to this. For example, the communication standard setting process can be performed by the CPU 94 at a stage when the work is performed by the supplier of the cartridge 10, such as at a stage when the cartridge 10 is checked or at a stage when the cartridge 10 is shipped.

[0118] In Figure 16 In the communication standard setting process shown, first, in step ST100, the communication section 94A determines whether the polling command from the non-contact type read / write device 50 is received by the coil 60. In step ST100, when the polling command is not received by the coil 60, the determination is negated, and the determination of step ST100 is performed again. In step ST100, when the polling command is received by the coil 60, the determination is affirmed, and the communication standard setting process proceeds to step ST102.

[0119] In step ST102, the determination section 94B determines the communication standard of the polling command received in step ST100.

[0120] In the following step ST104, the setting section 94C acquires the communication standard parameter 108 corresponding to the determination result in step ST102 from the settable parameter storage block 102.

[0121] In the next step ST106, the setting section 94C updates the current setting parameters 110 in the current setting parameter storage block 104 by overwriting the communication standard parameters 108 acquired in the step ST104 on the current setting parameter storage block 104 and saving it.

[0122] In the next step ST108, the communication section 94A acquires the current setting parameters 110 from the current setting parameter storage block 104 and executes the communication standard specific program 114 corresponding to the acquired current setting parameters 110, thereby starting the communication with the non-contact type read / write device 50 via the coil 60 in the communication standard corresponding to the current setting parameters 110.

[0123] In the next step ST110, the communication section 94A decodes the communication command received in the step ST110 or the step ST116 described later.

[0124] In the next step ST112, the communication section 94A transmits the response signal corresponding to the decoding result in the step ST110 to the non-contact type read / write device 50. That is, the signal indicating the result obtained by executing the processing corresponding to the instruction obtained by decoding the communication command by the CUU 94 is transmitted to the non-contact type read / write device 50 as the response signal.

[0125] In the next step ST114, the communication section 94A determines whether the power in the IC chip 52 is insufficient on the basis of the magnetic field strength signal from the magnetic field strength measuring circuit 90. In the step ST114, when the power in the IC chip 52 is not insufficient, the determination is negated, and the communication standard setting processing shifts to the step ST116. In the step ST114, when the power in the IC chip 52 is insufficient, the determination is affirmed, and the communication standard setting processing shifts to the step ST118.

[0126] In the step ST116, the communication section 94A determines whether the command transmitted from the non-contact type read / write device 50 is received by the coil 60. In the step ST116, when the command transmitted from the non-contact type read / write device 50 is not received by the coil 60, the determination is negated, and the communication standard setting processing shifts to the step ST114. In the step ST116, when the communication command transmitted from the non-contact type read / write device 50 is received by the coil 60, the determination is affirmed, and the communication standard setting processing shifts to the step ST110.

[0127] In the step ST118, the setting section 94C cancels the communication standard corresponding to the current setting parameters 110, that is, the currently set communication standard, by erasing the current setting parameters 110 from the current setting parameter storage block 104.

[0128] In the next step ST120, the communication section 94A ends the communication with the noncontact read / write device 50, and then ends the communication standard setting processing.

[0129] As explained above, in the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 selectively uses a plurality of communication standards to communicate with the noncontact read / write device 50 in correspondence with the plurality of communication standards. Therefore, according to the present structure, the cartridge memory 19 mounted on the tape cartridge 10 is able to communicate noncontactly with the noncontact read / write device 50 of various communication standards, as compared with a case where the IC chip provided in the cartridge memory mounted on the tape cartridge uses only one communication standard to communicate noncontactly with the noncontact read / write device.

[0130] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the noncontact read / write device 50 is not only mounted on the tape drive 30 shown in the figure, but also exists a plurality of in manufacturing processes and inspection processes and the like, and each of the noncontact read / write devices 50 has any one of a plurality of communication standards. Therefore, according to the present structure, even if the noncontact read / write device 50 has any one of a plurality of communication standards, it is able to realize the noncontact communication between the cartridge memory 19 and the noncontact read / write device 50. Figure 4

[0131] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication standard of the communication command imparted to the IC chip 52 from the noncontact read / write device 50 is judged by the judging section 94B. Then, the IC chip 52 communicates with the noncontact read / write device 50 using the communication standard selected from a plurality of communication standards in accordance with the result of the judgment in the judging section 94B, that is, the adapted communication standard. Therefore, according to the present structure, the cartridge memory 19 is able to communicate with the noncontact read / write device 50 in the communication standard coinciding with that of the noncontact read / write device 50.

[0132] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication section 94A decodes the communication command of which the communication standard is judged by the judging section 94B, and transmits the response signal corresponding to the result of the decoding to the noncontact read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF using the adapted communication standard. Therefore, according to the present structure, as compared with a case where the communication standard other than the adapted communication standard is set in the IC chip 52, it is able to transmit the response signal corresponding to the communication command to the noncontact read / write device 50 with high precision.

[0133] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication section 94A communicates with the noncontact read / write device 50 using the adapted communication standard during a period until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, according to the present structure, the cartridge memory 19 is able to continue the communication with the noncontact read / write device 50 during a period until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0134] ​Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication section 94A communicates with the noncontact read / write device 50 using the adapted communication standard during a period until the condition that the electric power to drive the IC chip 52 is insufficient is satisfied. Therefore, according to the present structure, the cartridge memory 19 can continue the communication with the noncontact read / write device 50 during a period in which the electric power to drive the IC chip 52 is not insufficient.

[0135] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the current set parameter 110 is deleted from the current set parameter storage block 104 by the setting section 94C as a condition that the electric power to drive the IC chip 52 is insufficient. Thus, the adapted communication standard currently set to the IC chip 52 is released. Therefore, according to the present structure, the adapted communication standard set to the IC chip 52 can be changed at the opportunity that the electric power to drive the IC chip 52 is insufficient.

[0136] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the determination based on the determination section 94B is skipped during a period until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a period until the electric power to drive the IC chip 52 is insufficient). That is, the determination based on the determination section 94B is not performed during a period until the predetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, according to the present structure, the processing load spent for the determination can be reduced as compared with the case where the determination based on the determination section 94B is always performed. Also, the time required from the reception of the communication command to the transmission of the response signal can be shortened by an amount corresponding to the case where the determination based on the determination section 94B is not performed. In other words, the response time from the transmission of the communication command from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the transmission of the response signal from the cartridge memory 19 to the noncontact read / write device 50 is shortened.

[0137] Also, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication standard of the polling command imparted from the noncontact read / write device 50 is determined by the determination section 94B, the communication standard selected according to the determination result is set as the adapted communication standard, and the communication is performed between the cartridge memory 19 and the noncontact read / write device 50 using the set adapted communication standard. Therefore, according to the present structure, the communication between the cartridge memory 19 and the noncontact read / write device 50 can be promptly established as compared with the case where the communication standard of the communication command (for example, the write command and the read command, etc.) imparted from the noncontact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19 is determined by the determination section 94B after the polling command.

[0138] Further, in the cartridge memory 19, the communication is selectively performed between the noncontact read / write device 50 mounted on the tape drive 30 and the IC chip 52 using a plurality of communication standards. Therefore, according to the present structure, if the noncontact read / write device 50 mounted on the tape drive 30 has any one of the plurality of communication standards, the IC chip 52 can communicate with the noncontact read / write device 50 using the communication standard possessed by the noncontact read / write device 50.

[0139] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the current setting parameter 110 is stored in the current setting parameter storage block 104 in the NVM 96 is described, but the technical idea of the present application is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 17 the current setting parameter 110 can be stored (overwritten and saved) in the RAM 98 instead of the current setting parameter storage block 104 in the NVM 96. The RAM 98 is a volatile memory. Therefore, for example, when the power in the IC chip 52 becomes insufficient (for example, becomes the power (for example, zero) predetermined as the power at which data disappears from the RAM 98) due to a decrease in the strength of the magnetic field MF or the like, the current setting parameter 110 in the RAM 98 is cleared. Therefore, it is not necessary to Figure 16 the processing of the step ST116, and as a result, the processing load on the CPU 94 can be reduced.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the determination unit 94B determines the communication standard of the polling command is described, but the technical idea of the present application is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 18 the data length of the plurality of communication commands can be made different for each communication standard (in the example shown in Figure 18 the first to fourth communication standards), and the determination unit 94B determines the communication standard of the communication command on the basis of the data length. Thus, even if the detailed content of the communication command is not analyzed, the communication standard can be determined. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to the case where the detailed content of the communication command is analyzed to determine the communication standard, the time required from the reception of the communication command to the setting of the communication standard can be shortened.

[0141] Also, as an example, as shown in Figure 18 the communication command that becomes the object of determination of the communication standard by the determination unit 94B can be a special command that is used only for the determination of the communication standard by the determination unit 94B. In this case, compared to the case where the plurality of communication commands become the object of determination of the communication standard by the determination unit 94B, the processing required to determine the communication standard of the communication command can be simplified.

[0142] In the above-described embodiment, the communication unit 94A is caused to communicate with the non-contact type read / write device 50 using the communication standard that is adapted to until the power to drive the IC chip 52 becomes insufficient, but the technical idea of the present application is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 94A can be caused to communicate with the non-contact type read / write device 50 using the communication standard that is adapted to until a specific instruction (for example, an instruction to end the communication) is given from the outside, or the communication unit 94A can be caused to communicate with the non-contact type read / write device 50 using the communication standard that is adapted to until the operating state of the IC chip 52 reaches a specific operating state (for example, until the operating speed of the CPU 94 becomes less than a predetermined speed).

[0143] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication standard setting program 112 is stored in the NVM 96 is exemplified, but the technical idea of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 19 the communication standard setting program 112 can be stored in the storage medium 200.

[0144] The storage medium 200 is a non-transitory storage medium. As an example of the storage medium 200, any portable storage medium such as an SSD or a USB memory can be exemplified. The communication standard setting program 112 stored in the storage medium 200 is installed in the computer 84. The CPU 94 executes the communication standard setting processing in accordance with the communication standard setting program 112. In the example shown in Figure 19 the CPU 94 is a single CPU, but can be a plurality of CPUs.

[0145] Also, the communication standard setting program 112 can be stored in a storage device of another computer or a server device connected to the computer 84 via a communication network (omitted from the drawing), downloaded from the cartridge memory 19 upon request, and installed in the computer 84.

[0146] In the example shown in Figure 19 the computer 84 is exemplified, but the technical idea of the present application is not limited thereto, and a device including an ASIC, an FPGA, and / or a PLD can be used instead of the computer 84. Also, a combination of a hardware structure and a software structure can be used instead of the computer 84.

[0147] As the hardware resource that executes the communication standard setting processing, various processors shown below can be used. As the processor, for example, a general-purpose processor, i.e., a CPU, which functions as the hardware resource that executes the communication standard setting processing by executing a software, i.e., a program, can be exemplified. Also, as the processor, for example, a processor, i.e., a dedicated circuit, having a circuit structure specially designed for executing a specific processing, such as an FPGA, a PLD, or an ASIC, can be exemplified. In any processor, a memory is built-in or connected, and any processor executes the communication standard setting processing by using the memory.

[0148] The hardware resource that executes the communication standard setting processing can be constituted by one of these various processors, or can be constituted by a combination of two or more processors of the same kind or different kinds (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, the hardware resource that executes the communication standard setting processing can be one processor.

[0149] As an example of a configuration of one processor, first, there is a configuration in which one processor functions as a hardware resource that performs the communication standard setting processing, and the one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software. Second, there is a configuration in which a processor that functions as a hardware resource that performs the communication standard setting processing is used, and the processor is implemented by one IC chip that implements the entire system including a plurality of hardware resources. Thus, one or more of the above-described various processors are used as a hardware resource to implement the communication standard setting processing.

[0150] In addition, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, a circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined can be used. Also, the above-described communication standard setting processing is only an example. Therefore, within a range that does not depart from the gist, needless steps can be deleted, or new steps can be added, or the processing order can be changed.

[0151] The above-described description and drawings are detailed descriptions of the part to which the technology of the present application relates, and are only an example of the technology of the present application. For example, the description related to the above-described structure, function, action, and effect is a description related to an example of the structure, function, action, and effect of the part to which the technology of the present application relates. Therefore, within a range that does not depart from the gist of the technology of the present application, needless parts of the above-described description and drawings can be deleted, or new elements can be added or replaced. Also, in order to avoid a complicated situation, and to easily understand the part to which the technology of the present application relates, the description related to technical common knowledge and the like that is not particularly required to be described in order to enable the technology of the present application to be implemented is omitted in the above-described description and drawings.

[0152] In the present specification, the meaning of "A and / or B" is the same as "at least one of A and B". That is, the meaning of "A and / or B" is that only A can be present, only B can be present, or a combination of A and B can be present. Also, in the present specification, the case in which three or more cases are connected with "and / or" is also applicable to the same idea as "A and / or B".

[0153] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards cited in the present specification are incorporated by reference to the extent the same are specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in the entirety of the document.

Claims

1. A non-contact storage medium mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge, the non-contact storage medium has an IC chip connected to an antenna that is electromagnetically inductively coupled with a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and that communicates with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponds to a plurality of communication standards, the communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices have any one of the plurality of communication standards, the IC chip has a determination circuit that determines a communication standard of a communication command imparted from the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip communicates with the communication destination using an adaptive communication standard selected from the plurality of communication standards according to a determination result in the determination circuit during a period until a predetermined condition is satisfied, the IC chip decodes the communication command of which the communication standard is determined by the determination circuit, a response signal corresponding to an instruction obtained by decoding the communication command is transmitted to the communication destination via the magnetic field using the adaptive communication standard, the predetermined condition includes a condition in which power to drive the IC chip is insufficient.

2. The non-contact storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the IC chip has a non-volatile memory, adaptive communication standard information indicating the adaptive communication standard selected according to the determination result is stored in the non-volatile memory, the communication with the communication destination is performed using the adaptive communication standard indicated by the adaptive communication standard information stored in the non-volatile memory, the adaptive communication standard information in the non-volatile memory is cleared as a condition of the insufficient power.

3. The non-contact storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the IC chip has a volatile memory, adaptive communication standard information indicating the adaptive communication standard selected according to the determination result is stored in the volatile memory, the predetermined condition includes a condition in which the adaptive communication standard information is cleared from the volatile memory due to the insufficient power.

4. The non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the IC chip skips determination based on the determination circuit during a period until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

5. The non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a data length of the communication command is different for each of the communication standards, the determination circuit determines the communication standard of the communication command according to the data length.

6. The non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication command is a special command used only for determination of the communication standard based on the determination circuit.

7. The non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication command is a polling command.

8. The non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication destination is a reader / writer mounted on a drive that loads the magnetic tape cartridge.

9. A magnetic tape cartridge, comprising: the non-contact storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a magnetic tape, the non-contact storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape.

10. A method of operating a non-contact storage medium, which is a method of operating a non-contact storage medium mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge, wherein the non-contact storage medium includes an IC chip connected to an antenna electromagnetically inductively coupled to a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and communicates with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponds to a plurality of communication standards, the communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices have any one of the plurality of communication standards, the IC chip has a determination circuit that determines a communication standard of a communication command imparted from the communication destination via the magnetic field, the method of operating the non-contact storage medium includes the following steps: the IC chip communicates with the communication destination using a communication standard selected from the plurality of communication standards according to a determination result in the determination circuit, which is an adaptive communication standard, until a predetermined condition is satisfied, the IC chip decodes the communication command for which the communication standard is determined by the determination circuit, and the IC chip transmits a response signal corresponding to an instruction obtained by decoding the communication command to the communication destination via the magnetic field using the adaptive communication standard, the predetermined condition includes a condition in which power to drive the IC chip is insufficient.

11. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer applicable to a non-contact storage medium mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge to execute a process, wherein the non-contact storage medium includes an IC chip connected to an antenna electromagnetically inductively coupled to a communication destination via a magnetic field imparted from the communication destination and communicates with the communication destination via the magnetic field, the IC chip corresponds to a plurality of communication standards, the communication destination is any one of a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of communication devices have any one of the plurality of communication standards, the IC chip has a determination circuit that determines a communication standard of a communication command imparted from the communication destination via the magnetic field, the process is a process including the following steps: the IC chip communicates with the communication destination using a communication standard selected from the plurality of communication standards according to a determination result in the determination circuit, which is an adaptive communication standard, until a predetermined condition is satisfied, the IC chip decodes the communication command for which the communication standard is determined by the determination circuit, and the IC chip transmits a response signal corresponding to an instruction obtained by decoding the communication command to the communication destination via the magnetic field using the adaptive communication standard, the predetermined condition includes a condition in which power to drive the IC chip is insufficient.

Images