Cartridge management device, cartridge management system, operation method of cartridge management device, and program

Abstract

To provide a cartridge management device, a cartridge management system, an operation method of the cartridge management device, and a program that can inhibit unauthorized reuse of a magnetic tape cartridge.SOLUTION: When no registered information indicating that a cartridge has been registered in a cartridge management system is stored in a cartridge memory provided in the cartridge, a library controller equipped with a storage performs first registration processing for registering the identification information identifying the cartridge and the registered information in the cartridge memory, overwrite prohibition processing for prohibiting overwriting the identification information and the registered information registered in the cartridge memory, second registration processing for registering the identification information in the storage, and execution processing to read and write user data to and from the cartridge when the identification information stored in the storage and the identification information stored in the cartridge memory match.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a cartridge management device, a cartridge management system, an operating method of a cartridge management device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an information processing management device that determines whether or not to read data recorded on a recording medium based on the results of comparing medium identification information and target identification information acquired from the recording medium with pre-registered medium identification information and target identification information.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses a control method for controlling whether or not a device is permitted to read and write data when using the device to read and write data to a data storage medium, depending on whether or not the device's own data is stored in a chip on the data storage medium.

[0004] Patent document 3 discloses a control method that allows a user to use a magnetic tape cartridge if the user's fingerprint matches the fingerprint data pre-stored in the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-132623 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2008-511088 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-173656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One embodiment of the technique of the present disclosure provides a cartridge management device, a cartridge management system, an operating method of a cartridge management device, and a program that can prevent the unauthorized reuse of magnetic tape cartridges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device that includes a processor and a first storage medium, and if registered information indicating that the magnetic tape cartridge has been registered in a cartridge management system is not stored in a second storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge, the processor performs a first registration process to register identification information that identifies the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium, performs an overwrite prevention process to prevent overwriting of the identification information and registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process, performs a second registration process to register the identification information in the first storage medium, and performs an execution process to perform at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge if the identification information stored in the first storage medium matches the identification information stored in the second storage medium.

[0008] A second aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to the first aspect, in which a processor acquires identification information from a mark attached to the housing of a magnetic tape cartridge, and performs a first registration process, an overwrite prevention process, a second registration process, and an execution process using the identification information acquired from the mark.

[0009] A third aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is the cartridge management device according to the second aspect, in which the mark is different for each cartridge management system.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to the first aspect, in which a processor performs a first registration process, an overwrite prevention process, a second registration process, and an execution process using identification information issued by the manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to the fourth aspect, in which a processor performs a first registration process, an overwrite prevention process, a second registration process, and an execution process using identification information issued by the manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge via a communication line.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which includes a process of encrypting identification information through a first registration process and registering the encrypted identification information in a second storage medium.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which includes a process of encrypting identification information by an overwrite prevention process and preventing overwriting of the encrypted identification information.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a cartridge management device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the magnetic tape cartridge has a non-contact communication medium capable of communicating with the communication device non-contactly, and the second storage medium includes a memory mounted on the non-contact communication medium.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a cartridge management device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the magnetic tape cartridge contains a magnetic tape and the second storage medium includes a portion of the magnetic tape.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is a cartridge management system including the cartridge management device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0017] An eleventh aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an operating method of a cartridge management system equipped with a first storage medium, which includes, when a second storage medium provided in a magnetic tape cartridge does not store registered information indicating that the cartridge has been registered in the cartridge management system, performing a first registration process to register identification information that identifies the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium, performing an overwrite prevention process to prevent overwriting of the identification information and registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process, performing a second registration process to register the identification information in the first storage medium, and, when the identification information stored in the first storage medium matches the identification information stored in the second storage medium, performing an execution process to perform at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge.

[0018] A twelfth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer applied to a cartridge management system having a first storage medium to execute processes including: performing a first registration process to register identification information that identifies the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium when registered information indicating that the magnetic tape cartridge has been registered in the cartridge management system is not stored in a second storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; performing an overwrite prohibition process to prohibit overwriting of the identification information and registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process; performing a second registration process to register the identification information in the first storage medium; and performing an execution process to perform at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge when the identification information stored in the first storage medium matches the identification information stored in the second storage medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a cartridge management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a magnetic field emitted from the bottom side of a magnetic tape cartridge by a non-contact read / write device. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the structure of the rear surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the structure of the surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical hardware configuration of a computer configured by an IC chip mounted on a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a registration process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an access process. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a library controller. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a registration preparation process performed by a registration preparation unit. [Figure 13] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a first registration process performed by a first registration unit. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a cartridge memory. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of an overwrite prohibition process performed by an overwrite prohibition setting unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a storage area for information stored in a cartridge memory is set to be overwrite-protected. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a second registration process performed by a second registration unit. [Figure 18]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of registration of a cartridge table by a second registration process. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of access processing by a data access unit. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a registration preparation process. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a first registration process. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an overwrite prohibition process. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a second registration process. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of data processing for reading user data. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of data processing for writing user data. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in which a host computer of a cartridge management system and a manufacturer's computer installed at a cartridge manufacturer are connected via a communication line. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of how a cartridge number and registered information are written in a BOT area. [Figure 28] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of how a control program is installed into a library controller from a storage medium on which the program is stored. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a cartridge management device, a cartridge management system, an operation method of a cartridge management device, and a program according to the technique of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] First, the terms used in the following description will be explained.

[0022] 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 "Read Only Memory". EEPROM is an abbreviation for "Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory". SSD is an abbreviation for "Solid State Drive". HDD is an abbreviation for "Hard Disk Drive". 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". ID is an abbreviation for "Identification Data". BOT is an abbreviation for "Beginning Of Tape". EOT is an abbreviation for "End Of Tape". LAN is an abbreviation for "Local Area Network". WAN is an abbreviation for "Wide Area Network". SAN is an abbreviation for "Storage Area Network". NAS is an abbreviation for "Network Attached Storage". I / F is an abbreviation for "Interface". MFM is an abbreviation for "Magnetic Force Microscope".SEM is an abbreviation for "Scanning Electron Microscope." QR is an abbreviation for "Quick Response." ISO is an abbreviation for "International Organization for Standardization." ECMA is an abbreviation for "European Computer Manufacturers Association." EL is an abbreviation for "electroluminescent." LCD is an abbreviation for "Liquid Crystal Display." AES is an abbreviation for "Advanced Encryption Standard." FAX is an abbreviation for "facsimile." SNS is an abbreviation for "Social Networking Service." USB is an abbreviation for "Universal Serial Bus."

[0023] In the description of this specification, "parallel" refers to parallelism in the sense of including, in addition to perfect parallelism, an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. In the description of this specification, "vertical" refers to vertical in the sense of including, in addition to perfect vertical, an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. In the description of this specification, "perpendicular" refers to vertical in the sense of including, in addition to perfect vertical, an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. In the description of this specification, "equal" refers to equality in the sense of including, in addition to perfect equality, an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0024] 1, a cartridge management system 10 includes a magnetic tape library 12, a library controller 14, a host computer 16, and storage 18. The cartridge management system 10 is an example of a "cartridge management system" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0025] The magnetic tape library 12 includes a storage shelf 22 that stores a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges 20 and one or more magnetic tape drives 30. The storage shelf 22 is provided with a plurality of cartridge storage cells 24, a plurality of drive storage cells 26, and a transport mechanism 28. The magnetic tape cartridge 20 is an example of a "magnetic tape cartridge" according to the technology of the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, the magnetic tape cartridge 20 will be referred to as a "cartridge 20" hereinafter.

[0026] Each cartridge storage cell 24 has a size that can store, for example, one cartridge 20, and each cartridge storage cell 24 stores a predetermined number of cartridges 20 (for example, one each). The cartridge storage cells 24 are arranged in a 10-row by 5-column grid, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge storage cells 24 are arranged in 10 rows by 5 columns, but this is merely an example, and there may be more than one cartridge storage cell 24. Also, in FIG. 1, the cartridge storage cells 24 are arranged in a lattice, but this is merely an example, and other arrangements are also possible.

[0027] In Fig. 1, the direction toward the top of Fig. 1 is the upward direction, and the direction toward the bottom of Fig. 1 is the downward direction, as indicated by double-headed arrow 25. Also, as indicated by double-headed arrow 27, the direction toward the left as you face Fig. 1 is the leftward direction, and the direction toward the right as you face Fig. 1 is the rightward direction.

[0028] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the rows of cartridge storage cells 24 are assigned row numbers 1 to 10 from the top in Fig. 1, and the columns of cartridge storage cells 24 are assigned column symbols A to E from the left in Fig. 1. Each cartridge storage cell 24 is assigned a cell name using these row numbers and column symbols to identify the position of the cartridge storage cell 24. For example, the cartridge storage cell 24 located in the first row of column A is assigned the cell name "A1."

[0029] In the cartridge management system 10, before reading data from and / or writing data to a cartridge 20 for the first time, a process for permitting or prohibiting reading data from and / or writing data to the cartridge 20 must be performed for each cartridge 20 for security reasons. That is, in the cartridge management system 10, a process called "registration" is performed as a pre-processing to restrict reading data from and / or writing data to the cartridge 20 to only specific users. "Registration" is performed for each cartridge. That is, by registering each of the multiple cartridges 20 in the cartridge management system 10, reading data from and / or writing data to the registered cartridges 20 is permitted in the cartridge management system 10.

[0030] A registered cartridge 20 is a cartridge 20 from which data can be read and / or written in the cartridge management system 10. An unregistered cartridge 20 is a cartridge 20 from which data cannot yet be read and / or written in the cartridge management system 10. Furthermore, data is encoded information.

[0031] For ease of explanation, hereinafter, reading and / or writing data from / to the cartridge 20 may be referred to as "reading and writing data from / to the cartridge 20." In other words, reading and writing data from / to the cartridge 20 includes at least one of reading data from the cartridge 20 and writing data to the cartridge 20.

[0032] In the example shown in Fig. 1, 20 cartridge storage cells 24 with hatched cell numbers "A1 to B10" each store one registered cartridge 20. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 1, one unregistered cartridge 20 is stored in the cartridge storage cell 24 with hatched cell number "E10."

[0033] 1, the number of registered cartridges 20 is 20, but this is merely an example, and the number of registered cartridges 20 may be any number. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of unregistered cartridges 20 is 1, but this is merely an example, and the number of unregistered cartridges 20 may be any number. In the following, for the sake of convenience, when there is no need to distinguish between registered cartridges 20 and unregistered cartridges 20, they will simply be referred to as "cartridges 20."

[0034] Each cartridge 20 contains a magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape MT contained in each cartridge 20 has a data storage capacity of, for example, 2.5T (tera). Therefore, 20 cartridges 20 can store a maximum of 50T of user data in total. "User data" refers to information stored on the magnetic tape MT by a user and that can be read by the user. User data is an example of "data." A user is a person who uses the cartridge management system 10 to read and write user data from and to the magnetic tape MT contained in the cartridge 20.

[0035] The administrator of the cartridge management system 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "administrator") assigns a mark 21 to each cartridge 20 (for example, an unregistered cartridge 20) stored in the cartridge storage cell 24. The administrator stores the cartridge 20 to which the mark 21 has been assigned in the cartridge storage cell 24.

[0036] The mark 21 includes various information about the unregistered cartridge 20. The various information about the cartridge 20 includes a cartridge number 64. The cartridge number 64 is a number that identifies each cartridge 20 stored in the cartridge storage cell 24. In other words, the cartridge number 64 refers to a number that can identify the cartridge 20. The cartridge number 64 is an example of "identification information" according to this embodiment.

[0037] The various information related to the cartridge 20 includes, in addition to the cartridge number 64, for example, the registration date and the name of the registrant. The registration date refers to, for example, the date on which the cartridge 20 was registered in the cartridge management system 10. The registrant name refers to, for example, the name or ID of the person who registered the cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10.

[0038] The mark 21 may be, for example, a two-dimensional barcode or a matrix two-dimensional code, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, characters may be used as the mark 21. A typical example of a matrix two-dimensional code is a QR code (registered trademark). The type of mark 21 to be used is determined for each cartridge management system 10.

[0039] The mark 21 is different for each cartridge management system 10. In this case, for example, the administrator may use a different mark 21 determined by the administrator for each cartridge management system 10.

[0040] Note that, although an example in which the mark 21 is different for each cartridge management system 10 is given here, this is merely one example, and the technology of the present disclosure can also be realized, for example, if a common mark 21 is used by multiple cartridge management systems 10. In this case, for example, the administrator may use the mark 21 recommended by the manufacturer of the cartridge 20. The mark 21 does not need to be created in accordance with a published standard, and the mark 21 may be created in accordance with a standard that conforms to a published standard, or may be created in accordance with a standard independently developed by the provider of the cartridge management system 10 (for example, a standard that is not publicly disclosed).

[0041] The mark 21 may be printed directly on the housing of the cartridge 20. Alternatively, the mark 21 may be printed on an adhesive label, and the label with the mark 21 printed thereon may be affixed to the housing of the cartridge. Alternatively, the mark 21 may be engraved on the housing of the cartridge 20. The work of affixing the mark 21 to the housing of the cartridge 20 is performed, for example, by a manager or a worker managed by the manager. The mark 21 printed or engraved on the housing of the cartridge 20 and the mark 21 on a label affixed to the housing of the cartridge 20 are both examples of "a mark affixed to the housing of a magnetic tape cartridge" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0042] The magnetic tape library 12 is provided with a mark reading sensor 29. When a two-dimensional barcode or a matrix type two-dimensional code is used as the mark 21, an example of the mark reading sensor 29 is a reading sensor equipped with an optical sensor (for example, an infrared sensor).

[0043] For ease of explanation, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the mark 21 is shown only on the unregistered cartridge 20 stored in the cartridge storage cell 24 with cell number "E10", but in reality, the marks 21 are also given to each of the registered cartridges 20 stored in each of the cartridge storage cells 24 with cell numbers "A1 to B10". In the example shown in Fig. 1, the marks 21 given to the registered cartridges 20 are omitted from the illustration.

[0044] Each drive housing cell 26 houses one magnetic tape drive 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, of the four drive housing cells 26 arranged vertically, the topmost drive housing cell 26 houses a first magnetic tape drive 30-1, and the second-highest drive housing cell 26 houses a second magnetic tape drive 30-2. Note that, although the example shown in FIG. 1 shows four drive housing cells 26, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the number of drive housing cells 26 may be one or more. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first magnetic tape drive 30-1 and the second magnetic tape drive 30-2, they will simply be referred to as "magnetic tape drives 30."

[0045] A cartridge 20 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The library controller 14 outputs a tape drive drive signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The tape drive drive signal is an example of a drive signal that instructs the magnetic tape drive 30 to drive. The magnetic tape drive 30 drives the magnetic tape MT housed in the cartridge 20 in accordance with the tape drive drive signal.

[0046] The library controller 14 reads data from the cartridge 20 by outputting a read request signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The read request signal specifies the type of data to be read. When it is necessary to distinguish between read request signals depending on the data to be read, a symbol may be added after "read request signal." However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the data to be read, the signal will simply be referred to as "read request signal." The magnetic tape drive 30 reads the data specified by the data type of the read request signal from the magnetic tape MT of the loaded cartridge 20 or from the storage device of the magnetic tape drive 30, and outputs the data to the library controller 14.

[0047] The library controller 14 writes data to the cartridge 20 by outputting a write request signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The write request signal contains the data to be written to the loaded cartridge 20. When distinguishing between different data types of data to be written, a symbol may be added after the "write request signal." However, when there is no need to distinguish between different data types of data to be written, the term "write request signal" will be used. The magnetic tape drive 30 writes the data specified by the write request signal to the magnetic tape MT of the loaded cartridge 20 or to the storage device of the magnetic tape drive 30.

[0048] The read request signal and the write request signal are examples of request signals output from the library controller 14 to the magnetic tape library 12.

[0049] There are several types of request signals, including read request signals and write request signals. Hereinafter, the several types of request signals may be collectively referred to as "request signals."

[0050] The transport mechanism 28 includes an upper bar 28A, a lower bar 28B, a pair of horizontally movable robots 28C, a vertical bar 28D, and a vertically movable robot 28E. The upper bar 28A is fixed to the upper part of the storage shelf 22 so as to extend horizontally. The lower bar 28B is fixed to the lower part of the storage shelf 22, parallel to the upper bar 28A.

[0051] The pair of horizontally movable robots 28C are attached to both ends of the vertical bar 28D. The pair of horizontally movable robots 28C are fitted into the upper bar 28A and the lower bar 28B. The horizontally movable robot 28C is a self-propelled robot that can move along the horizontal direction, and moves the vertical bar 28D horizontally along the upper bar 28A and the lower bar 28B while keeping the orientation of the vertical bar 28D perpendicular to the orientation of the upper bar 28A and the lower bar 28B. The vertically movable robot 28E is attached to the vertical bar 28D. The vertically movable robot 28E is a self-propelled robot that can move along the vertical direction. In other words, the vertically movable robot 28E moves in the vertical direction along the vertical bar 28D. The vertically movable robot 28E is provided with a gripping portion (not shown) that grips the cartridge 20.

[0052] The vertically movable robot 28E is also provided with a mark reading sensor 29, which reads the mark 21 provided on the gripped cartridge 20. As already explained, the mark 21 contains various information about the cartridge 20, including the cartridge number 64.

[0053] The library controller 14 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28. The transport mechanism drive signal is an example of a drive signal that instructs the transport mechanism 28 to drive. Each of the horizontally movable robot 28C and the vertically movable robot 28E is equipped with a motor (not shown), and the motors of the horizontally movable robot 28C and the vertically movable robot 28E generate power by being driven in accordance with the transport mechanism drive signal input from the library controller 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a position where a part of the vertically movable robot 28E directly faces the cartridge storage cell 24 with cell number "A1" is set as the reference position, and the horizontally movable robot 28C and the vertically movable robot 28E move independently using the power generated by the motor in accordance with the transport mechanism drive signal input from the library controller 14.

[0054] The library controller 14 is communicatively connected to the magnetic tape library 12 via a communication line 23. The library controller 14 comprehensively controls the transport mechanism 28 and the magnetic tape drive 30, thereby removing the cartridge 20 from the cartridge storage cell 24, storing the cartridge 20 in the cartridge storage cell 24, transporting the cartridge 20, loading the cartridge 20 into the magnetic tape drive 30, removing the cartridge 20 from the magnetic tape drive 30, registering the cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10, reading user data from the magnetic tape MT stored in the cartridge 20, writing user data to the magnetic tape MT, and the like.

[0055] The host computer 16 is communicatively connected to the library controller 14 via a communication line 23. The host computer 16 receives instructions from a user and instructs the library controller 14 to read user data from the magnetic tape MT housed in the cartridge 20 and to write the user data to the magnetic tape MT.

[0056] The storage 18 is communicatively connected to the library controller 14 via a communication line 23. A cartridge table 34 is stored in the storage 18. The storage 18 may be, for example, a SAN or NAS.

[0057] The storage 18 does not necessarily have to be separate from the library controller 14, but may be built into the library controller 14. In other words, regardless of the physical location relationship between the storage 18 and the library controller 14, the storage 18 functions as a storage medium provided in the library controller 14. The storage 18 is an example of a "first storage medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0058] The communication line 23 may be either a wired line or a wireless line. The cartridge management system 10 is constructed using, for example, a LAN, but may also be constructed using a combination of at least one of a WAN and the Internet.

[0059] Under the control of the host computer 16, the library controller 14 registers an unregistered cartridge 20, causes the transport mechanism 28 to remove a specific cartridge 20 from the cartridge storage cell 24, and causes the magnetic tape drive 30 to read and write user data from and to the magnetic tape MT inside the cartridge 20.

[0060] As an example, as shown in Figure 2, the cartridge 20 contains a magnetic tape MT that stores user data. In the following explanation, for convenience of explanation, the loading direction of the cartridge 20 into the magnetic tape drive 30 is indicated by arrow A in Figure 2, the direction of arrow A is the front direction of the cartridge 20, and the front direction side of the cartridge 20 is referred to as the front side of the cartridge 20. Furthermore, the direction opposite to the front direction of the cartridge 20 is the rear direction of the cartridge 20, and the rear direction side of the cartridge 20 is referred to as the rear side of the cartridge 20.

[0061] 2, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow B, which is orthogonal to the direction of arrow A, is defined as the right direction, and the right side of the cartridge 20 is defined as the right side of the cartridge 20. The direction opposite to the right side of the cartridge 20 is defined as the left side of the cartridge 20, and the left side of the cartridge 20 is defined as the left side of the cartridge 20.

[0062] 2, for convenience of explanation, the direction perpendicular to the directions of arrows A and B is indicated by arrow C, the direction of arrow C is the upward direction of the cartridge 20, and the upward side of the cartridge 20 is referred to as the upper side of the cartridge 20. Furthermore, the direction opposite to the upward direction of the cartridge 20 is referred to as the downward direction of the cartridge 20, and the downward side of the cartridge 20 is referred to as the lower side of the cartridge 20.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the cartridge 20 has a box-shaped case 36 that is generally rectangular in plan view. The case 36 is made of resin such as polycarbonate and has an upper case 36A and a lower case 36B. The upper case 36A and the lower case 36B are joined by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding) and screw fastening, with the lower peripheral surface of the upper case 36A and the upper peripheral surface of the lower case 36B in contact with each other. The joining method is not limited to welding and screw fastening, and other joining methods may also be used. The upper case 36A and the lower case 36B are an example of a "housing" of the cartridge 20 according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0064] A cartridge reel 38 is rotatably housed within the case 36. The cartridge reel 38 includes a reel hub 38A, an upper flange 38B1, and a lower flange 38B2. The reel hub 38A is cylindrical. The reel hub 38A is the axial center of the cartridge reel 38, and its axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction of the case 36, and it is disposed in the center of the case 36. The upper flange 38B1 and the lower flange 38B2 are each formed into an annular shape. The center of the upper flange 38B1 in a plan view is fixed to the upper end of the reel hub 38A, and the center of the lower flange 38B2 in a plan view is fixed to the lower end of the reel hub 38A. A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 38A, and the widthwise ends of the magnetic tape MT are held by the upper flange 38B1 and the lower flange 38B2.

[0065] An opening 36D is formed in the front side of the right wall 36C of the case 36. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out through the opening 36D.

[0066] A non-contact read / write device 50 is disposed on the exterior of the cartridge 20. The cartridge 20 has a cartridge memory 19 as a non-contact communication medium capable of communicating with the non-contact read / write device 50 in a non-contact manner. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the cartridge memory 19 is provided in the lower case 36B of the cartridge 20. Specifically, the cartridge memory 19 is housed in the right rear end portion of the lower case 36B.

[0067] The contactless read / write device 50 contactlessly reads and writes various information from and to the cartridge memory 19. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cartridge memory 19. Therefore, the cartridge memory 19 generates power by electromagnetically reacting to the magnetic field MF applied by the contactless read / write device 50, and uses the generated power to communicate with the contactless read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF, thereby exchanging various information with the contactless read / write device 50. Note that the communication method of the contactless read / write device 50 may be, for example, a method conforming to known standards such as ISO 14443 or ISO 18092, or a method conforming to the LTO specification of ECMA 319. Note that in this embodiment, the contactless read / write device 50 is an example of a "communication device" according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the cartridge memory 19 is also an example of a "contactless communication medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The cartridge memory 19 is also an example of a "second storage medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0068] The cartridge memory 19 stores information about the cartridge 20. Information about the cartridge 20 refers to, for example, management information for managing the cartridge 20. The management information includes, for example, information about the registration of the cartridge 20, identification information used to identify the cartridge 20, the storage capacity of the magnetic tape MT, an overview of the user data stored on the magnetic tape MT, the items of the user data, and the storage format of the user data. The management information is written to and read from the cartridge memory 19 by non-contact communication between the cartridge memory 19 and the non-contact read / write device 50. The management information is an example of "data".

[0069] A mark 21 indicating the cartridge number 64 is provided on the rear side of the cartridge 20. The position of the mark 21 on the cartridge 20 is not limited to this, and the mark 21 may be provided on any of the top, bottom, right, left, and front sides of the cartridge 20. It is preferable that the mark 21 be provided at a reading position where the mark reading sensor 29 provided on the vertically movable robot 28E reads the mark 21 when the vertically movable robot 28E grips the cartridge 20.

[0070] 3, the magnetic tape drive 30 includes a transport device 46, a magnetic head 48, and a control device 52. The cartridge 20 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 is a device that draws out the magnetic tape MT from the cartridge 20 and uses the magnetic head 48 to read and write user data from and to the drawn-out magnetic tape MT.

[0071] The control device 52 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 30. In this embodiment, the control device 52 is realized by a device including an ASIC 98. However, this is merely an example, and the control device 52 may be realized by, for example, an FPGA. The control device 52 may also be realized by a computer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control device 52 may also be realized by combining two or more of the ASIC 98, FPGA, and computer. In other words, the control device 52 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0072] The transport device 46 is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions, and includes a feed motor 54, a feed reel 56, a take-up motor 58, and a plurality of guide rollers GR.

[0073] The delivery motor 54 drives and rotates the delivery reel 56 under the control of the control device 52. The control device 52 controls the delivery motor 54 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the delivery reel 56.

[0074] When the magnetic tape MT is being unwound onto the supply reel 56, the control device 52 rotates the supply motor 54 to run the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction. The rotation speed and rotation torque of the supply motor 54 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT being unwound onto the supply reel 56.

[0075] The take-up motor 58 drives and rotates the cartridge reel 38 in the cartridge 20 under the control of the control device 52. The control device 52 controls the take-up motor 58 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the cartridge reel 38.

[0076] When the magnetic tape MT is wound onto the cartridge reel 38, the control device 52 rotates the take-up motor 58 so as to run the magnetic tape MT in the reverse direction. The rotation speed and rotation torque of the take-up motor 58 are adjusted according to the speed at which the magnetic tape MT is wound onto the cartridge reel 38.

[0077] In this way, tension within a predetermined range is applied to the magnetic tape MT by adjusting the rotation speed and rotation torque of each of the supply motor 54 and the take-up motor 58. The tension within the predetermined range refers to, for example, a tension range obtained by computer simulation and / or testing using an actual machine as a tension range within which user data can be read from the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 48 and user data can be written to the magnetic tape MT.

[0078] In this embodiment, the tension of the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotational speed and rotational torque of the supply motor 54 and the take-up motor 58, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the tension of the magnetic tape MT may be controlled using a dancer roller, or may be controlled by drawing the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

[0079] Each of the guide rollers GR guides the magnetic tape MT. The travel path of the magnetic tape MT is determined by disposing the guide rollers GR at positions across the magnetic head 48 between the cartridge 20 and the supply reel 56.

[0080] The magnetic head 48 includes a read / write element 60 and a holder 62. The read / write element 60 is held by the holder 62 so as to come into contact with the running magnetic tape MT, and reads and writes user data from and to the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 46.

[0081] As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, a contactless read / write device 50 is connected to a control device 52 of a magnetic tape drive 30.

[0082] The control device 52 outputs a control signal to the non-contact read / write device 50. The control signal is a signal that controls the cartridge memory 19. The control device 52 outputs a control signal corresponding to the type of request signal output from the library controller 14 to the non-contact read / write device 50.

[0083] The non-contact read / write device 50 emits a magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 19 in accordance with a control signal input from the control device 52. The magnetic field MF penetrates the substrate 37 of the cartridge memory 19 from the back surface 37A side to the front surface 37B side.

[0084] The non-contact type read / write device 50 performs non-contact communication with the cartridge memory 19, thereby providing the cartridge memory 19 with a command signal corresponding to the control signal. Specifically, the non-contact type read / write device 50 transmits the command signal via space to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the control device 52. The command signal is a signal that indicates an instruction to the cartridge memory 19, as will be described in more detail below.

[0085] When a command signal is transmitted via space from the non-contact read / write device 50 to the cartridge memory 19, the magnetic field MF contains a command signal generated by the non-contact read / write device 50 in response to an instruction from the control device 52. In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the non-contact read / write device 50. That is, under the control of the control device 52, the non-contact read / write device 50 transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF.

[0086] An IC chip 102 and a capacitor 104 are mounted on the surface 37B of the cartridge memory 19. The IC chip 102 and the capacitor 104 are adhered to the surface 37B. The IC chip 102 and the capacitor 104 are sealed on the surface 37B of the cartridge memory 19 with a sealing material 39. Here, an ultraviolet curing resin that hardens in response to ultraviolet light is used as the sealing material 39. Note that the ultraviolet curing resin is merely an example, and a photocuring resin that hardens in response to light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet light may also be used as the sealing material 39, or a thermosetting resin may also be used as the sealing material 39, or another adhesive may also be used as the sealing material 39.

[0087] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, a coil 106 is formed in a loop shape on the back surface 37A of the cartridge memory 19. Here, copper foil is used as the material for the coil 106. Copper foil is merely an example, and other types of conductive materials, such as aluminum foil, may also be used. The coil 106 induces an induced current when subjected to the magnetic field MF applied from the non-contact read / write device 50.

[0088] A first conductive portion 108A and a second conductive portion 108B are provided on the back surface 37A of the cartridge memory 19. The first conductive portion 108A and the second conductive portion 108B have solder and electrically connect both ends of the coil 106 to the IC chip 102 and the capacitor 104 on the front surface 37B.

[0089] As an example, as shown in FIG. 6 , on the surface 37B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 102 and the capacitor 104 are electrically connected to each other by wire bonding. Specifically, one of the positive and negative terminals of the IC chip 102 is connected to the first conductive portion 108A via a wiring 110A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conductive portion 108B via a wiring 110B. The capacitor 104 also has a pair of electrodes. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the pair of electrodes are electrodes 104A and 104B. The electrode 104A is connected to the first conductive portion 108A via a wiring 110C, and the electrode 104B is connected to the second conductive portion 108B via a wiring 110D. As a result, the IC chip 102 and the capacitor 104 are connected in parallel to the coil 106.

[0090] 7, the IC chip 102 includes a built-in capacitor 112, a power supply circuit 114, a computer 116, a clock signal generator 118, and a signal processing circuit 120. The IC chip 102 is a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the cartridge 20.

[0091] The cartridge memory 19 includes a power generator 124. The power generator 124 generates power when the magnetic field MF applied from the non-contact read / write device 50 acts on the coil 106. Specifically, the power generator 124 generates AC power using the resonant circuit 122, converts the generated AC power into DC power, and outputs it.

[0092] The power generator 124 has a resonant circuit 122 and a power supply circuit 114. The resonant circuit 122 includes a capacitor 104, a coil 106, and an internal capacitor 112. The internal capacitor 112 is a capacitor built into the IC chip 102, and the power supply circuit 114 is also a circuit built into the IC chip 102. The internal capacitor 112 is connected in parallel to the coil 106.

[0093] The capacitor 104 is an external capacitor attached to the IC chip 102. The IC chip 102 is a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the cartridge 20. Therefore, the capacitance of the built-in capacitor 112 may be insufficient to achieve the resonant frequency required by the cartridge memory 19 used in the cartridge 20. Therefore, in the cartridge memory 19, the capacitor 104 is retrofitted to the IC chip 102 as a capacitor having a capacitance value necessary for the magnetic field MF to act on the resonant circuit 122 to resonate at a predetermined resonant frequency. Note that the predetermined resonant frequency is a frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz) corresponding to the frequency of the magnetic field MF and is determined appropriately depending on the specifications of the cartridge memory 19 and / or the non-contact read / write device 50. The capacitance of the capacitor 104 is determined based on the measured capacitance of the built-in capacitor 112. Although an example in which the capacitor 104 is externally attached is given here, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the capacitor 104 may be pre-installed in the IC chip 102.

[0094] The resonant circuit 122 generates AC power by generating a resonance phenomenon at a predetermined resonance frequency using an induced current induced in the coil 106 when the magnetic field MF passes through the coil 106, and outputs the generated AC power to the power supply circuit 114.

[0095] The power supply circuit 114 includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, and the like. The rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit having multiple diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is merely an example, and a half-wave rectifier circuit may also be used. The smoothing circuit includes a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit 114 converts AC power input from the resonant circuit 122 into DC power and supplies the DC power (hereinafter simply referred to as "power") obtained by the conversion to various driving elements within the IC chip 102. The various driving elements include a computer 116, a clock signal generator 118, and a signal processing circuit 120. In this manner, the power generator 124 supplies power to the various driving elements within the IC chip 102, and the IC chip 102 operates using the power generated by the power generator 124.

[0096] The computer 116 controls the overall operation of the cartridge memory 19. The clock signal generator 118 generates a clock signal and outputs it to the signal processing circuit 120, etc. The signal processing circuit 120, etc. operate in accordance with the clock signal input from the clock signal generator 118. The clock signal generator 118 changes the frequency of the clock signal in accordance with instructions from the computer 116.

[0097] The signal processing circuit 120 is connected to the resonant circuit 122. The signal processing circuit 120 has a decoding circuit (not shown) and an encoding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 120 extracts and decodes a command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 106, and outputs the decoded signal to the computer 116. The computer 116 outputs a response signal to the command signal to the signal processing circuit 120. That is, the computer 116 executes processing according to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit 120, and outputs the processing result to the signal processing circuit 120 as a response signal. When the response signal is input from the computer 116, the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 120 modulates the response signal by encoding it, and outputs the response signal to the resonant circuit 122. The resonant circuit 122 transmits the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 120 to the contactless read / write device 50 via the magnetic field MF.

[0098] 8, the computer 116 includes a CPU 126, an NVM 128, and a RAM 130. The CPU 126, the NVM 128, and the RAM 130 are connected to a bus 132.

[0099] The CPU 126 controls the operation of the computer 116. The NVM 128 is an example of a "memory mounted on a contactless communication medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure. An example of the NVM 128 is an EEPROM. The EEPROM is merely an example, and for example, a ferroelectric memory may be used instead of the EEPROM, or any other non-volatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip 102. The NVM 128 stores management information and the like. The RAM 130 temporarily stores various types of information and is used as a work memory. An example of the RAM 130 is a DRAM or an SRAM.

[0100] The CPU 126 selectively performs polling processing, registration processing, access processing, and the like in response to command signals input from the signal processing circuit 120. The polling processing is processing for establishing communication with the non-contact read / write device 50, and is performed, for example, as a preparatory processing step prior to the registration processing and access processing. The registration processing refers to processing for registering a cartridge 20 that has not yet been registered in the cartridge management system 10. Through the registration processing, the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 registered in the cartridge management system 10 stores the cartridge number 64 assigned to the cartridge 20 registered in the cartridge management system 10 and registration information 66 indicating that the cartridge 20 has been registered in the cartridge management system 10. Note that the registration information 66 is information stored only in the NVM 128 of a cartridge 20 that has been registered in the cartridge management system 10. Furthermore, the access processing of user data for the cartridge 20 refers to processing for reading user data from the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20 and / or writing user data to the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20.

[0101] With the configuration described above, the cartridge management system 10 manages a plurality of cartridges 20, each containing a magnetic tape MT. When the library controller 14 receives a registration request signal from the host computer 16, it executes registration processing to register an unregistered cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10, following the processing flow shown in FIG. 9 as an example, before performing access processing for user data on the cartridge 20. The registration request signal is an example of a request signal output by the host computer 16 to the library controller 14. Note that hereinafter, the registration processing to register an unregistered cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10 will be referred to as the "registration processing for an unregistered cartridge 20."

[0102] As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the cartridge management system 10 performs registration processing for an unregistered cartridge 20, it executes a registration preparation processing 70, a first registration processing 71, an overwrite prevention processing 72, and a second registration processing 73 under the control of the library controller 14.

[0103] The registration preparation process 70 is a process of using the transport mechanism 28 to remove the cartridge 20 to be registered from the cartridge storage cell 24 and load it into the magnetic tape drive 30 in accordance with a registration request signal received from the host computer 16. The first registration process 71 is a process of storing the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 in the NVM 128 of the cartridge memory 19 in accordance with the storage status of the registered information 66 in the NVM 128. The overwrite prohibition process 72 is a process of prohibiting overwriting of the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 stored in the NVM 128. The second registration process 73 is a process of storing the cartridge number 64 of the registered cartridge 20 in the cartridge table 34 of the storage 18. The aspects of storing information in the storage 18, the NVM 128, and a storage medium such as the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20 are examples of "registration" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0104] After the registration process for the unregistered cartridge 20 is completed, the user data on the cartridge 20 can be accessed.

[0105] As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cartridge management system 10 executes access processing for the cartridge 20, it executes data processing 74 under the control of the library controller 14.

[0106] The data processing 74 is processing for reading and writing user data specified by a read request signal and / or a write request signal from the host computer 16 to the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20 specified by the read request signal and / or the write request signal. The data processing 74 is an example of an "execution processing" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0107] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the cartridge management system 10, which includes a library controller 14 that executes a registration preparation process 70, a first registration process 71, an overwrite prevention process 72, a second registration process 73, and a data process 74. The library controller 14 is an example of a "cartridge management device" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0108] 11, the library controller 14 includes a CPU 76, an NVM 78, and a RAM 79. The CPU 76, the NVM 78, and the RAM 79 are connected to a bus 90.

[0109] The CPU 76 is an example of a "processor" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The CPU 76 controls the entire cartridge management system 10. An example of the NVM 78 is an EEPROM. The EEPROM is merely an example, and for example, a ferroelectric memory may be used instead of the EEPROM, or any other non-volatile memory that can be mounted in the library controller 14. The RAM 79 is a volatile memory used as a work area when various programs are executed.

[0110] The CPU 76 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28. The transport mechanism 28 moves the horizontally movable robot 28C and the vertically movable robot 28E in accordance with the transport mechanism drive signal input from the CPU 76. The vertically movable robot 28E selectively performs a loading operation in which it removes the cartridge 20 from the cartridge storage cell 24 to which it has been moved and loads the removed cartridge 20 into the magnetic tape drive 30, and a storing operation in which it removes the cartridge 20 that has been loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30 from the magnetic tape drive 30 and stores the removed cartridge 20 back into the original cartridge storage cell 24. When the driving of the transport mechanism 28 based on the transport mechanism drive signal ends, the transport mechanism 28 returns to the reference position again.

[0111] The CPU 76 outputs a request signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 executes the process requested by the request signal input from the CPU 76.

[0112] The CPU 76 outputs a tape drive drive signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The control device 52 of the magnetic tape drive 30 controls the transport device 46 and the magnetic head 48 in accordance with the tape drive drive signal input from the CPU 76, thereby selectively performing a read operation to read user data from the magnetic tape MT and a write operation to write user data to the magnetic tape MT.

[0113] A control program 88 is stored in the NVM 78. The CPU 76 reads the control program 88 from the NVM 78 and executes the control program 88 on the RAM 79, thereby operating as a registration preparation unit 80, a first registration unit 81, an overwrite prohibition setting unit 82, a second registration unit 83, and a data access unit 84. The registration preparation unit 80 performs the registration preparation process 70. The first registration unit 81 performs the first registration process 71. The overwrite prohibition setting unit 82 performs the overwrite prohibition process 72. The second registration unit 83 performs the second registration process 73. The data access unit 84 performs the data process 74. The control program 88 is an example of a program related to the technology disclosed herein.

[0114] The host computer 16 issues instructions to the library controller 14 in response to user requests. The host computer 16 includes a CPU 16A, an NVM 16B, and a RAM 16C. The CPU 16A controls the entire host computer 16. The NVM 16B is a non-volatile memory. Various programs are stored in the NVM 16B. An example of the NVM 16B is an EEPROM, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the NVM 16B may be a ferroelectric memory instead of an EEPROM, or any other non-volatile memory that can be installed in the host computer 16. The RAM 16C is a volatile memory used as a work area when various programs are executed.

[0115] The CPU 16A, NVM 16B, and RAM 16C are connected to a bus 16D. The host computer 16 is connected to an accepting device 40 including, for example, a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel, and a monitor 42 such as an EL display or LCD. The accepting device 40 accepts instructions from an administrator and a user for the host computer 16. The monitor 42 displays output from the host computer 16 on a screen. Note that, although the accepting device 40 and the monitor 42 are illustrated as independent devices here, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and an input / output device in which the accepting device 40 and the monitor 42 are integrated may also be applied. An example of the input / output device is a touch panel display in which the touch panel included in the accepting device 40 and the monitor 42 are integrated.

[0116] As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the registration preparation unit 80 executes a registration preparation process 70 in response to a registration request signal input from the host computer 16.

[0117] For example, the host computer 16 outputs a registration request signal to the library controller 14 in response to an instruction from an administrator operating the receiving device 40. The registration request signal includes information capable of identifying an unregistered cartridge 20 designated as a registration target. Specifically, the administrator first assigns a cartridge number 64 to the unregistered cartridge 20 to be registered in the cartridge management system 10, and attaches a mark 21 representing the cartridge number 64 to the case 36 of the unregistered cartridge 20. The administrator then stores the unregistered cartridge 20 with the mark 21 attached in an empty cartridge storage cell 24 that does not yet store any cartridge 20. The unregistered cartridge 20 may be stored in the cartridge storage cell 24 manually by the administrator, or may be stored by the administrator operating the receiving device 40 to output a transport mechanism drive signal from the library controller 14 to the transport mechanism 28.

[0118] When the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 storing the unregistered cartridge 20 is received by the receiving device 40, a registration request signal including the cell number is generated by the host computer 16. Here, as an example, if an unregistered cartridge 20 is stored in the cartridge storage cell 24 with cell number "E10," the host computer 16 generates a registration request signal including the cell number of the cartridge 20 to be registered, and outputs the generated registration request signal to the registration preparation unit 80.

[0119] The storage 18 stores a cartridge table 34. The cartridge table 34 stores the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20, the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 storing the cartridge 20, and the frequency of use of the cartridge 20, all of which are associated with each other. The frequency of use of the cartridge 20 refers to the number of times user data has been written to and read from the cartridge 20.

[0120] When the registration preparation unit 80 receives a registration request signal from the host computer 16, it adds the cell number included in the registration request signal, i.e., the cell number in which the cartridge 20 to be registered is stored (in this case, as an example, "E10"), to the cartridge table 34 in the storage 18.

[0121] At the stage when a cell number is added to the cartridge table 34, the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 to be registered is unknown, so the cartridge number 64 is not set in the cartridge table 34. Instead, for example, "-" is set in the cartridge number column of the cartridge table 34 associated with the cell number. "-" is a symbol indicating that no value has been set in the cartridge number column.

[0122] Furthermore, at the stage when the cell number is added to the cartridge table 34, no user data has been read or written from or to the cartridge 20 to be registered in the cartridge management system 10. In this case, a "0" is set in the usage frequency column of the cartridge table 34 associated with the cell number.

[0123] The registration preparation unit 80 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal including the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 in which the cartridge 20 to be registered is stored to the transport mechanism 28. The transport mechanism 28 performs a loading operation in accordance with the transport mechanism drive signal input from the registration preparation unit 80. As a result, the cartridge 20 to be registered is removed from the cartridge storage cell 24 of the magnetic tape library 12 specified by the cell number included in the transport mechanism drive signal and loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30.

[0124] When the cartridge 20 is removed from the cartridge storage cell 24 and loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30 , the mark 21 on the cartridge 20 is read by a mark reading sensor 29 .

[0125] The mark reading sensor 29 outputs the cartridge number 64 read from the mark 21 attached to the cartridge 20 to be registered to the library controller 14.

[0126] As an example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the library controller 14 receives a cartridge number 64 from the mark reading sensor 29, the first registration unit 81 executes a first registration process 71.

[0127] The first registration unit 81 outputs a read request signal 85 to the magnetic tape drive 30 in which the cartridge 20 is loaded, specifying the registered information 66 as the read target, in order to determine whether the registered information 66 is stored in the NVM 128 built into the cartridge 20 to be registered.

[0128] If the registered information 66 is stored in the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20, it indicates that the cartridge 20 has already been registered in the cartridge management system 10. On the other hand, if the registered information 66 is not stored in the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20, it indicates that the cartridge 20 is not registered in the cartridge management system 10.

[0129] There are no limitations on the data structure of the registered information 66, and predefined registered information 66 is used. For example, the administrator may define the registered information 66 for each cartridge management system 10. In other words, the content of the registered information 66 may differ for each cartridge management system 10.

[0130] If the registered information 66 is stored in NVM 128, the magnetic tape drive 30 outputs the registered information 66 read from NVM 128 to the first registration unit 81. On the other hand, if the registered information 66 is not stored in NVM 128, the magnetic tape drive 30 does not output the registered information 66 to the first registration unit 81. Note that if the registered information 66 is not stored in NVM 128, the magnetic tape drive 30 may output information indicating that the registered information 66 is not stored to the first registration unit 81.

[0131] If the registration information 66 is not stored in the NVM 128, it means that the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 is an unregistered cartridge 20 that has not yet been registered in the cartridge management system 10.

[0132] Therefore, if the registered information 66 is not stored in NVM 128, the first registration unit 81 outputs to the magnetic tape drive 30 a write request signal 93 requesting that the cartridge number 64 be written to NVM 128, and a write request signal 94 requesting that the registered information 66 be written to NVM 128. If the registered information 66 is not stored in NVM 128, this means that the first registration unit 81 has not received the registered information 66 from the magnetic tape drive 30, or has received information from the magnetic tape drive 30 indicating that the registered information 66 is not stored in NVM 128.

[0133] The cartridge number 64 that the first registration unit 81 writes to the NVM 128 is the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 read by the mark reading sensor 29, i.e., the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30. The cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128 is an example of the "identification information stored in the second storage medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0134] On the other hand, if the registration information 66 is stored in the NVM 128, it means that the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 is a cartridge 20 that has already been registered in the cartridge management system 10.

[0135] If the registered information 66 is stored in NVM 128, the first registration unit 81 does not send a write request signal 93 or a write request signal 94 to the magnetic tape drive 30. As a result, the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 are not written to NVM 128. In other words, the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 already stored in NVM 128 are retained in NVM 128 as they are.

[0136] If the registered information 66 is not stored in the NVM 128, by executing the first registration process 71, the registered information 66 and the cartridge number 64 assigned to the cartridge 20 by the administrator are stored in the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30, as shown in FIG. 14 as an example.

[0137] After the first registration process 71 is completed, the overwrite prohibition setting unit 82 executes the overwrite prohibition process 72, as shown in FIG. 15 as an example.

[0138] The data stored in NVM 128 can be read, deleted, and changed. Therefore, the overwrite protection setting unit 82 outputs an overwrite protection request signal to the magnetic tape drive 30, which sets the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 stored in NVM 128 by the first registration process 71 to be overwrite-protected. Setting data to be overwrite-protected means that the data can be read, but deleting and changing it are prohibited.

[0139] 16, the storage areas for the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 in NVM 128 are set to be overwrite-protected. The overwrite-protection process 72 prevents the user from overwriting the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 stored in NVM 128 of the cartridge 20.

[0140] The overwrite prohibition request signal sets the storage area of ​​the data designated as the target for overwrite prohibition by the overwrite prohibition request signal to be overwrite prohibited. Therefore, data stored in a storage area of ​​the NVM 128 that is not set to be overwrite prohibited is permitted to be read, deleted, and changed by the library controller 14.

[0141] After the overwrite prohibition process 72 is completed, the second registration unit 83 executes the second registration process 73, as shown in FIG. 17 as an example.

[0142] The second registration unit 83 writes the cartridge number 64 received from the mark reading sensor 29 in the registration preparation process 70, i.e., the cartridge number 64 assigned to the unregistered cartridge 20, into the cartridge table 34. Specifically, the second registration unit 83 writes the cartridge number 64 into the cartridge table 34 in association with the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 in which the unregistered cartridge 20 was stored.

[0143] For example, as shown in FIG. 18, if the cell number is "E10" and the cartridge number 64 is "CN100", "CN100" and "E10" are written in association with each other in the cartridge table 34.

[0144] In addition, the second registration unit 83 may be configured to write the cartridge number 64 to the cartridge table 34 only if the registered information 66 is not stored in the NVM 128 of the unregistered cartridge 20 in the first registration process 71.

[0145] When writing of the cartridge number 64 to the cartridge table 34 is complete, the second registration unit 83 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing the transport mechanism 28 to perform a storage operation. Specifically, the second registration unit 83 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, specifying that the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 should be stored in the cell number "E10" that was included in the registration request signal received from the host computer 16 in the registration preparation process 70. As a result, the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 is removed from the magnetic tape drive 30 and stored in the original cartridge storage cell 24.

[0146] After outputting the transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, the second registration unit 83 outputs a registration completion signal indicating that the registration process requested by the registration request signal has been completed to the host computer 16. Note that the second registration unit 83 may output the registration completion signal to the host computer 16 after writing of the cartridge number 64 to the cartridge table 34 is completed and before outputting the transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28.

[0147] Upon receiving the registration completion signal, the host computer 16 notifies the administrator that registration of the cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10 has been completed, for example, by displaying a completion screen (not shown) on the monitor 42. This completes the registration process for the cartridge 20 shown in FIG.

[0148] The first registration unit 81 may store the cartridge number 64 in plain text in the NVM 128, but may also encrypt the cartridge number 64 before storing it in the NVM 128 to prevent information about the cartridge 20 from being leaked. A known encryption method such as AES is used to encrypt the cartridge number 64.

[0149] The timing for encrypting the cartridge number 64 does not necessarily have to be before storing it in NVM 128. For example, after the first registration unit 81 stores the cartridge number 64 in plain text in NVM 128, the overwrite protection setting unit 82 may encrypt the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128.

[0150] Next, the access process shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

[0151] As an example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the data access unit 84 executes access processing in response to an access request signal input from the host computer 16. The access request signal is output by the host computer 16 in response to a user instruction received by the receiving device 40. The user instruction refers to an instruction from the user. The user instruction includes a cartridge number 64 that can identify the cartridge 20 designated by the user as the target for reading or writing user data. The host computer 16 generates an access request signal that includes the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 that is the target of the access processing, and outputs the generated access request signal to the data access unit 84. The access request signal is an example of a request signal output from the host computer 16 to the library controller 14.

[0152] The access request signal includes an access type that specifies reading user data from the cartridge 20 and / or writing user data to the cartridge 20. If the access type is "read", the data access unit 84 reads user data from the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20. If the access type is "write", the data access unit 84 writes user data to the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20. An access request signal with the access type set to "write" also includes the user data to be written to the magnetic tape MT of the specified cartridge 20.

[0153] When the data access unit 84 acquires the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 that is the target for reading and writing user data, it reads the cell number associated with the acquired cartridge number 64 from the cartridge table 34 .

[0154] If the acquired cartridge number 64 is stored in the cartridge table 34, the cell number associated with the acquired cartridge number 64 is read from the cartridge table 34.

[0155] On the other hand, if the acquired cartridge number 64 is not stored in the cartridge table 34, the cell number associated with the acquired cartridge number 64 is not read from the cartridge table 34.

[0156] Therefore, depending on the state of reading the cell number from the cartridge table 34, it can be determined whether or not the cartridge number 64 is stored in the storage 18.

[0157] Of the cartridge numbers 64 from which cell numbers are read, the cartridge number 64 from which the cell numbers are read from the storage 18 by the data access unit 84 is an example of "identification information stored in the first storage medium" relating to the technology disclosed herein.

[0158] The cell number read by the data access unit 84 from the storage 18 is the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 storing the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read or written. When the data access unit 84 reads the cell number from the storage 18, it outputs a transport mechanism drive signal including the cell number read from the storage 18 to the transport mechanism 28. The transport mechanism 28 performs a loading operation to remove the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read or written, from the cartridge storage cell 24 of the magnetic tape library 12 specified by the cell number included in the transport mechanism drive signal, and load it into the magnetic tape drive 30.

[0159] If the unregistered cartridge 20 registered in the cartridge management system 10 by the registration process shown in FIG. 9 is a brand new cartridge 20, the same cartridge number 64 is stored in the NVM 128 and the cartridge table 34.

[0160] On the other hand, if the unregistered cartridge 20 registered in the cartridge management system 10 by the registration process shown in Figure 9 is a used cartridge 20, the cartridge number 64 assigned by the administrator is not stored in NVM 128 because the registered information 66 is already stored in the used cartridge 20.

[0161] It should be noted that a new cartridge 20 refers to a cartridge 20 for which the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 are not stored in the NVM 128. A used cartridge 20 refers to a cartridge 20 for which the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 are already stored in the NVM 128 before the registration process shown in Fig. 9 is performed in the cartridge management system 10. In other words, a used cartridge 20 refers to a cartridge 20 for which the registration process has been performed in a cartridge management system 10 other than the cartridge management system 10 managed by the administrator.

[0162] The library controller 14 exercises control so that access processing cannot be performed on the used cartridge 20. A cartridge number 64 is assigned to the cartridge 20 for each cartridge management system 10. In other words, a cartridge number 64 different from the cartridge number 64 assigned by the administrator will be stored in the NVM 128 of a used cartridge 20 that has been registered in another cartridge management system 10.

[0163] Therefore, the data access unit 84 outputs a read request signal 86 to the magnetic tape drive 30, specifying the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128 as the read target, in order to determine whether the cartridge 20 to be read or written with user data is a used cartridge 20.

[0164] When the read request signal 86 is input, the magnetic tape drive 30 reads the cartridge number 64 from the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 outputs the cartridge number 64 read from the NVM 128 to the data access unit 84.

[0165] The data access unit 84 compares the cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128 with the cartridge number 64 specified by the access request signal, that is, the cartridge number 64 stored in the storage 18 .

[0166] If the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128 matches the cartridge number 64 specified by the access request signal, the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 is not a used cartridge 20. Therefore, if the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128 matches the cartridge number 64 specified by the access request signal, the data access unit 84 continues the access process for the cartridge 20.

[0167] If the access type identified from the access request signal is "read," the data access unit 84 outputs a tape drive drive signal and a read request signal 87 specifying that user data stored on the magnetic tape MT be read to the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 runs the magnetic tape MT in accordance with the tape drive drive signal input from the data access unit 84, and reads the user data from the magnetic tape MT. The user data read from the magnetic tape MT is output to the host computer 16.

[0168] On the other hand, if the access type identified from the access request signal is "write," the data access unit 84 outputs a write request signal 92 for writing user data to the magnetic tape MT and a tape drive drive signal to the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 runs the magnetic tape MT in accordance with the tape drive drive signal input from the data access unit 84, and writes the user data to the magnetic tape MT.

[0169] When writing of the user data to the magnetic tape MT is complete, the data access unit 84 outputs a write completion signal to the host computer 16, indicating that writing of the user data to the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20 specified by the access request signal has been completed. Upon receiving the write completion signal, the host computer 16 notifies the user that writing of the user data to the cartridge 20 has been completed, for example, by displaying a completion screen (not shown) on the monitor 42. This completes the access process for the cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 10.

[0170] If the access type specified by the access request signal is "read and write," the data access unit 84 outputs a tape drive drive signal, a read request signal 87 for reading user data stored on the magnetic tape MT, and a write request signal 92 for writing user data to the magnetic tape MT to the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 runs the magnetic tape MT in accordance with the tape drive drive signal input from the data access unit 84, and reads user data from the magnetic tape MT and writes the user data to the magnetic tape MT. In other words, the data access unit 84 reads user data from the magnetic tape MT and writes user data to the magnetic tape MT with a single access request signal.

[0171] The operation of the cartridge management system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0172] As an example, FIG. 20 shows an example of the flow of a registration preparation process 70 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 when a registration request signal is received from the host computer 16.

[0173] 20, first, in step ST101, the registration preparation section 80 receives a registration request signal from the host computer 16. Thereafter, the registration preparation process 70 proceeds to step ST102.

[0174] In step ST102, the registration preparation section 80 acquires, from the registration request signal, the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 that stores the cartridge 20 to be registered. After that, the registration preparation process 70 proceeds to step ST103.

[0175] To perform initial registration of the cell number acquired in ST102, in step ST103 the registration preparation unit 80 stores the cell number acquired in ST102 in the cartridge table 34 in the storage 18. Thereafter, the registration preparation process 70 proceeds to step ST104.

[0176] In step ST104, the registration preparation unit 80 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing the transport mechanism 28 to load the cartridge 20 stored in the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 obtained in ST102 into the magnetic tape drive 30. While the specified cartridge 20 is being loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30, the mark reading sensor 29 of the transport mechanism 28 reads the cartridge number 64 of the specified cartridge 20. Thereafter, the registration preparation process 70 proceeds to step ST105.

[0177] In step ST105, the registration preparation section 80 obtains the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 from the mark reading sensor 29 and stores it in the RAM 79. This causes the registration preparation section 80 to end the registration preparation process 70.

[0178] As an example, FIG. 21 shows an example of the flow of a first registration process 71 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 after the registration preparation process 70 is completed.

[0179] 21, first, in step ST201, the first registration unit 81 outputs a read request signal 85, which requests the registered information 66 to be read, to the magnetic tape drive 30 in which the cartridge 20 is loaded. For ease of explanation, in the following explanation, the magnetic tape drive 30 to which the various request signals are output, i.e., the magnetic tape drive 30 in which the cartridge 20 is loaded, will be simply referred to as the "magnetic tape drive 30." After this, the first registration process 71 proceeds to step ST202.

[0180] When the magnetic tape drive 30 receives the read request signal 85, if the registered information 66 is stored in the NVM 128 of the loaded cartridge 20, the magnetic tape drive 30 outputs the registered information 66 read from the NVM 128 to the first registration unit 81.

[0181] In step ST202, the first registration unit 81 determines whether or not it has acquired the registered information 66 from the magnetic tape drive 30. If the first registration unit 81 has acquired the registered information 66 in step ST202, the determination is affirmative, and the first registration unit 81 terminates the first registration process 71. If the first registration unit 81 has not acquired the registered information 66 in step ST202, the determination is negative, and the first registration process 71 proceeds to step ST203.

[0182] In step ST203, the first registration unit 81 outputs a write request signal 93 to the magnetic tape drive 30, requesting that the cartridge number 64 stored in the RAM 79 in step ST105 of the registration preparation process 70 shown in Figure 20 be written to the NVM 128. Thereafter, the first registration process 71 proceeds to step ST204. Upon receiving the write request signal 93, the magnetic tape drive 30 stores the cartridge number 64 specified by the write request signal 93 in the NVM 128 of the loaded cartridge 20.

[0183] In step ST204, the first registration unit 81 outputs a write request signal 94 to the magnetic tape drive 30, requesting that the registered information 66 be written to the NVM 128. Upon receiving the write request signal 94, the magnetic tape drive 30 stores the registered information 66 specified by the write request signal 94 in the NVM 128 of the loaded cartridge 20. This causes the first registration unit 81 to end the first registration process 71.

[0184] As an example, FIG. 22 shows an example of the flow of an overwrite protection process 72 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 after the first registration process 71 is completed.

[0185] In the overwrite prevention process 72 shown in Fig. 22, first, in step ST301, the overwrite prevention setting unit 82 determines whether or not the registered information 66 has been acquired from the magnetic tape drive 30 in the first registration process 71 shown in Fig. 21. In step ST301, if the first registration unit 81 has not acquired the registered information 66, the determination is negative, and the overwrite prevention process 72 proceeds to step ST302.

[0186] In step ST302, the overwrite protection setting unit 82 outputs an overwrite protection request signal to the magnetic tape drive 30, which sets the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 stored in the NVM 128 to be overwrite-protected. This causes the overwrite protection setting unit 82 to terminate the overwrite protection process 72. Having received the overwrite protection request signal, the magnetic tape drive 30 sets the storage area in the NVM 128 for the cartridge number 64 and registered information 66 to be overwrite-protected.

[0187] On the other hand, if the first registration section 81 acquires the registered information 66 in step ST301, the determination is affirmative and the overwrite prohibition setting section 82 ends the overwrite prohibition processing 72.

[0188] As an example, FIG. 23 shows an example of the flow of a second registration process 73 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 after the overwrite protection process 72 is completed.

[0189] In the second registration process 73 shown in Fig. 23, first, in step ST401, the second registration unit 83 determines whether or not the registered information 66 has been acquired from the magnetic tape drive 30 in the first registration process 71 shown in Fig. 21. In step ST401, if the first registration unit 81 has not acquired the registered information 66, the determination is negative, and the second registration process 73 proceeds to step ST402.

[0190] In step ST402, the second registration unit 83 writes the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 to be registered, which was acquired from the mark reading sensor 29 in the registration preparation process 70 shown in Fig. 20, in association with the cell number acquired in step ST102 of the registration preparation process 70 shown in Fig. 20, into the cartridge table 34. Thereafter, the second registration process 73 proceeds to step ST403.

[0191] On the other hand, if the first registration unit 81 has acquired the registered information 66 in step ST401, the determination is affirmative, and the second registration processing 73 proceeds to step ST403.

[0192] In step ST403, the second registration unit 83 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing the transport mechanism 28 to remove the cartridge 20 from the magnetic tape drive 30 and store the cartridge 20 in the original cartridge storage cell 24 that had previously stored the cartridge 20. Thereafter, the second registration process 73 proceeds to step ST404.

[0193] In step ST404, the second registration section 83 outputs a registration completion signal to the host computer 16, and the second registration process 73 ends.

[0194] This completes the registration process of the cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10.

[0195] As an example, FIG. 24 shows an example of the flow of data processing 74 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 when an access request signal with the access type set to "read" is received from the host computer 16.

[0196] 24, first, in step ST501, the data access unit 84 receives an access request signal from the host computer 16. After that, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST502.

[0197] In step ST502, the data access unit 84 acquires the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read, from the access request signal. In order to acquire the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 that stores the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read, the data access unit 84 reads the cell number associated with the acquired cartridge number 64 from the cartridge table 34. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST503.

[0198] In step ST503, the data access unit 84 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing the cartridge 20 stored in the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 acquired in ST502 to be loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST504.

[0199] In step ST504, the data access unit 84 outputs a read request signal 86 to the magnetic tape drive 30, specifying the cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 as the read target. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST505.

[0200] In step ST505, the data access unit 84 stores the cartridge number 64 output by the magnetic tape drive 30 in response to the read request signal 86 output in step ST504 in the RAM 79. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST506.

[0201] In step ST506, the data access unit 84 determines whether the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal acquired in step ST501 matches the cartridge number 64 acquired in step ST505, i.e., the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read.

[0202] In step ST506, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal matches the cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128, the determination is affirmative and the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST507.

[0203] In step ST507, the data access unit 84 outputs a tape drive drive signal and a read request signal 87 to the magnetic tape drive 30, specifying that the user data stored on the magnetic tape MT is to be read, to start driving the magnetic tape drive 30. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST508.

[0204] In step ST508, the data access unit 84 stores in the RAM 79 the user data output by the magnetic tape drive 30 in response to the read request signal 87 output in step ST507. The data access unit 84 outputs the user data stored in the RAM 79 to the host computer 16. In step ST508, the user data read from the cartridge 20 specified by the user is output to the host computer 16. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST509.

[0205] On the other hand, in step ST506, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal does not match the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128, the determination is negative, and the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST509 without executing steps ST507 and ST508. In other words, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal does not match the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128, the data access unit 84 does not read user data from the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20.

[0206] In step ST509, the data access unit 84 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing it to remove the cartridge 20 from the magnetic tape drive 30 and store the cartridge 20 in the original cartridge storage cell 24 that had previously housed the cartridge 20. This causes the data access unit 84 to end the data processing 74.

[0207] As an example, FIG. 25 shows an example of the flow of data processing 74 executed by the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 when an access request signal with the access type set to "write" is received from the host computer 16.

[0208] 25, first, in step ST601, the data access unit 84 receives an access request signal from the host computer 16. After that, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST602.

[0209] In step ST602, the data access unit 84 acquires the cartridge number 64 of the cartridge 20 to which the user data is to be written from the access request signal. The data access unit 84 reads the cell number associated with the acquired cartridge number 64 from the cartridge table 34. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST603.

[0210] In step ST603, the data access unit 84 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing the cartridge 20 stored in the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 acquired in ST602 to be loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST604.

[0211] In step ST604, the data access unit 84 outputs a read request signal 86 to the magnetic tape drive 30, specifying the cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 as the read target. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST605.

[0212] In step ST605, the data access unit 84 stores the cartridge number 64 output by the magnetic tape drive 30 in response to the read request signal 86 output in step ST604 in the RAM 79. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST606.

[0213] In step ST606, the data access unit 84 determines whether the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal acquired in step ST601 matches the cartridge number 64 acquired in step ST605, i.e., the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128 of the cartridge 20 to which user data is to be written.

[0214] In step ST606, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal matches the cartridge number 64 stored in the NVM 128, the determination is affirmative and the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST607.

[0215] In step ST607, the data access unit 84 outputs a tape drive drive signal to the magnetic tape drive 30 to start driving the magnetic tape drive 30. After this, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST608.

[0216] In step ST608, the data access unit 84 outputs a write request signal 92 to the magnetic tape drive 30 to write the user data included in the access request signal received in step ST601 onto the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20. In step ST608, the user data specified by the user is written onto the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20 specified by the user. As the user data has been written onto the magnetic tape MT, the data access unit 84 outputs a write completion signal to the host computer 16. Thereafter, the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST609.

[0217] On the other hand, in step ST606, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal does not match the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128, the determination is negative, and the data processing 74 proceeds to step ST609 without executing steps ST607 and ST608. In other words, if the cartridge number 64 included in the access request signal does not match the cartridge number 64 stored in NVM 128, the data access unit 84 does not write user data to the magnetic tape MT of the cartridge 20.

[0218] In step ST609, the data access unit 84 outputs a transport mechanism drive signal to the transport mechanism 28, causing it to remove the cartridge 20 from the magnetic tape drive 30 and store the cartridge 20 in the original cartridge storage cell 24 that had previously housed the cartridge 20. This causes the data access unit 84 to end the data processing 74.

[0219] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an administrator assigns a cartridge number 64 to a cartridge 20 before performing the registration process for the cartridge 20 in the cartridge management system 10. However, instead of the administrator of each cartridge management system 10 assigning a cartridge number 64 to a cartridge 20, the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may assign a cartridge number 64 to each cartridge 20 before shipping the cartridge 20.

[0220] 26, a manufacturer computer 11 is installed at the manufacturer of the cartridge 20, and the manufacturer computer 11 is connected to the host computer 16 of each cartridge management system 10 via a communication line 17. The communication line 17 may be either a wired line or a wireless line. The communication line 17 may also be either a dedicated line or a public line.

[0221] For example, when an administrator purchases new cartridges 20 from the manufacturer of the cartridges 20, a cartridge number 64 corresponding to the number of cartridges 20 purchased is notified from the manufacturer's computer 11 to the host computer 16 via the communication line 17. Methods for notifying the cartridge number 64 via the communication line 17 include, for example, notification using a homepage, email, or SNS.

[0222] The administrator affixes a mark 21 representing the cartridge number 64 issued by the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 to the case 36 of the new cartridge 20, and then performs the registration process and the access process.

[0223] There are no restrictions on the timing of issuing the cartridge number 64, and the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may notify the host computer 16 of the cartridge management system 10, which is the shipping destination, of the cartridge number 64 in conjunction with the shipping of the cartridge 20. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may notify the manufacturer computer 11 of the cartridge number 64 when the host computer 16 of the cartridge management system 10 at the shipping destination of the cartridge 20 requests the manufacturer computer 11 to issue the cartridge number 64.

[0224] The manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may notify the administrator of the cartridge number 64 by mail, telephone, or fax.

[0225] Furthermore, the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may use a magnetic tape drive 30 installed in the factory to store the cartridge number 64 and registration information 66, which have been set to be overwrite-protected, in the NVM 128 at any one of the following times: when the cartridge 20 is manufactured, when the cartridge 20 is inspected, or when the cartridge 20 is shipped. If the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 stores the cartridge number 64 and registration information 66 in the NVM 128, the cartridge management system 10 may simply store the cartridge number 64 in the cartridge table 34 in association with the cell number of the cartridge storage cell 24 in which the cartridge 20 is stored, in the cartridge 20 registration process. Therefore, it is not necessarily necessary to assign the mark 21 to the cartridge 20. If the mark 21 is not assigned to the cartridge 20, the cartridge number 64 to be stored in the cartridge table 34 can be input into the host computer 16 by an administrator.

[0226] In this embodiment, the NVM 128 of the cartridge memory 19 is exemplified as the storage medium in the cartridge 20, but the storage destination of the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 is not limited to the NVM 128. As an example, as shown in Figure 27, the control device 52 may control the operation of the magnetic head 48 to write the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 to a BOT area 96 provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape MT.

[0227] In this way, when the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 are written to the BOT area 96, the control device 52 reads the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 from the BOT area 96 by controlling the operation of the magnetic head 48. The BOT area 96 is an example of a "part of the magnetic tape" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The BOT area 96 in which the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 are stored is an example of a "second storage medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0228] 27 shows an example in which both the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 are written to the BOT area 96, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, one of the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 may be written to the BOT area 96, and the other of the cartridge number 64 and the registered information 66 may be written to the NVM 128 of the cartridge memory 19.

[0229] The manufacturer of the cartridge 20 may store the cartridge number 64 and / or the registration information 66 in the BOT area 96 using a magnetic tape drive 30 installed in the factory before shipping the cartridge 20.

[0230] Furthermore, the cartridge number 64 and / or the registered information 66 may be stored in an EOT area (not shown) provided at the end of the magnetic tape MT instead of or in addition to the BOT area 96. Furthermore, instead of being limited to the BOT area 96 and EOT area of ​​the magnetic tape MT, the cartridge number 64 and / or the registered information 66 may be included in the mark 21 provided on the cartridge 20, for example.

[0231] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cartridge number 64 has been used as an example of identification information for identifying the cartridge 20, but the identification information is not limited to the cartridge number 64. The identification information may be any information that identifies the cartridge 20, and may be, for example, a manufacturing number that is assigned to the cartridge 20 in advance.

[0232] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 outputs various request signals to the magnetic tape library 12, causing the ASIC 98 included in the control device 52 of the magnetic tape drive 30 to execute the registration process and access process. However, the embodiment of the registration process is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 76 of the library controller 14 may directly control the magnetic tape drive 30 instead of the ASIC 98 of the control device 52. In this case, the control device 52 is unnecessary, which leads to a smaller magnetic tape drive 30 and lower product prices compared to when the magnetic tape drive 30 includes the control device 52.

[0233] In this embodiment, when performing registration processing on an unregistered cartridge 20, it is determined whether or not registration information 66 is stored in advance in the cartridge 20. If registration information 66 is not stored, the unregistered cartridge 20 is determined to be a new cartridge 20, and the identification information assigned to the cartridge 20 and the registration information 66 are stored in the cartridge 20 in an overwrite-protected state, and the identification information is also stored in the cartridge table 34 in the storage 18. On the other hand, when performing access processing for user data on a cartridge 20, the library controller 14 compares the identification information stored in the cartridge 20 from which user data is to be read or written with the identification information stored in the cartridge table 34 in the storage 18, and reads or writes user data from or to the cartridge 20 only if the respective identification information matches. Among used cartridges 20, there are cartridges 20 that have been leaked to the outside against the intentions of the cartridge 20's owner, for example, due to theft or misplacement. However, even if a used cartridge 20 is reused in a cartridge management system 10 different from the cartridge management system 10 from which the cartridge was stolen, the used cartridge 20 still stores the registered information 66 from the cartridge management system 10 from which the cartridge was stolen. Therefore, new identification information assigned to the used cartridge 20 by the other cartridge management system 10 is not stored in the used cartridge 20, and the identification information registered in the cartridge management system 10 from which the cartridge was stolen continues to be stored in the used cartridge 20. Meanwhile, the cartridge table 34 stores the identification information assigned to the used cartridge 20 by the other cartridge management system 10, so the identification information stored in the used cartridge 20 differs from the identification information stored in the cartridge table 34. Therefore, the library controller 14 exercises control so as not to read or write user data from or to the used cartridge 20. This configuration makes it possible to prevent unauthorized reuse of the cartridge 20 more effectively than when only identification information is stored in the cartridge 20.

[0234] In this embodiment, when registering the cartridge 20, the mark 21 attached to the case 36 of the cartridge 20 is read by a mark reading sensor 29 provided in the transport mechanism 28 to obtain identification information. However, the content of the identification information to be included in the mark 21 is determined by an administrator. Therefore, according to this configuration, by attaching the mark 21 to the case 36 of the cartridge 20, the administrator can store identification information that is convenient for managing the cartridge 20 in the cartridge 20 and the storage 18.

[0235] If an administrator obtains identification information from the mark 21 originally attached to the used cartridge 20 and stores the same identification information stored in the used cartridge 20 in the storage 18, it may be possible to illegally read user data from the used cartridge 20. However, if the mark 21 read by the mark reading sensor 29 provided in the transport mechanism 28 is different for each cartridge management system 10, the cartridge management system 10 attempting to newly register the used cartridge 20 will not be able to obtain the identification information from the mark 21 attached by the cartridge management system 10 from which the used cartridge 20 was shipped. Therefore, with this configuration, illegal reuse of cartridges 20 can be more effectively prevented than if each cartridge management system 10 uses a common mark 21.

[0236] In this embodiment, identification information issued by the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 can be used to perform registration processing and access processing of user data for the cartridge 20. In other words, the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 can assign unified identification information that is managed centrally to the cartridge 20. Therefore, with this configuration, the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 can more easily manage the products of the cartridges 20 that have been shipped, compared to when individual managers assign identification information to the cartridges 20.

[0237] In this embodiment, the registration process and the process of accessing user data for the cartridge 20 can be performed by using identification information issued by the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 via the communication line 17 to which the manufacturer computer 11 is connected. Because the identification information is issued by the manufacturer of the cartridge 20 via the communication line 17, the administrator can obtain the identification information when it is needed. Therefore, with this configuration, the library controller 14 can improve the efficiency of the administrator's work up to the time of starting the registration process, compared to when the administrator has the identification information of the cartridge 20 sent to him by mail from the manufacturer of the cartridge 20.

[0238] In this embodiment, the identification information is stored in encrypted form in the second storage medium. Therefore, with this configuration, the identification information is more difficult to decipher than when the identification information is stored in plain text, making it more difficult for the cartridge 20 to be fraudulently reused.

[0239] In this embodiment, after the first registration unit 81 stores the identification information in plain text in the second storage medium, the overwrite protection setting unit 82 encrypts the identification information stored in the second storage medium. Therefore, with this configuration, the process of storing the identification information in the second storage medium and the process of encrypting the stored identification information can be performed separately.

[0240] In this embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 has an NVM 128 from which data is read and written in a non-contact manner by the non-contact read / write device 50. Therefore, according to this configuration, the identification information and / or registered information 66 can be stored without causing physical damage to the cartridge memory 19, compared to when data is read and written in a contact manner to some kind of memory or the like.

[0241] In this embodiment, the identification information and / or registered information 66 is also stored in the BOT area 96 and / or EOT area of ​​the magnetic tape MT housed in the cartridge 20. For example, when the identification information and registered information 66 is stored in both the NVM 128 and the BOT area 96, the identification information and registered information 66 stored in the NVM 128 can be compared with the identification information and registered information 66 stored in the BOT 96 to confirm the reliability of the identification information and registered information 66. Furthermore, even if a problem occurs in either the NVM 128 or the BOT area 96, the identification information and registered information 66 can be obtained from the other.

[0242] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, an example is given in which the control program 88 is stored in the NVM 78, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. As an example, as shown in Fig. 28, the control program 88 may be stored in a storage medium 100.

[0243] The storage medium 100 is a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium. An example of the storage medium 100 is any portable storage medium such as an SSD or a USB memory. A control program 88 stored in the storage medium 100 is installed in the library controller 14. The CPU 76 performs a registration preparation process 70, a first registration process 71, an overwrite prevention process 72, a second registration process 73, and a data process 74 in accordance with the control program 88. In the example shown in FIG. 28 , the CPU 76 is a single CPU, but may be multiple CPUs.

[0244] 26, the control program 88 may be stored in a storage unit of an external device (not shown) connected to the communication line 17, and the control program 88 may be downloaded via the host computer 16 in response to a request from the library controller 14 and installed in the library controller 14. Alternatively, by connecting the communication line 17 to the library controller 14, the control program 88 may be downloaded directly from the external device to the library controller 14 without going through the host computer 16 and installed in the library controller 14.

[0245] 28 illustrates a library controller 14, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and a device including an ASIC, an FPGA, and / or a PLD may be applied instead of the library controller 14. Furthermore, instead of the library controller 14, a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration may be used.

[0246] The hardware resources that execute the registration and access processes can be various processors, as listed below. Examples of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource that executes the registration and access processes by executing software, i.e., a program. Examples of processors include dedicated electrical circuits, such as FPGAs, PLDs, or ASICs, which are processors with a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processes. Each processor has built-in or connected memory, and executes the registration and access processes by using the memory.

[0247] The hardware resource that executes the registration process and the access process may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, the hardware resource that executes the registration process and the access process may be a single processor.

[0248] As an example of a system configured with one processor, first, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a hardware resource that executes the registration process and access process. Second, there is a system that uses a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system, including multiple hardware resources that execute the registration process and access process, on a single IC chip, as typified by SoC. In this way, the registration process and access process are realized using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as hardware resources.

[0249] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can be, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices. The above registration process and access process are merely examples. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of the processes may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0250] The technology of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined with the various embodiments and / or various modified examples described above. Furthermore, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure extends to storage media that non-temporarily store programs, in addition to programs.

[0251] The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the above-described description and illustrations within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0252] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed connected by "and / or."

[0253] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0254] 10 Cartridge Management System 11 Manufacturer Computer 12 Magnetic Tape Libraries 14 Library Controller 16 Host Computer 16A CPU 16B NVM 16C RAM 16D Bus 17. Communication Lines 18. Storage 19 Cartridge Memory 20 Magnetic tape cartridge 21 marks 22 Storage Shelf 23 Communication lines 24 cartridge storage cells 25 double arrow 26 Drive Storage Cell 27 Double Arrow 28 Transport mechanism 28A Top bar 28B Lower Bar 28C Horizontally movable robot 28D Vertical Bar 28E Vertically movable robot 29 Mark reading sensor 30 Magnetic Tape Drive 34 Cartridge Table 36 cases 36A upper case 36B lower case 36C Right wall 36D aperture 37 PCB 37A back side 37B Surface 38 Cartridge Reel 38A reel hub 38B2 Lower flange 38B1 Upper flange 39 Encapsulating materials 40 Reception Device 42 monitors 46 Transport equipment 48 Magnetic Head 50 Contactless reading and writing device 52 Control device 54 Sending motor 56 Delivery Reel 58 Winding motor 60 Read / Write Elements 62 Holder 64 Cartridge Number 66 Registered Information 70 Registration Preparation 71 First registration process 72 Overwrite Protection Processing 73 Second registration process 74 Data Processing 76 CPU 78 NVM 79 RAM 80 Registration Preparation Department 81 First Registration Section 82 Overwrite protection setting section 83 Second Registration Division 84 Data Access Section 85 Registered information read request signal 86 Cartridge number read request signal 87 User data read request signal 88 Control Program 90 Bus 92 Data write request signal 93 Cartridge number write request signal 94 Registered information write request signal 96 BOT area 100 storage medium 102 IC chip 104 Capacitor 104A, 104B electrode 106 Coil 108A 1st conduction part 108B 2nd conduction part 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D wiring 112 Built-in capacitor 114 Power supply circuit 116 Computer 118 Clock Signal Generator 120 Signal Processing Circuit 122 Resonant circuit 124 Power generator 126 CPU 128 NVM 130 RAM 132 Bus A, B, C arrows GR guide roller MF magnetic field MT magnetic tape

Claims

1. a processor; a first storage medium provided at a location other than the magnetic tape cartridge; The processor: If the second storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge does not store registered information indicating that the magnetic tape cartridge has been registered in a cartridge management system, a first registration process is performed to register identification information for identifying the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium; performing an overwrite prohibition process for prohibiting overwriting of the identification information and the registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process; performing a second registration process for registering the identification information in the first storage medium; When the identification information stored in the first storage medium matches the identification information stored in the second storage medium, an execution process is performed to perform at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge. Cartridge management device.

2. The processor: acquiring the identification information from a mark provided on the housing of the magnetic tape cartridge; The identification information acquired from the mark is used to perform the first registration process, the overwrite prohibition process, the second registration process, and the execution process.

2. The cartridge management device according to claim 1.

3. The mark is different for each cartridge management system.

3. The cartridge management device according to claim 2.

4. The processor: The first registration process, the overwrite prohibition process, the second registration process, and the execution process are performed using the identification information issued by the manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge.

2. The cartridge management device according to claim 1.

5. The processor: The first registration process, the overwrite prohibition process, the second registration process, and the execution process are performed using the identification information issued by the manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge via a communication line.

5. The cartridge management device according to claim 4.

6. The first registration process includes a process of encrypting the identification information and registering the encrypted identification information in the second storage medium. The cartridge management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The overwrite prohibition process includes a process of encrypting the identification information and prohibiting overwriting of the encrypted identification information. The cartridge management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. the magnetic tape cartridge has a non-contact communication medium capable of communicating with a communication device in a non-contact manner; The second storage medium includes a memory mounted on the non-contact communication medium. The cartridge management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The magnetic tape cartridge contains a magnetic tape, The second storage medium includes a portion of the magnetic tape. The cartridge management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The cartridge management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the magnetic tape cartridge; A cartridge management system comprising:

11. A method of operating a cartridge management system having a first storage medium provided in a location other than a magnetic tape cartridge, comprising: performing a first registration process for registering identification information for identifying the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium when registered information indicating that the magnetic tape cartridge has been registered in a cartridge management system is not stored in the second storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; performing an overwrite prohibition process for prohibiting overwriting of the identification information and the registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process; performing a second registration process of registering the identification information in the first storage medium; and and performing an execution process for at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge when the identification information stored in the first storage medium and the identification information stored in the second storage medium match. How the cartridge management system works.

12. A computer applied to a cartridge management system having a first storage medium provided in a location other than a magnetic tape cartridge, performing a first registration process for registering identification information for identifying the magnetic tape cartridge and the registered information in the second storage medium when registered information indicating that the magnetic tape cartridge has been registered in a cartridge management system is not stored in the second storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; performing an overwrite prohibition process for prohibiting overwriting of the identification information and the registered information registered in the second storage medium by the first registration process; performing a second registration process of registering the identification information in the first storage medium; and and executing a process including, when the identification information stored in the first storage medium and the identification information stored in the second storage medium match, performing an execution process of at least one of reading and writing user data from and to the magnetic tape cartridge. program.

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