Library Device Take-Out Control for Deep-Cell Recording Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deep-cell type library devices face issues when processing requests for recording media stored in the rear, as they inadvertently draw in and attempt to read/write the front media, leading to incomplete notification of the take-out process, disrupting smooth command output for information reading/writing operations.

Innovation Solution

A library control device with a take-out control unit that instructs the accessor to retrieve the rear recording medium after removing the front one and an operation interruption control unit that interrupts the draw-in operation of the evacuation destination drive, ensuring the front media is returned to its storage unit without administrator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the library device takes out a rear recording medium by temporarily evacuating the front recording medium to an evacuation destination drive device, then the take-out process can proceed, but the evacuation destination drive device may detect and draw in the temporarily evacuated recording medium, causing operational disruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetake-out process efficiencyVSAvoidoperation completion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The library control device performs preliminary actions by instructing the evacuation destination drive device to maintain a state where it will not draw in a recording medium under specific conditions. This preliminary control prevents the problematic draw-in operation before it can occur, ensuring the take-out process completes reliably without disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the library control device monitors the state of the evacuation destination drive device and adjusts its control instructions accordingly. By receiving status information from the drive device about whether a recording medium is present or being processed, the control device can coordinate the take-out operation to avoid conflicts and ensure reliable completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the evacuation destination drive device draws in the temporarily evacuated recording medium, then information reading operation starts, but the take-out target recording medium cannot be returned to its original storage unit, disrupting command output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic operation capabilityVSAvoidprocess completion time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The library control device applies preliminary anti-action by pre-instructing the evacuation destination drive device to maintain a non-draw-in state during the take-out process. This counteracts the automatic detection and draw-in behavior that would otherwise occur, preventing the harmful effect before it can disrupt the take-out operation and cause time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The library control device acts as an intermediary between the accessor mechanism and the evacuation destination drive device. It mediates the interaction by controlling the drive device's draw-in behavior based on the overall system state, ensuring that the take-out process can complete automatically without administrator intervention while maintaining proper timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If the library management device receives notification that a recording medium has been brought to the front entrance, then it transmits a draw-in operation start command, but this conflicts with the take-out process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic detection and responseVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control where the library control device receives notifications from the drive device about recording medium presence and uses this information to adjust its control instructions. The feedback loop allows the system to automatically distinguish between normal operations and take-out process conditions, managing complexity through intelligent response rather than overly complex hardware design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2881949B1Library device, control method therefor, and library control device
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 NEC PLATFROMS LTD
  • EP2881949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2881949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2881949B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A library device includes: a recording medium storage unit that stores at least a first recording medium, and a second recording medium that is a take-out request target; an accessor that takes out the second recording medium from the recording medium storage unit after taking out the first recording medium from the recording medium storage unit; an evacuation destination drive device that receives the first recording medium taken out by the accessor; a take-out destination drive device that draws in the second recording medium taken out by the accessor; and an operation interruption control unit that performs a control that interrupts an operation of the evacuation destination drive drawing in the second recording medium taken in the evacuation destination drive device.