Noncontact Communication Medium Specification-Independent Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cartridge memory systems face challenges in efficiently storing accompanying information due to limitations in storage capacity, leading to increased size and cost, while also requiring separate storage blocks for attribute and vendor-specific information.
Innovation Solution
A noncontact communication medium with a processor and memory that includes a specification-independent storage field for storing accompanying information, allowing flexible locking and writing of data in byte units, and switching between different storage fields based on flags and commands from external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the storage capacity of the cartridge memory is increased to store more accompanying information, then the storage capacity is improved, but the size and cost of the cartridge memory increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage block is divided into two distinct storage fields: a specification-dependent storage field for storing attribute information and a specification-independent storage field for storing accompanying information. This segmentation allows the system to store more information without requiring a proportional increase in overall storage capacity, as each field serves a specific purpose and can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by creating specification-independent storage fields that can store accompanying information without being constrained by the traditional specification-dependent structure. This dimensional change allows for increased storage capacity while maintaining compatibility with existing specifications.
2Reliability
If separate storage blocks are used for attribute information and vendor-specific information, then data integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage of attribute information and accompanying information into a single storage block, but organizes them into distinct storage fields. This approach maintains data integrity through field separation while avoiding the complexity of completely separate storage blocks, as both types of information coexist within the same memory structure under unified management.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage block is designed to serve multiple functions: it can store both specification-dependent attribute information and specification-independent accompanying information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated storage blocks while maintaining the integrity and organization of different data types through field-level separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A noncontact communication medium includes a processor, and a memory incorporated in or connected to the processor, and performs noncontact communication with an external communication device. The memory has a storage block where information regarding an attribute of the noncontact communication medium is stored and that includes a plurality of storage fields. The plurality of storage fields include a specification-independent storage field where information independent of a specification of a magnetic tape cartridge, in which the noncontact communication medium is mounted, is stored. The processor is configured to write accompanying information regarding the magnetic tape cartridge in the specification-independent storage field in response to an instruction given from the external communication device to the noncontact communication medium by the noncontact communication.