JPH02201723A - Detecting system for operation of automatic cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to an autocleaner operation detection method that checks the operation of an autocleaner that cleans the head and tape surface during high-speed rewinding of a magnetic tape based on the presence or absence of a head read signal. In order to prevent false error detection caused by The configuration is such that a motion detection timing is set during this period to check the presence or absence of a head read signal.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an operation detection method for an autocleaner that cleans a head and tape surface during high-speed rewinding of a magnetic tape.

The O1~cleaner mechanism provided in the magnetic tape device is
Activated during high-speed rewinding of a magnetic tape, the cleaner ribbon is moved and interposed between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape, cleaning dust attached to the magnetic head, preventing wear of the magnetic head during high-speed rewinding, and further cleaning the magnetic tape. The coated surfaces of the parts are cleaned at the same time.

Such an autocleaner mechanism moves a cleaner ribbon between a magnetic head and a magnetic tape by energizing a solenoid, and during operation, the cleaner ribbon is driven by a motor.

However, if the cleaner ribbon runs out or the solenoid malfunctions, the auto-cleaner mechanism will not operate properly, so it is necessary to always detect whether the auto-cleaner mechanism is operating normally during high-speed rewinding. be.

[Prior art] Conventionally, when rewinding a magnetic tape at high speed, a capstan motor is started to run the tape at a steady speed for a certain period of time, then the tape is switched to high speed running, and the tape is unwound from the reel while running at high speed. When the remaining amount becomes less than a predetermined value, the tape is returned to running at a steady speed, and then when the leading end mark BOT of the tape is detected, the tape running is stopped.

In the conventional auto-cleaner operation detection method for such high-speed tape rewinding, if the auto-cleaner mechanism operates normally, the reading head will not be able to obtain a read signal from the magnetic tape. By monitoring whether a read signal is obtained during the test, it is possible to monitor whether the device is operating normally.

That is, since the auto-cleaner mechanism is operated simultaneously with the start of high-speed rewinding by starting the capstan motor, it is monitored whether a head read signal is obtained during steady running immediately after the auto-cleaner operation.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such conventional autocleaner operation detection methods, the operation is confirmed by whether or not a read signal is obtained from the head immediately after the autocleaner mechanism operates. Therefore, there is a time delay before the cleaner ribbon is moved between the head and the tape when the solenoid is energized.
Furthermore, if the cleaner ribbon is loose, the cleaner ribbon may be delayed between the head and the tape. There was a problem in that the result was determined to be an error, resulting in an incorrect determination result.

The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and provides an autocleaner operation detection method that reliably prevents erroneous error detection due to autocleaner operation delays.

[Means to solve the problem] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the present invention first includes an auto-cleaner mechanism 16 that moves the cleaner ribbon 10 between the head 12 and the tape 14 to clean it during high-speed rewinding, and an auto-cleaner mechanism 16 that starts the capstan motor 8 during high-speed rewinding. After running at a constant speed for a predetermined time To, the machine switches to high-speed running, and when the remaining amount of tape 14 unwound becomes less than a predetermined value during high-speed running, it returns to constant-speed running at a steady speed, and then switches to high-speed running. The object of the present invention is a tape system equipped with a controller 20 that stops tape running when a leading end mark of the tape is detected during running.

Regarding such a tape system, the present invention includes:
The operation detection timing 22 of the auto-cleaner mechanism 16 is set between the time t1 when the tape 14 switches from high-speed running to steady speed to the time t2 when the leading edge mark is detected, and during this operation detection timing 22, the tape from the head 12 is The configuration is such that it is determined that the autocleaner mechanism 16 has malfunctioned only when a read signal is obtained.

[Function] In the autocleaner operation detection method of the present invention having such a configuration, is it possible to obtain a head read signal at the timing when switching from high-speed running to steady running, which is the end stage of high-speed rewinding of the tape? Since the automatic cleaner mechanism is checked to see if it is operating normally, even if there is a delay in the operation of the auto cleaner mechanism that inserts the cleaner ribbon between the head and the tape, it is still operating normally. As long as the
Highly reliable motion detection is possible.

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the magnetic tape device is equipped with a machine reel 24, and a file reel 26 that is detachable from the machine reel 24 is provided. ,
It passes through a capstan roller 30 driven by a capstan motor 18, further through a column 28-2, and is wound onto a machine reel 24. The capstan motor 18 is controlled by a drive circuit 32 under the control of the MPU 20 as a controller, and feeds the magnetic tape 14 to the right or left at a constant speed during reading or writing. On the other hand, during high-speed rewinding of the magnetic tape 14 from the machine reel 24 to the file reel 26, the MPU 20 controls the capstan motor 18 (
Start) = (Steady running) - (High speed running) - (Steady running) -
(stop) according to the speed pattern.

A write/read circuit 34 is provided for the read head 12, and writes data to or reads data from the magnetic tape 14 based on read or write access from a host device to the MPU 20.

The file reel 26 has a motor 36 and a drive circuit 38.
is provided, and the drive circuit 38 receives a control signal from the MPU 20 and a loop sensor 4 provided in the column 28-1.
A detection signal of 0-1 is input. The column 28-1 pulls the magnetic tape 14 unwound from the file reel 26 into the loop by a vacuum, and the magnetic tape 14
The loop tip position within column 28-1 is detected by loop sensor 40-1 and input to drive circuit 38. The drive circuit 38 controls the motor 36 so that the loop end position of the magnetic tape 14 detected by the loop sensor 40-1 is at a constant position within the column 28-1.

On the other hand, a motor 42, a drive circuit 44, and a loop sensor 40-2 are also provided on the machine reel 24 side, and the loop sensor 40-2 similarly applies vacuum to the column 28-2.
The motor 42 is controlled so that the loop end of the magnetic tape 14 drawn into the magnetic tape 14 is at a fixed position.

Further, on the right side facing the magnetic head 12, there is a tip position BOT (Beainnig of a tape) at which the winding of the magnetic tape 14 wound on the file reel 26 starts.
A BOT/EO sensor 46 is provided to detect the BOT mark provided on the EOT (Ending of Tape) and the EOT mark provided on the EOT (Ending of Tape) at the end of winding of the magnetic tape 14, and the output of the BOT/EOT sensor 46 is
The signal is provided to the CPU 20 via the EOT detection circuit 48.

The BOT mark and EOT mark formed on the magnetic tape 14 are optically reflective markers pasted on the magnetic tape, and are detected optically. Of course, it may be a magnetic recording mark.

The machine reel 24 is provided with a low tape sensor 50 that detects when the remaining amount of tape on the machine reel 24 becomes less than a predetermined amount during high-speed rewinding of the magnetic tape 14 onto the file reel 26. The detection output is sent to the MPU 20 via the low tape detection circuit 52.
is given to. As the low tape sensor 50, a sensor that optically detects the amount of tape remaining on the machine reel 24 can be used.

For such a magnetic tape device, an auto-cleaner mechanism 16 is provided near the magnetic head 12, and the auto-cleaner mechanism 16 cleans the MPU 20 during high-speed rewinding of the magnetic tape 14.
The drive circuit 54 operates in response to a control signal sent to the drive circuit 54 from the drive circuit 54 .

FIG. 3 is an external view of the autocleaner mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, the main body 16- of the autocleaner mechanism 16 is shown.
A solenoid 56 is provided on the upper right side of the main body 16-1, and the rondro 0 of the solenoid 56 is connected to the tip of a lever 62 that protrudes from the upper part of the main body 16-1, which rotates around a shaft 59 equipped with an internal return spring 58. ing. Main body 16-
A slider 64 is provided at the bottom of the slider 64.
A cleaner ribbon 10 is exposed on top. slider 64
is connected to the lower end of the lever 62 within the main body 16-1, and when the rod 60 is moved in the direction of the arrow by turning on and off the solenoid 56, the lever 6 rotates around the shaft 59.
2, the slider 6/l moves in parallel in the opposite direction, moving the cleaner ribbon 10 in the direction of the arrow.

Furthermore, a motor 68 is attached to the main body 16-1, and the cleaner ribbon 10 can be moved by the motor 68.

The magnetic tape 14 runs in a direction perpendicular to the cleaner ribbon 10 stretched over the slider 64 and passes under the cleaner ribbon 10 .

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the auto-cleaner mechanism shown in FIG. 3, showing the arrangement of the cleaner ribbon 10 with respect to the magnetic head 12 and magnetic tape 14.

In FIG. 4, when the solenoid 56 in FIG. 3 is off, the cleaner ribbon 10 is at a position 10-1 shown by a broken line, and when the solenoid 56 is turned on, it moves between the magnetic head 12 and the magnetic tape 14 as shown by the arrow. It moves to position 10-2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a processing circuit necessary for detecting the operation of the autocleaner of the present invention in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 5, a plurality of reading heads 12-1 to 12-n are connected to the reading circuit 34-1. Reading circuit 34-1
The output is input to the MPU 20 via the block recognition circuit 342. Normally, a plurality of data blocks are formed on the magnetic tape 14 via internal block gaps (IBG) for each predetermined data length, and when the magnetic tape is run, a read signal is output from the data blocks on the tape. Further, no read signal is output in the block gap IBG. Therefore, since the read circuit 34-1 obtains a read signal from the data block and no signal due to the internal block gap IBG as the tape runs, the block recognition circuit 34-2 recognizes the block from which the data read signal is obtained. A read signal is output to the MPU 20. Of course, the third
, 4, when the autocleaner mechanism is operated to place the cleaner ribbon 10 between the magnetic head 12 and the magnetic tape 14, no read signal is output even if it is a data block.

The MPU 20 also receives a detection signal from a BOT/EOT sensor 46 that detects the winding start BOT and winding end EOT of the magnetic tape 14 on the file reel 26.
A detection signal from a low tape sensor 50 provided via the OT detection circuit 48 and further provided on the machine reel 24 for detecting the arrival of a predetermined tape remaining amount is sent to the low tape detection circuit 52.
given through.

Further, a capstan motor 18 is connected to the MPU 20 via a drive circuit 32. When rewinding the magnetic tape 14 at high speed, the MPU 20 first operates the capstan motor 1.
8 for a certain period of time T.

During this time, the tape is run steadily at a steady speed, for example, 200 ips, and then switched to high-speed running, and when it receives a detection signal from the low tape sensor 50 during high-speed running, it returns to constant-speed running at a steady speed, and the steady-speed running is resumed. When the BOT mark is detected by the BOT/EOT sensor 46 during steady running of the tape, the running of the tape is stopped.

Furthermore, a solenoid 56 and a motor 68 provided in the autocleaner mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 3 are connected to the MPU 20 via a drive circuit 54. During high-speed rewinding, the MPU 20 starts the capstan motor 18 and at the same time turns on the solenoid 56 of the autocleaner mechanism 16 via the drive circuit 54 to move the cleaner ribbon 10 to the position 10-2, that is, the magnetic be moved between the head 12 and the magnetic tape 14, and at the same time the motor 6
8 to run the cleaner ribbon 10.

Next, the control processing of the present invention will be explained with reference to the operational flow diagram of FIG. 6A.

In FIG. 6A, when high-speed rewinding of the magnetic tape 14 by the MPU 20 is started, the operation of the auto-cleaner is first started in step S1. That is, the auto cleaner mechanism 1
By turning on the solenoid 56 provided at 6, the cleaner ribbon 10 is moved between the magnetic head 12 and the magnetic tape 14, and at the same time, by starting the motor 68, the cleaner ribbon 10 is moved between the magnetic head 12 and the magnetic tape 14.
Start running.

Next, the process proceeds to step S2, where the capstan mower 18 is activated and the vehicle is driven at a constant speed for a certain period of time To.

Subsequently, in step S3, the set time To for steady running is determined.
It monitors whether or not the predetermined time To has elapsed, and when the predetermined time To has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S4, where the capstan motor 18 is rotated at high speed to run the tape at high speed.

In the next step S5, it is monitored whether or not a detection signal from the low tape sensor 50 provided on the machine reel 24 is obtained while the tape is running at high speed.
When the remaining amount of tape becomes less than a predetermined value and low tape detection is performed, the process proceeds to step S6 and the capstan motor 18 is returned to normal constant speed running as in step S2.

When the capstan motor 18 is returned to normal constant speed running in step S6, detection of read data from the magnetic head 12 is started to confirm the operation of the autocleaner mechanism shown in step S7, and if no read data is detected, step S
Proceed to step 8 to check whether or not the BOT mark is detected, which indicates the start of winding the magnetic tape, and continue in step 87 until the BOT mark is detected.
．． Repeat the process of S8.

This step 37. In the loop of S8, if the autocleaner mechanism 16 malfunctions or the cleaner ribbon 10 breaks, the magnetic head 12 and magnetic tape 1
4, as shown in 10-2 in FIG. 4, read data from the magnetic head 12 is obtained because there is no cleaner ribbon, and the read data is detected in step S7, and the process proceeds to step S10, where the auto cleaner device Error detection is performed, and an error message of the autocleaner mechanism is displayed on the display panel of the magnetic tape device.

Note that the error display based on the error detection shown in step S10 is performed after the high-speed rewinding is completed. In that case, error detection is latched in step S10.

When the 80 mark indicating the leading edge of the tape is detected in step S8 while the magnetic tape is running at a normal constant speed, the process proceeds to step S9 to stop the capstan motor 18 and complete a series of high-speed rewinding operations.

FIG. 6B shows an operation flow diagram of the conventional method, and the same step numbers as in FIG. 6A, which shows the operation flow diagram of the present invention, are shown.

In the conventional method shown in FIG. 6B, immediately after starting the capstan motor in step S2 and starting constant speed running for a certain period of time To, read data is detected in step S7 to confirm the operation of the auto cleaner mechanism. and
When read data is detected in step S7, step S1
Proceed to 0 to perform error detection and error display. However, if there is an operation delay in the auto-cleaner mechanism, even if the auto-cleaner mechanism 16 operates normally, the read data will be detected in step S7 due to the operation delay, and the error detection display in step 310 will be erroneously performed.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A,
This is because the operation detection timing of the auto-cleaner mechanism 16 is set between the time when the capstan motor is switched from high speed rotation to normal constant speed running in step S6 until the BOT mark indicating the end of tape rewinding is detected. Even if there is a delay in the operation of the autocleaner mechanism 16, erroneous error detection will not occur as long as it operates normally.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the present invention, in which (a) is a tape speed diagram, (b) is the operation detection timing of the present invention, and (C) is the operation of the conventional system. In FIG. 7 showing the detection timing, first, during high-speed rewinding, time t
The capstan motor is started at o, and the vehicle runs at a constant speed at a normal speed for a certain period of time To from time t1 to time t2. When the constant speed running for the TO time ends, the vehicle switches to high speed running, and starts running at a predetermined high speed from time t3.

During this high speed running, at time t4, when the low tape detection unit 50 performs low tape detection at which the remaining amount of tape on the machine reel 24 becomes less than a predetermined value, the machine switches back to the original constant speed running at time t5. During steady running from time t5, when the BOT mark is detected at time t6, the capstan motor stops, and tape running ends at time t7.

For such a speed diagram during high-speed rewinding, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the BOT mark is detected at the time when high-speed running is switched to steady running, that is, from time t5. The motion detection timing is set between time t6.

On the other hand, in the conventional method shown in FIG. 7(C), from time 11 to
The operation detection timing is set during t2, and this operation detection timing is immediately after the operation of the autocleaner mechanism, resulting in erroneous error detection due to operation delay. However, since the operation detection timing of the present invention is during steady running from time t5 to t6, which is the end stage of high-speed tape rewinding, even if there is an operation delay in the auto-cleaner mechanism 16, it is certain that the tape will be at the end stage of high-speed tape rewinding. Since the cleaner ribbon 10 is placed between the magnetic head 12 and the magnetic tape 14, it is possible to reliably prevent an error from being erroneously detected even though the autocleaner mechanism 16 is operating normally.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, even if there is a delay in the operation of the autocleaner mechanism for some reason, the operation is checked at the final point of high-speed rewinding, so the reading obtained due to the delay in operation is Erroneous error detection is not performed from the signal, and high reliability can be obtained in confirming the operation of the autocleaner mechanism.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is an external view of the auto-cleaner mechanism; Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the auto-cleaner mechanism; Fig. 5 is an illustration of the operation of the auto-cleaner mechanism; Embodiment configuration diagram of a processing circuit of the present invention: FIG. 6A is an operational flow diagram of the present invention; FIG. 6B is an operational flow diagram of a conventional system; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of operation detection timing of the present invention. In the figure, 10: Cleaner ribbon 12: Head (magnetic head) 12-1 to 12'-n: Reading head 14: Tape (magnetic tape) 16: Auto cleaner mechanism 18: Capstan motor 20: Controller (MPU) 22: Operation detection timing 24 Ni machine reel 26 Two file reel 28-1.28-2: Column 30: Capstan roller 32.38, 44, 54 Ni drive circuit 34: Write/read circuit 34-1: Read circuit 34- 2 Niblock recognition circuit 36.42, 68: Motor 40-1.40-2: Loop sensor 4.6: BOT/EOT sensor BOT/EOT detection circuit Low tape sensor Low tape detection circuit No-turn spring shaft Ron lever slider

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An auto-cleaner mechanism (16) that moves the cleaning ribbon (10) between the head (12) and the tape (14) for cleaning during high-speed rewinding; starts the capstan motor (18) during high-speed rewinding; for a predetermined time (T
During o), after running at a constant speed, switch to high-speed running, and when the remaining amount of tape (14) to be unwound becomes less than a predetermined value during the high-speed running, return to the steady speed, and operate at the steady speed. In a tape system, the tape system includes: a controller (20) that stops tape running when a leading end mark of the tape (14) is detected during constant speed running; The operation detection timing (22) of the autocleaner mechanism (14) is set between the switching time (t1) and the detection time (t2) of the tip mark, and the operation detection timing (22) is set.
). A method for detecting operation of an autocleaner, characterized in that a malfunction of the autocleaner mechanism (16) is determined only when a tape reading signal is obtained from the head (12) during the period.