Fujitsu Corporation

Hitomi Akiyama

Yoshiki Akiyama

Kenichi Utsumi

Ichirou Sakuma

Reisuke Nakagawa

Hiroyasu Inagaki

Katsumi Inazawa

Kinya Saito

Kengo Yamakawa

Yukio Katsuyama

Mitsuru Yasue

Yoshiharu Itoh

Yoshiharu Itou

Kimya Saito

In order to facilitate the management of the hardware key of a library apparatus employing the LTO system, a write function of a noncontact memory (CM: cartridge memory) contained in an LTO tape cartridge is implemented in a medium carrying mechanism part of the library apparatus, and during an insertion to a tape drive, the IDs unique to a library control part and to the medium carrying mechanism part are recorded in the non-contact memory and utilized as the hardware key of an encrypting apparatus. The hardware key written once is overwritten (erased) during an ejection, thereby preventing leakage of key information.

Apparatus and method for managing key in library apparatus

Disclosed is a method, for erasing data from a magnetic tape storage medium () housed in a cartridge () containing a memory in which are stored the last written track position (yy) of the last written, most recent information and the last track position (xx) of past information written in the past and remaining unerased, comprising: the step of reading out of the memory () the last written track position of the most recent information and the last track position of the past information; the step (S) of determining whether the data should be erased up to the last written track position of the most recent information or up to the last track position of the past information; and the step (S, S) of erasing the data up to the determined position, thereby shortening the data erase time of the magnetic tape while completely solving a security problem by making provisions to completely erase the data of the most recently written information or the data of the past information written in the past and remaining unerased.

Method for erasing data from magnetic tape storage media

A drive control apparatus receives an instruction from an upper unit, to mount a predetermined medium onto a predetermined drive unit. If a combination of the predetermined medium and the predetermined drive unit is determined as inappropriate, the drive control unit replies to the upper unit that the predetermined drive unit cannot be used. A combination of a medium and a drive is appropriate if both, the medium and the drive are suitable for any one of encrypted and unencrypted data.

Apparatus and method for drive control, and computer product

A library apparatus is adapted to write to and read from a plurality of cartridges each housing a tape wound around a reel. The tape has a leader block attached to a tip thereof for pulling the tape out of its cartridge and adapted to be seated in a leader block latch provided on the cartridge. The apparatus includes a cell unit having a plurality of cells for storing the tape cartridges, a threader unit for writing data to and/or reading data from a selected cartridge. The threader unit has a pin for engaging the leader block and pulling the tape out of the cartridge for writing and/or reading data on the tape. A loading unit is connected to the threader unit for holding the cartridge in a first position where the pin is prevented from engaging the leader block of the cartridge, and a second position where the pin is allowed to engage the leader block and write and/or read from the tape. An accessor transfers the cartridge between the cell unit and the first position of the loading unit.

Library apparatus having pressing device for correcting alignment of a leader block on a cartridge tape

An apparatus is automatically conveying cartridges reliably and correctly without causing errors, making it possible to enhance the operation efficiency and performance of the apparatus. The apparatus is automatically conveying cartridges disposed adjacent to a recording/reproducing apparatus, and is comprised of a cell mechanism having racks, an accessor mechanism having an accessor, and a conveyance control unit for controlling the conveyance of the cartridges by controlling the accessor mechanism, wherein the accessor is provided with catcher hands, a catcher hand drive mechanism, an open detector mechanism for detecting the open state of said catcher hands, and a closed detector mechanism for detecting the closed state of said catcher hand. The conveyance control unit is equipped with a catcher hand controller which controls the catcher hands to assume an open state, a closed state or a middle state which is an intermediate state relying upon the data detected by the open detector mechanism and the closure detector mechanism.

Apparatus for automatically conveying cartridges

A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a selected one of a plurality of cartridge recording media; a cartridge storing member for storing the plurality of cartridge recording media; and an accessor for taking the selected cartridge recording medium out of the cartridge storing member, and feeding the selected cartridge recording medium to the drive unit. The cartridge storing member has a plurality of cells through which the cartridge recording media are allowed to be respectively inserted and passed toward the drive unit. Each of the cells includes a latch for positioning the cartridge recording media into a transfer position wherein the cartridge recording media is transferred to the accessor; improper insertion preventing means for preventing full insertion of the cartridge recording media into cells in an improper orientation; and a shutter mechanism including a door which is allowed to be opened only when a given cartridge recording media is inserted and ejected. Each cell also includes a stopper for limiting opening and closing of the door in cooperation with the passing of each cartridge recording media through the cell; and a flag used to determine whether each cartridge recording media has been inserted into the respective each of the cells or has been ejected from the respective each of the cells.

Magnetic tape machine

Disclosed herein is a magnetic tape machine including a magnetic tape unit for performing read and write of data on a cartridge recording medium; a cartridge storing member having a plurality of cells each capable of storing the cartridge recording medium; and an automatic cartridge loader for carrying the cartridge recording medium between each cell of the cartridge storing member and the magnetic tape unit and between one of the cells and another of the cells of the cartridge storing member. The automatic cartridge loader includes an accessor for holding the cartridge recording medium; a moving member for supporting the accessor and moving the accessor in a direction of arrangement of the cells; and a speed control device for controlling a moving speed of the accessor. The speed control device decides the moving speed according to friction data between the accessor and the moving member. In this magnetic tape machine, the occurrence of errors can be suppressed, and no troublesome work for assembly is required.

Growing community of inventors

Kawasaki, Japan

Hitomi Akiyama