JPH08255472A - Medium management device for optical disk device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a method, in which a user is informed effectively of a periodic cleaning time, by storing the operating-time information of an optical disk device in a non-volatile memory, measuring the operating time by the identification number of a used medium and outputting cleaning requirement. CONSTITUTION: The operating time of a medium 1 is measured by a time measuring means 26a, and operating-time information measured is stored in a non- volatile storage means 25a. A control section 22a can inform a user of the time of periodic medium cleaning from the real operating time for outputting cleaning requirement by the time measured to the same medium from the identification number of the medium 1. The control section 22a informs the user of the accurate medium cleaning time from operating-time information recorded on the medium 1 even when a different optical disk device is employed because the operating-time information is written at the time of the usage of the medium. Reset operation is conducted simply for resetting the operating-time information of the medium outputting cleaning requirement by operating an infection switch discharging the medium 1 in the control section 22a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medium management device of an optical disc device for cleaning an optical disc medium of the optical disc device (hereinafter, simply referred to as medium).

In recent years, optical disk devices have come to be used in information processing equipment handling a large amount of data as an alternative to floppy disk (FDD) devices. One problem with such an optical disk device is that when it is used for a certain period of time, the recording surface becomes dirty due to fine dust in the usage atmosphere,
The point is that data errors are likely to occur. For this reason,
A media management method for solving this problem is desired.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is no clear measure against the problem of an optical disk device, that is, when used for a certain period of time, the recording surface is contaminated by fine dust in the atmosphere in which it is likely to cause a data error. There wasn't.

For example, a cleaning tool for the medium is prepared, and the cleaning of the medium is promoted at regular intervals, and statistical information of the medium read error (ECC which is an error correction code contained in a specific number of read blocks is used. There was a method of issuing a cleaning request when the error ratio exceeds a certain value, based on (comparing the number of errors). Then, the upper device (host) uses a SCSI (small computer system interf
I was getting to know this through the ace interface.

Further, the optical disk device side has generally taken the following measures. (1) The optical disk medium is a removable medium that can be removed and replaced. After loading / unloading the medium, the apparatus closes the medium insertion port with a highly bezel.

(2) The medium is contained in the cartridge case, but when used, the shutter is opened to expose the recording surface to the atmosphere. Seal the vicinity of the optical head with a dust countermeasure seal against dust and dirt that adheres to the cartridge or that enters from the medium insertion port.

(3) Since the optical recording / reading is performed, it is vulnerable to fine particles, oil mist, etc. having a size several times to several tens times the beam spot diameter. As a countermeasure, the air inside the optical disk device is kept clean by an air filter.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional device has the following problems. In the method of regularly cleaning the medium, the degree of contamination of the medium varies depending on the usage situation such as the usage atmosphere, and if the usage time is long, a data error occurs due to dust before the regular cleaning.

Based on the statistical information of the read error of the medium,
In the method of issuing the cleaning request when the error ratio exceeds a certain value, the cleaning request may be issued even when the read error is not caused by the contamination of the medium.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and informs the user of a regular medium cleaning time from the actual use time by a simple operation, and reliably prevents an obstacle due to dust adhering to the medium. With the goal.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a medium (optical disk), 2a is a medium management section, 22a is a control section, 25a is a non-volatile memory,
Reference numeral 26a indicates a time measuring means.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. A cleaning request is output based on the time measuring means 26a for measuring the use time of the medium 1, a non-volatile storage means for storing the measured use time information, and the measured use time for the medium 1 from the identification number of the medium 1. And a control unit 22a that operates.

Further, the control section 22a writes an identification number peculiar to the medium to the medium 1 when the medium is used. Further, the control unit 22a writes the measured usage time information in the medium 1 when the medium is used. Further, by operating an eject switch for ejecting the medium, the control unit 22a causes the non-volatile The use time information of the medium 1 which has output the cleaning request for the storage means is reset.

[0014]

The operation of the present invention based on the above construction will be described. The time measuring means 26a measures the use time of the medium 1, and the measured use time information is stored in the non-volatile storage means. Then, the control unit 22a informs the user of the periodical cleaning time of the medium from the actual use time in order to output the cleaning request based on the measured use time for the same medium from the identification number of the medium 1. it can.

Further, the control unit 22a writes an identification number peculiar to the medium when the medium is used,
Even if the medium 1 is replaced, the user can be informed of the correct time for cleaning the medium 1 from the identification number.

Further, since the control unit 22a writes the measured usage time information when the medium is used, even if a different optical disk device is used, the control unit 22a can accurately read the usage time information recorded on the medium 1. It is possible to inform the user of the timing of various medium cleanings.

Further, the control unit 22a resets the use time information of the non-volatile storage means of the medium for which the cleaning request is output by operating the eject switch for ejecting the medium 1, so that the use time information is reset. The reset operation of can be easily performed.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 to 6 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

1): Description of Optical Disk Device FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the optical disk device. In FIG.
The optical disk device is provided with an optical disk 1, which is a medium, an optical disk control device 2, an optical head 3, and a spindle motor 4.

The optical disc 1 is rotated by a spindle motor 4 and information is read / written by an optical head 3 controlled by an optical disc control device 2. The optical disc controller 2 has an interface (I
/ F) controller 21, MPU (microprocessor unit) 22, ROM (read only memory) 23,
RAM (random access memory) 24, flash R
An OM 25, a read / write timer 26, a read / write (R / W) amplifier 27, and an I / O processing controller 28 are provided.

The I / F controller 21 sends and receives commands to and from an external host (such as a personal computer) through the SCSI interface. MPU22
Is a control unit for controlling the movement of the optical disk device.

The ROM 23 stores, for example, an EP-ROM (erasable plogramma) that stores firmware in which a procedure of a control operation for controlling the movement of the optical disk device is stored.
bleread-only memory) etc.

The RAM 24 is used for data processing (cache operation, etc.). Flash ROM 25
Is a non-volatile semiconductor memory whose writable power does not lose its stored contents even when the power is turned off.

The read / write timer 26 is the MPU 22.
Is a time measuring means for counting the locks and the like used by and measuring the usage time of the medium 1. The R / W amplifier 27 is the medium 1
Write data to the optical head 3 or the optical head 3
It is used as an amplifier that sends and receives read data from each.

The I / O processing controller 28 sends and receives signals for the operation of the LEDs (light emitting diodes) and operation switches through the panel surface. 2): Description of optical disc medium and panel FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the optical disc medium and panel.
3A is a description of an optical disk medium, and FIG. 3B is a description of a panel.

In FIG. 3A, the medium 1 is mounted on a spindle motor 4 by a hub 5 and rotates, and the recording surface A of the medium 1 has a user zone B and an inner test zone C.

The user zone B is an area that can be used by the user. Inner test zone C is the manufacturer code,
R / W of the optical disk device in which the type of medium is recorded
This is the area used to set the conditions.

In FIG. 3B, the panel surface 6 is provided with a medium insertion port 7, an LED 8 and an eject switch 9. The medium insertion port 7 is for inserting / ejecting a cartridge (CTG) containing a medium, and is usually closed by a bezel to prevent dust from entering.

The LED 8 is connected to an I / O processing controller 28, which is an interrupt controller, by a signal line, which may use a ready lamp of a type that changes color with one LED, or another alarm LE.
It is also possible to attach and use D (for example, blinking the LED).

The eject switch 9 is an I / O processing controller 28 which is an interrupt controller via a signal line.
The switch 9 is operated by pressing the eject button to eject the cartridge.

3): Description of memory address management The medium number and the data of the used time of the medium are the ROM 23, the EP-ROM and the flash ROM 25, respectively.
Is written to.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the memory area. In FIG. 4, in the EP-ROM area which is the ROM 23, the last three digits “ABC” of the drive number which is the optical disk device,
Four-digit medium identification numbers "0123" to "0" in the order of medium registration
127 ", flash ROM 25 address" adr1 "
1 "to" adr15 "and other data areas are provided.

The flash ROM 25 stores the address "ad" corresponding to the medium identification numbers "0123" to "0127".
The time data “AB, A” is displayed in the “r11” to “adr15” columns.
"C, AD ..." is recorded. This time data “AB, AC, AD ...” is 0.5H.
(Hour) or 1.0H unit.

For example, if it is changed in increments of 0.5H, it means that the medium at the address "adr12" in the figure has been used for "AE" time (2.0 hours) indicated by "1". .

4): Explanation of medium management In the present invention, the actual use time of the medium is measured for each medium and for each drive which is an optical disk device, and a predetermined time, for example, 900H to 1000H (corresponding to about 3 months) is measured. ) An alarm is given to the user or a host device to clean the medium after the elapse.

The medium management process performed by the MPU 22 of the optical disk control device is as follows. (1) First, access the inner test zone, which is the management information area of the loaded medium 1, to access the medium 1
Read the identification number of. This identification number is a unique idea in the optical disk device of the present invention.

(2) If the device has not been used before, the identification number is not written. In this case, the identification number is written in the inner test zone of the medium. Then, at the same time with the registration of this identification number, the measurement of the usage time is started.

(3) If the medium has been used, the medium is identified from the identification number of the inner test zone. (4) The use time from the identification number to the last time of the medium is taken out from the time information of the flash ROM 25.

(5) The actual use time measured by the timer 26 is added to the previous use time. (6) From this addition result, when it is found that a predetermined time (for example, 3 months) has passed, the LED 8 on the front panel is used,
Notify the user of the condition (issue a media cleaning request).

(7) After that, the user ejects the cartridge, cleans the recording surface of the medium, and reloads the medium into the optical disk device. (8) The user clears the time information in the flash ROM 25 of this medium by using the switch on the front panel. At this point, the medium usage time becomes 0H, and the process returns to the item (4).

Instead of the notification using the front panel, the upper device can be notified through the SCSI interface and reset from the upper device. Further, the time information as shown in FIG.
Instead of 5, it is also possible to write on a medium. In this case, the usage time of the medium can be accurately measured even if the drive, which is the optical disk device that uses the medium, changes.

4): Description of Processing Flowchart FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment. Hereinafter, the medium management process will be described according to the process numbers S1 to S30 in FIGS.

S1: First, the user inserts the cartridge (CTG) from the medium insertion opening 7 of the optical disk device, and the process S
Move to 2. S2: The MPU 22 of the optical disc control device 2 determines whether the cartridge is properly inserted. If the cartridge is correctly inserted in this determination, the process proceeds to step S3. If the cartridge is not correctly inserted, the process returns to step S1.

S3: The MPU 22 turns on the spindle motor to rotate the optical disk medium, turns on the servo motor of the optical head 3 to position the optical head 3, and proceeds to step S4.

S4: The MPU 22 determines whether the drive, which is an optical disk device, is in the ready state. If the drive is in the ready state, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is not in the ready state, it is determined that there is a failure in the optical disk device and error processing such as error notification is performed to the host device.

S5: The MPU 22 turns on the read / write timer 26, and proceeds to processing S6. S6: MPU 22 is the inner test zone C of medium 1.
The medium number is confirmed from the identification number of, and the process proceeds to step S7.

S7: The MPU 22 confirms the usage time of the medium 1 in the flash ROM 25 and determines whether the usage time of the medium 1 is within a predetermined time. In this determination, if the usage time of the medium 1 is within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S8, and if not within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S16.

S8: The MPU 22 performs a read / write process on the medium 1 which is a normal data process, and proceeds to a process S9. S9: The MPU 22 reads the read / write timer 26, and proceeds to processing S10.

S10: The MPU 22 judges from the read / write timer 26 and the flash ROM 25 whether the medium 1 has been used for a predetermined time or less. With this judgment, medium 1
If the usage time of is within a predetermined time, move to process S11,
If it is not within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S17.

S11: The MPU 22 performs read / write processing to the medium 1 which is a normal data processing, and the processing S1
Move to 2. S12: The MPU 22 determines whether the read / write processing operation on the medium 1 is completed. If the operation of the read / write processing is completed by this determination, the process proceeds to step S13,
If not completed, the process returns to step S8.

S13: The MPU 22 adds the usage time of the medium 1 for the current read / write processing to the flash ROM 25 from the read / write timer 26, records the flash ROM 25, and proceeds to processing S14.

S14: The MPU 22 turns off the servo motor of the optical head 3 and the spindle motor 4, and the process S
Go to 15. S15: The user presses the eject switch 9 to take out the cartridge from the medium insertion slot 7, and this processing ends.

S16: When the usage time of the medium 1 exceeds the predetermined time in the judgment of the processing S7, the MPU 22 makes the medium 1
Outputs the cleaning request for (displayed on the LED)
Go to 18.

S17: If the usage time of the medium 1 exceeds the predetermined time in the determination of the process S10, the MPU 22 outputs a request for cleaning the medium 1 (displayed on the LED) and moves to the process S18.

S18: The MPU 22 issues a stop command to stop the optical disk device, and the process proceeds to S19.
(Although not shown here, another flow for stopping the operation of the apparatus also comes into the process S18.) S19: The MPU 22 determines whether the stop command is cleaning of the medium 1. If it is determined that the medium 1 is cleaned, the process proceeds to step S20, and if not, the process proceeds to step S25.

S20: The MPU 22 turns off the servo motor of the optical head 3 and the spindle motor 4, and the process S
Move to 21. S21: The user presses the eject switch 9 to take out the cartridge from the medium insertion port 7, and then proceeds to processing S22.

S22: The user cleans the medium 1,
The process moves to S23. S23: The MPU 22 resets the contents of the flash ROM 25, and proceeds to processing S24.

S24: The user inserts the cartridge from the medium insertion port 7 and returns to the process S2. S25: If it is determined in step S19 that the medium 1 is not cleaned, the MPU 22 determines whether the RAM 24 has read / write data. Lead /
If there is write data, the process proceeds to step S26, and if not, the process proceeds to step S28.

S26: The MPU 22 reads the read block of the RAM 24, transfers the data to the upper device, and proceeds to the processing S27. S27: The MPU 22 performs the write operation of the write data of the RAM 24, and proceeds to the processing S28.

S28: When there is no read / write data in the RAM 24 in the processing S25 and after the processing S28, the MPU
The recording medium 22 records the usage time of the medium 1 in the flash ROM 25, and then proceeds to processing S29.

S29: The MPU 22 turns off the servo motor of the optical head 3 and the spindle motor 4, and the process S
Move to 30. S30: The user presses the eject switch 9 to take out the cartridge from the medium insertion opening 7, and this processing is finished.

In this way, when the eject button is pressed after the medium cleaning request is output and the operation of the optical disk device is stopped, the use time data is reset at this point. Therefore, when the cartridge is ejected, the medium is cleaned, and then the medium is loaded into the optical disk device again, the rest of the operation is the same.

The means for displaying the cleaning request may notify the host device via the SCSI interface in addition to the above processing flowchart. In this case, the reset signal is also sent from the host device through the SCSI interface.

If the cartridge is not cleaned and the eject button is pressed after the operation is stopped due to the above cleaning request, the time data will be reset even if the medium is inserted into the optical disk device again. Will work. Therefore, as a solution in this case, it is possible to combine a method of judging the dirt state of the medium with the frequency of occurrence of the ECC error.

Further, the reset of the medium use time can be performed by a switch provided separately from the eject switch. In addition, information on the medium usage time is stored in the flash ROM
It is also possible to allow the user to select whether to record the data on the medium 5 or on the medium.

[0066]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. : The MPU 22, which is the control unit, stores the measured usage time information in the non-volatile storage means, and when the medium is used, the medium 1
Since the cleaning request is output based on the measured usage time for the same medium from the identification number of 1, the user can be notified of the time of periodical media cleaning from the actual usage time.

: The MPU 22 uses the medium 1 when using the medium.
Since the identification number peculiar to the medium is written in, it is possible to inform the user of the correct time of cleaning the medium 1 from the identification number even if the medium 1 is replaced.

The MPU 22 uses the medium 1 when using the medium.
By writing the used time information measured in the above, even when a different optical disk device is used, it is possible to inform the user of the exact time of cleaning the medium from the used time information recorded on the medium 1.

The MPU 22 resets the usage time information in order to reset the usage time information of the nonvolatile storage means of the medium for which the cleaning request is output by operating the eject switch for ejecting the medium 1. Easy to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an optical disc device in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an optical disc medium and a panel in an example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a memory area according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 medium (optical disc) 2a medium management unit 22a control unit 25a non-volatile memory 26a time measuring means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Cleaning by means of time measuring means for measuring the usage time of a medium, non-volatile storage means for storing the measured usage time information, and the measured usage time for the medium from the identification number of the medium A medium management device for an optical disk device, comprising: a control unit for outputting a request. 2. The medium management device of the optical disc apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit writes an identification number unique to the medium on the medium when the medium is used. 3. The medium management device of the optical disk device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit writes the measured usage time information on the medium when the medium is used. 4. The control unit resets the use time information of the medium that has output a cleaning request for the non-volatile storage unit by operating an eject switch for ejecting the medium. Management device of the optical disk device of the above.