Abstract: The present invention is for the purpose of allowing a transferring mechanism to certainly carry out the direct insertion/extraction of a cartridge into/from a recording/reproduction unit. For this purpose, in a structure according to this invention, introduction guides (a guide member) for guiding the cartridge to be inserted from the external through an accessor (the transferring mechanism) toward the interior of a deck (the recording/reproduction unit) is provided in a cartridge insertion/discharge opening section of the deck. The introduction guides are formed to have tapered surfaces broadening out from the deck to the external. Further, this invention is applicable to a large-capacity external storage memory storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: A method of managing files of an interchangeable storage medium having a RAM area defining an independent RAM section and a ROM area defining an independent ROM section, each section having a file management area for storing file management data and a file area for storing files. The method includes reading file management information out of a file management area of the ROM section in response to a request for establishing a section in which the RAM area and the ROM area are mixed, converting the file management information of the ROM section to file management information of the mixed RAM-ROM section, writing the file management information of the mixed RAM-ROM section in a file management area of the mixed section, and managing ROM files and RAM files as files of the mixed section.

Abstract: A storage apparatus including a drive unit for performing access of data on a cartridge recording medium; at least one cell for storing the cartridge recording medium, the at least one cell being inclined downward toward an interior portion of the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus has a housing having an opening for allowing direct insertion of the cartridge recording medium from outside of the storage apparatus into the at least one cell, and allowing for direct ejection of the cartridge recording medium from the at least one cell to the outside of the storage apparatus. An accessor is provided for transferring the cartridge recording medium between the at least one cell and the drive unit. A string screw is threadedly engaged with the accessor, and is rotationally driven by a motor.

Abstract: A cartridge access station in a library apparatus for providing safe loading/unloading of a cartridge while maintaining a simple and compact arrangement of the library apparatus. The cartridge access station includes an communication space for establishing direct communication and connection between an operating space for a transferring mechanism in the interior of a library apparatus and an external space of the library apparatus. A rack is provided in the communication space to guide the entry/exit of a cartridge from both sides of the operating space and the external space and to hold the cartridge within the communication space.

Abstract: The present invention automatically limits the number of decks drawable from a large number of decks within one locker. For this purpose, the decks are classified into sets each comprising two decks adjacent to each other. A deck lock mechanism according to this invention is composed of a first locking mechanism for, when one deck belonging to each of the deck sets is in a drawn condition, inhibiting the other deck from being drawn; and a second locking mechanism for inhibiting the one deck from being drawn when the other deck is in a drawn condition. This invention is applicable to a large-capacity external storage memory storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: A cartridge insertion/discharge opening section of a recording/reproduction unit includes introduction guides for guiding a cartridge inserted by an accessor from the external to the interior of the recording/reproduction unit. The introduction guides are made of polyacetal, which is particularly adapted for use with cartridges made of polycarbonate.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An optical disk includes a user accessible area having a plurality of blocks and flag data recorded on the optical disk. The flag data indicates whether or not each of the blocks is in an erased state in which there is no recorded data. A flag area stores the flag data, and area data indicating that the optical disk has the flag area is recorded on the optical disk.

Abstract: In a method for preventing unauthorized use of a recording medium having a user accessible area and a user inaccessible area, first information is read from the user inaccessible area of the recording medium. The first information is compared with second information concerning a true recording medium (lawfully produced copy). It is then concluded that the recording medium is the true recording medium when the first information corresponds to the second information.

Abstract: The present invention is for realizing the improvement of the cartridge storage efficiency and size reduction of a library apparatus by installing relative flags using cells of a storage rack to suppress the increase in the installation area or volume of a locker resulting from the installation of the relative flags, and further for shortening the time required for the initial operation of an accessor. For these purposes, a positional correction relative-flag structure of the cartridge storage rack is equipped with a body section which is inserted into the cell of the storage rack to be brought closely and fixedly into contact with the cell, and a relative flag to be read out by an sensor on the accessor side for the correction of the position of the storage rack is attached to an end surface of the body section. This invention is applicable to a large-capacity external storage memory storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a library apparatus which is capable of ensuring the specification accuracy of a reference flag and a diagnostic cell to make sure the error correction at the initial stage (initial operation) while facilitating the accuracy adjustment of the reference flag and the diagnostic cell, thus allowing the certain insertion/extraction of a cartridge into/from a storage unit or a deck by an accessor. In the library apparatus according to this invention, the reference flag to be read out by a sensor on the accessor side to detect the absolute position of the accessor is disposed close to and integrated with the diagnostic cell into and from which a diagnostic cartridge is inserted and extracted by the accessor to verify the operation of the accessor. This invention is applicable to a large-capacity external storage system storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: A cartridge direct entry/exit station for a library apparatus, the library apparatus transferring selected cartridges to a drive unit through a transferring mechanism for processing of information recorded therein. The cartridge direct entry/exit station is configured to accommodate a magazine storing a plurality of cartridges, thereby facilitating the simultaneous entry or exit of plural cartridges. The cartridge direct entry/exit includes a communication space defined to establish direct communication between an operating space in the interior of the library apparatus and an external space of the library apparatus, and a magazine holding mechanism for holding the magazine in a state where an insertion/removal side of the cartridges faces the operating space.

Abstract: An information recording medium wherein the key information is recorded by arrangement of a unit area recorded irreversibly and a unit area not recorded irreversibly to effect the truth judgment of the medium in accordance with the result of whether or not the reproduction of the key information can be effected, the information recording medium where the illegal usage of the medium is adapted to be prevented without inputting the information on to the medium truth judgment into the processing apparatus by provision of the medium firm information, a reproducing method for the same, a truth judging method for the same, and a recording/reproducing apparatus for the same.

Abstract: A CD-ROM stores encrypted software. When a user desires to decrypt and install this software, an approval preparatory key is generated by an installer. This approval preparatory key is generated based on time data. When the user informs a center of this approval preparatory key, the center calculates a difference between this approval preparatory key and a decrypting key and vends this calculated result to a user in the form of an approval key. When the user inputs this approval key to an installer, the installer generates a decrypting key by adding the approval preparatory key to the approval key. The installer decrypts the software by this decrypting key and installs the encrypted software into a personal computer system.

Abstract: A library apparatus having components permitting accurate and straightforward assembly. The library apparatus includes respective cell, drive, accessor and passage units, each having box shaped housings including a connection mechanism. A coupling couples the housings of the passage units with the other units. Other features of the library apparatus include a reference mark on the accessor unit which permits a transport mechanism in the passage unit to correct positional errors of the transport mechanism to other components.

Abstract: A security system for protecting information stored in portable storage media by checking identifiers assigned to each medium, system, and terminal. Medium IDs are identifiers written by manufacturers of the storage media. System IDs, or corporate IDs, are assigned to enterprise-wide computer systems each consisting of a host computer and terminals. Terminal IDs are affixed to the respective terminals. Data is stored in the media in encrypted form. The security system checks the validity of the medium ID, system ID, and terminal ID, manages before allowing the user to perform any data access, thus protecting the contents from unauthorized access. The security system also writes permission data into each storage medium to manage the decryption of encrypted data stored therein.

Abstract: A removable storage medium relates to a removable storage medium embodying an external storage medium for computer equipment. The removable storage medium can be inserted in an external storage apparatus connected to a computer equipment unit, and stores predetermined programs. The removable storage medium includes a correspondence table for specifying a correspondence relation between a physical drive configuration of the computer equipment unit connected to the external storage apparatus and a logical drive configuration of the stored programs. A recording device is provided for recording information on the correspondence table.

Abstract: An optical disk includes a user accessible area having a plurality of blocks and flag data recorded on the optical disk. The flag data indicates whether or not each of the blocks is in an erased state in which there is no recorded data. A flag area stores the flag data, and area data indicating that the optical disk has the flag area is recorded on the optical disk.

Abstract: An optical disk is divided into a plurality of sections at least one of which (a first section) is made a section (formatted in MS-DOS, for example) having a format different from the logical format of a CD-ROM. Publication data is optically recorded in at least one section (a second section) of the sections other than the first section in accordance with the CD-ROM logical format. A CD-ROM utilization tool that utilizes publication data in the CD-ROM logical format and a CD-ROM emulator for converting a request for access to the CD-ROM logical section issued by the CD-ROM utilization tool to a request for access to the optical disk are recorded in the first section.

Abstract: Common-use data (FATs, a directory, files, etc.) is recorded in a first area of an interchangeable recording medium, and logical format information of a plurality of types for managing the common-use data recorded in the first area is recorded in the second area. When the interchangeable recording medium is loaded, a computer reads logical format information conforming to its own machine type from the second area and subsequently accesses the common-use data in the first area based upon the logical format information read. Further, a corresponding relationship between computers and storage locations of the logical format information is recorded in a third area of the interchangeable recording medium. Each computer recognizes the location, at which its own logical format information has been stored, by referring to the corresponding relationship and reads the logical format information from this location.