Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication apparatus, and a communication method as well as to a program for acquiring the advantages of a plurality of communication protocols. An NFC communication is executed between an NFC communication unit 51 of a communication apparatus 1 and an NFC communication unit 61 of a communication apparatus 2, thereby it is recognized that a communication (BT communication) by Bluetooth (registered trademark) is possible, and further the BD addresses of a BT communication units 52 and 62 are exchanged as communication information necessary to the BT communication. Then, in the communication apparatuses 1 and 2, the NFC communication between the NFC communication units 51 and 61 is switched (overhanded) to the BT communication between BT communication units 52 and 62, and the BT communication is executed based on the BD addresses of the BT communication units 52 and 62.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for allowing a non-networked unit to function as one unit disposed in a network environment. A network adapter obtains detailed profile data on the Internet according to simple profile data obtained from the outside. The network adapter enters service data generated according to these pieces of profile data, in a service discovery server. Then, the network adapter reads the service data from the service discovery server and refers to it to execute an operation for implementing service indicated by the service data by using an interface with a non-networked unit. With this, a function which cannot be implemented if the non-networked unit is not connected to a network is given to the non-networked unit through the network adapter.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus employing a tape cassette including a solid-state memory in a cassette half unit that accommodates a magnetic tape. When recording application data on the magnetic tape, the application data is written in an area of a preset size of the memory, beginning from a leading end of the application data. In this manner, it is assured that the management information located at the leading end of the application data can be stored in the memory. In reproducing the application data from the tape cassette, the management information stored in the memory is exploited to save time in accessing the management information recorded on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication device, and a communication method for easily solving a problem of a hidden terminal. Communication devices 1 and 3 determine whether or not an electromagnetic wave at the level of a magnetic-flux density TH1 or more for determining the suppression of the output of carrier. When the electromagnetic wave at the level of the magnetic-flux density TH1 or more for determining the suppression of the output of the carrier is not detected, the communication devices 1 and 3 start the output of the electromagnetic wave. A communication device 2 needs the electromagnetic wave at the level of a magnetic-flux density TH2 or more of the carrier at an operating limit, which is higher than the magnetic-flux density TH1 for determining suppression of the output of carrier so as to obtain data via the electromagnetic wave. The present invention is applied to, e.g., an IC (Integrated Circuit) card system.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating at least management information including identification information unique to each tape cassette. A magnetic tape housed in the tape cassette is written with identification information that is supposed to be the same in content as the memory-stored identification information. When the tape cassette is loaded into a tape drive system, the system acquires both the memory-stored identification information and the tape-stored identification information to determine a match therebetween. A mismatch between the two sets of identification information, if detected, is interpreted to mean that the tape cassette has been tampered with, and read and write operations on the cassette are restricted accordingly. This enhances security against fraudulent uses of the tape drive system.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating management information. Where the tape cassette is used, a MIC mode switch is written to a predetermined area on the magnetic tape held in the cassette. That item of information specifies whether or not the use of the management information held in the memory is mandatory upon write or read operations to or from the magnetic tape. A check is made on the consistency between the MIC mode switch read from the magnetic tape on the one hand and a result of access to the memory on the other hand. If an inconsistency is detected, that is interpreted as something fraudulent having been committed on the tape cassette. In such a case, read and write operations on the illegitimate cassette are restricted. This improves security of a tape drive system running the tape cassette.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating management information. The memory retains an MIC logical format type designating a format state, either formatted or unformatted, of the magnetic tape. A check is made on the consistency between the format state designated by the MIC logical format type and the format state estimated by reading data from the magnetic tape. If an inconsistency is detected, that is interpreted to mean that the tape cassette has been tampered with, and read and write operations on the cassette are controlled accordingly. This enhances security against fraudulent uses of a tape drive system loaded with the tape cassette.

Abstract: This invention provides a recording medium supportable device such as a library device (50), which authenticates each recording medium by identification information such as serial number and controls the recording medium by a command based on radio communication. In this case, a communication identifier like a session identifier corresponding to the identification number is set and provided and the communication identifier is included in a command at the time of execution of control, so that only a specified recording medium to be controlled carries out an operation corresponding to the command. When authenticating the recording medium, the identification information, which is proper information such as serial number, is confirmed through reliable communication using successive communication identifiers, and reliable authentication of the recording medium is carried out by several stages of communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system and communication method which enable various types of near field communication, and a data processing apparatus. NFC communication apparatuses 1 to 3 have two features in that each can perform communication in two communication modes and that each can perform data transmission at a plurality of transfer rates. The two communication modes consist of a passive mode and an active mode. In the passive mode, between the NFC communication apparatuses 1 and 2, for example, the NFC communication apparatus 1 transmits data to the NFC communication apparatus 2 by modulating electromagnetic waves generated by itself, while the NFC communication apparatus 2 transmits data to the NFC communication apparatus 1 by performing load modulation on the electromagnetic waves generated by the NFC communication apparatus 1.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating management information. The memory retains an MIC logical format type designating a format state, either formatted or unformatted, of the magnetic tape. A check is made on the consistency between the format state designated by the MIC logical format type and the format state estimated by reading data from the magnetic tape. If an inconsistency is detected, that is interpreted to mean that the tape cassette has been tampered with, and read and write operations on the cassette are controlled accordingly. This enhances security against fraudulent uses of a tape drive system loaded with the tape cassette.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for allowing a non-networked unit to function as one unit disposed in a network environment. A network adapter obtains detailed profile data on the Internet according to simple profile data obtained from the outside. The network adapter enters service data generated according to these pieces of profile data, in a service discovery server. Then, the network adapter reads the service data from the service discovery server and refers to it to execute an operation for implementing service indicated by the service data by using an interface with a non-networked unit. With this, a function which cannot be implemented if the non-networked unit is not connected to a network is given to the non-networked unit through the network adapter.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating management information. Where the tape cassette is used, a MIC mode switch is written to a predetermined area on the magnetic tape held in the cassette. That item of information specifies whether or not the use of the management information held in the memory is mandatory upon write or read operation to or from the magnetic tape. A check is made on the consistency between the MIC mode switch read from the magnetic tape on the one hand and a result of access to the memory on the other hand. If an inconsistency is detected, that is interpreted as something fraudulent having been committed on the tape cassette. In such a case, read and write operations on the illegitimate cassette are restricted. This improves security of a tape drive system running the tape cassette.

Abstract: A tape cassette of this invention is equipped with a memory capable of accommodating at least management information including identification information unique to each tape cassette. A magnetic tape housed in the tape cassette is written with identification information that is supposed to be the same in content as the memory-stored identification information. When the tape cassette is loaded into a tape drive system, the system acquires both the memory-stored identification information and the tape-stored identification information to determine a match therebetween. A mismatch between the two sets of identification information, if detected, is interpreted to mean that the tape cassette has been tampered with, and read and write operations on the cassette are restricted accordingly. This enhances security against fraudulent uses of the tape drive system.

Abstract: Hard disk drive unit with buffer and cue data areas efficiently records files to magnetic tape. Recording and reproducing apparatus includes changer unit for selecting and carrying tape cassettes and accommodating magnetic tapes with predetermined recording areas, tape drive unit for loading tape cassettes and recording and reproducing magnetic tapes, hard disk drive unit having a buffer area for recording and reproducing data in the tape drive unit, and controller unit for managing recording areas of tape cassette magnetic tapes arranged in the changer unit as a continuously formed area. Storage level is set corresponding to remaining capacity of buffer area and remaining capacity of one BOF data area, or number of past access times to corresponding file in a file information table and final access time, etc. Based on storage level, control operations are performed. Frequently used file data can be selectively recorded to buffer or BOF data areas.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and a communication method prevent responses from being simultaneously received from two or more communicating parties. A first NFC apparatus transmits data for requesting IDs, and acquires IDs sent from second and third NFC apparatuses in reply to the request. After acquiring the IDs of the second and third NFC apparatuses, the first NFC apparatus transmits data that includes their IDs as the data for the second and third NFC apparatuses. If the first NFC apparatus cannot properly acquire the IDs of the second and third NFC apparatuses, then it sends the data for requesting their IDs again. Upon receipt of the request for the IDs, the second and third NFC apparatuses generate their own IDs by using random numbers and send the generated IDs. If the second and third NFC apparatuses receive the request for their IDs again, then they re-generate their own IDs by using random numbers, and send the re-generated IDs again.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus employing, as a recording medium, a tape cassette (1) including a memory (4) in a cassette half unit (6) having accommodated a magnetic tape (3). When recording the application data on the magnetic tape (3), the application data to be recorded on the magnetic tape (3) is written in an area of a preset size of the memory (4), beginning from the leading end of the application data to be recorded on the magnetic tape (3). In this manner, at least the management information located at the leading end of the application data can be stored in the memory (4). In reproducing the application data from the tape cassette (1), the management information stored in the memory (4) is exploited to save time for accessing the management information recorded on the magnetic tape (3) to speed up the accessing to the data recorded on the magnetic tape (3).

Abstract: A tape cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a leader tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the leader tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the leader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the leader tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge of the invention can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape cartridge housing a magnetic tape includes an auxiliary storage medium having a storage unit in which to store the recording medium information such as design parameters or the number of times of recording and/or reproduction of the magnetic tape, and a transmission/reception unit for effecting inputting/outputting of the recording medium information with the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. The auxiliary storage medium is mounted so that the transmission/reception unit is exposed to the outside through an opening provided in a lateral surface of the main cartridge body unit not obstructing the loading of the magnetic tape, that is in a surface of the main cartridge body unit other than its front surface as an inserting end of the tape cartridge into the inside of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape drive unit and record medium for use in a data streamer in which the tape cassette includes in addition to a magnetic tape a solid-state memory. By detecting a correspondence between data on the tape and data in the memory, various operations of the tape drive unit can be controlled, so that it is not possible to write over or erase data already recorded on the tape. The tape can be divided into partitions such that it is not necessary to rewind the tape to the beginning when it is desired to record new data.

Abstract: A system using a tape cassette (1) with a memory (4) as a recording medium is provided. In the memory (4) provided in the tape cassette (1) used in the system, there is formed a storage area where instruction/object information in which an instruction to be executed by a required device is stated in addition to a storage area where management information for managing recording to or playback from the tape cassette (1) is stated. At an information processor (10, 40 or 50), instruction/object information is acquired from the memory (4) and processed to provide a control corresponding to the content of the instruction/object information. A device to make some action on the tape cassette (1) can thus have a higher operability and extensibility.