Data storage device

0001The invention relates to a data storage device comprising an archive store with a storage unit for a variety of media cartridges, with at least one read / write device for the data carrier cassettes and with a transfer device with which a transfer individual media cartridges from the storage unit in the read / write device and vice versa can be carried out, and further comprising Data storage control which the write / read device and the transfer device controls for storing data, and which with a Computer is in data exchange connection to passed by this to store data or the data memory stored data to the computer to provide.

0002Such data storage devices are known from the prior art known. In these there is a problem that, since the data are written directly to disk cartridges, the velocity access is limited to different data sets.

0003The invention is therefore based on the object, a data storage device create, with which a most efficient data access with is the computer possible.

0004This object is of the type described in a data storage device Art inventively achieved in that the data storage device in addition to the archive store at least one disk space Storing exchanged with the computer data, in that the Data storage control the disk space and the archive store parallel runs that the data storage control with the archive store and the at least one hard disk space along an as a storage unit installable unit form, in which a long-term storage of the carried out data by means of the data carrier cassettes and that the computer as a single storage unit is communicating.

0005The advantage of the data storage device according to the invention is therein see that this installable as a unit device is formed, which also in terms of communication with the computer as a single Storage unit works and therefore easily connected to a computer can be. The advantage of this solution is further also to be seen that the user is a unit representing a device available in which the archive memory, disk space and data memory controller both in terms of hardware and software fixed are installed, so that the use of this data storage means no Knowledge of the handling of data storage in the two completely different types of memory, namely the archive store and the disk space, required for the operation of the data storage means power.

0006Thus, the data storage device according to the invention is easy to install, since the data storage control with the computer as a single conventional memory communicates, but is internally capable of on the hard disk space data stored on the disk cartridges as inexpensive and for large amounts of data to implement suitable storage medium.

0007It is particularly favorable when the data storage control the archive store and the disk space operates such that this one with the computer Data exchange in the order of corresponding with a hard disk Allow data exchange rates.

0008With data exchange rates in the order of those of a conventional Disk space on the one hand the desired rapid communication with the computer possible, and on the other hand a long-term storage of Data carried out by means of the data carrier cassettes, on the one hand a ensures increased data security and on the other hand the storage is large amounts of data at low cost.

0009Preferably, the data storage control not operates so that at lying already in the read / write device disc cartridge with the buffered computer exchanged data on the hard disk space and either be prior to data communication with the Computer or after the data communication with the computer, data exchange between the hard disk and the disk cartridge takes place.

0010The object mentioned is also at a terms of Installation particularly favorable data storage device, the formation itself and operating a data storage device constructed in such a way as has proved particularly favorable, achieved in that the data storage device having a housing in which the archive memory, the data memory controller and arranged at least one hard disk space and are permanently installed.

0011This solution has the great advantage that a distribution and a Installation of such a data storage device in connection with a computer can be carried out such as when dealing with a single, the computer would act to connecting storage unit. In order a particularly favorable as regards sales and installation effort Solution available.

0012Moreover, this solution has still the big advantage that the operational reliability is considerably increased that all three units, namely Archive storage, disk space and data storage control permanently installed and are coordinated.

0013Since the units archive memory, disk space and data memory controller if it be set up as a single unit and distributable should be, should result in a compact device possible, is at a further the above-mentioned data storage means to solve the above mentioned object preferably provided that a frame of Data storage means comprising two frame segments, wherein in a Frame segment of the archive store and in the other frame segment arranged data storage control and the at least one hard disk space are. This division of the frame in two frame segments has the great advantage that a space required in terms of the accessibility and optimum arrangement of the individual units can be selected.

0014It is particularly favorable when the two frame segments as flat Cuboid are formed and with their flat sides parallel to a vertical extend.

0015It is particularly advantageous if the two frame segments in substantially over the entire height of the rack in the vertical direction extend.

0016It is preferably provided that the frame segments with their Flat sides extend parallel to a frame front and immediately behind the Frame front, a front frame segment and arranged behind this forming rear frame segment.

0017With regard to the division of the individual items in the two frame segments were so far no further details. It is particularly low in terms of maintenance requests that may be necessary, if the storage unit, the at least one write / read device and the transfer device located in the front frame segment are.

0018It has also, due to the less frequent accessibility as meaningful proved, when the data storage control and the at least one hard disk space are arranged in the rear frame segment.

0019Regarding the nature of the arrangement of the data storage controller and the disk space in the rear frame segment were nearby No Ratings Details were provided. Thus provides an advantageous embodiment that the rear frame segment mounts for the data storage control and the has at least one hard disk memory, which fronts on a Side of the frame are. Thus, the images of one side of the Stand forth easily accessible, so that, for example, for maintenance purposes Data memory controller and / or the at least one hard disk space on the one hand are readily available in the area of ​​their front pages and easily are demountable.

0020It is particularly favorable when the receivers for the data storage control and the at least one hard disk space in the vertical direction are arranged above one another, so that this receiving frame segment no large installation depth required.

0021It is particularly favorable in this case if the data memory controller arranged is that its flat side with the greatest extent parallel to the flat side the frame segments runs.

0022To interconnect the data storage control with the other units low can is, preferably provided that the rear frame segment a Verschaltungsraum forms, to which the receptacles for the data storage control and the at least one hard disk with a Back border. Thus, the individual units for the interconnection can access one another in a simple manner and the entire cable low in a single Verschaltungsraum in the rear frame segment to be ordered.

0023The Verschaltungsraum is arranged, for example, that he was the Front of shots opposite the rear frame segment is, preferably near one of the front side of the receptacles opposite Side of the frame.

0024With regard to the arrangement of the read / write units in the front Frame segment were so far no further details. So one sees favorable prior embodiment in that the front frame segment at least has a receptacle for the at least one read / write unit and that the recording with a back to the Verschaltungsraum in rear frame segment adjacent. This solution has the great advantage that so that both the write / read units and the data storage control and the disk space in a simple manner by in the Verschaltungsraum guided cable can be connected to each other without large Way to overcome, so that thus, in particular the maintenance of the data memory according to the invention can be increased because the total interconnections between the individual units in the one Verschaltungsraum are summarized.

0025It is particularly advantageous if the front frame segment more has recorded for several read / write units, all with their Back side adjacent to the Verschaltungsraum.

0026In order also in the arrangement of read / write units, a possible favorable arrangement to obtain, in particular, optimum space saving permits, it is preferably provided that the receptacles for the Read / write units are arranged one above the other.

0027With regard to the arrangement of the read / write units in the receptacles were so far no further details. It would, for example, conceivable, the forward frame segment to be dimensioned such that this is the can absorb the entire read / write units. It is particularly favorable However, also again, for reasons of space saving, when in the Images arranged read / write units with their backs to the Verschaltungsraum protrude, so that the addition Verschaltungsraum yet for receiving the transverse to the flat side of the front frame segment of a relatively large expansion having read / write units used can be.

0028In connection with the previous embodiments, the structure was the storage unit itself is not specified. This is what a advantageous solution provides that the storage unit individual storage compartments for receiving the data carrier cassettes.

0029Preferably, the storage compartments are provided with Einlegöffnungen that all arranged in a storage plane.

0030With such a configuration, the storage unit can be particularly low use by the transfer device.

0031Further, it is preferably provided that the read / write means having insertion chutes whose insertion openings all in an insertion plane lie. Such an arrangement of the read / write devices has also the advantage of easy accessibility by the transfer device.

0032Further, preferably the transfer device is so designed that with this a gripper is movable in a handling plane, wherein the handling plane preferably parallel to the storage plane, and the insertion plane runs. It is particularly favorable when the memory bank and the Access plane coincide with each other and the handling plane before these two coincident planes located.

0033It is particularly favorable when the transfer device a grab for having the data carrier cassettes, with which in a transverse to the handling plane extending access towards an access to the data carrier cassettes is possible.

0034A particularly advantageous arrangement of the individual units stipulates that the Memory plane, the insertion plane and the handling plane parallel to the Flat side of the front frame segment extend, so that therefore a particularly given space-saving way of arrangement.

0035In terms of ease of use of the data storage device according to the invention were associated with the previous description the individual embodiments, no further details. So provides an advantageous solution, that the housing has a front wall, in which a co-operating with the data storage control screen is arranged. This solution has the advantage that an operator of the invention Data storage device in a simple manner with the data storage control can communicate, in particular when the rear in the disposed frame segment and thus adversely accessible.

0036Furthermore, the communication may be with the data storage control also then facilitate even further if the area of ​​the front wall a keypad is arranged for communication with the data storage control. On Such a keypad is preferably arranged below the screen.

0037Since such a keypad, although for communication with the data storage control is desirable, but in normal operation according to the invention Data storage device is not constantly required, is preferably provided that the keypad of a keypad included in Front wall of the housing is retractable and folds back into this so that the keypad in normal use of the data storage device according to the invention no additional space is required and only ergonomically in a cheap, but raumbenötigende position is folded out, if communication with the data storage control is required, what example for maintenance purposes or for replacement of disk cartridges may be the case.

0038Further features and advantages of the invention are subject of the following Description and the drawings illustrating one embodiment. In the drawings:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic representation of an embodiment the data storage device according to the invention in the form of individual units of the data storage means assigned blocks as well as the communication of the present invention Data storage device with a Calculator;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a specific representation of a frame of the invention Data storage device with built-in this Units; </dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a top view in direction of arrow A in Fig. 2;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a section along line 4-4 in Fig. 3;</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a side view in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 2;</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a section along line 6-6 in Fig. 3;</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>a perspective view of an inventive Data storage means with the frame and a Units surrounding housing;</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a representation of the data storage device of FIG. 7 with opened doors round.</dd></dl>

0039An embodiment of a data storage device according to the invention, shown schematically in Fig. 1 and indicated as a whole with 10, comprises a schematically designated 12 frame in which a data storage control 14 is arranged, the one with an external computer 16, or and thus communicates network with multiple computers and a Path exchanging data 18. The data memory controller 14 operates while a as a whole with 20 designated archive storage, which storage unit a 22 for data carrier cassettes 24, wherein the storage unit 22, a plurality of storage compartments 26 for data carrier cassettes 24 includes. In addition, the archive store still includes 20 multiple read / write units 28, in which the data carrier cassettes 24 can be used to to write to or read data from this information.

0040For transporting the disk cartridge 24 between the read / write units 28 and the storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22 provided a designated as a whole with 30 transfer device, having, for example, a gripper 32, which data carrier cassettes 24 taken in the storage compartments 26 of the storage unit and transported into the read / write units 28 or in these read / write units 28 can be taken over to the storage compartments 26th

0041The gripper 32 is preferably attached to a handling unit 34 of the transfer device 30 is assembled and by the handling unit 34 between the storage compartments 26 and various insertion shafts 36 of Read / write units reciprocally 28th

0042To now, the individual data carrier cassettes 24 in the respective read / write units insert 28 to describe, and to read and then again store in the storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22, controls the Data memory controller 14 via a communication path 40, the transfer device 30, that is, in particular its handling unit 34 and the gripper 32, and via a communication path 42, the read / write units 28, wherein through the communication path 42 on the Disk cartridge 24 to save data or from the data carrier cassettes 24 read data are passed.

0043The data memory controller 14 is further via a communications path 44 connected to multiple disk storage 50, which is also in the Rack 12 are arranged and serve by the data storage control 14 transferred data cache.

0044With the computer 16 via the data line 18 communicating data storage control 14 communicates with the computer 16 via the path 18 with data a data exchange rate of, as if the entire data storage device 10 a hard disk would. To this end, puts the data storage controller 14, for example via the path 18 of data storage device according to the invention 10 transferred data - in particular, if it is datasets is that too not as a whole simply sequentially to a tape write are - first in the hard disk storage 50 in order when the computer 16 no data transfer or not more data request occurs, the data on data carrier cassettes 24 in the various Read / write units to override 28, wherein the data carrier cassettes described Then 24 of the transfer device 30 into the storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22 are stored. Should a fast Data output via the data line 18 to the computer 16 are necessary, For example, if the computer 16 to a certain type of on Disk cartridges 24 stored data - especially on a single band contiguously stored records - requests, so first controls the data memory controller 14, the transfer device 30 such of that it the appropriate data carrier cassettes 24 in the respective storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22 locates, in the Loading bays 36 of the read / write units 28 inserts, so that then in the Read read / write units inserted disk cartridge 24 and the data can be overwritten in the hard disk storage 50, in which these data then on demand by the computer 16 with the disk storage standard data exchange rate ready.

0045However, if, for example, records on a tape in succession are stored contiguously, or read on this tape, so can the data memory controller 14 directly to the tape in the respective read / write unit 28 to access, since in this case a data transfer rate is possible, at least with a disk space equivalent.

0046Thus, there is a total of the possibility of communication between the Computer and the data storage device according to the invention as a whole in such a way to carry out, such as when the data storage device according to the invention 10 only one hard disk space 50 would, though ultimately a Long-term storage, the data cost in disk cartridges 24 and are stored safely.

0047As shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the frame is constructed so that this two- lateral stand comprises forming side panels 60 and 62, between which transversely extending carrier 64, the cross member 64 at approximately a central region between a back 66 of the frame and a front 68 of the frame are.

0048Between the carriers 64, the storage unit 22 with their Cassette shelves 26 is arranged, wherein in the cassette compartments 26, the Data carrier cassettes 24 can be stored. The entire storage unit 22 extends, for example, starting from the side wall 62 in Direction of the side wall 60, but not all the way to this. Close to Side wall 60 are between this and the storage unit 22 shots 70 provided for the read / write units 28, in which insertion slots 36 then the disk cartridge 24 from the storage unit 22 inserted.

0049Preferably, there are, as shown in Fig. 4, the storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22 so that the front sides 74 in a common Storage level 76 are, which, for example, parallel to the crossbeams 64 extends.

0050Further, the read / write units 28 are such into the receptacles 70 used that insertion openings 72 of the insertion shafts 36 in a Insertion plane 78 are parallel to the storage plane 76, preferably with this alignment.

0051The handling unit 34 of the transfer device 30 comprises two vertical Unidirectional longitudinal guides 80 and 82, which on the side panels 60 and 62 are held. On these two longitudinal guides 80 and 82 is in a vertical direction 84, a gripper carrier 86 of the handling unit 34 movable up and down, and on the gripper carrier 86 is connected via a longitudinal guide 88, a carriage 90 guided, which carries the gripper 32 and by which the gripper 32 in a transverse direction to the vertical direction 92 84 is slidable.

0052Thus, the gripper 32 both in the vertical direction 84 and in the Transverse direction 92 and thus movable in a handling plane 94, wherein the handling plane 94 parallel to the storage layer 76 and the insertion plane 78 runs.

0053In addition, the gripper 32 with a drawing, not shown, Access element is provided, which in in an access direction 96 towards the Storage compartments 26 or the insertion shafts 36 is movable in each case a To access these stationary disc cartridge 24 and this then transport the disc cartridge 24 and can be passed.

0054To move the carriage 90 along the gripper carrier 86 this is with a drive motor 100 is provided, which with the gripper carrier 86 in the vertical direction 84 is movable. The motor 100 drives, for example, the Carriage 90 via a toothed belt not shown in the drawing Transversely at 92nd

0055Likewise, on the frame 10, preferably in a foot region of Side wall 60, a motor 102 is disposed, with which a toothed belt 104 for raising and lowering, that is, moving the entire gripper carrier 86 is movable in the vertical direction 84th

0056To accommodate the entire archive memory 20, the frame 12 includes a front frame segment 110 in which the storage unit 22, the Receptacles 70 for the read / write units 28 and the entire handling device 34 are arranged and guided.

0057Here, the front frame segment 110 extends in the vertical direction 84 substantially over the entire height of the frame 12 and the entire width thereof in the transverse direction 92 and includes forward with a front side from 111th

0058Behind the front frame segment 110 is a rear frame segment 112, which is between the forward frame segment 110 and a rear side 114 of the frame 12 and is connected to the front frame segment has a common Flat side 113 has, which simultaneously a dividing plane between the two forms.

0059In this rear frame segment 112 with their front pages 116 in Area of ​​the side wall 62 lying in and up to a backside 118 the rear frame segment 112 hineinerstreckende toward the side wall 60 Shots provided 120, for receiving the data storage controller 14 and serving of hard disk storage 50, the hard disk space 50 are arranged in stacks 122 superimposed.

0060Preferably, between two stacks 122 of disk storage 50, Data memory controller 14, wherein these is so installed that the longest side of the case 126 is approximately parallel to the vertical 84 and parallel extends to the rear 114th

0061Both shots 120 for the stack 122 of disk storage 50 as the data storage controller 14 limits with its back to a 118 Verschaltungsraum 130 formed between the back 118 of the receptacles 120 and the side wall 60.

0062The Verschaltungsraum 130 is also still arranged so that the used in the seats 70 read / write units 28 with their Rear panel 132 may extend into the Verschaltungsraum 130 inside, so that both the read / write units 28 and the data storage control 14 and the stack 122 of disk storage 50 from its back ago are available for connection of cables, all in the Verschaltungsraum 130 are arranged and run in this. Preferably, the Number of disk space 50 selected in the stacks 122 maximum so that this together with the inserted into the receptacle 120 data storage control 14 substantially over the entire height of the frame 12 extend.

0063Thus, the total disk storage 50 and the data storage controller 14 arranged so that their front sides 134 and 136 in a Front side plane 138 lying opposite lateral outer wall surfaces 140 and 142 of the side wall 62 is reset so that the front sides 134 and 136 are shockproof.

0064Such an arrangement of the hard disk memory 50 and the data storage controller 14 in the rear frame segment 112 behind the front Rack segment 110 allows a particularly space-saving installation, the disk space 50 and the data memory controller 14 to.

0065The frame 12 is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, by an outer housing 170 surrounded which to support access to the Verschaltungsraum 130 with a removable rear cover part 172 of the rear Rack segment 112 is provided.

0066Furthermore, the housing 170 nor a cover 174 for the frame and 12 a rear wall 176 on which the frame 12, that is, the rear frame segment 112, in addition to part cover 172 back engages.

0067Further, the housing 170 is also provided with a front central wall 180, which lies between the side walls 60 and 62 and in its upper Area carries a screen 182, which as an indication of the data storage controller 14 serves.

0068Under the screen 182 is in the front center wall 180 a folding support 184 provided, on which a keypad 186 for operating the Data memory controller 14 is arranged.

0069The folding pad 184 is in a recess or depression 188 in the front center wall 180 folded and closed with a bottom 190 in in the recess 188 from the folded state to the center wall 180th

0070In the unfolded state, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the keypad 186 accessible in an ergonomically favorable height.

0071Further, both sides of the front center wall 180 of the housing 170 are pivotable side parts 192 and 194 of the housing 170 arranged which in pivoted, in Fig. 8 state shown an access to the loading bays 36 of the read / write units 28 with a partial Allow access to storage compartments 26 of the storage unit 22 and the closed condition both sides of the front central wall 180 a front opening 196 of the frame 12 close.