Patent Publication Number: US-2023154494-A1

Title: Magnetic tape cartridge, magnetic tape drive, magnetic tape system, and method of operating magnetic tape drive

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2021/020493 filed on May 28, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, this application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-129563 filed on Jul. 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The technology of the present disclosure relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and a method of operating a magnetic tape drive. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A cartridge memory that stores information is mounted in a magnetic tape cartridge in which a magnetic tape is accommodated. JP6669326B discloses that information at a time of data recording in a magnetic tape drive is stored in a cartridge memory and the information is read out from the cartridge memory at a time of data reading for reference. The information includes information on tension applied to a running magnetic tape at the time of data recording. 
     SUMMARY 
     Many types of magnetic tapes have been released from each manufacturer, and each of a plurality of types of magnetic tapes has a tension allowable range. There is a concern that irreversible damage, such as plastic deformation, may be given to the magnetic tape in a case where tension exceeding an upper limit value of the allowable range is applied to the magnetic tape. On the other hand, there is a concern that the running magnetic tape may be flapped in a case where tension below a lower limit value of the allowable range is applied to the magnetic tape. 
     An embodiment according to the technology of the present disclosure provides a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and a method of operating a magnetic tape drive capable of obtaining information regarding an allowable range of tension applied to a magnetic tape. 
     According to the present disclosure, there is provided a magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a case in which a magnetic tape is accommodated; and a storage medium provided in the case, in which the storage medium stores tension allowable range related information regarding an allowable range of tension applied to the magnetic tape. 
     It is preferable that the tension allowable range related information is identification information corresponding to any one of upper and lower limit values of the allowable range or a pair of a median value of the allowable range and a difference of the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range with respect to the median value. 
     It is preferable that the tension allowable range related information is any one of upper and lower limit values of the allowable range or a pair of a median value of the allowable range and a difference of the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range with respect to the median value. 
     It is preferable that the storage medium includes an internal storage medium incorporated in a noncontact communication medium where reading-out and writing-in of information are performed by a noncontact reading and writing device. 
     It is preferable that the tension allowable range related information is stored in a storage block in which information is unrewritable, the storage block being provided in the internal storage medium. 
     It is preferable that the storage medium includes a region of a part of the magnetic tape. 
     According to the present disclosure, there is provided a magnetic tape drive in which the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the above is loaded, the magnetic tape drive comprising: a tension applying mechanism; and a processor that controls an operation of the tension applying mechanism to apply tension within the allowable range represented by the tension allowable range related information to the magnetic tape. 
     According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a magnetic tape drive, comprising: reading out the tension allowable range related information stored in the storage medium provided in the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the above; and controlling an operation of a tension applying mechanism to apply tension within the allowable range represented by the read-out tension allowable range related information to the magnetic tape. 
     According to the present disclosure, there is provided a magnetic tape system comprising: the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the above; a read-out device that reads out the tension allowable range related information stored in the storage medium; and a control device that controls an operation of a tension applying mechanism to apply tension within the allowable range represented by the read-out tension allowable range related information to the magnetic tape. 
     According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and a method of operating a magnetic tape drive capable of obtaining information regarding an allowable range of tension applied to a magnetic tape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments according to the technique of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a structure of a rear right end part inside a lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a support member provided on an inner surface of the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an aspect in which a magnetic field is emitted by a noncontact reading and writing device from a lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  6    is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an aspect in which a magnetic field is applied from the noncontact reading and writing device to a cartridge memory provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic bottom view showing an example of a structure of a back surface of a substrate of the cartridge memory provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic plan view showing an example of a structure of a front surface of the substrate of the cartridge memory provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the cartridge memory provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  10    is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer of an IC chip mounted in the cartridge memory provided in the magnetic tape cartridge; 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram showing an example of a storage block in which tension allowable range related information is stored; 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram showing an example of an aspect in which the tension allowable range related information is written into the storage block; 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram showing an example of an aspect in which locking processing is performed on the storage block in which the tension allowable range related information is stored; 
         FIG.  14    is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of a control device; 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram showing an example of an aspect in which the tension allowable range related information is read out from the storage block and tension within the allowable range represented by the read-out tension allowable range related information is applied to the magnetic tape; 
         FIG.  16    is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of a CPU of the cartridge memory; 
         FIG.  17    is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the magnetic tape drive; 
         FIG.  18    is a diagram showing another example of an allowable range table; 
         FIG.  19    is a diagram showing another example of the tension allowable range related information; 
         FIG.  20    is a diagram showing still another example of the tension allowable range related information; 
         FIG.  21    is a diagram showing an example of an aspect in which the tension allowable range related information is written into a BOT region of the magnetic tape; and 
         FIG.  22    is a diagram showing another example of the aspect in which the tension allowable range related information is written into the BOT region of the magnetic tape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape drive according to the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First, terms that are used in the following description will be described. 
     CPU is an abbreviation for “Central Processing Unit”. RAM is an abbreviation for “Random Access Memory”. NVM is an abbreviation for “Non-Volatile Memory”. ROM is an abbreviation for “Read Only Memory”. EEPROM is an abbreviation for “Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory”. ASIC is an abbreviation for “Application Specific Integrated Circuit”. PLD is an abbreviation for “Programmable Logic Device”. FPGA is an abbreviation for “Field-Programmable Gate Array”. SoC is an abbreviation for “System-on-a-Chip”. IC is an abbreviation for “Integrated Circuit”. RFID is an abbreviation for “Radio Frequency IDentifier”. LTO is an abbreviation for “Linear Tape-Open”. IBM is an abbreviation for “International Business Machines Corporation”. CM is an abbreviation for “Cartridge Memory”. ID is an abbreviation for “Identification Data”. BOT is an abbreviation for “Beginning Of Tape”. EOT is an abbreviation for “End Of Tape”. ISO is an abbreviation for “International Organization for Standardization”. ECMA is an abbreviation for “European Computer Manufacturers Association”. 
     In the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a loading direction of a magnetic tape cartridge  10  into a magnetic tape drive  30  (see  FIG.  4   ) is indicated by an arrow A, a direction of the arrow A is referred to as a front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , and a side in the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a front side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “front” indicates the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a direction of an arrow B perpendicular to the direction of the arrow A is referred to as a right direction, and a side in the right direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a right side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “right” indicates the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrow A and the direction of the arrow B is indicated by an arrow C, a direction of the arrow C is referred to as an upper direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , and a side in the upper direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as an upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “upper” indicates the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a direction opposite to the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , and a side in the rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “rear” indicates the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a direction opposite to the right direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a left direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , and a side in the left direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a left side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “left” indicates the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, in  FIG.  1   , a direction opposite to the upper direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a lower direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , and a side in the lower direction of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is referred to as a lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In the following description of the structure, “lower” indicates the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     Further, in the following description, although LTO will be described as an example of the specification of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , this is merely an example, and the specification of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  may conform to the specification of IBM3592 or the like. 
     First Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    as an example, the magnetic tape cartridge  10  has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and comprises a box-shaped case  12 . The case  12  is formed of a resin, such as polycarbonate, and comprises an upper case  14  and a lower case  16 . The upper case  14  and the lower case  16  are bonded to each other by welding (for example, ultrasonic welding) and screwing in a state in which a lower peripheral edge surface of the upper case  14  and an upper peripheral edge surface of the lower case  16  are brought into contact with each other. The bonding method is not limited to the welding and the screwing, and other bonding methods may be used. 
     A cartridge reel  18  is rotatably accommodated inside the case  12 . The cartridge reel  18  comprises a reel hub  18 A, an upper flange  18 B 1 , and a lower flange  18 B 2 . The reel hub  18 A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The reel hub  18 A is a shaft center portion of the cartridge reel  18 , has a shaft center direction along an up-down direction of the case  12 , and is disposed in a central portion of the case  12 . Each of the upper flange  18 B 1  and the lower flange  18 B 2  is formed in an annular shape. A central portion in a plan view of the upper flange  18 B 1  is fixed to an upper end part of the reel hub  18 A, and a central portion in a plan view of the lower flange  18 B 2  is fixed to a lower end part of the reel hub  18 A. A magnetic tape MT is wound around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub  18 A, and widthwise end parts of the magnetic tape MT are held by the upper flange  18 B 1  and the lower flange  18 B 2 . The reel hub  18 A and the upper flange  18 B 1  and/or the lower flange  18 B 2  may be integrally molded. 
     An opening  12 B is formed on a front side of a right wall  12 A of the case  12 . The magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the opening  12 B. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    as an example, a cartridge memory  19  is accommodated in a rear right end part of the lower case  16 . The cartridge memory  19  is an example of a “noncontact communication medium” according to the technology of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, a so-called passive type RFID tag is employed as the cartridge memory  19 . 
     Information regarding the magnetic tape MT is stored in the cartridge memory  19 . The information regarding the magnetic tape MT indicates, for example, management information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . Examples of the management information include information regarding the cartridge memory  19 , information capable of specifying the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , information indicating a recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, the outline of data recorded on the magnetic tape MT, items of data, a recording format of data, and the like. 
     The cartridge memory  19  performs noncontact communication with a noncontact reading and writing device. Examples of the noncontact reading and writing device include a noncontact reading and writing device (for example, a noncontact reading and writing device  50 B shown in  FIG.  12   ) that is used in a production process of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  and a noncontact reading and writing device (for example, a noncontact reading and writing device  50 A shown in  FIGS.  4  to  6 , and  15   ) that is used in the magnetic tape drive (for example, the magnetic tape drive  30  shown in  FIG.  4   ). 
     The noncontact reading and writing device performs reading and writing of various types of information with respect to the cartridge memory  19  in a noncontact manner. Although details will be described later, the cartridge memory  19  generates power with electromagnetic application of a magnetic field MF (see  FIG.  5    and the like) from the noncontact reading and writing device. Then, the cartridge memory  19  operates using the generated power, and transmits and receives various types of information to and from the noncontact reading and writing device by performing communication with the noncontact reading and writing device via the magnetic field MF. As the communication method between the noncontact reading and writing device and the cartridge memory  19 , for example, a method conforming to a known standard, such as ISO14443 or ISO18092, can be employed. Alternatively, a method conforming to the specification of the LTO, such as ECMA319, can be employed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    as an example, a support member  20  is provided on an inner surface of a bottom plate  16 A of the rear right end part of the lower case  16 . The support member  20  is a pair of inclined mounts that support the cartridge memory  19  from below in an inclined state. The pair of inclined mounts are a first inclined mount  20 A and a second inclined mount  20 B. The first inclined mount  20 A and the second inclined mount  20 B are disposed at an interval in a right-left direction of the case  12  and are integrated with an inner surface of a rear wall  16 B of the lower case  16  and the inner surface of the bottom plate  16 A. The first inclined mount  20 A has an inclined surface  20 A 1 , and the inclined surface  20 A 1  is inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall  16 B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate  16 A. Further, the second inclined mount  20 B has an inclined surface  20 B 1 , and the inclined surface  20 B 1  is also inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall  16 B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate  16 A. 
     In front of the support member  20 , a pair of position restricting ribs  22  are disposed at an interval in the right-left direction. The pair of position restricting ribs  22  are provided upright on the inner surface of the bottom plate  16 A and restrict a position of a lower end part of the cartridge memory  19  in a state in which the cartridge memory  19  is disposed on the support member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3    as an example, a reference surface  16 A 1  is formed on an outer surface of the bottom plate  16 A. The reference surface  16 A 1  is a plane. Here, the plane indicates a surface parallel to a horizontal plane in a case where the lower case  16  is placed on the horizontal plane with the bottom plate  16 A facing the lower side. Here, “parallel” indicates parallel in a meaning including an error that is generally allowed in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, and an error to such an extent not contrary to the gist of the technology of the present disclosure, in addition to completely parallel. An inclined angle θ of the support member  20 , that is, an inclined angle of each of the inclined surface  20 A 1  and the inclined surface  20 B 1  (see  FIG.  2   ), is 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface  16 A 1 . The inclined angle of 45 degrees is merely an example, and may be in a range of “0 degrees&lt;inclined angle θ&lt;45 degrees” or may be “45 degrees≤inclined angle θ”. 
     The cartridge memory  19  comprises a substrate  26 . The substrate  26  is placed on the support member  20  with a back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  facing the lower side, and the support member  20  supports the back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  from below. A part of the back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  is in contact with the inclined surface of the support member  20 , that is, the inclined surfaces  20 A 1  and  20 B 1  (see  FIG.  2   ), and a front surface  26 B of the substrate  26  is exposed to an inner surface  14 A 1  side of a top plate  14 A of the upper case  14 . 
     The upper case  14  comprises a plurality of ribs  24 . The plurality of ribs  24  are disposed at intervals in the right-left direction of the case  12 . The plurality of ribs  24  are provided so as to protrude toward the lower side from the inner surface  14 A 1  of the top plate  14 A of the upper case  14 , and a distal end surface  24 A of each rib  24  is an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surfaces  20 A 1  and  20 B 1  (see  FIG.  2   ). That is, the distal end surface  24 A of each rib  24  is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface  16 A 1 . 
     In a case where the upper case  14  is bonded to the lower case  16  as described above in a state in which the cartridge memory  19  is disposed on the support member  20 , the distal end surface  24 A of each rib  24  comes into contact with the substrate  26  from the front surface  26 B side, and the substrate  26  is pinched between the distal end surface  24 A of each rib  24  and the inclined surfaces  20 A 1  and  20 B 1  (see  FIG.  2   ) of the support member  20 . With this, a position in an up-down direction of the cartridge memory  19  is restricted by the ribs  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4    as an example, the magnetic tape drive  30  comprises a transport device  34 , a magnetic head  36 , and a control device  38 . The magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded into the magnetic tape drive  30 . The magnetic tape drive  30  is a device that pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , records data on the pulled-out magnetic tape MT by using the magnetic head  36 , and reads data from the pulled-out magnetic tape MT by using the magnetic head  36  in a linear serpentine method. In the present embodiment, in other words, reading of data indicates reproduction of data. 
     The control device  38  controls the operation of the entire magnetic tape drive  30 . In the present embodiment, although the control device  38  is realized by an ASIC  120  (see  FIG.  14   ), the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control device  38  may be realized by an FPGA. Alternatively, the control device  38  may be realized by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. Alternatively, the control device  38  may be realized by a combination of two or more of the ASIC  120 , the FPGA, and the computer. That is, the control device  38  may be realized by a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration. 
     The transport device  34  is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT in a forward direction and a backward direction, and comprises a feeding motor  40 , a winding reel  42 , a winding motor  44 , a plurality of guide rollers GR, and the control device  38 . 
     The feeding motor  40  rotates the cartridge reel  18  provided in the magnetic tape cartridge  10  under the control of the control device  38 . The control device  38  controls the feeding motor  40  to control a rotation direction, a rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the cartridge reel  18 . 
     In a case where the magnetic tape MT is wound on the winding reel  42 , the control device  38  rotates the feeding motor  40  such that the magnetic tape MT runs in the forward direction. A rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the feeding motor  40  are adjusted according to a speed of the magnetic tape MT to be wound on the winding reel  42 . 
     The winding motor  44  rotates the winding reel  42  under the control of the control device  38 . The control device  38  controls the winding motor  44  to control a rotation direction, a rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the winding reel  42 . 
     In a case where the magnetic tape MT is wound on the winding reel  42 , the control device  38  rotates the winding motor  44  such that the magnetic tape MT runs in the forward direction. A rotation speed, rotation torque, and the like of the winding motor  44  are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT to be wound on the winding reel  42 . The rotation speed, the rotation torque, and the like of each of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  are adjusted in this manner, whereby tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT. That is, the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  are an example of a “tension applying mechanism” according to the technology of the present disclosure. 
     In a case of rewinding the magnetic tape MT onto the cartridge reel  18 , the control device  38  rotates the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  such that the magnetic tape MT runs in the backward direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotation speed, the rotation torque, and the like of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44 , but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be controlled by using a dancer roller or may be controlled by drawing the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber. 
     Each of the plurality of guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. A running path of the magnetic tape MT is determined by separately disposing the plurality of guide rollers GR at positions where the plurality of guide rollers GR straddle the magnetic head  36  between the magnetic tape cartridge  10  and the winding reel  42 . 
     The magnetic head  36  comprises a recording and reading element  46  and a holder  48 . The recording and reading element  46  is held by the holder  48  so as to come into contact with the running magnetic tape MT, and records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device  34  and reads data from the magnetic tape MT. 
     The magnetic tape drive  30  comprises a noncontact reading and writing device  50 . The noncontact reading and writing device  50  is disposed below the magnetic tape cartridge  10  so as to directly face the back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  of the cartridge memory  19  in a state in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded. The state in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded in the magnetic tape drive  30  indicates, for example, a state in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  has reached a position determined in advance as a position where data reading of the magnetic head  36  with respect to the magnetic tape MT starts. 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  4   , an aspect example in which the noncontact reading and writing device  50  is mounted on the magnetic tape drive  30  has been described, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The noncontact reading and writing device  50  is also used in a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped. In this case, for example, a stationary or portable noncontact reading and writing device  50  is used. In the following description, only in a case where a distinction is needed, the noncontact reading and writing device  50  mounted on the magnetic tape drive  30  is denoted by the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A, and the stationary or portable noncontact reading and writing device  50  that is used in a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped is denoted by the noncontact reading and writing device  50 B. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5    as an example, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A emits the magnetic field MF from below the magnetic tape cartridge  10  toward the cartridge memory  19 . The magnetic field MF passes through the cartridge memory  19 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6    as an example, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A is connected to the control device  38 . The control device  38  outputs a control signal for controlling the cartridge memory  19  to the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A. The noncontact reading and writing device  50 A emits the magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory  19  in accordance with the control signal input from the control device  38 . The magnetic field MF passes through the cartridge memory  19  from the back surface  26 A side to the front surface  26 B side of the substrate  26 . 
     The noncontact reading and writing device  50 A gives a command signal corresponding to the control signal to the cartridge memory  19  by performing noncontact communication with the cartridge memory  19 . In more detail, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A spatially transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  under the control of the control device  38 . Although details will be described later, the command signal is a signal indicating a command with respect to the cartridge memory  19 . 
     Here, an aspect example in which the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A spatially transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  under the control of the control device  38  has been described, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The noncontact reading and writing device  50 B spatially transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  under the control of a control device different from the control device  38 , for example, in a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped. 
     The noncontact reading and writing device  50 A makes the magnetic field MF include a command signal corresponding to an instruction from the control device  38 . In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A. That is, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device  38 . 
     An IC chip  52  and a capacitor  54  are mounted on the front surface  26 B of the substrate  26  of the cartridge memory  19 . The IC chip  52  and the capacitor  54  adhere to the front surface  26 B. The IC chip  52  and the capacitor  54  are sealed by a sealing material  56 . Here, as the sealing material  56 , an ultraviolet curable resin that is cured by reacting with ultraviolet rays is employed. The ultraviolet curable resin is merely an example, and a photocurable resin that is cured by reacting with light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet rays may be used as the sealing material  56 , a thermosetting resin may be used as the sealing material  56 , or other adhesives may be used as the sealing material  56 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7    as an example, a coil  60  is formed in a loop shape on the back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  of the cartridge memory  19 . Here, copper foil is employed as a material of the coil  60 . The copper foil is merely an example, and, for example, other types of conductive materials, such as aluminum foil, may be used. The coil  60  induces an induced current with the application of the magnetic field MF (see  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) from the noncontact reading and writing device  50 . 
     A first conduction portion  62 A and a second conduction portion  62 B are provided on the back surface  26 A of the substrate  26  of the cartridge memory  19 . The first conduction portion  62 A and the second conduction portion  62 B have solder and electrically connect both end parts of the coil  60  to the IC chip  52  (see  FIGS.  6  and  8   ) and the capacitor  54  (see  FIGS.  6  and  8   ) of the front surface  26 B. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8    as an example, on the front surface  26 B of the substrate  26  of the cartridge memory  19 , the IC chip  52  and the capacitor  54  are electrically connected to each other using a wire connection method. Specifically, one terminal of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal of the IC chip  52  is connected to the first conduction portion  62 A via a wiring line  64 A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conduction portion  62 B via a wiring line  64 B. Further, the capacitor  54  has a pair of electrodes. In the example shown in  FIG.  8   , the pair of electrodes are electrodes  54 A and  54 B. The electrode  54 A is connected to the first conduction portion  62 A via a wiring line  64 C, and the electrode  54 B is connected to the second conduction portion  62 B via a wiring line  64 D. With this, the IC chip  52  and the capacitor  54  are connected in parallel with the coil  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9    as an example, the IC chip  52  comprises an internal capacitor  80 , a power supply circuit  82 , a computer  84 , a clock signal generator  86 , and a signal processing circuit  88 . The IC chip  52  is a general-purpose IC chip that is usable for applications other than the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . 
     The cartridge memory  19  comprises a power generator  70 . The power generator  70  generates power with the application of the magnetic field MF from the noncontact reading and writing device  50  to the coil  60 . Specifically, the power generator  70  generates alternating-current power using a resonance circuit  92 , and converts the generated alternating-current power into direct-current power to output the direct-current power. 
     The power generator  70  has the resonance circuit  92  and the power supply circuit  82 . The resonance circuit  92  comprises the capacitor  54 , the coil  60 , and the internal capacitor  80 . The internal capacitor  80  is a capacitor incorporated in the IC chip  52 , and the power supply circuit  82  is also a circuit incorporated in the IC chip  52 . The internal capacitor  80  is connected in parallel with the coil  60 . 
     The capacitor  54  is a capacitor externally attached to the IC chip  52 . The IC chip  52  is a general-purpose IC chip that is intrinsically usable for applications different from the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . For this reason, the capacitance of the internal capacitor  80  may not be enough to realize a resonance frequency required for the cartridge memory  19  used in the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . In that respect, in the cartridge memory  19 , the capacitor  54  is post-attached to the IC chip  52  as a capacitor having a capacitance value necessary in causing the resonance circuit  92  to resonate at a predetermined resonance frequency with the application of the magnetic field MF. In a case where the internal capacitor  80  has capacitance enough to realize the resonance frequency required for the cartridge memory  19  used in the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , the capacitor  54  is, of course, unnecessary. The predetermined resonance frequency is a frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz) corresponding to a frequency of the magnetic field MF, and need only be appropriately decided on the basis of the specification or the like of the cartridge memory  19  and/or the noncontact reading and writing device  50 . Further, the capacitance of the capacitor  54  is determined on the basis of a measured value of the capacitance of the internal capacitor  80 . 
     The resonance circuit  92  generates alternating-current power by generating a resonance phenomenon at the predetermined resonance frequency using the induced current induced by the coil  60  with the magnetic field MF passing through the coil  60 . The resonance circuit  92  outputs the generated alternating-current power to the power supply circuit  82 . 
     The power supply circuit  82  has a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, and the like. The rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit having a plurality of diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is merely an example, and a half-wave rectifier circuit may be used. The smoothing circuit includes a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit  82  converts the alternating-current power input from the resonance circuit  92  into direct-current power and supplies various drive elements provided in the IC chip  52  with the direct-current power (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “power”) obtained by the conversion. Examples of the various drive elements include the computer  84 , the clock signal generator  86 , and the signal processing circuit  88 . In this way, power is supplied to various drive elements provided in the IC chip  52  by the power generator  70 , whereby the IC chip  52  operates. 
     The computer  84  controls the operation of the entire cartridge memory  19 . The clock signal generator  86  generates a clock signal and outputs the clock signal to the signal processing circuit  88  and the like. The signal processing circuit  88  and the like operate in accordance with the clock signal input from the clock signal generator  86 . The clock signal generator  86  changes a frequency of the clock signal in accordance with an instruction of the computer  84 . 
     The signal processing circuit  88  is connected to the resonance circuit  92 . The signal processing circuit  88  has a decoding circuit (not shown) and an encoding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit  88  extracts and decodes the command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil  60  and outputs the command signal to the computer  84 . The computer  84  outputs a response signal to the command signal to the signal processing circuit  88 . That is, the computer  84  executes processing corresponding to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit  88  and outputs a processing result as the response signal to the signal processing circuit  88 . In a case where the response signal is input from the computer  84 , the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit  88  encodes the response signal to modulate the response signal and outputs the response signal to the resonance circuit  92 . The resonance circuit  92  transmits the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit  88  to the noncontact reading and writing device  50  via the magnetic field MF. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10    as an example, the computer  84  comprises a CPU  94 , an NVM  96 , and a RAM  98 . The CPU  94 , the NVM  96 , and the RAM  98  are connected to a bus  99 . 
     The CPU  94  controls the operation of the computer  84 . The NVM  96  is an example of an “internal storage medium” according to the technology of the present disclosure. An example of the NVM  96  includes an EEPROM. The EEPROM is merely an example, and, for example, a ferroelectric memory may be used instead of the EEPROM or any memory may be used as long as the memory is a non-volatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip  52 . The NVM  96  has a plurality of storage blocks  104 . The management information and the like are stored in the plurality of storage blocks  104 . 
     The CPU  94  selectively performs polling processing, read-out processing, write-in processing, locking processing, and the like according to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit  88 . The polling processing is processing of establishing communication with the noncontact reading and writing device  50 , and is performed, for example, as preparation processing in a pre-stage of the read-out processing and the write-in processing. The read-out processing is processing of reading out the management information and the like from the NVM  96 . The write-in processing is processing of writing the management information and the like into the NVM  96 . The locking processing is processing of locking the storage block  104 , in other words, processing of disabling rewriting of information stored in the storage block  104 . Here, a meaning of “rewriting of information” also includes a meaning of “erasure of information”. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11    as an example, tension allowable range related information  110  is stored in a storage block  104 A that is one of the plurality of storage blocks  104 . The tension allowable range related information  110  is information regarding the allowable range of tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. Here, the allowable range is a range obtained by, for example, a computer simulation and/or a test with a real machine, as a range of tension at which recording and/or reading of data performed by the magnetic head  36  can be performed without problems. 
     The tension allowable range related information  110  is an identification ID for uniquely identifying the type of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 . The identification ID is, for example, a combination of an alphabet representing a manufacturer of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , such as “FS”, and a numeral representing a serial number or a model number of the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , such as “1000”. The identification ID is an example of “identification information” according to the technology of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  12    as an example, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 B spatially transmits the tension allowable range related information  110  and a write-in command of the tension allowable range related information  110  as the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  at a timing of any one of a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped. The CPU  94  performs the write-in processing of storing the tension allowable range related information  110  in the storage block  104 A according to the command signal transmitted from the noncontact reading and writing device  50 B. With this, the tension allowable range related information  110  is stored in the storage block  104 A. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13    as an example, the CPU  94  performs the locking processing on the storage block  104 A in which the tension allowable range related information  110  is stored. The locking processing is performed on the storage block  104 A in this manner, whereby the tension allowable range related information  110  is unrewritable. That is, the storage block  104 A is an example of a “storage block in which information is unrewritable” according to the technology of the present disclosure. The locking processing may be performed immediately after the tension allowable range related information  110  is stored in the storage block  104 A or may be performed in a case where the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is initially loaded into the magnetic tape drive  30  and the magnetic tape MT is initialized. 
     As shown in  FIG.  14    as an example, the control device  38  has the ASIC  120  and a storage  122 . The ASIC  120  and the storage  122  are connected to a bus  124 . The ASIC  120  is an example of a “processor” according to the technology of the present disclosure. 
     An allowable range table  126  is stored in the storage  122 . The allowable range of tension corresponding to the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110  is registered in the allowable range table  126 . Specifically, the allowable range is upper and lower limit values. The allowable range table  126  is updated each time a new product of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is released. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15    as an example, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A spatially transmits a read-out command of the tension allowable range related information  110  as the command signal to the cartridge memory  19  at a timing at which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded into the magnetic tape drive  30 . The CPU  94  performs the read-out processing of reading out the tension allowable range related information  110  from the storage block  104 A according to the command signal transmitted from the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A. Then, the CPU  94  spatially transmits the read-out tension allowable range related information  110  as the response signal to the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A. The noncontact reading and writing device  50 A is an example of a “read-out device” according to the technology of the present disclosure. Further, the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A, the magnetic tape cartridge  10 , the control device  38 , and the like constitute a magnetic tape system  51  (see  FIG.  4   ). 
     The noncontact reading and writing device  50 A outputs the tension allowable range related information  110  from the cartridge memory  19  to the control device  38 . The ASIC  120  of the control device  38  reads out the allowable range corresponding to the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110  from the allowable range table  126 . The ASIC  120  controls the operations of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  to apply tension within the read-out allowable range to the magnetic tape MT. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a case where “FS-1000” is stored in the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110 . In this case, the ASIC  120  reads out “0.6 N and 1.2 N” as the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range corresponding to the identification ID “FS-1000” from the allowable range table  126 . Then, the ASIC  120  controls the operations of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  to apply tension within “0.6 N to 1.2 N” to the magnetic tape MT. The ASIC  120  applies, for example, tension having a median value of the allowable range (see  FIG.  18    and the like), tension of 0.9 N in this example, to the magnetic tape MT. In  FIG.  15   , the bus  124  is not shown. 
     Next, the actions of the above-described configuration will be described with reference to flowcharts of  FIGS.  16  and  17   . First, as shown in  FIG.  16    as an example, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the CPU  94  writes the tension allowable range related information  110  from the noncontact reading and writing device  50 B into the storage block  104 A of the cartridge memory  19  at a timing of any one of a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped (Step ST 100 ). Next, as shown in  FIG.  13   , the CPU  94  performs the locking processing on the storage block  104 A in which the tension allowable range related information  110  is stored (Step ST 110 ). With this, the tension allowable range related information  110  is unrewritable. 
     At a timing at which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded into the magnetic tape drive  30  (YES in Step ST 120 ), as shown in  FIG.  15   , the CPU  94  reads out the tension allowable range related information  110  from the storage block  104 A. Then, the CPU  94  spatially transmits the tension allowable range related information  110  to the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A (Step ST 130 ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  17    as an example, the tension allowable range related information  110  is output from the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A to the control device  38  as shown in  FIG.  15    (Step ST 200 ). Subsequently, the ASIC  120  reads out the allowable range corresponding to the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110  from the allowable range table  126  (Step ST 210 ). Then, under the control of the ASIC  120 , the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  are rotated, and the magnetic tape MT is transported in the forward direction or the backward direction. At this time, the ASIC  120  controls the operations of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44 , and tension within the allowable range is applied to the magnetic tape MT (Step ST 220 ). 
     Under the control of the ASIC  120 , the magnetic head  36  is operated, and data is recorded onto the running magnetic tape MT and/or data recorded on the running magnetic tape MT is read (Step ST 230 ). 
     As described above, the magnetic tape cartridge  10  comprises the case  12  in which the magnetic tape MT is accommodated, and the NVM  96  of the cartridge memory  19  provided in the case  12 . The NVM  96  stores the tension allowable range related information  110  regarding the allowable range of the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain information regarding the allowable range of the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the tension allowable range related information  110  is the identification ID. As shown in  FIG.  14   , the identification ID corresponds to the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range. Therefore, confidentiality of the allowable range can be enhanced as compared with a case where the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range itself are stored in the NVM  96  as the tension allowable range related information  110 . 
     In the present embodiment, the NVM  96  is used as the storage medium. The NVM  96  is incorporated in the cartridge memory  19  where reading-out and writing-in of information are performed by the noncontact reading and writing device  50 . Therefore, the reading-out and the writing-in of the tension allowable range related information  110  can be easily performed. 
     The tension allowable range related information  110  is stored in the storage block  104 A in which the information is unrewritable. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inadvertent rewriting or erasing of the tension allowable range related information  110 . 
     The magnetic tape drive  30  in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is loaded comprises the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44 , and the ASIC  120  that controls the operations of the feeding motor  40  and the winding motor  44  to apply tension within the allowable range represented by the tension allowable range related information  110  to the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, there is no concern that tension exceeding the upper limit value of the allowable range may be applied to the magnetic tape MT and irreversible damage, such as plastic deformation, may be given to the magnetic tape MT. Further, there is no concern that tension below the lower limit value of the allowable range may be applied to the magnetic tape MT and the running magnetic tape MT may be flapped. Accordingly, it is possible to stably perform recording of data onto the magnetic tape MT and/or reading of data recorded on the magnetic tape MT. 
     The allowable range table  126  in which the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range corresponding to the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110  are registered has been illustrated, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An allowable range table  130  shown in  FIG.  18    as an example may be used. In the allowable range table  130 , a pair of a difference and a median value of the allowable range corresponding to the identification ID of the tension allowable range related information  110  are registered. The difference is a difference of the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range with respect to the median value. The ASIC  120  can grasp the allowable range of the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, even with the allowable range table  130 . 
     The tension allowable range related information  110  is not limited to the illustrated identification ID. As in tension allowable range related information  132  shown in  FIG.  19    as an example, the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range may be used. Alternatively, as in tension allowable range related information  134  shown in  FIG.  20    as an example, a pair of the median value of the allowable range and the difference of the upper and lower limit values of the allowable range with respect to the median value may be used. With the tension allowable range related information  132  and  134 , it is not necessary to prepare the allowable range table  126  or  130  in the storage  122  of the control device  38 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the above-described first embodiment, the NVM  96  of the cartridge memory  19  is illustrated as the storage medium, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG.  21    as an example, at a timing of any one of a case where the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is initially loaded or a case where the magnetic tape MT is initialized, the ASIC  120  of the control device  38  controls the operation of the magnetic head  36  to write the tension allowable range related information  110  into a BOT region  140  provided at the head of the magnetic tape MT. Further, although not shown, the ASIC  120  controls the operation of the magnetic head  36  to read the tension allowable range related information  110  from the BOT region  140 . In this case, the tension allowable range related information  110  is input by a user, for example, via an operation input unit (not shown). The BOT region  140  is an example of a “region of a part of the magnetic tape” according to the technology of the present disclosure. 
     In this way, in the second embodiment, the BOT region  140  of the magnetic tape MT is used as the storage medium. Therefore, it is possible to save labor to prepare the cartridge memory  19  or labor to store the tension allowable range related information  110  in the storage block  104 A. 
     The tension allowable range related information  110  may be stored in the BOT region  140  by a magnetic head of a magnetic tape drive disposed in a factory at a timing of any one of a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is manufactured, a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is inspected, or a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge  10  is shipped. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG.  22    as an example, an aspect may be employed in which the tension allowable range related information  110  read out from the cartridge memory  19  by the noncontact reading and writing device  50 A is written into the BOT region  140  by the ASIC  120 . In this case, the tension allowable range related information  110  is stored in both the storage block  104 A and the BOT region  140 . Therefore, the tension allowable range related information  110  stored in the storage block  104 A and the tension allowable range related information  110  stored in the BOT region  140  can be matched with each other, and the reliability of the tension allowable range related information  110  can be verified. Further, even though a failure occurs in any one of the storage block  104 A or the BOT region  140 , it is possible to obtain the tension allowable range related information  110  from the other. Instead of or in addition to the BOT region  140 , the tension allowable range related information  110  may be stored in an EOT region (not shown) provided at the tail of the magnetic tape MT. 
     The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated aspect in which the cartridge memory  19  is incorporated in the case  12 . The cartridge memory  19  may be attached to an outer surface of the case  12 . 
     The identification information is not limited to the illustrated identification ID. A product name itself of the magnetic tape cartridge  10  may be used as the identification information. Further, the storage medium is not limited to the illustrated NVM  96  of the cartridge memory  19  and the BOT region  140  of the magnetic tape MT. For example, a two-dimensional barcode or the like may be used as the storage medium. 
     As the hardware resource that executes the processing of the control device  38 , various processors described below can be used. Examples of the processors include a CPU which is a general-purpose processor functioning as a hardware resource that executes software, that is, a program, to execute the processing. Further, examples of the processors include a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a dedicated circuit configuration designed for executing specific processing, such as an FPGA, a PLD, or the illustrated ASIC  120 . A memory is also incorporated in or connected to any processor, and any processor uses the memory to execute the processing. 
     The hardware resource that executes the processing of the control device  38  may be composed of one of various processors or may be composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Alternatively, the hardware resource that executes the processing of the control device  38  may be one processor. 
     A first example in which the hardware resource is composed of one processor is an aspect in which one or more CPUs and software are combined to constitute one processor and the processor functions as the hardware resource that executes the processing. A second example is an aspect in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of hardware resources that execute the processing with one IC chip is used, as typified by an SoC or the like. In this way, the processing of the control device  38  is realized using one or more of various processors as the hardware resource. 
     Furthermore, as the hardware structures of various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit into which circuit elements, such as semiconductor elements, are combined can be used. Further, the processing of the control device  38  described above is merely an example. Accordingly, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or a processing order may be changed without departing from the gist. 
     Similarly, in regard to the cartridge memory  19 , instead of or in addition to the illustrated CPU  94 , a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a dedicated circuit configuration designed for executing specific processing, such as an FPGA, a PLD, or an ASIC, may be used. 
     The technology of the present disclosure can also appropriately combine the above-mentioned various embodiments and/or various modification examples. In addition, it goes without saying that the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various configurations may be employed without departing from the gist. Furthermore, in addition to the program, the technology of the present disclosure extends to a storage medium that stores the program in a non-transitory manner. 
     The content of the above description and the content of the drawings are detailed description of parts according to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description related to configurations, functions, actions, and advantageous effects is description related to an example of the configurations, functions, actions, and advantageous effects of the parts according to the technology of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is needless to say that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacement may be made to the content of the above description and the content of the drawings without departing from the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Further, in order to avoid confusion and to facilitate understanding of the parts according to the technology of the present disclosure, description related to common technical knowledge and the like that does not require particular description to enable implementation of the technology of the present disclosure is omitted from the content of the above description and the content of the drawings. 
     In the present specification, “A and/or B” has the same meaning as “at least one of A or B”. That is, “A and/or B” means that only A may be used, only B may be used, or a combination of A and B may be used. In addition, in the present specification, the same concept as “A and/or B” is also applied to a case where three or more matters are expressed by “and/or”. 
     All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in the present specification are incorporated in the present specification by reference to the same extent as in a case where the individual documents, patent applications, and technical standards were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference.