Library apparatus and library apparatus control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a library apparatus capable of storing one or a plurality of recording media and managing data stored in the recording media. The library apparatus includes access control means for writing data or reading data on/from the recording medium; encrypting/decrypting means for encrypting/decrypting the data processed by the access control means; holding means for holding a processing state of the encrypting/decrypting means; and control means for determining whether the recording medium is in an encrypted state on the basis of the processing state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a library apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2C show internal configurations of drive modules;

FIG. 3 shows a format of a management table;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of determining an encryption state of a portable recording medium according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of determining an encryption state of a portable recording medium according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of determining an encryption state of a portable recording medium according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of updating the management table to manage encryption states of portable recording media and a process of determining whether a portable recording medium can be ejected when instructions to eject the medium are received;

FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically show recording on a portable recording medium; and

FIG. 9 shows an example of information stored in holding means.

Claims

1. An apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media and managing data stored in the recording media, the apparatus comprising: an access controller for selecting a recording medium from the plurality of recording media, and for writing data or reading data on/from the selected recording medium;an encrypting/decrypting unit for encrypting the data to be stored in the recording medium and decrypting the data read out from the recording medium;a storing unit for storing an encryption status of the data in the recording medium; anda controller for determining whether to allow removal of a recording medium from the apparatus according to the encryption status of said recording medium.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: notifying unit for notifying of the processing result of encrypting/decrypting data in the recording medium.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: display unit for displaying encryption status of the data in the recording medium; andlibrary controller for controlling the apparatus and allowing the display unit to display the encryption status of said recording medium in reference to said storing unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: communicating unit for communicating with a higher-level apparatus; andlibrary controller for controlling the apparatus and notifying the higher-level apparatus the encryption status of the recording medium.

5. A apparatus capable of housing a plurality of recording media and managing data stored in the recording media, the apparatus comprising: ejector for ejecting a recording media from the apparatus;an encryption management table indicative of a relation between the recording media and encryption status of the recording media andlibrary controller for controlling the ejector and determining whether to allow removal of a recording medium from the apparatus in reference to the encryption management table upon receiving instructions to eject the recording medium.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, upon receiving instructions to eject the unencrypted recording medium, the library controller allows the display unit to display a message indicative of disabling to eject the recording medium from the apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: communicating unit for communicating with a higher-level apparatus,wherein, upon receiving instructions to eject the unencrypted recording medium, the library controller notifies the higher-level apparatus to enable to eject the recording medium.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the encryption management table includes information about whether to enable to eject a unencrypted recording medium or not, the information being set from a management terminal via a network, and wherein, upon receiving instructions to eject an unencrypted portable recording medium, the library controller refers to the information about whether to enable to eject the portable recording medium in the encryption management table and determines whether to enable to eject the unencrypted the recording medium.

9. A method for controlling a apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media and managing data stored in the recording media, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a recording medium from the plurality of recording media, and for writing data or reading data on/from the selected recording medium;encrypting the data to be stored in the recording medium and decrypting the data read out from the recording medium;storing an encryption status of the data in the recording medium; anddetermining whether to allow removal of a recording medium from the apparatus according to the encryption status of said recording medium.