Using an RFID reader to write messages to a tape cartridge memory

• US 8,199,433 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stiarwalt, Randolph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HEINZ, ALLEN J
• Application Number:
  US12/019,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20090190259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 360/92.1, 360/132, 3405721-5728, 235/375
• US Class Current: 360/132
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/042 Auxiliary features sensing such features G11B15/06

Abstract

A tape cartridge includes a housing and a length of magnetic tape disposed within the housing. Additionally, the tape cartridge includes at least one cartridge memory chip disposed within the housing and at least one RFID reader operably connected to at least one of the cartridge memory chips and configured to write at least one message to the cartridge memory chip based on a received RFID signal.

Claims

1. A tape cartridge read by a tape drive, comprising:

a housing;

a length of magnetic tape disposed within the housing;

a cartridge memory disposed within the housing; and

at least one RFID reader operably connected to the cartridge memory and configured to write at least one message to the cartridge memory based on a received RFID signal to instruct the tape drive as to whether access to the magnetic tape is authorized, wherein writing the at least one message includes;

writing a first message to the cartridge memory based on the received RFID signal to make the magnetic tape inaccessible and not readable upon the tape cartridge being removed from a secure storage area;

writing a second message to the cartridge memory to reauthorize access to the magnetic tape and make readable in response to replacing the tape cartridge in the secure storage area after writing the first message.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 further comprising at least one audible alarm device configured to sound based on the message.

3. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive by preventing the tape drive from reading the contents of the magnetic tape.

4. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to prevent the removal of the cartridge from the tape drive.

5. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to erase the data stored on the magnetic tape.

6. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to limit access to only certain portions of the magnetic tape.

7. The tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second message instructs the tape drive to re-authorize data access to the magnetic tape after access has been de-authorized.

8. A tape cartridge security system comprising:

a tape drive;

a tape cartridge including

a housing;

a length of magnetic tape disposed within the housing;

a cartridge memory disposed within the housing; and

at least one RFID reader operably connected to the cartridge memory and configured to write at least one message to the cartridge memory based on a received RFID signal to instruct the tape drive as to whether access to the magnetic tape is authorized; and

a RFID transmitter configured to transmit a RFID signal to the cartridge memory wherein writing the at least one message includes;

writing a first message to the cartridge memory based on the received RFID signal to make the magnetic tape inaccessible and not readable upon the tape cartridge being removed from a secure storage area

writing a second message to the cartridge memory to reauthorize access to the magnetic tape and make readable in response to replacing the tape cartridge in the secure storage area after writing the first message.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the tape drive includes a wireless communication device configured to transmit messages to the cartridge memory and receive messages from the cartridge memory.

10. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the RFID transmitter is disposed in a storage facility, wherein egress by the tape cartridge from the storage facility requires passage by the RFID transmitter.

11. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive by preventing the tape drive from reading the contents of the magnetic tape.

12. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to prevent the removal of the cartridge from the tape drive.

13. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to erase the data stored on the magnetic tape.

14. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to limit access to only certain portions of the magnetic tape.

15. The tape cartridge security system of claim 8, wherein the second message instructs the tape drive to re-authorize data access to the magnetic tape after access has been de-authorized.

16. A method for providing security for a magnetic tape cartridge that is read by a tape drive, the method comprising:

providing at least one magnetic tape cartridge, the tape cartridge including;

a housing;

a length of magnetic tape disposed within the housing;

a cartridge memory chip disposed within the housing; and

at least one RFID reader operably connected to the cartridge memory and configured to write at least one message to the cartridge memory based on a received RFID signal;

providing at least one RFID transmitter configured to transmit a RFID signal to the cartridge memory;

transmitting the RFID signal from the RFID transmitter to the RFID reader;

receiving the RFID signal at the RFID reader;

writing at least one message to the cartridge memory based on the received RFID signal to instruct the tape drive as to whether access to the magnetic tape is authorized, wherein writing the at least one message includes;

writing a first message to the cartridge memory based on the received RFID signal to make the magnetic tape inaccessible and not readable upon the tape cartridge being removed from a secure storage area;

writing a second message to the cartridge memory to reauthorize access to the magnetic tape and make readable in response to replacing the tape cartridge in the secure storage area after writing the first message.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second message instructs the tape drive to allow access to the magnetic tape based on the at least one RFID reader receiving a second RFID signal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive by preventing the tape drive from reading the contents of the magnetic tape.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to prevent the removal of the cartridge from the tape drive.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first message instructs the tape drive to erase the data stored on the magnetic tape.