Abstract: A data storage system for storing data includes a data storage medium and a data interface that communicates with the data storage medium. The data interface is configured to place data into a logical data capsule having a defined size, where the data placed into the logical data capsule can occupy less than the defined size of the logical data capsule. In the data storage system, the logical data capsule is moved as a whole between the data storage medium and the data interface. Additionally, when any data in the logical data capsule is read or modified, all of the data in the logical data capsule is read or modified as a whole.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A media library assembly (10) includes a host controller (12), a first data transfer assembly (18A) and a second data transfer assembly (18B), which can be remotely positioned from the first data transfer assembly (18A). The host controller (12) sends a first command signal to the first data transfer assembly (18A) to request a transfer of a first block of data relative to a target storage media (22). The first data transfer assembly (18A) receives the first command signal, determines the location of the target storage media (22), and initiates a second command signal to the second data transfer assembly (18B) to request the transfer of the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22). The second data transfer assembly (18B) transfers the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22) in response to the second command signal. The first data transfer assembly (18A) then returns a status to the host controller (12) regarding the transfer of the first block of data.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a first tape-head contact area including a first write element and a first read element, which itself may include an MR sensor element. The first read element is laterally offset as to the first write element, and no portion of the first read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the first write element. A second tape-head contact area includes a second write element and a second read element, which also may include an MR sensor element. The second read element is laterally offset as to the second write element, and no portion of the second read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the second write element. The first read and write elements of the first tape-head contact area are aligned with the second write and read elements of the second tape-head contact area so that an end portion of the second write element lies in a region that laterally overlaps only an end portion of the first write element.

Abstract: A data storage system for storing data includes a data storage medium and a data interface that communicates with the data storage medium. The data interface is configured to place data into a logical data capsule having a defined size, where the data placed into the logical data capsule can occupy less than the defined size of the logical data capsule. In the data storage system, the logical data capsule is moved as a whole between the data storage medium and the data interface. Additionally, when any data in the logical data capsule is read or modified, all of the data in the logical data capsule is read or modified as a whole. The data interface is configured to assign a capsule number to a logical data capsule within a first range of capsule numbers or a second range of capsule numbers. The first range of capsule numbers corresponds to a first data access time of the first data storage medium. The second range of capsule numbers corresponds to a second data access time of the second data storage medium.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors in a servo system of a magnetic storage drive includes writing a plurality of data tracks at a pitch, detecting a position of an edge of at least two of the data tracks under control of a servo system (e.g., an optical or magnetic servo system), and determining an error in the servo system based on the detected positions and known pitch of the data tracks. Differences in the track edge positions of the tracks from the positions at which they were written may indicate errors in the optical servo system (e.g., non-linearity errors, as well as other errors such as electrical, temperature, or the like). Determined errors may be stored with a look-up table of positional errors or used to normalize a position algorithm associated with the servo system.

Abstract: Described herein are media drives for writing information to a media (e.g., a tape media), systems for storing information on a storage medium, and methods of writing information to a media. The devices, systems and methods described herein are error tolerant in that they may permit only a limited number (or arrangement) of bad blocks in an envelope to be written before they erase at least a portion of the envelope that has already been written, and move to a different region of the storage media and re-write the envelope.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly (20) for the transmission of data relative to a magnetic storage tape (278) includes a tape head (260), a cartridge receiver (268) and a controller (44). The cartridge receiver (268) selectively receives a cartridge (54) having a lapping tape (478) that laps the tape head (260). The controller (44) dynamically adjusts one of (i) a tension of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260), (ii) an oscillation frequency of the tape head (260) relative to the lapping tape (478), and (iii) a lateral velocity of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260). The controller (44) can use an algorithm to adjust these conditions. The algorithm can be based on the pliability of the lapping tape (478), a curvature of the tape head (260) and/or the grit of the lapping tape (478).

Abstract: A recording head comprises a first tape-head contact area including a first write element and a first read element, which itself may include an MR sensor element. The first read element is laterally offset as to the first write element, and no portion of the first read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the first write element. A second tape-head contact area includes a second write element and a second read element, which also may include an MR sensor element. The second read element is laterally offset as to the second write element, and no portion of the second read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the second write element. The first read and write elements of the first tape-head contact area are aligned with the second write and read elements of the second tape-head contact area so that an end portion of the second write element lies in a region that laterally overlaps only an end portion of the first write element.

Abstract: A tape cartridge (54) for use in a tape drive (46) having a tape head (260) includes a cartridge housing (272), a cartridge reel (274) and a tape (278). The cartridge reel (274) is rotatably secured to the cartridge housing (272). The tape (278) is secured to the cartridge reel (274). The tape (278) can include a storage tape (278D) that stores data and a lapping tape (278L) that laps the tape head (260). In one embodiment, the storage tape (278D) and the lapping tape (278L) are spliced together. The ratio of storage tape (278D) to lapping tape (278L) can be at least approximately 0.01:1. The lapping tape (278L) can include a diamond material having a grit of between approximately 0.1 micron and 1.0 micron. In one embodiment, the tape (578) can include a first lapping tape (578L1) and a second lapping tape (578L2) that has a different grit than the first lapping tape (578L1). In another embodiment, the tape (678) also includes a cleaning tape (678CL) that cleans the tape head (260).

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island. Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island. The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island. Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island. The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island.

Abstract: A media library assembly (10) includes a host controller (12), a first data transfer assembly (18A) and a second data transfer assembly (18B), which can be remotely positioned from the first data transfer assembly (18A). The host controller (12) sends a first command signal to the first data transfer assembly (18A) to request a transfer of a first block of data relative to a target storage media (22). The first data transfer assembly (18A) receives the first command signal, determines the location of the target storage media (22), and initiates a second command signal to the second data transfer assembly (18B) to request the transfer of the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22). The second data transfer assembly (18B) transfers the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22) in response to the second command signal. The first data transfer assembly (18A) then returns a status to the host controller (12) regarding the transfer of the first block of data.

Abstract: In one aspect, an exemplary method of manufacturing a magnetic head assembly is provided. In one example, the method includes forming islands in a magnetic head structure to define a pair of mini-outriggers adjacent a data island, where the data island is separated from each mini-outrigger by a void, and a width of the data island along a direction of tape transport is greater than a width of the mini-outrigger. The method further includes lapping the head structure to remove a portion of the mini-outrigger, thereby creating a wrap angle between the tape and the surface of the data island. In one example, the lapping process reduces the mini-outrigger height relative to the data island in an adaptive manner, where the final contour and height of the mini-outrigger is influenced by the data island surface, e.g., by the width, radius of curvature, and the like.

Abstract: Tape drives and methods of operating tape drives are provided. The tape drive may include: a first reel motor for rotating a first reel having a data storage tape medium wound about the first reel; a data transfer head; a second reel motor for rotating a second reel to draw the tape medium from the first reel, across the data transfer head, and onto the second reel; and at least one adaptive bearing for guiding the tape medium between the first reel and the second reel, the adaptive bearing including a roller having a first rotational resistance as the tape medium travels past the adaptive bearing at a first linear velocity and having a second rotational resistance greater than the first rotational resistance when the tape medium travels past the adaptive bearing at a second linear velocity greater than the first linear velocity.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic head structure and method of manufacture is described. In one example, the method includes forming a support surface having a longitudinal width associated with at least one data transducer and a reduced longitudinal width region offset along a lateral direction from the at least one data transducer. The method further includes lapping the support surface such that the at least one data transducer is raised or elevated relative to at least a portion of the support surface. In one example, the at least one data transducer is raised relative to laterally offset portions of the support surface, and in one example, to laterally offset portions positioned between adjacent data transducers.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, methods and systems for operating a magnetic storage media drive to perform read/write operations to magnetic storage media in an overwrite protected mode are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a write request and associated write data and determining if the magnetic storage medium is overwrite protected. If the storage medium is overwrite protected the method includes writing the write data to the storage medium followed by an EOD marker associated with the end of the write data, allowing write operations to the storage medium after previously written data, and preventing write operations to the storage medium prior to previous EOD markers.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking storage media is provided that includes directing light through a first major side of a magnetic recording tape, wherein the tape includes optically detectable indicia embedded within the tape during formation of the indicia. At least a portion of the light may be detected after passing through the first side of the tape, and a change in the position of the tape based on the detected light may be determined.