Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The network attached virtual tape storage subsystem interconnects a plurality of tape devices with a plurality of data processors via a high bandwidth switching network to implement a virtual, distributed tape data storage subsystem. The virtual, distributed tape data storage system realizes multiple virtual devices, which are available to any of the data processors and the bandwidth of the system is scalable and can be changed on demand. The virtual tape storage subsystem is managed by a system controller which contains a plurality of software elements including: resource allocation, resource configuration, and resource management. The use of a networked storage manager enables the tape devices to be managed as a pool and yet attach the tape devices directly to the network as individual resources.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The optical servo system for a tape drive that functions to align a read/write head with the data tracks written on a recording surface of a tape by reading optical servo tracks that are formed on the back side of the tape. This process decouples the magnetic recording of data on the recording surface of the tape from the optical servo system which makes use of servo tracks formed on the back side of the tape. The data storage capacity of the tape is increased since the entire recording surface of the tape is filled with data tracks and the precise alignment of the read/write head makes it possible to place the data tracks closer together. Regions of contrasting reflectivity or phase are also provided on a surface of the read/write head to enable the optical servo system to view an image of both the read/write head and the entire back side of the tape to thereby align the movable read/write head with the data tracks.

Abstract: The two sided magnetic recording tape consists of a standard film substrate to which a coating of magnetic recording materials is applied, on both sides thereof. In order to reduce the effect of magnetic print through and contact recording, the particles or films that are applied to both sides of the substrate are oriented during manufacture in differing magnetic orientations that are angularly displaced with respect to each other, either coplanar or non-coplanar on the recording surface of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A method is described which provides various new data storage system capabilities by using data storage structures within industry standard (or other pre-existing) formats used with data recording devices employing removable media. The data storage structures used by the present method comprise formats which contain regions previously marked as "contents of this region are not of interest" or marked as "no data was recorded within this region". These data storage structures are thus transparent to present data recording devices so as not to disrupt their data processing functions. However, the data storage structures are available to be used by new data recording devices (or old devices that have been updated) so that new data embedded therein may be used to enhance the functionality of the system which utilizes the data storage structures.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which significantly reduces the susceptibility of a recording media to data loss due to scratches. The system uses a signal generator function to inject a periodic, small amplitude dither signal into the head positioning servo system during a write or preformatting operation to the media. This dither signal is typically sinusoidial and causes the data tracks to effectively wander back and forth over longitudinal scratches on tape media or circular scratches on disk media. The data tracks are thus never coincident with a large portion of the scratch. During read-back of the media, a tracking servo system in the tape or disk drive follows the data written on each dithered track. Since the amplitude, period, and shape of the dither's periodic offset are fixed and known in advance, the servo can effectively track the data on the tape without compromising head positioning performance.