Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for controlling a film transport apparatus of a film reel scanner. In one embodiment, a system is provided including a line scanning camera, a supply reel motor, a take-up reel motor, and a plurality of capstan motors. A control system may then be configured to receive and dynamically adjust position information from these motors. The control system may then provide the dynamically adjusted position information to a plurality of controllers, which may then generate control signals for the supply reel motor, the take-up reel motor, and the at least a subset of the capstan motors.

Abstract: A medium winding device for winding a medium includes: a rotatable winding member; a driver configured to rotate the winding member to wind the medium around the winding member into a roll; a rotating friction member rotatably disposed upstream of the winding member in a conveying direction in which the medium is conveyed, the rotating friction member having a high friction member forming an outer surface of the rotating friction member, and being configured to apply tension to the medium when the medium is wound around the winding member; and a tension adjusting member connected to the rotating friction member and configured to maintain the tension applied to the medium constant.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods providing a ribbon sensor configured and positioned to ascertain an orientation of a printing ribbon, including devices, systems, and methods configured for detecting an improperly oriented printing ribbon, and for triggering a response in the event of an improperly installed, and/or for confirming proper installation of a printing ribbon.

Abstract: A tape drive is disclosed. The tape drive determines a current tape width and writes data to the tape as well as the current tape width. The tape width written to the tape is associated with the data. When reading data from a tape the tape drive reads the stored tape width and adjusts the current tape width to match the stored tape width before reading the data associated with the stored tape width.

Abstract: Magnetic tape devices encounter read and/or write errors when the tape is not being passed across the head with the proper tension and/or skew angle. According to one embodiment, a system which corrects for these problems comprises a head having an array of at least one of readers and writers, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the head, a skew-inducing mechanism coupled to the head for adjusting a skew angle of a longitudinal axis of the array relative to a direction normal to a direction of tape travel over the head, and a controller in communication with the head. The system also determines a tape dimensional stability state of the tape and adjust the skew angle away from normal to the direction of tape travel and lowers a tension of the tape across the head if the tape dimensional stability state is in a contracted state.

Abstract: Servo control methods and apparatus for a tape drive. A read/write head reads and writes data on magnetic tape with at least one servo track providing transverse position information. At least two servo readers arranged for reading a servo track associated with the read/write head operate concurrently to generate servo read signals. A position estimator processes each servo read signal to generate a series of position values corresponding to respective time instants indicative of their transverse positions. A servo controller calculates a skew value indicative of tape skew relative to the read/write head and a tension variation value indicative of variation of tape tension. The servo controller is adapted to account for cross-coupling between tape skew and tension variation.

Abstract: As the result of a tape stick condition of magnetic tape with respect to a tape head, the supply reel and the take-up reel apply a base tension to the magnetic tape therebetween of substantially less than a full tension that occurs when the tape is running, and one reel varies the applied tension greater than and less than the base tension by an amount less than the base tension. The variation of the applied tension comprises first applying the greater tension and in succession, second, applying the less tension, comprising a whip effect. The whip effect may be in accordance with a sine wave. The varied tension is less than the base tension to maintain positive tension.

Abstract: A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium is provided. The tension sensor comprises a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium; at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin. In some embodiments, the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.

Abstract: In a tape drive during a transition to a stand-by mode, a tape is wound under control of a processor (e.g., CPU) until duration of a time interval between moments when rotational positions of the reels change decreases to a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, in the stand-by mode, the processor switches control over the tape drive to a low-power logic circuit (e.g., PLC) and enters a power-save mode.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller operable to control the energization of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of said movement and a second opposite rotational direction for another part of said movement.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reel brake device and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having the same. The reel brake device comprises a tension band mounted on an outer circumference of a reel disc to control tension, the reel disc which is rotatably mounted on the main chassis to drive a tape reel of a tape cassette, and a brake unit fixed on the main chassis to help the tension band be in contact with the outer circumference of the reel disc. This can replace a conventional brake unit having a complicated structure, and therefore, the number of component parts can be reduced.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for reducing deformation of tape in data tape cartridges during storage to promote dimensional stability and increased tape longevity. The techniques involve controlling the winding tension applied to a tape during a final winding pass prior to unloading a data tape cartridge containing the tape from a drive. Excessive winding tensions can produce strain and compression on a tape pack, causing the tape to deform over time. Applications of reduced winding tension during the final pass provide reduced tape pack tension during periods in which the data tape cartridge is not used.

Abstract: A tape tension controlling mechanism of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for controlling a tension of a magnetic tape includes: a reel bed; a reel bed drum; a tension post; a tension arm rotatably supported by a tension arm shaft; an urging element; a tension band having an engagement portion; and a band fixing screw having a threaded portion at one end thereof and a head portion at the other end, the band fixing screw further having, between the threaded portion and the head portion, an intermediate shaft portion for engagement with the engagement portion of the tension band, wherein a longitudinal center line of the intermediate shaft portion is shifted from the longitudinal center line of the threaded portion, and a pitch P of a thread of the threaded portion and a longitudinal length L of the intermediate shaft portion have a relationship of L>P/2.

Abstract: Dynamic tension control for tape transported along a tape path between supply and take-up reels, driven by supply and take-up motors, and having tachometers for determining linear speed of the tape. A controller accelerates the tape toward a target speed, initially operating the motors in static acceleration tension control; and if the linear speed of the tape is within a predetermined range of the target tape speed, operating the motors in composite tension control employing static tension control and delta velocity control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the controlled dynamic braking of a DC motor in a tape transport device are provided. A PWM state device includes a plurality of state transition paths, each path having an initial state, representative of a tape profile, including a predetermined range of tape velocities, relative amounts of tape on each reel and an initial tape tension, and at least one subsequent state. When a low power event is detected, one of the state transition paths is selected, based upon a current tape profile, and an associated PWM signal is transmitted to the motor. An energy storage device provides power to the PWM state device during the low power event. The PWM signals follow the selected transition path to modulate the current generated by the motion of the motor and thereby create a decelerating force while substantially maintaining the initial tape tension.

Abstract: A tension controller of a magnetic tape to control a tension distribution in a tape width direction of a running magnetic tape to become uniform is equipped with a tension detecting unit detecting the tension distribution in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape; a tension adjusting unit pushing a weaker portion in tension in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape, and eliminating a tension difference in the tape width direction; and a control unit controlling the tension adjusting unit so that the tension in the tape width direction of the magnetic tape becomes uniform, based on a detection result of the tension detecting unit.

Abstract: Dynamic tension control for tape transported along a tape path between supply and take-up reels, driven by supply and take-up reel motors. Rotational angular velocities of the supply and take-up reels are determined from tachometers, and therefrom a linear speed for the tape at the supply reel, and a linear speed for the tape at the take-up reel are each determined. The tape linear speeds at the reels are compared to determine a delta velocity between the linear speeds. The motors are operated in accordance with a function of the delta velocity to provide a torque to at least one of the reels tending to reduce the delta velocity.

Abstract: A tape drive for use with a magnetic recording tape, the tape drive including a system for determining the amount of tension on the magnetic recording tape, the magnetic recording tape having a length in the direction of tape travel and a width in the direction perpendicular to the length, the tape having first and second servo bands thereon spaced apart in a direction transverse to the length of the tape, the tape drive including servo elements configured to read the first and second servo bands on the tape; and a servo processor configured to determine changes in distance between the first and second servo bands, and to detect changes in the amount of tension along the length of the tape based on the determined changes in distance between the first and second servo bands.

Abstract: A tape tension controlling mechanism of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for controlling a tension of a magnetic tape includes: a reel bed; a reel bed drum; a tension post; a tension arm rotatably supported by a tension arm shaft; an urging element; a tension band having an engagement portion; and a band fixing screw having a threaded portion at one end thereof and a head portion at the other end, the band fixing screw further having, between the threaded portion and the head portion, an intermediate shaft portion for engagement with the engagement portion of the tension band, wherein a longitudinal center line of the intermediate shaft portion is shifted from the longitudinal center line of the threaded portion, and a pitch P of a thread of the threaded portion and a longitudinal length L of the intermediate shaft portion have a relationship of L>P/2.

Abstract: A tape deck capable of simplifying a structure for obtaining a braking state is obtained. This tape deck comprises a brake member wound on a reel holder for holding the reel holder in a braking state, a swing member having a tension supply part for supplying a loaded tape with tension and a band pressing part for pressing the brake member thereby bringing the brake member into contact with the reel holder and a movable member coupled with the swing member through an elastic member. The swing member having the tension supply part is provided with the band pressing part for obtaining a second braking state (soft braking state), so that no additional component may be separately formed for obtaining the second braking state (soft braking state). Consequently, the number of components as well as the manufacturing cost are reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus is disclosed which has a first state in which a tape cassette is placed on a chassis and a second state which includes a PLAY mode, a REV mode and a STOP mode. The apparatus comprises: a reel base rotatably mounted on the chassis via a shaft and engaging with a reel which holds the magnetic tape wound thereon in the tape cassette; a tension post allowing the magnetic tape to pass around a periphery thereof in the second state; and a tension arm supporting the tension post at a fixed position of the tension arm, the tension arm being swingably mounted on the chassis, the reel base including a drum portion rotating integrally with the reel base. The apparatus further comprises: a tension band having a center portion passing around the drum portion and one end swingably held by the tension around the arm; and a tension band regulating arm movably supported by the chassis, the tension band regulating arm holding the other end of the tension band.