Abstract: In an iterative error correction method and apparatus for correcting errors in digital data read from a storage medium, re-reads are combined with the error correction procedure in a single error recovery procedure. The data read from the storage medium are represented as a multi-dimensional data structure, and the error recovery procedure is undertaken for each dimension of the data structure. In each dimension, an erasure map is generated that contains errors in the initial read of the data for that dimension, and the errors in the erasure map are deducted as they are corrected in subsequent re-reads. After a predetermined number of re-reads, or when no further errors exist, the error recovery procedure is ended.

Abstract: A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium has at least two elongate bodies, each having at least one magnetoresistive part. The magnetoresistive parts have sensor portions defined along a length of the elongate bodies, by electrical connections to the magnetoresistive parts. A shield is provided at least on opposite transfer sides of the elongate bodies. The read head is used for calculating a position error signal by calculating a correlation between signals received from the respective sensor portions when the head is positioned over adjacent tracks on the medium, with one of the sensors positioned near a boundary between the tracks. The position error is calculated by determining the correlation between signals from the respective sensor portions.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic recording tape has a first pair of reels rotatably mounted therein which carry a first wide magnetic recording tape, and a second pair of reels disposed therein which carry a second wide magnetic recording tape. The reels are disposed in the cartridge so that each of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes spans a central space, which is adapted to receive a magnetic recording head of a tape drive, when the cartridge is inserted in the tape drive. A corresponding tape has four drive motors with respective drive shafts, that respectively engage the four reels of the cartridge for transporting the first and second recording magnetic recording tapes across the central opening. The drive has a recording head and a recording head positioning assembly for selectively positioning the recording head at any location along the width of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes.

Abstract: A wide tape drive for use with a wide tape holder having a frame with an open top and an open bottom non-permanently closed with a top cover and a bottom cover, releasably held together and releasably held to the frame by snap connections respectively disposed at lateral sides of the holder, the wide tape holder containing two tape hubs rotatably mounted therein proceeding substantially parallel to the lateral sides of the frame, has a base plate with two guides projecting substantially perpendicularly from the base plate which receive the wide tape holder therebetween. The drive has at least one drive motor having a drive shaft disposed between the guides, which is inserted to and engages one of the tape hubs. A magnetic read/write head is mounted on a head position assembly between the guides, and orients the read/write head relative to the tape when the wide tape holder is inserted in the tape drive.

Abstract: A magneto-optical read head for detecting magnetic transitions representing data stored in a magnetic recording medium as a sense layer having an optical property that is magnetic field-dependent, two magnetic shield layers respectively disposed on opposite sides of the sense layer and allowing magnetic flux from substantially only one of the magnetic transitions to interact with the sense layer at a time, with one of the magnetic shield layers being transparent at a wavelength allowing light at that wavelength to enter into and exit from the sense layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head arrangement for effecting data transfer relative to a magnetic recording tape moving in a transport direction has a head width which is less than the tape width, as measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. The head is particularly suited for use with wide magnetic recording tape, and has a configuration which minimizes stress in the tape and/or which allows smooth movement of the head in a direction transverse to the transport direction so that the head can be positioned completely beyond the edge of the tape, without damaging the tape upon reentry of the head beneath the tape.

Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge, and a drive unit therefor, for extremely wide magnetic recording tape, the recording tape cartridge has a housing containing two tape hubs each rotationally mounted in the housing with the magnetic recording tape wound thereon in respective tape packs, so that the tape can be wound and unwound between the two hubs in a tape transport direction, thereby resulting in an increase in the diameter of the tape pack on one of the hubs. The housing is composed of housing parts which are movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the tape transport direction to expand the housing in the direction perpendicular to the direction of tape transport, to accommodate the increase in the diameter of the tape pack.

Abstract: A magnetic recording cartridge has a housing enclosure with two tape reels rotatably mounted in the housing enclosure, and a magnetic data recording tape wound on the reels for winding and unwinding between the two reels in a tape transport direction, the tape having a width perpendicular to the tape transport direction of at least approximately 2.5 inches. The housing enclosure has two reel access openings respectively disposed in registration with the reels, allowing external access to the reels by a drive for rotating the reels, and a tape access opening allowing external access to the tape for engagement with a data transfer head also carried by the drive. Because of the significantly increased width of the tape, the tape has a surface area available for data recording which is approximately ten times greater than that of conventional tapes.