Abstract: A cartridge position fixing arrangement within a tape drive reduces vibration of the cartridge by fixing the vertical positioning of the tape reel axles between top mounted retaining springs pressing directly onto the cartridge above the reel axles in opposition to the tape drive motors engaging lower ends of the reel axles for rotating the axles. Each hub axle is journaled with a relatively high force at a bearing that may be formed in the upper wall of the cartridge. A reel axle locking arrangement is provided which, when the cartridge is unloaded from the tape drive, locks the position of each reel axle and centers each reel axle properly for future engagement with motor spindles of the tape drive. In one embodiment, a planar engagement between each motor spindle and each reel axle is provided.

Abstract: A data storage device has associated therewith a removable storage medium. The data storage device has a main control unit with a microprocessor. The system is designed such that an internal control program for control of the media is stored directly on the media itself. By use of a boot program which can be stored in the microprocessor or separately from the microprocessor, the control program is read off of the media by the microprocessor and is stored in a main control program storage within the data storage device. The main control program storage is an erasible storage like an EEPROM, RAM, or flash memory.

Abstract: A device for applying a mechanical tension to a tape in a cartridge of the type having an internal belt for moving the tape, particularly a fast-running tape that is to be unwound from a first reel and to be wound onto a second reel, the reels mounted on respective reel hubs and the tape being guided around at least two guide rollers between which it runs in an essentially straight line path between two guide rollers, has at least one assembly for mechanically pre-loading the tape with variable force provided between one of the guide rollers and the reel hub lying closest to it for tensioning the tape in the straight line path between the guide rollers.

Abstract: In a magnetic layer storage having a magnetic head positionable relative to a storage medium, a reference storage medium produced with high precision is employed for the individual calibration of the storage tape drive, and particularly a positioner means thereof. This reference storage medium carries a track pattern adapted to the respective application and whose exact position is known. During the test run of each and every individual tape drive, this reference storage medium is read, and the read signals are evaluated in order to identify offset of actual position of the magnetic head from its absolute position defined by the reference storage medium. Individual correction factors can be acquired from the relationship of the absolute position to the actual position, these correction factors being stored in the control electronics and being employed during normal operation for correcting the tolerances of the positioner means or of the magnetic head itself.

Abstract: To position a magnetic head of a magnetic coding storage device relative to different tracks of a recording medium, a different and previously recorded track is used as the reference track in each case. The magnetic head contains an auxiliary read head which, with respect to the write head, is disposed at a predetermined distance at right angles to the direction of movement of the recording medium and follows the reference track during the movement of the recording medium. A control circuit in a control unit ensures that the auxiliary read head follows this track as accurately as possible. The reference track is a track whose changes in magnetization are recorded with different azimuth angles as instantaneously recorded adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A system detects a pattern of holes in a magnetic medium for determining a characteristic of the tape, such as the type of data contained on the tape. A memory device, such as a FLASH memory, is automatically updated when a predetermined pattern is detected. The updating is performed using a read operation without the need for a host system.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a magnetic head relative to a magnetic tape includes a platform for coarsely positioning the magnetic head, roughly to a desired track of the magnetic tape. A piezoelectric element is provided for fine positioning the magnetic head. The piezoelectric element is arranged between a bottom of the platform and the magnetic head.

Abstract: Information may be erased from a magnetic tape with the tape being divided into at least two physical partitions. Each physical partition includes a plurality of data tracks carrying recorded data or the like and at least one set of servo tracks carrying position information dedicated to an area between the data tracks. At least one of the physical partitions may be erased during movement of the tape in a forward direction defined by moving the tape towards an end of tape designation, and at least a second of the physical partitions may be erased during the movement of the tape either in a backward direction defined by moving the tape towards the beginning of the tape or in the forward direction from the beginning of tape to the end of the tape.

Abstract: Servo track pair position and longitudinal tape position are determined for a tape using dedicated servo format. The tape includes at least one set of data tracks and dedicated servo tracks wherein adjacent servo tracks are defined by longitudinal lines through the edges of erased or non-recorded tape portions. The information about servo track pair numbers and/or servo sample numbers is recorded into portions of the tape and is decoded and read back together with signals from the servo track. The information is recorded in a digital manner by using a digital block format of data blocks requiring fewer bytes per block than a data block provided on the data tracks. If information about longitudinal tape position is not required, information may be recorded in an analog manner using a fixed set of predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data contained in blocks arranged in a number of tracks on a storage medium, wherein movement of the storage medium causes the tracks to deviate from a nominal path, are disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a set of multiple read elements is disposed relative to the storage medium so that each of the read elements covers at least a portion of the expected area in which a track to be read will be found, given movement of the storage medium. Each of the read elements has a read channel uniquely associated therewith, and all of the read elements are used simultaneously to read the data blocks. The read channels are monitored, and a first arriving, correctly read block is selected from among the channels, the selected block being the next block in a sequence, following a previously selected block. The data blocks are then stored at memory locations correlated to their position in the sequence on the storage medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a magnetic servo head relative to a servo track on a traveling magnetic tape both make use of the observation that a given tape in a given tape drive unit exhibits transverse tape movements during operation which constitute a "signature" waveform for the coupled tape cartridge and drive unit. In the method and apparatus, the transverse movements of a traveling tape in a drive unit are monitored to obtain the aforementioned waveform which is characteristic of the transverse movements for that tape, and the waveform is stored. The positioning of the servo head is controlled relative to a servo track on the tape using a control signal generated according to any known track seek algorithm. The stored waveform is recalled and is superimposed on the control signal, thereby significantly increasing the accuracy of the positioning of the servo head, which in turn increases the accuracy of positioning of the write/read head.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for improved edge detection on tapes. By use of a nominal tape having a 100% output, a write head writes with a given write current onto the nominal tape and the output level is read with a read head during a calibration procedure in order to determine a reference level for the 100% nominal tape. Thereafter, when a given tape is being used, by use of the same write current, a signal is written on the given tape and is subsequently read to create a read output. That read output is compared to the reference level output derived during the calibration to create a correction factor. The correction factor is then employed to correct a trigger point utilized during a subsequent tape edge determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically undertaking power reduction of a monitor in a computer system make use of the fact that, when the computer system is active, synchronization pulses will be transmitted to the monitor. In the method and apparatus herein, it is insured that when the computer system is inactive, transmission of those synchronization pulses ceases. Within the monitor, the reception of these synchronization pulses is detected, and in the absence of synchronization pulses, steps are taken to reduce the power consumption by the monitor. Power can be discontinued to different portions of the monitor as the length of time for which the synchronization pulses are absent increases.

Abstract: A load/eject system for a magnetic tape recorder receiving a magnetic tape cartridge. The system provides a motor/worm gear/pinion and rack transport mechanism which drives a chassis having grippers and lifters engaged in cammed slots for gripping and lifting a cartridge partially inserted into the recorder and transporting the cartridge to an operating position. The system locks the cartridge in proper longitudinal and vertical position for operating. At that operating position, a lost motion spring arrangement imparts a resilient holding force of the cartridge in a longitudinal direction, and deflectable fingers resiliently clamp the cartridge in a select vertical position.

Abstract: A stacker system or an autoloader system includes a tape drive and one or more magazines which each include a plurality of tape cassettes or cartridges. A positioning system moves the magazine to a specific position to load or unload a particular cartridge or cassette from the magazine. A control system controls the operation of the tape drive and the magazines between a loaded and unloaded position. Each magazine includes a unique identification code which can be read by the stacker or autoloader to determine if the correct magazine has been inserted. In addition, each magazine includes a memory to record information about the contents of the recording media stored in the magazine or the performance of each recording media stored in the magazine.

Abstract: A method and system detect and remove particles from a tape. Debris on a tape can cause errors. Location of the tape is continuously monitored, and when an error is detected during a data transfer operation, the tape is moved and re-positioned to rewrite a data block where the error was detected. If the error is not corrected, a minimum threshold requirement is decreased so the system detects the data block as corrected thereby avoiding system hang-ups or the like.

Abstract: A method for seeking the center of a data track recorded on a magnetic tape using a read head, having an accuracy which is not limited by the stepper mechanism which positions the read head relative to the tape, makes use of the discovery that the fundamental component of tape wander is independent of the tape cartridge vendor and the tape length, and therefore the tape wander can be averaged over an integral number of tape wander periods. In the method, the average output from a read head over an integral number of tape wander periods is found at the lower and upper edges of a data track. The read head output from the center of the track is then measured, and is used to calculate an output change versus head position when the read head is partially in the track.

Abstract: A housing of a tape drive is adapted for sideways loading of a cartridge. The cartridge is loaded such that three reference points defining a fixed plane within the housing engages the cartridge in a fixed orientation with respect to a head within the drive. The cartridge is canted after the cartridge is engaged at a first one of the three reference points so as to fixedly engage the cartridge at each of the three reference points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performs the detection of an edge of a tape and further controls the read/write head to position itself relative to the detected edge. An array of photodetectors in an integrated circuit chip senses the intensity of light illuminating the chip with the tape running between the light source and the photodetectors. A light-to-dark transition is formed which is indicative of the edge of the tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performs the detection of an edge of a tape and further controls the read/write head to position itself relative to the detected edge. An array of photodetectors in an integrated circuit chip senses the intensity of light illuminating the chip with the tape running between the light source and the photodetectors. A light-to-dark transition is formed which is indicative of the edge of the tape.