Abstract: Provided are a tape erase element, tape erase device, and method for forming a tape erase element to erase content of a tape medium. The tape erase element comprises a housing forming a gap extending along a length of an outer surface of the housing. The gap extends from the outer surface of the housing to open into an inner space formed within the housing. A magnet is positioned within the inner space of the housing and having a surface extending across the gap. The magnet produces a magnetic flux that extends through a tape contact zone extending across a portion of the outer surface of the housing and the gap to erase content on the tape medium as the tape guide rollers guide the tape medium across the housing through the tape contact zone.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head. A controller is configured to instruct the drive mechanism to drive the selected tape spool pair during performance of data operations on the selected tape spool pair, and to instruct the drive mechanism to drive a second tape spool pair for performing a second operation on the second tape spool pair while the data operations are being performed.

Abstract: Provided are a storage cartridge, system, and method for a blocking mechanism for a storage cartridge to prevent insertion into a storage drive. The storage cartridge includes an outer surface having an opening, a blocking mechanism disposed within the storage cartridge, wherein in an unreleased state an end of the blocking mechanism is positioned at the opening in the outer surface, and a releasing mechanism coupled to the blocking mechanism in the unreleased state and to engage the blocking mechanism to urge the blocking mechanism to extend through the opening past the outer surface in a released state in a manner that prevents the storage cartridge from being inserted into the storage drive.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of mounts, each mount being configured to support at least one tape spool pair thereon. A magnetic head is configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. A product apparatus, in accordance with another approach, includes a mount having a tape spool pair thereon. The mount is configured to be inserted in a receiving area of an apparatus configured to receive a plurality of mounts.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of mounts, each mount being configured to support at least one tape spool pair thereon. A magnetic head is configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. A product apparatus, in accordance with another approach, includes a mount having a tape spool pair thereon. The mount is configured to be inserted in a receiving area of an apparatus configured to receive a plurality of mounts.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of an invention for customizing the range of acceptable write conditions to a tape of a tape cartridge that contracts or expands laterally based on environmental conditions. The tape drive utilizes servo information to determine if the tape has expanded or contracted from the nominal dimension and to determine the magnitude of the expansion or contraction. In the case of expansion, the magnitude of the determined expansion and the stored maximum amount of contraction must be below a predetermined threshold value to allow a write. In the case of contraction, the magnitude of the determined contraction and the stored magnitude of expansion must be below the same predetermined threshold value to allow a write. If the determined magnitude of contraction or expansion is greater than the stored magnitude of contraction or expansion, respectively, then the new extreme is stored.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive has a drive system to move a magnetic tape longitudinally; servo head(s) for reading servo band information from a magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is moved longitudinally; a magnetic tape read write head configured to read and to write the magnetic tape, having a data write width (w) greater than a normal shingled track pitch width (p) of the magnetic tape; an actuator system for positioning the read write head laterally; and a control. The magnetic tape drive stores an overwrite erase format of non-shingled track pitch longitudinal pattern(s) whose pitch is greater than the normal shingled track pitch width (p); and, the control, in response to activation of overwrite erasure of the tape drive, operates the actuator system and the magnetic tape read write head to write non-data to magnetic tape in the stored overwrite erase format.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for attenuating vibration. A cover includes at least four slots. Each slot physically isolates a midsection from either the distal end or the proximal end of the cover. In one embodiment, a first slit isolates a midsection side and a second slit at an angle in the range of seventy degrees to one hundred-ten degrees to the first slit physically isolates a portion of a top from a portion of a side. The midsection is physically connected to an enclosure configured to supply power, cooling, and communications to the storage mechanism.

Abstract: A cartridge case has the same general geometry and dimensions of a Magstar cartridge, but with modified lateral sides with recessed surfaces and additional gripping notches that permit the alternative use of the cartridge with either a Magstar or an LTO type of automated picker. The width of the bottom rear portion of the cartridge is reduced to conform to the width of a standard LTO cartridge and LTO gripping notches are provided by increasing the depth of the locating notches of the Magstar format to the size required for engagement by the fingers in the gripper arms of an LTO automated picker. As a result of this modification, the cartridge of the invention can be alternatively handled by either Magstar or LTO type of automated pickers.

Abstract: An arrangement for sensing the position of a leader pin on a tape which is located within a cartridge shell. The arrangement senses the position of a pin in a tape cartridge through the intermediary of either electromagnetic sensors or electrostatic detection circuitry. Additionally, provided is a method for sensing the position of a pin on a tape inside a cartridge shell by employing either electrostatic detection structure or electromagnetic sensors.

Abstract: A tape movement constraint is provided for a tape drive system which moves a tape longitudinally along a tape path across a tape head, the tape having longitudinal tracks. The tape head has a track following servo system for moving the head laterally for following lateral movement of the tracks, where the tape is subject to lateral transient movement. A tape roller bearing closely adjacent the tape head is rotatable about a central axis parallel to the cylindrical peripheral surface, allowing the tape freedom of movement in the longitudinal direction. The tape roller bearing has a frictional cylindrical peripheral surface for contacting and engaging the surface of the tape and constraining movement of the tape in the lateral direction, thereby reducing the rate of the lateral transient movement of the tape to allow the track following servo system to follow the reduced rate lateral transient movement of the longitudinal tracks.

Abstract: An arrangement for sensing the position of a leader pin on a tape which is located within a cartridge shell. The arrangement senses the position of a pin in a tape cartridge through the intermediary of either electromagnetic sensors or electrostatic detection circuitry. Additionally, provided is a method for sensing the position of a pin on a tape inside a cartridge shell by employing either electrostatic detection structure or electromagnetic sensors.

Abstract: A cartridge case has the same general geometry and dimensions of a Magstar cartridge, but with modified lateral sides with recessed surfaces and additional gripping notches that permit the alternative use of the cartridge with either a Magstar or an LTO type of automated picker. The width of the bottom rear portion of the cartridge is reduced to conform to the width of a standard LTO cartridge and LTO gripping notches are provided by increasing the depth of the locating notches of the Magstar format to the size required for engagement by the fingers in the gripper arms of an LTO automated picker. As a result of this modification, the cartridge of the invention can be alternatively handled by either Magstar or LTO type of automated pickers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invertible portable tape container for containing two separate lengths of recording tape for providing rapid access to data. The container may be inserted into a tape drive, preferably by an automated data storage library robot, in either of two relatively inverted positions, allowing rapid access to either of the two separate lengths of recording tape. A generally rectangular housing includes two access openings, respectively to the right side and to the left side. Four tape spools are positioned within the housing, with the spools at one side inverted with respect to those on the other side. Separate sets of tape bearings each supports one of the lengths of recording tape at one of the access openings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single reel tape cartridge having a supply reel positioned within a central cavity of a shell. The supply reel is coupled to the attachment end of a length of recording tape which is wound in a sequence of wraps from an inner circumference to a maximum outer circumference when the length of recording tape is fully wound on the supply reel. A tape guide and bearing assembly positioned within the central cavity closely adjacent the maximum outer circumference, faces towards an aperture in the shell and away from the supply reel. The tape guide and bearing assembly defines a tape path for the outermost wrap from the supply reel to the tape guide and bearing assembly, across an aperture in the shell for interfacing the outermost wrap with the tape head of the tape drive at the aperture. The tape path then extends to an isolator, e.g.