Abstract: A servo track recording tape includes a plurality of data tracks and a servo band dedicated for servo information. The servo band includes substantially uniformly written servo carrier information across a predetermined servo carrier width along the length of the tape with at least one encoded track pitch defined therein. Each encoded track pitch has alternating erased and non-erased portions along the length of the tape for defining servo tracks. The alternating erased and non-erased portions of the at least one encoded track pitch include encoded information provided by varying the length of one or more of the erased portions. The encoded information may be representative of tape locations along the length of the tape. The servo band may include two or more encoded track pitches defined in the substantially uniformly written servo carrier information with each encoded track pitch defining corresponding servo tracks.

Abstract: A method of retensioning a tape pack in a two-hub, belt-driven data cartridge, wherein the tape pack includes tape having one or more tracks, includes sensing at least one position of a track of the tape within the data cartridge and then conditionally retensioning the tape pack as a function of the at least one sensed track position. The retensioning may be determined by comparing the sensed position of the track to at least one predetermined limit; the predetermined limit being based on statistical data. A drive apparatus for performing the retensioning method is also described.

Abstract: A data cartridge includes a length of magnetic tape which is formed at each end with a first pattern of holes to enable identification of the end of the tape and a second pattern of holes located within the first pattern of holes and configured to provide a binary code to enable automatic identification of the cartridge type or tape type. The first pattern of holes is different at each end of the tape to further enable the automatic differentiation of one end of the tape from the other end.

Abstract: A data cartridge recorder is disclosed in which a preformatted tape is employed to enable automatic detection of the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape as well as of the location of preidentifiable record locations positioned along a plurality of parallel tracks.

Abstract: A two-reel tape cartridge in which an elastic belt extends around guide rollers adjacent the reels and a driving roller between the reels and contacts the tape on the reel hubs. The tape path between the reels is spaced from the drive belt and extends across a cutaway portion along one edge of the cartridge for access by a transducer. Tape wrap pins in the tape path adjacent each reel make less contact with the tape as more of the tape is transferred from the adjacent reel serving to make the tape tension at the transducer quite uniform as the tape is transferred from one reel to the other.