Abstract: A tape drive system for a tape cartridge including a tape and wireless identification tag may read information from the wireless identification tag and write the information to the tape. The tape drive system may toggle a bit stored on the wireless identification tag to indicate that the information has been written to the tape. The information may include tape initialization information.

Abstract: A tape drive system for a tape cartridge including a tape and wireless identification tag may read information from the wireless identification tag and write the information to the tape. The tape drive system may toggle a bit stored on the wireless identification tag to indicate that the information has been written to the tape. The information may include tape initialization information.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting tape cartridge information using a bi-axial tape cartridge antenna design. A contactless tape cartridge memory device is provided in which the memory device is accessible from multiple surfaces of the cartridge. A single flexible antenna surrounds the tape cartridge memory device. The antenna may be bent to fit within the corner of the tape cartridge, thus providing a parallel antenna surface to two locations on the cartridge, such as the front of the cartridge and the side or bottom of the cartridge. As a result, the memory device in the tape cartridge may be read when the cartridge is being inserted into the tape drive as well as while the cartridge is stored within the tape drive.

Abstract: A cartridge system uses a pluggable remotely accessible tag to store information related to the cartridge. These tags may be accessed by tape drives having pluggable remotely accessing receivers.

Abstract: A data tape storage cartridge for a data storage system that has a transponder for reading and writing data. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing having a window and at least one wall. A panel is retained on the housing and configured to cover the window. A retainer is provided on the panel for the transponder. The transponder functions as an identification tag to which data is written and from which data is read to identify the data storage tape cartridge. The removable panel may also include a write protect switch that may be actuated to prevent a tape from being overwritten.

Abstract: Identification of servo tracks is provided by adding one or more additional symbols to the write elements of at least some tracks on a servo recording head. The additional symbols are ignored for timing purposes, as they are not necessarily symmetrical, but the added symbols provide identification by their alterations on the otherwise identical patterns.

Abstract: Identification of servo tracks is provided by adding one or more additional symbols to the write elements of at least some tracks on a servo recording head. The additional symbols are ignored for timing purposes, as they are not necessarily symmetrical, but the added symbols provide identification by their alterations on the otherwise identical patterns.

Abstract: A tape reader is designed to read down-level linear track tapes having a multiple number of new tacks in the positions of each older wider track and having tape subject to pack level tape distortions which may result from environmental stresses and inter-use delay time. If tracks are displaced with respect to ideal servo reference positions, then optimal down-level reading may require selecting segments from different new track choices along the length of the tape. Decision choices of tracks and longitudinal break points are based on a; combination of gathered metrics per tape and engineering knowledge of each product. These data are stored first in internal memory. Longer-term memory storage particular to each tape may include cartridge memory either in the form of possible cartridge chip memory or writing to a section of tape in each cartridge. Decisions may be optimized with increasing number of read cycles and supplemented by knowledge in longer-term cartridge memory.

Abstract: A guide mechanism and method for positioning a tape media in a transverse position at a transducer. A first surface guide disposed to one side of the transducer engages the tape media surface to orient the tape media surface non-planar with respect to the transverse position. A second surface guide disposed between the first surface guide and transducer engages the tape media surface to orient the tape media surface parallel to the transverse position. An edge guide disposed adjacent to the transducer engages the edge of the tape media positioning the tape media at a predetermined transverse position. A third and fourth surface guides and a second edge guide may be provided on the opposite side of the transducer to permit positioning of the tape media having bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A tape threading apparatus (20) includes a tape guide arm (22) having a spring-biased elbow (32). The arm (22) is coupled for rotation with a rotatable shaft (24). The shaft is provided with a barrel cam (76, 92) for a third dimension of movement. A drive mechanism includes two gears (88, 90) that overlap to permit vertical slippage in the third dimension of movement. An arm guide cam slot (102) provides a directional orientation for movement of the arm (22) along a tape travel pathway (100).

Abstract: A multimedia array (100) is formed from a plurality of compartments (102, 104) that are capable of receiving differently sized cartridges (30, 50, 70) for presentment to a robotic arm (166). The compartments each include a sidewall ramp (150) for use in centering the cartridges in the compartments, and a rearward boss (134) for positioning forward surfaces (32, 52, 72) of the respective cartridges equidistantly (at distance D) from the forwardmost surface (114) of the compartments.

Abstract: A read/write head positioning device for vertically displacing a magnetic head relative to a tape transport path of a high-performance tape path system, enabling the magnetic head to read and write magnetic data on a plurality of parallel data tracks of a passing magnetic medium which is moving longitudinally on the tape transport path. The device includes a support base assembly fixedly secured in a position proximate to the tape transport path, a carriage assembly adapted to securely receive a magnetic head, and a rack and pinion linear slide bearing unit interposed between the carriage and base to enable the carriage to smoothly and controllably move in the vertical axis relative to the base under the control of an electromagnetic device. The linear slide mechanism includes a rectangular carriage and a base of substantially U-shaped cross-section disposed so as to straddle the carriage. The carriage has longitudinal recesses of rectangular cross-section symmetrically formed on parallel side surfaces.

Abstract: An ink handling system in an ink jet printer. In accordance with the invention an ink handling system is constructed including two ink processing loops. A first relatively low-volume, high pressure ink handling loop or circuit routes ink to an ink jet printhead for directing one or more columns of ink toward a printing medium. A second relatively high volume yet low-pressure loop or circuit routes ink through a number of processing stations which, for example, include ink de-aeration, filtration, and temperature control. The bulk of the processing is performed in this second loop, yet limited processing steps are also performed in the high-pressure, low-volume circuit which directs ink to the printhead. As ink is lost due to evaporation and/or printing on the print medium, the ink is replenished via an ink source which is coupleable to a main ink tank forming a portion of the high-volume ink handling loop.