Abstract: During a search operation in a rotating magnetic head tape transport, the tape is transported from a supply spool via guides and a vacuum column past the rotating head read/write station to a take-up spool. As the tape is wound onto the take-up spool in layer-by-layer convolutions, air is entrapped between the layers. The entrapped air forms a layer of air film and as a result the tape is loosely wound on the take-up spool. A "Hard Step" voltage is generated and is applied to the capstan motor at the end of the search operation to tighten any loose wraps caused by the air entrapment during the search.

Abstract: A track or stripe tape positioner for a helical scan or rotary head recorder uses digital techniques. The expected step size is preset into a counter. During the next phase, a calibration phase, the tape is stepped through a plurality of stripes whereat the preset value is adjusted to measured values. In the third phase, the average step size is maintained subject to certain averaged changes thus providing a high degree of noise rejection to ensure reliable incremental stepping of a record tape through the recorder.

Abstract: in a rotating head magnetic media transport device, skew between data tracks recorded on the magnetic media and a magnetic transducer is corrected, dynamically, by a closed loop controlled servo system. When the magnetic transducer is not in transducing relationship with magnetic media 14 (that is, the magnetic transducer is not under the tape), an offset number is placed into stop/lock counting means 66. The stop/lock counting means is positioned within the closed loop of the servo system. The stop/lock counting means outputs a series of pulses as the offset number is decremented to zero. The pulses are converted to analog voltages which in turn energize a motor which rotates a take-up spool (capstan) on which the media is wound while passing said magnetic transducer. Due to lateral translation of said media, whenever the count in the stop/lock counting means is zero the magnetic transducer is positioned in registry with the selected data track on the magnetic media.