Abstract: A tape drive, including: a housing including a single character display that displays a single character at a time; and an activator configured such that, when the single character display displays a single character representative of a status of the tape drive, activation of the activator causes the tape drive to further represent the status represented by the single character as information including a plurality of words detailing the status, the information provided by repeatedly spelling out a message, including the plurality of words describing the status of the tape drive, one letter at a time on the single character display, and an audible message provider that provides an audible message, including the plurality of words describing the status of the tape drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing occurrences of stick conditions in tape, the method including stopping rotation of a supply reel and take-up reel of a drive that includes a length of tape, a portion of the tape extending between the reels and contacting a head between the reels, wherein the stopping creates a stop condition in the drive, determining if the tape is stuck to the head, dropping tension in the tape between the reels, freeing the tape for movement in a z-direction via the dropping tension, moving the head in y-directions, moving the tape in an x-direction via a rotation of the supply reel a fraction of a rotation, and causing the tape to break contact with the head via the dropping, moving of the tape in the z-direction, moving of the tape in the x-direction, and/or moving of the head in the y-directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing occurrences of stick conditions in tape, the method including stopping rotation of a supply reel and take-up reel of a drive that includes a length of tape, a portion of the tape extending between the reels and contacting a head between the reels, wherein the stopping creates a stop condition in the drive, determining if the tape is stuck to the head, dropping tension in the tape between the reels, freeing the tape for movement in a z-direction via the dropping tension, moving the head in y-directions, moving the tape in an x-direction via a rotation of the supply reel a fraction of a rotation, and causing the tape to break contact with the head via the dropping, moving of the tape in the z-direction, moving of the tape in the x-direction, and/or moving of the head in the y-directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for media shift due to spiral groove roller tape guide is disclosed. The lateral tape shift is measured. Then the control of the coarse actuator is adjusted for the lateral tape shift so that the movement of the coarse actuator follows the tape shift.

Abstract: A method to monitor the relative position of a magnetic tape disposed in a tape drive, where that tape drive includes a first tape reel motor and a second tape reel motor. The method provides a magnetic tape disposed on a first tape reel, and releaseably attaches the first tape reel to the first tape reel motor. The method further provides a second tape reel attached to the second tape reel motor. The method operates the first tape reel motor and the second tape reel motor to transfer the tape from the first tape reel onto the second tape reel while maintaining a running second reel rotation count. The method sets a second reel rotation count limit, and determines if the running second reel rotation count exceeds that second reel rotation count limit. If the running second reel rotation count exceeds the second reel rotation count limit, then the method discontinues operation of the tape reel motors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing linear position (LPOS) estimations. If valid LPOS data may be detected from the tape, then a first method for LPOS estimation is performed using the Hall effect sensors. If valid LPOS data may not be detected from the tape, then an error recovery procedure (ERP) is invoked so that a second method for LPOS estimation is used to provide accurate LPOS information which is synchronized to a validly detected LPOS from tape within about 1 meter prior to the desired data record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing position error signal conditioning of LTO media servo format written-in velocity variation is disclosed. According to the present invention only the signals demonstrating velocity deviations are filtered. A magnetic recording tape includes servo signal bursts of flux transitions recorded thereon. The servo bursts include a configuration of stripes of A spacings and B spacings and a servo head disposed proximate to the magnetic recording tape senses the flux transitions of the servo signal bursts. A servo controller, coupled to the servo head, receives the sensed signals from the servo head. The servo controller further includes a filter for filtering the B time interval servo signal components. Then a position error signal according to: PES=ref−A/(B filtered), wherein A represents unfiltered A time interval servo components and B filtered is filtered B time interval servo components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing position error signal conditioning of LTO media servo format written-in velocity variation is disclosed. According to the present invention only the signals demonstrating velocity deviations are filtered. A magnetic recording tape includes servo signal bursts of flux transitions recorded thereon. The servo bursts include a configuration of stripes of A spacings and B spacings and a servo head disposed proximate the magnetic recording tape senses the flux transitions of the servo signal bursts. A servo controller, coupled to the servo head, receives the sensed signals from the servo head. The servo controller further includes a filter for filtering the B time interval servo signal components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for media shift due to spiral groove roller tape guide is disclosed. The lateral tape shift is measured. Then the control of the coarse actuator is adjusted for the lateral tape shift so that the movement of the coarse actuator follows the tape shift.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing linear position (LPOS) estimations. If valid LPOS data may be detected from the tape, then a first method for LPOS estimation is performed using the Hall effect sensors. If valid LPOS data may not be detected from the tape, then an error recovery procedure (ERP) is invoked so that a second method for LPOS estimation is used to provide accurate LPOS information which is synchronized to a validly detected LPOS from tape within about 1 meter prior to the desired data record.

Abstract: In an optical disk recorder, during the sensing of closely-spaced, position-indicating, machine-sensible indicia, a first peak of a track error signal is detected. In response to the first peak being detected, a half-track counter is decremented from a value which depends upon the position of the destination track relative to a current track. In response to the occurrence of a selected value of the half-track counter and the presence of a zero crossing of the tracking error signal, a first timer is activated to mask any defects occurring during the selected first half cycle of the last cycle of the tracking error signal. The half-track counter is again decremented in response to a second peak being detected and the occurrence of a next-to-last zero crossing of the tracking error signal and a second timer is then activated to mask any subsequent defects occurring during the second half cycle of the tracking error signal.

Abstract: A circuit for electronically compensating for optical and mechanical instabilities induced into the focus control and tracking control servo circuits of an optical disk apparatus. The circuit contains a filter and a variable gain amplifier for passing a tracking error signal compensation component at a selected frequency within the range of frequencies in which mechanical resonance is significant and at a magnitude equal to the focus error signal component at that frequency. The result is the electronic elimination of optical feedthrough at mechanically resonating frequencies. A calibration circuit establishes the compensation component magnitude for each optical disk inserted into the apparatus.