Abstract: A magnetic storage medium formed on a front major surface of a tape substrate defines a multiplicity of longitudinal data recording and playback tracks, each track having a nominal lateral location relative to the other tracks: and a predetermined optically manifested track servo pattern defined on the back major surface of the tape for indicating lateral displacement of the tape from a nominal lateral location of the track during tape movement across a read/write head. A magnetic tape recording and playback system employing the magnetic storage medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage medium cartridge that has a substantially rectangular housing with an aperture formed thereon is provided for use with a cartridge gripping assembly. The cartridge gripping assembly includes a gripping mechanism having a first end which releasably engages the aperture defined on the housing of the storage medium cartridge. The gripping mechanism further includes a second end that is dimensioned for coupling with a first end of a mechanized robotic arm for providing motion to the cartridge gripping assembly.

Abstract: A tape storage system (10) includes a rack assembly (14), a plurality of cartridges (20), a first tape drive (66) and a second tape drive (106). The rack assembly (14) includes a rotatable magazine mount (22), a cartridge magazine (16) secured to the magazine mount (22), and a magazine mover (26) to rotate the cartridge magazine (16). The tape storage system (10) also includes a first transport assembly (28) to transport one of the cartridges (20) between the cartridge magazine (16) and the first tape drive (66). Uniquely, the cartridge magazine (16) rotates to position one of the cartridges (20) over the first transport assembly (28). The tape storage system (10) can also include a second transport assembly (32) for transporting one of the cartridges (20) between the cartridge magazine (16) and the second tape drive (106). With this design, the rack assembly (14) can efficiently transport two different sized cartridges (20A, 20B).

Abstract: A tape cartridge including a repositionable memory element is provided. The tape cartridge includes a cartridge housing that includes a supply reel having a magnetic tape media spooled thereon and a memory element to communicate with a tape cartridge handling device via a wireless connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory element is connected to the cartridge housing using an attachment apparatus that provides a detachable connection with the cartridge housing. The attachment apparatus includes a positioning mechanism for repositioning the memory element following attachment to the tape cartridge housing to align the memory element with a mating transceiver in the tape-handling device to facilitate communication exchange therebetween.

Abstract: A tape cartridge including a replaceable memory element is provided. The tape cartridge includes a cartridge housing that includes a supply reel having a magnetic tape media spooled thereon and a memory element to communicate with a tape cartridge handling device via a wireless connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory element is connected to the cartridge housing using an attachment apparatus that provides a detachable connection with the cartridge housing. In one aspect of the invention, the attachment apparatus also includes a tuning mechanism for positioning the memory element following attachment to the tape cartridge housing to facilitate communication exchange with the tape-handling device.

Abstract: A tape cartridge including a repositionable memory element is provided. The tape cartridge includes a cartridge housing that includes a supply reel having a magnetic tape media spooled thereon and a memory element to communicate with a tape cartridge handling device via a wireless connection. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory element is connected to the cartridge housing using an attachment apparatus that provides a detachable connection with the cartridge housing. The attachment apparatus includes a positioning mechanism for repositioning the memory element following attachment to the tape cartridge housing to align the memory element with a mating transceiver in the tape-handling device to facilitate communication exchange therebetween.

Abstract: A magnetic tape comprising a substrate having on one side thereof a magnetic layer serving as a recording surface and on the other side thereof a resin layer serving as a non-recording surface, wherein said magnetic tape has a region on the side of the non-recording surface along the longitudinal direction of the tape in which a regular pattern for servo tracking having different optical properties from the other major region of the side of the non-recording surface is to be formed, and said magnetic tape has a thickness of 7 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating beginning-of-tape (BOT) and end-of-tape (EOT) indicators on a magnetic tape by altering a discrete area or areas of the recording area or the non-recording area of a magnetic tape, such that the area or areas are optically detectible. The invention provides a method for creating BOT and EOT indicators by removing a discrete area or areas of the ferromagnetic layer or the non-ferromagnetic layer of a magnetic tape, such that the mark reflects or transmits light differently than unmarked portions of the tape. The invention also provides a method for creating BOT and EOT indicators by placement of a fluorescent or optical dye on the ferromagnetic layer or non-ferromagnetic layer of a magnetic tape. Such fluorescent or optical dye is optically detectible, and further reduces any physical distortion in the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape comprises a substrate having on one side thereof a magnetic layer serving as a recording surface, and on the other side thereof at least two layers containing inorganic particles which serve as a non-recording surface, wherein said magnetic tape has a region on the side of the non-recording surface along the longitudinal direction of the tape in which a regular pattern for servo tracking having different optical properties from the other major region of the side of the non-recording surface is or can be formed. The layers on the non-recording surface are characterized in that the inorganic particles in the outermost layer are larger than the inorganic particles in the underlying layer(s).

Abstract: A magnetic tape comprises a substrate having on one side thereof a magnetic layer serving as a recording surface, and on the other side thereof at least two layers containing inorganic particles which serve as a non-recording surface, wherein said magnetic tape has a region on the side of the non-recording surface along the longitudinal direction of the tape in which a regular pattern for servo tracking having different optical properties from the other major region of the side of the non-recording surface is or can be formed. The layers on the non-recording surface are characterized in that the inorganic particles in the outermost layer are larger than the inorganic particles in the underlying layer(s).

Abstract: A tape storage system (10) includes a rack assembly (14), a plurality of cartridges (20), a first tape drive (66) and a second tape drive (106). The rack assembly (14) includes a rotatable magazine mount (22), a cartridge magazine (16) secured to the magazine mount (22), and a magazine mover (26) to rotate the cartridge magazine (16). The tape storage system (10) also includes a first transport assembly (28) to transport one of the cartridges (20) between the cartridge magazine (16) and the first tape drive (66). Uniquely, the cartridge magazine (16) rotates to position one of the cartridges (20) over the first transport assembly (28). The tape storage system (10) can also include a second transport assembly (32) for transporting one of the cartridges (20) between the cartridge magazine (16) and the second tape drive (106). With this design, the rack assembly (14) can efficiently transport two different sized cartridges (20A, 20B).

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium formed on a front major surface of a tape substrate defines a multiplicity of longitudinal data recording and playback tracks, each track having a nominal lateral location relative to the other tracks: and a predetermined optically manifested track servo pattern defined on the back major surface of the tape for indicating lateral displacement of the tape from a nominal lateral location of the track during tape movement across a read/write head. A magnetic tape recording and playback system employing the magnetic storage medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium formed on a front major surface of a tape substrate defines a multiplicity of longitudinal data recording and playback tracks, each track having a nominal lateral location relative to the other tracks: and a predetermined optically manifested track servo pattern defined on the back major surface of the tape for indicating lateral displacement of the tape from a nominal lateral location of the track during tape movement across a read/write head. A magnetic tape recording and playback system employing the magnetic storage medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A take-up reel for use in a tape drive for minimizing print through errors, or data transfer from one layer of tape on the take-up reel to an adjacent layer of tape on the take-up reel. The take-up reel is configured to allowing portions of the buckle, coupling the take-up leader to the supply leader, to recess into the take-up reel. The relatively even and concentric configuration of leaders tape and buckle when wound onto the take-up reel prevents the application of significant non-uniform pressure to the data tape wound thereover, which reduces print through sources of data error.

Abstract: The invention relates to a break-resistant tape cartridge. Reinforcing ribs on the housing and door of the cartridge protect against breakage. The reel and brake of the cartridge employ short teeth with widened roots that strengthen the teeth and reduce shear forces which might cleave the teeth from the reel or the brake. An extra lobe on the hinge of the door reinforces the hinge. The door and the housing are made of a plastic that lacks glass fibers or has a reduced glass fibers content. Furthermore, the plastic without glass fibers improves wear-resistance, and reduces production of debris that can damage the tape and devices that read the tape. The result is a cartridge which is less prone to breakage and wear. The reel may be used in applications other than tape cartridges.

Abstract: A cartridge system using a wide recording tape disposed in the tape cartridge. The cartridge system includes a tape drive for moving the tape along a tape transport path, and a positioning mechanism for positioning a recording head relative to the recording tape. The wide tape cartridge includes a housing having a height which is smaller than both the length and the width of the housing. A tape assembly which has at least one supply tape reel and at least one take-up tape reel is disposed in the housing. The recording tape has a tape width which is substantially equal to the width of the housing. The rotation axes of the reels extend substantially parallel to the width of the housing.

Abstract: A tape drive and cartridge are provided herein. The tape drive and cartridge include an improved buckle which securely couples a take-up leader of the tape drive to a cartridge leader of the cartridge. As provided herein, the buckle includes a first buckle component and a second buckle component which securely retain the take-up leader to the cartridge leader. More specifically, the first buckle component includes a buckle bar and the second buckle component includes a pair of spaced apart receivers which engage the buckle bar to securely retain the take-up leader to the cartridge leader. Importantly, the unique buckle provided herein inhibits leader runaway and has improved durability.