Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, comprising: a magnetic tape; a tape head configured to write data to and read data from the magnetic tape; a first reel having a first interior surface; a second reel, wherein the first reel and the second reel are configured to wind and unwind the magnetic tape; one or more motors configured to actuate the first reel and the second reel; a first magnetic recording surface disposed on the first interior surface of the first reel; an actuating arm disposed between the first reel and the second reel; an actuator coupled to a distal end of the actuating arm; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the actuating arm. The magnetic recording head being situated a distance away from the actuator, wherein the actuating arm is configured to move about the actuator such that the magnetic recording head is able to contact the first magnetic recording surface to write data to and read data from the first magnetic recording surface.

Abstract: A position detecting apparatus and method used in a navigation system, which can improve positional accuracy and bearing accuracy even in a system equipped with few sensors, are provided. A position detecting apparatus used in a navigation system for detecting a vehicle position includes: a sensor unit including a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor; and a dead reckoning calculating unit for calculating state quantity inclusive of a current vehicle position, a vehicle speed, and a vehicle attitude angle based on a signal output from each of the sensors at a predetermined periodic interval.

Abstract: Angular velocity correcting devices, angular velocity correcting methods, and navigation devices are disclosed. In some implementations, a first sensor sensitivity correcting method for considering variation of sensor sensitivity due to an oblique angle of an angular velocity detecting sensor with respect to a horizontal plane and a sensitivity error of the angular velocity detecting sensor and correcting the sensor sensitivity is enabled. A second sensor sensitivity correcting method for considering the variation of the sensor sensitivity due to the oblique angle of the angular velocity detecting sensor with respect to the horizontal plane without considering the sensitivity error and correcting the sensor sensitivity is enabled. The sensitivity error is calculated on the basis of a ratio of the sensor sensitivity obtained by the first sensor sensitivity correcting method to the sensor sensitivity obtained by the second sensor sensitivity correcting method.

Abstract: A position detecting apparatus and method used in a navigation system, which can improve positional accuracy and bearing accuracy even in a system equipped with few sensors, are provided. A position detecting apparatus used in a navigation system for detecting a vehicle position includes: a sensor unit including a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor; and a dead reckoning calculating unit for calculating state quantity inclusive of a current vehicle position, a vehicle speed, and a vehicle attitude angle based on a signal output from each of the sensors at a predetermined periodic interval.

Abstract: Angular velocity correcting devices, angular velocity correcting methods, and navigation devices are disclosed. In some implementations, a first sensor sensitivity correcting method for considering variation of sensor sensitivity due to an oblique angle of an angular velocity detecting sensor with respect to a horizontal plane and a sensitivity error of the angular velocity detecting sensor and correcting the sensor sensitivity is enabled. A second sensor sensitivity correcting method for considering the variation of the sensor sensitivity due to the oblique angle of the angular velocity detecting sensor with respect to the horizontal plane without considering the sensitivity error and correcting the sensor sensitivity is enabled. The sensitivity error is calculated on the basis of a ratio of the sensor sensitivity obtained by the first sensor sensitivity correcting method to the sensor sensitivity obtained by the second sensor sensitivity correcting method.

Abstract: A method of updating the position and orientation of a vehicle at startup of a navigation system using both a GPS receiver and a dead reckoning sensor includes the acts of storing the vehicle position and orientation when the navigation system is inoperative and setting the stored vehicle position and orientation as the initial vehicle position and orientation when the navigation system is operative; estimating a vehicle position and orientation by using a signal output from the dead reckoning sensor and the initial vehicle position and orientation after the navigation system becomes operative; determining whether the reliability of a GPS orientation obtained by the GPS receiver becomes sufficiently high after the navigation system becomes operative; and updating the current vehicle position by using the GPS orientation and the estimated vehicle position when the reliability of the GPS orientation obtained by the GPS receiver becomes sufficiently high.