Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided for positioning a transducer with a primary frame and a secondary frame mounted thereto for transverse translation. A coarse actuator is connected to the frames for translating the secondary frame incrementally. A carriage with a transducer is mounted to the secondary frame for transverse translation. A fine actuator is connected to the secondary frame and the carriage. The coarse actuator provides coarse adjustment and the fine actuator provides fine adjustment of the transducer for following tape. A method for positioning a transducer is provides a transducer connected to a coarse actuator and a fine actuator. Tape is conveyed across the transducer and lateral motion of the tape is monitored. The transducer is positioned by the fine actuator relative to a lateral tape position, and if the position exceeds a predetermined range, then the transducer is positioned by the actuation of the coarse actuator.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided with a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels and dual sided data tape. The access opening is adjacent to a tape path for access of each tape side. A tape drive is provided with a pair of read/write heads, each having a first position to receive the tape, and a second position for engaging one side of the tape for performing a read/write function. A method is disclosed for reading and/or writing data with a data storage device by providing a housing having an access opening, a pair of tape reels, and dual sided tape. The data storage device is loaded to a tape drive having a pair of read/write heads that are actuated to engage the data tape sides. The tape is conveyed along the pair of read/write heads while a read/write function is performed.

Abstract: The write protect mechanism provides a method for identifying the write protect state of the tape media enclosed in a tape cartridge from at least two orientations. A write protect switch on the front side of the tape cartridge housing moves to block the write protect aperture on the side of the tape cartridge housing when the write protect switch is in the write enable position and away from the aperture in the write protect position. A write protect indicator on the tape cartridge top cover includes a window that allows the user to view the position of the write protect switch by viewing the top of the switch. The top of the switch may include an arrow that moves corresponding to the position of the write protect switch, thus providing a means for the user to determine the write protect state. Human readable icons or color combinations on the write protect switch and/or adjacent to the write protect indicator clearly indicate the write protect state of the tape media enclosed within the tape cartridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a system and method for positioning a transducer head, the transducer head includes a first group of elements for reading data from or writing data to a set of tracks on a storage medium, and a second group of elements for reading data from or writing data to a set of tracks on a storage medium. A device supplies electrical power to the first group of elements to read data from or write data to a first position on the storage medium, and supplies electrical power to the second group of elements to read data from or write data to a second position on the storage medium different than the first position without coarse movement of the transducer head relative to the storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is provided with a combination tape including a data storage tape, an intermediate portion and a leader. A servo track and media information region is provided on the intermediate portion of the tape. The servo track is read by a servo track reader of a data storage apparatus. The media information region is read by the read/write head of the data storage apparatus.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed with a housing sized for a tape drive. A tape reel is mounted for rotation within the housing and a guide is mounted in the housing spaced apart from the tape reel. A first end of a data tape segment is mounted to the tape reel and a second end is not mounted to the tape reel. A structural tape segment has a pair of ends mounted between the first and second ends of the data tape segment for structurally enhancing an intermediate region of the data tape segment. In another embodiment, a structurally enhanced intermediate region is advanced to a read/write region of the data storage device during storage of the device for preventing inadvertent damage to the data tape.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive having an actuation member includes a cartridge body that is insertable into the tape drive. The cartridge body includes first and second faces that extend at an angle to each other. The first face has a first opening and the second face has a second opening. The cartridge further includes a door movably associated with the cartridge body and being engageable with the actuation member when the cartridge body is inserted into the tape drive. The door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position upon engagement with the actuation member. Furthermore, the door has first and second portions that at least partially cover the first and second openings, respectively, when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A flange for a tape roller has a curved shape that substantially solves the problems with skewed tape while maintaining manufacturability. The tape edge makes contact with the tape flange where the slope of the curve shape is substantially flat. From the contact point of the tape and the flange, the flange shape gently curves away. The shape of the flange allows some degree of skew in the tape so that contact with the flange edge is avoided, and yet the distance between the two flanges of the roller is more easily controlled than with a roller having tapered edge flanges.

Abstract: A storage medium load and unload apparatus for diverting a storage medium insertion impact force is provided. The load and unload apparatus comprises a shuttle having a first pin with a first radius extending from a side surface of the shuttle and a protrusion having a posterior edge extending from the side surface. The protrusion posterior edge is displaced a first distance from a center of the pin. A fixed side plate has a flange with a vertical edge, and a first slot with an anterior edge and a curved posterior edge. A first width is provided between the anterior edge and the curved posterior edge of the first slot. The vertical edge of the flange is displaced a second distance from the anterior edge of the first slot. The first pin is engaged with the first slot. A sum of the first width and the second distance is greater than the sum of the first distance and the first radius.

Abstract: A tape guide mechanism in a storage device is disclosed for defining an improved roller guide tape path. A cartridge reel is provided for supplying tape to a take-up reel. Multiple flanged guides are provided located remotely from the cartridge and take-up reels. A non-flanged post guide is provided located proximate to the take-up reel for increasing a length of the tape path and for permitting the flanged guides to be located remotely from the cartridge and take-up reels so that the flanged guides are not located in proximity to the cartridge or take-up reels. An axis of symmetry exists longitudinally about one or two read/write heads. The tape path length is generally symmetrically disposed about this axis of symmetry.

Abstract: The tape cartridge leader includes a smoothing feature that comprises a blind cut out formed in a surface of the tape cartridge leader that faces the hub of the take-up reel when the tape cartridge leader is wound on the hub to compensate for the irregularity generated by the buckling mechanism. The blind cut out consists of a shallow, smooth depression that is positioned to overlay the buckling mechanism. The geometry and size of the blind cut out can be selected from a wide variety of options, with all of these variations having the advantage of providing increased tensile strength for the tape cartridge leader over tape cartridge leaders that use smoothing apertures, since there is no hole formed in the tape cartridge leader.

Abstract: A brake slide assembly for securing a spool inside a data storage tape cartridge housing is disclosed. The brake slide assembly includes at least one brake slide and a flexible member. The brake slide(s) include a locking wedge, a brake button end, and a riser. The locking wedge is configured to selectively engage between the spool and an interior surface of the cartridge. The brake button end is configured to slidingly couple with a brake button of the cartridge. The riser extends between the locking wedge and the brake button end. In this regard, the flexible member is coupled to the brake slide(s).

Abstract: A tape cartridge, for use with a tape drive having an actuation member, includes a cartridge body that is insertable into the tape drive and a door movably associated with the cartridge body. The door is engageable with the actuation member when the cartridge body is inserted into the tape drive, and is movable between a closed position and an open position upon engagement with the actuation member. Furthermore, the door includes a retainer that is enageable with the actuation member when the door is in the open position to facilitate retention of the cartridge body in the tape drive.

Abstract: The tape cartridge improved boss door provides a sleeve between the lower boss for the torsion spring to rotate around to decrease the stress applied to the top coil of the torsion spring. An improved catch contacts the top leg of the torsion spring at a point distant from the torsion spring coils to further reduce the force applied to the torsion spring and the frictional drag as the torsion spring rotates around the sleeve, thus decreasing the failure rate of the tape cartridge due to premature failure of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A tape cartridge, for use with a tape drive having a threading mechanism, includes a magnetic tape, a leader attached to an end of the tape and configured to engage the threading mechanism, and a cartridge body for housing the tape. The cartridge body includes first and second faces disposed at an angle to each other. The first face has a first opening through which the leader and tape may travel, and the second face has a second opening for receiving the threading mechanism of the tape drive.

Abstract: The tape cartridge autoloader comprises a tape drive and up to eight respective storage positions for tape cartridges all located within a one and three-quarter inch form factor. A picker driven by a single first motor operated driving mechanism follows a U-shaped track as the picker transfers a predetermined one of the tape cartridges between one of the respective storage positions and the tape drive. The picker having a retractable arm driven by a single motor for engaging with the tape cartridge and for moving the tape cartridge from/to the picker. A retractable drawer or removable magazine allows one or more tape cartridges to be loaded/unloaded in the tape cartridge autoloader.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use with a tape drive includes a length of magnetic tape, a leader attached to an end of the tape, and a cartridge body for housing the tape. The cartridge body is configured to be inserted into the tape drive, and includes first and second adjacent faces. The first face has a first opening through which the tape may travel. The cartridge body further has a slot for stowing the leader in a stowed position. The slot is adjacent to the second face and extends at an angle with respect to the second face.

Abstract: An improved two-leader apparatus is disclosed for threading tape from a first reel to a second reel. The two-leader means includes a first reel for receiving tape from a second reel. A first leader is coupled to the first reel. A second leader is coupled to a free end of the tape which is wound around the second reel. A button is coupled to a first end of the first leader. The button protrudes from a first surface of the first leader. The second leader includes an aperture for accepting the button.

Abstract: The 1U rack mount equipment enclosure with increased structural support, supports internal components without adding to the over all height of the 1U form factor. The peripheral device is mounted between front supports which bear the weight of the peripheral device. A central support provides support necessary to prevent deflection of the front supports. Rear supports between the central support and the rear side provide support to prevent the central support from bending due to the force placed on the central support by the front supports.

Abstract: The tape cartridge leader includes a smoothing feature that comprises a blind cut out formed in a surface of the tape cartridge leader that faces the hub of the take-up reel when the tape cartridge leader is wound on the hub to compensate for the irregularity generated by the buckling mechanism. The blind cut out consists of a shallow, smooth depression that is positioned to overlay the buckling mechanism. The geometry and size of the blind cut out can be selected from a wide variety of options, with all of these variations having the advantage of providing increased tensile strength for the tape cartridge leader over tape cartridge leaders that use smoothing apertures, since there is no hole formed in the tape cartridge leader.