Abstract: Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. In one embodiment, an apparatus for such purpose includes a mechanized take-up reel. The mechanized take-up reel includes an inner hub, an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub (where at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism), a tongue coupled to the inner hub, and a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for automatic unthreading and storage of storage media helps prevent damage to the media, which can otherwise occur when the storage media is left threaded in a storage media drive over an extended period or under adverse conditions. A sensing device may generate a signal or a detector may receive a signal indicating that a predetermined period of time has lapsed or that some other criteria has been met indicating that the storage media should be removed from the storage media drive. An unthread module in the storage media drive receives the signal and automatically unthreads and stores the storage media. A location on the storage media can be marked by the unthread module prior to unthreading such that the media may be returned to the location upon rethreading.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus and a tape threading method thereof capable of preventing cut or slip of a leader tape, and capable of effectively preventing the fixing force from being deteriorated due to variation with time. In a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, an end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, and the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and the tape is taken up around a drive reel 20. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a leader tape 41 having one end connected to a drive shaft 24 of the drive reel 20 and the other end connected to the tape-pulling-out element 40, a reel hub 21 which is located on an outer periphery of the drive shaft 24 and which takes up the tape around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 21, and a lock member 70 which connects the drive shaft 24 and the reel hub 21 with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for checking tape reel motion. A control module directs a leading servo to apply torque to a leading reel and a trailing servo to apply torque to a trailing reel, wherein the control module directs the leading servo to apply an initial positive torque in a tape motion direction and directs the trailing servo to apply an initial negative torque counter to the tape motion direction. If there is no change in an angular position of the leading and trailing reels, the control module incrementally sums a first incremental positive torque to the leading torque to increase the leading torque and a second incremental positive torque to the trailing torque until there is a change in the angular position of the leading and trailing reels and/or until the torques exceed torque limits.

Abstract: A driving mechanism, which drives a pull-out assembly up to an interior of a reel hub of a take-up reel, has a shaft which is inserted in a through hole bored in a grabber with a clearance. A shutter fixes the pull-out assembly in a receiving portion at a predetermined position on receiving the pull-out assembly in the receiving portion. A positioning member positions the shaft with a center of the shaft substantially coincided with a central axis of the take-up reel and with the clearance held between the shaft and an inner wall of the through hole when the pull-out assembly is received in the receiving portion.

Abstract: A tape recording system is provided having an improved load/unload path, the system comprising a first pair of guides and a second pair of guides movable from an unloaded position to a loaded position. In the unloaded position, a gap between the first pair of guides and the second pair of guides provides a path for loading a tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel without contacting any of the first pair of guides, the second pair of guides and the head assembly to prevent contamination and damage of these components. The tape loader path is isolated from the head by the first pair of guides providing protection of the head from possible contact damage by the loader mechanism and tape leader.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for receiving and streaming storage tape by a tape head from storage tape cartridges of varying formats in a single tape drive. In one example, an exemplary tape drive system includes a receiver, a reel driver system configured to selectively drive at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats, and a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two different cartridge leader formats associated with the at least two different cartridge formats.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge properly disconnects from a takeup reel within a tape drive during unloading of the tape cartridge, so that the tape cartridge can be removed from the tape drive without damaging the tape media and rendering the tape drive inoperable. The sensing assembly may be electrical or electomechanical and comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on the position of the takeup leader. The position of the takeup leader is used to determine if the tape cartridge leader disconnects from the takeup leader. The sensing assembly may be utilized within a tape drive or with a test fixture for testing a plurality of disconnect operations.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge property disconnects from a takeup reel within a tape drive during unloading of the tape cartridge, so that the tape cartridge can be removed from the tape drive without damaging the tape media and rendering the tape drive inoperable. The sensing assembly may be electrical or electomechanical and comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on the position of the takeup leader. The position of the takeup leader is used to determine if the tape cartridge leader disconnects from the takeup leader.

Abstract: A device for receiving a tape cartridge having a reel and a record tape winded around the reel where the record tape has a mounting unit attached to one end thereof includes an engaging unit which engages with the mounting unit, a threader arm which carries the engaging unit together with the mounting unit along a predetermined path to thread the record tape in the device during a threading operation and to unthread the record tape from the device during an unthreading operation, a reel motor which drives the reel of the tape cartridge, and a control unit which controls the reel motor to adjust tension in the record tape during the threading operation and the unthreading operation.

Abstract: A method of loading a tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. Position sensors detect position of a guide arm as a tape loading mechanism loads and unloads tapes from a single reel tape cartridge. The position sensors are accurate and eliminate problems that occur from small misalignments of hub filler access with the access of the take-up reel. Further, the position sensors enable the hub filler to consistently attach to a leader pin at the end of the tape of the single reel tape cartridge without frequent malfunctions.

Abstract: A tape drive (10) and cartridge (22) combination is provided herein. The tape drive (10) and cartridge (22) include an improved buckle (30) that securely couples a drive leader (32) of the tape drive (10) to a cartridge leader (28) of the cartridge (22) and inhibits half-ear situations. As provided herein, the buckle (30) includes a first buckle component (54) and a second buckle component (56) that securely couple the leaders (28) (32). More specifically, the first buckle component (54) includes a receiver (60) and the second buckle component (56) includes a tab (58) that engages the receiver (60) to securely couple the leaders (28) (32). The tab (58) has a nose (62) and a neck (64). The nose (62) includes a pair of opposed proximal edges (69) that cantilever away from the neck (64) and engage the receiver (60) to couple buckle components (54) (56). Importantly, the opposed proximal edges (69) of the nose (62) are curved.

Abstract: A method for preventing a reverse connection between a takeup leader connected to a single reel tape drive and a tape cartridge leader connected to a magnetic tape media contained in a single reel tape cartridge that is loadable into the tape drive. The method comprises detecting a missed connection between the takeup leader and the tape cartridge leader following a failed load operation. The load operation includes loading the tape cartridge into the tape drive, connecting the takeup leader and tape cartridge leader, and winding the tape media to the read position. In response to detecting the missed connection, a torque is applied to the takeup leader to retain it in a loaded position away from the tape cartridge leader while the tape cartridge is ejected from the tape drive. In response to ejecting the tape cartridge from the tape drive, the takeup leader is reset to the unloaded position for a subsequent loading operation.

Abstract: A method of loading a tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. A guide arm decouples from a hub filler as the hub filler is moved into a take-up reel. This decoupling eliminates problems that occur from small misalignments of the hub filler axle with the axis of the take-up reel. The axle and drive arm are decoupled from the hub filler by the axle being lifted out of the hub filler upon insertion of the hub filler into the take-up reel, allowing for the take-up reel to rotate freely during winding and unwinding of the tape without interference from the axle.

Abstract: A guiding assembly in a tape drive employing a single reel for preventing damage to a tape head during the loading and unloading of magnetic tape media from a tape cartridge also employing a single reel. The guiding assembly has a tape guide configured to move a tape path away from the tape head during the loading and unloading of the magnetic tape media.