Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamic tape stick and tape break detection. A first counter increments a first count and resets a second count in response to a sensor pulse from a first sensor of a first tape servo. A second counter increments the second count and resets the first count in response to a sensor pulse from a second sensor of a second tape servo. A detection module detects either the first count or the second count exceeding an error threshold.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for determining the position of a tape-like medium are proposed. The method provides for counting pulses which are supplied to the arrangement for determining the position to be counted, blocked or cancelled depending on the respective transport state. To this end, it is established whether the transport direction has been constant for a defined amount of time or over a defined distance. The transport direction determines whether the counter is incremented or decremented. In addition, counting pulses which rapidly follow one another are blocked in order to avoid undesirable double triggering. In order to avoid losing blocked counting pulses in an undesirable manner, the latter are stored and are applied to the counter, or discarded, depending on the transport state before and after blocking.

Abstract: In a tape drive during a transition to a stand-by mode, a tape is wound under control of a processor (e.g., CPU) until duration of a time interval between moments when rotational positions of the reels change decreases to a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, in the stand-by mode, the processor switches control over the tape drive to a low-power logic circuit (e.g., PLC) and enters a power-save mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and an article of manufacture to provide for the detection and compensation of tape breakage in a tape drive. The invention operates by simultaneously monitoring the tape reel rotation direction and the ratio of rotation between the tape reels. If the rotation direction is not the same for both reels, then tape breakage is indicated and reel rotation ceases. Tape breakage is also detected if the tape reel angular rotation ratio between the supply and take up reels is not within a specified tape reel ratio range. The tape reel angular rotation ratio is detected by simultaneously measuring the angular rotation of each tape reel in a specified time period and then calculating the ratio. The present invention detects the tape reel angular rotation ratio and if tape reel angular rotation ratio is outside of the specified tape reel ratio range, tape breakage is indicated and reel rotation ceases.

Abstract: A tape end detector includes a first resistor connected between a positive power source and an analog input terminal, a second resistor connected between the analog input terminal and the ground, a first phototransistor the collector of which is connected to an output terminal and the emitter of which is connected to the analog input terminal, and a second phototransistor the collector of which is connected to the analog input terminal and the emitter of which is connected to the output terminal. In the tape end detector, it is determined based upon voltage applied to the analog input terminal when the output terminal is at a high level whether the first phototransistor is turned on or off and it is determined based upon voltage applied to the analog input terminal when the output terminal is at a low level whether the second phototransistor is turned on or off.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus arranged to use a magnetic tape. The apparatus operates to derive the current taken-up position of the magnetic tape from the signals that are proportional to the rotation frequencies of a capstan motor, a supply reel and a take-up reel. Only when the taken-up position is near the tape end, the apparatus activates LEDs (light emitting elements) for sensing the tape end and photo-transistors (light receiving elements), for sensing the tape end.