Abstract: An optical data storage device includes an optical storage tape having one or more optical storage layers. A plurality of optical pickup units reads and/or writes data to the optical storage tape. A feed reel provides the optical storage tape to the optical pickup units. A guiding wheel that guides the optical storage tape when the optical storage tape is in the vicinity of the optical pickup units during read and/or write operations. Finally, a take-up reel receives the optical storage tape from the guiding wheel.

Abstract: There is provided a fastening aid to be used in the case of incorporating a reel, equipped with a reel hub having recording tape wound around its outer peripheral surface, into a drive device and using screws to fasten the reel hub to a rotating member of the drive device, the fastening aid including: a main body portion; guide tube portions that are disposed projecting from a lower surface of the main body portion in such a way as to be coaxial with plural guide hole portions formed in the main body portion and to guide the screws to screw hole portions formed in the reel hub; and fitting portions that are formed on lower end portions of the guide tube portions and are fitted together with fitting counterpart portions formed around the screw hole portions on an upper surface side of the reel hub.

Abstract: An installation method includes: holding a first reel and a second reel at an upper cartridge so as to be unable to rotate, by reel holding mechanisms; detaching a lower cartridge from the upper cartridge; conveying the upper cartridge, that is in a state of holding the first reel and the second reel by the reel holding mechanisms, to a drive device, and positioning and placing the first reel and the second reel respectively on a pair of rotating members of the drive device; releasing holding of the first reel and the second reel by the reel holding mechanisms; removing the upper cartridge from the drive device; and fixing the first reel and the second reel to the respective rotating members.

Abstract: An installation method includes: holding a first reel and a second reel at an upper cartridge so as to be unable to rotate, by reel holding mechanisms; detaching a lower cartridge from the upper cartridge; conveying the upper cartridge, that is in a state of holding the first reel and the second reel by the reel holding mechanisms, to a drive device, and positioning and placing the first reel and the second reel respectively on a pair of rotating members of the drive device; releasing holding of the first reel and the second reel by the reel holding mechanisms; removing the upper cartridge from the drive device; and fixing the first reel and the second reel to the respective rotating members.

Abstract: A storage device (10) for storing valuable media is described. The device has a rotary storage compartment (14) for storing media items (100) in a fixed order. The items are held in place by one or two tapes (16 and/or 18) wound around the rotary storage compartment. The device includes a memory (16 and/or 18) for storing the order in which the items are stored and details of transactions associated with the stored items, so that each stored item can be linked to a transaction. In a preferred embodiment, one of the tapes (16 or 18) serves as the memory so that transaction details for a stored media item (100) can be read as the stored media item (100) is dispensed from the storage device (10).

Abstract: A tape supply-side hub, a tape take-up-side hub and a magnetic tape wound onto the tape supply-side hub are included inside a mainframe case. A leader tape fixed onto the tape take-up-side hub and one end of the magnetic tape are connected via a splicing tape. The other end of the magnetic tape is wound onto the tape supply-side hub, and the magnetic tape and the tape supply-side hub are directly connected with adhesive agents. A wound tape layer wounded onto the tape supply-side hub in the fully wound state is composed of a non-recording layer on the winding leader side composed of a specified amount of the wound tape layer and a recording layer continuing to the non-recording layer. The feeding limit position of the magnetic tape in the tape supply-side hub is set to be in the vicinity of a boundary between the non-recording layer and the recording layer.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic recording tape has a first pair of reels rotatably mounted therein which carry a first wide magnetic recording tape, and a second pair of reels disposed therein which carry a second wide magnetic recording tape. The reels are disposed in the cartridge so that each of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes spans a central space, which is adapted to receive a magnetic recording head of a tape drive, when the cartridge is inserted in the tape drive. A corresponding tape has four drive motors with respective drive shafts, that respectively engage the four reels of the cartridge for transporting the first and second recording magnetic recording tapes across the central opening. The drive has a recording head and a recording head positioning assembly for selectively positioning the recording head at any location along the width of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes.

Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent damages of a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape cassette adapted to be operated in a recording and reproducing apparatus which can similarly operate a plurality of magnetic tape cassettes. More specifically, in the invention, differences (A1?B1, A2?B2) between heights A1, A2 of radially inner portions (32a), (42a) of lower flanges (32), (42) and heights B1, B2 of ribs (35a), (45a) of lower halves (35), (45) for restricting a height of the magnetic tape are equal (A1?B1=A2?B2) in a plurality of the magnetic tape cassettes which have the same vertical sizes and different sizes in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A recording tape cassette capable of allowing a thin recording tape to run properly. At this recording tape cassette, a pair of reels which include lower flanges and upper flanges at vertical ends of reel hubs are each rotatably accommodated in a case. The reels cause a magnetic tape to run while winding from one reel and winding onto the other reel. At least one of the lower flange and upper flange of each reel, which contacts the running magnetic tape, are formed by resin-molding using a resin material whose surface electrical resistance value is 1×1013? or less, and is resistant to static charging. Consequently, a thin magnetic tape whose thickness is less than 13 ?m runs suitably without being drawn toward the lower flanges or the like by electrostatic force.

Abstract: A recording tape cassette has a reel which has a hub around which a recording tape is wound, and a flange which is mounted to an end portion of the hub and in which a concave portion is formed at an inner surface of the flange. The reel is rotatably accommodated in a case. A distance of a path of the recording tape from an inner peripheral edge portion of an outer side of the concave portion to an outer peripheral edge portion of the flange, is longer than a distance of a path of the recording tape from the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange to a tape guide at which the recording tape which is drawn out from the reel is first guided.

Abstract: A fixture for receiving a videotape cassette has a pair of mechanical releases for engaging and operating the mechanical interlocks inhibiting the free access to the videotape contained within therein, thereby exposing a section of videotape and permitting the editing of the tape after being permanently installed within a cassette. A tab having a relatively narrow stem portion and relatively wider base portion includes a releasable dollop of adhesive or double sided adhesive carrier near the stem end and is used in the following method. A new start position for a videotape may be conveniently fixed to eliminate from viewing the otherwise annoying leader material by adhering the tab to the new start position until the tape clears any interfering tension roller, self peeling the tab leaving the exposed adhesive by advancing the tape into the cassette, and wrapping the tape around itself on the wind up spool to adhere two layers of tape together and thereby define the new start position.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic recording tape has a first pair of reels rotatably mounted therein which carry a first wide magnetic recording tape, and a second pair of reels disposed therein which carry a second wide magnetic recording tape. The reels are disposed in the cartridge so that each of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes spans a central space, which is adapted to receive a magnetic recording head of a tape drive, when the cartridge is inserted in the tape drive. A corresponding tape has four drive motors with respective drive shafts, that respectively engage the four reels of the cartridge for transporting the first and second recording magnetic recording tapes across the central opening. The drive has a recording head and a recording head positioning assembly for selectively positioning the recording head at any location along the width of the first and second wide magnetic recording tapes.

Abstract: A pack of magnetic recording tape (100) comprises a splicing tape (120) which adheres a web of a magnetic tape (122) to a leader (124). The leader (124) attaches to a reel hub (126) around which the tape is to be wound. The length L of the splicing tape in a direction parallel to an elongate dimension (127) of the magnetic tape is on the order of N&pgr;D, where D is the diameter of reel hub and N is an integer. In one embodiment, the length L of splicing tape is just slightly less than the circumference of the reel hub. The tape assembly comprising the combination of the magnetic tape, the leader, and the splicing tape greatly reduces the amount of permanent tape deformation, and provides a more efficient tape pack with smaller discontinuities. Consequentially, the stress on the magnetic tape is greatly reduced, which reduces the amount of permanent deformation and the number of magnetic tape layers that are affected by the deformations.

Abstract: A method of attaching a tape having longitudinal edges to a tape cartridge reel includes cutting an end of the tape non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges laterally across the width of the tape. The end of the tape is then attached to the tape cartridge reel. The method may also include cutting an end of the tape such that at least two of the laterally spaced apart servo stripes running longitudinally along the tape are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape. The method may further include cutting the tape end such that at least two of the laterally spaced apart data tracks running longitudinally along the tape are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape.

Abstract: An uncrumpling and cutting apparatus cuts a predetermined length of an end portion of a heat transfer recording sheet of a sheet roll obtained by winding the heat transfer recording sheet around an outer periphery of a shaft roll, and a lead sheet sticking apparatus sticks an end of a lead sheet to the end portion of the heat transfer recording sheet. A subshaft sticking apparatus sticks a subshaft to the lead sheet, and a lead sheet winding apparatus winds up the lead sheet to wrap-the sheet roll and the subshaft. A tying portion ties a combination of a sheet roll with a subshaft with a strip, thereby bundling the combination. Then the combination thus tied is packed in a package bag by a packaging portion. A transferring and mounting portion lays an even number of combinations as alternately reversing orientations thereof, and an encasing portion encases the combinations thus laid in a container.

Abstract: A data cartridge includes a length of magnetic tape which is formed at one end with a first pattern of holes to enable identification of the end of the tape and a second pattern of holes located within the first pattern of holes and configured to provide a binary code to enable automatic identification of the cartridge type or tape type. The binary code provides for a least significant bit and a most significant bit in a hexadecimal configuration.

Abstract: A multi-tape cartridge has a number of tapes therein which are either wound in common on a single hub, or are wound individually on respective hubs, and proceed in the housing along respective tape paths from the commonly wound hub, or the individual hubs, to respective take-up hubs also disposed in the housing. One of the sidewalls of the housing has openings therein so as to expose the respective tape paths, followed by the tapes, to an exterior of the housing, thereby allowing data transfer heads to be inserted into the opening so as to engage the magnetic tapes to read data therefrom or write data thereon.

Abstract: For use in obtaining and maintaining evidentiary integrity as admissible evidence of audio and/or video recorded factual events on a recording tape, feed and a take-up reels each has two paired separate female bearing surfaces. For each of the feed reel and the take-up reel when utilized in paired or cassette arrangement, one of the paired two female bearing surfaces is of a differing shape and/or dimension than the remaining one. One of the paired female bearing surfaces is permanently detachably from the other. The other of the paired female bearing surfaces is inaccessible for the spindle-gear driving thereof by a drive spindle prior to removal or detachment of the initially utilizable drive or feed surface(s). The feed reel removable female bearing surface has a different size or shape or inner diameter of the female bearing surface than that of the female bearing surface of the drive reel.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a tape body which supports, on reel hubs, a tape body such as a leader tape, etc. to which a magnetic tape is connected. This attachment structure comprises a tape reel provided with a reel hub which takes cylindrical shape provided at the central portion thereof and a clamp member attached to the reel hub, and a tape body connected to the reel hub in the state where the end portion is supported by the clamp member and wound on the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. The tape body supported by the reel hub is such that the base end portion side serving as root portion of the drawing side from the reel hub is deformed in the winding direction onto the reel hub following the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. Deformation of the tape body is carried out by thermal deformation or pressure deformation, or thermal deformation and pressure deformation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for predicting capstan slipping in belt-driven tape cartridges. The method predicts the occurrence of capstan slip conditions between the belt capstan of a belt-driven tape cartridge and the rotating elastomeric drive roller of the tape drive. To predict capstan slip conditions, the method determines a critical velocity value corresponding to a critical slip condition based on a relationship between the drive force which rotates the cartridge belt capstan, and on the normal force of the drive roller against the cartridge belt capstan. A threshold velocity value corresponding to the drive and normal forces is selected at a point where the relationship between the drive and normal forces would not yet encounter the critical slip condition. The steady-state tape velocity is monitored during operation of the tape cartridge in the tape drive, and an imminent capstan slip indication is provided when the steady-state tape velocity reaches the threshold velocity value.

Abstract: A method of attaching a tape having longitudinal edges to a tape cartridge reel includes cutting an end of the tape non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges laterally across the width of the tape. The end of the tape is then attached to the tape cartridge reel. The method may also include cutting an end of the tape such that at least two of the laterally spaced apart servo stripes running longitudinally along the tape are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape. The method may further include cutting the tape end such that at least two of the laterally spaced apart data tracks running longitudinally along the tape are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape.

Abstract: A tape cassette capable of refilling a tape among various tapes each having width different from one another into a corresponding tape cassette, and capable of properly refilling the tape into a corresponding tape cassette without fail. In a broad width tape cassette, a first annular space is provided between an inner diameter of a tape spool and an outer diameter of a tape support shaft. A first cap is fitted into the first space. In a small width tape cassette, a second annular space is provided between an inner diameter of a tape spool and an outer diameter of a tape support shaft. A second cap is fitted into the second space. A tape spool can be correctly refilled into corresponding tape cassette by checking insertion of the caps into the spaces.

Abstract: A tape running device of a video cassette recorder. This device comprises a capstan shaft, an arm pinch having both a tape guider and a rotatable pinch roller, a holder provided under the arm pinch in order to elevate, lower and rotate the arm pinch, a gear pinch engaging with the holder for guiding the elevating and lowering motion of the holder, a guide plate engaging with the holder for causing the holder to be vertically elevated and lowered, a take-up arm rotatably mounted on the main plate and having a shaft for pulling the tape out of a tape cassette, and a connection gear gearing into both the gear pinch and the take-up arm in order to transmit the rotational force of a drive motor to them and rotating the holder in order to rotate the arm pinch toward the capstan shaft. The tape is run under the condition that its nonmagnetic surface is wrapped about both the tape guider and the pinch roller.

Abstract: A tape back-tension mechanism for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus provides an instantaneous and secure braking force during mode shifting. In the mechanism, a take-up reel table includes a reel gear and a reel disk coupled to the reel gear and frictionally rotated by the reel gear. A predetermined force is applied to the take-up reel disk to prevent a magnetic tape from becoming loose due to the inertia created when a reel gear of a supply reel table stops during the shifting of the operational mode. Each of the reel disks accommodate a reel of a tape cassette. Further, the mechanism includes a fixed gear constantly engaged with a take-up reel gear, a floating gear constantly engaged with the fixed gear, the floating gear alternatively engaging and disengaging the take-up reel gear, and a connection lever for connecting the fixed gear and the floating gear.

Abstract: A brake driving apparatus of a tape recorder includes a reel braking part for driving brakes with a force transferred from a capstan motor to stop the rotation of reels, and a reel releasing part for releasing the brake of the reels by being slidably driven and down with a force transmitted from a loading motor.

Abstract: A tape cassette for accommodating a magnetic recording tape comprises a casing including first and second major walls opposite to each other and spaced a distance corresponding to the width of a length of magnetic tape, a pair of opposite end walls, and front and rear walls opposite to each other, all assembled together to render the casing as a whole to represent a generally rectangular box-like configuration. Art erroneous erasure preventing member is accommodated within a detection hole, defined in the rear wall, for selective movement between retracted and projected positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear wall. The erasure preventing member has an outer surface which, when in the projected position, closes the detection hole while lying flush with an outer surface of the rear wall, indicating the condition in which the magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette is available for information recording or erasure.