Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a magnetic recording and reproducing method, and a thin film magnetic head that enable a good contact between elements and a recording medium with a reduced track pitch even if the number of head channels is increased, thereby realizing high recording density and high transfer rate. At least one multitrack write head having N (N is an integer of 2 or more) write elements arranged along a track width direction in an integral fashion and at least one multitrack read head having L (L is an integer equal to or more than N) read elements arranged along the track width direction in an integral fashion are formed on the rotary drum. The multitrack write head writes signals to a group of N tracks aligned parallel on the magnetic tape during one rotation of the rotary drum, and the multitrack read head reads the group of N signal tracks by the use of any one of the L read elements.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus for controlling a running of magnetic tape, and being able to control a cleaning medium to clean a magnetic head. The apparatus including a feed reel shaft and a take-up reel shaft respectively adapted to hold a feed reel and a take-up reel of the cleaning medium; a magnetic head; a control part controlling the feed reel shaft and the take-up reel shaft so as to reel the cleaning medium; and a cleaning section determining part determining a cleaning section on the cleaning medium that is used for a single cleaning step of the magnetic head. The control part controls the feed reel shaft and the take-up reel shaft to clean the magnetic head for the cleaning section by the cleaning medium.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive having a plurality of stepped operational speeds, data storage logic estimates, from the effective data fill rate for a data buffer and the drive data write rate, the time cost to continue to operate the magnetic tape drive at the current stepped operational speed from a target to the next end of wrap; estimates, the time cost to force a backhitch of the magnetic tape data storage media and change the stepped operational speed to a higher stepped operational speed and operate the magnetic tape drive at the higher stepped operational speed to the next end of wrap; and determines the lesser time cost.

Abstract: A tape drive unit has a data compression engine coupled to an incoming data stream. A buffer memory stores data of the incoming data stream. A control module enables or disables the data compression engine in response to a function of the data occupancy level of the buffer memory.

Abstract: A servo writer which writes a servo mend on a tape by the write head is characterized by being equipped with a pay-off side motor paying off the tape from tie payoff reel by rotating the pay-off reel; a winding side motor winding the tape on the winding reel by rotating the winding reel; a first capstan roller and second capstan roller which are provided at an upstream side and down stream side of the write head, respectively, and by rotating the capstan rollers, rum the tape in a state pinched between respective pinch rollers and the capstan rollers; a first tension detecting means which is provided between the ID first capstan roller and second capstan roller and detects running tape tension; and a capstan roller controlling unit controlling a rotation speed of the first capstan roller and second capstan roller so that tension detected by the tension detecting means becomes constant.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a tape transport servo system for a tape drive is disclosed. The tape reel motors are excited when the tape drive is not being controlled by the tape transport servo system. Then, calibration data is collected for the motor torque, motor friction, DAC offsets, and pulse width modulator control signal timing.

Abstract: A tape transport servo system and method that do not make use of tachometers and/or encoders to derive tape velocity and position are provided. The tape transport servo system and method derive velocity and position of the tape from a primary and direct manner and also a secondary or alternative manner, especially when the primary or direct manner cannot be used. The tape transport servo system and method control a tape drive and moves a tape between one reel driven by one motor to another reel driven by another motor. The tape is read by a recording head composed of data readers, data writers and a dedicated set of servo read elements. A position and a velocity of the tape are determined from a primary velocity source when the tape is being read by the head. The position and the velocity of the tape are determined from a secondary velocity source when the tape is not being read by the head. The velocity of the tape is compared to a desired programmed reference velocity for the tape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a magnetic recording and reproducing method, and a thin film magnetic head that enable a good contact between elements and a recording medium with a reduced track pitch even if the number of head channels is increased, thereby realizing high recording density and high transfer rate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus has a rotating drum which rotates magnetic heads at a constant speed. The magnetic heads scan a magnetic tape. On a magnetic tape, an area written by each scan always includes a lateral portion of an area written by the previous scan. In this portion, old data is overwritten by new data, and writing continues. An area excluding the overwritten portion is a recording track. The running speed of the magnetic tape is changed by a system controller, and hence the recording track width can be changed.

Abstract: In a high-speed tape winding operation of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, stable tape-stopping operation without generating any damages of the tape. In addition to the mechanical braking means, a reverse braking force is applied to a drive motor for rotating reels depending on the tape conditions so as to diminish the rotation inertia of the drive motor and dispense with a strict operation timing and precision of the mechanical braking means.

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 tape drive apparatus includes a pair of reel holder gears respectively provided in reel shafts which are respectively engaged with a pair of reels around which a tape is wound, a switching operation portion for switching at least a fast-forwarding operation and a rewinding operation, and a running mechanism for transporting the tape in the positive direction and in the reverse direction by selectively driving the pair of reel holder gears based on the direction in which the switching operation portion is moved. When the tape is transported in the positive direction, if the switching operation portion is moved in one direction, then the tape is transported at a high speed in the positive direction to fast-forward the tape. If the switching operation portion is moved in the other direction reverse to the one direction, then the tape is transported at a high speed in the reverse direction to thereby rewind the tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and computing tape reel radius using low-resolution angular position sensors is disclosed. Tape reels are driven at a constant velocity, a complete resolution of the tape reels is detected using coarse commutation sensors and a radius for a first reel, R1, and a radius for a second reel, R2 is calculated according to: R1=((L*T/pi)/(1+T22/T12))0.5 and R2=((L*T/pi)/(1+T12/T22))0.5, where L is the total length of tape, T is the thickness of tape, T1 is the rotation time for reel 1, and T2 is the rotation time for reel 2. The calculation of the radius of the two reels using two low resolution (one pulse per turn) sensors results in a great cost and product packaging savings.

Abstract: A control system compensates for web tension variation caused by a first spool, (A) determines rotational frequency of the first spool; (B) determines variation in rotational velocity at the second spool which occurs at the (A) first spool frequency; (C) determines the rotational position at the first spool corresponding to the (B) variation in rotational velocity at the second spool; (D) calculates a drive motor profile for the first spool which tends to cancel the (B) variation in rotational velocity at the second spool; and (E) superimposes the (D) drive motor profile on a first spool drive motor at the (C) determined rotational position of the first spool.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and/or adjusting the positioning of a magnetic tape using central control packets that are recorded to the tape is presented. Central control packets are used for adjusting the timing of the read head signal over the tape, adapting the reel count to that of the drive at the time the tape was recorded, and monitoring filemarks for logical tape positioning.

Abstract: A tape driving apparatus and a recording medium, capable of detecting a target running amount during High Speed Search. Wherein upon a search command, a system controller sets a target position based on a specified position specified by this search command. Then, the system controller calculates the target running amount from the current position to the target position based on a spanned distance and calculates the target count value as the running amount corresponding to the calculated distance. Then, the system controller runs the magnetic tape while counting the reel FG pulses and shifts to High Speed Search. Starting High Speed Search, the system controller judges whether or not the count value of the reel FG pulses has reached the target count value. When it judges that the count value has not reached the target count value, it considers that the target position has not been reached yet and continues High Speed Search.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system and methods are disclosed that may work to correct off-track errors, reduce the frequency of off-track errors, and/or reduce the negative effects of off-track errors in writing performance. The invented method slows tape speed in response to off-track errors, preferably by continuously decelerating while attempting writing multiple retries. The invented method helps prevent further off-track errors and the resulting frequent interruptions of writing, by helping improve head placement accuracy. Once a selected amount of data is written, for example, a standard data-set or other block of data, the tape speed optionally may be accelerated to the original target speed. While the average tape speed may be reduced during the invented writing procedure, the overall efficiency of writing may be increased compared to an operation in which off-track errors and writing failures occur repeatedly because of high tape speeds.

Abstract: A tape drive apparatus, wherein when receiving eject commands from a host computer, judgement of the content of load point enable flag is made, and in the case where the load point enable flag is, for example, “1”, that is, the load point is effective, search of a device area or optional device area just before a partition specified by the load point is started. When reaching a desired device area, necessary unloading processing is carried out, and ejection of a tape cassette is carried out. Thus, unloading is realized at a specified position.

Abstract: A capstan motor for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a stator including a coil; a rotor having a magnet to correspond the coil and rotated; and a capstan shaft rotated integrally with the rotor and installed so that one side of the capstan shaft is cohered with a pinch roller taking a tape therebetween to drive the tape with the pinch roller, wherein the magnet of a predetermined shape is provided to apply magnetic force of the magnet eccentrically for an electromagnetic force generated on the coil so that a predetermined thrust can be applied to the capstan shaft toward one direction between upper and lower directions of the shaft direction, therefore, a constant thrust in length direction of the capstan shaft is generated to minimize vibration of the tape, and thereby reliability for reproducing and recording of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus can be improved.

Abstract: A tape running control method in which a tape runs between a supply reel and a take-up reel, and a rotation speed of said take-up reel is controlled by using rotation periods of said supply reel and said take-up reel, whereby a running speed of said tape is controlled. The method comprises the steps of detecting a thickness of said tape; calculating a predetermined total tape wound amount by using the detected thickness of said tape; and controlling the rotation speed of said take-up reel by using the thus-calculated total tape wound amount.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a recording medium traveling speed relative to a reproduction apparatus comprises a control apparatus (1B) for designing a recording medium traveling speed characteristic relative to a recording medium position of a recording medium in a reproduction apparatus (2), generating a recording medium traveling speed control signal (S2) based on the designed recording medium traveling speed characteristic and supplying the control signal to the reproduction apparatus (2) and controlling the reproduction apparatus (2), and a display apparatus (1A) for displaying the recording medium traveling speed characteristic diagram designed by the control apparatus (1B) and an input apparatus (1C), (1D) for designing the recording medium traveling speed characteristic of the control apparatus (1B), whereby the control apparatus for a recording medium traveling speed relative to a reproduction apparatus capable of designing an arbitrary and desired recording medium traveling speed characteristic relative

Abstract: A digital magnetic recorder having a recording compatibility with respect to formats similar to each other in the basic parts. Conventionally, an MP tape (metal-coated tape) is used for the DVCPRO format: and an ME tape (metal-evaporation tape) is used for the DV format. When a format recognizing section (800) outputs a format recognizing signal Sf (dvcpro), equalizing characteristic selecting section (27,28) select recording amplifiers (22p,25p) adapted to the DVCPRO format to select recording equalizers (21p,24p) adapted to the DVCPRO format.

Abstract: In a tape drive in which a magnetic tape in the tape cassette loaded therein is driven and wound on a take-up reel in the tape drive, a ring cam is rotated by a mode motor and controls engagement of a supply reel motor with supply reel of the cassette and operation of a buckle to engage a take-up leader tape of the take-up reel with a supply leader tape of the magnetic tape of the cassette. The ring cam has first and second arc-shaped shielding plates at different angular positions on a circle around its rotation axis, while first and second optical switches are fixedly disposed to straddle the first and second shielding plates, respectively, to produce detection signals depending on angular position of the ring cam rotating. A control unit starts rotation of the mode motor when said cassette is loaded and then controls stop and rotation of the mode motor in response to the detection signals.

Abstract: A data tape drive senses the ambient temperature and the relative humidity of the environment in which the tape drive is operating. The tension exerted on the data tape by the tape drive is then adjusted as a function of the temperature and/or humidity. When the tape is more rigid at low temperature/humidity, the tension is increased. At nominal temperature/humidity, a nominal tape tension is used. However, under elevated conditions a lower tension is utilized to avoid damaging the tape. The sensors also may be used to completely prohibit drive and tape operation when the tape drive is in an extreme environment that is beyond an acceptable design range. Tape acceleration profiles due to atmospheric conditions are changed based on the propensity of the tape to stick to the head.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system and methods are disclosed that may work to correct off-track errors, reduce the frequency of off-track errors, and/or reduce the negative effects of off-track errors in writing performance. The invented method slows tape speed in response to off-track errors, preferably by continuously decelerating while attempting writing multiple retries. The invented method helps prevent further off-track errors and the resulting frequent interruptions of writing, by helping improve head placement accuracy. Once a selected amount of data is written, for example, a standard data-set or other block of data, the tape speed optionally may be accelerated to the original target speed. While the average tape speed may be reduced during the invented writing procedure, the overall efficiency of writing may be increased compared to an operation in which off-track errors and writing failures occur repeatedly because of high tape speeds.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a tape transport servo system for a tape drive is disclosed. The tape reel motors are excited when the tape drive is not being controlled by the tape transport servo system. Then, calibration data is collected for the motor torque, motor friction, DAC offsets, and pulse width modulator control signal timing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the velocity of a tape in a tape transport system having a write head and a read head separated by a known distance and formatting the tape using marks. The tape transport system generates a write signal indicating when one of the marks is written to the tape by the write head and a read signal indicating when one of the marks is read from the tape by the read head. An accumulator determines the amount of time between the write signal and the read signal. A velocity detector determines the velocity of the tape based on the time determined by the accumulator and the known distance between the write head and the read head.

Abstract: A digital information recording apparatus having a first recording mode recording a first digital information signal of a first information rate on a magnetic tape and a second recording mode recording a second digital information signal of a second information rate on the magnetic tape. The apparatus includes a circuit which when the second information rate is less than 1/N times the first information rate (N is an integer ≧2), adds a dummy signal to the second digital information signal to make the recording rate of the second digital information signal substantially equal to the recording rate of the first digital information signal and a circuit which multiplexes identification signals for identifying the first and the second digital information signals or the first and the second recording rates on the first or the second digital information signal, for recording.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus has a rotating drum which rotates magnetic heads at a constant speed. The magnetic heads scan a magnetic tape. On a magnetic tape, an area written by each scan always includes a lateral portion of an area written by the previous scan. In this portion, old data is overwritten by new data, and writing continues. An area excluding the overwritten portion is a recording track. The running speed of the magnetic tape is changed by a system controller, and hence the recording track width can be changed.

Abstract: A magnetic tape unit includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic head, a phase-locked loop (PLL) and a desynchronized track detector. The magnetic tape is provided with a plurality of tracks. The magnetic head is arranged to simultaneously read out data from the tracks on the tape. The PLL is arranged to perform bit synchronization of data read out from each of the tracks on the tape. The detector is arranged to detect a desynchronized track by comparing transmission speeds of data read out from the respective tracks on the tape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording/playback apparatus, and a method of operating the apparatus, which minimises or eliminates the tape damage which is caused by the tape-driving capstan spinning and skidding across the tape at start-up. Initial acceleration of the capstan is held to a relatively low level when capstan speed is below a predetermined value and capstan acceleration is at a higher level at capstan speeds above said predetermined value. Intermediate levels of capstan acceleration can be set for intermediate speeds.

Abstract: The travelling speed of a magnetic tape is controlled without considering a detection error caused by the slackening of a magnetic tape or the like. A microcomputer 10, immediately after starting a fast-feeding operation, starts a running rotation of feeding and winding reels 44, 45 (step S205), calculates an N value based on reel pulses and sets an acceleration target (step S210, S215) and simultaneously reads the N value immediately before the previous stop of the rotation from RAM and compares the read N value with the current N value (step S225, S230), prohibits the acceleration of the feeding and winding reels 44, 45 after confirming that the error does not fall within 25% (step S235) whereby when the videotape is rotated to the leader or the trailer, the videotape is prevented from being applied with an excessive load so that damages on the videotape can be reduced.

Abstract: A sealed audio cassette player for playing a single permanently installed audio tape. The player is primarily intended for use with cassettes containing a spoken book, such as the Bible. In one embodiment, frequency indicia are provided on the tape for indicating tape linear speed. A drive motor drives the cassette take up spindle at a predetermined tape linear speed of less than about 0.5 inch per second with rotation of the drive motor varied in accordance with the indicia to maintain a constant tape linear speed. In an alternate embodiment a drive motor drives the cassette take up reel at a constant speed, so that the speed of movement of the tape past an audio pickup head constantly varies. The cassette is recorded with an identical constant speed take up, so that only cassettes so made will work in the player. The cassette is recorded with an identical constant speed take up, so that only cassettes so made will work in the player.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus which comprises a reproducing part having a first reproducing mode and a second reproducing mode different from the first reproducing mode and arranged to reproduce a signal recorded on a recording medium, a detection part for detecting a recording time of the signal recorded on the recording medium, and a control part for switching the reproducing part between the first reproducing mode and the second reproducing mode according to the recording time detected by the detection part.

Abstract: An error component such as an eccentricity implicated in an encoder itself is superimposed upon a detected value from an FG due to an assembly error of assemblies themselves and in the manufacturing process. As a result, a speed could not be controlled with a high accuracy and wow and flatter could not be reduced. A tape speed (TSS) signal detected and corrected from the tape transport by FG and PG is inputted into a PLL loop within a data controller (TBC) of a reproducing system. A reproduced signal is converted by an A/D converter in response to a reference clock generated therein and this data is temporarily stored in an FIFO. When this data is reconverted by a D/A converter into an analog signal, if this data is sequentially converted at a timing of an absolute control clock of a quartz oscillator, then it is possible to eliminate the error component superimposed upon the head reproduced signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for reading and writing data to a storage medium, wherein the data is written to the medium in tracks, each track having a predetermined trigger signal pattern, the apparatus comprising: structure for detecting the predetermined trigger signal pattern; an adaptive filter for signals read from the medium; and structure for triggering adaptive filtering for a track of data on detection of the predetermined trigger signal pattern in that track. In this way, during a read operation adaptive filtering is triggered on commencement of data with spectral characteristics suitable for adaption of the filter. In the embodiment to be described, each track comprises data fragments each having a header containing ancillary information wherein at least a header in an initial data fragment in the track comprises the predetermined trigger signal pattern. Preferably, at least the header of the initial data fragment in the track comprises the predetermined trigger signal pattern.

Abstract: A cartridge tape drive for use with a tape cartridge includes a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the tape cartridge and a control device responsive to the temperature sensor for automatically adjusting the speed of the tape when a temperature threshold value is realized. The cartridge tape drive includes a housing including an opening dimensioned to receive the cartridge and a device for supporting the cartridge within the housing, a magnetic head within the housing, a driver for moving the cartridge in operative engagement with the magnetic head, a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the cartridge when the cartridge is in operative engagement with the magnetic head, and a control device responsive to the temperature sensor for automatically adjusting the speed of the tape when a temperature threshold value is realized.