Abstract: A tape drive apparatus is for a tape medium having a magnetic segment for magnetically transducing information and an identification segment carrying a medium identification pattern and a segment identification pattern. The tape drive apparatus has a data transfer apparatus configured to transfer data between the tape medium and the tape drive apparatus, a reader configured to read a signal representative of the identification segment, a detector configured to detect the segment identification pattern in the signal, and a decoder configured to decode the medium identification pattern in response to the detection of the segment identification pattern.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a sub chassis unit on which a cassette is mountable and having first and second reel stands respectively engageable with first reel and second reels of the cassette; a main chassis unit combined with the sub chassis unit and including a rotatable head cylinder used for information recording to, and/or information reproduction from, a magnetic tape; and an idler mounted on the main chassis unit for driving the first and second reel stands. The sub chassis unit further includes a reel lock release member for unlocking a reel lock member of the cassette; a light emitting device for emitting light for detecting a leading end and a trailing end of the magnetic tape; and a section for allowing the idler to be mounted on the main chassis unit after the sub chassis unit is combined with the main chassis unit.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost by simplifying a reel rotation detecting mechanism in a video cassette deck. A light emitting element and a light receiving element are engaged on a main substrate provide under a deck chassis. On the deck chassis is mounted a light guiding member that includes a pillar portion extending through the deck chassis and a branch portion extending sideways from the pillar portion. In order to detect the leading ends and trailing ends of the magnetic tape, the pillar portion guides the light coming from the light emitting element into the cassette arranged on the deck. The branch portion, above the deck chassis, guides one portion of the light incident to the pillar portion to the reel on the deck chassis. The rotation of the reel is detected by receiving the light by the light receiving element on the main substrate through the opening point provided in the reel and the opening provided in the deck chassis.

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 sensing system, used to sense the presence of an object in an apparatus operating in different modes, has a light-emitting element and a light-sensing element. The light-emitting element is driven continuously in one of the operating modes, for quick sensing of the object, and is pulsed in another of the operating modes, to reduce power dissipation by the sensor system.

Abstract: A tape recorder, having a reading device for a magnetic tape, is set up to read out simultaneously a number of data tracks recorded in parallel on the magnetic tape. Stored on the magnetic tape in the vertical direction relative to the data tracks is additional information which can be sensed as a whole in specific tape positions by the reading device. The additional information can contain information on the state of the tape. Such a tape recorder can read the information on the state of the tape immediately after the insertion of a magnetic tape cassette without the need for the magnetic tape to be transported to and fro.

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.

Abstract: Data recording tape is passed along guides and past a read/write head. Sensors detect the position of the tape and adjust the guides and the head as a function of the position. If the tape deviates from the target tape path, a controller moves a guide to steer the tape back to the target tape path, using the sensor signals. In cases of tape disturbance such as those involving rapid tape motion, an adaptive estimator uses the sensor signals to position the head to anticipate the expected position of the tape when the disturbance arrives at the head.

Abstract: In a method for writing data on a data carrier tape, a central region of the tape is positioned adjacent a data recording head, data are supplied to the data recording head, and data are transferred from the data recording head to the tape, beginning at the center region of the tape, while moving the tape along a longitudinal direction of the tape. The tape transport direction can be alternatingly reversed at the opposite ends of the tape so data are recorded successively on adjacent data recording tracks on the tape, with data transfer being inhibited each time the center region of the tape passes by the data recording head. A data carrier tape for implementing the method has a hole pattern in the central region of the tape, which identifies the central region of the tape to allow positioning of the tape at the central region, and to allow recognition of the central region for inhibiting data transfer when the central region of the tape is adjacent the data recording head.