Quantum Corporation

Exabyte Corporation

Benchmark Tape Systems Corporation

Storage Technology Corporation

Benchmark Storage Innovations, Inc.

James Zweighaft

Steven P Georgis

Clark M Janssen

Philip John Turner

J Robert Cope

Michael Burke

Robert J Miles

David T Hoge

Timothy C Hughes

Christopher Koerner

Henrik Vladimir Nejezchleb

Vladimir Nejezchleb

David B Daniel

Mark H Moyer

Dallas Baumann

Steve Bounds

Timothy Joe Kindvall

In one example, a dual source tracking servo system includes a head assembly having a data transducer, a primary position detector for sensing the position of a magnetically stored data track, and a secondary position detector for sensing the position of a fixed reference associated with a magnetic storage medium. A controller is configured for adjusting the position of the head assembly in response to a weighted average of the sensed position of the magnetically stored data track and the fixed reference, wherein the position of the magnetically stored data track is weighted more than the position of the fixed reference. The primary position detector may include one or more dedicated servo read elements associated with the head assembly and the secondary position detector may include a magnetic or optical sensor. The fixed reference may include a tape edge or servo track.

Dual source tracking servo systems and associated methods

A tape media identification code for use with tape media enclosed in a tape cartridge having a form factor that is compatible with old generation tape drives. The present tape media identification code is recognized by new generation tape drives that take advantage of additional features of the enclosed tape media. Old generation tape drives are unable to recognize the present tape media identification code, thus treating the enclosed tape media as previous generation tape media. While old generation tape drives are unable to take advantage of the additional features of the enclosed tape media, the old generation tape drive is able to record and/or read data from the enclosed tape media. In an embodiment, the tape media identification code identifies a length of tape media having a length of cleaning media attached thereto.

Tape media identification code

The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides one or more features to center the tape reel with respect to the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing and a rotatably driven feature, such as a drive chuck, in the tape drive that rotates the tape reel. The single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features provides mechanical positioning and centering of the tape reel with respect to the drive chuck of the tape drive when the tape cartridge is in any orientation and constrains lateral movement of the tape reel to prevent the tape reel from contacting the interior surfaces of the tape cartridge housing. This is accomplished by the use of a spring that applies a bias force to press the tape reel against the drive chuck in the tape drive, which rotates the tape reel. One end of the spring is seated in a spring sleeve that is formed in the center of the interior surface of the top section of the tape cartridge housing. The other end of the spring engages the tape reel.

Single reel tape cartridge with tape reel centering features

A staggered calibration track comprising a plurality of calibration tracks for use positioning a tape drive tape head for reading and writing data to and from multiple data tracks. The staggered calibration track is written by positioning the write head to a predetermined location and moving the tape media horizontally as the vertical position of the tape head is incremented in a stepwise alignment. Locating one of the plurality of calibration tracks is accomplished by positioning the read head at the predetermined location corresponding to the edge of the particular calibration track and moving the tape media horizontally as the read head output is recorded. The particular calibration tracks vertical position is derived using the average read head output.

Method for calibrating a tape media using staggered calibration tracks

A lateral tape sensor for a tape drive having a tape head that is not capable of moving vertically as quickly as tape media, wherein the sensor senses lateral movement of tape media as it moves along a tape path between a storage reel and a take-up reel. The lateral tape motion sensor comprising a means for sensing the position of at least one edge of the tape media and a means for comparing the at least one edge position to predetermined thresholds to determine if the tape media moved laterally. When the lateral movement exceeds predetermined thresholds, the tape drive processor and control circuits respond to prevent accidentally overwriting data previously written on an adjacent track during a write operation, to adjust the tape head to locate data being read following lateral tape motion that occurs during a read operation or to warn the user of poor tape media quality.

Lateral tape motion sensor

The forced air cooling fan comprises a flat disk surface having a series of circumferentially spaced apertures each including a V-shaped fan blade connected across the aperture perpendicular to the periphery of the disk-shaped surface. The V-shaped fan blade includes a pivoting device having a first blade member of one side and a second blade member of the opposing side of the pivoting device. In one position of the V-shaped fan blade, the first blade member covers a first portion of the aperture and the second blade members directs the flow of air downwardly through a second portion of the aperture. V-shaped fan blades allow the direction of the forced air to remain relatively constant when the rotational direction of the drive mechanism is reversed.

Forced air cooling fan having pivotal fan blades for unidirectional air flow

According to the present method a plurality of vertically adjacent reference tracks corresponding to a plurality of vertically adjacent data tracks are written to the tape media so that each data track includes a dedicated reference track that is used to locate that data track. To locate a desired data track, the tape head assembly is used to locate a boundary between a reference track corresponding to a desired data track and an adjacent reference track. Using the boundary as a reference point, the tape head assembly is aligned with the desired reference track and the tape media wound through the tape path to read or right data to the corresponding track.

Method for locating data tracks on a tape media

The sensing assembly comprises a microprocessor, a cam, and a position sensor that provide feedback on the disconnection status of a buckle between a takeup leader and a tape cartridge leader. The microprocessor uses the position sensor to detect a first position and a second position of the takeup leader in the tape path. The microprocessor uses the movement between the first position and the second position to determine if the takeup leader and the tape cartridge leader are disconnected prior to ejecting the tape cartridge. The cam permits the load motor operation to be briefly paused during the sensing.

Method for buckler rotation test

A roller guiding method for delivery of magnetic tape media along a tape path between a tape drive employing a single reel and a tape cartridge employing a single reel. The roller guiding system comprises a plurality of guide rollers configured to adjust the path of travel of the tape media during tape drive operation to maintain tracking of the tape media with a tape head.

Guiding method utilizing roller surface features

A retracting door assembly that overcomes the requirement for providing excessive area within the tape drive for the retracting door to open and close and for the retracting door during operation. When the tape cartridge is inserted into the tape drive, an engaging apparatus pivotally attached to the retracting door makes contact with the indentation in the tape drive. As the tape cartridge is inserted further into the tape drive, the engaging apparatus is pushed into the tape cartridge and draws the pivotally attached retracting door into the tape cartridge. Drawing the retracting door into the tape cartridge while it is opening reduces the arch the retracting door travels internal to the tape drive as it is opening, thus reducing the area within the tape drive required for operation.

Retracting door assembly

The system for detecting the edge of a moving data storage medium measures the ambient noise level of the magneto-resistive read head when the magneto-resistive read head is completely off the magnetic tape media. The system for detecting the edge of a moving data storage medium sets a signal threshold that is a predetermined increase over the magneto-resistive read head output signal generated by the ambient noise. The system for detecting the edge of a moving data storage medium then moves the magneto-resistive read head on to the magnetic tape media, where an increase in the magneto-resistive read head output signal is generated due to the friction of the moving magnetic tape coming into contact with the magneto-resistive read head, causing an increased noise level. The resultant increase in the magneto-resistive read head output signal, when it exceeds the signal threshold, is indicative of the presence of the edge of the magnetic tape and can be used as an accurate measure of the edge of the magnetic tape.

System for detecting an edge of a moving data storage medium

A method for detecting slippage in a tape path, and re-calibrating a sensing assembly in a tape storage device to account for the slippage. The method includes sensing a position of one of a supply reel and a take-up reel. In response to sensing the position of the supply reel or take-up reel, sensing a position of a guide roller. The position of the guide roller corresponds to the position of the guide roller when the position of the supply reel or the take-up reel is sensed. In response to sensing the position of the guide roller, the tape media is wound through the tape path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. In response to winding the tape media through the tape path, a second position of the one of the supply reel and the take-up reel is sensed. In response to sensing the second position of the one of the supply reel and the take-up reel, a second position of the guide roller is sensed. The second position of the guide roller corresponds to the position of the guide roller when the second position of the one of the supply reel or the take-up reel is sensed. In response to sensing the second position of the guide roller, a position difference between the first position of the guide roller and the second position of the guide roller is determined. The position difference is compared to a previous position difference to determine a relative difference in position, which is used to detect slippage.

Method of detecting and correcting for slippage of a tape media in a tape storage device

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.

Method for preventing a reverse connection failure in a single reel tape drive

A roller guiding system for delivery of magnetic tape media along a tape path between a tape drive employing a single reel and a tape cartridge employing a single reel. The roller guiding system comprises a plurality of guide rollers configured to adjust the path of travel of the tape media during tape drive operation to maintain tracking of the tape media with a tape head.

Roller guiding system for delivery of tape media along a tape path

Apparatus (,) for transducing information relative to a recording media includes a transport system which transports the media (T) whereby predefined locations on the media, known as media wear milestones (MS,. . . MSn), make a pass proximate a transducing element (,). A media wear monitoring system (,) determines when a pass occurs with respect to each of the predetermined media wear milestones on the media, and in accordance with the determination provides an indication of media wear. The transport system includes a media takeup reel (,), the angular position of which is utilized by the media wear monitoring system to locate the media wear milestones. The media wear monitoring system includes a media wear log (,) stored in a memory (,). The media wear log includes an indication of a number of passes which has occurred with respect to each of the media wear milestones. Upon loading of the media into the apparatus the media wear monitoring system reads an initial version of the media wear log from the media into the memory. During transport of the media, the media wear monitoring system detects reaching of the media wear milestones and updates the media wear log by incrementing the indication of the number of passes for the reached media wear milestones. Upon unloading of the media from the apparatus, the media wear monitoring system writes an updated media wear log on the media, e.g., to a physical beginning of the media.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

James Zweighaft