Other

Ampex Corporation

John R Haglund

Lionel C Shih

A helical type tape recording and reproducing system records blocks of user data of predetermined size by reformatting the user data blocks into physical blocks that are recorded on tape. Each physical block is recorded as a double frame on a set of successive helical tracks, preferably 32 tracks. Each double frame has system format data interleaved with the user data. The present invention is directed to system format data that includes a sequence number for each physical block and enables the system to determine during reproducing if any physical block has been lost. The system also includes a partition access bookkeeping feature that stores information relating to locations at which searching or recording has been performed during a current load of a tape in the system, which is useful in accomplishing efficient searching for user data recorded on the tape.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

John R Haglund