Irwin International, Inc.

Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc.

Sycor, Inc.

Samuel N Irwin

Francis Lum

Juan F Velazquez

Otto R Butsch

Joseph H Mueller

Samuel A Morgan

John M Chambors

Michael L Bolt

Marlin K Klumpp

Edmund L Sokolik

Bruce Graham

Ronald G Dawson

Steven E Henke

A miniaturized tape cartridge drive for data processors in accordance with the invention has as peripherally-enclosing main frame providing an access opening for insertion to a tape cartridge and structurally mounting flat, pancake-type drive motors for tape transport and head-positioning translation laterally with respect to the tape, for accessing any of a plurality of adjacent recording tracks on the tape, such motors being disposed in tandem with respect to the cartridge-admitting opening and having their output shafts pointing in opposite directions. The head-positioning motor drives a directly-coupled rotary cam, and a positioning arm extends between the cam and the transducer head to move the head in response to movement of the cam. The positioning arm is pivotally journaled in opposite sides of the main frame upon a transverse pivot axis disposed medially of the arm, such that the arm operates as a fulcrumed lever.

Miniaturized cartridge-type tape drive for data processors

A recording member for digital data, particularly a recording tape, has a plurality of generally parallel, closely-spaced recording tracks which each contain pre-recorded track-identifying and transducer-positioning servo information, as well as defined data-recording areas. The pre-recorded track-identifying information preferably comprises a digitally-encoded individual track address, and the servo information comprises separate bursts used in centering the transducer upon a particular track. Preferably, each such track has a dedicated area at its beginning, end, or both, which contain continuous repetitions of such positioning information, there being no data areas in such dedicated portions. Digital encoding of track addresses utilizes binary-type code format, accomplished by defining a binary 'zero' as a recorded burst present at a first number of sampling points, and defining a binary 'one' as a burst present at a second number of sampling points of a second duration. The pre-recorded positioning information includes certain non-recorded 'gaps' which serve as initializing signals, and the preferred system for utilizing the pre-recorded, servo-controlled record member utilizes peak-detection and minimum-threshold techniques to accurately distinguish unrecorded gaps from noise, or the like, on the one hand, and to distinguish coded signal bursts from other possible recorded signals, or noise, on the other hand. The preferred system is entirely self-clocking, i.e., the record member does not carry a recorded clock track, and thus does not require the additional transducer required where recorded clock tracks are used; at the same time, the area on the record member otherwise occupied by the clock track is available for data-recording usage.

Data record with pre-recorded transducer positioning signals, and system

A positioner apparatus for moving a transducer head from one to another of a number of parallel tracks extending lengthwise along a recording tape, including a rotary cam with surfaces defining an inclined plane, a cam follower for riding upon such surfaces, a transducer carrier or mount coupled to the cam follower, and guides along which the head carrier is moved by the cam and follower and which serves to index the transducer head at a number of mutually spaced but generally parallel positions extending transversely across the width of the recording tape. Preferably, the rotary cam comprises a wheel-like member having an annular recess around its outermost periphery, with the edges of such recess defining a pair of complementary, spaced, curved ramp surfaces whose path of curvature is concentric with that of the wheel-like member itself. The cam follower preferably comprises a series of laterally spaced rollers which fit into the said cam recess and ride upon the ramp surfaces, such rollers being mounted upon pins or shafts coupled to a slide or block which in turn is coupled to the transducer mount, certain such roller pins being mounted in fixed position to establish a reference, and others being laterally movable to accurately follow the cam surfaces.

Positioner apparatus for tape recorder heads

A method for positioning and maintaining a disc head over a desired track centerline on a disc rotatably carried on a disc drive. The distance between the current position of the disc head and the desired track centerline is monitored, and a signal generally proportional to that distance is applied to the disc head moving mechanism to cause the disc head to move toward the track centerline. The control signal is clipped if it exceeds predetermined maximum and minimum values.

Method for controlling a disc head

Integrated disc and tape recorder drive unit

Combined disc and tape drive

A data recorder/reproducer device for flexible magnetic disc media, having a door-like structure mounted on a supportive frame. The door structure receives a recording disc and is adapted to carry a recording head at one or both sides of the disc. The heads are articulated for selective control of movement toward or away from the disc, into or out of transducing relation and also for translational movement across the face of the disc, generally radially thereof. The device includes novel interlocking actuator means which prevent opening of the door or doors except when the heads, positioned by a translational drive means, are in a predetermined 'home' or start position at the edge of the disc, thereby preventing the inadvertent erasure or other loss or destruction of the recorded information.

Disc receiver interlock for disc recorders

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Samuel N Irwin