CA2006886A1 - Method and apparatus for reading or writing on tape using a servo positioned multiple channel head - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reading or writing on tape using a servo positioned multiple channel headInfo
- Publication number
- CA2006886A1 CA2006886A1 CA002006886A CA2006886A CA2006886A1 CA 2006886 A1 CA2006886 A1 CA 2006886A1 CA 002006886 A CA002006886 A CA 002006886A CA 2006886 A CA2006886 A CA 2006886A CA 2006886 A1 CA2006886 A1 CA 2006886A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- data
- tape
- head
- channels
- tracks
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/008—Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic tapes, sheets, e.g. cards, or wires
- G11B5/00813—Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic tapes, sheets, e.g. cards, or wires magnetic tapes
- G11B5/00817—Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic tapes, sheets, e.g. cards, or wires magnetic tapes on longitudinal tracks only, e.g. for serpentine format recording
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/488—Disposition of heads
- G11B5/4893—Disposition of heads relative to moving tape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/54—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head into or out of its operative position or across tracks
- G11B5/55—Track change, selection or acquisition by displacement of the head
- G11B5/5504—Track change, selection or acquisition by displacement of the head across tape tracks
- G11B5/5508—Control circuits therefor
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed is a method for reading or writing data on a tape which has a plurality of data tracks and at least a first dedicated servo track. A multiple channel head with at least three channels, each having at least one element for reading or writing, is used to access the tracks on the tape. The head is moved proximate one of a plurality of predetermined positions. The channels are located so that, in any one predetermined position of the head, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on the tape and at least two other channels will access the center of distinct data tracks. Depending on the predetermined position of the head, different channels will access a dedicated servo track. The position information on a dedicated servo track is used to move the head to one of the predetermined positions once the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position.
4:1.5
Disclosed is a method for reading or writing data on a tape which has a plurality of data tracks and at least a first dedicated servo track. A multiple channel head with at least three channels, each having at least one element for reading or writing, is used to access the tracks on the tape. The head is moved proximate one of a plurality of predetermined positions. The channels are located so that, in any one predetermined position of the head, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on the tape and at least two other channels will access the center of distinct data tracks. Depending on the predetermined position of the head, different channels will access a dedicated servo track. The position information on a dedicated servo track is used to move the head to one of the predetermined positions once the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position.
4:1.5
Description
2~8~i 43876CAN9A
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING OR WRITING ON TAPE
USING A SERVO POSITIONED MULTIPLE C~ANNEL HEAD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
s 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reading or writing data on magnetic tape using a multiple channel head which is transversely movable with respect to 10 the recording tape. The present invention also relates to magnetic head ~echanisms, particularly with respect to a multiple channel head controlled by a servoing system.
2. Description of_the Prior Art Data recording cartridges containing magnetic 15 tape and recorders adapted for their use are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 3,692,225 (von Behren). The recorders adapted to use such data cartridges originally employed fixed multitrack heads for accessing the tracks on the magnetic tape in the data cartridge. These fixed, 20 multitrack heads were complex, expensive and difficult to maintain in proper alignment.
To eliminate the multitrack heads, U.S Patent No. 4,313,143 (Zarr) disclosed a head positioning mechanism by which a single track head could be transversely 25 positioned with respect to the width of a magnetic tape having a plurality of parallel tracks. The system disclosed in Zarr works satisfactorily but a different system was needed when the data cartridges and recorders were miniaturized. The type of head positioning mechanism 30 which works satisfactorily in a smaller recorder is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,750,067 (Gerfast). Gerfast uses a stepper motor to accurately move the head in a direction transverse to the tape. Even with the head positioning mechanism oE Gerfast, the number of tracks on 35 the magnetic tape which can be accessed by a head is 2~
limited by the accuracy of head positioning possible with a stepper motor system and the variability of tape position within a cartridge as the tape crosses the head.
SUMMARY OF THE ~NVENTION
In contrast with the Eixed position multitrack heads disclosed in the l255 patent and the transversely positionable single track heads disclosed in the ~143 and '076 patents, the present invention uses a transversely 10 positionable, multitrack head. With such a head, the number of tracks on a magnetic tape which can be accurately accessed is increased, and hence so is the amount of data which can be stored on a tape. This multiple channel head is servo positioned by having one of the head channels 15 access a dedicated servo track containing position infor-mation on the magnetic tape, thus accurately positioning at least two other channels of the head on data tracks for reading or writing data. The method of the present invention thus uses such a multitrack head for reading or 20 writing da~a on a tape which has servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional 25 longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width. Within each of the additional sections, at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced. The multiple channel head has at least three channels, each having at 30 least one element for reading or writing, is used to access the tracks on the various sections on the tape. The channels are located so that, in any one predetermined position of the head, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on the tape and at least two other 35 channels will access the center of distinct data tracks.
Depending on the predetermined position of the head, different channels will access a dedicated servo track.
~)68l3~i The position information on a dedicated servo track is used to move the head to one of the prede~ermined positions once the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more thoroughly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like parts in the several 10 views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head in varying positions with respect to ~agnetic tape having seven tracks;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical view of the preferred 15 embodiment of the side of the multiple channel head of FIG.
1 facing the magnetic tape;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head in varying positions with respect to magnetic tape having seventy tracks; and FIG. 4 is a side elevational block diagram of a servo positioned multiple channel head and magnetic tape system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFE~RED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head, generall~ indicated as 10, accessing a multitrack tape, generally indicated as 12, in three different positions, 34, 36 and 38. Head 10 has three channels, generally indicated as 14, 16 and 18. Channels 30 14, 16 and 18 each have at least one element on the side that faces the tape that can be used to access tracks 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 on tape 12 to read data from the tracks or write data on the tracks. Head 10 is movable in a direction transverse to the length of tape 12. Track 26 35 is a dedicated servo track containing prestored position information. Tracks 20, 22, 24, 28, 30 and 32 are data tracks on which data can be magnetically stored. All the tracks on tape 12 run in the direction of the length of tape 12 and are substantially parallel to each other and substantially equally spaced across the width W of tape 12.
Tape which is generally known in the industry as 5 quarter-inch tape is provided in the preferred embodiment.
The actual width of quarter-inch tape is approximately one quarter inch, although it is not exactly one quarter inch.
As seen in Figure 1, the spacing between channels 14 and 16 on head 10 is equal to the distance D1 between adjacent tracks on tape 12. The distance D2 between channels 16 and 18 on head 10 is equal to twice the distance between adjacent tracks on tape 12 so that D2 =
2Dl ~
Figure 1 shows head 10 in three different 15 positions 34, 36 and 38, with respect to tape 12.
Positions 34, 36 and 38 are shown in a lateral direction for clarity even though head 10 only moves in a direction transverse to the lenyth of tape 12. In position 34, channel 14 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 16 and 18 access the center of data tracks 28 and 32, respectively. ~hen head 10 is in position 36, channel 16 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 14 and 18 access the center of data tracks 24 and 30, respectively. When head 10 is in position 38, channel 18 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 14 and 16 access the center of data tracks 20 and 22, respectively. The spacing of channels 14, 16 and 18 on head 10 is such that for each position 34, 36 and 38, two distinct data tracks are accessed. Thus, all of the data tracks on tape 12 can be accessed by using ~ust one dedicated servo track and just three different head positions.
The method of reading or writing data according to the present invention can now be more fully explained.
Data can be read from or ~ritten on tape 12 by moving head 10 in a direction transverse to the length of tape 12 proximate one of positions 34, 36 or 38. If head 10 is moved proximate positlon 34, for example, channel 14 is proximate dedicated servo track 26. Channel 14 reads the position information that has been prestored on dedicated servo track 26 and uses this information to determine the 5 error between the present position of head 10 and position 34 of head 10. This error information is then used to accurately position channel 14 on the center of dedicated servo track 26, thus accurately positioning channels 16 and 18 on the center of data tracks 28 and 32, respectively.
10 Thus, data can be written on or read from any data track on tape 12 by moving head 10 proximate the position where a channel on head 10 accesses that track.
A variety of configurations of channel elements for reading and writing could be used. For example, each 15 channel could have one element that both reads and writes;
each channel could have one read element and one write element; each channel could have, in order, a read element, a write element and another read element; or each channel could have, in order, a write element, a read element, and 20 another write element.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the preferred embodiment of the side o~ head 10 which faces tape 12 and shows channels 14, 16 and 18 in more detail.
Channel 14 is shown at the bottom of head 10 and comprises 25 read element 40, write element 42 and read element 44 spaced apart along the length of the tape. Channel 16 is shown above channel 14 and comprises read element 46, write element 48 and read element 50 spaced apart along the length of the tape. Channel 18 is shown at the top of head 30 10 and comprises read element 52, write element 54 and read element 56 spaced apart along the length oE the tape. Read elements 40, 44, 46, 50, 52 and 56 are magnetic heads configured to read data that has been magnetically stored on tape. Write elements 42, 48 and 54 are magnetic heads 35 that are configured to magnetically store data on magnetic tape. The preEerred order of read element, write element and read element on each channel allows data to be z~
confirmed once it has been written on a tape regardless of the direction the tape is moving. Read elements 40, ~6 and 52 are in a line perpendicular to the tape path, write elements 42, 48 and 54 are in second line perpendicular to the tape path and read elements 44, 50 and 56 are in a third line perpendicular to the tape path.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, tape 120 is provided with seventy tracks, as 10 opposed to the seven tracks shown in Figure 1. For the purpose of explaining Figure 3, each of the track areas shown in Figure 1 can be thought of as a section in Figure 3. For example, referring to Figure 3, section 200 corresponds to the area around track 20 in Figure 1. In a 15 similar manner, sections 220, 240, 260, 280, 300 and 320 shown in Figure 3 correspond to the areas around tracks 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32, respectively. It can be seen from Eigure 3 that each section has 10 tracks, a-j, in each section. The 10 tracks in section 200 are referred to as 20 200a-200j. The tracks in the rest of the sections are similarly numbered. All the tracks run in the direction of the length of tape 120 and are substantially parallel to each other and substantially equally spaced across the width W of tape 120. Just as track 26 in Figure 1 was a 25 dedicated servo track, tracks 260a-260j in Figure 3 are all dedicated servo tracks containing prestored position information~ The ~racks in sections 200, 220, 240, 280, 300 and 320 are all data tracks on which data can be stored.
The channel locations on head 10 in Figure 3 are the same as s~own in Figure 1 but can be described differently with respect to Figure 3. Focusing on Figure 3, the spacing between channels 14 and 16 can be described as equal to the width of a section on tape 120. Furthermore, 35 it can be seen from Figure 3 that the spacing between channels 16 and 18 can be defined as twice the width of a section on tape 120. This spacing allows for the efficient and accurate accessing o~ data tracks on tape 120.
2~
~7--Head 10 is shown in thirty different positions, 58a-58j, 50a-60j, and 62a-62j, with respect to tape 120 in Figure 3. The positions are shown in a lateral direction for clarity even though head 10 only moves in a transverse 5 direction with respect to tape 120. In each of the positions of head 10 shown in Figure 3, one of channels 14, 16 or 18 is centered on one of dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j and the other two channels are centered on distinct data tracks. In head 10 positions 58a-58j, 10 channel 18 accesses dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j, respectively, and channels 1~ and 16 access data tracks 200a-200j and 220a-220j, respectively. In head positions 60a-60j, channel 16 accesses dedicated servo tracks 26-0a-260j, respectively and channels 14 and 18 access data tracks 240a-240j and 300a-300j, respectively, In head 10 positions 62a-62j, channel 14 accesses dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j, respectively, and channels 16 and 18 access data tracks 280a-280j and 320a-320j, respectively.
As explained above, it is the spacing of channels 14, 16 and 18 on head 10 which allows for the efficient accessing of 60 data tracks with just 10 servo tracks. As can be seen in Figure 3, since two unique data tracks are accessed for each combination of channel and dedicated servo track, only 30 different positions of head 10 are 25 necessary to access all 60 data tracks on tape 120.
The method for usin~ the system diagrammatically shown in Figure 3 is similar to the method disclosed with respect to Figure 1. Namely, head 10 is moved proximate one of the positions 58a-58j, 60a-60j and 62a-62j shown in 30 Figure 3. The channel that is proximate a dedicated servo track in that position reads the position information prestored on that dedicated servo track and uses the information to reposition the head such that the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track, thus accurately 35 positioning the other two channels on data tracks. The two channels that have been accurately positioned on data tracks can then, with the element or elements thereon, read data from or write data on the data tracks being accessed.
These steps can be repeated for all the unique combinations of channels and dedicated servo tracks, the 30 positions of head 10 shown in Figure 3, to read data from or write data 5 on any data track on tape 120.
A block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 along with tape 112. Head 100 is movable in the direction of the arrows shown on head 100 by head positloning mechanism 102. Channels 114, 116 10 and 118 are located on head 100 in the same relationship with respect to tape 11~ as disclosed above for channels 14, 16 and 18 with respect to head 10 and tape 12. Head positioning mechanism 102 could be the type shown in U.S.
Patent No. 4,750,067 (Gerfast) with the exception that 15 head positioning mechanism 102 would be servo controlled in a manner well known in the art~
Thus, data tracks on tape 112 would be accessed by head positioning mechanism 102 moving head 100 to a position where one of channels 114t 116 and 118 was 20 proximate a dedicated servo track on tape 112. One of the read elements on that channel would read the position information prestored on that dedicated servo track. This information would be used to calculate the error between the present position and the position where the channel 25 would be centered on the dedicated servo track. ~lead positioning mechanism 102 would then move head 100 such that the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track which would accurately position the other two channels on data tracks. The two channels accessing data tracks could 30 then, with the elements thereon, read data from or write data on the data tracks.
Although the preferred embodiment o~ the present invention includes a magnetic tape having 60 daLa tracks and 10 dedicated servo tracks and a multiple channel head 35 having three channels, it is to be understood that a tape with different numbers of data tracks and dedicated servo tracks and/or a head with a different number of channels could be used. For instance, with very few changes, the preferred embodiment could be modified so that the tape had more or less than 70 total tracks as long as the ratio of data tracks to dedicated servo tracks was 6 to 1. For 5 exampl.e, a tape could have 5 dedicated servo tracks and 30 data tracks. In this embodiment, the 3-channel head disclosed above could access the 30 data tracks by moving the head to 15 unique positions where each position is defined by a unique combination of channel and dedicated 10 servo track.
It is also to be understood that other modifica-tions could be made and that all such modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be included in the present invention.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING OR WRITING ON TAPE
USING A SERVO POSITIONED MULTIPLE C~ANNEL HEAD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
s 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reading or writing data on magnetic tape using a multiple channel head which is transversely movable with respect to 10 the recording tape. The present invention also relates to magnetic head ~echanisms, particularly with respect to a multiple channel head controlled by a servoing system.
2. Description of_the Prior Art Data recording cartridges containing magnetic 15 tape and recorders adapted for their use are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 3,692,225 (von Behren). The recorders adapted to use such data cartridges originally employed fixed multitrack heads for accessing the tracks on the magnetic tape in the data cartridge. These fixed, 20 multitrack heads were complex, expensive and difficult to maintain in proper alignment.
To eliminate the multitrack heads, U.S Patent No. 4,313,143 (Zarr) disclosed a head positioning mechanism by which a single track head could be transversely 25 positioned with respect to the width of a magnetic tape having a plurality of parallel tracks. The system disclosed in Zarr works satisfactorily but a different system was needed when the data cartridges and recorders were miniaturized. The type of head positioning mechanism 30 which works satisfactorily in a smaller recorder is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,750,067 (Gerfast). Gerfast uses a stepper motor to accurately move the head in a direction transverse to the tape. Even with the head positioning mechanism oE Gerfast, the number of tracks on 35 the magnetic tape which can be accessed by a head is 2~
limited by the accuracy of head positioning possible with a stepper motor system and the variability of tape position within a cartridge as the tape crosses the head.
SUMMARY OF THE ~NVENTION
In contrast with the Eixed position multitrack heads disclosed in the l255 patent and the transversely positionable single track heads disclosed in the ~143 and '076 patents, the present invention uses a transversely 10 positionable, multitrack head. With such a head, the number of tracks on a magnetic tape which can be accurately accessed is increased, and hence so is the amount of data which can be stored on a tape. This multiple channel head is servo positioned by having one of the head channels 15 access a dedicated servo track containing position infor-mation on the magnetic tape, thus accurately positioning at least two other channels of the head on data tracks for reading or writing data. The method of the present invention thus uses such a multitrack head for reading or 20 writing da~a on a tape which has servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional 25 longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width. Within each of the additional sections, at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced. The multiple channel head has at least three channels, each having at 30 least one element for reading or writing, is used to access the tracks on the various sections on the tape. The channels are located so that, in any one predetermined position of the head, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on the tape and at least two other 35 channels will access the center of distinct data tracks.
Depending on the predetermined position of the head, different channels will access a dedicated servo track.
~)68l3~i The position information on a dedicated servo track is used to move the head to one of the prede~ermined positions once the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more thoroughly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like parts in the several 10 views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head in varying positions with respect to ~agnetic tape having seven tracks;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical view of the preferred 15 embodiment of the side of the multiple channel head of FIG.
1 facing the magnetic tape;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head in varying positions with respect to magnetic tape having seventy tracks; and FIG. 4 is a side elevational block diagram of a servo positioned multiple channel head and magnetic tape system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFE~RED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a multiple channel head, generall~ indicated as 10, accessing a multitrack tape, generally indicated as 12, in three different positions, 34, 36 and 38. Head 10 has three channels, generally indicated as 14, 16 and 18. Channels 30 14, 16 and 18 each have at least one element on the side that faces the tape that can be used to access tracks 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 on tape 12 to read data from the tracks or write data on the tracks. Head 10 is movable in a direction transverse to the length of tape 12. Track 26 35 is a dedicated servo track containing prestored position information. Tracks 20, 22, 24, 28, 30 and 32 are data tracks on which data can be magnetically stored. All the tracks on tape 12 run in the direction of the length of tape 12 and are substantially parallel to each other and substantially equally spaced across the width W of tape 12.
Tape which is generally known in the industry as 5 quarter-inch tape is provided in the preferred embodiment.
The actual width of quarter-inch tape is approximately one quarter inch, although it is not exactly one quarter inch.
As seen in Figure 1, the spacing between channels 14 and 16 on head 10 is equal to the distance D1 between adjacent tracks on tape 12. The distance D2 between channels 16 and 18 on head 10 is equal to twice the distance between adjacent tracks on tape 12 so that D2 =
2Dl ~
Figure 1 shows head 10 in three different 15 positions 34, 36 and 38, with respect to tape 12.
Positions 34, 36 and 38 are shown in a lateral direction for clarity even though head 10 only moves in a direction transverse to the lenyth of tape 12. In position 34, channel 14 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 16 and 18 access the center of data tracks 28 and 32, respectively. ~hen head 10 is in position 36, channel 16 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 14 and 18 access the center of data tracks 24 and 30, respectively. When head 10 is in position 38, channel 18 accesses the center of dedicated servo track 26 and channels 14 and 16 access the center of data tracks 20 and 22, respectively. The spacing of channels 14, 16 and 18 on head 10 is such that for each position 34, 36 and 38, two distinct data tracks are accessed. Thus, all of the data tracks on tape 12 can be accessed by using ~ust one dedicated servo track and just three different head positions.
The method of reading or writing data according to the present invention can now be more fully explained.
Data can be read from or ~ritten on tape 12 by moving head 10 in a direction transverse to the length of tape 12 proximate one of positions 34, 36 or 38. If head 10 is moved proximate positlon 34, for example, channel 14 is proximate dedicated servo track 26. Channel 14 reads the position information that has been prestored on dedicated servo track 26 and uses this information to determine the 5 error between the present position of head 10 and position 34 of head 10. This error information is then used to accurately position channel 14 on the center of dedicated servo track 26, thus accurately positioning channels 16 and 18 on the center of data tracks 28 and 32, respectively.
10 Thus, data can be written on or read from any data track on tape 12 by moving head 10 proximate the position where a channel on head 10 accesses that track.
A variety of configurations of channel elements for reading and writing could be used. For example, each 15 channel could have one element that both reads and writes;
each channel could have one read element and one write element; each channel could have, in order, a read element, a write element and another read element; or each channel could have, in order, a write element, a read element, and 20 another write element.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the preferred embodiment of the side o~ head 10 which faces tape 12 and shows channels 14, 16 and 18 in more detail.
Channel 14 is shown at the bottom of head 10 and comprises 25 read element 40, write element 42 and read element 44 spaced apart along the length of the tape. Channel 16 is shown above channel 14 and comprises read element 46, write element 48 and read element 50 spaced apart along the length of the tape. Channel 18 is shown at the top of head 30 10 and comprises read element 52, write element 54 and read element 56 spaced apart along the length oE the tape. Read elements 40, 44, 46, 50, 52 and 56 are magnetic heads configured to read data that has been magnetically stored on tape. Write elements 42, 48 and 54 are magnetic heads 35 that are configured to magnetically store data on magnetic tape. The preEerred order of read element, write element and read element on each channel allows data to be z~
confirmed once it has been written on a tape regardless of the direction the tape is moving. Read elements 40, ~6 and 52 are in a line perpendicular to the tape path, write elements 42, 48 and 54 are in second line perpendicular to the tape path and read elements 44, 50 and 56 are in a third line perpendicular to the tape path.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, tape 120 is provided with seventy tracks, as 10 opposed to the seven tracks shown in Figure 1. For the purpose of explaining Figure 3, each of the track areas shown in Figure 1 can be thought of as a section in Figure 3. For example, referring to Figure 3, section 200 corresponds to the area around track 20 in Figure 1. In a 15 similar manner, sections 220, 240, 260, 280, 300 and 320 shown in Figure 3 correspond to the areas around tracks 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32, respectively. It can be seen from Eigure 3 that each section has 10 tracks, a-j, in each section. The 10 tracks in section 200 are referred to as 20 200a-200j. The tracks in the rest of the sections are similarly numbered. All the tracks run in the direction of the length of tape 120 and are substantially parallel to each other and substantially equally spaced across the width W of tape 120. Just as track 26 in Figure 1 was a 25 dedicated servo track, tracks 260a-260j in Figure 3 are all dedicated servo tracks containing prestored position information~ The ~racks in sections 200, 220, 240, 280, 300 and 320 are all data tracks on which data can be stored.
The channel locations on head 10 in Figure 3 are the same as s~own in Figure 1 but can be described differently with respect to Figure 3. Focusing on Figure 3, the spacing between channels 14 and 16 can be described as equal to the width of a section on tape 120. Furthermore, 35 it can be seen from Figure 3 that the spacing between channels 16 and 18 can be defined as twice the width of a section on tape 120. This spacing allows for the efficient and accurate accessing o~ data tracks on tape 120.
2~
~7--Head 10 is shown in thirty different positions, 58a-58j, 50a-60j, and 62a-62j, with respect to tape 120 in Figure 3. The positions are shown in a lateral direction for clarity even though head 10 only moves in a transverse 5 direction with respect to tape 120. In each of the positions of head 10 shown in Figure 3, one of channels 14, 16 or 18 is centered on one of dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j and the other two channels are centered on distinct data tracks. In head 10 positions 58a-58j, 10 channel 18 accesses dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j, respectively, and channels 1~ and 16 access data tracks 200a-200j and 220a-220j, respectively. In head positions 60a-60j, channel 16 accesses dedicated servo tracks 26-0a-260j, respectively and channels 14 and 18 access data tracks 240a-240j and 300a-300j, respectively, In head 10 positions 62a-62j, channel 14 accesses dedicated servo tracks 260a-260j, respectively, and channels 16 and 18 access data tracks 280a-280j and 320a-320j, respectively.
As explained above, it is the spacing of channels 14, 16 and 18 on head 10 which allows for the efficient accessing of 60 data tracks with just 10 servo tracks. As can be seen in Figure 3, since two unique data tracks are accessed for each combination of channel and dedicated servo track, only 30 different positions of head 10 are 25 necessary to access all 60 data tracks on tape 120.
The method for usin~ the system diagrammatically shown in Figure 3 is similar to the method disclosed with respect to Figure 1. Namely, head 10 is moved proximate one of the positions 58a-58j, 60a-60j and 62a-62j shown in 30 Figure 3. The channel that is proximate a dedicated servo track in that position reads the position information prestored on that dedicated servo track and uses the information to reposition the head such that the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track, thus accurately 35 positioning the other two channels on data tracks. The two channels that have been accurately positioned on data tracks can then, with the element or elements thereon, read data from or write data on the data tracks being accessed.
These steps can be repeated for all the unique combinations of channels and dedicated servo tracks, the 30 positions of head 10 shown in Figure 3, to read data from or write data 5 on any data track on tape 120.
A block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 along with tape 112. Head 100 is movable in the direction of the arrows shown on head 100 by head positloning mechanism 102. Channels 114, 116 10 and 118 are located on head 100 in the same relationship with respect to tape 11~ as disclosed above for channels 14, 16 and 18 with respect to head 10 and tape 12. Head positioning mechanism 102 could be the type shown in U.S.
Patent No. 4,750,067 (Gerfast) with the exception that 15 head positioning mechanism 102 would be servo controlled in a manner well known in the art~
Thus, data tracks on tape 112 would be accessed by head positioning mechanism 102 moving head 100 to a position where one of channels 114t 116 and 118 was 20 proximate a dedicated servo track on tape 112. One of the read elements on that channel would read the position information prestored on that dedicated servo track. This information would be used to calculate the error between the present position and the position where the channel 25 would be centered on the dedicated servo track. ~lead positioning mechanism 102 would then move head 100 such that the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track which would accurately position the other two channels on data tracks. The two channels accessing data tracks could 30 then, with the elements thereon, read data from or write data on the data tracks.
Although the preferred embodiment o~ the present invention includes a magnetic tape having 60 daLa tracks and 10 dedicated servo tracks and a multiple channel head 35 having three channels, it is to be understood that a tape with different numbers of data tracks and dedicated servo tracks and/or a head with a different number of channels could be used. For instance, with very few changes, the preferred embodiment could be modified so that the tape had more or less than 70 total tracks as long as the ratio of data tracks to dedicated servo tracks was 6 to 1. For 5 exampl.e, a tape could have 5 dedicated servo tracks and 30 data tracks. In this embodiment, the 3-channel head disclosed above could access the 30 data tracks by moving the head to 15 unique positions where each position is defined by a unique combination of channel and dedicated 10 servo track.
It is also to be understood that other modifica-tions could be made and that all such modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be included in the present invention.
4:1.2
Claims (30)
1. A method of recording and reproducing data on magnetic recording tape, comprising:
providing a magnetic recording tape having servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, providing a multiple channel head having at least three channels, the center-to-center distance between at least two of said channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, and the center-to-center distance between a third channel and the closest of the other channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sec-tions, for accessing at predetermined locations the section containing said servo track and at least two of said additional sections along which tracks of data may be recorded and reproduced, and controllably transversely positioning the head at any of the predetermined locations such that one of the channels will always be located to reproduce said servo data from the servo track while the other channels access said additional sections at which data tracks may be located.
providing a magnetic recording tape having servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, providing a multiple channel head having at least three channels, the center-to-center distance between at least two of said channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, and the center-to-center distance between a third channel and the closest of the other channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sec-tions, for accessing at predetermined locations the section containing said servo track and at least two of said additional sections along which tracks of data may be recorded and reproduced, and controllably transversely positioning the head at any of the predetermined locations such that one of the channels will always be located to reproduce said servo data from the servo track while the other channels access said additional sections at which data tracks may be located.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, reproducing servo data from said servo data containing track, and using the reproduced servo data in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, reproducing servo data from said servo data containing track, and using the reproduced servo data in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the using step comprises reading the servo data from the first dedicated servo track with the channel that is accessing the first dedicated servo track to obtain position information, using the position information to determine the error between the position of the head and the one predetermined position, and using the error information to move the head to that predetermined position.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tape is provided with the first dedicated servo track as one of a plurality of dedicated servo tracks, the tape being further provided with a ratio of data tracks to dedicated servo tracks equal to six.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the tape is provided with 60 data tracks and ten dedicated servo tracks.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein quarter-inch tape is provided.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said multiple channel head is provided with three channels, the center-to-center distance between two of which being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections and the center-to-center distance between the third channel and the closest of the other two channels being equal to twice the distance between said adjacent sections.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said sections is sufficiently wide to contain a predeter-mined number of tracks, a said predetermined number of servo tracks being recorded within the midway located section and a said predetermined number of data tracks may be recorded and reproduced along each of the other sections.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said sections are substantially one track wide, one servo track is recorded within the midway located section and one data track may be recorded and reproduced within each of the other sections.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said multiple channel head is provided with three channels, each having at least one read and one write element, and wherein each of said two portions of the tape on either side of the midway located section is adapted to have three sections on which data tracks may be recorded and reproduced, whereby by positioning said head at one of said predetermined locations, one of said channels will always be positioned to access said servo track and the other channels will always be located to access six track locations, one within each of the data track containing sections.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein each of said sections are sufficiently wide to contain ten tracks, ten servo tracks are recorded within the midway located section and ten data tracks may be recorded and reproduced within each of the other sections, thereby enabling sixty tracks of data to be recorded and reproduced.
12. A system for recording and reproducing data on magnetic recording tape, comprising:
a magnetic recording tape having servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predeter-mined width, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, a multiple channel head having at least three channels, the center-to-center distance between at least two of said channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, and the center-to-center distance between a third channel and the closest of the other channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, for accessing at predetermined locations the section containing said servo track and at least two of said additional sections along which tracks of data may be recorded and reproduced, and means for controllably transversely positioning the head at any of the predetermined locations such that one of the channels will always be located to reproduce said servo data from the servo track while the other channels access said additional sections at which data tracks may be located.
a magnetic recording tape having servo data recorded on at least one longitudinally extending track within a section nominally located midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions along each of which may be located a plurality of additional longitudinally extending sections, all sections being adjacent to each other and having the same predeter-mined width, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, a multiple channel head having at least three channels, the center-to-center distance between at least two of said channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, and the center-to-center distance between a third channel and the closest of the other channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections, for accessing at predetermined locations the section containing said servo track and at least two of said additional sections along which tracks of data may be recorded and reproduced, and means for controllably transversely positioning the head at any of the predetermined locations such that one of the channels will always be located to reproduce said servo data from the servo track while the other channels access said additional sections at which data tracks may be located.
13. A system according to claim 12, further comprising:
means for controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, means for reproducing servo data from said servo data containing track, and means for causing the reproduced servo data in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
means for controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, means for reproducing servo data from said servo data containing track, and means for causing the reproduced servo data in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said means for using comprises means for reading the position information from the first dedicated servo track with the channel that is accessing the first dedicated servo track, means for using the position information to determine the error between the position of the head and the one predetermined position, and means for using the error information to move the head to that predetermined position.
15. A system according to claim 12, wherein said multiple channel head is provided with three channels, the center-to-center distance between two of which being equal to the center-to-center distance between said adjacent sections and the center-to-center distance between the third channel and the closest of the other two channels being equal to twice the distance between said adjacent sections.
16. A system according to claim 15, wherein each of said two portions of the tape on either side of the midway located section is adapted to have three sections on which data tracks may be recorded and reproduced, whereby by positioning said head at one of said predetermined locations, one of said channels will always be positioned to access said servo track and the other channels will always be located to access six track locations, one within each of the data track containing sections.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein each of said sections are sufficiently wide to contain ten tracks, ten servo tracks are recorded within the midway located section and ten data tracks may be recorded and reproduced within each of the other sections, thereby enabling sixty tracks of data to be recorded and reproduced.
18. A method of reading or writing data on tape, comprising:
providing a tape having a dedicated servo section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, the dedicated servo section being located nominally midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions, along each of which may be located three additional longitudi-nally extending sections, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, all sections being located adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width, so as to be able to contain an equal number of tracks;
providing a multiple channel head having first, second and third channels for accessing respective sections on the tape, with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the center-to-center distance between first and second said channels on the head in a direction transverse to the length of the tape being equal to the width of a tape section and the center-to-center distance between the second and third channels being equal to twice the width of a tape section;
positioning the head with respect to the tape so that one of the channels is proximate one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section; and using the position information stored on the one dedicated servo track to move the head so the one channel proximate the one dedicated servo track is centered on the one dedicated servo track and so that the other two channels are accessing two distinct sections along which data may be recorded or reproduced, whereby all possible tracks in the six sections along which data may be recorded or reproduced can be accessed by selectively positioning the head so that one by one each of the three channels is proximate each one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section.
providing a tape having a dedicated servo section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, the dedicated servo section being located nominally midway across the width of the tape, thereby dividing the tape into two portions, along each of which may be located three additional longitudi-nally extending sections, within each of which additional sections at least one track of data may be recorded and reproduced, all sections being located adjacent to each other and having the same predetermined width, so as to be able to contain an equal number of tracks;
providing a multiple channel head having first, second and third channels for accessing respective sections on the tape, with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the center-to-center distance between first and second said channels on the head in a direction transverse to the length of the tape being equal to the width of a tape section and the center-to-center distance between the second and third channels being equal to twice the width of a tape section;
positioning the head with respect to the tape so that one of the channels is proximate one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section; and using the position information stored on the one dedicated servo track to move the head so the one channel proximate the one dedicated servo track is centered on the one dedicated servo track and so that the other two channels are accessing two distinct sections along which data may be recorded or reproduced, whereby all possible tracks in the six sections along which data may be recorded or reproduced can be accessed by selectively positioning the head so that one by one each of the three channels is proximate each one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section.
19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, reproducing position information from said servo data containing track, and using the reproduced position information in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
controllably positioning the head such that one of the channels thereof is proximate said track having servo data recorded thereon, reproducing position information from said servo data containing track, and using the reproduced position information in a servo loop to continuously reposition the head such that one of the channels thereof is at the center of said servo data containing track.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the using step comprises reading the position information from the first dedicated servo track with the channel that is accessing the first dedicated servo track to obtain position information, using the position information to determine the error between the position of the head and the one predetermined position, and using the error information to move the head to that predetermined position.
21. A method according to claim 18, wherein the tape is provided with the first dedicated servo track as one of a plurality of dedicated servo tracks, the tape being further provided with a ratio of data tracks to dedicated servo tracks equal to six.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the tape is provided with 60 data tracks and ten dedicated servo tracks.
23. The method according to claim 18, wherein quarter-inch tape is provided.
24. A method of reading or writing data on tape, comprising:
providing a tape having a fourth section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, first, second, and third sections on one side of the fourth section, and fifth, sixth and seventh sections in that order on the other side of the fourth section, wherein along each of the first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh sections at least one track of data may be recorded or reproduced, each data section and the dedicated servo section having the same width so as to be able to contain an equal number of tracks;
providing a multichannel head having first, second and third channels for accessing respective sections on the tape with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the center-to-center distance between the first, second and third channels on the head in that order in the direction of the first to the seventh section on the tape being such that the center-to-center distance between the first and second channels is equal to the width of a tape section and the center-to-center distance between the second and third channels is equal to twice the width of a tape section;
positioning the head proximate one of a number of predetermined positions, the number of predetermined positions being determined by multiplying the number of possible tracks in each section by three, a unique combination of channel and dedicated servo track existing for each predetermined position, the predetermined positions falling into three groups, the first group having the first channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the second and third channels simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the fifth and seventh data sections, respectively, the second group having the second channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the first and third simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the third and sixth data sections, respectively, and the third group having the third channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the first and second channels simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the first and second data sections, respectively;
reading the position information from the dedicated servo track with the channel that is proximate the dedicated servo track in that predetermined position;
using the position information to determine the error between the position of the head and the predetermined position; and using the error information to move the head to the predetermined position.
providing a tape having a fourth section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, first, second, and third sections on one side of the fourth section, and fifth, sixth and seventh sections in that order on the other side of the fourth section, wherein along each of the first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh sections at least one track of data may be recorded or reproduced, each data section and the dedicated servo section having the same width so as to be able to contain an equal number of tracks;
providing a multichannel head having first, second and third channels for accessing respective sections on the tape with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the center-to-center distance between the first, second and third channels on the head in that order in the direction of the first to the seventh section on the tape being such that the center-to-center distance between the first and second channels is equal to the width of a tape section and the center-to-center distance between the second and third channels is equal to twice the width of a tape section;
positioning the head proximate one of a number of predetermined positions, the number of predetermined positions being determined by multiplying the number of possible tracks in each section by three, a unique combination of channel and dedicated servo track existing for each predetermined position, the predetermined positions falling into three groups, the first group having the first channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the second and third channels simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the fifth and seventh data sections, respectively, the second group having the second channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the first and third simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the third and sixth data sections, respectively, and the third group having the third channel accessing the center of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section and the first and second channels simultaneously accessing the center of data tracks in the first and second data sections, respectively;
reading the position information from the dedicated servo track with the channel that is proximate the dedicated servo track in that predetermined position;
using the position information to determine the error between the position of the head and the predetermined position; and using the error information to move the head to the predetermined position.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein each of the seven sections comprises ten tracks.
26. An apparatus for reading or writing data on tape, comprising:
receptacle means comprising a receptacle for receiving a tape having at least a first dedicated section along which is recorded at least one servo track containing prestored position information and on either side thereof a plurality of sections along each of which at least one track of data may be stored;
multiple channel head means comprising a head having at least three channels for accessing the sections on a said tape in the receptacle, each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on a tape in the receptacle, the head means comprising means for moving the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle to predetermined positions with respect to the tape, the channels being located on the head so that when the head is in any one of the predetermined positions, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on a tape in the receptacle, so that at least two other channels access the center of distinct positions on a tape in the receptacle along which data tracks may be located, and so that different channels access a dedicated servo track depending on which predetermined position the head is in with respect to the tape;
first control means for controlling the transverse movement of the head to position the head proximate any one of the predetermined positions, the first control means including servo means for using the position information stored on a dedicated servo track to move the head to one of the predetermined positions after the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position; and second control means for controlling the elements on the channels to read data from or write data on a tape in the receptacle.
receptacle means comprising a receptacle for receiving a tape having at least a first dedicated section along which is recorded at least one servo track containing prestored position information and on either side thereof a plurality of sections along each of which at least one track of data may be stored;
multiple channel head means comprising a head having at least three channels for accessing the sections on a said tape in the receptacle, each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on a tape in the receptacle, the head means comprising means for moving the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle to predetermined positions with respect to the tape, the channels being located on the head so that when the head is in any one of the predetermined positions, one channel accesses the center of a dedicated servo track on a tape in the receptacle, so that at least two other channels access the center of distinct positions on a tape in the receptacle along which data tracks may be located, and so that different channels access a dedicated servo track depending on which predetermined position the head is in with respect to the tape;
first control means for controlling the transverse movement of the head to position the head proximate any one of the predetermined positions, the first control means including servo means for using the position information stored on a dedicated servo track to move the head to one of the predetermined positions after the head has been moved proximate that predetermined position; and second control means for controlling the elements on the channels to read data from or write data on a tape in the receptacle.
27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the receptacle is sized to receive quarter-inch tape.
28. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the head comprises first, second and third channels.
29. An apparatus for reading or writing data on tape, comprising:
receptacle means comprising a receptacle for receiving a tape having seven designated sections comprising six data sections on which data may be stored, each data section comprising at least one data track for storing data and a dedicated servo section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, the dedicated servo section being located in the middle of the six data sections on a tape in the receptacle so that there are three data sections on each side of the dedicated servo section, each data section and the dedicated servo section comprising an equal number of track locations;
multiple channel head means comprising a head having first, second and third channels for accessing the tracks on a tape in the receptacle with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the channels being spaced apart on the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle with the spacing between the first and second channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between adjacent tape sections and the spacing between the second and third channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between adjacent tape sections;
means for moving the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle;
first control means for controlling the transverse movement of the head to position a channel proximate any one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section, the first control means including servo means for using the position information stored on the dedicated servo track to move the head from a position where a channel is proximate the dedicated servo track to a position where the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track; and second control means for controlling the elements on the channels to read data from or write data on a tape in the receptacle.
receptacle means comprising a receptacle for receiving a tape having seven designated sections comprising six data sections on which data may be stored, each data section comprising at least one data track for storing data and a dedicated servo section comprising at least one dedicated servo track containing prestored position information, the dedicated servo section being located in the middle of the six data sections on a tape in the receptacle so that there are three data sections on each side of the dedicated servo section, each data section and the dedicated servo section comprising an equal number of track locations;
multiple channel head means comprising a head having first, second and third channels for accessing the tracks on a tape in the receptacle with each channel having at least one element for reading data from or writing data on the tape, the channels being spaced apart on the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle with the spacing between the first and second channels being equal to the center-to-center distance between adjacent tape sections and the spacing between the second and third channels being equal to twice the center-to-center distance between adjacent tape sections;
means for moving the head in a direction transverse to the length of a tape in the receptacle;
first control means for controlling the transverse movement of the head to position a channel proximate any one of the dedicated servo tracks in the dedicated servo section, the first control means including servo means for using the position information stored on the dedicated servo track to move the head from a position where a channel is proximate the dedicated servo track to a position where the channel is centered on the dedicated servo track; and second control means for controlling the elements on the channels to read data from or write data on a tape in the receptacle.
30. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the receptacle is sized to receive quarter-inch tape.
4:1.7
4:1.7
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/298,186 US5008765A (en) | 1989-01-17 | 1989-01-17 | Method and apparatus for reading or writing on tape using a servo positioned multiple channel head |
| US298,186 | 1989-01-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2006886A1 true CA2006886A1 (en) | 1990-07-17 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002006886A Abandoned CA2006886A1 (en) | 1989-01-17 | 1989-12-29 | Method and apparatus for reading or writing on tape using a servo positioned multiple channel head |
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| US (1) | US5008765A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0379324B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3002487B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2006886A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69017725T2 (en) |
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| US6819528B1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2004-11-16 | Storage Technology Corporation | Asymmetric servo reader placement in bi-directional tape head |
| US6940681B2 (en) | 2001-08-20 | 2005-09-06 | Quantum Corporation | Optical to magnetic alignment in magnetic tape system |
| US7023650B2 (en) | 2001-11-07 | 2006-04-04 | Quantum Corporation | Optical sensor to recording head alignment |
| US6980390B2 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2005-12-27 | Quantum Corporation | Magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks |
| US7187515B2 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2007-03-06 | Quantum Corporation | Method and system for tracking magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks |
| US6940682B2 (en) * | 2003-09-10 | 2005-09-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data read transducers for determining lateral position of a tape head with respect to longitudinal servo bands of magnetic tape |
| US8810960B2 (en) * | 2003-12-04 | 2014-08-19 | Oracle America, Inc. | Multi-head data storage device with plural data channels per head |
| US11862195B2 (en) | 2022-02-08 | 2024-01-02 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Multi-channel recording head having servo readers proximate to write transducers and read transducers |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3158374A (en) * | 1962-07-20 | 1964-11-24 | Automatic Canteen Co | Transducer heads |
| JPS5299303U (en) * | 1976-01-26 | 1977-07-27 | ||
| US4007493A (en) * | 1975-05-06 | 1977-02-08 | Burroughs Corporation | Track positioning system for magnetic transducer head |
| US4462053A (en) * | 1981-07-02 | 1984-07-24 | Irwin International, Inc. | Method for controlling a disc head |
| US4498129A (en) * | 1981-07-02 | 1985-02-05 | Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for normalizing servo-positioning signals |
| US4472750A (en) * | 1981-07-02 | 1984-09-18 | Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc. | Data record with pre-recorded transducer positioning signals, and system for utilizing same |
| JPS5897129A (en) * | 1981-12-03 | 1983-06-09 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Information recorder and reproducer |
| US4647994A (en) * | 1984-03-13 | 1987-03-03 | Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc. | Miniaturized cartridge-type tape drive for data processors |
| US4750067A (en) * | 1985-07-12 | 1988-06-07 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Head positioning mechanism for data cartridge recorder |
| JPH0668893B2 (en) * | 1986-01-23 | 1994-08-31 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Positioning control method for magnetic head |
| US4675760A (en) * | 1986-03-11 | 1987-06-23 | Ampex Corporation | Information signal recording and/or playback system and method using a prerecorded reference track |
-
1989
- 1989-01-17 US US07/298,186 patent/US5008765A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-12-29 CA CA002006886A patent/CA2006886A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1990
- 1990-01-15 DE DE69017725T patent/DE69017725T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-01-15 EP EP90300405A patent/EP0379324B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-01-16 JP JP2006986A patent/JP3002487B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3002487B2 (en) | 2000-01-24 |
| EP0379324A3 (en) | 1991-09-11 |
| EP0379324A2 (en) | 1990-07-25 |
| JPH02236813A (en) | 1990-09-19 |
| DE69017725D1 (en) | 1995-04-20 |
| EP0379324B1 (en) | 1995-03-15 |
| DE69017725T2 (en) | 1995-10-19 |
| US5008765A (en) | 1991-04-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |