Tape cartridge, tape drive, tape system, and tape drive operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cassette, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and an operating method of the magnetic tape drive. In the magnetic tape cassette, there is provided a housing for accommodating a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands formed thereon, and a storage medium disposed in the housing. The plurality of servo bands are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape. The storage medium stores pitch information capable of determining the spacing between the plurality of servo bands in the width direction, and distance information capable of determining the distance between a plurality of servo reading elements that read the plurality of servo bands.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present invention relates to a tape cartridge, a tape drive, a tape system, and an operating method of the tape drive. Background Art

[0002] The tape cassette that holds the magnetic tape is equipped with a cassette memory that stores information. Japanese Patent No. 6669326 describes storing information during data recording in a tape drive in the cassette memory and reading the information from the cassette memory for reference during data reading. This information includes information about the tension applied to the tape during recording.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6669302 discloses a cassette comprising: a cassette housing for accommodating a magnetic tape; and a memory provided in the cassette housing for storing information for adjusting the width of the magnetic tape when recording data on the magnetic tape or reproducing data on the magnetic tape, the information being information before data is recorded on the magnetic tape. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues to be solved by the invention

[0005] A tape cassette is loaded into a tape drive for use. The tape drive is equipped with a magnetic head. Within the tape drive, the magnetic head reads and writes data on the magnetic tape pulled from the cassette. To accurately read and write data to a specific track on the tape, tracking control is required to accurately align the magnetic element within the head with the track across the width of the tape.

[0006] Tracking control is achieved by using multiple servo patterns and multiple servo read elements. These servo patterns are formed on the magnetic tape, and the multiple servo read elements are mounted on the magnetic head. On the magnetic tape, multiple servo patterns are formed at intervals across the tape's width, extending along the entire length of the tape. Within the magnetic head, multiple servo read elements are arranged to correspond to the multiple servo patterns. To enhance tracking control, the positions of the multiple servo read elements must be accurately aligned with the positions of the multiple servo patterns.

[0007] However, the widthwise dimension of the magnetic tape varies depending on the stress applied to the tape when wound on a reel in a tape cartridge, the tape storage environment, and / or the length of time the tape is stored when not in use. Furthermore, the magnetic heads may vary among the multiple heads due to manufacturing errors and / or changes over time, and the distances between the multiple servo read elements may also vary.

[0008] One embodiment of the technology involved in the present invention provides a tape cartridge, a tape drive, a tape system, and a tape drive operating method that can help correct the positional relationship between multiple servo bands and multiple servo read elements even if there is a deviation in the distance between multiple servo read elements.

[0009] Means for solving technical problems

[0010] A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic tape cassette comprising: a housing for accommodating a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands formed thereon; and a storage medium disposed within the housing, wherein the plurality of servo bands are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and wherein the storage medium stores pitch information capable of determining the spacing between the plurality of servo bands in the width direction and distance information capable of determining the distance between a plurality of servo reading elements that have read the plurality of servo bands.

[0011] The second embodiment of the technology of the present invention is a tape cassette according to the first embodiment, wherein a group of multiple servo reading elements is provided for each of a data reading element group and a data recording element group of a magnetic head including at least one data reading element group for reading data from a magnetic tape and at least one data recording element group for recording data on a magnetic tape, and a storage medium stores distance information for each of the data reading element group and the data recording element group.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is the magnetic tape cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the storage medium stores pitch information for each of the data reading element group and the data recording element group.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the magnetic tape cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the storage medium stores distance information and pitch information for either the data reading element group or the data recording element group.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the magnetic tape cassette according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the storage medium stores pitch information regarding pitches at a plurality of positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape.

[0015] A sixth aspect according to the technology of the present invention is the magnetic tape cassette according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the distance information includes information indicating the distance.

[0016] The seventh mode involved in the technology of the present invention is that in the tape box involved in any one of the first to sixth modes, information indicating the distance between the multiple servo reading elements mounted on the magnetic head is associated with the head identification information capable of identifying the magnetic head equipped with multiple servo reading elements.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the storage medium includes a built-in memory of a contactless communication medium for contactlessly reading and writing data by a contactless reader / writer.

[0018] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the tape cassette according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the pitch is measured based on the results of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the tape by a tape drive.

[0019] A tenth embodiment of the present invention is a magnetic tape cassette comprising: a housing for accommodating a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands formed thereon; and a storage medium disposed in the housing, wherein the plurality of servo bands are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape, the storage medium storing pitch information capable of determining the spacing in the width direction of the plurality of servo bands, the pitch information being a value calculated based on distance information not stored in the storage medium and capable of determining the distance between a plurality of servo reading elements that have read the plurality of servo bands.

[0020] According to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, in the tape cartridge according to the tenth embodiment, the pitch is calculated based on the results of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo read elements and the distance between the plurality of servo read elements before data is recorded on the tape by the tape drive.

[0021] A twelfth aspect according to the present invention is the tape cassette according to the ninth or eleventh aspect, wherein the pitch is obtained for each of a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

[0022] The thirteenth embodiment of the present invention relates to the magnetic tape cassette according to the twelfth embodiment, and is configured to obtain spacings at respective positions of the plurality of servo read elements determined using servo pattern distance information that establishes a correspondence between a plurality of positions in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands and a distance in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions constituting a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands.

[0023] A fourteenth aspect according to the present invention is the magnetic tape cassette according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the storage medium includes a partial area of ​​the magnetic tape.

[0024] The 15th method involved in the technology of the present invention is a tape drive, which is used to load the tape box involved in any one of the 1st method to the 14th method, and comprises: a tension applying mechanism for applying tension to the magnetic tape; and a control device for controlling the tension applying mechanism to adjust the tension according to the spacing information and distance information stored in the storage medium.

[0025] The 16th method involved in the technology of the present invention is a magnetic tape system, which comprises: a magnetic tape box involved in any one of the 1st to 14th methods; a tension applying mechanism for applying tension to the magnetic tape; and a control device for controlling the tension applying mechanism to adjust the tension based on spacing information and distance information stored in a storage medium.

[0026] The 17th method involved in the technology of the present invention is an operating method of a tape drive, which includes the following steps: obtaining spacing information and distance information from a storage medium included in a tape cassette involved in any one of the 1st to 14th methods; and when performing at least one of a recording action and a reading action on the tape, controlling a tension applying mechanism to adjust the tension applied to the tape according to the spacing information and the distance information, and the tension applying mechanism applies tension to the tape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a magnetic tape system.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a magnetic tape cassette.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the structure of the right rear end portion inside the lower case of the tape cassette.

[0030] Figure 4 It is a side sectional view showing an example of a support member provided on the inner surface of the lower case of the tape cassette.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tape drive.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a method of emitting a magnetic field from the bottom side of a magnetic tape cassette by a non-contact reader / writer.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of applying a magnetic field from a non-contact reader / writer to a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the structure of the back surface of the substrate of the cassette memory in the magnetic tape cassette.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic plan view showing an example of the structure of the surface of the substrate of the cassette memory in the magnetic tape cassette.

[0036] Figure 10This is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the cassette memory in the magnetic tape cassette.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an electrical system of a computer including an IC chip mounted on a cartridge memory in a tape cartridge.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electrical system of the tape drive.

[0039] Figure 13 This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electrical system of the host computer.

[0040] Figure 14 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of magnifying a portion of the surface of a magnetic tape.

[0041] Figure 15 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the structure of a data zone formed on the surface of a magnetic tape.

[0042] Figure 16 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correspondence between data magnetic elements and data tracks.

[0043] Figure 17 It is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structural example of a data magnetic element and a specific structural example of a servo read element.

[0044] Figure 18 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of how the width of a magnetic tape decreases over time.

[0045] Figure 19 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the relationship between three servo read elements and the functions of the tape drive ASIC.

[0046] Figure 20 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a servo pattern.

[0047] Figure 21 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an ideal servo pattern and an actual servo pattern.

[0048] Figure 22 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of servo pattern distance information.

[0049] Figure 23 This is a block diagram showing an example of a method of storing pitch information in the NVM of the box memory.

[0050] Figure 24 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of spacing information.

[0051] Figure 25This is a block diagram showing an example of a method of storing distance information in the NVM of the box memory.

[0052] Figure 26 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of an ASIC of a tape drive.

[0053] Figure 27 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU of the host computer.

[0054] Figure 28 This is a block diagram showing an example of the content of processing performed by the tape drive and the host computer.

[0055] Figure 29 This is a block diagram showing an example of the content of processing for controlling the feed motor and the take-up motor so that the width of the magnetic tape becomes a width corresponding to the distance between servo read elements associated with the magnetic head mounted on the tape drive.

[0056] Figure 30 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of servo reading element-to-element distance derivation processing executed by the CPU of the host computer.

[0057] Figure 31 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of tape width control processing executed by the ASIC of the tape drive.

[0058] Figure 32 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of writing pitch information, distance information, and servo pattern distance information into the BOT area.

[0059] Figure 33 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of writing pitch information, distance information, and servo pattern distance information stored in the cartridge memory into the BOT area.

[0060] Figure 34 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of storing a plurality of distance information in NVM.

[0061] Figure 35 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of storing a plurality of pitch information in NVM.

[0062] Figure 36 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of storing distance information and pitch information corresponding to a reading element group in an NVM. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a tape cartridge, a tape drive, a tape system, and an operating method of a tape drive according to the technology of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0064] First, the terms used in the following description are explained.

[0065] CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. DRAM stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. SRAM stands for Static Random Access Memory. NVM stands for Non-Volatile Memory. ROM stands for Read Only Memory. EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory. SSD stands for Solid State Drive. HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. ASIC stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. PLD stands for Programmable Logic Device. FPGA stands for "Field-Programmable Gate Array." SoC stands for "System-on-a-Chip." IC stands for "Integrated Circuit." RFID stands for "Radio Frequency IDentifier." LTO stands for "Linear Tape-Open." IBM stands for "International Business Machines Corporation." ID stands for "Identification Data." BOT stands for "Beginning of Tape." EOT stands for "End of Tape." LAN stands for "Local Area Network." WAN stands for "Wide Area Network." SAN stands for "Storage Area Network."I / F stands for "Interface." MFM stands for "Magnetic Force Microscope." SEM stands for "Scanning Electron Microscope." QR stands for "Quick Response."

[0066] As an example, Figure 1 As shown, the tape system 2 includes a host computer 4, a tape cartridge 10, and a plurality of tape drives 30. The tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the tape drive 30. The tape cartridge 10 contains a magnetic tape MT. The tape drive 30 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the loaded tape cartridge 10 and, while running the pulled-out magnetic tape MT, records data on the magnetic tape MT or reads data from the magnetic tape MT.

[0067] The host computer 4 is connected to a plurality of tape drives 30 via a communication network 6 (e.g., LAN, WAN, and / or SAN) and exchanges various information with each tape drive 30. Figure 1 In the illustrated example, multiple tape drives 30 are connected to the communication network 6. However, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a single tape drive 30 may be connected to the communication network 6, and the host computer 4 may exchange various information with the single tape drive 30 via the communication network 6. Furthermore, the communication between the host computer 4 and the tape drive 30 may be wired or wireless.

[0068] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 4 An example of the structure of the tape cassette 10 will be described. Figures 2 to 4 In FIG. 1 , arrow A indicates that the tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the tape drive 30 (refer to FIG. Figure 5 ) in the direction, the direction of arrow A is the front direction of the tape cassette 10, and the front direction side of the tape cassette 10 is the front side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "front" refers to the front side of the tape cassette 10.

[0069] Furthermore, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, Figures 2 to 4 In the figure, the arrow B direction perpendicular to the arrow A direction is the right direction, and the right side of the tape cassette 10 is the right side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "right" refers to the right side of the tape cassette 10.

[0070] Furthermore, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, Figures 2 to 4In the figure, the direction opposite to the arrow B direction is the left direction, and the left side of the tape cassette 10 is the left side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "left" refers to the left side of the tape cassette 10.

[0071] Furthermore, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, Figures 2 to 4 , an arrow C indicates a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow B, the direction of arrow C is the upper direction of the tape cassette 10, and the upper direction side of the tape cassette 10 is the upper side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "upper" refers to the upper side of the tape cassette 10.

[0072] Furthermore, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, Figures 2 to 4 In the embodiment, the direction opposite to the front direction of the tape cassette 10 is the rear direction of the tape cassette 10, and the rear direction side of the tape cassette 10 is the rear side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "rear" refers to the rear side of the tape cassette 10.

[0073] Furthermore, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, Figures 2 to 4 In the figure, the direction opposite to the upper direction of the tape cassette 10 is the lower direction of the tape cassette 10, and the lower direction side of the tape cassette 10 is the lower side of the tape cassette 10. In the description of the structure shown below, "lower" refers to the lower side of the tape cassette 10.

[0074] In the following description, LTO is used as an example of the specification of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. However, this is only an example, and the specification of the magnetic tape cartridge of IBM 3592 may also be followed.

[0075] As an example, Figure 2 As shown, the tape cassette 10 includes a box-shaped shell 12 that is roughly rectangular when viewed from above. The shell 12 is an example of the "shell" involved in the technology of the present invention. The magnetic tape MT is accommodated in the shell 12. The shell 12 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate and includes an upper shell 14 and a lower shell 16. The upper shell 14 and the lower shell 16 are joined by welding (for example, ultrasonic welding) and screwing in a state where the lower peripheral surface of the upper shell 14 is in contact with the upper peripheral surface of the lower shell 16. The joining method is not limited to welding and screwing, and other joining methods can also be used.

[0076] A rotatable cartridge reel 18 is housed inside the housing 12. The cartridge reel 18 includes a reel hub 18A, an upper flange 18B1, and a lower flange 18B2. The reel hub 18A is cylindrical. The reel hub 18A is the axial center of the cartridge reel 18, with the axial direction extending along the vertical direction of the housing 12, and is disposed in the center of the housing 12. The upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2 are each annular. The upper end portion of the reel hub 18A is fixed with the center portion of the upper flange 18B1 when viewed from above, and the lower end portion of the reel hub 18A is fixed with the center portion of the lower flange 18B2 when viewed from above. Alternatively, the reel hub 18A and the lower flange 18B2 may be integrally formed.

[0077] The magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 18A, and the ends of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction are held by the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2.

[0078] An opening 12B is formed on the front side of the right wall 12A of the housing 12. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the opening 12B.

[0079] As an example, Figure 3 As shown, a cartridge memory 19 is provided in the lower housing 16. Specifically, the cartridge memory 19 is housed at the right rear end of the lower housing 16. The cartridge memory 19 is an example of the "contactless communication medium" involved in the technology of the present invention. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cartridge memory 19.

[0080] The cartridge memory 19 stores information related to the magnetic tape MT. The information related to the magnetic tape MT is, for example, management information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The management information includes, for example, information related to the cartridge memory 19, information that can identify the magnetic tape cartridge 10, information indicating the recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, an overview of the data recorded on the magnetic tape MT, data items, and the data recording format.

[0081] The cassette memory 19 communicates with the contactless reader / writer in a contactless manner. As the contactless reader / writer, for example, a contactless reader / writer used in the manufacturing process of the tape cassette 10 (for example, Figure 25 The contactless reading and writing device 50B shown) and the tape drive (eg, Figure 5 A contactless read / write device (e.g., Figures 5 to 7 、 Figure 23 and Figure 29 The contactless reading and writing device 50A shown).

[0082] The non-contact reading / writing device reads and writes various information in a non-contact manner with respect to the cartridge memory 19. The cartridge memory 19 is electromagnetically acted upon by the magnetic field MF (refer to Figure 6The cartridge memory 19 uses the generated power to operate and communicate with the contactless reader / writer via the magnetic field MF, thereby exchanging various information with the contactless reader / writer. Furthermore, the communication method may be, for example, a method compliant with known standards such as ISO 14443 or ISO 18092, or a method compliant with the LTO specification of ECMA 319.

[0083] As an example, Figure 3 As shown, a support member 20 is provided on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A at the right rear end portion of the lower housing 16. The support member 20 is a pair of inclined bases that support the cartridge storage 19 from below when the cartridge storage 19 is tilted. The pair of inclined bases is a first inclined base 20A and a second inclined base 20B. The first inclined base 20A and the second inclined base 20B are spaced apart in the left-right direction of the housing 12 and are integrated with the inner surface of the rear wall 16B of the lower housing 16 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. The first inclined base 20A has an inclined surface 20A1 that slopes downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. The second inclined base 20B has an inclined surface 20B1 that also slopes downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A.

[0084] A pair of stopper ribs 22 are disposed at intervals in the left-right direction on the front side of the support member 20. The stopper ribs 22 are provided upright on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A to limit the position of the lower end of the cartridge storage 19 when the cartridge storage 19 is disposed on the support member 20.

[0085] As an example, Figure 4 As shown, a reference surface 16A1 is formed on the outer surface of the bottom plate 16A. The reference surface 16A1 is a plane. Here, the plane refers to a surface that is parallel to the horizontal plane when the lower shell 16 is placed on the horizontal plane with the bottom plate 16A as the lower side. Here, "parallel" refers to not only completely parallel but also parallel to the meaning of the degree of error that is generally allowed in the technical field to which the technology of the present invention belongs and does not deviate from the main purpose of the technology of the present invention. The inclination angle θ of the support member 20 (that is, the inclined surface 20A1 and the inclined surface 20B1 (refer to Figure 3 The inclination angle θ of the grating 16 is 45 degrees relative to the reference surface 16A1. 45 degrees is just an example, and it may be "0 degrees < inclination angle θ < 45 degrees" or may be greater than 45 degrees.

[0086] The cartridge memory 19 includes a substrate 26. The substrate 26 is placed on the support member 20 with its back surface 26A facing downward. The support member 20 supports the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 from below. A portion of the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 is aligned with the inclined surface of the support member 20 (i.e., the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (see FIG. 2 )). Figure 3 )) contact, the surface 26B of the substrate 26 is exposed to the inner surface 14A1 side of the top plate 14A of the upper housing 14.

[0087] The upper shell 14 has a plurality of ribs 24. The plurality of ribs 24 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the shell 12. The plurality of ribs 24 protrude downward from the inner surface 14A1 of the top plate 14A of the upper shell 14, and the end surface 24A of each rib 24 has an angle with the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (refer to FIG. Figure 3 That is, the distal end surface 24A of each rib 24 is inclined at 45 degrees relative to the reference surface 16A1.

[0088] When the upper case 14 and the lower case 16 are joined as described above with the cartridge storage 19 disposed on the support member 20, the distal end surface 24A of each rib 24 contacts the substrate 26 from the surface 26B side, and the substrate 26 is sandwiched between the distal end surface 24A of each rib 24 and the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 of the support member 20 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). Thus, the position of the cartridge memory 19 in the vertical direction is restricted by the ribs 24.

[0089] As an example, Figure 5 As shown, the tape drive 30 includes a transport device 34, a magnetic head 36, and a control device 38. The tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the tape drive 30. The tape drive 30 is a device that pulls out a magnetic tape MT from the tape cartridge 10, records data on the pulled out magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 36, and reads data from the pulled out magnetic tape MT using a linear serpentine method using the magnetic head 36. In this embodiment, data reading refers to data reproduction.

[0090] The control device 38 is connected to the host computer 4 via the communication network 6 and exchanges various information with the host computer 4. In addition, the control device 38 controls the entire operation of the tape drive 30. In this embodiment, the control device 38 is composed of an ASIC 120 (see Figure 12 ), but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, control device 38 may be implemented by an FPGA. Furthermore, control device 38 may be implemented by a computer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Furthermore, control device 38 may be implemented by combining two or more of ASIC 120, FPGA, and a computer. In other words, control device 38 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software structures.

[0091] The transport device 34 is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions, and includes a feed motor 40, a take-up reel 42, a take-up motor 44, a plurality of guide rollers GR, and a control device 38. Here, the forward direction refers to the feed direction of the magnetic tape MT, and the reverse direction refers to the rewinding direction of the magnetic tape MT.

[0092] The feed motor 40 rotates the cassette reel 18 in the tape cassette 10 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the feed motor 40 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the cassette reel 18.

[0093] When the magnetic tape MT is taken up by the take-up reel 42 (loaded), the control device 38 rotates the feed motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels forward. The rotation speed and torque of the feed motor 40 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT taken up by the take-up reel 42.

[0094] The winding motor 44 rotates the winding reel 42 under the control of the control device 38. The control device 38 controls the winding motor 44 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the winding reel 42.

[0095] When the magnetic tape MT is taken up by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the take-up motor 44 to forward-feed the magnetic tape MT. The rotational speed and torque of the take-up motor 44 are adjusted based on the speed of the magnetic tape MT being taken up by the take-up reel 42. Thus, by adjusting the rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT. The feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are examples of the "tension applying mechanism" of the present invention.

[0096] When the magnetic tape MT is rewound onto the cassette reel 18 (unloaded), the control device 38 rotates the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the magnetic tape MT is fed in the reverse direction.

[0097] In this embodiment, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be controlled using a dancer roller or by drawing the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

[0098] The plurality of guide rollers GR are rollers for guiding the magnetic tape MT. The tape path of the magnetic tape MT is defined by arranging the plurality of guide rollers GR at positions across the magnetic head 36 between the tape cassette 10 and the take-up reel 42 .

[0099] The magnetic head 36 includes a magnetic element unit 46 and a holder 48. The magnetic element unit 46 is held by the holder 48 so as to be in contact with the traveling magnetic tape MT. The magnetic element unit 46 includes servo read elements SR1 and SR2, which will be described later, and data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8, which will be described later. The magnetic element unit 46 records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34, reads data from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34, or reads a servo pattern 51 (see FIG. 5 ) from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34. Figure 14 ).

[0100] The tape drive 30 includes a contactless reader / writer 50. The contactless reader / writer 50 is disposed on the lower side of the tape cassette 10 when the tape cassette 10 is loaded, facing the back surface 26A of the cassette memory 19. The state in which the tape cassette 10 is loaded in the tape drive 30 refers to, for example, the state in which the tape cassette 10 has reached a position previously determined as the position at which the magnetic head 36 begins reading data from the magnetic tape MT.

[0101] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, an example of a method in which the contactless reader / writer 50 is mounted on the tape drive 30 is shown, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. The contactless reader / writer 50 is also used in the stage of manufacturing the tape cassette 10, the stage of inspecting the tape cassette 10, or the stage of shipping the tape cassette 10. In this case, for example, a fixed or portable contactless reader / writer 50 is used. In addition, in the following description, only when it is necessary to distinguish, the contactless reader / writer 50 mounted on the tape drive 30 is referred to as the contactless reader / writer 50A, and the fixed or portable contactless reader / writer 50 used in the stage of manufacturing the tape cassette 10, the stage of inspecting the tape cassette 10, or the stage of shipping the tape cassette 10 is referred to as the contactless reader / writer 50B.

[0102] As an example, Figure 6 As shown, the contactless reading and writing device 50A emits a magnetic field MF from the lower side of the tape cassette 10 toward the cassette memory 19. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cassette memory 19.

[0103] As an example, Figure 7 As shown, the contactless reader / writer 50A is connected to the control device 38. The control device 38 outputs a control signal to the contactless reader / writer 50A. The control signal is a signal for controlling the cartridge memory 19. Based on the control signal input from the control device 38, the contactless reader / writer 50A emits a magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic field MF penetrates from the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19 to the front surface 26B.

[0104] The contactless reader / writer 50A communicates contactlessly with the cartridge memory 19 and provides a command signal corresponding to the control signal to the cartridge memory 19. More specifically, the contactless reader / writer 50A transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the control device 38. The command signal represents an instruction to the cartridge memory 19, and its details will be described later.

[0105] While the example described herein illustrates a method in which the contactless reader / writer 50A transmits command signals to the cartridge memory 19 space under the control of the controller 38, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, during the manufacturing, inspection, or shipment of the tape cassette 10, the contactless reader / writer 50B may transmit command signals to the cartridge memory 19 space under the control of a controller separate from the controller 38.

[0106] When a command signal is transmitted from the contactless reader / writer 50A to the cartridge memory 19 space, the command signal corresponding to the instruction from the control device 38 is incorporated into the magnetic field MF by the contactless reader / writer 50A. In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the contactless reader / writer 50A. In other words, the contactless reader / writer 50A transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 38.

[0107] An IC chip 52 and a capacitor 54 are mounted on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19. The IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are bonded to the surface 26B. Furthermore, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are sealed to the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19 by a sealing material 56. Here, an ultraviolet curable resin that cures when exposed to ultraviolet light is used as the sealing material 56. The ultraviolet curable resin is merely an example; the sealing material 56 may also be a photocurable resin that cures when exposed to light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet light, a thermosetting resin, or another adhesive.

[0108] As an example, Figure 8 As shown, a ring-shaped coil 60 is formed on the back side 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Here, copper foil is used as the material of the coil 60. Copper foil is only an example, and other conductive materials such as aluminum foil can be used. The coil 60 is subjected to the magnetic field MF (refer to FIG. 1 ) applied by the non-contact reading and writing device 50. Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) under the action of induced current.

[0109] A first conductive portion 62A and a second conductive portion 62B are provided on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. The first conductive portion 62A and the second conductive portion 62B have solder, thereby electrically connecting both ends of the coil 60 to the IC chip 52 on the front surface 26B (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 and Figure 9 ) and capacitor 54 (reference Figure 7 and Figure 9 ).

[0110] As an example, Figure 9 As shown, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are electrically connected to each other by wire connection on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19. Specifically, one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the IC chip 52 is connected to the first conductive portion 62A via a wiring 64A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conductive portion 62B via a wiring 64B. The capacitor 54 has a pair of electrodes. Figure 9 In the example shown, the pair of electrodes is electrodes 54A and 54B. Electrode 54A is connected to first conductive portion 62A via wiring 64C, and electrode 54B is connected to second conductive portion 62B via wiring 64D. Thus, IC chip 52 and capacitor 54 are connected in parallel with coil 60.

[0111] As an example, Figure 10 As shown, the IC chip 52 includes a built-in capacitor 80, a power supply circuit 82, a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, and a signal processing circuit 88. The IC chip 52 is a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the tape cassette 10.

[0112] The cartridge memory 19 includes a power generator 70. The power generator 70 generates power by applying a magnetic field MF applied from the contactless reader / writer 50 to the coil 60. Specifically, the power generator 70 generates AC power using a resonant circuit 92, and converts the generated AC power into DC power for output.

[0113] Power generator 70 includes a resonant circuit 92 and a power supply circuit 82. Resonant circuit 92 includes capacitor 54, coil 60, and internal capacitor 80. Internal capacitor 80 is a capacitor built into IC chip 52, and power supply circuit 82 is also a circuit built into IC chip 52. Internal capacitor 80 is connected in parallel with coil 60.

[0114] Capacitor 54 is a capacitor externally connected to IC chip 52. IC chip 52 is originally a general-purpose IC chip that can also be used for purposes different from tape cassette 10. Therefore, the capacitance of built-in capacitor 80 is sometimes insufficient to achieve the resonant frequency required by the cassette memory 19 used in tape cassette 10. Therefore, in the cassette memory 19, capacitor 54 is attached to IC chip 52 as a capacitor having the capacitance value required to cause the resonant circuit 92 to resonate at a predetermined resonant frequency under the action of the magnetic field MF. In addition, the predetermined resonant frequency is a frequency equivalent to the frequency of the magnetic field MF (for example, 13.56MHz) and can be appropriately determined based on the specifications of the cassette memory 19 and / or the contactless reader / writer 50. Furthermore, the capacitance of capacitor 54 is determined based on the actual measured value of the capacitance of built-in capacitor 80. Moreover, although an example of a form in which capacitor 54 is externally connected is listed here, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this, and capacitor 54 can also be pre-assembled into IC chip 52.

[0115] The resonance circuit 92 generates AC power by generating a resonance phenomenon of a preset resonance frequency using an induced current induced by the coil 60 due to the magnetic field MF penetrating the coil 60 , and outputs the generated AC power to the power supply circuit 82 .

[0116] The power supply circuit 82 includes a rectifier circuit and a smoothing circuit. The rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit having a plurality of diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is only one example, and a half-wave rectifier circuit may also be used. The smoothing circuit is configured to include a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit 82 converts the alternating current input from the resonant circuit 92 into direct current, and supplies the converted direct current (hereinafter also referred to as "power") to the various drive elements in the IC chip 52. As various drive elements, a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, and a signal processing circuit 88 can be cited. In this way, the power generator 70 is used to supply power to the various drive elements in the IC chip 52, whereby the IC chip 52 operates using the power generated by the power generator 70.

[0117] Computer 84 controls the overall operation of memory 19. Clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal and outputs it to signal processing circuit 88 and other components. Signal processing circuit 88 and other components operate based on the clock signal input from clock signal generator 86. Clock signal generator 86 changes the frequency of the clock signal based on instructions from computer 84.

[0118] The signal processing circuit 88 is connected to the resonant circuit 92. The signal processing circuit 88 has a decoding circuit (not shown) and an encoding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 extracts the command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 60, decodes it, and outputs it to the computer 84. The computer 84 outputs a response signal to the command signal to the signal processing circuit 88. That is, the computer 84 performs processing corresponding to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit 88, and outputs the processing result to the signal processing circuit 88 as a response signal. If a response signal is input from the computer 84, the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 modulates the response signal by encoding the response signal, and outputs it to the resonant circuit 92. The resonant circuit 92 sends the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 to the contactless reader / writer 50 via the magnetic field MF.

[0119] As an example, Figure 11 As shown, the computer 84 includes a CPU 94 , an NVM 96 , and a RAM 98 . The CPU 94 , the NVM 96 , and the RAM 98 are connected to a bus 100 .

[0120] CPU 94 controls the operation of computer 84. NVM 96 is an example of a "storage medium" and "built-in memory" involved in the technology of the present invention. An example of NVM 96 is EEPROM. EEPROM is merely one example; for example, a ferroelectric memory may be substituted for EEPROM. Any non-volatile memory that can be mounted on IC chip 52 may be used. NVM 96 stores management information, etc. RAM 98 temporarily stores various information and is used as working memory. Examples of RAM 98 include DRAM and SRAM.

[0121] The CPU 94 selectively performs polling, reading, and writing based on command signals input from the signal processing circuit 88. Polling is a process for establishing communication with the contactless reader / writer 50 and is performed, for example, as a preparatory process prior to reading and writing. Reading is a process for reading management information from the NVM 96. Writing is a process for writing management information to the NVM 96.

[0122] As an example, Figure 12As shown, the control device 38 includes an ASIC 120 and a storage unit 122. The ASIC 120 and storage unit 122 are connected to a bus 125. This connection is merely an example; various devices, such as the storage unit 122, may also be directly connected to the ASIC 120. Furthermore, the bus 125 is also connected to a feed motor 40, a take-up motor 44, and a contactless reader / writer 50A. The ASIC 120 controls the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44. Under the control of the ASIC 120, the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 selectively feed the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions. Furthermore, under the control of the ASIC 120, the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 apply tension to the magnetic tape MT within an allowable range and adjust the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT within the allowable range.

[0123] Here, the allowable range refers to a range obtained in advance through computer simulation and / or testing using actual equipment as the range of tension within which data can be recorded and / or read without any problems using the magnetic head 36. The allowable range may be specified in a table format, for example, and may be updated each time a new product of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is released, or may be changed based on external instructions and / or pre-set conditions, or may be fixed.

[0124] The ASIC 120 controls the contactless reader / writer 50A. Under the control of the ASIC 120, the contactless reader / writer 50A sends a command signal to the cartridge memory 19. In addition, the contactless reader / writer 50A receives a response signal from the cartridge memory 19 in response to the command signal sent to the cartridge memory 19.

[0125] The tape drive 30 includes a communication I / F 126. The communication I / F 126 is also connected to the bus 125. The communication I / F 126 is connected to the communication network 6 and controls communication between the ASIC 120 and the host computer 4.

[0126] The box memory 19 stores the information that can be used to determine the Figure 12The drive ID 128 of each tape drive 30 is different from that of the tape drive 30 shown. The drive ID 128 in the cartridge memory 19 is read by the contactless reader / writer 50A. Furthermore, the ASIC 120 temporarily stores the drive ID 128 read from the cartridge memory 19 by the contactless reader / writer 50A in the storage unit 122. The ASIC 120 reads the drive ID 128 from the storage unit 122 and transmits the read drive ID 128 to the host computer 4 via the communication I / F 126. The host computer 4 stores information related to the characteristics of each of the plurality of tape drives 30 (hereinafter referred to as "drive characteristic information"), details of which will be described later. The host computer 4 maintains a one-to-one correspondence between the drive characteristic information and the drive ID 128. The host computer 4 receives the drive ID 128 transmitted from the tape drive 30 and transmits the drive characteristic information associated with the received drive ID 128 to the tape drive 30 from which the drive ID 128 was transmitted. The tape drive 30 receives the drive characteristic information transmitted from the host computer 4 via the communication I / F 126. The ASIC 120 executes various processes based on the drive characteristic information received via the communication I / F 126.

[0127] The bus 125 is also connected to the magnetic head 36, and the ASIC 120 controls the magnetic head 36. Under the control of the ASIC 120, the magnetic head 36 performs a data recording operation to record data on the magnetic tape MT, a data reading operation to read data from the magnetic tape MT, and a servo pattern 51 (see FIG. 5 ) from the magnetic tape MT. Figure 14 ) servo reading action, etc.

[0128] The tape drive 30 includes a moving mechanism 129. The moving mechanism 129 includes a moving actuator 129A. Examples of the moving actuator 129A include a voice coil motor and / or a piezoelectric actuator. The moving actuator 129A is connected to the bus 125, and the ASIC 120 controls the moving actuator 129A. The moving actuator 129A generates power under the control of the ASIC 120. The moving mechanism 129 operates by receiving the power generated by the moving actuator 129A. The ASIC 120 uses the moving mechanism 129 to perform servo control. Here, servo control refers to control for moving the magnetic head 36 in the width direction of the magnetic tape MT by causing the moving mechanism 129 to operate based on the servo pattern 51 read from the magnetic tape MT by a servo reading operation.

[0129] As an example, Figure 13 As shown, the host computer 4 includes a CPU 170 , an NVM 172 , a RAM 174 , and a communication I / F 176 . The CPU 170 , the NVM 172 , the RAM 174 , and the communication I / F 176 are connected to a bus 178 .

[0130] The CPU 170 controls the operation of the host computer 4. An example of the NVM 172 is an SSD. An SSD is merely one example; for example, an EEPROM and / or HDD may also be used, or any non-volatile memory may be used. The RAM 174 temporarily stores various information and is used as working memory. Examples of the RAM 174 include DRAM and SRAM. The communication I / F 176 is connected to the communication network 6 and controls communication between the CPU 170 and the control device 38 of the tape drive 30.

[0131] As an example, Figure 14 As shown, servo bands SB1, SB2, and SB3 and data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT. For ease of explanation, servo bands SB1 to SB3 are referred to as servo bands SB, and data bands DB1 and DB2 are referred to as data bands DB, unless otherwise specified.

[0132] Servo bands SB1 to SB3 and data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Here, the entire length of the magnetic tape MT refers to the longitudinal direction (forward and reverse directions) of the magnetic tape MT.

[0133] The servo bands SB1-SB3 are arranged at intervals in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the servo bands SB1-SB3 are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction WD. In this embodiment, "equal intervals" refers not only to completely equal intervals but also to intervals that include a degree of tolerance generally permitted in the technical field to which the technology of the present invention pertains and that does not deviate from the technical scope of the present invention.

[0134] Data band DB1 is arranged between servo band SB1 and servo band SB2, and data band DB2 is arranged between servo band SB2 and servo band SB3. That is, servo bands SB and data bands DB are alternately arranged along the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0135] Servo patterns 51 are formed on the servo band SB at predetermined intervals along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The servo pattern 51 includes magnetized regions 51A and 51B. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B are a pair of linear magnetized regions that are tilted symmetrically with respect to an imaginary straight line extending along the width direction WD. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B are non-parallel to each other and are tilted at predetermined angles in opposite directions along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0136] In addition, Figure 14 In the example shown, three servo bands SB and two data bands DB are shown, but this is only an example. It may also be two servo bands SB and one data band DB. Even if there are four or more servo bands SB and three or more data bands DB, the technology of the present invention is also applicable.

[0137] The magnetic element unit 46 in the magnetic head 36 has a plurality of magnetic elements. Figure 14 In the illustrated example, the plurality of magnetic elements includes a plurality of servo read elements SR and a plurality of data magnetic elements DRW. The length of the magnetic head 36 along the longitudinal direction is wider than the width of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the length of the magnetic head 36 along the longitudinal direction is such that it covers at least the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT when the magnetic element unit 46 reads or writes data from a data band DB on the magnetic tape MT. The plurality of servo read elements SR and the plurality of data magnetic elements DRW are disposed in the center of the magnetic head 36 when viewed from above, and are arranged linearly at intervals along the width direction WD.

[0138] exist Figure 14 In the example shown, servo read elements SR1 and SR2 are exemplified as the plurality of servo read elements SR. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the servo read elements SR1 and SR2 are referred to as servo read elements SR unless otherwise specified.

[0139] The servo reading element SR is set at a position corresponding to the servo band SB. Figure 14 In the example shown, the servo reading element SR1 is set at a position corresponding to the servo band SB1, and the servo reading element SR2 is set at a position corresponding to the servo band SB2. The moving mechanism 129 is located in the ASIC 120 (refer to FIG. Figure 12 ) is controlled to move the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD according to the servo pattern 51 read by the servo read element SR.

[0140] Furthermore, when the data band DB to which the magnetic element unit 46 is to be read or written is changed (in Figure 14 In the example shown, when the data band DB to be read or written by the magnetic element unit 46 is changed from one of the data bands DB1 and DB2 to the other, the moving mechanism 129 is in the ASIC 120 (refer to Figure 12 ) controls the movement of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD, thereby changing the position of the servo read element SR. Specifically, the movement mechanism 129 moves the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD, thereby moving the servo read element SR1 from one of the positions corresponding to servo band SB1 and servo band SB2 to the other, and moving the servo read element SR2 from one of the positions corresponding to servo band SB2 and servo band SB3 to the other. Then, by performing tracking control, at least one data magnetic element DRW reads and writes to a specified position within the data band DB.

[0141] Multiple data magnetic elements DRW are disposed between servo read element SR1 and servo read element SR2. Specifically, multiple data magnetic elements DRW are disposed between adjacent servo read elements SR. The multiple data magnetic elements DRW are spaced apart along the width direction WD (e.g., evenly spaced along the width direction WD). The multiple data magnetic elements DRW record and read data on data bands DB between adjacent servo bands SB.

[0142] For example, Figure 14 As shown, with the position of the servo read element SR1 corresponding to the position of the servo band SB1 and the position of the servo read element SR2 corresponding to the position of the servo band SB2, a plurality of data magnetic elements DRW record and read data on and from the data band DB1.

[0143] In addition, Figure 14 In the illustrated example, three servo bands SB are formed on the magnetic tape MT. However, this is merely an example. For example, two servo bands SB may be formed on the magnetic tape MT, or four or more servo bands SB may be formed on the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, the magnetic head 36 may be provided with servo read elements SR corresponding to the number of servo bands SB at positions corresponding to the servo bands SB.

[0144] As an example, Figure 15 As shown, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are formed on data band DB1. The magnetic head 36 includes data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 as a plurality of data magnetic elements DRW along the width direction WD between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2. The data magnetic elements DRW1-DRW8 correspond one-to-one to the data tracks DT1-DT8, enabling data to be recorded and read from the data tracks DT1-DT8.

[0145] Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of data tracks DT corresponding to data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are also formed in the data band DB2.

[0146] In the following, unless otherwise specified, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are referred to as data tracks DT. Furthermore, in the following, unless otherwise specified, data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 are referred to as data magnetic elements DRW. Furthermore, in the following, unless otherwise specified, data tracks DT1 to DT8 are collectively referred to as data tracks DT.

[0147] As an example, Figure 16 As shown, the data track DT includes a data track group DTG. Data tracks DT1 to DT8 correspond to the data track groups DTG1 to DTG8. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the data track groups DTG1 to DTG8 will be referred to as data track groups DTG.

[0148] The data track group DTG1 includes data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12. The data magnetic element DRW1 is responsible for recording data into the data track group DTG1, that is, recording data into the data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12. Furthermore, the data magnetic element DRW1 is responsible for reading data from the data track group DTG1, that is, reading data from the data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12.

[0149] The data magnetic elements DRW2 to DRW8 are also responsible for recording data into the data track group DTG of the data track DT corresponding to each data magnetic element DRW and reading data from the data track group DTG of the data track DT corresponding to each data magnetic element DRW, respectively, similarly to the data magnetic element DRW1.

[0150] The data magnetic element DRW moves along with the magnetic head 36 through the moving mechanism 129 (refer to Figure 14 ) moves in the width direction WD to a position corresponding to a designated one of the plurality of data tracks DT. The data magnetic element DRW stays at the position corresponding to the designated one of the data tracks DT by servo control using the servo pattern 51.

[0151] Specifically, when data is recorded or read on the data track DT1_1, the moving mechanism 129 moves the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD, thereby moving the data magnetic element DRW1 to a position above the data track DT1_1 (for example, a position facing the data track DT1_1 on the magnetic tape MT).

[0152] As an example, Figure 17 As shown, the magnetic element unit 46 includes a first data recording element group DWG1, a second data recording element group DWG2, and a data reading element group DRG. The servo reading element SR1 is located at one end of the magnetic element unit 46, and the servo reading element SR2 is located at the other end of the magnetic element unit 46.

[0153] The data magnetic element DRW includes a first data recording element DW1, a second data recording element DW2, and a data reading element DR. The first data recording element group DWG1 includes a plurality of first data recording elements DW1. The second data recording element group DWG2 includes a plurality of second data recording elements DW2. The data reading element group DR G includes a plurality of data reading elements DR.

[0154] The first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 each record data on a data track DT. The data reading element DR reads data from the data track DT. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 will be referred to as data recording elements DW.

[0155] The first data recording element group DWG1, the second data recording element group DWG2, and the data readout element group DRG are arranged along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT from the take-up reel 42 side to the cassette reel 18 side in this order, spaced at constant intervals. Here, the term "constant interval" refers to a predetermined interval, for example, determined through experiments using actual equipment and / or computer simulations, to prevent crosstalk between the data readout element DR and the data recording element DW. Furthermore, the term "constant" here refers not only to completely constant but also to approximately constant, including tolerances within the technical field to which the present invention pertains and without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0156] The servo read element SR includes a first servo read element SRa, a second servo read element SRb, and a third servo read element SRc. The first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc are arranged in this order from the take-up reel 42 side in the full length direction of the magnetic tape MT to the cassette reel 18 side.

[0157] In addition, here, the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc are exemplified, but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may also be one or two of the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc.

[0158] The first data recording element group DWG1 includes a first servo read element SRa of the servo read element SR1, a first servo read element SRa of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of first data recording elements DW1. The plurality of first data recording elements DW1 are arranged linearly from the first servo read element SRa side of the servo read element SR1 to the first servo read element SRa side of the servo read element SR2. Figure 17 In the example shown, eight first data recording elements DW1 are illustrated as a plurality of first data recording elements DW1, and these first data recording elements DW1 correspond to data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 (refer to FIG. Figure 15 ).

[0159] The second data recording element group DWG2 includes the third servo read element SRc of the servo read element SR1, the third servo read element SRc of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of second data recording elements DW2. The plurality of second data recording elements DW2 are arranged in a straight line from the third servo read element SRc side of the servo read element SR1 to the third servo read element SRc side of the servo read element SR2. Figure 17 In the example shown, eight second data recording elements DW2 are illustrated as a plurality of second data recording elements DW2, and these second data recording elements DW2 correspond to data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 (refer to FIG. Figure 15 ).

[0160] The data read element group DRG includes the second servo read element SRb of the servo read element SR1, the second servo read element SRb of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of data read elements DR. The plurality of data read elements DR are arranged in a straight line from the second servo read element SRb side of the servo read element SR1 to the second servo read element SRb side of the servo read element SR2. Figure 17 In the example shown, eight data read elements DR are illustrated as the plurality of data read elements DR. These data read elements DR correspond to the data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 (see FIG. Figure 15 ).

[0161] In the magnetic element unit 46, the data reading element DR is sandwiched between the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. This is because the data reading element DR is not only used to read data from the data tracks DT but also to verify data. For example, when the magnetic tape MT is unwound from the tape cassette 10 (when the tape MT is traveling in the forward direction), after the second data recording element DW2 records data in the data tracks DT, the data reading element DR reads the data recorded by the second data recording element DW2 in the data tracks DT for error checking. Furthermore, when the magnetic tape MT is rewound into the tape cassette 10 (when the tape MT is traveling in the reverse direction), after the first data recording element DW1 records data in the data tracks DT, the data reading element DR reads the data recorded by the first data recording element DW1 in the data tracks DT for error checking.

[0162] As an example, Figure 18 As shown in FIG. 1 , the width of the magnetic tape MT formed with a plurality of servo bands SB decreases with the passage of time. Figure 18 In the example shown, the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD is reduced. However, conversely, the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD can also be increased. Factors that may affect the reduction or increase in the width of the magnetic tape MT include the storage environment of the magnetic tape MT and the stress applied to the magnetic tape MT loaded in the tape cassette 10.

[0163] For example, if the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD decreases over time, the position of the servo read element SR relative to the servo pattern 51 may deviate from the predetermined position set during design (for example, the center position of the magnetized region 51A and the magnetized region 51B). If the position of the servo read element SR relative to the servo pattern 51 deviates from the predetermined position set during design, the accuracy of servo control may decrease, resulting in a positional deviation between the data magnetic element DRW and the data track DT.

[0164] In view of this situation, in the tape system 2, Figure 19 The following processing is shown. As an example, Figure 19 As shown, the ASIC 120 of the tape drive 30 includes a first position detection unit 120A, a second position detection unit 120B, and a pitch calculation unit 120D.

[0165] Before data is recorded on the data band DB, a first servo signal based on the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 read by the servo read element SR1 (e.g., each or any one of the multiple servo signals based on the servo pattern 51 read by the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc included in the servo read element SR1) is input to the first position detector 120A. The first servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo band SB1. The first position detector 120A detects the position of the servo read element SR1 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB1 at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT (e.g., multiple locations spaced at regular intervals of several meters to several tens of meters) based on the pulse intervals of the first servo signal input from the servo read element SR1, and outputs the detection results to the pitch calculation unit 120D. Furthermore, regarding the detection results (detected position information), each detection result may be input to the pitch calculation section 120D based on the input servo signal, or an average value of these detection results may be output to the pitch calculation section 120D.

[0166] Before data is recorded on the data band DB, a second servo signal based on the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 read by the servo read element SR2 (for example, each or any one of the multiple servo signals based on the servo pattern 51 read by the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc included in the servo read element SR2) is input to the second position detector 120B. The second servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo band SB2. The second position detector 120B detects the position of the servo read element SR2 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB2 at multiple positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the pulse intervals of the second servo signal input from the servo read element SR2, and outputs the detection results to the pitch calculation unit 120D. The detection results (detected position information) may be input to the pitch calculation unit 120D individually based on the input servo signal, or the average of these detection results may be output to the pitch calculation unit 120D.

[0167] Here, a specific method of detecting the position of the servo read element SR in the width direction WD of the servo band SB will be described.

[0168] As an example, Figure 20 Shown in Figure 14One of the servo patterns 51 shown is shown in FIG. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo pattern 51 are a pair of linear magnetized regions that are tilted symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line running along the width direction WD. When the servo read element SR reads the magnetized regions 51A and 51B, pulses corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B are generated. Therefore, when the servo read element SR reads the servo pattern 51 while the magnetic tape MT is traveling in the forward or reverse direction, the intervals between the pulses generated by the magnetized regions 51A and 51B will differ depending on the position of the servo read element SR along the width direction WD. Furthermore, the servo pattern 51 does not necessarily need to be a pair of linear magnetized regions that are tilted symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line running along the width direction WD. The servo pattern 51 can be any pair of non-parallel linear magnetized regions. For example, the magnetized region 51A may be parallel to the imaginary line running along the width direction WD, while the magnetized region 51B may be tilted with respect to the imaginary line running along the width direction WD.

[0169] On the other hand, since the rotational speed and rotational torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are controlled by the ASIC 120, the ASIC 120 can calculate the speed of the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, based on the intervals between pulses corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B and the speed of the magnetic tape MT, the distance D between the magnetized region 51A and the magnetized region 51B at the position of the servo read element SR along the width direction WD can be obtained. The distance D is the distance between the magnetized region 51A and the magnetized region 51B along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0170] In this embodiment, a distance D is predefined for each of the multiple servo positions. For example, the multiple servo positions refer to multiple positions of the servo read element SR along the width direction WD within each servo band SB. For example, the servo positions for each servo band SB are indicated by numbers arranged in ascending order from "1" at one end to the other end in the width direction WD. The position of the servo read element SR along the width direction WD within each servo band SB is determined based on the distance D. In this embodiment, servo pattern distance information 148 is used as information including the predefined distance D for each servo position. The servo pattern distance information 148 is stored in the NVM 96 of the tape cassette 10 during the manufacturing stage of the tape cassette 10. The distance D is an example of "the distance along the entire length of the magnetic tape at multiple locations between a pair of magnetized regions constituting the servo pattern formed in each of the multiple servo bands" as defined by the present invention. Furthermore, the servo positions are an example of "multiple locations along the width direction within the multiple servo bands" as defined by the present invention.

[0171] The servo pattern 51 is recorded on the servo band SB of the magnetic tape MT by a servo signal writing head of a servo writer (not shown). Figure 21 As shown in FIG. 1 , it is ideal that the servo pattern 51 on the servo band SB is recorded in a straight line. However, in practice, as an example, Figure 21 As shown, the magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo pattern 51 may be curved rather than straight due to processing errors of the servo signal writing head. Figure 21 In the example of the servo pattern 51 shown, for convenience of explanation, the deformation of the magnetized regions 51A and 51B is schematically shown in a simplified and easily understood manner, and is shown in an emphasized manner compared to the actual deformation of the magnetized regions 51A and 51B.

[0172] The servo signal write head, which records the servo pattern 51 within the servo band SB, has a gap pattern formed on the servo signal write head. Like the servo pattern 51, the gap pattern is a pair of linear patterns. Like the servo pattern 51, the pair of gap patterns are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at a predetermined angle in opposite directions along the full length of the magnetic tape MT. In other words, leakage magnetic flux from the gap pattern magnetizes each servo band SB of the magnetic tape MT, recording a servo pattern 51 having the same shape as the gap pattern on each servo band SB. Therefore, if the gap pattern is curved due to manufacturing errors in the servo signal write head, the servo pattern 51 recorded on the magnetic tape MT will also be curved. The distance D between each of the multiple servo positions along the width direction WD within each servo band SB is measured by measuring the distance between the pair of gap patterns along the full length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0173] As an example, Figure 22 The servo pattern distance information 148 is shown in FIG. Figure 22 In the example shown, as an example of the servo pattern distance information 148, information in which the servo position, the distance D, and the servo distance are set for each servo band SB is shown. Figure 22 In the example shown, a servo position, distance D, and servo distance are associated with each identification number identifying a servo band SB. In other words, in the servo pattern distance information 148, multiple servo positions are associated with each servo band SB, and the distance D and servo distance are associated with each servo position. In other words, the servo pattern distance information 148 includes the distance D for each combination of a servo band SB and a servo position, and the servo distance corresponding to each servo position. The servo distance is the distance in the width direction WD corresponding to each servo position, with the position of the midpoint 149 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB as a reference.

[0174] exist Figure 22In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown, 19 servo positions are set on each servo band SB. The number of servo positions set on the servo band SB is not limited as long as a plurality of servo positions are set. Figure 22 In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown, for example, the servo distance of the servo position corresponding to the midpoint 149 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB is set to 0 μm. Furthermore, the farther the servo position is from the midpoint 149 in the width direction WD, the longer the servo distance at each servo position becomes. Figure 22 In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown, the servo distance of the servo position whose distance D is shorter than the distance D of the servo position corresponding to the midpoint 149 is represented by a positive value (+), and the servo distance of the servo position whose distance D is longer than the distance D of the servo position corresponding to the midpoint is represented by a negative value (-).

[0175] First position detection unit 120A (refer to Figure 19 ) The distance D is calculated based on the interval between pulses of the first servo signal, and the servo position of the servo reading element SR1 corresponding to the calculated distance D is detected with reference to the servo pattern distance information 148.

[0176] The second position detection unit 120B (reference Figure 19 ) The distance D is calculated based on the interval between pulses of the second servo signal, and the servo position of the servo reading element SR2 corresponding to the calculated distance D is detected by referring to the servo pattern distance information 148.

[0177] The pitch calculation unit 120D calculates the pitch of the servo patterns 51 in the width direction WD at a plurality of positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the detection results inputted from the first position detection unit 120A and the second position detection unit 120B. The pitch of the servo patterns 51 in the width direction WD refers to the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in the servo band SB1 and the servo patterns 51 in the servo band SB2, and the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in the servo band SB2 and the servo patterns 51 in the servo band SB3.

[0178] exist Figure 19 In the illustrated example, the pitch calculation unit 120D calculates the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in servo band SB1 and the servo patterns 51 in servo band SB2. However, this is merely an example. For example, if the magnetic head 36 is moved in the width direction WD so that the servo read element SR1 is positioned over servo band SB2 and the servo read element SR2 is positioned over servo band SB3, the pitch calculation unit 120D can calculate the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in servo band SB2 and the servo patterns 51 in servo band SB3 based on the first and second servo signals.

[0179] In the following, unless otherwise specified, the first position detection unit 120A and the second position detection unit 120B are referred to as position detection units 121 , and the first servo signal and the second servo signal are referred to as servo signals.

[0180] As an example, Figure 23 As shown, the pitch calculation unit 120D outputs pitch information 142 (e.g., information indicating the pitch between the servo bands SB) to the contactless reader / writer 50A, which can determine the pitch between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Prior to recording data on the data band DB, the contactless reader / writer 50A transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 space to write the pitch information 142. Based on the command signal from the contactless reader / writer 50A, the CPU 94 writes the pitch information 142 into the NVM 96. Consequently, the pitch information 142 at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT is stored in the NVM 96. Here, as an example of a stage before recording data on the data tape DB, the stage of manufacturing the tape cassette 10 can be cited, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. The stage before recording data on the data tape DB can also be a stage shortly after the user loads the tape cassette 10 into the tape drive 30 for the first time for initialization, or it can be a stage each time the tape cassette 10 is loaded into the tape drive 30.

[0181] Figure 24 1 is a diagram showing an example of the pitch information 142. The pitch information 142 is information in which the servo position and pitch are set for each servo band SB. Figure 24 In the example shown, servo positions and pitches are associated with each identification number identifying a servo band SB. In other words, in the pitch information 142, multiple servo positions are associated with each servo band SB, and pitches are associated with each servo position. In other words, the pitch information 142 includes the pitch for each combination of servo band SB and servo position. The pitch information 142 is measured for each of multiple positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT and stored in the NVM 96.

[0182] The spacing information 142 stored in the NVM 96 is information obtained from a reference tape drive 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "reference drive") among the plurality of tape drives 30. The "reference drive" referred to here does not refer to a standard tape drive 30 as is commonly known. Any tape drive 30 can serve as a "reference drive" for measuring spacing, as long as it is the first time the tape cartridge 10 is used.

[0183] As an example, Figure 25As shown, during the manufacturing phase of the tape drive 30, a measuring device 144 measures the distance between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "distance between servo read elements"). Examples of the measuring device 144 include an MFM, a SEM, and a laser microscope. The measuring device 144 stores distance information 146 (e.g., information indicating the distance between servo read elements) that can determine the distance between servo read elements in the storage unit 122 of the tape drive 30. The distance between servo read elements is an example of the "distance between multiple servo read elements after reading multiple servo bands" involved in the technology of the present invention. The contactless reader / writer 50B reads the distance information 146 from the storage unit 122 and transmits a command signal to write the distance information 146 to the cartridge memory 19 space. The CPU 94 writes the distance information 146 to the NVM 96 in response to the command signal from the contactless reader / writer 50B. As a result, the distance information 146 is stored in the NVM 96. The distance information 146 stored in the NV M 96 is information obtained by measuring the distance between servo read elements of the magnetic head 36 mounted on the reference actuator using the measuring device 144 .

[0184] Furthermore, the tape drive 30 may generate the pitch information 142 before the tape drive 30 records data using a pitch calculated from results of reading the servo bands SB by the servo read elements SR and the distance between the servo read elements SR.

[0185] Specifically, the moving mechanism 129 moves the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2 to positions on the servo band SB1 and servo band SB2, respectively, at multiple positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The position detection unit 121 calculates the distance D between the positions of the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2 along the width direction WD within each servo band SB at multiple positions to detect the servo position corresponding to the distance D. The ASIC 120 uses the servo distances at the servo positions of the servo read elements SR1 and SR2 and the inter-servo read element distance measured by the measurement device 144 to generate pitch information 142 for each of the multiple servo positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The servo position corresponding to the distance D is an example of "the result obtained by multiple servo read elements reading multiple servo bands" according to the technology of the present invention.

[0186] For example, assuming the inter-servo read element distance is 2858.6 μm, the servo distances of servo read element SR1 and servo read element SR2 are 23.555 μm and 23.455 μm, respectively. In this case, the pitch of the servo read elements SR at the servo positions is 2858.5 μm (2858.5=2858.6-(23.555-23.455)).

[0187] Thus, the ASIC 120 can generate the servo distance between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2 for each servo position specified in the servo pattern distance information 148 and the distance between the servo read elements stored in the storage unit 122 of the tape drive 30. Figure 24 Spacing information 142 is shown.

[0188] As a method for calculating the distance between servo read elements, the following method can be cited: when the distance between servo read elements of one of the two tape drives 30 is known but the distance between servo read elements of the other is unknown, the two tape drives 30 are used to measure the spacing between servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT under a specified environment, and the unknown distance between servo read elements is estimated based on the measurement result of the spacing and the known distance between servo read elements (hereinafter referred to as the "servo read element distance estimation method").

[0189] In the servo read element distance estimation method, the servo read element distance of drive A of the two tape drives 30 (herein, for convenience, referred to as "drive A" and "drive B") is a known servo read element distance measured, for example, by MFM, SEM, or laser microscope. Based on this, first, the servo pattern 51 (reference number) is recorded on the servo band SB loaded in drive A. Figure 14 ) is applied with a predetermined tension (hereinafter referred to as "tension T1" for convenience) to the magnetic tape MT in drive A, the spacing between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT in drive A is measured. Next, with the magnetic tape MT loaded in drive B being applied with tension T1, the spacing between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT in drive B is measured. The spacing between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT in drive A is then compared with the spacing between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT in drive B, and the unknown distance between the servo read elements (i.e., the distance between the servo read elements in drive B) is estimated based on the comparison result (e.g., difference or ratio) and the known distance between the servo read elements.

[0190] In the control device 38 (refer to Figure 12 ), as an example, Figure 26As shown, the ASIC 120 includes a position detection unit 121, a servo control unit 123, a first recording control unit 124, a second recording control unit 127, a first data acquisition unit 130, a read control unit 131, a second data acquisition unit 132, a data output unit 134, a transmission unit 136, a reception unit 138, and a tape transport control unit 140. The transmission unit 136 acquires the drive ID 128 from the storage unit 122 and transmits the acquired drive ID 128 to the host computer 4. The host computer 4 receives the drive ID 128 transmitted from the transmission unit 136 and transmits the drive corresponding distance information 154 (see FIG. 154 ) corresponding to the received drive ID 128 to the ASIC 120. Figure 28 The receiving unit 138 receives the driver corresponding distance information 154 sent from the host computer 4.

[0191] The tape transport control unit 140 selectively transports the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions by controlling the drive of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44. The feed motor 40 is driven by a feed motor control signal (not shown), while the take-up motor 44 is driven by a take-up motor control signal (not shown). The feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal are generated by the tape transport control unit 140. The feed motor control signal is supplied by the tape transport control unit 140 to the feed motor 40, while the take-up motor control signal is supplied by the tape transport control unit 140 to the take-up motor 44. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal are referred to as motor control signals.

[0192] The tape transport control unit 140 obtains pitch information 142 and distance information 146 from the cartridge memory 19. Based on the pitch and distance information 146 at the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD, as determined by the pitch information 142 obtained from the cartridge memory 19, and the driver-corresponding distance information 154 received by the receiver 138, the tape transport control unit 140 adjusts the rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, respectively. This appropriately adjusts the tape transport speed and tension of the magnetic tape MT, details of which will be described later. The tape transport speed and tension of the magnetic tape MT are adjusted at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are adjusted by the tape transport control unit 140 correcting the feed motor control signals and the take-up motor control signals based on the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the driver-corresponding distance information 154.

[0193] The two servo signals based on the servo pattern 51 read by the servo read elements SR1 and SR2 are input to the position detection unit 121. The position detection unit 121 detects the position of the servo read element SR1 and the position of the servo read element SR2 within the servo band SB and calculates the average of the detected positions. The position detection unit 121 then detects the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD based on the calculated average.

[0194] Furthermore, the servo pattern distance information 148 may be input from the cartridge memory 19 to the position detection unit 121. The position detection unit 121 may use the two servo signals to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo read elements SR1 and SR2, and refer to the servo pattern distance information 148 to detect the servo positions corresponding to the calculated distances D as the position of the servo read element SR1 and the position of the servo read element SR2 within the servo band SB, and calculate the average value of the detected positions.

[0195] For example, if the servo position of the servo read element SR1 in the servo band SB1 is "1" and the servo position of the servo read element SR2 in the servo band SB2 is "3", the servo position indicated by "2" becomes the width direction position of the magnetic head 36. Figure 22 In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148, 19 servo positions are set, but the servo position can also be calculated based on the distance D and the servo pattern distance information 148 when detecting the servo position, and set to the middle value of the servo position set in the servo pattern distance information 148.

[0196] The position detection unit 121 outputs the detected position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD to the servo control unit 123 and the tape transport control unit 140 .

[0197] Hereinafter, the detection result of the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD is simply referred to as “the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 ”.

[0198] The servo control unit 123 compares the detection result of the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD from the position detection unit 121 with the target position in the width direction WD of the magnetic head 36. The target position is specified by the ASIC 120 using the servo position every time data is recorded and / or read from the tape cartridge 10 in the tape drive 30, for example.

[0199] If the detection result is the same as the target position, the servo control unit 123 does not perform any operation. If the detection result deviates from the target position, the servo control unit 123 outputs a servo control signal to the moving mechanism 129. The moving mechanism 129 operates according to the servo control signal input from the servo control unit 123, thereby aligning the position of the magnetic head 36 to the target position.

[0200] The first data acquisition unit 130 acquires data to be recorded on the data band DB by the magnetic head 36 from the host computer 4 . The first data acquisition unit 130 outputs the data acquired from the host computer 4 to the first recording control unit 124 .

[0201] The first recording control unit 124 encodes the data input from the first data acquisition unit 130 into a digital signal for recording. Then, the first recording control unit 124 supplies a pulse current corresponding to the digital signal to the first data recording element DW1 included in the magnetic head 36, thereby recording the data in a specified data track DT in the data band DB.

[0202] The second data acquisition unit 132 acquires data to be recorded on the data tape DB using the magnetic head 36 from the host computer 4. The second data acquisition unit 132 outputs the data acquired from the host computer 4 to the second recording control unit 127. While the first data acquisition unit 130 and the second data acquisition unit 132 are illustrated here, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this, and a single data acquisition unit may be used. In this case, data can be output to either the first recording control unit 124 or the second recording control unit 127 depending on the direction of travel of the magnetic tape MT.

[0203] The second recording control unit 127 encodes the data input from the second data acquisition unit 132 into a digital signal for recording. Then, the second recording control unit 127 supplies a pulse current corresponding to the digital signal to the second data recording element DW2 included in the magnetic head 36, thereby recording the data in a specified data track DT in the data band DB.

[0204] The read control unit 131 controls the operation of the data read element DR of the magnetic head 36, causing the data read element DR to read data from a specified data track DT within the data band DB. The data read from the data track DT by the data read element DR is a pulsed digital signal. The read control unit 131 outputs the pulsed digital signal to the data output unit 134.

[0205] The data output unit 134 decodes the pulse-shaped digital signal input from the read control unit 131. The data output unit 134 outputs the decoded data to a predetermined output destination (e.g., the host computer 4, a display (not shown), and / or a storage device (e.g., the storage unit 122)).

[0206] As an example, Figure 27 As shown, in the host computer 4, the NVM 172 stores a drive characteristic table 150 and a servo read element distance derivation program 152. The drive characteristic table 150 stores drive characteristic information about each of the plurality of tape drives 30.

[0207] As drive characteristic information, for example, there can be cited information indicating the characteristics of the magnetic head 36 (for example, the distance between servo reading elements), the manufacturing number of the tape drive 30, information indicating the manufacturing date of the tape drive 30, information indicating the factory release date of the tape drive 30, information indicating the inspection date of the tape drive 30, information indicating the characteristics of the ASIC 120 of the tape drive 30, information indicating the characteristics of the moving mechanism 129, information indicating the characteristics of the feed motor 40, information indicating the characteristics of the take-up motor 44, and information indicating the characteristics of the contactless reader / writer 50A.

[0208] The CPU 170 reads the servo reading element distance derivation program 152 from the NVM 172 and executes the read servo reading element distance derivation program 152 on the RAM 174. By executing the servo reading element distance derivation program 152, the CPU 170 operates as a receiving unit 170A, a derivation unit 170B, and a transmitting unit 170C.

[0209] As an example, Figure 28 As shown, each drive characteristic table 150 stores the inter-servo read element distance of each magnetic head 36 mounted on each tape drive 30 as drive characteristic information. Furthermore, each drive characteristic table 150 stores the drive ID 128 for each tape drive 30. In each drive characteristic table 150, the inter-servo read element distance associated with the magnetic head 36 mounted on the tape drive 30 identified by the drive ID 128 is associated with each drive ID 128. Here, the drive ID 128 serves as information for identifying the magnetic head 36 mounted on the tape drive 30. Furthermore, the drive ID 128 is an example of "head identification information for identifying a magnetic head equipped with multiple servo read elements" according to the present invention, and the inter-servo read element distance stored in each drive characteristic table 150 is an example of "information indicating the distance between the multiple servo read elements mounted on the magnetic head" according to the present invention.

[0210] In the case where the drive ID 128 of the tape drive 30 (herein, referred to as "drive C" for convenience) which has acquired the pitch information 142 in the action before recording data on the magnetic tape MT is stored in the cartridge memory 19, as in Figure 12As explained in the example shown, the contactless reader / writer 50A reads the drive ID 128 of the drive C from the cartridge memory 19. The drive ID 128 of the drive C is obtained by a tape drive 30 (i.e., a different tape drive from the drive C) Figure 28 The ASIC 120 of the tape drive 30 shown (herein, referred to as "drive D" for convenience) is temporarily stored in the storage unit 122. In the ASIC 120 of drive D, the sending unit 136 obtains the drive ID 128 of drive C from the storage unit 122 and sends the obtained drive ID 128 to the host computer 4.

[0211] In the host computer 4, the receiving unit 170A receives the driver ID 128 transmitted from the transmitting unit 136. The deriving unit 170B derives the inter-servo read element distance corresponding to the driver ID 128 received by the receiving unit 170A (i.e., the inter-servo read element distance corresponding to the driver C) from the respective driver characteristic tables 150. The transmitting unit 170C transmits driver-corresponding distance information 154 to the ASIC 120. This driver-corresponding distance information 154 indicates the inter-servo read element distance derived by the deriving unit 170B from the respective driver characteristic tables 150. In the ASIC 120, the receiving unit 138 receives the driver-corresponding distance information 154 transmitted from the transmitting unit 170C.

[0212] In this embodiment, an example is given in which the distances between the servo reading elements of multiple tape drives 30 are summarized in the form of each drive characteristic table 150 in the NVM 172 of the host computer 4. In this case, as described above, it is preferred that at least the drive ID 128 and the drive ID 128 in the head ID are stored in the box memory 19.

[0213] Here, for example, when the drive ID 128 of the drive C is stored in the cartridge memory 19, when a recording operation and / or a reading operation is performed by another tape drive 30 (i.e., the aforementioned drive D), the ASIC 120 of the drive D receives the data via the contactless reader / writer 50A (see FIG. Figure 12 ) obtains the distance information 142 and the driver ID 128 associated with driver C (an example of the "distance information" involved in the technology of the present invention) from the cartridge memory 19. Then, the ASIC 120 of driver D obtains the driver-corresponding distance information 154 corresponding to the driver ID 128 associated with driver C from the NVM 172 of the host computer 4. Since the distance information 146 of driver D is stored in the storage unit 122 of driver D (refer to Figure 25), therefore, the ASIC120 of the drive D uses the distance information 146 stored in the storage unit 122 of the drive D (the distance between the servo read elements itself related to the drive D), the drive corresponding distance information 154 obtained from the NVM172 (the distance between the servo read elements itself related to the drive C), and the spacing information 142 stored in the box memory 19 of the drive D (the spacing itself measured by the drive C) to control the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT in the drive D.

[0214] In addition, the distance information 146 (refer to Figure 26 ) is the distance between servo reading elements itself, the ASIC 120 of the driver D does not need to obtain the distance between servo reading elements from the NVM 172 of the host computer 4, and therefore does not need to query the host computer 4.

[0215] As an example, Figure 29 As shown, in the cartridge memory 19, the CPU 94 performs a process of reading the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96. Thus, the CPU 94 reads the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96, and outputs the read pitch information 142 and distance information 146 to the tape transport control unit 140 via the non-contact reader / writer 50A. Alternatively, the CPU 94 may read at least one of the pitch information 142 and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96. The CPU 94 outputs the read servo pattern distance information 148 to the position detection unit 121 via the non-contact reader / writer 50A.

[0216] The position detection unit 121 stores the servo pattern distance information 148 input from the cartridge memory 19 via the contactless reader / writer 50A in the storage unit 122. The position detection unit 121 uses the servo signal input from the servo read element SR to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo read element SR. Referring to the servo pattern distance information 148, the position detection unit 121 detects the servo position corresponding to each calculated distance D and calculates the average value of the detected servo positions. The position detection unit 121 then detects the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 based on the calculated average value. The position detection unit 121 outputs the detected widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 to the servo control unit 123 and the tape transport control unit 140.

[0217] The servo control unit 123 controls the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD so that the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 detected by the position detection unit 121 becomes a preset target position. The ASIC 120 controlling the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 so that it approaches the target position is referred to as "positioning control of the magnetic head 36".

[0218] In addition, when the servo position matching the calculated distance D is not specified in the servo pattern distance information 148, the position detection unit 121 can detect the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D by interpolating the servo position using the calculated distance D and the distance D of the servo position specified in the servo pattern distance information 148.

[0219] For example, if the calculated distance D is "22.001 μm", then Figure 22 In the servo pattern distance information 148 shown, the calculated distance D is included in the range of distances D corresponding to servo positions "1" and "2." Therefore, the position detection unit 121 can simply interpolate between the distance D corresponding to servo position "1" and the distance D corresponding to servo position "2" to determine the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D. The servo position can be interpolated using a known interpolation method. Specifically, for example, in addition to linear interpolation, nonlinear interpolation methods such as Lagrange interpolation and spline interpolation can also be used.

[0220] Furthermore, when the servo position matching the calculated distance D is not specified in the servo pattern distance information 148 , the position detection unit 121 may use the servo position corresponding to the distance D closest to the calculated distance D as the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D.

[0221] The tape transport control unit 140 stores the distance information 146 and the pitch information 142 input from the cartridge memory 19 via the contactless reader / writer 50A in the storage unit 122. In a state where the servo control unit 123 has already positioned the magnetic head 36, the tape transport control unit 140 controls the drive of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 based on the driver-corresponding distance information 154 received by the receiving unit 138 and the distance information 146 and the pitch information 142 input from the cartridge memory 19 via the contactless reader / writer 50A, so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements indicated by the driver-corresponding distance information 154, thereby adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. In this case, the tape transport control unit 140 first calculates the distance between the servo read elements determined based on the distance information 146 (measured by the measuring device 144 (referring to FIG. 1 )). Figure 25 ) and the difference between the servo read element distance indicated by the driver corresponding distance information 154 (hereinafter also referred to as “difference”).

[0222] Here, the difference refers to, for example, a value obtained by subtracting the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the driver-compatible distance information 154 from the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146. Furthermore, while an example of a method for calculating the difference is provided here, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the difference may be a ratio of the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the driver-compatible distance information 154 to the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146. This difference is merely an example; any value representing the difference between the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146 and the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the driver-compatible distance information 154 may be sufficient.

[0223] The tape transport control unit 140 uses the calculated difference and the spacing corresponding to the width-wise position of the magnetic head 36 determined based on the spacing information 142 as independent variables, and the correction value for correcting the sending motor control signal (hereinafter also referred to as the "sending motor control signal correction value") and the correction value for correcting the winding motor control signal (hereinafter also referred to as the "winding motor control signal correction value") as dependent variables to calculate the sending motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value using equation 156.

[0224] The feed motor control signal correction value and the take-up motor control signal correction value are correction values ​​used for the feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal in order to obtain the feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal required to achieve the following tension, which is applied to the magnetic tape MT so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo reading elements represented by the drive corresponding distance information 154.

[0225] In addition, the calculation formula 156 used by the tape transport control unit 140 is a calculation formula obtained in advance through experiments using actual equipment and / or computer simulation, etc., as a calculation formula for calculating the following correction value. The correction value is used for the feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal in order to obtain the feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal required to achieve the following tension, which is applied to the magnetic tape MT so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo reading elements represented by the drive corresponding distance information 154.

[0226] The tape transport control unit 140 corrects the feed motor control signal using the calculated feed motor control signal correction value and supplies it to the feed motor 40, thereby controlling the drive of the feed motor 40. It also corrects the take-up motor control signal using the calculated take-up motor control signal correction value and supplies it to the take-up motor 44, thereby controlling the drive of the take-up motor 44. This adjusts the width of the magnetic tape MT to a width corresponding to the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the driver-corresponding distance information 154. Specifically, if the target position of the magnetic head 36 is set to the midpoint in the width direction WD of the servo band SB, the position detection unit 121 and the servo control unit 123 perform positioning control of the magnetic head 36 to move the servo read element SR to the servo position corresponding to the midpoint. Furthermore, the width of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted by the tape transport control unit 140 adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0227] Next, refer to Figure 30 and Figure 31 The function of the magnetic tape system 2 will be described.

[0228] Figure 30 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the servo reading element distance derivation process executed by the CPU 170 of the host computer 4 according to the servo reading element distance derivation program 152 . Figure 31 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of tape width control processing executed by the ASIC 120 of the tape drive 30 .

[0229] exist Figure 30 In the servo read element distance derivation process shown, first, in step ST10, the receiving unit 170A determines whether it has received the drive ID 128 transmitted from the transmitting unit 136 of the tape drive 30 by executing the process of step ST100 of the tape width control process described later. If, in step ST10, the drive ID 128 transmitted from the transmitting unit 136 of the tape drive 30 has not been received, the determination is negative, and the servo read element distance derivation process proceeds to step ST16. If, in step ST10, the drive ID 128 transmitted from the transmitting unit 136 of the tape drive 30 has been received, the determination is positive, and the servo read element distance derivation process proceeds to step ST12.

[0230] In step ST12 , the deriving unit 170B derives the inter-servo read element distance corresponding to the driver ID 128 received in step ST10 from each driver characteristic table 150 .

[0231] In the next step ST14 , the transmission unit 170C transmits the drive-corresponding distance information 154 indicating the distance between the servo read elements derived in step ST12 to the tape drive 30 .

[0232] In the following step ST16, the transmission unit 170C determines whether a condition for terminating the servo-read element distance derivation process (hereinafter also referred to as the "servo-read element distance derivation process termination condition") is satisfied. Examples of the servo-read element distance derivation process termination condition include receiving an external instruction to terminate the servo-read element distance derivation process. If the servo-read element distance derivation process termination condition is not satisfied in step ST16, the determination is negative, and the servo-read element distance derivation process proceeds to step ST10. If the servo-read element distance derivation process termination condition is satisfied in step ST16, the determination is positive, and the servo-read element distance derivation process terminates.

[0233] exist Figure 31 In the tape width control process shown, first, in step ST100 , the transmission unit 136 transmits the drive ID 128 to the host computer 4 .

[0234] In the next step ST102, the receiving unit 138 determines whether the received Figure 30 In step ST102, if the drive corresponding distance information 154 transmitted by the transmitting unit 170C is not received, the determination is negative, and the determination of step ST102 is repeated. In step ST102, if the drive corresponding distance information 154 transmitted by the transmitting unit 170C is received, the determination is positive, and the tape width control process proceeds to step ST104.

[0235] In step ST104, the tape transport control unit 140 acquires the pitch information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 via the CPU 94 and the non-contact reader / writer 50A. The tape transport control unit 140 stores the acquired pitch information 142 and distance information 146 in the storage unit 122. Furthermore, the position detection unit 121 stores the acquired servo pattern distance information 148 in the storage unit 122. In this way, if the pitch information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 are stored in the storage unit 122, the tape transport control unit 140 does not need to acquire the pitch information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 again from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19.

[0236] In the next step ST106 , the tape transport control unit 140 starts transporting the magnetic tape MT by controlling the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 .

[0237] In the next step ST108, the tape transport control unit 140 determines whether the position of the magnetic head 36 relative to the magnetic tape MT has reached a predetermined position. The predetermined position is one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Whether the predetermined position has been reached can be determined, for example, based on a servo signal input from the servo sensor SR to the position detection unit 121, based on the time elapsed since the start of tape transport, or based on the drive amounts of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44.

[0238] In step ST108, if the position of the magnetic head 36 relative to the magnetic tape MT has not reached the predetermined position, the determination is negative, and the tape width control process proceeds to step ST118. In step ST108, if the position of the magnetic head 36 relative to the magnetic tape MT has reached the predetermined position, the determination is positive, and the tape width control process proceeds to step ST109.

[0239] In step ST109, the position detection unit 121 calculates the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo read element SR using the servo signal input from the servo read element SR. The position detection unit 121 detects the servo position of the servo read element SR in each servo band SB using the calculated distance D and the servo pattern distance information 148 acquired in step ST104, and then detects the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36.

[0240] The servo control unit 123 controls the moving mechanism 129 so that the detected widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 approaches the target position, thereby performing positioning control of the magnetic head 36. As a result, the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 moves to the target position.

[0241] In step ST110 , the transport control unit 140 calculates the difference between the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146 acquired in step ST104 and the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the driver-corresponding distance information 154 .

[0242] In the next step ST112, the tape transport control unit 140 substitutes the difference calculated in step ST110 and the spacing determined according to the spacing information 142 obtained in step ST104 into the calculation formula 156, thereby calculating the sending motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value according to the calculation formula 156.

[0243] As an example, consider a case where the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146 is longer than the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the drive-corresponding distance information 154. In this case, even if the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 is brought closer to the target position in step ST109, the data magnetic elements DRW may not be positioned on the corresponding data tracks DT on the magnetic tape MT.

[0244] Specifically, the larger the difference calculated in step ST110 , the longer the interval between adjacent data magnetic elements DRW in the magnetic head 36 becomes than the interval between adjacent data tracks DT on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT.

[0245] In this case, if the tension on the magnetic tape MT is reduced to a value lower than the tension T1, the width of the magnetic tape MT increases, and the data magnetic elements DRW move closer to positions on the corresponding data tracks DT on the magnetic tape MT. As described above, the tension T1 is a preset reference tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when recording or reading data on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT in the tape drive 30.

[0246] On the other hand, the pitch information 142 indicates the pitch corresponding to each servo position when using the magnetic head 36 having the servo read element inter-element distance indicated by the drive-corresponding distance information 154. The pitch specified in the pitch information 142 is a pitch that enables the data magnetic elements DRW to be positioned on the corresponding data tracks DT of the magnetic tape MT when the magnetic tape MT is run at the tension T1.

[0247] Therefore, the tape transport control unit 140 moves from the predetermined position corresponding to the predetermined position reached by the magnetic head 36. Figure 24 The pitch information 142 shown acquires the pitch corresponding to the servo position indicating the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 detected in step ST109 .

[0248] By knowing the pitch corresponding to the servo position indicating the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 detected in step ST109 and the difference calculated in step ST110, the amount of deviation between this pitch and the pitch in the tape drive 30 currently performing tape width control can be determined. Therefore, equation 156 calculates the feed motor control signal correction value and the take-up motor control signal correction value required to weaken the tension of the magnetic tape MT below tension T1 as the amount of pitch deviation increases.

[0249] Next, consider a situation where the inter-servo read element distance determined based on the distance information 146 is shorter than the inter-servo read element distance indicated by the drive-corresponding distance information 154. In this case, the larger the difference calculated in step ST110, the shorter the interval between adjacent data magnetic elements DRW in the magnetic head 36 becomes than the interval between adjacent data tracks DT provided on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT.

[0250] In this case, if the tension of the magnetic tape MT is increased to be stronger than the tension T1, the width of the magnetic tape MT is reduced, and the data magnetic elements DRW are moved closer to the positions on the corresponding data tracks DT of the magnetic tape MT.

[0251] Therefore, when the distance between the servo reading elements determined based on the distance information 146 is shorter than the distance between the servo reading elements represented by the drive corresponding distance information 154, the operation formula 156 calculates the feed motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value so that the tension of the magnetic tape MT becomes stronger than the tension T1 as the deviation of the spacing increases.

[0252] That is, the tape transport control unit 140 uses equation 156 to calculate the feed motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value to reduce the deviation in the width direction WD between each data magnetic element DRW and the data track DT on which data is recorded and / or read by each data magnetic element DRW.

[0253] If the pitch information 142 does not specify the servo position indicating the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 detected in step ST109 , the transport control unit 140 may calculate the pitch corresponding to the servo position indicating the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 by interpolation.

[0254] In the next step ST114 , the tape transport control unit 140 corrects the feed motor control signal using the feed motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST112 , and corrects the take-up motor control signal using the take-up motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST112 .

[0255] In the next step ST116, the tape transport control unit 140 supplies the feed motor control signal corrected in step ST114 to the feed motor 40 to control the drive of the feed motor 40, and supplies the take-up motor control signal corrected in step ST114 to the take-up motor 44 to control the drive of the take-up motor 44. Thus, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted, and the width of the magnetic tape MT is controlled to a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements indicated by the driver-corresponding distance information 154.

[0256] In the next step ST118, the tape transport control unit 140 determines whether a condition for terminating the tape width control process (hereinafter also referred to as a "tape width control process termination condition") is satisfied. Examples of the tape width control process termination condition include receiving an external instruction to terminate the tape width control process and / or completing data recording or reading over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0257] In step ST118, if the tape width control process end condition is not satisfied, the determination is negative, and the tape width control process proceeds to step ST108. In step ST118, if the tape width control process end condition is satisfied, the determination is positive, and the tape width control process ends.

[0258] As described above, in this embodiment, the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 are stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 equipped with the cartridge memory 19 having the NVM 96 storing the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 can be loaded into a tape drive 30 other than a reference drive for use.

[0259] When the tape cassette 10 constructed in this manner is loaded into the tape drive 30 and the magnetic tape MT in the tape cassette 10 is pulled out and a recording action or a reading action is performed by the magnetic head 36, the tape transport control unit 140 of the tape drive 30 obtains the spacing information 142, the distance information 146 and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96 of the cassette memory 19.

[0260] The tape transport control unit 140 also obtains, from the host computer 4, drive-corresponding distance information 154 indicating the distance between servo read elements associated with the magnetic head 36 mounted on the tape drive 30. The tape transport control unit 140 then calculates a correction value for the feed motor control signal and a correction value for the take-up motor control signal by substituting the difference between the distance between servo read elements indicated by the drive-corresponding distance information 154 and the distance between servo read elements determined based on the distance information 146 and the pitch determined based on the pitch information 142 into arithmetic equation 156.

[0261] The tape transport control unit 140 then supplies a feed motor control signal corrected using the feed motor control signal correction value to the feed motor 40, and supplies a take-up motor control signal corrected using the take-up motor control signal correction value to the take-up motor 44. This adjusts the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, thereby controlling the width of the magnetic tape MT to a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements indicated by the driver-corresponding distance information 154.

[0262] Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the distances between the plurality of servo read elements SR are different, it is possible to contribute to correction of the positional relationship between the plurality of servo bands SB and the plurality of servo read elements SR.

[0263] Furthermore, in this embodiment, pitch information 142 regarding the pitches at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT is stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19. This allows for the acquisition of feed motor control signals corrected using the feed motor control signal correction value and reel motor control signals corrected using the reel motor control signal correction value at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, this configuration facilitates the correction of the positional relationship between the multiple servo bands SB and the multiple servo read elements SR at multiple locations spaced apart along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0264] Furthermore, in this embodiment, information indicating the distance between the servo read elements itself is used as the distance information 146 stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19. Therefore, this configuration contributes to accurate correction of the positional relationship between the plurality of servo bands SB and the plurality of servo read elements SR, compared to a case where information other than the information indicating the distance between the servo read elements itself is used as the distance information 146 stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19.

[0265] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drive ID 128 and the distance between the servo read elements are associated with each of the plurality of tape drives 30 loaded with the tape cartridge 10. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the distance between the servo read elements SR used to measure the pitch between the servo bands SB in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT differs for each magnetic head 36, it is possible to help calibrate the positional relationship between the plurality of servo bands SB and the plurality of servo read elements SR.

[0266] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the box memory 19 includes an NVM 96 that reads and writes data in a contactless manner using a contactless reader / writer 50. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to a case where data is read and written in a contact manner with a certain memory or the like, the spacing information 142 and the distance information 146 can be stored in the box memory 19 without causing physical damage to the box memory 19.

[0267] Furthermore, in this embodiment, before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT by the tape drive 30, the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in the width direction WD is measured based on the results of reading the servo patterns 51 of adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD by the servo read elements SR1 and SR2. Therefore, this configuration facilitates correction of the positional relationship between the plurality of servo bands SB and the plurality of servo read elements SR, even if the width of the magnetic tape MT expands or contracts before or after data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT by the tape drive 30.

[0268] Furthermore, in this embodiment, before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT by the tape drive 30, the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in the width direction WD is calculated based on the results of reading the servo patterns 51 of adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD by the servo read elements SR1 and SR2 and the distances between the plurality of servo read elements. Therefore, according to this configuration, by previously measuring the distance between the servo read elements, the pitch information 142 can be generated using the distance D at the servo positions where the servo read elements SR are located.

[0269] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pitches between the servo patterns 51 are measured for the plurality of servo positions within each servo band SB of the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, this configuration can contribute to correcting the positional relationship between the plurality of servo bands SB and the plurality of servo read elements SR based on the pitches between the servo patterns 51 corresponding to the positions in the width direction WD of the servo read element SR within the servo band SB.

[0270] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the servo position within the servo band SB is determined using servo pattern distance information 148 that associates a plurality of servo positions within each servo band SB with the distance D between the pair of magnetized regions 51A and 51B that constitute the servo pattern 51 formed in each servo band SB. Therefore, according to this configuration, the distance D between the magnetized region 51A and the magnetized region 51B is measured using changes in pulses read by the servo read element SR, thereby enabling the servo position of the servo read element SR within each servo band SB to be determined.

[0271] In addition, in the above embodiment, the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 is exemplified as the storage medium, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 32As shown, at any time when the tape cassette 10 is first loaded or when the magnetic tape MT is initialized, the ASIC 120 of the control device 38 can also write the spacing information 142 into the BOT area 158 provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape MT by controlling the operation of the magnetic head 36. In addition, the measuring device 144 can also write the distance information 146 and / or the servo pattern distance information 148 into the BOT area 158.

[0272] In this manner, when the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 are written to the BOT area 158, the ASIC 120 reads the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the BOT area 158 by controlling the operation of the magnetic head 36. The BOT area 158 is an example of "a portion of the magnetic tape area" involved in the technology of the present invention.

[0273] So, in Figure 32 In the example shown, the BOT area 158 of the magnetic tape MT is used as the storage medium. Therefore, this configuration eliminates the need to prepare the cartridge memory 19 or store the pitch information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19.

[0274] exist Figure 32 In the example shown, the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 are written to the BOT area 158. However, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or less of the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 may be written to the BOT area 158, and the remaining information may be written to the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19.

[0275] In addition, at least one of the spacing information 142, the distance information 146 and the servo pattern distance information 148 can be stored in the BOT area 158 using the magnetic head of the tape drive configured in the factory at any time period during the stage of manufacturing the tape cassette 10, the stage of inspecting the tape cassette 10 or the stage of shipping the tape cassette 10.

[0276] And, as an example, Figure 29As shown, the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 read from the cartridge memory 19 by the contactless reader / writer 50A can be written to the BOT area 158 via the ASIC 120. In this case, the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 are stored in both the NVM 96 and the BOT area 158. Therefore, by comparing the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 stored in the NVM 96 with the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 stored in the BOT area 158, the reliability of the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 can be verified. Furthermore, even if a failure occurs in either the NVM 96 or the BOT area 158, the spacing information 142, distance information 146, and servo pattern distance information 148 can be obtained from the other.

[0277] Alternatively, at least one of the pitch information 142, the distance information 146, and the servo pattern distance information 148 may be stored in an EOT area (not shown) provided at the end of the magnetic tape MT, instead of or in addition to the BOT area 158. Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to the BOT area 158 and the EOT area of ​​the magnetic tape MT; for example, a two-dimensional barcode or a matrix-type two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) may also be used as the storage medium.

[0278] In the above embodiment, an example of a form in which the magnetic head 36 stores distance information 146 in the NVM 96 is cited for explanation, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 34 As shown, three pieces of distance information 146 may be stored in the NVM 96 for the magnetic head 36. Here, the three pieces of distance information 146 are distance information 146 regarding the two first servo read elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1, distance information 146 regarding the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG, and distance information 146 regarding the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2.

[0279] In this manner, when the distance information 146 regarding the two first servo read elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1, the distance information 146 regarding the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG, and the distance information 146 regarding the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 are stored in the NVM 96, the inter-servo read element distances regarding the two first servo read elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1, the inter-servo read element distances regarding the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG, and the inter-servo read element distances regarding the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 can be stored in each drive characteristic table 150 for each tape drive 30. In this case, in the same manner as the method described in the above embodiment (refer to Figures 29 to 31 ), the tape transport control unit 140 uses the distance information 146 corresponding to the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb and the third servo read element SRc for each tape drive 30 to control the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements.

[0280] Therefore, according to Figure 34 In the example shown, the distance information 146 is stored in the NVM 96 for the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1. Therefore, even if the distance between the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1 is different in each magnetic head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1 and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0281] And, according to Figure 34 In the example shown, the distance information 146 is stored in the NVM 96 for the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2. Therefore, even if the distance between the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 is different in each magnetic head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two third servo read elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0282] Furthermore, according to Figure 34In the example shown, the distance information 146 is stored in NVM 96 for the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG. Therefore, even if the distance between the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG is different in each magnetic head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0283] In the above embodiment, an example of storing one spacing information 142 in the NVM 96 for the magnetic head 36 is given for explanation, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 35 As shown, the three servo bands SB used for the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG (see Figure 14 ) is stored in NVM 96, the spacing information 142 about the three servo bands SB used for the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1 is stored in NVM 96, and the spacing information 142 about the three servo bands SB used for the two third servo reading elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 is stored in NVM 96.

[0284] In this manner, when the pitch information 142 for the three servo bands SB used for the two first servo read elements SRa, the three servo bands SB used for the two second servo read elements SRb, and the three servo bands SB used for the two third servo read elements SRc is stored in the NVM 96, the same method as that described in the above embodiment (see FIG. Figures 29 to 31 ), the tape transport control unit 140 uses the spacing information 142 corresponding to the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb and the third servo read element SRc for each tape drive 30 to control the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements.

[0285] Therefore, according to Figure 35 In the example shown, the spacing information 142 is stored in the NVM 96 for the first data recording element group DWG1. Therefore, even if the spacing between the servo bands SB used for the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1 is different in each magnetic head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two first servo reading elements SRa included in the first data recording element group DWG1 and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0286] And, according to Figure 35In the example shown, the spacing information 142 is stored in the NVM 96 for the second data recording element group DWG2. Therefore, even if the spacing between the servo bands SB used for the two third servo reading elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 is different in each head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two third servo reading elements SRc included in the second data recording element group DWG2 and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0287] Furthermore, according to Figure 35 In the example shown, the spacing information 142 is stored in NVM 96 for the data reading element group DRG. Therefore, even if the spacing between the servo bands SB used for the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG is different in each head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0288] exist Figure 34 In the example shown, the distance information 146 about the data reading element group DRG, the first data recording element group DWG1 and the second data recording element group DWG2 is stored in the NVM 96. Figure 35 In the example shown, the spacing information 142 for the data reading element group DRG, the first data recording element group DWG1, and the second data recording element group DWG2 is stored in the NVM 96, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 36 As shown, the spacing information 142 and / or distance information 146 about any one of the data reading element group DRG, the first data recording element group DWG1, and the second data recording element group DWG2 may be stored in the NVM 96. Figure 36 In the example shown, distance information 146 related to the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG and pitch information 142 about the three servo bands SB used for the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG are stored in the NVM 96.

[0289] In this case, the same method as that described in the above embodiment can also be used (see Figures 29 to 31 ), the tape transport control unit 140 uses the distance information 146 related to the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG and the spacing information 142 about the three servo bands SB used for the two second servo read elements SRb included in the data read element group DRG for each tape drive 30 to control the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes a width corresponding to the distance between the servo read elements.

[0290] Therefore, according to Figure 36 In the example shown, the spacing information 142 and the distance information 146 are stored in the NVM 96 for the data reading element group DRG. Therefore, even if the spacing between the servo bands SB used for the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG and the distance between the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG are different in each magnetic head 36, it can help to correct the positional relationship between the two second servo reading elements SRb included in the data reading element group DRG and the multiple servo bands SB.

[0291] In addition, Figure 36 In the example shown, the spacing information 142 and the distance information 146 are stored in NVM 96 for the data reading element group DRG, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to this. The spacing information 142 and the distance information 146 can also be stored in NVM 96 for the first data recording element group DWG1 or the second data recording element group DWG2.

[0292] In the above embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 is accommodated in the housing 12 , but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. The cartridge memory 19 may be attached to the outer surface of the housing 12 .

[0293] In the above embodiment, the servo read element distance is associated with each tape drive 30 in the drive characteristic table 150 , but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the servo read element distance may be associated with each magnetic head 36 .

[0294] As hardware resources for executing the processing of the control device 38, various processors as shown below can be used. An example of a processor is a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource for executing processing by executing software (i.e., a program). Furthermore, an example of a processor is a dedicated circuit, such as an FPGA, a PLD, or an ASIC 120 shown as an example, which has a circuit structure specifically designed to execute specific processing. All processors have built-in or connected memory, and all processors execute processing by using the memory.

[0295] The hardware resource that executes the processing of control device 38 may be composed of one of these various processors, or may be composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Furthermore, the hardware resource that executes the processing of control device 38 may be a single processor.

[0296] Examples of systems comprised of a single processor include, firstly, a combination of one or more CPUs and software to form a single processor, with this processor functioning as a hardware resource for executing processing. Secondly, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is a representative example, in which a processor is used to implement the overall functionality of a system, including multiple hardware resources for executing processing, on a single IC chip. Thus, the processing of control device 38 is implemented by using one or more of these various processors as hardware resources.

[0297] Furthermore, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, a circuit formed by combining circuit elements such as semiconductor devices can be used. Furthermore, the processing of the control device 38 described above is merely an example. Therefore, it is of course possible to delete unnecessary steps, add new steps, or change the processing order without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0298] The technology of the present invention may also appropriately combine the various embodiments and / or variations described above. Furthermore, the technology is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and may employ various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the technology of the present invention relates to programs and, in addition to these, to storage media that do not temporarily store programs.

[0299] The records and diagrams shown above are detailed descriptions of the parts involved in the technology of the present invention, and are only an example of the technology of the present invention. For example, the description of the above-mentioned structure, function, action and effect is a description of an example of the structure, function, action and effect of the parts involved in the technology of the present invention. Therefore, of course, unnecessary parts can be deleted, new elements can be added or replaced in the records and diagrams shown above without departing from the main purpose of the technology of the present invention. In addition, in order to avoid trouble and facilitate understanding of the parts involved in the technology of the present invention, the description of technical common sense that does not need to be specifically explained when implementing the technology of the present invention has been omitted in the records and diagrams shown above.

[0300] In this specification, "A and / or B" has the same meaning as "at least one of A and B." That is, "A and / or B" can mean only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, when three or more items are linked using "and / or," the same concept as "A and / or B" applies.

[0301] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, or technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A magnetic tape cassette comprising: a housing for accommodating a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands; and A storage medium is provided in the housing. The plurality of servo bands are formed at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape along the entire length of the magnetic tape. The storage medium stores pitch information capable of determining a pitch between the plurality of servo bands in the width direction and distance information capable of determining a distance between a plurality of servo read elements that have read the plurality of servo bands.

2. The tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein A set of the plurality of servo read elements is provided for each of the data reading element group and the data recording element group, each of which includes a magnetic head including at least one data reading element group for reading data from the magnetic tape and at least one data recording element group for recording data on the magnetic tape. The storage medium stores the distance information for each of the data reading element group and the data recording element group.

3. The tape cassette according to claim 2, wherein The storage medium stores the pitch information for each of the data reading element group and the data recording element group.

4. The tape cassette according to claim 2, wherein The storage medium stores the distance information and the pitch information for any one of the data reading element group and the data recording element group.

5. The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The storage medium stores the pitch information regarding the pitch at a plurality of positions spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape.

6. The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The distance information includes information indicating the distance.

7. The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The information indicating the distances between the plurality of servo read elements mounted on the magnetic head is associated with magnetic head identification information capable of identifying the magnetic head on which the plurality of servo read elements are mounted.

8. The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The storage medium includes a built-in memory of a contactless communication medium that reads and writes data in a contactless manner using a contactless reader / writer.

9. The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The pitch is measured based on a result of reading the plurality of servo bands by the plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by a tape drive.

10. A magnetic tape cassette comprising: a housing for accommodating a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands; and A storage medium is provided in the housing. The plurality of servo bands are formed at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape along the entire length of the magnetic tape. The storage medium stores pitch information capable of determining the pitch of the plurality of servo bands in the width direction. The pitch information is a value calculated based on distance information that is not stored in the storage medium and that can determine the distance between the plurality of servo read elements that have read the plurality of servo bands.

11. The magnetic tape cassette according to claim 10, wherein Before a tape drive records data on the magnetic tape, the pitch is calculated based on results of reading the servo bands by the servo read elements and distances between the servo read elements.

12. The magnetic tape cassette according to claim 11, wherein The pitch is obtained for each of a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands.

13. The magnetic tape cassette according to claim 12, wherein The spacing at each position of the plurality of servo read elements is determined using servo pattern distance information that establishes a correspondence between a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands and distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions constituting a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands.

14. The magnetic tape cassette according to claim 1 or 10, wherein: The storage medium includes a portion of the area of ​​the magnetic tape.

15. A magnetic tape drive for loading the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: a tension applying mechanism for applying tension to the magnetic tape; and The control device controls the tension applying mechanism to adjust the tension based on the pitch information and the distance information stored in the storage medium.

16. A magnetic tape system comprising: The magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 14; a tension applying mechanism for applying tension to the magnetic tape; and The control device controls the tension applying mechanism to adjust the tension based on the pitch information and the distance information stored in the storage medium.

17. A method for operating a tape drive, comprising the following steps: acquiring the spacing information and the distance information from the storage medium included in the magnetic tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and When at least one of a recording operation and a reading operation is performed on the magnetic tape, a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to the magnetic tape is controlled to adjust the tension applied to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information and the distance information.

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