Magnetic tape cartridge, magnetic tape drive, magnetic tape, magnetic tape system, and operation method of magnetic tape drive

Abstract

To provide a magnetic tape cartridge capable of accurately suppressing an off-track caused by deformation of width in a magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape drive, a memory, a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape system, and an operation method of the magnetic tape drive.SOLUTION: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a magnetic tape, and a storage medium for storing information regarding the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape includes a recording surface. Data is recorded on the recording surface by a magnetic head in a state where the magnetic tape is travelling. The magnetic head is arranged along the recording surface in an attitude tilted with respect to a width direction of the magnetic tape. Angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface is stored in the storage medium. The angle adjustment information is information used for adjusting an angle for tilting the magnetic head in the width direction along the recording surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a memory, a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape system, and an operation method of a magnetic tape drive.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge including a cartridge case that houses a magnetic tape, and a memory provided in the cartridge case that stores information before data recording on the magnetic tape, the information being for adjusting the width of the magnetic tape during data recording or data reproduction of the magnetic tape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the technology according to the present disclosure provides a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a memory, a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape system, and an operation method of a magnetic tape drive that can accurately suppress off-track that occurs due to deformation of the width of the magnetic tape.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape and a storage medium storing information relating to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface on which data is recorded by a magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running, the magnetic head is positioned in a position inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape along the recording surface, and the storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before data is recorded on the recording surface, the angle adjustment information being information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface.

[0006] A second aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first aspect, wherein the angle adjustment information includes width correspondence information corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape, and the width correspondence information is information acquired while the magnetic tape is running before data is recorded on the recording surface.

[0007] A third aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to a second aspect, wherein width correspondence information is acquired at multiple locations on the magnetic tape along the entire length of the magnetic tape.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge relating to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the angle adjustment information includes first environmental information that identifies the environment.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first environmental information includes at least one of temperature information indicating temperature and humidity information indicating humidity.

[0010] A sixth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the angle adjustment information includes angle information indicating the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge relating to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the angle adjustment information includes physical feature information indicating the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape.

[0012] An eighth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the seventh aspect, the physical features of which include at least one of the following: the thickness of the magnetic tape, the thickness of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the back surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of humidity expansion of the magnetic tape, the Poisson's ratio of the magnetic tape, and the substrate of the magnetic tape.

[0013] A ninth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the storage medium is a medium containing a memory that can communicate non-contact with a non-contact reader / writer.

[0014] A tenth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the storage medium is a medium that includes a portion of a magnetic tape.

[0015] An eleventh aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape drive comprising a processor that performs processing on a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to a magnetic head, wherein the processor acquires angle adjustment information from the storage medium and causes the angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle based on the angle adjustment information.

[0016] A twelfth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to an eleventh aspect, wherein the magnetic tape has a servo band, the magnetic head has a servo reading element, and the processor adjusts the angle of the angle adjustment mechanism based on angle adjustment information when data is recorded on the recording surface, thereby aligning the position of the servo band with the position of the servo reading element.

[0017] A thirteenth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein the magnetic head performs magnetic processing on the recording surface, the angle adjustment information includes second environmental information that identifies the environment, and the processor acquires third environmental information that identifies the environment at the timing when the magnetic processing is performed, and causes the angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle based on the degree of difference between the second environmental information and the third environmental information.

[0018] A fourteenth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape drive relating to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the processor acquires fourth environmental information that identifies the environment at a first timing when data is recorded on the recording surface, and acquires fifth environmental information that identifies the environment at a second timing, which is different from the first timing, when data is recorded on the recording surface, and causes an angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle based on the degree of difference between the fourth environmental information and the fifth environmental information.

[0019] A 15th aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to the 14th aspect, wherein the second timing is a timing for updating data by overwriting data recorded on the recording surface at the first timing, and / or a timing for adding new data to the recording surface on which data was recorded at the first timing.

[0020] A sixteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a memory that stores control information for controlling the operation of a magnetic head that performs magnetic processing on a magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface on which data is recorded by a magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running, the magnetic head is positioned in a position inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape along the recording surface, the control information includes angle adjustment information obtained before data is recorded on the recording surface, and the angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface.

[0021] A 17th aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape having a recording surface where magnetic processing is performed by a magnetic head. In the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head in a state where the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is arranged in a posture inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape along the recording surface. In the recording surface, angle adjustment information obtained before data is recorded on the recording surface is recorded. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface, and it is a magnetic tape.

[0022] An 18th aspect of the technology of the present disclosure includes the magnetic tape according to the 17th aspect, a processor that executes processing on the magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape drive having an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to the magnetic head. The processor acquires angle adjustment information from the recording surface and adjusts the angle of the angle adjustment mechanism based on the angle adjustment information, and it is a magnetic tape system.

[0023] A 19th aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an operation method of a magnetic tape drive, which includes acquiring angle adjustment information from a storage medium included in the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the 1st aspect to the 11th aspect, and adjusting the angle of the angle adjustment mechanism based on the angle adjustment information, and it is an operation method of a magnetic tape drive.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic tape system. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a magnetic tape cartridge. [Figure 3] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 4] It is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is emitted by a non-contact type reading and writing device from below a magnetic tape cartridge. [Figure 5] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 6] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which the state where a magnetic head is disposed on a magnetic tape is observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 7] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data band formed on the surface of a magnetic tape. [Figure 8] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between a data read / write element and a data track. [Figure 9] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which the magnetic tape before and after the width of the magnetic tape contracts is observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 10] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which the state where the magnetic head is skewed on the magnetic tape is observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 11] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the function of a processing device included in a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 12] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a position detection device included in a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 13] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a control device included in a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 14] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the function of a control device. [Figure 15] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a reference skew angle derivation unit, a first tilt mechanism control unit, and a first travel control unit. [Figure 16] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a pitch calculation unit. [Figure 17] It is a block diagram showing an example of the content of angle adjustment information stored in a cartridge memory. [Figure 18] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of an angle adjustment information acquisition unit and a second tilt mechanism control unit. [Figure 19] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of an angle adjustment information acquisition unit, a second environment information acquisition unit, and an angle adjustment amount calculation unit. [Figure 20] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of an angle adjustment amount calculation unit. [Figure 21] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of the second tilting mechanism control unit, the second travel control unit, the second movement mechanism control unit, and the read / write element control unit. [Figure 22] This flowchart shows an example of the data pre-processing flow before recording. [Figure 23A] This flowchart shows an example of the data recording and reading process. [Figure 23B] This is a continuation of the flowchart shown in Figure 23A. [Figure 24] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for determining the angle adjustment amount. [Figure 25] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of the second environmental information acquisition unit and the angle adjustment amount calculation unit when updating temperature difference and humidity difference. [Figure 26] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which angle adjustment information is stored in a portion of a magnetic tape. [Figure 27] This is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 28] This is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example, illustrating an example of the relationship between the geometric characteristics of an actual servo pattern and the geometric characteristics of a virtual servo pattern. [Figure 29] This is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example, illustrating an example of a state observed from the surface side of a magnetic tape where corresponding frames are offset by a predetermined interval between adjacent servo bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape. [Figure 30] This is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example, illustrating an example of a state in which a servo pattern is read by a servo reading element included in a magnetic head that is not skewed on the magnetic tape, as observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 31] This is a conceptual diagram showing a first modified example, illustrating an example of a state in which a servo pattern is read by a servo reading element contained in a magnetic head skewed on a magnetic tape, as observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 32] This is a conceptual diagram showing a second modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 33] This is a conceptual diagram showing a second modified example, illustrating an example of a servo pattern contained in a magnetic tape. [Figure 34] This is a conceptual diagram showing a third modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 35] This is a conceptual diagram showing a third modified example, illustrating an example of a servo pattern contained in a magnetic tape. [Figure 36] This is a conceptual diagram showing a fourth modified example, illustrating an example of a state observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape in which corresponding frames are offset by a predetermined interval between adjacent servo bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment. [Figure 37] This is a conceptual diagram showing a fifth modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 38] This is a conceptual diagram showing a fifth modified example, illustrating an example of the relationship between the geometric characteristics of an actual servo pattern and the geometric characteristics of a virtual servo pattern. [Figure 39] This is a conceptual diagram showing a fifth modification, illustrating an example of a state observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape where corresponding frames are offset by a predetermined interval between adjacent servo bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape. [Figure 40] This is a conceptual diagram showing a fifth modified example, illustrating an example of a state in which a servo pattern is read by a servo reading element contained in a magnetic head skewed on a magnetic tape, as observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. [Figure 41]This is a conceptual diagram showing a sixth modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 42] This is a conceptual diagram showing a sixth modified example, illustrating an example of a servo pattern included in a magnetic tape. [Figure 43] This is a conceptual diagram showing a seventh modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 44] This is a conceptual diagram showing a seventh modified example, illustrating an example of a servo pattern included in a magnetic tape. [Figure 45] This is a conceptual diagram showing the eighth modified example, which is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the magnetic tape according to the embodiment (a conceptual diagram showing an example of a magnetic tape observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape). [Figure 46] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of how a program stored on a storage medium is installed on a processing unit computer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the operation method of a magnetic tape cartridge, magnetic tape drive, memory, magnetic tape, magnetic tape system, and magnetic tape drive relating to the technology of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] First, let's explain the terminology used in the following explanation.

[0027] CPU stands for "Central Processing Unit". NVM stands for "Non-volatile memory". RAM stands for "Random Access 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". FPGA stands for "Field-Programmable Gate Array". PLC stands for "Programmable Logic Controller". SoC stands for "System-on-a-chip". IC stands for "Integrated Circuit". RFID stands for "Radio Frequency Identifier". BOT stands for "Beginning Of Tape". EOT stands for "End Of Tape". UI stands for "User Interface". WAN stands for "Wide Area Network." LAN stands for "Local Area Network." In the following explanation, geometric characteristics refer to commonly recognized geometric characteristics such as length, shape, orientation, and / or location.

[0028] As an example, as shown in Figure 1, the magnetic tape system 10 includes a magnetic tape cartridge 12 and a magnetic tape drive 14. The magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14. The magnetic tape cartridge 12 contains a magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape drive 14 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the loaded magnetic tape cartridge 12, and while the pulled-out magnetic tape MT is running, it records data to the magnetic tape MT or reads data from the magnetic tape MT.

[0029] In this embodiment, the magnetic tape MT is an example of a "magnetic tape" according to the technology of this disclosure. Also in this embodiment, the magnetic tape system 10 is an example of a "magnetic tape system" according to the technology of this disclosure. Also in this embodiment, the magnetic tape drive 14 is an example of a "magnetic tape drive" according to the technology of this disclosure. Also in this embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is an example of a "magnetic tape cartridge" according to the technology of this disclosure.

[0030] Next, an example of the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. For the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the loading direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 into the magnetic tape drive 14 is indicated by arrow A, the direction of arrow A is considered the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 facing forward is referred to as the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "front" refers to the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0031] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the direction of arrow B, which is perpendicular to the direction of arrow A, will be referred to as the right direction, and the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be referred to as the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "right" refers to the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0032] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B will be referred to as the left direction, and the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be referred to as the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "left" refers to the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0033] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the direction perpendicular to arrows A and B is indicated by arrow C, the direction of arrow C is considered the upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the upward side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is referred to as the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "upper" refers to the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0034] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the direction opposite to the forward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be referred to as the rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 in the rear direction will be referred to as the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "rear" refers to the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0035] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figures 2 to 4, the direction opposite to the upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be referred to as the downward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the downward side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be referred to as the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "down" refers to the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0036] As an example, as shown in Figure 2, the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is approximately rectangular in plan view and comprises a box-shaped case 16. The case 16 houses the magnetic tape MT. The case 16 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate and comprises an upper case 18 and a lower case 20. The upper case 18 and the lower case 20 are joined by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding) and screw fastening, with the lower peripheral edge surface of the upper case 18 and the upper peripheral edge surface of the lower case 20 in contact. The joining method is not limited to welding and screw fastening, but may be other joining methods.

[0037] A discharge reel 22 is rotatably housed inside the case 16. The discharge reel 22 comprises a reel hub 22A, an upper flange 22B1, and a lower flange 22B2. The reel hub 22A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The reel hub 22A is the axial center of the discharge reel 22, and its axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction of the case 16, and it is located in the center of the case 16. The upper flange 22B1 and the lower flange 22B2 are each formed in an annular shape. The upper end of the reel hub 22A is fixed to the central part of the upper flange 22B1 in plan view, and the lower end of the reel hub 22A is fixed to the central part of the lower flange 22B2 in plan view. The reel hub 22A and the lower flange 22B2 may be integrally molded.

[0038] A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer surface of the reel hub 22A, and the ends of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction are held by the upper flange 22B1 and the lower flange 22B2.

[0039] An opening 16B is formed on the front side of the right wall 16A of case 16. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out through the opening 16B.

[0040] A cartridge memory 24 is provided in the lower case 20. Specifically, the cartridge memory 24 is housed in the right rear end of the lower case 20. The cartridge memory 24 is equipped with an IC chip having an NVM. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cartridge memory 24, and various types of information are read and written to the cartridge memory 24 without contact. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the cartridge memory 24 is provided in the lower case 20, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this, and the cartridge memory 24 only needs to be provided in the case 16 in a position where various types of information can be read and written without contact.

[0041] The cartridge memory 24 stores management information 13 for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 12. The management information 13 includes, for example, information about the cartridge memory 24 (e.g., information that can identify the magnetic tape cartridge 12), information about the magnetic tape MT, and information about the magnetic tape drive 14 (e.g., information indicating the specifications of the magnetic tape drive 14, and signals used by the magnetic tape drive 14). The information about the magnetic tape MT includes specification information 13A. Specification information 13A is information that identifies the specifications of the magnetic tape MT. The information about the magnetic tape MT also includes information indicating an overview of the data recorded on the magnetic tape MT, information indicating the data items recorded on the magnetic tape MT, and information indicating the recording format of the data recorded on the magnetic tape MT. Note that the cartridge memory 24 is an example of a "memory" relating to the technology of this disclosure. The cartridge memory 24 and the magnetic tape MT are examples of a "storage medium" and a "medium including memory" relating to the technology of this disclosure. The management information 13 is an example of "control information" relating to the technology of this disclosure.

[0042] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, the magnetic tape drive 14 includes a controller 25, a transport device 26, a magnetic head 28, a UI system device 34, a communication interface 35, and an environmental sensor ES. The controller 25 includes a processing unit 30 and a storage device 32. The processing unit 30 is an example of a "processor" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0043] A magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14 along the direction of arrow A. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and used by the magnetic tape drive 14. The magnetic tape drive 14 controls the entire magnetic tape drive (for example, the magnetic head 28) using management information 13 etc. stored in the cartridge memory 24.

[0044] The magnetic tape MT comprises a magnetic layer 29A, a base film 29B, and a back coat layer 29C. The magnetic layer 29A is formed on one side of the base film 29B, and the back coat layer 29C is formed on the other side of the base film 29B. Data is recorded on the magnetic layer 29A. The magnetic layer 29A contains ferromagnetic powder. As the ferromagnetic powder, for example, ferromagnetic powder commonly used in the magnetic layers of various magnetic recording media is used. A preferred specific example of ferromagnetic powder is hexagonal ferrite powder. Examples of hexagonal ferrite powder include hexagonal strontium ferrite powder or hexagonal barium ferrite powder. The back coat layer 29C is a layer containing non-magnetic powder such as carbon black. The base film 29B is also called a support and is formed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or polyamide. A non-magnetic layer may be formed between the base film 29B and the magnetic layer 29A. In a magnetic tape MT, the surface on which the magnetic layer 29A is formed is the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT, and the surface on which the backcoat layer 29C is formed is the back surface 33 of the magnetic tape MT. Surface 31 is an example of a "recording surface" according to the technology of this disclosure.

[0045] The magnetic tape drive 14 performs magnetic processing on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28 while the magnetic tape MT is running. Here, magnetic processing refers to recording data on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT and reading data from the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., reproducing data). In this embodiment, the magnetic tape drive 14 selectively performs data recording on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT and data reading from the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28. That is, the magnetic tape drive 14 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and uses the magnetic head 28 to record data on the surface 31 of the pulled-out magnetic tape MT or to read data from the surface 31 of the pulled-out magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28.

[0046] The processing unit 30 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 14. In this embodiment, the processing unit 30 is implemented by an ASIC, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the processing unit 30 may be implemented by an FPGA and / or a PLC. Alternatively, the processing unit 30 may be implemented by a computer including a CPU, flash memory (e.g., EEPROM and / or SSD, etc.), and RAM. Alternatively, it may be implemented by a combination of two or more of the ASIC, FPGA, PLC, and computer. In other words, the processing unit 30 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software configurations.

[0047] The storage device 32 is connected to the processing unit 30, which writes various information to and reads various information from the storage device 32. An example of the storage device 32 is a flash memory and / or HDD. Flash memory and HDD are merely examples; any non-volatile memory that can be mounted on the magnetic tape drive 14 may be used.

[0048] The UI device 34 is a device that has a receiving function for receiving instruction signals indicating instructions from the user and a presentation function for presenting information to the user. The receiving function is implemented by, for example, a touch panel, hard keys (e.g., a keyboard), and / or a mouse. The presentation function is implemented by, for example, a display, a printer, and / or a speaker. The UI device 34 is connected to the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 acquires the instruction signals received by the UI device 34. Under the control of the processing unit 30, the UI device 34 presents various information to the user.

[0049] The communication interface 35 is connected to the processing unit 30. The communication interface 35 is also connected to an external device 37 via a communication network such as a WAN and / or LAN (not shown). The communication interface 35 is responsible for the exchange of various types of information between the processing unit 30 and the external device 37 (for example, recording data for the magnetic tape MT, data read from the magnetic tape MT, and / or instruction signals given to the processing unit 30). Examples of the external device 37 include a personal computer or a mainframe.

[0050] The transport device 26 is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT along a predetermined path in the forward and reverse directions, and is equipped with a feed motor 36, a take-up reel 38, a take-up motor 40, and a plurality of guide rollers GR. Here, the forward direction refers to the direction in which the magnetic tape MT is fed out, and the reverse direction refers to the direction in which the magnetic tape MT is rewound.

[0051] The feed motor 36 rotates the feed reel 22 inside the magnetic tape cartridge 12 under the control of the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation torque of the feed reel 22 by controlling the feed motor 36.

[0052] The winding motor 40 rotates the winding reel 38 under the control of the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 controls the winding motor 40 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation torque of the winding reel 38.

[0053] When the magnetic tape MT is being wound onto the take-up reel 38, the processing unit 30 rotates the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels forward along a predetermined path. The rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 are adjusted according to the speed at which the magnetic tape MT is wound onto the take-up reel 38. Furthermore, tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT by adjusting the rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40, respectively, as controlled by the processing unit 30. The tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by adjusting the rotational speed and torque of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40, respectively, as controlled by the processing unit 30.

[0054] When rewinding the magnetic tape MT onto the feed reel 22, the processing unit 30 rotates the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the reverse direction along a predetermined path.

[0055] In this embodiment, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotational speed and rotational torque of the delivery motor 36 and the winding motor 40, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be controlled using a dancer roller, or it may be controlled by pulling the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

[0056] Each of the multiple guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. The predetermined path, that is, the travel path of the magnetic tape MT, is determined by the arrangement of the multiple guide rollers GR in positions that straddle the magnetic head 28 between the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and the take-up reel 38.

[0057] The magnetic head 28 comprises a magnetic element unit 42 and a holder 44. The magnetic element unit 42 is held by the holder 44 so as to be in contact with the magnetic tape MT in motion. The magnetic element unit 42 has a plurality of magnetic elements.

[0058] The magnetic element unit 42 records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 26, and reads data from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 26. Here, data refers to, for example, the servo pattern 52 (see Figure 6), and data other than the servo pattern 52, i.e., data recorded in the data band DB (see Figure 6).

[0059] The magnetic tape drive 14 is equipped with a non-contact read / write device 46. The non-contact read / write device 46 is an example of a "non-contact read / write device" related to the technology of this disclosure. The non-contact read / write device 46 is positioned on the underside of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 when the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded, facing the back surface 24A of the cartridge memory 24, and reads and writes information to the cartridge memory 24 without contact.

[0060] The environmental sensor ES is built into the magnetic tape drive 14. The environmental sensor ES measures physical quantities that identify the environment of the magnetic tape drive 14 (for example, the environment inside the magnetic tape drive 14). Examples of physical quantities that identify the environment of the magnetic tape drive 14 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "environment") include temperature and humidity. In this embodiment, the environmental sensor ES measures the temperature and humidity of the magnetic tape drive 14. The temperature and humidity of the magnetic tape drive 14 refer to, for example, the temperature and humidity inside the magnetic tape drive 14 (for example, near the tip of the magnetic head 28, or near the position where the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded). The location where the temperature and humidity are measured is preferably around the magnetic tape MT inside the magnetic tape drive 14. In particular, a location designated in advance as the location where temperature and humidity are most likely to affect the deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT is preferred. The environmental sensor ES is connected to the processing unit 30, and the temperature and humidity measured by the environmental sensor ES are obtained by the processing unit 30.

[0061] As an example, as shown in Figure 4, the non-contact reading / writing device 46 emits a magnetic field MF from the underside of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 toward the cartridge memory 24. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cartridge memory 24.

[0062] The non-contact read / write device 46 is connected to the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 outputs a control signal to the non-contact read / write device 46. The control signal is a signal that controls the cartridge memory 24. The non-contact read / write device 46 generates a magnetic field MF according to the control signal input from the processing unit 30 and emits the generated magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 24.

[0063] The contactless read / write device 46 performs contactless communication with the cartridge memory 24 via a magnetic field MF, thereby processing the cartridge memory 24 according to the control signal. For example, under the control of the processing device 30, the contactless read / write device 46 selectively performs the process of reading information from the cartridge memory 24 and the process of storing information in the cartridge memory 24 (i.e., the process of writing information to the cartridge memory 24). In other words, the processing device 30 reads information from the cartridge memory 24 or stores information in the cartridge memory 24 by communicating with the cartridge memory 24 contactlessly via the contactless read / write device 46.

[0064] As an example, as shown in Figure 5, the magnetic tape drive 14 includes a moving mechanism 48. The moving mechanism 48 has a moving actuator 48A. Examples of the moving actuator 48A include a voice coil motor and / or a piezo actuator. The moving actuator 48A is connected to a processing unit 30, which controls the moving actuator 48A. The moving actuator 48A generates power under the control of the processing unit 30. The moving mechanism 48 receives the power generated by the moving actuator 48A to move the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD (see Figure 6) of the magnetic tape MT.

[0065] The magnetic tape drive 14 is equipped with a tilt mechanism 49. The tilt mechanism 49 is an example of an "angle adjustment mechanism" according to the technology of this disclosure. The tilt mechanism 49 has a tilt actuator 49A. Examples of the tilt actuator 49A include a voice coil motor and / or a piezo actuator. The tilt actuator 49A is connected to a processing unit 30, which controls the tilt actuator 49A. The tilt actuator 49A generates power under the control of the processing unit 30. By receiving the power generated by the tilt actuator 49A, the tilt mechanism 49 tilts the magnetic head 28 toward the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (see Figure 10). That is, the magnetic head 28 skews on the magnetic tape MT by receiving power from the tilt mechanism 49 under the control of the processing unit 30.

[0066] As an example, as shown in Figure 6, the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT has servo bands SB1, SB2, and SB3, and data bands DB1 and DB2 formed thereon. For the sake of explanation, unless otherwise necessary, servo bands SB1 to SB3 will be referred to as servo band SB, and data bands DB1 and DB2 will be referred to as data band DB.

[0067] The servo bands SB1 to SB3 and the data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed along the longitudinal direction LD (i.e., the overall length direction) of the magnetic tape MT. Here, the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT refers to the direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels. The direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels is defined by two directions: the forward direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "forward direction"), which is the direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels from the delivery reel 22 side to the take-up reel 38 side, and the reverse direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "reverse direction"), which is the direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels from the take-up reel 38 side to the delivery reel 22 side.

[0068] The servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at spaced-out positions in the width direction WD (hereinafter also simply referred to as "width direction WD") of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction WD. In this embodiment, "equal intervals" refers not only to perfectly equal intervals but also to equal intervals that include errors that are generally acceptable in the art to which the disclosed technology belongs and that do not contradict the spirit of the disclosed technology.

[0069] Data band DB1 is positioned between servo band SB1 and servo band SB2, and data band DB2 is positioned between servo band SB2 and servo band SB3. In other words, servo bands SB and data bands DB are arranged alternately along the width direction WD.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 6, for the sake of explanation, three servo bands SB and two data bands DB are shown. However, this is merely an example, and the technology of this disclosure can also be established with two servo bands SB and one data band DB, or with four or more servo bands SB and three or more data bands DB.

[0071] Multiple servo patterns 52 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The servo patterns 52 are classified into servo patterns 52A and servo patterns 52B. The multiple servo patterns 52 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. In this embodiment, "regular" refers not only to perfect regularity but also to regularity that includes errors that are generally acceptable in the art to which the present invention belongs and that do not contradict the spirit of the present invention.

[0072] The servo band SB is divided into multiple frames 50 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. Each frame 50 is defined by a pair of servo patterns 52. In the example shown in Figure 6, servo patterns 52A and 52B are shown as an example of a pair of servo patterns 52. Servo patterns 52A and 52B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 52A located on the forward upstream side and servo pattern 52B located on the forward downstream side within the frame 50.

[0073] The servo pattern 52 consists of linear magnetization region pairs 54. The linear magnetization region pairs 54 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 54A and linear magnetization region pairs 54B.

[0074] The servo pattern 52A consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54A. In the example shown in Figure 6, a pair of linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54A. Each of the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0075] The linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are tilted in directions opposite to a virtual straight line C1, which is a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. In the example shown in Figure 6, the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are tilted symmetrically with respect to the virtual straight line C1. More specifically, the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are nonparallel to each other and are formed tilted by a predetermined angle (e.g., 5 degrees) in opposite directions on the longitudinal direction LD side of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the virtual straight line C1 as the axis of symmetry.

[0076] A linear magnetization region 54A1 is a set of five magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 54A1a. A linear magnetization region 54A2 is a set of five magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 54A2a.

[0077] The servo pattern 52B consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54B. In the example shown in Figure 6, a pair of linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54B. Each of the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0078] The linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are tilted in directions opposite to a virtual straight line C2, which is a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. In the example shown in Figure 6, the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are tilted symmetrically with respect to the virtual straight line C2. More specifically, the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are nonparallel to each other and are formed tilted by a predetermined angle (e.g., 5 degrees) in opposite directions on the longitudinal side LD of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the virtual straight line C2 as the axis of symmetry.

[0079] A linear magnetization region 54B1 is a set of magnetization lines 54B1a, which are four magnetized straight lines. A linear magnetization region 54B2 is a set of magnetization lines 54B2a, which are four magnetized straight lines.

[0080] The magnetic head 28 is positioned on the surface 31 side of the magnetic tape MT configured in this way. The holder 44 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and is positioned to traverse the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT along the width direction WD. The multiple magnetic elements of the magnetic element unit 42 are arranged linearly along the longitudinal direction of the holder 44. The magnetic element unit 42 has a pair of servo read elements SR and a plurality of data read / write elements DRW as multiple magnetic elements. The servo read element SR is an example of a "servo read element" according to the technology of this disclosure.

[0081] The longitudinal length of the holder 44 is sufficiently long compared to the width of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the longitudinal length of the holder 44 is set to exceed the width of the magnetic tape MT regardless of where the magnetic element unit 42 is positioned on the magnetic tape MT.

[0082] The magnetic head 28 is equipped with a pair of servo reading elements SR. In the magnetic head 28, the relative positional relationship between the holder 44 and the pair of servo reading elements SR is fixed. The pair of servo reading elements SR consists of servo reading elements SR1 and SR2. Servo reading element SR1 is located at one end of the magnetic element unit 42, and servo reading element SR2 is located at the other end of the magnetic element unit 42. In the example shown in Figure 6, servo reading element SR1 is located at a position corresponding to servo band SB2, and servo reading element SR2 is located at a position corresponding to servo band SB3.

[0083] Multiple data read / write elements DRW are arranged linearly between servo read element SR1 and servo read element SR2. Multiple data read / write elements DRW are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head 28 (for example, at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head 28). In the example shown in Figure 6, multiple data read / write elements DRW are provided at positions corresponding to data band DB2.

[0084] The processing unit 30 acquires a servo pattern signal, which is the result of reading the servo pattern 52 by the servo reading element SR, and performs servo control according to the acquired servo pattern signal. Here, servo control refers to the control that moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT by operating the moving mechanism 48 according to the servo pattern 52 read by the servo reading element SR.

[0085] Through servo control, multiple data read / write elements (DRWs) are positioned over a designated area within the data band DB, and in this state, magnetic processing is performed on the designated area within the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 6, magnetic processing is performed on a designated area within the data band DB2 by multiple data read / write elements (DRWs).

[0086] Furthermore, when the data band DB targeted for data reading by the magnetic element unit 42 is changed (in the example shown in Figure 6, when the data band DB targeted for data reading by the magnetic element unit 42 is changed from data band DB2 to DB1), the moving mechanism 48 changes the position of the pair of servo reading elements SR by moving the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD under the control of the processing unit 30. Specifically, the moving mechanism 48 moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD to move the servo reading element SR1 to the position corresponding to servo band SB1, and moves the servo reading element SR2 to the position corresponding to servo band SB2. As a result, the positions of the multiple data reading / writing elements DRW are changed from data band DB2 to data band DB1, and magnetic processing is performed on data band DB1 by the multiple data reading / writing elements DRW.

[0087] As an example, as shown in Figure 7, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are formed in the data band DB2 as multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band DB2 in the width direction WD, extending from the servo band SB2 side to the servo band SB3 side.

[0088] The magnetic head 28 has multiple data read / write elements DRW, specifically DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8, arranged along the width direction WD between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2. The data read / write elements DRW1 to DRW8 correspond one-to-one with data tracks DT1 to DT8, and are capable of reading (i.e., reproducing) data from data tracks DT1 to DT8 and recording (i.e., writing) data to data tracks DT1 to DT8.

[0089] Although not shown in the diagram, the data band DB1 (see Figure 6) also has multiple data tracks DT corresponding to data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8.

[0090] In the following, unless otherwise necessary, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 will be referred to as "data track DT". Also, in the following, unless otherwise necessary, data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 will be referred to as "data read / write elements DRW".

[0091] As an example, as shown in Figure 8, data track DT has a group of divided data tracks DTG. Data tracks DT1 to DT8 correspond to the group of divided data tracks DTG1 to DTG8. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the group of divided data tracks DTG1 to DTG8 will be referred to as "group of divided data tracks DTG".

[0092] The data track group DTG1 is a collection of multiple divided data tracks obtained by dividing the data track DT into widthwise sections WD. In the example shown in Figure 8, as an example of the data track group DTG1, divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12 are shown, which are obtained by dividing the data track DT into 12 equal parts in the widthwise section WD. The data read / write element DRW1 is responsible for magnetic processing of the data track group DTG1. That is, the data read / write element DRW1 is responsible for recording data to the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12, and for reading data from the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12.

[0093] Each of the data read / write elements DRW2 to DRW8, like the data read / write element DRW1, is responsible for magnetic processing of the data track group DTG on the data track DT corresponding to each data read / write element DRW.

[0094] As the magnetic head 28 moves in the width direction WD by the movement mechanism 48 (see Figure 6), the data read / write element DRW moves to a position corresponding to a designated data track DT among multiple data tracks DT. The data read / write element DRW is held in place at the position corresponding to the designated data track DT by servo control using the servo pattern 52 (see Figures 6 and 7).

[0095] Incidentally, in recent years, research has been progressing on technologies to reduce the effects of TDS (Transverse Dimensional Stability). TDS is affected by temperature, humidity, the pressure on which the magnetic tape is wound around the reel, and degradation over time, and it is known that if no countermeasures are taken, TDS will increase, causing off-track (i.e., misalignment of the data read / write element DRW relative to the track in the data band DB) to occur when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB.

[0096] The example shown in Figure 9 illustrates a scenario in which the width of the magnetic tape MT shrinks over time. In this case, it becomes off-track. Off-track refers to a state in which the data read / write element DRW is not located on a specified divided data track among the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12 included in the divided data track group DTG (i.e., in the width direction WD, the position of the specified divided data track and the position of the data read / write element DRW are misaligned).

[0097] The width of the magnetic tape MT may expand, and in this case, it will also become off-track. That is, if the width of the magnetic tape MT shrinks or expands over time, the position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo pattern 52 will deviate in the width direction WD from the design-defined default position (i.e., the design-defined default position for each of the linear magnetization regions 54A1, 54A2, 54B1, and 54B2). When the position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo pattern 52 deviates in the width direction WD from the design-defined default position, the accuracy of the servo control decreases, and the position of the data read / write element DRW becomes misaligned with the track in the data band DB (for example, a specified divided data track among the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11, and DT1_12). As a result, magnetic processing will not be performed on the track that was originally planned.

[0098] One method to reduce the effects of TDS is to adjust the width of the magnetic tape MT by adjusting the tension applied to it. However, if the deformation of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD is too great, off-tracking may not be resolved even if the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted. Also, if the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is too strong, the load on the magnetic tape MT will also increase, which may lead to a reduction in the lifespan of the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, if the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is too weak, the contact state between the magnetic head 28 and the magnetic tape MT becomes unstable, making it difficult for the magnetic head 28 to perform magnetic processing on the magnetic tape MT. As an example of a method to reduce the effects of TDS other than adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, as shown in Figure 10, a method is known in which the position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo pattern 52 is maintained at a predetermined position determined by the design by skewing the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT.

[0099] The magnetic head 28 is equipped with a rotation axis RA. The rotation axis RA is located at a position corresponding to the center of the magnetic element unit 42 included in the magnetic head 28 in a plan view. The magnetic head 28 is rotatably held by the tilting mechanism 49 via the rotation axis RA. In this embodiment, the operation of tilting the magnetic head 28 with respect to the width direction WD by rotating the magnetic head 28 on the surface 31 along the surface 31 with the rotation axis RA as the central axis is referred to as "skew".

[0100] The magnetic head 28 is provided with a virtual straight line C3, which is a virtual center line. The virtual straight line C3 is a straight line that passes through the rotation axis RA and extends in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head 28 in a plan view (i.e., the direction in which the multiple data read / write elements DRW are arranged). The magnetic head 28 is positioned in a tilted position along the surface 31 with respect to the width direction WD (in other words, in a position where the virtual straight line C3 is tilted with respect to the virtual straight line C4 along the surface 31). In the example shown in Figure 10, the magnetic head 28 is held by the tilting mechanism 49 such that the virtual straight line C3 is tilted toward the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the virtual straight line C4, which is a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. In the example shown in Figure 10, the magnetic head 28 is held by the tilting mechanism 49 in a position where the virtual straight line C3 is tilted toward the feed reel 22 side with respect to the virtual straight line C4 (i.e., in a counterclockwise tilted position when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 10). The angle formed by the virtual line C3 and the virtual line C4 corresponds to the angle at which the magnetic head 28 is tilted with respect to the width direction WD by rotating the magnetic head 28 along the surface 31 with the rotation axis RA as the central axis. Hereafter, the angle formed by the virtual line C3 and the virtual line C4 will also be referred to as the "skew angle" or the "skew angle of the magnetic head 28". The skew angle is defined as an angle where counterclockwise rotation is positive when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 10, and clockwise rotation is negative when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 10.

[0101] The tilting mechanism 49 rotates the magnetic head 28 on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT about the rotation axis RA by receiving power from the tilting actuator 49A (see Figure 5). Under the control of the processing device 30, the tilting mechanism 49 changes the direction and angle of the inclination (i.e., azimuth) of the virtual line C3 with respect to the virtual line C4 by rotating the magnetic head 28 on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT about the rotation axis RA. The change in the direction and angle of the inclination of the virtual line C3 with respect to the virtual line C4 is achieved by changing the angle at which the magnetic head 28 is tilted along the surface 31 with respect to the width direction WD, i.e., the skew angle of the magnetic head 28. In this embodiment, the direction and angle of the inclination of the virtual line C3 with respect to the virtual line C4 are represented by the skew angle of the magnetic head 28.

[0102] The direction and angle of inclination of the virtual straight line C3 relative to the virtual straight line C4, i.e., the skew angle, are changed in accordance with temperature, humidity, the pressure applied when the magnetic tape MT is wound onto the reel, and deterioration over time, or the resulting expansion and contraction of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD, thereby maintaining the position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo pattern 52 at a predetermined position as defined by the design. In this case, it is on-track. On-track refers to the state in which the data read / write element DRW is located on a designated divided data track among the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11 and DT1_12 included in the divided data track group DTG (i.e., the state in which the position of the data read / write element DRW coincides with the position of the designated divided data track in the width direction WD).

[0103] The servo reading element SR reads the servo pattern 52 and outputs a servo pattern signal indicating the reading result. The servo reading element SR is formed linearly along a virtual straight line C3. Therefore, when the servo pattern 52A is read by the servo reading element SR, the angle between the linear magnetization region 54A1 and the servo reading element SR is different from the angle between the linear magnetization region 54A2 and the servo reading element SR in the linear magnetization region pair 54A. When the angles are different in this way, variations due to azimuth loss (e.g., variations in signal level and waveform distortion) occur between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A1 (i.e., the servo pattern signal obtained by reading the linear magnetization region 54A1 by the servo reading element SR) and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A2 (i.e., the servo pattern signal obtained by reading the linear magnetization region 54A2 by the servo reading element SR).

[0104] In the example shown in Figure 10, the angle between the servo reading element SR and the linear magnetization region 54A1 is larger than the angle between the servo reading element SR and the linear magnetization region 54A2. As a result, the output of the servo pattern signal is small and the waveform is broadened, causing variations in the servo pattern signal obtained when the servo reading element SR crosses the servo band SB while the magnetic tape MT is running. Furthermore, even when the servo pattern 52B is read by the servo reading element SR, variations due to azimuth loss occur between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54B1 and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54B2.

[0105] As will be explained in more detail later, in this embodiment, a method is used to detect the servo pattern signal using the autocorrelation coefficient as a method for detecting the servo pattern signal that exhibits variations due to the azimuth loss described above (see Figure 12).

[0106] Next, an example of the specific processing performed by the processing unit 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 11 to 21.

[0107] As an example, as shown in Figure 11, the processing unit 30 includes a control device 30A and a position detection device 30B. The position detection device 30B includes a first position detection device 30B1 and a second position detection device 30B2. The position detection device 30B acquires a servo band signal, which is the result of reading the servo band SB by the servo reading element SR, and detects the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT based on the acquired servo band signal. The servo band signal includes not only the servo pattern signal, which is the result of reading the servo pattern 52, but also signals that are unnecessary for servo control (e.g., noise).

[0108] The position detection device 30B acquires a servoband signal from the magnetic head 28. The servoband signal is classified into a first servoband signal S1 and a second servoband signal S2. The first servoband signal S1 is a signal indicating the result of reading the servoband SB by the servo reading element SR1, and the second servoband signal S2 is a signal indicating the result of reading the servoband SB by the servo reading element SR2. The first position detection device 30B1 acquires the first servoband signal S1, and the second position detection device 30B2 acquires the second servoband signal S2. In the example shown in Figure 11, an example of the first servoband signal S1 is shown, which is the signal obtained when the servoband SB2 is read by the servo reading element SR1, and an example of the second servoband signal S2 is shown, which is the signal obtained when the servoband SB3 is read by the servo reading element SR2. In this embodiment, for the sake of clarity, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the first servoband signal S1 and the second servoband signal S2, they will be referred to simply as "servoband signal" without any reference numerals.

[0109] The first position detection device 30B1 detects the position of the servo reading element SR1 relative to the servo band SB2 based on the first servo band signal S1. The second position detection device 30B2 detects the position of the servo reading element SR2 relative to the servo band SB3 based on the second servo band signal S2.

[0110] The control device 30A performs various controls based on the position detection result from the first position detection device 30B1 (i.e., the result of position detection by the first position detection device 30B1) and the position detection result from the second position detection device 30B2 (i.e., the result of position detection by the second position detection device 30B2). Here, various controls refer to, for example, servo control and skew angle control. Skew angle control refers to control that changes the skew angle. In this embodiment, tracking control is realized by servo control and skew angle control. Tracking control refers to control that adjusts the position of the magnetic head 28 so that it is on track. Note that tracking control may also be realized by servo control, skew angle control, and tension control. Tension control refers to control of the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT (for example, tension to reduce the effect of TDS).

[0111] Next, we will explain the specific processing details of the position detection device 30B. Since the configuration of the second position detection device 30B2 is the same as that of the first position detection device 30B1, in the following explanation of the processing details of the position detection device 30B, we will mainly use the specific processing details of the first position detection device 30B1 as an example, and omit the explanation of the specific processing details of the second position detection device 30B2.

[0112] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, in the following, the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A1 or 54B1 will also be referred to as the "first linear magnetization region signal," and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A2 or 54B2 will also be referred to as the "second linear magnetization region signal." In this embodiment, the servo pattern signal is a signal composed of the first linear magnetization region signal and the second linear magnetization region signal. Therefore, the detection of the first linear magnetization region signal and the second linear magnetization region signal by the position detection device 30B means that the servo pattern signal is detected by the position detection device 30B.

[0113] As an example, as shown in Figure 12, the first position detection device 30B1 has a first detection circuit 39A and a second detection circuit 39B. The first detection circuit 39A and the second detection circuit 39B are connected in parallel and have common input terminals 30B1a and output terminals 30B1b. In the example shown in Figure 12, an example is shown in which the first servo band signal S1 is input to input terminal 30B1a. The first servo band signal S1 includes a first linear magnetization region signal S1a and a second linear magnetization region signal S1b. The first linear magnetization region signal S1a and the second linear magnetization region signal S1b are servo pattern signals (i.e., analog servo pattern signals) that are the result of reading by the servo reading element SR1 (see Figure 11). The same applies to the second servo band signal S2 (see Figure 11) as to the first servo band signal S1. In other words, the servo pattern signal has a first linear magnetization region signal S1a and a second linear magnetization region signal S1b.

[0114] The storage 32 has one ideal waveform signal 66 pre-stored for each frame 50. For example, the ideal waveform signal 66 is individually associated with each of the frames 50 from the beginning to the end of the magnetic tape MT. When the servo patterns 52 contained in each frame 50 from the beginning to the end of the magnetic tape MT are read by the servo reading element SR, the first position detection device 30B1 acquires the ideal waveform signal 66 corresponding to each frame 50 from the storage 32 each time the servo pattern 52 contained in each frame 50 is read by the servo reading element SR (for example, in synchronization with the timing when the reading of the servo pattern 52 by the servo reading element SR begins), and uses the acquired ideal waveform signal 66 for comparison with the first servo band signal S1.

[0115] The ideal waveform signal 66 is a signal that represents the ideal waveform of the servo pattern signal (i.e., the analog servo pattern signal) which is the result of reading the servo pattern 52 (see Figure 11) recorded on the servo band SB of the magnetic tape MT by the servo reading element SR. The ideal waveform signal 66 can also be said to be a sample signal that is compared with the first servo band signal S1.

[0116] The ideal waveform signal 66 is classified into a first ideal waveform signal 66A and a second ideal waveform signal 66B. The first ideal waveform signal 66A is a signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A2 or 54B2, i.e., it corresponds to the second linear magnetization region signal S1b, and is a signal that shows the ideal waveform of the second linear magnetization region signal S1b. The second ideal waveform signal 66B is a signal originating from the linear magnetization region 54A1 or 54B1, i.e., it corresponds to the first linear magnetization region signal S1a, and is a signal that shows the ideal waveform of the first linear magnetization region signal S1a. To explain in more detail, for example, the first ideal waveform signal 66A is a signal that shows the ideal waveform of a single pulse (i.e., one wavelength) included in the second linear magnetization region signal S1b (for example, an ideal signal which is the result of reading one of the ideal magnetization lines included in the servo pattern 52 by the servo reading element SR). Furthermore, for example, the second ideal waveform signal 66B is a signal that represents a single ideal waveform (i.e., one wavelength) included in the first linear magnetization region signal S1a (for example, an ideal signal resulting from one of the ideal magnetization lines included in the servo pattern 52 being read by the servo reading element SR).

[0117] The ideal waveform represented by the first ideal waveform signal 66A is a waveform determined according to the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT. The relative positional relationship between the holder 44 of the magnetic head 28 (see Figure 10) and the servo reading element SR is fixed. Therefore, the ideal waveform represented by the first ideal waveform signal 66A can also be said to be a waveform determined according to the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. For example, the ideal waveform represented by the first ideal waveform signal 66A is a waveform determined according to the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region 54A2 of the servo pattern 52A (for example, the geometric characteristics of the magnetization line 54A2a) and the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT. As described above, the relative positional relationship between the holder 44 of the magnetic head 28 (see Figure 10) and the servo reading element SR is fixed. Therefore, the ideal waveform shown by the first ideal waveform signal 66A can be said to be a waveform determined according to the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region 54A2 of the servo pattern 52A (for example, the geometric characteristics of the magnetization line 54A2a) and the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. Here, the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT refers to, for example, the angle formed between the linear magnetization region 54A2 and the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT. Also, the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT refers to, for example, the angle formed between the linear magnetization region 54A2 and the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, the ideal waveform indicated by the first ideal waveform signal 66A may be determined by taking into account, in addition to the elements described above, the characteristics of the servo reading element SR itself (material, size, shape, and / or usage history, etc.), the characteristics of the magnetic tape MT (material, and / or usage history, etc.), and / or the operating environment of the magnetic head 28.

[0118] Similar to the ideal waveform shown by the first ideal waveform signal 66A, the ideal waveform shown by the second ideal waveform signal 66B is also a waveform determined according to the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, that is, a waveform determined according to the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. For example, the ideal waveform shown by the second ideal waveform signal 66B is a waveform determined according to the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region 54A1 of the servo pattern 52A (for example, the geometric characteristics of the magnetization line 54A1a) and the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, that is, a waveform determined according to the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region 54A1 of the servo pattern 52A (for example, the geometric characteristics of the magnetization line 54A1a) and the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. Here, the orientation of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT refers, for example, to the angle formed between the linear magnetization region 54A1 and the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, the orientation of the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT refers, for example, to the angle formed between the linear magnetization region 54A1 and the servo reading element SR on the magnetic tape MT. The ideal waveform indicated by the second ideal waveform signal 66B may also be determined by taking into account the characteristics of the servo reading element SR itself (material, size, shape, and / or usage history, etc.), the characteristics of the magnetic tape MT (material, and / or usage history, etc.), and / or the operating environment of the magnetic head 28, in addition to the elements described above, similar to the ideal waveform indicated by the first ideal waveform signal 66A.

[0119] The first position detection device 30B1 acquires a first servo band signal S1 and detects a servo pattern signal S1A by comparing the acquired first servo band signal S1 with an ideal waveform signal 66. In the example shown in Figure 12, the first position detection device 30B1 detects the servo pattern signal S1A using a first detection circuit 39A and a second detection circuit 39B.

[0120] The first detection circuit 39A receives the first servoband signal S1 via the input terminal 30B1a. The first detection circuit 39A detects the second linear magnetization region signal S1b from the input first servoband signal S1 using the autocorrelation coefficient.

[0121] The autocorrelation coefficient used by the first detection circuit 39A is a coefficient that indicates the degree of correlation between the first servo band signal S1 and the first ideal waveform signal 66A. The first detection circuit 39A acquires the first ideal waveform signal 66A from the storage 32 and compares the acquired first ideal waveform signal 66A with the first servo band signal S1. Then, the first detection circuit 39A calculates the autocorrelation coefficient based on the comparison result. The first detection circuit 39A detects a position on the servo band SB (for example, the servo band SB2 shown in Figure 9) where the correlation between the first servo band signal S1 and the first ideal waveform signal 66A is high (for example, a position where the first servo band signal S1 and the first ideal waveform signal 66A coincide) according to the autocorrelation coefficient.

[0122] Meanwhile, the first servoband signal S1 is also input to the second detection circuit 39B via the input terminal 30B1a. The second detection circuit 39B detects the first linear magnetization region signal S1a from the input first servoband signal S1 using the autocorrelation coefficient.

[0123] The autocorrelation coefficient used by the second detection circuit 39B is a coefficient that indicates the degree of correlation between the first servo band signal S1 and the second ideal waveform signal 66B. The second detection circuit 39B acquires the second ideal waveform signal 66B from the storage 32 and compares the acquired second ideal waveform signal 66B with the first servo band signal S1. Then, the second detection circuit 39B calculates the autocorrelation coefficient based on the comparison result. The second detection circuit 39B detects a position on the servo band SB (for example, the servo band SB2 shown in Figure 9) where the correlation between the first servo band signal S1 and the second ideal waveform signal 66B is high (for example, a position where the first servo band signal S1 and the second ideal waveform signal 66B coincide) according to the autocorrelation coefficient.

[0124] The first position detection device 30B1 detects a servo pattern signal S1A based on the detection results from the first detection circuit 39A and the second detection circuit 39B. The first position detection device 30B1 outputs the servo pattern signal S1A to the control device 30A from its output terminal 30B1b. The servo pattern signal S1A is a signal (for example, a digital signal) that represents the logical OR of the second linear magnetization region signal S1b detected by the first detection circuit 39A and the first linear magnetization region signal S1a detected by the second detection circuit 39B.

[0125] The position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo band SB is detected, for example, based on the spacing of the longitudinal LDs of the servo patterns 52A and 52B. For example, the spacing of the longitudinal LDs of the servo patterns 52A and 52B is detected according to the autocorrelation coefficient. When the servo reading element SR is located on the upper side of the servo pattern 52 (i.e., the upper side in the front view of the paper in Figure 11), the spacing between linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 becomes narrower, and the spacing between linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 also becomes narrower. Conversely, when the servo reading element SR is located on the lower side of the servo pattern 52 (i.e., the lower side in the front view of the paper in Figure 11), the spacing between linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 becomes wider, and the spacing between linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 also becomes wider. In this way, the first position detection device 30B1 uses the distance between linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2, and the distance between linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2, detected according to the autocorrelation coefficient, to detect the position of the servo reading element SR relative to the servo band SB.

[0126] In the example shown in Figure 12, the first position detection device 30B1 was described as detecting the servo pattern signal S1A by comparing the first servo band signal S1 with the ideal waveform signal 66. Similarly, the second position detection device 30B2 also detects the servo pattern signal S2A by comparing the second servo band signal S2 with the ideal waveform signal 66 and outputs the detected servo pattern signal S2A to the control device 30A.

[0127] In this embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the first linear magnetization region signal S1a and the second linear magnetization region signal S1b are detected using the autocorrelation coefficient has been described. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first linear magnetization region signal S1a and the second linear magnetization region signal S1b may be detected using multiple thresholds. An example of multiple thresholds is a first threshold and a second threshold. The relationship between the first threshold and the second threshold is "first threshold > second threshold". The first threshold is a value derived in advance based on the amplitude expected to be the amplitude of the waveform of the second linear magnetization region signal S1b, and is used for the detection of the second linear magnetization region signal S1b. The second threshold is a value derived in advance based on the amplitude expected to be the amplitude of the waveform of the first linear magnetization region signal S1a and the amplitude expected to be the amplitude of the waveform of the second linear magnetization region signal S1b. The first threshold and the second threshold are used for the detection of the first linear magnetization region signal S1a.

[0128] As an example, as shown in Figure 13, the control device 30A adjusts the position of the magnetic head 28 by operating the moving mechanism 48 based on the position detection results from the position detection device 30B (i.e., servo pattern signals S1A and S2A). The control device 30A also causes the magnetic element unit 42 to perform magnetic processing on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT. That is, the control device 30A acquires a read signal from the magnetic element unit 42 (i.e., data read from the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic element unit 42) or supplies a recording signal to the magnetic element unit 42 to record data corresponding to the recording signal on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT.

[0129] Furthermore, in order to reduce the influence of TDS, the control device 30A calculates the servo band pitch SBP from the position detection results of the position detection device 30B (i.e., servo pattern signals S1A and S2A), and adjusts the skew angle by operating the tilt mechanism 49 according to the calculated servo band pitch SBP. The servo band pitch SBP refers to the distance between adjacent servo bands SB (see Figure 11) in the width direction WD (see Figure 11) (in the example shown in Figure 11, it is the distance in the width direction WD between servo band SB2 and servo band SB3). The servo band pitch SBP is an example of "width correspondence information" relating to the technology of this disclosure.

[0130] The control device 30A may also perform tension control according to the calculated servo band pitch SBP. Tension control is achieved by adjusting the rotational speed and rotational torque of the discharge motor 36 (see Figure 3) and the winding motor 40 (see Figure 3).

[0131] In this embodiment, the servo band pitch SBP is given as an example of the "width-corresponding information" relating to the technology of this disclosure. However, this is merely an example, and the technology of this disclosure can also be established by using the width of the magnetic tape MT instead of the servo band pitch SBP as the "width-corresponding information" relating to the technology of this disclosure.

[0132] As an example, as shown in Figure 14, the control device 30A performs data recording pre-processing and data recording read processing. Data recording pre-processing is performed before data is recorded on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28. Data recording read processing is performed when magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28 (i.e., at the timing when magnetic processing is performed).

[0133] The control device 30A includes a first movement mechanism control unit 30A0, a reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1, a first tilt mechanism control unit 30A2, a first travel control unit 30A3, a pitch calculation unit 30A4, and a first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5. Data recording preprocessing is performed by the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1, the first tilt mechanism control unit 30A2, the first travel control unit 30A3, the pitch calculation unit 30A4, and the first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5.

[0134] The control device 30A includes an angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6, a second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7, a second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8, an angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9, a second travel control unit 30A10, a second movement mechanism control unit 30A11, and a read / write element control unit 30A12. Data recording and reading processing is performed by the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7, the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9, the second travel control unit 30A10, the second movement mechanism control unit 30A11, and the read / write element control unit 30A12.

[0135] Here, an example of data preprocessing will be explained with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

[0136] As an example, as shown in Figure 15, the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 obtains specification information 13A from the cartridge memory 24 and derives reference skew angle information 102 using the table 100. The reference skew angle information 102 is an example of "angle information" related to the technology of this disclosure. Reference skew angle information 102 refers to information indicating a reference skew angle. The reference skew angle refers to the skew angle used when starting the movement of the magnetic tape MT in data recording preprocessing. The table 100 is stored in the storage 32. The table 100 is information in which multiple specification information 13A and multiple reference skew angle information 102 are associated one-to-one.

[0137] The reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 derives reference skew angle information 102 corresponding to the specification information 13A acquired from the cartridge memory 24 from the table 100, and stores the derived reference skew angle information 102 in the cartridge memory 24. Note that this is merely an example of how the reference skew angle information 102 is stored in the cartridge memory 24. For example, the reference skew angle information 102 does not necessarily have to be stored in the cartridge memory 24; instead, the reference skew angle information 102 corresponding to the specification information 13A may be derived from the table 100 each time a predetermined timing occurs (for example, each time data recording preprocessing is performed).

[0138] The first tilt mechanism control unit 30A2 controls the tilt mechanism 49 according to the reference skew angle information 102 derived by the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1, thereby setting the skew angle θ of the magnetic head 28 to the reference skew angle indicated by the reference skew angle information 102 derived by the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1.

[0139] When the skew angle θ of the magnetic head 28 is set to the reference skew angle, the first tilt mechanism control unit 30A2 outputs an angle setting completion signal 104 to the first travel control unit 30A3. The angle setting completion signal 104 is a signal indicating that the skew angle θ has been set to the reference skew angle. The first travel control unit 30A3 performs travel start control on the condition that the angle setting completion signal 104 has been input. Travel start control refers to control that starts the travel of the magnetic tape MT (for example, travel in the forward direction) via the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40. That is, when the angle setting completion signal 104 is input, the first travel control unit 30A3 starts the travel of the magnetic tape MT by applying power to the magnetic tape MT from the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40. When the first travel control unit 30A3 initiates travel start control, the first moving mechanism control unit 30A0 controls the moving mechanism 48 to move the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD so that the servo reading element SR of the magnetic head 28 is positioned at a specific location on the servo pattern 52 (see Figure 10) (for example, the center of the width direction WD on the servo pattern 52).

[0140] As an example, as shown in Figure 16, the pitch calculation unit 30A4 calculates the servo band pitch SBP in units of 50 frames from the position detection results (i.e., servo pattern signals S1A and S2A) of the position detection device 30B. Each time the pitch calculation unit 30A4 calculates the servo band pitch SBP, it stores the calculated servo band pitch SBP in the cartridge memory 24 in chronological order.

[0141] The servo band pitch SBP stored in the cartridge memory 24 is information acquired while the magnetic tape MT is running before data is recorded in the data band DB. The servo band pitch SBP is acquired at multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. That is, the servo band pitch SBP is calculated by the pitch calculation unit 30A4 for multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT while the magnetic tape MT is running before data is recorded in the data band DB. Here, as an example, the servo band pitch SBP is calculated for all frames 50 along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. However, this is only an example, and for example, the servo band pitch SBP may be calculated in units of several meters, tens of meters, or hundreds of meters along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. In other words, the servo band pitch SBP only needs to be calculated at regular intervals along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, the servo band pitch SBP may be calculated at each of several predetermined points within a portion of the magnetic tape MT along its entire length, and the servo band pitch SBP may be estimated at points other than those where the servo band pitch SBP has been calculated, using interpolation or extrapolation.

[0142] The first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5 acquires environmental information 106 from the environmental sensor ES. The environmental information 106 is information that identifies the environment (for example, information that indicates a physical quantity that identifies the environment). The environmental information 106 is an example of the "first environmental information" and "second environmental information" relating to the technology of this disclosure.

[0143] The environmental information 106 includes temperature information 106A and humidity information 106B. Temperature information 106A is information indicating the temperature measured by the environmental sensor ES. Humidity information 106B is information indicating the humidity measured by the environmental sensor ES. Temperature information 106A is an example of "temperature information" related to the technology of this disclosure, and humidity information 106B is an example of "humidity information" related to the technology of this disclosure. The first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5 stores the environmental information 106 acquired from the environmental sensor ES in the cartridge memory 24.

[0144] As an example, as shown in Figure 17, the cartridge memory 24 stores angle adjustment information 108. The angle adjustment information 108 is information for adjusting the skew angle θ (see Figure 15). The angle adjustment information 108 is information obtained before data is recorded in the data band DB on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT.

[0145] The angle adjustment information 108 is information used by the control device 30A at the timing when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28. In other words, the angle adjustment information 108 is used by the control device 30A at the timing when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28, thereby adjusting the skew angle θ.

[0146] The angle adjustment information 108 includes reference skew angle information 102, multiple servo band pitches SBP, environmental information 106, and physical characteristic information 110. The reference skew angle information 102 is stored in the cartridge memory 24 by the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 (see Figure 15), the multiple servo band pitches SBP are stored in the cartridge memory 24 by the pitch calculation unit 30A4 (see Figure 16), and the environmental information 106 is stored in the cartridge memory 24 by the first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5 (see Figure 16). The physical characteristic information 110 is information indicating the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape MT. The physical characteristic information 110 is stored in the cartridge memory 24 during the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 or magnetic tape MT. The timing of the storage of the physical characteristic information 110 in the cartridge memory 24 may be any timing before magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28 (for example, before data recording and reading processing is performed).

[0147] The physical characteristic information 110 includes magnetic tape thickness information 110A, magnetic layer thickness information 110B, surface friction coefficient information 110C, back surface friction coefficient information 110D, thermal expansion coefficient information 110E, humidity expansion coefficient information 110F, Poisson's ratio information 110G, and substrate information 110H, etc.

[0148] Magnetic tape thickness information 110A indicates the thickness of the magnetic tape MT. Magnetic layer thickness information 110B indicates the thickness of the magnetic layer 29A (see Figure 3). Surface friction coefficient information 110C indicates the friction coefficient of the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT (see Figure 3). Back surface friction coefficient information 110D indicates the friction coefficient of the back surface 33 of the magnetic tape MT (see Figure 3). Temperature expansion coefficient information 110E indicates the temperature expansion coefficient of the magnetic tape MT (for example, the linear expansion coefficient indicating the degree to which the magnetic tape MT expands and contracts along the width method WD depending on temperature). Humidity expansion coefficient information 110F indicates the humidity expansion coefficient of the magnetic tape MT (for example, the linear expansion coefficient indicating the degree to which the magnetic tape MT expands and contracts along the width method WD depending on humidity). Poisson's ratio information 110G indicates the Poisson's ratio of the magnetic tape MT. Substrate information 110H indicates the substrate of the magnetic tape MT.

[0149] Herein, an example of a form in which the physical feature information 110 includes magnetic tape thickness information 110A, magnetic layer thickness information 110B, surface friction coefficient information 110C, back surface friction coefficient information 110D, thermal expansion coefficient information 110E, humidity expansion coefficient information 110F, Poisson's ratio information 110G, and substrate information 110H is given for explanation, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the physical feature information 110 only needs to include at least one of the magnetic tape thickness information 110A, magnetic layer thickness information 110B, surface friction coefficient information 110C, back surface friction coefficient information 110D, thermal expansion coefficient information 110E, humidity expansion coefficient information 110F, Poisson's ratio information 110G, and substrate information 110H.

[0150] Next, an example of the data recording and reading process will be explained with reference to Figures 18 to 21.

[0151] This explanation assumes that data recording and reading processing is performed at a timing when the conditions for performing magnetic processing on the magnetic tape MT (for example, the processing of recording data) are met (for example, the condition that an instruction to start recording data to the data band DB is received by the UI system device 34). The timing at which the conditions for performing magnetic processing on the magnetic tape MT are met is an example of the "timing at which magnetic processing is performed" and the "first timing at which data is recorded on the recording surface" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0152] As an example, as shown in Figure 18, the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6 acquires angle adjustment information 108 from the cartridge memory 24. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 extracts reference skew angle information 102 from the angle adjustment information 108 acquired from the cartridge memory 24 by the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 controls the tilt mechanism 49 according to the reference skew angle information 102 extracted from the angle adjustment information 108, thereby setting the skew angle θ of the magnetic head 28 to the reference skew angle indicated by the reference skew angle information 102.

[0153] As an example, as shown in Figure 19, the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8 acquires environmental information 112 from the environmental sensor ES. Environmental information 112 is information that identifies the environment (for example, information that indicates a physical quantity that identifies the environment). Environmental information 112 is an example of the "third environmental information" and "fourth environmental information" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0154] Environmental information 112 includes temperature information 112A and humidity information 112B. Temperature information 112A is information indicating the temperature measured by the environmental sensor ES. Humidity information 112B is information indicating the humidity measured by the environmental sensor ES.

[0155] The angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the degree of difference between the environmental information 106 included in the angle adjustment information 108 acquired by the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6 and the environmental information 112 acquired by the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8. Examples of the degree of difference between environmental information 106 and environmental information 112 include the temperature difference 114 and the humidity difference 116.

[0156] The temperature difference 114 is the difference between the temperature indicated by temperature information 106A included in environmental information 106 and the temperature indicated by temperature information 112A included in environmental information 112 (for example, the value obtained by subtracting the temperature indicated by temperature information 112A from the temperature indicated by temperature information 106A). Here, the temperature difference 114 is used as an example, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this, and instead of the temperature difference 114, the ratio of the temperature indicated by temperature information 106A to the temperature indicated by temperature information 112A may be applied.

[0157] The humidity difference 116 is the difference between the humidity indicated by humidity information 106B included in environmental information 106 and the humidity indicated by humidity information 112B included in environmental information 112 (for example, the value obtained by subtracting the humidity indicated by humidity information 112B from the humidity indicated by humidity information 106B). Here, humidity difference 116 is given as an example, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this, and instead of humidity difference 116, the ratio of the humidity indicated by humidity information 106B to the humidity indicated by humidity information 112B may be applied.

[0158] As an example, as shown in Figure 20, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 extracts physical characteristic information 110 and multiple servo band pitches SBP (for example, all servo band pitches SBP) from the angle adjustment information 108 acquired by the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6. Then, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 based on the physical characteristic information 110, temperature difference 114, humidity difference 116, and servo band pitch SBP. The angle adjustment amount 118 refers to the amount of adjustment of the skew angle θ. For example, the angle adjustment amount 118 is calculated from the calculation formula 120. The calculation formula 120 is a calculation formula in which the physical characteristic information 110, temperature difference 114, humidity difference 116, and servo band pitch SBP are independent variables and the angle adjustment amount 118 that realizes on-track is the dependent variable. The calculation formula 120 is a calculation formula obtained in advance as a formula for calculating the angle adjustment amount 118 that enables on-tracking, for example, through actual machine testing and / or computer simulations conducted under various combinations of physical characteristic information 110, temperature difference 114, humidity difference 116, and servo band pitch SBP.

[0159] Here, an example is given in which the angle adjustment amount 118 is calculated from the calculation formula 120. However, this is merely one example, and the angle adjustment amount 118 may also be derived from a table (not shown) that takes physical characteristic information 110, temperature difference 114, and humidity difference 116 as inputs and outputs the angle adjustment amount 118.

[0160] The angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 for each servo band pitch SBP according to the calculation formula 120 and generates a formula 122 that shows the calculation result. Formula 122 shows the correspondence between the position of the magnetic tape MT in the overall length direction and the angle adjustment amount 118. The correspondence between the position of the magnetic tape MT in the overall length direction and the angle adjustment amount 118 has continuity along the overall length direction of the magnetic tape, and this continuity is achieved by an interpolation method (for example, linear interpolation). The position of the magnetic tape MT in the overall length direction is determined at regular intervals along the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT. Here, regular intervals refer to, for example, the intervals defined by the frame 50 in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., the intervals at which the servo band pitch SBP is acquired). The angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 stores the generated formula 122 in the storage 32.

[0161] As an example, as shown in Figure 21, the second travel control unit 30A10 starts the travel of the magnetic tape MT by performing travel start control. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7, the second movement mechanism control unit 30A11, and the read / write element control unit 30A12 receive position detection results, i.e., servo pattern signals S1A and S2A, from the position detection device 30B. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7, the second movement mechanism control unit 30A11, and the read / write element control unit 30A12 operate synchronously based on the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A input from the position detection device 30B.

[0162] When the magnetic tape MT starts moving, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 controls the tilt mechanism 49 according to the angle adjustment amount 118 obtained from equation 122 stored in storage 32, thereby adjusting the skew angle θ by the angle adjustment amount 118 obtained from equation 122. The second movement mechanism control unit 30A11 performs servo control based on the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A.

[0163] The servo pattern 52 is read continuously by the servo reading element SR, and the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A are continuously input to the read / write element control unit 30A12. The read / write element control unit 30A12 causes the magnetic head 28 to perform magnetic processing according to the input of the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A. That is, when recording data on the data band DB (see Figure 10) on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT, the read / write element control unit 30A12 supplies a recording signal to the magnetic element unit 42 according to the input of the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A. As a result, the multiple data read / write elements DRW included in the magnetic element unit 42 record data corresponding to the recording signal on the data band DB (see Figure 10). Furthermore, after data has been recorded in the data band DB on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT (for example, after data has been recorded in the data band DB along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT), when reading data from the data band DB, the read / write element control unit 30A12 reads the data from the data band DB by acquiring a read signal according to the input of servo pattern signals S1A and S2A.

[0164] Next, the operation of the magnetic tape system 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 22 to 24.

[0165] Figure 22 shows an example of the data recording preprocessing flow performed by the control device 30A. The data recording preprocessing shown in Figure 22 is performed by the control device 30A when the start conditions (for example, when an instruction to start the execution of data recording preprocessing is received by the UI system device 34) are met, before magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28 (here, as an example, recording of data on the data band DB).

[0166] In the data recording preprocessing shown in Figure 22, first, in step ST10, the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 acquires specification information 13A from the cartridge memory 24. After the processing in step ST10 is completed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST12.

[0167] In step ST12, the reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 derives reference skew angle information 102 from the table 100, corresponding to the specification information 13A obtained in step ST12. The reference skew angle derivation unit 30A1 then stores the derived reference skew angle information 102 in the cartridge memory 24. After the processing in step ST12 is executed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST14.

[0168] In step ST14, the first tilt mechanism control unit 30A2 sets the skew angle θ to the reference skew angle indicated by the reference skew angle information 102 derived in step ST12. After the processing in step ST14 is completed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST16.

[0169] In step ST16, the first travel control unit 30A3 starts the magnetic tape MT from moving by performing travel start control. After the processing in step ST16 is completed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST18.

[0170] In step ST18, the pitch calculation unit 30A4 determines whether or not servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B. If, in step ST18, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have not been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is denied, and the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST21. If, in step ST18, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST20.

[0171] In step ST20, the pitch calculation unit 30A4 calculates the servo band pitch SBP based on the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A input from the position detection unit 30B. The pitch calculation unit 30A4 then stores the calculated servo band pitch SBP in the cartridge memory 24. After the processing in step ST20 is completed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST21.

[0172] In step ST21, the pitch calculation unit 30A4 determines whether the reading by the magnetic head 28 of a predetermined servo pattern 52 over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT (for example, all servo patterns 52 included in the section between the BOT section 31A (see Figure 26) and the EOT section 31B (see Figure 26)) has been completed. If, in step ST21, the reading by the magnetic head 28 of the predetermined servo pattern 52 over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT has not been completed, the determination is denied, and the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST18. If, in step ST21, the reading by the magnetic head 28 of the predetermined servo pattern 52 over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT has been completed, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST22.

[0173] In step ST22, the first travel control unit 30A3 controls the feed motor 36 and the wind-up motor 40 to stop the magnetic tape MT from moving. After the processing in step ST22 is completed, the data recording preprocessing proceeds to step ST24.

[0174] In step ST24, the first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5 acquires environmental information 106 from the environmental sensor ES. The first environmental information acquisition unit 30A5 then stores the acquired environmental information 106 in the cartridge memory 24. After the processing in step ST24 is completed, the data recording preprocessing is finished.

[0175] Figures 23A and 23B show an example of the data recording and reading process performed by the control device 30A.

[0176] In the data recording and reading process shown in Figure 23A, first, in step ST30, the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6 determines whether or not the data recording start condition has been met. An example of a data recording start condition is that the UI system device 34 has received an instruction to start recording data to the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT. If the data recording start condition is not met in step ST30, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST46 shown in Figure 23B. If the data recording start condition is met in step ST30, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST32.

[0177] In step ST32, the control device 30A performs the angle adjustment amount determination process shown in Figure 24 as an example. After the process in step ST32 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST34.

[0178] In the angle adjustment amount determination process shown in Figure 24, first, in step ST100, the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6 acquires angle adjustment information 108 from the cartridge memory 24. After the process in step ST100 is executed, the angle adjustment amount determination process proceeds to step ST102.

[0179] In step ST102, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 extracts reference skew angle information 102 from the angle adjustment information 108 acquired in step ST100. Then, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 controls the tilt mechanism 49 to set the skew angle θ to the reference skew angle indicated by the reference skew angle information 102. After the processing in step ST102 is completed, the angle adjustment amount determination process proceeds to step ST104.

[0180] In step ST104, the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8 acquires environmental information 112 from the environmental sensor ES. The angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the temperature difference 114 and humidity difference 116 based on the environmental information 112 acquired by the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8 and the environmental information 106 included in the angle adjustment information 108 acquired in step ST100. After the processing in step ST104 is completed, the angle adjustment amount determination process proceeds to step ST106.

[0181] In step ST106, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 for each servo band pitch SBP using the calculation formula 120, based on the temperature difference 114 calculated in step ST104, the humidity difference 116 calculated in step ST104, the physical characteristic information 110 included in the angle adjustment information 108 acquired in step ST100, and the multiple servo band pitches SBP included in the angle adjustment information 108 acquired in step ST100. After the processing in step ST106 is executed, the angle adjustment amount determination process moves to step ST108.

[0182] In step ST108, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 generates formula 122 based on the calculation result in step ST106 and stores the generated formula 122 in storage 32. After the processing in step ST108 is executed, the angle adjustment amount determination process is completed.

[0183] In step ST34 shown in Figure 23A, the second travel control unit 30A10 starts the travel of the magnetic tape MT by performing travel start control. After the processing in step ST34 is completed, the data recording and reading process moves on to step ST36.

[0184] In step ST36, the control device 30A determines whether or not servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B. If, in step ST36, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have not been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST44. If, in step ST36, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST38.

[0185] In step ST38, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ using the angle adjustment amount 118 obtained from the formula 122 stored in the storage 32. After the processing in step ST38 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST40.

[0186] In step ST40, the second movement mechanism control unit 30A11 performs servo control according to the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A input from the position detection unit 30B. After the processing in step ST40 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST42.

[0187] In step ST42, the read / write element control unit 30A12 supplies a recording signal to the magnetic element unit 42. As a result, the multiple data read / write elements included in the magnetic element unit 42 record data corresponding to the recording signal in the data band DB. After the processing in step ST42 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST44.

[0188] In step ST44, the control device 30A determines whether the first default condition is satisfied. An example of the first default condition is that reading by the servo reading element SR on a predetermined servo pattern 52 along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT has been completed, or that predetermined data recording has been completed (for example, the size of the recorded data has reached a predetermined size). If the first default condition is not satisfied in step ST44, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST36. If the first default condition is satisfied in step ST44, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording pre-processing proceeds to step ST62 shown in Figure 23B.

[0189] In step ST46, shown in Figure 23B, the angle adjustment information acquisition unit 30A6 determines whether the data reading start conditions are met. An example of the data reading start conditions is that data has already been recorded in the data band DB along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT, and the UI system device 34 has received an instruction to start reading data from the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT. If the data reading start conditions are not met in step ST46, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST30, shown in Figure 23A. If the data reading start conditions are met in step ST46, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST48.

[0190] In step ST48, the control device 30A performs the angle adjustment amount determination process shown in Figure 24 as an example. After the process in step ST48 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST50.

[0191] In step ST50, the second travel control unit 30A10 starts the travel of the magnetic tape MT by performing travel start control. After the processing in step ST50 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST52.

[0192] In step ST52, the control device 30A determines whether or not servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B. If, in step ST52, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have not been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST60. If, in step ST52, servo pattern signals S1A and S2A have been input from the position detection unit 30B, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST54.

[0193] In step ST54, the second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ using the angle adjustment amount 118 obtained from the formula 122 stored in the storage 32. After the processing in step ST54 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST56.

[0194] In step ST56, the second movement mechanism control unit 30A11 performs servo control according to the servo pattern signals S1A and S2A input from the position detection unit 30B. After the processing in step ST56 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST58.

[0195] In step ST58, the read / write element control unit 30A12 acquires data from the data band DB by obtaining read signals from multiple data read / write elements DRW included in the magnetic element unit 42. After the processing in step ST58 is completed, the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST60.

[0196] In step ST60, the control device 30A determines whether the second default condition is satisfied. An example of the second default condition is that reading by the servo reading element SR has been completed for all predetermined servo patterns 52 along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT, or that predetermined data reading has been completed (for example, the size of the data read has reached a predetermined size). If the second default condition is not satisfied in step ST60, the determination is denied, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST52. If the second default condition is satisfied in step ST60, the determination is affirmed, and the data recording and reading process proceeds to step ST62.

[0197] In step ST62, the second travel control unit 30A10 controls the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 to stop the magnetic tape MT from moving. After the processing in step ST22 is completed, the data recording and reading process is finished.

[0198] As described above, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, angle adjustment information 108 obtained before data is recorded in the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT is stored in the cartridge memory 24. This is information for adjusting the skew angle θ (see Figure 15). The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 then adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 (see Figure 20) determined according to the angle adjustment information 108 stored in the cartridge memory 24. Therefore, with this configuration, off-track caused by deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT can be suppressed with greater accuracy compared to the case where off-track caused by deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT is suppressed by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0199] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 includes a plurality of servo band pitches SBP acquired before data is recorded in the data band DB. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 then adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the plurality of servo band pitches SBP included in the angle adjustment information 108. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted by considering the plurality of servo band pitches SBP before data is recorded in the data band DB. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. Note that the angle adjustment information 108 may include the width of the magnetic tape MT instead of the servo band pitches SBP. In this case, the skew angle θ can be adjusted by considering the plurality of widths before data is recorded in the data band DB.

[0200] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the servo band pitch SBP is acquired at multiple locations on the magnetic tape MT along its entire length, and the acquired servo band pitch SBP is included in the angle adjustment information 108. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 then adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the multiple servo band pitches SBP included in the angle adjustment information 108. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted by considering the servo band pitch SBP acquired at multiple locations on the magnetic tape MT along its entire length. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. Note that the angle adjustment information 108 may also include the width of the magnetic tape MT acquired at multiple locations on the magnetic tape MT along its entire length. In this case, the skew angle θ can be adjusted by considering the width of the magnetic tape MT acquired at multiple locations on the magnetic tape MT along its entire length.

[0201] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 includes environmental information 106. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the environmental information 106 included in the angle adjustment information 108. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted considering the environment of the magnetic tape drive 14 before data is recorded in the data band DB. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0202] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 includes environmental information 106. The environmental information 106 includes temperature information 106A and humidity information 106B. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the temperature information 106A and humidity information 106B included in the environmental information 106. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted considering the temperature and humidity of the magnetic tape drive 14 before data is recorded in the data band DB. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0203] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 includes reference skew angle information 102. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the reference skew angle information 102 included in the angle adjustment information 108. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted considering the reference skew angle before data is recorded in the data band DB. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0204] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 includes physical characteristic information 110. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 adjusts the skew angle θ according to the angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the physical characteristic information 110 included in the angle adjustment information 108. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted considering the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape MT before data is recorded in the data band DB. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to the case where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0205] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the physical feature information 110 includes magnetic tape thickness information 110A, magnetic layer thickness information 110B, surface friction coefficient information 110C, back surface friction coefficient information 110D, thermal expansion coefficient information 110E, humidity expansion coefficient information 110F, Poisson's ratio information 110G, and substrate information 110H. The second tilt mechanism control unit 30A7 then adjusts the skew angle θ according to an angle adjustment amount 118 determined according to the magnetic tape thickness information 110A, magnetic layer thickness information 110B, surface friction coefficient information 110C, back surface friction coefficient information 110D, thermal expansion coefficient information 110E, humidity expansion coefficient information 110F, Poisson's ratio information 110G, and substrate information 110H included in the physical feature information 110. Therefore, with this configuration, the skew angle θ can be adjusted by considering the thickness of the magnetic tape MT before data is recorded in the data band DB, the thickness of the magnetic layer 29A, the coefficient of friction of the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT, the coefficient of friction of the back surface 33 of the magnetic tape MT, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetic tape MT, the coefficient of humidity expansion of the magnetic tape MT, the Poisson's ratio of the magnetic tape MT, and the substrate of the magnetic tape MT. As a result, more accurate tracking control can be achieved compared to cases where on-tracking is attempted solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0206] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, angle adjustment information 108 is stored in the cartridge memory 24. Therefore, with this configuration, angle adjustment information 108 can be obtained from the cartridge memory 24 without contact.

[0207] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, when data is recorded in the data band DB, the skew angle θ is adjusted to the tilt mechanism 49 based on the angle adjustment information 108, thereby matching the position of the servo band SB (specifically, for example, a designated divided data track among the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11 and DT1_12) with the position of the servo reading element SR. Therefore, with this configuration, the position of the servo band SB and the position of the servo reading element SR when data is recorded in the data band DB can be matched with greater accuracy compared to the case where the position of the servo band SB and the position of the servo reading element SR are matched only by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. As a result, compared to attempting to achieve on-tracking solely by adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, the accuracy of on-tracking, i.e., the accuracy of aligning the data reading element DRW with the divided data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, ..., DT1_11 and DT1_12, can be improved.

[0208] Furthermore, in the magnetic tape system 10 according to this embodiment, the angle adjustment information 108 stored in the cartridge memory 24 includes environmental information 106. Environmental information 106 is information acquired before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT. Environmental information 112 is also acquired at the timing when magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT. Then, the skew angle θ is adjusted based on the degree of difference between environmental information 106 and environmental information 112 (for example, temperature difference 114 and humidity difference 116). Accordingly, with this configuration, compared to the case where the adjustment of the skew angle θ is performed solely on environmental information 112 acquired at the timing when magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT, it is possible to accurately suppress off-track caused by deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT due to the difference between the environment before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT and the environment at the timing when magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT.

[0209] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which environmental information 106 includes temperature information 106A and humidity information 106B, and environmental information 112 includes temperature information 112A and humidity information 112B. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, environmental information 106 may include temperature information 106A but not humidity information 106B, and environmental information 112 may include temperature information 112A but not humidity information 112B. In this case, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 does not calculate the humidity difference 116, but calculates the temperature difference 114. The angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 then calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 without using the humidity difference 116. Also, for example, environmental information 106 may include humidity information 106B but not temperature information 106A, and environmental information 112 may include humidity information 112B but not temperature information 112A. In this case, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 does not calculate the temperature difference 114, but rather the humidity difference 116. Then, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 without using the temperature difference 114.

[0210] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the skew angle θ of the tilt mechanism 49 is adjusted based on the degree of difference between environmental information 106 acquired at a timing before data is recorded in the data band DB and environmental information 112 acquired at the timing when data is recorded in the data band DB. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the skew angle θ of the tilt mechanism 49 may be adjusted based on the degree of difference between environmental information 112 acquired at a first timing, which is the timing when data is recorded in the data band DB, and environmental information 124 (see Figure 25) acquired at a second timing different from the first timing. In this case, compared to the case in which the skew angle θ is adjusted based only on the environmental information 112 acquired at the first timing, off-track caused by deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT due to the difference between the environment at the first timing and the environment at the second timing can be suppressed with greater accuracy. Note that environmental information 124 (see Figure 25) is an example of the "fifth environmental information" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0211] As an example, as shown in Figure 25, the environmental information 124 includes temperature information 124A indicating the temperature measured by the environmental sensor ES, and humidity information 124B indicating the humidity measured by the environmental sensor ES. The second timing at which the environmental information 124 is acquired may be the timing at which the data recorded in the data band DB is updated by overwriting the data band DB, or it may be the timing at which new data is added to a data band DB in which data has already been recorded. In other words, the environmental information 124 may be acquired from the environmental sensor ES by the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8 at the timing at which the data recorded in the data band DB is updated by overwriting the data band DB, or it may be acquired from the environmental sensor ES by the second environmental information acquisition unit 30A8 at the timing at which new data is added to a data band DB in which data has already been recorded.

[0212] In this case, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 updates the temperature difference 114 by calculating the difference between the temperature indicated by temperature information 112A and the temperature indicated by temperature information 124A, and updates the humidity difference 116 by calculating the difference between the humidity indicated by humidity information 112B and the humidity indicated by humidity information 124B. Then, the angle adjustment amount calculation unit 30A9 calculates the angle adjustment amount 118 (see Figure 20) in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Accordingly, with this configuration, compared to the case where the skew angle θ is adjusted based only on the environmental information 112 acquired at the first timing, it is possible to accurately suppress off-track caused by deformation of the width of the magnetic tape MT due to the difference between the environment at the first timing and the environment at the timing when the data in the data band DB is updated due to overwriting of the data band DB. Furthermore, this configuration allows for more accurate suppression of off-track events that occur due to deformation of the magnetic tape MT width, which is partly caused by the difference between the environment at the first timing and the environment at the time new data is added to the data band DB where data has already been recorded. This is more effective than the case where the skew angle θ is adjusted based solely on the environmental information 112 acquired at the first timing.

[0213] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the angle adjustment information 108 is stored in the cartridge memory 24, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the angle adjustment information 108 may be stored in a part of the magnetic tape MT in addition to, or instead of, the cartridge memory 24. In this case, the angle adjustment information 108 can be obtained from the magnetic tape MT. Also, even if it becomes impossible to read the angle adjustment information 108 from the cartridge memory 24, the angle adjustment information 108 can be obtained from the magnetic tape MT.

[0214] Furthermore, when storing angle adjustment information 108 in a portion of the magnetic tape MT, for example, as shown in Figure 26, the angle adjustment information 108 can be stored in the BOT section 31A and / or EOT section 31B. The BOT section 31A refers to the area provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape MT. The EOT section 31B refers to the area provided at the end of the magnetic tape MT.

[0215] If angle adjustment information 108 is stored in the BOT section 31A and / or EOT section 31B, for example, physical characteristic information 110 (see Figure 17) is stored in the BOT section 31A and / or EOT section 31B during the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape MT or magnetic tape cartridge 12. Reference skew angle information 102, environmental information 106, and servo band pitch SBP are recorded in the BOT section 31A and / or EOT section 31B by the magnetic head 28 at the same timing as when they were stored in the cartridge memory 24 in the above embodiment (i.e., before magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic head 28).

[0216] Furthermore, although the servo pattern 52 was illustrated in the above embodiment, the servo pattern 52 is merely an example, and the technology of this disclosure will still be valid even if other types of servo patterns (i.e., servo patterns with geometric characteristics different from those of servo pattern 52) are used. The following first to eighth modifications describe examples of magnetic tape MTs on which servo patterns of a different type than servo pattern 52 are recorded.

[0217] [First variation] As an example, as shown in Figure 27, the magnetic tape MT according to the first modified example differs from the magnetic tape MT shown in Figure 6 in that it has a frame 56 instead of a frame 50. The frame 56 is defined by a set of servo patterns 58. Multiple servo patterns 58 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The multiple servo patterns 58 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, similar to the multiple servo patterns 52 recorded in the magnetic tape MT shown in Figure 6.

[0218] In the example shown in Figure 27, servo patterns 58A and 58B are shown as an example of a pair of servo patterns 58 included in frame 56. Servo patterns 58A and 58B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 58A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 58B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within frame 56.

[0219] The servo pattern 58 consists of linear magnetization region pairs 60. The linear magnetization region pairs 60 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 60A and linear magnetization region pairs 60B.

[0220] The servo pattern 58A consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 60A. In the example shown in Figure 27, a pair of linear magnetization regions 60A1 and 60A2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 60A. Each of the linear magnetization regions 60A1 and 60A2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0221] The linear magnetization regions 60A1 and 60A2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C1. The linear magnetization regions 60A1 and 60A2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C1. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 60A1 with respect to the virtual line C1 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 60A2. Here, "steeper" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 60A1 with respect to the virtual line C1 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 60A2 with respect to the virtual line C1. Also, the total length of linear magnetization region 60A1 is shorter than the total length of linear magnetization region 60A2.

[0222] In servo pattern 58A, linear magnetization region 60A1 contains multiple magnetization lines 60A1a, and linear magnetization region 60A2 contains multiple magnetization lines 60A2a. The number of magnetization lines 60A1a contained in linear magnetization region 60A1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 60A2a contained in linear magnetization region 60A2.

[0223] A linear magnetization region 60A1 is a set of five magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 60A1a, and a linear magnetization region 60A2 is a set of five magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 60A2a. Within the servo band SB, the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 60A1 (i.e., the positions of each of the five magnetization lines 60A1a) and the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 60A2 (i.e., the positions of each of the five magnetization lines 60A2a) are aligned in the width direction WD. Here, we have given an example where the positions of both ends of each of the five magnetization lines 60A1a and the positions of both ends of each of the five magnetization lines 60A2a are aligned. However, this is merely one example, and it is sufficient if the positions of the ends of one or more of the five magnetization lines 60A1a and the positions of the ends of one or more of the five magnetization lines 60A2a are aligned. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the concept of "aligned" includes not only the meaning of being perfectly aligned, but also the meaning of "aligned" including errors that are generally acceptable in the art to which the disclosed technology belongs and that do not contradict the spirit of the disclosed technology.

[0224] The servo pattern 58B consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 60B. In the example shown in Figure 27, a pair of linear magnetization regions 60B1 and 60B2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 60B. Each of the linear magnetization regions 60B1 and 60B2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0225] The linear magnetization regions 60B1 and 60B2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C2. The linear magnetization regions 60B1 and 60B2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C2. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 60B1 with respect to the virtual line C2 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 60B2. Here, "steeper" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 60B1 with respect to the virtual line C2 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 60B2 with respect to the virtual line C2. Also, the total length of linear magnetization region 60B1 is shorter than the total length of linear magnetization region 60B2.

[0226] In servo pattern 58B, the linear magnetization region 60B1 contains multiple magnetization lines 60B1a, and the linear magnetization region 60B2 contains multiple magnetization lines 60B2a. The number of magnetization lines 60B1a contained in the linear magnetization region 60B1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 60B2a contained in the linear magnetization region 60B2.

[0227] The total number of magnetization lines 60B1a and 60B2a included in servo pattern 58B is different from the total number of magnetization lines 60A1a and 60A2a included in servo pattern 58A. In the example shown in Figure 27, the total number of magnetization lines 60A1a and 60A2a included in servo pattern 58A is 10, while the total number of magnetization lines 60B1a and 60B2a included in servo pattern 58B is 8.

[0228] A linear magnetization region 60B1 is a set of four magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 60B1a, and a linear magnetization region 60B2 is a set of four magnetized straight lines, which are magnetization lines 60B2a. Within the servo band SB, the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 60B1 (i.e., the positions of each of the four magnetization lines 60B1a) and the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 60B2 (i.e., the positions of each of the four magnetization lines 60B2a) are aligned in the width direction WD.

[0229] Note that here we have given an example where the positions of both ends of each of the four magnetization lines 60B1a and the positions of both ends of each of the four magnetization lines 60B2a are aligned. However, this is merely one example, and it is sufficient if the positions of the ends of one or more of the four magnetization lines 60B1a and the positions of the ends of one or more of the four magnetization lines 60B2a are aligned.

[0230] Furthermore, while examples of linear magnetization regions 60A1, 60B1, 60B2, and 60B2 are given, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to these examples. For example, linear magnetization regions 60A1 may be magnetization lines 60A1a of a number that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, linear magnetization regions 60A2 may be magnetization lines 60A2a of a number that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, linear magnetization regions 60B1 may be magnetization lines 60B1a of a number that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, and linear magnetization regions 60B2 may be magnetization lines 60B2a of a number that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT.

[0231] Here, the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region pair 60A on the magnetic tape MT will be explained with reference to Figure 28.

[0232] As an example, as shown in Figure 28, the geometric properties of the linear magnetization region pair 60A on the magnetic tape MT can be represented using a virtual linear region pair 62. The virtual linear region pair 62 consists of a virtual linear region 62A and a virtual linear region 62B. The geometric properties of the linear magnetization region pair 60A on the magnetic tape MT correspond to the geometric properties based on the virtual linear region pair 62 when the entire virtual linear region pair 62 is tilted with respect to the virtual line C1 by tilting the symmetry axis SA1 of the virtual linear region 62A and virtual linear region 62B, which are tilted symmetrically with respect to the virtual line C1, with respect to the virtual line C1.

[0233] The virtual linear region pair 62 is a hypothetical linear magnetization region pair having the same geometric properties as the linear magnetization region pair 54A shown in Figure 6. The virtual linear region pair 62 is a hypothetical magnetization region used for convenience to explain the geometric properties of the linear magnetization region pair 60A on the magnetic tape MT, and is not an actual magnetization region.

[0234] The virtual linear region 62A has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 54A1 shown in Figure 6, and consists of five virtual lines 62A1 corresponding to the five magnetization lines 54A1a shown in Figure 6. The virtual linear region 62B has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 54B1 shown in Figure 6, and consists of five virtual lines 62B1 corresponding to the five magnetization lines 54A2a shown in Figure 6.

[0235] A center O1 is provided in the virtual linear region pair 62. For example, center O1 is the center of the line segment L0 that connects the center of line 62A1, which is located on the upstream side in the forward direction of the five lines 62A1, and the center of line 62B1, which is located on the downstream side in the forward direction of the five lines 62B1.

[0236] Since the virtual linear region pair 62 has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region pair 54A shown in Figure 6, the virtual linear region 62A and virtual linear region 62B are tilted symmetrically with respect to the virtual line C1. Now, let's consider the case where the entire virtual linear region pair 62 is tilted with respect to the virtual line C1 by tilting the axis of symmetry SA1 of the virtual linear regions 62A and 62B by an angle a (for example, 10 degrees) with respect to the virtual line C1, using the center O1 as the axis of rotation, and then reading is performed on the virtual linear region pair 62 using a servo reading element SR. In this case, within the virtual linear region pair 62, there are areas where the virtual linear region 62A is read but the virtual linear region 62B is not, or where the virtual linear region 62A is not read but the virtual linear region 62B is read. In other words, when reading is performed by the servo reading element SR in each of the virtual linear regions 62A and 62B, there will be a missing portion and an unnecessary portion.

[0237] Therefore, by supplementing the missing parts and removing the unnecessary parts, the positions of both ends of the virtual linear region 62A (i.e., the positions of both ends of each of the five straight lines 62A1) and the positions of both ends of the virtual linear region 62B (i.e., the positions of both ends of each of the five straight lines 62B1) are aligned in the width direction WD.

[0238] The geometric characteristics of the virtual linear region pair 62 obtained in this way (i.e., the geometric characteristics of the virtual servo pattern) correspond to the geometric characteristics of the actual servo pattern 58A. That is, the servo band SB records a linear magnetization region pair 60A with geometric characteristics corresponding to the geometric characteristics of the virtual linear region pair 62 obtained by aligning the positions of both ends of the virtual linear region 62A with the positions of both ends of the virtual linear region 62B in the width direction WD.

[0239] Note that the linear magnetization region pair 60B differs from the linear magnetization region pair 60A only in that it has four magnetization lines 60B1a instead of five magnetization lines 60A1a, and four magnetization lines 60B2a instead of five magnetization lines 60A2a. Therefore, the servo band SB records the linear magnetization region pair 60B, whose geometric characteristics correspond to those of a virtual linear region pair (not shown) obtained by aligning the positions of both ends of the four lines 62A1 with the positions of both ends of the four lines 62B1 in the width direction WD.

[0240] As an example, as shown in Figure 29, the magnetic tape MT has multiple servo bands SB formed in the width direction WD, and the frames 56 that are in a corresponding relationship between servo bands SB are shifted by a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD. This means that the servo patterns 58 that are in a corresponding relationship between servo bands SB are shifted by a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD.

[0241] The default interval is defined based on angle α, the pitch between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD (hereinafter also referred to as "servo band pitch"), and the frame length. In the example shown in Figure 29, angle α is exaggerated to make it easier to understand visually, but in reality, angle α is, for example, about 15 degrees. Angle α is the angle formed between frames 56 that are not in a corresponding relationship between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD and a virtual straight line C1. In the example shown in Figure 29, as an example of angle α, the angle formed between one frame 56 of a pair of corresponding frames 56 between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD (one frame 56 of servo band SB3 in the example shown in Figure 29) and the frame 56 adjacent to the other frame 56 of the pair of frames 56 (one frame 56 of servo band SB3 in the example shown in Figure 29) (line segment L1 in the example shown in Figure 29) and a virtual straight line C1 is shown. In this case, frame length refers to the total length of frame 56 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The default interval is defined by the following formula (1). Note that Mod(A / B) means the remainder obtained when "A" is divided by "B".

[0242] (Default interval) = Mod{(Servo band pitch × tanα) / (Frame length)} ... (1)

[0243] In the example shown in Figure 29, angle α is exemplified as the angle formed between one frame 56 of a pair of frames 56 that correspond to adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD (hereinafter also referred to as the "first frame") and the frame 56 adjacent to the other frame 56 of the pair of frames 56 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second frame"), and the virtual line C1. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, angle α may be the angle formed between the first corresponding frame and a frame 56 (hereinafter also referred to as the "third frame") located two or more frames away from the second frame within the same servo band SB as the second frame, and the virtual line C1. In this case, the "frame length" used in formula (1) is the pitch between the second frame and the third frame with respect to the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT (for example, the distance from the leading edge of the second frame to the leading edge of the third frame).

[0244] As an example, as shown in Figure 30, when the servo pattern 58A (i.e., linear magnetization region pair 60A) is read by the servo reading element SR when the direction of virtual line C1 and the direction of virtual line C3 coincide (i.e., the longitudinal direction and width direction WD of the magnetic head 28 coincide), variations due to azimuth loss occur between the servo pattern signal originating from linear magnetization region 60A1 and the servo pattern signal originating from linear magnetization region 60A2. A similar phenomenon occurs when the servo pattern 58B (i.e., linear magnetization region pair 60B) is read by the servo reading element SR when the direction of virtual line C1 and the direction of virtual line C3 coincide (i.e., the longitudinal direction and width direction WD of the magnetic head 28 coincide).

[0245] Therefore, as an example shown in Figure 31, the tilting mechanism 49 skews the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT around the rotation axis RA such that the virtual line C3 is tilted by an angle β (i.e., an angle β counterclockwise when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 31) relative to the virtual line C1. In this way, the magnetic head 28 is tilted by an angle β toward the upstream side in the forward direction on the magnetic tape MT, so the variation due to azimuth loss between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 60A1 and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 60A2 is reduced compared to the example shown in Figure 30. Similarly, when the servo pattern 58B (i.e., the linear magnetization region pair 60B) is read by the servo reading element SR, the variation due to azimuth loss between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 60B1 and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 60B2 is also reduced.

[0246] [Second variation] In the first modified example described above, an example was given in which the servo band SB is divided into multiple frames 56 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 32, the servo band SB may be divided into frames 70 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. Each frame 70 is defined by a set of servo patterns 72. Multiple servo patterns 72 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The multiple servo patterns 72, like the multiple servo patterns 58, are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0247] In the example shown in Figure 32, a pair of servo patterns 72A and 72B is shown as an example of a set of servo patterns 72. Each of servo patterns 72A and 72B is an M-shaped magnetized servo pattern. Servo patterns 72A and 72B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 72A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 72B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within the frame 70.

[0248] As an example, as shown in Figure 33, the servo pattern 72 consists of linear magnetization region pairs 74. The linear magnetization region pairs 74 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 74A and linear magnetization region pairs 74B.

[0249] The servo pattern 72A consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 74A. The pair of linear magnetization regions 74A are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0250] In the example shown in Figure 33, a pair of linear magnetization regions 74A1 and 74A2 is shown as an example of a linear magnetization region pair 74A. The linear magnetization region pair 74A is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region pair 60A described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region pair 60A. That is, the linear magnetization region 74A1 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 60A1 described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 60A1, and the linear magnetization region 74A2 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 60A2 described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 60A2.

[0251] The servo pattern 72B consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 74B. The pair of linear magnetization regions 74B are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0252] In the example shown in Figure 33, a pair of linear magnetization regions 74B1 and 74B2 is shown as an example of a linear magnetization region pair 74B. The linear magnetization region pair 74B is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region pair 60B described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region pair 60B. That is, the linear magnetization region 74B1 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 60B1 described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 60B1, and the linear magnetization region 74B2 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 60B2 described in the first modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 60B2.

[0253] [Third variation] In the example shown in Figure 32, the servo band SB is divided into multiple frames 70 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 34, the servo band SB may be divided into frames 76 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. Each frame 76 is defined by a set of servo patterns 78. Multiple servo patterns 78 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The multiple servo patterns 78 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, similar to the multiple servo patterns 72 (see Figure 32).

[0254] In the example shown in Figure 34, servo patterns 78A and 78B are shown as an example of a pair of servo patterns 78. Each of servo patterns 78A and 78B is an N-shaped magnetized servo pattern. Servo patterns 78A and 78B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 78A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 78B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within the frame 76.

[0255] As an example, as shown in Figure 35, the servo pattern 78 consists of a linear magnetization region group 80. The linear magnetization region group 80 is classified into linear magnetization region group 80A and linear magnetization region group 80B.

[0256] The servo pattern 78A consists of a linear magnetization region group 80A. The linear magnetization region group 80A consists of linear magnetization regions 80A1, 80A2, and 80A3. The linear magnetization regions 80A1, 80A2, and 80A3 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The linear magnetization regions 80A1, 80A2, and 80A3 are arranged in the order of linear magnetization regions 80A1, 80A2, and 80A3 from the upstream side in the forward direction.

[0257] Linear magnetization regions 80A1 and 80A2 are configured similarly to linear magnetization region pair 74A shown in Figure 33 and have the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region pair 74A. That is, linear magnetization region 80A1 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 74A1 shown in Figure 33 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 74A1, and linear magnetization region 80A2 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 74A2 shown in Figure 33 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 74A2. Furthermore, linear magnetization region 80A3 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 80A1 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 80A1.

[0258] The servo pattern 78B consists of a linear magnetization region group 80B. The linear magnetization region group 80B consists of linear magnetization regions 80B1, 80B2, and 80B3. The linear magnetization regions 80B1, 80B2, and 80B3 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The linear magnetization regions 80B1, 80B2, and 80B3 are arranged in the order of linear magnetization regions 80B1, 80B2, and 80B3 from the upstream side in the forward direction.

[0259] Linear magnetization regions 80B1 and 80B2 are configured similarly to linear magnetization region pair 74B shown in Figure 33 and have the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region pair 74BB. That is, linear magnetization region 80B1 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 74B1 shown in Figure 33 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 74B1, and linear magnetization region 80B2 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 74B2 shown in Figure 33 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 74B2. Furthermore, linear magnetization region 80B3 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 80B1 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 80B1.

[0260] [Fourth variation] In the first modification example described above, the form in which the default interval is defined based on the angle α, the servo band pitch, and the frame length has been described. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the default interval may be defined without using the frame length. For example, as shown in FIG. 36, the default interval is the angle α formed by between the frames 56 (in the example shown in FIG. 36, the line segment L3) in a corresponding relationship between the servo bands SB adjacent in the width direction WD and the virtual straight line C1, and the pitch between the servo bands SB adjacent in the width direction WD (that is, the servo band pitch). In this case, for example, the default interval is calculated from the following formula (2).

[0261] (Default interval) = (Servo band pitch) × tanα ···· (2)

[0262] As described above, the frame length is not included in the formula (2). This means that the default interval can be calculated without considering the frame length. Therefore, according to this configuration, the default interval can be calculated more simply than when calculating the default interval from the formula (1).

[0263] [Fifth modification example] In the first modification example described above, the form in which the servo band SB is divided by a plurality of frames 56 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT has been described. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the servo band SB may be divided by frames 82 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0264] The frame 82 is defined by a set of servo patterns 84. A plurality of servo patterns 84 are recorded on the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The plurality of servo patterns 84 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, similar to the plurality of servo patterns 52 (see FIG. 6) recorded on the magnetic tape MT.

[0265] In the example shown in Figure 37, servo patterns 84A and 84B are shown as an example of a pair of servo patterns 84 included in frame 82. Servo patterns 84A and 84B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 84A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 84B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within frame 82.

[0266] The servo pattern 84A consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 86A. In the example shown in Figure 37, a pair of linear magnetization regions 86A1 and 86A2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 86AA. Each of the linear magnetization regions 86A1 and 86A2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0267] The linear magnetization regions 86A1 and 86A2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C1. The linear magnetization regions 86A1 and 86A2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C1. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 86A1 with respect to the virtual line C1 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 86A2. Here, "steeper" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 86A1 with respect to the virtual line C1 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 86A2 with respect to the virtual line C1.

[0268] Furthermore, the overall positions of linear magnetization region 86A1 and linear magnetization region 86A2 are offset in the width direction WD. That is, the positions of one end of linear magnetization region 86A1 and one end of linear magnetization region 86A2 are misaligned in the width direction WD, and the positions of the other end of linear magnetization region 86A1 and the other end of linear magnetization region 86A2 are misaligned in the width direction WD.

[0269] In servo pattern 84A, linear magnetization region 86A1 contains multiple magnetization lines 86A1a, and linear magnetization region 86A2 contains multiple magnetization lines 86A2a. The number of magnetization lines 86A1a contained in linear magnetization region 86A1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 86A2a contained in linear magnetization region 86A2.

[0270] A linear magnetization region 86A1 is a set of five magnetized straight lines called magnetization lines 86A1a, and a linear magnetization region 86A2 is a set of five magnetized straight lines called magnetization lines 86A2a.

[0271] Within the servo band SB, the widthwise WD positions of one end of all magnetization lines 86A1a included in the linear magnetization region 86A1 are aligned, and the widthwise WD positions of the other ends of all magnetization lines 86A1a included in the linear magnetization region 86A1 are also aligned. Furthermore, within the servo band SB, the widthwise WD positions of one end of all magnetization lines 86A2a included in the linear magnetization region 86A2 are aligned, and the widthwise WD positions of the other ends of all magnetization lines 86A2a included in the linear magnetization region 86A2 are also aligned.

[0272] The servo pattern 84B consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 86B. In the example shown in Figure 37, a pair of linear magnetization regions 86B1 and 86B2 is shown as an example of a pair of linear magnetization regions 86B. Each of the linear magnetization regions 86B1 and 86B2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0273] The linear magnetization regions 86B1 and 86B2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C2. The linear magnetization regions 86B1 and 86B2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C2. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 86B1 with respect to the virtual line C2 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 86B2. Here, "steep" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 86B1 with respect to the virtual line C2 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 86B2 with respect to the virtual line C2.

[0274] Furthermore, the overall positions of linear magnetization region 86B1 and linear magnetization region 86B2 are offset in the width direction WD. That is, the positions of one end of linear magnetization region 86B1 and the positions of one end of linear magnetization region 86B2 are misaligned in the width direction WD, and the positions of the other end of linear magnetization region 86B1 and the other end of linear magnetization region 86B2 are misaligned in the width direction WD.

[0275] In servo pattern 84B, linear magnetization region 86B1 contains multiple magnetization lines 86B1a, and linear magnetization region 86B2 contains multiple magnetization lines 86B2a. The number of magnetization lines 86B1a contained in linear magnetization region 86B1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 86B2a contained in linear magnetization region 86B2.

[0276] The total number of magnetization lines 86B1a and 86B2a included in servo pattern 84B is different from the total number of magnetization lines 86A1a and 86A2a included in servo pattern 84A. In the example shown in Figure 37, the total number of magnetization lines 86A1a and 86A2a included in servo pattern 84A is 10, while the total number of magnetization lines 86B1a and 86B2a included in servo pattern 84B is 8.

[0277] A linear magnetization region 86B1 is a set of magnetization lines 86B1a, which are four magnetized straight lines, and a linear magnetization region 86B2 is a set of magnetization lines 86B2a, which are four magnetized straight lines.

[0278] Within the servo band SB, the widthwise WD positions of one end of all magnetization lines 86B1a included in the linear magnetization region 86B1 are aligned, and the widthwise WD positions of the other ends of all magnetization lines 86B1a included in the linear magnetization region 86B1 are also aligned. Furthermore, within the servo band SB, the widthwise WD positions of one end of all magnetization lines 86B2a included in the linear magnetization region 86B2 are aligned, and the widthwise WD positions of the other ends of all magnetization lines 86B2a included in the linear magnetization region 86B2 are also aligned.

[0279] Here, as an example of a linear magnetization region 86A1, a set of five magnetized straight lines, namely magnetization lines 86A1a, is given; as an example of a linear magnetization region 86A2, a set of five magnetized straight lines, namely magnetization lines 86A2a, is given; as an example of a linear magnetization region 86B1, a set of four magnetized straight lines, namely magnetization lines 86B1a, is given; and as an example of a linear magnetization region 86B2, a set of four magnetized straight lines, namely magnetization lines 86B2a, is given. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to these examples. For example, linear magnetization region 86A1 may be a number of magnetization lines 86A1a that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, linear magnetization region 86A2 may be a number of magnetization lines 86A2a that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, linear magnetization region 86B1 may be a number of magnetization lines 86B1a that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT, and linear magnetization region 86B2 may be a number of magnetization lines 86B2a that contribute to identifying the position of the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT.

[0280] Here, the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region pair 86A on the magnetic tape MT will be explained with reference to Figure 38.

[0281] As an example, as shown in Figure 38, the geometric properties of the linear magnetization region pair 86A on the magnetic tape MT can be represented using a virtual linear region pair 62. Here, the entire virtual linear region pair 62 is tilted with respect to the virtual line C1 by an angle a (for example, 10 degrees) with respect to the virtual line C1, using the center O1 as the axis of rotation. Then, the positions of the widthwise WD at one end of all lines 62A1 included in the virtual linear region 62A of the virtual linear region pair 62 are aligned, and the positions of the widthwise WD at the other end of all lines 62A1 included in the virtual linear region 62A are also aligned. Similarly, the positions of the widthwise WD at one end of all lines 62B1 included in the virtual linear region 62B of the virtual linear region pair 62 are aligned, and the positions of the widthwise WD at the other end of all lines 62B1 included in the virtual linear region 62B are also aligned. As a result, virtual linear regions 62A and 62B are shifted in the width direction WD.

[0282] That is, one end of the virtual linear region 62A and one end of the virtual linear region 62B are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int1 in the width direction WD, and the other end of the virtual linear region 62A and the other end of the virtual linear region 62B are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int2 in the width direction WD.

[0283] The geometric characteristics of the virtual linear region pair 62 thus obtained (i.e., the geometric characteristics of a virtual servo pattern) correspond to the geometric characteristics of the actual servo pattern 84A. That is, the geometric characteristics of the linear magnetization region pair 86A on the magnetic tape MT are equivalent to the geometric characteristics of the virtual linear region pair 62 when the entire virtual linear region pair 62 is inclined with respect to the virtual straight line C1 by inclining the symmetry axis SA1 of the virtual linear region 62A and the virtual linear region 62B, which are inclined line-symmetrically with respect to the virtual straight line C1, with respect to the virtual straight line C1.

[0284] The virtual linear region 62A corresponds to the linear magnetization region 86A1 of the servo pattern 84A, and the virtual linear region 62B corresponds to the linear magnetization region 86A2 of the servo pattern 84A. Therefore, in the servo band SB, a servo pattern 84A is recorded that consists of a linear magnetization region pair 86A in which one end of the linear magnetization region 86A1 and one end of the linear magnetization region 86A2 are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int1 in the width direction WD, and the other end of the linear magnetization region 86A1 and the other end of the linear magnetization region 86A2 are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int2 in the width direction WD (see FIG. 37).

[0285] Note that the linear magnetization region pair 86B differs from the linear magnetization region pair 86A only in that it has four magnetization straight lines 86B1a instead of five magnetization straight lines 86A1a, and four magnetization straight lines 86B2a instead of five magnetization straight lines 86A2a (see FIG. 37). Thus, in the servo band SB, a servo pattern 84B is recorded that consists of a linear magnetization region pair 86B in which one end of the linear magnetization region 86B1 and one end of the linear magnetization region 86B2 are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int1 in the width direction WD, and the other end of the linear magnetization region 86B1 and the other end of the linear magnetization region 86B2 are displaced from each other by a constant interval Int2 in the width direction WD (see FIG. 37).

[0286] As an example, as shown in Figure 39, the magnetic tape MT has multiple servo bands SB formed in the width direction WD, and the frames 82 that are in a corresponding relationship between servo bands SB are shifted at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD. This means that the servo patterns 84 that are in a corresponding relationship between servo bands SB are shifted at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT between adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD, as described in the first modified example above. The predetermined interval is defined by formula (1) described in the first modified example above.

[0287] Similar to the first modified example described above, in this fifth modified example, as shown in Figure 40 as an example, the tilting mechanism 49 skews the magnetic head 28 on the magnetic tape MT around the rotation axis RA such that the virtual line C3 is tilted by an angle β (i.e., an angle β counterclockwise when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 40) toward the upstream side in the forward direction with respect to the virtual line C1. That is, the magnetic head 28 is tilted by an angle β toward the upstream side in the forward direction on the magnetic tape MT. In this state, when the servo pattern 84A is read by the servo reading element SR along the longitudinal direction LD within the range R in which the linear magnetization regions 86A1 and 86A2 overlap in the width direction WD, the variation due to azimuth loss between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 86A1 and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 86A2 is reduced compared to the example shown in Figure 30. Furthermore, when the servo pattern 84B (i.e., the linear magnetization region pair 86B) is read by the servo reading element SR, the variation due to azimuth loss between the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 86B1 and the servo pattern signal originating from the linear magnetization region 86B2 is similarly reduced.

[0288] [Sixth variation] In the fifth modification described above, an example was given in which the servo band SB is divided into a plurality of frames 82 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 41, the servo band SB may be divided into frames 88 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. A frame 88 is defined by a set of servo patterns 90. A plurality of servo patterns 90 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The plurality of servo patterns 90 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, similar to the plurality of servo patterns 84 (see Figure 37).

[0289] In the example shown in Figure 41, a pair of servo patterns 90A and 90B is shown as an example of a set of servo patterns 90. Each of servo patterns 90A and 90B is an M-shaped magnetized servo pattern. Servo patterns 90A and 90B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 90A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 90B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within the frame 88.

[0290] As an example, as shown in Figure 42, the servo pattern 90 consists of linear magnetization region pairs 92. The linear magnetization region pairs 92 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 92A and linear magnetization region pairs 92B.

[0291] The servo pattern 90A consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 92A. The pair of linear magnetization regions 92A are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0292] In the example shown in Figure 42, a pair of linear magnetization regions 92A1 and 92A2 is shown as an example of a linear magnetization region pair 92A. The linear magnetization region pair 92A is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region pair 86A (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region pair 86A. That is, the linear magnetization region 92A1 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 86A1 (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 86A1, and the linear magnetization region 92A2 is configured in the same way as the linear magnetization region 86A2 (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as the linear magnetization region 86A2.

[0293] The servo pattern 90B consists of a pair of linear magnetization regions 92B. The pair of linear magnetization regions 92B are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0294] In the example shown in Figure 42, a pair of linear magnetization regions 92B1 and 92B2 is shown as an example of a linear magnetization region pair 92B. Linear magnetization region pair 92B is configured in the same way as linear magnetization region pair 86B (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region pair 86B. That is, linear magnetization region 92B1 is configured in the same way as linear magnetization region 86B1 (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 86B1, and linear magnetization region 92B2 is configured in the same way as linear magnetization region 86B2 (see Figure 37) described in the fifth modified example above, and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 86B2.

[0295] [7th variation] In the example shown in Figure 41, the servo band SB is divided into multiple frames 88 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 43, the servo band SB may be divided into frames 94 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. Each frame 94 is defined by a set of servo patterns 96. Multiple servo patterns 96 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The multiple servo patterns 96 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, similar to the multiple servo patterns 90 (see Figure 41).

[0296] In the example shown in Figure 43, servo patterns 96A and 96B are shown as an example of a pair of servo patterns 96. Each of servo patterns 96A and 96B is an N-shaped magnetized servo pattern. Servo patterns 96A and 96B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT, with servo pattern 96A located on the upstream side in the forward direction and servo pattern 96B located on the downstream side in the forward direction within the frame 94.

[0297] As an example, as shown in Figure 44, the servo pattern 96 consists of a linear magnetization region group 98. The linear magnetization region group 98 is classified into linear magnetization region group 98A and linear magnetization region group 98B.

[0298] The servo pattern 96A consists of a linear magnetization region group 98A. The linear magnetization region group 98A consists of linear magnetization regions 98A1, 98A2, and 98A3. The linear magnetization regions 98A1, 98A2, and 98A3 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The linear magnetization regions 98A1, 98A2, and 98A3 are arranged in the order of linear magnetization regions 98A1, 98A2, and 98A3 from the upstream side in the forward direction.

[0299] Linear magnetization regions 98A1 and 98A2 are configured similarly to linear magnetization region pair 92A shown in Figure 42 and have the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region pair 92A. That is, linear magnetization region 98A1 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92A1 shown in Figure 42 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92A1, and linear magnetization region 98A2 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92A2 shown in Figure 42 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92A2. Furthermore, linear magnetization region 98A3 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92A1 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92A1.

[0300] The servo pattern 96B consists of a linear magnetization region group 98B. The linear magnetization region group 98B consists of linear magnetization regions 98B1, 98B2, and 98B3. The linear magnetization regions 98B1, 98B2, and 98B3 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The linear magnetization regions 98B1, 98B2, and 98B3 are arranged in the order of linear magnetization regions 98B1, 98B2, and 98B3 from the upstream side in the forward direction.

[0301] Linear magnetization regions 98B1 and 98B2 are configured similarly to linear magnetization region pair 92B shown in Figure 42 and have the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region pair 92B. That is, linear magnetization region 98B1 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92B1 shown in Figure 42 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92B1, and linear magnetization region 98B2 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92B2 shown in Figure 42 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92B2. Furthermore, linear magnetization region 98B3 is configured similarly to linear magnetization region 92B1 and has the same geometric characteristics as linear magnetization region 92B1.

[0302] [8th variation] In the first modified example described above (for example, the example shown in Figure 27), an example of a form in which the servo band SB is divided into multiple frames 56 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT was given, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 45, the servo band SB may be divided into frames 560 along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. Each frame 560 is defined by a set of servo patterns 580. Multiple servo patterns 580 are recorded in the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT. The multiple servo patterns 580, like the multiple servo patterns 58, are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0303] The servo pattern 580 consists of linear magnetization region pairs 600. The linear magnetization region pairs 600 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 600A and linear magnetization region pairs 600B. That is, the linear magnetization region pairs 600 differ from the linear magnetization region pair 60 (see Figure 27) in that they have linear magnetization region pair 600A instead of linear magnetization region pair 60A, and linear magnetization region pair 600B instead of linear magnetization region pair 60B.

[0304] Servo pattern 580A consists of linear magnetization region pair 600A. Linear magnetization region pair 600A differs from linear magnetization region pair 60A in that it has linear magnetization region 600A1 instead of linear magnetization region 60A1, and linear magnetization region 600A2 instead of linear magnetization region 60A2. Each of the linear magnetization regions 600A1 and 600A2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0305] The linear magnetization regions 600A1 and 600A2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C1. The linear magnetization regions 600A1 and 600A2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C1. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 600A2 with respect to the virtual line C1 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 600A1. Here, "steep" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 600A2 with respect to the virtual line C1 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 600A2 with respect to the virtual line C1. Also, the total length of linear magnetization region 600A2 is shorter than the total length of linear magnetization region 600A2.

[0306] The linear magnetization region 600A1 differs from the linear magnetization region 60A1 in that it has multiple magnetization lines 600A1a instead of multiple magnetization lines 60A1a. The linear magnetization region 600A2 differs from the linear magnetization region 60A2 in that it has multiple magnetization lines 600A2a instead of multiple magnetization lines 60A2a.

[0307] The linear magnetization region 600A1 contains multiple magnetization lines 600A1a, and the linear magnetization region 600A2 contains multiple magnetization lines 600A2a. The number of magnetization lines 600A1a contained in the linear magnetization region 600A1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 600A2a contained in the linear magnetization region 600A2.

[0308] The linear magnetization region 600A1 is a linear magnetization region corresponding to the first line-symmetry region. The first line-symmetry region refers to the region in which the linear magnetization region 60A2 (see Figure 27), described in the first modified example above, is formed symmetrically with respect to the virtual line C1. In other words, the linear magnetization region 600A1 can also be said to be a linear magnetization region formed by the geometric properties of the mirror image of the linear magnetization region 60A2 (see Figure 27) (i.e., the geometric properties obtained by performing a mirror image with respect to the linear magnetization region 60A2 (see Figure 27) with respect to the virtual line C1 as the axis of symmetry).

[0309] The linear magnetization region 600A2 is a linear magnetization region corresponding to the second line-symmetry region. The second line-symmetry region refers to the region in which the linear magnetization region 60A1 (see Figure 27) described in the first embodiment above is formed symmetrically with respect to the virtual line C1. In other words, the linear magnetization region 600A2 can also be said to be a linear magnetization region formed by the geometric properties of the mirror image of the linear magnetization region 60A1 (see Figure 27) (i.e., the geometric properties obtained by performing a mirror image with respect to the linear magnetization region 60A1 (see Figure 27) with respect to the virtual line C1 as the axis of symmetry).

[0310] In other words, in the example shown in Figure 28, the geometric characteristics of the pair of virtual linear regions 62 obtained by tilting the axis of symmetry SA1 of the virtual linear regions 62A and 62B with respect to the virtual line C1 by an angle a clockwise direction when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 28, with the center O1 as the axis of rotation, thereby aligning the positions of both ends of the virtual linear region 62A and the virtual linear region 62B, correspond to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern 580A.

[0311] Servo pattern 580B consists of linear magnetization region pair 600B. Linear magnetization region pair 600B differs from linear magnetization region pair 60B in that it has linear magnetization region 600B1 instead of linear magnetization region 60B1, and linear magnetization region 600B2 instead of linear magnetization region 60B2. Each of the linear magnetization regions 600B1 and 600B2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0312] The linear magnetization regions 600B1 and 600B2 are tilted in opposite directions with respect to the virtual line C2. The linear magnetization regions 600B1 and 600B2 are nonparallel to each other and are tilted at different angles with respect to the virtual line C2. The tilt angle of linear magnetization region 600B2 with respect to the virtual line C2 is steeper than that of linear magnetization region 600B1. Here, "steep" means, for example, that the angle of linear magnetization region 600B2 with respect to the virtual line C2 is smaller than the angle of linear magnetization region 600B2 with respect to the virtual line C2.

[0313] The linear magnetization region 600B1 contains multiple magnetization lines 600B1a, and the linear magnetization region 600B2 contains multiple magnetization lines 600B2a. The number of magnetization lines 600B1a contained in the linear magnetization region 600B1 is the same as the number of magnetization lines 600B2a contained in the linear magnetization region 600B2.

[0314] The total number of magnetization lines 600B1a and 600B2a included in servo pattern 580B is different from the total number of magnetization lines 600A1a and 600A2a included in servo pattern 580A. In the example shown in Figure 45, the total number of magnetization lines 600A1a and 600A2a included in servo pattern 580A is 10, while the total number of magnetization lines 600B1a and 600B2a included in servo pattern 580B is 8.

[0315] A linear magnetization region 600B1 is a set of four magnetized straight lines, known as magnetization lines 600B1a, and a linear magnetization region 600B2 is a set of four magnetized straight lines, known as magnetization lines 600B2a. Within the servo band SB, the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 600B1 (i.e., the positions of each of the four magnetization lines 600B1a) and the positions of both ends of the linear magnetization region 600B2 (i.e., the positions of each of the four magnetization lines 600B2a) are aligned in the width direction WD.

[0316] Thus, the geometric characteristics of servo pattern 580A correspond to the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of linear magnetization region 60A2 (see Figure 27) and the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of linear magnetization region 60A2 (see Figure 27) (i.e., the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of servo pattern 58A shown in Figure 27), and the geometric characteristics of servo pattern 580B correspond to the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of linear magnetization region 60B2 (see Figure 27) and the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of linear magnetization region 60B2 (see Figure 27) (i.e., the geometric characteristics of the mirror image of servo pattern 58B shown in Figure 27). However, this is merely one example, and instead of servo pattern 580, a servo pattern formed by the mirror image geometric characteristics of servo pattern 72 shown in Figure 32, servo pattern 78 shown in Figure 34, servo pattern 84 shown in Figure 37, servo pattern 90 shown in Figure 41, or servo pattern 96 shown in Figure 43 may be applied.

[0317] Even when the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern are changed in this way, the tilting mechanism 49 changes the direction of the inclination (i.e., azimuth) of the virtual line C3 with respect to the virtual line C4 and the angle of inclination (for example, the angle β shown in Figure 31) according to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern. In other words, even when the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern are changed, the tilting mechanism 49, under the control of the control device 30A, rotates the magnetic head 28 on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT around the rotation axis RA, thereby changing the direction of the inclination (i.e., azimuth) of the virtual line C3 with respect to the virtual line C4 and the angle of inclination (for example, the angle β shown in Figure 31) in order to reduce the variation in the servo pattern signal.

[0318] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which magnetic processing by a magnetic head 28 is performed on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT was described, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the back surface 33 of the magnetic tape MT may be formed as a magnetic layer surface, and magnetic processing by the magnetic head 28 may be performed on the back surface 33. In this case, the back surface 33 is an example of a "recording surface" according to the technology of this disclosure.

[0319] In the above embodiment, a magnetic tape system 10 in which a magnetic tape cartridge 12 can be inserted into and removed from a magnetic tape drive 14 is illustrated, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the technology of this disclosure also applies to a magnetic tape system in which at least one magnetic tape cartridge 12 is pre-loaded into a magnetic tape drive 14 (i.e., a magnetic tape system in which at least one magnetic tape cartridge 12 or magnetic tape MT and the magnetic tape drive 14 are integrated in advance (e.g., before recording data to a data band DB)).

[0320] In the above embodiment, a single magnetic head 28 is illustrated, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, multiple magnetic heads 28 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT. For example, a reading magnetic head 28 and at least one writing magnetic head 28 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT. The reading magnetic head 28 may be used to verify the data recorded in the data band DB by the writing magnetic head 28. Alternatively, a single magnetic head equipped with a reading magnetic element unit 42 and at least one writing magnetic element unit 42 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT.

[0321] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the processing unit 30 (see Figure 3) is implemented by an ASIC was described, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processing unit 30 may be implemented by a software configuration. Furthermore, only the control device 30A and the position detection device 30B included in the processing unit 30 may be implemented by a software configuration. When the control device 30A and the position detection device 30B are implemented by a software configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 46, the processing unit 30 includes a computer 200. The computer 200 has a processor 200A (e.g., one or more CPUs), an NVM 200B, and RAM 200C. The processor 200A, NVM 200B, and RAM 200C are connected to a bus 200D. A portable storage medium 202 (e.g., an SSD or USB memory) which is a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium stores a program PG.

[0322] The program PG stored in the storage medium 202 is installed in the computer 200. The processor 200A performs data pre-processing (see Figure 22) and data reading (see Figures 23A, 23B, and 24) according to the program PG.

[0323] Alternatively, the program PG may be stored in a storage device such as another computer or server connected to the computer 200 via a communication network (not shown), and the program PG may be downloaded and installed on the computer 200 in response to a request from the processing unit 30. Note that the program PG is an example of a "program" relating to the technology of this disclosure, and the computer 200 is an example of a "computer" relating to the technology of this disclosure.

[0324] In the example shown in Figure 46, a computer 200 is illustrated, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and devices including ASICs, FPGAs, and / or PLCs may be used instead of the computer 200. Alternatively, a combination of hardware and software configurations may be used instead of the computer 200.

[0325] The following types of processors can be used as hardware resources to execute the processing of the processing unit 30 (see Figure 3). Examples of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource that executes processing by running software, i.e., a program. Other examples of processors include dedicated electronic circuits, which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute particular processing, such as FPGAs, PLCs, or the example ASIC. Each processor has built-in or connected memory, and each processor executes processing by using memory.

[0326] The hardware resources that perform the processing of the processing unit 30 and / or the servo writer controller SW5 may consist of one of these various processors, or 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). Alternatively, the hardware resources that perform the processing of the processing unit 30 and / or the servo writer controller SW may consist of a single processor.

[0327] Examples of configurations using a single processor include, firstly, a configuration in which one or more CPUs and software are combined to form a single processor, and this processor functions as a hardware resource that performs processing. Secondly, a configuration using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system, including multiple hardware resources that perform processing, on a single IC chip, as exemplified by SoCs. Thus, the processing of the processing unit 30 and / or the servowriter controller SW5 is realized using one or more of the above types of processors as hardware resources.

[0328] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can more specifically utilize electronic circuits that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. Also, the processing of the processing unit 30 and / or servowriter controller SW5 described above is merely an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the processing order rearranged, as long as it does not deviate from the main purpose.

[0329] The descriptions and illustrations presented above are detailed explanations of the technical aspects of this disclosure and are merely examples of the technical aspects. For example, the above descriptions of the structure, function, operation, and effect are examples of the structure, function, operation, and effect of the technical aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that you may delete unnecessary parts, add new elements, or replace elements in the descriptions and illustrations presented above, as long as you do not deviate from the essence of the technical aspects of this disclosure. Furthermore, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the technical aspects of this disclosure, explanations of common technical knowledge and the like that do not require special explanation to enable the implementation of the technical aspects of this disclosure have been omitted from the descriptions and illustrations presented above.

[0330] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." That is, "A and / or B" means that it may be A alone, or B alone, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" applies when expressing three or more things linked by "and / or."

[0331] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually noted as being incorporated by reference.

[0332] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0333] (Note 1) The storage medium, which stores information about a magnetic tape having a recording surface, includes storing angle adjustment information obtained before data is recorded on the recording surface by a magnetic head, The above magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface mentioned above, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. The angle adjustment information described above is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. Information storage method.

[0334] (Note 2) The magnetic tape having a recording surface includes storing angle adjustment information obtained before data is recorded on the recording surface by a magnetic head, The above magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface mentioned above, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. The angle adjustment information described above is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. Information storage method. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0335] 10 Magnetic Tape Systems 12 Magnetic Tape Cartridges 13 Management information 13A Specifications 14 Magnetic tape drives 16 cases 16A Right wall 16B opening 18 Upper case 20 Lower Case 22, SW1 Sending Reel 22A Reel Hub 22B1 Upper flange 22B2 Lower flange 24 cartridge memory 24B,33 Back side 25 Controllers 26 Conveying device 28 Magnetic Heads 29A magnetic layer 29B Base film 29C Backcoat Layer 30 Processing Unit 30A control device 30A0 First moving mechanism control unit 30A1 Reference Skew Angle Derivation Section 30A2 First tilting mechanism control unit 30A3 First Travel Control Unit 30A4 Pitch Calculation Unit 30A5 1st Environmental Information Acquisition Department 30A6 Angle adjustment information acquisition section 30A7 Second tilting mechanism control unit 30A8 2nd Environmental Information Acquisition Department 30A9 Angle adjustment amount calculation section 30A10 Second Travel Control Unit 30A11 Second Moving Mechanism Control Unit 30A12 Read / Write Element Control Unit 30B Position detection device 30B1 First position detection device 30B2 Second position detection device 31 Surface 31A BOT section 31B EOT section 32 storage 34 UI devices 35 Communication Interfaces 36. Sending motor 37 External device 38, SW2 Winding Reel 39A First detection circuit 39B Second detection circuit 40,M winding motor 42 Magnetic element unit 44 holder 46. ​​Contactless reading and writing devices 48 Moving mechanism 48A Moving Actuator 49 Tilt mechanism 49A Tilt Actuator 50, 56, 70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 560 frames 52, 52A, 52B, 58, 58A, 58B, 72, 72A, 72B, 78, 78A, 78B, 84, 84A, 84B, 90, 90A, 90B, 580, 580A, 580B Servo Pattern 54, 54A, 54B, 60, 60A, 60B, 74, 74A, 74B, 86, 86A, 86B, 92, 92A, 92B, 540A, 542, 600, 600A, 600B Linear magnetization region pairs 54A1,54A2,54B1,54B2,60A1,60A2,60B1,60B2,74A1,74A2,74B1,74B2,80A1,80A2,80A3, 86A1,86A2,86B1,86B2,92A1,92A2,92B1,92B2,540A1,540A2,600A1,600A2,600B1,600B2 linear magnetization region 54A1a,54A2a,54B1a,54B2a,60A1a,60A2a,60B1a,60B2a,86A1a,86A2a,8 6B1a,86B2a,540A1a,540A2a,542A,542B,600A1a,600A2a,600B1a,600B2a magnetized straight line 62 virtual linear region pairs 62A, 62B Virtual linear region 62A1,62B1 straight line 66 Ideal waveform signal 66A 1st ideal waveform signal 66B 2nd ideal waveform signal 68 virtual linear region pair 68A, 68B Virtual Linear Region 80,80A,80B linear magnetization region group 100 tables 102 Reference Skew Angle Information 104 Angle setting completion signal 106,112,124 Environmental information 106A,112A,124A Temperature information 106B,112B,124B Humidity information 108 Angle adjustment information 110 Physical Feature Information 110A Magnetic Tape Thickness Information 110B Magnetic layer thickness information 110C Surface Friction Coefficient Information 110D Backside Friction Coefficient Information 110E Thermal Expansion Coefficient Information 110F Humidity Expansion Coefficient Information 110G Poisson's ratio information 110H Base material information 114 Temperature difference 116 Humidity difference 118 Angle adjustment amount 120 Arithmetic expression 122 Mathematical Formulas 200 Computers 200A Processor 200B NVM 200C RAM 200D Bus 202 Storage medium A, B, C arrows a, α, β angles C1, C2, C3, C4 virtual lines DB, DB1, DB2 Databand DRW, DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, DRW8 data read / write elements DT,DT1,DT2,DT3,DT4,DT5,DT6,DTpath,DT8 Data Tracks DT1_1~DT1_12,DT2_1~DT2_12,DT3_1~DT3_12,DT4_1~DT4_12,DT5_1~DT5_12,DT6_1~DT6_12,DT7_1~DT7_12,DT8_1~DT_12 Split Data Tracks DTG, DTG1, DTG2, DTG3, DTG4, DTG5, DTG6, DTG7, DTG8 Divided data track group ES environmental sensor GR Guide Roller Int1,Int2 interval L0, L1, L2 line segments LD (Long side) MF magnetic field MT magnetic tape O1,O2 center PG Program RA rotation axis S1 First servo band signal S1a 1st linear magnetization region signal S1A, S1B Servo Pattern Signals S1b 2nd linear magnetization region signal S2 Second servo band signal SA1, SA2 axis of symmetry SB, SB1, SB2, SB3 servo bands SBP Servo Band Pitch SR, SR1, SR2 Servo Reading Elements WD width direction

Claims

1. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes width correspondence information corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape, The width correspondence information is information acquired while the magnetic tape is being run before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The width correspondence information is acquired at multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

2. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes first environmental information that identifies the environment. Magnetic tape cartridge.

3. The first environmental information is information that includes at least one of temperature information indicating temperature and humidity information indicating humidity. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 2.

4. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes angle information indicating the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined along the recording surface with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

5. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes physical feature information that indicates the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

6. The aforementioned physical characteristics include at least one of the following: the thickness of the magnetic tape, the thickness of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the back surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of humidity expansion of the magnetic tape, the Poisson's ratio of the magnetic tape, and the substrate of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 5.

7. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, The storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information. The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes width correspondence information corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape, The width correspondence information is information acquired while the magnetic tape is being run before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The width correspondence information is acquired at multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

8. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, The storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information. The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes first environmental information that identifies the environment. Magnetic tape cartridge.

9. The first environmental information is information that includes at least one of temperature information indicating temperature and humidity information indicating humidity. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 8.

10. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, The storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information. The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes angle information indicating the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined along the recording surface with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

11. Magnetic tape and, A storage medium storing information about the magnetic tape, The magnetic tape has a recording surface, The storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information. The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes physical feature information that indicates the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape cartridge.

12. The aforementioned physical characteristics include at least one of the following: the thickness of the magnetic tape, the thickness of the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of friction of the back surface of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetic tape, the coefficient of humidity expansion of the magnetic tape, the Poisson's ratio of the magnetic tape, and the substrate of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 11.

13. The storage medium is a medium that includes a memory capable of contactless communication with a contactless read / write device. A magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The storage medium is a medium that includes a portion of a magnetic tape. A magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A processor that performs processing on a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The system includes an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to the magnetic head, The aforementioned processor, The angle adjustment information is obtained from the storage medium. The angle adjustment mechanism is adjusted based on the angle adjustment information. Magnetic tape drive.

16. The magnetic tape has a servo band, The magnetic head has a servo reading element, When the data is recorded on the recording surface, the processor adjusts the angle of the angle adjustment mechanism based on the angle adjustment information, thereby aligning the position of the servo band with the position of the servo reading element. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 15.

17. A magnetic tape cartridge or a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape and a storage medium storing information relating to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface on which data is recorded by a magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running, the magnetic head is positioned in a position inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape along the recording surface, and the storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface, the angle adjustment information being information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface. A processor that performs processing on a magnetic tape cartridge, comprising a magnetic tape and a storage medium storing information relating to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface, and the storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information, and the angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which a magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The system includes an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to the magnetic head, The aforementioned processor, The angle adjustment information is obtained from the storage medium. Based on the angle adjustment information, the angle adjustment mechanism is instructed to adjust the angle. The magnetic head performs magnetic processing on the recording surface. The angle adjustment information includes second environmental information that identifies the environment, The aforementioned processor, At the timing when the aforementioned magnetic processing is performed, third environmental information that identifies the environment is acquired. The angle adjustment mechanism is adjusted based on the degree of difference between the second environmental information and the third environmental information. Magnetic tape drive.

18. A magnetic tape cartridge or a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape and a storage medium storing information relating to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface on which data is recorded by a magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running, the magnetic head is positioned in a position inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape along the recording surface, and the storage medium stores angle adjustment information obtained before the data is recorded on the recording surface, the angle adjustment information being information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined with respect to the width direction along the recording surface. A processor that performs processing on a magnetic tape cartridge, comprising a magnetic tape and a storage medium storing information relating to the magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape has a recording surface, and the storage medium has a pre-prepared area for storing angle adjustment information, and the angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which a magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The system includes an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to the magnetic head, The aforementioned processor, The angle adjustment information is obtained from the storage medium. Based on the angle adjustment information, the angle adjustment mechanism is instructed to adjust the angle. The aforementioned processor, At the first timing when the data is recorded on the recording surface, fourth environmental information that identifies the environment is acquired. At a second timing in which the data is recorded on the recording surface, and at a second timing different from the first timing, fifth environmental information is acquired to identify the environment. The angle adjustment mechanism is adjusted based on the degree of difference between the fourth environmental information and the fifth environmental information. Magnetic tape drive.

19. The second timing is the timing at which the data recorded on the recording surface at the first timing is overwritten to update the data, and / or the timing at which new data is added to the recording surface on which the data was recorded at the first timing. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 18.

20. A magnetic tape having a recording surface that is subjected to magnetic processing by a magnetic head, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The recording surface has angle adjustment information obtained before the data on the recording surface was recorded. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes width correspondence information corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape, The width correspondence information is information acquired while the magnetic tape is being run before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The width correspondence information is acquired at multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

21. A magnetic tape having a recording surface that is subjected to magnetic processing by a magnetic head, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The recording surface has angle adjustment information obtained before the data on the recording surface was recorded. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes first environmental information that identifies the environment. Magnetic tape.

22. A magnetic tape having a recording surface that is subjected to magnetic processing by a magnetic head, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The recording surface has angle adjustment information obtained before the data on the recording surface was recorded. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes angle information indicating the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined along the recording surface with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

23. A magnetic tape having a recording surface that is subjected to magnetic processing by a magnetic head, On the recording surface, data is recorded by the magnetic head while the magnetic tape is running. The magnetic head is positioned along the recording surface in a manner inclined with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape, The recording surface has angle adjustment information obtained before the data on the recording surface was recorded. The angle adjustment information is information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head is tilted along the recording surface with respect to the width direction. The angle adjustment information includes physical feature information that indicates the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

24. The recording surface processed by the magnetic head, A magnetic tape comprising a storage area pre-prepared for storing angle adjustment information, The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes width correspondence information corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape, The width correspondence information is information acquired while the magnetic tape is being run before the data is recorded on the recording surface. The width correspondence information is acquired at multiple locations along the entire length of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

25. The recording surface processed by the magnetic head, It includes a storage area pre-prepared for storing angle adjustment information, The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes first environmental information that identifies the environment. Magnetic tape.

26. The recording surface processed by the magnetic head, A magnetic tape comprising a storage area pre-prepared for storing angle adjustment information, The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes angle information indicating the angle at which the magnetic head is inclined along the recording surface with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

27. The recording surface processed by the magnetic head, A magnetic tape comprising a storage area pre-prepared for storing angle adjustment information, The angle adjustment information includes information for adjusting the angle at which the magnetic head that records data on the recording surface is tilted relative to the recording surface, The angle adjustment information includes physical feature information that indicates the physical characteristics of the magnetic tape. Magnetic tape.

28. A magnetic tape according to any one of claims 20 to 27, The system comprises a processor that performs processing on the magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape drive having an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle by applying power to the magnetic head, The aforementioned processor, The angle adjustment information is obtained from the recording surface. The angle adjustment mechanism is adjusted based on the angle adjustment information. Magnetic tape system.

29. A method for operating a magnetic tape drive, Obtaining the angle adjustment information from the storage medium contained in the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14, This includes adjusting the angle of the angle adjustment mechanism based on the angle adjustment information. How a magnetic tape drive works.

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