Magnetic tape cartridge, information acquisition method, and program

Abstract

To provide a magnetic tape cartridge, an information acquisition method, and a program capable of accurately positioning a magnetic element with respect to a data band even if there are variations in servo patterns.SOLUTION: A magnetic tape cartridge is a magnetic tape on which a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands are formed and includes a case containing a magnetic tape in which servo patterns are recorded in the servo band and a memory provided in the case. The memory stores servo pattern interval-related information relating to servo pattern intervals defined for each of the plurality of data bands. The servo pattern interval is commonly used for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape and is the representative interval between a first servo pattern and a second servo pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, an information acquisition method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a magnetic tape including a plurality of servo bands on which servo patterns are recorded, and data bands provided between the servo bands and on which data is recorded, and a recording medium on which servo band interval related information including an interval in a direction corresponding to the width direction of the magnetic tape of adjacent servo recording elements in a plurality of servo recording elements for recording servo patterns on each of the plurality of servo bands is recorded, and a magnetic tape cartridge including the same.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a magnetic head used for a magnetic tape in which a servo band on which a servo pattern is recorded and a data band having a plurality of data tracks on which data is recorded are alternately arranged along the width direction, the magnetic head including a recording / regenerating element that records or reproduces data with respect to a data track, and at least two servo regenerating elements that respectively read servo patterns adjacent to each other in the width direction of the magnetic tape, a selection unit that selects one or two servo regenerating elements from among the servo regenerating elements of the magnetic head according to a position along the width direction of a data track targeted for recording or reproduction of data in the data band, and a control unit that performs control to position the magnetic head along the width direction using a read result of a servo pattern by the servo regenerating element selected by the selection unit, and a recording / reproducing apparatus including the same.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of the technology of this disclosure provides a magnetic tape cartridge, an information acquisition method, and a program that can accurately position a magnetic element with respect to a data band even if there are variations in the servo pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a case containing a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are arranged to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and servo patterns are recorded on the servo bands along the running direction of the magnetic tape; and a memory provided in the case, wherein the memory stores servo pattern interval-related information related to a servo pattern interval defined for each of the plurality of data bands contained in the magnetic tape, and the servo pattern interval is used in common for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative interval between a first servo pattern which is a servo pattern in a first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands via the data bands, and a second servo pattern which is a servo pattern in a second servo band of the pair of servo bands.

[0007] A second aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first aspect, wherein the representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the interval between a first servo pattern and a second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape to which a first reference tension is applied is run.

[0008] A third aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first or second aspect, wherein the representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measurements taken in a portion of the divided area along the running direction when a magnetic tape to which a second reference tension is applied is run, and the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern is measured in each divided area.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the first or second aspect, wherein the representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern in each divided area over the entire section along the direction of travel within the divided area when a magnetic tape to which a second reference tension is applied is run.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the representative interval is the average value of the measurement of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape to which a third reference tension is applied is run.

[0011] 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 magnetic tape cartridge is used by being loaded into a magnetic tape drive having a tension-applying mechanism and magnetic elements, and in the magnetic tape drive, when magnetic processing is performed by magnetic elements for each data band, the tension-applying mechanism applies data band-specific tension to the magnetic tape according to the servo pattern interval, and the memory contains tension information used by the magnetic tape drive, in which tension information corresponding to the data band-specific tension is stored in advance before the tension-applying mechanism applies data band-specific tension to the magnetic tape, and the tension information is information derived from the results of a regression analysis using a first value based on the measurement of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with a fourth reference tension is run, and a second value based on the measurement of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with a fifth reference tension is run.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first value is a value corresponding to a statistically calculated value obtained by measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with a fourth reference tension is run, and the second value is a value corresponding to a value obtained by statistically calculating the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with a fifth reference tension is run.

[0013] An eighth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the seventh aspect, wherein the first value is a value corresponding to the average value of the results of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape to which a fourth reference tension is applied is run, and the second value is a value corresponding to the average value of the results of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape to which a fifth reference tension is applied is run.

[0014] A ninth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge relating to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the servo pattern interval-related information is an offset value, and the offset value is the difference between a representative interval and a reference value.

[0015] A tenth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the ninth aspect, wherein the offset value is within the range of -500 nm or more and 500 nm or less.

[0016] An eleventh aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the ninth aspect, wherein the offset value is within the range of -300 nm or more and 300 nm or less.

[0017] A twelfth aspect of the technology of this disclosure is a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands along the running direction of the magnetic tape, and the acquisition step includes acquiring servo pattern interval-related information related to a predetermined servo pattern interval for each of the plurality of data bands contained in the magnetic tape based on a detection result in which a servo pattern is detected from the magnetic tape, and storing the servo pattern interval-related information acquired in the acquisition step in a storage device, wherein the servo pattern interval is

[0018] This is an information acquisition method that is commonly used for multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative interval between a first servo pattern, which is a servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands connected via the data band, and a second servo pattern, which is a servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands.

[0019] A thirteenth aspect of the technology according to the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute information acquisition processing, the information acquisition processing including: acquisition processing for acquiring servo pattern interval related information related to a servo pattern interval defined for each of a plurality of data bands included in a magnetic tape in which a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands are formed, the servo bands being arranged at positions sandwiching the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern being recorded along the running direction of the magnetic tape in the servo bands, based on a detection result in which the servo pattern is detected from the magnetic tape; and storage processing for storing the servo pattern interval related information acquired in the acquisition processing in a storage device. The servo pattern interval is commonly used for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative interval between a first servo pattern which is a servo pattern in a first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands via the data band, and a second servo pattern which is a servo pattern in a second servo band of the pair of servo bands.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing 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 from below a magnetic tape cartridge by a non-contact type reading and writing device. [Figure 5] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electrical system of a cartridge memory. [Figure 6] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electrical system of an information processing device. [Figure 7] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a part of the surface of a magnetic tape is enlarged. [Figure 8] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data band formed on the surface of a magnetic tape. [Figure 9] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correspondence between data magnetic elements and data tracks. [Figure 10] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the manner in which an ideal servo pattern is read. [Figure 11] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic element unit. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of a control device included in a magnetic tape drive. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing an example of the processing content by a control device. [Figure 14] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a first position detection unit, a second position detection unit, and a PES calculation unit. [Figure 15] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a PES calculation unit. [Figure 16] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the angle of a magnetization region. [Figure 17] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the manner in which an actual servo pattern is read. [Figure 18] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a servo pattern interval obtained from the result of reading an ideal servo pattern, and an example of a servo pattern interval obtained from the result of reading an actual servo pattern. [Figure 19] It is a block diagram showing an example of the main functions of an information processing device. [Figure 20] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a servo pattern interval calculation unit and an average value calculation unit. [Figure 21] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of an offset value calculation unit and a drive control unit. [Figure 22] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of an estimation unit. [Figure 23] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of first to fourth approximate straight lines. [Figure 24]This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of how an approximate straight line is stored in cartridge memory. [Figure 25] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the processing content of a control device. [Figure 26] A flowchart illustrating an example of the information retrieval process. [Figure 27] This is a flowchart showing an example of the tension application process. [Figure 28] This is a conceptual diagram showing a modified version of the approximate line. [Figure 29] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of how an information retrieval processing program stored on a storage medium is installed on the computer of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a magnetic tape drive, information processing device, operating method of the magnetic tape drive, and program relating to the technology of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0022] First, let's explain the terminology used in the following explanation.

[0023] CPU stands for "Central Processing Unit". RAM stands for "Random Access Memory". DRAM stands for "Dynamic Random Access Memory". SRAM stands for "Static Random Access Memory". NVM stands for "Non-Volatile Memory". EEPROM stands for "Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory". SSD stands for "Solid State Drive". HDD stands for "Hard Disk Drive". USB stands for "Universal Serial Bus". ASIC stands for "Application Specific Integrated Circuit". PLD stands for "Programmable Logic Device". FPGA stands for "Field-Programmable Gate Array". SoC stands for "System-on-a-Chip". I / F stands for "Interface". UI stands for "User Interface". IC stands for "Integrated Circuit". RFID stands for "Radio Frequency Identifier". LTO stands for "Linear Tape-Open". IBM stands for "International Business Machines Corporation". BOT stands for "Beginning Of Tape". EOT stands for "End Of Tape". LAN stands for "Local Area Network". QR stands for "Quick Response". PES stands for "Position Error Signal".

[0024] As an example, as shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 2 includes magnetic tape drives 10 and 300, and an information processing device 200. A magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 10. The magnetic tape cartridge 12 contains a magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape drive 10 is a device that pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the loaded magnetic tape cartridge 12, and while the pulled-out magnetic tape MT is running, records data on the magnetic tape MT and reads data from the magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape drives 10 and 300 are examples of "magnetic tape drives" related to the technology of this disclosure, and the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is an example of "magnetic tape cartridge" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0025] An information processing device 200 is connected to the magnetic tape drive 10. Examples of the information processing device 200 include a personal computer or a mainframe. The information processing device 200 acquires information from the magnetic tape drive 10, performs processing according to the acquired information, and controls the magnetic tape drive 10 based on the processing results. By controlling the magnetic tape drive 10, the information processing device 200 adjusts the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (for example, the contents of the cartridge memory 22 described later (see Figures 3 to 6)) so that the magnetic tape cartridge 12 becomes a product ready for shipment. The magnetic tape cartridge 12, adjusted for shipment, is removed from the magnetic tape drive 10 and loaded into the magnetic tape drive 300 at the destination. In the example shown in Figure 1, the magnetic tape drive 10 is the device used during the manufacturing of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the magnetic tape drive 300 is the device used at the destination. Here, a magnetic tape cartridge 12 adjusted for shipment (hereinafter also referred to as the "representative cartridge" without a designation) is used as an example, but this is merely an example, and the representative cartridge may or may not actually be shipped. In any case, the magnetic tape cartridges 12 other than the representative cartridge are shipped together with the representative cartridge, or separately from the representative cartridge. In this case, at least a portion of the contents stored in the cartridge memory 22 (see Figures 3 to 6) of the representative cartridge is stored in the cartridge memory 22 (see Figures 3 to 6) of the magnetic tape cartridges 12 other than the representative cartridge. Examples of the contents stored in the cartridge memory 22 (see Figures 3 to 6) of the magnetic tape cartridges 12 other than the representative cartridge include the offset value (see Figure 21) and / or the approximate straight line 92 (see Figure 24) described later. Furthermore, the contents stored in the cartridge memory 22 (see Figures 3 to 6) of magnetic tape cartridges 12 other than the representative cartridge include, for example, information obtained by correcting at least representative information from production information, such as the offset value (see Figure 21) and / or the approximate straight line 92 (see Figure 24) described later.

[0026] For the sake of clarity, the following explanation assumes that the magnetic tape drive 300 has the same configuration as the magnetic tape drive 10. Therefore, in the following explanation, for components that overlap between the magnetic tape drive 300 and the magnetic tape drive 10, the components of the magnetic tape drive 10 will be described, and the descriptions of the components of the magnetic tape drive 300 will be partially omitted.

[0027] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0028] For the sake of clarity, in Figure 2, the loading direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 into the magnetic tape drive 10 (see Figures 1 and 3) is indicated by arrow A. The direction of arrow A is considered the forward 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.

[0029] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figure 2, 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.

[0030] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figure 2, 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.

[0031] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figure 2, 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.

[0032] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figure 2, 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.

[0033] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in the following explanation, in Figure 2, 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.

[0034] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, LTO will be used as an example of the specifications for the magnetic tape cartridge 12 below, but this is merely one example, and the specifications for the magnetic tape cartridge 12 may conform to the specifications of the IBM3592 magnetic tape cartridge.

[0035] 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 14. The case 14 houses the magnetic tape MT. The case 14 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate and comprises an upper case 16 and a lower case 18. The upper case 16 and the lower case 18 are joined by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding) and screw fastening, with the lower peripheral edge surface of the upper case 16 and the upper peripheral edge surface of the lower case 18 in contact. The joining method is not limited to welding and screw fastening; other joining methods may also be used.

[0036] A cartridge reel 20 is rotatably housed inside the case 14. The cartridge reel 20 comprises a reel hub 20A, an upper flange 20B1, and a lower flange 20B2. The reel hub 20A is formed in a cylindrical shape. The reel hub 20A is the axial center of the cartridge reel 20, its axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction of the case 14, and it is located in the center of the case 14. The upper flange 20B1 and the lower flange 20B2 are each formed in an annular shape. The upper end of the reel hub 20A is fixed to the central part of the upper flange 20B1 in plan view, and the lower end of the reel hub 20A is fixed to the central part of the lower flange 20B2 in plan view. The reel hub 20A and the lower flange 20B2 may be molded as a single unit.

[0037] A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer surface of the reel hub 20A, and the ends of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction are held by the upper flange 20B1 and the lower flange 20B2.

[0038] An opening 14B is formed on the front side of the right wall 14A of case 14. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out through the opening 14B.

[0039] The magnetic tape cartridge 12 is provided with a cartridge memory 22. In the example shown in Figure 2, the cartridge memory 22 is housed in the right rear end of the lower case 18. The cartridge memory 22 is a contactless communication medium. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cartridge memory 22. Note that the cartridge memory 22 is an example of a "memory" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0040] The cartridge memory 22 stores information related to the magnetic tape MT. This information refers, for example, to management information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 12. The management information includes, for example, information related to the cartridge memory 22, information that can identify the magnetic tape cartridge 12, the recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, an overview of the data recorded on the magnetic tape MT, data items, and data recording format.

[0041] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, the magnetic tape drive 10 includes a transport device 24, a magnetic head 26, a control device 28, a storage device 30, a UI system device 32, and a communication I / F 34. A magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 10 along the direction of arrow A. The magnetic tape drive 10 is a device that pulls out a magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 12, records data on the pulled-out magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 26, and reads data from the pulled-out magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 26 in a linear serpentine manner. In this embodiment, reading data from the magnetic tape MT refers to, in other words, reproducing the data.

[0042] The control device 28 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 10. In this embodiment, the control device 28 is implemented by an ASIC, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 28 may be implemented by an FPGA. Alternatively, the control device 28 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, and computer. In other words, the control device 28 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software configurations.

[0043] The storage device 30 is connected to the control device 28, which writes various information to and reads various information from the storage device 30. An example of the storage device 30 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 10 may be used.

[0044] The UI device 32 is a device that has a receiving function to receive instruction signals indicating instructions from the user and a presentation function to present 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 32 is connected to the control device 28. The control device 28 acquires the instruction signals received by the UI device 32. Under the control of the control device 28, the UI device 32 presents various information to the user.

[0045] The communication interface 34 is connected to the control device 28. The communication interface 34 is also connected to the information processing device 200 via a communication network such as a WAN and / or LAN (not shown). The communication interface 34 is responsible for the exchange of various types of information between the control device 28 and the information processing device 200.

[0046] The transport device 24 is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT 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.

[0047] The feed motor 36 rotates the cartridge reel 20 inside the magnetic tape cartridge 12 under the control of the control device 28. The control device 28 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation torque of the cartridge reel 20 by controlling the feed motor 36.

[0048] The winding motor 40 rotates the winding reel 38 under the control of the control device 28. The control device 28 controls the winding motor 40 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation torque of the winding reel 38.

[0049] When the magnetic tape MT is being wound onto the take-up reel 38 (i.e., loaded), the control device 28 rotates the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the forward direction. 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 respective rotational speeds and torques of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 by the control device 28. The tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by adjusting the respective rotational speeds and torques of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 by the control device 28. The feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 are examples of the "tension application mechanism" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0050] When rewinding the magnetic tape MT onto the cartridge reel 20 (i.e., when unloading it), the control device 28 rotates the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the reverse direction.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Each of the multiple guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. 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 26 between the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and the take-up reel 38.

[0053] The magnetic head 26 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 (for example, a first data recording element group DWG1, a second data recording element group DWG2, and a data reading element group DRG, which will be described later).

[0054] The magnetic element unit 42 records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 24, and reads data (for example, the servo pattern 60 (see Figure 7) and data other than the servo pattern 60) from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 24. In this embodiment, recording data on the magnetic tape MT means "writing data to the magnetic tape MT."

[0055] The magnetic tape drive 10 is equipped with a non-contact read / write device 46. 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 22A of the cartridge memory 22. The state in which the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 10 refers to the state in which the magnetic tape cartridge 12 has reached a predetermined position, for example, the position in which the magnetic head 26 begins reading data from the magnetic tape MT.

[0056] 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 22. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cartridge memory 22.

[0057] The non-contact read / write device 46 is connected to the control device 28. The control device 28 outputs a control signal to the non-contact read / write device 46. The control signal is a signal that controls the cartridge memory 22. The non-contact read / write device 46 emits a magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 22 according to the control signal input from the control device 28.

[0058] The contactless reader / writer 46 communicates with the cartridge memory 22 via contactless communication, thereby supplying the cartridge memory 22 with a command signal corresponding to the control signal. More specifically, the contactless reader / writer 46 transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory 22 via spatial transmission under the control of the control device 28. The command signal refers to a signal indicating a command to the cartridge memory 22.

[0059] When a command signal is transmitted spatially from the non-contact reader / writer 46 to the cartridge memory 22, the magnetic field MF contains the command signal corresponding to the instruction from the control device 28, as transmitted by the non-contact reader / writer 46. In other words, the command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the non-contact reader / writer 46. That is, the non-contact reader / writer 46 transmits the command signal to the cartridge memory 22 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 28.

[0060] As an example, as shown in Figure 5, the cartridge memory 22 includes a processor 48, an NVM 50, RAM 52, and a transceiver 54. The processor 48, NVM 50, RAM 52, and transceiver 54 are connected to a bus 56.

[0061] The processor 48 is, for example, a CPU and controls the entire cartridge memory 22. Memory is connected to the processor 48. The memory includes NVM 50 and RAM 52. An example of NVM 50 is ferroelectric memory. Ferroelectric memory is merely an example; any non-volatile memory such as magnetoresistive memory would suffice.

[0062] RAM52 is a memory that temporarily stores information and is used as work memory by the processor 48. Examples of RAM52 include DRAM and SRAM.

[0063] The transceiver 54 is wirelessly connected to the contactless reader / writer 46. The transceiver 54 is responsible for the exchange of various types of information between the processor 48 and the contactless reader / writer 46. In other words, the processor 48 sends and receives various types of information to and from the contactless reader / writer 46 via the transceiver 54.

[0064] The transceiver 54 receives information (e.g., command signals) transmitted (i.e., spatially transmitted) from the contactless reader / writer 46 and outputs the received information to the processor 48 via the bus 56. The transceiver 54 transmits (i.e., spatially transmitted) information in response to a request from the processor 48 (e.g., the result of processing performed by the processor 48 according to the command signals) to the contactless reader / writer 46.

[0065] In the cartridge memory 22, the transceiver 54 receives requests from the contactless read / write device 46, and the processor 48 writes information to the NVM 50 and reads information from the NVM 50 in response to the requests received by the transceiver 54.

[0066] As an example, as shown in Figure 6, the information processing device 200 includes a computer 202, a UI system device 204, and a communication interface 206. Computer 202 is an example of a "computer" related to the technology of this disclosure. Computer 202 includes a processor 208, an NVM 210, and RAM 212. The processor 208, NVM 210, and RAM 212 are connected to a bus 214. The UI system device 204 and the communication interface 206 are also connected to the bus 214.

[0067] The processor 208 controls the entire information processing unit 200. The processor 208 is, for example, a CPU. The NVM 210 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs and parameters. Examples of NVM 210 include flash memory (e.g., EEPROM and SSD). The RAM 212 is a memory that temporarily stores information and is used as work memory by the processor 208. Examples of RAM 212 include DRAM and SRAM.

[0068] The UI device 204 is a device that has a reception function for receiving instruction signals indicating instructions from the user and a presentation function for presenting information to the user. The reception function is implemented by, for example, a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel. The presentation function is implemented by, for example, a display and speaker. The processor 208 acquires the instruction signals received by the UI device 204 and operates according to the acquired instruction signals. The UI device 204 also presents various information to the user under the control of the processor 208.

[0069] Communication I / F 206 is connected to the communication I / F 34 of the magnetic tape drive 10 via a communication network such as a WAN and / or LAN (not shown). Communication I / F 206 is responsible for the exchange of various types of information between the processor 208 and the control device 28.

[0070] As an example, as shown in Figure 7, the magnetic tape MT has servo bands SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, and SB5, and data bands DB1, DB2, DB3, and DB4 formed on it. In the example shown in Figure 7, the servo bands SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, and SB5, and the data bands DB1, DB2, DB3, and DB4 are formed on the surface 58 of the magnetic tape MT. For the sake of explanation, unless otherwise necessary, the servo bands SB1 to SB5 will be referred to as "servo band SB," and the data bands DB1 to DB4 will be referred to as "data band DB."

[0071] The servo bands SB1-SB5 and data bands DB1-DB4 are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Here, the entire length of the magnetic tape MT refers to the direction of travel of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., the forward and reverse directions).

[0072] The servo bands SB1 to SB5 are arranged at spaced-out positions in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the servo bands SB1 to SB5 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.

[0073] The data band DBs are positioned on either side of the data band DB in the width direction WD. In the width direction WD, data band DB1 is positioned between servo band SB3 and servo band SB4. In the width direction WD, data band DB2 is positioned between servo band SB2 and servo band SB3. In the width direction WD, data band DB3 is positioned between servo band SB4 and servo band SB5. In the width direction WD, data band DB4 is positioned between servo band SB1 and servo band SB2. In other words, the servo bands SB and data band DBs are arranged alternately along the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0074] Note that while Figure 7 shows an example with 5 servo bands SB and 4 data bands DB, this is merely an example. There may be fewer than 5 servo bands SB and fewer than 4 data bands DB, or 6 or more servo bands SB and 5 or more data bands DB. The servo bands SB and data bands DB only need to be arranged alternately along the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

[0075] The servo band SB has a servo pattern 60 recorded at predetermined intervals along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., the direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels). The servo pattern 60 has magnetized regions 60A and 60B. The magnetized regions 60A and 60B are a pair of linear magnetized regions inclined symmetrically with respect to a hypothetical straight line along the width direction WD. The magnetized regions 60A and 60B are nonparallel to each other and are formed inclined by predetermined angles in opposite directions along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

[0076] The magnetic element unit 42 within the magnetic head 26 has multiple magnetic elements. In the example shown in Figure 7, the multiple magnetic elements include multiple servo reading elements SR and multiple data magnetic elements DRW. The multiple servo reading elements SR and the multiple data magnetic elements DRW are located in the center of the magnetic head 26 in a plan view. The multiple servo reading elements SR and the multiple data magnetic elements DRW are arranged linearly at intervals along the width direction WD (for example, at equal intervals along the width direction WD). The multiple data magnetic elements DRW are located between servo reading elements SR1 and SR2 in the width direction WD. That is, the multiple data magnetic elements DRW are located between adjacent servo reading elements SR in the width direction WD.

[0077] Each of the multiple servo reading elements SR is used by being arranged on a pair of adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD via a data band DB. The multiple data magnetic elements DRW are used by being arranged on one of the data bands DB1 to DB4.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 7, servo reading elements SR1 and SR2 are exemplified as multiple servo reading elements SR. For the sake of explanation, unless otherwise specified, servo reading elements SR1 and SR2 will be referred to simply as servo reading element SR.

[0079] The magnetic head 26 is formed to be wider than the magnetic tape MT along its longitudinal direction. For example, the length of the magnetic head 26 in the longitudinal direction is such that it covers the magnetic tape MT at least along its width WD when data is read from or written to any data band DB of the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic element unit 42.

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 7, data band DB1 is designated as the data band to be processed among multiple data band DBs, and multiple data magnetic elements DRW are located on data band DB1. The data band to be processed refers to the data band DB on which magnetic processing (e.g., data reading and / or data recording) is performed by multiple data magnetic elements DRW among the multiple data band DBs. In the example shown in Figure 7, servo reader element SR1 is located on servo band SB4, and servo reader element SR2 is located on servo band SB3.

[0081] A moving mechanism 62 is mechanically connected to the magnetic head 26. The moving mechanism 62 includes a drive source (not shown). Examples of drive sources include a voice coil motor and / or a piezo actuator. A control device 28 is connected to the drive source, and the power of the drive source is generated according to the instructions of the control device 28.

[0082] The moving mechanism 62, under the control of the control device 28, generates power according to the servo pattern 60 read by the servo band SB, and transmits the generated power to the magnetic head 26, thereby moving the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD. This enables alignment of the data magnetic element DRW with respect to a specified area within the data band DB.

[0083] Furthermore, when the data band to be processed is changed, the moving mechanism 62 moves the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD under the control of the control device 28, thereby changing the position of the servo reading element SR. For example, when the data band to be processed is changed, the moving mechanism 62 moves the magnetic head 26 under the control of the control device 28, so that the servo reading element SR1 is positioned on one of a pair of adjacent servo bands SB in the width direction WD via the data band DB of the changed destination, and the servo reading element SR2 is positioned on the other servo band SB. As a result, multiple data magnetic elements DRW are positioned on the data band to be processed.

[0084] In this manner, with multiple data magnetic elements DRW positioned on the data band to be processed, the control device 28 moves the magnetic tape MT at a constant speed in either the forward or reverse direction relative to the magnetic tape MT. Under these conditions, the control device 28 performs tracking control by activating the movement mechanism 62 based on the result of the servo pattern 60 being read by the servo reading element SR, and causes the data magnetic elements DWR to perform magnetic processing on a specified location within the data band DB (i.e., the data band to be processed, which is the data band DB between adjacent servo bands SB).

[0085] For example, as shown in Figure 7, if the position of servo reading element SR1 corresponds to the position of servo band SB4 and the position of servo reading element SR2 corresponds to the position of servo band SB3, then multiple data magnetic elements DRW read data from data band DB1 and / or record data to data band DB1.

[0086] As an example, as shown in Figure 8, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are formed in the data band DB1 as multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band DB1 in the width direction WD, extending from the servo band SB4 side to the servo band SB3 side. Data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are examples of the "multiple divided areas" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0087] The magnetic head 26 has multiple data magnetic elements DRW, DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8, arranged along the width direction WD between the servo reading element SR1 and the servo reading element SR2. The data magnetic 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.

[0088] Although not shown in the diagram, data bands DB2 to DB4 (see Figure 7) also have multiple data tracks DT corresponding to data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8.

[0089] 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 magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 will be referred to as "data magnetic elements DRW".

[0090] As an example, as shown in Figure 9, 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".

[0091] The data track group DTG1 is a collection of multiple divided data tracks obtained by dividing the data track DT into widthwise WD. In the example shown in Figure 9, 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 WD. The data magnetic element DRW1 is responsible for magnetic processing of the data track group DTG1. Specifically, the data magnetic 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.

[0092] Each of the data magnetic elements DRW2 to DRW8, like the data magnetic element DRW1, is responsible for magnetic processing of the data track group DTG on the data track DT corresponding to each data magnetic element DRW.

[0093] As the magnetic data element DRW moves in the width direction WD of the magnetic head 26 by the movement mechanism 62 (see Figure 7), it moves to a position corresponding to one of the specified data tracks DT among multiple data tracks DT. The magnetic data element DRW is held in place at the position corresponding to the specified data track DT by servo control using the servo pattern 60.

[0094] Figure 10 shows an example of an ideal servo pattern 60. As shown in Figure 10 as an example, the servo pattern 60 has paths P1 to P12 assigned at equal intervals along the width direction WD. Paths P1 to P12 correspond to multiple divided data tracks (12 divided data tracks in the example shown in Figures 9 and 10) included in the divided data track group DTG. Hereafter, unless it is necessary to distinguish between paths P1 to P12, they will be referred to as "path P".

[0095] When the data magnetic element DRW performs magnetic processing on a target divided data track, which is a divided data track designated as the target of magnetic processing, the movement mechanism 62 moves the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD so that the servo reading element SR passes along the path P corresponding to the target divided data track. For example, when the data magnetic element DRW performs magnetic processing on data track DT1_1, the movement mechanism 62 moves the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD so that the servo reading element SR passes along path P1. Also, for example, when the data magnetic element DRW performs magnetic processing on data track DT1_12, the movement mechanism 62 moves the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD so that the servo reading element SR passes along path P12. As a result, the data magnetic element DRW1 faces the target divided data track directly and can perform magnetic processing on the target divided data track.

[0096] As an example, as shown in Figure 11, the magnetic element unit 42 consists of a first data recording element group DWG1, a second data recording element group DWG2, and a data reading element group DRG. A servo reading element SR1 is located at one end of the magnetic element unit 42, and a servo reading element SR2 is located at the other end of the magnetic element unit 42.

[0097] The data magnetic element DRW comprises a first data recording element DW1, a second data recording element DW2, and a data reading element DR. The first data recording element group DWG1 includes multiple first data recording elements DW1. The second data recording element group DWG2 includes multiple second data recording elements DW2. The data reading element group DRG includes multiple data reading elements DR.

[0098] The first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 record data on the data track DT. The data reading element DR reads data from the data track DT. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 will be referred to as "data recording element DW".

[0099] The first data recording element group DWG1, the second data recording element group DWG2, and the data reading element group DRG are arranged along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT from the take-up reel 38 side to the cartridge reel 20 side, in the order of first data recording element group DWG1, data reading element group DRG, and second data recording element group DWG2, with a constant interval between them. Here, the constant interval refers to an interval predetermined by actual machine testing and / or computer simulation, for example, as an interval at which no crosstalk occurs between the data reading element DR and the data recording element DW. In this embodiment, "constant" means not only a perfect constant, but also a constant that includes an error that is permissible in the art to which the technology of this disclosure belongs, and within a range that does not depart from the spirit of the technology of this disclosure.

[0100] The servo reading element SR comprises a first servo reading element SRa, a second servo reading element SRb, and a third servo reading element SRc. The first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc are arranged in the order of first servo reading element SRa, second servo reading element SRb, and third servo reading element SRc along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT, from the winding reel 38 (see Figure 3) side to the cartridge reel 20 (see Figure 3) side.

[0101] Here, the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc are given as examples, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to these, and may be one or two of the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc.

[0102] The first data recording element group DWG1 includes the first servo reading element SRa of servo reading element SR1, the first servo reading element SRa of servo reading element SR2, and a plurality of first data recording elements DW1. The plurality of first data recording elements DW1 are arranged linearly and at equal intervals from the first servo reading element SRa side of servo reading element SR1 to the first servo reading element SRa side of servo reading element SR2. The number of plurality of first data recording elements DW1 included in the first data recording element group DWG1 is the same as the number of data tracks DT included in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 11, eight first data recording elements DW1 are exemplified as the plurality of first data recording elements DW1, and the positions of these first data recording elements DW1 correspond to the positions of the data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7 and DRW8 (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0103] The second data recording element group DWG2 includes the third servo reading element SRc of servo reading element SR1, the third servo reading element SRc of servo reading element SR2, and a plurality of second data recording elements DW2. The plurality of second data recording elements DW2 are arranged linearly and at equal intervals from the third servo reading element SRc side of servo reading element SR1 to the third servo reading element SRc side of servo reading element SR2. The number of plurality of second data recording elements DW2 included in the second data recording element group DWG2 is the same as the number of data track DT included in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 11, eight second data recording elements DW2 are exemplified as the plurality of second data recording elements DW2, and the positions of these second data recording elements DW2 correspond to the positions of the data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7 and DRW8 (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0104] The first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 record (i.e., write) data to the corresponding data track DT among all the data tracks DT included in the data band DB.

[0105] The data reading element group DRG includes the second servo reading element SRb of servo reading element SR1, the second servo reading element SRb of servo reading element SR2, and multiple data reading elements DR. The multiple data reading elements DR are arranged linearly and at equal intervals from the second servo reading element SRb side of servo reading element SR1 to the second servo reading element SRb side of servo reading element SR2. The number of multiple data reading elements DR included in the data reading element group DRG is the same as the number of data track DT included in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 11, eight data reading elements DR are exemplified as multiple data reading elements DR, and the positions of these data reading elements DR correspond to the positions of the data magnetic elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7 and DRW8 (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0106] The data reading element DR reads (i.e., reconstructs) data from the corresponding data track DT among all the data tracks DT included in the data band DB.

[0107] In the magnetic element unit 42, the data reading element DR is sandwiched between the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. This structure is in order to not only have the data reading element DR read data from the data track DT, but also to enable verification. For example, when the magnetic tape MT is pulled out of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (when the magnetic tape MT is traveling in the forward direction), after the second data recording element DW2 records data on the data track DT, the data reading element DR is instructed to read the data recorded on the data track DT by the second data recording element DW2 for error checking. Also, when the magnetic tape MT is returned to the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (when the magnetic tape MT is traveling in the reverse direction), after the first data recording element DW1 records data on the data track DT, the data reading element DR is instructed to read the data recorded on the data track DT by the first data recording element DW1 for error checking.

[0108] As an example, as shown in Figure 12, the control device 28 includes a driving control unit 64, a servo control unit 66, a first position detection unit 68A, a second position detection unit 68B, a PES calculation unit 70, a first recording control unit 78, a second recording control unit 80, a reading control unit 82, a first data acquisition unit 84, a second data acquisition unit 86, and a data output unit 88. For the sake of convenience in the following explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first position detection unit 68A and the second position detection unit 68B, they will be referred to as the "second position detection unit 68".

[0109] As an example, as shown in Figure 13, the travel control unit 64 selectively travels the magnetic tape MT in the forward and reverse directions by controlling the drive of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40, respectively. The drive of the feed motor 36 is controlled according to a feed motor control signal (not shown), and the drive of the take-up motor 40 is controlled according to a take-up motor control signal (not shown). The feed motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal are generated by the travel control unit 64. The feed motor control signal is supplied to the feed motor 36 by the travel control unit 64, and the take-up motor control signal is supplied to the take-up motor 40 by the travel control unit 64.

[0110] For example, the travel control unit 64 adjusts the travel speed and tension of the magnetic tape MT by controlling the rotational speed and rotational torque of the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40, respectively, according to instructions received by the UI system device 32 (see Figure 3), information stored in the storage 30 (see Figure 3), information acquired via the communication I / F 34 (see Figure 3), and / or information stored in the NVM 50 (see Figure 5) of the cartridge memory 22.

[0111] The position detection unit 68 receives two types of servo signals based on the servo pattern 60 (see Figures 7, 8, and 10) read by the servo reading elements SR1 and SR2. The position detection unit 68 detects the position of servo reading element SR1 within the servo band SB and the position of servo reading element SR2 within the servo band SB, and calculates the average value of the detected positions. Then, based on the calculated average value, the position detection unit 68 detects the position of the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD (hereinafter also referred to as the "magnetic head position"). The position detection unit 68 outputs the detected magnetic head position to the travel control unit 64 and the servo control unit 66.

[0112] The servo control unit 66 compares the magnetic head position input from the position detection unit 68 with the target position of the magnetic head 26 in the width direction WD, generates a servo control signal according to the comparison result, and outputs it to the moving mechanism 62. The moving mechanism 62 operates according to the servo control signal input from the servo control unit 66, thereby adjusting the position of the magnetic head 26 to the target position.

[0113] The first data acquisition unit 84 acquires data to be recorded in the data band DB by the first data recording element DW1 of the magnetic head 26 (hereinafter also referred to as "first recording data") from an external device (for example, an information processing device 200) and / or storage 30 (see Figure 3). The first data acquisition unit 84 outputs the acquired first recording data to the first recording control unit 78.

[0114] The first recording control unit 78 encodes the first recording data input from the first data acquisition unit 84 into a digital signal. Then, the first recording control unit 78 supplies a pulse current corresponding to the digital signal of the first recording data to the first data recording element DW1 of the magnetic head 26, thereby causing the first recording data to be recorded in a designated segmented data track within the data band DB.

[0115] The second data acquisition unit 86 acquires data to be recorded in the data band DB by the second data recording element DW2 of the magnetic head 26 (hereinafter also referred to as "second recording data") from the host computer (not shown) and / or storage 30 (see Figure 3). The second data acquisition unit 86 outputs the acquired second recording data to the second recording control unit 80.

[0116] The second recording control unit 80 encodes the second recording data input from the second data acquisition unit 86 into a digital signal. The second recording control unit 80 then supplies a pulse current corresponding to the digital signal of the second recording data to the second data recording element DW2 of the magnetic head 26, thereby causing the second recording data to be recorded on a designated segmented data track within the data band DB.

[0117] Although the first data acquisition unit 84 and the second data acquisition unit 86 are shown as examples here, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to these, and there may be only one data acquisition unit. In this case, data can be output to the first recording control unit 78 and the second data acquisition unit 86 according to the direction in which the magnetic tape MT travels.

[0118] The read control unit 82 controls the operation of the data reading element DR of the magnetic head 26, causing the data reading element DR to read data from a specified divided data track in the data band DB. The data read from the divided data track by the data reading element DR is a pulsed digital signal. The read control unit 82 outputs the pulsed digital signal to the data output unit 88.

[0119] The data output unit 88 decodes the pulse-like digital signal input from the read control unit 82. The data output unit 88 outputs the decoded data to a predetermined output destination (for example, a host).

[0120] The output is sent to a computer (not shown), a display (not shown), and / or a storage device (e.g., storage 30 (see Figure 3)).

[0121] As an example, as shown in Figure 14, the magnetized regions 60A included in the servo pattern 60 are linear regions inclined at a first predetermined angle (for example, an angle of 6 degrees relative to the width direction WD) with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD, and the magnetized regions 60B included in the servo pattern 60 are linear regions inclined at a second predetermined angle (for example, an angle of -6 degrees relative to the width direction WD) with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. The magnetized regions 60A consist of five linearly formed magnetized regions 60A and four linearly formed magnetized regions 60A. Similarly, the magnetized regions 60B consist of five linearly formed magnetized regions 60B and four linearly formed magnetized regions 60B. That is, along the direction of travel of the magnetic tape MT (for example, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the forward direction), the magnetized regions 60A, 5 magnetized regions 60B, 4 magnetized regions 60A, and 4 magnetized regions 60B are arranged in that order. Each magnetization region 60A and each magnetization region 60B included in the servo pattern 60 are read by the servo reading element SR.

[0122] The first position detection unit 68A receives a first servo signal based on the servo pattern 60 of the servo band SB4 read by the servo reading element SR1 (for example, each of multiple servo signals based on the servo pattern 60 read by the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc, each included in the servo reading element SR1, or any of them) as input before data is recorded in the data band DB. The first servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to the magnetization regions 60A and 60B of the servo band SB4. Based on the interval of the pulses of the first servo signal input from the servo reading element SR1, the first position detection unit 68A detects the position of the servo reading element SR1 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB4 and outputs the detection result (for example, the respective detection results of the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc included in the servo reading element SR1, or the average value of those detection results) to the PES calculation unit 70.

[0123] The second position detection unit 68B receives a second servo signal based on the servo pattern 60 of the servo band SB3 read by the servo reading element SR2 (for example, one or any of the multiple servo signals based on the servo pattern 60 read by the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc, each included in the servo reading element SR2) before data is recorded in the data band DB (for example, when the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is being adjusted to a product ready for shipment). The second servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to the magnetization regions 60A and 60B of the servo band SB3. The second position detection unit 68B detects the position of the servo reading element SR2 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB3 based on the pulse interval of the second servo signal input from the servo reading element SR2, and outputs the detection result (for example, the detection results of the first servo reading element SRa, the second servo reading element SRb, and the third servo reading element SRc included in the servo reading element SR2, or the average value of those detection results) to the PES calculation unit 70.

[0124] As an example, as shown in Figure 15, the PES calculation unit 70 calculates the first PES and the second PES based on the detection results input from the first position detection unit 68A and the second position detection unit 68B, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 15, the first PES refers to a PES signal that indicates the amount by which the servo reading element SR1 is shifted along the width direction WD from its original position on the servo band SB4. The second PES refers to a PES signal that indicates the amount by which the servo reading element SR2 is shifted along the width direction WD from its original position on the servo band SB3. Hereafter, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the first PES and the second PES, they will be referred to as "PES".

[0125] PES is calculated using the following formula (1).

[0126]

number

[0127] As an example, the "α" shown in formula (1) can be the angle with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD of the magnetization region 60A, i.e., the first predetermined angle described above, and the angle with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD of the magnetization region 60B, i.e., the second predetermined angle described above, as shown in Figure 16. The first predetermined angle is the angle made with the virtual straight line along the width direction WD of the magnetization region 60A (in the example shown in Figure 16, the dashed line intersecting the magnetization region 60A), and the second predetermined angle is the angle made with the virtual straight line along the width direction WD of the magnetization region 60B (in the example shown in Figure 16, the dashed line intersecting the magnetization region 60B). Note that the magnetization region 60A shown in Figure 16 is the downstreammost magnetization region 60A in the travel direction (for example, the forward direction) among the multiple magnetization regions 60A within one servo pattern 60. Furthermore, the magnetization region 60B shown in Figure 16 is the downstreammost magnetization region 60B in the travel direction (for example, the forward direction) among the multiple magnetization regions 60B within a single servo pattern 60.

[0128] In equation (1), the second distance A iThis refers to the distance calculated from the results obtained by reading the downstream magnetization region 60A (see also Figure 15) and the downstream magnetization region 60B (see also Figure 15) within a single servo pattern 60 using the servo reading element SR. First distance B i This refers to the distance calculated from the results obtained by reading, for example, the downstream magnetization region 60A (see also Figure 15) of one of two adjacent servo patterns 60 and the downstream magnetization region 60A (see also Figure 15) of the other servo pattern 60, using the servo reading element SR.

[0129] In the examples shown in Figures 14 to 16, an example is shown in which the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo band SB3 and the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4 are calculated by the PES calculation unit 70. However, this is only one example when the data band to be processed is data band DB1. If the data band to be processed is data band DB4 (see Figure 7), the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB1 (see Figure 7) and the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB2 (see Figure 7) are calculated by the PES calculation unit 70. Furthermore, if the data band to be processed is data band DB2 (see Figure 7), the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB2 (see Figure 7) and the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB3 (see Figure 7) are calculated by the PES calculation unit 70. Furthermore, if the data band to be processed is data band DB3 (see Figure 7), the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4 (see Figure 7) and the PES based on the servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB5 (see Figure 7) are calculated by the PES calculation unit 70.

[0130] Once the PES is calculated in this way, the servo pattern spacing is calculated based on the PES. The servo pattern spacing refers to the spacing between servo patterns 60 in the width direction WD (for example, the spacing between servo pattern 60 of servo band SB3 and servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4). For example, by using the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo band SB3 (i.e., the second PES) and the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4 (i.e., the first PES), the servo pattern spacing between servo pattern 60 of servo band SB3 and servo pattern SB4 can be calculated. Also, by using the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB1 (i.e., the second PES) and the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB2 (i.e., the first PES), the servo pattern spacing between servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB1 and servo pattern SB2 can be calculated. Furthermore, by using the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB2 (i.e., the second PES) and the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB3 (i.e., the first PES), the servo pattern spacing between servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB2 and servo pattern SB3 is calculated. Also, by using the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4 (i.e., the second PES) and the PES based on servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB5 (i.e., the first PES), the servo pattern spacing between servo pattern 60 of servo pattern SB4 and servo pattern SB5 is calculated.

[0131] Incidentally, the magnetic tape MT expands and contracts in the width direction WD due to pressure, temperature, humidity, and deterioration over time when wound around the cartridge reel 20, etc. Therefore, when the magnetic tape MT expands in the width direction, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is increased, and when the magnetic tape MT contracts in the width direction, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is decreased. This makes it possible to position the data magnetic element DRW relative to the target divided data track among the multiple divided data tracks contained in the data track DT.

[0132] The tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is determined according to the servo pattern interval. That is, the width of the magnetic tape MT (hereinafter also referred to as "tape width") is estimated from the servo pattern interval, and the tape width is adjusted by applying a predetermined tension to the magnetic tape MT based on the estimated tape width.

[0133] As described above, the servo pattern spacing is calculated according to information (e.g., first PES and second PES) based on the reading results by the servo reading elements SR1 and SR2 on the servo pattern 60. If all the servo patterns 60 formed on the servo band SB are formed in an ideal shape and with uniform size and orientation, the tape width can be estimated with high accuracy from the servo pattern spacing. However, as shown in Figure 17 as an example, the actual servo pattern 60 is distorted compared to the ideal servo pattern 60 (see Figure 10). It is preferable that the servo pattern 60 be recorded linearly by a servo writer (not shown), but in reality, due to manufacturing errors of the servo writer (not shown), misalignment of the servo writer's installation location, variations in the strength of the magnetic field emitted from the servo writer, contamination of the servo writer, vibrations applied to the magnetic tape MT during recording of the servo pattern 60, expansion and contraction of the magnetic tape MT, and variations in the characteristics of the magnetic layer contained in the servo band SB before the servo pattern 60 is recorded, the servo pattern 60 is not recorded linearly but is recorded on the servo band SB in a curved shape. Note that the first and second examples of the servo pattern 60 shown in Figure 17 are simplified diagrams of the distortion in magnetization regions 60A and 60B for ease of explanation, and are exaggerated compared to the actual distortion in magnetization regions 60A and 60B.

[0134] As an example, as shown in Figure 18, the servo pattern spacing used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed is always constant regardless of the position of the divided data track being processed, provided that an ideal servo pattern 60 is recorded in the servo band SB. However, in reality, the servo pattern 60 is not recorded linearly in the servo band SB. Therefore, the servo pattern spacing used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed varies between the positions of the divided data tracks being processed, due to the nonlinearity of the servo pattern 60.

[0135] Even under these circumstances, in order to accurately position the data magnetic element DRW relative to the divided data track to be processed, one possible method is to pre-store the servo pattern interval used in tracking control when performing magnetic processing on each divided data track in memory (for example, storage 30 (see Figure 3) or NVM 50 of cartridge memory 22 (see Figure 5)) for each divided data track, and then adjust the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT according to the servo pattern interval stored in memory. However, if the servo pattern interval is stored in memory for each divided data track, the memory capacity will be strained as the number of divided data tracks in each data band increases.

[0136] Therefore, in light of these circumstances, in the magnetic tape drive 10 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 19 as an example, the processor 208 executes the information acquisition process according to the information acquisition processing program 216. The NVM 210 stores the information acquisition processing program 216. The processor 208 reads the information acquisition processing program 216 from the NVM 210 and executes the read information acquisition processing program 216 on the RAM 212. The information acquisition process is realized when the processor 208 executes the information acquisition processing program 216 and operates as the drive control unit 69, servo pattern interval calculation unit 71, average value calculation unit 72, offset value calculation unit 73, and estimation unit 74.

[0137] In the information acquisition process, first, in the stage prior to magnetic processing being performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed (for example, the stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is adjusted to a product ready for shipment), the drive control unit 69 controls the magnetic tape drive 10 so that the travel control unit 64 applies a first tension to the magnetic tape MT and causes the magnetic tape MT to travel in one direction (for example, forward or reverse) at a constant travel speed. Then, in this state, as shown in Figure 20 as an example, the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 obtains the first PES and second PES from the PES calculation unit 70 and calculates the servo pattern interval using the obtained first PES and second PES. Here, for each data band DB, the servo pattern interval used for tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed is calculated for a specific section (hereinafter simply referred to as the "specific section") along the travel direction of the magnetic tape MT.

[0138] Here, a specific section refers to, for example, a portion of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., a portion of the magnetic tape MT along its direction of travel). Examples of a portion of the magnetic tape MT include a portion included in the first half of the magnetic tape MT, a portion included in the second half of the magnetic tape MT, a portion included in the middle of the magnetic tape MT, or intermittent sections along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Intermittent sections refer to, for example, equally spaced sections or unequally spaced sections. The time interval for calculating the servo pattern interval is, for example, a constant time interval (e.g., a sampling period determined according to the clock frequency).

[0139] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates a statistical value obtained by statistically analyzing the calculation results from the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71. Here, the statistical value obtained by statistically analyzing the calculation results from the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 refers to, for example, the average value. Here, the calculation results from the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 are examples of the following related to the technology of this disclosure: "the result of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with a first reference tension is run," "the result of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern in a portion of the divided area along the running direction when a magnetic tape with a second reference tension is run," and "the result of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape with a third reference tension is run."

[0140] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates the average servo pattern interval for each data band DB based on the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71, using the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 as a statistical value. The average servo pattern interval is the average value of the servo pattern intervals calculated by the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 for each divided data track to be processed for a specific section. Here, the average servo pattern interval is an example of the "average value of the measurement results of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0141] The average servo pattern interval is an example of a typical interval between a first servo pattern 60 in the first servo band (i.e., one servo band SB) of a pair of adjacent servo bands SB via the data band DB, and a second servo pattern 60 in the second servo band (i.e., the other servo band SB) of a pair of adjacent servo bands SB via the data band DB.

[0142] In the example shown in Figure 20, the first to fourth average intervals are shown as examples of average servo pattern intervals calculated for each data band DB. The first average interval is an example of a typical interval between servo pattern 60 in servo band SB3 (see Figure 7) and servo pattern 60 in servo band SB4 (see Figure 7). The second average interval is an example of a typical interval between servo pattern 60 in servo band SB2 (see Figure 7) and servo pattern 60 in servo band SB3 (see Figure 7). The third average interval is an example of a typical interval between servo pattern 60 in servo band SB4 (see Figure 7) and servo pattern 60 in servo band SB5 (see Figure 7). The fourth average interval is an example of a typical interval between servo pattern 60 in servo band SB1 (see Figure 7) and servo pattern 60 in servo band SB2 (see Figure 7).

[0143] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates a servo pattern average interval as the first average interval, which is the average value of the servo pattern intervals used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed within the data band DB1 for a specific interval. The first average interval is used in common for each divided data track included in the data band DB1 as the servo pattern interval used to adjust the tape width when magnetic processing is performed on each divided data track included in the data band DB1 designated as the data band to be processed.

[0144] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates a servo pattern average interval as the second average interval, which is the average value of the servo pattern intervals used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed within the data band DB2 for a specific interval. The second average interval is used in common for each divided data track included in the data band DB2 as the servo pattern interval used to adjust the tape width when magnetic processing is performed on each divided data track included in the data band DB2 designated as the data band to be processed.

[0145] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates the servo pattern average interval, which is the average value of the servo pattern intervals used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed within the data band DB3 for a specific interval, as the third average interval. The third average interval is used in common for each divided data track included in the data band DB3 as the servo pattern interval used to adjust the tape width when magnetic processing is performed on each divided data track included in the data band DB3 designated as the data band to be processed.

[0146] The average value calculation unit 72 calculates the servo pattern average interval, which is the average value of the servo pattern intervals used in tracking control when magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed within the data band DB4 for a specific interval, as the fourth average interval. The fourth average interval is used in common for each divided data track included in the data band DB4 as the servo pattern interval used to adjust the tape width when magnetic processing is performed on each divided data track included in the data band DB4 designated as the data band to be processed.

[0147] As an example, as shown in Figure 21, the offset value calculation unit 73 calculates an offset value 90 from the servo pattern average interval for each data band DB. That is, the offset value 90 is calculated for each data band DB. Here, the offset value 90 refers to the difference between the servo pattern average interval and the reference value. The reference value is the reference servo pattern interval calculated in advance by the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 while the magnetic tape MT is running for the first time with a reference tension (for example, the first tension, second tension, or a specified tension different from the first and second tensions described later) applied. The reference servo pattern interval refers to, for example, the servo pattern interval corresponding to one specified data band DB among data band DB1 to DB4. Therefore, in this case, the offset value 90 for data band DB1 is the difference between the first average interval and the reference servo pattern interval. The offset value 90 for data band DB2 is the difference between the second average interval and the reference servo pattern interval. The offset value 90 for data band DB3 is the difference between the third average interval and the reference servo pattern interval. Furthermore, the offset value of 90 for data band DB4 is the difference between the fourth mean interval and the reference servo pattern interval. The offset value of 90 depends on the servo pattern mean interval for each data band DB and is used as information related to the offset mean interval.

[0148] Furthermore, the inventors diligently investigated the relationship between the range of variation in the position of the magnetic head 26, etc. (for example, the position of the magnetic element unit 42 included in the magnetic head 26) on the surface 58 of the magnetic tape MT and the preferred range of the offset value 90 by conducting tests using actual equipment. As a result, the inventors found that the following range is preferable for the value used as the offset value 90. Specifically, the offset value 90 is preferably a value within the range of -500 nm (nanometers) or more and 500 nm or less, and more preferably a value within the range of -300 nm or more and 300 nm or less.

[0149] The offset value calculation unit 73 causes the NVM 210 to store the offset value 90 for each data band DB. The drive control unit 69 controls the magnetic tape drive 10 to store the offset value 90 in the cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 10. In this case, for example, the drive control unit 69 transmits the offset value 90 for each data band DB to the control device 28 of the magnetic tape drive 10. The control device 28 receives the offset value 90 for each data band DB and writes it to the NVM 50 of the cartridge memory 22 via the contactless read / write device 46, thereby storing the offset value 90 for each data band DB in the NVM 50. Here, the offset value 90 for data band DB1 is exemplified as the difference between the first average interval and the reference servo pattern interval, the offset value 90 for data band DB2 is exemplified as the difference between the second average interval and the reference servo pattern interval, the offset value 90 for data band DB3 is exemplified as the difference between the third average interval and the reference servo pattern interval, and the offset value 90 for data band DB4 is exemplified as the difference between the fourth average interval and the reference servo pattern interval. However, the offset value 90 stored in memory (e.g., cartridge memory 22 and NVM210, etc.) is not limited to this. For example, the offset value 90 stored in memory, i.e., the offset value 90 for each data band DB, may be the difference calculated in the same manner as above using one of the first to fourth average intervals as the reference value.

[0150] In the information acquisition process, before magnetic processing is performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed, the drive control unit 69 (see Figure 19) controls the magnetic tape drive 10 to apply a second tension different from the first tension to the magnetic tape MT and to run the magnetic tape MT in one direction (for example, forward or reverse) at a constant running speed. In this state, the drive control unit 69 controls the magnetic tape drive 10 to cause the PES calculation unit 70 to perform the same processing as described above (i.e., the processing to calculate the first PES and the second PES), and the average value calculation unit 72, the offset value calculation unit 73, and the drive control unit 69 perform the same processing as described above (i.e., the processing shown in Figures 20 and 21). As a result, as shown in Figure 22 as an example, in addition to the offset value 90A, which is the information obtained under the first tension, the offset value 90B, which is the information obtained under the second tension, is stored in the storage 30 for each data band DB.

[0151] The first tension is an example of the "first reference tension," "second reference tension," "third reference tension," and "fourth reference tension" related to the technology of this disclosure, and the second tension is an example of the "first reference tension," "second reference tension," "third reference tension," and "fifth reference tension" related to the technology of this disclosure. In addition, the offset values ​​90A and 90B are examples of "servo pattern spacing related information" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0152] The estimation unit 74 estimates the relationship between the tension required for magnetic processing of each of the data bands DB1 to DB4 and the offset value 90 by performing regression analysis using the offset value 90A obtained under the first tension and the offset value 90B obtained under the second tension. That is, the estimation unit 74 generates first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D that show the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when performing magnetic processing and the offset value 90 by interpolation and extrapolation using the offset values ​​90A and 90B. The first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D generated by the estimation unit 74 are the results of regression analysis using the offset values ​​90A and 90B. Hereafter, for the sake of convenience, the first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D will be referred to as "approximation line 92" unless it is necessary to distinguish between them.

[0153] Each of the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D is obtained by interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 94 and the second value 96. The first value 94 is classified into first values ​​94A to 94D, and the second value 96 is classified into second values ​​96A to 96D.

[0154] The first value 94 is an example of the "value corresponding to the statistically calculated result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fourth reference tension is run" and the "value corresponding to the average value of the measurement results of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fourth reference tension is run" related to the technology of this disclosure. The second value 96 is an example of the "value corresponding to the statistically calculated result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fifth reference tension is run" and the "value corresponding to the average value of the measurement results of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fifth reference tension is run" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0155] The first values ​​94A to 94D are all values ​​based on the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section when a magnetic tape MT with a first tension applied is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing being performed on each divided data track to be processed. Specifically, the first value 94A is the value corresponding to the offset value 90A obtained for data band DB1 under the first tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the offset value 90A and the first tension), the first value 94B is the value corresponding to the offset value 90A obtained for data band DB2 under the first tension, the first value 94C is the value corresponding to the offset value 90A obtained for data band DB3 under the first tension, and the first value 94D is the value corresponding to the offset value 90A obtained for data band DB4 under the first tension.

[0156] The second values ​​96A to 96D are all values ​​based on the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section while running a magnetic tape MT with a second tension applied, prior to the magnetic processing being performed on each divided data track to be processed. Specifically, the second value 96A corresponds to the offset value 90B obtained for data band DB1 under the second tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the offset value 90B and the second tension), the second value 96B corresponds to the offset value 90B obtained for data band DB2 under the second tension, the second value 96C corresponds to the offset value 90B obtained for data band DB3 under the second tension, and the second value 96D corresponds to the offset value 90B obtained for data band DB4 under the second tension.

[0157] The first approximate line 92A is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 94A and the second value 96A. The first approximate line 92A is an approximate line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the offset value 90 when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB1, that is, an approximate line corresponding to the data band DB1, and is used when the data band DB1 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0158] The second approximation line 92B is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 94B and the second value 96B. The second approximation line 92B is an approximation line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the offset value 90 when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB2, that is, an approximation line corresponding to the data band DB2, and is used when the data band DB2 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0159] The third approximation line 92C is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 94C and the second value 96C. The third approximation line 92C is an approximation line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the offset value 90 when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB3, that is, an approximation line corresponding to the data band DB3, and is used when the data band DB3 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0160] The fourth approximation line 92D is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 94D and the second value 96D. The fourth approximation line 92D is an approximation line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the offset value 90 when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB4, that is, an approximation line corresponding to the data band DB4, and is used when the data band DB4 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0161] As an example, as shown in Figure 23, the estimation unit 74 stores the generated first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D in the NVM 210. Also, as an example, as shown in Figure 24, the drive control unit 69 controls the magnetic tape drive 10 to store the first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D in the cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 10. In this case, for example, the drive control unit 69 transmits the first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D to the control device 28 of the magnetic tape drive 10. The control device 28 receives the first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D and writes them to the NVM 50 of the cartridge memory 22 via the non-contact read / write device 46, thereby storing the first to fourth approximation lines 92A to 92D in the NVM 50.

[0162] Stores 4 approximate lines 92A to 92D.

[0163] The magnetic tape cartridge 12, in which the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D are stored in the cartridge memory 22, is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 300 for use. As an example, as shown in Figure 25, the magnetic tape drive 300 performs tension application processing by the control device 28. In this case, the UI system device 32 in the magnetic tape drive 300 receives a data band instruction signal and an offset value instruction signal. The data band instruction signal is a signal that indicates the data band to be processed, and the offset value instruction signal is a signal that indicates the offset value 90 (for example, an offset value 90 determined for the data band to be processed indicated by the data band instruction signal).

[0164] In the magnetic tape drive 300, the control device 28 derives a data band-specific tension for each of the data bands DB1 to DB4, according to an offset value 90 determined for each data band DB.

[0165] In this case, first, the control device 28 obtains an approximate straight line 92 corresponding to the data band to be processed, as instructed by the data band instruction signal received by the UI system device 32, from the cartridge memory 22. For example, if the data band to be processed instructed by the data band instruction signal is data band DB1, the control device 28 obtains the first approximate straight line 92A from the cartridge memory 22. Also, for example, if the data band to be processed instructed by the data band instruction signal is data band DB2, the control device 28 obtains the second approximate straight line 92B from the cartridge memory 22. Also, for example, if the data band to be processed instructed by the data band instruction signal is data band DB3, the control device 28 obtains the third approximate straight line 92C from the cartridge memory 22. Also, for example, if the data band to be processed instructed by the data band instruction signal is data band DB4, the control device 28 obtains the fourth approximate straight line 92D from the cartridge memory 22.

[0166] Next, the control device 28 derives the data band tension, which corresponds to the offset value 90 indicated by the offset value instruction signal received by the UI system device 32, from the approximate straight line 92 acquired from the cartridge memory 22.

[0167] When magnetic processing is performed on a data band to be processed as instructed by a data band instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 (i.e., when magnetic processing is performed on a segmented data track included in the data band to be processed), the control device 28 (for example, the transport motor 36 and the take-up motor 40) instructs the tension application mechanism (here, as an example, the transport motor 36 and the take-up motor 40) to apply a data band-specific tension derived from the approximate straight line 92 to the magnetic tape MT. In other words, regardless of which segmented data track included in the data band to be processed as instructed by the data band instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is subjected to magnetic processing, the control device 28 controls the transport motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is the data band-specific tension derived from the approximate straight line 92. As a result, regardless of which segmented data track included in the data band to be processed as instructed by the data band instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is subjected to magnetic processing, the data band-specific tension derived by the control device 28 is applied to the magnetic tape MT as a common tension. Here, we have described an example of how the control device 28 derives the tension for each data band from the approximate straight line 92, but this is merely one example. For example, the tension for each data band can be derived by correcting the above-mentioned reference tension by the amount of the offset value 90 (see Figure 21) stored in the cartridge memory 22 in units of data band DB, or by an adjusted value of the offset value 90 (for example, a value obtained from the results of regression analysis using the offset value 90 obtained under the first tension and the offset value 90 obtained under the second tension).

[0168] You can do that.

[0169] Next, the operation of the part of the information processing system 2 relating to the technology of this disclosure will be explained with reference to Figures 26 and 27.

[0170] First, an example of the information acquisition process performed by the processor 208 of the information processing device 200 will be described with reference to Figure 26. Note that the information acquisition process shown in Figure 26 is an example of an "information acquisition method" related to the technology of this disclosure.

[0171] In the information acquisition process shown in Figure 26, first, in step ST10, the drive control unit 69 controls the feed motor 36 and the winding motor 40 (see Figures 3 and 13) to apply a first tension to the magnetic tape MT and start the magnetic tape MT moving in one direction (for example, forward or reverse) at a constant travel speed. After the process in step ST10 is executed, the information acquisition process proceeds to step ST12.

[0172] In step ST12, the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 uses the first PES and second PES calculated by the PES calculation unit 70 of the magnetic tape drive 10 to calculate the servo pattern interval for each data track DT included in the data band DB for a specific section along the travel direction of the magnetic tape MT, on a data band DB basis (see Figure 20). After the processing in step ST12 is executed, the information acquisition process moves to step ST14.

[0173] In step ST14, the average value calculation unit 72 calculates the average servo pattern interval for each data band DB from the calculation results in step ST12 (i.e., the servo pattern interval for each processed segmented data within each data track DT included in the data band DB) (see Figure 20). After the processing in step ST14 is executed, the information acquisition process moves to step ST16.

[0174] In step ST16, the offset value calculation unit 73 calculates an offset value 90 for each data band DB from the servo pattern average interval calculated for each data band DB in step ST14 (see Figure 21). After the processing in step ST16 is completed, the information acquisition process moves to step ST18.

[0175] In step ST18, the offset value calculation unit 73 stores the offset value 90 for each data band DB in the NVM 210, and the drive control unit 69 stores the offset value 90 for each data band DB in the cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 10 (see Figure 21). After the processing in step ST18 is executed, the information acquisition process moves to step ST20.

[0176] In step ST20, the drive control unit 69 determines whether the offset value 90 obtained under the second tension is stored in the NVM 210 and the cartridge memory 22. If, in step ST20, the offset value 90 obtained under the second tension is not stored in the NVM 210 and the cartridge memory 22, the determination is denied and the information acquisition process proceeds to step ST22. If, in step ST20, the offset value 90 obtained under the second tension is stored in the NVM 210 and the cartridge memory 22, the determination is affirmed and the information acquisition process proceeds to step ST24. The drive control unit 69 controls the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 (see Figures 3 and 13) to apply the first tension to the magnetic tape MT and start the magnetic tape MT to move along one direction (for example, forward or reverse) at a constant travel speed.

[0177] In step ST22, the drive control unit 69 controls the feed motor 36 and the winding motor 40 (see Figures 3 and 13) to apply a second tension to the magnetic tape MT and start the magnetic tape MT to move in one direction (for example, forward or reverse) at a constant travel speed. After the processing in step ST22 is completed, the information acquisition process proceeds to step ST12.

[0178] In step ST24, the estimation unit 74 estimates an approximate straight line 92 for each data band DB, showing the relationship between the tension required for each data band DB (i.e., the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB) and the offset value 90, based on interpolation and extrapolation using the offset values ​​90A and 90B (see Figure 22). In other words, in step ST24, the estimation unit 74 estimates the first to fourth approximate straight lines 92A to 92D (i.e., the first to fourth approximate straight lines 92A to 92D showing the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when magnetic processing is performed and the offset value 90). After the processing in step ST24 is executed, the information acquisition process moves to step ST26.

[0179] In step ST26, the estimation unit 74 stores the approximate straight line 92 obtained by estimation for each data band DB in step ST24 in the NVM 210 (see Figure 23), and the drive control unit 69 stores the offset value 90 for each data band DB in the cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 loaded in the magnetic tape drive 10 (see Figure 24). After the processing in step ST26 is executed, the information acquisition process ends.

[0180] Next, with reference to Figure 27, an example of the flow of the tension application process performed by the control device 28 of the magnetic tape drive 300 will be described.

[0181] In the tension application process shown in Figure 27, first, in step ST50, the control device 28 determines whether or not an instruction signal has been received by the UI system device 32. If the instruction signal has not been received by the UI system device 32 in step ST50, the determination is denied, and the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST62. If the instruction signal has been received by the UI system device 32 in step ST50, the determination is affirmed, and the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST52.

[0182] In step ST52, the control device 28 determines whether the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is a data band instruction signal. If, in step ST52, the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is not a data band instruction signal, the determination is denied, and the data band tension application process proceeds to step ST56. If, in step ST52, the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is a data band instruction signal, the determination is affirmed, and the data band tension application process proceeds to step ST54.

[0183] In step ST54, the control device 28 obtains an approximate straight line 92 corresponding to the data band DB instructed by the data band instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 from the cartridge memory 22 (see Figure 25). After the processing in step ST54 is completed, the data band tension application process proceeds to step ST56.

[0184] In step ST56, the control device 28 determines whether the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is an offset value instruction signal. If, in step ST56, the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is not an offset value instruction signal, the determination is denied, and the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST62. If, in step ST56, the instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is an offset value instruction signal, the determination is affirmed, and the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST58.

[0185] In step ST58, the control device 28 derives the data band-specific tension corresponding to the offset value 90 indicated by the offset value instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 from the approximate straight line acquired in step ST54 (see Figure 25). After the processing in step ST58 is completed, the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST60.

[0186] In step ST60, the travel control unit 64 controls the feed motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT becomes the data band-specific tension derived in step ST34 (see Figure 25). After the processing in step ST60 is completed, the data band-specific tension application process proceeds to step ST62.

[0187] When the process in step ST60 is executed, data band-specific tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT. With data band-specific tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, if the travel control unit 64 moves the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction, the second recording control unit 80 instructs the second data recording element DW2 to record the second recording data on the target divided data track, and the read control unit 82 instructs the data reading element DR to read data from the target divided data track. Furthermore, with data band-specific tension applied to the magnetic tape MT, if the travel control unit 64 moves the magnetic tape MT in the reverse direction, the first recording control unit 78 instructs the first data recording element DW1 to record the first recording data on the target divided data track, and the read control unit 82 instructs the data reading element DR to read data from the target divided data track.

[0188] In step ST62, the control device 28 determines whether the conditions for terminating the data band-specific tensioning process (hereinafter referred to as "termination conditions") have been met. An example of a termination condition is that an instruction to terminate the data band-specific tensioning process has been given to the magnetic tape drive 300 from an external source via the UI system device 32 or the communication I / F 34. If the termination conditions are not met in step ST62, the determination is denied, and the data band-specific tensioning process proceeds to step ST50. If the termination conditions are met in step ST62, the determination is affirmed, and the data band-specific tensioning process is terminated.

[0189] As described above, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D are stored in the cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (see Figure 24). In the magnetic tape drive 300 into which the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded, the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D stored in the cartridge memory 22 are used to derive the tension for each data band. In other words, by using the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D, for each of the multiple data band DBs DB of the magnetic tape MT, a tension for each data band is derived according to information (here, as an example, the offset value 90) based on the servo pattern interval (for example, the servo pattern interval indicated by the servo pattern interval instruction signal) defined for each data band DB. Specifically, the tension for each data band is derived from the approximate line 92 which shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB and the offset value 90 (see Figure 25). Then, when magnetic processing is performed on the data band to be processed among multiple data band DBs (for example, the data band DB indicated by the data band instruction signal), the derived data band-specific tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT. Once the data band-specific tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT, the tape width is adjusted.

[0190] Here, assuming that a servo pattern 60 (see Figure 10) with ideal geometric characteristics is recorded on the magnetic tape MT, tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT according to the servo pattern 60.

[0191] When this is applied, the positioning accuracy of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the data band DB (for example, the positioning accuracy of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the divided data tracks included in the data band DB) decreases. This is because the actual servo pattern 60 (see Figure 17) is distorted compared to the ideal servo pattern 60 (see Figure 10), and there is variation in shape between the servo patterns 60.

[0192] One possible method for determining the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT individually each time magnetic processing is performed on each segmented data track in the databand DB is to store the servo pattern interval used to determine the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT in memory (e.g., cartridge memory 22) for each segmented data track, and each time magnetic processing is performed on a segmented data track, retrieve the servo pattern interval corresponding to the segmented data track being processed from memory, and use the retrieved servo pattern interval to determine the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT. However, this method puts a strain on the memory's storage capacity.

[0193] Therefore, in this embodiment, the servo pattern interval used to determine the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT is a representative interval that is used in common for all divided data tracks in the data band DB, and is between the servo pattern 60 in one of a pair of adjacent servo bands SB via the data band DB and the servo pattern 60 in the other servo band SB. Then, the data band-specific tension is derived from the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D, which include an offset value 90, which is information related to the representative interval, and the derived data band-specific tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT.

[0194] Therefore, with this configuration, compared to the case where the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 (see Figures 7 and 11) relative to the data band DB is performed by applying tension to the magnetic tape MT according to the servo pattern 60 (see Figure 10), assuming that a servo pattern 60 having ideal geometric characteristics is recorded on the magnetic tape MT, even if there is variation in the servo pattern 60, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the data band DB (for example, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the divided data tracks included in the data band DB) can be performed with greater accuracy. Furthermore, with this configuration, compared to the method in which the servo pattern interval used to determine the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT is stored in memory (e.g., storage 30) for each divided data track, and each time magnetic processing is performed on a divided data track, the servo pattern interval corresponding to the divided data track being processed is obtained from memory, and the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT is determined using the obtained servo pattern interval, the burden on the memory storage capacity can be reduced.

[0195] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, in the stage prior to magnetic processing of the data band DB, when a magnetic tape MT with a certain tension (e.g., first tension or second tension) is run, the servo pattern interval measured for each divided data track included in the data band DB is statistically calculated and the resulting value (e.g., average value) is used as the servo pattern interval to determine the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, with this configuration, the amount of data used to derive the tension for each data band can be reduced compared to the case where the actual measured values ​​of the servo pattern interval measured for each divided data track are used.

[0196] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, before magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB, when a magnetic tape MT with a certain tension (e.g., first tension or second tension) is run, the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB is measured in a portion of the section along the running direction of the magnetic tape MT. The value obtained by statistically analyzing these measurements is used as the servo pattern interval to determine the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, with this configuration, the amount of data used to derive the tension for each data band can be reduced compared to when the servo pattern interval is measured in the entire section along the running direction of the magnetic tape MT.

[0197] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is used by being loaded into the magnetic tape drive 300. In addition, when magnetic processing is performed for each data band DB in the magnetic tape drive 300, the transport control unit 64 controls the transport motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that a data band-specific tension corresponding to the servo pattern interval is applied to the magnetic tape MT. The cartridge memory 22 of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 stores an approximate straight line 92 corresponding to the data band-specific tension in advance of the magnetic processing performed for each data band DB (i.e., before the data band-specific tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT) (see Figure 24). The approximate straight line 92 is information derived from the results of a regression analysis using a first value 94, which is based on the measurement of the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB when a magnetic tape MT with a first tension is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing of the data band DB, and a second value 96, which is based on the measurement of the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB when a magnetic tape MT with a second tension is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing of the data band DB. Therefore, with this configuration, by measuring the servo pattern interval while the magnetic tape MT with tensions other than the first and second tensions is actually run, the data band-specific tensions corresponding to the specified servo pattern interval can be obtained from the approximate straight line 92 as the tension to be applied to the magnetic tape MT, without having to associate the tensions other than the first and second tensions with the servo pattern intervals in advance. In this embodiment, an example was given in which the data band-specific tension obtained from the approximate straight line 92 is applied to the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic tape drive 300. However, this is merely one example, and the data band-specific tension obtained from the approximate straight line 92 may be applied to the magnetic tape MT by a magnetic tape drive other than the magnetic tape drive 300 (for example, magnetic tape drive 10).

[0198] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, the first value 94 corresponds to a value (e.g., average value) obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB when a magnetic tape MT with a first tension applied is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing of the data band DB, and the second value 96 corresponds to a value (e.g., average value) obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB when a magnetic tape MT with a second tension applied is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing of the data band DB. Therefore, with this configuration, the amount of data used to derive the tension for each data band can be reduced compared to the case where the tension for each data band is derived using the actual measured results of the servo pattern interval for each divided data track included in the data band DB (i.e., the measured values ​​themselves).

[0199] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, while the magnetic tape MT is running in one direction with tension applied to the magnetic tape MT according to the data band, the magnetic element unit 42 performs magnetic processing to record the first recording data or the second recording data for the target divided data track, and the magnetic element unit 42 also performs magnetic processing to read data from the target divided data track. Therefore, with this configuration, compared to the case where the recording of the first recording data or the second recording data for the target divided data track and the reading of data from the target divided data track are performed while tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT according to the servo pattern 60 (see Figure 10), assuming that a servo pattern 60 having ideal geometric characteristics is recorded on the magnetic tape MT, even if there is variation in geometric characteristics among multiple servo patterns 60 within the servo band SB, the recording of the first recording data or the second recording data for the target divided data track and the reading of data from the target divided data track can be performed with high accuracy.

[0200] Furthermore, in the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, an offset value 90 is used as information related to the representative interval between a servo pattern 60 in one of a pair of adjacent servo bands SB via a data band DB and a servo pattern 60 in the other servo band SB. The offset value 90 is determined for each data band DB and is the difference between the average servo pattern interval calculated for each data band DB and a reference value. Then, the tension for each data band is derived from the first to fourth approximate lines 92A to 92D that include the offset value 90, and the derived tension for each data band is applied to the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, even if there is variation in the servo pattern 60, if the offset value 90 is stored in memory (for example, cartridge memory 22) in advance, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the data band DB (for example, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the divided data tracks included in the data band DB) can be performed with high accuracy by using the offset value 90 stored in memory. Furthermore, compared to storing the servo pattern interval used to determine the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT in memory for each divided data track, this method reduces the strain on memory storage capacity.

[0201] Furthermore, the offset value 90 is preferably within the range of -500nm or more and 500nm or less, and more preferably within the range of -300nm or more and 300nm or less. These ranges correspond to the range of variation in the position of the data magnetic element DRW on the surface 58 of the magnetic tape MT. Therefore, even if the position of the magnetic head 26, etc. (for example, the magnetic element unit 42 included in the magnetic head 26) on the surface 58 of the magnetic tape MT varies for each data band DB, by using a value within the range of -500nm or more and 500nm or less as the offset value 90, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the data band DB (for example, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the divided data tracks included in the data band DB) can be performed with high accuracy. Furthermore, by using a value within the range of -300nm or more and 300nm or less as the offset value 90, the positioning of the magnetic element unit 42 relative to the data band DB can be performed with even greater accuracy.

[0202] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the first data recording element group DWG1, the second data recording element group DWG2, and the data reading element group DRG are mounted on the magnetic head 26. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and any one or two of the first data recording element group DWG1, the second data recording element group DWG2, and the data reading element group DRG may be mounted on the magnetic head 26.

[0203] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which data recording by the first data recording element group DWG1 and data reading by the data reading element group DRG are performed in parallel, and data recording by the second data recording element group DWG2 and data reading by the data reading element group DRG are performed in parallel. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and data recording by the first data recording element group DWG1, data recording by the second data recording element group DWG2, or data reading by the data reading element group DRG may be performed separately.

[0204] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the specific section is exemplified as a portion of the magnetic tape MT along the direction of travel of the magnetic tape MT, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the specific section may be the entire magnetic tape MT along the direction of travel of the magnetic tape MT. In this case, compared to the case where the servo pattern spacing is measured in a portion of the magnetic tape MT along the direction of travel, the tension for each data band used to adjust the tape width when magnetic processing is performed on the entire portion of the divided data track to be processed can be derived with greater accuracy.

[0205] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the approximate straight line 92 is estimated from interpolation and extrapolation using information obtained under a first tension (i.e., offset value 90A) and information obtained under a second tension (i.e., offset value 90B), the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the approximate straight line may be generated from interpolation or extrapolation alone. Alternatively, for example, the approximate straight line may be generated from regression analysis (e.g., regression analysis using the least squares method) using three or more average intervals of servo patterns obtained under three or more different tensions.

[0206] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which an approximate straight line 92 is generated and stored in the storage 30, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, instead of an approximate straight line 92, offset values ​​90 obtained under multiple tensions (first tension and second tension in the above embodiment) may be stored in the cartridge memory 22 for each corresponding tension. In this case, for example, the control device 28 may derive the tension corresponding to the offset value 90 indicated by the offset value instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 by performing regression analysis (e.g., linear interpolation, nonlinear interpolation, and / or extrapolation, etc.) using the offset values ​​90 stored in the cartridge memory 22 for each tension. Alternatively, for example, the control device 28 may derive the tension corresponding to the offset value 90 only if the offset value 90 indicated by the offset value instruction signal received by the UI system device 32 is stored in the cartridge memory 22.

[0207] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the average servo pattern interval is calculated for each data band DB based on the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 as a statistical value obtained by the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the median servo pattern interval or the mode servo pattern interval may be calculated for each data band DB based on the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 as a statistical value obtained by the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71. It is sufficient that a statistical value obtained by the calculation results of the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 is calculated as a representative value of the servo pattern interval. Here, the median servo pattern interval refers to, for example, the median of the servo pattern intervals calculated by the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section. The mode servo pattern interval refers to, for example, the mode of the servo pattern intervals calculated by the servo pattern interval calculation unit 71 for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section.

[0208] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the derivation unit 76 directly uses the approximate straight line 92 to derive the tension for each data band, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the approximate straight line 92 may be corrected before use. For example, the approximate straight line 92 may be corrected based on the material characteristics of the magnetic tape MT, the frequency of use of the magnetic tape MT, the temperature of the environment in which the magnetic tape drive 10 is installed, the humidity of the environment in which the magnetic tape drive 10 is installed, and / or the specifications of the magnetic tape drive 10, and the corrected approximate straight line 92 may be used by the derivation unit 76. Correction of the approximate straight line 92 is achieved, for example, by multiplying the approximate straight line 92 by a correction coefficient determined according to the material characteristics of the magnetic tape MT, the frequency of use of the magnetic tape MT, the temperature of the environment in which the magnetic tape drive 10 is installed, the humidity of the environment in which the magnetic tape drive 10 is installed, and / or the specifications of the magnetic tape drive 10.

[0209] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which the offset value 90 is stored not only in the NVM 210 but also in the cartridge memory 22 (see Figure 21). However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it is sufficient that the offset value 90 is stored in the cartridge memory 22 or the NVM 210, or in some memory so that it can be used to generate the approximate straight line 92.

[0210] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which both the offset value 90 and the approximate line 92 for each data band DB are stored in the cartridge memory 22, it is also possible for only one of them to be stored in the cartridge memory 22. That is, as shown in Figure 24, if the approximate line 92 is stored in the cartridge memory 22, the offset value 90 does not need to be stored in the cartridge memory 22, and if the approximate line 92 is not stored in the cartridge memory 22, it is sufficient that the offset value 90 calculated for each tension and each data band DB is stored in the cartridge memory 22.

[0211] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the offset value 90 and the approximate straight line 92 for each servo band DB are stored in the cartridge memory 22, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the offset value 90 and the approximate straight line 92 for each servo band DB may be recorded in a BOT area (not shown) provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape MT, and / or an EOT area (not shown) provided at the end of the magnetic tape MT.

[0212] Note that the BOT area and EOT area are merely examples, and for example, a two-dimensional barcode or a matrix-type two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code®) may be used as a storage medium in which at least one of the offset value 90 and the approximation line 92 for each servo band DB is stored.

[0213] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the offset value 90 is calculated from the average servo pattern interval, but this is merely an example, and the average servo pattern interval (for example, the first average interval, the second average interval, the third average interval, and the fourth average interval) may be applied instead of, or in conjunction with, the offset value 90, without calculating the offset value 90. Also, the average value is merely an example, and statistical values ​​such as the mode or median may be used.

[0214] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an offset value 90A was given as an example of information obtained under the first tension, and an offset value 90B was given as an example of information obtained under the second tension. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 28, servo pattern average interval information 90A1 (i.e., information indicating the first average interval, information indicating the second average interval, information indicating the third average interval, and information indicating the fourth average interval) may be applied as information obtained under the first tension, and servo pattern average interval information 90B1 (i.e., information indicating the first average interval, information indicating the second average interval, information indicating the third average interval, and information indicating the fourth average interval) may be applied as information obtained under the second tension.

[0215] In this case, the first to fourth approximate lines 93A to 93D, which show the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT when performing magnetic processing and the servo pattern interval, are generated from at least one of interpolation and extrapolation using the servo pattern average interval information 90A1 and the servo pattern average interval information 90B1. The first to fourth approximate lines 93A to 93D generated by the estimation unit 74 are the results of regression analysis using the servo pattern average interval information 90A1 and the servo pattern average interval information 90B1. Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, the first to fourth approximate lines 93A to 93D3 will be referred to as "approximate line 93" unless it is necessary to distinguish between them.

[0216] In the example shown in Figure 28, each of the first to fourth approximate lines 93A to 93D is obtained by interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 95 and the second value 97. The first value 95 is classified into first values ​​95A to 95D, and the second value 97 is classified into second values ​​97A to 97D.

[0217] The first value 95 is an example of the "first value" relating to the technology of this disclosure, "a value corresponding to the statistically calculated result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fourth reference tension is run," and "a value corresponding to the average value of the result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fourth reference tension is run." The second value 97 is an example of the "second value" relating to the technology of this disclosure, "a value corresponding to the statistically calculated result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fifth reference tension is run," and "a value corresponding to the average value of the result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when a magnetic tape with the fifth reference tension is run."

[0218] The first value 95A is the value corresponding to the first average interval obtained under the first tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the first average interval and the first tension). The first value 95B is the value corresponding to the second average interval obtained under the first tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the second average interval and the first tension). The first value 95C is the value corresponding to the third average interval obtained under the first tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the third average interval and the first tension). The first value 95D is the value corresponding to the fourth average interval obtained under the first tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the fourth average interval and the first tension). Thus, the first values ​​95A to 95D are all values ​​based on the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section when a magnetic tape MT with the first tension applied is run in the stage prior to magnetic processing being performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed.

[0219] The second value 97A is the value corresponding to the first average interval obtained under the second tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the first average interval and the second tension). The second value 97B is the value corresponding to the second average interval obtained under the second tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the second average interval and the second tension). The second value 97C is the value corresponding to the third average interval obtained under the second tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the third average interval and the second tension). The second value 97D is the value corresponding to the fourth average interval obtained under the second tension (for example, a value showing the correlation between the fourth average interval and the second tension). Thus, the second values ​​97A to 97D are all values ​​based on the results of measuring the servo pattern interval for each divided data track to be processed in a specific section while the magnetic tape MT with the second tension applied is running, prior to the magnetic processing being performed on each of the divided data tracks to be processed.

[0220] The first approximate line 93A is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 95A and the second value 97A. The first approximate line 93A is an approximate line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the servo pattern interval when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB1, that is, an approximate line corresponding to the data band DB1, and is used when the data band DB1 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0221] The second approximate line 93B is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 95B and the second value 97B. The second approximate line 93B is an approximate line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the servo pattern interval when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB2, that is, an approximate line corresponding to the data band DB2, and is used when the data band DB2 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0222] The third approximate line 93C is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 95C and the second value 97C. The third approximate line 93C is an approximate line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the servo pattern interval when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB3, that is, an approximate line corresponding to the data band DB3, and is used when the data band DB3 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0223] The fourth approximate line 93D is obtained from interpolation and extrapolation using the first value 95D and the second value 97D. The fourth approximate line 93D is an approximate line that shows the correlation between the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the servo pattern interval when magnetic processing is performed on the data band DB4, that is, an approximate line corresponding to the data band DB4, and is used when the data band DB4 is specified as the data band to be processed.

[0224] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the information acquisition process is performed by the processor 208 of the information processing device 200, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least a part of the multiple processes included in the information acquisition process may be performed by the control device 28 of the magnetic tape drive 10.

[0225] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the servo pattern interval is calculated using PES, this is merely one example, and the control device 28 may calculate the servo pattern interval based on the detection result of the position detection unit 68 without calculating PES.

[0226] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the information acquisition processing program 216 is stored in the NVM 210, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 29, the information acquisition processing program 216 may be stored in a storage medium 400 such as an SSD or USB memory. The storage medium 400 is a portable, computer-readable, non-temporary storage medium. The information acquisition processing program 216 stored in the storage medium 400 is installed in the computer 202. The processor 208 executes the information acquisition process according to the information acquisition processing program 216.

[0227] Alternatively, the information acquisition processing program 216 may be stored in a storage device such as another computer or server connected to the information processing device 200 via a network (not shown), and the information acquisition processing program 216 may be downloaded and installed on the computer 202 in response to a request from the information processing device 200.

[0228] It is not necessary to store the entire information acquisition processing program 216 in a storage device such as another computer or server connected to the information processing device 200, or in the NVM 210; a portion of the information acquisition processing program 216 may be stored there. The storage medium 400, the storage device of another computer or server connected to the information processing device 200, and other external storage are positioned as memories that are directly or indirectly connected to and used by the processor 208.

[0229] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processor 208, NVM 210, and RAM 212 of the information processing device 200 are exemplified as a computer, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and devices including ASICs, FPGAs, and / or PLDs may be applied instead of a computer. Alternatively, a combination of hardware and software configurations may be used instead of a computer.

[0230] The hardware resources used to perform the information acquisition process described in the above embodiment include the following types of processors. Examples of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource for performing the information acquisition process by executing software, i.e., a program. Other examples of processors include dedicated electrical circuits, which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to perform particular processing, such as FPGAs, PLDs, or ASICs. Each processor has built-in or connected memory, and each processor uses memory to perform the information acquisition process.

[0231] The hardware resource that performs the information acquisition process may consist of one of these various processors, or it may consist of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Alternatively, the hardware resource that performs the information acquisition process may consist of a single processor.

[0232] 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 information acquisition processing. Secondly, there is a configuration using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system, including multiple hardware resources that perform information acquisition processing, on a single IC chip, as exemplified by SoCs (System-on-a-chip). In this way, information acquisition processing is realized using one or more of the above types of processors as hardware resources.

[0233] More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can utilize electrical circuits that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor devices. Furthermore, the information acquisition process 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.

[0234] 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.

[0235] 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."

[0236] 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 to be incorporated by reference.

[0237] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0238] (Note 1) A processor (for example, a control unit 28), A magnetic tape having multiple servo bands and multiple data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a tension applying mechanism is provided to apply tension to the magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded along the running direction of the magnetic tape, The above processor is For each of the multiple data bands of the above magnetic tape, a data band-specific tension is derived according to the servo pattern interval defined for each data band. When magnetic processing is performed by a magnetic element on the data band to be processed among the above-mentioned multiple data bands, the tension-applying mechanism is instructed to apply the data band-specific tension corresponding to the data band to be processed to the magnetic tape. The servo pattern spacing described above is used in common for multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands connected via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. Magnetic tape drive.

[0239] (Note 2) The above representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the first reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. The magnetic tape drive described in Appendix 1.

[0240] (Note 3) The above representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measurements taken in a portion of the divided area along the direction of travel within each divided area, when the magnetic tape to which the second reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. A magnetic tape drive as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0241] (Note 4) The above representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measurements taken for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the second reference tension has been applied is run, in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above, and the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern is measured over the entire section of the divided area along the running direction. A magnetic tape drive as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0242] (Note 5) The above representative interval is the average value of the measurement of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the third reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. A magnetic tape drive as described in any one of the items in Appendix 1 to Appendix 4.

[0243] (Note 6) The above data band tensions are derived from the results of a regression analysis using a first value, which is obtained by measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape with the fourth reference tension applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing, and a second value, which is obtained by measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape with the fifth reference tension applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing. The magnetic tape drive described in Appendix 1.

[0244] (Note 7) The above first value corresponds to a value that is a statistically calculated result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fourth reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. The second value described above corresponds to a value that is a statistical result of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fifth reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. The magnetic tape drive described in Appendix 6.

[0245] (Note 8) The above first value corresponds to the average value of the measurement of the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fourth reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above. The second value described above corresponds to the average value obtained when the magnetic tape to which the fifth reference tension has been applied is run in the stage prior to the magnetic processing described above, and the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern is measured for each divided area. The magnetic tape drive described in Appendix 7.

[0246] (Note 9) The above processor causes the magnetic element to perform at least one of the following magnetic processing operations while the magnetic tape is traveling in one direction: recording first data (e.g., first recording data and second recording data) in one of the plurality of divided areas, and reading second data (e.g., data read from the divided data track to be processed by the data reading element DR) from one of the plurality of divided areas. A magnetic tape drive as described in any one of the items in Appendix 1 through Appendix 8.

[0247] (Note 10) A magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands along the running direction of the magnetic tape, and a memory (e.g., cartridge memory 22 and / or NVM210) stores servo pattern interval-related information relating to the servo pattern interval, which is defined for each of the plurality of data bands contained in the magnetic tape, The system includes a processor (for example, processor 48 and / or 208) that performs processing using the servo pattern interval-related information stored in the above memory, The servo pattern spacing described above is used in common for multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands connected via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. Information processing device (for example, a magnetic tape drive 10 into which a magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded, or an IC chip having the above-mentioned memory and processor (for example, an IC chip mounted on a magnetic tape cartridge or magnetic tape drive, etc.)).

[0248] (Note 11) The above memory is a memory provided in the cartridge that houses the above magnetic tape. The information processing device described in Appendix 10.

[0249] (Note 12) A method for operating a magnetic tape drive, wherein a magnetic tape has a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands formed on it, the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands along the direction of travel of the magnetic tape, and tension is applied to the magnetic tape. For each of the multiple data bands of the above magnetic tape, derive a data band-specific tension corresponding to the servo pattern interval defined for each data band, and When magnetic processing is performed on a data band to be processed from among the multiple data bands described above using a magnetic element, the tension-applying mechanism is instructed to apply the data band-specific tension corresponding to the data band to be processed to the magnetic tape, The servo pattern spacing described above is used in common for multiple divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands connected via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. How a magnetic tape drive works. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0250] 2. Information Processing Systems 10,300 Magnetic Tape Drives 12 Magnetic Tape Cartridges 14 cases 14A Right wall 14B opening 16 Upper case 18 Lower case 20 cartridge reels 20A Reel Hub 20B1 Upper flange 20B2 Lower flange 22 cartridge memory 22A Reverse side 24 Conveying device 26 Magnetic Heads 28 Control device 30,102 storage 32,204 UI ​​devices 34,206 Communication Interfaces 36. Sending motor 38 Reel 40 Rewinding motor 42 Magnetic element unit 44 Holder 46 Non-contact reader / writer 48,208 Processor 50,210 NVM 52,212 RAM 54 Transceiver 56,214 Bus 58 Surface 60 Servo pattern 60A,60B Magnetization region 62 Moving mechanism 64 Travel control unit 66 Servo control unit 68 Position detection unit 68A First position detection unit 68B Second position detection unit 69 Drive control unit 70 PES calculation unit 71 Servo pattern interval calculation unit 72 Average value calculation unit 73 Offset value calculation unit 74 Estimation unit 78 First recording control unit 80 Second recording control unit 82 Reading control unit 84 First data acquisition unit 86 Second data acquisition unit 88 Data output unit 90,90A,90B Offset value 90A1,90B1 Servo pattern average interval information 92,93 Approximation straight line 92A,93A First approximation straight line 92B,93B Second approximation straight line 92C,93C Third approximation straight line 92D,93D Fourth approximation straight line 94,94A,94B,94C,94D,95A,95B,95C,95D First value[[ID=7​​​​​ 216 Information Acquisition Processing Program 400 Storage medium A, B, C arrows DB, DB1, DB2, DB3, DB4 Data Band DR data reading element DRG Data Reader Group DRW, DWR1~DWR8 Data Magnetic Elements DT, DT1~DT8, DT1_1~DT1_12, DT2_1~DT2_12, DT8_1~DT8_12 Data Tracks DTG, DTG1~DTG8 Data Track Group DW, DW1, DW2 data recording elements DWG1 First Data Recording Element Group DWG2 Second Data Recording Element Group GR Guide Roller MF magnetic field MT magnetic tape SB, SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5 servo bands SR, SR1, SR2 Servo Reading Element SRa 1st Servo Reader SRb Second Servo Reader SRc Third servo reading element WD width direction α angle

Claims

1. A case containing a magnetic tape having multiple servo bands and multiple data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands along the direction of travel of the magnetic tape; The case comprises a memory provided in the case, The memory stores servo pattern interval-related information related to the servo pattern intervals defined for each of the plurality of data bands included in the magnetic tape, The servo pattern spacing is used in common for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. Magnetic tape cartridge.

2. The aforementioned representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the first reference tension is applied is run. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measurements taken when the magnetic tape to which the second reference tension is applied is run, and the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern is measured in a portion of the divided area along the running direction. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned representative interval is obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measurements taken for each divided area, specifically the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern, over the entire section of the divided area along the direction of travel, when the magnetic tape to which the second reference tension is applied is run. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The aforementioned representative interval is the average value of the measurement of the interval between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the third reference tension is applied is run. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The magnetic tape cartridge is used by being loaded into a magnetic tape drive having a tension-applying mechanism and magnetic elements. In the magnetic tape drive, when magnetic processing is performed by the magnetic element for each data band, the tensioning mechanism applies data band-specific tension to the magnetic tape according to the servo pattern interval. The memory contains tension information used by the magnetic tape drive, and before the tension application mechanism applies the data band-specific tension to the magnetic tape, tension information corresponding to the data band-specific tension is stored in advance. The tension information is derived from the results of a regression analysis using a first value based on the measurement of the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape with a fourth reference tension is run, and a second value based on the measurement of the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape with a fifth reference tension is run. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The first value is a value that corresponds to a statistically calculated value obtained by measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fourth reference tension is applied is run. The second value corresponds to a value obtained by statistically analyzing the results of measuring the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fifth reference tension is applied is run. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 6.

8. The first value is a value corresponding to the average value of the measurement of the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern for each divided area when the magnetic tape to which the fourth reference tension is applied is run. The second value corresponds to the average value obtained when the magnetic tape to which the fifth reference tension is applied is run, and the distance between the first servo pattern and the second servo pattern is measured for each divided area. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 7.

9. The servo pattern interval-related information is an offset value. The offset value is the difference between the representative interval and the reference value. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2.

10. The offset value is within the range of -500 nm or more and 500 nm or less. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 9.

11. The offset value is within the range of -300 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 9.

12. An acquisition step of acquiring servo pattern interval-related information related to the servo pattern intervals defined for each of the multiple data bands included in a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands and a plurality of data bands formed thereon, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands along the running direction of the magnetic tape, based on a detection result in which the servo pattern is detected from the magnetic tape, The process includes a storage step of storing the servo pattern interval-related information acquired in the acquisition step into a storage device, The servo pattern spacing is used in common for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. How to obtain information.

13. A program that causes a computer to perform information acquisition processing, The aforementioned information acquisition process is: A magnetic tape having multiple servo bands and multiple data bands formed on it, wherein the servo bands are positioned to sandwich the data bands in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the servo patterns are recorded on the servo bands along the running direction of the magnetic tape. Based on the detection result of detecting the servo patterns from the magnetic tape, an acquisition process is performed to acquire servo pattern interval related information related to the servo pattern intervals defined for each of the multiple data bands contained in the magnetic tape. The process includes storing the servo pattern interval-related information acquired in the acquisition process into a storage device, The servo pattern spacing is used in common for a plurality of divided areas obtained by dividing the data band in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and is a representative spacing between the first servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the first servo band of a pair of adjacent servo bands via the data band, and the second servo pattern, which is the servo pattern in the second servo band of the pair of servo bands. program.

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