Magnetic tape drive, magnetic tape cartridge, and information management method

Abstract

This magnetic tape drive is used in a magnetic tape cartridge which is equipped with a magnetic tape and a storage medium. The storage medium stores geometric characteristic information. The magnetic tape records geometric characteristic information. The processor of the magnetic tape drive leaves second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium by deleting the first geometric characteristic information from the storage medium. The second geometric characteristic information is information for which it is possible to identify the recording position at which the geometric characteristic information is recorded on the magnetic tape. The first geometric characteristic information is information other than the second geometric characteristic information.

Description

Magnetic tape drive, magnetic tape cartridge, and information management method

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape cartridge, and an information management method.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-051821 discloses a recording and playback device that includes a magnetic tape cartridge having a magnetic tape and a recording medium other than magnetic tape, a reading unit that reads production information from the recording medium of the magnetic tape cartridge, on which production information, which is information about the magnetic tape obtained during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge, is recorded, and a control unit that records the production information on the magnetic tape and controls the invalidation of the production information on the recording medium as an initialization process for the magnetic tape cartridge.

[0003] One embodiment of the technology disclosed herein provides a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape cartridge, and an information management method that can identify the location where information regarding the geometric characteristics of a servo pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape and can contribute to increasing the free space of a storage medium.

[0004] A first aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive used for a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, the magnetic tape drive comprising: a processor; and a magnetic head controlled by the processor, wherein the storage medium stores geometric property information that is information regarding the geometric properties of the servo pattern, the processor controls the magnetic head to record the geometric property information stored in the storage medium on the magnetic tape at a position determined according to the reading result of the magnetic head on the servo pattern, and erases first geometric property information from the geometric property information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric property information on the storage medium, the second geometric property information being geometric property information that can identify the recording position on the magnetic tape where the geometric property information is recorded among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric property information being geometric property information other than the second geometric property information among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium.

[0005] A second aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape drive used for a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, the magnetic tape drive including a processor and a magnetic head controlled by the processor, wherein the storage medium stores geometric property information that is information about the geometric properties of the servo pattern, the geometric property information stored in the storage medium is recorded on the magnetic tape, the processor erases first geometric property information from the geometric property information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric property information on the storage medium, the second geometric property information is geometric property information that can identify a recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric property information is recorded, among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric property information is geometric property information other than the second geometric property information among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium.

[0006] A third aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive according to the first or second aspect, in which the geometric characteristic information is information about the geometric characteristics of a servo pattern obtained during the production process of a magnetic tape cartridge.

[0007] A fourth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which, when the first geometric characteristic information is erased from the storage medium and the second geometric characteristic information remains on the storage medium, and a recording process using a magnetic head and / or a reproducing process using the magnetic head is performed by a processor on a magnetic tape, the processor identifies a recording position in accordance with the second geometric characteristic information remaining on the storage medium, controls the magnetic head to read the geometric characteristic information from the identified recording position, and performs the recording process and / or the reproducing process in accordance with the geometric characteristic information and the servo pattern read by the magnetic head from the recording position.

[0008] A fifth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the storage medium has a plurality of storage areas including a first storage area and a second storage area, geometric characteristic information is stored in the first storage area, and the processor transfers the second geometric characteristic information from the first storage area to the second storage area.

[0009] A sixth aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape drive according to the fifth aspect, in which the processor erases the first geometric characteristic information from the first storage area.

[0010] A seventh aspect of the technique of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape drive according to the sixth aspect, in which the processor erases the first geometric characteristic information from the first storage area by overwriting the first storage area.

[0011] An eighth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the geometric characteristic information is information that expresses the linearity of the servo pattern.

[0012] A ninth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the geometric characteristic information includes information that corresponds first identification information that can identify a position within a servo pattern in the width direction of the magnetic tape and second identification information that can identify the geometric characteristics at a position identified from the first identification information.

[0013] A tenth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive according to the ninth aspect, in which the servo pattern is at least one pair of linear magnetization regions, the pair of linear magnetization regions being a linearly magnetized first linear magnetization region and a linearly magnetized second linear magnetization region, the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region being inclined in opposite directions with respect to a virtual line along the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the second identification information is information indicating the distance between the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region at a position identified from the first identification information.

[0014] An eleventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein is a magnetic tape drive according to the ninth aspect, in which the servo pattern is at least one pair of linear magnetization regions, the pair of linear magnetization regions being a linearly magnetized first linear magnetization region and a linearly magnetized second linear magnetization region, the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region being inclined in opposite directions with respect to a virtual line along the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the second identification information is information indicating the amount of deviation from a reference spacing between the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region at a position identified from the first identification information.

[0015] A twelfth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape drive according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, in which the storage medium selectively stores first information that can identify that all of the geometric characteristic information is stored, and second information that can identify that, of the geometric characteristic information, the first geometric characteristic information has been erased and only the second geometric characteristic information remains.

[0016] A thirteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded, and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, wherein the storage medium stores geometric property information that is information about the geometric properties of the servo pattern, the geometric property information stored in the storage medium is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic head at a position determined according to the reading result of the magnetic head on the servo pattern, first geometric property information is erased from the geometric property information stored in the storage medium so that second geometric property information is left on the storage medium, the second geometric property information is geometric property information that can identify the recording position where the geometric property information is recorded on the magnetic tape, among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric property information is geometric property information other than the second geometric property information among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium.

[0017] A fourteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded, and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium is recorded on the magnetic tape, first geometric characteristic information is erased from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium so that second geometric characteristic information remains on the storage medium, the second geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

[0018] A fifteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an information management method for a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, wherein the storage medium stores geometric property information that is information regarding the geometric properties of the servo pattern, and the information management method includes controlling the magnetic head to record the geometric property information stored in the storage medium on the magnetic tape at a position determined according to the reading result of the magnetic head on the servo pattern, and erasing first geometric property information from the geometric property information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric property information on the storage medium, wherein the second geometric property information is geometric property information that can identify the recording position on the magnetic tape where the geometric property information is recorded among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric property information is geometric property information other than the second geometric property information among the geometric property information stored in the storage medium.

[0019] A sixteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an information management method for a magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded, and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information in a non-contact manner, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, and the magnetic tape records the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, the information management method includes erasing first geometric characteristic information from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, the second geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information that can identify a recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded, among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information, among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

[0020] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic tape system. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is emitted from the underside of a magnetic tape cartridge by a non-contact read / write device. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correlation between a processing device, a moving mechanism, and a magnetic head. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic head is positioned on a magnetic tape, observed from the surface side of the magnetic tape. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of data bands formed on the surface of a magnetic tape. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship between data read / write elements and data tracks. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a servo pattern is read. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic element unit. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process for a magnetic tape. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a difference between an ideal servo pattern and an actual servo pattern. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which geometric characteristic information is generated and stored in a cartridge memory. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which geometric characteristic information stored in the cartridge memory is recorded on a specific data track of the magnetic tape. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which second geometric characteristic information remains in the cartridge memory by erasing first geometric characteristic information from the cartridge memory. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which geometric characteristic information is read from a divided data track (i.e., a specific data track) corresponding to a specific servo position identified by referencing second geometric characteristic information stored in the cartridge memory. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an information management process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a recording / reproducing execution process. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which second geometric characteristic information is moved from a third storage block of the cartridge memory to a second storage block, and the first geometric characteristic information is erased from the third storage block. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a modified example of geometric characteristic information. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which first information and second information are selectively stored in the cartridge memory.

[0021] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape cartridge, and an information management method according to the techniques of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] First, the terms used in the following description will be explained.

[0023] CPU is an abbreviation for "Central Processing Unit". RAM is an abbreviation for "Random Access Memory". NVM is an abbreviation for "Non-Volatile Memory". EEPROM is an abbreviation for "Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory". SSD is an abbreviation for "Solid State Drive". HDD is an abbreviation for "Hard Disk Drive". USB is an abbreviation for "Universal Serial Bus". ASIC is an abbreviation for "Application Specific Integrated Circuit". PLD is an abbreviation for "Programmable Logic Device". FPGA is an abbreviation for "Field-Programmable Gate Array". SoC is an abbreviation for "System-on-a-Chip". I / F is an abbreviation for "Interface". UI is an abbreviation for "User Interface". IC is an abbreviation for "Integrated Circuit." RFID is an abbreviation for "Radio Frequency Identifier." MFM is an abbreviation for "Magnetic Force Microscope." SEM is an abbreviation for "Scanning Electron Microscope."

[0024] 1, as an example, a magnetic tape system 10 includes a magnetic tape cartridge 12 and a magnetic tape drive 14. The magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14. The magnetic tape cartridge 12 contains a magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape drive 14 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the loaded magnetic tape cartridge 12 and, while running the pulled-out magnetic tape MT, records data on the magnetic tape MT and reads data from the magnetic tape MT.

[0025] In this embodiment, the magnetic tape MT is an example of a "magnetic tape" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Also, in this embodiment, the magnetic tape drive 14 is an example of a "magnetic tape drive" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Also, in this embodiment, the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is an example of a "magnetic tape cartridge" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0026] Next, an example of the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. For convenience of explanation, in the following description, the loading direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 into the magnetic tape drive 14 is indicated by arrow A in Figures 2 to 4, the direction of arrow A is the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is 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.

[0027] 2 to 4, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow B, which is orthogonal to the direction of arrow A, is defined as the right direction, and the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is defined 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.

[0028] 2 to 4, for convenience of explanation, the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B is referred to as the left direction, and the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is 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.

[0029] 2 to 4, for convenience of explanation, the direction perpendicular to the directions of arrows A and B is indicated by arrow C, the direction of arrow C is the upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the upward side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the explanation of the structure shown below, "upper" refers to the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0030] 2 to 4, for convenience of explanation, the direction opposite to the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is referred to as the rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is 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.

[0031] 2 to 4, for convenience of explanation, the direction opposite to the upper direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is referred to as the lower direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 12, and the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is referred to as the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. In the following description of the structure, "lower" refers to the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12.

[0032] 2, the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is generally rectangular in plan view and includes a box-shaped case 16. The case 16 houses the magnetic tape MT.

[0033] A supply reel 22 is rotatably housed inside the case 16. A magnetic tape MT is wound around the supply reel 22. An opening 16A1 is formed in the front side of the right wall 16A of the case 16. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out through the opening 16A1.

[0034] The case 16 accommodates a cartridge memory 24 as a storage medium other than the magnetic tape MT. An IC chip having an NVM is mounted on the cartridge memory 24. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is used as the cartridge memory 24, and various information is read and written to the cartridge memory 24 (i.e., various information is stored and acquired) in a contactless manner.

[0035] The cartridge memory 24 stores management information 15 for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 12. The management information 15 includes, for example, information about the cartridge memory 24, information about the magnetic tape MT, and information about the magnetic tape drive 14. The cartridge memory 24 is an example of a "storage medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0036] 3, the magnetic tape drive 14 includes a controller 25, a transport device 26, a magnetic head 28, and a UI device 29. The controller 25 includes a processing device 30 and storage 32. The processing device 30 is an example of a "processor" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The magnetic head 28 is an example of a "magnetic head" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0037] The magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14 in the direction of arrow A. In the magnetic tape drive 14, the magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and used. The magnetic tape drive 14 controls the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and each part within the magnetic tape drive 14 using management information 15 stored in a cartridge memory 24, etc.

[0038] The magnetic tape drive 14 performs magnetic processing on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28 while the magnetic tape MT is running. Here, magnetic processing refers to a recording process for recording data on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT and a process for reading data from the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., a playback process for playing back data). In this embodiment, the magnetic tape drive 14 selectively records data on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT and reads data from the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28. That is, the magnetic tape drive 14 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and uses the magnetic head 28 to record data on the surface 31 of the pulled-out magnetic tape MT or reads data from the surface 31 of the pulled-out magnetic tape MT.

[0039] The processing device 30 controls the entire magnetic tape drive 14. In this embodiment, the processing device 30 is realized by an ASIC, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the processing device 30 may be realized by an FPGA and / or a PLD. The processing device 30 may also be realized by a computer including a CPU, flash memory (e.g., EEPROM and / or SSD), and RAM. The processing device 30 may also be realized by a combination of two or more of the ASIC, FPGA, PLD, and computer. In other words, the processing device 30 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0040] The storage 32 is connected to the processing device 30, and the processing device 30 writes various types of information to the storage 32 and reads various types of information from the storage 32. Examples of the storage 32 include a flash memory and / or a HDD. The flash memory and the HDD are merely examples, and any non-volatile memory that can be mounted in the magnetic tape drive 14 may be used.

[0041] The UI device 29 is a device having a reception function for receiving instruction signals indicating instructions from a user and a presentation function for presenting information to the user. The reception function is realized by, for example, a touch panel, hard keys (e.g., a keyboard), and / or a mouse. The presentation function is realized by, for example, a display, a printer, and / or a speaker. The UI device 29 is connected to the processing device 30. The processing device 30 acquires the instruction signals received by the UI device 29. The UI device 29 presents various information to the user under the control of the processing device 30.

[0042] The transport device 26 is a device that selectively transports the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction or the reverse direction along a predetermined path, and includes a feed motor 36, a take-up reel 38, a take-up motor 40, and a plurality of guide rollers GR. Note that the forward direction here refers to the feed direction of the magnetic tape MT, and the reverse direction refers to the rewind direction of the magnetic tape MT.

[0043] The supply motor 36 rotates the supply reel 22 in the magnetic tape cartridge 12 under the control of the processing device 30. The processing device 30 controls the supply motor 36 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the supply reel 22.

[0044] The take-up motor 40 rotates the take-up reel 38 under the control of the processing device 30. The processing device 30 controls the take-up motor 40 to control the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the take-up reel 38.

[0045] When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel 38, the processing device 30 rotates the supply motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT runs in the forward direction along a predetermined path. The rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the supply motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 are adjusted according to the speed at which the magnetic tape MT is wound around the take-up reel 38. Furthermore, tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT by adjusting the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the supply motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 by the processing device 30. Furthermore, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by adjusting the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the supply motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 by the processing device 30.

[0046] When the magnetic tape MT is to be rewound onto the supply reel 22, the processing device 30 rotates the supply motor 36 and the take-up motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT travels in the reverse direction along the predetermined path.

[0047] Each of the plurality of guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. The predetermined path, i.e., the running path of the magnetic tape MT, is determined by disposing the plurality of guide rollers GR at positions across the magnetic head 28 between the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and the take-up reel 38.

[0048] The magnetic head 28 includes a magnetic element unit 42 and a holder 44. The magnetic element unit 42 is held by the holder 44 so as to come into contact with the running magnetic tape MT. The magnetic element unit 42 has a plurality of magnetic elements.

[0049] The magnetic element unit 42 records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 26, and reads data from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 26. Here, data refers to, for example, the servo patterns 52 (see FIG. 6) and data other than the servo patterns 52, i.e., data recorded in the data band DB (see FIG. 6).

[0050] The magnetic tape drive 14 is equipped with a non-contact read / write device 46. The non-contact read / write device 46 is disposed below the magnetic tape cartridge 12 when the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded so as to directly face the rear surface of the cartridge memory 24, and reads and writes information from and to the cartridge memory 24 in a non-contact manner.

[0051] 4, the non-contact read / write device 46 emits a magnetic field MF from the bottom side of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 toward the cartridge memory 24. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cartridge memory 24.

[0052] The non-contact read / write device 46 is connected to the processing device 30. The processing device 30 outputs a control signal to the non-contact read / write device 46. The control signal is a signal that controls the cartridge memory 24. The non-contact read / write device 46 generates a magnetic field MF in accordance with the control signal input from the processing device 30, and emits the generated magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 24.

[0053] The non-contact read / write device 46 performs contactless communication with the cartridge memory 24 via the magnetic field MF, thereby performing processing on the cartridge memory 24 in accordance with a control signal. For example, under the control of the processing device 30, the non-contact read / write device 46 selectively performs processing to read information from the cartridge memory 24 and processing to store information in the cartridge memory 24 (i.e., processing to write information to the cartridge memory 24). In other words, the processing device 30 reads information from the cartridge memory 24 and stores information in the cartridge memory 24 by communicating contactlessly with the cartridge memory 24 via the non-contact read / write device 46.

[0054] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the magnetic tape drive 14 includes a movement mechanism 48. The movement mechanism 48 has a movement actuator 48A. Examples of the movement actuator 48A include a voice coil motor and / or a piezoelectric actuator. The movement actuator 48A is connected to the processing device 30, which controls the movement actuator 48A. The movement actuator 48A generates power under the control of the processing device 30. The movement mechanism 48 receives the power generated by the movement actuator 48A to move the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 6 ).

[0055] 6, servo bands SB1, SB2, and SB3 and data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT. For ease of explanation, the servo bands SB1 to SB3 will be referred to as "servo bands SB," and the data bands DB1 and DB2 will be referred to as "data bands DB" hereinafter unless a distinction is particularly required.

[0056] The servo bands SB1 to SB3 and the data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed along the longitudinal direction LD (i.e., the overall length direction) of the magnetic tape MT. Here, the longitudinal direction LD refers to the running direction of the magnetic tape MT. The running direction of the magnetic tape MT is defined as two directions: the forward direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "forward direction") in which the magnetic tape MT runs from the supply reel 22 side to the take-up reel 38 side, and the reverse direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "reverse direction") in which the magnetic tape MT runs from the take-up reel 38 side to the supply reel 22 side.

[0057] The servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at positions spaced apart in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "width direction WD"). For example, the servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction WD. Note that in this embodiment, "equal intervals" refers to equal intervals that include, in addition to completely equal intervals, an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0058] The data band DB1 is arranged between the servo bands SB1 and SB2, and the data band DB2 is arranged between the servo bands SB2 and SB3. In other words, the servo bands SB and the data bands DB are arranged alternately along the width direction WD.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 6, for the sake of convenience, three servo bands SB and two data bands DB are shown, but this is merely an example, and the technology disclosed herein can be applied to two servo bands SB and one data band DB, or even to four or more servo bands SB and three or more data bands DB.

[0060] A plurality of servo patterns 52 are recorded on the servo band SB along the longitudinal direction LD. The servo patterns 52 are classified into servo patterns 52A and servo patterns 52B. The plurality of servo patterns 52 are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD. In this embodiment, "regular" refers not only to perfect uniformity, but also to uniformity that includes an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure pertains and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0061] The servo band SB is divided into a plurality of frames 50 along the longitudinal direction LD. Each frame 50 is defined by a set of servo patterns 52. In the example shown in Fig. 6, servo patterns 52A and 52B are shown as an example of a set of servo patterns 52. The servo patterns 52A and 52B are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction LD, and within the frame 50, the servo pattern 52A is located on the upstream side in the forward direction, and the servo pattern 52B is located on the downstream side in the forward direction.

[0062] The servo pattern 52 is made up of linear magnetization region pairs 54. The linear magnetization region pairs 54 are classified into linear magnetization region pairs 54A and linear magnetization region pairs 54B.

[0063] The servo pattern 52A is made up of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54A. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a pair of linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 is shown as an example of the pair of linear magnetization regions 54A. Each of the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0064] The linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a virtual line C1, which is a virtual line along the width direction WD. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are inclined in line symmetry with respect to the virtual line C1. More specifically, the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 are formed non-parallel to each other and inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., 5 degrees) in opposite directions on the longitudinal direction LD side with the virtual line C1 as the axis of symmetry.

[0065] The linear magnetization region 54A1 is a set of five magnetized straight lines 54A1a, and the linear magnetization region 54A2 is a set of five magnetized straight lines 54A2a.

[0066] In this embodiment, the virtual line C1 is an example of a "virtual line" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The linear magnetization region 54A1 is an example of a "first linear magnetization region" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The linear magnetization region 54A2 is an example of a "second linear magnetization region" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0067] The servo pattern 52B is made up of a pair of linear magnetization regions 54B. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a pair of linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 is shown as an example of the pair of linear magnetization regions 54B. Each of the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 is a linearly magnetized region.

[0068] The linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a virtual line C2, which is a virtual line extending along the width direction WD. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are inclined in line symmetry with respect to the virtual line C2. More specifically, the linear magnetization regions 54B1 and 54B2 are formed non-parallel to each other and inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., 5 degrees) in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction LD with the virtual line C2 as the axis of symmetry.

[0069] The linear magnetization region 54B1 is a set of four magnetized straight lines 54B1a, and the linear magnetization region 54B2 is a set of four magnetized straight lines 54B2a.

[0070] In this embodiment, the virtual line C2 is an example of a "virtual line" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The linear magnetization region 54B1 is an example of a "first linear magnetization region" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The linear magnetization region 54B2 is an example of a "second linear magnetization region" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0071] The magnetic head 28 is disposed on the surface 31 side of the magnetic tape MT configured in this manner. The holder 44 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is disposed so as to traverse the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD. The multiple magnetic elements of the magnetic element unit 42 are arranged linearly along the longitudinal direction of the holder 44. The magnetic element unit 42 has a pair of servo read elements SR and multiple data read / write elements DRW as the multiple magnetic elements.

[0072] The length of the holder 44 in the longitudinal direction is sufficiently long compared to the width of the magnetic tape MT. For example, the length of the holder 44 in the longitudinal direction is set to be longer than the width of the magnetic tape MT no matter where the magnetic element unit 42 is placed on the magnetic tape MT.

[0073] The magnetic head 28 is equipped with a pair of servo read elements SR. In the magnetic head 28, the relative positional relationship between the holder 44 and the pair of servo read elements SR is fixed. The pair of servo read elements SR consists of servo read elements SR1 and SR2. The servo read element SR1 is disposed at one end of the magnetic element unit 42, and the servo read element SR2 is disposed at the other end of the magnetic element unit 42. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the servo read element SR1 is provided at a position corresponding to the servo band SB2, and the servo read element SR2 is provided at a position corresponding to the servo band SB3.

[0074] The plurality of data read / write elements DRW are arranged linearly between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2. The plurality of data read / write elements DRW are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head 28 (for example, at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head 28). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of data read / write elements DRW are provided at positions corresponding to the data band DB2.

[0075] The processing device 30 acquires a servo pattern signal resulting from the servo read element SR reading the servo pattern 52, and performs servo control in accordance with the acquired servo pattern signal. Here, servo control refers to control for moving the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT by operating the moving mechanism 48 in accordance with the servo pattern 52 read by the servo read element SR.

[0076] By performing servo control, the plurality of data read / write elements DRW are positioned over a designated area in the data band DB, and in this state, magnetic processing is performed on the designated area in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 6, magnetic processing is performed by the plurality of data read / write elements DRW on a designated area in the data band DB2.

[0077] Furthermore, when the data band DB from which the magnetic element unit 42 reads data is changed (in the example shown in FIG. 6 , when the data band DB from which the magnetic element unit 42 reads data is changed from data band DB2 to data band DB1), the movement mechanism 48, under the control of the processing device 30, moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD to change the positions of the pair of servo read elements SR. That is, by moving the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD, the movement mechanism 48 moves the servo read element SR1 to a position corresponding to servo band SB1 and moves the servo read element SR2 to a position corresponding to servo band SB2. As a result, the positions of the multiple data read / write elements DRW are changed from on data band DB2 to on data band DB1, and the multiple data read / write elements DRW perform magnetic processing on data band DB1.

[0078] As an example, as shown in Figure 7, data band DB2 has multiple divided areas obtained by dividing data band DB2 in the width direction WD, with data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7 and DT8 formed from the servo band SB2 side to the servo band SB3 side.

[0079] The magnetic head 28 has a plurality of data read / write elements DRW, namely, data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 arranged along the width direction WD between the servo read element SR1 and the servo read element SR2. The data read / write elements DRW1 to DRW8 correspond one-to-one to the data tracks DT1 to DT8, and are capable of reading (i.e., reproducing) data from the data tracks DT1 to DT8 and recording (i.e., writing) data to the data tracks DT1 to DT8.

[0080] Although not shown, a plurality of data tracks DT corresponding to data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7 and DT8 are also formed on the data band DB1 (see FIG. 6).

[0081] In the following, unless a particular distinction is required, the data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 will be referred to as "data tracks DT." In the following, unless a particular distinction is required, the data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 will be referred to as "data read / write elements DRW."

[0082] As an example, as shown in Figure 8, the data track DT has divided data track groups DTG. Data tracks DT1 to DT8 correspond to divided data track groups DTG1 to DTG8. Hereinafter, unless there is a need to distinguish between them, the divided data track groups DTG1 to DTG8 will be referred to as "divided data track groups DTG."

[0083] The divided data track group DTG1 is a set of multiple divided data tracks obtained by dividing the data track DT in the width direction WD. In the example shown in Figure 8, divided data tracks DT_1, DT_2, DT_3, DT_4, ..., DT_11, and DT_12 are shown as an example of the divided data track group DTG1, obtained by dividing the data track DT into 12 equal parts in the width direction WD. The data read / write element DRW1 is responsible for magnetic processing of the divided data track group DTG1. In other words, the data read / write element DRW1 is responsible for recording data to the divided data tracks DT_1, DT_2, DT_3, DT_4, ..., DT_11, and DT_12, and reading data from the divided data tracks DT_1, DT_2, DT_3, DT_4, ..., DT_11, and DT_12. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the divided data tracks DT_1, DT_2, DT_3, DT_4, . . . , DT_11 and DT_12, they will be referred to as "divided data tracks" without being assigned reference numerals.

[0084] Like the data read / write element DRW1, each of the data read / write elements DRW2 to DRW8 also performs magnetic processing on the divided data track group DTG of the data track DT corresponding to each data read / write element DRW.

[0085] As the magnetic head 28 is moved in the width direction WD by the moving mechanism 48 (see FIG. 6), the data read / write element DRW moves to a position corresponding to a specified one of the data tracks DT. The data read / write element DRW is held at the position corresponding to the specified one data track DT by servo control using servo patterns 52 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0086] 9, paths P1 to P12 are allocated to the servo pattern 52 at equal intervals along the width direction WD. The paths P1 to P12 correspond to a plurality of divided data tracks included in the divided data track group DTG (12 divided data tracks in the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the paths P1 to P12, they will be referred to as "path P."

[0087] When the data read / write 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 48 moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD so that the servo read element SR passes along the path P corresponding to the target divided data track. For example, when the data read / write element DRW performs magnetic processing on the divided data track DT_1, the movement mechanism 48 moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD so that the servo read element SR passes along path P1. Also, for example, when the data read / write element DRW performs magnetic processing on the divided data track DT_12, the movement mechanism 48 moves the magnetic head 28 in the width direction WD so that the servo read element SR passes along path P12. This allows the data read / write element DRW1 to directly face the target divided data track and perform magnetic processing on the target divided data track.

[0088] 10, the magnetic element unit 42 includes a first data write element group DWG1, a second data write element group DWG2, and a data read element group DRG. A servo read element SR1 is located at one end of the magnetic element unit 42, and a servo read element SR2 is located at the other end of the magnetic element unit 42.

[0089] The data read / write element DRW has a first data recording element DW1, a second data recording element DW2, and a data reading element DR. The first data recording element group DWG1 includes a plurality of first data recording elements DW1. The second data recording element group DWG2 includes a plurality of second data recording elements DW2. The data reading element group DRG includes a plurality of data reading elements DR.

[0090] 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 there is a need to distinguish between them, the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 will be referred to as the "data recording element DW."

[0091] The first data recording element group DWG1, the second data recording element group DWG2, and the data reading element group DRG are arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction LD from the take-up reel 38 side to the supply reel 22 side in the order of the first data recording element group DWG1, the data reading element group DRG, and the second data recording element group DWG2. Here, the term "regular interval" refers to, for example, an interval that is determined in advance by testing an actual device and / or computer simulation as an interval at which crosstalk does not occur between the data reading element DR and the data recording element DW.

[0092] The servo read element SR includes a first servo read element SRa, a second servo read element SRb, and a third servo read element SRc, which are arranged in this order along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT from the take-up reel 38 (see FIG. 3) side to the supply reel 22 (see FIG. 3).

[0093] Although the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc are exemplified here, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to this, and may be one or two of the first servo read element SRa, the second servo read element SRb, and the third servo read element SRc.

[0094] The first data recording element group DWG1 has a first servo read element SRa of the servo read element SR1, a first servo read element SRa of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of first data recording elements DW1. The plurality of first data recording elements DW1 are linearly arranged at equal intervals from the first servo read element SRa side of the servo read element SR1 to the first servo read element SRa side of the servo read element SR2. The number of the 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 10, eight first data recording elements DW1 are exemplified as the multiple first data recording elements DW1, and the positions of these first data recording elements DW1 correspond to the positions of the data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7 and DRW8 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0095] The second data recording element group DWG2 includes a third servo read element SRc of the servo read element SR1, a third servo read element SRc of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of second data recording elements DW2. The plurality of second data recording elements DW2 are linearly arranged at equal intervals from the third servo read element SRc side of the servo read element SR1 to the third servo read element SRc side of the servo read element SR2. The number of the plurality of second data recording elements DW2 included in the second data recording element group DWG2 is the same as the number of data tracks DT included in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 10, eight second data recording elements DW2 are exemplified as the multiple second data recording elements DW2, and the positions of these second data recording elements DW2 correspond to the positions of the data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7 and DRW8 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0096] The first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 record (ie, write) data on the corresponding data track DT among all the data tracks DT included in the data band DB.

[0097] The data read element group DRG includes a second servo read element SRb of the servo read element SR1, a second servo read element SRb of the servo read element SR2, and a plurality of data read elements DR. The plurality of data read elements DR are linearly arranged at equal intervals from the second servo read element SRb side of the servo read element SR1 to the second servo read element SRb side of the servo read element SR2. The number of the plurality of data read elements DR included in the data read element group DRG is the same as the number of data tracks DT included in the data band DB. In the example shown in Figure 10, eight data read elements DR are illustrated as the plurality of data read elements DR, and the positions of these data read elements DR correspond to the positions of the data read / write elements DRW1, DRW2, DRW3, DRW4, DRW5, DRW6, DRW7, and DRW8 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0098] The data read element DR reads (i.e., reproduces) data from the corresponding data track DT among all the data tracks DT included in the data band DB.

[0099] In the magnetic element unit 42, the data read element DR is sandwiched between the first data recording element DW1 and the second data recording element DW2 in the longitudinal direction LD in order to allow the data read element DR to not only read data from the data track DT but also to perform verification. For example, when the magnetic tape MT is pulled out of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (when the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction), after the second data recording element DW2 records data on the data track DT, the data read element DR reads 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 running in the reverse direction), after the first data recording element DW1 records data on the data track DT, the data read element DR reads the data recorded on the data track DT by the first data recording element DW1 for error checking.

[0100] 11, the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape MT includes a plurality of steps, such as a servo pattern recording step and a winding step. The servo pattern recording step uses a servo writer SW. The servo writer SW includes a supply reel SW1, a take-up reel SW2, a drive unit SW3, a pulse signal generator SW4, a control unit SW5, a plurality of guides SW6, a transport path SW7, a servo pattern magnetic head WH, and a verify head VH.

[0101] The control device SW5 controls the entire servo writer SW. In this embodiment, the control device SW5 is implemented by an ASIC, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control device SW5 may be implemented by an FPGA and / or a PLD. The control device SW5 may also be implemented by a computer including a CPU, flash memory (e.g., EEPROM and / or SSD), and RAM. The control device SW5 may also be implemented by a combination of two or more of the ASIC, FPGA, PLD, and computer. In other words, the control device SW5 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0102] A pancake is set on the supply reel SW1. The pancake refers to a large diameter roll of magnetic tape MT, which is cut to the product width from a wide web before the servo pattern 52 is written, wound around a hub.

[0103] The drive unit SW3 has a motor (not shown) and gears (not shown) and is mechanically connected to the supply reel SW1 and the take-up reel SW2. When the magnetic tape MT is wound by the take-up reel SW2, the drive unit SW3 generates power in accordance with instructions from the control unit SW5 and transmits the generated power to the supply reel SW1 and the take-up reel SW2, thereby rotating the supply reel SW1 and the take-up reel SW2. That is, the supply reel SW1 receives power from the drive unit SW3 and rotates to feed the magnetic tape MT to the predetermined transport path SW7. The take-up reel SW2 receives power from the drive unit SW3 and rotates to wind the magnetic tape MT fed from the supply reel SW1. The rotation speeds and rotation torques of the supply reel SW1 and the take-up reel SW2 are adjusted according to the speed at which the magnetic tape MT is wound around the take-up reel SW2.

[0104] A plurality of guides SW6 and servo pattern magnetic heads WH are arranged on the transport path SW7. The servo pattern magnetic heads WH are arranged between the plurality of guides SW6 on the side of the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape MT sent out from the supply reel SW1 to the transport path SW7 is guided by the plurality of guides SW6, passes over the servo pattern magnetic heads WH, and is taken up by the take-up reel SW2.

[0105] The pulse signal generator SW4 generates a pulse signal under the control of the control device SW5 and supplies the generated pulse signal to the servo pattern magnetic head WH. While the magnetic tape MT is traveling at a constant speed on the transport path SW, the servo pattern magnetic head WH records the servo pattern 52 on the servo band SB in accordance with the pulse signal supplied from the pulse signal generator SW4.

[0106] The servo pattern recording process includes an inspection process. For example, the inspection process is a process of inspecting the servo bands SB formed on the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT by the servo pattern magnetic head WH. Inspecting the servo bands SB refers to, for example, a process of determining whether the servo patterns 52 recorded on the servo bands SB are correct. Determining whether the servo patterns 52 are correct refers to, for example, determining whether the magnetization lines 54A1a, 54A2a, 54B1a, and 54B2a of the servo patterns 52A and 52B are recorded exactly and within the allowable error relative to predetermined locations on the surface 31 (i.e., verifying the servo patterns 52).

[0107] The inspection process is performed using the control device SW5 and the verify head VH. The verify head VH is located downstream of the servo pattern magnetic head WH in the transport direction of the magnetic tape MT. Similarly to the magnetic head 28, the verify head VH is provided with multiple servo read elements (not shown), which read multiple servo bands SB. Similarly to the magnetic head 28, the verify head VH is skewed above the surface 31 of the magnetic tape MT.

[0108] The verify head VH is connected to the control device SW5. The verify head VH is positioned directly opposite the servo bands SB when viewed from the surface 31 side of the magnetic tape MT (i.e., the back side of the verify head VH), reads the servo patterns 52 recorded on the servo bands SB, and outputs the read results (hereinafter referred to as "servo pattern read results") to the control device SW5. The control device SW5 inspects the servo bands SB (e.g., determines whether the servo patterns 52 are correct or not) based on the servo pattern read results (e.g., servo signals) input from the verify head VH.

[0109] After the inspection process is completed, the winding process is performed. The winding process is a process of winding the magnetic tape MT onto the supply reel 22 used for each of the multiple magnetic tape cartridges 12 (i.e., the supply reel 22 housed in the magnetic tape cartridge 12). A winding motor M is used in the winding process. The winding motor M is mechanically connected to the supply reel 22 via a gear or the like. Under the control of a control device (not shown), the winding motor M applies a rotational force to the supply reel 22 to rotate the supply reel 22. The magnetic tape MT wound onto the take-up reel SW2 is wound onto the supply reel 22 by the rotation of the supply reel 22. A cutting device (not shown) is used in the winding process. When the required amount of magnetic tape MT is wound onto each of the plurality of supply reels 22, the magnetic tape MT fed from the take-up reel SW2 to the supply reel 22 is cut by a cutting device.

[0110] Incidentally, if all the servo patterns 52 formed on the servo bands SB of the magnetic tape MT manufactured as described above are formed in an ideal shape and with uniform size and orientation, high-precision tracking control (i.e., control to adjust the position of the magnetic head 28 so that it is on-track) can be realized in accordance with the servo pattern signal obtained by reading the servo patterns 52 with the servo read element SR.

[0111] However, as shown in Fig. 12 as an example, the actual servo pattern 52 is distorted compared to the ideal servo pattern 52. It is preferable that the servo pattern 52 be recorded linearly by the servo writer SW (Fig. 11). However, in reality, the servo pattern 52 is not recorded linearly but is recorded in a curved shape on the servo band SB due to factors such as manufacturing errors in the servo writer SW, misalignment of the servo writer SW installation location, variations in the strength of the magnetic field emitted from the servo writer SW, dirt on the servo writer SW, vibrations applied to the magnetic tape MT when recording the servo pattern 52, expansion and contraction of the magnetic tape MT, and variations in the characteristics of the magnetic layer included in the servo band SB before the servo pattern 52 is recorded. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the first and second examples of the servo pattern 52 shown in Fig. 12 schematically illustrate the distortion of the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 in an easy-to-understand manner, and the distortion of the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 is exaggerated more than the actual distortion.

[0112] 12, the distortion of the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 varies due to the servo writer SW, the servo band SB, and / or the magnetic tape MT, etc. This means that the distance in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 for each path P varies. If the distance in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 for each path P varies, the accuracy of tracking control also decreases, making it difficult for the magnetic head 28 to accurately perform magnetic processing on each of the divided data tracks to be processed.

[0113] 13 as an example, geometric property information 56 unique to each magnetic tape cartridge 12 is used. The geometric property information 56 is information used for each magnetic tape MT housed in the magnetic tape cartridge 12. Note that, while an example in which the geometric property information 56 is defined for each magnetic tape cartridge 12 is given here, the concept of the geometric property information 56 being defined for each magnetic tape cartridge 12 also includes the concept of the geometric property information 56 being defined for each servo writer SW involved in the manufacture of the magnetic tape MT housed in the magnetic tape cartridge 12. This is because, as described above, the distortion of the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 contained in the magnetic tape MT varies for each servo writer SW, and the magnetic tape MT housed in the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is affected by the variation between servo writers SW.

[0114] The geometric characteristic information 56 is information relating to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern 52 in the corresponding magnetic tape MT. The information relating to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern 52 refers to, for example, information expressing the linearity of the servo pattern 52. In the example shown in Fig. 13, as an example of the geometric characteristic information 56, information in which a servo band number, a servo position number, and a distance D are associated with each other is shown.

[0115] The servo band number is a number that can identify a servo band SB in the magnetic tape MT. The servo position number is a number that can identify a servo position. The servo position refers to a position in the servo pattern 52 in the width direction WD (i.e., the position of the path P in the servo pattern 52 in the width direction WD). A servo position is determined for each of a plurality of divided data tracks (12 divided data tracks in the examples shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 12).

[0116] The distance D is information that can identify the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern 52 at a position identified from the servo position number. In the example shown in Fig. 13, an example of the distance D is the distance in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetization region 54A1 and the linear magnetization region 54A2 at a position identified from the servo position number (i.e., information that indicates the interval in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetization region 54A1 and the linear magnetization region 54A2 at a position identified from the servo position number).

[0117] In this embodiment, the servo position number is an example of "first identification information" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The distance D is an example of "second identification information" and "information indicating the distance between the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region at the position identified from the first identification information" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0118] The distance D is measured by a measuring device 58 during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (e.g., during the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape MT). Examples of the measuring device 58 include an MFM, an SEM, or a laser microscope. The measuring device 58 measures the distance D for each servo band SB and for each servo position, and outputs the measurement results to the writing device 60.

[0119] The writing device 60 includes a computer 60A and a non-contact writing unit 60B. The computer 60A is realized by a processor (e.g., a CPU), an NVM, a RAM, etc. The computer 60A acquires the measurement results output from the measuring device 58 and generates the geometric characteristic information 56 based on the acquired measurement results.

[0120] The non-contact writing unit 60B, under the control of the computer 60A, performs the process of storing information in the cartridge memory 24 (i.e., the process of writing information to the cartridge memory 24), similar to the non-contact reading and writing device 46 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In other words, the computer 60A stores the management information 15 (see FIG. 2) in the cartridge memory 24 by communicating with the cartridge memory 24 in a non-contact manner via the non-contact writing unit 60B. The example shown in FIG. 13 shows an example in which geometric property information 56, which is one piece of information included in the management information 15, is stored in the cartridge memory 24.

[0121] 14, the processing device 30 included in the magnetic tape drive 14 executes information management processing. The processing device 30 has a first acquisition unit 30A and a first control unit 30B. The information management processing is realized by the operation of the first acquisition unit 30A and the first control unit 30B.

[0122] When the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 3), the first acquisition unit 30A acquires the geometric property information 56 from the cartridge memory 24 in the magnetic tape cartridge 12 loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14. The geometric property information 56 is acquired by the first acquisition unit 30A from the cartridge memory 24 via the non-contact read / write device 46 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0123] The first control unit 30B controls the transport device 26 and the like to pull out the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 12 and run it in the forward direction along the predetermined path. While the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction along the predetermined path, the first control unit 30B calculates a specific servo position SSP (e.g., a position identified by the servo position number "2") determined based on the read result by the servo read element SR of the servo pattern 52 in the servo band SB adjacent to the specific data band DB in the width direction WD. An example of the specific data band SB is a data band SB determined by default or a data band SB specified via the UI device 29. The specific servo position SSP is an example of a "position determined based on the read result by the magnetic head of the servo pattern" according to the technology disclosed herein.

[0124] In the magnetic tape drive 14, the distance D is calculated from the read result of the servo read element SR for the servo pattern 52, and tracking control is performed according to the distance D. The distance D calculated by the magnetic tape drive 14 is an independent variable included in an arithmetic expression (e.g., equation (1)) used to calculate which servo position the position of the servo read element SR corresponds to. The servo position to which the position of the servo read element SR corresponds is calculated according to the following equation (1). Equation (1) is an arithmetic expression including the independent variables of the distance D, the "midpoint distance," and the "2 × tan azimuth angle," and the dependent variable of the "servo position." The "midpoint distance" is the distance in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 at the midpoint of the servo pattern 52. The position at the midpoint of the servo pattern 52 refers to the midpoint position of the servo pattern 52 in the width direction WD. The "azimuth angle" is the above-mentioned predetermined angle (i.e., the angle at which the linear magnetized regions 54A1 and 54A2 shown in FIG. 6 are inclined in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction LD of the magnetic tape MT with the virtual line C1 as the axis of symmetry). From equation (1), the servo position is calculated as the distance in the width direction WD based on the position of the midpoint of the servo pattern 52 in the width direction WD.

[0125]

[0126] The specific servo position SSP is calculated by the first control unit 30B, for example, as follows. First, the first control unit 30B calculates the distance D from the read result by the servo read element SR for the servo pattern 52 in the servo band SB adjacent to the specific data band SB in the width direction WD. The midpoint distance and azimuth angle are both specified values ​​for the ideal servo pattern 52 and are determined in advance. For example, the midpoint distance and azimuth angle are stored in the storage 32, and the first control unit 30B acquires the midpoint distance and azimuth angle from the storage 32. Then, the first control unit 30B calculates the specific servo position SSP by applying the distance D, the midpoint distance, and the azimuth angle to equation (1).

[0127] The first control unit 30B controls the magnetic head 28 to record the geometric characteristic information 56 acquired by the first acquisition unit 30A in a specific data track SDT corresponding to the specific servo position SSP. The specific data track SDT is an example of a "recording position" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0128] The specific data track SDT is a divided data track corresponding to the specific servo position SSP, and exists for each data track DT (see FIG. 7) in a specific data band SB. The specific data track SDT is one divided data track that is uniquely identified by the specific servo position SSP among the multiple divided data tracks in the data track DT.

[0129] Here, an example is given in which a specific data track SDT exists for each of a plurality of data tracks DT, but this is merely one example, and a specific data track SDT may exist in one or more specified data tracks DT.

[0130] 15, the geometric property information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24 is roughly divided into first geometric property information 56A and second geometric property information 56B. The first geometric property information 56A is the geometric property information 56 other than the second geometric property information 56B among the geometric property information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24. The second geometric property information 56B is the geometric property information 56 that can identify a specific data track SDT among the geometric property information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24.

[0131] After the magnetic head 28 has recorded the geometric characteristic information 56 (i.e., all of the geometric characteristic information 56) on the specific data track SDT (see FIG. 14), the first control unit 30B erases the first geometric characteristic information 56A from the geometric characteristic information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24, thereby leaving the second geometric characteristic information 56B in the cartridge memory 24. For example, if the servo position number corresponding to the specific servo position SSP is "2," the first control unit 30B erases, as the first geometric characteristic information 56A, information associated with servo position numbers other than the servo position number "2."

[0132] However, when magnetic processing is performed on the divided data track to be processed, high-precision tracking control is required.In order to realize high-precision tracking control, it is effective to use the geometric characteristic information 56 that is determined for each magnetic tape MT.This is because the geometric characteristic information 56 is information that associates the servo band number, the servo position number, and the distance D, and by referring to the geometric characteristic information 56, it is possible to identify which servo position the servo read element SR is located on.

[0133] 16, when magnetic processing is performed on the divided data track to be processed while the first geometric characteristic information 56A is erased from the cartridge memory 24, leaving the second geometric characteristic information 56B in the cartridge memory 24, the processing device 30 performs a recording / reproducing execution process. The processing device 30 has a second acquisition unit 30C and a second control unit 30D. The recording / reproducing execution process is realized by the operation of the second acquisition unit 30C and the second control unit 30D.

[0134] The second acquisition unit 30C acquires the second geometric characteristic information 56B from the cartridge memory 24 via the non-contact read / write device 46. The second control unit 30D identifies the specific data track SDT in accordance with the second geometric characteristic information 56B acquired by the second acquisition unit 30C. The second control unit 30D then reads the geometric characteristic information 56 from the identified specific data track SDT via the magnetic head 28.

[0135] The second control unit 30D performs magnetic processing on the divided data track to be processed using the magnetic head 28 in accordance with the geometric characteristic information 56 and the servo pattern 52. That is, the second control unit 30D identifies the divided data track to be processed based on the geometric characteristic information 56 read from the specific data track SDT and the distance D obtained from the read result of the servo read element SR on the servo pattern 52, and performs magnetic processing on the identified divided data track to be processed using the magnetic head 28.

[0136] For example, the second control unit 30D refers to the geometric characteristic information 56 read from the specific data track SDT to identify a servo position corresponding to the distance D obtained from the read result of the servo read element SR for the servo pattern 52, and determines whether the identified servo position matches the servo position corresponding to the divided data track to be processed. If it is determined that the servo position identified by referring to the geometric characteristic information 56 matches the servo position corresponding to the divided data track to be processed, the data read / write element DRW is aligned on the divided data track to be processed. In this state, the second control unit 30D performs magnetic processing on the divided data track to be processed using the data read / write element DRW.

[0137] Next, the operation of the magnetic tape drive 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0138] 17 shows an example of the flow of information management processing performed by the processing device 30. The flow of information management processing shown in FIG. 17 is an example of an "information management method" according to the technology of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, a case will be described in which the information management processing shown in FIG. 17 is performed by the processing device 30 while the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction along a predetermined path.

[0139] 17, first, in step ST10, the first acquisition unit 30A acquires the geometric property information 56 from the cartridge memory 24 via the non-contact read / write device 46. After the processing of step ST10 is executed, the information management processing proceeds to step ST12.

[0140] In step ST12, the first control unit 30B controls the magnetic head 28 to record the geometric characteristic information 56 acquired in step ST10 in the specific data track SDT. After the processing of step ST12 is executed, the information management processing proceeds to step ST14.

[0141] In step ST14, the first control unit 30B erases the first geometric characteristic information 56A from the geometric characteristic information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24, thereby leaving the second geometric characteristic information 56B corresponding to the specific servo position SSP in the cartridge memory 24. After the processing of step ST14 is executed, the information management processing ends.

[0142] Fig. 18 shows an example of the flow of the recording / reproducing execution process performed by the processing device 30. For convenience of explanation, the following will be described assuming that the information management process shown in Fig. 17 has already been executed and the magnetic tape MT is running forward along the predetermined path, and the recording / reproducing execution process shown in Fig. 18 is performed by the processing device 30.

[0143] 18, first, in step ST20, the second acquisition unit 30C acquires the second geometric characteristic information 56B from the cartridge memory 24 via the non-contact read / write device 46. After the process of step ST20 is executed, the recording / reproducing execution process proceeds to step ST22.

[0144] In step ST22, the second control unit 30D refers to the second geometric characteristic information 56B acquired in step ST20 to identify the specific data track SDT (i.e., the divided data track corresponding to the specific servo position SSP). After the process of step ST22 is executed, the recording / reproducing execution process proceeds to step ST24.

[0145] In step ST24, the second control unit 30D controls the magnetic head 28 to read the geometric characteristic information 56 from the specific data track SDT identified in step ST22. After the process of step ST24 is executed, the recording / reproducing execution process proceeds to step ST26.

[0146] In step ST26, the second control unit 30D performs magnetic processing (i.e., recording and / or reproducing processing) on ​​the target divided data track using the magnetic head 28 in accordance with the geometric characteristic information 56 read from the specific data track SDT in step ST24 and the servo pattern 52 read by the servo read element SR. After the processing of step ST26 is performed, the recording and / or reproducing execution processing ends.

[0147] As described above, in this embodiment, the geometric property information 56 is stored in the cartridge memory 24 provided in the magnetic tape cartridge 12. The geometric property information 56 is information regarding the geometric property of the servo pattern 52 formed on the magnetic tape MT housed in the magnetic tape cartridge 12 (for example, information expressing the linearity of the servo pattern 52). When the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14, the first acquisition unit 30A acquires the geometric property information 56 from the cartridge memory 24, and the first control unit 30B records the geometric property information 56 in the specific data track SDT via the magnetic head 28. Once the geometric property information 56 is recorded in the specific data track SDT, the first control unit 30B erases the first geometric property information 56A from the geometric property information 56 stored in the cartridge memory 24. As a result, the second geometric property information 56B remains in the cartridge memory 24. The second geometric characteristic information 56B is information that can identify the specific data track SDT on the magnetic tape MT where the geometric characteristic information 56 is recorded.

[0148] Therefore, it is possible to identify the position where the geometric characteristic information 56 is recorded on the magnetic tape MT, i.e., the specific data track SDT, by using the second geometric characteristic information 56 remaining in the cartridge memory 24. Furthermore, the deletion of the first geometric characteristic information 56A from the cartridge memory 24 contributes to an increase in the free space of the cartridge memory 24.

[0149] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the geometric characteristic information 56 uses information that associates a servo band number, a servo position number, and the distance D. Therefore, the relationship between the position (i.e., the servo position) within the servo pattern 52 in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT and the distance D can be easily identified.

[0150] Furthermore, in this embodiment, geometric property information 56 acquired during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is stored in the cartridge memory 24. Information regarding the geometric property of the servo pattern 52 during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is recorded on the magnetic tape MT as the geometric property information 56. Therefore, by referring to the geometric property information 56, the magnetic tape drive 14 can perform tracking control that takes into account the geometric property of the servo pattern 52 during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12. As a result, the data read / write element DRW is aligned with high precision with respect to the divided data track to be processed.

[0151] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when magnetic processing is performed on the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28 while the second geometric characteristic information 56B remains in the cartridge memory 24, the specific data track SDT is identified in accordance with the second geometric characteristic information 56B remaining in the cartridge memory 24. The geometric characteristic information 56 is then read by the magnetic head 28 from the specific data track SDT. Therefore, by using the geometric characteristic information 56, the magnetic tape drive 14 can accurately align the magnetic head 28 with respect to the magnetic tape MT when magnetic processing is performed using the magnetic head 28. As a result, magnetic processing on the magnetic tape MT using the magnetic head 28 can also be performed with high accuracy.

[0152] [Modification] In the above embodiment, the first control unit 30B identifies the specific servo position SSP using equation (1) and records the geometric characteristic information 56 on the specific data track SDT corresponding to the identified specific servo position SSP using the magnetic head 28. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit 30B may identify the specific servo position SSP by referring to the geometric characteristic information 56 acquired from the cartridge memory 24 by the first acquisition unit 30A, and record the geometric characteristic information 56 on the specific data track SDT corresponding to the identified specific servo position SSP using the magnetic head 28.

[0153] More specifically, for example, the first control unit 30B first obtains the distance D corresponding to the specified servo position number (i.e., the servo position number that can identify the specific data track SDT) from the geometric characteristic information 56. Next, the first control unit 30B compares the distance D obtained from the geometric characteristic information 56 with the read result of the servo pattern 52 by the servo read element SR, and identifies the specific data track SDT by referring to the comparison result. The first control unit 30B then controls the magnetic head 28 to record the geometric characteristic information 56 on the specific data track SDT.

[0154] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the geometric property information 56 is stored in the cartridge memory 24, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the geometric property information 56 may be stored in any of a plurality of storage blocks within the cartridge memory 24.

[0155] In this case, as shown in Figure 19, the cartridge memory 24 has a first storage block 24A, a second storage block 24B, and a third storage block 24C. Here, the first storage block 24A, the second storage block 24B, and the third storage block 24C are an example of "plurality of storage blocks" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The third storage block 24C is an example of "first storage area" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The second storage block 24B is an example of "second storage area" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0156] Each of the first storage block 24A, the second storage block 24B, and the third storage block 24C is further divided into a plurality of storage blocks. For example, the first storage block 24A has a capacity of about 512 bytes, the second storage block 24B has a capacity of about 32 to 64 bytes, and the third storage block 24C has a capacity of about 1 to 20 kilobytes.

[0157] For example, the first storage block 24A stores information from the management information 15 other than the geometric property information 56 (e.g., information indicating the specifications of the cartridge memory 24), the second storage block 24B stores no information, and the third storage block 24C stores the geometric property information 56.

[0158] After the magnetic head 28 records the geometric characteristic information 56 in the specific data track SDT (see FIG. 14 ), the first control unit 30B transfers the second geometric characteristic information 56B to the second storage block 24B via the non-contact read / write device 46. The first control unit 30B then erases the first geometric characteristic information 56A from the third storage block 24C via the non-contact read / write device 46. As a result, as in the above embodiment, only the second geometric characteristic information 56B of the geometric characteristic information 56 remains in the cartridge memory 24. The first geometric characteristic information 56A is erased from the third storage block 24C. After the first geometric characteristic information 56A is erased from the third storage block 24C, the first control unit 30B stores other information (i.e., information other than the geometric characteristic information 56) in the third storage block 24C.

[0159] In this way, by transferring the second geometric property information 56B from the third storage block 24C to the second storage block 56B, it is possible to prevent the loss of the second geometric property information 56B. Furthermore, since the first geometric property information 56A is deleted from the third storage block 24C, it becomes possible to store other information in the third storage block 24C by the amount of the deleted first geometric property information 56A.

[0160] Note that the example in which other information is stored in the third storage block 24C after the first geometric characteristic information 56A is deleted from the third storage block 24C is merely one example, and the first geometric characteristic information 56A may be deleted from the third storage block 24C by overwriting the other information on the third storage block 24C while the first geometric characteristic information 56A remains in the third storage block 24C. This makes it possible to simultaneously store information other than the geometric characteristic information 56A in the third storage block 24C and delete the first geometric characteristic information 56A from the third storage block 24C.

[0161] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the geometric characteristic information 56 acquired during the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is stored in the cartridge memory 24, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the distance D of the servo pattern 52 may be measured at some stage after the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is completed (e.g., an inspection stage, a shipping stage, a storage stage, or a maintenance stage), and the geometric characteristic information 56 including the measured distance D may be stored in the cartridge memory 24. Note that while the above embodiment illustrates measurement using an MFM, an SEM, a laser microscope, or the like, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, at some stage after the production process of the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is completed, the distance D may be calculated from the read result (e.g., a servo signal) of the servo read element SR for the servo pattern 52 using a reference magnetic tape drive 14.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the geometric characteristic information 56 is exemplified as information in which a servo band number, a servo position number, and a distance D are associated with each other. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 , the technology of the present disclosure can be implemented by applying geometric characteristic information 62 instead of the geometric characteristic information 56, and the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. The geometric characteristic information 62 is information in which a servo band number, a servo position number, and deviation amount information 62A are associated with each other. The deviation amount information 62A is information indicating the deviation amount. The deviation amount refers to a value obtained by subtracting a reference distance from the distance D. An example of the reference distance is the midpoint distance. However, the midpoint distance is merely an example, and the distance in the longitudinal direction LD between the linear magnetization regions 54A1 and 54A2 at a servo position identified by a specific servo position number (e.g., a servo position identified by servo position number "0") may also be used. It should be noted that the deviation amount information 62A is an example of "information indicating the deviation amount" according to the technique of the present disclosure.

[0163] In the above embodiment, no mention is made of a method for distinguishing between a first state in which all of the geometric property information 56 is stored in the cartridge memory 24 and a second state in which the first geometric property information 56A is erased from the cartridge memory 24 and the second geometric property information 56B remains in the cartridge memory 24. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the first state and the second state may be distinguished from the first information 64 and the second information 66.

[0164] The first information 64 is information that can identify a first state. The second information 66 is information that can identify a second state. Here, the first information 64 is an example of "first information" according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the second information 66 is an example of "second information" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0165] The processing device 30 selectively stores the first information 64 and the second information 66 in the cartridge memory 24. That is, when the cartridge memory 24 is in the first state, the processing device 30 stores the first information 64 of the first information 64 and the second information 66 in the cartridge memory 24, and when the cartridge memory 24 is in the second state, the processing device 30 stores the second information 66 of the first information 64 and the second information 66 in the cartridge memory 24. An example of the first information 64 and the second information 66 is a flag indicated by "0" or "1."

[0166] In this way, by selectively storing the first information 64 and the second information 66 in the cartridge memory 24, it is possible to easily identify whether the cartridge memory 24 is in the first state or the second state. Furthermore, by selectively storing the first information 64 and the second information 66 in the cartridge memory 24, it is also possible to easily identify whether the geometric characteristic information 56 is recorded on the magnetic tape MT.

[0167] In the above embodiment, the magnetic tape system 10 is exemplified as one in which the magnetic tape cartridge 12 is freely insertable into and removable from the magnetic tape drive 14. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to a magnetic tape system in which at least one magnetic tape cartridge 12 is pre-loaded into the magnetic tape drive 14 (i.e., a magnetic tape system in which at least one magnetic tape cartridge 12 and the magnetic tape drive 14 or the magnetic tape MT are integrated in advance (e.g., before data is recorded in the data band DB)).

[0168] Although the above embodiment illustrates a single magnetic head 28, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, multiple magnetic heads 28 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT. For example, a read magnetic head 28 and at least one write magnetic head 28 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT. The read magnetic head 28 may be used to verify data recorded in the data band DB by the write magnetic head 28. Furthermore, one magnetic head equipped with a read magnetic element unit 42 and at least one write magnetic element unit 42 may be arranged on the magnetic tape MT.

[0169] In the above embodiment, an example in which the processing device 30 (see FIG. 3) is realized by an ASIC has been described, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the processing device 30 may be realized by a processor other than an ASIC, such as a CPU, or may be realized by multiple types of processors. For example, when the processing device 30 is realized by a CPU, an information management processing program and / or a recording / playback execution processing program may be stored in the storage 32, and the CPU may execute the information management processing program to operate as the first acquisition unit 30A and the first control unit 30B, and the CPU may execute the recording / playback execution processing program to operate as the second acquisition unit 30C and the second control unit 30D.

[0170] The information management processing program and / or the recording / playback execution processing program may be stored in a portable storage medium (e.g., an SSD or a USB memory) that is a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium. The information management processing program and / or the recording / playback execution processing program may be stored in a storage device such as a server via a communication network (not shown). In this case, for example, the information management processing program and / or the recording / playback execution processing program is downloaded in response to a request from the processing device 30 and installed in the processing device 30.

[0171] The hardware resources that execute the information management process and / or the recording / playback execution process can be various processors, as listed below. Examples of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource that executes processes by executing software, i.e., a program. Examples of processors also include dedicated electronic circuits, such as FPGAs, PLDs, or ASICs, which are processors with a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processes. Each processor has built-in or connected memory, and each processor uses the memory to execute the information management process and / or the recording / playback execution process.

[0172] The hardware resource that executes the information management process and / or the recording / reproducing execution process may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with 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). Also, the hardware resource that executes the information management process and / or the recording / reproducing execution process may be a single processor.

[0173] As an example of a configuration using one processor, first, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a hardware resource that executes information management processing and / or recording / reproducing execution processing. Second, there is a configuration in which a processor is used that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple hardware resources that execute information management processing and / or recording / reproducing execution processing on a single IC chip, as typified by SoC, etc. In this way, the information management processing and / or recording / reproducing execution processing is realized using one or more of the various processors described above as hardware resources.

[0174] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electronic circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0175] Furthermore, the information management process and the recording / playback execution process are merely examples, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of the processes may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0176] The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the above-described description and illustrations within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0177] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed by connecting them with "and / or."

[0178] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A magnetic tape drive used for a magnetic tape cartridge having a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, comprising: a processor; and a magnetic head controlled by the processor, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information relating to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, and the processor controls the magnetic head to record the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium on the magnetic tape at a position determined according to the reading result of the magnetic head on the servo pattern, and deletes first geometric characteristic information from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, leaving second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, wherein the second geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded, among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

2. A magnetic tape drive used for a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, the magnetic tape drive comprising: a processor; and a magnetic head controlled by the processor, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, and the magnetic tape records the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the processor deletes first geometric characteristic information from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, the second geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

3. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 1, wherein the geometric characteristic information is information about the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern obtained during the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape cartridge.

4. A magnetic tape drive as described in claim 1, wherein when the processor performs a recording process using the magnetic head and / or a reproducing process using the magnetic head on the magnetic tape while the first geometric characteristic information is erased from the storage medium and the second geometric characteristic information remains on the storage medium, the processor identifies the recording position in accordance with the second geometric characteristic information remaining on the storage medium, controls the magnetic head to read the geometric characteristic information from the identified recording position, and performs the recording process and / or the reproducing process in accordance with the geometric characteristic information and the servo pattern read by the magnetic head from the recording position.

5. The magnetic tape drive of claim 1, wherein the storage medium has a plurality of storage areas including a first storage area and a second storage area, the geometric characteristic information is stored in the first storage area, and the processor transfers the second geometric characteristic information from the first storage area to the second storage area.

6. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 5, wherein the processor erases the first geometric characteristic information from the first storage area.

7. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 6, wherein the processor erases the first geometric characteristic information from the first storage area by overwriting the first storage area.

8. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 1, wherein the geometric characteristic information is information that expresses the linearity of the servo pattern.

9. A magnetic tape drive as described in claim 1, wherein the geometric characteristic information includes information that associates first identification information that can identify a position within the servo pattern in the width direction of the magnetic tape with second identification information that can identify the geometric characteristic at a position identified from the first identification information.

10. A magnetic tape drive as described in claim 9, wherein the servo pattern is at least one pair of linear magnetization regions, the pair of linear magnetization regions being a linearly magnetized first linear magnetization region and a linearly magnetized second linear magnetization region, the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region being inclined in opposite directions with respect to an imaginary line along the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the second identification information is information indicating the distance between the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region at a position identified from the first identification information.

11. A magnetic tape drive as described in claim 9, wherein the servo pattern is at least one pair of linear magnetization regions, the pair of linear magnetization regions being a linearly magnetized first linear magnetization region and a linearly magnetized second linear magnetization region, the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region being inclined in opposite directions with respect to an imaginary line along the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the second identification information is information indicating the amount of deviation from a reference interval between the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region at a position identified by the first identification information.

12. A magnetic tape drive as described in claim 1, wherein the storage medium selectively stores first information that can identify that all of the geometric characteristic information has been stored, and second information that can identify that, of the geometric characteristic information, the first geometric characteristic information has been erased and the second geometric characteristic information remains.

13. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded, and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information relating to the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic head at a position determined according to the reading result of the servo pattern by the magnetic head, first geometric characteristic information is erased from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, thereby leaving second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, the second geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position where the geometric characteristic information is recorded on the magnetic tape among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information being geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

14. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded, and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, wherein geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern is stored in the storage medium, the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium is recorded on the magnetic tape, first geometric characteristic information is erased from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, thereby leaving second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, the second geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

15. An information management method for a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, the method comprising: controlling the magnetic head to record the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium on the magnetic tape at a position determined according to the reading result of the magnetic head on the servo pattern; and erasing first geometric characteristic information from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, wherein the second geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position on the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.

16. An information management method for a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape on which a servo pattern is recorded and a storage medium other than the magnetic tape that is capable of storing and retrieving information without contact, wherein the storage medium stores geometric characteristic information that is information regarding the geometric characteristics of the servo pattern, and the magnetic tape records the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, the method comprising: deleting first geometric characteristic information from the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium to leave second geometric characteristic information on the storage medium, wherein the second geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information that can identify the recording position within the magnetic tape where the geometric characteristic information is recorded, among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium, and the first geometric characteristic information is geometric characteristic information other than the second geometric characteristic information, among the geometric characteristic information stored in the storage medium.