Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Record medium – In container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2002-11-05
Miller, Brian E. (Department: 2652)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Record medium
In container
Reexamination Certificate
active
06477010
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data storage tape cartridge. More particularly, it relates to a data storage tape cartridge including misinsertion notches configured to prevent activation of incompatible tape drives.
Data storage tape cartridges have been used for decades in the computer, audio, and video fields. The data storage tape cartridge continues to be an extremely popular device for recording and storing large volumes of information for subsequent retrieval and use.
A data storage tape cartridge generally consists of an outer shell or housing maintaining at least one tape reel and a length of magnetic storage tape. The storage tape is wrapped about a hub portion of the tape reel that, in turn, is rotatably disposed within the housing. The housing normally includes a separate cover and base, the combination of which forms an opening (or window) at a forward portion thereof for allowing access to the storage tape upon insertion of the data storage tape cartridge into a tape drive. The tape drive includes transducers, such as a magnetic read/write head, for recording data to, or reading data from, the storage tape. This interaction between storage tape and head may take place within the housing (for example, with a mid-tape load design), or the storage tape be directed away from the housing to an adjacent area within the tape drive at which the read/write head is located (for example, with a helical drive design or a leader block design). Where the tape cartridge/drive system is designed to direct the storage tape away from the housing, the data storage tape cartridge typically includes a single tape reel. Conversely, where the tape cartridge/drive system is designed to provide head/storage tape interaction within or very near the housing, a two- or dual-tape reel assembly configuration is utilized.
Data storage tape cartridge and tape drive manufactures have, over the years, established industry “standard” sizes or form factors for cartridges and drives, based upon cartridge housing peripheral dimensions. Due in large part to customer preferences, most new or improved cartridge designs adhere to these same “standard” housing sizes. Thus, while technological advancements in storage tape, read/write heads, tape reels, etc., have combined to dramatically improve data storage tape cartridge capabilities, cartridge housing sizes for particular product lines have essentially remained unchanged.
Often times, an improved data storage tape cartridge design (or version) for a particular product line will not be compatible with an older version tape drive. For example, a new version data storage tape cartridge may include a storage tape providing greatly reduced sized storage tracks. An older version tape drive may utilize read/write head technology that cannot locate and/or follow the reduced-sized data tracks associated with improved storage tape, and is therefore incompatible. Unfortunately, because the newer version data storage tape cartridge utilizes a housing identical in size to previous versions, it may be possible for a user (or machine) to inadvertently insert the newer version data storage tape cartridge into the older, incompatible tape drive. Under these circumstances, insertion of the data storage tape cartridge activates the tape drive, causing the drive system to engage the tape reel(s) and the read/write head to interact with the storage tape. The above-described incompatibilities prevent the tape drive/cartridge from functioning properly. In fact, the storage tape and/or head may be permanently damaged.
Efforts have been made to incorporate certain design characteristics into corresponding versions of data storage tape cartridges/tape drives that allow the tape drive to “recognize” an acceptable data storage tape cartridge. These same design features prevent undesired and possible damaging activation of a tape drive upon insertion of an incompatible data storage tape cartridge. For example, industry standard 3480-type data storage tape cartridges typically incorporate a tape identification notch formed at a leading comer of the cartridge housing for identifying to the drive whether the inserted cartridge contains a magnetic storage tape or a cleaning tape. Similarly, the cartridge will include a write-select notch slidably maintaining an indictor block allowing a user to prevent the tape drive from “writing” onto the storage tape. Finally, most currently available tape drives, such as, for example, Storage Technology Corp., incorporate one or more electrical switches or sensors positioned adjacent the area of the tape drive at which the cartridge is inserted. These sensors effectively serve as “cartridge present” switches. When contacted by the data storage tape cartridge, the switch prompts positive activation or deactivation of the tape drive, depending upon a pre-programmed response. A compatible data storage tape cartridge may or may not incorporate a corresponding cartridge misinsertion notch positioned to desirably contact or not contact (“clear”) the cartridge present switch.
The cartridge present switch/cartridge misinsertion notch relationship has evolved over time. Currently, a common tape drive configuration incorporates two vertically arranged cartridge present switches. The upper switch is intended to detect incompatible cartridges, whereas the lower switch serves as a tape drive activation prompt. The corresponding, compatible data storage tape cartridge incorporates a single cartridge misinsertion notch corresponding with the upper cartridge present switch. In particular, the housing cover forms a notch sized for clearance about the upper cartridge present switch. The housing base does not include a cartridge misinsertion notch. Thus, the cartridge misinsertion notch terminates at the housing base. When inserted into the compatible tape drive, the cartridge misinsertion notch “clears” the upper cartridge present switch, such that the tape drive is not positively deactivated. Conversely, however, the cartridge housing does contact the lower cartridge present switch, thereby prompting tape drive activation. Notably, an older version of this tape drive implemented only the upper cartridge present switch, the contacting of which signaled tape drive activation. Thus, insertion of the newer version data storage tape cartridge into the older version, tape drive would not result in tape drive activation as the cartridge misinsertion notch would “clear” the upper cartridge present switch. Conversely, insertion of an incompatible, older version cartridge into the newer version tape drive would result in system deactivation, as the older version cartridge would contact the upper cartridge present switch.
Future version data storage tape cartridge/tape drive designs will, in all likelihood, continue to conform to industry accepted form factor sizes. As such, it will be possible to insert newer version cartridges into currently available tape drives. The improvements associated with the future generation cartridges will likely render them incompatible with currently available tape drives. The single misinsertion notch design will not distinguish the newer version cartridges when used with available tape drives. Therefore, a substantial need exists for a data storage tape cartridge incorporating misinsertion notches configured to prevent activation of incompatible tape drives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to a data storage tape cartridge including a housing, at least one tape reel, and storage tape. The housing defines a top face, a bottom face, a front, a back, and opposing sides. Further, the housing forms a tape identification notch, a write-select notch, a first misinsertion notch, and a second misinsertion notch. The tape identification notch extends from the front of the housing along one of the opposing sides. The write-select notch is formed in the front of the housing and is, in one preferred embodiment, configured to maintain an insert piece. The first misinsertion notch is formed
Johnson Michael W.
Oenes Leon C.
Steury Thomas D.
Dicke, Billig & Czaja P.A.
Imation Corp.
Miller Brian E.
Tianjie Chen
LandOfFree
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