Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information... – Cartridge system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-11-27
Nguyen, John Q. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information...
Cartridge system
C360S132000, C360S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322015
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to tape cartridges and, more particularly, to an improved method of attaching magnetic tape to the reels of a magnetic tape cartridge.
BACKGROUND ART
Typically, to attach magnetic tape to the reels of a magnetic tape cartridge or cassette, the tape is cut perpendicularly to its longitudinal edges laterally across its width at each end. The ends are then attached to the reels of the cartridge and the tape is wrapped around the reels. Ideally, the tape wraps are perfectly smooth. In reality, a discontinuity exists on each reel along the lateral interface where the end of the tape attaches to the reel. The discontinuity causes an impression or imprint in the first few hundred tape wraps.
Data written on the longitudinally extending, parallel data tracks of the tape may not be consistently retrievable because the impression affects all of the data tracks at the same lateral location at the same time. This results in data errors. The severity of the errors may be such that the error correction code written on the data tracks to protect the data tracks cannot recover the data.
Similarly, servo information written on the longitudinally extending, parallel servo tracks of the tape may also not be consistently retrievable because the impression affects all of the servo tracks at the same lateral location at the same time. Thus, the servo redundancy cannot be used to recover the servo information. This results in servo errors and subsequent incorrect lateral positioning of the tape head with respect to the tape.
Tape impressions are a continuing problem in the data storage industry. Not using the portion of the tape with impressions results in wasted data storage capability and wasted time, as the tape must always be advanced past the unusable portions.
What is needed is a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge such that impressions do not affect all of the data tracks and servo stripes at the same lateral location at the same time. The needed method must take advantage of the error correction code and servo redundancy such that data and servo information from the tape wraps may be consistently retrievable regardless of impressions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge such that data and servo errors caused by impressions are spread out longitudinally along the tape.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge such that impressions only corrupt some of the data tracks at any one time while a tape head is reading the tape.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge such that impressions only corrupt some of the servo tracks at any one time while a tape head is reading the tape. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge which includes cutting the tape ends to be attached to the reels non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of the tape laterally across the width of the tape.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method of attaching tape to the reels of a cartridge which includes cutting the tape ends to be attached to the reels as a function of the correctional capability of the error correction code and the redundant servo information.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects, the present invention provides a method of attaching a tape having longitudinal edges to a tape cartridge reel. The method includes cutting an end of the tape non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges laterally across the width of the tape. The end of the tape is then attached to the tape cartridge reel.
Further, in carrying out the above objects and other objects, the present invention provides another method of attaching a tape to a tape cartridge reel. The tape includes longitudinal edges and laterally spaced apart servo stripes running longitudinally along the tape. This method includes cutting an end of the tape such that at least two of the servo stripes are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape. The end of the tape is then attached to the tape cartridge reel.
The tape may include laterally spaced apart data tracks running longitudinally along the tape. Cutting an end of the tape may then also include cutting the end such that at least two data tracks are cut at different longitudinal positions along the tape. Thus, the end of the tape is cut non-perpendicularly to its longitudinal edges laterally across its width to cut the at least two servo stripes and the at least two data tracks at different longitudinal positions along the tape.
In accordance with the methods of the present invention, a tape cartridge is also provided.
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patent: 0 592 042 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 0 630 000 A2 (1994-12-01), None
Bailey Wayne P.
Nguyen John Q.
Storage Technology Corporation
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