Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080223968 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CHECKING TAPE REEL MOTION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for checking tape reel motion. A control module directs a leading servo to apply torque to a leading reel and a trailing servo to apply torque to a trailing reel, wherein the control module directs the leading servo to apply an initial positive torque in a tape motion direction and directs the trailing servo to apply an initial negative torque counter to the tape motion direction. If there is no change in an angular position of the leading and trailing reels, the control module incrementally sums a first incremental positive torque to the leading torque to increase the leading torque and a second incremental positive torque to the trailing torque until there is a change in the angular position of the leading and trailing reels and/or until the torques exceed torque limits. | 09-18-2008 |
20090046420 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ATTENUATING VIBRATION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for attenuating vibration. A cover includes at least four slots. Each slot physically isolates a midsection from either the distal end or the proximal end of the cover. In one embodiment, a first slit isolates a midsection side and a second slit at an angle in the range of seventy degrees to one hundred-ten degrees to the first slit physically isolates a portion of a top from a portion of a side. The midsection is physically connected to an enclosure configured to supply power, cooling, and communications to the storage mechanism. | 02-19-2009 |
20090190244 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC TAPE STICK AND TAPE BREAK DETECTION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamic tape stick and tape break detection. A first counter increments a first count and resets a second count in response to a sensor pulse from a first sensor of a first tape servo. A second counter increments the second count and resets the first count in response to a sensor pulse from a second sensor of a second tape servo. A detection module detects either the first count or the second count exceeding an error threshold. | 07-30-2009 |
20090201603 | MOVING MAGNET ACTUATION OF TAPE HEAD - In one embodiment, a tape read/write head supported by a lever is biased in a first position, using magnetic attraction between a magnet supported by the lever, and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet centers itself, in the absence of a coil generated magnetic field, in the middle of a gap of the magnetic return path structure. In one aspect, the mass of the read/write head and one side of the lever may be balanced by the mass of the magnet and the other side of the lever. The lever and hence the tape read/write head carried by the lever, may be pivoted by conducting current through a coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. As a consequence, the lever pivots on a pivot axis as a function of the magnitude and direction of the current through the coil. The face of the magnet may be divided into portions of opposite magnetic polarity to facilitate a relatively pure torque to be developed substantially without a net force. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201608 | MAGNETICALLY BIASED TILTING ROLLER BEARING TAPE GUIDANCE - In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090206190 | DYNAMIC TAPE DRIVE CALIBRATION - Dynamic calibration of a secondary velocity signal is provided in a tape drive. In one example, a reel motor is operated to drive a reel carrying a tape in a tape drive. The motion of the tape is measured to provide a measured primary velocity signal of the tape, and in addition, the operation of the reel motor is measured to provide an estimated secondary velocity signal of the tape as a function of motor parameters and the motor operation measurements. The estimated secondary velocity signal of the tape may be calibrated as the tape is driven, as a function of the tape motion measurements and the motor operation measurements. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090213493 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR TAPE DRIVE HEAD - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a tape drive head. An upper servo element reads an upper servo track conforming to a specified format. A lower servo element reads a lower servo track conforming to the specified format. A mid servo element reads a mid servo track. The mid servo element is disposed between the upper servo element and the lower servo element. Sixteen legacy read elements are disposed between the upper server element and the lower servo element. The legacy read elements read legacy data tracks conforming to the specified format. At least eight incremental read elements are interleaved between the legacy read elements. One incremental read element is adjacent to each legacy read element on a side of the legacy read element away from the mid servo element. | 08-27-2009 |
20100033863 | CARTRIDGE REFRESH AND VERIFY - A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes receiving an instruction to perform a verification operation on a media cartridge having a tape wrapped around a spool; unwrapping at least some of the tape from the spool of the media cartridge; after the unwrapping, wrapping at least some of the tape back onto the spool; during at least one of the unwrapping and wrapping (and preferably both, and possibly over several cycles of unwrapping and wrapping), performing a verification operation; generating a quality metric based on the verification operation; and outputting the quality metric or derivative thereof, such as a pass or fail indication; an instruction to set a pass/fail flag; a number, score or graphic illustrating to a user a general quality of the tape, etc. Additional methods and systems are also presented. | 02-11-2010 |
20100052584 | INCREASING TAPE VELOCITY BY DYNAMIC SWITCHING - An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils. | 03-04-2010 |
20100177436 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO TRANSFER DATA TO AND FROM A SEQUENTIAL INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - A sequential information storage medium, comprising a plurality of servo patterns encoded lengthwise thereon, wherein each servo pattern encodes at least one LPOS bit and comprises a width less than 187 microns. | 07-15-2010 |
20100181949 | MOTOR CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES - An apparatus for controlling a wheel motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the wheel motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the wheel motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils. | 07-22-2010 |
20100202083 | SETTING EDGE STRESS SIGNAL IN MAGNETIC TAPE DATA STORAGE CARTRIDGE MEMORY IN RESPONSE TO SERVO DETECTION ERROR SIGNALS - Methods, magnetic tape data storage drives, data storage systems, and magnetic tape data storage cartridges. A system having at least one magnetic tape data storage drive is configured to handle a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape data storage media and accompanying cartridge memory. The magnetic tape media comprises a plurality of longitudinal servo bands, the servo bands separated by data bands. Two servo bands, each at opposite sides of a data band are sensed. In response to at least one servo detection error signal of one of the two servo bands, an edge stress signal is set to the cartridge memory of the magnetic tape cartridge. Then, for example, after reloading the cartridge, the cartridge memory is inspected for a set edge stress signal; and, if the edge stress signal is set, only read operations are allowed with respect to the inspected magnetic tape data storage cartridge. | 08-12-2010 |
20100315739 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ADJUST THE ORIENTATION OF A READ HEAD TO CORRECT FOR DYNAMIC SKEW - A method to adjust the orientation of a read head comprising a first read element and a second read element, wherein the first read element and the second read element are separated by a distance, wherein the method moves a sequential information storage medium adjacent to the read head, determines a skew angle for the sequential information storage medium with respect to the read head using the first read element and the second read element, and encodes that skew angle in a computer readable medium. | 12-16-2010 |
20110013307 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO IDENTIFY A DATA BAND ENCODED BETWEEN TWO SERVO BANDS IN A SEQUENTIAL INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - A method and apparatus is presented to determine a lateral position of a read/write head relative to a sequential information storage medium having a servo signal encoded therein and moving adjacent to the read/write head, where the servo signal comprises a plurality of pulses. The method includes detecting the servo signal using the read/write head and calculating a timing interval between each of the pulses using a clock rate of a clock signal. The clock rate is then adjusted based upon the velocity of the sequential information storage medium. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013313 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SET A WRAP ANGLE OF A READ/WRITE HEAD - A method is presented for setting a wrap angle of a read/write head having a servo element and multiple read elements, where the servo element and the read elements can detect a servo signal. The method includes moving a sequential information storage medium having a longitudinal axis and a servo band encoded therein adjacent to the read/write head. The longitudinal axis and a flat upper surface of the read write head define the wrap angle. The method further includes detecting the servo signal using one of the read elements. If the read element is unable to detect the servo signal, then the remaining read elements are sensed to detect the servo signal. | 01-20-2011 |
20110102937 | POSITIONING COARSE SERVO ACTUATOR OF TAPE SERVO SYSTEM TO ALLOW FINE SERVO ACTUATOR TO FOLLOW TAPE SHIFT EXCURSIONS - Methods, servo systems, and data storage drives follow the lateral shift excursions of longitudinal tape, for example, from flangeless tape guides. A servo sensor is configured to sense lateral position of a tape head with respect to longitudinal servo tracks of the tape, a fine actuator is configured to translate the head laterally, and a coarse actuator is configured to translate the fine actuator laterally. Position error is determined between the head and a desired position related to the servo track, and the fine actuator operated to translate the head laterally to reduce the position error. In the embodiment, lateral shift excursion is sensed from the position error, and the coarse actuator is positioned substantially at a midpoint of the lateral shift excursion. Thus, the fine actuator follows the lateral shift excursions, while the coarse actuator remains at the midpoint. | 05-05-2011 |
20110205662 | CONTROLLING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR BY DYNAMIC SWITCHING - An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils. | 08-25-2011 |
20110222183 | Cartridge Refresh And Verify - A method according to one embodiment includes: deciding to perform a refresh operation on a media cartridge having a tape wrapped around a spool; determining which drive of a plurality of drives is available to perform the refresh operation; causing the media cartridge to be mounted to the available drive; causing the drive to unwrap the tape from the spool of the media cartridge to about an end of the tape; and causing the drive to wrap the tape back onto the spool after the unwrapping, wherein at least some data on the tape is overwritten with new data, and a verification operation is performed using the new data. | 09-15-2011 |
20120019953 | 'Tape Drive Velocity Control' - In accordance with the present invention, a method of operating a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape drive and a servo control system are provided for obtaining and maintaining velocity control in a magnetic tape drive. In one embodiment, a method is provided for operating a magnetic tape drive. The tape drive includes a plurality of DC motors, and each DC motor has a plurality of Hall sensors. The DC motors are under the control of a servo system which is configured to read location information from the magnetic tape, and compute a primary tape velocity from the location information, and sense a secondary and tertiary velocity signal and compute a tape velocity based on one of the sensed secondary velocity signal and tertiary velocity. The method includes detecting if the primary velocity location information is available. In response to detecting that the primary velocity location information is available the primary velocity is employed to control the servo system. In response to detecting the primary velocity location information is unavailable then one of a secondary or a tertiary velocity signal is employed. The secondary velocity signal is employed when an absolute value of a term related to tape velocity is less than a predetermined value. The tertiary velocity signal is employed when the absolute value of the term related to tape velocity is greater than the predetermined value. | 01-26-2012 |
20120200952 | Apparatus and Method to Transfer Data to and from a Sequential Information Storage Medium - A sequential information storage medium, comprising a plurality of servo patterns encoded lengthwise thereon, wherein each servo pattern encodes at least one LPOS bit and comprises a width less than 187 microns. | 08-09-2012 |
20130002182 | DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION-SWITCHING OF WINDINGS IN A BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR - Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting a brushless DC motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002183 | DYNAMIC CONFIGURATION OF A CALCULATION FUNCTION THAT OPTIMIZES DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION-SWITCHING OF WINDINGS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A calculation function, which optimizes a dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings between winding-configurations, is dynamically configured. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting the electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002184 | DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION-SWITCHING OF WINDINGS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings in an electric motor in an electric vehicle is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting the electric motor in the electric vehicle is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. | 01-03-2013 |
20130003218 | DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION-SWITCHING OF WINDINGS IN A TAPE STORAGE DRIVE - Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting a tape storage drive is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. | 01-03-2013 |
20130020979 | DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION-SWITCHING OF WINDINGS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting an electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021692 | MAGNETICALLY BIASED TILTING ROLLER BEARING TAPE GUIDANCE - A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021693 | MAGNETICALLY BIASED TILTING ROLLER BEARING TAPE GUIDANCE - A tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 01-24-2013 |
20140063642 | TAPE MEDIA LIFE - Tape media life is increased by dynamically controlling a turn around point (TAP) on the tape media for either an end of a tape wrap or a directional change from a first longitudinal position tape section to a second longitudinal position tape section for reducing damage to the tape media caused by debris by monitoring the TAP for all tape media motion and adjusting tape deceleration for maintaining the TAP to be located at the second longitudinal position tape section. | 03-06-2014 |