JP7395541B2 - Magnetic tape cartridges, magnetic tape drives, magnetic tape systems, and methods of operating magnetic tape drives - Google Patents

Description

The technology of the present disclosure relates to a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and a method of operating a magnetic tape drive.

A magnetic tape cartridge that stores a magnetic tape is equipped with a cartridge memory that stores information. Patent Document 1 describes that information at the time of recording data in a magnetic tape drive is stored in a cartridge memory, and the information is read from the cartridge memory and referred to when reading data. The information includes information on the tension applied to the running magnetic tape during data recording.

Patent Document 2 discloses a cartridge case that accommodates a magnetic tape, and information provided in the cartridge case before recording data on the magnetic tape to adjust the width of the magnetic tape when recording data on the magnetic tape or when reproducing data. A cartridge is disclosed that includes a memory for storing information for.

Patent No. 6669326 Patent No. 6669302

A magnetic tape cartridge is used by being loaded into a magnetic tape drive. A magnetic tape drive is provided with a head. The head reads and writes data on a magnetic tape pulled out from a magnetic tape cartridge within a magnetic tape drive. In order to accurately read and write data to a specified track on a magnetic tape, it is necessary to use tracking control to accurately align the position of the magnetic element in the head with respect to the track position in the width direction of the magnetic tape. There is.

Tracking control is realized by using multiple servo patterns and multiple servo reading elements. A plurality of servo patterns are formed on a magnetic tape, and a plurality of servo reading elements are mounted on a head. In a magnetic tape, multiple servo patterns are formed along the entire length of the magnetic tape at positions spaced apart in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and multiple servo reading elements in the head correspond to multiple servo patterns. It is arranged so that In order to improve tracking control, it is necessary as a premise to accurately match the positions of the plurality of servo reading elements and the plurality of servo patterns.

However, the size of the magnetic tape in the width direction depends on the stress applied to the magnetic tape when it is wound around a reel in a magnetic tape cartridge, the environment in which the magnetic tape is stored, and/or the magnetic tape when it is not in use. It changes depending on the time it is saved.

One embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure provides a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, and a magnetic tape drive that can contribute to correcting the positional relationship between a magnetic tape and a plurality of magnetic elements even if the magnetic tape is deformed in the width direction. A magnetic tape system and method of operating a magnetic tape drive is provided.

A first aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge including a case in which a magnetic tape is housed and a storage medium provided in the case, in which the magnetic tape pulled out from the case is linear. At least one of data reading and writing is performed by a plurality of magnetic elements arranged in the magnetic tape, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of magnetic elements is inclined toward the entire length of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape. The storage medium is a magnetic tape cartridge that stores inclination characteristic information indicating a characteristic of inclination in the arrangement direction with respect to the width direction.

A second aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape cartridge according to the first aspect, in which the feature includes a direction of inclination.

In a third aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, the magnetic tape has a plurality of tracks, each of the plurality of magnetic elements corresponds to each of the plurality of tracks, and an adjacent track of the plurality of tracks This is a magnetic tape cartridge according to a second aspect, in which opposite directions are assigned to each of the magnetic tape cartridges.

A fourth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the feature includes an angle of inclination.

A fifth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the storage medium includes a built-in memory of a non-contact communication medium in which information is read and written in a non-contact manner by a non-contact read/write device. A magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the aspects.

A sixth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the storage medium includes a partial area of a magnetic tape.

A seventh aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the storage medium further stores pitch information that can specify pitches in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands. This is a magnetic tape cartridge according to the present invention.

An eighth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape cartridge according to the seventh aspect, in which the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

A ninth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium has a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands and a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. Further, servo pattern distance information is stored that associates distances in the entire length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the two, and the pitch is a position detected using the servo pattern distance information, and the pitch is a position detected using the servo pattern distance information, This is a magnetic tape cartridge according to an eighth aspect, which corresponds to positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

A tenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the results of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements and a plurality of This is the magnetic tape cartridge according to the eighth or ninth aspect, in which the pitch is calculated based on the distance between the servo reading elements.

An eleventh aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape cartridge loaded with a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and a head on which a plurality of magnetic elements are mounted. This magnetic tape drive includes a tilting mechanism that tilts the magnetic tape in the full length direction with respect to the direction, and a control device that controls the tilting mechanism according to tilt characteristic information stored in a storage medium.

A twelfth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape drive according to the eleventh aspect, further including a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to the magnetic tape.

In a thirteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, the storage medium stores pitch information capable of specifying pitches in the width direction of the plurality of servo bands, and the control device applies the pitch information to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information. This is a magnetic tape drive according to an eleventh aspect or a twelfth aspect in which tension is adjusted.

A fourteenth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape drive according to the thirteenth aspect, in which the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

A fifteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium has a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands and a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. The control device further stores servo pattern distance information that associates distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the two, and the control device further stores servo pattern distance information that associates distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the plurality of magnetic elements. This is a magnetic tape drive according to a fourteenth aspect, in which the tension applied to the magnetic tape is adjusted using pitches corresponding to positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

In a 16th aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, the control device can detect the results of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on a magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive. This is a magnetic tape drive according to a fourteenth aspect or a fifteenth aspect, in which the pitch is calculated based on the distance between a plurality of servo reading elements.

A seventeenth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a magnetic tape system, which includes a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and a head equipped with a plurality of magnetic elements. A magnetic tape system comprising: a tilting mechanism that tilts the magnetic tape in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape; and a control device that controls the tilting mechanism according to tilt characteristic information stored in a storage medium. be.

An eighteenth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape system according to the seventeenth aspect, further including a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to the magnetic tape.

A nineteenth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium stores pitch information that can specify pitches in the width direction of the plurality of servo bands, and the control device applies the pitch information to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information. This is a magnetic tape system according to a seventeenth or eighteenth aspect in which tension is adjusted.

A 20th aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the magnetic tape system according to the 19th aspect, in which the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

A twenty-first aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium has a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands and a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. The control device further stores servo pattern distance information that associates distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the two, and the control device further stores servo pattern distance information that associates distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the plurality of magnetic elements. This is a magnetic tape system according to a twentieth aspect, in which the tension applied to the magnetic tape is adjusted using pitches corresponding to positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

In a twenty-second aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure, the control device receives the results of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on a magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive. and a magnetic tape system according to a 20th aspect or a 21st aspect, in which the pitch is calculated based on the distance between a plurality of servo reading elements.

A twenty-third aspect of the technology of the present disclosure includes acquiring gradient characteristic information stored in a storage medium included in a magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. , controlling a tilting mechanism that tilts a head equipped with a plurality of magnetic elements in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape in accordance with acquired tilt characteristic information. This is how the drive works.

A twenty-fourth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to the twenty-third aspect, further comprising applying tension to the magnetic tape.

A twenty-fifth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium further stores pitch information capable of specifying pitches in the width direction of the plurality of servo bands, and adjusts the tension applied to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information. A method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to a twenty-third aspect or a twenty-fourth aspect, further comprising:

A twenty-sixth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to the twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands.

A twenty-seventh aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is that the storage medium has a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands and a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. further stores servo pattern distance information that associates distances in the full length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between the servo bands of the plurality of magnetic elements, the position being detected using the servo pattern distance information; A method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to a twenty-sixth aspect, further comprising adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape using a pitch corresponding to a position in the width direction within the magnetic tape.

A twenty-eighth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a result of reading the plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by a magnetic tape drive; The method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to the twenty-sixth aspect or the twenty-seventh aspect further includes calculating the pitch based on the distance between the plurality of servo reading elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic tape system. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the structure of the right rear end inside the lower case of the magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an example of a support member provided on the inner surface of the lower case of the 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 bottom side of a magnetic tape cartridge by a non-contact reading/writing device. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode in which a magnetic field is applied from a non-contact reading/writing device to a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the structure of the back surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the structure of the surface of a substrate of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electrical hardware configuration of a computer including an IC chip mounted in a cartridge memory in a magnetic tape cartridge. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical hardware configuration of a magnetic tape drive. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a recording head, a reading head, and a magnetic tape. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a data band and a magnetic element on the recording head side. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a data band and a magnetic element on the recording head side. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correspondence between recording elements and data tracks included in a data track group. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a data band and a read head side magnetic element. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a data band and a read head side magnetic element. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the correspondence between reading elements and data tracks included in a data track group. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which the width of a magnetic tape decreases over time. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the relationship between two servo reading elements in a recording head and the functions of an ASIC of a magnetic tape drive. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a servo pattern. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an ideal servo pattern and an actual servo pattern. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of servo pattern distance information. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a manner in which pitch information is stored in NVM of a cartridge memory. It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of pitch information. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of an ASIC of a magnetic tape drive. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method in which a motor control signal is corrected by a travel control unit. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a method by which tilt feature information is calculated by a tilt control unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of processing contents when slope characteristic information is stored in a cartridge memory. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of tape width control processing executed by an ASIC of a magnetic tape drive. This is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31A. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a manner in which slope feature information is written in a BOT area. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a manner in which slope characteristic information stored in a cartridge memory is written to a BOT area.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a magnetic tape cartridge, a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape system, and a method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the words used in the following explanation will be explained.

CPU is an abbreviation for "Central Processing Unit." RAM is an abbreviation for "Random Access Memory." DRAM is an abbreviation for "Dynamic Random Access Memory." SRAM is an abbreviation for "Static Random Access Memory." NVM is an abbreviation for "Non-Volatile Memory." ROM is an abbreviation for "Read Only 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." 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." IC is an abbreviation for "Integrated Circuit." RFID is an abbreviation for "Radio Frequency Identifier." LTO is an abbreviation for "Linear Tape-Open." IBM is an abbreviation for "International Business Machines Corporation." ID is an abbreviation for “Identification Data”. BOT is an abbreviation for "Beginning Of Tape." EOT is an abbreviation for "End Of Tape". MFM is an abbreviation for "Magnetic Force Microscope". SEM is an abbreviation for "Scanning Electron Microscope". QR is an abbreviation for "Quick Response".

As shown in FIG. 1 as an example, a magnetic tape system 2 includes a magnetic tape cartridge 10 and a magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 accommodates a magnetic tape MT. The magnetic tape drive 30 pulls out the magnetic tape MT from the loaded magnetic tape drive 30, and records data on the magnetic tape MT or reads data from the magnetic tape MT while running the pulled out magnetic tape MT. do.

Next, an example of the configuration of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30 (see FIG. 5) is indicated by arrow A in FIGS. The front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "front" refers to the front side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow B perpendicular to the direction of arrow A in FIGS. . In the following description of the structure, "right" refers to the right side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 2 to 4, 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 10 is referred to as the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "left" refers to the left side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 2 to 4, a direction perpendicular to the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction is indicated by an arrow C, and the arrow C direction is defined as an upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The upper side of the cartridge 10 is defined as the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "upper" refers to the upper side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 2 to 4, the direction opposite to the front direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is referred to as the rear direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the rear direction side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is This is the rear side of the tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "rear" refers to the rear side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 2 to 4, the direction opposite to the upward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is referred to as the downward direction of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and the downward side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is referred to as the magnetic tape cartridge 10. This is the lower side of the tape cartridge 10. In the following description of the structure, "lower" refers to the lower side of the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Further, in the following description, LTO will be used as an example of the specifications of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, but this is just an example, and the specifications of the IBM 3592 magnetic tape cartridge may be followed.

In addition, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the angle is deep (large) or shallow (small), it means that the angle is deeper or shallower than the current angle. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the width of the magnetic tape MT is wide or narrow, it means that it is wider or narrower than the reference width. The width of the reference is a fixed value or a variable value. Furthermore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the tension applied to the running magnetic tape MT is strong or weak, it means that it is stronger or weaker than the reference tension. The reference tension is a fixed value or a variable value. Here, the variable value is a value that changes depending on, for example, an instruction given from the outside and/or a predetermined condition.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is substantially rectangular in plan view and includes a box-shaped case 12. Case 12 is an example of a "case" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The case 12 accommodates a magnetic tape MT. The case 12 is made of resin such as polycarbonate, and includes an upper case 14 and a lower case 16. The upper case 14 and the lower case 16 are joined by welding (for example, ultrasonic welding) and screwing, with the lower peripheral surface of the upper case 14 and the upper peripheral surface of the lower case 16 in contact with each other. The joining method is not limited to welding and screwing, but may be other joining methods.

A cartridge reel 18 is rotatably housed inside the case 12. The cartridge reel 18 includes a reel hub 18A, an upper flange 18B1, and a lower flange 18B2. The reel hub 18A is formed into a cylindrical shape. The reel hub 18A is the axial center of the cartridge reel 18, the axial direction thereof is along the vertical direction of the case 12, and the reel hub 18A is disposed at the center of the case 12. Each of the upper flange 18B1 and the lower flange 18B2 is formed in an annular shape. A central portion of an upper flange 18B1 in plan view is fixed to the upper end of the reel hub 18A, and a central portion of a lower flange 18B2 in plan view is fixed to the lower end of the reel hub 18A. Note that the reel hub 18A and the lower flange 18B2 may be integrally molded.

A magnetic tape MT is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the reel hub 18A, and widthwise ends of the magnetic tape MT are held by an upper flange 18B1 and a lower flange 18B2.

An opening 12B is formed in the front side of the right wall 12A of the case 12. The magnetic tape MT is pulled out from the opening 12B.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a cartridge memory 19 is provided in the lower case 16. Specifically, a cartridge memory 19 is housed in the right rear end of the lower case 16. The cartridge memory 19 is an example of a "non-contact communication medium" according to the technology of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a so-called passive RFID tag is employed as the cartridge memory 19.

The cartridge memory 19 stores information regarding the magnetic tape MT. The information regarding the magnetic tape MT refers to, for example, management information for managing the magnetic tape cartridge 10. The management information includes, for example, information regarding the cartridge memory 19, information that allows identification of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, recording capacity of the magnetic tape MT, summary of data recorded on the magnetic tape MT, data items, and data recording. Contains information indicating the format, etc.

The cartridge memory 19 performs contactless communication with a contactless reading/writing device. Examples of the non-contact reading/writing device include a non-contact reading/writing device used in the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape cartridge 10, and a non-contact reading/writing device used in a magnetic tape drive (for example, the magnetic tape drive 30 shown in FIG. 5). Examples include contact type reading/writing devices (for example, non-contact type reading/writing devices 50 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7).

The non-contact reading/writing device reads and writes various information to and from the cartridge memory 19 in a non-contact manner. As will be described in detail later, the cartridge memory 19 generates electric power by electromagnetically acting on the magnetic field MF (see FIG. 6, etc.) applied from the non-contact reading/writing device. The cartridge memory 19 operates using the generated electric power and communicates with the non-contact reading/writing device via the magnetic field MF, thereby exchanging various information with the non-contact reading/writing device. Note that the communication method may be, for example, a method based on a known standard such as ISO14443 or ISO18092, or may be a method based on the LTO specification of ECMA319.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a support member 20 is provided on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A at the right rear end of the lower case 16. The support members 20 are a pair of inclined tables that support the cartridge memory 19 from below in an inclined state. The pair of ramps is a first ramp 20A and a second ramp 20B. The first inclined table 20A and the second inclined table 20B are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the case 12, and are integrated with the inner surface of the rear wall 16B and the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A of the lower case 16. The first inclined table 20A has an inclined surface 20A1, and the inclined surface 20A1 is inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A. Further, the second inclined table 20B has an inclined surface 20B1, and the inclined surface 20B1 is also inclined downward from the inner surface of the rear wall 16B toward the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A.

On the front side of the support member 20, a pair of position regulating ribs 22 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. A pair of position regulating ribs 22 are provided upright on the inner surface of the bottom plate 16A, and regulate the position of the lower end of the cartridge memory 19 placed on the support member 20.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, a reference surface 16A1 is formed on the outer surface of the bottom plate 16A. The reference surface 16A1 is a plane. Here, the plane refers to a plane parallel to a horizontal plane when the lower case 16 is placed on a horizontal plane with the bottom plate 16A facing downward. Here, "parallel" includes not only perfect parallelism but also errors that are generally allowed in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, and that do not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. It refers to parallelism in the sense of parallelism. The inclination angle θ of the support member 20, that is, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 20A1 and the inclined surface 20B1 (see FIG. 3) is 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface 16A1. Note that 45 degrees is just an example, and may be "0 degrees < inclination angle θ < 45 degrees" or may be 45 degrees or more.

The cartridge memory 19 includes a substrate 26. The substrate 26 is placed on the support member 20 with the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 facing downward, and the support member 20 supports the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 from below. A portion of the back surface 26A of the substrate 26 is in contact with the inclined surfaces of the support member 20, that is, the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (see FIG. 3), and the surface 26B of the substrate 26 is in contact with the inclined surface 20A1 and 20B1 (see FIG. 3) of the support member 20. It is exposed on the inner surface 14A1 side.

The upper case 14 includes a plurality of ribs 24. The plurality of ribs 24 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the case 12. The plurality of ribs 24 protrude downward from the inner surface 14A1 of the top plate 14A of the upper case 14, and the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 is an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (see FIG. 3). has. That is, the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the reference surface 16A1.

When the upper case 14 is joined to the lower case 16 as described above with the cartridge memory 19 disposed on the support member 20, the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 comes into contact with the substrate 26 from the surface 26B side. However, the substrate 26 is sandwiched between the tip surface 24A of each rib 24 and the inclined surfaces 20A1 and 20B1 (see FIG. 3) of the support member 20. As a result, the vertical position of the cartridge memory 19 is regulated by the ribs 24.

As shown in FIG. 5 as an example, the magnetic tape drive 30 includes a transport device 34, a recording head 36A, a reading head 36B, and a control device 38. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The magnetic tape drive 30 extracts the magnetic tape MT from the magnetic tape cartridge 10, records data on the extracted magnetic tape MT using a plurality of reading elements DR (see FIG. 13) of the recording head 36A, and records data on the extracted magnetic tape MT. This device reads data from the tape MT using a linear serpentine method using a plurality of recording elements DW (see FIG. 13) of a reading head 36B. Further, as will be described in detail later, both the recording head 36A and the reading head 36B are skew heads that skew on the magnetic tape MT. In this embodiment, reading data refers to reproducing data in other words. Note that, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the recording head 36A and the reading head 36B will be referred to as the magnetic head 36 unless it is necessary to specifically explain the distinction.

The control device 38 controls the overall operation of the magnetic tape drive 30. In this embodiment, the control device 38 is realized by the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12), but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 38 may be realized by an FPGA. Further, the control device 38 may be realized by a computer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Further, it may be realized by combining two or more of the ASIC 120, FPGA, and computer. That is, the control device 38 may be realized by a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

The conveyance device 34 is a device that selectively conveys the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and includes a delivery motor 40, a take-up reel 42, a take-up motor 44, a plurality of guide rollers GR, and a control device 38. ing. Note that here, the forward direction refers to the feeding direction of the magnetic tape MT, and the reverse direction refers to the rewinding direction of the magnetic tape MT.

The delivery motor 40 rotates the cartridge reel 18 within the magnetic tape cartridge 10 under the control of the controller 38 . The control device 38 controls the rotational direction, rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the cartridge reel 18 by controlling the delivery motor 40 .

When the magnetic tape MT is taken up (loaded) by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the delivery motor 40 so that the magnetic tape MT runs in the forward direction. The rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the delivery motor 40 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT being wound by the take-up reel 42.

The take-up motor 44 rotates the take-up reel 42 under the control of the controller 38 . The control device 38 controls the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation torque, etc. of the take-up reel 42 by controlling the take-up motor 44 .

When the magnetic tape MT is taken up by the take-up reel 42, the control device 38 rotates the take-up motor 44 so that the magnetic tape MT runs in the forward direction. The rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the take-up motor 44 are adjusted according to the speed of the magnetic tape MT being wound up by the take-up reel 42. In this manner, the control device 38 adjusts the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of each of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, thereby applying tension to the magnetic tape MT. Note that the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are an example of a "tension applying mechanism" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

Note that when rewinding (unloading) the magnetic tape MT onto the cartridge reel 18, the control device 38 rotates the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 so that the magnetic tape MT runs in the opposite direction.

In this embodiment, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is controlled by controlling the rotational speed, rotational torque, etc. of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be controlled using a dancer roller or by drawing the magnetic tape MT into a vacuum chamber.

Each of the plurality of guide rollers GR is a roller that guides the magnetic tape MT. The travel path of the magnetic tape MT is determined by a plurality of guide rollers GR being separately arranged at positions straddling the magnetic head 36 between the magnetic tape cartridge 10 and the take-up reel 42.

The recording head 36A includes a magnetic element unit 46A and a holder 48A. The magnetic element unit 46A is held by a holder 48A so as to be in contact with the running magnetic tape MT. The magnetic element unit 46A includes servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2, which will be described later, and recording elements DW1, DW2, DW3, DW4, DW5, DW6, DW7, and DW8, which will be described later. The magnetic element unit 46A records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34, and reads the servo pattern 51 (see FIG. 13) from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34.

The reading head 36B includes a magnetic element unit 46B and a holder 48B. The magnetic element unit 46B is held by a holder 48B so as to be in contact with the running magnetic tape MT. The magnetic element unit 46B includes servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2, which will be described later, and reading elements DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, DR7, and DR8, which will be described later. The magnetic element unit 46B records data on the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34, and reads the servo pattern 51 (see FIG. 13) from the magnetic tape MT transported by the transport device 34.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a non-contact reading/writing device 50. The non-contact read/write device 50 is disposed below the magnetic tape cartridge 10 loaded with the magnetic tape cartridge 10 so as to directly face the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Note that the state in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 means, for example, that the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is at a predetermined position where the magnetic head 36 starts reading data from the magnetic tape MT. Refers to the state reached.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the non-contact read/write device 50 emits a magnetic field MF from the underside of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 toward the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic field MF penetrates the cartridge memory 19.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, a non-contact reading/writing device 50 is connected to a control device 38. The control device 38 outputs a control signal to the non-contact reading/writing device 50. The control signal is a signal that controls the cartridge memory 19. The non-contact reading/writing device 50 emits a magnetic field MF toward the cartridge memory 19 according to a control signal input from the control device 38 . The magnetic field MF penetrates from the back surface 26A side of the cartridge memory 19 to the front surface 26B side.

The non-contact reading/writing device 50 performs non-contact communication with the cartridge memory 19 to provide the cartridge memory 19 with a command signal according to the control signal. More specifically, the non-contact read/write device 50 spatially transmits command signals to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the controller 38 . As will be described in detail later, the command signal is a signal indicating a command to the cartridge memory 19.

When a command signal is spatially transmitted from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 to the cartridge memory 19, the magnetic field MF includes a command signal according to an instruction from the control device 38 by the non-contact reading/writing device 50. In other words, a command signal is superimposed on the magnetic field MF by the non-contact reading/writing device 50. That is, the non-contact reading/writing device 50 transmits a command signal to the cartridge memory 19 via the magnetic field MF under the control of the control device 38.

An IC chip 52 and a capacitor 54 are mounted on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19. IC chip 52 and capacitor 54 are adhered to surface 26B. Further, on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are sealed with a sealant 56. Here, as the sealing material 56, an ultraviolet curing resin that cures in response to ultraviolet light is used. Note that the ultraviolet curing resin is just one example, and a photocuring resin that cures in response to light in a wavelength range other than ultraviolet rays may be used as the encapsulant 56, or a thermosetting resin may be used as the encapsulant. 56 or other adhesives may be used as the sealant 56.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, a coil 60 is formed in a loop shape on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. Here, copper foil is used as the material for the coil 60. Copper foil is just one example, and other types of conductive materials such as aluminum foil may also be used. The coil 60 induces an induced current when a magnetic field MF (see FIGS. 6 and 7) applied from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 acts on the coil 60.

A first conductive portion 62A and a second conductive portion 62B are provided on the back surface 26A of the cartridge memory 19. The first conductive portion 62A and the second conductive portion 62B have solder, and the coil 60 is connected to the IC chip 52 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) and the capacitor 54 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on the surface 26B. Both ends are electrically connected.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, on the surface 26B of the cartridge memory 19, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are electrically connected to each other by a wire connection method. Specifically, one terminal of the positive terminal and negative terminal of the IC chip 52 is connected to the first conductive portion 62A via the wiring 64A, and the other terminal is connected to the second conductive portion via the wiring 64B. 62B. Further, the capacitor 54 has a pair of electrodes. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the pair of electrodes are electrodes 54A and 54B. The electrode 54A is connected to the first conducting part 62A via a wiring 64C, and the electrode 54B is connected to the second conducting part 62B via a wiring 64D. Thereby, the IC chip 52 and the capacitor 54 are connected in parallel to the coil 60.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the IC chip 52 includes a built-in capacitor 80, a power supply circuit 82, a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, and a signal processing circuit 88. The IC chip 52 is a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

Cartridge memory 19 includes a power generator 70 . The power generator 70 generates power by the magnetic field MF applied from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 acting on the coil 60 . Specifically, the power generator 70 generates AC power using the resonant circuit 92, converts the generated AC power into DC power, and outputs the DC power.

Power generator 70 has a resonant circuit 92 and a power supply circuit 82. The resonant circuit 92 includes a capacitor 54, a coil 60, and a built-in capacitor 80. The built-in capacitor 80 is a capacitor built into the IC chip 52, and the power supply circuit 82 is also a circuit built into the IC chip 52. Built-in capacitor 80 is connected in parallel to coil 60.

The capacitor 54 is a capacitor externally attached to the IC chip 52. The IC chip 52 is originally a general-purpose IC chip that can be used for purposes other than the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Therefore, the capacity of the built-in capacitor 80 may be insufficient to realize the resonant frequency required by the cartridge memory 19 used in the magnetic tape cartridge 10. Therefore, in the cartridge memory 19, a capacitor 54 is retrofitted to the IC chip 52 as a capacitor having a capacitance value necessary for causing the resonant circuit 92 to resonate at a predetermined resonant frequency by the action of the magnetic field MF. There is. Note that the frequency corresponds to a predetermined resonance frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz), and may be appropriately determined based on the specifications of the cartridge memory 19 and/or the non-contact reading/writing device 50. Further, the capacitance of the capacitor 54 is determined based on the actually measured value of the capacitance of the built-in capacitor 80. Further, although an example in which the capacitor 54 is externally attached is given here, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the capacitor 54 may be incorporated in the IC chip 52 in advance.

The resonant circuit 92 generates AC power by generating a resonance phenomenon of a predetermined resonance frequency using an induced current induced by the coil 60 when the magnetic field MF passes through the coil 60. Power is output to the power supply circuit 82.

The power supply circuit 82 includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, and the like. The rectifier circuit is a full wave rectifier circuit having multiple diodes. The full-wave rectifier circuit is just an example, and a half-wave rectifier circuit may also be used. The smoothing circuit includes a capacitor and a resistor. The power supply circuit 82 converts the AC power input from the resonance circuit 92 into DC power, and supplies the DC power obtained by the conversion (hereinafter also simply referred to as "power") to various driving elements in the IC chip 52. do. The various driving elements include a computer 84, a clock signal generator 86, and a signal processing circuit 88. In this way, the power generator 70 supplies power to various driving elements within the IC chip 52, so that the IC chip 52 operates using the power generated by the power generator 70.

Computer 84 controls the overall operation of cartridge memory 19. The clock signal generator 86 generates a clock signal and outputs it to the signal processing circuit 88 and the like. The signal processing circuit 88 and the like operate according to the clock signal input from the clock signal generator 86. Clock signal generator 86 changes the frequency of the clock signal according to instructions from computer 84.

Signal processing circuit 88 is connected to resonant circuit 92 . The signal processing circuit 88 includes a decoding circuit (not shown) and an encoding circuit (not shown). The decoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 extracts and decodes the command signal from the magnetic field MF received by the coil 60 and outputs it to the computer 84 . Computer 84 outputs a response signal to the command signal to signal processing circuit 88 . That is, the computer 84 executes processing according to the command signal input from the signal processing circuit 88, and outputs the processing result to the signal processing circuit 88 as a response signal. When a response signal is input from the computer 84 , the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 encodes and modulates the response signal and outputs it to the resonance circuit 92 . The resonant circuit 92 transmits the response signal input from the encoding circuit of the signal processing circuit 88 to the non-contact reading/writing device 50 via the magnetic field MF.

As shown in FIG. 11 as an example, the computer 84 includes a CPU 94, an NVM 96, and a RAM 98. CPU 94 , NVM 96 , and RAM 98 are connected to bus 100 .

CPU 94 controls the operation of computer 84. The NVM 96 is an example of a "storage medium" and "built-in memory" according to the technology of the present disclosure. An example of NVM96 is EEPROM. The EEPROM is just one example; for example, a ferroelectric memory may be used instead of the EEPROM, and any nonvolatile memory that can be mounted on the IC chip 52 may be used. The NVM 96 stores management information and the like. The RAM 98 temporarily stores various information and is used as a work memory. An example of the RAM 98 is a DRAM or SRAM.

The CPU 94 selectively performs polling processing, reading processing, writing processing, etc. in response to command signals input from the signal processing circuit 88. The polling process is a process of establishing communication with the non-contact reading/writing device 50, and is performed, for example, as a preparatory process before the read process and the write process. The reading process is a process of reading management information etc. from the NVM 96. The write process is a process for writing management information and the like into the NVM 96.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the control device 38 includes an ASIC 120 and a storage 122. ASIC 120 and storage 122 are connected to bus 124. This connection method is merely an example, and various devices such as the storage 122 may be directly connected to the ASIC 120 individually. Also connected to the bus 124 are a feed motor 40, a take-up motor 44, and a non-contact reading/writing device 50. ASIC 120 controls delivery motor 40 and take-up motor 44 . The feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 selectively transport the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction and the reverse direction under the control of the ASIC 120. Furthermore, under the control of the ASIC 120, the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 apply tension to the magnetic tape MT within a permissible range, and adjust the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT within a permissible range.

Note that the permissible range herein refers to a range of tension that allows the magnetic head 36 to record and/or read data without any problems, and is a range that has been obtained in advance through computer simulation and/or tests using actual equipment. refers to The allowable range may be defined in a table format, for example, and may be updated every time a new product of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is released, or may be based on an instruction given from outside or a predetermined range. It may be changed depending on conditions or the like, or it may be fixed.

ASIC 120 controls contactless reading/writing device 50 . The non-contact read/write device 50 sends command signals to the cartridge memory 19 under the control of the ASIC 120 . The non-contact reading/writing device 50 also receives a response signal sent from the cartridge memory 19 in response to a command signal sent to the cartridge memory 19.

A recording head 36A and a reading head 36B are also connected to the bus 124, and the ASIC 120 controls the recording head 36A and the reading head 36B. The recording head 36A performs a data recording operation for recording data on the magnetic tape MT, a servo reading operation for reading the servo pattern 51 (see FIG. 14) from the magnetic tape MT, etc. under the control of the ASIC 120. The read head 36B performs a data read operation for reading data from the magnetic tape MT, a servo read operation, etc. under the control of the ASIC 120.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a first moving mechanism 129A. The first movement mechanism 129A has a first movement actuator 129A1. Examples of the first movement actuator 129A1 include a voice coil motor and/or a piezo actuator. The first movement actuator 129A1 is connected to the bus 124, and the ASIC 120 controls the first movement actuator 129A1. The first movement actuator 129A1 generates power under the control of the ASIC 120. The first movement mechanism 129A operates by receiving the power generated by the first movement actuator 129A1. The ASIC 120 performs servo control using the first moving mechanism 129A. Here, the servo control using the first moving mechanism 129A means that the first moving mechanism 129A is operated in accordance with the servo pattern 51 read from the magnetic tape MT by the servo reading operation by the recording head 36A. Refers to control for moving the tape MT in the width direction.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a second moving mechanism 129B. The second movement mechanism 129B has a second movement actuator 129B1. Examples of the second movement actuator 129B1 include a voice coil motor and/or a piezo actuator. The second movement actuator 129B1 is connected to the bus 124, and the ASIC 120 controls the second movement actuator 129B1. The second movement actuator 129B1 generates power under the control of the ASIC 120. The second movement mechanism 129B operates by receiving the power generated by the second movement actuator 129B1. The ASIC 120 performs servo control using the second movement mechanism 129B. Here, the servo control using the second moving mechanism 129B means that the second moving mechanism 129B is operated according to the servo pattern 51 read from the magnetic tape MT by the servo reading operation by the reading head 36B. Refers to control for moving the tape MT in the width direction.

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a first tilting mechanism 131A. The first tilting mechanism 131A is an example of a "tilting mechanism" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The first tilt mechanism 131A includes a first tilt actuator 131A1. Examples of the first tilt actuator 131A1 include a voice coil motor and/or a piezo actuator. The first tilt actuator 131A1 is connected to the bus 124, and the ASIC 120 controls the first tilt actuator 131A1. The first tilt actuator 131A1 generates power under the control of the AISC 120. The first tilt mechanism 131A tilts the recording head 36A in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 13) by receiving the power generated by the first tilt actuator 131A1. let

The magnetic tape drive 30 includes a second tilting mechanism 131B. The second tilting mechanism 131B is an example of a "tilting mechanism" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The second tilt mechanism 131B includes a second tilt actuator 131B1. Examples of the second tilt actuator 131B1 include a voice coil motor and/or a piezo actuator. The second tilt actuator 131B1 is connected to the bus 124, and the ASIC 120 controls the second tilt actuator 131B1. The second tilt actuator 131B1 generates power under the control of the AISC 120. The second tilting mechanism 131B tilts the reading head 36B in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 13) by receiving the power generated by the second tilt actuator 131B1. let Note that, hereinafter, the first tilting mechanism 131A and the second tilting mechanism 131B will be referred to as the tilting mechanism 131 unless it is necessary to specifically explain them separately.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 13, servo bands SB1, SB2, and SB3 and data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT. In the following, for convenience of explanation, servo bands SB1 to SB3 will be referred to as servo bands SB, and data bands DB1 and DB2 will be referred to as data bands DB, unless there is a need to distinguish between them.

Servo bands SB1 to SB3 and data bands DB1 and DB2 are formed along the entire length direction of magnetic tape MT. In other words, the full length direction of the magnetic tape MT refers to the longitudinal direction (forward direction and reverse direction) of the magnetic tape MT.

The servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at positions spaced apart in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. For example, servo bands SB1 to SB3 are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction WD. Note that in this embodiment, "equal spacing" refers to not only perfectly equal spacing but also errors that are generally allowed in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, and that are contrary to the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure. It refers to equal intervals that include a certain degree of error.

Data band DB1 is arranged between servo band SB1 and servo band SB2, and data band DB2 is arranged between servo band SB2 and servo band SB3. That is, the servo bands SB and data bands DB are alternately arranged along the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

Servo patterns 51 are formed on the servo band SB at predetermined intervals along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Servo pattern 51 has magnetized regions 51A and 51B. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B are a pair of linear magnetized regions tilted symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B are non-parallel to each other and are formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 13, three servo bands SB and two data bands DB are shown, but this is just an example, and two servo bands SB and one data band DB are shown. The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to a DB, or even if there are four or more servo bands SB and three or more data bands DB.

The recording head 36A is arranged closer to the take-up reel 42 than the reading head 36B in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT. The recording head 36A includes a plurality of magnetic elements. The recording head 36A includes multiple servo reading elements WSR and multiple recording elements DW as multiple magnetic elements.

The recording head 36A is formed wider than the magnetic tape MT along the longitudinal direction. For example, the length of the recording head 36A in the longitudinal direction is such that when the recording head 36A is tilted at a predetermined angle as the maximum tilt angle, the magnetic element unit 46A can detect any data band DB of the magnetic tape MT. The length is such that it at least covers the magnetic tape MT along the width direction WD when data is written (recorded) to the magnetic tape MT. The plurality of servo reading elements WSR and the plurality of recording elements DW are provided at the center of the recording head 36A in plan view, and are arranged linearly at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the recording head 36A.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2 are illustrated as the plurality of servo reading elements WSR. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2 will be referred to as servo reading element WSR unless it is necessary to specifically explain them separately. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the servo reading element WSR and the recording element DW will be referred to as "recording head side magnetic element" without a reference numeral unless it is necessary to specifically explain them separately.

Servo reading element WSR is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB. In the example shown in FIG. 13, servo reading element WSR1 is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB1, and servo reading element WSR2 is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB2. The first moving mechanism 129A moves the recording head 36A in the width direction WD under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12) according to the servo pattern 51 read by the servo band SB.

Furthermore, when the data band DB to which the magnetic element unit 46A writes data is changed (in the example shown in FIG. 13, the data band DB to which the magnetic element unit 46A writes data is changed to the data band DB1 and DB2), the first moving mechanism 129A moves the recording head 36A in the width direction WD under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12), thereby moving the servo reading element WSR. Change position. That is, the first moving mechanism 129A moves the recording head 36A in the width direction WD to move the servo reading element WSR1 from one of the position corresponding to the servo band SB1 and the position corresponding to the servo band SB2 to the other. servo reading element WSR2 is moved from one of the position corresponding to servo band SB2 and the position corresponding to servo band SB3 to the other. Then, by performing tracking control, data is written to a specified location within the data band DB by at least one recording element DW.

The plurality of recording elements DW are provided between the servo reading element WSR1 and the servo reading element WSR2. That is, the plurality of recording elements DW are provided between adjacent servo reading elements WSR. The plurality of recording elements DW are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the recording head 36A (for example, at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the recording head 36A). Data is recorded in the data band DB between adjacent servo bands SB by a plurality of recording elements DW. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, if the position of servo reading element WSR1 corresponds to the position of servo band SB1 and the position of servo reading element WSR2 corresponds to the position of servo band SB2, multiple reading elements DW records data in data band DB1.

The read head 36B includes a plurality of magnetic elements. The read head 36B has a plurality of servo read elements RSR and a plurality of read elements DR as a plurality of magnetic elements. Like the recording head 36A, the reading head 36B is formed wider than the magnetic tape MT along the longitudinal direction. For example, the length of the reading head 36B in the longitudinal direction is such that the magnetic element unit 46B is The length is long enough to at least cover the magnetic tape MT along the width direction WD when data is read from any data band DB of the magnetic tape MT. The plurality of servo reading elements RSR and the plurality of reading elements DR are provided at the central part of the reading head 36B in plan view, and are arranged linearly at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reading head 36B.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2 are illustrated as the plurality of servo reading elements RSR. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2 will be referred to as the servo reading element RSR unless it is necessary to specifically explain them separately. Further, for convenience of explanation, the servo reading element WSR and the servo reading element RSR will be referred to as servo reading element SR below, unless it is necessary to specifically explain them separately. Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, the servo reading element RSR and the reading element DR will be referred to as "reading head side magnetic element" without a reference numeral unless there is a need to explain them separately.

Servo reading element RSR is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB. In the example shown in FIG. 13, servo reading element RSR1 is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB1, and servo reading element RSR2 is provided at a position corresponding to servo band SB2. The second moving mechanism 129B moves the reading head 36B in the width direction WD according to the servo pattern 51 read by the servo band SB under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12).

Furthermore, when the data band DB from which data is read by the magnetic element unit 46B is changed (in the example shown in FIG. 13, the data band DB from which data is read by the magnetic element unit 46B is changed to data band DB1 and DB2), the second moving mechanism 129B moves the reading head 36B in the width direction WD under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12), thereby moving the servo reading element RSR. Change position. That is, the second moving mechanism 129B moves the servo reading element RSR1 from one of the position corresponding to the servo band SB1 and the position corresponding to the servo band SB2 to the other by moving the reading head 36B in the width direction WD. and moves the servo reading element RSR2 from one of the position corresponding to the servo band SB2 and the position corresponding to the servo band SB3 to the other. Then, by performing tracking control, at least one reading element DR reads data from a designated location within the data band DB.

The plurality of reading elements DR are provided between the servo reading element RSR1 and the servo reading element RSR2. That is, the plurality of reading elements DR are provided between adjacent servo reading elements RSR. The plurality of reading elements DR are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reading head 36B (for example, at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reading head 36B). Data is read from the data band DB between adjacent servo bands SB by a plurality of reading elements DR. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, if the position of servo reading element RSR1 corresponds to the position of servo band SB1 and the position of servo reading element RSR2 corresponds to the position of servo band SB2, multiple reading elements DR reads data from data band DB1.

The recording head 36A includes a rotation axis RA1. The rotation axis RA1 is provided at the center of the recording head 36A in a plan view. The recording head 36A is rotatably held by the first tilting mechanism 131A via the rotation axis RA1. The recording head 36A is held by the first tilting mechanism 131A in a state in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head-side magnetic elements is tilted in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head-side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

The first tilt mechanism 131A rotates the recording head 36A about the rotation axis RA1 on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT by receiving power from the first tilt actuator 131A1 (see FIG. 12). The first tilting mechanism 131A rotates the recording head 36A around the rotation axis RA1 on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12), thereby tilting the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements. The direction of inclination (azimuth) and the angle of inclination with respect to the width direction WD of the arrangement direction are changed.

The reading head 36B includes a rotation axis RA2. The rotation axis RA2 is provided at the center of the reading head 36B in a plan view. The reading head 36B is rotatably held by the second tilting mechanism 131B via the rotation axis RA2. The reading head 36B is held by the second tilting mechanism 131B in a state in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head-side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

The second tilt mechanism 131B rotates the read head 36B about the rotation axis RA2 on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT by receiving power from the second tilt actuator 131B1 (see FIG. 12). The second tilting mechanism 131B rotates the read head 36B around the rotation axis RA2 on the surface 139 of the magnetic tape MT under the control of the ASIC 120 (see FIG. 12), thereby tilting the plurality of read head side magnetic elements. The direction of inclination (azimuth) and the angle of inclination with respect to the width direction WD of the arrangement direction are changed. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the rotating axes RA1 and RA2 will be referred to as the rotating axis RA unless it is necessary to explain them separately.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, three servo bands SB are formed on the magnetic tape MT, but this is just an example. For example, only two servo bands SB may be formed on the magnetic tape MT, or four or more servo bands SB may be formed on the magnetic tape MT. Furthermore, servo reading elements RSR are provided in the reading head 36B at positions corresponding to the servo bands SB for the number of servo bands SB, and servo reading elements WSR are provided at positions corresponding to the servo bands SB for the number of servo bands SB. It may also be provided on the head 36A.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are formed in data band DB1. Data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are examples of "multiple tracks" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

The recording head 36A includes recording elements DW1, DW2, DW3, DW4, DW5, DW6, DW7, and DW8 between the servo reading element WSR1 and the servo reading element WSR2 along the width direction WD as a plurality of recording elements DW. has. Recording elements DW1 to DW8 correspond to data tracks DT1 to DT8 on a one-to-one basis.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head-side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. The degree to which the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT can be determined by, for example, reading the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 by the servo reading element WSR2. The ASIC 120 identifies the signal based on the phase difference between the signal obtained by reading the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 by the servo reading element WSR1. In addition to this, the time difference between the timing at which the magnetized region 51A of the servo band SB2 is read by the servo reading element WSR2 and the timing at which the magnetized region 51A of the servo band SB1 is read by the servo reading element WSR1, and/or the servo There is also a method in which the ASIC 120 identifies the timing based on the time difference between the timing when the magnetized region 51B of the servo band SB2 is read by the reading element WSR2 and the timing when the magnetized region 51B of the servo band SB1 is read by the servo reading element WSR1. .

As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, in a state in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, the magnetic tape MT is rotated in the forward direction. run along. Then, while the magnetic tape MT is traveling in the forward direction, data is recorded by the recording elements DW1 to DW8.

Although not shown, a plurality of data tracks DT corresponding to the data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are also formed in the data band DB2.

In the following, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7 and DT8 will be referred to as data tracks DT unless there is a need to distinguish between them, and recording elements DW1, DW2, DW3, DW4, DW5, DW6, DW7, and DW8 are referred to as recording elements DW. Furthermore, hereinafter, the reading elements DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, DR7, and DR8 will be referred to as recording elements DR unless there is a particular need to distinguish them.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 15, in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, the magnetic tape MT is drive. Then, while the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction, data is recorded by the recording elements DW1 to DW8.

Here, the state in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT means that the recording head 36A shown in FIG. Refers to a state in which the lens is tilted in a line-symmetrical position with respect to an imaginary straight line passing through the rotation axis RA1 (see FIG. 13). That is, in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT, the direction of inclination of the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements in the recording head 36A shown in FIG. This direction is opposite to the direction in which the arrangement direction of the magnetic elements on the recording head side is inclined with respect to the width direction WD.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 16, each data track DT has one data track group DTG. That is, data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 correspond to data track groups DTG1, DTG2, DTG3, DTG4, DTG5, DTG6, DTG7, and DTG8.

The data track group DTG1 includes data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, . . . and DT1_12. The recording element DW1 is responsible for recording data on the data track group DTG1, that is, recording data on the data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, . . . and DT1_12.

Specifically, when recording data on the data track DT1_1, the first moving mechanism 129A moves the recording head 36A in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, thereby moving the recording element DW1 onto the data track DT1_1. (for example, a position directly facing the data track DT1_1 of the magnetic tape MT). When recording data on the data track DT1_2, the first moving mechanism 129A moves the recording head 36A in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, thereby moving the recording element DW1 to a position on the data track DT1_2. let The same applies to data track groups DTG2 to DTG8 and recording elements DW2 to DW8.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, the numerals at the end of data tracks DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, and DT8 are expressed as "n" unless it is necessary to distinguish between them. In addition, in the following, for convenience of explanation, if there is no need to distinguish and explain the last symbol among the data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12, it will be expressed as "m" and the data track It is called DTn_m. In addition, in the following, for convenience of explanation, if there is no need to specifically explain the even-numbered last code among the data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12, "mE" is used. , and is called an even data track DTn_mE. In addition, for convenience of explanation, in the following, if there is no need to particularly distinguish and explain the odd-numbered last code among the data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12, it will be expressed as "mO". This is referred to as an "odd data track DTn_mO".

Here, the magnetic tape MT is running along the forward direction in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. In this case, data is recorded on the odd data track DTn_mO by the recording elements DW1 to DW8. Further, when the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction with the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements being inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, Data is recorded on the even data track DTn_mE by the recording elements DW1 to DW8.

Note that such a data recording method is merely an example, and in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, When the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction, data is recorded on the even data track DTn_mE by the recording elements DW1 to DW8, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is the same as that of the magnetic tape MT. When the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction while being inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD, data is recorded on the odd data track DTn_mO. Good too.

Further, data is recorded on data tracks DTn_1 to DTn_6 among data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12 while the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction, When data is recorded on data tracks DTn_7 to DTn_12 among data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12 while the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction, an even number is recorded. When data is recorded on the data track DTn_mE and when data is recorded on the odd data track DTn_mO, the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is set in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. On the other hand, it is only necessary to switch between a mode in which the magnetic elements are inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side and a mode in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, when data is recorded on the odd data track DTn_mO, the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is wound relative to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. On the other hand, when data is recorded on the even data track DTn_mE, the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements is It is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 15). This is the direction of inclination of the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD for each of the adjacent tracks of the plurality of data tracks DT, that is, the odd numbered data track DTn_mO and the even numbered data track DTn_mE. , which means that contradictory directions are assigned.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 17, the reading head 36B includes a plurality of reading elements DR, such as reading elements DR1, DR2, DR3, It has DR4, DR5, DR6, DR7 and DR8. The reading elements DR1 to DR8 correspond to the data tracks DT1 to DT8 on a one-to-one basis.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head-side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. The degree to which the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT can be determined by, for example, reading the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 by the servo read element RSR2. The ASIC 120 identifies the signal based on the phase difference between the signal obtained by reading the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 by the servo reading element RSR1. In addition to this, the time difference between the timing when the magnetized region 51A of the servo band SB2 is read by the servo reading element RSR2 and the timing when the magnetized region 51A of the servo band SB1 is read by the servo reading element RSR1, and/or the servo There is also a method in which the ASIC 120 identifies the timing based on the time difference between the timing when the magnetized region 51B of the servo band SB2 is read by the reading element RSR2 and the timing when the magnetized region 51B of the servo band SB1 is read by the servo reading element RSR1. .

As an example, as shown in FIG. 17, in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, the magnetic tape MT is rotated in the forward direction. run along. Then, while the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction, data is read by the reading elements DR1 to DR8.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 18, in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, the magnetic tape MT is rotated along the opposite direction. drive. Then, data is read by the reading elements DR1 to DR8 while the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction.

The reading element DR1 is responsible for reading data from the data track group DTG1, that is, reading data from the data tracks DT1_1, DT1_2, DT1_3, DT1_4, . . . , DT1_11, and DT1_12. Specifically, when recording data on the data track DT1_m, the second moving mechanism 129B moves the reading head 36B in the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, thereby moving the reading element DR1 onto the data track DT1_m. (for example, a position directly facing the data track DT1_1 on the thickness direction side of the magnetic tape MT). The same applies to the data track groups DTG2 to DTG8 and the recording elements DR2 to DR8.

Here, the magnetic tape MT is traveling along the forward direction in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. In this case, reading elements DR1 to DR8 read data from odd data track DTn_mO. Further, when the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction with the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements being inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, Data is read from even data track DTn_mE by reading elements DR1 to DR8.

Note that such a data reading method is merely an example, and in a state where the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is inclined toward the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, When the magnetic tape MT is traveling along the forward direction, data is read from the even data track DTn_mE by the reading elements DR1 to DR8, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is the width of the magnetic tape MT. Data may be read from the odd data track DTn_mO when the magnetic tape MT is running in the opposite direction while being inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the direction WD.

Further, while the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction, data is read from the data tracks DTn_1 to DTn_6 of the data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12, and the magnetic tape MT is When data is read from data tracks DTn_7 to DTn_12 among data tracks DTn_1, DTn_2, DTn_3, DTn_4, ...DTn_12 while the MT is traveling in the opposite direction, data is read from even data tracks DTn_mE. When data is read and when data is read from the odd data track DTn_mO, the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is set to the take-up reel 42 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. What is necessary is to switch between the tilting mode and the tilting mode in which the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is tilted toward the cartridge reel 18 side with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, when data is read from the odd data track DTn_mO, the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements is relative to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. On the other hand, when data is read from an even data track DTn_mE, the arrangement direction of the plural read head side magnetic elements is tilted toward the magnetic tape MT (see FIG. 17). The cartridge reel 18 is inclined toward the cartridge reel 18 with respect to the width direction WD (see FIG. 18). This is the direction of inclination of the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD for each of the adjacent tracks of the plurality of data tracks DT, that is, the odd numbered data track DTn_mO and the even numbered data track DTn_mE. , which means that contradictory directions are assigned.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 20 as an example, the width of the magnetic tape MT on which a plurality of servo bands SB are formed decreases over time. In the example shown in FIG. 20, a mode is shown in which the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD is reduced, but conversely, the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD may be increased. Possible factors that cause the width of the magnetic tape MT to shrink or expand include the environment in which the magnetic tape MT is stored and the stress applied to the magnetic tape MT loaded in the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

For example, if the width of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD decreases over time, the position of the servo reading element SR with respect to the servo pattern 51 may be changed to a predetermined position (for example, the center of the magnetized region 51A and the magnetized region 51B). position). If the position of the servo reading element SR with respect to the servo pattern 51 deviates from the predetermined position determined by design, the accuracy of servo control will decrease, the position of the recording element DW and the data track DT will shift, and the reading element DR and The position with respect to the data track DT is also shifted.

In view of these circumstances, the magnetic tape system 2 performs the processes shown in FIG. 21 and subsequent figures. As shown in FIG. 21 as an example, the ASIC 120 of the magnetic tape drive 30 includes a first position detection section 120A, a second position detection section 120B, and a pitch calculation section 120D.

A first servo signal based on the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 read by the servo reading element WSR1 is input to the first position detection unit 120A before data is recorded in the data band DB. The first servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to magnetized regions 51A and 51B of servo band SB1. The first position detection unit 120A detects a plurality of locations (for example, several meters to several tens of meters) spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the pulse interval of the first servo signal input from the servo reading element WSR1. (a plurality of locations spaced apart at regular intervals), the position of the servo reading element WSR1 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB1 is detected, and the detection result is output to the pitch calculation unit 120D.

A second servo signal based on the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 read by the servo reading element WSR2 is input to the second position detection unit 120B before data is recorded in the data band DB. The second servo signal is an intermittent pulse corresponding to magnetized regions 51A and 51B of servo band SB2. The second position detection unit 120B detects that the servo reading element WSR2 detects the servo band at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the pulse interval of the second servo signal input from the servo reading element WSR2. The position of the SB2 in the width direction WD is detected, and the detection result is output to the pitch calculation unit 120D.

Here, a specific method for detecting where the servo reading element WSR is located in the width direction WD of the servo band SB will be described.

As an example, FIG. 22 shows one of the servo patterns 51 shown in FIG. 13. The magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo pattern 51 are a pair of linear magnetized regions tilted symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. When the servo reading element WSR reads the magnetized regions 51A and 51B, it generates pulses corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B, respectively. Therefore, when the servo reading element WSR reads the servo pattern 51 while the magnetic tape MT is running in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the magnetized area 51A and 51B causes a time difference in the interval between pulses generated. Note that the servo pattern 51 does not necessarily have to be in the form of a pair of lines tilted symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. The servo pattern 51 may be a pair of non-parallel linear magnetized regions, for example, the magnetized region 51A is parallel to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD, and the magnetized region 51B is parallel to a virtual straight line along the width direction WD. It may be inclined with respect to a virtual straight line.

On the other hand, since the rotational speed and rotational torque of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 are controlled by the ASIC 120, the speed of the magnetic tape MT can be calculated by the ASIC 120. Therefore, the distance D from the magnetized region 51A to the magnetized region 51B at the position along the width direction WD of the servo reading element SR can be obtained from the pulse interval corresponding to the magnetized regions 51A and 51B and the speed of the magnetic tape MT. Note that the distance D is the distance from the magnetized region 51A to the magnetized region 51B along the entire length direction of the magnetic tape MT.

In this embodiment, the distance D is predefined for each of the plurality of servo positions. The plurality of servo positions refer to, for example, a plurality of positions along the width direction WD within each servo band SB. For example, the servo position is represented by a number arranged in ascending order starting from "1" for each servo band SB from one end side to the other end side in the width direction WD. The position of the servo reading element WSR in each servo band SB along the width direction WD is specified based on the distance D. In this embodiment, servo pattern distance information 148 is used as information including a distance D defined in advance for each servo position. The servo pattern distance information 148 is stored in the NVM 96 of the magnetic tape cartridge 10 when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is manufactured. Note that the distance D is an example of "the distance in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape at a plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of a plurality of servo bands" according to the technology of the present disclosure. be. Further, the servo position is an example of "a plurality of positions in the width direction within a plurality of servo bands" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

Incidentally, the servo pattern 51 is recorded on the servo band SB by a servo writer (not shown). The servo writer has a servo signal writing head (not shown), and magnetized regions 51A and 51B are formed in the servo band SB by the servo signal writing head. As an example, as shown in FIG. 22, the servo pattern 51 on the servo band SB is ideally recorded in a straight line. However, in reality, due to processing errors in the servo signal writing head, the magnetized regions 51A and 51B of the servo pattern 51 may not be straight but curved, as shown in FIG. 23, for example. In the example of the servo pattern 51 shown in FIG. 23, for convenience of explanation, the distortions in the magnetized regions 51A and 51B are schematically shown in an easy-to-understand manner, and the distortions in the magnetized regions 51A and 51B are emphasized more than the actual distortions in the magnetized regions 51A and 51B. ing.

A gap pattern of the servo signal writing head that records the servo pattern 51 within the servo band SB is formed in the servo signal writing head. The gap pattern is a pair of linear patterns like the servo pattern 51. The pair of gap patterns are non-parallel to each other like the servo pattern 51, and are formed on the servo signal writing head so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions along the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. That is, leakage magnetic flux from the gap pattern magnetizes each servo band SB of the magnetic tape MT, so that a servo pattern 51 having the same shape as the gap pattern is recorded on each servo band SB. Therefore, if the gap pattern is curved due to a processing error of the servo signal writing head, the servo pattern 51 recorded on the magnetic tape MT will also be curved. By measuring the distance between a pair of patterns along the entire length direction of the magnetic tape MT in the gap pattern of the servo signal writing head, the distance between a pair of patterns along the entire length direction of the magnetic tape MT is measured. A distance D is measured.

As an example, FIG. 24 shows servo pattern distance information 148. In the example shown in FIG. 24, information in which a servo position, a distance D, and a servo distance are determined for each servo band SB is shown as an example of the servo pattern distance information 148. In the example of servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG. 24, a servo position, a distance D, and a servo distance are associated with each identification number that identifies the servo band SB. In other words, in the servo pattern distance information 148, each servo band SB is associated with a plurality of servo positions, and each servo position is associated with a distance D and a servo distance. That is, the servo pattern distance information 148 includes a distance D for each combination of a servo band SB and a servo position, and a servo distance corresponding to each servo position. The servo distance is a distance in the width direction WD corresponding to each servo position with reference to the position of the midpoint 149 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB.

In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG. 24, 19 servo positions are set on each servo band SB, but there is no restriction on the number of servo positions set on the servo band SB. It is sufficient if a plurality of servo positions are set. Further, in the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG. 24, the servo distance of the servo position corresponding to the midpoint 149 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB is 0 μm, for example. Furthermore, the farther the servo position is from the midpoint 149 along the width direction WD, the longer the servo distance at each servo position becomes. In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG. 24, the servo distance of the servo position where the distance D is shorter than the distance D of the servo position corresponding to the midpoint 149 is represented by a positive value (+); The servo distance of a servo position where the distance D is longer than the distance D of the servo position is represented by a negative value (-).

The first position detection unit 120A (see FIG. 21) calculates the distance D from the interval between pulses of the first servo signal, and refers to the servo pattern distance information 148 to detect the servo reading element WSR1 corresponding to the calculated distance D. Detects the servo position.

The second position detection unit 120B (see FIG. 21) calculates the distance D from the pulse interval of the second servo signal, and refers to the servo pattern distance information 148 to detect the servo reading element WSR2 corresponding to the calculated distance D. Detects the servo position.

The pitch calculation unit 120D performs pitch calculation in the width direction WD at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the detection results input from each of the first position detection unit 120A and the second position detection unit 120B. The pitch of the servo pattern 51 is calculated. The pitch of the servo pattern 51 in the width direction WD is the pitch between the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 and the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2, and the pitch of the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 and the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB3. Refers to pitch.

The example shown in FIG. 21 shows a mode in which the pitch between the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB1 and the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB2 is calculated by the pitch calculating section 120D, but this is just an example. For example, by moving the magnetic head 36 along the width direction WD, if the servo reading element WSR1 is positioned on the servo band SB2 and the servo reading element WSR2 is positioned on the servo band SB3, the servo band SB2 It becomes possible to cause the pitch calculation unit 120D to calculate the pitch between the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB3 and the servo pattern 51 of the servo band SB3 based on the first servo signal and the second servo signal.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 21, first and second servo signals based on the results of reading the servo pattern 51 by the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2 are input to the first and second position detection sections 120A and 120B, and An example of a configuration in which the first and second position detection units 120A and 120B detect the positions of the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2 in the width direction WD of the servo band SB based on the first and second servo signals will be explained. However, when the servo pattern 51 is read by the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2, the same processing is performed by the first and second position detection sections 120A and 120B. That is, it is detected where the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2 are located in the width direction WD of the servo band SB.

In addition, in the following, unless it is necessary to explain them separately, the first position detecting section 120A and the second position detecting section 120B will be referred to as the position detecting section 121, and the first servo signal and the second servo signal will be referred to as the servo signal. It is written as.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 25, the pitch calculation unit 120D uses pitch information 142 (for example, (information indicating the pitch itself between servo bands SB) is output to the non-contact reading/writing device 50. The non-contact read/write device 50 spatially transmits a write command for the pitch information 142 to the cartridge memory 19 as a command signal before data is recorded in the data band DB. The CPU 94 performs a write process to write the pitch information 142 to the NVM 96 in response to a command signal from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 . As a result, pitch information 142 at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT is stored in the NVM 96.

Here, the stage before data is recorded in the data band DB includes, for example, the stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is manufactured, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the stage in which data is recorded in the data band DB is a stage in which the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is manufactured. The stage before recording may be immediately after the user loads the magnetic tape cartridge 10 into the magnetic tape drive 30 for the first time and initialization is performed, or the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30. The pitch information 142 may be acquired by reciprocating the magnetic tape MT once after the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the magnetic tape drive 30 and before data is recorded. 142 may be stored in NVM 96.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of pitch information 142. The pitch information 142 is information in which the servo position and pitch are determined for each servo band SB. In the example shown in FIG. 26, the servo position and pitch are associated with each identification number that identifies the servo band SB. In other words, in the pitch information 142, each servo band SB is associated with a plurality of servo positions, and each servo position is associated with a pitch. That is, the pitch information 142 includes the pitch for each combination of servo band SB and servo position. The pitch information 142 is measured at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT, and is stored in the NVM 96.

Note that the pitch information 142 stored in the NVM 96 is information obtained from a reference magnetic tape drive 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "reference drive") among the plurality of magnetic tape drives 30. Note that the term "reference drive" used herein does not mean the standard magnetic tape drive 30 in the world. Any magnetic tape drive 30 that is used for the first time for the magnetic tape cartridge 10 can serve as a "reference drive" whose pitch can be measured.

Note that the magnetic tape drive 30 detects the results of reading the plurality of servo bands SB by the plurality of servo reading elements SR and the information between the plurality of servo reading elements SR before data is recorded by the magnetic tape drive 30. The pitch information 142 may be generated using the pitch calculated based on the distance.

Specifically, the first moving mechanism 129A and the second moving mechanism move the servo reading elements WSR1 and servo reading elements WSR2, and the servo reading elements RSR1 and servo reading elements RSR1 and servo reading elements WSR2 and servo reading elements RSR1 and servo reading elements WSR2, respectively, at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The servo reading element RSR2 is moved to a position on the servo band SB. The position detection unit 121 calculates the distance D at each position of the servo reading element SR along the width direction WD of each servo band SB at a plurality of locations, and detects the servo position corresponding to the distance D. The ASIC 120 uses the servo distance at the servo position of the servo reading element SR and the distance between the servo reading elements to generate pitch information 142 for each servo position at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The servo position corresponding to the distance D is an example of "a result of reading a plurality of servo bands by a plurality of servo reading elements" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

For example, assume that the distance between servo reading elements is 2858.6 μm, and the servo distances of servo reading element WSR1 and servo reading element WSR2 are 23.555 μm and 23.455 μm, respectively. In this case, the pitch of the servo reading element WSR at the servo position is 2858.5 μm (2858.5=2858.6−(23.555−23·455)).

In this way, the ASIC 120 uses the servo distance of the servo reading element SR for each servo position defined in the servo pattern distance information 148 and the distance between servo reading elements stored in the storage 122 of the magnetic tape drive 30. , pitch information 142 shown in FIG. 26 may be generated.

In the control device 38 (see FIG. 12) of the magnetic tape drive 30, as shown in FIG. 27 as an example, the ASIC 120 includes a position detection section 121, a servo control section 123, a recording control section 125, a data acquisition section 130, and a reading control section. 132, a data output section 134, an inclination control section 136, and a traveling control section 140.

The running control unit 140 selectively runs the magnetic tape MT in the forward direction and the reverse direction by controlling the respective drives of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 . The drive of the feed-out motor 40 is controlled according to a feed-out motor control signal (not shown), and the drive of the take-up motor 44 is controlled according to a take-up motor control signal (not shown). The delivery motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal are generated by the travel control section 140. The delivery motor control signal is supplied to the delivery motor 40 by the travel control section 140, and the take-up motor control signal is supplied to the take-up motor 44 by the travel control section 140. Note that hereinafter, unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them, the delivery motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal will be referred to as motor control signals.

The travel control unit 140 acquires pitch information 142 from the cartridge memory 19 and stores the acquired pitch information 142 in the storage 122. As will be described in detail later, the travel control unit 140 controls the rotational speed of each of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 according to the pitch at the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD specified by the pitch information 142 in the storage 122. By adjusting the rotational torque and the rotational torque, the running speed and tension of the magnetic tape MT are adjusted to appropriate values. Adjustment of the running speed and tension of the magnetic tape MT is performed at each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. By adjusting the tension of the magnetic tape MT in this way, the width of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted. Adjustment of the rotational speed and rotational torque of each of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 is achieved by correcting the delivery motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal by the travel control unit 140 according to the pitch information 142.

The travel control unit 140 calculates the tension (hereinafter simply "tension") applied to the magnetic tape MT based on the motor control signal corrected according to the pitch at the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD specified by the pitch information 142. ”) is calculated. The calculation of the tension by the travel control unit 140 is performed, for example, at each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. In this case, for example, the traveling control unit 140 calculates the tension using an arithmetic expression in which the motor control signal is an independent variable and the tension is a dependent variable. The arithmetic expression used here is an arithmetic expression obtained in advance through a test using an actual machine and/or a computer simulation.

Travel control section 140 outputs tension information indicating tension calculated based on the motor control signal to tilt control section 136 for each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of magnetic tape MT.

The position detection unit 121 receives two types of servo signals (hereinafter also referred to as "recording head side servo signals") based on the servo pattern 51 read by the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2, and a signal read by the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2. Two types of servo signals (hereinafter also referred to as "reading head side servo signals") based on the servo pattern 51 are input. The position detection unit 121 detects the position of the servo reading element WSR1 within the servo band SB and the position of the servo reading element WSR2 within the servo band SB, and calculates the average value of the detected positions. Then, the position detection unit 121 detects the position of the recording head 36A in the width direction WD based on the calculated average value.

Note that the servo pattern distance information 148 may be input to the position detection section 121 from the cartridge memory 19. In this case, the position detection unit 121 uses the recording head side servo signal to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2. The position detection unit 121 refers to the servo pattern distance information 148 and determines the servo position corresponding to each calculated distance D by the position within the servo band SB of the servo reading element WSR1 and the position within the servo band SB of the servo reading element WSR2. Detect as a position, and calculate the average value of the detected positions. Then, the position detection unit 121 may detect the position of the recording head 36A in the width direction WD based on the calculated average value.

For example, if the servo position of servo reading element WSR1 in servo band SB1 is "1" and the servo position of servo reading element WSR2 in servo band SB2 is "3", the servo position represented by "2" is This is the position of the head 36A in the width direction WD. In the example of the servo pattern distance information 148 in FIG. 24, 19 servo positions are set, but in detecting the servo position, the servo position is calculated based on the distance D and the servo pattern distance information 148, It may be an intermediate value among the servo positions set in the servo pattern distance information 148.

Further, the position detection unit 121 detects the position of the servo reading element RSR1 within the servo band SB and the position of the servo reading element RSR2 within the servo band SB, and calculates the average value of the detected positions. Then, the position detection unit 121 detects the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD based on the calculated average value.

Note that the position detection unit 121 may use the reading head side servo signal to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2. In this case, the position detection unit 121 refers to the servo pattern distance information 148 and determines the servo position corresponding to each calculated distance D by the position within the servo band SB of the servo reading element RSR1 and the servo band of the servo reading element RSR2. It is detected as a position within the SB, and the average value of the detected positions is calculated. Then, the position detection unit 121 may detect the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD based on the calculated average value.

For example, if the servo position of servo reading element RSR1 in servo band SB1 is "1" and the servo position of servo reading element RSR2 in servo band SB2 is "2", the servo position represented by "1.5" is , the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD. Servo position=“1.5” is an example of an intermediate value of the servo position set in the example of servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG.

The position detection unit 121 outputs the detected position of the recording head 36A in the width direction WD and the detected position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD to the servo control unit 123 and the travel control unit 140, respectively.

Hereinafter, the detection result of the position of the magnetic head 36 in the width direction WD will be simply referred to as "the width direction position of the magnetic head 36."

The servo control section 123 receives the detection result of the position of the recording head 36A in the width direction WD from the position detection section 121 (hereinafter also referred to as "recording head side detection result") and the target position of the recording head 36A in the width direction WD. position (hereinafter also referred to as "recording head side target position"). Further, the servo control unit 123 receives the detection result of the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD from the position detection unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as “reading head side detection result”) and the detection result of the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD. The target position (hereinafter also referred to as "reading head side target position") is compared. Note that the recording head side target position and the reading head side target position are specified by the ASIC 120 using servo positions, for example, each time the magnetic tape drive 30 records and/or reads data on the magnetic tape cartridge 10.

If the recording head side detection result is the same as the recording head side target position, the servo control unit 123 does nothing to the first moving mechanism 129A. If the recording head side detection result deviates from the recording head side target position, the servo controller 123 outputs a servo control signal to the first moving mechanism 129A. The first moving mechanism 129A adjusts the position of the print head 36A in the width direction WD to the print head side target position by operating according to a servo control signal input from the servo control unit 123.

If the reading head side detection result is the same as the reading head side target position, the servo control unit 123 does nothing to the second moving mechanism 129B. If the reading head side detection result deviates from the reading head side target position, the servo control unit 123 outputs a servo control signal to the second moving mechanism 129B. The second moving mechanism 129B adjusts the position of the reading head 36B in the width direction WD to the reading head side target position by operating according to a servo control signal input from the servo control unit 123.

The data acquisition unit 130 acquires data to be recorded in the data band DB by the recording head 36A from an external device (not shown). Examples of the external device include a host computer that manages a plurality of magnetic tape drives 30, a personal computer that is communicably connected to the magnetic tape drive 30, and the like. The data acquisition unit 130 outputs data acquired from an external device to the recording control unit 125.

The recording control unit 125 encodes the data input from the data acquisition unit 130 into a digital signal for recording. Then, the recording control unit 125 selectively supplies a pulse current according to the digital signal to the plurality of recording elements DW included in the recording head 36A, thereby applying the pulse current to the designated data track DT in the data band DB. Let the data be recorded.

The read control unit 132 controls the operation of the read element DR of the read head 36B, thereby causing the read element DR to read data from a designated data track DT in the data band DB. The data read from the data track DT by the reading element DR is a pulsed digital signal. The reading control section 65 outputs a pulsed digital signal to the data output section 134.

The data output section 134 decodes the pulsed digital signal input from the reading control section 132. The data output unit 134 outputs the decoded data to a predetermined output destination (for example, a host computer, a personal computer, a display (not shown), and/or a storage device (for example, the storage 122, etc.)).

As will be described in detail later, the inclination control unit 136 calculates inclination characteristic information 144 for each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on the tension information input from the travel control unit 140, The calculated slope feature information 144 is stored in the storage 122.

The inclination characteristic information 144 is information indicating the inclination characteristic in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. The characteristics of the longitudinal inclination of the magnetic head with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT are the characteristics of the longitudinal direction inclination of the recording head 36A with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT, and the characteristics of the longitudinal direction inclination of the recording head 36A with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. 36B refers to the longitudinal slope feature. The characteristic of the inclination in the longitudinal direction of the recording head 36A means the characteristic of the inclination of the arrangement direction of the plurality of magnetic elements on the recording head side in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. Further, the inclination characteristic of the read head 36B means the inclination characteristic of the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements toward the overall length direction of the magnetic tape MT with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. Here, the characteristic of inclination refers to the direction of inclination and the angle of inclination.

The slope feature information 144 includes first slope feature information and second slope feature information. The first tilt characteristic information is calculated by the tilt control unit 136 based on the first tilt mechanism control signal. The second tilt characteristic information is calculated by the tilt control unit 136 based on the second tilt mechanism control signal.

The first inclination characteristic information is information indicating the inclination characteristic in the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. The first inclination characteristic information includes the inclination direction of the recording head 36A, that is, the inclination direction of the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (for example, whether it is on the cartridge reel 18 side or not). , or the take-up reel 42 side). Further, the first inclination characteristic information includes first inclination angle information indicating the inclination angle of the recording head 36A, that is, the inclination angle in the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. included.

The second inclination characteristic information is information indicating the inclination characteristic in the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. The second inclination characteristic information includes the direction of inclination of the reading head 36B, that is, the direction of inclination of the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT (for example, whether it is on the cartridge reel 18 side or not). , or the take-up reel 42 side). Further, the second inclination characteristic information includes second inclination angle information indicating the inclination angle of the reading head 36B, that is, the inclination angle in the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements with respect to the width direction WD of the magnetic tape MT. included.

The tilt control unit 136 generates a first tilt mechanism control signal based on the first tilt feature information, and generates a second tilt mechanism control signal based on the second tilt feature information. The tilt control unit 136 outputs the generated first tilt mechanism control signal to the first tilt mechanism 131A, and outputs the generated second tilt mechanism control signal to the second tilt mechanism 131B. The first tilt mechanism control signal is a signal that controls the drive of the first tilt actuator 131A1 (see FIG. 12), and the second tilt mechanism control signal is a signal that controls the drive of the second tilt actuator 131B1 (see FIG. 12). It's a signal. In the following, the first tilting mechanism control signal and the second tilting mechanism control signal will be referred to as tilting mechanism control signals unless there is a need to specifically explain them separately.

The first tilting mechanism 131A operates the first tilting mechanism 131A at each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on a first tilting mechanism control signal, thereby tilting the recording head 36A in the direction of the tilting direction. and adjust the angle of inclination. That is, the first tilt mechanism 131A rotates the rotation axis RA1 (see FIG. 13) so that the direction and angle of tilt of the recording head 36A are the direction and angle of tilt indicated by the first tilt characteristic information. The recording head 36A is rotated around .

The second tilting mechanism 131B operates the second tilting mechanism 131B at each of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT based on a second tilting mechanism control signal, thereby tilting the read head 36B. and adjust the angle of inclination. That is, the second tilt mechanism 131B adjusts the rotation axis RA2 (see FIG. 13) so that the direction and angle of tilt of the reading head 36B are the direction and angle of tilt indicated by the second tilt characteristic information. Rotate the reading head 36B around .

As an example, as shown in FIG. 28, the traveling control unit 140 uses the pitch at the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 specified from the pitch information 142 in the storage 122 as an independent variable, and uses a correction value ( Using equation 146, the following variables are a correction value for correcting the take-up motor control signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "feed-out motor control signal correction value") and a correction value for correcting the take-up motor control signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "take-up motor control signal correction value"). , calculate a sending motor control signal correction value and a take-up motor control signal correction value.

The feed-out motor control signal correction value and the take-up motor control signal correction value are the feed-out motor control necessary to achieve tension within the allowable range to be applied to the magnetic tape MT so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes the target width. A correction value used for the delivery motor control signal and the take-up motor control signal to obtain the signal and the take-up motor control signal.

Note that the target width is defined as a width such that the recording element DW or the reading element DR of the magnetic head 36 is located on a designated data track DT in the data band DB on which data is to be recorded or read. This is the width of the magnetic tape MT when tension is applied to the magnetic tape MT. The target width may be a fixed value obtained in advance through tests using actual equipment and/or computer simulation, or may be changed according to instructions given from the outside and/or predetermined conditions. It may be a variable value.

In addition, the calculation formula 146 used by the travel control unit 140 includes the sending motor control signal and the necessary tension to apply to the magnetic tape MT within an allowable range so that the width of the magnetic tape MT becomes the target width. As an arithmetic expression for calculating the correction value used for the sending motor control signal and the winding motor control signal in order to obtain the winding motor control signal, a calculation formula obtained in advance through tests using an actual machine and/or computer simulation, etc. It is an arithmetic expression.

The travel control unit 140 controls the drive of the delivery motor 40 by correcting the delivery motor control signal with the calculated delivery motor control signal correction value and then supplies it to the delivery motor 40, and also controls the drive of the delivery motor 40 using the calculated take-up motor control signal. The drive of the take-up motor 44 is controlled by correcting the take-up motor control signal with the correction value and then supplying it to the take-up motor 44. As a result, a tension within an allowable range is applied to the magnetic tape MT, and the width of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted to match or approach the target width.

For example, it is assumed that data is recorded and/or read on the data track DT located at the center of each data track group DTG of the data band DB1. In this case, the servo reading element WSR1 (RSR1) is located at the center in the width direction WD of the servo band SB1 of the magnetic tape MT (for example, at the center position of the magnetized regions 51A and 51B), and The width of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted by controlling the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT within an allowable range by the travel control unit 140 so that the servo reading element WSR2 (RSR2) is located at the center of the WD.

Note that here, the servo reading element WSR1 (RSR1) is positioned at the center of the servo band SB1 of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD, and the servo reading element WSR2 (RSR2) is positioned at the center of the servo band SB2 of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD. ), the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it is assumed that data is recorded and/or read on the data track DT located at the center of each data track group DTG of the data band DB2. In this case, the servo reading element WSR1 (RSR1) is located at the center of the servo band SB2 of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD, and the servo reading element WSR2 (RSR2) is located at the center of the servo band SB3 of the magnetic tape MT in the width direction WD. The width of the magnetic tape MT may be adjusted by controlling the travel control unit 140 to adjust the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT within a permissible range so that the magnetic tape MT is positioned.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 29, the inclination control unit 136 determines whether the tension indicated by the tension information (see FIG. 27) input from the travel control unit 140 is within an allowable range. The upper limit of the allowable range is, for example, a predetermined value as the maximum value of the tension that does not cause irreversible damage such as plastic deformation to the magnetic tape MT, and the lower limit of the allowable range is the This value is predetermined as the minimum value of tension at which there is no possibility that the magnetic tape MT therein will flap.

The inclination control unit 136 calculates the inclination characteristic information 144 using an arithmetic expression 148 when the tension indicated by the tension information is outside the allowable range. A case where the tension indicated by the tension information is outside the allowable range is a case where the tension indicated by the tension information exceeds the upper limit of the allowable range, and a case where the tension indicated by the tension information is below the lower limit of the allowable range. Refers to the case.

When the tension indicated by the tension information exceeds the upper limit of the allowable range, the inclination control unit 136 calculates the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the upper limit of the allowable range (here, as an example, Calculate the value obtained by subtracting the upper limit of the allowable range from the indicated tension.

On the other hand, when the tension indicated by the tension information is below the lower limit of the allowable range, the inclination control unit 136 controls the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the lower limit of the allowable range (here, as an example, the tension Calculate the value obtained by subtracting the lower limit of the allowable range from the tension indicated by the information. In the following, for convenience of explanation, there is no need to distinguish between the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the upper limit of the allowable range, and the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the lower limit of the allowable range. In this case, it is called "tension difference".

The arithmetic expression 148 is an arithmetic expression that uses the tension difference as an independent variable and uses the slope characteristic information 144 as a dependent variable. The inclination control unit 136 calculates the inclination characteristic information 144 by substituting the tension difference into the arithmetic expression 148. Note that calculation formula 148 is based on, for example, positioning the servo reading element WSR1 (RSR1) at a position in the width direction WD of the designated servo band SB1 of the magnetic tape MT by rotating the magnetic head around the rotation axis RA. , as an arithmetic expression for obtaining the slope characteristic information 144 necessary for positioning the servo reading element WSR2 (RSR2) at the position in the width direction WD of the designated servo band SB2 of the magnetic tape MT, a test using an actual machine and/or This is an arithmetic expression obtained in advance through computer simulation or the like.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 30, the ASIC 120 acquires slope feature information 144 from the storage 122, and outputs the acquired slope feature information 144 to the non-contact reading/writing device 50. The non-contact reading/writing device 50 sends a writing command for the gradient characteristic information 144 to the cartridge memory 19 as a command signal before data is recorded in the data band DB (for example, at the stage when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is manufactured). space transmission. The CPU 94 performs a write process to write the gradient characteristic information 144 into the NVM 96 in response to a command signal from the non-contact type reading/writing device 50. As a result, slope characteristic information 144 at a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT is stored in the NVM 96. Note that the slope characteristic information 144 stored in the NVM 96 is information obtained from the reference drive, similar to the pitch information 142.

As described above, when the slope feature information 144 is stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 and the slope feature information 144 is not stored in the storage 122, the slope control unit 136 uses the calculation formula 148 to calculate the slope characteristics. There is no need to calculate the information 144, and the slope feature information 144 is obtained from the NVM 96. Then, the slope control unit 136 stores the slope characteristic information 144 acquired from the NVM 96 in the storage 122. The tilt control unit 136 generates a tilt mechanism signal according to the tilt characteristic information 144 in the storage 122, and operates the tilt mechanism 131 based on the generated tilt mechanism signal.

Next, the operation of the magnetic tape system 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 31A and 31B.

31A and 31B are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of tape width control processing executed by the ASIC 120 of the magnetic tape drive 30.

In the tape width control process shown in FIG. 31A, first, in step ST10, the travel control unit 140 determines whether or not the slope characteristic information 144 is stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19. In step ST10, if the slope characteristic information 144 is stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19, the determination is negative and the process moves to step ST36 shown in FIG. 31B. In step ST10, if the slope characteristic information 144 is not stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process moves to step ST12.

In step ST12, the traveling control unit 140 acquires at least one of the pitch information 142 and the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 via the CPU 94 and the non-contact reading/writing device 50. The travel control unit 140 stores the acquired pitch information 142 and servo pattern distance information 148 in the storage 122. If the pitch information 142 is stored in the storage 122 in this manner, the traveling control unit 140 does not need to acquire the pitch information 142 from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 again. Moreover, if the pattern distance information 148 is stored in the storage 122, the position detection unit 121 does not need to acquire the servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 again.

In the next step ST14, the running control section 140 starts running the magnetic tape MT by controlling the sending motor 40 and the take-up motor 44.

In the next step ST16, the travel control unit 140 determines whether the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has reached a predetermined position. The predetermined position refers to the position of one of a plurality of locations spaced apart over the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. Note that whether or not the predetermined position has been reached may be determined, for example, based on a servo signal input from the servo reading element WSR to the position detection unit 121, or whether the magnetic tape MT has started running. The determination may be made based on the time that has elapsed since the start, or the determination may be made based on the amount of drive of the delivery motor 40 and the take-up motor 44.

In step ST16, if the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has not reached the predetermined position, the determination is negative and the tape width control processing moves to step ST32. In step ST16, if the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has reached the predetermined position, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process moves to step ST17.

In step ST17, the position detection unit 121 uses the recording head side servo signal to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo reading elements WSR1 and WSR2.

The position detection unit 121 acquires the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D from the servo pattern distance information 148 acquired in step S12. The acquired servo position becomes the servo position of the servo reading element WSR in each servo band SB. The position detection unit 121 detects the average value of the servo position of the servo reading element WSR1 and the servo position of the servo reading element WSR2 as the width direction position of the recording head 36A.

Note that if the servo position that matches the calculated distance D is not specified in the servo pattern distance information 148, the position detection unit 121 detects the distance between the calculated distance D and the servo position specified in the servo pattern distance information 148. By interpolating the servo position using D, the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D can be detected.

For example, if the calculated distance D is "22.001 μm", in the servo pattern distance information 148 shown in FIG. 24, the calculated distance D is the range of the distance D corresponding to servo positions "1" and "2". include. Therefore, the position detection unit 121 determines the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D by interpolating between the distance D corresponding to the servo position "1" and the distance D corresponding to the servo position "2". All you have to do is ask. A known interpolation method is used to interpolate the servo position. Specifically, in addition to linear interpolation, nonlinear interpolation such as Lagrangian interpolation and spline interpolation is used.

Note that when the servo position corresponding to the calculated distance D is not specified in the servo pattern distance information 148, the position detection unit 121 detects the servo position corresponding to the distance D closest to the calculated distance D. It may also be a servo position corresponding to .

Further, the position detection unit 121 uses the reading head side servo signal to calculate the distance D of the servo pattern 51 in each servo band SB read by the servo reading elements RSR1 and RSR2. Thereafter, the position detection unit 121 performs the same process as the process related to detecting the widthwise position of the recording head 36A described above to detect the widthwise position of the reading head 36B.

The servo control unit 123 controls the positioning of the recording head 36A by controlling the first moving mechanism 129A so that the detected widthwise position of the recording head 36A approaches the target position on the recording head side. As a result, the widthwise position of the recording head 36A moves to the target position on the recording head side.

Further, the servo control unit 123 controls the positioning of the reading head 36B by controlling the second moving mechanism 129B so that the detected widthwise position of the reading head 36B approaches the reading head side target position. As a result, the widthwise position of the reading head 36B moves to the reading head side target position.

In step ST18, the traveling control unit 140 substitutes the pitch specified from the pitch information 142 acquired in step ST12 into the arithmetic expression 146, and calculates the sending motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value from the arithmetic expression 146. Calculate.

The pitch specified from the pitch information 142 is a pitch obtained using the pitch information 142, and is a pitch corresponding to the servo position representing the width direction position of the magnetic head 36 detected in step ST17. That is, the travel control unit 140 obtains a pitch for correctly recording and/or reading data from a designated data track DT in the data band DB for each position in the width direction of the magnetic head 36.

Therefore, according to the arithmetic expression 146, the sending motor control signal is corrected to correctly record and/or read data from the specified data track DT in the data band DB at the position in the width direction of the magnetic head 36 moved in step ST17. A value and a take-up motor control signal correction value are calculated.

In the next step ST20, the traveling control unit 140 corrects the sending motor control signal with the sending motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST18, and corrects the take-up motor control signal with the take-up motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST18. Correct. Travel control section 140 calculates the tension applied to magnetic tape MT based on the motor control signal corrected in step ST18, and outputs tension information indicating the calculated tension to tilt control section 136.

Note that the corrected delivery motor control signal is supplied to the delivery motor 40, and the corrected take-up motor control signal is supplied to the take-up motor 44. As a result, the drive of the feed motor 40 and the take-up motor 44 is controlled, and the width of the magnetic tape MT is adjusted.

In the next step ST22, the inclination control unit 136 determines whether the tension indicated by the tension information input from the traveling control unit 140 is outside the allowable range. In step ST22, if the tension indicated by the tension information input from the travel control section 140 is within the allowable range, the determination is negative and the tape width control process moves to step ST32. In step ST22, if the tension indicated by the tension information input from the running control section 140 is outside the allowable range, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process moves to step ST24.

In step ST24, the inclination control section 136 calculates the tension difference. That is, when the tension indicated by the tension information exceeds the upper limit of the allowable range, the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the upper limit of the allowable range is calculated as the tension difference. If the tension indicated by the tension information is below the lower limit of the allowable range, the difference between the tension indicated by the tension information and the lower limit of the allowable range is calculated as the tension difference.

In the next step T26, the inclination control unit 136 calculates inclination characteristic information 144 based on the tension difference. That is, the inclination characteristic information 144 is calculated by substituting the tension difference into the arithmetic expression 148.

In the next step ST28, the tilt control section 136 controls the tilt mechanism 131 using the tilt characteristic information 144 calculated in step ST26. That is, the tilt control unit 136 generates a tilt mechanism control signal according to the tilt characteristic information 144 and supplies the generated tilt mechanism control signal to the tilt mechanism 131 to operate the tilt mechanism 131 and tilt the magnetic head 36. (adjust the direction and angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36).

In the next step ST30, the slope control unit 136 stores the slope characteristic information 144 calculated in step ST26 in the storage.

In the next step ST32, the travel control unit 140 determines whether the reference position of the magnetic head 36 (for example, the servo reading element RSR1 in the reading head 36B) has reached the end of the magnetic tape MT. In step ST32, if the reference position of the magnetic head 36 has not reached the end of the magnetic tape MT, the determination is negative and the tape width control process moves to step ST16. In step ST32, if the reference position of the magnetic head 36 has reached the end of the magnetic tape MT, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process moves to step ST34.

In step ST34, the ASIC 120 acquires the slope characteristic information 144 from the storage 122, and outputs the acquired slope characteristic information 144 to the non-contact reading/writing device 50. The non-contact reading/writing device 50 spatially transmits a write command for the slope characteristic information 144 to the cartridge memory 19 as a command signal. The CPU 94 of the cartridge memory 19 performs a write process of writing the slope characteristic information 144 into the NVM 96 in response to a command signal from the non-contact reading/writing device 50 . As a result, the slope feature information 144 is stored in the NVM 96. After the process of step ST34 is executed, the tape width control process ends.

In step ST36 shown in FIG. 31B, the ASIC 120 acquires pitch information 142, slope characteristic information 144, and servo pattern distance information 148 from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 via the CPU 94 and the non-contact reading/writing device 50.

In the next step ST38, the running control section 140 starts running the magnetic tape MT by controlling the sending motor 40 and the take-up motor 44.

In the next step ST40, the traveling control section 140 determines whether the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has reached a predetermined position. In step ST40, if the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has not reached the predetermined position, the determination is negative and the tape width control process moves to step ST50. In step ST40, if the position of the magnetic head 36 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has reached the predetermined position, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process moves to step ST41.

In step ST41, the travel control unit 140 detects the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 using the servo pattern distance information 148 and the servo signal acquired in step S36. Further, the servo control unit 123 controls the positioning of the magnetic head 36 by controlling the first moving mechanism 129A and the second moving mechanism 129B so that the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36 approaches the target position.

In step ST42, the traveling control unit 140 substitutes the pitch specified from the pitch information 142 acquired in step ST36 into the arithmetic expression 146, and calculates the sending motor control signal correction value and the winding motor control signal correction value from the arithmetic expression 146. Calculate.

In the next step ST44, the travel control unit 140 corrects the sending motor control signal using the sending motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST18, and corrects the take-up motor control signal using the take-up motor control signal correction value calculated in step ST18. Correct.

In the next step ST46, the inclination control unit 136 refers to the inclination characteristic information 144 acquired in step ST36 and determines whether or not it is necessary to incline the magnetic head 36 (direction of inclination and angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36). whether or not it is necessary to adjust the In step ST46, if there is no need to tilt the magnetic head 36, the determination is negative and the tape width control processing moves to step ST50. In step ST46, if it is necessary to tilt the magnetic head 36, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control processing moves to step ST48.

In step ST48, the tilt control section 136 controls the tilt mechanism 131 using the tilt characteristic information 144 acquired in step ST36.

In the next step ST50, the traveling control unit 140 determines whether the reference position of the magnetic head 36 has reached the end of the magnetic tape MT. In step ST50, if the reference position of the magnetic head 36 has not reached the end of the magnetic tape MT, the determination is negative and the tape width control process moves to step ST40. In step ST50, if the reference position of the magnetic head 36 has reached the end of the magnetic tape MT, the determination is affirmative and the tape width control process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, the slope characteristic information 144 is stored in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19. The magnetic tape cartridge 10 equipped with the cartridge memory 19 having the NVM 96 storing the slope characteristic information 144 is used by being loaded into a magnetic tape drive 30 other than the reference drive.

When the magnetic tape cartridge 10 configured in this way is loaded into the magnetic tape drive 30, the magnetic tape MT inside the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is pulled out, and the magnetic head 36 performs a recording or reading operation, the magnetic tape drive The slope characteristic information 144 is acquired from the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 by the slope control unit 136 of 30 . Then, the tilt control unit 136 controls the tilt mechanism 131 so that the tilt of the magnetic head 36 corresponds to the tilt characteristic information 144. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the magnetic tape MT is deformed in the width direction WD, it is possible to contribute to correction of the positional relationship between the magnetic tape MT and the plurality of magnetic elements.

Further, in this embodiment, the tilt characteristic information 144 includes information indicating the direction of tilt of the magnetic head 36. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the magnetic tape MT is deformed in the width direction WD, compared to the case where the inclination characteristic information 144 does not include information indicating the direction of inclination of the magnetic head 36, the magnetic tape MT and the plural This can contribute to highly accurate correction of the positional relationship with the magnetic element.

Further, in this embodiment, the inclination characteristic information 144 includes information indicating the angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36. Therefore, according to this configuration, compared to the case where the inclination characteristic information 144 does not include information indicating the angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36, even if the magnetic tape MT is deformed in the width direction WD, the magnetic tape MT and multiple This can contribute to highly accurate correction of the positional relationship with the magnetic element.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, for each of the adjacent tracks of the plurality of data tracks DT, that is, the odd-numbered data track Dn_mO and the even-numbered data track Dn_mE, in the width direction WD in the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording head side magnetic elements. Contrary directions are assigned as directions of inclination. As a result, reading and writing are performed while changing the direction of inclination (azimuth) of the recording head 36A for each data track DT. Further, for each of the adjacent tracks among the plurality of data tracks DT, that is, the odd-numbered data track Dn_mO and the even-numbered data track Dn_mE, as the direction of inclination with respect to the width direction WD of the arrangement direction of the plurality of read head side magnetic elements, Conflicting directions are assigned. Therefore, during reading (reproduction), the reading element DR is less likely to have a magnetic influence on the data track DT adjacent to the data track DT that is originally supposed to be read (crosstalk is less likely to occur). In other words, when reading is performed on a data track DT whose azimuth matches that of the reading element DR, the azimuth loss is small (nearly zero); When reading is performed on a data track DT), the azimuth loss increases.

Further, in this embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 includes an NVM 96 in which data is read and written in a non-contact manner by the non-contact reading/writing device 50. Therefore, according to this configuration, the pitch information 142 and the slope characteristic information 144 can be stored without physically damaging the cartridge memory 19, compared to the case where data is read and written in contact with some kind of memory or the like. be able to.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted based on the pitch information 142. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if the magnetic tape MT is deformed in the width direction WD, the positional relationship between the magnetic tape MT and the plurality of magnetic elements can be corrected. Furthermore, since the inclination of the magnetic head 36 is also adjusted based on the inclination characteristic information 144, the positional relationship between the magnetic tape MT and the plurality of magnetic elements can be adjusted with higher precision than when only the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted. It can be corrected to

In this embodiment, the pitch information 142 includes pitches for each servo position within a plurality of servo bands SB. Therefore, according to this configuration, the positional relationship between the magnetic tape MT and the plurality of magnetic elements can be corrected with higher precision than when the pitch is set to a fixed value regardless of the widthwise position of the magnetic head 36.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the servo positions within the servo band SB include a plurality of servo positions within each servo band SB, and a pair of magnetized regions 51A forming the servo pattern 51 formed on each of the servo bands SB. and distance D at each servo position between 51B and 51B are identified using servo pattern distance information 148. Therefore, according to this configuration, by measuring the distance D from the magnetized region 51A to the magnetized region 51B using the change in the pulse read by the servo reading element SR, the distance D of the servo reading element SR in each servo band SB is measured. Servo position can be specified.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT by the magnetic tape drive 30, the servo patterns 51 of the servo bands SB adjacent to each other in the width direction WD are read by the plurality of servo reading elements SR. Based on the read result and the distance between the plurality of servo reading elements, the pitch between the servo patterns 51 in the width direction WD is calculated. Therefore, according to this configuration, if the distance between the servo reading elements is measured in advance, the pitch information 142 can be generated using the distance D at the servo position where the plurality of servo reading elements SR are located.

In the above embodiment, the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19 is used as an example of the storage medium, but the storage medium is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is loaded for the first time or when the magnetic tape MT is initialized, the ASIC 120 of the control device 38 controls the operation of the magnetic head 36. The slope characteristic information 144 may be written in the BOT area 158 provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape MT by controlling the magnetic tape MT. When the tilt feature information 144 is written in the BOT region 158, the ASIC 120 reads the tilt feature information 144 from the BOT region 158 by controlling the operation of the magnetic head 36. Note that the BOT area 158 is an example of "a partial area of the magnetic tape" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 32, the BOT area 158 of the magnetic tape MT is used as the storage medium. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to save the effort of preparing the cartridge memory 19 and storing the slope characteristic information 144 in the NVM 96 of the cartridge memory 19.

Although the example shown in FIG. 32 shows an example in which the slope feature information 144 is written in the BOT area 158, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, pitch information 142, servo pattern distance information 148, and/or slope feature information 144 may be written in BOT area 158.

Note that the magnetic tape of the magnetic tape drive 30 installed in the factory may be damaged at any time when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is manufactured, when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is inspected, or when the magnetic tape cartridge 10 is shipped. Head 36 may store pitch information 142, servo pattern distance information 148, and/or slope feature information 144 in BOT area 158.

Further, as an example, as shown in FIG. 33, the slope characteristic information 144 read from the cartridge memory 19 by the non-contact reading/writing device 50 may be written into the BOT area 158 by the ASIC 120. In this case, slope feature information 144 will be stored in both NVM 96 and BOT area 158. Therefore, the reliability of the slope feature information 144 can be verified by comparing the slope feature information 144 stored in the NVM 96 with the slope feature information 144 stored in the BOT area 158. Further, even if a problem occurs in either the NVM 96 or the BOT area 158, the slope feature information 144 can be obtained from the other.

In addition, when pitch information 142, servo pattern distance information 148, and/or slope characteristic information 144 are stored in cartridge memory 19, pitch information 142, servo pattern distance, and/or servo pattern distance read out from cartridge memory 19 by non-contact reading/writing device 50 Information 148 and/or slope feature information 144 may be written to BOT area 158 by ASIC 120.

Note that instead of or in addition to the BOT area 158, pitch information 142, servo pattern distance information 148, and/or slope characteristic information 144 are stored in an EOT area (not shown) provided at the rear of the magnetic tape MT. You can do it like this. Furthermore, instead of being limited to the BOT area 158 and EOT area of the magnetic tape MT, for example, a two-dimensional barcode or a matrix-type two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) or the like may be used as the storage medium.

Although the above embodiment has been described using an example in which both the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT and the inclination of the magnetic head 36 are adjusted, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted basically without tilting the magnetic head 36 (for example, see the positional relationship between the recording head 36A and the magnetic tape MT shown in FIG. 21), and the magnetic tape The magnetic head 36 may be tilted only when the tension applied to the MT is below the lower limit of the allowable range.

Furthermore, for example, the magnetic head 36 may be tilted according to the position of the data track DT without basically adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT. In this case, the inclination control unit 136 makes the inclination angle of the magnetic head 36 shallower at the wide position and reduces the inclination angle of the magnetic head 36 at the narrower width position according to the width change of the entire length of the magnetic tape MT. The tilting mechanism 131 is controlled to increase the depth. However, if the degree to which the angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36 is changed exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is adjusted by the travel control section 140. In other words, if the angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36 is shallow at a position where the width of the magnetic tape MT is wide, but this is not sufficient (if the magnetic element cannot be positioned on the data track DT), the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be reduced. ramp up. On the other hand, if increasing the angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36 at a position where the width of the magnetic tape MT is narrow is insufficient (if the magnetic element cannot be positioned on the data track DT), the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT may be reduced. weaken.

Although the above embodiment has been described using an example in which the slope characteristic information 144 is acquired by the slope control unit 136 before data is recorded on the magnetic tape MT, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the magnetic tape drive 30 starts recording data on the magnetic tape MT while maintaining the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT at a specified value, and uses a servo reading element to acquire information specifying the width of the magnetic tape MT at any time. While adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT in real time (increase the tension if the width of the magnetic tape MT is wide, decrease the tension if the width of the magnetic tape MT is narrow), and check whether the tension applied to the magnetic tape MT is permissible. The angle of inclination of the magnetic head 36 may be adjusted when it approaches the upper and lower limits of the range. In this case, the magnetic tape drive 30 may write the gradient characteristic information 144 into the cartridge memory 19 and/or the BOT area 158 after the data recording operation on the magnetic tape MT is completed.

In the embodiment described above, the recording head 36A and the reading head 36B are illustrated, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a magnetic head in which the recording head 36A and the reading head 36B are integrated may be used. That is, the technique of the present disclosure is applicable even to a magnetic head having a magnetic element in which the recording element DW and the reading element DR are integrated (a magnetic element in which the recording element DW and the reading element DR form a pair).

Although the above embodiment has been described using an example in which the magnetic head 36 performs both data reading and data writing to the magnetic tape MT, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. Either one of data reading and data writing may be performed for the data.

In the above embodiment, the cartridge memory 19 is housed in the case 12. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the cartridge memory 19 is attached to the outer surface of the case 12. You can.

As hardware resources for executing the processing of the control device 38, the following various processors can be used. Examples of the processor include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource that executes processing by executing software, that is, a program. Further, the processor includes, for example, a dedicated electric circuit such as an FPGA, a PLD, or an exemplary ASIC 120, which is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform a specific process. Each processor has a built-in memory or is connected to it, and each processor uses the memory to execute processing.

The hardware resources that execute the processing of the control device 38 may be configured with one of these various types of processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs). , or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Furthermore, the hardware resource that executes the processing of the control device 38 may be one processor.

As an example of a single processor configuration, firstly, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a hardware resource for executing processing. Second, there is a form of using a processor, as typified by an SoC, in which a single IC chip realizes the functions of an entire system including a plurality of hardware resources that execute processing. In this way, the processing of the control device 38 is realized using one or more of the various processors described above as hardware resources.

Furthermore, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit that is a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements can be used. Moreover, the processing of the control device 38 described above is just an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed within the scope of the main idea.

The technology of the present disclosure can also be combined as appropriate with the various embodiments and/or various modifications described above. Furthermore, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and that various configurations can be adopted as long as they do not depart from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure extends not only to programs but also to storage media that non-temporarily store programs.

The descriptions and illustrations described above are detailed explanations of portions related to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description regarding the configuration, function, operation, and effect is an example of the configuration, function, operation, and effect of the part related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the written and illustrated contents described above without departing from the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Needless to say. In addition, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the descriptions and illustrations shown above do not include parts that require particular explanation in order to enable implementation of the technology of the present disclosure. Explanations regarding common technical knowledge, etc. that do not apply are omitted.

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

All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Incorporated by reference into this book.

2 Magnetic tape system 10 Magnetic tape cartridge 12 Case 12A Right wall 12B Opening 14 Upper case 14A Top plate 14A1 Inner surface 16 Lower case 16A Bottom plate 16A1 Reference surface 16B Rear wall 18 Cartridge reel 18A Reel hub 18B1 Upper flange 18B2 Lower flange 19 Cartridge memory 20 Support Member 20A First inclined table 20A1, 20B1 Inclined surface 20B Second inclined table 22 Position regulating rib 24 Rib 24A Tip surface 26 Substrate 26A Back surface 26B Front surface 30 Magnetic tape drive 34 Conveying device 36 Magnetic head 36A Recording head 36B Reading head 38 Control device 40 Sending motor 42 Take-up reel 44 Take-up motor 46A, 46B Magnetic element unit 48A, 48B Holder 50 Non-contact reading/writing device 51 Servo pattern 51A, 51B Magnetized area 52 IC chip 54 Capacitor 54A, 54B Electrode 56 Sealing material 60 Coil 62A First conduction section 62B Second conduction section 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D Wiring 70 Power generator 80 Built-in capacitor 82 Power supply circuit 84 Computer 86 Clock signal generator 88 Signal processing circuit 92 Resonance circuit 94 CPU
96 NVM
98 RAM
100,124 Bus 120 ASIC
120A First position detection section 120B Second position detection section 120C Third position detection section 120D Pitch calculation section 121 Position detection section 122 Storage 123 Servo control section 125 Recording control section 129A First movement mechanism 129A1 First movement actuator 129B Second movement Mechanism 129B1 Second movement actuator 131A First tilt mechanism 131A1 First tilt actuator 131B Second tilt mechanism 131B1 Second tilt actuator 130 Data acquisition unit 131 Reading control unit 134 Data output unit 136 Tilt control unit 139 Surface 140 Travel control unit 142 Pitch Information 144 Slope characteristic information 146, 148 Arithmetic expression 158 BOT area DB, DB1, DB2 Data band DR, DR1 to DR8 Reading element DW, DW1 to DW8 Recording element DT, DT1 to DT8, DT1_1 to DT1_12, DT2_1 to DT2_12, DT8_1 to DT8_12 Data track DTG, DTG1 to DTG8 Data track group GR Guide roller MF Magnetic field MT Magnetic tape RA, RA1, RA2 Rotating shaft RSR, RSR1, RSR2, WSR, WSR1, WSR2 Servo reading element SB, SB1, SB2, SB3 Servo band WD Width direction θ Inclination angle

Claims (28)

A case containing a magnetic tape,
A magnetic tape cartridge comprising: a storage medium provided in the case;
At least one of reading and writing data is performed on the magnetic tape pulled out from the case by a plurality of linearly arranged magnetic elements,
The arrangement direction of the plurality of magnetic elements is inclined toward the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape,
The storage medium stores inclination characteristic information indicating the inclination characteristic of the arrangement direction with respect to the width direction. The magnetic tape cartridge. The magnetic tape cartridge of claim 1, wherein the feature includes a direction of the slope. The magnetic tape has a plurality of tracks,
Each of the plurality of magnetic elements corresponds to each of the plurality of tracks,
The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein opposite directions are assigned to each of the adjacent tracks among the plurality of tracks. The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the characteristic includes the angle of the inclination. The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage medium includes a built-in memory of a non-contact communication medium in which information is read and written in a non-contact manner by a non-contact read/write device. The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage medium includes a partial area of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage medium further stores pitch information that can specify pitches in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands formed on the magnetic tape. . The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The storage medium includes the plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands and the plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. further stores servo pattern distance information that is associated with the distance in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape;
The magnetic field according to claim 8, wherein the pitch is a position detected using the servo pattern distance information and corresponds to a position of the plurality of magnetic elements in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. tape cartridge. Based on the results of reading the plurality of servo bands by the plurality of servo reading elements and the distance between the plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic tape drive. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the pitch is calculated. The magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is loaded,
a tilting mechanism that tilts the head on which the plurality of magnetic elements are mounted in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape;
a control device that controls the tilting mechanism according to the tilting characteristic information stored in the storage medium;
A magnetic tape drive with The magnetic tape drive according to claim 11, further comprising a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to the magnetic tape. The storage medium further stores pitch information that can specify a pitch in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands formed on the magnetic tape ,
The magnetic tape drive according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the control device adjusts the tension applied to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 13, wherein the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The storage medium includes the plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands and the plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. further stores servo pattern distance information that is associated with the distance in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape;
The control device controls the magnetic tape using a pitch detected using the servo pattern distance information and corresponding to a position of the plurality of magnetic elements in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 14, wherein the applied tension is adjusted. The control device is configured to read the results of reading the plurality of servo bands by the plurality of servo reading elements and the information between the plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic tape drive. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the pitch is calculated based on a distance of . A magnetic tape system,
A magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
a tilting mechanism that tilts the head on which the plurality of magnetic elements are mounted in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape;
a control device that controls the tilting mechanism according to the tilting characteristic information stored in the storage medium;
magnetic tape system. The magnetic tape system according to claim 17, further comprising a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to the magnetic tape. The storage medium further stores pitch information that can specify a pitch in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands formed on the magnetic tape ,
The magnetic tape system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the control device adjusts the tension applied to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information. The magnetic tape system according to claim 19, wherein the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The storage medium includes the plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands and the plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. further stores servo pattern distance information that is associated with the distance in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape;
The control device controls the magnetic tape using a pitch detected using the servo pattern distance information and corresponding to a position of the plurality of magnetic elements in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The magnetic tape system according to claim 20, wherein the applied tension is adjusted. The control device is configured to read the results of reading the plurality of servo bands by the plurality of servo reading elements and the information between the plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic tape drive. The magnetic tape system according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the pitch is calculated based on a distance of. obtaining the gradient characteristic information stored in the storage medium included in the magnetic tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
controlling a tilting mechanism that tilts the head on which the plurality of magnetic elements are mounted in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape with respect to the width direction of the magnetic tape in accordance with the acquired tilt characteristic information; How magnetic tape drives work. further comprising applying tension to the magnetic tape.
A method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to claim 23. The storage medium further stores pitch information that can specify a pitch in the width direction of a plurality of servo bands formed on the magnetic tape ,
further comprising adjusting the tension applied to the magnetic tape based on the pitch information;
A method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to claim 23 or 24. 26. The method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to claim 25, wherein the pitch information includes pitches at a plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. The storage medium includes the plurality of positions in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands and the plurality of positions between a pair of magnetized regions forming a servo pattern formed in each of the plurality of servo bands. further stores servo pattern distance information that is associated with the distance in the overall length direction of the magnetic tape;
Tension applied to the magnetic tape is determined using a pitch detected using the servo pattern distance information and corresponding to a position of the plurality of magnetic elements in the width direction within the plurality of servo bands. 27. The method of operating a magnetic tape drive of claim 26, further comprising adjusting. Based on the results of reading the plurality of servo bands by the plurality of servo reading elements and the distance between the plurality of servo reading elements before data is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic tape drive. The method of operating a magnetic tape drive according to claim 26 or 27, further comprising calculating the pitch.