Method and apparatus for indicating end of useful life for tape cartridges
US6019302A · kind A · utility
1Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/41
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and a method are provided for easily, visually indicating to a user that a tape cartridge has reached the end of its useful life by causing a flag, wound beneath a tape inside the cartridge, to appear within a clear window in the cartridge housing. When a tape drive in which the cartridge is mounted detects a defect in a data tape, the tape is rewound and extra torque is applied thereto to expose the flag. When a cleaning tape reaches its end, the flag is released.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.