Optical servo system for use with magnetic data storage tape having magnetic reference indicators
US6493174B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/584
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Optical servo systems and magnetic data storage tape for use with magnetic data storage drives. The servo system utilizes a head mechanism that includes an optical head and a magnetic head. The optical head is adapted to detect a series of optical indicator marks located on a servo track on the tape. The magnetic head is adapted to detect one or a series of magnetic reference indicator marks located on a corresponding data track. The magnetic reference indicator marks are, in one embodiment, spaced periodically along the length of the tape. The magnetic reference indicator marks allow recalibration of the optical servo system by permitting the determination of any dimensional offset between the optical head and the magnetic head attributable to manufacturing tolerances or environmental factors. In one embodiment, a separate temperature sensor may be used to determine thermal changes in and around the head mechanism. Based on the temperature change measured, a special calibration algorithm may be invoked to recalibrate the distance between the optical head and the magnetic head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.