Multi-channel magnetic tape system having optical tracking servo

• US 6,768,608 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2002
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quantum Corporation (Chi Ko Investment Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Quantum Corporation (Chi Ko Investment Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Cappabianca, Leo, Kim, Chan, Mallick, Satya A., Turgeon, Carol, Cronis, Lewis, Saliba, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, KIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/153,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20020141103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 360/75, 360/74.6, 360/77.03, 360/78.11, 360/77.12
• US Class Current: 360/77.03
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/5926 recorded in separate tracks, e.g. servo tracks

Abstract

A magnetic storage medium formed on a front major surface of a tape substrate defines a multiplicity of longitudinal data recording and playback tracks, each track having a nominal lateral location relative to the other tracks: and a predetermined optically manifested track servo pattern defined on the back major surface of the tape for indicating lateral displacement of the tape from a nominal lateral location of the track during tape movement across a read/write head. A magnetic tape recording and playback system employing the magnetic storage medium is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A head assembly, comprising:

a magnetic head; and

an optical servo head configured so that, as the magnetic head moves, the optical servo head moves, the optical servo head being physically coupled directly to the magnetic head in a configuration that permits transport of magnetic tape therebetween.

2. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein, as the magnetic head moves in a first direction, the optical servo head moves in the first direction.

3. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein, as the magnetic head moves a first distance, the optical servo head moves the first distance.

4. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic head and the optical servo head form a unitary component.

5. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic head faces the servo head.

6. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the head assembly is configured so that, as a tape passes through the head assembly, one side of the tape faces the magnetic head and an opposite side of the tape faces the optical servo head.

7. A head assembly, comprising:

a magnetic transducer assembly; and

an optical servo transducer assembly configured so that, as the magnetic transducer assembly moves, the optical servo transducer assembly moves, the optical servo transducer being physically coupled directly to the magnetic transducer assembly in a configuration that permits transport of magnetic tape therebetween.

8. The head assembly of claim 7, wherein the magnetic transducer assembly comprises at least one magnetic head.

9. The head assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one magnetic head comprises a plurality of magnetic read and write elements.

10. The head assembly of claim 7, wherein the optical servo transducer comprises an optical servo head.

11. The head assembly of claim 10, wherein the optical servo head comprises a light source and at least one photodetector.

12. The head assembly of claim 11, wherein the optical servo head further comprises a beam splitter and a lens.

13. The head assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises a laser light source.

14. The head assembly of claim 7, wherein, as the optical servo transducer assembly moves in a first direction, the magnetic transducer assembly the moves in the first direction.

15. The head assembly of claim 7, wherein, as the optical servo transducer assembly moves a first distance, the magnetic transducer assembly the moves the first distance.

16. A tape drive system, comprising:

a magnetic/optic head, comprising;

a magnetic head; and

an optical servo head, the optical servo head being physically coupled directly to the magnetic head in a configuration that permits transport of magnetic tape therebetween;

a fine head positioner mechanically coupled to the magnetic head so that the fine head positioner is capable of moving the magnetic/optic head; and

a coarse head positioner mechanically coupled to the fine head positioner so that the coarse head positioner is capable of moving the fine head positioner.

17. The tape drive system of claim 16, wherein the fine head positioner comprises:

a head mounting beam structure; and

a head mounting beam structure including a fulcrum, wherein the head mounting beam structure can pivot about the head mounting structure, and a mass about the fulcrum is substantially equal.

18. The tape drive system of claim 17, wherein the fine head positioner further comprises a voice coil motor capable of applying a torque force to the head mounting beam structure.

19. The tape drive system of claim 18, wherein the fine head positioner is configured so that, as a tape moves through the tape drive system in a first direction, the fine head positioner moves the head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

20. The tape drive system of claim 18, wherein the coarse head positioner comprises a step motor and a lead screw.

21. The tape drive system of claim 16, wherein the coarse head positioner is configured so that, as a tape moves through the tape drive system in a first direction, the coarse head positioner moves the head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

22. The tape drive system of claim 16, further comprising a transport electronics circuit electronically connected to the magnetic head structure, the optical servo head, the coarse head positioner and the fine head positioner.

23. The tape drive system of claim 22, wherein the transport electronics circuit comprises a fine head position control loop for controlling the position of the magnetic/optic head.

24. The tape drive system of claim 22, wherein the transport electronics circuit comprises a coarse head position system for controlling the coarse position of the magnetic/optic head.

25. The tape drive system of claim 22, wherein the transport electronics circuit comprises a coarse head position control loop for controlling the position of the magnetic/optic head.