Systems and method for forming a servo pattern on a magnetic tape
First Claim
1. A system for producing optically detectable servo tracks on a magnetic tape having a recording side and a non-recording side, comprising:
- a reel assembly for passing the magnetic tape through a marking area, anda marking mechanism which includes;
a light source emitting a first beam of optical radiation, anda pattern generator which splits the first beam into a plurality of spaced-apart second beams, the plurality of spaced-apart second beams spanning a plurality of the servo tracks, anda controller that controls an intensity of the first beam so as to provide a time- dependent sequence of the second beams,the time-dependent sequence of the second beams forming the optically detectable servo tracks on the non-recording side of the magnetic tape as the tape passes through the marking area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The systems, methods and products of the invention include systems and methods for manufacturing servo tracks on a magnetic tape. In one aspect, the invention includes systems for manufacturing magnetic tapes having servo tracks thereon wherein the servo tracks are optically detectable and are capable of being processed by a servo control system for maintaining alignment of a magnetic recording head with the data tracks on the recording side of the magnetic tape. In one practice, the manufacturing systems described herein engrave the servo tracks onto the non-recording side of a magnetic tape by directing a laser beam at the non- recording side of the magnetic tape. In another practice, the manufacturing systems described herein engrave the servo tracks onto the magnetic side of a magnetic tape by directing a laser beam at the magnetic side of the magnetic tape. Such engraved patterns can act as optical servo tracks for maintaining alignment of the recording head with the data tracks on the magnetic tape.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system for producing optically detectable servo tracks on a magnetic tape having a recording side and a non-recording side, comprising:
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a reel assembly for passing the magnetic tape through a marking area, and a marking mechanism which includes; a light source emitting a first beam of optical radiation, and a pattern generator which splits the first beam into a plurality of spaced-apart second beams, the plurality of spaced-apart second beams spanning a plurality of the servo tracks, and a controller that controls an intensity of the first beam so as to provide a time- dependent sequence of the second beams, the time-dependent sequence of the second beams forming the optically detectable servo tracks on the non-recording side of the magnetic tape as the tape passes through the marking area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An adaptor board capable of being integrated into a system for producing servo tracks on a magnetic tape, comprising
a guide assembly for carrying magnetic tape through a marking area, and a marking mechanism for inscribing a plurality of servo tracks onto the magnetic tape, the marking mechanism including a laser for projecting a laser beam along an optical path, a beam forming device disposed within the optical path and capable of controlling characteristics of the laser beam to form a conditioned beam having a selected beam size and power, and a pattern generator for forming the conditioned laser beam into a plurality of spaced-apart second beams, and for projecting the plurality of spaced-apart second beams into the marking area for forming the plurality of servo tracks on the magnetic tape.
Specification