Showing papers on "Magnetic tape published in 1988"

Automated cartridge system

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive. A first controller outboard the channel communicating with the host computer is adapted to receive commands from the host computer for interfacing between the host computer and the library storage module, and a second controller inboard of the channel is adapted to receive commands from the outboard controller for interfacing between the outboard controller and the robot.

Electronic book educational publishing method using buried reference materials and alternate learning levels

Abstract: A method for compiling and presenting educational material on an electronic book is disclosed. A set of information requiring a first level of comprehension is created at a terminal or provided from a pre-existing data base. The set of information is examined for words which require a higher level of comprehension. Different types of explanatory information are created for such words and are tagged to the words so that they can be immediately called up when the word is later presented. The compiled first set of information at a first level of comprehension is a first modality. Additional modalities at different levels of comprehension or simply adjusted for different learning styles are also prepared. Each modality is cross-indexed to the other modality at a conceptual meaning level. The conceptual meaning level can be roughly a paragraph long block. The electronic book uses analog storage on a magnetic tape. A magnetic tape is a tape drive mechanism stores textual material of a book in the form of encoded analog signals. The tape reader provides an analog electrical signal which is fed to an analog-to-digital converter for conversion into a digital data stream. A digital buffer capable of storing an amount of data corresponding to at least several pages of text, but not the entire book, is provided. A display coupled to the digital buffer displays a page of textual data from said buffer at any one time. A controller responsive to user input signals advances the tape and replaces the data stored in the buffer with new data to advance through pages of the book. A speech synthesizer may be used in place of the display for visually impaired users.

Cartridge library system and method of operation thereof

Abstract: An automated magnetic tape cartridge library system includes a cabinet (24) having a door (26) removably and pivotally connected thereto. The cabinet (24) houses a plurality of tape drives (56A-56E) and a plurality of racks (70) wherein magnetic tape cartridges are stored. A cartridge transport assembly (100) serves to retrieve a cartridge from a rack (70) and to load the cartridge into a target tape drive (56), and vice versa. Movement of the cartridge transport assembly (100) along X, Y and Z rectangular coordinate axes is effected by X, Y, and Z displacement systems (104, 106, 108). The cartridge transport assembly (100) and the X, Y and Z displacement systems (104, 106, 108) are all mounted on the removable, pivotal door (26). The cartridge transport assembly (100) includes a pair of engagement fingers (402A, 402B) which engage a selected cartridge upon contact with the cartridge. In an engagement mode, engagement fingers (402A, 402B) are configured and oriented to engage notches provided on opposite edges of standard 8 mm magnetic tape cartridge such that, upon engagement, the cartridge is locked between the fingers (402A, 402B) without the need of further locking mechanisms. Portions of the linkage means of the cartridge transport assembly (100) dually function as ram elements (452A, 452B) for closing a tape drive door (60) once a cartridge is loaded into a target tape drive (56).

System for converting digital data from magnetic tape format apparatus and method for converting a sequentially accessible magnetic tape data format to directly accessible write-once disk data format to worm optical disk format

Abstract: Apparatus and method for storing magnetic tape format data separately stores the tape data from the tape-related information, such as file markers and interblock gap signals. The data and data-related signals are stored in separate finite length buffer memories, which when filled to a predetermined capacity are transferred to a write-once read-many (WORM) optical disk, and stored in contiguous locations beginning at one end of the addressable space on the optical disk. A separately generated tape record map list, including the WORM optical disk address of the aforementioned tape data and tape-related signals is created and stored on the optical disk in sequentially contiguous locations corresponding to sequential tape reel numbers beginning at the opposite end of the addressable space on the optical disk. The data thus recorded on the WORM optical disk is recoverable in the original magnetic tape format by recomposing the data stored in the WORM optical disk in the original magnetic tape data format. Furthermore, the conversion of data according to the present invention can be adapted to a variety of other formats to be stored to and recovered from the WORM optical disk format.

Method for setting a sound recording level.

Abstract: PURPOSE:To attain an optimum sound recording level setting by passing through once and reproducing the recording medium in which an audio signal is recorded, storing and holding the peak value of the reproduced signal and generating a sound recording level reference signal with a controller based on a stored and held peak value. CONSTITUTION:When a system is turned on, first, CD is passed through and reproduced once, a peak value is detected by a peak holding circuit 8, and the peak value detected by the peak holding circuit 8 is stored by a micro-computer 11 of a controller. When the audio signal of the output of a CD player is sound-recorded to a magnetic tape, the micro-computer 11 sets the output level of an oscillator 13 based on the stored peak value, a change-over switch 14 is changed over to the oscillator 13 side and the oscillator signal of a prescribed level is outputted. By the output of the oscillator, a sound recording level is set. Thus, even to any disk, the optimum sound recording level can be set without a mistake.

Magnetic tape cassette

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette of very small type having a front lid pivotably secured to the cassette housing so as to open or close a front opening portion, and a guide portion arranged on the front wall of the lid at an asymmetrical position so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Thus, when a number of tape cassettes are accommodated within a cassette magazine, the guide portions function as a guide so that all the tape cassettes with tracks A and B aligned in the same direction can be accommodated within the cassette magazine. Also, the tape cassette of the invention can be positively loaded on a recording and/or reproducing apparatus from a desired surface side. Further, since the guide portion is formed on the lid, mechanical strength of the cassette housing can be prevented from being decreased and the indication label attaching area on the top wall of the cassette housing is prevented from being restricted.

Apparatus for transporting magnetic tape cassettes of different sizes

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce system, disclosed is an accessor which inserts or extracts a cassette from a storage location or a record/reproduce device. The accessor includes a cassette gripper assembly which handles different sizes of cassettes. Lateral motion of the accessor (a) actuates the gripper assembly to grip and ungrip a cassette and (b) effects locking and unlocking of the gripper assembly. A pair of accessors are mounted on an accessor platform so that one accessor can insert a cassette while the other accessor extracts a cassette, either at the same location (record/reproduce device) or at different locations (storage compartments).

Apparatus for reproducing a magnetically recorded digital signal using a rotary head with automatic track finding signal extraction and selection for tracking control

Abstract: This invention relates to DAT (Digital Audio Tape) equipment. On the magnetic tape, a multiple signal comprising a pulse code modulated sound data of a fixed period obtained by applying pulse code modulation to an audio signal, subcodes time-divisionally multiplexed before and after the pulse code modulated sound data by predetermined time periods, respectively, and a track finding signal is recorded. This recorded signal is allocated onto tracks formed in succession on the magnetic tape by the rotary head and is recorded in a first mode, or in a second mode where its data capacity per unit time is nearly one half of that in the first mode, and a revolving speed of the rotary head and a magnetic tape running speed are nearly one half of those in the first mode. ATF (Automatic Track Finding) signals are included in the recorded signal and are used for tracking control. A circuit arrangement for this ATF signal is provided, which permits only one of the plural kinds of ATF signals to be utilized so that an excellent reproduction can be performed even when the DAT equipment is switched from recording to reproducing mode. When the subcodes are subjected to over-write recording, tracking control is carried out by one ATF signal of the respective reproduced signals obtained by applying one scanning onto a recording track on the magnetic tape using the rotary head.

Rotary head type magnetic recording and reproducing device

Abstract: PURPOSE:To prevent the change in the relative speed of a rotary head and magnetic tape due to the jumping up of the magnetic tape by making the shape of the end face of a fixed drum opposing to a rotary drum wider at its gap with the rotary drum at the vicinity of the release part from the magnetic tape of the rotary drum. CONSTITUTION:The shape of an end face D opposing to the rotary drum 2 of a fixed drum 4 pivotally supporting freely rotatably by keeping the specified gap C the rotary drum 2 on which a magnetic tape 3 is wound and having plural rotary heads 1 is formed so that the gap with the rotary drum may become of the gap E wider than a gap C at the vicinity of the release part from the magnetic tape 3. The contact state of the rotary head 1 and magnetic tape 3 is always stabilized, therefore, because there is no place for the floating amt. from the rotary drum 2 of the magnetic tape 3 to be abruptly reduced, and the pushing up amt. by the rotary head 1 of the magnetic tape 3 is always kept constantly. The change in the relative speed of the rotary head 1 and magnetic tape 3 due to the jumping of the magnetic tape 3 is thus prevented.

Tape cassette loading system

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism of a video tape recorder designed to play a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape cassette comprises a chassis (700) carrying a pair of guide grooves (707, 708) at both sides of a guide drum (800) toward a first area (2′) of the chassis on which the standard size tape cassette is held at the time of operation of the video tape recorder. The guide grooves are further extended toward a second area (3′) of the chassis defined inside the first area on which the compact size tape cassette is held. A pair of loading members (710, 711) are moved along the guide grooves toward their front ends close to the tape cassette when the compact size tape cassette is loaded so that loading poles (710b, 710c, 711b, 711c) on the loading members are accepted in a cutout portion formed at a front side of the compact size tape cassette. Further, the loading members are displaced toward the rear end of the guide grooves when the standard size tape cassette is loaded so that the loading poles are accepted in a depressed part formed at a front side of the standard size tape cassette. A light emitting element (735) for detection of the end of the tape is held rotatably on an arm (736) and changes in position responsive to the type of the tape cassette. A deformable member (713) is provided on a tension arm (713) which is connected to a brake member (716) for applying resistance to the rotation of the supply reel, so as to avoid excessive slackening of the brake member when the tension arm is rotated to a position adapted for loading the compact size tape cassette. Further, a half loading arm (729) is provided so as to prevent complete loading of the magnetic tape on the guide drum during high speed transportation of the magnetic tape.

Magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus which includes a rotary magnetic head device, a reel block base plate provided on a chassis plate and having a pair of reel blocks horizontally reciprocable relative to the rotary magnetic head device and operatively engaged with a pair of tape reels of a tape cassette, a cassette holder which is supported by a supporting arm on the chassis base plate so as to be vertically movable relative to the reel block and in which the tape cassette is inserted and retained, an operating mode changeover lever for selecting the various operating modes, including constant speed running, rapid feed and rewind modes, for the magnetic tape pulled out of the tape cassette and loaded into the predetermined tape path, and a drive gear driven into rotation by a driving electric motor, wherein the drive gear is operatively associated with the supporting arm and the reel block base plate. The drive gear is driven into rotation to cause vertical movement of the cassette holder and the reciprocating movement of the reel block base plate. An operating lever adapted for being turned by the drive gear is operatively associated with the operating mode changeover lever, and turned to shift the operating mode changeover lever to select one of the predetermined operating modes. In this manner, the operations of loading the tape cassette and the magnetic tape and of selecting the operating mode may be performed by one and the same driving motor to reduce the number of the driving motors and the size and the thickness of the apparatus, while the cassette attachment and detachment and magnetic tape loading and unloading operations can be performed expeditiously.

The FITS tables extension

Abstract: Utilisation du systeme de transport d'images flexibles (FITS) a la transmission de tables et catalogues de donnees astronomiques

Magnetic viscosity and switching field distributions in recording media

Abstract: The relationship between the coefficient of magnetic viscosity S and the switching field distribution (SFD) of recording media is examined. Two samples of magnetic tape have been measured and a theory devised showing the interrelationship between S and the SFD. Good agreement between theory and experiment is reported, taking into account the approximations necessary in the derivation. It has been shown that the time-dependence coefficient S can be related to the irreversible susceptibility, defined as the differential of a primary remanence curve. >

Magnetic head having a laminated structure

Abstract: Tape contact surface of a magnetic head is made of magnetic substance of multi-layered structure; interface insulation material for said multi layered structure and/or gap spacer material are made of oxides, complex oxides, nitrides and carbides of transition metal elements, IIa group elements of the periodic table and Zn; and accumulation of magnetic material from magnetic tape is prevented and output of magnetic head is stabilized.

Magnetic tape cassette having improved erasure preventing device

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette of the β cam or β cam SP type having an improved mistake erasing preventing construction and improved dustproofing property For the β cam SP type cassette, a movable plug is provided in an insertion hole formed in the bottom face of the cassette housing and a snap-off tab is removed beforehand, while for the β cam type cassette, an immovable plug is provided in the insertion hole and the snap-off tab is left intact

Magnetic type position sensor for use in the construction of position indicators or torque meters

Abstract: A position sensor including a guide bar carrying a magnetic tape generating a magnetic field whose intensity varies sinusoidally along a longitudinal axis of the guide bar. A pick-up head is mounted adjacent the guide bar for translational movement therealong to detect the magnetic field. More particularly, the pick-up head comprises two magnetic field detectors spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the direction of translational motion of the pick-up head, each magnetic field detector generating an output signal representative of the magnetic field intensity at the position of detection thereof. By processing the output signals of the magnetic field detectors, it is possible to accurately determine the position of the pick-up head with respect to the guide bar. Advantageously, the position sensor may be used for the construction of a torque meter.

Magnetic tape cassette system

Abstract: This magnetic tape cassette system is usable in video and other tape cassette recorders, playback machines or other apparatus designed to receive magnetic tape from a two-reel-type cassette for transducing signals relative thereto. The tape has a first tape coupling device and is loaded into a one-reel-type cartridge. The cassette has a takeup reel which has attached thereto a second tape coupling device interconnectable with the first tape coupling device. The cassette has a space for receiving the loaded cartridge in lieu of a tape supply reel and for interconnection of the first and second tape coupling devices upon insertion of the loaded cartridge into that cassette space.

Belt drive system for a magnetic tape cassette transport/accessor

Abstract: Disclosed is magnetic tape cassette transport apparatus for use with a magnetic tape cassette storage and utilization system. Magnetic tape cassettes are transported between locations in the system by means of a cassette transport/accessor assembly, which is actuated by a belt drive system using stationary drive motors. This drive system eliminates the need to mount drive motors on the transport assembly, thus effecting a lighter weight, less complex assembly. The transport/accessor assembly includes two vertical rails rigidly mounted on upper and lower wheel carriages which travel on spaced horizontal rails adjacent to the cassette storage and utilization system. An accessor platform travels vertically on the vertical rails. The accessor platform supports a pair of cassette accessor assemblies which insert and extract a cassette from a location in the cassette storage and utilization system. The power for driving the cassette transporter/accessor assembly is provided by stationary motors coupled to the transport/accessor assembly through sprocket driven, high-yield stainless steel belts. Separate motor and belt drive systems provide selective movement of the transport/accessor assembly in horizontal, vertical and lateral directions.

System for recording/reproducing video data on or from a tape medium for storing digital signals and method therein

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique whereby digital video signals can be recorded or reproduced on or from a magnetic tape. Using second controller to control a system such as a DAT recorder employing a digital signal processor, and first coutroller for converting said video signals into analog or digital, the video data are processed as in the conventional method of processing audio data according to the input of the mode selecting key. By the input of the key, the first controller converts analog video data into digital to store them in a memory, or reproduce said stored data by converting them into analog of real time, a different input of the key is checked by the second controller to store said video data into the tape. When storing said video data into the tape, the video signals are stored, imparted with synchronizing pulse to be distinguished from audio signals, and when reproducing said signals from the tape, the synchronizing pulse is detected to store only the video data into the memory, which data are reproduced by the first controller.

Tape loading mechanism for causing a length of tape to travel along a rotary head drum

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism in a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus secures a sufficiently accurate positioning of a tape guide during a loading condition and also during an unloading condition with a tape guide arm (58) which is moved in association with the rotation of revolving arms (41) and (42) for moving a pair of guide post members (7) and (8). The movement of the tape guide arm (58) is stopped at a stopper member (60) at a predetermined position through which a length of magnetic tape is moved. A biasing member (54) is provided for pressing the tape guide arm (58) against the stopper member (60), thereby accurately positioning a tape guide (17) mounted on the tape guide arm (58). The mechanism can be used in a digital tape recorder or a video tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Compact helical scan tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a rotary cylinder (2) having a plurality of magnetic transducer heads (3a-3d) on a cylindrical surface thereof and rotatable about an axis tilted to the vertical for producing obliquely scanned paths on a magnetic tape. A first tape loading mechanism includes a first post (5a) movable along a first guide groove (34) extending from a first initial position in which it engages with a tape (14) from a cassette (1) to a first terminal position adjacent the rotary cylinder. A second tape loading mechanism includes a second post movable along a second guide groove (33) extending from a second initial position in which it engages with the tape to a second terminal position adjacent the rotary cylinder. The first and second tape loading mechanisms are driven so that the first and second posts (5a,5b) move from the initial positions to the terminal positions to cause the tape to be pulled out of the cassette and form an arc of a predetermined angle on the cylindrical wall of the rotary cylinder. A locking mechanism (49,63) is provided for locking the first and second posts in the first and second terminal positions such that the axes of the first and second posts are parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary cylinder.

Write/read head including monocrystalline magnetic thin films protected by a coating having hardened and lubricating zones

Abstract: In a method for making a thin-film magnetic head, there are stages for depositing hardening material in the plane of the magnetic films and in the neighbourhood of the active surface of the magnetic head. The invention also relates to a magnetic head made according to this method. The invention can be applied to thin-film magnetic heads for magnetic tape read/write devices.

Magnetic head with constant area wear profile

Abstract: A particularized cross section for a magnetic recording head provides a constant area wear profile for cooperating magnetic tape. The constant area wear profile results from the "combined" use of a common radius of curvature for both the natural bending radius of the tape as well as the tape-contacting surface of the head, taken together with the requirement that the leading and trailing medium-contacting parts of the head form air-skiving edges which are essentially parallel to the force- (or pressure-) direction associated with the tape-contacting interface.

Magnetic tape device

Abstract: PURPOSE:To early detect the deterioration of a magnetic tape medium and maintenance information of a device by providing a counting means for counting errors arising during a read or write operation, a readout means for reading out the resultant count, a searching means and a printing means. CONSTITUTION:A counter 5 counts the number of times of an error generated during a period from commencing the readout or write of contents of a magnetic tape 6 from the logical start-up point in the tape 6 by the magnetic tape device 1 to starting the operation of rewinding or unloading the tape 6 by the command of a host device. When the rewinding or unloading command is inputted into a control section 2, the control section 2 reads out the resultant count made by the counter 5 and acts to print the count on a back surface of a reel flange of the tape 6 by means of a printing section 3. Before giving the print instruction, the control section 2 instructs a searching section 4 to search the matching of the printing section 3 with a printing part by moving the printing section 3 up and down or rotating the tape 6. In this way, the operator can be informed of the degree of deterioration of a tape and the maintenance information for the device 1, and an early detection can be performed to find how the magnetic tape 6 is deteriorated in its performance and also the maintenance requirement for the device 1.

Cleaning apparatus for magnetic tape

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the edges of a magnetic tape cut into final-product widths from a wide raw material web with which magnetic powder shed from the tape and base film dust breaking off in the cutting process are removed without damage to the tape. The apparatus includes an air bearing guide for floating the magnetic tape as it is transported thereon, a cleaning device positioned at a side of the guide and making contact with at least one edge of the magnetic tape, and a magnet device for urging the edge of the tape into close contact with the cleaning device.

Apparatus for recording/reproducing a digital signal at variable speeds

Abstract: A digital signal recording/reproducing apparatus for enabling recording/reproduction at variable speeds including normal speed, and at least one of N-times normal speed and 1/N-times normal speed while maintaining the reproducing frequency constant so as to not require switching of analog circuits. At the time of reproduction at normal speed, N-times normal speed or 1/N-times normal speed, the feed speed of the magnetic tape and the timing of picking up of a reproducing signal from the magnetic tape are varied while the speed of revolution of a cylinder of a rotary head is maintained constant so that the timing of detection of pilot signals for generating a tracking error signal is varied to cope with difference in track scanning conditions in recording and reproducing modes.

Magnetic tape cassette having reel locks controlled by an optical tape end detecting element

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette comprises a compact reel lock mechanism which includes a pair of reel lock arms engaging with outer peripheries of a pair of tape reels, a sliding member serving as a cover for a single opening through which an end of an optical tape end detecting element is inserted into the cassette casing, a cam member which provided on the sliding member for rotating the pair of reel lock arms, and a guide member guiding said sliding member. When the tape cassette is out of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the single opening is closed by the sliding member and the reel lock arms restrict rotation of reels. Conversely, when the tape cassette is inserted into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the sliding member is pushed up by the end of the optical detecting element and as a result the cam member moves upward along with said sliding member. The opening, therefore, becomes open, and simultaneously the cam member releases engagement between the reel lock arms and the peripheries of tape reels.

Automatic recording, playing and changing device for magnetic-tape cassettes

Abstract: An automatic recording, playing and changing device for data carriers, in particular for magnetic-tape cassettes, is specified. It comprises a multiplicity of storage magazines, each of which has a multiplicity of storage locations and handling devices for random access to the data carriers deposited in the storage locations. To accomplish very short access and transfer times from the storage locations to the reproducing devices, there is a central handling device, which interacts with the handling devices of the storage magazines and the reproducing devices.