EP0329265A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Data storage method
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Ltd
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Filing: 1989-01-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Before reading/writing a newly loaded data tape, it is known to carry out read/write tests on the tape drive concerned by using a section of the tape set aside for this purpose. This test section is generally marked off by formatting keys which must be accessed and read to identify the test section. In order to facilitate access to the test section, the disclosed data storage method locates the test section (84) in the region of tape between a beginning-of-media BOM position and a beginning-of-recording BOR position with the latter being at a known distance (L) from BOM. As a result, it is possible to rely simply on displacement measurement to access the test section (84) from BOM. As a precaution, a check can be made for possible overshoot error in the tape positioning means so as to avoid testing being carried out beyond BOR.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Andrew Milthorp
- 👤 Bruce Allen Thompson
- 👤 Yoshizumi Inazawa
- 👤 Shigeyuki Satomura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:49
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/087; G11B15/18; G11B15/1808; G11B15/1875; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/12; G11B20/1201; G11B20/1207; G11B20/1209; G11B20/18; G11B20/1816; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/107; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/30; G11B27/3027; G11B27/3063; G11B27/36; G11B5/00; G11B5/008; G11B5/00813; G11B5/00847; G11B5/0086; G11B20/1211; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/90; G11B2220/91; G11B2220/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of storing data on a recording tape, the method involving writing data-to-be-stored downstream from a beginning-of-recording position (BOR) the location of which along the tape is determined in terms of displacement of the tape from a fully-rewound beginning-of-media position (BOM); characterised in that the method further involves a test phase (110, 115) of using a section of tape (84) upstream of BOR or its expected location to carry out read and/or write tests, this test section (84) of tape being spaced from BOM and being accessed by displacement of the tape through a predetermined distance from BOM or a point on the tape whose position relative to BOM is known.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of storing data on a recording tape, the method involving writing data-to-be-stored downstream from a beginning-of-recording position (BOR) the location of which along the tape is determined in terms of displacement of the tape from a fully-rewound beginning-of-media position (BOM); characterised in that the method further involves a test phase (110, 115) of using a section of tape (84) upstream of BOR or its expected location to carry out read and/or write tests, this test section (84) of tape being spaced from BOM and being accessed by displacement of the tape through a predetermined distance from BOM or a point on the tape whose position relative to BOM is known.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said test section (84) is spaced by a guard band (85) from BOR.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein access to said test section (84) is effected, at least in part, at high speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein access to said test section (84) is effected by tape positioning means and wherein prior to carrying out said tests a check (112) is made on the positioning means for positional overshoot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said check involves moving (102) the tape from BOM to the region of BOR based on effecting a predetermined displacement by said positioning means, and determining (112) any unacceptable overshoot by reading (103) the tape for data written beyond BOR.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 5 applicable to a helical- scan recording method in which data is written in oblique tracks extending across the tape, wherein BOR is constituted by the first track of a plurality of numbered tracks, whereby tape position relative to BOR, and thus possible overshoot, can be determined by reading the track number of a track.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein starting from BOM, positioning of the tape for said test phase includes the steps of: - advancing (102) the tape at high speed to a location approximating to the expected location of BOR, - reading (103) the tape to check for displacement overshoot in a tape previously written to, and in the absence of overshoot detection, - backspacing (106-114) the tape at high speed to position the tape between BOM and the expected location of BOR; the tape thereafter being advanced at its normal read/write speed for carrying out said read and/or write tests (107,115).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein for a blank tape or a tape to be overwritten, after said read and/or write tests (107;115) have been carried out, the tape is further advanced (118,110) to provide a guard band (85) such that the actual BOR whereat data writing is initiated approximates its said expected location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
37 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 5 applied to the recording of data on a DAT-type tape cartridge using a helical scan technique, wherein BOR is predetermined to be between 300-400 mm from BOM.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of storing data on recording tape in which a helical scan technique is employed to write to the tape in oblique tracks, characterised in that the method includes the steps of maintaining a sequence-number count indicative of the sequence number of each track or pair of tracks in the sequence of tracks written from a reference point located at the starting end of the tape, and writing said sequence-number count to tape on the corresponding said track or one or both tracks of said pair of tracks.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of storing data on recording tape in which a helical scan technique is employed to write to the tape in oblique tracks, characterised in that the method includes the steps of maintaining a sequence-number count indicative of the sequence number of each track or pair of tracks in the sequence of tracks written from a reference point located at the starting end of the tape, and writing said sequence-number count to tape on the corresponding said track or one or both tracks of said pair of tracks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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