DE2327390A1 - DEVICE FOR ADDRESSING LONGITUDINAL RECORDING TRACKS ON A FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC RECORDING STRIP BY USING A DATA CONVERTER - Google Patents

Description

PATENTANWÄLTEHENKEL — KERN - FEILER - HÄNZEL— MÜLLER

DR-PHIU DIPL.-ING. DR. RER. NAT. DIPL.-INQ. DIPL.-ING. TELEX: 05 29 802 HNKL D EDUAR D-S CH M ID-STRASSE 2 BAVARIAN MORTGAGE AND TELEPHONE. - (08 11) 66 3197, 66 30 91-92 EXCHANGE BANK MUNICH NO. 318-85 TELEGRAMS: ELLIPSOID MÜNCHEN D-8 000 MÜNCHEN 90 POSTSCHECK- MCHN I62I 47 βΟ9

Control Data Corporation 2327390

Minneapolis, Minn., V.St.A.

May 29, 1973

Device for addressing longitudinally extending recording tracks on a flexible magnetic recording strip by means of a data converter

The invention relates generally to apparatus for mass storage of data or the like under the control of a computer. automatically retrievable arejUnd particularly relates to a storage device used as a storage medium a preferably flexible, magnetizable recording surface, for example made of iron oxide, as well as transducers for reading out and writing information from or into the surface moved relative to the transducers. Except the area the magnetic stripe memory, the invention may also be assigned to the area of disk and drum memory, which more than because of their capacity because of their access speed, since the data exchange speeds can also be quite high with these memories, as soon as the desired physical area is addressed. . '

Perhaps the closest known device, however, is that To name magnetic stripe or magnetic tape or -bahnspeicher, the so far not widely used because of its expensive, complicated structure Has. An example of such a device is described in US Pat. No. 2,722,676. Less relevant to the invention, but more well known, is the ordinary Magnefband data recorder in which reading and writing is common by means of a multi-track magnetic head on a comparatively narrow one

Mü / Bi / Re 309881/1061 / 2

magnetizable strip takes place.

In the case of the known magnetic stripe or magnetic track memories, there is the Major difficulty in addressing multiple tracks using a magnetic head. If a magnetic head is provided for each track, are numerous slip rings or equivalent devices are required to achieve the Transferring data from the rotating drum to the frame. Furthermore, there is very often a slight shift in the strip or band necessary. When a magnetic head addresses several tracks, this results continued difficulties in moving the magnetic heads relative to the tracks. In some constructions, the entire strip is moved, while in other embodiments the magnetic head itself is displaced. In still other constructions, the drum or a moved another element carrying the magnetic heads. In any case, must a comparatively large mass can be accelerated and decelerated, which creates difficulties in quickly and accurately accessing a track

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a device with which, the multi-lane addressing by shifting the magnetic track or the magnetic stripe relative to the magnetic head track can be effected more effectively and more appropriately than was previously possible.

To solve this problem, the invention is based on a technology that has been long for the control of webs, for example made of paper, polyethylene film and Tissue, is applied. Such devices are described in U.S. Patents 2,716,026, 2,797,091, and 3,024,955, each of which includes U.S. Patents 2,716,026, 2,797,091 and 3,024,955 describes modifications of a common basic device made up of two pair of guide rollers, between which the belt is partially wrapped the same is transported. By pivoting the direction of the axis of rotation of the two parallel rollers opposite to the direction of movement of the belt, the position of the outgoing belt strand can be determined in relation to that on the guide

309881/1061

roll on the running belt strand can be changed. Optionally, the Rollers arranged at an angle to the tape movement and can the Belt transverse position by changing the distance between the two Roles can be varied.

In contrast to the known devices, the invention, which relates to a device for addressing a longitudinal recording track indicated by a track address signal, on a flexible recording tape with the aid of a data converter with a transmission surface, uses a rotating drum or a similar device, which holds a conventional data transducer to a recording medium relative to which the transducer moves. When held by a drum, the transducer can be embedded in its curved surface, so that its transmission surface protrudes from this drum surface. A flexible strip or a flexible web with a plurality of recording tracks can then be used as the recording medium. The strip or web, which may be several hundred meters long, hereinafter collectively referred to as "tape", partially wraps around the drum and is supported on it by an air bearing boundary layer. When the drum is rotating, the circle described by the transmission or writing surface of the data converter picks out a drought track when it is located next to the surface of the tape wrapping around the drum. By appropriate selection of the data converter and its input signals, data can be written to, read from, or deleted from the tape. The band section located on both sides of the drum runs, as mentioned, through a set of guide rollers. If both pairs of guide rollers are pivoted in such a way that the belt strand located between them is shifted to a predetermined end of the drum, a second track on the belt can be addressed by the data converter. The displaced portion remains parallel to the non-displaced part and the tension across the belt is uniform, allowing asymmetrical stretching or bowing of the belt

309881/1061 / 4

is prevented. By accurately measuring the position of the tape on the Drum and by coordinating the pivoting movement of the two pairs of guide rollers With this position, the data converter can address a large number of closely spaced recording tracks. Here you can Various devices for tensioning the tape can be used to properly align the tape and to keep it close to the transducer that a Writing in and reading out of data is possible.

Although the invention is assumed above in connection with as rotatable As leadership roles are outlined, there are numerous beneficial changes and modifications of the basic device are possible. So it can be beneficial be to replace each roller with a cylinder or rod with a convex curved surface wrapped by the belt, which or which is provided with a device for creating an air bearing between the belt and the guide cylinder surface around which it is wrapped. One Air bearing boundary layer between the tape and a rod or the like. reduced the friction between these parts is almost zero. When using the Guide rod arrangements displaces the band with a simple pivoting of the guide rods in the manner described transversely to these rods and on the drum so that a new track can be picked up or addressed without the tape being drawn lengthways through the guide bar assemblies needs to be moved. The term "rod" as used refers to both rollers and non-rotating cylinders, which are partially be wrapped in the tape.

As mentioned, the tape can be several hundred meters long. The instant unused length of tape can be stored on two take-up reels, which can be set in rotation when a new surface section with a new set of tracks can be provided for addressing the drum should: Band widths of up to 60 cm can be easily handled.

/ 5

309881/106 1

ORIGINAL iMSPECTEO

The use of the device described results in numerous, previously unachievable advantages »The guide rods can be hollow so that they have a low mass, which means low acceleration forces their pivoting means. The transversely accelerated section of the belt also has very low mass. Both the belt and the guide rods only move a short distance, i.e. at most a few Centimeter. For these reasons, the new track can be addressed very quickly. In the conventional method of addressing a new track either the drum, the magnetic heads or the tape ends themselves are moved.

Other important advantages can be realized as a result of the use of air bearings on the drum and on the guide rods. Because the friction is thereby kept very low, the friction hysteresis is also very low, which enables precise reproducibility of the tape alignment. Belt damage is minimized due to the low friction. It is not necessary to have a length of tape to lead through the pairs of guide rods, while the guide rods pivot to allow proper alignment of the belt. The exact alignment allows for a higher density of tracks to be used per unit of width of the band. However, a higher track density enables faster access and the storage of a larger amount of data.

The following are preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings Drawing explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. Ί a perspective view of the left side of a simplified embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the right side of a supplemented to a fully operational unit embodiment of the invention,

309881/1061 _{/ 6}

3 shows a section through the tape position control device according to FIG Fig. 2 and a block diagram of the control electronics,

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the top of the device according to FIG. 2

5 shows a perspective illustration of a modified embodiment the device according to the invention, which has a different device for shifting the belt position on the drum,

6 shows a partial section, on an enlarged scale, through the Drum surface to illustrate the arrangement of a Transducer head,

Fig. 7 a schematic representations of the device for producing a and 7b air bearing contact between a rod and the belt,

8 shows a perspective illustration of a modified device for storing and pivoting two guide rods;

9 shows two schematic representations at right angles to one another and 9 b of the band drinking over two guide rods for demonstration

calibration of the dimensions determining the size of the tape displacement and 10 shows a block diagram to further clarify the mode of operation.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a frame 100 on to which or relative to which all the mechanical components essential to the invention are arranged. The outer housing of a motor 103 is attached to the frame 100. One mounted on the output shaft of the motor 103 and driven by it Drum 101 can be mounted on the right or free end by means of a bearing 240, not shown in the figure for the sake of clarity. A Data conversion head 111 is embedded in the drum 101 and is supported by it held so that its writing surface from the surface of the drum

309881/106 _1/7

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

facing outwards, the positional relationship between the two parts in Fig. 6 is shown more clearly. The dashed lines 111 in FIG. 2 give the position of the transducer heads using a number of the same at. Guide bracket holders 104a and 104b are articulated to frame 100 with the aid of pivot bearings 122a and 122b, respectively. The holder 104 a holds two guide rods 105a and 106a in a rigid position to each other, the surface of which is formed in each case by a convex cylinder jacket surface. Although not essential, in most cases it is desirable that the two pairs of guide rods, which assemblies 121a and 121b, have identical symmetrical dimensions as shown and assumed in the following description. The angles which define the guide rod surfaces with respect to the vertical plane, i.e. the plane running perpendicular to the axis of the drum 101, are controlled by magnetic or voice coils 114a and 114b, which. - " determine the angular position of the arrangements 121a and 121b. The voice coils 114a and 114b are by means of pivot links 118a and 118b pivotally attached to the frame 100. The ones perpendicular to the axis of the holder pivot points 122a and 122b running surfaces must be perpendicular to the perpendicular planes, which for the sake of simplicity as horizontal planes Planes are designated, although those associated with pivot point 122a Plane not parallel to the apparent horizontal plane according to FIGS. 1 and 2 or to that of the pivot point 122 and vice versa. the Voice coil 114b instructs one by means of a pivot bearing or point 124b a bracket 116b, which in turn is connected to the ends of the rods 105b and 106b is connected, attached CHeit anchor 115b. When moving the anchor 115b becomes the angular position of the rods 105b and 106b with respect to the vertical Level changed. The position of the armature 115b is determined by a voice coil input signal 119b, which is supplied by a controller 205 according to FIG. A similar arrangement is for voice coil 114a and 114a the components assigned to it are provided.

/8th

309881/1061

A tape 112 represents the actual recording medium on which the Data is written in and read out by the data converting head 111 will. The ends of the belt 102 are opposite the frame 100 through a device held that allows little or no movement of the tape ends perpendicular to the perpendicular, but a small amount Expansion of the band 102 to adapt to length differences in its trajectory when pivoting the holder 104a and 104b allows. By allowing the tape to expand slightly at at least one end can be more uniform if the length of the path of movement of the belt 102 is changed Tensile stress can be maintained. For the sake of simplicity, it can be said that the belt 102 has parallel edges and symmetrical or symmetrical edges. has a uniform cross-section and consists of a material with a uniform modulus of elasticity, although these conditions for the operation of the device are not decisive. In Fig. 1, the holder for the (the viewer) facing end of the band 102 from a simple clamping piece or a holder 113b, which or with the help of springs 112 on Frame is attached. The opposite end of the belt 102 can with the help a similar, invisible holder 113a is held rigidly on the frame 100 be. Each bracket clamps the associated end of the band 102 via its across the entire width in order to ensure even tension across the belt width and thus skewing and curling of the belt to prevent. Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment with reels or spools 208a, 208b on which the portions that are not currently needed of the tape 102 can be stored until data is written on the surfaces of the portions of the tape located on the reels 208a or 208b or to be read out.

For the explanation of the path of movement of the belt 102 it is assumed that the belt tension is so great that at the points where the belt 102 runs between the various bars, flat surfaces or segments

309881/1061/9

ORlGlNALiHSPECTED

are formed, each of which is designated with its own reference number is. The segment 102b closest to the observer in FIG. 1 runs between the holder 113b and the guide rod 106b. That Band 102 partially wraps around the outer surface of the guide rod 106b, runs between the two guide rods 105 and 106b, forming a segment 102c, and partially wraps around the outer surface of the rod 105b. The belt 102 continues from the rod 105b around an intermediate rod 110b around to form a band segment 102d between this rod and the drum 101 to extend. The one wrapped around by the belt 102 Teil.der rod HOb forms part of a convex cylindrical surface of the rod 110b, the axis of which is parallel to that of the drum 101 lies. As shown, a portion of a segment 102e of belt 102 wraps around drum 101.

According to FIG. 4, the belt 102 runs between the drum 101 and a Intermediate rod HOa with partial looping around the latter, whose looped area, as with the intermediate rod HOb, is convex cylindrical with the axis parallel to the axis of the drum 101. The tape stretches further partially turns to form a flat segment 102f the guide rod 105 around and runs between this and the guide rod 106a (Fig. 2). It partially wraps around the guide rod 106a and runs via an intermediate rod 202a to the take-up reel 208a and thereby forms tape segments 102g, 102h and 102i. The rods 10a, 106a and 202a all have a at the points wrapped by the band 102 smooth, convex cylindrical outer surface. The coils 208a and 208b serve for storing those portions of tape 102 that do not have tracks needed for current addressing by transducer heads 111 contain. The intermediate rods 202a and 202b are required when take-up spools, how the coils 208a and 208b are provided. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the intermediate rods 202a and 202b are therefore unavailable.

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/ 10

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

In the preferred embodiment, both belt segments 102b lie and 102d parallel to the horizontal plane of the guide rod arrangement 121b. Similarly, belt segments 102f and 102h lie parallel to the horizontal plane of the arrangement 121a. These requirements are necessary in order to maintain an even tension across the belt 102 to achieve when the guide rod assemblies 121 α and 121b pivoted on their pivot points 122a and 122b, which are not visible in FIG. 2 will. The need for intermediate rods 202a and 202b is clear from this. When winding and unwinding the items on reels 208a and 208b Sections of the belt 102 would have the parallel ratio of the segments 102b to 102d and 102f to 102h can be changed if these intermediate rods would not exist.

In the device according to FIG. 2, the axial or transverse position of the Bands 102 with respect to the transducer head 111 exactly measured or. established, this reading in a feedback device for accurate alignment of the belt 102 on the drum 101 is used. The tape position is determined by the position of a tape edge sensor 220, which is controlled by an arm 218 is carried which is slidably connected to the voice coil 219, which in turn is attached to the frame and is moved by it. In the simplified device according to FIG. 1, no edge sensor is provided. Instead, it is assumed here that the individual tracks are so far apart that individual track addressing is possible, by simply changing the angular position of the guide rod assemblies 121a and 121b * is set to predetermined values.

In the devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the data on slip rings 117 transferred to the transducer heads 1.11 and removed from them. These Slip rings can be of mechanical construction using brushes or they can work inductively. The fixed element of the slip rings can be connected to a central computer via a line (not shown)

309881/1061 / 11

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

or another data processing device. That movable element of each slip ring 117 can each with a single Transducer head 111 be connected. Optionally, in the drum 101 Circuitry may be provided to control the various transducer heads 111 in multiplex a slip ring 117.

In operation, the switched-on motor 103 causes the drum 101 to rotate at such a speed that its outer surface has a peripheral speed of the order of magnitude of approximately 6350 cm / s. At this speed, short access times and high data rates are guaranteed and there is also a natural film or air gap between the tape. 102e and the drum 101 are generated. Optionally, in the case of lower speeds, the outer surface of the drum 101 can be provided with bores through which air is pressed to form an air bearing boundary layer. The guide and intermediate rods can be rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes. However, they are preferably arranged in a rotationally fixed manner and provided with bores 703 (FIGS. 7a and 7b) which are arranged offset by 5 inward from the tangency lines of the band 102 on the surface around which it is wrapped. Compressed air is blown through these bores so that the air bearing boundary layer is created between the belt 102 and the surfaces against which the belt moves.

The mode of operation of the device according to the invention is as clear as possible To explain, reference is first made to the simplified embodiment according to FIG. A track on tape 102 can be related to Angular position of the arrangements 121a and 121b are determined. According to Fig. 4, the angular position of the guide rod assembly 121 b in the containing the axis of the convex lateral surface of the guide rod 106b horizontal plane is measured clockwise from the plane perpendicular to that axis, and this angle is called angle B. In the Arrangement 121a, the corresponding angle is referred to as angle A,

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ORiGiNAL INSPECTED

the one in the horizontal plane counterclockwise from the vertical one Plane to the axis of the convex surface of the guide rod 106a is measured.

The belt segment 102e can by setting the angle A and B to any position along the entire length of the drum 101 to be brought. With this setting, however, it is important that these angles are equal. In the position according to FIG. 1, these angles are! almost at the minimum value, so that the segment 102e is almost in its rightmost position on the drum 101. When the tape 102 symmetrical or uniform cross-section on both sides and a uniform one Has a modulus of elasticity, is for each special angle that the arrangements 121α and -121b assume a single equilibrium position of segment 102e given. If the belt segment 102e is not in the the equilibrium position corresponding to the values of the angles A and B is located, there is an uneven tension in the belt 102, which is caused by differences is caused in the trajectory length across the width of the belt 102. This creates transverse forces, which strive are to move the segment 102e to the equilibrium position. In order to the segment can reach its point of equilibrium exactly, the Contact of the belt 102 with the rods over which it slides can be almost frictionless. The transverse forces that are then present when the Belt segment 102e near its equilibrium point are quite small, so that even a slight amount of friction causes inaccuracy. Through the Use of air bearings between the belt 102 and all surfaces which it slides, the friction is reduced to a very satisfactory level.

When the assemblies 121a and 121b are in the position shown in FIG. 1, the transducer head 111 runs on one for each revolution of the drum 101

/ 13 309881/1061

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

Pass a thin longitudinal section of tape segment 102e, which is the track represents on which the data conversion takes place. For addressing The angles A and B are changed for different tracks. At this time, the voice coils 114a and 114b are excited simultaneously so that they move the armature 115a or 115b into new positions in which new, equal angles A and B are defined. For the purpose of explanation it is assumed that the armatures 115a, 115b of FIG. 1 are both around an equally large, small amount can be retracted, i.e. that increase both angles A and B a little. The location of the belt segment 102e is then no longer in the equilibrium position. In the As you approach the new equilibrium position, the uneven tension across the width of the belt 102 will decrease generated lateral forces. When these forces equalize the opposing frictional forces, the transverse displacement of the belt 102 ends, so that the new track addressed by the transducer head 111 for the data transmission is ready.

For the analytical investigation of the transverse displacement of the belt 102 as a function of the parameters influencing this displacement, reference is made below to FIGS. 9a and 9b, in which a part of the guide rods 105b and 106b is shown, around which an edge of the belt 102 is wrapped. For ease of examination, the rods 106b and. 105b shown as cylindrical rods of the same diameter. 9a shows a projected view of these three elements in a plane lying parallel to the horizontal plane of the arrangement 121, while FIG. 9b shows a projected side view of the same perpendicular to the axes of the guide rods 105b and 106b. The parameters, one function of which is the displacement or offset & , are shown as follows: _{guide rod angle ot, r} diameter D of guide rods 105b and 106b and the relative position of the center points of guide rods 105b and 106b

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as functions of f and a. The dimension α is the graphical distance, measured vertically upwards from the center point of the guide rod 106b in FIG. 9b to the center point of the guide rod 105b. This means that if the center point of the rod 106b were located above the center point of the rod 105b and therefore only a comparatively small area * of each rod were wrapped by the band 102, the dimension α, measured in the upward direction, would be positive. In Fig. 9b, the dimension α is negative. In the actual formula, a second quantity \ is used to simplify the expression.

Formula 1:

fal + fdA
arc cosf 2 JZi +! _ + α sin

Formula 2:

² ^ P- rs ²

a + f - D

Γ α 7 + f d \
where arc cos (—y = «-) is expressed in radians and in the third

\ a + r /

Quadrant if f <D (as in Fig. 9b), and in the second quadrant if F> D and the argument is negative. The above expression describes the wrap angle, ie the entire arc of a circle which is enclosed by the radii which connect the tangent of the belt 102 with the center point of the rod 105b or 106b. This formula is based on the assumption that the tension is uniform across the width of the belt 102 and that uneven tensile stresses in the belt 102, which are caused by moving guide rod assemblies 121a and 121b, are due to the equilibrium position of the in each case reached

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

Bands 102 are balanced.

In the devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the angle et is varied to change ^ S to the desired value. Obviously, Δ is only a function of sin * <■ as soon as a certain geometric configuration has been established. The value <= c can easily be expressed by the amount by which the anchors Π5a and 115b are extended, while Λ can then only be expressed as a function of the armature position. With the positions chosen for a number of tracks across the width of the tape 102, the offset required for each track can be readily determined and the formulas for the anchor position required to address each track can be solved. The outer controller (205 in FIG. 2), which provides tape shift or voice coil signals on lines 119a and 119b, can readily be programmed to provide the desired signal from a separate set of signals provided by armatures 115a and 115a Set 115b to allow addressing of the desired track.

A complete, operational system is shown in FIG. The facilities for moving the tape segment 102e are exactly the same as in FIG the device according to FIG. 1 does not have a sufficient amount of data to mif alternatives Storage facilities to be competitive. Since the two systems are similar to one another, FIG. 2 is illustrated by the differences between the in her illustrated device and that of FIG. 1 described.

The device according to FIG. 2 corresponds almost entirely to one currently in FIG Put into operation prototype device and differs from it only in that the guide rod pivot points 122a and 122b (Fig. 1) located midway between the ends of assemblies 121a and 121b are. This change has been made to facilitate illustration and explanation of the

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ORiSlNAL INSPECTED

Operation of the device according to the invention while avoiding a unclear illustration of these arrangements made. Figure 8 shows the preferred arrangement.

The drum 101 according to FIG. 2 is modified to the extent that - as mentioned several Transducer heads 111 are provided, their position on the drum 101 is indicated by the two dashed lines. By adding multiple transducer heads to drum 101 becomes faster access to a desired track because the tape 102 is used with each access operation only needs to be moved a short distance on average.

In the apparatus of FIG. 2, the tape 102 is so long that it is used for It is sufficient to accommodate numerous data blocks, with one block representing the determination for all data transmitted by the transducer heads 111 by simple transverse displacement of the tape segment 102e can be picked out. The excess length of tape is ready on the spools or reels 208a, 208b held, which are driven by coil drive motors 210a and 210b (Fig. 4) will. The tape segment 102a directly adjoining the tape roll 201b on the reel 208b runs to the intermediate rod 202b and wraps around this partially. The intermediate rod 202b is required in the illustrated embodiment to the parallel relationship between the Maintain band segments 102b and 102d. If the intermediate rod 202b were not present, the required parallel state could be cannot be observed if the diameter of the tape roll 201b changes with the amount of tape 102 wound onto the reel 208b changing. The intermediate rod 202a is provided on the tape roll 201a for the same reasons. Belt edge sensors 212a and 212b are provided on the frame 100, which are arranged at the edges of the band segments 102t and 102a. These sensors 212a, 212b determine the position of the edge of the adjacent tape segments and transmit signals that determine the transverse position

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OFMGiNAL INSPECTED

tion of the segments 102i and 102a contained in encrypted form over Data lines 238a or 238b to controller 205.

Since the ends of the tape are driven by the reels 208a, 208b and not by clamping devices are held, are control devices for maintenance correct belt tension is required. In dependence of A belt control unit 302 (Fig. 3), the drive motors 210a and 210b in cooperation with one another maintain the correct tension on the belt 102 upright. This is done in that the motors 210a and 210b deliver opposing torques which are of equal magnitude and opposing forces on the unwound section of tape on the rollers Generate 201a and 201b. Although various tensile stresses can be used for a given belt 102, one 0.038 mm (0.0015 inch) thick plastic film made of Mylar (registered trademark of DuPont) with a width of 559 mm from about 22.7 - 31.8 kg proved to be satisfactory.

In addition to ensuring all the necessary for the operation of the device various control functions, the controller 205 also receives commands and status information from an external data processing unit 225, in which the device according to the invention is a unit of its circumferential or peripheral equipment. The controller itself does not provide any part of the invention. The construction of a controller which supplies the correct control signals to the device and the command status signals fed into it interpreted correctly, is the task of the relevant specialist. The controller 205 is therefore only based on the block diagram according to FIG Fig. 3 is explained in conjunction with the overall description of the operation of this embodiment.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 has a larger capacity than that according to Fig. 1, and not only because of the significantly increased area,

3 0 9 8 8 1/10 6 1 /18

OBlGWALiNSPECTEO

which is available for data storage, but also because of the increased density with which the data is stored. One the significant advantages of the invention is that a very accurate Transverse alignment of the tape segment 102e. is possible using feedback techniques. For this reason there is a band control guide provided, the voice coil 219b attached to the frame 100 with an anchor 218b, which extends to the band segment 102e and in extending generally parallel to the axis of the drum 101. On the hinge side A sensing element 220b is attached to the end of the armature 218b, which determines the position of the segment 102e relative to it and encoding this position Data in the form of a feeler control signal via a data line 221b to controller 205 transmits. The position of the anchor 218b is determined by a sensing element position sensor 217b located near the voice coil 219b is attached in such a way that the distance over which the anchor 218b is extended is determined and the position is encrypted and can be transmitted to controller 205 via a data line 227b. A similar device for determining the position of the right portion of the Band segment 102e consists according to FSg. 4 from a voice coil 219a with Armature 218a, a Bandstef iungs-Fühier 220a, a Fühleiement position sensor 217a and data lines 221a, 23όα and 227a.

With regard to the differences between the device according to FIG. 2 and that according to FIG. 1, various further modifications are necessary in order to implement the improved mode of operation which the embodiment according to FIG. 2 is able to ensure. Since a number of transducer heads 11Ϊ are provided, the tape segment 102 does not need to be shifted laterally over a greater distance than over the greatest distance between two adjacent transducer heads 111 in order to enable access to the spring track on the segment 102e. The change in the angles A and B, as well as the maximum movement of the armatures 115a and 115b, is therefore considerably reduced. By using multiple transducer heads, not only will

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- ¹ Y

ORIGiNAL INSPECTED

the track addressing accelerates, but can also increase the data rates can be increased because it is easy to all or more transducer heads 111 so to arrange that they can write and read data at the same time.

In a preferred embodiment, sixteen transducer heads are separated from the neighboring Transducer head are each 33 mm away, aligned on the surface of the drum 101, as indicated in FIG. 2 at 111. the Track density, i.e. the distance between the center lines of adjacent tracks, is 0.25 mm in a preferred construction. Consequently 130 tracks are addressed by a single transducer head. The location each track on the tape segment 102e can be expressed by a fixed distance from the left edge of the segment 102e. The sensing elements 220a (Fig. 4) and 220b in connection with the sensing element position sensors 217a and 217b accurately measure the distance from the left edge of the segment 102e from a perpendicular reference plane when elements 220a and 220b are in a preferred position opposite an edge of the tape segment 102e. This relative to the transducer heads 111 fixed, perpendicular The reference plane is perpendicular to the axis of the drum 101 and runs through the feelers 217a and 217b. The known removal of a desired Trace from the left edge of segment 102e plus the measured one Distance of this edge from the reference plane, i. the anchor length must therefore the known, fixed distance of a magnetic transducer head 111 from the The reference plane must be the same so that the desired track can be addressed by a transducer head. If the two sizes are not the same, the angles A and B are passed through from controller 205 to voice coils 114a, 114b transmitted signals are adjusted to translate the segment 102e transversely and adjust the two measured values to one another. If the distance from track to edge plus the measured anchor length (from the Edge up to the reference plane) is smaller than the known distance from the transducer head to the reference plane, angles A and B must be reduced in order to achieve the Tape segment 102e to be shifted to the right, so that the measuring

309881/106 1 _{/ 20th}

INSPECTED

2 3 2 7 ■ -: 9

stretch between the left edge of segment 102 and the reference plane is enlarged. If the sum of the track spacing and edge spacing is greater than the transducer head spacing, angles A and B must be increased. If the two ends of the segment 102e are unequal from the vertical Are away from the reference plane, the controller 205 adjusts the angle of the guide rod assembly concerned by only the position of the armature of the voice coil 1 14a or 114b is changed.

Figure 3 illustrates the components of controller 205 and a preferred one Embodiment of the ribbon edge sensor arrangement. The block numbers of the tape are obtained via line 230b from an external signal source such as a data processing unit 225 (FIG. 2) to a control unit 302. The track and transducer head numbers are taken from the outer The signal source is transmitted to an address decoder 301 via a line 230a. The track address is obtained from the address decoder 301 via a line 304 transmitted to a sensor position controller 302. With the preferred The armature 218b also carries an embodiment of the strip edge position sensor the sensing element 220b, while the bracket 222b is modified to have a second sensing element 228b on the opposite side of the Bands 102 able to carry. The sensing element signals are on lines 216b (for the sensor 228b) and 221b are transmitted to the belt control unit 302.

The distance between the measuring surfaces of the sensing elements 220b and 228b corresponds approximately to the width of the belt 102, so that the output signals of the Sensing elements can vary at the same time during a relative movement between the holder 222b and the band segment 102e. In a relative position the bracket 222 opposite the segment 102e, i.e. in the adjustment position, the output signals of elements 220b and 228b are equal. This is usually the case when segment 102e is symmetrical is located between them and covers an equal part of the measuring area of each element. A feeler 217b measures the movement (on) a scale

309 881/1061 / ²¹

ORIGINAL! NSFEGTEO

215b and transmits sensing element position signals via a line 227b to a sensor position controller 303. The band control unit 302 receives Via a line 237 signals from one of the sensors 220b (cf. also Fig. 2) mounted block sensor 211 and via lines 238b and 238a of left and right rewind feelers 212b and 212a, respectively. The band control unit 302 supplies control signals via lines 119a and 119b to the voice coils 114a and 114b and via lines 232b and 232a to the left and right reel motors 210 and 210a, respectively. The sensor position controller 303 provides sensor displacement signals to voice coil 219b via line 236b.

To pick up the position of the next to the intermediate rod HOa A similar construction is provided for part of segment 102e. not The separate, identical signal lines shown transmit the signals generated in the process to the belt control unit 302 and to the sensor position controller 303. It has been found necessary to determine the tape position at both ends of the segment 102 to avoid any skew of the segment to prevent the path of movement of the transducer head 111.

One of the functions of controller 205 is to control track selection. To the This selection can be accelerated by the sixteen transducer heads provided on the drum 101 (FIG. 2) from left to right with 0 to 15 are designated. Each transducer head is used to address the aforementioned group of 130 adjacent tracks. The one from the transducer head 0 tracks are therefore the 130 on the far left Traces, the traces addressed by the transducer head 1 are the subsequent traces 130 tracks, etc. Each individual track of a related group of 130 tracks addressed by a single transducer head 111 can be provided with an identification number from 0 to 129 from left to right according to FIG. 3. In a given block can therefore every track based on its transducer head and track numbers on the whole

309881/1061 / 22

ÖFU61NAL INSPECTED

identified in a certain way. Each on data line 230a from the track address supplied to the data processing unit 225 contains this information. The address decoder 301 calculates the interval at which the left edge of the tape segment 102b is from the perpendicular reference plane must be located to the transducer head in question 111 the desired To pick out the trace. It does this by forming the product from the track number and the distance of 0.25 mm and adding this product with the known distance of track 0 of transducer head 0 from the left edge of the tape segment 102e. As mentioned, the Sum of this distance plus the distance from the left edge of the segment 102e from the reference plane, as measured by sensors 217b and 217a, the fixed distance over which the transducer head 0 from the reference plane removed, to enable addressing of the desired track.

With the band position * sensors according to Flg. 3 the feeling elements are photocipes «, Consequently, light sources must be provided for irradiating these photocells. As shown in the enlarged section of Fig. 3, a light source 229b is arranged on the bracket 222b in such a way that its light beam over the right U-Profi! the bracket 222b on the Measuring surface of the photocell 228b is directed. A similar arrangement is provided for photocell 220b. When bracket 222b and tape segment Shift 102e relative to each other, no light falls, a part the same or all of the light directed towards a photo line onto the measuring surface, whereby that transmitted from the photo cell to the control unit 302 Sensing element signal is varied. Photo lines are only one type of Sensing elements that ensure the required accuracy. A viable alternative consists of two air nozzles attached to the Photocells are arranged in steep slopes. When the tape segment 102e partially or completely interrupts the air jet from each nozzle, back pressure and throughput change with delivery of a physical quantity that is used to determine the relative position of the belt segment

309881/10 6.1
"_, .-. / 23

. . ORlGiNAL! MSPECTEO

102e can be measured. Another possible modification are mechanical fingers or sensors that control a potentiometer.

The voice coil 219b, the armature 218b, the edge sensors 228b and 220b and the sensor controller 303 form a servo system. The belt control unit 302 strives to keep the belt 102 in the alignment position with respect to the photocells 228b and 220b at all times. Normally, control unit 303 maintains a probe displacement signal on line 236b to voice coil 219, thereby holding armature 218b in a fixed position. If the belt 102 shifts to the right of the photocells 220b and 228b, possibly due to a small error in the belt shift signal received from the voice coil 114b, the photocell 220b fades in more and the photocell 228b fades out more. The signals fed in by these photocells of the control unit 302 are not balanced with one another, since the signal from the photocell 220b is comparatively larger than the signal from the photocell 228b. Control unit 302 detects this difference and varies the tape shift signal to voice coil 119b to shift segment 102e further to the left so that probe 220b is more dimmed and probe 228b is dimmed less. When the segment 102e the Abgieichpunkt approaches, the difference between the two signals reduced from the sensors 228b and 220b, and if a perfect ASgSeichzustand is reached, 114b terminates the voice coil, the displacement of the armature 218b except a raögiichen light, the servo loop own Pendulum motion. The sensors 220b and 228b can thus be viewed as impressing the control unit 302 with signals which precisely indicate the movement of the tape segment 102e required for the precise addressing of the desired track. A similar arrangement is used to control the position of the end of the belt segment 102e located next to an intermediate rod 110a.

309881/1061

OB5GINAL

If another track is to be addressed, a second servo loop is used activated. As mentioned, the output signal of the address decoder on the line 305 to the sensor position controller 303 determines the position which the Anchor 218b must be occupied in order to position the ribbon segment 102e spend, in which the addressing of the specific track is possible when the segment 102e is in its alignment with the bracket 222b is located. This signal forms the setpoint. When the track prescribed by the address decoder 301 changes, the controller 303 changes it Sensing element position signal to voice coil 219b to determine the displacement to initiate the holder 222b in the desired position. Through the Movement of the armature 218b cancels the adjustment position. The control unit 302 represents the mismatch between the output signals of sensing elements 220b and 228b, i.e. the feedback signal or the Control deviation, fixed and reacts immediately in the manner described above, to restore the alignment. Ideally, the addressing takes place through the control unit 302 and the voice coils 114a and 114b so fast that the tape 102 follows along the bracket 222b without running more than a few tenths of a millimeter out of the alignment position. if the anchor 218b reaches the position in which the end of the tape segment 102 comes into the correct position when the band segments 102b reach the adjustment position, this state is caused by the on the Sensor element position signal present on line 227b through controller 303 established. The sensor displacement signal is then changed to stop the movement of the armature 218b.

By a similar arrangement, that located next to the rod 110a becomes Positioned end of tape segment 102e. Both the feedback ^ - and the setpoint signal can also be converted into digital form, so that in in this case a digital comparison is made. To the servo operation To make it a little less sensitive, a preselectable difference between the signals in the control organs can be established, which can only be

309881/1061 / 25

ORiGiNAL! NSFECTiO

steps must be taken before the tape or sensor position is corrected will. Facilities of this type have been used for many years, e.g. at Disk storage used for track selection. It therefore means no difficulty for the experienced designer to adapt such regulators to the inventive Adapt device.

In Fig. 10 a modified embodiment of the controller is shown. The apparatus of Fig. 3 leaves the tape 102 to the tape position sensors follow if it moves in response to a change in the particular track. It is also possible, depending on the segment 102e To shift the track address signal and the moving tape with the sensors 220a and 220b depending on the sensing element position signal track to indicate when the particular track is in the addressing position is located. In this case, segment 102e must be so slow move so that the voice coils 119a and 119b can "keep up". In Fig. 10, therefore, a band rule unit 302 is shown which the Track address signal is input on line 304 and the tape shift signals on lines 119a and 119b to voice coils 114a and 114b provides. These signals can be segment 102e in the desired ^ Move the position. When the segment 102e shifts to the new position, the sensing elements 220b and 228b leave their alignment position and change the sensing element signal on lines 221b and 216b. The sensor position controller 303 responds by being on the line 236b provides a sensor displacement signal to voice coil 219 so that the Armature 218b brings the adhesion 222b back into the adjustment position. This movement is detected by the sensing element position sensor 217b and transmitted to the control unit 302 on the line 227b. By this signal closes the loop, so to speak. If the sensing element position signal on line 227b is an exact measurement for the actual position of the stripe segment 102e can be determined by simply comparing this signal with the track address signal

3 098 8 1 / -1 06 1/26

the movement of the tape segment 102e is stopped in the position which allows the prescribed track to be addressed.

The following is the process of displacement with reference to FIG a new data block in the position for access by the transducer heads Hl described. For the sake of simplicity, every data block can be opened the band 102 be designated with a number, the numbers with 1 for the innermost data block starting on spool 208b and progressing increase to the innermost block on spool 208a. When the rule unit 302 receives a new block number, it must first have that number compare with the number of the block currently in the addressing position. For this reason there is a storage device in the controller 205 the current block number of the relevant point in time , addressable blocks provided. By comparing the relative sizes of the With both values, the direction and the number of blocks to be expired to reach the new data block can easily be determined. The control unit 302 provides signals to the right and left reel motors 210b and 210a, respectively, so that these motors operate the corresponding piece of tape at the same time Unwind from the reel in question and roll a corresponding piece of tape onto the other reel.

It is very important that the tape rolls 201a and 201b are rolled up accurately i.e. that the edges of successive layers or turns of the tape 102 are exactly on top of each other so that the tape is precisely positioned and allows precise alignment of the segment 102e. if therefore, a portion of the tape 102 is wound onto one roll and unwound from the other roll, angles A and B of both guide bar assemblies can be varied be set so that there is no positional shift of the tape segment 102e. If a data block of higher number if desired, a portion of the tape 102 is unwound from the roll 201a

/ 27

309881/106Ί

; 2327330

and wound onto the roll 201b. The ribbon edge feeler; 212b monitored constantly the position of the band segment 102a and signaled via the Line 238b the occurrence of any measurable deviations from the predetermined position to the control unit 302. The latter then reacts in the Way that they change the voice coil 114b the angle B very slightly leaves as necessary to correct this discrepancy.

A marking must be provided between each data block on the tape 102, which can be determined by an inter-block marking sensor 211 is. When the individual markings are passed under the sensor, a signal transmitted to the control unit 302 enables readjustment of the register for the current block number. The sensor 211 can suitably consist of a photocell and have an associated light source illuminating the strip 102. In this case, anyone can The intermediate block marking can be a small piece of silver-plated tape that is glued to the tape 102 so that it runs under the sensor 211, when the tape is unwound from one reel and onto the other .. reel is wound up, and the light from the light source is reflected onto the photocell. Optionally, the intermediate block markings can use the actual block number of the neighboring block contained in encrypted form, so that direct identification of each block number is possible.

Lh Fig. 5 shows a modified tape shifting device at which the geometric relationship of the guide rods 105b and 106b as well as 105a and 106a relative to each other and to belt 102 be the same must as in the device according to FIG. 1. The guide rods 105b and 105a slide into elongated holes / 501b or 501a. The position of the guide rod 105b is determined by the voice coil 114b and the armature 115b, carried by a bracket 503b. The from anchor 115b to. Displacement of the rod 105b in the elongated holes 501b force exerted is transmitted through a bracket 502b. For the guide rod 105a only the elongated holes 501a are shown, while the construction of the

309881/1061

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

23270-90

elements not shown is identical.

In operation of the device according to FIG. 5 is for the displacement of the belt 102 a fixed, small angle is required for each pair of guide rods must occupy compared to the perpendicular plane. These angles are arbitrarily chosen as obtuse angles when they are in the same way are measured like the angles A and B according to FIG. 4. The movement path of the rod 105b in the elongated holes 501b lies parallel to the belt segment 102. Likewise, the displacement of the rod 105a in the elongated holes 501a must also be parallel to the plane containing the segment 102f take place.

In Fig. 5, the distance between the guide rods is 105b and 106b almost maximum. According to formula 1, the displacement position can be controlled by changing the dimension, α. Because both angles A and B are obtuse when the rods 105a and 105b are in the positions shown, the belt has been shifted almost the greatest amount to the left. If the dimension α for each pair of guide rods is reduced, the shift also decreases and the segment 102e shifts to the right. By simply adjusting the guide rods 105a and 105b accordingly, the segment 102e can thus be displaced axially on the drum 101 will. Depending on the distance over which the segment 102 e shifted must be, the degree of obtundity of angles A and B as well as the possible Change of the dimension α variable within a wide range.

When moving the belt 102 to address a new block of data, the movable guide rod located next to the take-up reel in Their oblong holes are moved back and forth to the belt 102 exactly onto the take-up spool. In all other respects it is the same The principle of operation is that of the device according to FIG. 2.

309881/1061

ORIGINAL! NSPEGTED

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the details of a means for creating an air bearing boundary layer between the belt 102 and the surfaces over which the belt slides axially. The guide rod 105b has been chosen arbitrarily to illustrate this device. A line 701 indicates the center lines of openings 703 provided in the surface of the rod 105b, while a line 702 indicates the tangency line which the band segment 102d forms with the rod 105b. For the most effective formation of the air bearing, the angle defined between lines 701 and 702 should be 5. Of course, two rows of openings 703 are required, each on each line of tangency between the belt 102 and the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the openings 703 each have a diameter of 0.76 mm and a center-to-center distance of 20.3 mm from one another. An outer pressure
at every opening.

2 An external pressure source supplies a pressure of 0.56 kg / cm (absolute)

Fig. 8 illustrates the aforementioned modified embodiment for swiveling the guide rods. Two voice coils 806 and 808 are provided at the ends of the guide rod arrangement 121b, while a pivot point 805 is located midway between the ends of the rods. The voice coils 806 and 808 are arranged so that that they mutually when pivoting the arrangement 121b support, i.e. when the armature of one vibrating coil is extended to pivot the arrangement 121b, the armature of the other vibrating coil becomes retracted at the same time by the signals supplied by the controller 205 or withdrawn. This arrangement offers several advantages. For example, the guide rods can be brought into a new angular position more quickly because the rotational inertia of the guide rod assembly around the pivot point around with a central pivot point. In addition, vibrations of the arrangement are also reduced, since they are at three points and is not only held in two places.

309881/10 61/30

ORIGINAL 114SP6CT £ D

2327330

As can be seen, only a few embodiments are above shown and described, which the invention is accessible.

In summary, the invention was therefore a device for Transverse displacement and alignment of a segment of a flexible, magnetizable Tapes created to provide access to a particular track from numerous data tracks located on the tape by means of a data converter to enable. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer is arranged in a rotating drum, which is partially wrapped by the tape, the belt segment being displaceable transversely by two pairs of parallel rods or cylinders between which the belt passes is. In each of these pairs, the band wraps around each of these rods partially in opposite directions as it passes between the rods Directions. By bending the pairs of rods in relation to the belt itself, the belt section located between the rods can be turned into the desired Transverse positions are shifted.

309881/106 1

INSPECTED

Claims (44)

PATENT PROVISIONS Apparatus for addressing an address indicated by a track address signal , longitudinal recording track on a flexible recording tape with the help of a data converter with a transfer surface, characterized by a frame (100), two tape holders (104) attached to the frame at a distance from one another, which hold the tape (102Mn in two different planes, between which there is a first tape section, which is on its surface having at least two recording tracks by a transducer holding means (101) to the transmission area of the data converter within a predetermined data transmission distance to the first To hold tape section and the transducer relative to the first tape section to guide in a movement path practically corresponding to the recording tracks, by means of a device for shifting only the first Tape segment transverse to the recording tracks provided on it in a position determined by a tape shift signal opposite the transducer and by a control device receiving the track address signal (205) for determining the tape position in which the track address signal! certain lane within the predetermined data transmission distance reaches the transmission surface of the transducer, and which sends a tape displacement signal indicating this position to the tape displacement device supplies. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Bandverschiebeinrichfung four guide rods, in which at least a part of the outer surface each forms a convexly curved cylinder surface, a first adjustable frame-mounted guide rod holder that the first and the second guide rod between the Converter and the first holder against the two sides of the tape holds that 3 09881/106 ^1/32 the convex surfaces of these two rods at least partially from Are wrapped around the tape and the tape is shaped into second, third and fourth flat sections that define the convex surfaces of the first, the the second and both rods are tangent, the tangency lines of the fourth section with the convex surfaces of the first and the second rod parallel to each other, a second adjustable on the frame attached guide bar mounts that hold the third and fourth Holding the guide rod between the transducer and the second holder against the two band surfaces so that the convex surface of each rod is at least is partially wrapped by the tape and the tape is formed into fifth, sixth and seventh flat sections, which the tangent convex surfaces of the third, fourth and both guide rods, the tangency lines of the seventh section on the convex surfaces of the third and fourth rod are parallel to each other, and has two devices, which the two guide rod holders move and change their positions relative to the transducer holding device to the tape transversely to those provided on it Record tracks in those determined by the tape position signal To move position. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the two Guide rod brackets each have a pivot point attached to the frame have, over which the rods can be aligned so that the second and the fifth belt section parallel to the fourth and seventh belt section and come to lie perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and the second pivot point, respectively, and that the means for moving of the brackets have means for pivoting the two guide rod brackets about the relevant pivot points. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the holder pivoting devices Have means which the two brackets 309881/106 ^1/33 pivot by practically equal amounts. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each bracket pivot one between the bracket and the frame has the voice coil switched on. 6. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the two Guide rod mounts have a first and a second pivot point have which the halferungen in question at points located between the ends of the rod held by each holder with connect the frame, and that each bracket pivot device depending has two elements with two control points that are spaced apart from one another, the disposition of which varies depending on the band signal. ierf, being a control point of an element with the associated bracket and the other control point of each element is connected to the frame. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that each element has a voice coil, one of which has a fire point on the armature and one of which has the other control point is on the frame. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the between each bracket pivot point and the attachment points of the element control points lying lever arms are of the same size and that each pair of elements of the mounting swivel device has adjusting devices, the distance between the firing points depends on can be changed in the same way by identical band control signals. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that each adjusting device has a voice coil which is mounted so that it is practically a right angle to one of the connection points of the vibrating 309881/106 1 "line ³⁴ ORIGINAL WSPECTEP spufen forms a connecting line on the brackets when the Band is roughly midway between its extreme positions. 10. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the holder with an increase in the distance between the control points, each element forming a bracket pivoting device to one Pivoting movement is forced in the same direction. 11. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and the second movement device for the guide rod holder each have devices for changing the distance between the first and the second or the third and the fourth rod while maintaining the defined geometrical relationships and that means for attaching the guide rod brackets to the frame are provided in such a position that the TangierungsÜnien formed by the fourth and seventh belt section at a predetermined angle to a plane perpendicular to the drum axis and the second and fifth belt section each parallel to the third or sixth tape section come to rest. 12. The device according to claim Π, characterized in that the device to change the rod distance further comprises means, soft the distances between the first and the third and the second and keep the fourth rod practically the same size. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the holder attachment device furthermore has means for attaching the guide rod holders in such a way that the rods are practically at equal angles to the data track. 14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the converter -309881 / 1061/35 ORIGINAL JNSPECTED Holding device a rotatably mounted on the frame and partially from drum wrapped around the first band section and that the transmission surface of the data converter embedded in the drum surface and is directed outwards from this. 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized by two intermediate rods, in each of which at least a part of the outer surface forms a convexly curved cylinder jacket surface, a first intermediate rod holder, which connects the first intermediate rod to the frame immediately next to the drum, the convex surface of the The intermediate rod is at least partially wrapped by the band and the by the belt section running between this rod and the drum tangential lines practically parallel to one another lie, and a second intermediate pole bracket, giving way to the second Intermediate rod on the opposite of the first intermediate rod Side immediately next to the drum connects to the frame, so that the convex surface of the second intermediate rod at least partially from Band is wrapped around and through the between the first intermediate rod and tangential lines formed by the drum extending band section are practically parallel to one another. 16. The device according to claim 14, characterized by a device . for maintaining an air bearing interface between the belt and at least one surface to which the belt slides relative. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the air bearing means has a plurality of areas on the surface over which the belt slides, each having at least one opening, and that means is provided which blows air through the openings. / 36 309881/106 1 ' ORIGINAL tNSFEGTED 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that each Opening in the surface of the cylinder jacket about 5 from a tangency line of the ligament section removed and between the tangency lines is arranged. 19. The device according to claim I _7, characterized in that the tape holders have devices which exert a predetermined tensile stress between them on the first tape segment. 20. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tape holder continue to have facilities to maintain a steady Exhibit tension across the tape width and maintain a total tension in the tape within a predetermined range th. 21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the uniform Tension-exerting devices have two clamping pieces, each one end of the band practically over its entire width grasp away non-slip and which are attached to the first and second tape holder. 22. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two tape holders are two rotatably mounted on the frame supply or take-up reels and that a device receiving the track address signal is provided to set each reel in rotation as a function of the track address signal and while unwinding a piece of tape from one reel and at the same time winding a corresponding piece of tape onto the other reel. 23. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the coil drive device further comprises a device which is attached to the coils / 37 309 881/106 1 OBiGiNAL INSPECTED applies opposing torques to maintain tape tension within predetermined limits. 24. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that a third and fourth intermediate rods are provided, in which at least a part of the surface each has a convex cylindrical shape and both of which are attached to the frame, and that the cylindrical surface of the third intermediate rod at least partially from the one immediately next to it the second take-up reel located tape section is wrapped, the tangency lines of each tape section between each Intermediate rod and the associated Aufwi disgust coil parallel to each other and lie in a common plane. 25. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that a third and a fourth intermediate rod are provided, which before have at least partially convex cylinder surfaces and are thus attached to the frame are that the tape segments are immediately next to the two take-up reels the convex surfaces of the two intermediate rods at least can partially embrace. 26. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the tape is provided with a number of block marks at predetermined intervals and the track address signal j contains a block address signal S, that the reel drive device continues to have a block position signal for winding a corresponding piece of tape onto the one and for unwinding from the other reel to an addressed data block to be arranged so that it partially wraps around the drum and that the control device center! zyr determination of the respective position of the Bands to provide a block position signal to the reel drive device having. 30988 1/1061 27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that the tape has a number of special block markings distributed longitudinally and that the tape position sensing device has a sensor which identifies each mark as the tape moves. 28. Device according to claim I or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the control device has a belt position sensor attached to the frame with a belt guide element for supplying a tape position signal indicating the tape position and a controller which controls the tape standstill signal and the track address signal receives, compares these signals to determine the tape shift signals to move the tape into position for addressing the to move certain track, and this tape shift signal transmits to the tape shifter. 29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the tape position sensor is a tape edge feeder. 30. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the tape position sensor a tape edge sensor which generates a tape position signal indicative of the position of the edge edge of the first tape segment. 31. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the band position sensor has a carrier which movably connects the sensing element to the frame and which, depending on a Fühlersrel! signal in a practically paraile! Moved to the drum axis running track and the position of the sensing element indicating Signa! generated. 32. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized ^ that the controller a device for moving the sensing element as a function of the track address signal into a position in which the tape position signal ^{3 0 9 8 81/10 6 1/} 39 ORIGINAL IHSPECTEO a predetermined value when addressing the prescribed track and for supplying a tape shift signal to the tape shifting device, whereby the tape is shifted until the predetermined value of the tape position signal is reached. 33. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the tape position ungssensor has two tape edge sensors, each of which delivers a tape position ungssignal that when the tape is moving between two predetermined positions relative to the edge sensors varies. 34. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that each edge sensor is a photocell. 35. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the controller Device that generates a tape shift signal in response to the track address signal to the tape displacer to move the tape transversely to a position in which the addressing the prescribed track through the transducer head is possible, and around the End tape transverse shift depending on an access value of the sensor position signal, as well as a device for supplying a Having sensor displacement signal for moving the sensor with the tape to the sensor depending on the Fühl el ement-Stel I ungssignal 'close to a preferred location and that the tape position sensor means for providing the access value of the leader position signal to the controller when the tape is in the prescribed position approaching. 36. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the converter shark te device is a rotatably mounted on the frame circular drum that is partially wrapped by the first band section and in the curved surface of the data converter is so embedded that it is from this / 40 309881/1061 Face outward, and that the belt shifting device four Guide rods, of which at least a part of the outer surface is a convexly curved cylinder surface, a first movable on the Frame-mounted guide rod bracket, soft the first and second guide rods against the two between it and the transducer Holds band surfaces so that the convex surface of each rod is at least partially wrapped by the band and the band to a second, third and fourth flat sections forming the tangent to convex surfaces of the first, the second or both guide rods, the tangency lines of the fourth section with the convex surfaces of the two guide rods are parallel to each other, a second, movably attached to the frame guide rod holding ^ tion to hold the third and fourth guide rod against the two band surfaces between it and the transducer, so that the convex Surface of each rod is at least partially wrapped by the band and the band to a fifth, a sixth and a seventh flat Section is shaped showing the convex surfaces of the third, the the fourth or both guide rods are tangent, the tangency sinuses of the seventh section are parallel to each other on the convex surfaces of the third and fourth guide rods, and two devices for moving the two brackets and for changing the positions of the guide rods relative to the transducer holding device, around the tape opposite the recording tracks provided on it in the transverse direction in the direction determined by the tape position signal Move position. 37. Apparatus riach claim 36, characterized in that the two Brackets each have a pivot point arranged on the frame, through which the guide rods can be aligned so that the second and fifth belt sections parallel to the third and sixth belt sections and perpendicular to the. Rotation axes of the two pivot points / 41 309881/1061 ORIGINAL come to rest, and that the bracket moving devices Have means for pivoting the first and the second holder to the first band section depending on the Bandsteliungssignal to move to a position relative to the transducer in which the addressed track by the transducer during its relative movement can be run to the first tape section. 38. Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that the holder pivoting devices furthermore has means around the axes of the guide rods carried by the first holder one clockwise from the axes to one perpendicular to the drum <axis running plane to keep the angle measured, softer that counterclockwise from the axes of the guide rods carried by the second support to the said plane is equal to. 39. Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that the two Tape holder | Either a supply or take-up reel mounted rotatably on the frame and a device for receiving the track address signal have in order to set the reels in rotation as a function of this signal and a predetermined piece of tape from the one reel unwind and at the same time a similar piece of tape on the aridere Roll up spool and a predetermined one during the data transfer operations Tape tension in the tape section running between the reels maintain. 40. Apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that one on the frame mounted tape position sensor is provided, which indicates the position of the first tape segment relative to the data converter trajectory to the tape position control device, and that this control device a comparator which the track address signal 309 881/1061 ^{/ 42} OFMQINAL INSPECTED receives and from this the transverse position of the belt in which the Data converter is able to tap the track, determines the tape position with the tape position allowing track access, and that Provides tape position signal to the tape displacement device. 41. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the tape position sensor has a tape edge sensor which determines the position of the edge of the first tape section relative to the path of movement of the data converter outputs the indicated strip edge position signal. 42. Apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that at least a guide rod with means for creating an air bearing between her and the band section wrapped around it is provided. 43. Apparatus according to claim 42, characterized in that the Air bearing generating device a number of areas on the the surface of the guide rod wrapped around the tape, in which openings . are formed, and a device for the supply of compressed air too has these openings. 44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that at least having an opening at about 5 from a tangency line of the tape the guide rod offset and between the two tangency lines is arranged. 309881/1061 INSPECTED