JP2009093739A - Recording and playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and playback device performing accurate tracking servo by forming a servo pattern in a magnetic tape. <P>SOLUTION: In the recording and playback device provided with a first servo head 53b reading a first servo pattern, a second servo head 53c forming a second servo pattern in the magnetic tape and a recording control part controlling operation of the second servo head 53c based on the first servo pattern read by the first servo head 53b. The recording control part performs control so that the second servo pattern is formed by the second servo head 53c in synchronization with reading the first servo pattern by the first servo head 53b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of magnetically recording a data signal and a servo signal on a magnetic tape and reproducing a data signal and a servo signal recorded on the magnetic tape.

  Magnetic tapes have various uses such as audio tapes, video tapes, computer tapes, etc. Especially in the field of data backup tapes used for computer data backup, as the capacity of hard disks to be backed up increases, 1 A product with a storage capacity of several hundred GB per roll is commercialized. In the future, it will be essential to increase the capacity of backup tapes in order to cope with further increases in the capacity of hard disks.

  When a magnetic tape as described above is installed in a recording / reproducing device (drive) and data signals are recorded and reproduced, the position of the magnetic head is automatically adjusted so that the magnetic head can scan the regular position on the magnetic tape. Tracking servo to adjust is performed. Tracking servo is a method in which a servo pattern formed on a magnetic tape is read by a servo head, an off-track amount is calculated, and the position of the magnetic head is adjusted so that the off-track amount becomes zero. For example, a servo pattern formed on a magnetic tape compliant with the LTO (Liner Tape Open) standard has a substantially “C” -shaped pattern continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a configuration of a conventional magnetic tape. As shown in FIG. 9, the servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape 501 has two stripes 502 a and 502 b formed in a substantially “C” shape in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 501. A plurality of servo bands 502 are formed in the longitudinal direction of 501. For example, five servo bands 502 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 501. Between each servo band 502, a data band 503 capable of recording a data signal in the recording / reproducing apparatus is formed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which tracking servo is performed using a servo pattern formed as shown in FIG.
JP-A-8-309442

  However, in the conventional configuration, if the size and shape of the magnetic tape fluctuate due to the difference between the environment at the magnetic tape manufacturing site and the environment at the usage location (temperature, humidity, etc.), the servo formed at the magnetic tape manufacturing stage There is a problem in that the dimension and shape of the pattern change, and accurate tracking servo cannot be performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing accurate tracking servo by adopting a configuration capable of forming a servo pattern on a magnetic tape.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of magnetically recording a data signal on a magnetic tape on which a first servo pattern is formed, wherein the first servo pattern can be read. An operation of the second servo head based on the servo head, a second servo head capable of forming a second servo pattern on the magnetic tape, and the first servo pattern read by the first servo head And a recording control unit that controls the second servo head at a timing synchronized with a timing at which the first servo pattern is read by the first servo head. Control is performed to form a servo pattern.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can perform accurate tracking servo by adopting a configuration capable of forming a servo pattern on a magnetic tape.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can take the following aspects based on the above configuration. That is, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the recording control unit generates a new servo pattern at the second servo head at a timing synchronized with the timing at which the second servo pattern is read by the first servo head. It can be set as the structure controlled to form. With such a configuration, the data signal can be recorded while increasing the servo pattern, so that the recording area of the magnetic tape can be used efficiently.

(Embodiment)
[1. Configuration of magnetic tape
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the recording surface of a magnetic tape in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic tape 1 includes a servo band 2 and an empty area 3 continuously in the longitudinal direction. In the servo band 2, two stripes 2 a and 2 b having a substantially “C” shape are continuously formed. The distance between the stripes 2a and 2b and the inclination angle are the same as those in the prior art. One servo band 2 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 1 at the end in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1. In the empty area 3, a data signal and a servo signal can be magnetically recorded by a recording / reproducing device (drive). The magnetic tape 1 shown in FIG. 1 is in a state at the time of factory shipment.

  The magnetic tape according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it has only one servo band on which a servo pattern is formed in the factory-shipped state.

[2. Magnetic tape manufacturing method]
FIG. 2 shows a manufacturing process of the magnetic tape shown in FIG.

  To manufacture the magnetic tape of the present embodiment, first, in the coating step (S11), the base film original fabric (support) wound in a roll shape is pulled out, and is drawn on one surface of the drawn base film original fabric. The coating material is uniformly applied and dried to form a backcoat layer. Moreover, a lower layer material is uniformly apply | coated to the other surface of a base film original fabric, and it dries, and forms a lower layer. Next, a magnetic coating is uniformly applied on the lower layer and dried to form a magnetic layer. The base film original (magnetic tape original) on which each layer is formed is again wound into a roll.

  Next, in the calendar process (S12), the roll-shaped magnetic tape original fabric is pulled out, and the pulled-out magnetic tape original fabric is subjected to heat and pressure treatment to smooth the surface of the magnetic tape original fabric. The smoothed magnetic tape raw material is again wound into a roll.

  Next, in the aging step (S13), the original magnetic tape is left in the kiln for several days and heated to cure (cure).

  Next, in the servo step (S14), the original magnetic tape is drawn out, and a servo pattern is formed on the magnetic layer of the drawn out magnetic tape original. FIG. 3A shows a state in which a servo pattern is formed on the original magnetic tape. In FIG. 3A, the magnetic tape original fabric 21 is arranged so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The magnetic head device 22 includes 77 servo heads (not shown) at positions facing the magnetic tape original fabric 21. In FIG. 3A, for the sake of clarity, the servo pattern is formed by 10 magnetic heads. The servo head provided in the magnetic head device 22 can record a servo signal at a predetermined position on the magnetic tape original fabric 21. In FIG. 3A, while rotating the magnetic tape original fabric 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow B, 77 servo heads mounted on the magnetic head device 22 are used to form servo patterns in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21. Form. At this time, 77 servo patterns are formed simultaneously. In the servo process of the present embodiment, the magnetic tape original fabric 21 is in a state of being attached to the magnetic tape manufacturing apparatus, so that the pancake is manually attached to and detached from the servo signal recording apparatus as in the prior art. Is unnecessary.

  Next, in the slitting step (S15), after forming the servo pattern in the previous servo step (S14), the magnetic tape original fabric 21 shown in FIG. By cutting, a pancake 23 as shown in FIG. 3C is obtained. Specifically, the magnetic tape is cut by bringing a blade disposed at a position corresponding to the cutting line AA into contact with the magnetic tape. At this time, the slitter is equipped with a servo head for reading the servo pattern, and is configured to automatically adjust the position of the slit portion provided with the blade when the magnetic tape 21 is cut. That is, when a relative position shift (position shift in the width direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21) occurs between the slit portion and the magnetic tape original fabric 21 during cutting, the off-track amount of the servo head with respect to the servo pattern is zero. The unit including the slit portion is moved in the axial direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21 so that the position is adjusted. Thereby, it can control so that a blade always cut | disconnects the regular position (cutting line AA) of the magnetic tape original fabric 21, and the linearity of the edge part of the pancake 23 can be improved. The detailed configuration and operation of the slitter will be described later. The cutting width C corresponds to the tape width of the magnetic tape that is finally accommodated in the cartridge. For example, the magnetic tape width that conforms to the LTO standard is ½ inch wide.

  Finally, in the loading step (S16), a magnetic tape having a predetermined length is drawn from the pancake 23 and wound around a reel. After winding a magnetic tape of a predetermined length around a reel, the magnetic tape is cut in the width direction. The magnetic tape wound around the reel is accommodated in the case, and the magnetic tape cartridge is completed. The total length per magnetic tape is about 820 m if the magnetic tape is based on the LTO4 standard, for example.

  Through the above steps, the magnetic tape 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be manufactured.

[2-1. Operation in slit process)
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the magnetic tape cutting device. The magnetic tape cutting device includes a servo head 31, a control unit 32, an actuator 33, and a slit unit 34. The servo head 31 can read the servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape original fabric 21. The control unit 32 generates a control signal based on the servo pattern read by the servo head 31. The actuator 33 can displace the slit portion 34 in the width direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21 based on the control signal generated by the control portion 32. The slit portion 34 includes a plurality of blades, and can cut the magnetic tape original fabric 21 in its longitudinal direction. The slitter unit 35 includes a servo head 31 and a slit portion 34, and is disposed so as to be displaceable in the width direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21.

  In the slit process (S15 in FIG. 2), when the magnetic tape original fabric 21 is cut, first, the servo head 31 uses the servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape original fabric 21 in the servo process (S14) preceding the slit process. Read magnetically. The servo head 31 generates an electrical signal based on the servo pattern read magnetically. The electrical signal is output to the control unit 32.

  The control unit 32 calculates the off-track amount based on the electrical signal output from the servo head 31. Further, the control unit 32 generates a control signal for displacing the slitter unit 35 based on the calculated off-track amount so that the off-track amount becomes zero. The generated control signal is output to the actuator 33.

  The actuator 33 displaces the slitter unit 35 in the width direction of the magnetic tape original fabric 21 based on the control signal output from the control unit 32. Thereby, the slitter unit 35 can be moved to a regular position, and the regular position (A part of FIG. 3B) on the magnetic tape original fabric 21 can be cut | disconnected by the slit part 34. FIG.

  As described above, the slitter unit 35 includes the servo head 31 and reads the servo pattern formed in the servo process preceding the slit process, so that the slitter unit 35 can move the magnetic tape original from the normal position in the slit process. Even if the position is displaced in the width direction of the opposite side 21, the control unit 32 and the actuator 33 can control the slitter unit 35 to return to the normal position. Therefore, the linearity of the edge part of the magnetic tape (pancake 23) after cutting can be improved.

[3. Configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, a recording control unit 52 controls the operation of the data head 53a based on the data signal input via the input terminal 51 so that the data signal can be recorded on the magnetic tape.

  The head unit 53 includes a data head 53a, a first servo head 53b, and a second servo head 53c. The data head 53a can magnetically record a data signal in the data band on the magnetic tape, and can magnetically read out the data signal recorded in the data band on the magnetic tape. The first servo head 53b magnetically reads a servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it. The second servo head 53c can form a servo pattern in a servo band on the magnetic tape and magnetically record a servo signal.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the head unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the head unit 61 includes a plurality of rails 62 that can slide on the magnetic tape, and includes a first head chip group 63 a and a second head chip group 63 b on a part of the rails 62. ing. The first head chip group 63a is composed of 16 data head groups 64a, first servo head chips 65a disposed on the upper and lower ends of the data head group 64a, and the second as shown in the enlarged view of the main part Y1. And a servo head chip 66a. Further, the second head chip group 63b includes 16 data head groups 64b, third servo head chips 65b respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the data head group 64b, and the second head chip group 64b as shown in the enlarged view of the main part Y2. 4 servo head chips 66b. In the present embodiment, the first servo head chip 65a and the third servo head chip 65b can reproduce servo signals, and the second servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b are servo signals. Signal recording is possible. In addition, the first servo head chip 65a and the second servo head chip 66a are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, −6 °) in the first direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the head unit 61. In addition, the third servo head chip 65b and the fourth servo head chip 66b are respectively inclined with a predetermined angle (for example, + 6 °) in the second direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the head unit 61. The inclination angle of each servo head chip is equal to the inclination angle of the servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape. The first servo head chip 65a and the third servo head chip 65b correspond to the first servo head 53b in FIG. 5, and the second servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b are the second servo head chip 66b in FIG. Corresponds to the servo head 53c. The number of head chips included in the data head groups 64a and 64b is an example.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the servo signal reproduction unit 54 generates a servo signal based on the electrical signal output from the first servo head 53 b. The generated servo signal is sent to the drive control unit 55 and the synchronization control unit 57.

  The drive control unit 55 calculates an off-track amount based on the servo signal output from the servo signal reproduction unit 54, and generates a control signal for operating the head unit 53 so that the off-track amount becomes zero. . The generated control signal is sent to the actuator 56.

  The actuator 56 can displace the head unit 53 in the width direction of the magnetic tape based on a control signal output from the drive control unit 55.

  The synchronization control unit 57 generates a synchronization signal synchronized with the servo signal output from the servo signal reproduction unit 54. The generated synchronization signal is sent to the servo signal generator 58.

  The servo signal generator 58 generates a servo signal synchronized with the synchronization signal output from the synchronization controller 57, and controls the second servo head 53c based on the generated servo signal to form a servo pattern on the magnetic tape. Let That is, the servo signal generator 58 generates a servo signal that forms a servo pattern with the second servo head 53c at a timing synchronized with the timing with which the servo pattern is read with the first servo head 53b.

  The servo signal reproduction unit 54, the synchronization control unit 57, and the servo signal generation unit 58 are examples of a recording control unit.

  The operation will be described below.

  When recording a data signal on the magnetic tape, the recording control unit 52 converts the data head 53 a into an operable electric signal based on the data signal input via the input terminal 51. The data head 53a magnetically records the data signal on the magnetic tape running at a predetermined speed based on the electrical signal output from the recording control unit 52.

  Simultaneously with the recording operation of the data signal, the servo signal reproducing unit 54 reproduces the servo signal by the electric signal based on the servo pattern read by the first servo head 53b. The reproduced servo signal is input to the drive control unit 55 and the synchronization control unit 57. The drive control unit 55 calculates the off-track amount between the magnetic tape and the head unit 53 based on the servo signal output from the servo signal reproduction unit 54. Next, the drive control unit 55 generates a control signal for driving the head unit 53 based on the calculated off-track amount so that the off-track amount becomes zero. The generated control signal is input to the actuator 56. The actuator 56 displaces the head unit 53 in the width direction of the magnetic tape based on the control signal output from the drive control unit 55.

  By continuously executing such tracking servo during data signal recording on the magnetic tape, the relative position of the head unit 53 with respect to the magnetic tape can always be arranged at a regular position, and data signal recording can be performed accurately. It can be carried out. In the above description, the operation at the time of recording the data signal on the magnetic tape has been described. However, when the data signal recorded on the magnetic tape is reproduced, the data signal is accurately reproduced by performing the tracking servo similarly. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, a servo pattern is formed on the magnetic tape at the same time that a data signal is recorded on the magnetic tape. Specifically, the servo signal read by the first servo head 53 b and reproduced by the servo signal reproduction unit 54 is also input to the synchronization control unit 57, and the synchronization control unit 57 receives from the servo signal reproduction unit 54. A synchronization signal synchronized with the output servo signal is generated and output to the servo signal generation unit 58. The servo signal generation unit 58 generates a servo signal that is synchronized with the synchronization signal output from the synchronization control unit 57. In addition, the servo signal generator 58 controls the operation of the second servo head 53c based on the generated servo signal so as to form a servo pattern on the magnetic tape. Here, the servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape by the second servo head 53c is synchronized in timing with the servo signal read by the first servo head 53b. The servo pattern formed by the second servo head 53c is formed at a different location from the servo band in which the servo signal read by the first servo head 53b is recorded at the same timing. That is, the servo pattern is newly formed while reproducing the servo pattern already formed on the magnetic tape.

  A specific servo signal recording operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7G. 7A to 7G show the transition of servo pattern formation by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As described above, the data signal and the servo signal are actually recorded at the same time, but the pattern formed based on the data signal is simplified for easy understanding.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the magnetic tape in a factory-shipped state includes a servo band 2 only at the width direction end portion of the magnetic tape 1. The servo band 2 has a servo pattern formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 1. Further, no information is recorded in the empty area 3. The position of the head unit 61 with respect to the magnetic tape 1 shown in FIG.

  From this state, when the magnetic tape 1 is run in the direction indicated by the arrow D (the direction toward the end) and the head unit 61 records a data signal on the data band 103 of the magnetic tape 1, the first servo head chip 65a. The servo patterns 2a and 2b already recorded in the servo band 2 of the magnetic tape 1 are read by the third servo head chip 65b, and tracking servo is started.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b synchronize the servo patterns 102a and 102a on the magnetic tape 1 so as to be synchronized with the servo patterns 2a and 2b that are currently being read. 102b is formed. The servo patterns 102a and 102b formed at this time are only the upper end portion of each pattern as shown in the figure. When the data signal is recorded up to the end of the magnetic tape 1, the head unit 61 is slightly moved in the direction indicated by the arrow F, and the traveling direction of the magnetic tape 1 is reversed in the direction indicated by the arrow D (the direction toward the start). Let

  When the data signal is recorded while the magnetic tape 1 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow D, the servo band 102 is synchronized with the servo patterns 2a and 2b formed in the servo band 2 as shown in FIG. 7C. Servo patterns 102c and 102d are formed. In the state shown in FIG. 7C, since the servo pattern is formed with the head unit 61 displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow F, the servo pattern 102c is the servo pattern 102a formed only at the upper end as shown in FIG. 7B. It is formed to be additionally coupled to the lower side. The servo pattern 102d is also formed to be additionally coupled to the lower side of the servo pattern 102b in the same manner as described above. Next, when the data signal is recorded up to the beginning of the magnetic tape 1, the head unit 61 is further moved in the direction indicated by the arrow F and the traveling direction of the magnetic tape 1 is reversed in the direction indicated by the arrow E.

  When the data signal is recorded while the magnetic tape 1 is traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow E, the servo band 102 is synchronized with the servo patterns 2a and 2b formed in the servo band 2 as shown in FIG. 7D. Servo patterns 102e and 102f are formed. In the state shown in FIG. 7D, since the servo pattern is formed with the head unit 61 displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow F, the servo pattern 102e is the lower side of the servo pattern 102c formed as shown in FIG. 7C. It is formed so that it may be additionally coupled to. The servo pattern 102f is also formed to be additionally coupled to the lower side of the servo pattern 102d as described above. Next, when the data signal is recorded up to the end of the magnetic tape 1, the head unit 61 is further moved in the direction indicated by the arrow F, and the traveling direction of the magnetic tape 1 is reversed in the direction indicated by the arrow D.

  When the data signal is recorded while the magnetic tape 1 is traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow D, the servo band 102 is synchronized with the servo patterns 2a and 2b formed in the servo band 2 as shown in FIG. 7E. Servo patterns 102g and 102h are formed. In the state shown in FIG. 7E, the servo pattern 102g is formed on the lower side of the servo pattern 102e formed as shown in FIG. It is formed so that it may be additionally coupled to. The servo pattern 102h is also formed to be additionally coupled to the lower side of the servo pattern 102f in the same manner as described above.

  When the data signal is recorded up to the beginning of the magnetic tape 1, the data signal recording to the data band 103 is completed. At the same time, the formation of the servo pattern on the servo band 102 is completed. The servo pattern formed on the servo band 102 of the magnetic tape 1 has the same shape as the servo patterns 2a and 2b already formed on the servo band 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7F, when data signals are recorded in the data band 203, the magnetic tape 1 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow E (the direction toward the end) and the data on the magnetic tape 1 is recorded by the head unit 61. A data signal is recorded in the band 203. At this time, the servo patterns 102a and 102b formed on the servo band 102 of the magnetic tape 1 are read by the first servo head chip 65a and the third servo head chip 65b, and tracking servo is started.

  At the same time, the servo patterns 202a and 202b are formed on the magnetic tape 1 by the second servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b so as to synchronize with the servo patterns 102a and 102b currently being read. The servo patterns 202a and 202b formed at this time are only the upper end portion of each servo pattern. Thereafter, data signals and servo signals are recorded on the magnetic tape 1 in the same procedure as described above.

  FIG. 7G shows a state where servo patterns are formed in the entire width direction of the magnetic tape 1 by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape as shown in FIG. 7G has the same shape and the same arrangement as the servo pattern formed on the conventional magnetic tape as shown in FIG. The data signal can be recorded (overwrite only) and the data signal can be reproduced.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment records a data signal while performing tracking servo on the basis of the servo patterns 2a and 2b recorded on the magnetic tape 1 at the time of shipment from the factory, and creates a new servo pattern. Form. In addition, a data signal is recorded while performing tracking servo based on a newly formed servo pattern, and a new servo pattern is formed.

  The servo pattern described above is not limited to the letter “C” of the timing base servo, but can be applied to other timing base servos, amplitude servos, and servo patterns of combined servos of timing base servos and amplitude servos.

[4. Effects of the embodiment, etc.]
According to the magnetic tape manufacturing method of the present embodiment, in order to form a servo band including a servo pattern on the magnetic tape original, the magnetic tape original is cut while reading the servo pattern in the slitting step (S15). Can do. Accordingly, the linearity of the edge of the magnetic tape (pancake) can be improved, and off-track can be reduced. In other words, in the case of the conventional slitting process (cutting the magnetic tape original without performing tracking servo), if the magnetic tape original or blade position fluctuates during cutting, the edge of the magnetic tape after cutting is inherent Despite having to be straight in the longitudinal direction, it is in a curved or wavy state. When such a magnetic tape is mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce a data signal, the magnetic tape travels because the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape is regulated by flanges arranged above and below the guide roller. The inner magnetic tape has a large positional fluctuation in the width direction, and the off-track amount becomes large. In this embodiment, cutting is performed while adjusting the position of the slitter blade based on the servo band formed with high linearity, so that the linearity of the edge of the magnetic tape can be improved and the amount of off-track can be reduced. can do.

  In addition, according to the magnetic tape manufacturing method of the present embodiment, since the servo band including the servo pattern is formed on the original magnetic tape, the pancake 23 to the servo signal recording apparatus required in the conventional servo process is formed. Since the attaching / detaching work becomes unnecessary, the number of work steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the method of manufacturing a magnetic tape of the present embodiment, since the linearity of the edge portion of the magnetic tape can be improved, the failure of cutting in the slit process can be reduced, and the yield can be improved. Can do.

  Also, according to the magnetic tape manufacturing method of the present embodiment, in the conventional slitting process, the magnetic tape original fabric was trial cut in order to confirm the linearity of the edge of the magnetic tape after cutting. In the present embodiment, since cutting can be performed with high linearity, trial cutting of the original magnetic tape becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the number of work steps can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the magnetic tape of the present embodiment, since only one servo band is formed, the number of servo heads can be reduced when forming a servo pattern on the original magnetic tape in the servo process. Manufacturing costs can be reduced. For example, in the conventional configuration in which five servo bands are formed on one magnetic tape, it is necessary to form 385 servo bands on one original magnetic tape when the magnetic tape is manufactured. 385 servo heads were also required. On the other hand, in the present invention, since only 77 servo bands, which is 1/5 of the conventional art, need to be formed on one magnetic tape original fabric, 77 servo heads are sufficient. Therefore, the number of servo heads can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the magnetic tape cutting device of the present embodiment, a servo head that can read a servo pattern formed on the magnetic tape original is provided, so that when the magnetic tape original is cut (slit Process), since the magnetic tape can be cut while reading the servo pattern already recorded on the magnetic tape in the previous step and performing tracking servo, the magnetic tape is cut straight. Can do. Therefore, a high quality magnetic tape can be obtained.

  Further, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of magnetic tapes having only one servo band are formed by providing a servo head capable of magnetically recording servo signals on the magnetic tape. A track data signal can be recorded. That is, when the data signal is recorded on the magnetic tape, the data signal is recorded while increasing the servo band, so that the recording area on the magnetic tape can be used efficiently.

  Further, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, since the servo signal can be recorded / reproduced, the influence of expansion on the magnetic tape due to temperature and humidity is small. That is, if all servo patterns are formed at the magnetic tape manufacturing stage as in the past, the magnetic tape may be affected by temperature and humidity when the environment at the manufacturing site is different from the environment at the usage location. May expand or contract. In such a case, even if the servo pattern is formed with high precision at the magnetic tape manufacturing stage, the shape and dimensions of the magnetic tape change at the place of use, and the shape and dimensions of the servo pattern recorded on the magnetic tape also change. Resulting in. Therefore, the accuracy of the tracking servo is reduced. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the servo pattern can be formed and the tracking servo can be executed by the recording / reproducing apparatus, even if the size and shape of the magnetic tape fluctuate due to the influence of temperature and humidity, the fluctuation occurs. A servo pattern is formed on the subsequent magnetic tape, and variations in the size and shape of the magnetic tape do not affect the servo pattern, and the tracking servo accuracy does not deteriorate.

  Further, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the servo signal can be recorded on the magnetic tape in place of the read-only servo head chip conventionally mounted on the head unit instead of the configuration capable of recording the servo signal on the magnetic tape. Since it can be realized simply by mounting a reproducible servo head chip, it can be realized without significant cost increase.

  In the magnetic tape manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the servo process (S14) is arranged between the aging process (S13) and the slit process (S15), but the calendar process (S12) and the aging process (S13). ), The same effect can be obtained. That is, the same effect can be obtained even in the order of the coating process, calendar process, servo process, aging process, slit process, and loading process.

  Further, in the magnetic tape manufacturing method of the present embodiment, 77 servo patterns are simultaneously formed in the servo step (S14). However, a configuration in which the servo tape is formed in a plurality of times (less than 77 times) is also possible. Good.

  Further, the magnetic tape according to the present embodiment has the servo band 2 only at the upper end in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1 as shown in FIG. Good. In that case, the first servo head chip 65a and the third servo head chip 65b in FIG. 6 are configured with head chips capable of recording servo signals, so that data signals and servo signals are the same as in this embodiment. Can be recorded.

[5. Other examples of embodiment]
In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the data signal is recorded in the data band between the servo bands. However, as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. Can also record a data signal (pattern 3a). FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion H in FIG. 8A. Although the number of patterns 3a is different between FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, this is to clarify the drawing of the pattern 3a in FIG. 8A, and actually the same number.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the data signal recorded in the servo band 2 can be recorded by the third servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b. At this time, the servo patterns 2a and 2b formed in the servo band at the end in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first servo band) by the first servo head chip 65a and the second servo head chip 65b. And the first servo head chip 65a and the second servo head chip 65b are synchronized with the third servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo head chip 66b, and the third servo head chip 66a and the second servo head chip 66a are synchronized with each other. Servo patterns 2a and 2b are formed in the servo band 2 (hereinafter referred to as the second servo band) next to the first servo band with the four servo head chips 66b. That is, when the data signal is recorded in the servo band 2, the pattern 3a based on the data signal and the servo patterns 2a and 2b are alternately formed. Thereafter, by moving the magnetic head unit 61 (see FIG. 7A, etc.) in the direction indicated by the arrow F while reciprocating the magnetic tape 1, the pattern 3a based on the data signal in the tape width direction in the servo band 2 is formed. Can do.

  Here, the servo signal based on the servo patterns 2a and 2b has a sufficiently long recording wavelength compared to the data signal. Therefore, the first servo head chip 65a and the second servo head chip 65b can easily recognize the servo patterns 2a and 2b from the servo band 2 in which the pattern 3a based on the data signal is mixed.

  Furthermore, since the output level of the servo signal based on the servo patterns 2a and 2b is sufficiently higher than the output level of the data signal read based on the pattern 3a, it is possible to easily discriminate between the data signal and the servo signal. it can.

  In the above configuration, the data signal and the servo signal are simultaneously recorded. However, the data signal can be recorded in the servo band 2 on the magnetic tape 1 on which the servo patterns 2a and 2b are already formed. In that case, the servo pattern is read by the first servo head chip 65a and the second servo head chip 65b, and the third servo head chip 66a and the fourth servo are synchronized with a servo signal based on the read servo pattern. The data signal recording operation in the head chip 66b is stopped. At other timings, the data signal recording operation is executed. By operating in this way, a data signal can be recorded in the servo band 2 without overwriting the servo patterns 2a and 2b already formed in the servo band 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8B, the recording capacity per magnetic tape can be increased by adopting a configuration in which a data signal is recorded in the servo band 2.

  The present invention is useful for an apparatus capable of recording various information including at least a servo signal on a magnetic recording medium such as an audio tape, a video tape, and a computer tape.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the magnetic tape in embodiment The flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape in embodiment Schematic diagram showing the structure of the magnetic tape and the magnetic head device Schematic diagram showing the structure of the original magnetic tape Schematic diagram showing the composition of the pancake The block diagram which shows the structure of the magnetic tape cutting device in embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus in embodiment Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the magnetic head in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment Schematic diagram showing transition of servo pattern formation in the embodiment The top view which shows the structure of the other example of the magnetic tape in embodiment Enlarged plan view of the H part in FIG. 8A Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional magnetic tape

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic tape 2 Servo band 2a, 2b Servo pattern 31 Servo head 32 Control part 33 Actuator 34 Slit part 35 Slitter unit 53 Head unit 53b 1st servo head 53c 2nd servo head 54 Servo signal reproduction | regeneration part 55 Drive control part 56 Actuator 57 Synchronization control unit 58 Servo signal generation unit 61 Head unit 65a First servo head chip 65b Second servo head chip 66a Third servo head chip 66b Fourth servo head chip

Claims (2)

A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of magnetically recording a data signal on a magnetic tape on which a first servo pattern is formed,
A first servo head capable of reading the first servo pattern;
A second servo head capable of forming a second servo pattern on the magnetic tape;
A recording control unit for controlling the operation of the second servo head based on the first servo pattern read by the first servo head;
The recording control unit
A recording / reproducing apparatus that controls to form the second servo pattern with the second servo head at a timing synchronized with a timing at which the first servo pattern is read with the first servo head. The recording control unit
2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second servo head is controlled to form a new servo pattern at a timing synchronized with a timing at which the first servo head reads the second servo pattern.

Images