JPH02287913A - Tracking inspecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stably execute the inspection by converting an amplified signal to a DC level by an integrator, converting its signal to a digital signal by an A/D converter, comparing its values by an arithmetic unit and outputting its result to the outside. CONSTITUTION:When a tracking tape 21 installed in a magnetic tape device runs on a magnetic head assembly 40, tracking data are read from two tracks 9, 10 of a magnetic head 41 and outputted to an output line 409 and 410. This read signal reads an output of a track 9 for reading the data brought to A/D conversion through amplifiers 51, 52 and integrators 53, 54, and subsequently, the read data is stored. In the same way, output read of the track 10 and data store are executed, and since these read has an element fluctuated by a flow on the tracking tape 21 and a dynamic skew or the like, and output level of plural pieces of tracks 9, 10 is obtained by trying it repeatedly. Subsequently, by deriving an average value of the data, an output average value of the tracks 9, 10 is obtained, and when both output levels are within some range, the track ing is decided to be good.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a tracking inspection device, and more particularly to a tracking inspection device that can automatically inspect the track position of a magnetic tape device using a multi-track magnetic head. .

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, tracking (track position) of this type of magnetic tape device has been confirmed using a tracking tape. Referring to FIG. 5, this tracking tape is made for 9 tracks, and the tracking data is obtained by changing the polarity of data that is alternately shifted two by two at regular intervals up and down with respect to the center of the full width of the magnetic tape ( 8i tape (with different directions of magnetization). Further, as defined in JISC-6282, the track arrangement of the magnetic tape is such that the center of track 5 is located exactly at the center of the entire width of the magnetic tape. Tracking adjustment or inspection of a magnetic tape device involves attaching the above-mentioned tracking tape to the magnetic tape device and adjusting the tracking tape to a position (or a certain range) where the magnitude of the signal read from the magnetic head reading track 5 is exactly the same. The point is that the tracking is correct. (See Figures 5 and 6) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-described tracking adjustment or confirmation method for a conventional magnetic tape device is for a 9-track device in which a track is located at the center of the entire width of the magnetic tape. Therefore, it has the disadvantage that it cannot be used in even-track magnetic tape devices such as 18) racks, which have been developed in recent years for higher density.

Furthermore, since tracking confirmation uses an oscilloscope to read the waveform level, the level may become unstable due to the meandering movement of the magnetic tape (dynamic skew), and there is the drawback that the output level may be incorrectly read. there were. Furthermore, in order to automate these readings, levels that change with the same polarity must be compared,
For this reason, it was necessary to compare the levels in a timely manner, making automation extremely difficult.

[Means to solve the problem]

The automatic tracking inspection device for the magnetic head assembly of a magnetic tape device of the present invention uses a tracking tape in which tracking data is recorded at the center of the entire width of the magnetic tape, and signals are read from each of two tracks located on both sides of the magnetic head. an amplifier that amplifies the amplified signal to a sufficient size, an integrator that converts the amplified signal to a DC level, and an AD that converts the DC level of the integrator to a digital signal.
a converter, and an arithmetic device that compares the values of the AD converter;
It consists of an external output device that outputs the comparison results.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the recording state of tracking data on the tracking tape used in the present invention and the track arrangement on the magnetic tape.

The magnetic tape 20 has 18 tracks (1 to 18), and the center lines are exactly located at a position W/2 corresponding to 1/2 of the total tape width W from the tape reference end 19 to track 9 and track 1.
Tracks are arranged so as to pass between 0 and 0. The tracking data group 30 is recorded on the center line on the tracking tape 21 so as to span track 9 and track 10 with this center line as the center.

Next, a method for confirming the track position using the tracking tape 21 will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c) show the physical positional relationship between the position of the magnetic head 41 and the tracking data 30 of the tracking tape 21, and the track 9 and track l of the magnetic head 41.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the output level of O.

FIG. 2(a) shows a case where the track positions are correct, and the tracking data 30 is located at the center of tracks 9 and 10 of the magnetic head 41, and the output levels read from the tracks 9 and 10 are the same. be.

FIG. 2(b) shows a case where the track position is shifted to the tape reference end, and the tracking data 30 is mostly on the track 9 side. Therefore, the output level of track 9 is not high, and the output level of track 10 is decreasing.

FIG. 2(C) shows a case where the track position is shifted away from the tape reference edge, and the tracking data 30 is mostly on the track 10 side. As a result,
The output level of track 10 is high, and the output level of track 9 is low. Next, the automatic tracking inspection device of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic tracking inspection device that performs tracking confirmation.

A magnetic head assembly 40 of a magnetic tape device includes a magnetic tape 20.
4 magnetic heads for recording and reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape 20, guides 42 and 43 for guiding the running of the magnetic tape 20 and tracking tape 21, and reference end 1 of the magnetic tape 20 and tracking tape 21.
9 to the magnetic head assembly 40, a track 9 output line 409 that outputs the signal read by track 9 of the magnetic head 41, and a track that outputs the signal read by track 10 of the magnetic head 41. It is composed of 10 output lines 410. This magnetic head assembly 40 is mounted on a magnetic tape device, and the tracking tape 21 runs over the magnetic head assembly 40.Next, the tracking inspection device 50 of the present invention
Amplifiers 51 and 52 that amplify the reproduced outputs of tracks 9 and 10 read out to a sufficient level, integrators 53 and 54 that integrate the reproduced signal levels of tracks 9 and 10, and integrated tracks. 9 and track 1
AD (Analog-
Digital') Conversion 855. 56, a personal computer 57 that processes AD conversion data, and a printer 58 that outputs tracking confirmation results.

As described above, the magnetic head assembly 40 mounted on the magnetic tape device runs the tracking tape 21 and inspects its position. The automatic operation process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the tracking tape 21 is loaded into the magnetic tape device, and the tracking tape is set 61 to perform a loading operation in which the magnetic head 41 and the tracking tape 21 are in the state shown in FIG. Next, a tape running 62 in which the tracking tape 21 runs over the magnetic head assembly 40
I do.

Tracking data 30 is read from tracks 9 and 1o of magnetic head 41 as the tape runs and is output to track 9 output line 409 and track 10 output line 410. This read signal is passed through amplifiers 51, 52 and integrators 53, 54, and is read out 63 from the controller 9 for reading the AD-converted data. Next, data storage 64 for storing read data is performed, output reading 65 of the track 10 is similarly performed, and data storage 66 is similarly performed for storing read data. These readings are subject to fluctuations due to scratches on the tracking tape, dynamic skiing, etc., so the number of trials to be repeated is determined once6.
7, the output levels of a plurality of tracks 9 and 10 can be obtained. Next, tracking tape 2
A traveling stop 68 is performed to stop the traveling of truck 9.
In order to obtain the average value of the output level of track 9, data is read from the data storage 64 in which a plurality of pieces of data of the output level of track 9 are stored, and the average value is obtained by dividing the data by the number of trials n. Calculation 69 is performed, and output average value calculation 70 of the track 10 is similarly performed. Next, the average value of the output level of track 9 and the average value of the output level of track 10 are compared, and the average value of the output level of track 9 and track 10 is compared.
Comparison determination 71 between tracks 9 and 10 is performed to determine whether the circular levels of the tracks 9 and 10 are the same or within a certain range.

As a result, if tracks 9 and 10 are the same or within a certain range, it is determined that tracking is good 72, and when they are outside the above range, it is determined that tracking is poor 73. The result cuff 4 outputs the output average value of tracks 9 and 1o, the deviation value 6 of tracks 9 and 1O, the comparison result of the output level of tracks 9 and 10, and the classification of good/bad to the printer, and the tracking tape is magnetically The process ends with a tracking tape unload process 75 for removing the tape from the tape device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention uses a tracking tape in which a group of tracking data is recorded at the center of the entire width of the magnetic tape. The operation of amplifying and integrating the respective values and converting them into digital signals using an AD converter is repeated multiple times, and after averaging the resulting multiple values corresponding to the two tracks, the two are compared and determined within a certain range. The tracking position can be automatically verified by determining whether the tracker is on the tracker, and the effect is that it can stably inspect changes due to meandering (dynamic skew) on the tracking tape, dust and defects on the tracking tape, etc. There is.

This is a confirmation diagram.

1 to 18... Track, 19... Old tape reference end, 20... Magnetic tape, 21... Group tracking tape, 30... Tracking data group.

Agent: Patent Attorney Susumu Uchihara

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a recording status diagram showing the track position on the magnetic tape and the recording status on the tracking tape, Figure 2(a)
~(C) is a tracking confirmation diagram for explaining the state when a tracking data group is read at a track position on a magnetic tape, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an automatic tracking diagram. A flowchart diagram showing the inspection process, Figure 5 is a recording state diagram of conventional magnetic tape and tracking tape, and Figure 6 is a diagram of Figures 5 (a) to (c).
Tracking confirmed when using the conventional tracking tape shown in ), 2 cursed rod S diagram

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In inspecting the track position of a magnetic tape device using a multi-track magnetic head, a tracking tape on which a group of tracking data is recorded centered on the center line of the full width of the magnetic tape is used, and the position is placed on both sides of the group of tracking data. an amplifier for reading and amplifying the tracking data group to a sufficient size in two tracks;
Compare the levels of an integrator that converts the signal amplified by this amplifier into a DC level, an AD (analog-digital) converter that converts the level converted into DC by the integrator into a digital signal, and the AD converter. What is claimed is: 1. A tracking inspection device that automatically confirms a track position by comprising a calculation means for calculating the comparison result, and an external output device for outputting the comparison result. (2) After reading the data group on each of the two tracks located on both sides of the tracking data group multiple times and calculating the average value of the resulting values corresponding to each track, the average values are compared. The tracking inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the tracking inspection device determines whether the tracking is good or bad by performing a test.