JPH10172104A - Magnetic tape, magnetic tape cartridge, head positioning method, magnetic tape driving device and magnetic tape library apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain interchangeability with magnetic tapes of 128 tracks small in the number of data tracks by increasing the number of the data tracks to 128×2<n> pieces without increasing the number of servo tracks, the number of servo heads with a serpentine system magnetic tape device. SOLUTION: The head arrangement and intervals of the multitrack heads composed of the heads and servo heads used for recording and reproducing data are set the same as those of the heads of the tapes of 128 tracks and the width of the data heads is set at 1/2<n> . The outputs of the S1 and S2 signals of the servo heads are proportional to the transverse direction of the tapes and, therefore, the positioning of the heads in 2<n> ways in the transverse direction of the tapes is possible. The recording of 128×2<n> pieces of the data tracks on the magnetic tape is possible. Since the head arrangement and intervals of the heads are the same as those of the heads of 128 tracks, the interchangeability with the magnetic tapes of 128 tracks is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape cartridge, a head positioning method, a magnetic tape drive, and a magnetic tape library, and more particularly, to a data track without increasing the number of data heads and servo heads. The present invention relates to a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape cartridge, a head positioning method, a magnetic tape drive, and a magnetic tape library device capable of improving the recording density of a magnetic tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a magnetic tape device in the field of information processing, except for a device using a rotary head, a magnetic tape device having the same number of data tracks and the number of heads, and a device called a serpentine system having a smaller number of heads than the number of data tracks. There is.

In a magnetic tape device having the same number of data tracks and the same number of heads, the magnetic head is mechanically fastened to a base, and a tape guide or the like guides the upper and lower edges of the magnetic tape and regulates the relative position between the magnetic tape and the magnetic head. The magnetic tape runs while being guided. In such a magnetic tape device, when the number of tracks is increased to increase the storage density, the number of heads must be increased accordingly. This leads to an increase in head manufacturing cost.
Also, since the data track width is narrow, the amount of movement of the tape in the width direction on the head, the so-called off-track allowance, is also small, and the S / N ratio of data is small even with a small amount of off-track.
Gets worse. In addition, data compatibility is lost due to different tape formats.

[0004] An example of a magnetic tape device and a magnetic tape of the serpentine system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-14108. As described above, the number of heads is smaller than the number of data tracks on the tape, and the magnetic head is positioned in the tape width direction to read / write information on an arbitrary data track.

In the example of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-14108, 128 data tracks are divided into four equal parts on a magnetic tape, and 32 data tracks constitute one data track area. Further, three servo track areas are arranged between the data track areas divided into four and the data track areas. One servo track area is composed of two servo areas in which the S1 signal is written, and a servo area in which the S2 signal having a width equal to the width of the data track is written therebetween. There is a guard band between the servo area and the data track area where no signal is recorded. The magnetic head consists of 16 write heads
16 read heads are arranged alternately and 3
A set of servo head pairs is arranged between a write head for reading and writing data and a read head. The servo head pair reads a signal of the servo track recorded on the magnetic tape in order to position the write head and the read head on an arbitrary data track. The servo head pair has two servo heads spaced apart by twice the data track width in the tape width direction, and is on the same gap as the write head for reading and writing data and the read head.

The head positioning method is based on a boundary between a servo area in which the S1 signal is written and a servo area in which the S2 signal is written (there are two boundaries, one is a servo track U and the other is a servo track L; One of the servo heads is positioned on one of the servo tracks) and read from that servo head.
The servo head is positioned on the servo track so that the ratio between the S1 signal and the S2 signal is 1: 1. As described above, one head reads and writes data tracks of four track groups by using two servo tracks and two servo heads. That is, data tracks of 4 tracks × 32 heads = 128 can be read / written. In the magnetic tape device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-14108, in order to position the head in an arbitrary track group, the relationship between the servo head to be used and the servo track is shown in Table 1 based on the running direction of the magnetic tape and the target track group. become that way.

[0007]

【table 1】

For example, the tape runs from -X to + X,
To position the magnetic head on the data track belonging to track group # 3, the servo heads HA2, HB2, and HC2 are turned on the servo track U and the servo signal ratio is reduced.
What is necessary is just to position a servo head so that it may be set to 1: 1.

In the magnetic tape device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-14108, three servo heads are required to increase the number of data tracks from, for example, 128 tracks to 256 tracks in order to increase the storage density. From 2 pairs
Increase to 4 or increase the number of data heads from 16 + 16
Must be increased to 32 + 32. This leads to an increase in head manufacturing cost. Further, since the data track width is reduced to 1/2 of 128 tracks, the interval between the servo heads is reduced, so that the width of the servo head is also reduced and the S / N of the servo signal is deteriorated. Another method is to increase the number of servo tracks, but this causes a problem of recording servo tracks on a tape. For example, a servo track writer is required separately.

[0010]

In the magnetic tape device of the serpentine system as described above, one of the servo head pairs is made to track on any one of the two servo tracks, and the head is positioned on an arbitrary data track. I have. In a magnetic tape device using such a head positioning method, in order to increase the storage capacity of the tape, the number of servo heads is increased as described in JP-A-7-14108, or the number of servo tracks described above is increased. Increase,
Increase the number of data heads.

An increase in the number of servo heads is an increase in the number of heads, which leads to an increase in head manufacturing costs. Also,
Since the width of the data track becomes smaller, the width of the servo head becomes smaller, and the interval between the servo heads becomes smaller.
There is a problem that the S / N ratio deteriorates, that is, the positioning accuracy decreases. Further, an increase in the number of data heads leads to an increase in head manufacturing costs.

On the other hand, an increase in the number of servo tracks causes a difference in tape format, so that compatibility with a magnetic tape having fewer servo tracks is lost. Also, a servo track writer for recording servo tracks on a magnetic tape is required separately.

As described above, in the conventional system, there is a problem that the compatibility with the conventional magnetic tape cannot be coped with for improving the recording density.

An object of the present invention is to increase the number of data tracks without increasing the number of servo tracks, servo heads and data heads, and to achieve compatibility with a magnetic tape having a small number of data tracks. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape, a magnetic tape cartridge, a head positioning method, a magnetic tape driving device, and a magnetic tape library device.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides m (an integer greater than 1) longitudinally extending servo track areas spaced apart in the width direction.
Comprising a servo track area and (m + 1) longitudinally extending data track areas alternately arranged in the width direction, each servo track area having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position, Each data track area is composed of a predetermined number of data tracks of equal width, and adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area are separated by a distance of 2 ⁿ times (n is an integer greater than 1) the width of the data track. Use magnetic tape that is separated. That is, the width of each data track is set so as to equally divide ²ⁿ pieces between adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area. For example, 32 × 2 ⁿ data tracks are arranged in each data track area. Also, if m is 3,
A high-density format in which the total number of data tracks is 128 × 2 ⁿ can be realized.

Further, an identification mark capable of specifying the above n is provided on the surface of the magnetic tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape.

According to the head positioning method of the present invention, m (an integer greater than 1) servo track areas extending in the length direction and separated in the width direction, and the servo track areas alternate with the servo track areas in the width direction. A magnetic tape having m + 1 longitudinally extending data track areas disposed thereon, each servo track area having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position, and at least one servo head and writing or reading A plurality of data heads for performing the same in parallel, using a multi-track head capable of integrally moving the servo head and the plurality of data heads in the width direction with respect to the magnetic tape, and as one of the servo position indicators by controlling positioned widthwise position of different 2 ⁿ pieces of servo head (n is an integer greater than 1) for the adjacent of the respective servo track areas That equal portions between the servo position labeled 2 ⁿ pieces placing a predetermined number of data tracks equal width to each data track region. Also, when recording or reproducing a magnetic tape, the magnetic head recognizes an identification mark provided on the surface of the magnetic tape cartridge, and controls the servo head for one of the servo position indicators based on the n obtained as a result of the recognition.
By controlling the positioning at 2 ⁿ different width-direction positions, a predetermined number of equal widths can be assigned to each data track area by equally dividing the adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area into 2 ⁿ pieces. Place the data tracks.

According to the magnetic tape drive of the present invention, m (an integer greater than 1) servo track areas extending in the length direction and separated in the width direction, and the servo track areas and the servo track areas are alternately arranged in the width direction. And a data track area extending in the length direction of the servo track, and recording or reproducing data on or from a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position in each servo track area. Multi-track head having at least one servo head and a plurality of data heads for performing writing or reading in parallel, and capable of integrally moving the servo head and the plurality of data heads in the width direction with respect to the magnetic tape And a servo head for one of the servo position indicators
²ⁿ (n is an integer greater than 1) positioning means for controlling positioning at different widthwise positions, whereby the positioning means reduces the distance between adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area to 2 ⁿ . It is characterized in that a predetermined number of data tracks having the same width are arranged in each data track area by performing positioning control by dividing the data tracks equally.

Further, the identification mark provided on the surface of the magnetic tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape is detected, and the space between adjacent servo position markers in each servo track area is divided into 2 ⁿ equal parts. and identification means for identifying n.

Each servo track area has two longitudinally extending first servo areas separated in the width direction, and a servo position indicator is provided between the first servo areas and a boundary between the first servo area and the first servo area. And a second servo area. Then, the positioning means adjusts the ratio of the servo signal of the servo head obtained from the first servo area and the second servo area.
j _n : k _n (where j, k> 0 and j ≠ k), and controls the servo head to be positioned at one of the servo position indicators.

The present invention will be described in detail by taking m = 3 as an example. Four data track areas composed of a plurality of data tracks having the same width and three servo track areas are arranged between the data track areas. Each servo track area has two second
One servo area and a second servo area between which an S2 signal having a width equal to the width of the data track is written. A combination head (multi-track head) having a smaller number of data heads than the number of data tracks on the magnetic tape and three servo head pairs for reading three servo track areas on the magnetic tape is used.
Head driving means for moving the combination head in the width direction of the magnetic tape is provided, and the combination head writes or reads all data tracks by a plurality of track seek operations.

For example, 1/2 ⁿ of the width of the second servo area (n = 1,
A write head and a read head having a width of not more than (2,3, ...) and a width not more than the smaller width of the first and second servo areas and more than 2 ⁿ -1 times the write head width A multi-track head composed of a servo head and a single servo head is turned on-track in one servo track at 2 ⁿ different positions in the width direction, and the S1 signal and the S2 signal read from the servo track are mixed. ratio of the servo signal S1: S2 a _{k 1: j 1, k 2} : j 2, ···, k N: j
_N (k, j ≧ 0, k ≠ j, N = 2 ⁿ ).

More specifically, for example, 2 of 128 tracks
When the number of tracks is doubled to 256, 2 ⁿ = 256
Assuming that / 128 = 2 and n = 1, the width of the write head and the read head of the combination head is set to 1/2 or less of the servo track interval. Further, since 2 ⁿ = 2, the signal ratio of the two servo heads is set to 1: 3 or 3: 1. Therefore, 2 servo tracks × 2 servo heads × 2 servo signal ratio × 32 heads = 256 data tracks can be recorded on the magnetic tape. Further, by setting the signal ratio of the servo head to 1: 1, the head can be positioned at each data track of the conventional 128-track tape, and information of the conventional 128-track tape having different data track widths can be read.

Further, in the case of 512 data tracks, since 2 ⁿ = 4, there are four servo signal ratios, and the signal ratios are 1: 7, 3: 5, 5: 3, 7: 1. And the width of the write head and read head of the combination head (multi-track head) is set to 1 /
4 or less, 128 track tape or
When reading information on a 256-track tape, the head can be positioned on each data track of various tapes by setting the output of the servo head to the respective output ratio.

That is, 2 ⁿ times 128 tracks (n = 1, 2, 3,
...), the servo signal ratio of the servo head is 1: 2N-1, 3: 2N-3, ..., 2N-3: 3, 2N-1: 1
(However, N = 2 ⁿ ), and the width of the write head and read head of the combination head is set to 1/2 ⁿ or less of the servo track interval, so that 2 ⁿ tracks of 128 tracks can be realized. Tape, 256
To achieve data compatibility with track tapes,..., The head can be positioned at each data track of various tapes by setting the respective servo signal ratios.

According to the present invention, when the head is positioned at an arbitrary data track on the magnetic tape, the combination head (multi-track head) is driven by the positioning means, and the data head of the combination head is moved to the predetermined data on the magnetic tape. Go to truck.
The driving method of the head is as follows. When a current of (target data track group-data track group positioned immediately before) × track pitch × positioning means displacement / current constant (A / m) is applied, the combination head is positioned. Is moved by the difference between the set track group and the target track group. Accordingly, the three servo head pairs arranged on the same gap as the write head and the read head of the combination head also move at the same time, and one of the servo heads of each servo head pair becomes one of the two servo tracks. On track. When the servo head tracks on the servo track, the S1 signal E _S1 and S
A servo signal in which the two signals _ES2 are mixed is read. The servo signal read by the servo head is processed, and the difference E _S1 −E _S2 between the S1 signal and the S2 signal is obtained and set as the target.
The difference between the S1 signal and the S2 signal, V _S1 −V _S2 , is fed back to the combination head by the head driving means until the output of the servo head reaches the target difference between the S1 signal and the S2 signal, V _S1 : V _S2. Is moved in the tape width direction to position the data head of the combination head on a predetermined data track on the magnetic tape. When the servo head is located at the center of the servo track, the servo signal ratio is 1: 1. When the servo head is in the on-track state, the relationship of S1: S2 is the tape width of the servo head from the center of the servo track. Direction is proportional to the distance to the head end of the servo head. As described above, since the respective outputs E _S1 : E _S2 of the servo signals are different for each relative positional relationship between the magnetic tape and the combination head, the positioning means (head driving means) is provided for the magnetic tape, the combination head and the position thereof. The corresponding servo signal ratio is calculated, and feedback control is performed so as to be equal to a predetermined servo signal ratio. As a result, the relative position between the magnetic head and each data track is controlled, and the relative position between the two can be accurately maintained.

The head positioning operation has been described above. By performing feedback control so as to always be equal to a predetermined servo signal ratio, the relative position between the magnetic head and each data track is always controlled, and the relative position between them is determined. Can be kept accurate.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a magnetic tape used in the magnetic tape drive of the present invention. As described in "Problems to be Solved by the Invention", the number of servo tracks recorded on the magnetic tape is shown in FIG. In order to increase the number of data tracks without increasing the number of data tracks, the magnetic tape has three servo track areas where m = 3, as described in JP-A-7-14108. Hereinafter, the case where m = 3 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the case where m = 3.

In the figure, four data track areas 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D having the same width in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1 are provided.
Three servo track areas 3A, 3B, and 3C having the same width are formed. The servo track area 3B is disposed between the data track areas 2C and the data track area 2D.
The data track areas 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are composed of a predetermined number of data tracks (not shown) having the same width. A servo track (not shown) for positioning to a desired data track. Further, there are edge guard bands 4A and 4B where no signal is recorded, on the tape edge side of the data track areas 2A and 2D.

FIG. 2A is a head layout diagram of a magnetic head (combination head) used in the present invention. In order to increase the number of data tracks without increasing the number of servo heads and data heads, FIG. The number of data heads (the write head and the read head are collectively referred to as a data head) is the same as the number of magnetic heads used for a 128-track magnetic tape. The arrangement and spacing of the heads are the same so that a 128 data track magnetic tape can be read. However, in the magnetic head used in the present invention, the number of data tracks is
The dimensions, such as the width of the servo head and the width of the data head, were changed in order to increase the number to 256 from 256. The first shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, the width of the data head is less than half the width of the servo track.

FIG. 3 shows a servo for reading the servo tracks 6U and 6L for positioning the heads of the write head (W) 7, the read head (R) 8 of the magnetic head 5 and the servo track areas 3A, 3B and 3C of the magnetic tape 1. Head (S,
T) schematically shows the sequence of 9A, 9B and 9C.
The magnetic tape 1 shown in FIG. 1 was also described with the positional relationship with the magnetic head 5 substantially matched.

The magnetic head 5 is composed of two head blocks, an S block 10 and a T block 11, in which a write head (W) 7 and a read head (R) 8 are alternately arranged on the same center line.
And The S block 10 and the T block 11 are integrally movable in the width direction (Y direction) of the magnetic tape 1. The head arrangement of each block is such that the odd number of the S block 10 is the write head (W) 7, the even number is the read head (R) 8, and the even number of the T block 11 is the write head (W) 7, the odd number Is a read head (R) 8.
The same numbered heads of the S block 10 and the T block 11
They are arranged side by side in the length direction (+ X direction). When the magnetic tape 1 runs in the direction of the arrow 12, all the odd-numbered write heads (W) 7 in the S block 10 write data, and all the odd-numbered read heads (R) 8 in the T block 11 write data. Read. On the other hand, when traveling in the direction of arrow 13, all even-numbered write heads (W) 7 of T block 11 write data, and all even-numbered read heads (R) 8 of S block 10 write data. Read. Each block of the magnetic head 5 has 16 write heads 7 and 16 read heads 8. Therefore, the magnetic head 5 is a multi-track head that simultaneously writes or reads 16 different data tracks. The servo head 9 of the magnetic head 5 has three groups for reading the servo signals of the servo track areas 3A, 3B and 3C of the magnetic tape 1.
A, B, C, write head 7, read head
It is aligned on the same gap as 8. The set of servo heads 9 is 8th and 9th, 16th and 17th,
Arranged between the 24th and 25th data heads, each set A, B, C has two servo heads 9. As shown in the figure, a total of 12 servo heads 9 have 3 characters (
) Identification code, and head blocks S, T
Indicates a set of servo heads A, B, and C, and indicates one of the two servo heads in each set.

FIG. 2B shows the magnetic head 5 of FIG.
An example of recording information on magnetic tape 1 of
FIG. 3 is a track layout of a magnetic tape 1 having book data tracks, and is an enlarged view of a servo track area 3A and data track areas 2A and 2B (portions surrounded by broken lines) in FIG. As shown, each of the write head 7 and the read head 8 is positioned on eight data tracks 14. (For example, write head W7
Are positioned on eight data tracks 14 of Tr49 to Tr56. The arrow in the figure indicates the running direction of the magnetic tape 1 when reading and writing data, and the symbol in the figure, for example, Tr6
4 indicates the 64th data track.

Each servo track area 3 has two S1 servo areas 15A and 15B written at frequency S1, an S2 servo area 16 written at frequency S2, and an S1 servo area 15 and data track area 2 between. And a protection area 17 where no signal is written. As shown, servo heads SA2 and TA2
(Same for SB2, SC2, TB2 and TC2)
When positioned over the 3A S1 servo area 15A and the S2 servo area 16, each write head and read head can be on-track on the data track 14.
In the figure, W7 and R7 are Tr49, R8 and W8 are Tr57, and W9 and R9 are Tr65.
In addition, R10 and W10 are on-track to Tr73. Actually, the servo head uses S1 signal from S1 servo area 15A and S2 signal.
A mixed signal of the S2 signal from the servo area 16 is obtained and S1
Set the servo head so that the signal and S2 signal have a certain set value.
When the data head is positioned at the boundary between the S1 servo area 15A and the S2 servo area 16, the data head can be positioned at an arbitrary data track. The mixed signal of the S1 signal and the S2 signal is a servo signal for positioning the servo head. The boundary between the S1 servo area 15A where the servo signal is obtained and the S2 servo area 16 is a servo track (servo position marker) 6U, and the boundary between the S2 servo area 16 and the S1 servo area 15B is a servo track (servo position marker) 6L. .

As described above, the width of the write head and the read head of the magnetic head used in the present invention is smaller than that of the magnetic head used for a 128-track magnetic tape by half. Of data tracks can be recorded. However, even if the width of the data head is halved, only four data tracks can be recorded with two servo heads and two servo tracks. Therefore, in this embodiment, one servo track (servo position indicator)
The servo head is positioned at two (2 ¹ = 256/128) different positions. That is, the magnetic head is positioned in the tape width direction in eight ways with two servo heads, two servo tracks, and two servo positioning positions. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 2 (B), one data head forms eight data tracks. For example, data tracks can be formed without gaps like Tr56 and Tr57, and Tr72 and Tr73, and data tracks can be formed without overlapping. it can. Adjacent data heads (for example, W7 and R8, W9 and R10) in one data track area are separated by eight tracks in the width direction of the magnetic tape. Furthermore, since eight data heads in one data track area and eight data tracks created by one data head can record 64 data tracks in one data track area, four data tracks can be recorded. 256 data tracks can be recorded in the entire area. FIG. 3A shows the running direction of the magnetic tape when writing and reading data. As described in FIG. 2, the data head operates with the even number and the odd number of the data head. The running direction of the tape is different. In addition, since one data head can be positioned on eight data tracks, the adjacent eight data tracks are different from the eight adjacent data tracks in the running direction of the tape at the time of writing and reading.
FIG. 3 collectively shows the eight data track groups written and read in the same traveling direction, and the eight data track groups are referred to as one cluster. Figure
3 (A) shows each cluster 18 to 49 of the data track area 2 on the magnetic tape 1, and numerals 18 to 49 show 32 clusters from the first cluster. The eight data tracks of the first cluster 18 are written by the write head W1 of the S block 10 shown in FIG. 2A, and information is read from the data track 14 by the read head R1. Therefore,
Each data track area 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D has the same number of clusters as the number of data heads. As described with reference to FIG. 2, since the number of data heads does not increase even if the number of data tracks is increased, the number of clusters does not change even if the number of data tracks is increased to 256. Arrow 50 in each cluster is a magnetic tape when reading and writing data in each cluster
1 shows the traveling direction. For example, when the magnetic tape is transferred from the −X direction to the + X direction, the even-numbered clusters are transferred when the magnetic tape is transferred from the + X direction to the −X direction. Recording / reproduction of information is performed between these two.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the portion of the 16th cluster 33 and the 17th cluster 34 (the portion surrounded by a solid line circle) across the servo track area 3B of FIG. 3A. 8 to distinguish each of the eight data tracks 14 in one cluster
Into a track group 51 represented by two # 0 to # 7. # 0 to # 7 shown in the figure are track groups into which the data tracks 14 are classified. All data tracks 14 belong to any of the track groups, and the track numbers belonging to each track group
52 is determined by (Equation 1). Where I is the cluster number (1
~ 32).

Track number of track group 0 = 8 × I−7 Track number of track group 1 = 8 × I−6: (Formula 1) Track number of track group 6 = 8 × I−1 Track group 7 In this embodiment, the track group numbers are # 0 to # 7.
# 8 is fine.

Next, a method for positioning the magnetic head on the above-mentioned 256-track magnetic tape will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 4
Magnetic tape 1 used in one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
Is a magnetic tape of the same type as the conventional one, and the width of the S2 servo area 16 is 80 μm. In order to realize 256 data tracks, the width of the servo head was set to 80 μm and the width of the write head was set to 40 μm in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the eighth cluster 25 and the data track area 2B of the data track area 2A of the magnetic tape 1 having 256 data tracks according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a ninth cluster 26 of FIG.
Data heads R8 and W8 positioned in eight track groups of # 7 to # 7 are shown. Servo heads SA1, SA2, TA1, and TA2 shaded are 8 for servo tracks 6U and 6L.
Shows eight positioning positions and eight track groups # 0 to #
This is for causing each data head to be on-track on the data track classified into 7, and each data head is
This indicates that the data track is used for positioning in a data track of a book. In order to position the data head on the even-numbered track group (# 0, # 2, # 4, # 6),
The ratio of the servo signals read out from the servo heads (hereinafter referred to as servo signal ratios) is set to 3: 1 while the odd-numbered track groups (# 1, # 3, # 5, # 7) In order to position the servo head, the filled servo head should be positioned on the servo tracks (servo position indicators) 6U and 6L so that the servo signal ratio read by the filled servo head is 1: 3. Is shown. As described above, the servo head has servo signal ratios for positioning at two different positions with respect to one servo track (servo position indicator), whereby the servo head can be positioned at eight track groups.

As described above, the servo heads SA1 and SA2 are used when the magnetic tape 1 runs in the direction from -X to + X, and the servo heads TA1 and TA2 are used when the magnetic tape 1 moves from + X to -X.
Since it is used when running in the direction, the position to eight track groups is determined by the two servo heads, two servo tracks (servo position indicators), two servo signal ratios, and the tape running direction. Table 2 summarizes what to do with the servo heads, servo tracks to be used, and their servo signal ratios.

[0042]

[Table 2]

For example, in order for the tape to travel from -X to + X and to position the magnetic head on the data track belonging to the track group # 3, the servo head SA of the S block is used.
2, on-track SB2 and SC2 to servo track 6L,
What is necessary is just to position a servo head so that a servo signal ratio may be set to 1: 3.

Next, a head positioning control method of the magnetic head 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a head position controller 58, an index controller 71, and a following controller 56 for positioning the magnetic head (multi-track head) 5 in an arbitrary track group.
And a head driving mechanism 55 for driving the head are shown in a simple block diagram. The head position controller 58 controls the operation of the magnetic head, and stores ROM 60, which stores the controller 59 and the positioning conditions for the servo heads and servo tracks to be used, which are determined by the running direction and the track group to be positioned as shown in Table 2. The head drive mechanism 55 includes an amplifier 69 for supplying a drive current for driving the head. The index controller 71 used to position the magnetic head 5 on an arbitrary track group includes a magnetic tape 1
A reference position RAM 73 for storing a reference position at which the magnetic head 5 is positioned by the initial operation of the magnetic tape device when the device is mounted on the magnetic tape device, a current track RAM 74 for remembering the track group that has been positioned so far, A target track RAM 75 for storing a target track group to be positioned, a track pitch RAM 76 for storing the width of a data track, a computing unit 77 for computing based on information from each RAM, and a RAM 73 to 76 and a computing unit 77 And a positioning controller 72 for controlling the position. Following controller 56
Is used to position the magnetic head 5 on a desired data track by the index controller 71, and then follow the magnetic head 5 to the positioned data track. The track following controller 57, the servo head selector 61, the filter 63, A / D6
4, an arithmetic unit 65, a RAM 62, a comparator 66, a position error detector 67, and an averaging circuit 68.

Head positioning control includes two operations: an index operation for positioning the magnetic head on a desired data track, and a following operation for causing the magnetic head to follow the data track positioned by the index operation.

First, the following operation will be described.
Now, assuming that the magnetic head 1 is positioned in the track group '# 4' in FIG. 4 and the magnetic tape 1 is running in the −X direction (the direction in which it is wound on the supply reel), the track following in FIG. The operation will be described.

The signals of all the servo heads are input to the track following controller 57 in the following controller 56. The signal of the servo head entered into the track following controller 57 is determined by the controller 59 of the head position controller 58 based on the information signal 70 from the controller of the magnetic tape device (not shown). A group of tracks to be followed by the head 5 is determined. Information such as Table 2 described in FIG. 4 is stored in the ROM 60, and the controller 59 can extract ratio information of the servo head and the servo signal to be used from the running direction of the magnetic tape 1 and the track group. It has become. Servo heads (TA1, TB1, and TB1) to be used based on the running direction (−X direction) of the magnetic tape 1 and the track group “# 4”.
The controller 59 reads the TC1) and the servo signal ratio (S1: S2 = 3: 1) from the ROM 60, and the information of the servo heads (TA1, TB1, TC1) to be used via the track following controller 57 through the servo head selector. In 61, information on the servo signal ratio is stored in the RAM 62 in the following controller 56. Servo head selector based on given servo head information to be used
Numeral 61 transfers only the servo signals of the servo heads (TA1, TB1, TC1) to be used to the filters 63A, 63B, 63C. The servo signals of the servo heads (TA1, TB1, TC1) sent are the servo signals E of only S1 and S2 by the filters 63A, 63B and 63C.
_S1, is in E _S2, A / D converters 64A, 64B, are digitized at 64C, calculator 65A, 65B, is transferred to 65C. Computing unit 65A,
The servo signals E _S1 and E _S2 input to 65B and 65C are
To obtain E _S1 −E _S2 and send it to comparators 66A, 66B, 66C.
On the other hand, the target servo signal ratio (S
1: S2 = 3: 1) is input to the calculator 65D, the difference V _S1 -V _S2 of the servo signal ratio to the target is obtained by computing unit 65D, and sent comparator 66A, 66B, to 66C. In the comparators 66A, 66B, and 66C, an error between the target servo signal ratio difference V _S1 −V _S2 and the obtained difference E _S1 −E _S2 is obtained. The comparator 66A calculates the error δ _A of the servo heads of the group _A = (V _SA1 −V _SA2 ) − (E _SA1 −E _SA2 )
And the the comparator 66B [delta] _B, seeking the comparator 66C [delta] _C, each obtained error [delta] _A, [delta] _B, the [delta] _C position error detection circuit 6
Transfer to 7. The position error detection circuit 67 calculates the differences δ _A , δ
_B, [delta] _C to a displacement constant (m / V) obtained by multiplying the positional error amount [delta] _XA, [delta]
_XB and _δXC are obtained. The obtained three positional error amounts δ _XA ,
[delta] _XB, an average position error amount [delta] _X of [delta] _XC seeking the averaging circuit 68, the average position error amount through the track following controller 57 [delta] _X
Is input to the controller 59 of the head position controller 58. Average position error amount [delta] _X, which is input to the controller 59, i.e. the operation amount [delta] _X to move the magnetic head 5, the controller
When sent from 59 to the amplifier 69, the controller 59
The D / A conversion is performed inside to convert it into an analog amount, and input to the amplifier 69. Input operation amount is converted into a current for driving the magnetic head 5 by multiplying the current constant (A / μm) in a position error amount [delta] _X analog in amplifier 69, corresponding to the position error amount [delta] _X to the head driving mechanism 55 Current _IX flows, and the magnetic head 5 is driven by the position error amount.

The controller 59 of the head position controller 58
Responsible for the above-described operation, is controlled to be below a certain threshold position error amount [delta] _X between the magnetic head 5 and the data track. The S2 servo area of the magnetic tape is a portion where no S2 signal is recorded (null area) as described in JP-A-7-14108.
Since the S2 signal and the portion where the S2 signal is recorded are alternated, the servo signal ratio is calculated only for the time when the S2 signal is detected by the servo head, and the position error between the data track and the magnetic head must be calculated. Is controlled by the next null area.

Next, the index operation will be described. The index operation is an operation of positioning the magnetic head from a certain track group to a target track group to which a certain desired data track belongs.

The magnetic head 5 has been positioned in the track group '# 7' until immediately before, the magnetic tape 1 is running in the + X direction (the direction in which it is wound on the take-up reel), and the magnetic tape 1 stops. State. In this state, the magnetic head 5 is held at the position of the track group '# 7'. Next, the controller of the magnetic tape device (not shown) instructs the respective motors directly connected to the take-up reel and the supply reel (not shown) to run the magnetic tape 1 in the + X direction, and further controls the magnetic head 5 to operate. It is assumed that an instruction to position the track group '# 1' is input to the head position controller 58 as an information signal 70. In this case, the head position controller 58, the following controller 56, and the index controller 71 operate as follows.

When the magnetic tape 1 runs in the + X direction, the controller 59 of the head position controller 58 inputs an instruction to switch tracks to the positioning controller 72 of the index controller 71 and its target track group '# 1'. . The positioning controller 72 sets the target track group '#
1 'is input to the target track RAM75. The track group '# 7' where the magnetic head 5 is now positioned is the track RA
The data track width (Bt = 40 μm in this embodiment described in FIGS. 2 to 4) of the magnetic tape 1 already stored in the M74 and used now is the same as when the magnetic tape 1 is mounted on the magnetic tape device. Since the magnetic tape device is sometimes stored in the track pitch RAM 76 during the initial operation of the magnetic tape device, the positioning controller 72 causes the arithmetic unit 77 to move the magnetic head 5 by the movement amount Xh ((# 7- # 1)
X 40 µm = -240 µm). The calculated operation amount Xh for moving the magnetic head 5 is input to the controller 59 of the head position controller 58 via the positioning controller 72. The operation amount Xh for moving the magnetic head 5 is D / A converted in the controller 59, converted into an analog operation amount Xh, and sent to the amplifier 69. The input operation amount Xh is converted by an amplifier 69 into a current I for driving the magnetic head 5 by multiplying the analog operation amount Xh by a current constant K _A (A / m).
Then, a current I corresponding to the movement amount Xh is supplied to the magnetic head 5, and the magnetic head 5 is driven to position the target track group # 1.

With the control so far, the magnetic head 5 to which the current has flowed and has been moved by the head drive mechanism 55 must be correctly positioned in the target track group '# 1'. However, if the current constant K _A (A / m) changes, the head cannot be accurately positioned on the target track. Therefore, the following operation is performed using the servo signal read from the servo head, and the magnetic head is accurately positioned on the target track group.

The magnetic head can be accurately positioned on an arbitrary data track by the two following operations and the index operation described above.

In this embodiment, the width of the servo head is set to 80 μm.
By setting the servo head to two servo signal ratios (1: 3, 3: 1) on one servo track, 256 data tracks were realized. However, the width of the servo head is not limited to 80 μm. To position the magnetic head on an arbitrary data track, the S1 servo area 15
Since the signals S1 and S2 from the servo area 16 are used,
The output from the servo head does not require anything other than the two S1 and S2 signals. Therefore, the servo head simultaneously tracks on the servo tracks 6U and 6L, and the magnetic head cannot be positioned at a desired data track with the width of the servo head such that three signals S1, S2 and S1 can be obtained from three servo areas. . Also, if the servo head is a servo track 6U or 6L
The magnetic head cannot be positioned on a desired data track even if the width of the servo head is on-track at the same time and extends over the protection area 17 at the same time. That is, the width of the servo head is the width of the S1 servo area 15 and the width of the S2 servo area.
The width of 16 must be less than the smaller one. For example, S2
The width of the servo area 16 is 80 μm, and the width of the S1 servo area 15 is 70
If it is μm, the width of the servo head must be 70 μm or less. In the first embodiment having 256 data tracks described with reference to FIG. 2, since one servo head positions two data tracks, the width of the servo head must be larger than the width of the data track. It is clear that it must not. Therefore, it is easily conceivable that an arbitrary width can be selected as long as the width of the servo head is larger than the width of the data track and equal to or smaller than the smaller width of the S1 and S2 servo areas. In that case, the ratio of the servo signals is only i: j, j: i.

FIG. 6 shows a magnetic tape 1 having 256 data tracks and a magnetic head 5 which can be positioned on the magnetic tape 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a magnetic head 5 positioned on a magnetic tape 1 having 128 tracks. FIG. 4 shows what is possible. Since the same magnetic tape 1 is used in both FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is clear that the width of the servo track area 3A is equal. In the case of 256 tracks, only the data track width is 128 tracks. It is 1/2.

FIG. 6 (A) shows only the S gap 53 of the magnetic head 5 in FIG. 4 for simplification. The magnetic head 5 can be positioned.

FIG. 9B shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The magnetic head 5 that can be positioned on the magnetic tape 1 having three data tracks is the same as the conventional magnetic tape 1 with 128 tracks.
It is a figure showing that it can be positioned. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the head spacing is the same and only the dimensions such as the width of the data head and the width of the servo head are changed so that a magnetic tape of 128 data tracks can be read. It is clear from FIG. 6B that the read head 8 of the magnetic (multi-track) head used can be positioned on a magnetic tape of 128 tracks. A brief description will be given using the control block in FIG.

Now, one of the constituent elements of the present invention, 256
The magnetic tape 1 of 128 tracks is mounted on a magnetic tape device (not shown) having a magnetic head corresponding to the track, and the magnetic tape 1 is wound on a take-up reel from a supply reel (not shown). Suppose that the tape information indicating that the magnetic tape 1 of 128 tracks has been wound on the magnetic tape device has been input to the head position controller 58 via the signal 70.
The tape information indicating that the magnetic tape 1 has 128 tracks is shown in FIGS.
Either the indicator indicating the tape type as shown in FIG. 12 is not automatically input to the magnetic tape device, or the user inputs the tape type using a switch for inputting the tape type as in the magnetic tape device shown in FIG. The type of the tape can be determined, and the type is input to the head position controller 58 of the magnetic tape device via a signal 70. In this case, the head position controller 57, the following controller 56, and the index controller 71 operate as follows.

When the magnetic tape 1 of 128 tracks is mounted on the magnetic tape device, tape information indicating that the magnetic tape is a magnetic tape of 128 tracks is input to the controller 59 in the head position controller 58 via the signal 70. And the controller 59
Reads the track pitch (80 μm) of a 128-track magnetic tape from the ROM 60 in which information such as a servo head to be used and a servo signal ratio as shown in Table 1 (described in the prior art) is stored, and performs index control. 128 to the track pitch RAM 76 via the positioning controller 72 in the device 71
Transfer track pitch (80μm) of track magnetic tape. Further, the controller 59 reads the servo signal ratio 1: 1 from the ROM 60 to position the magnetic head on the 128-track magnetic tape, and instructs the track following controller 57 in the following controller 56 to position the magnetic head on the 128-track magnetic tape. Transfer the servo signal ratio 1: 1. Also,
A 128-track magnetic tape 1 is mounted on a magnetic tape device, and the magnetic tape 1 is wound on a take-up reel from a supply reel (not shown).
Is wound, the magnetic tape device performs an initial operation. When the magnetic tape 1 is wound around the magnetic head 5, the controller of the magnetic tape device runs the magnetic tape 1, and the head position controller 58 moves the magnetic head 5 vibrating a fixed distance in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1. Perform the initial operation to make it. Various signals are obtained from all the servo heads as the magnetic head moves. The servo head for detecting the reference position is selected by the servo head selector 61, the signal separated by the filter 63 is input to the signal detector 78, and the signal S1 from the S1 servo area and the signal S2 from the S2 servo area are selected. Are detected by the signal detector 78 at the same time, the magnetic head 5 is moved and positioned so that the servo signal ratio becomes 1: 1 and the positioned servo track is either 6U or 6L. Determine if there is. For example, assume that the servo head used is SA2. Since the servo head SA2 is on-track on the servo track, the arithmetic unit 65 receives the S1 signal ES1 and the S2 signal ES2 from the filter 63 via the A / D 64.
The servo track positioned can be determined based on whether the magnetic head 5 is moved in the Y direction, for example, and ES1-ES2 obtained by the calculator 65 is a positive value or a negative value.

As described above, in order to position the magnetic head in an arbitrary track group with the magnetic head corresponding to 256 tracks, it is necessary to position the magnetic head so that the ratio (S1: S2) of the servo signals of the servo head 9 is 1: 1. It can be seen that the magnetic head of the present invention is positioned at the center of the data track of an arbitrary track group.

Since the magnetic head corresponding to 256 tracks used in the present embodiment is smaller than the data track of 128 tracks as described above, when reading a tape having a low track density, the magnetic head and the magnetic head can be read. The allowable value of the relative position shift can be made larger than that of the conventional tape, and there is an effect that the head positioning and the tracking control can be made coarse.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows a magnetic tape 1 having 512 data tracks 14 and a magnetic head which can be positioned thereon, and FIG. 7B shows a magnetic head shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing that a magnetic head can be positioned on a tape 1. Since the head spacing is the same and only the dimensions of the data head, servo head, etc. are changed so that the magnetic tape of 128 data tracks can be read from the first embodiment shown in FIG. ,
The reading head 8 of the magnetic head used in this embodiment is 128
It is clear from the description of FIG. 7 (B) and FIG. 6 that the magnetic tape can be positioned on a magnetic track of 256 tracks. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is that
The write head and read head are halved in width, but there are no other head changes. In other words, Figure 2
The spacing and arrangement of the write head, read head, and servo head are the same as those of the magnetic head 5 for 256 tracks shown in FIG. The magnetic tape 1 used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is the same type of magnetic tape as the conventional one, and the width of the S2 servo area is 80 μm. Also in this embodiment, the width of the servo head was set to 80 μm as in the case of 256 tracks.

As described above, the width of the write head and the read head of the magnetic head used for the magnetic tape of 512 tracks of the present embodiment is halved than that of the magnetic head used for the magnetic tape of 256 tracks. Double 512 data tracks can be recorded on a magnetic tape. However, even if the head width is halved, only eight data tracks can be recorded with two servo heads and two servo tracks 6U and 6L and two servo signal ratios.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the servo heads SA1, SA2 and TA1, TA2 are positioned at four different positions (2 ² = 512/128) on one servo track 6. That is, by having four servo signal ratios, the magnetic head 5 can be positioned in the tape width direction in 16 ways. Therefore, as shown in the figure,
One data head can record 16 data tracks,
As described with reference to FIG. 2, adjacent data tracks can be formed without any gap and without overlapping. That is, eight data heads correspond to one data track area, and one data track area has one data track area from 16 data tracks.
Since there are 28 (8 × 16) data tracks, 512 data tracks can be recorded in all four data track areas. Even in the magnetic tape of 512 tracks shown in FIG. 7A, the number of clusters does not change to 32 since the number of data heads does not increase. As in the first embodiment, one data track area is divided into eight clusters, and one cluster is composed of 16 data tracks, and the data tracks are classified into 16 track groups. # 0 to # 15 shown in the figure are track groups into which the data tracks 14 are classified. The track number 49 of each track group is determined by (Equation 2). Here, I is a cluster number (1 to 32).

Track number of track group 0 = 16 × I−15 Track number of track group 1 = 16 × I−14: (Expression 2) Track number of track group 14 = 16 × I−1 Track group 15 Track number = 16 × I In FIG. 7A, the operation of positioning the magnetic head 5 in an arbitrary track group is performed by using the magnetic head 5 shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7B.
Is also the same as that in FIG. 6, and the description is omitted here.

Here, how to set the servo signal ratio in order to position the magnetic head 5 on the track group from # 0 to # 16 will be described.

In the case of 256 tracks (n = 1), the servo signal ratio is set to 2 in order to position the head on the eight track groups.
(2 ¹ ), but in the case of 512 tracks (n = 2), there are 16 track groups, so the servo signal ratio is 4 (2 ² )
And The S1: S2 ratio is one of the four types of (Equation 3). S1: S2 = 7: 1, 5: 3, 3: 5, 1: 7 ... (Equation 3) Two servo heads SA1 and SA2 are assigned to two servo tracks.
By positioning them with the same servo signal ratio, all 16
The magnetic head can be positioned on the data track of the track group.

FIG. 9B shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that a magnetic head 5 that can be positioned on a magnetic tape 1 having 512 data tracks can be positioned on a magnetic tape having 256 tracks. As mentioned above
The head spacing is the same so that the magnetic tape of 128 data tracks and the magnetic tape of 256 data tracks can be read, and only the dimensions such as the width of the data head and the width of the servo head are changed. It is clear from FIG. 7B that the read head of the magnetic head used can be positioned on a magnetic tape of 256 tracks. Further, since the magnetic tape can be positioned on a magnetic tape of 256 tracks, it is clear from the description of FIG. 6B that the magnetic tape can be positioned on a magnetic tape of 128 tracks. In FIG. 7 (B), servo head SA2 is used to position track group # 3.
When the servo head 6L is positioned on the servo track 6L such that the servo signal ratio is 1: 3, the read head 7 of the magnetic head 1 of the present invention is located at the center of the data track 14 of the track group # 3. To position the servo head SA1 on the servo track 6U with the servo signal ratio of 3: 1 to position the track group # 4, the reading head 8 of the magnetic head 5 of the present invention can be positioned on the track group # 4. It can be seen that it is positioned at the center of the data track 14. From this, the magnetic head 5 corresponding to 512 tracks is
In order to position a desired track group on the eight-track magnetic tape 1, the servo head is positioned so that the servo signal ratio is 1: 1. It can be seen that the data can be positioned on the data track recorded on the magnetic tape and the information can be read.

As described above, in order to position the magnetic head on an arbitrary track group, it is necessary to summarize the servo head to be used and the servo signal ratio from the running direction of the magnetic tape and the target track group. , As shown in Table 3.

[0071]

[Table 3]

For example, in order for the tape to travel from −X to + X and to position the magnetic head on the data tracks belonging to the track group # 3, the servo head SA of the S block is used.
It is sufficient to position the servo head on the servo track 6U so that 2, SB2 and SC2 have a servo signal ratio of 1: 7.

In this embodiment, the width of the servo head is set to 80 μm
By setting the servo head to four servo signal ratios 7: 1, 5: 3, 3: 5, 1: 7 on one servo track, 51
Although the number of data tracks was two, the servo head width was not limited to 80 μm. However, it is clear that the width of the servo head must be larger than three times the width of the data track in order to position one servo head on four data tracks. Greater than 3 times the width, S
It is sufficient that the width of the 1 and S2 servo areas is smaller than the smaller width. The width of the servo head can be arbitrarily selected within the range. In that case, the servo signal ratios are h: i, j: k, k: j,
i: It just changes to h.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows a magnetic tape having 1024 data tracks and a magnetic head which can be positioned on the magnetic tape. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that the widths of the write head and the read head are halved, and there are no other head changes. In order to be able to read magnetic tapes of 256 tracks, 512 tracks, and 128 tracks, the spacing and arrangement of the magnetic head 5 for 256 tracks and the write head, read head, and servo head are the same, and the width of the data head and the servo head Since only the dimensions such as the width are changed, it is clear from the above description that the read head 8 of the magnetic head used in this embodiment can be positioned on the magnetic tape of 128 tracks, 256 tracks, and 512 tracks. . As described above, the width of the write head and the read head of the magnetic head corresponding to 1024 tracks in this embodiment is 1/2 that of the magnetic head used for the magnetic tape of 512 tracks. Of data tracks can be recorded. However, even if the head width is reduced to 1/2, only 16 data tracks can be recorded with two servo heads and two servo tracks 6U and 6L and four servo signal ratios.

[0075] Therefore, in this embodiment, to position the servo head SA1 to one servo track 6, SA2 and TA1, TA2 eight positions (2 ³ = 1024/128). That is, by having eight servo signal ratios, the magnetic head can be positioned in the tape width direction in 32 ways. Therefore, as shown in the figure, 32 data tracks can be formed by one data head. Thus, from eight data heads in one data track area and 32 data tracks created by one data head, 256 data tracks 14 are formed in one data track area. In the entire data track area, 1024 data tracks can be recorded. One data track area 2 is set to 8
The width of the servo track area is the same as the track, 256 track, and 512 track. Even for magnetic tapes with 1024 data tracks
One cluster is composed of 32 data tracks, and the data tracks are classified into 32 track groups. # 0 to # 31 shown in the figure are track groups into which each data track is classified. The track number 49 of each track group is expressed by (expression
Determined in 4). Here, I is a cluster number (1 to 32).

Track number of track group 0 = 32 × I−31 Track number of track group 1 = 32 × I−30: (Equation 4) Track number of track group 30 = 32 × I−1 Track group 31 Track number = 32 × I The operation of positioning the magnetic head 5 in an arbitrary track group is shown in FIG.
4 and FIG.

Here, how to set the servo signal ratio in order to position the magnetic head 5 on the track group from # 0 to # 32 will be described.

Eight (2 ³ ) servo signal ratios are required to position the head on a group of 32 tracks in the case of 1024 tracks (n = 3). The servo signal ratio is
5) Eight ways.

S1: S2 = 15: 1, 13: 3, 11: 5, 9: 7, 7: 9, 5:11, 3:13, 15: 1 (Equation 5) The magnetic head can be positioned on all the data tracks of the 32 track group by positioning the servo tracks on the two servo tracks at eight different servo signal ratios. As described above, when the servo head is positioned so that the magnetic signal of 1024 tracks has the servo signal ratio of 512 tracks, 256 tracks, and 128 tracks, the magnetic head corresponding to 1024 tracks of the present embodiment is obtained. Head read head: 512 tracks, 256 tracks, 12
It can be positioned on any of the eight data tracks,
The read head can be positioned on all data tracks of a magnetic tape of 28 × 2 ⁿ times (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) tracks,
The data on the magnetic tape can be read. This 32
Table 4 summarizes what should be done with the servo head to be used and the servo signal ratio based on the running direction of the magnetic tape and the target track group in order to position the track group in an arbitrary track group.

[0080]

[Table 4]

For example, in order for the tape to travel from -X to + X and to position the magnetic head on the data tracks belonging to the track group # 23, the servo head S of the S block is used.
A1, SB1, SC1 are made to track on servo track 6U,
What is necessary is just to position a servo head so that a servo signal ratio may be set to 1:15.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the width of the servo head is 80 μm, and the servo signal ratios are 15: 1, 13: 3, 11: 5,
9: 7, 7: 9, 5:11, 3:13, 15: 1 to achieve 1024 data tracks, but the servo head width is 80 μm
It is not limited to. However, it is clear that the servo head width must be larger than seven times the data track width in order to position eight data tracks with one servo head. It is easily conceivable that an arbitrary head width can be selected as long as the width is larger than three times the width of S1 and the smaller of the widths of the S1 and S2 servo areas. In that case, the servo signal ratios are a: b, c: d, e: f, g: h, h: g, f:
e, d: c, b: a.

As is clear from the description of the embodiments, the case of a magnetic tape having 128 × 2 ⁿ times (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Tracks will be described.

The first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (256 tracks, n
= 1), the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (512 tracks, n = 2),
In the third embodiment (1024 data, n = 3) shown in FIG. 8, 128 × 2 ⁿ so that a magnetic tape of 128 tracks can be read.
The magnetic head used for a double (n = 4, 5, 6,...) Track magnetic tape also has the same head spacing and changes only the dimensions such as the width of the data head and the width of the servo head. × 2 ⁿ times (n = 4,5,6, ···) heads are reading the tracks corresponding magnetic head, 128 × 2 ^n-1 times (n = 0,
It is clear from the above description that 1, 2, 3) tracks can be positioned on magnetic tape. 128 × 2 ⁿ times (n =
4,5,6, ...) Track-compatible magnetic heads
The difference from the third embodiment is that the width of the write head and the read head is reduced to 1/2 ⁿ , and there are no other changes in the head. In other words, the intervals and arrangement of the magnetic head and the write head, the read head, and the servo head for the 128 × 2 ⁿ⁻¹ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) tracks are the same. Thus, 128 × 2 ⁿ times (n = 1, 2, 3,...) In this embodiment compared to the magnetic head used for a 128-track magnetic tape.
Since the width of the write head and the read head of the magnetic head used for the magnetic tape of the track is 1/2 ⁿ , a data track of 2 ⁿ times can be recorded on the same magnetic tape. However, even if the head width is 1/2 ⁿ , two servo heads and two servo tracks can record only four data tracks. Therefore, in this embodiment, the servo head is positioned at 2 ⁿ positions on one servo track.
That is, by having 2 ⁿ servo signal ratios, the magnetic head 5 is positioned in the tape width direction in 4 × 2 ⁿ ways. Therefore, 4 × 2 ⁿ data tracks can be formed by one data head, and 8 × 4 × 2 ⁿ data tracks can be formed in one data track area. 8 x 4 x 2 ⁿ data tracks can be recorded. Since one data track area has only eight data heads, it is divided into eight clusters as described above, and one cluster is composed of 4 × 2 ⁿ data tracks, and the data track is Classify into 4 × 2 ⁿ track groups. The track number of each track group is determined by (Equation 6). Here, I is a cluster number (1 to 32).

Track number of track group 0 = 4 × 2 ⁿ × (I−1) +1 Track number of track group 1 = 4 × 2 ⁿ × (I−1) +2: (Equation 6) Track group 4 × 2 ⁿ −2 track number = 4 × 2 ⁿ × I−1 track group 4 × 2 ⁿ −1 track number = 4 × 2 ⁿ × I 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks, 4 × 2 ⁿ tracks In order to position the magnetic head to the group, 2 ⁿ ways (= 128 × 2 ⁿ / 12
8) Servo signal ratio is required. The servo signal ratio is as shown in (Equation 7). Where N = 2 ⁿ S1: S2 = 2N-1: 1,2N-3: 3,2N-5: 5,2N-7: 7,2N-k: k, ... , M: 2N-m, ..., 7: 2N-7, 5: 2N-5, 3: 2N-3, 1: 2 N-1 (Equation 7) Two servo heads and two servos The magnetic head can be positioned on the data tracks of all 4 × 2 ⁿ track groups by positioning the tracks at 2 ⁿ servo signal ratios. In order to position the track group in this arbitrary 4 × 2 ⁿ track group, based on the running direction of the magnetic tape and the target track group, the servo head to be used and the servo signal ratio should be summarized as shown in Table 5. Become.

[0086]

[Table 5]

For example, in order to move the tape in the + X direction from −X and position the magnetic head on the data track belonging to the track group # (3N + 1), the servo heads SA1, SB1, and SC1 of the S block are moved to the servo track 6L. The servo head may be positioned so that the servo signal ratio is 2N-3: 3.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the servo head is
With a servo signal ratio of (Equation 7), the number of data tracks was 128 × 2 ⁿ , but the servo head width was 80 μm.
It is not limited to μm, in which case the servo signal ratio only changes. However, in order to position the 2 ⁿ pieces of data tracks in one servo head, the width of the servo head is obvious that must be greater than 2 ⁿ -1 times the width of the data track, the servo head If the width is greater than 2 ⁿ -1 times the width of the data track and is equal to or less than the smaller width of the S1 servo area and the S2 servo area, it is easily conceivable that the servo head can have any width.

According to the above description of the present invention, a magnetic tape of 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks and a corresponding magnetic head
It was shown that the magnetic head could be positioned on all data tracks of 8 × 2 ^n-1 tracks.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the tape cartridge of the present invention in which the magnetic tape of the present invention is stored will be described.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a tape cartridge containing a magnetic tape of 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks. In the figure, notches 115A and 115B are formed on the same surface of the tape cartridge 101 as the write enable / disable tag 114 as an identification mark indicating that the tape is a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape.
N notch 115,115B shown in this embodiment is 128 × 2 ⁿ
Is represented by a 2-bit signal (11) ₂ , and in this embodiment, n
= 3, that is, a magnetic tape of 1024 tracks. In the present embodiment, the notch indicating that the tape is a 128 × 2 ⁿ track magnetic tape is provided on the same surface as the write enable / disable tag 114 of the tape cartridge 101, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
This is an example in which a marker 116 indicating that the tape is a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape is provided on a surface of the magnetic tape device (not shown) that engages with a supply reel motor (not shown).
In this case, the marker 116 is represented in decimal notation, and in this case also, n = 3, which indicates that the magnetic tape has 1024 tracks.

In FIG. 9, a notch is provided in the tape cartridge to indicate that the tape is a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape.
The protrusions may be used as in the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG.
Is an example in which a sheet 118 having a protrusion 117 is attached to the surface of the tape cartridge 101 as an identification mark indicating that the tape is a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape. Two protrusions 117 are 1
It is expressed in zero base, in this case n = 2, ie 5
Indicates that the tape is a 12-track magnetic tape. The sheet 118 having the projections 117 can be re-attached. If the magnetic tape recorded in 512 tracks is erased or overwritten with data tracks, for example, rewritten in 1024 tracks, the sheet having projections 117 is replaced. It is also possible to peel off the sheet 118 and reattach the sheet 118 having three projections 117.

Although the protrusion 117 of the sheet 118 in FIG. 11 is provided for the purpose of being detected by a cartridge detection sensor (not shown), the visually impaired operator determines that the magnetic tape is a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape. In this case, the protrusion 117 may be indicated by n in braille.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
This is an example in which a terminal 119 for obtaining an electrical signal is provided on a surface of the magnetic tape device (not shown) which is engaged with a supply reel motor (not shown). A memory (not shown) that stores ⁿ of a 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape is provided in the tape cartridge 101. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the magnetic tape device, a terminal 119 is provided on the magnetic tape device. The n which is brought into contact with the cartridge detection sensor and obtained electrical continuity and stored in the memory is read out from a controller (not shown) of the magnetic tape device.

FIG. 13 shows a magnetic tape device 10 using the present invention.
It is a simple block diagram of 0. Tape cartridge 10 with 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape 1 wound on supply reel 102
1 is loaded into the magnetic tape device 100, the control device 106 operates a thread mechanism (not shown) to transfer the magnetic tape 1 to the take-up reel 103, and the supply reel 10 is
2. Motor connected to take-up reel 103 (not shown)
Is rotated to transfer the magnetic tape 1 between the reels.
At this time, the cartridge detection sensor 109 not only detects the presence of the tape cartridge 101 in the magnetic tape device 100, but also detects 128 × ²ⁿ tracks from the tape cartridge 101 shown in FIGS. The n of the magnetic tape 1 is determined, and the type n of the magnetic tape 1 is transmitted to the control device 106.
The control device 106 receives the type signal n of the tape cartridge 101 from the cartridge detection sensor 109, and receives a head control circuit 107
The type n of the tape cartridge 101 is transmitted to a head driving unit (not shown). The head control circuit 107 includes a data processing circuit that performs data conversion, error correction, and other processing.
A head position controller 58, an index controller 71, and a following controller 56 for positioning the magnetic head shown in FIG.
The control device 106 inputs the type n of the magnetic tape 1 read in step 5 to the head position controller 58 of the head control circuit 107. The head position controller drives the magnetic head 105 based on the input n as described with reference to FIG. 5, and positions the magnetic head 105 on a desired data track on the magnetic tape 1. After positioning the magnetic head 105 on the desired data track in this manner, the data on the magnetic tape 1 is read by the magnetic head 105 and transmitted to another device (not shown) via the head control circuit 107 and the control device 106. Sent (arrow 108).

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the notches 115, markers 116, protrusions 117 and the like indicating the magnetic tape of 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks correspond to the present invention shown in FIG. It is detected by the cartridge detection sensor of the applied magnetic tape device. The following can be considered as the cartridge detection sensor. The cutout 115 has an optical sensor that uses reflected light or a transmission-type optical sensor that detects on / off of light via a pusher. Notch with things
115 can be detected. The marker 116 may be an optical sensor using reflected light, and the protrusion 117 may be such that a pusher presses the protrusion 117 to turn on / off electrical conduction. Thus, ^{n of} the 128 × 2 ^n- track magnetic tape is detected. The notches, markers, and protrusions as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 need not be provided, but may be magnetically read, such as a magnetic card, optically read barcode, or the like. The point is that the cartridge has an identification tag that can be automatically detected by a magnetic tape device that indicates that the tape is a 128 x 2 ⁿ track tape. Or a predetermined operation.

Next, another embodiment of the magnetic tape device using the present invention is shown in FIG. Since the configuration operation of the magnetic tape device is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 13, only different points will be described. FIG. 14 shows a magnetic tape device 100 using the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a simple block diagram of FIG. The magnetic tape device 100 is provided with a switch 112 for inputting the type of the tape cartridge 101. By switching the switch 112, the user can make the magnetic tape device 100 remember the type of the tape cartridge 101. A light emitting diode 113 is provided for the user to confirm the type of the tape cartridge 101 recognized by the magnetic tape device 100. The user confirms the type of the tape cartridge 101 recognized by the magnetic tape device 100 by turning on the light emitting diode 113. I do.

After loading the magnetic tape device 100 with the tape cartridge 101 having no notch, marker or the like as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 representing the magnetic tape type n, the user switches the switch 112. Type n of the magnetic tape loaded into the magnetic tape device 100
Input to 100 control devices 106. The user confirms the type n of the tape cartridge 101 recognized by the control device 106 of the magnetic tape device 100 by turning on the light emitting diode 113.
The control device 106 controls the tape cartridge 101 input by the user.
, The type of the tape cartridge 101 is transmitted to a head driving unit (not shown) in the head control circuit 107. The head control circuit 107 includes a data processing circuit for performing processing such as data conversion and error correction, a head position controller 58 for positioning the magnetic head shown in FIG. 5 on a desired data track, an index controller 71, and a following controller 56.
And the control device 10 controls the input type n of the magnetic tape 1
6 is input to the head position controller 58 of the head control circuit 107. The head position controller drives the magnetic head 105 based on the input n as described with reference to FIG. 5, and can position the magnetic head 105 on a desired data track on the magnetic tape 1.

Next, a magnetic tape device 100 using the present invention
A description will be given of an embodiment of a magnetic tape library using the above.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a magnetic tape library device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic tape library device 200 of the present invention shown in FIG. 15 includes the magnetic tape devices 100A to 100D corresponding to 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks (n = 3,1024 tracks) of the present invention shown in FIG. The cell 2 for storing the tape cartridge 101 of the present invention shown in FIGS.
There is a tape storage shelf 202 having 01, and a large number of tape cartridges 101 are stored therein. The tape cartridge 101 stored in the tape storage shelf 202 has a mark for discriminating the number of data tracks and the type n as shown in FIGS. Further, in the magnetic tape library device 200, there is no need to store the tape cartridges 101 not stored in the tape storage shelf 202 in the tape cartridge input shelf 203 and the tape storage shelf 202 so that the tape cartridges 101 can be mounted in the magnetic tape devices 100A to 100D. A tape cartridge discharge shelf 204 for discharging the tape cartridge 101 from the magnetic tape library device 200 is provided. Further, the magnetic tape library device 200 has a control panel 205 for a user to control the operation of the magnetic tape library device 200. As shown in FIG. There is a switch 112 (not shown) used by a user to make the magnetic tape library device 200 memorize the number or type n of data tracks of the tape cartridge 101 used when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the devices 100A to 100D. Further, there is a confirmation device (not shown) for confirming the type n of the tape cartridge 101.

Next, the magnetic tape library device 20 of the present invention
The operation of 0 will be described. A large number of tape cartridges 101 having different numbers of data tracks are stored in the tape storage shelf 202. For example, cell (i-1, j) has 128 tracks and cell (
It is assumed that the tape cartridge 101 contains 256 tracks in the (i + 1, j-1), 512 tracks in the cell (i, j), and 1024 tracks in the cell (i, j + 1). The tape cartridge 101 stored in the tape storage shelf 202 has cutouts, markers, and the like as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 showing n indicating the number of data tracks of the magnetic tape 1 wound in the tape cartridge 101. A memory or the like storing n is provided.

Now, the data “A” is stored in the tape storage shelf 2
It is assumed that the data is stored at (address A1, track group # 3) of the magnetic tape of 256 tracks stored at the address 02 (i + 1, j-1). When there is a request for data “A” stored in the magnetic tape library device 200 from the host device 210, the library controller 206 stores the tape cartridge 101 storing the requested data “A”. The address (i + 1, j-1) of the stored tape storage shelf 202 is searched from a memory (not shown) in the library controller 206, and the tape cartridge of the cell (i + 1, j-1) is stored in the accessor 207. 101 is instructed to be attached to the magnetic tape devices 100A to 100D. The accessor 207 moves on the moving rail 208 to take out the tape cartridge 101 stored at the address (i + 1, j-1) of the tape storage shelf 202 from the tape storage shelf 202, and moves to the cell (i + 1, j-).
Remove the tape cartridge 101 from 1), mount the tape cartridge 101 on the magnetic tape device 100 that is not in operation, and
The device number of 00 (for example, 100C) is input to the library controller 206. The tape cartridge 101 mounted on the magnetic tape device 100C is marked with a mark for determining the number n of data tracks as shown in FIGS.
00C, the type n = 1 of the mounted tape is determined by the cartridge detection sensor 109 as shown in FIG.
Tells the type n = 1 of the magnetic tape 1. Further, when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the magnetic tape device 100C, the control device 106 receives the loading of the tape cartridge 101 from the cartridge detection sensor 109, and operates a thread mechanism (not shown) to wind the magnetic tape 1 onto the take-up reel 103. Transport
After performing the initial operation of the magnetic tape device 100 for rotating the motor (not shown) connected to the supply reel 102 and the take-up reel 103 by the lines 110 and 111 and transferring the magnetic tape 1 between the reels, the magnetic tape 1 is moved to the initial position. To stop. The control device 106 also controls the head control circuit 107. The control device 106 outputs a type signal n of the tape cartridge 101 from the cartridge detection sensor 109.
= 1, the type n = 1 of the tape cartridge 101 is transmitted to the head position controller 58 in the head control circuit 107 shown in FIG. The head control circuit 107 is a data processing circuit for performing processing such as data conversion and error correction, a head position controller 58 for positioning the magnetic head 5 shown in FIG. 5 on a desired data track, an index controller 71, and a following controller. 56
The controller 106 inputs the type n = 1 of the magnetic tape 1 read by the cartridge detection sensor 109 in FIG. 13 to the head position controller 58 of the head control circuit 107. The head position controller 58 drives the magnetic head 105 based on the input n = 1, performs an initial operation of the magnetic tape device 100, and then positions the magnetic head 105 on a predetermined data track on the magnetic tape 1.

After waiting for the magnetic tape 1 to be wound on the magnetic tape device 100C and the initial operation of the magnetic tape device 100C to be completed, the library controller 206 sends the tape controller 209 to the library controller 206 from the magnetic tape 1 wound on the magnetic tape device 100C. Top device 210
Instructs to read the data requested from. Upon receiving the data reading instruction, the tape controller 209 sends an arbitrary address (address A1, track group # 3) where the data of the magnetic tape 1 applied to the magnetic tape device 100C is recorded to the control device of the magnetic tape device 100C. Instruct 106. Control device 106
Is an arbitrary address' A where the data of the magnetic tape 1 is recorded
In order to position the magnetic tape 1 and the magnetic head 5 at 1 ', the magnetic tape 1 is supplied to the supply reel 102 and the take-up reel 103.
A motor (not shown) connected to the motor is rotated to transfer the magnetic tape 1 to the requested address 'A1'. Further, the control unit 106 sends an arbitrary track to the head position controller 58 of the head control circuit 107. An instruction is given to position the magnetic head 5 in the group # 3. Move the magnetic head 5 to the optional track group '# 3'
The head position controller 58 having received the positioning instruction drives the magnetic head 105 based on the magnetic tape 1 type signal n as described with reference to FIG.
The magnetic head 105 is positioned at 3 '.

In this way, the control device 106
After positioning the magnetic tape 1 and the magnetic head 5 at any address (A1, # 3) where the data of
The data is read from above, and the read data is sent to the tape controller 209. The tape controller 209 transfers the data read from the magnetic tape 1 to the host device 210.

Further, a magnetic tape library device is externally provided.
The tape cartridge 101 loaded into the cartridge 200 is placed in the tape cartridge loading shelf 203, and the tape cartridge 1
When 01 is not provided with a mark for discriminating the number and type of data tracks as shown in FIGS. The library controller 206 of the magnetic tape library device 200 remembers the type n of the used and inserted tape cartridge 101.
The tape cartridge 101 loaded into the magnetic tape library device 200 from the outside can be mounted on the magnetic tape device 100 or can be put in the tape storage shelf 202. If there is no mark for discriminating the number and type of data tracks, the tape
By storing the type n and the storage position (i, j) of the tape storage shelf 202 stored in the memory of the library controller 206 in the memory of the library controller 206, the number of data tracks from the next time,
The tape cartridge 101 without the mark for determining the type can also be used. The other operations are the same as those of the above-described magnetic tape library device 200, and will not be described.

In this embodiment, 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks (n =
Since the magnetic tape device 100 of (3,1024 tracks) is in the magnetic tape library device 200, even if there is a request to read data from the magnetic tape of 256 tracks as in the present embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIGS. You can read as you did. In the description of FIG. 15, an example of a magnetic tape having 256 tracks has been described. However, a magnetic tape having 128, 512, and 1024 tracks can similarly position a head in a tape cartridge according to the type and record / reproduce information on the tape.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic tape devices 100A to 100A
D is only the magnetic tape device 100 corresponding to 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks (n = 3,1024 tracks), but there may be a magnetic tape device corresponding to 128 × 2 ⁿ tracks having different n.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention, a magnetic head can access an arbitrary data track even if the magnetic tapes have different numbers of data tracks, and the density of the magnetic tape can be increased without changing the tape format. realizable.

Further, since the number of data tracks can be determined in the magnetic tape device of the present invention, it is possible to use magnetic tapes having different numbers of data tracks. Furthermore, in the magnetic tape library device of the present invention, the number of data tracks can be determined even when a large number of magnetic tapes having different numbers of data tracks are stored in the library device, so that magnetic tapes having different numbers of tracks can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic tape suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a layout of a magnetic head suitable for the present invention and a track layout of a tape of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a tape running direction of a track of the tape of the present invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a 256-track tape and a method of positioning a head according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a head control method for positioning a head on a data track on a magnetic tape according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method for positioning a head on a 256-track tape of the present invention and a conventional 128-track tape.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for positioning a head on a 512 track tape and a 256 track tape according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method for positioning a head on a 1024 track tape according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a first embodiment of a tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape of the present invention and suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a second embodiment of the tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape of the present invention and suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a third embodiment of a tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape of the present invention and suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of a tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape of the present invention and suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram showing a first embodiment of a magnetic tape device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram showing a second embodiment of the magnetic tape device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a magnetic tape library device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 magnetic tape 2A, 2B, 2C data track area 3A, 3B, 3C servo track area 5, 105 magnetic head 6U, 6L servo track 9A, 9B, 9C ..Servo head 14 ・ ・ ・ Data track 15A, 15B ・ ・ ・ S1 servo area 16 ・ ・ ・ S2 servo track 55 ・ ・ ・ Head drive mechanism 56 ・ ・ ・ Position error detector 58 ・ ・ ・ Head position controller 71 ... Index controller 100,100A, 100B, 100C, 100D ... Magnetic tape device 101 ... Tape cartridge 106 ... Control device 107 ... Head control circuit 109 ... Cartridge detection sensor 112 ... ... Switches 115, 116, 117, 119: mark for identifying tape 200: magnetic tape library device 202: tape storage cell

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Kazuo Sakai 5-2-1-1, Kamimizuhonmachi, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Microcomputer Systems Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroki Takeda 5-chome, Kamimizuhoncho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo 22-1 Inside Hitachi Microcomputer System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Jiro Abe 5-2-1, Kamisumihonmachi, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Microcomputer System Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] An m (integer larger than 1) number of servo track areas extending in the length direction and spaced apart in the width direction, and m +
A lengthwise extending data track area, each servo track area has a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position, and each data track area has a predetermined number of data tracks of equal width. Wherein the adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area are separated by a distance of 2 ⁿ times (n is an integer greater than 1) the width of the data track. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein m (an integer greater than 1) servo track regions extending in the length direction are spaced apart in the width direction, and m +
A lengthwise extending data track area, each servo track area has a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position, and each data track area has a predetermined number of data tracks of equal width. And the width of each data track is set so as to equally divide between adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area into 2 ⁿ (n is an integer greater than 1). And magnetic tape. 3. A servo track area extending in the length direction, which is m (an integer greater than 1), spaced apart in the width direction, and m + s alternately arranged in the width direction with the servo track area.
A lengthwise extending data track area, each servo track area has a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position, and each data track area has a predetermined number of data tracks of equal width. And the width of each data track is set so as to equally divide between adjacent servo position indicators in each servo track area into 2 ⁿ (n is an integer greater than 1) data tracks. 3 in the area
A magnetic tape on which 2 × 2 ⁿ data tracks are arranged. 4. The magnetic tape according to claim 3, wherein m is 3, and the total number of the data tracks is 128 × 2 ⁿ . 5. A magnetic tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape according to claim 1, wherein an identification mark capable of specifying the n is provided on a surface of the cartridge. And a magnetic tape cartridge. 6. A servo track area extending in the length direction, which is m (an integer greater than 1), spaced apart in the width direction, and m + s alternately arranged in the width direction with the servo track area.
A magnetic tape having one lengthwise extending data track area and having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position in each servo track area; and writing or reading in parallel with at least one servo head. A plurality of data heads, and a multi-track head capable of integrally moving the servo head and the plurality of data heads in the width direction with respect to the magnetic tape. The servo head
By controlling the positioning at 2 ⁿ (n is an integer greater than 1) different width-direction positions, the adjacent servo position markers in each servo track area are equally divided into 2 ⁿ pieces and each data A head positioning method comprising: arranging a predetermined number of data tracks having the same width in a track area. 7. A magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 5, comprising at least one servo head and a plurality of data heads for performing writing or reading in parallel, wherein said servo head is provided in a width direction with respect to said magnetic tape. When recording or reproducing a magnetic tape incorporated in the magnetic tape cartridge using a multi-track head capable of integrally moving a head and a plurality of data heads, the identification mark is recognized, and the recognition result is obtained. n to control one of the servo position markers with respect to one of the servo position markers at 2 ⁿ different widthwise positions, so that the distance between adjacent servo position markers in each servo track area is two. head positioning method characterized by equal portions into ⁿ to place a predetermined number of data tracks equal width to each data track region 8. A servo track area which extends in the length direction and is m (an integer greater than 1) spaced apart in the width direction, and m + is alternately arranged in the width direction with the servo track area.
A multi-track head for recording or reproducing data on a magnetic tape having a single data track area extending in the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position in each servo track area, At least one
A multi-track head having one servo head and a plurality of data heads performing writing or reading in parallel, and capable of integrally moving the servo head and the plurality of data heads in the width direction with respect to the magnetic tape; The servo head for one of the servo position indicators
2 ⁿ (n is an integer greater than 1) positioning means for controlling positioning at different width-direction positions, wherein the positioning means moves 2 ⁿ number of adjacent servo position markers in each servo track area. A magnetic tape drive device, wherein a predetermined number of data tracks having the same width are arranged in each data track area by performing positioning control by equally dividing the data tracks. 9. A servo track area extending in the length direction, which is m (an integer greater than 1), spaced apart in the width direction, and m + s alternately arranged in the width direction with the servo track area.
A multi-track head for recording or reproducing data on a magnetic tape having a single data track area extending in the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of servo position indicators indicating a width direction position in each servo track area, At least one
A multi-track head having one servo head and a plurality of data heads performing writing or reading in parallel, and capable of integrally moving the servo head and the plurality of data heads in the width direction with respect to the magnetic tape; An identification mark provided on the surface of the magnetic tape cartridge accommodating the magnetic tape is detected, and 2 ⁿ (n)
Is an integer greater than 1), and identifying means for identifying the n, and 2 ⁿ different widthwise positions of the servo head with respect to one of the servo position indicators based on the identified ^n. Positioning means for controlling the position of each data track area by controlling the position by dividing the adjacent servo position markers in each servo track area equally into 2 ⁿ pieces by the positioning means. A magnetic tape drive, wherein a predetermined number of data tracks having the same width are arranged on the magnetic tape drive. 10. Each servo track area includes two longitudinally extending first servo areas separated in a width direction;
A second servo area provided between the first servo area and a boundary between the first servo area and the first servo area; and the positioning unit includes the first servo area and the second servo area.
The ratio of the servo signal of the servo head obtained from the servo region is j _n : k _n (where j, k> 0 and j ≠ k)
10. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 8, wherein the servo head is positioned and controlled to one of the servo position indicators so that 11. The magnetic tape cartridge according to claim 5, comprising: the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges having different n and the magnetic tape drive device according to claim 9, wherein the n different cartridge storage shelves. A magnetic tape library device comprising a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges.