JPS6059501A - Magnetic tape device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of magnetic head equipments by switching writing and reading head functional charges in accordance with the travelling directions of a magnetic head pair on the basis of a control signal. CONSTITUTION:The magnetic head pair 7 is positioned in a forward travelling direction (e) from the leading end side of a data block 2 on a magnetic tape medium 1 and information is written in a track 1a. A switching circuit 10 connects a magnetic head 8 to a writing current driving circuit 12 and a switching circuit 11 connects a magnetic head 9 to a reproducing signal amplifier circuit 13. At the final end side of the data block 2, the head pair 7 is moved to a track 2b and the circuits 10, 11 connect the heads 8, 9 to the circuits 13, 12 respectively to record information in the track 2b. Thus, information is written in the whole tracks by repeating a travelling trace (f).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape device that uses a pair of magnetic heads, each having a write head function and a read head function, whose functions are switched depending on the running direction.

(b) Background of the Technology As the usage of information processing systems becomes more sophisticated and complex, there is an increasing demand for cartridge-type magnetic tape devices, which are low cost and easy to use in Europe, as backup storage devices.

The functions of a magnetic tape device are measured by (1) processing speed and (2) storage capacity, but when using a low-cost, easy-to-handle cartridge type storage device for a backup amplifier, the processing speed is slow. However, it is necessary to secure a storage capacity equal to or greater than that of conventional technology.

It is thought that the demand for backup storage devices that are low cost and easy to handle will continue to increase in the future.

In order to meet this demand, it is desired to develop various low-cost and easy-to-handle bank-up storage devices having various features.

(C) Prior Art and Problems As an example of a conventional low-cost magnetic tape device, a magnetic tape device employing a serpentine system will be described with reference to one drawing.

FIG. 1 shows an information recording method of a serpentine magnetic tape device, in which (A) shows a recording example and (B) shows a magnetic head.

In the figure, 1 is a magnetic tape medium, 2 is a data block, 3 is a magnetic head pair (i), 4 is a read head, 5 is a write head, and 6 is an erase head.

Note that a-dbal/racks (1 to 4) and e indicate the forward running direction of the magnetic tape medium 1, and f indicates the running locus of the magnetic head. Furthermore, the magnetic tape medium 1 is composed of data blocks 2 that are made so that information can be handled as a single piece of data.
It shall have a truck.

The serpentine method uses tracks (
1-4) a-(1 (Actually, there are 9 tracks, but Fig. 1 (A
) When information is to be recorded/*generated on (only 4 tracks are shown), a magnetic head pair (i) 3 and 1 has two sets of magnetic heads, with the write head 5 and the read head 4 as one set.
The two erasing heads 6 move the magnetic tape medium 1 in both forward and reverse directions (track (1) a, rack (3) C, etc. in the forward direction e, 1-rank (2) b, track (4) d).
etc. are run in the opposite direction), and the magnetic tape medium 1
This is a method in which information is sequentially recorded/reproduced on the upper nine tracks.

In this case, the erasing head 6 is operated only when the trunk (1)a is running. Also, the starting end and ending end of the data block 2 on the magnetic tape medium 1 (the forward running direction e of the magnetic tape medium 1)
The magnetic head pair (i) 3 is positioned and moved to a predetermined track to be recorded/reproduced.

Although the serpentine magnetic tape device described in - is a magnetic tape device with considerably reduced cost, in order to further reduce the cost, the cost share of the expensive magnetic head pair (i) 3 in the whole must be reduced. It is necessary to do so.

(d) Purpose of the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide a new magnetic tape device that solves the above-mentioned problems, and in particular reduces the overall cost of the magnetic tape device by reducing the number of magnetic heads installed in the magnetic tape device. Even if the number of magnetic heads is reduced, the functionality will be the same as that of conventional magnetic tape devices. The objective is to realize a less expensive magnetic tape device.

(e) Structure of the Invention The present invention includes a magnetic head pair including a head having a function of writing information to a magnetic medium and a head having a function of reading information from the magnetic medium.

The pair of magnetic heads is a magnetic tape device that can be positioned and moved by tracks on a magnetic tape medium, and the function of the write head and the read head are divided based on a control signal depending on the running direction of the pair of magnetic heads. By providing switching means and reducing the number of heads installed in the magnetic tape device, the overall cost of the magnetic tape device can be reduced, and even if the number of heads installed is reduced, the functionality remains the same as that of the conventional magnetic tape device. This can be achieved by a magnetic tape device characterized in that it is equivalent to .

(f) Examples of the invention 5-' The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a serpentine magnetic tape device according to the present invention, in which (A) shows a magnetic head and (B) shows a block diagram.

In the figure, 7 is a magnetic head pair (ii), 8 is a magnetic head (i), 9 is a magnetic head (ii), 10° 11 is a switching circuit, 12 is a write current drive circuit, and 13 is a reproduction signal amplification circuit. show.

Note that the same symbols as in FIG. 1 indicate the same contents.

In this embodiment, one set of magnetic heads (i)8. Magnetic Hesode (
ii) a magnetic head pair consisting of 9 (ii) 7, a magnetic head which can be switched to be both a write head and a read head (i) 8. Magnetic head (ii) 9, magnetic head (i) 8 by control signals from within the magnetic tape device. Switching circuits 10 and 11 for switching the functional assignment of the magnetic head (ii) 9
, a write current drive circuit 12 that supplies a current including information recording method to the magnetic head pair (ii) 7, and a magnetic head pair (ii)
Reference numeral 7 comprises a reproduction signal amplification circuit 13 which amplifies the information signal read from the magnetic tape medium 1 and outputs it to a reading circuit (not shown) within the magnetic tape device.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 2.

The magnetic head pair (ii) 7 is moved through a circuit (not shown) in the magnetic tape device so as to write information on the track (1) a in the forward running direction e from the starting end side of the data block 2 on the magnetic tape medium 1. Position and write information on track (1) a. At this time, the switching circuit 10 connects the magnetic head (i) 8 to the write current drive circuit 12 that supplies the write current by a circuit (not shown) in the magnetic tape device that has read that it is the starting end side of the data block 2. , the switching circuit 11 connects the magnetic head (ii) 9 to a reproduction signal amplification circuit 13 that amplifies the information signal read from the magnetic tape medium 1 and outputs it to a reading circuit (not shown) in the magnetic tape device. Also, the erasing head 6 is on track (1) a.
It works only when writing information to , and does not work after that.

Next, when the end of the data block 2 is reached, the magnetic head pair (ii) 7 is moved to the track (2) b by a circuit (not shown) in the magnetic tape device that reads that it is the end. , the switching circuit 10 is connected to the magnetic head (
1) 8 is connected to the reproduction signal amplification circuit 13, the switching circuit 11 connects the magnetic head (ii) 9 to the write current drive circuit 12, and records information on the track (2) b.

The above-described travel trajectory f is repeated to write information to all nine tracks.

(g) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the number of expensive magnetic heads can be minimized to provide a less expensive magnetic tape device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an information recording method for a serpentine magnetic tape device, and FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the serpentine magnetic tape device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a magnetic tape medium, 2 is a data block, 3 is a magnetic head pair (i), 4 is a read head, 5 is a write head, 6 is an erase head, and 7 is a magnetic head pair (i).
i), 8 is a magnetic head (1), 9 is a magnetic head (ii)
, 10.11 is a switching circuit, 12 is a write current drive circuit,
Reference numeral 13 indicates a reproduction signal amplification circuit. 1st g (/4) (β)? 2nd g 7 (A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pair of magnetic heads includes a head having a function of writing information to a magnetic medium and a head having a function of reading information from the magnetic medium, and the pair of magnetic heads can be positioned and moved by tracks on a magnetic tape medium. 1. A magnetic tape device comprising means for switching the functional assignment of the write head function and the read head function based on a control signal depending on the running direction of the pair of magnetic heads.