Tape reader
AssigneeTape Ark
InventorGuy Holmes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tape reader is provided that reads data from a tape without requiring specific alignment. The tape reader may include a reader head comprising a sensor array with a plurality of sensors that detect the data independent of the track within which the data is stored. Multiple sensors may detect data in each track instead of a single, dedicated sensor for each track. The sensor array may comprise multiple sensors in multiple dimensions, such as perpendicular to the movement of the tape or in parallel to the movement of the tape, including serpentine linear recording formats where the sensors may be in a matrix positioned at various angles from horizontal to vertical.
Claims17
A magnetic tape reader system, the system comprising:
- a reader head comprising a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors in the sensor array are configured to provide a continuous sensor region that detects data on a magnetic tape that is passed across the continuous sensor region of the reader head;
- and
- a capstan support that supports the magnetic tape during passage across the continuous sensor region of the reader head without contacting the reader head.
A reader head device, the device comprising:
- a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors in the sensor array are arranged to provide a continuous sensor region that detects data on a magnetic tape that is passed across the reader head, wherein the magnetic tape is supported by a capstan support during passage across the continuous sensor region of the reader head without contacting the reader head.
A sensor array device, the device comprising:
- a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors are arranged to provide a continuous sensor region that detects data on a magnetic tape that is passed across a reader head, wherein the magnetic tape is supported by a capstan support during passage across the continuous sensor region of the reader head without contacting the reader head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.