Random access data storage system

Recording medium container and transport apparatus for a random access data storage system, comprising in combination:

• at least one cartridge including a continuous length of elongated magnetic storage medium contained therein, said length of storage medium having a row of sprocket holes along each side thereof, as well as one or more reference holes selectively located in relation to said sprocket holes, said cartridge further having a pair of relatively large opposing side walls and a plurality of relatively smaller intermediate end walls, at least one of said side walls having a first port for receiving drive means therein for transporting said storage medium and at least one second port for receiving storage medium tensioning means therein, both said cartridge side walls having raised inner side surface portions being constructed to define a guide path for said storage medium along the inner surface of one of said end walls as well as an enclosed storage area for said storage medium, said one end wall having a third port for accessing a portion of said storage medium in said guide path by a selectively positioned read/write head, at least one fourth port located in said end wall for providing a signal path for counting said sprocket holes and said one or more reference holes in said storage medium, at least one fifth port in said end wall for receiving said tensioning means, and at least one elongated slot in said one end wall in relatively close proximity to said first port for receiving hold down means for said storage medium at the location of said drive means;
• a drive unit engageable with said at least one cartridge for selectively driving and transporting said continuous length of storage medium linearly past a read/write head when in engagement with said cartridge, said drive unit comprising a housing containing at least one transport mechanism including actuator means, motor driven drive sprocket means comprising a single drive sprocket locatable in said first port of said at least one side wall of said cartridge, said drive sprocket being additionally movable by said actuator means and including means to engage said storage medium with a forward rotational movement for preventing damage to said storage medium when contact is initially made therewith, tensioning means locatable in said at least one second port and being operable by said actuator means to engage and tension said storage medium through said fifth port of the cartridge in synchronism with the engagement of said drive sprocket with said storage medium, storage medium hold down means locatable adjacent said at least one elongated slot and being operable by said actuator means to contact and hold said storage medium against said drive sprocket through said slot and being operated in synchronism with the engagement of said drive sprocket with said storage medium, signalling means located in proximity to said at least one fourth port for counting said sprocket holes and said one or more reference holes in said storage medium for determining a predetermined data sector of a plurality of data sectors along the length of said storage medium, a read/write head located in said housing and being positionable adjacent said third port and including means for selectively moving said read/write head on command transversely back and forth across said medium, and motor means for driving said drive sprocket when said read/write head is positioned adjacent said third port.

A drive unit for selectively driving and transporting an elongated information storage medium in a random access data storage system, comprising:

• a housing containing a pair of identical storage medium transport mechanisms for selectively driving and transporting two separate storage mediums, each said transport mechanism including actuator means, a single drive sprocket being movable by said actuator means and including means to engage said storage medium with a forward rotational motion for preventing damage to said storage medium when contact is initially made therewith, storage medium tensioning means operable by said actuator means to engage and tension said storage medium in synchronism with the engagement of said drive sprocket with said storage medium, storage medium hold down means operable by said actuator means to contact and hold said storage medium against said drive sprocket in synchronism with the engagement of said drive sprocket with said storage medium, said housing additionally including a single read/write head and stepper motor drive assembly coupled to said read/write head for selectively moving said read/write head on command transversely back and forth between said pair of transport mechanisms for selectively accessing one of said two storage mediums, a single drive motor for selectively powering the drive sprocket of said transport mechanisms one at a time, and coupling means alternately enabled by said means coupling power to said read/write assembly for coupling said single drive motor to said drive sprocket when said read/write head is in the vicinity of the storage medium to which it is engaged.

Data storage apparatus for use in a random access data storage system comprising:

• a cartridge, a continuous length of elongated data storage medium located in said cartridge, said medium having a series of holes selectively located therein for determining a start position of said storage medium and for determining a predetermined data sector of a plurality of data sectors along the length of said storage medium, said cartridge further having a pair of relatively large opposing side walls and an intermediate top and bottom wall and an intermediate front and rear wall, said side walls having respective opposing first ports for selectively receiving drive means therein for transporting said storage medium within the cartridge and respective opposing second ports for receiving storage medium tensioning means therein, both said side walls having raised inner side surface portions defining an interior guide path for said storage medium along the inner surface of said intermediate walls as well as an enclosed area for said storage medium, one intermediate wall selected from said front and rear walls having a third port for accessing a portion of said storage medium in said guide path by a read/write head, a pair of fourth ports located in said selected intermediate wall adjacent said third port and toward the outer edges of said intermediate wall for receiving storage medium tensioning means, a pair of fifth ports in relatively close proximity to said first ports at the corner joining said selected intermediate wall and a wall selected from said intermediate top and bottom wall for receiving external hold down means for said storage medium at the location of said drive means, and a pair of sixth ports in said selected intermediate wall between said fourth ports and said third port for providing a signal path for counting said holes in said storage medium.