Tape transport system using variable tape speed to achieve constant data speed and advance detection and correction of tracking errors to reduce data loss errors

In a tape transport device moving a tape medium over a moveable read head, a method for reducing data loss errors induced by physical defects of said tape medium and mechanical misalignment between said tape medium which is loaded in said tape transport device and said movable tape head, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading position and motion data from a portion of said tape medium in advance of said portion of said tape medium encountering said movable read head
• detecting a physical defect in said portion of said tape medium from said read position and motion data in advance of said portion of said tape medium encountering said moveable read head;
• determining said portion of said tape medium and said movable head are misaligned from said read position and motion data in advance of said portion of said tape medium encountering said movable read head;
• adjusting, responsive to a determination of said physical defect in said portion of said tape medium, a speed of said portion of said tape medium over said movable read head in advance of said tape medium encountering said movable read head;
• adjusting, responsive to a determination of said misalignment, a position of said movable read head to reduce data loss errors.

In a tape transport device having a moveable read head, an apparatus for reducing data loss errors induced by physical defects in a tape medium and a misalignment of said tape medium which is loaded in said tape transport device and said movable read head, said apparatus comprising:

• a stationary read head in contact with said tape medium and positioned in said tape transport device in advance of the position where said tape medium encounters said moveable read head for reading motion and position data from said tape medium;
• means for determining said misalignment of said tape medium and said read head in advance of said tape medium encountering said movable tape head;
• means for generating a misalignment signal responsive to a determination of said misalignment;
• control means, responsive to said misalignment signal, for moving said moveable read head to compensate for the misalignment of said tape medium with respect to said moveable read head;
• means for detecting a physical defect in said tape medium from said read motion and position data;
• means for generating a defect signal responsive to a determination of said physical defect in said tape medium;
• and
• said control means being effective to control movement of said tape medium over said movable read head to compensate for said physical defect in said tape medium responsive to said defect signal.