Method and system for detecting the end of a tape within a magnetic tape drive

Abstract

A method and system for detecting the end of a tape within a tape drive system, wherein the tape drive system includes a take-up reel and a supply reel upon which the tape is wound. The tape is driven through the tape drive system at a closed loop velocity. A tension transducer located in a path of the tape is utilized to monitor a tension associated with the tape while the tape is being driven through the tape drive system at the closed loop velocity. The tension transducer is utilized to detect the end of the tape. The take-up reel is then moved through a predetermined arc of rotation, in response to a cessation of the driving of the tape through the tape drive system. A confirmation is then provided that the end of tape has been detected, in response to a particular output of the tension transducer. Verification that the end of the tape has been achieved is provided, in response to an output of a tachometer attached to the take-up reel, while moving the take-up reel through a predetermined arc of rotation, if the output of the tachometer is at least equal to a predetermined threshold parameter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.