Tape drive leader connection sensing assembly
AssigneeQuantum Corporation
InventorJohn F. deLassus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge property disconnects from a takeup reel within a tape drive during unloading of the tape cartridge, so that the tape cartridge can be removed from the tape drive without damaging the tape media and rendering the tape drive inoperable. The sensing assembly may be electrical or electomechanical and comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on the position of the takeup leader. The position of the takeup leader is used to determine if the tape cartridge leader disconnects from the takeup leader.
Claims7
A sensing assembly for use with a tape drive employing a single reel equipped with a takeup leader for interconnecting with a tape cartridge leader connected to a length of tape media located within a tape cartridge, to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader during unloading of said tape cartridge, so that said tape cartridge can be removed from said tape drive without damaging said length of tape media, comprising:
- means for disconnecting said takeup leader from said tape cartridge leader prior to removing said tape cartridge from said tape drive;
- and
- a sensing means within a tape path to sense a position of said takeup leader following said disconnect, said position being used to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
A sensing assembly for use with a tape drive employing a single reel equipped with a takeup leader for interconnecting with a tape cartridge leader connected to a tape media located within a tape cartridge, to determine if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader during unloading of said tape cartridge from said tape drive, comprising:
- a disconnection apparatus for disconnecting said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader prior to removing said tape cartridge from said tape drive;
- a sensing device within a tape drive tape path for sensing a position of said takeup leader following said disconnect;
- and
- a processor responsive to said sensed position of said takeup leader for determining if said tape cartridge leader disconnects from said takeup leader.
A method for determining if a tape cartridge leader connected to a length of tape media within a tape cartridge disconnects from a takeup leader within a tape drive employing a single reel during unloading of said tape cartridge, comprising the step of:
- (a) executing a disconnection operation to disconnect said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader;
- (b) sensing a position of said takeup leader following said disconnect operation;
- and
- (c) determining a connection status of said tape cartridge leader from said takeup leader.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.