Rotary head multi-layer data storage and retrieval system and method
AssigneeOracle America, Inc.
InventorsCarl T Madison, Timothy C Ostwald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for data storage and retrieval include a rotational head carriage unit having a plurality of heads. A tape drive unit moves a tape media length-wise across the head carriage unit while the head carriage unit rotates. The tape drive unit is adapted to use a tape comprising multiple recordable layers. The heads are adapted to read data from or write data to one recordable layer while rotating toward one edge of the tape media, and read data from or write data to another recordable layer while rotating toward the other edge of the tape media.
Claims18
A data storage and retrieval system comprising:
- a head carriage unit having a substantially planar working surface with a plurality of heads, the head carriage unit adapted for rotation about an axis normal to the working surface;
- and
- a tape drive unit adapted to move a tape media across the working surface in a direction parallel to a length of the tape media as the head carriage unit rotates, the tape media having a first edge, a second edge, a first recordable layer and a second recordable layer;
- wherein the plurality of heads read data from or write data to the first recordable layer while rotating toward the first edge of the tape media, and read data from or write data to the second recordable layer while rotating toward the second edge of the tape media.
A data storage and retrieval method comprising:
- rotating a head carriage unit having a substantially planar working surface about an axis normal to the working surface, the working surface having a plurality of heads;
- moving a tape media across the working surface in a direction parallel to a length of the tape media as the heads rotate, the tape media having a first edge, a second edge, a first recordable layer, and a second recordable layer;
- and
- reading data from or writing data to the first recordable layer while rotating the plurality of heads toward the first edge of the tape media, and reading data from or writing data to the second recordable layer while rotating the plurality of heads toward the second edge of the tape media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.