Media identification for magnetic tape drive

Abstract

Magnetic media for use in a magnetic tape drive ( 30 ) an identification window segment (identification window segment 3108 ) having an electromagnetic transmissiveness which varies along at least a portion of its in a manner chosen to provide a predetermined media or cartridge signature when the media is transported at a selected linear velocity. Preferably, the identification window segment is situated between essentially opaque sections of the media, such as magnetic recording/reproducing segment ( 3106 ) and a cleaning segment ( 3104 ). Upon insertion into a magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape is transported past a detector assembly ( 100 ) which directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation through the tape. Transport of the identification window segment past the detector assembly thus results in generation of a signal having a waveform with an amplitude which varies in accordance with the varying electromagnetic transmissiveness of the window. The signal is received at a processor, which uses the signal to determine the type of the tape/cartridge and optionally to operate the tape drive in accordance with the thusly discerned type.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Media for use in a magnetic tape drive, the media having an identification window segment, the identification window segment having an electromagnetic transmissiveness which varies in a manner chosen to provide a predetermined media or cartridge signature when the media is transported at a selected linear velocity.  
     
     
         2 . The media of  claim 1 , wherein the identification window segment is situated between two opaque segments of the media.  
     
     
         3 . The media of  claim 2 , wherein one of the two opaque segments of the media is a magnetic recording/reproducing segment for magnetically transducing information.  
     
     
         4 . The media of  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic recording/reproducing segment has identification transduced in helical stripes.  
     
     
         5 . The media of  claim 2 , wherein one of the two opaque segments of the media is a cleaning segment comprised of material suitable for cleaning a transducing element of a tape drive.  
     
     
         6 . A magnetic tape drive comprising: 
 a transducing element which transduces information relative to media loaded into the drive;    a media transport for transporting the media proximate the transducing element and for imparting a linear velocity to the media;    a processor which, upon loading of the media into the tape drive, detects an identification window segment of the media, the identification widow segment having an electromagnetic transmissiveness which varies in a manner chosen to provide a predetermined media or cartridge signature when the media is transported at a selected linear velocity.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the identification window segment is situated between two opaque segments of the media.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein one of the two opaque segments of the media is a magnetic recording/reproducing segment for magnetically transducing information.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetic recording/reproducing segment has identification transduced in helical stripes.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein one of the two opaque segments of the media is a cleaning segment comprised of material suitable for cleaning a transducing element of a tape drive.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the tape drive is a helical scan tape drive.  
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a magnetic tape drive comprising: 
 upon loading of the media into the tape drive, transporting media along a tape path; and    detecting a varying electromagnetic transmissiveness of the media when the media is transported at a selected linear velocity;    using the varying electromagnetic transmissiveness of the media as a media or cartridge signature.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the varying electromagnetic transmissiveness of the media occurs in an identification window segment of the media.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further sensing electromagnetic transmissiveness of the identification widow segment and generating a signal related thereto.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising comparing values of a signal indicative of the varying electromagnetic transmissiveness of the media to stored templates to determine the media or cartridge signature.