IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,374,361
Granted Patent B2
US 12,374,361 · App. 18/599,062 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Magnetic tape, magnetic tape cartridge, servo pattern recording device, magnetic tape drive, magnetic tape system, detection device, inspection device, servo pattern recording method, manufacturing method of magnetic tape, detection method, and inspection method

Inventors: Toru Nakao (Kanagawa, JP); Tetsuya Kaneko (Kanagawa, JP); Yoichi Akano (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
G11B5/5928G11B5/78G11B5/84G11B15/43G11B15/602
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,374,361
App. No.
18/599,062
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plurality of servo patterns are recorded in a magnetic tape along a longitudinal direction. The servo pattern is at least one linear magnetization region pair. The linear magnetization region pair includes a first linear magnetization region, which is linearly magnetized, and a second linear magnetization region, which is linearly magnetized. The first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a first imaginary straight line along a width direction of the magnetic tape. The first linear magnetization region has a steeper inclined angle with respect to the first imaginary straight line than the second linear magnetization region.

Claims (111)

1. A magnetic tape in which a plurality of servo patterns are recorded along a longitudinal direction,

wherein the servo pattern is at least one linear magnetization region pair,

the linear magnetization region pair includes a first linear magnetization region, which is linearly magnetized, and a second linear magnetization region, which is linearly magnetized,

the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a first imaginary straight line along a width direction of the magnetic tape, and

the first linear magnetization region has a steeper inclined angle with respect to the first imaginary straight line than the second linear magnetization region.

2. The magnetic tape according to claim 1 ,

wherein positions of both ends of the first linear magnetization region and positions of both ends of the second linear magnetization region are aligned in the width direction of the magnetic tape.

3. The magnetic tape according to claim 2 ,

wherein a total length of the first linear magnetization region is shorter than a total length of the second linear magnetization region.

4. The magnetic tape according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first linear magnetization region is a set of a plurality of first magnetization straight lines, and

the second linear magnetization region is a set of a plurality of second magnetization straight lines.

5. The magnetic tape according to claim 1 ,

wherein a geometrical characteristic of the linear magnetization region pair on the magnetic tape corresponds to a geometrical characteristic based on a pair of imaginary linear regions inclined line-symmetrically with respect to the first imaginary straight line in a case in which an entirety of the pair of imaginary linear regions is inclined with respect to the first imaginary straight line by inclining a symmetry axis of the pair of imaginary linear regions with respect to the first imaginary straight line.

6. The magnetic tape according to claim 2 ,

wherein a geometrical characteristic of the linear magnetization region pair on the magnetic tape corresponds to a geometrical characteristic in which positions of both ends of one imaginary linear region of a pair of imaginary linear regions inclined line-symmetrically with respect to the first imaginary straight line and positions of both ends of the other imaginary linear region are aligned in the width direction in a case in which an entirety of the pair of imaginary linear regions is inclined with respect to the first imaginary straight line by inclining a symmetry axis of the pair of imaginary linear regions with respect to the first imaginary straight line.

7. The magnetic tape according to claim 1 ,

wherein a plurality of servo bands are formed in the width direction, and

the servo patterns corresponding to each other between the servo bands deviate from each other at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction.

8. The magnetic tape according to claim 7 ,

wherein the servo band is divided by a frame defined based on at least one set of the servo patterns, and

the frame deviates by the predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction.

9. The magnetic tape according to claim 8 ,

wherein the predetermined interval is defined based on an angle formed by the frames, which have a correspondence relationship between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and the first imaginary straight line, and a pitch between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction.

10. The magnetic tape according to claim 8 ,

wherein the predetermined interval is defined based on an angle formed by the frames, which have no correspondence relationship between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and the first imaginary straight line, a pitch between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and a total length of the frame in the longitudinal direction.

11. The magnetic tape according to claim 8 ,

wherein each of the first linear magnetization region and the second linear magnetization region is a set of a plurality of magnetization straight lines,

the frame is defined based on one set of the servo patterns in which the number of the magnetization straight lines is different, and

the number of the magnetization straight lines included in the first linear magnetization region and the number of the magnetization straight lines included in the second linear magnetization region are the same in one servo pattern.

12. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising:

the magnetic tape according to claim 1 ; and

a case in which the magnetic tape is accommodated.

13. A magnetic tape drive comprising:

a travel mechanism that causes the magnetic tape according to claim 1 to travel along a predetermined path; and

a magnetic head including a plurality of servo reading elements that read the servo patterns on the predetermined path in a state in which the magnetic tape is caused to travel by the travel mechanism,

wherein the plurality of servo reading elements are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic head, and

the magnetic head is disposed in a posture in which a third imaginary straight line along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head is inclined with respect to a traveling direction of the magnetic tape.

14. A magnetic tape system comprising:

the magnetic tape according to claim 1 ; and

a magnetic tape drive in which a magnetic head including a plurality of servo reading elements that read the servo patterns on a predetermined path in a state in which the magnetic tape is caused to travel along the predetermined path is mounted,

wherein the plurality of servo reading elements are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic head, and

the magnetic head is disposed in a posture in which a fourth imaginary straight line along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head is inclined with respect to a traveling direction of the magnetic tape.

15. A detection device comprising:

a processor,

wherein the processor detects a servo signal, which is a result of reading the servo pattern via a servo reading element from the magnetic tape according to claim 1 , by using an autocorrelation coefficient.

16. An inspection device comprising:

the detection device according to claim 15 ; and

an inspection processor that performs an inspection of a servo band in which the servo pattern is recorded in the magnetic tape based on the servo signal detected by the detection device.

17. A detection method comprising:

detecting a servo signal, which is a result of reading the servo pattern via a servo reading element from the magnetic tape according to claim 1 , by using an autocorrelation coefficient.

18. An inspection method comprising:

performing an inspection of a servo band in which the servo pattern is recorded in the magnetic tape based on the servo signal detected by the detection method according to claim 17 .

19. A servo pattern recording device comprising:

a pulse signal generator; and

a servo pattern recording head,

wherein the pulse signal generator generates a pulse signal,

the servo pattern recording head has a substrate and a plurality of gap patterns formed on a front surface of the substrate, and records a plurality of servo patterns in a width direction of a magnetic tape by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape from the plurality of gap patterns in response to the pulse signal,

the plurality of gap patterns are formed on the front surface along a direction corresponding to the width direction,

the gap pattern is at least one straight line region pair,

a first straight line region, which is one straight line region of the straight line region pair, and a second straight line region, which is the other straight line region of the straight line region pair, are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a second imaginary straight line along the direction corresponding to the width direction on the front surface, and

the first straight line region has a steeper inclined angle with respect to the second imaginary straight line than the second straight line region.

20. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 19 ,

wherein positions of both ends of the first straight line region and positions of both ends of the second straight line region are aligned in the direction corresponding to the width direction of the magnetic tape.

21. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 20 ,

wherein a total length of the first straight line region is shorter than a total length of the second straight line region.

22. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 19 ,

wherein a geometrical characteristic of the straight line region pair on the front surface corresponds to a geometrical characteristic based on a pair of imaginary straight line regions inclined line-symmetrically with respect to the second imaginary straight line in a case in which an entirety of the pair of imaginary straight line regions is inclined with respect to the second imaginary straight line by inclining a symmetry axis of the pair of imaginary straight line regions with respect to the second imaginary straight line.

23. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 20 ,

wherein a geometrical characteristic of the straight line region pair on the front surface corresponds to a geometrical characteristic in which positions of both ends of one imaginary straight line region of a pair of imaginary straight line regions inclined line-symmetrically with respect to the second imaginary straight line and positions of both ends of the other imaginary straight line region are aligned in the direction corresponding to the width direction in a case in which an entirety of the pair of imaginary straight line regions is inclined with respect to the second imaginary straight line by inclining a symmetry axis of the pair of imaginary straight line regions with respect to the second imaginary straight line.

24. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 19 ,

wherein the plurality of gap patterns deviate from each other at a predetermined interval in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, between the gap patterns adjacent to each other along the direction corresponding to the width direction.

25. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 24 ,

wherein a plurality of servo bands are formed on the magnetic tape along the width direction,

the servo bands are divided by a frame defined based on at least one set of the servo patterns, and

the predetermined interval is defined based on an angle formed by the frames, which have a correspondence relationship between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and the second imaginary straight line, and a pitch between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction.

26. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 24 ,

wherein a plurality of servo bands are formed on the magnetic tape along the width direction,

the servo bands are divided by a frame defined based on at least one set of the servo patterns, and

the predetermined interval is defined based on an angle formed by the frames, which have no correspondence relationship between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and the second imaginary straight line, a pitch between the servo bands adjacent to each other in the width direction, and a total length of the frame in the longitudinal direction.

27. The servo pattern recording device according to claim 19 ,

wherein the pulse signals used between the plurality of gap patterns are signals having the same phase.

28. A magnetic tape in which the plurality of servo patterns are recorded by the servo pattern recording device according to claim 19 .

29. A magnetic tape cartridge comprising:

the magnetic tape according to claim 28 ; and

a case in which the magnetic tape is accommodated.

30. A magnetic tape drive comprising:

a travel mechanism that causes the magnetic tape according to claim 28 to travel along a predetermined path; and

a magnetic head including a plurality of servo reading elements that read the servo patterns on the predetermined path in a state in which the magnetic tape is caused to travel by the travel mechanism,

wherein the plurality of servo reading elements are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic head, and

the magnetic head is disposed in a posture in which a fifth imaginary straight line along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head is inclined with respect to a traveling direction of the magnetic tape.

31. A magnetic tape system comprising:

the magnetic tape according to claim 28 ; and

a magnetic tape drive in which a magnetic head including a plurality of servo reading elements that read the servo patterns on a predetermined path in a state in which the magnetic tape is caused to travel along the predetermined path is mounted,

wherein the plurality of servo reading elements are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic head, and

the magnetic head is disposed in a posture in which a sixth imaginary straight line along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic head is inclined with respect to a traveling direction of the magnetic tape.

32. A detection device comprising:

a processor,

wherein the processor detects a servo signal, which is a result of reading the servo pattern via a servo reading element from the magnetic tape according to claim 28 , by using an autocorrelation coefficient.

33. A servo pattern recording method comprising:

generating a pulse signal; and

using a servo pattern recording head having a substrate and a plurality of gap patterns formed on a front surface of the substrate, to record a plurality of servo patterns in a width direction of a magnetic tape by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic tape from the plurality of gap patterns in response to the pulse signal,

wherein the plurality of gap patterns are formed on the front surface along a direction corresponding to the width direction,

the gap pattern is at least one straight line region pair,

a first straight line region, which is one straight line region of the straight line region pair, and a second straight line region, which is the other straight line region of the straight line region pair, are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a second imaginary straight line along the direction corresponding to the width direction on the front surface, and

the first straight line region has a steeper inclined angle with respect to the second imaginary straight line than the second straight line region.

34. The servo pattern recording method according to claim 33 ,

wherein positions of both ends of the first straight line region and positions of both ends of the second straight line region are aligned in the direction corresponding to the width direction of the magnetic tape.

35. A manufacturing method of a magnetic tape, the method comprising:

a servo pattern recording step of recording the plurality of servo patterns in the magnetic tape in accordance with the servo pattern recording method according to claim 33 ; and

a winding step of winding the magnetic tape.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2024
From: NAKAO, TORU; KANEKO, TETSUYA; AKANO, YOICHI
To: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067355/0276 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2021-160001 · Sep 29, 2021 · national
JP 2021-178339 · Oct 29, 2021 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2022021026 · May 20, 2022
Related Publication 20240212708A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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Cited By (1)
US 12,626,721