Remotely controlling a magnetic tape cartridge
A data storage cartridge according to one embodiment comprises a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a sensor coupled to the housing, and a microcontroller coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information about the sensor. Other embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a housing configured to house a data storage medium, a cartridge memory coupled to the housing, the cartridge memory having a wireless communications interface, and a microcontroller in physical communication with the cartridge memory. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate information retrieved from the cartridge memory. Additional embodiments relate to a data storage cartridge comprising a mechanical write protect mechanism coupled to the housing of the data storage cartridge, an actuator coupled to the mechanical write protect mechanism for selectively changing a state of the mechanical write protect mechanism, and a microcontroller configured to control the actuator.
1. A data storage cartridge, comprising:
a housing configured to house a data storage medium, wherein the data storage medium is a magnetic recording tape;
a sensor coupled to and being positioned within the housing;
a microcontroller coupled to the sensor, the microcontroller being configured to wirelessly communicate information about the sensor; and
a leader pin coupled to a leading end of the magnetic recording tape, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a status of the leader pin.
2. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 1 , comprising a display device in communication with the microcontroller.
3. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is electrically coupled directly to the sensor.
4. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a leader pin switch.
5. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 4 , wherein the leader pin switch includes a top switch contact and a bottom switch contact.
6. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 5 , wherein the leader pin switch includes an insulator layer between the top switch contact and the bottom switch contact.
7. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 4 , wherein the leader pin switch is positioned to be magnetically coupled to the leader pin when the leader pin is in the correct upright position.
8. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is coupled to a leader pin switch that is positioned to conduct electrical current from the leader pin to the sensor.
9. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 8 , wherein the leader pin switch is positioned to be magnetically coupled to the leader pin when the leader pin is in the correct upright position.
10. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 9 , wherein the leader pin switch includes a top switch contact and a bottom switch contact.
11. A data storage cartridge, comprising:
a housing configured to house a data storage medium therein, wherein the data storage medium is a magnetic recording tape;
a cartridge memory coupled to the housing, the cartridge memory having a wireless communications interface;
a microcontroller in physical communication with the cartridge memory, the microcontroller being configured to wirelessly communicate information retrieved from the cartridge memory;
a leader pin coupled to a leading end of the magnetic recording tape; and
a sensor in communication with the microcontroller, the sensor being positioned in the housing, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a status of the leader pin.
12. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 11 , comprising a display device in communication with the microcontroller.
13. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 11 , wherein the microcontroller is electrically coupled directly to the sensor.
14. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 11 , wherein the sensor includes a leader pin switch.
15. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 14 , wherein the leader pin switch includes a top switch contact and a bottom switch contact.
16. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 15 , wherein the leader pin switch includes an insulator layer between the top switch contact and the bottom switch contact.
17. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 14 , wherein the leader pin switch is positioned to be magnetically coupled to the leader pin when the leader pin is in the correct upright position.
18. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 11 , wherein the sensor is coupled to a leader pin switch that is positioned to conduct electrical current from the leader pin to the sensor.
19. A data storage cartridge as recited in claim 18 , wherein the leader pin switch is positioned to be magnetically coupled to the leader pin when the leader pin is in the correct upright position.