Patent ID: 6052264
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method for predicting capstan slip conditions between a tape cartridge belt capstan of a belt-driven tape cartridge and a drive roller of a tape drive, the method comprising:determining a critical tape velocity value corresponding to a critical slip condition based on a relationship between a drive force for rotating the cartridge belt capstan and a normal force of the drive roller against the cartridge belt capstan;selecting a threshold tape velocity value corresponding to the drive force and the normal force at a point where the relationship between the drive force and the normal force would not encounter the critical slip condition;monitoring a steady-state tape velocity representative of the drive force and the normal force during operation of the belt-driven tape cartridge in the tape drive; andproviding an imminent capstan slip indication when the steady-state tape velocity reaches the threshold velocity value, whereby the imminent capstan slip indication is provided prior to occurrence of the critical slip condition.