Patent ID: 6118605
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape drive for reading/writing data records on a magnetic tape in either of two directions of tape movement, where a gap comprising a region having an absence of data is formed at the end of each data record written on said magnetic tape, said tape drive comprising:read/write head means, comprising:write head means for writing data on said magnetic tape as said magnetic tape is passed over said read/write head means in either of said two directions;first and second read head means, positioned on opposite sides of said write head means, each selectively activatible for reading data written on said magnetic tape as said magnetic tape is passed over said read/write head in either of said two directions;tape transport means for transporting said magnetic tape in a selected one of said two directions of tape movement across said read/write head means;means for determining a position of said gap that is formed at an end of a selected data record written on said magnetic tape;means responsive to said determining means for confirming the position of said gap; andmagnetic tape positioning control means for enabling activation of said write head means to write data on said magnetic tape in response to said determining means and said confirming means, wherein a result of said determining means and said confirming means is a detected gap.