Patent ID: 6188532
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tape recording and playback unit for recording and playing back digital data recorded along a multiplicity of parallel longitudinal data tracks of a magnetic storage tape in accordance with a standard higher density track layout, and for reading back digital data recorded in accordance with a standard lower density track layout, the unit comprising:a base,a tape path defined along tape guides extending from the base between a tape supply reel and a tape pickup reel,a primary head positioning mechanism secured to the base at a first location along the tape path for positioning a primary multi-channel write/read head assembly for writing and reading user digital data in accordance with the standard high density track layout, anda secondary head positioning mechanism secured to the base at a second location along the tape path for positioning a secondary read-only head assembly for reading user digital data previously recorded upon another tape unit in accordance with the standard low density track layout.