Patent ID: 8094406

Claim:
A method to adjust the positions of a write element and read element disposed on a read/write head comprising a first assembly independently moveable along a first axis and comprising a first servo element, a second servo element, and said write element disposed between said first servo element and said second servo element, and a second assembly independently moveable along said first axis and comprising a third servo element, a fourth servo element, and said read element disposed between said third servo element and said fourth servo element, said method comprising: moving a sequential information storage medium comprising a first servo band and a second servo band adjacent to said read/write head along a second axis, wherein said second axis is substantially orthogonal to said first axis; determining a first time, wherein said first servo element detects a first servo pattern disposed in said first servo band at said first time; determining a second time, wherein said second servo element detects a second servo pattern disposed in said second servo band at said second time; calculating a timing difference comprising the difference between said first time and said second time; setting a skew angle using said timing difference wherein: said first servo element is disposed a first distance from said second servo element; said tape is moved past said read/write head at a velocity; said setting step further comprises calculating said skew angle using said first distance, said timing difference, and said velocity said first servo element is disposed a second distance from said third servo element; said method further comprising: calculating a microslider skew adjustment using said skew angle and said second distance; and offsetting said first assembly from said second assembly by said microslider skew adjustment.