Patent ID: 8270108

Claim:
A method for performing data write and data read operations on a tape storage medium, comprising: controlling, via a processor, a dual tape head/actuator assembly comprising a first tape head/actuator and a second tape head/actuator, the first tape head/actuator and the second tape head/actuator being independently actuated via a first fine actuator attached to the first tape head/actuator and a second fine actuator attached to the second tape head/actuator; performing data write and data read operations on the tape storage medium via the dual tape head/actuator assembly, wherein: the first tape head/actuator performs data write operations on a tape storage medium; and the second tape head/head actuator performs data read operations on the tape storage medium; and wherein the first tape head/actuator comprises a first set of data writer elements, a first set of data reader elements, and a first set of servo elements; and the second tape head/actuator comprises a second set of data writer elements, a second set of data reader elements, and a second set of servo elements; the first set of data writer elements and the first set of data reader elements is associated with the first set of servo elements and the second set of data writer elements and the second set of data reader elements is associated with the second set of servo elements; when the tape medium is transported in a forward direction: the first set of servo elements position the first set of data writer elements over a target write location; the first set of data writer elements perform the data write operations; the second set of servo elements position the second set of data reader elements over the target write location; and the second set of data reader elements perform the data read operations; and, when the tape medium is transported in a reverse direction: the second set of servo elements position the second set of data writer elements over a target write location; the second set of data writer elements perform the data write operations; the first set of servo elements position the first set of data reader elements over the target write location; and the first set of data reader elements perform the data read operations; the first set of data reader elements span half of a written data region.