Patent ID: 7646694

Claim:
A method for providing identifying information for a data track in an optical tape, the method comprising the steps of: a) transporting the optical tape in a longitudinal direction; b) scanning at least one laser beam in another direction, the another direction being substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction; c) selecting size and position of a plurality of spaced recording locations in order to obtain a distinguishable pattern of said spaced recording locations; d) recording a plurality of servomarks at a majority of locations from said plurality of spaced recording locations; each servomark from said plurality of servomarks being substantially located on a data track; e) omitting recording at preselected locations from said plurality of spaced recording locations; f) returning said at least one laser beam back to a position substantially on the longitudinal direction; and g) repeating steps (b) through (f) in order to form all servomarks from said plurality of servomarks in one pass of the optical tape from substantially a beginning of the optical tape to substantially an end of the optical tape; wherein said preselected locations constitute a pattern providing the identifying information.