Rotary head data storage and retrieval system and method with tape medium having transverse primary data tracks and longitudinal secondary data track

摘要

A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit having multiple heads disposed at a working surface and a tape drive unit configured to move the tape past the working surface of the head carriage unit in a direction substantially parallel to a tape length. The heads are configured to write primary data tracks to or read primary data tracks from the tape as the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, the primary data tracks having an arcuate shape and extending substantially along a tape width. The heads are also configured to write at least one secondary data track to or read at least one secondary data track from the tape as the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, the at least one secondary data track extending substantially along the tape length.

主权项

1. A data storage and retrieval system comprising:
a head carriage unit having a plurality of heads disposed at a working surface, the head carriage unit adapted for rotational motion; and a tape drive unit for moving a tape media having a length and a width, the drive unit configured to move the tape past the working surface of the head carriage unit in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the tape; wherein the plurality of heads are configured to write a plurality of primary data tracks to and/or read a plurality of primary data tracks from the tape when the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, each primary data track having an arcuate shape and extending substantially along the width of the tape, and wherein the plurality of heads are configured to write at least one secondary data track to and/or read at least one secondary data track from the tape when the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, the at least one secondary data track extending substantially along the length of the tape, and the at least one secondary data track comprising a plurality of arcuate portions having data for use in indexing data of the plurality of primary data tracks.