Tape format detection system

摘要

A series of longitudinal tape movement and lateral tape head movement operations are performed to collect data by which the physical format or cartridge type and also the magnetic format are simultaneously determined. The tape format detection system works during the load point seeking sequence and it is therefore able to determine the tape format type while the tape head is being positioned for use. Both longitudinally spaced and laterally spaced format identification fingerprints can be detected and analyzed.