In one embodiment, a method includes writing a data set to a sequential access medium. The method also includes reading the data set after being written in a read-while-write process to identify faulty encoded data blocks, each of the faulty encoded data blocks including at least one faulty codeword. Moreover, the method includes rewriting a correct version of a first of the encoded data blocks in a first encoded data block set to the rewrite area of the sequential access medium selected from a predetermined subset of logical tracks. The predetermined subset of logical tracks includes D1+D2+1 logical tracks. Only one encoded data block from a particular sub data set is rewritten in a single encoded data block set in the rewrite area.

A recording and reproducing device includes: a reading unit that reads production information from a recording medium of a magnetic tape cartridge, the magnetic tape cartridge including a magnetic tape, and the recording medium other than the magnetic tape and on which the production information is recorded, the production information being information regarding the magnetic tape obtained in a production process of the magnetic tape cartridge; and a control unit that performs, as an initialization process of the magnetic tape cartridge, control of recording the production information on the magnetic tape and invalidating the production information in the recording medium.

A magnetic tape cartridge includes: a magnetic tape on which data is recorded; and a recording medium other than the magnetic tape, and on which a keyword for searching the data recorded on the magnetic tape is recorded.

[Object] A cartridge memory according to an embodiment of the present technology is a cartridge memory for a recording medium cartridge, including: a memory unit; and a capacity setting unit. The memory unit has a memory capacity capable of storing management information relating to a second information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with a second data track number larger than a first data track number. The capacity setting unit is configured to be capable of setting a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable of storing management information relating to a first information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with the first data track number.

A servo pattern recording method according to an embodiment of the present technology is a servo pattern recording method of recording a servo pattern on a tape-like magnetic recording medium including a magnetic layer including five or more servo bands, the method including: determining at least three first servo bands in which first servo band identification information constituted by a plurality of bits is to be recorded, and at least two second servo bands in which second servo band identification information constituted by a plurality of bits is to be recorded, the second servo band identification being different from the first servo band identification information; and recording each of the first servo band identification information and the second servo band identification information in the first servo band and the second servo band on the same phase.

A methodology that enables, for example, tape drive operation at lower SNR and/or reduced rewrite area uses a first threshold T and a second threshold r for a rewrite condition. Codeword interleaves (CWIs) in a data set are written onto a plurality of simultaneously-written parallel tracks of a magnetic recording medium, read back and error correction decoded. A determination is made as to whether at least one of the C1 or C1 codewords in each decoded CWI contains more byte errors than the second threshold r of the rewrite condition. A number of CWIs in a rewrite buffer are according to the following criteria: b.sub.i=b.sub.iT when b.sub.i is greater than the first threshold T, and b.sub.i=0 when b.sub.i is less than or equal to the first threshold T.

A media drive system (310) configured for use with a media drive (314) that performs read/write operations relative to a media cartridge (316) includes a system housing (312). The system housing (312) includes a housing body (312A) and a controller (350) that is secured to the housing body (312A). The controller (350) is configured to control functionality of the tape drive (314). More specifically, the inclusion of the controller (350) as part of the system housing (312) enables the media drive system (310) to achieve greatly enhanced functionality. For example, the media drive system (310) can greatly enhance the speed of various desired read/write operations performed within the media drive (314), especially when the requested files or file segments are not necessarily initially provided in sequential order on the media cartridge (316). The controller (350) can include one or both of a processor (352) and a memory system (354).

[Object] A cartridge memory according to an embodiment of the present technology is a cartridge memory for a recording medium cartridge, including: a memory unit; and a capacity setting unit. The memory unit has a memory capacity capable of storing management information relating to a second information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with a second data track number larger than a first data track number. The capacity setting unit is configured to be capable of setting a data storage area limited to a first capacity capable of storing management information relating to a first information recording medium configured to be capable of recording information with the first data track number.

According to one embodiment, a drive-implemented method includes, in a first mode of operation, processing data using only transducers of subarrays positioned on opposite sides of an inner transducer in an array of transducers, and processing data using only a portion of the transducers in each of the subarrays in a second mode of operation, wherein the inner transducer is inactive in the second mode of operation.

A tape device includes: a tape drive configured to read and write data to a tape medium; and a processor configured to: determine, when requested to read data from a first segment and a second segment on the tape medium, a data amount in a third segment located between the first segment and the second segment; compare the data amount with a threshold value that is determined based on a reading characteristic of the tape drive; instruct the tape drive, when the data amount is the threshold value or more, to read data from the first segment, skip the third segment, and read data from the second segment; and instruct the tape drive, when the data amount is less than the threshold value, to continuously read data from the first segment, the third segment, and the second segment.