A noncontact communication device includes a processor, and a transmission and reception device that applies a magnetic field to a noncontact storage medium mounted in a magnetic tape cartridge to induce power in the noncontact storage medium and is coupled to the noncontact storage medium by electromagnetic induction to perform transmission and reception of information with the noncontact storage medium. The noncontact storage medium has a measurement circuit that measures the power, and transmits power information regarding the power measured by the measurement circuit to the noncontact communication device. The transmission and reception device receives the power information, and the processor is configured to execute support processing of supporting the transmission and reception based on the power information received by the transmission and reception device.

A noncontact communication device includes a processor, and a transmission and reception device that applies a magnetic field to a noncontact storage medium mounted in a magnetic tape cartridge to induce power in the noncontact storage medium and is coupled to the noncontact storage medium by electromagnetic induction to perform transmission and reception of information with the noncontact storage medium. The noncontact storage medium has a measurement circuit that measures the power, and transmits power information regarding the power measured by the measurement circuit to the noncontact communication device. The transmission and reception device receives the power information, and the processor is configured to execute support processing of supporting the transmission and reception based on the power information received by the transmission and reception device.

Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. In one embodiment, an apparatus for such purpose includes a mechanized take-up reel. The mechanized take-up reel includes an inner hub, an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub (where at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism), a tongue coupled to the inner hub, and a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.

Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. In one embodiment, an apparatus for such purpose includes a mechanized take-up reel. The mechanized take-up reel includes an inner hub, an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub (where at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism), a tongue coupled to the inner hub, and a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.

In order to reduce the possibility of occurrence of retraction of a cleaning member during cleaning of a magnetic head and the possibility of the cleaning member not being able to return to a retraction position due to stopping part way, the cleaning enabling device is provided with: a holding member having a first surface capable of holding the cleaning member for cleaning the magnetic head, and a second surface capable of lifting a magnetic tape from the magnetic head; a transmission part which transmits a first driving force for driving a first driving member; and a first force application part which applies, to the holding member, a first force in a direction that causes the cleaning member to remain in the retraction position when the cleaning member is in the retraction position and releases the first force when the cleaning member is drawn away from the retraction position.

In order to reduce the possibility of occurrence of retraction of a cleaning member during cleaning of a magnetic head and the possibility of the cleaning member not being able to return to a retraction position due to stopping part way, the cleaning enabling device is provided with: a holding member having a first surface capable of holding the cleaning member for cleaning the magnetic head, and a second surface capable of lifting a magnetic tape from the magnetic head; a transmission part which transmits a first driving force for driving a first driving member; and a first force application part which applies, to the holding member, a first force in a direction that causes the cleaning member to remain in the retraction position when the cleaning member is in the retraction position and releases the first force when the cleaning member is drawn away from the retraction position.

In order to improve the probability of recovering tape remaining in a tape device without disassembling the tape device, this recovery device comprises: a connection unit that attaches one lengthwise end of a designated recovery tape member to near one lengthwise end, which is a free end, of a tape member having the other end bound to a designated binding member; a recovery unit to which the other end of the recovery tape member is fixed and that winds the recovery tape member and the attached tape member; and a release unit that separates the tape member from the binding member at the other end or near the other end after attachment.

In order to improve the probability of recovering tape remaining in a tape device without disassembling the tape device, this recovery device comprises: a connection unit that attaches one lengthwise end of a designated recovery tape member to near one lengthwise end, which is a free end, of a tape member having the other end bound to a designated binding member; a recovery unit to which the other end of the recovery tape member is fixed and that winds the recovery tape member and the attached tape member; and a release unit that separates the tape member from the binding member at the other end or near the other end after attachment.

A method for indexing a tape for unmounting from a tape drive is discussed. The method can determine that an update has been made to the tape since it was last mounted. The method can identify a tape head position with respect to the tape, the tape including a data partition and an index partition. The method can identify first position and a second position on the tape. The method can determine first distance, a length of tape between first position and tape head position. The method can determine second distance, a length of tape between first position and second position. The method can determine that first distance is less than second distance. The method can reposition the tape to a primary section and write the metadata index. The method can reposition tape to the second position write a data index beginning at the second position of the data partition.

In order to reduce the possibility of occurrence of retraction of a cleaning member during cleaning of a magnetic head and the possibility of the cleaning member not being able to return to a retraction position due to stopping part way, the cleaning enabling device is provided with: a holding member having a first surface capable of holding the cleaning member for cleaning the magnetic head, and a second surface capable of lifting a magnetic tape from the magnetic head; a transmission part which transmits a first driving force for driving a first driving member; and a first force application part which applies, to the holding member, a first force in a direction that causes the cleaning member to remain in the retraction position when the cleaning member is in the retraction position and releases the first force when the cleaning member is drawn away from the retraction position.