Patent attributes
A tape drive having a reel release sensing procedure and system is provided. In one example, the tape drive includes a motor coupled to a reel driver for driving a reel of a storage device, a sensor for detecting movement associated with the reel driver, and a controller. The controller operates to activate the motor to rotate the reel driver prior to coupling the tape to a drive leader. The controller further determines if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the tape to be loaded into the drive if the reel moved (or moved more than a predetermined amount/distance). For example, the controller may determine the reel is released if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor and is not released otherwise.
