Patent attributes
The write protect mechanism provides a method for identifying the write protect state of the tape media enclosed in a tape cartridge from at least two orientations. A write protect switch on the front side of the tape cartridge housing moves to block the write protect aperture on the side of the tape cartridge housing when the write protect switch is in the write enable position and away from the aperture in the write protect position. A write protect indicator on the tape cartridge top cover includes a window that allows the user to view the position of the write protect switch by viewing the top of the switch. The top of the switch may include an arrow that moves corresponding to the position of the write protect switch, thus providing a means for the user to determine the write protect state. Human readable icons or color combinations on the write protect switch and/or adjacent to the write protect indicator clearly indicate the write protect state of the tape media enclosed within the tape cartridge.
