Abstract:
in a system for recording and reproducing digital signals on a magnetic tape (2) using a rotary head (1A, 1 B), in which the signals are recorded as a series of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) without guard bands, a pilot signal that controls tracking alignment of a playback head (1 A, 1 B) is recorded at a particular position in a specific pilot signal record region, different from the information signal record region. An erase signal having various recording lengths is also recorded in the pilot signal region such that a start position of the erase signal corresponds substantially to a centre portion of the pilot signal on the adjacent track (5A, 5B). When the recorded tracks are reproduced by a playback head (1 A, 1 B) having a tracing width greateer than the track width, the pilot signals from the adjacent tracks (5A, 5B) will be sampled by sampling pulses generated in response to the reproduced erase signal and compared in level, and the comparison output will be used to control the tracking alignment of the playback head (1A, 1B).
Abstract:
A tracking system and method are disclosed for a helical-scan recording device to automatically maintain the recording/playback heads (16A, 16C) in alignment with the stripes of recorded information (18A-18D) on the magnetic tape (12). Each stripe on the magnetic tape includes a servo signal area having four distinct zones (Z1-Z4). An analog servo signal at a preselected frequency is recorded on one of the four zones on each stripe and is recorded at different ones of the four zones in succession on each group of four adjacent stripes. The servo signal recorded on the stripes is detected during playback and processed to maintain the desired head positioning relative to the stripes on the tape. The servo head (16B) is preferably maintained between adjacent stripes on the magnetic tape and signals detected from each of the adjacent stripes maintain head alignment by shifting the positioning of the head in either direction as needed.
Abstract:
A flexural pantographic mount for use in a helical scan magnetic tape transport employing a closed loop servo system having a specified frequency bandwidth is disclosed. The mount is a boxed leaf stiffened flexural pantograph mount, for holding and varying the position of a moveable head in a helical scan automatic scan tracking magnetic tape transport. The mount exhibits an acceptably low primary mode stiffness and a suitably increased higher order mode stiffness with increased resistance to torsional stresses and is adapted for use in a magnetic tape transport employing a closed loop servo system having a specified frequency bandwidth. The mount includes a moveable body such as a magnetic transducing head assembly coupled at one end of first and second parallel spaced apart elongated flexible flexural pantographic leaves configured at the opposite free ends thereof for attachment to a fixed body. Each leaf includes first and second integrally formed and bent leaf edge extensions, which act as side stiffeners. A triangularly configured opening and a trapezoidally configured opening are formed in each leaf with each opening being configured to include tab projections for bending into the opening to provide transverse or lateral stiffening. An auxiliary web-like stiffening member is added to each leaf in the space therebetween, each auxiliary stiffener being separately formed and configured for attachment to the respective leaf to the side stiffeners and the tab projections of the openings to form a box-like cross-sectional configuration in conjunction with the side leaf edge extensions. The main body portion of each leaf and the edge extensions of the auxiliary stiffeners are configured, dimensioned and arranged for connection to one another in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The openings are formed in each leaf at locations such that the flexing surface of the leaves, at the connection to the fixed body and at the connection to the moveable body, are smaller width strap sections, substantially less than the width of the corresponding portion of the leaf.
Abstract:
A rotary head deflection apparatus for allowing magnetic heads (2, 3) to properly scan signal tracks recorded on a magnetic tape, and used for a helical scan system video tape recorder, which is constituted of driving coils (8a, 8b) wound onto a stator (9) and movable members (4, 5) carrying the magnetic heads (2, 3) and magnets (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) so that when the driving coils (8a, 8b) are energised, the magnetic heads (2, 3) are displaced in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of a rotary drum (1).
Abstract:
A tracking control apparatus for controlling tracking alignment of a rotary head (1A,1B) with respect to record tracks appearing in succession on a record medium (2) and in each of which there are recorded, at predetermined positions varying from track to track in accordance with a predetermined repeating sequence, pilot signals (P) for controlling tracking and position detecting signals (S,T) having different recorded lengths and which identify the positions of the pilot signals (P). A position detecting signal detector (34) and a counter (36) detect the recorded length of each position detecting signal (S,T), and an identifying signal generator (37) provides an identifying signal (S12) for identifying the recorded length of the position detecting signal (S,T) recorded in a track being traced by the rotary head (1A,1B). A sampling signal (SP1.SP2) is generated in response to the identifying signal (S12) for sampling a pilot signal (P) reproduced as cross-talk from an adjacent track so as to reduce the pull-in time of the tracking alignment operation.
Abstract:
In a system for recording and reproducing digital signals on a magnetic tape (2) by using a rotary head (1A, 1B), in which signals are recorded as a series of oblique tracks (5A. 5B) without guard bands, a pilot signal (P) that controls tracking alignment of a playback head (1 A, 1B) is recorded at a particular position in a specific pilot signal record region, independent from the information signal record region. The pilot signal (P) is arranged at first predetermined positions separated from the ends of the oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in the pilot signal record region on every other one of the oblique tracks (5A. 5B) and at second predetermined positions separated from the ends of the oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in the pilot signal record region on the alternate ones of the oblique tracks (5A, 5B). An erase signal (E) can also be recorded in the pilot signal record region such that a start position of the erase signal (E) corresponds substantiallyto a centre portion of the pilot signal (P) on the adjacent oblique track (5A, 5B). When the recorded oblique tracks (5A. 5B) are reproduced by a rotary playback head (1A. 1B) having a tracking width greater than the track width, the pilot signal (P) from the adjacent oblique tracks (5A. 58) will be detected and compared in level, and the comparison output used to control the tracking alignment of the rotary playback head (1A. 1B).
Abstract:
In an apparatus for reproducing signals in a plurality of oblique tracks (5A,5B) on a recording medium (2) by a rotary head (1A,1B), the signals in the tracks (5A,5B) contain a digital information signal in a first predetermined area on the oblique tracks (5A,5B) and a tracking control signal including a tracking pilot signal (P) and an erase signal (E) in a second predetermined area. When the recorded tracks (5A,5B) are reproduced by a rotary playback head (1A,1B) having a tracing width greater than the track width, the pilot signals (P) from the adjacent tracks (5A,5B) will be detected and compared in level. A tracking signal for controlling the tracking alignment of the rotary playback head (1A,1B) is generated in response to the level comparison, and is adjusted in level response to the level of the tracking control signal.
Abstract:
A rotary drum unit of a helical scan-type magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus used for a video tape recorder or a digital audio tape recorder, which enables the tape to run stably and a track pattern to be formed maintaining high precision. In the helical scan-type rotary head drum of the invention, tape position detecting sensors (3) arranged along an imaginary lead (2) detect a change of the tape (4) on the drums (1) and (6) that have no lead, and an actuator for dynamic tracking is so driven as to correct the deviation amount from the imaginary lead (2), so that the rotary head (5) is moved in the axial direction to effect the scanning.