EP0150992A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Methods of and apparatus for recording digital signals
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1985-01-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-01-24
Abstract
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).
Inventors
- 👤 Hiraku C/O Sony Corporation Sugiki
- 👤 Kentaro C/O Sony Corporation Odaka
- 👤 Tomoji C/O Sony Corporation Satake
- 👤 Takashi C/O Sony Corporation Ohmori
- 👤 Makoto C/O Sony Corporation Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:55
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/58; G11B5/584; G11B5/588; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/10527; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/46; G11B15/467; G11B15/4673; G11B15/4675; G11B15/4676; G11B15/4677; G11B21/00; G11B21/02; G11B21/10; G11B21/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of recording digital signals on a record medium (2) using a rotary head (lA, 1B) that periodically traces the record medium. (2), the method comprising the steps of: recording a digital information signal in first predetermined areas in a plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) formed on said record medium (2) by said rotary head (lA, 1B) and including forming said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) by said rotary head (lA, 1B) with no guard bands between adjacent tracks (5A, 5B); characterised by: determining second and third predetermined areas proximate to the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) and differing from said first predetermined areas; determining first predetermined positions in said second and third predetermined areas being separated from the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in a longitudinal direction thereof; recording a tracking pilot signal (P) in said first positions in every other one of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B); determining second predetermined positions different from said first predetermined positions in said second and third predetermined areas; and recording said tracking pilot signal (P) at said second positions in each oblique track (5A, 5B) not having said tracking pilot signal (P) recorded in said first position; whereby said tracking pilot signal (P) is available for controlling a playback head (lA, 1B) during reproduction of said information signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of recording digital signals on a record medium (2) using a rotary head (lA, 1B) that periodically traces the record medium. (2), the method comprising the steps of: recording a digital information signal in first predetermined areas in a plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) formed on said record medium (2) by said rotary head (lA, 1B) and including forming said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) by said rotary head (lA, 1B) with no guard bands between adjacent tracks (5A, 5B); characterised by: determining second and third predetermined areas proximate to the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) and differing from said first predetermined areas; determining first predetermined positions in said second and third predetermined areas being separated from the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in a longitudinal direction thereof; recording a tracking pilot signal (P) in said first positions in every other one of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B); determining second predetermined positions different from said first predetermined positions in said second and third predetermined areas; and recording said tracking pilot signal (P) at said second positions in each oblique track (5A, 5B) not having said tracking pilot signal (P) recorded in said first position; whereby said tracking pilot signal (P) is available for controlling a playback head (lA, 1B) during reproduction of said information signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said steps of recording a tracking pilot signal (P) includes the step of providing said tracking pilot signal (P) having a single frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of determining a third position in said second and third predetermined areas corresponding substantially to a centre portion of said pilot signal (P) recorded in an adjacent said oblique track (5A,5B), and recording an erase signal (E) at said third position in said second and third predetermined areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of recording an erase signal (E) includes the step of providing a recording length of said erase signal (E) less than a recording length of said pilot signal (P).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of: tracing a track recorded by said rotary head (IA,lB) with a playback head (lA,IB); reproducing the tracking pilot signal (P) recorded at said second and third predetermined areas from both said oblique tracks (5A,5B) adjacent to said oblique track (5A,5B) being traced; reproducing the erase signal (E) recorded at said second and third predetermined areas on a said oblique track (5A,5B); generating sampling pulses in response to said reproduced erase signal (E); comparing levels of said reproduced tracking pilot signals (P) sampled by said sampling pulses from said adjacent oblique tracks (5A,5B); generating a tracking signal in response to said level comparison; and controlling a tracking alignment of said playback head (lA,lB) in response to said tracking signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of providing said tracking signal as a predetermined voltage when said erase signal (E) decreases below a selected level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method of recording digital signals according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: tracing a said oblique track (5A,5B) recorded by said rotary head (1A,1B) with a playback head (lA,lB); reproducing the tracking pilot signal (P) recorded at said second and third predetermined areas from both said oblique tracks (5A,5B) adjacent said oblique track (5A,5B) being traced; comparing levels of said tracking pilot signal (P) reproduced from said adjacent oblique tracks (5A,5B); generating a tracking signal in response to said level comparison; and controlling a tracking alignment of said playback head (lA,lB) in response to said tracking signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for recording digital signals on a record medium (2) using a rotary head (IA, 1B) that periodically traces the record medium (2), the apparatus comprising: means (lA, 1B) for recording digital information signals in first predetermined areas in a plurality of oblique tracks (5A, SB) formed on said record medium (2) by said rotary head (lA, 1B), said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) being formed by said rotary head (lA, 1B) with no guard bands between adjacent said oblique tracks (5A, 5B); characterised by: means for determining second and third predetermined areas proximate to the ends of said plurality of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in a different location from said first predetermined areas; and means for recording a tracking pilot signal (P) on every other one of said plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in said second and third predetermined areas at first predetermined positions separated from the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) and recording said tracking pilot signal (P) on every one of said plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in said second and third predetermined areas not having said tracking pilot signal (P) in said first predetermined position at second predetermined positions different from said first predetermined positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for recording digital signals on a record medium (2) using a rotary head (IA, 1B) that periodically traces the record medium (2), the apparatus comprising: means (lA, 1B) for recording digital information signals in first predetermined areas in a plurality of oblique tracks (5A, SB) formed on said record medium (2) by said rotary head (lA, 1B), said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) being formed by said rotary head (lA, 1B) with no guard bands between adjacent said oblique tracks (5A, 5B); characterised by: means for determining second and third predetermined areas proximate to the ends of said plurality of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in a different location from said first predetermined areas; and means for recording a tracking pilot signal (P) on every other one of said plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in said second and third predetermined areas at first predetermined positions separated from the ends of said oblique tracks (5A, 5B) and recording said tracking pilot signal (P) on every one of said plurality of oblique tracks (5A, 5B) in said second and third predetermined areas not having said tracking pilot signal (P) in said first predetermined position at second predetermined positions different from said first predetermined positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus acording to claim 8 further comprising means for providing said tracking pilot signal (P) having a single frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for determining a third position in said second and third areas corresponding to a centre portion of said pilot signal (P) on an adjacent said oblique track (5A,5B), and means for recording an erase signal (E) at said third predetermined areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for recording an erase signal (E) includes means for controlling the recording length thereof to be less than the recording length of said pilot signal (P).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for recording digital signals according to claim 8 further comprising: reproducing means (lA,lB) including a playback head (lA,lB) for reproducing the tracking pilot signal (P) at said second and third predetermined areas from both said oblique tracks (5A,5B) adjacent to said oblique track (5A,5B) being traced; means for comparing levels of said tracking pilot signal (P) reproduced from said oblique tracks (5A,5B) adjacent to said oblique track (5A,5B) being traced; . means for generating a tracking signal in response to said level comparison; and means for controlling tracking alignment of said playback head (lA,IB) in response to said tracking signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising: reproducing means (lA,lB) including a playback head (lA,lB) for reproducing the tracking pilot signal (P) at said second and third predetermined areas from said oblique tracks (5A,5B) adjacent to said oblique track (5A,5B) being traced and reproducing the erase signal (E) at said second and third predetermined areas; means for generating sampling pulses in response to said reproduced erase signal (E); means for comparing levels of said reproduced tracking pilot signal (P) sampled by said sampling pulses; means for generating a tracking signal in response to said level comparison; and means for controlling a tracking alignment of said playback head (lA,lB) in response to said tracking signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means (51) for switching said tracking signal to a predetermined voltage when the level of said erase signal (E) decreases below a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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