Recording/reproducing system for a magnetic recording medium including synchronization detecting circuit

Claim 2

A recording/reproducing system comprising: a magnetic head of preceding-erase type, in contact with a flexible magnetic recording medium, for recording data on said magnetic recording medium and reading out data stored in said recording medium, said magnetic head having a read/write head for writing data on, and reading data from, said magnetic recording medium, and an erase head arranged in front of said read/write head for erasing data recorded on said magnetic recording medium; write means for turning said read/write head and said erase head on substantially simultaneously and for supplying a specified signal to said read/write head, thereby to erase data recorded on said magnetic recording medium, and to write data on said magnetic recording medium; digital signal-outputting means for outputting a digital signal corresponding to the data read out by said read/write head from said magnetic recording medium; PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit means for receiving the digital signal, and for oscillating in synchronism with the digital signal, thereby to output data pulses (DP) and clock pulses; readout means for receiving the data pulses and the clock pulses and reading out data from said magnetic recording medium in accordance with the data pulses and the clock pulses; external synchronization-detecting means for detecting synchronization data formed of predetermined pattern data, in accordance with the digital signal, and for enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with the digital signal after the synchronization data has been detected; internal synchronization detecting means for detecting the synchronization data in accordance with the data pulses and the clock pulses output from said PLL circuit means; and preventing means for determining whether or not said external synchronization-detecting means has detected synchronization data reproduced from synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium, and for preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said digital data when said external synchronization-detecting means has detected synchronization data reproduced from any areas other than synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium.

Claim 3

A system according to claim 1, wherein said preventing means detects said synchronization data and/or address mark data recorded in predetermined areas of said magnetic recording medium, on the basis of said data pulses and said clock pulses, and prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said digital signal when said synchronization data or address mark data is not detected within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data.

Claim 4

A system according to claim 1, wherein said preventing means receives an output signal of said internal synchronization-detecting means, and prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said digital-signal when said internal synchronization-detecting means does not detect said synchronization data within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data.

Claim 5

A system according to claim 1, wherein said preventing means includes address mark-detecting means connected to said PLL circuit means, for receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses, and to detect address mark data recorded in a predetermined area of said magnetic recording medium, and when said address mark-detecting means does not detect said address mark data within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data, said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data.

Claim 6

A system according to claim 1, wherein said PLL circuit means oscillates in synchronism with a predetermined reference clock when said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said digital-signal.

Claim 7

A data separator system for reading out data recorded in a magnetic recording medium, said system comprising: magnetic disk apparatus means having a preceding-erase type magnetic head which is in contact with a flexible magnetic recording medium, for reading out data from said recording medium, and for outputting read data which corresponds to data read out by said magnetic head; phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit means for receiving said read data, for oscillating in synchronism with said read data, and for outputting data pulses and clock pulses; external synchronization-detecting means for detecting synchronization data consisting of predetermined pattern data, on the basis of said read data, and for enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read data, after the synchronization data is detected; internal synchronization-detecting means for detecting said synchronization data on the basis of said data pulses and said clock pulses output from said PLL circuit means; and preventing means for detecting whether or not said external synchronization-detecting means has detected the synchronization data reproduced from synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium, and preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data when said external synchronization-detecting means detects data, which is reproduced from areas other than said synchronization areas, as said synchronization data.

Claim 8

A data separator system for reading out data recorded in a magnetic recording medium, said system comprising: magnetic disk apparatus means having a preceding-erase type magnetic head which is in contact with a flexible magnetic recording medium, for reading out data from said recording medium, and for outputting read data which corresponds to data read out by said magnetic head; phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit means for receiving said read data, for oscillating in synchronism with said read data, and for outputting data pulses and clock pulses; external synchronization-detecting means for detecting synchronization data consisting of predetermined pattern data, on the basis of said read data, and for enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read data, after the synchronization data is detected; internal synchronization-detecting means for detecting said synchronization data on the basis of said data pulses and said clock pulses output from said PLL circuit means; and preventing means for detecting whether or not said external synchronization-detecting means has detected the synchronization data reproduced from synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium, and preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data when said external synchronization-detecting means detects data, which is reproduced from areas other than said synchronization areas, as said synchronization data.

Claim 9

A data separator system according to claim 6, wherein said preventing means detects said synchronization data and/or address mark data recorded in predetermined areas of said magnetic recording medium, on the basis of said data pulses and said clock pulses, and prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data when said synchronization data or address mark data is not detected within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data.

Claim 10

A data separator system according to claim 6, wherein said preventing means receives an output signal of said internal synchronization-detecting means, and prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data when said internal synchronization-detecting means does not detect said synchronization data within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data.

Claim 11

A data separator system according to claim 6, wherein said preventing means includes address mark-detecting means connected to said PLL circuit means, for receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses, and to detect address mark data recorded in predetermined areas of said magnetic recording medium, and when said address mark-detecting means does not detect said address mark data within a fixed period of time after said external synchronization-detecting means detects said synchronization data, said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data.

Claim 12

A system according to claim 6, wherein said PLL circuit means oscillates in synchronism with a predetermined reference clock when said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read data.

Claim 13

A recording/reproducing system for a rotating flexible magnetic recording medium having synchronization areas for recording synchronization data formed of first predetermined pattern data, comprising: signal read/write means for generating a read signal from said magnetic recording medium and recording a write signal on said magnetic medium; said signal read/write means including a magnetic head of preceding-erase type having a read/write head for recording said write signal on said magnetic recording medium and reproducing a signal corresponding to said read signal from said magnetic recording medium, and an erase head arranged on an upstream side of said read/write head, along the direction of rotation of said recording medium, for erasing a signal previously recorded on said magnetic recording medium prior to recording said write signal by said read/write head; PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit means receiving said read signal, for oscillating in synchronism with said read signal and generating data pulses and clock pulses from said read signal; PLL circuit enabling means for detecting said first predetermined pattern data in said read signal, and enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read signal, in response to said detection of said first predetermined pattern data; preventing means for determining whether or not first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is real synchronization data reproduced from said synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium; and said preventing means preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read signal when first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is reproduced from any areas other than said synchronization areas.

Claim 14

A recording/reproducing system for a rotating flexible magnetic recording medium having synchronization areas for recording synchronization data formed of first predetermined pattern data, comprising: signal read/write means for generating a read signal from said magnetic recording medium and recording a write signal on said magnetic medium; said signal read/write means including a magnetic head of preceding-erase type having a read/write head for recording said write signal on said magnetic recording medium and reproducing a signal corresponding to said read signal from said magnetic recording medium, and an erase head arranged on an upstream side of said read/write head, along the direction of rotation of said recording medium, for erasing a signal previously recorded on said magnetic recording medium prior to recording said write signal by said read/write head; PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit means receiving said read signal, for oscillating in synchronism with said read signal and generating data pulses and clock pulses from said read signal; PLL circuit enabling means for detecting said first predetermined pattern data in said read signal, and enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read signal, in response to said detection of said first predetermined pattern data; preventing means for determining whether or not first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is real synchronization data reproduced from said synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium; and said preventing means preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read signal when first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is reproduced from any areas other than said synchronization areas.

Claim 15

A system according to claim 11, wherein said magnetic medium includes a mark area following each synchronization area, for recording second predetermined pattern data, and said preventing means detects said second predetermined pattern data reproduced from said mark area in a fixed period of time after said PLL circuit enabling means detects said first predetermined pattern data, to determine whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is said synchronization data.

Claim 16

A system according to claim 12, wherein said preventing means includes mark pattern detecting means connected to said PLL circuit means and said PLL circuit enabling means, for receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses from said PLL circuit means to detect said second predetermined pattern data and inhibiting said PLL circuit enabling means from enabling said oscillating operation of PLL circuit means when said mark pattern detecting means does not receive said second predetermined pattern data in said fixed period of time.

Claim 17

A system according to claim 11, wherein said preventing means includes internal synchronization data detecting means for detecting synchronization data pulses representing said synchronization data, according to said data pulses and said clock pulses, in a fixed period of time after said PLL circuit enabling means detects said first predetermined pattern data, and said preventing means determines whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is said synchronization data when said internal synchronization data detecting means does not detect said synchronization data pulses in a fixed period of time.

Claim 18

A system according to claim 11, wherein said PLL circuit means oscillates in synchronism with a predetermined reference clock when said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillation in synchronism with said read signal.

Claim 19

A system according to claim 11, wherein said signal read/write means includes means for supplying said read/write head with said write signal and supplying said erase head with an erase signal, to write said write signal on said magnetic recording medium while the previously recorded signals are erased by said erase head, so that erased areas, wherein the previously recorded signals are erased and no signals are recorded, remain on said magnetic recording medium.

Claim 20

A recording/reproducing system for a rotating flexible magnetic recording medium having synchronization areas for recording synchronization data formed of first predetermined pattern data, comprising: signal read/write means for generating a read signal from said magnetic recording medium and recording a write signal on said magnetic recording medium; said signal read/write means including a magnetic head of preceding-erase type having a read/write head for recording the write signal on and reproducing a signal corresponding to said read signal from said magnetic recording medium, and an erase head arranged on an upstream side of said read/write head, along the direction of rotation of said recording medium, for erasing a signal previously recorded on said magnetic recording medium prior to recording a write signal by said read/write head; read/write control means for supplying said signal read/write means with write data representing said write signal; said signal read/write means, according to said write data, supplying said read/write head with said write signal and supplying said erase head with an erase signal, to write said write signal on said magnetic recording medium while the previously recorded signals are erased by said erase head, so that erased areas, wherein the previously recorded signals are erased and no signals are recorded, remain on said magnetic recording medium; PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit means receiving said read signal, for oscillating in synchronism with said read signal and generating data pulses and clock pulses from said read signal; said read/write control means receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses from said PLL circuit means and generating read data in accordance with said data pulses and said clock pulses; PLL circuit enabling means for detecting said first predetermined pattern data in said read signal, and enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read signal, in response to said detection of said first predetermined pattern data; preventing means for determining whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is real synchronization data reproduced from said synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium; and said preventing means preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read signal when said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is reproduced from any areas other than said synchronization areas.

Claim 21

A recording/reproducing system for a rotating flexible magnetic recording medium having synchronization areas for recording synchronization data formed of first predetermined pattern data, comprising: signal read/write means for generating a read signal from said magnetic recording medium and recording a write signal on said magnetic recording medium; said signal read/write means including a magnetic head of preceding-erase type having a read/write head for recording the write signal on and reproducing a signal corresponding to said read signal from said magnetic recording medium, and an erase head arranged on an upstream side of said read/write head, along the direction of rotation of said recording medium, for erasing a signal previously recorded on said magnetic recording medium prior to recording a write signal by said read/write head; read/write control means for supplying said signal read/write means with write data representing said write signal; said signal read/write means, according to said write data, supplying said read/write head with said write signal and supplying said erase head with an erase signal, to write said write signal on said magnetic recording medium while the previously recorded signals are erased by said erase head, so that erased areas, wherein the previously recorded signals are erased and no signals are recorded, remain on said magnetic recording medium; PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit means receiving said read signal, for oscillating in synchronism with said read signal and generating data pulses and clock pulses from said read signal; said read/write control means receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses from said PLL circuit means and generating read data in accordance with said data pulses and said clock pulses; PLL circuit enabling means for detecting said first predetermined pattern data in said read signal, and enabling said PLL circuit means to oscillate in synchronism with said read signal, in response to said detection of said first predetermined pattern data; preventing means for determining whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is real synchronization data reproduced from said synchronization areas of said magnetic recording medium; and said preventing means preventing said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read signal when said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is reproduced from any areas other than said synchronization areas.

Claim 22

A system according to claim 17, wherein said magnetic medium includes a mark area following each synchronization area, for recording second predetermined pattern data, and said preventing means detects said second predetermined pattern data reproduced from said mark area in a fixed period of time after said PLL circuit enabling means detects said first predetermined pattern data, to determine whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is said synchronization data.

Claim 23

A system according to claim 18, wherein preventing means includes mark pattern detecting means connected to said PLL circuit means and said PLL circuit enabling means, for receiving said data pulses and said clock pulses from said PLL circuit means to detect said second predetermined pattern data and inhibiting said PLL circuit enabling means from enabling said oscillating operation of PLL circuit means when said mark pattern detecting means does not receive said second predetermined pattern data in said fixed period of time.

Claim 24

A system according to claim 17, wherein said preventing means includes internal synchronization data detecting means for detecting synchronization data pulses representing said synchronization data, according to said data pulses and said clock pulses, and said preventing means determines whether or not said first predetermined pattern data detected by said PLL circuit enabling means is said synchronization data when said internal synchronization data detecting means does not detect said synchronization data in a fixed period of time after said PLL circuit enabling means detects said first predetermined pattern data.

Claim 25

A system according to claim 17, wherein said PLL circuit means oscillates in synchronism with a predetermined reference clock when said preventing means prevents said PLL circuit means from oscillating in synchronism with said read signal.