US5313440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Track crossing method using dual counters
Assignee: Deutsche Thomson Brandt GmbH
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Filing: 1992-04-21
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Granted: 1994-05-17
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Expires: 2012-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by the tracking head of a recording/playback device as the tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium includes a counter having n output terminals. The counter is initially set to a count representative of the desired number of data tracks to be crossed as the tracking head moves in the desired direction. An further counter, also having n output terminals individually corresponding to the output terminals of the counter, is set to a predetermined count. Counting pulses are provided to the counter when the tracking head moves in the desired direction and to the further counter when the tracking head moves in a direction opposite from the desired direction. The output terminals are compared and a stop signal is generated when all terminals of both counters show that both counters are in the same state.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedrich Fuldner
- 👤 Gunter Gleim
- 👤 Bernd Rekla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:07
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: establishing a first count value representative of said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; establishing a second count value which is different from said first count value by an amount equal to said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal to said tracking head when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: establishing a first count value representative of said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; establishing a second count value which is different from said first count value by an amount equal to said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal to said tracking head when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: factoring said selected number into components X2 k +R where X, k and R are integers and R is the remainder of the selected number minus X2 k , and establishing first and second count values having a difference R; incrementing/(decrementing) said first count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal; monitoring said control signal for determining the occurrence of R track crossings in the desired direction; successively establishing said first and second count values with a difference 2 k , each time the control signal indicates that 2 k track crossings have occurred in the desired direction; and counting the number of occurrences that the control signal indicates that 2 k track crossings in the desired direction have occurred and providing a stop signal to said tracking head after X indications of said 2 k track crossings.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: factoring said selected number into components X2 k +R where X, k and R are integers and R is the remainder of the selected number minus X2 k , and establishing first and second count values having a difference R; incrementing/(decrementing) said first count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal; monitoring said control signal for determining the occurrence of R track crossings in the desired direction; successively establishing said first and second count values with a difference 2 k , each time the control signal indicates that 2 k track crossings have occurred in the desired direction; and counting the number of occurrences that the control signal indicates that 2 k track crossings in the desired direction have occurred and providing a stop signal to said tracking head after X indications of said 2 k track crossings.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: establishing a first count value representative of said selected number to a value equal to the selected number of data tracks to be crossed minus M where M is an integer representative of the number of data tracks over which said tracking head will drift due to inertia; incrementing/(decrementing) said first count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; establishing a second count value which is different from said first count value by an amount equal to said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal to said tracking head when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of controlling the tracking head in a recording/playback device to cause said tracking head to cross a selected number of data tracks in a data medium when traveling in a desired direction comprising the steps of: establishing a first count value representative of said selected number to a value equal to the selected number of data tracks to be crossed minus M where M is an integer representative of the number of data tracks over which said tracking head will drift due to inertia; incrementing/(decrementing) said first count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in a direction opposite said desired direction; establishing a second count value which is different from said first count value by an amount equal to said selected number and incrementing/(decrementing) said second count value each time said tracking head crosses a data track when traveling in said desired direction; comparing the incremented/(decremented) first and second count values and providing a control signal to said tracking head when said incremented/(decremented) first and second count values are equal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by a tracking head of a recording/playback device as said tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium, comprising: a source of track crossing pulses indicating the occurrence of respective track crossings; a source of a control signal which indicates the direction of said respective track crossings; first and second counters having respective output ports for providing count values, and having respective input terminals for applying counting signals, said first and second counters incrementing/decrementing their respective count values responsive to pulses applied to their respective input terminals; means for presetting the first and second count values of said first and second counters such that they exhibit a difference corresponding to said number of data tracks; means responsive to said control signal for applying track crossing pulses to said first counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a first direction, and for applying track crossing pulses to said second counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a second direction, and comparator means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second counters, for providing a signal indicating equality of the count values provided by said first and second counters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by a tracking head of a recording/playback device as said tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium, comprising: a source of track crossing pulses indicating the occurrence of respective track crossings; a source of a control signal which indicates the direction of said respective track crossings; first and second counters having respective output ports for providing count values, and having respective input terminals for applying counting signals, said first and second counters incrementing/decrementing their respective count values responsive to pulses applied to their respective input terminals; means for presetting the first and second count values of said first and second counters such that they exhibit a difference corresponding to said number of data tracks; means responsive to said control signal for applying track crossing pulses to said first counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a first direction, and for applying track crossing pulses to said second counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a second direction, and comparator means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second counters, for providing a signal indicating equality of the count values provided by said first and second counters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by a tracking head of a recording/playback device as said tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium, comprising: a source of track crossing pulses indicating the occurrence of respective track crossings; a source of a control signal which indicates the direction of said respective track crossings; first and second counters having respective output ports for providing count values, and having respective input terminals for applying counting signals, said first and second counters incrementing/decrementing their respective count values responsive to pulses applied to their respective input terminals; means responsive to said number of tracks for factoring said number to generate the integers X and R corresponding to the values in the relation given by number=X2.sup.k +R where k is an integer and 2 k is a value less than the maximum count value that can be provided by said first and second counters; means for presetting the count values of said first and second counters to a difference equal to R. means responsive to said control signal for applying track crossing pulses to said first counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a first direction, and for applying track crossing pulses to said second counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a second direction; comparator means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second counters, for providing a signal indicating equality of the count values provided by said first and second counters; and means for resetting the count values of said first and second counters to a difference of 2 k on the occurrence of said comparator means indicating said equality.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by a tracking head of a recording/playback device as said tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium, comprising: a source of track crossing pulses indicating the occurrence of respective track crossings; a source of a control signal which indicates the direction of said respective track crossings; first and second counters having respective output ports for providing count values, and having respective input terminals for applying counting signals, said first and second counters incrementing/decrementing their respective count values responsive to pulses applied to their respective input terminals; means responsive to said number of tracks for factoring said number to generate the integers X and R corresponding to the values in the relation given by number=X2.sup.k +R where k is an integer and 2 k is a value less than the maximum count value that can be provided by said first and second counters; means for presetting the count values of said first and second counters to a difference equal to R. means responsive to said control signal for applying track crossing pulses to said first counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a first direction, and for applying track crossing pulses to said second counter when said control signal indicates track crossings correspond to a second direction; comparator means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second counters, for providing a signal indicating equality of the count values provided by said first and second counters; and means for resetting the count values of said first and second counters to a difference of 2 k on the occurrence of said comparator means indicating said equality.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for resetting further includes: means for resetting said count values to a difference of 2 k each time said comparator means indicates an equality representative of 2 k track crossings, and for generating a track crossing stop signal when said comparator means indicates X equalities representative of said 2 k track crossings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-11-15 | 1998-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-16 | 2001-11-15 | 2002-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-11-15 | 2006-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |