Abstract: An information storage medium in which information is stored as multiple machine readable data entries arranged in frames which are themselves arranged in plural, generally parallel channels. The medium further contains machine readable synchronization markers respectively positioned at the leading ends of the channels. These markers include one or more features of characteristic shape or dimension or are characteristically located on the medium with respect to the associated channels. Preferably the medium further contains a second set of similar markers arranged in respectively groups alongside the respective channels. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for synchronizing a read head utilizing the storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an electrical signal produced by one or more sensors in a device for reading binary storage media, whereby the signal represents a set of successive stored binary values. Digital values which represent a selection of two or more samples of the electrical signal are combined using digital circuits to produce an intermediate digital representation which is then processed to derive one of the binary values. The combining and processing steps are repeated for other selections of the samples to obtain the desired set of successive stored binary values.