With Servo Positioning Of Transducer Assembly Over Track Combined With Information Signal Processing Patents (Class 369/43)
  • Patent number: 4480280
    Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a rotary recording medium recorded with a program information signal and different kinds of address signals having mutually different predetermined codes in correspondence with the program information signal within a program information signal recorded section. The reproducing apparatus comprises a reproducing element for reproducing recorded signals from the rotary recording medium, a moving device for moving the reproducing element along a radial direction of the rotary recording medium, an address signal detecting circuit for detecting address signals from signals reproduced by the reproducing element, and a driving voltage generating circuit set with an address signal to be searched, for generating a driving voltage in accordance with the kind of set address signal, and supplying the driving voltage thus generated to the moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Masaki Sakurai, Ryozo Abe, Kenji Yoshihara, Susumu Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 4479208
    Abstract: A signal pickup device for capacitance disk records comprises within a housing a stylus control unit responsive to a control signal to counteract the jitter movement of a capacitance detection stylus and to keep it on the right track while the record is spinning at high speeds. The stylus control unit is positioned so that its stylus moving element is movable in longitudinal and transverse directions parallel to the surface of the record. The stylus control unit includes a pivot member to which the stylus cantilever is magnetically secured by a permanent magnet to provide a pivotal movement in response to the control signal, whereby the stylus is rendered movable exclusively in horizontal directions. The device housing is formed with an opening at the bottom thereof to permit the stylus control unit to be secured therein in order to locate it in a lower position with respect to the record surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventor: Hideaki Miyatake
  • Patent number: 4472795
    Abstract: A periodical signal detection circuit in a reproducing apparatus which reproduces an information signal and a periodical signal from a recording medium recorded with the information and periodical signals comprises a separation circuit for separating the periodical signal from the reproduced signal, a reference pulse generating circuit for generating a reference pulse having a same repetition frequency as the periodical signal, a window signal forming circuit for forming window signals respectively having differing widths, with a repetition period identical to that of the reference pulse, a first gate circuit for producing the periodical signal from the periodical signal obtained from the separation circuit and the window signal obtained from the window signal forming circuit, a first counter for generating a switching control signal every time the reference pulse is counted N (N is an integer including zero) times, to produce an output when counting is performed for a predetermined number of times, a window
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Ryozo Abe, Susumu Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 4470078
    Abstract: A control circuit causes a reproducing transducer feeding motor to move the transducer radially across a disc having a video signal recorded thereon. The video signal is recorded along a spiral track, together with first, second, and third reference signals which control the transducer tracking. A feed pulse forming circuit forms a number of feed pulses according to the number of switching pulses which are generated due to the reproduction of the third reference signal. A number of kick pulses are required for shifting the reproducing transducer element from one track turn to another track turn as it moves toward a center of the rotary recording medium, with the movement occurring at a position where the third reference signal is recorded. The control circuit causes a rotation of the motor for moving the reproducing transducer along the radial direction of the disc, according to the number of feed pulses that are obtained from the feed pulse forming circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsumi Hirata, Katsuyuki Mitsui, Yasutaka Koumatsu
  • Patent number: 4463388
    Abstract: An apparatus reproduces signals which are recorded on a rotary medium having a main information signal recorded on a spiral main track, with first and second tracking control reference signals which are recorded on sub-tracks positioned between adjacent main tracks. A third tracking control reference signal is recorded on the main or sub-track, on each track turn, during an interval corresponding to the vertical synchronizing signal, within a vertical blanking period of the main information signal. The first and second reference signals are recorded within an interval excluding the interval corresponding to that of the vertical synchronizing signal. A kick pulse is generated for shifting the reproducing element to an adjacent track during a special reproduction mode so that the reproducing element is shifted at an interval other than the interval in which the reproducing element reproduces the vertical synchronizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Ryozo Abe, Masaki Sakurai, Yahuhiro Yusa, Kenji Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 4442516
    Abstract: A reading device drive mechanism for a video disk player including a chassis, a pair of guide rails mounted parallel to one another on the chassis, a slider contacting corresponding sides of the guide rails through bearings, and a retainer for restricting deviation of the bearings supported and engaged with the guide rails with a retainer being slidable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails. The retainer has windows formed therein through which the bearings are insertable with a lower edge portions of the windows being formed with a resiliency so that the bearings can be detachably mounted in corresponding ones of the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Universal Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Funabashi
  • Patent number: 4439791
    Abstract: Slow-motion reproducing system is applied to an apparatus for reproducing video signals from a rotary recording medium on which the video signals of a plurality of fields each are recorded along a spiral track for every interval corresponding to one revolution of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 4434482
    Abstract: A tone arm system for a high fidelity record player is provided having servo-controlled record warp compensation means. One or more feedback loops are employed to apply a variable force vertically and optionally, laterally, to the tone arm in response to the frequency of stylus vibration. The action of the feedback loop or loops is used to modify the parameters of the tone arm system to provide a predetermined resonance quality factory and a predetermined resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Kates
  • Patent number: 4433402
    Abstract: A reference signal detection circuit in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus has a reproducing transducer for reproducing an information signal recorded in a rotary recording medium and reference signals for tracking servo recorded for every predetermined period, from the rotary recording medium rotating at a predetermined rotational speed, and a tracking servo circuit for obtaining a tracking servo signal from the reference signals and performing a tracking servo operation according to the tracking servo signal thus obtained. The detection circuit further comprises a single rectifying and smoothing circuit for rectifying and smoothing the reproduced reference signals obtained for every predetermined period. The detection circuit has a lowpass filter characteristic wherein the cutoff frequency is within a frequency range between one third and twice the gain crossover frequency of the tracking servo loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isami Kaneda, Susumu Sakakibara, Yasushi Sano
  • Patent number: 4432021
    Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces a rotary recording medium having a spiral video signal track recorded with a video signal by use of a reproducing element, where the recording medium further has a reference signal track between each information signal track turn alternately switched over and recorded with first and second reference signals for an interval corresponding to each track turn, and recorded with a third reference signal at a position corresponding to the position where the first and second reference signals are switched over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4429379
    Abstract: Moving coils of a phonograph pickup are made of a substance having magnetoresistance so that the electrical resistance of the coils are detected by means of bridge circuits. The amounts of resistance variation of the coils are used to produce a vertical component output signal and a horizontal component output signal which respectively indicate the vertical and horizontal displacements of the coils from its optimum operating point with respect to the magnetic field of the pickup. The vertical and horizontal component output signals are used to control vertical and horizontal control motors which correct the attitude of the tone arm so that the moving coils are accurately positioned at the optimum operating point irrespective of the warp and/or eccentricity of the phonograph disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Oguri, Kazuhiro Sato
  • Patent number: 4429376
    Abstract: A video disc player apparatus having a signal pickup stylus secured to a stylus arm for recovering recorded signal from a disc record, wherein the stylus arm is mechanically biased by a spring force to produce a positive stylus-disc pressure, includes apparatus cooperating with the stylus arm to maintain the stylus-disc pressure generally constant in the presence of stylus-disc displacements normal to the disc surface. A permanent magnet is secured to the stylus arm with its interpolar axis transverse to the stylus arm and substantially parallel to the disc record. First and second coils, coaxially aligned are disposed on either side of the magnet and arranged with their axes parallel to the interpolar axis of the magnet. Energizing currents are applied to the first and second coils creating respective magnetic fields which produce forces repulsive to the pole of the permanent magnet proximate thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoki Saeki
  • Patent number: 4428003
    Abstract: A periodical signal detection circuit is designed for use in an apparatus which reproduces an information signal and a periodical signal from a recording medium. A separation circuit separates the periodical signal from the reproduced signal. A reference pulse is generated at a repetition frequency which is the same as the frequency of the periodical signal. A first gate circuit responds to the periodical signal obtained from the separation circuit and to the reference pulse signal. A first counter produces an output by counting N of the reference pulses (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2). A second gate circuit passes the signal from the separation circuit according to the output of the first counter. An output circuit detects the signals in responsive to the reference pulse, and the output of either the first or the second gate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Ryozo Abe, Masaki Sakurai, Kenji Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 4426692
    Abstract: A rotary recording medium has at least one surface on which a spiral main track is formed with a reference signal track disposed centrally between mutually adjacent track turns. The track turns of the main track have an information signal recorded thereon. First and second reference signals are recorded alternately on the reference signal track, and a third reference signal is recorded at changeover positions on the recording medium. The three reference signals control a pickup guiding servo system. To identify specific places on the recorded disc, the third reference signal is recorded during extra long periods, with identification being made on a basis of the lengths of those long periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 4423495
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus of recording optically an information signal on a disc along tracks by projecting a main beam modulated with the information signal onto the rotating disc by means of an objective lens, in order to obtain focussing and tracking error signals, a sub beam inclined with respect to the main beam is also projected onto the disc by means of the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Musha, Kiichi Kato, Kenichi Ito
  • Patent number: 4420827
    Abstract: An information signal recording medium of rotary type has a flat surface with first succession of pits formed therein as respective concavities in response to a first signal and with second succession of pits formed therein as respective concavities in response to a second signal. The second succession of pits are formed at positions substantially intermediate between the centerlines of adjacent tracks formed by the first succession of pits. Each pit of the first succession of pits and each pit of the second succession of pits respectively have widths W1 and W2 and depths D1 and D2, wherein the relationships between the widths and said depths are so selected that the levels L1 and L2 of the first and second signals which are reproduced when the first and second succession of pits are traced and thereby reproduced by reproducing means will be such that the level L1 is greater than the level L2, and the difference between the levels L1 and L2 will be greater than a specific level difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyo Wada, Hisao Kinjo, Ichiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 4413334
    Abstract: A capacitance detection type stylus is attached to the free end of a cantilever which is supported on a vertically movable resilient pivot. A permanent magnet is fixed to the movable pivot. A servo-control coil is provided adjacent the permanent magnet to move it in response to angular displacement of the cantilever from a predetermined position. The pivot is moved in the direction of fluctuation of a disc record to maintain the stylus in a proper orientation with respect to the record surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventor: Kunio Goto
  • Patent number: 4412319
    Abstract: An adaptive video disc record stylus kicker system for inducing limited stylus translation radially across the disc record. Control circuitry responsive to track identification signals recorded on the disc and to player commands evaluates the error between actual kicker induced stylus translations and the programmed kicker induced stylus translations to calibrate the stylus kicker drive signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Bryon K. Taylor, George H. N. Riddle
  • Patent number: 4408311
    Abstract: An optical tracking apparatus for tracing a spiral track on a recording disk includes an optical pickup device having a semiconductor laser and a photoelectric conversion element; an arm device pivotally mounted to an arm shaft with the pickup device being mounted to the free end thereof to thereby move substantially along the radial direction of the recording disk; sectorial arm drive coil attached to a rear end portion of the arm device and having a current path loop in parallel with the rotational plane of the arm device; and a pair of stationary magnetic field forming devices, each formed of a respective yoke and permanent magnet assembly, the yokes having respective air gaps in which magnetic fields in opposite directions to each other are formed, the arm drive coil being arranged to move in the air gaps and being supplied with an arm drive signal and a tracking error correction signal for causing the pickup device to trace the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Suzuki, Kenji Shintani
  • Patent number: 4408312
    Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces a rotary recording medium in which one and the other of first and second reference signals are alternately recorded every track turn between each track turn of a main information signal track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Isami Kaneda, Ryozo Abe, Susumu Sakakibara, Yasushi Sano
  • Patent number: 4404599
    Abstract: An information signal recording system records an information signal, a first and a second reference signals for tracking control, and a third reference signal for switching the first and second reference signals at the time of reproduction on a recording disc. The first and second reference signals of different frequencies are alternately recorded on intermediate parts of the recording disc, at positions between centerlines of adjacent information signal tracks. The third reference signal of a still different frequency is recorded at a predetermined position on every information signal track. A reproducing system reproduces the information signal together with the third reference, and the first and second reference signals by a single reproducing element. A tracking control signal is produced from the first and second reference signals switched by the third reference signal separated from the reproduced information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Kinjo, Keiji Ozawa
  • Patent number: 4403259
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading information from an information recording disc in which the information is recorded successively in the circumferential direction, which includes a timing signal generator for consecutively generating timing pulse signals at a rate proportional to the rotational speed of the recording disc. The apparatus repeats the jump-back operation during pause mode of operation in synchronism with the timing pulse signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Universal Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Masaki
  • Patent number: 4402070
    Abstract: A transfer control device for a reproducing transducer in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus having a reproducing transducer for reproducing recorded signals from a rotary recording medium and a driving motor for transferring said reproducing transducer on said rotary recording medium comprises a micro-computer having first and second output ports, where the first output port produces a signal of a pulse form which repeats high-level and low-level periods during a normal-speed transferring mode, and the second output port produces a continuous high-level or low-level signal according to the transferring mode so that a combination of a predetermined level is obtained between the output signal from the first output port, a square wave signal generating circuit applied with the output signal from the first output port of the micro-computer, where the square wave signal generating circuit is triggered to produce a predetermined square wave signal when applied with the signal of a pulse form and not t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Isami Kaneda, Susumu Sakakibara, Ryozo Abe, Yasushi Sano
  • Patent number: 4400807
    Abstract: A stylus position detecting apparatus in use for a video disc player using a disc of the groove type, detecting plates for detecting leakage components of a high frequency signal supplied from a high frequency signal source and flowing through a flylead, and for reading out a recorded signal in a disc are provided on both sides of the flylead. The leakage signal components detected by the detecting plates are detected to positive and negative directions with respect to a reference voltage. These voltages obtained by the detections are added by an adder, to find a stylus position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokinori Furuichi, Junichi Ikoma, Masao Oguri, Yoshio Miura, Keizo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4392160
    Abstract: A video disc has first and second information tracks adjacently formed thereon, and first and second FM signals with different frequency bands are recorded on the first and second information tracks, respectively. A common stylus simultaneously traces the first and second information tracks, and a signal detector circuit coupled with the stylus detects the first and second FM signals. The first and second FM signals are separated by first and second filter circuits, and applied respectively to first and second rectifying circuits, where DC voltage signals corresponding to the carrier levels of the detected first and second FM signals are produced. These DC voltage signals are compared by a voltage comparator circuit to control a tracking compensating device. Demodulator circuits to demodulate the information signals recorded on the first and second information tracks are connected to the first and second filter circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Minemura
  • Patent number: 4382293
    Abstract: A signal pickup device in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus comprises a cantilever having at a free distal end thereof a reproducing element for reproducing recorded signals from tracks of a rotary recording medium, a permanent magnet magnetized in an axial direction of the cantilever and fixed to the cantilever at proximal end thereof, an elastic support member extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said tracks and supporting the proximal end of the cantilever so that the cantilever is rotatable, accompanied by elastic deformation of the elastic support member, and tracking control coil device supplied with a tracking control current to attract and repulse the permanent magnet to cause the cantilever to rotate. The reproducing element is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording tracks of the rotary recording medium to tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tajima, Takefumi Shioiri
  • Patent number: 4382292
    Abstract: In a video disc player, a stylus arm, having a track-following stylus at one end thereof, has its other end secured to a pickup cartridge by means of a compliant member. A conductive flylead disposed in the cartridge provides an electrical connection between an electrode incorporated in the stylus and a terminal disposed in the cartridge. The pickup cartridge is removably received in an arm carriage which is translated along a path disposed radially of the disc record during playback. Reception of the cartridge on the carriage establishes an electrical contact between the cartridge terminal and signal pickup circuits in the player. The pickup circuits additionally serve to sense a stylus position representative capacitance formed between the flylead and a second electrode mounted on the cartridge adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Byron K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4376956
    Abstract: The burst component of a video signal recovered from a video disc record is applied to a timebase correction servo for controlling the tangential position of the player pick-up transducer in a sense to minimize timebase errors. The record is rotated at a constant angular velocity whereby, for a given displacement of the pick-up transducer, the servo loop gain tends to vary with the radial position of the transducer which, in turn, undesirably influences the servo sensitivity and dynamic stability. A loop gain compensator, responsive to a second component of the recovered video signal proportional to the playing time of the disc, regulates the servo gain at a substantially constant value thereby improving the loop stability and sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin C. Kelleher
  • Patent number: 4375094
    Abstract: Video disc player apparatus for aiding the signal recovery stylus to overcome locked grooves insurmountable by normal stylus deflection transducers. The player comprises a signal pickup stylus secured to a first end of a stylus arm, the second end thereof being secured to a carriage mechanism. The carriage mechanism is driven by a servomechanism responsive to the relative stylus-carriage position so as to translate the second end of the stylus arm in consonance with the radial travel of the pickup stylus engaging the disc. Secured within the carriage is a stylus deflection transducer which cooperates with the stylus arm to selectively translate the pickup stylus past a preselected number of grooves when the stylus is prevented from normal progression by a defect occurring on the disc surface. Occasionally defects occur which cannot be bypassed by deflector induced stylus translations due to limitations in the deflector transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Kelleher, Todd J. Christopher
  • Patent number: 4371960
    Abstract: Compensation for radial misalignment between a data head and a servo head is provided. At least one pair of servo data tracks having a servo null there between are written on each data surface. The servo head is moved to a corresponding servo track null and the offset of the data head from its servo track null is measured iteratively by injecting voltages generated by a digital-to-analog converter into the servo head servo loop to progressively decrease the offset of the data head from its servo null until the data head is positioned over the servo null. The digital value of the digital-to-analog converter input is then stored in a digital memory for later use in fine positioning of the data head over a data track by means of retrieving the digital value from memory, converting it to a voltage through the digital-to-analog converter and injecting it into the servo head servo loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Kroiss
  • Patent number: 4371959
    Abstract: A stylus position sensor for a video disc player is described. An electrode secured in fixed relation to a movable stylus with respect to the stylus supporting carriage is disposed between first and second electrodes to form first and second variable capacitors therewith. The capacitance of the variable capacitors change in accordance with the motion of the stylus related electrode between the first and second electrodes. First and second varactor diodes are respectively serially connected with the first and second variable capacitors and poled in a complementary manner with respect to each other. The net capacitance at said third electrode comprises the parallel combination of the two respective series combinations of variable capacitor and varactor diode. The capacitance of the variable diodes is modulated by an AC signal potential coupled from a low impedance source through respective coupling capacitances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: William G. McGuffin
  • Patent number: 4370740
    Abstract: A rotary recording medium has an information signal along a spiral main track comprising a multiplicity of successively adjacent track turns of respective track turn numbers, first and second reference signals of different frequencies are recorded alternately in the radial direction of the recording medium and along reference signal tracks disposed centrally between the centerlines of mutually adjacent track turns, and a third reference signal is recorded at points where the track turn numbers change at every revolution of the recording medium. The rotary recording medium comprises, over a plurality of track turns in a specific part of the main track, displacement part for displacement of a reproducing tracing element in which displacement parts only either one of the first and second reference signals has been recorded along reference signal tracks on both sides of each of said plurality of track turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Hirata
  • Patent number: 4366563
    Abstract: A system for suspending a video disc signal pickup stylus arm incorporated with a permanent magnet which is part of a motive means for providing stylus-disc velocity corrections. The permanent magnet is constraind in a flexible "H" shaped suspension to maintain the magnet in a fixed orientation while undergoing translation. The stylus arm is compliantly coupled to the "H" shaped suspension colinear with the magnet. Off axis forces on the magnet are precluded from imparting off axis forces to the stylus arm, thereby eliminating the stimuli which create mechanical resonances in the stylus arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: George H. N. Riddle
  • Patent number: 4363117
    Abstract: A video disc playback system having digital circuitry for detecting degradation in recovered signal. Circuitry is included to determine probable errors in the digital components of signal recovered from the disc record. A digital reference number is generated by storing a valid digital number recovered from the disc and incrementing that number by a constant in accordance with the normal progression of numbers prerecorded on the disc. The recovered numbers are compared with the generated reference numbers to generate an error signal on mismatch. The error signal is used to weight a constant binary number by one or zero, the result being added to an accumulated error function. The sum is weighted, the result becoming the updated accumulated error function for the next iteration on the occurrence of the subsequently recovered digital number. The weighted sum is also compared against a predetermined value and a control signal is generated on the weighted sum exceeding the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Wine
  • Patent number: 4351044
    Abstract: A recording system of the type wherein the information is recorded on a spiral track on a disk-shaped recording medium, which is rotated by a signal transducer which is moved radially with respect to the recording medium. Both the rotational speed or angular velocity of the recording medium and the velocity of the radial movement of the signal transducer are so controlled, in response to the radial position of the signal transducer or the time elapsed after the recording was started, that the relative velocity of the signal transducer with respect to the recording medium may be always maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Imanaka, Seizou Tsuji
  • Patent number: 4331976
    Abstract: An information signal recording system records both an information one and at least one single kind of reference signal for providing a tracking control on a recording medium. The reference signal is recorded on an intermediate part of the recording medium. That part is located between the center lines of adjacent the tracks on which the information signal is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Kinjo, Keiji Ozawa
  • Patent number: 4327430
    Abstract: An information signal recording medium of rotary type has a flat surface with successions of pits formed therein as respective concavities in response to an information signal. The successions of pits constitute respective circular tracks of a specific pitch. Each it is formed with a width, equal to the width of a track, which is substantially equal to or greater than said pitch of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyo Wada, Hisao Kinjo, Ichiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 4327434
    Abstract: A stylus position sensor for a video disc player apparatus. An electrode secured in fixed relation to a movable stylus is disposed between first and second electrodes to form first and second variable capacitors therewith. The capacitance of the variable capacitors change in accordance with the motion of the stylus related electrode between the first and second electrodes. A time varying signal is applied through fixed impedances to the first and second electrodes, the amplitude of the signal being modulated by voltage variable impedances connected between the first and second electrodes and a point of fixed potential. The modulated signals at said first and second electrodes are coupled to the stylus related electrode and the time average of the summed signal is indicative of the position of the stylus related electrode and thereby the stylus with respect to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Todd J. Christopher
  • Patent number: 4323998
    Abstract: A video disc player having an adaptive bumper apparatus which tracks the signal pickup stylus to maintain a fixed spatial relation therebetween. The bumper is fixed to an electromechanical transducer secured to the stylus arm support carriage. Signals correlated to the relative disc-stylus velocity having frequency components of the once around rate of the disc are adapted to energize the transducer to cause the bumper to follow the motion of the stylus in the radial dimension. Disturbing visual effects resulting from disc defects, etc. which tend to kick the signal pickup stylus fore or aft of the current track position are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Fukazawa, Akira Yamada
  • Patent number: 4322748
    Abstract: A high-speed reproducing system is employed in an apparatus for reproducing signals from a rotary recording medium having an information signal recorded in the track formed thereon in a spiral path or a concentric circular form and having reference signals recorded thereon interrelatedly with the information signal track, the high-speed reproducing system comprises a reproducing transducer having a reproducing element for reproducing the information signal and the reference signals recorded on the rotary recording medium, and tracking control mechanism for accomplishing tracking control so that the reproducing element traces the information signal track, a feeding mechanism for feeding the reproducing transducer in a feeding travel over the rotary recording medium, with transducer movement in the radial direction thereof, a circuit for producing a tracking control signal in response to the reference signals reproduced by the reproducing transducer and for supplying the tracking control signal to the tracking
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Tatsuguchi
  • Patent number: 4322836
    Abstract: An information signal recording system records both an information one and at least single kind of reference signal for providing a tracking control on a recording medium. The reference signal is recorded on an intermediate part of the recording medium. That part is located between the center lines of adjacent the tracks on which the information signal is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Kinjo, Keiji Ozawa
  • Patent number: 4321621
    Abstract: An information signal recording system records both an information signal and at least one kind of reference signal for providing a tracking control on a recording medium. The reference signal is recorded on an intermediate part of the recording medium. That part is located between the center lines of adjacent tracks on which the information signal is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Kinjo, Keiji Ozawa
  • Patent number: 4320487
    Abstract: A video disc player having a signal pickup stylus for engaging a disc record is equipped with a steering device to provide three degrees of motion to the stylus. The stylus is secured to a stylus arm, the second end of which is compliantly mounted to a support structure. A permanent magnet in the shape of a cruciform with a like magnetic pole at each extremity is secured to the second end of the stylus. Magnetic field producing electric coils are arranged proximate each of the extremities of the cruciform and secured to the support structure so that energization of the coils will apply force to the cruciform causing the stylus arm to pivot about its compliant mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Guarracini, Vincent J. Ruggeri
  • Patent number: 4320490
    Abstract: A cartridge for a video disc stylus having a stylus-position sensor, including an electrode mounted to the cartridge walls. An appendage is provided on the cartridge wall to position the sensor electrode proximate the stylus, the appendage being contoured to accept a preformed sensor electrode. The sensor electrode is formed from sufficiently resilient material to recover from deformation during electrode-appendage engagement and constrain itself to a particular position in the cartridge by compressive forces developed between the electrode and the appendage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: George H. N. Riddle, Byron K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4313189
    Abstract: In certain video disc systems it is desirable to have a stylus position sensing apparatus. An electrode secured in fixed relation to a movable stylus is disposed between first and second electrodes to form first and second variable capacitors therewith. The capacitance of the variable capacitors change relative to the motion of the stylus related electrode between the first and second electrodes. Complementary signals are applied to the first and second electrodes, which signals are coupled proportional to the respective variable capacitances to the stylus related electrode. The algebraic sum of the signals coupled to the stylus related electrode is indicative of the position of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: William G. McGuffin
  • Patent number: 4310912
    Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a rotated record carrier, for example, in the form of a disc, adapted to have video or other signals optically recorded in successive turns of a spiral track on a surface of the record disc, a recording and/or reproducing transducer or head assembly with an optical system including a movable lens for focusing a light beam at the disc surface and/or a movable mirror for deflecting the light beam so as to cause the latter to scan the track, and a servo system for detecting deviations from the proper focused and/or scanned conditions, for example, due to fluctuations of the rotated record disc in directions normal to, or in the plane of rotation thereof, and for correspondingly displacing the lens and/or mirror, respectively, so as to maintain the proper focused and scanned conditions; such servo system is provided with a gain-frequency characteristic having peaks at a fundamental frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the record disc and at least at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kikuchi, Hitoshi Okada, Takao Ihashi, Takeo Kaji
  • Patent number: 4310914
    Abstract: Apparatus in a video disc player for previewing or scanning information on a record disc. A position sensor detects the position of a playback stylus relative to the carriage assembly for translating the stylus radially across the disc. The position sensor output signals energize a stylus skipper mechanism to translate the stylus a prescribed number of information tracks in accordance with the stylus carriage bias exceeding a threshold value. The carriage is manually moved across the record with the sensor and skipper mechanism cooperating to translate the stylus in consonance with the carriage movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: George H. N. Riddle
  • Patent number: 4310913
    Abstract: A stylus assembly for use with a high density information record such as a grooved video disc. The stylus arm includes a first transducer for detecting lateral forces applied by the record groove to the pickup stylus, and a second transducer responsive to signal generated by the first transducer to translocate the stylus and thereby reduce said forces. The adaptive elimination of lateral forces to the stylus reduces stylus and disc wear and reduces the probability of record imperfections causing the stylus to radially skip over grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Miller
  • Patent number: 4286290
    Abstract: A squelch circuit responsive to a squelch signal mutes audio and video circuits in a video disc player, preconditions a video signal correction servo system to the center of its control range and inhibits a defect correction circuit. A squelch memory, set by the simultaneous occurrence of the squelch signal and a loss of carrier signal derived from the output of the player pickup transducer, maintains the muting, preconditioning and inhibiting functions. When the squelch signal terminates the squelch memory is reset upon subsequent termination of the loss of carrier signal whereby the audio and video circuits are immediately unmuted, stabilization is rapidly established by the preconditioned video signal correction servo system and the defect correction circuit is primed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald D. Pyles, James A. Wilber, Todd J. Christopher
  • Patent number: RE31223
    Abstract: In a video disc player, a carriage is subject to translatory motion in correlation with radial motion of a playback stylus relative to a disc record disposed on a rotatable turntable. A stylus arm carrying the stylus at one end thereof has the other end secured to the carriage by means of a compliant rubber coupler. A magnetic element is disposed on the stylus arm near its free end. An electromagnet is fixedly mounted in the carriage adjacent to the stylus arm-mounted, magnetic element. The electromagnet is selectively actuated to cause a change in the radial location of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Bleazey