Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video tape recorder system capable of finding a desired frame by carrying out a retrieval operation in two steps, coarse and fine, in which video tape on which is recorded addresses indicating respective locations on the tape is advanced at high speed using the upper digits of the addresses for coarse retrieval and then the tape is advanced at a speed for reproduction operation using the lower digits of the addresses for fine retrieval. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unique adapter which allows to carry out a dubbing operation between two 8 mm video units directly therethrough. In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable type video tape recorder system in which a VTR main body and a tuner are provided as separate entities and a commonly usable power supply unit may be mounted in either of the VTR main body or the tuner.

Abstract: A microprocessor is provided for calculating, based on the target track address set in the target address register, the target velocity in the seek operation of the magnetic head up to the target track. When the target velocity of the magnetic head is comparatively large, the microprocessor increases the revision interval of the target velocity, based on a prestored program, such that it is larger than the normal revision interval. The microprocessor varies the target velocity revision interval by a pulse signal output from a circuit which divides the track pulse by 1/2, for example.

Abstract: In the head positioning control system in the magnetic disk device of the index servo system of the invention, a position signal representing the position of the head on the disk, generated by a position signal generator, is converted by an A/D converter into a digital signal. Based on the digital signal, a CPU determines positioning correction data. The CPU stores positioning correction data in a memory, converts it into an analog signal by a D/A converter, and drives a stepping motor through a distributor and a magnetizing circuit so as to correct the position of the magnetic head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk memory having a plurality of data sectors and servo sectors each provided between adjacent data sectors, spiral tracks being formed in each data sector and each servo sector. Servo information patterns are formed in each servo sector. To cause a read/write head to trace spiral tracks, the phases of the servo patterns with respect to servo tracks are sequentially displaced, from the first servo sector to the final m-th servo sector, by a value obtained by dividing the track pitch of the servo tracks by the number of servo sectors. In the m-th servo sector a servo index used for detecting that the servo sector is formed. A disk device is also disclosed which performs tracking control for the head along the spiral tracks.

Abstract: A programmable annunciator device for periodic fade-in of specific message segments in a continuous broadcast or background audio. The device utilizes a tape cassette and transport with reel turns count circuitry providing tape position data. The cassette is programmed to include two tracks of successive messages of preselected time length, each identifiable by reel turns count. The reel turns count for each message position is stored in read only memory while random access memory is programmed to include code identifier and address data for each message position. In program mode, the desired audio is recorded at each message position for selective playback. In operate mode, an interval timer initiates playback of the selected messages in sequence and timing as selected by the operator.

Abstract: A time code signal is reproduced from a running tape of an audio tape recorder and is used to search a desired tape stop position. There are provided time code comparing means (13) for comparing same or difference between data of a reproduced time code indicative of the present tape position and a cue point position at which the tape should be stopped (1), mode control means (14) for producing a mode specifying signal on the basis of the compared result of the time code comparing means (13), and timer control means (15) for producing a head drive signal to permit a reproducing head of the audio tape recorder (1) to contact with or leave the tape on the basis of the outputs from the time code comparing means (13) and the mode control means (14).

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled multiple servo system for use with a recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The system controls all servo systems for a magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus, including a capstan servo, a reel servo, a scanning drum servo and an automatic scan tracking servo which controls the position of reproduced heads carried by the scanning drum which are of the type which can be transversely moved relative to the longitudinal direction of recorded tracks to accurately follow the tracks during special effect reproducing modes, such as slow motion, stop motion and fast motion reproducing. The microprocessor controlled servo system has unique and powerful functional capabilities which enable it to provide reliable precise asynchronous reproducing so that precisely accurate time compression and expansion can be carried out without performing any editing of the recorded material.

Abstract: Technique for dynamically maintaining alignment of servo controls in a disk drive system which uses external indicia to position the head assembly between tracks containing embedded servo signals; the latter used to control track following. Plural pairs of phase staggered track reference signals are derived from the external indicia, and during system initialization an optimal pair is selected for controlling head positioning. The system is initialized both at power up time and after detection of certain errors. The selection is made by using each pair separately to direct positioning of the head assembly over a predetermined range of sampling positions at each of which centering offsets relative to the embedded servo signals are measured and recorded in association with the respective pair. Based on an evaluation of these offsets, the system microprocessor selects a reference signal pair having the least average offset to control subsequent head positioning operations.

Abstract: To avoid ambiguity in the tracking of a magnetic head to a data track, the invention calls for the selection of a single given signal polarity, as recorded, as the source of positional control for a tracking servo. Difference and sum signals associated with the two longitudinal halves of a data track constitute, respectively, the servo error signal and the data signal.

Abstract: A rotary head type magnetic recording and reproducing device in which sub-code data can readily and accurately be read from an inclined track recorded on the tape when the tape is moving at a high speed in either direction. The rotational position of the rotary head is sensed. When the head is at a predetermined angular position, its rotation is stopped by a brake mechanism. The sub-code data is then reproduced from the tape.

Abstract: A tape synchronizing apparatus for synchronizing tape addresses corresponding to tape locations of a tape which is being played back and reference addresses produced in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a capstan for rotating the tape at a controllable speed and a circuit for producing the tape addresses. The tape address generator circuit includes a circuit for detecting the direction of movement of the tape being played back, a shaping circuit for detecting a control signal from the tape which indicates each successive address and an up-down counter for producing the actual tape addresses. The reference addresses are produced in a reference address counter. The reference addresses are produced and updated at a rate corresponding to the frequency of a frequency reference. The clock rate of the frequency reference is adjustable by means of a frequency dividing circuit.

Abstract: A boosted-capacity magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus compatible with a host device to which is connectable a standard-capacity magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein first annular recording tracks on a first magnetic disk are identified with respective serial track numbers designated by the host device, the boosted-capacity apparatus comprising: a second magnetic disk having second annular recording tracks each of which is equally divided into a plurality of sectoral tracks identified with respective sectoral track numbers which are equal to the serial track numbers; a disc drive for rotating the first disk at a speed equal to a rotating speed of the first disk divided by the number of division of each second annular track; a magnetic head; a detector generating an indexing signal when each of boundaries between the sectoral tracks passes a predetermined position during rotation of the second disk; a positioning device for positioning the magnetic head on one of the second annular tra

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device for recording information on the tape comprises an oscillation circuit for generating a reference clock, a position information generation circuit for generating position information, a recording head means, a reproducing head means, a means for controllably moving the magnetic tape and a central control circuit so that the device can record not only a primary information such as an audio signal but also a position information on the primary information. Such recording can be effected from any position on the tape such as immediately after an earlier recorded information (after-recording) by operating a simple input means such as a keyboard.

Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing digital signals recorded on a recording tape comprises a rotary drum about which a recording tape can be trained, a rotary head mounted in the drum, a transport mechanism for transporting the tape over the drum and rotating the head so that a relative speed is established between the head and the tape and the head scans the tape and generates reproduced digital signals in response to digital signals recorded on the tape, and a mode-control mechanism for controlling the transport mechanism so that the tape is transported over the drum at an absolute tape speed that can be varied. A servomechanism responsive to variations in the absolute tape speed adjusts the transport mechanism so that the head acquires a rotary speed such that the relative speed is restored to and maintained at a substantially constant value, not withstanding changes in the absolute tape speed effected under the control of the mode-control mechanism.

Abstract: In an apparatus of the kind arranged to reproduce, with a plurality of rotary heads, an information signal from a record bearing medium having many recording tracks which are parallel to each other with the information signal recorded therein and with a plurality of different pilot signals of different frequencies also recorded one by one, one in each of the recording tracks, a plurality of different reference signals of different frequencies are simultaneously generated. A tracking error is detected by using the different reference signals together with the pilot signals which are included in signals reproduced from the plurality of rotary heads.

Abstract: A positioning system for a magnetic disk storage system. A first and second lead screw connected to their respective stepper motors are mechanically connected by a lever arm that adds these motions. The first stepper motor is controlled by an open loop control circuit and the second stepper motor is controlled by a closed loop circuit that reads servo information off the magnetic disk. The head is constantly repositioned to follow track eccentricities and can accurately read very closely spaced tracks on non-rigid disks.

Abstract: The disclosed information signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus records or reproduces an information signal by shifting two electric-to-mechanical conversion elements which respectively have heads mounted thereon. Each electric-to-mechanical conversion element has a residual displacement characteristic. The shift direction of one conversion element is arranged to be the same as that of the other immediately before switchover from a first mode to a second mode. In the first mode, the difference between voltages impressed on the two elements is relatively large, and, in the second mode, the difference between voltages impressed on the two elements is relatively small.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information signal reproducing apparatus reproducing apparatus for reproducing information signals recorded on a recording medium, moving apparatus for moving the recording medium relative to the reproducing apparatus, manually operable apparatus for indexing a first position and a second position on the recording medium, and control apparatus for controlling the operation of the reproducing apparatus and the moving apparatus so that reproduction of the information signals which have been recorded between the first and the second positions is automaticallly repeated in either direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording information with a magnetic recording head advance magnetic recording tape from a first rotating tape coil into a second rotating tape coil and assure constant head-to-tape contact with constant tape tension independently of variations in coil diameter and in tape velocity. There is determined or stored, for a series of diameter ratios between the first and second tape coils, a series of corresponding values of the first and second tape drive control signals for effecting advancement of the magnetic recording tape relative to the magnetic recording head with the first and second tape drives at constant head-to-tape contact with constant tape tension for all diameter ratios of that series. An electric third signal indicative of instantaneous diameter ratio between the first and second tape coils is provided in response to first and second tape coil tachometer signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to compensate for the runout that commonly occurs during the reading from or writing of information on the surface of a disk medium using a read/write head. The runout relates to the distance the head is located away from a disk track center during the rotation of the disk. To maintain the head in alignment with the track center during the complete revolution of the disk, position information is obtained. This position information is used with discrete fourier transform techniques to provide a representation of the disk runout. From this representation, a compensating signal can be generated to provide movement of the head that compensates for the runout and keeps the head positioned in alignment with the track center at all times during the disk rotation.