Abstract: A recording/reproducing method which is capable of responding to the recording of various applications by flexibly changing the format of recording regions on a track of a recording medium. A track 20 is divided into a plurality of recording regions 22-32, and the data format of each recording region is selected in accordance with applications to be recorded. The preamble (or IBG) E.sub.PI is provided at the head portion of a track and the recording region to be independently rewritten or reloaded as occasion demands. A format information D.sub.PI indicating the presence of preamble or IBG is recorded in the data region E.sub.D. By designating required number of recording regions using the preamble (or IBG) E.sub.PI, it becomes possible to flexibly respond to the recording of various applications.

Abstract: A helical type tape recording and reproducing system records blocks of user data of predetermined size by reformatting the user data blocks into physical blocks that are recorded on tape. Each physical block is recorded as a double frame on a set of successive helical tracks, preferably 32 tracks. Each double frame has system format data interleaved with the user data. The present invention is directed to system format data that includes a sequence number for each physical block and enables the system to determine during reproducing if any physical block has been lost. The system also includes a partition access bookkeeping feature that stores information relating to locations at which searching or recording has been performed during a current load of a tape in the system, which is useful in accomplishing efficient searching for user data recorded on the tape.

Abstract: A quad burst servo demodulator with adjustable slew rate for hard disk drives. The quad burst servo demodulator includes a peak voltage detecting system for detecting the peak voltages of an input signal, a plurality of storage capacitors for holding voltages proportional to the peak voltages observed by the peak voltage detecting system, and a programmable current source for charging (via an adjustable slew rate) the storage capacitors to voltages proportional to the detected peak voltages of the input signal.

Abstract: A method can record or reproduce a digital audio signal and a digital video signal simultaneously. An N-bit (N: positive integer) digital audio signal is positioned at a higher bit side and an M-bit (M: positive integer) digital video signal is positioned at a lower bit side so as to form an (N+M)-bit digital signal which is recorded or reproduced in this condition. Since the digital video signal is positioned at the lower bit side, the digital video signal may not affect the reproduced audio signal even if the (N+M)-bit digital signal is processed as the digital audio signal in the reproducing process.

Abstract: A data signal and a sync signal outputting apparatus comprises a memory for storing a serial signal selector circuit for selectively producing an output signal SD of the memory or the serial signal. The output circuit extracts a sync pattern, and a data section from the selector output signal. A sync pulse is generated for each sync pattern to produce a sync signal CK. At the same time, each data block is produced in parallel to the sync signal CK as a data signal S.sub.0. A controller, upon detection of an extraction failure, controls the memory in such a manner as to produce the stored serial signal from the memory and controls the selector to select an output signal from the memory.

Abstract: A device for writing on a card-shaped data memory with at least one magnetic strip on the card-shaped data memory has a card slot through which the card-shaped data memory is guided. The card slot has an inlet and an outlet. One pair of write heads and at least one sensor are provided for each of the magnetic strips on the card-shaped data memory. The write heads are arranged on opposite sides of the Card slot for writing on the magnetic strip. The at least one sensor is positioned at the inlet of the card slot for detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic strip coordinated therewith. The at least one sensor, when detecting the presence of the magnetic strip coordinated therewith, switches to an inactive state one of the write heads of the pair that is positioned on a side of the card slot remote from the magnetic strip.

Abstract: A method for removing precompensation in a Write Data signal from a flexible disk controller. A timer measures the time between consecutive transitions. Numerical values from the timer are delayed in a buffer. Numerical times from the buffer are compared to numerical ranges by an array of parallel numerical comparators. Numerical times corresponding to precompensation ranges are numerically compensated. The compensated values are then used to control the time between transitions in a regenerated Write Data signal.

Abstract: A circuit for processing an input pulse signal of which the slew rate is dependent on pulse frequency comprises an amplifier (30; 78) for receiving the input pulse signal and generating an output pulse signal having transitions of which the slew rate is dependent on a bias current supplied to the amplifier, and a circuit (38-66; 82-108) for supplying bias current to the amplifier, the bias current being representative at least substantially of the frequency of occurrence of pulses in the input pulse signal.

Abstract: A disk drive for magnetic disk of the sample servo type, having N (N.gtoreq.200) servo areas, wherein the product of N and the recording/reproduction mode switching time Th (.mu.s) of the head amplifiers, i.e., N.times.Th, is designed to be 1200 or smaller.

Abstract: A magnetic reproduction device includes a comparator for comparing the level of reproduced signals obtained by tracing the same track with magnetic heads having different azimuths, and switches for selecting and supplying any of the reproduced signals in accordance with the result of the comparison. The magnetic heads thus used for reproduction are therefore determined simultaneously with the start of reproduction. This allows for the automatic supply of correct reproduced signals, even if an azimuth of the magnetic heads which recorded the signals is unknown.

Abstract: Compressed audio signal data on a CD-ROM disc at a data transfer rate higher than the standard rate. Information indicating the increased data transfer rate is recorded on the disc, and the compressed audio signal data as recorded are interleaved on the disc are interleaved in accordance with the increased data transfer rate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing uses a wide frequency band of a DC component to the next lowest spectral null frequency point and higher by using an existing recording/reproducing head and medium. Intersymbol interference is added to a magnetic recording channel so that an impulse response comes to a partial-response channel shown by polynomial 1-D.sup.n (D.sup.n is an n-bit signal delay); in which T is a Nyquist interval (reproduction-bit time interval), the values of (n>2) and T are selected by assuming equal frequency interval between the spectral null frequency points 1/nT, and thereby a symbol string having a Nyquist frequency equal to or higher than the second spectral null frequency point from the lowest frequency side excluding the vicinity of the DC component of the recording/reproducing characteristic is recorded or reproduced.

Abstract: A data smoother for a streaming cartridge tape drive including a data separator circuit for generating a clock signal and a second phase-locked loop circuit for removing frequency modulation arising from instantaneous speed variation (ISV) errors. The broad-band data separator follows all of the ISV generated by the cartridge tape drive to permit detection and correction of cell-slippage in a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) circuit, which accepts the data and clock signal from the data separator. The second PLL has a narrow bandwidth filter that smoothes the clock signal and removes all high-frequency ISV modulation from the data as it is clocked out from the FIFO circuit. The MFM data signal is regenerated by a monostable multivibrator in synchronism with the smoothed clock signal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded on a recording medium based on the signal read by a head contains a filter circuit which restricts the frequency range of the read signal and allows the low frequency read signal to pass through it, a full wave rectification circuit for full wave rectification of the read signal output from this filter circuit and an integrating circuit for generating a threshold signal of the read signal output from the filter circuit based on the integrated value obtained by integrating the output signal from the full wave rectification circuit when reproducing data and for holding the integrated value at the time of the immediately before data reproduction during the operation other than the data reproducing operation.

Abstract: A clock reproducing apparatus is adapted for reproducing a data existing point clock signal by using a reproduction signal obtained from a magnetic disc on which clock patterns for clock reproduction are recorded in servo areas discretely provided independent of data recording area, which comprises: a voltage controlled oscillator operative to oscillate the data existing point clock signal; a sampling circuit for sampling the reproduction signal in synchronism with the data existing point clock signal; a phase information generator for weighting-adding plural sample values before and after a reference sample value corresponding to the peak of a reproduced isolated waveform of the clock pattern to thereby generate phase information indicating a phase difference between the data existing point clock signal and a reproduction signal of the clock pattern; and a control voltage converter for converting phase information generated by the phase information generator to a control voltage for controlling the voltage c

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive read/inductive write magnetic transducer, magnetic stability of the magnetoresistive read sensor is improved by reducing the bias current to the magnetoresistive read sensor to a predetermined value during a period when a write current signal is applied to the inductive write head. The reduced bias current is greater than zero, but less than that required for reading data stored in a magnetic storage media. The reduced bias current is about 30% of the full bias current applied during the read operation of the magnetoresistive head.

Abstract: A variable speed reproducing apparatus for a digital videocassette recorder which outputs data having an improved C/N ratio. A gate buffer receives a reproduction signal which has been amplified by a pre-amplifier and outputs only that portion of the reproduction signal which has an amplitude greater than a predetermined amount. A reproducer receives the reproduction signal which has been conditioned by a reproduction equalizer and applies the reproduced signal to a synchronizer. The synchronizer outputs reproduced data according to a clock signal produced by a phase-locked loop circuit in accordance with speed data received from a servo.

Abstract: A digital signal recording circuit for transmitting data signals and clock signals over respective rotary transformers quantizes the data signals transmitted by the rotary transformer and feeds back the quantized data signals. The data signals quantized and fed back in this manner are latched by the clock signals transmitted by rotary transformer. With the present digital signal recording circuit, broad-range signals of from the direct current to a high frequency may be transmitted for recording correct data signals.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing plural types of data signals respectively different in data rate, and capable of completely eliminating noise when reproducing data signals of high data rate or low data rate at slower or faster speed than normal speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting peaks in a signal which comprises an alternating polarity waveform including a plurality of points. A selected point in the signal is designated. Thereafter, a threshold value for the selected point is established utilizing a prior threshold value associated set off with spaces with a point prior to the selected point as follows:(m(n)=t0*ax(n)+t1*m(n-1))wherein n is the point identifier, m(n) is the threshold value, t0 is a fixed positive constant less than one, t1 is a fixed positive constant less than one, ax(n) is the absolute value of the input signal, and m(n-1) is the prior threshold value for the prior point. In this manner the threshold value may be adjusted for fluctuations in amplitude of the signal. Next, the selected point is compared with the threshold value to determine whether or not the selected point is within a predetermined distance of the threshold.