Abstract: A modulating method and apparatus and a demodulating method and apparatus in which a variable length code (d, k;m, n;r) which can provide a greater minimum reversal distance to allow recording of a higher density than ever is provided. According to the modulating method and apparatus, digital data of a basic data length of m bits is modulated into a variable length code (d, k;m, n;r) of a basic code length of n bits, and where the distance between adjacent ones of the digital data is represented by T, the minimum reversal distance of the variable length code is equal to or greater than 2.0 T and the minimum length of a run of a same symbol is equal to or greater than 4.

Abstract: A maximum likelihood decoder (28) comprises a Viterbi decoding unit (30) and a symbol concluding unit (29). Final N-M bit data of data of N (>M) bit unit, to which M-bit original data is converted, is supplied to the symbol concluding unit (29) as a terminal portion and other data is supplied to the Viterbi decoding unit (30), thereby being demodulated by a demodulator (37). A maximum likelihood decoding apparatus is provided in which image data or the like can be recorded and reproduced at high speed and maximum likelihood parallel decoding is effected. A reproducing data demodulating apparatus using such maximum likelihood decoding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A modulating method and apparatus and a demodulating method and apparatus wherein high density recording can be achieved and a dc component can be controlled with a variable length channel code are disclosed. Recording data are divided into a predetermined plurality of blocks, and those of the recording data at a portion other than a boundary portion of each of the blocks are coded referring to a table of a first ROM so that data of m bits may be converted into a code of n bits. The remaining data at the boundary portion of each block are converted into a code referring to another table of second ROM so that data of m bits may be converted into a code of n bits. Further, a code of n bits for minimizing a dc component is produced referring to a third table of a further ROM and is added to the code generated by the first and second ROMs.

Abstract: In a data conversion method of converting source data of M bit unit to be recorded on a recording medium into conversion data of N (>M) bit unit, n, which is a number of inter-symbol interferences permitted in a transmission path, continuous codes in the codes of the conversion data are weighted with a weighting distribution decreasing linearly from a distribution center, the weighted n continuous codes are sequentially added to form the intermediate series, and then such conversion data that the sum of absolute values of differences of codes between the intermediate series (i.e., the code length) is more than a predetermined number of times as large as a reference value of the weighting coefficient is selected as a modulation code, whereby the pattern length between the code patterns can be made larger to thereby improve the recording density remarkably with using the present recording medium and recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A rotary head apparatus of the type which reproduces digital signals recorded in one or more oblique tracks on a recording medium, the digital signals being formatted such that one frame of the digital signals is formed of n blocks, each block having added to it a block address and a frame address, wherein the apparatus compares the frame address from the reproduced signal with a reference frame address which varies with a reference period, and the transporting speed of the recording medium is then controlled so as to make the difference between the reproduced frame address and the reference frame address constant.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing blocks from a recording medium on which a plurality of signal blocks are recorded on plural recording tracks, uses a rotary head which is rotated at a speed equal to at least twice the normal speed. Error detection of a reproduced signal is performed for each signal block, and a detection signal and a reproduced signal of the corresponding signal block are written into a memory. If the detection signal indicates that no error is detected, the reproduced signal from the corresponding signal block is prevented from being written again into the memory. A reproduced track address signal and a reference track address signal are compared, and in accordance with the comparison result, translation of the recording medium is controlled.