Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing a digital data signal carrying digital information at each periodically appearing reference "P1" phase includes a detector for detecting and producing a phase data signal at each sampling point. Two subsequently sampled phase data are stored in latches for use of the digital data signal by three signal comparators. The first comparator compares the first sampled phase data signal and the second sampled phase data signal. The second comparator compares the first sampled phase data signal with a predetermined value, and the third comparator compares the second sampled phase data signal with the same predetermined value. Utilizing the outputs of the three comparators, a phase condition detector detects whether or not a reference phase is contained between two subsequent sampling points. A detection pulse generator is provided which generates a data detection pulse when the phase condition detector detects the reference phase.

Abstract: One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provides an entirely novel thin-film magnetic-head assembly for a digital-signal recording/reproducing system using multiple tracks. The assembly comprises electronic-circuit components including a combined capacitor/resistor a constant-current source, an amplifier, and an analogue-signal multiplexer, all located inside a casing that surrounds the thin-film magnetic-head. These electronic circuits are present on the upper and lower surfaces of the casing and are connected by means of an elastomer so that these circuits are integrally connected to the thin-film magnetic head.The thin-film magnetic head of the casing may alternatively be bent and extended so that electronic-circuit components can be mounted to it.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing digital signals includes a detector for detecting and producing a phase data signal of a sampled point of the digital signal, a first comparator for comparing a first phase data signal at one sampling point and a second phase data signal at one previous sampling point, a second comparator for comparing a predetermined value with a phase difference between the second phase data and newly detected phase data, a condition detecting means, utilizing the results of the first and second comparators, for detecting whether two adjacent sampling points are within a reference phase period, and sampling pulse generating means for generating one sampling pulse when the two sampling points are separated by a distance equal to the reference phase period, two sampling pulses when the distance is greater than the reference phase period; and no sampling pulse when the distance is less than the reference phase period.