Abstract: A system for recording or reproducing a signal by focusing and irradiating a light beam on a record carrier from a light source while controlling the light beam to always scan the track on the record carrier is disclosed. A track jump that may occur during recording or reproducing a signal on the record carrier is accurately detected. The reliability of the system is thus improved in such a way as to take appropriate action in case of a track jump.

Abstract: A data track searching device capable of switching between two modes; one being the rough searching mode in which a transducer is displaced at a high velocity to a desired track and the other being the fine searching mode which follows the rough searching mode and in which the transducer is displaced at a relative low velocity and positioned over the proper or desired track. The operating point of a tracking element is shifted or deviated as a result of the high-velocity displacement of the transducer in the rough searching mode so that stable searching cannot be ensured. According to the present invention, therefore, the acceleration of the transducer in the rough searching mode is detected and a signal representative of the thus detected acceleration is applied to the tracking element so that the shift or deviation of the operating point of the tracking element can substantially made nil.