Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of data subcarriers present in the recorded stereo audio channels. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruption caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: A video disc player comprising an arm servo system having means for driving a pickup arm with a cartridge mounted thereon to move in parallel with the surface of a disc, and a kicker drive system for driving a stylus tip mounted on the cartridge to be kicked on the basis of the information from a picture signal processing circuit of the pickup upon special reproduction, wherein when the width of a kicker drive pulse in the kicker drive system exceeds a predetermined value, the drive means of the arm servo system is driven to change the balance position of the stylus tip on the surface of the disc.

Abstract: A video disc tracking information encoding system includes a primary encoder for tracking information on a field-by-field basis and a secondary encoder for conveying a subset of the tracking information every N lines within a field. A video disc player for discs recorded with doubly conveyed complete and partial tracking information includes means for recovering the partial tracking information every N lines, comparing it with the complete tracking information recovered during the start of each field and effecting tracking error correction if the partial tracking information differs from a predetermined subset of the complete tracking information thereby facilitating intra-field track error correction so as to enable rapid correction of tracking errors.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded on a recording medium in successive parallel tracks having a predefined pitch and which are skewed relative to a direction of movement of the medium comprises a signal transducer which repeatedly scans the recording medium in a direction along the tracks for reproducing the video signals from the successive tracks upon movement of the medium at a predetermined speed, a transducer deflecting device which is responsive to drive signals and which deflects the signal transducer in a direction transverse to the direction of the tracks, a circuit which generates a plurality of types of jump signals of different respective amplitudes to cause the transducer deflecting device to select the track scanned by the signal transducer, each type of jump signals corresponding to a displacement of the signal transducer by a respective number of track pitches, a phase detector which detects a phase signal included in the video signal reproduced by the signal transducer and wh

Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of a quadrature phase shift keyed data carrier recorded along with the picture and sound carriers on a video disc. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruption caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: In a device for reproducing the information, especially the video signal optically, magnetically or otherwise recorded on the spiral or concentric track on a disk-shaped recording medium, a control system for controlling the radially inward or outward shift or jump of a reproduction transducer from one track to another for effecting, in addition to the normal reproduction, the special effect reproductions such as still picture, slow, fast and reverse motions. The control system comprising a shifting means for shifting or jumping the transducer in the radial directions substantially perpendicular to the tracks, a control means for maintaining the transducer to scan the desired track, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the transducer has been shifted or jumped and brought to the desired track and generating the output signal in response to which the shifting means is disabled to decelerate and stop the shifting or jumping of the transducer.

Abstract: A special reproducing system comprises a reproducing element for scanning a spiral track of a rotary recording medium on which an information signal is recorded and a kick control signal is recorded together therewith at a predetermined position, a detecting circuit for detecting the kick control signal from among signals reproduced by the reproducing element, a kick pulse generating circuit for generating a kick pulse in response to the kick control signal detected by the detecting circuit, and a shift mechanism for shifting the reproducing element from a track to another track adjacent thereto in an inner peripheral or outer peripheral direction in response to the kick pulse supplied from the kick pulse generating means, the reproducing stylus is shifted by the shift mechanism to effect a special reproduction.

Abstract: A pausing system pauses reproduction in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus which reproduces a rotary recording medium recorded with an information signal on a spiral track. The reproducing apparatus comprises a reproducing transducer having a reproducing element for reproducing a signal from a track on the rotary recording medium and a kicking mechanism for kicking the reproducing element to an adjacent track in response to a kick pulse applied thereto.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium to be reproduced by a reproducing apparatus having a reproducing element, has a spiral track consisting of plural track turns on which a video signal and an audio signal have been recorded, and a plurality of same units of the video signal are recorded in each of the track turns, and an instruction signal having an information for instructing a shift of the reproducing element from a track to another track turn is recorded in a vertical blanking interval of the video signal with a predetermined field period according to a kind of the video signal program source, where the audio signal consists of divided audio signals in which a continuous audio signal is divided in every interval of field period of the video signal to be reproduced.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a rotary recording medium in which a plurality of fields of video signals are recorded for each track turn on a spiral track comprises a reproducing transducer having a reproducing element for scanning over tracks on the rotary recording medium to reproduce recorded signals, and shifting device responsive to a signal applied thereto for shifting the reproducing element towards the outer side or the inner side on the rotary recording medium, and a circuit for producing shifting a signal in order to shift the reproducing element by one track pitch towards the outer side on the rotary recording medium every time the reproducing element reaches one predetermined position on the rotary recording medium, and capable of producing a shifting signal for shifting the reproducing element towards the outer side or the inner side on the rotary recording medium according to the slow-motion ratio and the direction of the slow-motion reproduction when the reprod

Abstract: In an optical video disc player, a still picture mode reproduction is effected by returning a light spot on a disc by one track pitch in its radial direction after each revolution of the disc. The displacement of the light beam is carried out by supplying a returning signal to a moving coil coupled with an objective lens. An amplitude of the returning signal is automatically adjusted by means of a negative feedback loop to such a value that the light spot is shifted accurately by one track pitch.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium is repeatedly recorded with a video signal of the same unit for a plurality of field periods in each track turn, and divided audio signal parts obtained by dividing an audio signal in units of field periods of the video signal which is to be reproduced are successively arranged and recorded on a recording track of the video signal according to a tracing locus or a reproducing element on the rotary recording medium upon normal reproduction during which change of track is performed by forcibly shifting the reproducing element at least once or a plurality of times for two revolution periods of the rotary recording medium.

Abstract: A videodisc playback system is equipped with a reading device that sequentially reads the key code signals recorded on a videodisc in order to discriminate field, frame, or track. A mistracking pulse generator temporarily stores two key code signals that were consecutively read from the reading device, compares the two stored key code signals and detects the occurrence of mistracking from the two key code signals, and at the same time, generates mistracking pulses in an expanded blanking time, in a number that corresponds to the number of tracks travelled in the opposite direction to the playback shifting direction when the mistracking was detected. A forced driving device forcibly shifts the playback tracks one track at a time in the playback shifting direction with every mistracking pulse impressed from the mistracking pulse generator.

Abstract: A skip/arm servo system for a video disc player comprises a device adapted to skip a signal sensing element, such as a stylus for detection of information recorded on a disc, in a direction crossing a recording track, a stylus position detector adapted to detect the relative position of the stylus to a cartridge movably mounting the stylus, a comparator comparing the detected relative position with a reference relative position to produce an error output, a cartridge driver responsive to the error output to move the cartridge so as to maintain the stylus in the reference relative position. A setting device is adapted to variably set the reference relative position in accordance with a reproduction mode selected by the operator, whereby a special mode reproduction can readily be accomplished or the stylus can be readily released from a locked groove in the disc.

Abstract: A quick-motion reproducing system is applied to a reproducing apparatus for reproducing a rotary recording medium by a reproducing element. The rotary recording medium is recorded with a video signal on a spiral track, and further recorded with a predetermined reference signal. The predetermined reference signal is recorded within intervals corresponding to vertical synchronizing signals within vertical blanking periods of the recorded video signal, for each track turn of the spiral track. The quick-motion reproducing system comprises a kick pulse generating circuit for generating a kick pulse only within a predetermined shifting interval including the vertical blanking period of the recorded video signal and intervals in the vicinity of this vertical blanking period, and a shifting circuit applied with the generated kick pulse, for successively shifting the reproducing element to adjacent tracks, only within the above predetermined shifting interval.

Abstract: An apparatus reproduces signals which are recorded on a rotary medium having a main information signal recorded on a spiral main track, with first and second tracking control reference signals which are recorded on sub-tracks positioned between adjacent main tracks. A third tracking control reference signal is recorded on the main or sub-track, on each track turn, during an interval corresponding to the vertical synchronizing signal, within a vertical blanking period of the main information signal. The first and second reference signals are recorded within an interval excluding the interval corresponding to that of the vertical synchronizing signal. A kick pulse is generated for shifting the reproducing element to an adjacent track during a special reproduction mode so that the reproducing element is shifted at an interval other than the interval in which the reproducing element reproduces the vertical synchronizing signal.

Abstract: In a special mode video disc reproduction system in which two identical frames of video signals are recorded for each disc revolution of spiral tracks, and further recorded with a first or a second reference signal having mutually different frequencies on a reference signal tract between adjacent tracks of the recording medium the first and second reference signals are alternately changed over and recorded on the reference signal track every one revolution of the disc, and the disc is further recorded with a third reference signal at the vertical blanking period recording positions of the corresponding recording positions on the track where the first and second reference signals are changed over. A skip pulse supplying circuit generates skip pulses for skipping the reproducing element at vertical blanking period positions opposing positions where the third reference signal is recorded on the track, upon double-speed reproduction mode in the forward direction.

Abstract: A videodisc playback system is disclosed which enables repeated reproduction of signals recorded on a videodisc. The system comprises the usual means to mount and rotate the videodisc to be played back and a shifting device that shifts the scanning position of a read-out device in a radial direction of the videodisc. A tracking control device controls the shifting device so that the scanning position of the read-out device is on the track. Further, the system includes fast playback circuitry which causes fast playback of the videodisc by shifting playback tracks N multiple number of times, one track at a time to the next adjacent track, during one revolution of the videodisc. Repeated reproduction of signals is accomplished by circuitry connected to the fast playback circuitry that causes a predetermined number of tracks to be repeatedly played back, the predetermined number being an integral number of N.

Abstract: A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a rotary recording medium in which an information signal is recorded on a spiral track comprises a reproducing transducer having a reproducing element for reproducing signals from tracks on the rotary recording medium and a kicking mechanism for kicking the reproducing element to an adjacent track when applied with a kick pulse, and a kick pulse producing circuit for producing and supplying a kick pulse to the reproducing transducer according to a reproduction mode which is set.

Abstract: As many as four kinds of high-speed playback of a videodisc can be selected with only two operating switches. This is accomplished by extracting the vertical synchronizing signal from the composite video signal read from the videodisc and, based on this vertical synchronizing signal, producing more than one pulse delayed by a prescribed time. The vertical synchronizing signal and/or the delayed pulses are gated by independently outputted forward or reverse indicator signals for high-speed playback. High-speed playback is executed by forcibly driving the target tracking unit one track at a time in the direction designated by the indicator signal more than twice during the substantial vertical blanking time of the television image corresponding to the gated vertical synchronizing signal and/or the delayed pulses. When the forward and reverse indicator signals are both generated, an even higher speed playback is obtained.

Abstract: A transfer control device for a reproducing transducer in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus having a reproducing transducer for reproducing recorded signals from a rotary recording medium and a driving motor for transferring said reproducing transducer on said rotary recording medium comprises a micro-computer having first and second output ports, where the first output port produces a signal of a pulse form which repeats high-level and low-level periods during a normal-speed transferring mode, and the second output port produces a continuous high-level or low-level signal according to the transferring mode so that a combination of a predetermined level is obtained between the output signal from the first output port, a square wave signal generating circuit applied with the output signal from the first output port of the micro-computer, where the square wave signal generating circuit is triggered to produce a predetermined square wave signal when applied with the signal of a pulse form and not t

Abstract: A signal pickup device in a rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus comprises a cantilever having at a free distal end thereof a reproducing element for reproducing recorded signals from tracks of a rotary recording medium, a permanent magnet magnetized in an axial direction of the cantilever and fixed to the cantilever at proximal end thereof, an elastic support member extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said tracks and supporting the proximal end of the cantilever so that the cantilever is rotatable, accompanied by elastic deformation of the elastic support member, and tracking control coil device supplied with a tracking control current to attract and repulse the permanent magnet to cause the cantilever to rotate. The reproducing element is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording tracks of the rotary recording medium to tracks.

Abstract: In a video disc player, a carriage is subject to translatory motion in correlation with radial motion of a playback stylus relative to a disc record disposed on a rotatable turntable. A stylus arm carrying the stylus at one end thereof has the other end secured to the carriage by means of a compliant rubber coupler. A magnetic element is disposed on the stylus arm near its free end. An electromagnet is fixedly mounted in the carriage adjacent to the stylus arm-mounted, magnetic element. The electromagnet is selectively actuated to cause a change in the radial location of the stylus.