Abstract: A method of recording digital signals on a disk having at least a first recording surface and a second recording surface. The digital signals are in the form of a data frame including a lead-in block and n data blocks. The lead-in block has a same format as the n data blocks. The method includes the steps of assigning n block addresses to respective ones of the n data blocks, assigning, to each of the n data blocks, information identifying an area on the disk in which a respective one of the n data blocks is to be recorded, recording m data block (0<m<n) of the n data blocks on the first recording surface of the disk, recording remaining (n-m) data blocks of the n data blocks on the second recording surface of the disk, and recording the lead-in block at the head of the data frame.

Abstract: A magnetic tape (2) and an apparatus (1) for cooperation with this magnetic tape (2) are configured in such a manner that video signals and audio signals can be stored in an inclined-track zone (67) and that a control signal (D-CTL signal) can be stored in a control signal track (26) on the magnetic tape (2), for which the length L(D) of a recorded signal period is equal to the value, divided by N, of the distance D(D) in the longitudinal direction (3) of the tape between two inclined tracks (63) which can be scanned by the same magnetic head (D3), the control signal (D-CTL signal) being reproduced from the control signal track (26) when such a magnetic tape (2) is loaded into a video recorder (1) in accordance with the VHS standard or into a video recorder (1) in accordance with the invention, which is also capable of recording and reproducing analog video signals in accordance with the VHS standard, which reproduced control signal is applied to a speed control device for a capstan, which results in a tape s

Abstract: A tape drive method and system for backing up data files from a hard drive to a tape drive or restoring data files to a hard drive from a tape drive. The data transfer rate of the tape drive is adjusted to minimize the number of times the tape drive switches off to wait for the hard drive to catch up to the tape drive. By minimizing the number of off occurrences of the tape drive, the back-up or restoration operation is completed more quickly.

Abstract: In an information signal recording method for recording one information signal on slant tracks formed on a magnetic tape housed in tape cassette usable in a conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing another information signal by using a plurality of rotary heads and recording a control signal used as a reference in a tracking control during reproducing operation on the magnetic tape, a digital information signal is recorded by shifting rotation phase of the rotary head which is determined on the basis of a control signal 21a by about 180 degrees with respect to rotation phase of the rotary head during the recording of an analog information signal.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for reduction of data loss errors in computer data tape transport applications. In tape transport devices with moveable read heads (i.e. auto-tracking read/playback heads), by sensing telemetry information regarding tape movement and alignment of a position on the tape medium before the position on the tape encounters the moveable head. Prior systems provided for such sensing only as the tape was read by the moveable head such that compensation could be made only for subsequent read operation. By sensing the telemetry data in advance of the tape encountering the moveable head, the head may be adjusted in time to encounter the misaligned tape medium compensating for the misalignment. Similarly, telemetry data relating to the speed of the tape motion as sensed by a channel reading a predetermined recorded sequence of bits permits compensation for both erroneous tape speed and tape medium stretch or contraction.

Abstract: Tape drives and methods for reading/writing on first and second surfaces of a tape include a pair of read/write heads for reading/writing on the surfaces at the same time in synchronism as the tape moves across the heads. A controller determines if the heads are reading corresponding portions of the surfaces of the tape at the same time. The controller also determines if the heads are moving to corresponding portions of the surfaces of the tape in the same time period. The controller further determines if the heads are moving to corresponding tracks on the surfaces of the tape at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing digital information recorded in tracks of a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. A track number and a synchronization block number may be utilized to detect a trace phase. Such trace phase and a reference trace phase may be used to produce a phase error which is used to control the tape speed. As a result, the tape traveling speed may be controlled with a relatively high accuracy.

Abstract: A data recording device in which the data recording can be carried out at an optional speed without any loss of data using a buffer with less amount of memory.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: A plurality of digital signals having total data rates of n bit/s or less are input to a digital recording device recording digital signals having a data rate of n bit/s. The digital signals are subjected to format-conversion for the digital recording device to be recorded therein. Furthermore, signals having a data rate of n/i.sub.1 bit/s or less are subjected to format-conversion to be recorded i.sub.1 times in the digital recording device. In the case where the data rate of the digital signals to be input is n/j bit/s, the digital signals are subjected to format-conversion so that the amount of data capable of being recorded per unit time is decreased by i/j; thus, the digital signals are recorded for a long period of time under the condition that the data recording time is prolonged j times.

Abstract: Method of reducing power consumption in a disk drive system by controlling movement time of a read/write head from a present track and present sector to a target track and target sector. The method includes the steps of determining a first variable indicative of a first time period in which to move the actuator head from the present track to the target track along a radial arc traced by the movement of the actuator head and determining a second variable indicative of a second time period measured from the present servo sector to when the target servo sector advances to the radial arc. The actuator head is moved at a first rate substantially equal to the first time period if the first variable and the second variable are equal. The actuator head is moved at a second, slower rate if the first variable and the second variable are not equal. Moving the actuator head at a slower rate reduces power consumption and increases battery life.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus is provided which is designed to record and reproduce digital information signals on and from a magnetic tape at a reduced error rate in a long play mode. When the long play mode is entered, the travel speed of the magnetic tape is changed to 1/(2n) (n=a natural number) times that in a normal play mode, and the rotational speed of a rotary drum is changed to (2n+1)/(2n) times that in the normal play mode. Tracks are written on the magnetic tape with alternate helical scans of a pair of rotary heads, one every (2n+1)/2 rotations of the rotary drum to record the digital information signals on the tracks. In an alternative form of the invention, digital information signals are recorded on the magnetic tape in the long play mode using a third rotary head and one of the pair of the rotary heads.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: The motor speed control device of the present invention is provided with an FG sensor and a waveform shaping circuit for obtaining N pulse signals (N.gtoreq.1 where N is an integer) in one rotation of a motor so as to control the rotation speed of the motor in accordance with period information of the FG pulse signal outputted from the waveform shaping circuit. The motor speed control device is further provided with an FG nonuniformity correcting circuit for correcting, by using respective period information of a rising edge-falling edge period and a falling edge-rising edge period, periodic nonuniformity of each period. The motor speed control device controls the motor in response to an actual speed error signal whose nonuniformity such as a duty error and a phase error has been corrected by the FG nonuniformity correcting circuit.

Abstract: A head switching signal generation apparatus for a VCR includes a pulse signal generator for generating a first pulse signal having the same phase and period of time as a head drum pulse signal in response to the head drum pulse signal, an envelope detector for detecting an envelope signal from a signal read out from a video tape and generating a second pulse signal having the same phase and period of time as the detected envelope signal, and a controller for generating a head switching signal whose pulse level is altered at an actual head switching point of time, based on the received first and second pulse signals. An accurate head switching signal can be generated even when a vertical sync signal is not detected from a video tape having a recording format for recording a vertical sync signal, as well as a recording format by which a vertical sync signal is not recorded on a video tape.

Abstract: A disk drive having: (a) at least one data disk; (b) a brushless DC motor coupled to the data disk, the motor having: (i) multiple phase windings arranged as a stator, and (ii) a rotor having a permanent magnet or a DC current excitation winding for rotating the data disk; (c) a transducer for writing data to or reading data from the data disk; (d) a carrier supporting the transducer; (e) a voice coil motor coupled to the carrier for moving the carrier radially across the disk; (f) a drive controller coupled to the brushless DC motor and to the voice coil motor; and (g) a support for supporting the brushless DC motor, the voice coil motor and the drive controller. The drive controller periodically samples the rotor position and then drives the motor by energizing appropriate phase windings in relation to the rotor position that provide maximum forward torque to the rotor.

Abstract: In a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information signal from a recording medium on which a number of recording tracks are formed in parallel to each other and on which the information signal is recorded with a pilot signal component superimposed on the information signal periodically at intervals of a predetermined number of tracks, a pair of reproducing heads are arranged to reproduce signals by concurrently tracing mutually adjacent tracks, a switching part is arranged to selectively output the signals reproduced by the reproducing heads, and the pilot signal component included in the output of the switching part is used in controlling the positions of the reproducing heads relative to the recording medium.

Abstract: In a motor control circuit for a VCR, a microcomputer calculates a center frequency to be targeted by a drum motor based on frequency pulses from the capstan motor, and generates a speed control signal for the drum motor based on a frequency deviation of the drum motor from the center frequency. Thus, in the motor control circuit, color misplacement occurring during a tape speed change is eliminated easily and surely.

Abstract: When video signals, audio signals, computer data, etc. are recorded in digital fashion on a magnetic tape, the timing at which the control pulse is recorded is set appropriately. The control pulse forming circuit (31) sets a travel distance of the magnetic tape (4) from a position midway of the digital signal pattern (D.sub.2) now being recorded by the 2ch second magnetic head (8b) to the outlet position of the digital signal pattern (D.sub.2) to a .DELTA.X value, when the 2ch first magnetic head (7b) reaches the outlet position of a virtual video signal pattern (V.sub.2), without recording with advance of magnetic tape travel; and further records the control pulse C by shifting the recording timing of the control pulse C by a value corresponding to the .DELTA.X value relative to a prescribed distance X value on the magnetic tape (4).

Abstract: The tape transport system acquires telemetry information pertaining to the tape medium at a position in advance of the associated tape segment passing over the movable read head. The advance telemetry information includes tape motion and position information which is used to identify both physical defects in the tape medium and misalignment of the tape medium with respect to the movable read head. The advance telemetry information are used to adjust the tape speed and the position of the movable read head with respect to the tape medium as the tape moves ahead to encounter the read head. This compensation can significantly reduce the data loss errors induced by tape speed and tape tracking errors.

Abstract: During recording, a system controller 12 controls a travel control unit 4 to make a magnetic tape travel in a forward direction or a reverse direction at a constant speed and controls a drive motor 59 to cause a rotating drum 8 to rotate at a constant rotational speed so that one recording track is formed during a period where the magnetic tape is made to travel by at least two recording tracks. Further, the system controller 12 controls a reference voltage generation unit 13, controls an angle of inclination of the rotating drum 8 in accordance with the direction of travel of the magnetic tape, and controls the angle of inclination of the path of the magnetic head 9 on the magnetic tape to be constant regardless of the direction of travel so as to perform the recording.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking control of a magnetic head having information signals and tracking signals recorded on a plurality of slanted tracks measures a time duration from a time when a rotary head drum passes a reference position to a time when the head starts to reproduce the tracking signal. The measured time duration and a reference value are compared to determine whether the difference falls within a predescribed range and the relative speed between the transporting speed of the tape and the peripheral speed of the rotary head drum is controlled based on the comparison results when the determination results falls within the prescribed ranged. The reference value is continuously monitored and updated from a memory when the measured difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A variable-speed playback apparatus and method for reproducing digital video signals recorded in tracks of a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. A track number and a synchronization block number may be obtained from the magnetic tape and utilized to form a trace phase. Such trace phase is compared to a reference trace phase so as to obtain a phase error which is used to control the tape speed. As a result, the tape traveling speed may be controlled with a relatively high accuracy.

Abstract: A magnetic playback apparatus and method with which a PLL phase-locked to played-back data operates stably even when the magnetic tape on which the data is recorded is transported at a high speed of several hundred times the recording speed. During high-speed playback of a magnetic tape, the speed of the magnetic tape is detected and using this tape speed information the free-run frequency of a PLL 2 is corrected in correspondence with the azimuth angles of magnetic heads HO, HE. The rotational period of a drum servo 3 is also corrected using the tape speed information.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus has a rotary magnetic head mechanism having at least a first rotary magnetic head with a magnetic gap set to a azimuth angle less than 90 degrees in a clockwise direction with respect to a width direction of recorded traces and a second rotary magnetic head with a magnetic gap set to a azimuth angle less than 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the width direction. The traces are formed on a magnetic tape moving in a forward direction at a speed in accordance with a rotational locus of the heads moving and obliquely crossing a travel direction of the tape. The first output signals obtained by the first head are selected in the case where a rotational locus surface of the heads changes in a reproduction operation within an angular range less than 180 degrees in a clockwise direction with respect to the traces formed on the tape.

Abstract: An improved servo control device and method for a VCR that minimizes jitter caused in a reproducing mode of the VCR (reproducing VCR) when it reproduces a video signal recorded by another VCR (recording VCR). A recording characteristic of the recording VCR (such as a duty interval of horizontal synchronous signals contained in the video signal) is used along with one or more reproducing characteristics (such as speed and phase) of the reproducing VCR to control a rotation speed of the reproducing VCR's drum motor.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus which includes no pinch roller and no capstan and wherein the converging time to a rated speed upon starting of feeding of a tape can be reduced and the tape can be fed stably at the rated speed during recording and/or reproduction of the tape. A rotary encoder for detecting a period of rotation is disposed between a recording and/or reproducing head and a take-up side reel, and a deviation from a predetermined reference value or a feeding position of the tape is calculated from the period of rotation detected by the rotary encoder.

Abstract: An envelope is detected from each of a plurality of reproduced video FM signals successively read out from a magnetic tape, and a shape change of the envelope in one vertical scanning period is detected in a control microcomputer. In cases where the shape of the envelope is flattened, the flatness indicates that an inclination angle of a rotational drum is appropriately set and a scanning locus of a magnetic head attached on the rotational drum agrees with a track formed on the magnetic tape. In this case, a reproduced image having no noise is obtained. Therefore, the number of increase/decrease changes in the shape of the envelope is detected as a shape value. In cases where the shape value is high, the inclination angle of the rotational drum is largely and repeatedly changed until the shape value becomes low. In contrast, in cases where the shape value is low, the inclination angle of the rotational drum is slightly and repeatedly changed until the envelope shape is flattened.

Abstract: A hard disk drive system operates from a limited power source to provide for the storage of data on the surface of a rotating hard disk media. An embedded controller incorporates a data channel for transferring data with respect to a hard disk media. The controller includes first and second subsections and a power-down circuit for providing separately switchable power from the power source to the first and section subsections. The controller further includes a processor for controlling the power-down circuit. The processor nominally provides a low duty cycle control signal to the power-down circuit for switching the provision of power to the first subsection of the controller.

Abstract: A head drum, as a first embodiment, for scanning a magnetic tape guided at an angle (.theta..sub.D) to the head drum assembly includes 2N number of video heads being divided into a first and a second groups, each group having N video heads being positioned closely adjacent one another at a predetermined space and the N video heads in the first group being positioned symmetrically opposite the N video heads in the second group along the rotating direction of the drum assembly, N being a positive integer. A second embodiment of a head drum for scanning a magnetic tape guided at an angle (.theta..sub.D) to the head drum assembly includes N pairs of video heads thereon, the N pairs of video heads being arranged in such a manner that each pair of video heads is angularly separated from one another by 360.degree./N. The angle (.theta..sub.D) of the first and the second embodiments to the head drum assembly is defined as: ##EQU1## wherein .theta..sub.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder includes a tape transport and servo that records digital data at one tape speed and plays back the digital data at one twentieth of the recording speed, both with a fixed speed of rotation of a drum head. On playback, each recorded segment of data on the tape is read from ten slightly different longitudinal positions on the magnetic tape, with the highest amplitude read-back signal being selected. The drum head comprises two playback heads that each have playback widths that are approximately twice as wide as each of four recording heads in the drum head.

Abstract: In an arcuate scanner, a read head senses passage over a reference stripe recorded on a moving recording tape. Detection and logic circuitry respond to the read head signal to detect the reference stripe and determine an angular position of the read head with respect to an index associated with the arcuate scanner head assembly. Timing operations of the arcuate scanner and alignment of the arcuate scanner head assembly with regard to an information recording region on the tape are controlled in reference to the detection of the reference stripe.

Abstract: A magnetic head position detecting apparatus of a tape recorder, which sharply reduces assembly error and which has a simple structure, is provided. The magnetic head position detecting apparatus includes a blocking plate which has a predetermined width and is formed on the upper surface of the rotary drum in vertical alignment with the magnetic head. A sensing device is provided for sensing the blocking plate, and a support fixed on a deck, for supporting the sensing device.

Abstract: A drum servo system is provided with a rotation control device for controlling the rotation of a drum on the basis of a phase comparison signal obtained as a result of comparing the phase of an angle-of-rotation information signal obtained according to an angle of rotation of the drum with the phase of a control signal. The system also includes a detection device for determining the existence of a large data block or a small path block and outputting the result to a reference signal generator. The frequency of the reference signal is higher than that of the control signal, and is altered based on the output of the detection device. Frequency division is performed on the reference signal after it has been acted on by a phase locked loop, and the result is compared to the phase of the angle-of-rotation information signal in the rotation control device.

Abstract: In an electronically commutated head drum motor in combination with a motor control circuit, commutation control and tacho signals are generated from the commutation of winding strands. One of the winding strands is used for the phase detection of the read/write heads arranged on the perimeter of the rotating head drum. A commutation signal is derived from the commutation of this winding strand and the commutation signal is set in relation to the reference signal of a signal track to be recorded or scanned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a servo offset value and a take-up reel velocity for imparting a desired linear velocity to tape in a helical scan recording system (20). The helical scan recorder system records information on a magnetic tape (22), the magnetic tape being transported between a supply reel (24) and a take-up reel (26) in the helical scan recorder through a tape path, which tape path includes at least a partial wrapping of the tape around a drum (30) of the helical scan recorder. The methods include moving the tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel whereby the tape travels a predetermined displacement; rewinding the tape by the tape extraction displacement and determining an angular rewind displacement of the take-up reel; and using the determined displacements to ascertain parameters including a desired velocity of the take-up reel.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a rotating member is provided with an input capture register which reads out the value of a free running counter at a timing of an FG (frequency generated) pulse generated in accordance with a rotation of a rotating member. A central processing unit performs an interrupt operation based on a PG (phase generated) pulse generated in accordance with a rotation of the rotating member and an interrupt operation based on the FG pulse. A pulse width modulation circuit rotates the rotating member by use of a speed error signal and a phase error signal which are obtained by the interrupt operations of the central processing unit. A rotating member driver is also provided. The central processing unit calculates the phase error signal from an output of the input capture register based on an FG pulse generated after the generation of the PG pulse.

Abstract: A process for reducing the friction between a rotating head drum and a tape-shaped recording medium which surrounds the head drum for recording and/or playing back information. In order to shorten access time to information stored on the tape-shaped recording medium, some recorders have the recording medium mounted in a cassette which remains threaded even during rewinding, and surrounds the head drum in the same way as in the play and search modes. Because the tape remains threaded during rewinding, such recorders, also called full-loading recorders, suffer from increased friction between the rotating head drum and the tape moving in the reverse direction. To reduce friction, the speed of rotation of the head drum is increased by a factor, preferably a factor of 2, during rewinding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a servo offset value and a take-up reel velocity for imparting a desired linear velocity to tape in a helical scan recording system (20). The helical scan recorder system records information on a magnetic tape (22), the magnetic tape being transported between a supply reel (24) and a take-up reel (26) in the helical scan recorder through a tape path, which tape path includes at least a partial wrapping of the tape around a drum (30) of the helical scan recorder. The methods include moving the tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel whereby the tape travels a predetermined displacement; rewinding the tape by the tape extraction displacement and determining an angular rewind displacement of the take-up reel; and using the determined displacements to ascertain parameters including a desired velocity of the take-up reel.

Abstract: A video tape recorder for long-play mode recording/reproducing includes a capstan servo circuit including a N-multiplying means for inputting a capstan frequency signal and multiplying the input signal by N times, first switching means for switching each signal multiplied by the N-multiplying means according to a mode selecting signal for selecting a mode and down counting means for counting down the output signal of the first switching means, and a drum servo circuit including a synchronization dividing means for receiving a complex synchronous signal and dividing the input signal into a vertical and horizontal synchronous signal, drum reference frequency generating means for receiving the output signal of the synchronization dividing means and generating a drum reference frequency signal, delay means for delaying a drum phase signal by predetermined degrees, 180+.theta..degree. (here, .theta.

Abstract: A method and A circuit for detecting an auto tracking find error in a VCR, wherein a phase control range for a capstan motor is widened as compared with the prior art so that, when a phase of the capstan motor is widely detuned, the following speed for stabilization of the phase of the capstan motor can be made fast. According to the invention, in an interval of -.pi.-.pi. of the phase of the capstan motor, first latch data is selected as a phase error signal for control of the phase of the capstan motor. In intervals of -2.pi.--.pi. and .pi.-2.pi. of the phase of the capstan motor, second latch data is multiplied by two and is then of the same polarity as that of the first latch data. The second latch data multiplied by two is added to the first latch data. In result, the added value is selected as the phase error signal. Also, a portion of the data above double the upper limit value is cut in the interval of -2.pi.--.pi.

Abstract: Tape formatting, tracking and trick mode data generation provide trick modes for compressed video stored on a video tape. The tape is formatted so that trick mode data is recorded at normal speed within certain areas delineated by predetermined boundaries that are within a maintainable range of a predetermined ideal scan path of the heads. These boundaries are oblique to the normal speed tracks and define trick mode data areas in which trick mode data may be recorded. To facilitate tracking, sync words and trick mode identification codes are interleaved within the trick mode data areas. During tracking, the heads reproduce the sync words and identification codes, and the identification codes that match the currently utilized trick mode are counted. The count during a current interval is compared to a count during a previous interval or a threshold to determine if the heads have locked onto the ideal can path or deviated therefrom.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing system for multiple users is disclosed which includes a plurality of channels connected to multiple users, a data processing portion for processing a signal of input/output information of an optical disk, and an optical head portion for reading and writing the information of optical disk. The optical head portion has at least one ultra-slim, subminiature multi-head device commonly having at least two optical heads, thereby allowing individuals to process desired information at any time.

Abstract: A motor speed control device includes a frequency signal generating circuit for generating a frequency signal proportional to a rotation frequency of a motor, a frequency measuring circuit for measuring a frequency of the frequency signal, a speed error signal extracting circuit for extracting a speed error signal by operation comparing the frequency of the frequency signal with a predetermined control target period, a filter circuit for eliminating rotation frequency components of the motor contained in the frequency signal or the speed error signal and harmonic components thereof to output another speed error signal, and a speed error signal feedback circuit for feeding-back negatively the other speed error signal from the filter circuit to the motor, in which owing to the fact that the filter circuit has predetermined transfer functions, it suppresses non-uniform components contained in the speed error signal and the phase error signal due to the frequency signal (DFG signal) proportional to the rotation s

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a rotating drum for conveying a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic head being mounted on the drum and kept in sliding contact with the magnetic recording medium. The magnetic head records signals on the recording medium in a recording mode and does not record signals on the recording medium in a recording pause mode. The magnetic head reproduces signals recorded on the recording medium in a motion picture reproducing mode and does not reproduce signals recorded on the recording medium in a still picture reproducing mode. The apparatus further includes a drum rotation control circuit for controlling the rotating speed of the drum. The drum is rotated at a lower speed during the recording pause mode than during the recording mode and is rotated at a lower speed during the still picture reproducing mode than during the motion picture reproducing mode.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a speed and a phase of a VCR servo system includes a Control (CTL) signal generation section, a speed error detection section, a phase error detection section and a speed/phase control section. The phase error detection section has a recording phase error detector and a playback phase error detector. A CTL signal blank discrimination section inputs a CTL pulse from the playback phase error detector, discriminates a blank interval of a CTL signal based on the inputted CTL pulse, and outputs discrimination signal in accordance with the discriminated result. A first switching control section inputs the discrimination signal, an FF/REW mode signal, a recording mode signal and a tape type discriminating signal and performs a logical operation based on the inputted signals to output a first control signal.

Abstract: Servo track pair position and longitudinal tape position is determined for a tape using dedicated servo format. The tape includes at least one set of data tracks and dedicated servo tracks wherein adjacent servo tracks are defined by longitudinal lines through the edges of erased or non-recorded tape portions. The information about servo track pair numbers and/or servo sample numbers is recorded into portions of the tape and is decoded and read back together with signals from the servo track. The information is recorded in a digital manner by using a digital block format of data blocks requiring less bytes per block than a data block provided on the data tracks. If information about longitudinal tape position is not required, information may be recorded in an analog manner using a fixed set of predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A method for synchronously operating two or more rotary head digital audio tape recorders without having to dedicate a separate timing track. The present invention synchronizes the machines in three steps. First, the slave unit reads the time code value from the data stream and compares this time code to the master's time code, examining the difference in time code values and adjusting the transport speed so that the values are approximately equal. Next, the slave's capstan motors are slowed down (or sped up) so that the slave and master units are within one drum revolution of each other. Finally, the slave's microprocessor adjusts the speed of the entire system to skip individual samples until the master and slave units are synchronized.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes recording medium transporter. A counter counts a number of pulses corresponding to a distance moved by the recording medium in a first fixed period that includes the instant at which the recording medium starts to be fed and a second fixed period that includes the instant at which the recording medium stopping operation is actuated. The count result is utilized by a timing control to control either the timing with which the recording medium starts to be transported or the timing with which the recording medium is stopped. The recording medium is thereby set at a desired position with respect to a recording/reproducing device when it is being fed or is at rest.

Abstract: A hard disk drive system operates from a limited power source to provide for the storage of data on the surface of a rotating hard disk media. An embedded controller incorporates a data channel for transferring data with respect to a hard disk media. The controller includes first and second subsections and a power-down circuit for providing separately switchable power from the power source to the first and section subsections. The controller further includes a processor for controlling the power-down circuit. The processor nominally provides a low duty cycle control signal to the power-down circuit for switching the provision of power to the first subsection of the controller.