Abstract: In a data storage device having a storage medium, wherein data is written to tracks on the storage medium, data for each track including a preamble, and wherein the preamble in any current track is orthogonal to the preamble in any track adjacent to the current track, and wherein data accumulated in a multi-dimensional space is representative of a relationship between signals from the current track and signals from at least one adjacent track, the relationship between the signals from the current track and the signals from the at least one adjacent track is calibrated by, for each respective position out of a plurality of positions in the multi-dimensional space, accumulating a plurality of data values for the respective position, and determining, from the plurality of data values for the respective position, an inverted covariance matrix without performing a matrix inversion operation, either during run-time or prior to run-time.

Abstract: In response to determining that a first write operation is to be performed on a portion of tape, writing data to a data track with a tape head element spacing at a nominal value. A tape width of one or more tape positions at which data is written is recorded. In another aspect, a tape width value associated with a tape is retrieved. A current tape width value associated with the tape is determined, and the tape head element spacing is set based on a difference between the retrieved tape width value and the determined current tape width value.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for adjusting tension in a tape media to counter tape dimensional stability (TDS) errors in a tape media. A determination is made of whether to adjust tension of the tape media based on a detected error rate of reading at least one of the tracks. The tension of the tape media is adjusted in response to determining to adjust the tension.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus including a reproduction unit configured to reproduce information data, which is error-correcting-coded for every N tracks, from a recording medium, wherein the information data includes moving image data which is variable-length-encoded, a recording unit configured to record moving image data on the recording medium, a detection unit configured to detect additional information from the information data reproduced by the reproduction unit, wherein the additional information indicates that the editing point, which can be set up for every frame of a predetermined number, is contained in the moving image data recorded in the N tracks, and a controller configured to control the reproduction unit to reproduce the information data by transporting the recording medium at a high-speed faster than a normal reproduction speed.

Abstract: Processing wherein a measurement signal and an erasure signal are recorded on adjacent tracks of a recordable tape 10 by one recording head HWi of n (i=1 to n) recording heads is effected on n recording heads, and measurement signals are recorded on n tracks substantially simultaneously by n recording heads HW1 to HWn in standard operation state. Then, reproducing heads with respect to thus obtained two kinds of tracks are displaced in track width directions, characteristic curves of reproduced signal waveform amplitudes of measurement signals displacement (off-track) amounts of tracks are obtained, half widths of these characteristic curves are assumed to be expedient track width and a variable Ri optimum and a variable Ri now corresponding to track widths of two kinds of tracks are obtained. Then, deviation between the variable Ri optimum and the variable Ri now is adjusted to become smaller than a desired value.

Abstract: A sync signal time difference detection circuit detects a time difference of reproduced sync signals reproduced by a first head and a second head having different azimuth angles. Rotation of a capstan motor is controlled in accordance with sync signal time difference information output from the sync signal time difference detection circuit, thereby performing a highly accurate tracking control not affected by jitter or eccentricity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a magnetic recording and reproducing method, and a thin film magnetic head that enable a good contact between elements and a recording medium with a reduced track pitch even if the number of head channels is increased, thereby realizing high recording density and high transfer rate.

Abstract: Recording data having a data format corresponding to a predetermined digital recording method is generated and the recording data of two tracks in the digital recording method is continuously recorded in one track on magnetic tape. In addition, in this case, control data indicating the arrangement of the frequencies of pilot signals in each track on the magnetic tape is inverted at an interval of two frames in the NTSC system and of one frame in the PAL system and placed in the recording data.

Abstract: Track positioning of a scanning tape head in a helical tape system may be adversely affected by relative offsets between elements in read element pairs and in write element pairs accessing synchronization patterns. Compensating for variations in the position of read and write elements accessing a given pair of data channels is accomplished by using the relative offset of the first detected synchronization patterns in each pair of data channels as a measure of the relative locations of write elements producing the synchronization patterns and read elements accessing the synchronization patterns. This relative offset is then used to correct subsequent synchronization pattern readings taken from the data channel pair.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium according to this invention is operative, prior to carrying out actual reproduction, to measure times from the time point serving as reference phase position within one period of the rotary drum to the time points when timing signals of respective recording areas of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head, and to calculate average values every respective recording areas of the measured times to generate reference value on the basis of the maximum value and the minimum value of the calculated average values of the respective recording areas.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus reproduces information signals recorded in a plurality of recording modes having different information sizes of an information signal to be recorded per unit time, discriminates the recording mode of the reproduced information signal, and controls tracking between a recording medium and head in accordance with the discrimination result.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium is operative, prior to carrying out actual reproduction, to measure times from the time point serving as the reference phase position within one period of the rotary drum to the time points when timing signals of respective recording areas of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head, and to calculate average values every respective recording areas of the measured times to generate a reference value on the basis of the maximum value and the minimum value of the calculated average values of the respective recording areas.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium is operative, prior to carrying out actual reproduction, to measure times from the time point serving as the reference phase position within one period of the rotary drum to the time points when timing signals of respective recording areas of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head, and to calculate average values every respective recording areas of the measured times to generate a reference value on the basis of the maximum value and the minimum value of the calculated average values of the respective recording areas.