Abstract: An optical recording method and an optical recording apparatus enable recording information on recording tracks substantially corresponding to ideal reference tracks, on an optical recording medium without preformatted tracks. The optical recording medium is scanned by a rotating optical scanning system using a scanning light beam emitted by an external light source to record information on the optical recording medium. Prior to recording the information on the optical recording medium, information recorded on a reference track recording medium provided with ideal reference tracks is reproduced in a tracking control mode to acquire tracking control data and the tracking control data is stored in a waveform memory. In recording information on the optical recording medium, the rotating optical scanning system is controlled on the basis of the previously stored tracking control data so that the scanning spot traces recording tracks corresponding to the ideal reference tracks.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning a tape-like record carrier. The device includes an optical system for focusing a radiation beam at the record carrier, which radiation beam causes a scanning spot to occur on the record carrier. The device also includes a rotary polygon mirror which causes the scanning spot to be displaced transversely to the direction of the tape with a specific repetition rate. The tape-like record carrier is moved with a certain velocity in the longitudinal direction of the tape relative to the scanning device. In this manner, the record carrier is scanned in accordance with a track pattern formed by a longitudinal path of substantially parallel tracks which have a substantially constant track pitch and a track direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the record carrier. During operation, vibrations occur which cause displacements to occur of the scanning spot over the recording layer transverse to the scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical tape is helically passed over a cylindrical outer surface of a drum at a first speed to effect a substantial circumferential wrap thereof. A first write/read head with a writing laser array generates light beams that are directed along a first path through an optical rotator, and then via an optical arrangement on the drum onto a portion of the optical tape at a wrapping location of the drum to effect helical scanning of that portion of the optical tape. The optical rotator and the optical arrangement are rotated parallel to the first path at second and third rotational speeds, respectively, where the third speed is twice the second speed. This results in a dynamic imaging of the light beams from the first write/read head in closely spaced and parallel tracks to write binary data on the portion of the optical tape at the wrapping location using a passive focusing control.

Abstract: An optical tape reading/recording apparatus comprises a transparent hollow drum and a pinch roller for guiding a running optical tape, the optical tape retained between the drum and the pinch roller and a scanning device for scanning the optical tape closely contacted on a spherical lateral surface of the hollow drum.

Abstract: An optical recording and reproducing apparatus is provided with a light source that emits a beam of light, a rotatable head including a deflector that deflects the beam in a predetermined direction and an objective lens group which forms an image of the beam on an optical recording medium. The rotatable head rotates about an optical axis of the beam which is incident upon the rotatable head. A movable lens group, provided in an optical path of the beam between the light source and the rotatable head, is movable in at least an optical axis direction.

Abstract: An optical tape recording and reproducing apparatus wherein dynamic tracking can be started at a position at or near the center of a track to reduce the settling time upon leading-in of tracking and increase the recording and/or reproducing range and the operating range of a tracking actuator is kept small to achieve save of power and reduction in size of the actuator and besides a sudden variation of the feeding speed of an optical tape is eliminated to minimize the variation of the tension of the optical tape thereby to minimize possible damage to the optical tape. The position of a spot of a laser beam with respect to a object track of the optical tape is controlled in response to a displacement of the position of the spot of the laser beam at a predetermined sampling point of the object track of the optical tape from the center line of the object track and another displacement of the tracking actuator, which effects tracking of the laser beam, from its central position.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of controlling a flexible disk controller for executing a format operation and a write operation of data into a flexible disk having a plurality of tracks, each of said tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. The flexible disk controller executes sequential-specifying sectors to be accessed in plural sectors of a specified track under parameters supplied from a host system, and subsequently execute both a write operation of identification informations into an identification field of a specified sector and a concurrent write operation of data into a data field of said specified sector. The above operation are repeated for every sectors of said specified track.

Abstract: A telecentric rotary actuary in an optical storage system. A laser generates a laser beam which is focused by an objective lens onto an optical disk in order to write data to and read data from the optical disk. In performing a seek, a galvo rotates a mirror in order to reflect the laser beam to different radial displacements in reference to the optical disk. The position of the laser beam is detected, and a rotary actuator, to which the objective lens is attached, follows the movement of the laser beam. A telecentric optical system comprising a relay lens and an image lens is used to minimize an offset between the laser beam and the objective lens. The relay lens focuses the laser beam to a back focal point. The image lens optically conjugates the back focal point to a front focal point corresponding to the objective lens in order to demagnify any offset.

Abstract: A buffering system and method for data recorded by a laser on a moving optical medium, such as a flexible optical tape wherein data (e.g., analog video information) can be buffered to permit recording on a flexible optical medium in a manner which optimizes recording efficiency and space utilization on the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to video recording and playback techniques and devices which create relative movement between a laser and an optical medium such as a flexible optical tape to permit the recording of different bandwidth signals. Further, the present invention relates to video recording and playback techniques and devices which optimize relative movement between a laser source and the optical medium in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract: Data read off an optical card are stored in a read buffer. If there are data in the read buffer when a read command is received, decoding is begun. If read commands are being issued for consecutive tracks, the reading of the data on the next track will begin as soon the reading of the preceding track is completed.

Abstract: A rotating intermediate drum having mounted thereon optical head is made smaller than stationary upper and lower drums in diameter and spiral grooves are formed on the rotating intermediate drum on its surfaces opposing the stationary upper and lower drums. An optical tape is transported in a floated condition relative to a drum circumferential surface owing to a synergy of a dynamic pressure based on the rotation of the rotating intermediate drum and the air exhausted from the spiral grooves. Therefore, an information signal is recorded on and/or reproduced from the optical tape when the optical tape is transported in the floated condition from the head drum having the trilayer structure composed of the stationary upper and lower drums and the rotating intermediate drum therebetween.

Abstract: An optical head device for projecting a light beam on a recording medium to record data thereon or reproduce the recorded data comprises an optical system for forming a beam spot of a specified diameter on the surface of the recording medium, and a transparent contact member disposed at a light emanating portion of the system for the recording medium to come into direct sliding contact therewith. Accordingly, when the contact member moves relative to the recording medium, the dust adhering to the surface of medium is removed by the contact member to assure a recording or reproduction operation free of errors.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus effects a seek operation by moving an optical pick-up, which includes an objective lens for projecting a light spot onto an optical card, in a tracking direction perpendicular to the track direction over a desired distance between a current track on which the light spot is currently made incident and a desired track on which the light spot is to be made incident next. To reduce the access time during a seek operation, the vibration of the optical card is monitored and the tracking control is started substantially immediately when the light spot is just made incident upon the desired track. The tracking control may be initiated, e.g., at a timing which is separated from a peak of the vibration by 1/4 of a period of the vibration. Alternatively, the tracking control may be started when the acceleration of the vibration becomes zero.

Abstract: A rotary drum assembly comprises a stationary member having a stationary cylindrical portion, and a rotary member having substantially the same diameter as that of the stationary member and positioned in the vicinity of the stationary member so as to be relatively stationary to the stationary member. Each of surfaces of the rotary member and the stationary member opposing to each other is formed to have a step structure having a plurality of opposed surfaces, and pump-out type spiral grooves are formed on at least two of the plurality of opposed surfaces of one of the rotary and stationary members.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the position of a head in an optical tape recording/reproducing device having a rotary optical head controls the position of the head at the instant that it faces the tape based upon a desired head position derived from a preceding period in which it was facing the tape. A head position error signal is sampled and added to a sample head position signal during a period when the head is facing the tape and is held during the time the head is not facing the tape. The instant the head begins to face the tape once again, this desired value that has been held is applied to the head in order to reduce the pull-in time of the control circuit and provide more time for information recording/reproduction during the time the rotary optical head is facing the tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for high speed reading of multiple data tracks stored on an optical recording medium, such as a flexible optical tape. Data can be accurately read in the presence of position and alignment errors illuminating plural tracks of the optical recorded medium with an expanded light beam.

Abstract: A simple high resolution optical scanner consists of high numerical aperture lens mounted at the end of a flexible cantilever. The lens scans along a curved line as the cantilever bends. In order for the optical path to track the lens position, a mirror is mounted on the cantilever at a point located about 20% of the cantilever length, measured from the fixed mounting point. As the cantilever bends, the angle at this point is half of the angle at the cantilever end. Since the mirror doubles this angle when reflecting the input beam, the input beam will track, and stay parallel to, the lens at the end of the cantilever. This type of scanner is particularly suited to operate in a resonant mode, since the cantilever shape has low inherent damping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transverse registration of image exposures on photoreceptive belts subject to lateral deviation from linear travel in which targets, corresponding in location to the image areas to be exposed, are used for the detection of lateral belt displacement and to control the transverse location of exposure scan. The targets are of a pattern defining a reference line and a line inclined with respect to the direction of belt travel so that the duration of time between passage of the target lines with respect to a spacially fixed sensing axis will vary with lateral displacement of the belt. The targets may assume a variety of specific patterns and the invention is applicable to single and multi-pass image exposure systems as well as to both modulated laser and light emitting diode types of exposure devices.

Abstract: A servo control circuit for an image rotator used in an optical tape recording apparatus that employs a rotary tape drum. Pairs of pulse generators and frequency generators are provided on the image rotator and on the tape drum, respectively. Initially, the pulse generators are used for servo control and, upon detecting a phase lock, servo control is subsequently switched over to be controlled by the frequency generators.

Abstract: A system and method for processing an optical information on an optical record medium are disclosed in which a timing at which a scanning of a light spot on one record track of the optical record medium derived from an acoustooptic deflector is started is controlled on the basis of a tracking error signal indicating that a scanning trajectory of the light spot is deviated from a center line of the one record track on the optical record medium. Therefore, the light spot can accurately be tracked on each record track on the high density optical record medium such as a tape in a simple construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing an optically recorded information on an optical record medium is disclosed in which a plurality of light sources which irradiate light beams on a plurality of record tracks are illuminated in a time sharing mode and a reproduced signal derived by a receipt of reproduced lights with a signal photo detecting element is processed so as to reproduce the information on the tracks, whereby a crosstalk due to the light sources which simultaneously irradiate the light beams on the plurality of mutually adjacent record tracks can be avoided and a simple construction of the optically recorded information reproducing apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically recording information on a media. The present invention comprises an optical tape recording system for recording digital information. In the present invention, a Bragg cell, comprising an acousto-optic crystal and a transducer, is used to effect the scanning of a light beam on the media for purposes of recording or reading digital information. Further, position information is recorded on the media to allow accurate tracking of the position of the media under a read/write head of the present invention. In addition, the present invention discloses means for focussing a radiant energy beam on the media comprising a read/write head coupled with a transducer. The read/write head includes a piezoelectric layer which may effect the focussing of the read/write head under the control of a servo mechanism.

Abstract: A single channel optical recording system is described, which system does not require a second rotating optical element. The system uses focus error correction components located outside the rotating drum. Light transmitted to and from the drum is at all times axially symmetric, thus circumventing the problem of image rotation. Lateral error correction takes place entirely within the drum, requiring only the transmission of d.c. electrical power across the rotating interface. Preferably the physical distribution of optical components within the drum is symmetric to ensure mechanical balance. A dual beam tracking system to write data in compact form in a single-channel optical tape recorder is also described. The tracking is achieved in the drum and without any additional optical elements. Passive or active alignment of the two beams before entering the drum is achieved using an extended anamorphic prism pair and without introducing additional optical surfaces into the beam path.

Abstract: A tape recorder of the present invention comprises a pair of feed and take-up spools for winding a tape as recording media, a rotatable drum rotated to wind and run the tape between the pair of spools over the drum surface helically, a head for recording, reproducing or erasing signals on the tape wound over said drum surface, and control means for controlling the relative positional relationship between the head and the tape wound over the drum surface based on an error signal such that said signals are stably recorded, reproduced or erased along a desired track, the control means having means for holding the error signal during the period in which the tape is discontinued over a drum surface.

Abstract: A rotary optical head apparatus comprises a first rotary member carrying an objective lens and a second rotary member carrying an image rotator. The two rotary members are supported for rotation by means of a single common support shaft so that the axes of rotation of the two rotary members coincide with each other with a high degree of accuracy. Consequently, the linearity of a scanning line of a beam spot which is scanned on an optical magnetic tape is ensured with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A learning and identification support system for birders and such comprising, a media having a plurality of visually recognizable bird pictures thereon associated with respective ones of a plurality of birds to have birdsong associated therewith. A plurality of scannable barcodes are disposed on the media and associated with respective ones of the bird pictures. Each of the plurality of scannable barcodes comprises a unique index indicating the one of the bird pictures with which it is associated. A barcode scanner is used for scanning individual selected ones of the barcodes to obtain an electrical signal at an output thereof containing the unique index. There is a Compact Disc (CD) containing a plurality of birdsongs associated with respective ones of the plurality of birds, each of the plurality of birdsongs being individually addressable by means of a unique index associated therewith.

Abstract: A scanning system for optoelectronically recorded signal patterns stored in a plural layer medium consisting of inorganic materials throughout and featuring a dielectric storage layer at the surface which faces an electron beam source. The source beam first searches for a position mark associated with an image frame on the medium in order to establish a precise home position of the beam and associated coordinate axes prior to commencing the scan operation on that medium frame. Then the beam scans a raster on the medium spending a certain dwell time at each resolution element of the raster. Each time a frame is reached, the system is capable of altering the beam current in response to a pre-recorded exposure code in order to achieve the optimal retrieval of all information stored image-wise within said frame.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape type optical recording medium has a transparent guide on which guide tracks are precisely formed. A scanning beam is controlled so as to scan along the guide tracks and is converged on the recording surface of the tape type recording medium. The accuracy of the recording tracks on the tape is equivalent to that of the guide tracks. In this way, recording tracks can be precisely formed on the tape witout the step required in the prior art methods of pre-forming guide tracks on the recording medium.

Abstract: An information storage medium in which information is stored as multiple machine readable data entries arranged in frames which are themselves arranged in plural, generally parallel channels. The medium further contains machine readable synchronization markers respectively positioned at the leading ends of the channels. These markers include one or more features of characteristic shape or dimension or are characteristically located on the medium with respect to the associated channels. Preferably the medium further contains a second set of similar markers arranged in respectively groups alongside the respective channels. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for synchronizing a read head utilizing the storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading and recording information on a tape record medium has the tape wound and advanced along a helical path on the outer cylindrical surface of the drum. A system for writing and reading information on the tape is positioned entirely on the outside of the drum and is stationary relative to the rotation of the drum and movement of the tape thereon. Tape is supplied to the helical path on the drum by one or more tape reels rotatably mounted within the drum and aligned coaxially with the rotational axis of the drum. The drum and tape thereon are rotated at a high rate relative to the stationary read/write system, and the tape is advanced along the helical path at a relative slow rate. The drum and tape thereon are configured in the form of a cartridge, removeable as a unit from the optical system.

Abstract: A system for recording data onto optical tape by means of a laser. The optical tape may be disposed on reels and transported along a tape path between supply and takeup hubs. A laser or laser array is used to write data on the tape in a plurality of parallel tracks as it is driven along the tape path. The tape features a flexible web backing, a reflective metallic layer deposited over the backing and an optical storage layer on top of the metallic layer with a planar crust of irregular, nonfilamentary and oblong black silver particles within the top one-half micron of the storage layer and substantially clear gelatin below the crust. The tape may have prepatterned indica, such as servo track guides or timing marks. Laser recording modifies the black silver particles of the crust to expose the reflective underlayer through the clear gelatin. The laser at low power together with a light detector may be used to read the data, an optical reflective contrast ratio of at least 1.

Abstract: A helically scanned optical tape recording and replay system has a rotating drum with a galvanometer mirror for controlling the tracking of a number of write and read light beams during recording and replay. Dynamic focussing of the beams on the recording medium is controlled by means of a voice-coil actuator operating on a lens situated outside the drum. An optical rotator is provided through which the write and read beams pass following beam combinations, the optical rotator being driven by a motor to rotate at half the rotational velocity of the drum, and thereby present an image to the optical tape which rotates synchronously with the drum.

Abstract: A laser drum which can optically record and reproduce information on optical tapes. The laser drum comprises an upper drum which has two projection holes, rotates and is fitted with semiconductor lasers, a total reflective prism, stoppers, diffraction gratings, beam splitters, object lenses, condensing lenses and photodetectors.

Abstract: Information stored in a medium as multiple machine readable record entries arranged in frames which are themselves arranged in one or more channels may be read by observing each frame in turn with a substantially known array of detector elements, each having a limited field of observation, producing a set of observed values for each frame. Modified values, indicative of the record entries of the frame, may be generated utilizing both the limitations on the range of the possible values of the record entries and predetermined manipulations of the observed values. As a result, any fractional misregistration between the record entries and the detector elements may be corrected. Position markers may be employed to determine where reading should occur. To distinguish local faults in the position markers, the markers may be observed in turn and values indicating marker position may be stored for a predetermined number of preceding markers.

Abstract: A multiple track playback headwheel is disclosed for use in a helical scan optical tape recording system. The headwheel includes optical diffraction gratings at the center of rotation of the headwheel positioned normal to the rotational axis. A collimated light beam supplied from a laser external to the headwheel, directed along the rotational axis of the headwheel, is split into a plurality of beams by the gratings. The plurality of beams are imaged at the entrance pupil of the playback objective lens which focuses the beams to diffraction limited spots on the surface of an optical tape having information recorded thereon. The illuminated spots are reflected back through the objective lens and are formed into beams which are directed to an information and tracking detecting apparatus and to a focus detecting apparatus.

Abstract: A system for generating audible information from a sound track printed on paper by conventional printing techniques, the sound track consisting of a multiplicity of closely-spaced parallel sound track segments which are curved in a manual scanning direction and oriented generally transverse the manual scanning direction. Also provided is an optical scanner adapted to be manually moved along the sound track in the manual scanning direction, the scanner including means for automatically and continuously sequentially scanning the segments longitudinally to produce electrical signals representative of sound information contained in the sound track, and means for converting the electrical signals into audible sound.

Abstract: An optical tape recorder is disclosed using the linear motion of a slide to record data across a slowly moving tape made of light sensitive material. Data is recorded on the tape by modulating the output of a laser in accordance with the data and focussing the modulated light onto the tape using a lens mounted on a slide. The position of the slide is measured using a linear optical encoder and this information is used to place the data accurately on the tape. The slide is connected to a spring and driven electromagnetically at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: A method for optically encoding digital data (12) on a substrate (11) without timing or synchronization data to form a data record carrier (10) includes the steps of: selecting a track (14) path on the substrate (11); selecting a data cell length (L) in the direction of the track (14) for each bit of data to be stored in each cell (15) on each track (14); selecting a cell width dimension (W) transverse to the direction of the track (14); selecting an optical non-transition cell (15) for one form of logic (0 or 1) to be stored in each such non-transition cell (15); selecting an optical transition cell (15) for the other form of logic (1 or 0) to be stored in each such other transition cell (15); creating at least one track (14) of digital data (12) on the substrate (11) comprised of a series of cells (15) each having the same cell length (L) in the direction of the track (14); establishing in each non-transition cell (15) on the substrate (11) a fully reflective or transmissive surface or a fully non-reflectiv

Abstract: Recording and playback optical scanners are relatively movable with respect to each other and with respect to a movable recording medium such as reel of tape adapted for recording variations in applied light. The playback scanner reproduces recorded information at a time delayed with respect to the time of recording, wherein the amount of delay can vary within wide limits. When the playback scanner is moved relative to recording scanner, the playback rate will be faster or slower than the recording rate.

Abstract: Data recorded in non-parallel arcuate paths on a data carrier are read with a laser beam which rotates relative to the data record.

Abstract: A track intercept apparatus is described for use in an optical playback machine which plays back data recorded on an optical record in track segments. The apparatus deflects the scanning light beam of such machine so that the light beam intercepts each selected track segment properly when the scan is initiated. A track intercept control circuit is employed having storage means for storage of variable values of track alignment data, adjust means for producing an adjustment signal corresponding to the stored data which is applied to a light beam deflection means, and timing means for controlling gating circuitry and for coordinating events within the circuit with the operation of the playback machine as a whole. One embodiment of the invention includes a circuit which compensates for track-following corrections made during scanning by returning the scanning light beam to a stored starting position. Another embodiment has a circuit for electronically aligning the scanner optics.

Abstract: Recording and playback optical scanners are relatively movable with respect to each other and with respect to a movable recording medium such as reel of tape adapted for recording variations in applied light. The playback scanner reproduces recorded information at a time delayed with respect to the time of recording, wherein the amount of delay can vary within wide limits. When the playback scanner is moved relative to recording scanner, the playback rate will be faster or slower than the recording rate.

Abstract: In a video signal reproducing apparatus, a cantilevered bi-morph leaf is secured at one end to a rotary support, for example, a rotary portion of a guide drum about which a magnetic tape is helically wrapped, a transducer is mounted at the other end of the bi-morph leaf for reproducing a video signal recorded in one of a plurality of successive parallel tracks extending obliquely across the magnetic tape with the transducer being deflectable transverse to the direction of the tracks upon flexing of the cantilevered bi-morph leaf from a rest condition, and a damper is engageable with the other end portion of the bi-morph leaf for dampering free oscillations due to bending forces applied to such leaf.