Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Automatic control of a recorder mechanism – Controlling the record
Patent
1997-10-27
2000-06-20
Sniezek, Andrew L.
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Controlling the record
360 18, 360 7715, G11B 1546
Patent
active
060784598
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a tracking control apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium. Specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus adapted for controlling relative velocity between traveling velocity of the tape-shaped recording medium and rotational velocity of the rotary drum to provide (apply) tracking servo (control).
2. Background Art
There have been developed, e.g., Digital Audio Tape Players (hereinafter simply referred to as DAT) adapted for recording and/or reproducing digital audio data with respect to magnetic tape and Digital Data Storages in which such DAT is used to record or reproduce data of the computer. In these devices, magnetic tape is traveled in the state where the magnetic tape is wound at a wrap angle of, e.g., 90 degrees on the rotary drum, and the rotary drum is rotated to carry out recording/reproduction in accordance with the helical scan system by using the magnetic head on the rotary drum. Thus, high density recording is permitted.
In accordance with this helical scan system, inclined tracks TK.sub.A, TK.sub.B are formed on the magnetic tape as shown in FIG. 1. These inclined tracks TK.sub.A, TK.sub.B are tracks formed by, e.g., recording in which no guard band is provided (so-called azimuth full recording) by using a pair of recording heads HR.sub.A, HR.sub.B in which azimuth angles are different from each other mounted on the rotary drum. In more practical sense, respective gaps GP of the recording heads HR.sub.A, HR.sub.B are adapted so that azimuth angles .theta..sub.A, .theta..sub.B are provided in directions opposite to each other, and magnetization (magnetic polarization) directions of the inclined tracks TK.sub.A, TK.sub.B are different from each other as indicated by slanting lines. In this azimuth full recording, the track width TP is narrower than the width of the recording heads HR.sub.A, HR.sub.B.
Meanwhile, at the time of reproduction, the magnetic head is required to precisely trace tracks TK (inclined tracks TK.sub.A, TK.sub.B) on the magnetic tape. As this tracking control system, e.g., in the digital data storage, a tracking servo control so called timing ATF (Automatic Track Following) system is used.
In accordance with this timing ATF system, the time (or time period which will be referred to as tracking detection time) required from the reference phase position of the rotary drum until the magnetic head detects (reproduces) a predetermined signal (hereinafter referred to as a timing detection signal) from corresponding track is measured to compare that measured value and reference value to allow error therebetween to be servo error information. Then, the rotational velocity (speed) of the capstan motor for traveling the magnetic tape is controlled on the basis of this servo error information to adjust the tape traveling velocity. Namely, the tape traveling velocity is adjusted to adjust the relative velocity between the drum rotational velocity and the tape traveling velocity so that a satisfactory tracking state can be obtained.
In more practical sense, as shown in FIG. 3, phase position of the rotary drum when scanning position of the magnetic head is caused to be the position of line (timing) designated as TR.sub.A in FIG. 3 with respect to a certain track is caused to be the reference phase position. At the rotary drum or the drum motor, pulse generator (PG) is disposed. At the time point when the rotary drum is located at the reference phase position during rotation, a pulse signal is generated from the PG. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the timing TR.sub.A at which the rotary drum has been located at the reference phase position. Thereafter, when the magnetic head comes into contact with the magnetic tape to scan the inclined track TR.sub.A, a timing detection signal is detected as reproduction data at a predetermined position P.sub.TTP on the track. This timing detection signal serves so that pulse can be obtained at the predetermined position P.sub.TTP such as synchronizing signal or address, etc.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5191491 (1993-03-01), Zweighaft
patent: 5349481 (1994-09-01), Kauffman et al.
patent: 5461519 (1995-10-01), Yoshihiro et al.
patent: 5623380 (1997-04-01), Noguchi et al.
Maioli Jay H.
Sniezek Andrew L.
Sony Corporation
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