Tracking system and method for video disc player

A tracking system for use in a player for recovering information from a selected one of a plurality of spaced information tracks on an information-bearing surface, the player including means for providing a beam of radiation and means for imparting relative movement between the surface and the beam, the tracking system comprising:

• beam steering means for directing the beam of radiation along a prescribed path to impinge on the information-bearing surface;
• and
• control means for coupling a tracking error signal to the beam steering means, in a first mode of operation, to controllably position the beam of radiation in aligment with a first selected track on the surface;
• the control means further operating, in a second mode of operation, to uncouple the tracking error signal from the beam steering means, and to couple a control pulse signal to the beam steering means, to controllably move the beam of radiation toward a second selected track on the surface;
• the control means including detector means for determining when the beam of radiation has been moved to a prescribed position intermediate the first track and the second track, and for terminating the control pulse signal at that time.

A tracking system for use in a player for recovering information from a selected one of a plurality of substantially circular and concentric information tracks on a record disc, the player including means for providing a beam of radiation and means for rotating the disc relative to the beam, the tracking system comprising:

• beam steering means for directing the beam of radiation along a prescribed path to impinge on the record disc;
• and
• means, operable in a first mode of operation, for coupling a tracking error signal to the beam steering means, to controllably position the beam of radiation in alignment with a first selected track on the disc;
• means operable, in a second mode of operation, for uncoupling the tracking error signal from the beam steering means and coupling a control pulse signal to the beam steering means, to controllably move the beam of radiation to a second selected track on the disc;
• detector means for determining when the beam of radiation is located midway between the first track and the second track, and for terminating the control pulse signal at that time;
• compensating means for coupling a prescribed compensation pulse signal to the beam steering means a prescribed time after the control pulse signal is terminated, to stabilize the beam steering means;
• means for recoupling the tracking error signal to the beam steering means a prescribed time after the control pulse signal is terminated and before the beam of radiation reaches the second selected track.

A tracking method for use in a player for recovering information from a selected one of a plurality of spaced information tracks on an informaton-bearing surface, the player including means for providing a beam of radiation, and means for imparting relative movement between the surface and the beam, the tracking method comprising steps of:

• directing the beam of radiation along a prescribed path using beam steering means, to impinge on the information-bearing surfaces;
• and
• coupling a tracking error signal to the beam steering means, in a first mode of operation, to controllably position the beam of radiation in alignment with a first selected track on the surface;
• uncoupling the tracking error signal from the beam steering means, in a second mode of operation, and coupling a control pulse signal to the beam steering means, to controllably move the beam of radiation toward a second selected track on the surface;
• and
• determining when the beam of radiation has been moved to a prescribed position intermediate the first track and the second track, and terminating the control pulse signal at that time.