US 4,363,042 AGranted

Method and apparatus for automatically tracking a magnetic tape

AssigneeOlympus Optical Co., Ltd.

InventorsKenji Kimura, Sinichi Saitou, Toyoo Nishiyama, Toshikazu Kato, Misao Shimoda, Seizo Watanabe, Ken Satoh, Tutomu Shibata

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Abstract

In a magnetic tape-automatic tracking method, at least one of the positions of the upper and lower edges of a magnetic tape is detected by an assembly of a tape edge position sensor and light-emitting diode. Any displacement of the running magnetic tape from its standard vertical position is determined from detected data. A generally vertical tape edge position-compensating post which applies a tensile force to the magnetic tape in contact therewith is rotated in a vertical plane by a reversible motor in accordance with the detected extent of the displacement of the running magnetic tape from its standard vertical position. The magnitude of a tensile force applied by the tape edge position-compensating post to the magnetic tape is varied, by the extent of the rotation of the reversible motor. As a result, the magnetic tape is vertically moved in the desired direction to regain its standard vertical position.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for automatically tracking a magnetic tape running against a magnetic head having a vertical assembly of vertically extending head gaps formed therein, said magnetic head being fixed during running of the tape thereagainst which comprises the steps of:

detecting the vertical position of a magnetic tape during its run by a means for detecting, at a position aligned vertically with the vertical axis of the vertical assembly of vertically extending head gaps formed in the magnetic head, at least one of the positions of the upper and lower edges of the magnetic tape, and generating data corresponding to the detected position;
determining any displacement of the magnetic tape from its standard vertical position from detected data;
and
varying the mode in which a tape edge position-compensating means for applying a tensile force to the magnetic tape by contact with the upper or lower edge portion of the tape in the sideward direction of the tape is pressed against the magnetic tape in order to control the tensile force applied by the tape edge position-compensating means to the magnetic tape to thereby control the vertical position of the magnetic tape relative to said magnetic head, thereby enabling the running magnetic tape to maintain its standard vertical position.

1 more element

In a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a magnetic head having a vertical assembly of vertically extending head gaps formed therein, said magnetic head being fixed during running of the tape against said magnetic head, an apparatus for automatically tracking a magnetic tape, which comprises:

a tape edge position-compensating means for applying a tensile force to the magnetic tape in contact with the upper or lower edge portions of the tape in the sideward direction of the tape;
a tape edge position-detecting means which detects, at a position aligned vertically with the vertical axis of the vertical assembly of vertically extending head gaps formed in the magnetic head, at least one of the positions of the upper and lower edges of the magnetic tape;
means coupled to said detecting means for determining any displacement of the magnetic tape from its standard vertical position;
and
means coupled to said determining means for varying the mode in which the tape edge position-compensating means is pressed in said sideward direction against the magnetic tape edge portions in order to control the tensile force applied by the tape edge position-compensating means to the magnetic tape to thereby control the vertical position of the magnetic tape relative to said magnetic head, thereby enabling the running magnetic tape to maintain its standard vertical position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.