Data record with pre-recorded transducer positioning signals, and system for utilizing same

A method of identifying a particular one of a number of generally parallel recording tracks disposed laterally adjacent one another and extending longitudinally in the direction of motion of a movable record member comprising either a disk or tape, and centering a transducer upon the identified track, said method comprising the steps of:

• transducing sequentially-repetitive header signals recorded along a given track of said recording member, to reproduce such signals;
• sampling the said reproduced signals at predetermined intervals to determine a particular signal parameter at such intervals;
• digitally assembling the signal parameters so determined to form a binary-type code symbol;
• comparing said code symbol to a reference symbol which uniquely identifies a particular recording track, to determine whether said given track from which signals have been transduced corresponds to said particular track;
• and, at least in significant part as a function of the said determination made by said comparing step, thereafter detecting servo-positioning signals recorded generally along said given track, and utilizing such signals to center a transducer upon said track.

A method of centering a transducer upon a particular recording track extending along the direction of movement of a recorded member, comprising the steps:

• detecting a particular record on said recording track and transducing signals from said record;
• using signals transduced from said particular record as a timing trigger to commence a particularly-timed interval;
• using an internal non-recorded clock to time the duration of said interval;
• using said particularly-timed interval to locate the position of recorded servo-positioning signals disposed along said recording track;
• and transducing said recorded servo-positioning signals and using same to center a transducer upon said track.

A formatted, multiple-track, servo-tracking recording tape, comprising:

• a recording member in the form of a long, narrow tape, said member having the capability of recording and retaining recorded signal transitions;
• a plurality of generally parallel recording tracks extending lengthwise along said recording member;
• said recording tracks having tracking information recorded therealong at predetermined locations, and also having data-recording fields therealong distinct from said tracking information but disposed along the same respective track as such information;
• and at least certain of said recording tracks having a particular dedicated portion of their length near one end of such tracks which contains and comprises in major part repetitive tracking information embodying coded track-identifying recorded signals.

A method of recording data on and reproducing such data from a particular one of a number of generally parallel recording tracks disposed side-by-side and extending length-wise in the direction of travel of a movable record member, said method comprising the steps of:

• seeking a track-identifying header record by using a transducer positioned in proximity to said track to reproduce recorded signals located along said track, monitoring such transduced signals to detect the presence of a particular signal condition therein, detecting such a particular signal condition, and using such detection to indicate the position along the accessed track of a recorded track-identifying header;
• operatively enabling header-read circuitry for a particular ensuing time interval in response to detection of said particular signal condition;
• monitoring signals from said header-read circuitry during said time interval and logically evaluating signals accessed during said interval to verify conformance of such signals to a known header signal pattern;
• using a verified header signal pattern to initiate a second timed interval and during said second timed interval detecting servo-tracking signals recorded along said track;
• and using the detection of said servo-tracking signals during said second timed interval to initiate a third timed interval for data-signal recording or reproduction along said track during such third timed interval.