Multitrack magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and method of controlling tracking of multitrack magnetic heads

Multi-track magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces data signals onto and from a plurality of data tracks, comprising:

• a plurality of recording magnetic heads that record the data signals onto the plurality of data tracks, each of said recording heads being associated with one of said plurality of data tracks;
• a reproducing head associated with each of said recording magnetic heads, and each of said data tracks, said reproducing heads being divided into a first data track group, in which said reproducing heads of this first group deviate their positions in a first direction from a center position of the tracks of the magnetic tape, and a second data track group, in which said reproducing heads of this second group deviate from said center position in a second direction which is opposite from said first direction;
• detector means for detecting differences in output of said reproducing heads belonging to said first and said second track groups and producing a difference signal that is indicative of said differences in output;
• and
• control means for controlling tracking operations of all of said reproducing heads in response to said difference signal.

An apparatus for multi-track recording and magnetic reproducing of data signals in conjunction with a recording medium, the medium having a plurality of data tracks, comprising:

• recording means for magnetically recording the data signals on the medium, said recording means including a plurality of recording magnetic heads each of said plurality of recording heads corresponding to a data track of the medium;
• reproducing means for magnetically reproducing data signals that are recorded on the medium, said reproducing means including a plurality of reproducing magnetic heads, one pair of reproducing magnetic heads corresponding to each recording magnetic head with each of said plurality of reproducing heads being capable of producing an output signal;
• means for producing a plurality of difference signals, each difference signal being indicative of a difference between the output signals produced by a particular pair of said reproducing magnetic heads that correspond to a particular one of said plurality of recording magnetic heads;
• tracking means, responsive to said plurality of difference signals, for controlling a tracking of the recording medium by said plurality of reproducing magnetic heads, said tracking means including an adding means for adding said plurality of difference signals;
• means for producing a plurality of sum signals, each sum signal being indicative of a sum of the output signals produced by a particular pair of said reproducing magnetic heads that correspond to a particular one of said plurality of recording magnetic heads;
• and
• azimuth control means, responsive to said plurality of sum signals, for controlling a deviation of synchronizing signals, said synchronizing signals providing synchronous operation of said plurality of recording magnetic heads.