Method of helical tape tracking adjustment using histogram of signal quality versus tape advance distance

Abstract

An invention for positioning information tracks that are on a recording medium so that the scan path of a replay transducer is aligned with respect to those tracks has been discovered. The invention relieves tracking systems of the requirements of having dedicated servo heads, servo tracks, embedded servo recordings or preformatting procedures. A replay transducer "looks" for a synchronization mark on a data track to arrive at a prescribed time determined in a calibration step. The correct arrival time of the synchronization mark assures the correct positioning of the data track with respect to the scan path. Alternatively, an early or late arrival time signals an incorrect position and triggers a correction adjustment to the recording medium advancement mechanism.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.