Patent ID: 6078459
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A tracking control apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium on which plural inclined tracks are formed, each of the tracks is composed of plural recording areas, and timing signals and error detection codes are respectively recorded in respective recording areas, the apparatus comprising:a rotary drum provided with at least one head;a detecting section for detecting an error included in data read out from the respective recording areas of the tape-shaped recording medium by the head on the basis of the error detection codes;a reference value generating section for measuring times from a time point serving as a reference phase position within one period of the rotary drum to time points when the timing signals of the respective recording areas of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head to generate a reference value on the basis of a relationship of the measured times and a number of occurrences of the errors detected by the detecting section; anda control section for measuring times from the time point serving as the reference phase position up to the time points when the timing signals of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head to control a relative velocity between a traveling velocity of the tape-shaped recording medium and a rotational velocity of the rotary drum on the basis of comparison between the measured times and the reference value from the reference value generating section.