Patent ID: 6185062
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
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 are respectively recorded in the recording areas, the apparatus comprising:a rotary drum provided with at least one head;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, and for calculating average values for every one of the respective recording areas of the measured times, to generate a reference value on the basis of a maximum value and a minimum value of the calculated average values of the respective recording areas; anda control section for measuring times from the time point serving as the reference phase position to the time points when the timing signals of the tape-shaped recording medium are detected by the head to control relative velocity between a traveling velocity of the tape-shaped recording medium and a rotational velocity of the rotary drum on the basis of a comparison between the measured times and the reference value from the reference value generating section.