Patent ID: 6791914
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method for multi-track optical data recording, comprising the steps of:a) providing an optical head and an optical recording medium that includes a plurality of parallel, preformatted guide tracks, with sufficient space between adjacent guide tracks for recording a plurality of data tracks; b) providing relative motion between the optical recording medium and the optical head in a direction generally parallel to the guide tracks; c) imaging a guide track onto a detector array disposed relative to the optical recording medium, generating a first tracking error signal representing the cross-track displacement of the guide track relative to the optical head, and driving a closed-loop servo system to reduce residual tracking runout of the guide track; and d) simultaneously recording a band of data tracks in the unpreformatted space adjacent to the guide track and one or more control tracks parallel to the data tracks.