Patent ID: 6570731
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
Apparatus for detecting an edge of a moving data storage medium, comprising:media transport means for moving said data storage medium in a predetermined motion along a predetermined media path: read head means for reading data from said date storage medium by generating a read signal; read head positioning means for moving said read head means in a direction perpendicular to said data storage medium motion across a width of said data storage medium; and edge measurement means, responsive to movement of said read head means from a position off said data storage medium to a position partially on said data storage medium, for determining said data storage medium edge as a function of a predetermined change in magnitude of said read signal, said edge measurement means comprising: means for measuring an ambient noise generated by said read head means as said read signal when said read head means is off said data storage medium; and means for calculating a noise threshold based on said ambient noise.