Apparatus for reproducing a magnetically recorded digital signal using a rotary head with automatic track finding signal extraction and selection for tracking control

This invention relates to DAT (Digital Audio Tape) equipment. On the magnetic tape, a multiple signal comprising a pulse code modulated sound data of a fixed period obtained by applying pulse code modulation to an audio signal, subcodes time-divisionally multiplexed before and after the pulse code modulated sound data by predetermined time periods, respectively, and a track finding signal is recorded. This recorded signal is allocated onto tracks formed in succession on the magnetic tape by the rotary head and is recorded in a first mode, or in a second mode where its data capacity per unit time is nearly one half of that in the first mode, and a revolving speed of the rotary head and a magnetic tape running speed are nearly one half of those in the first mode. ATF (Automatic Track Finding) signals are included in the recorded signal and are used for tracking control. A circuit arrangement for this ATF signal is provided, which permits only one of the plural kinds of ATF signals to be utilized so that an excellent reproduction can be performed even when the DAT equipment is switched from recording to reproducing mode. When the subcodes are subjected to over-write recording, tracking control is carried out by one ATF signal of the respective reproduced signals obtained by applying one scanning onto a recording track on the magnetic tape using the rotary head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recording and 
reproducing a digital signal using a rotary head. Particularly, this 
invention relates to a rotary head type digital signal recording and 
reproducing apparatus having a recording function to record subcodes for 
retrieving program number an Automatic Track Finding (which will be 
abbreviated as ATF hereinafter) signals in conformity with the DAT 
standard (Industry Standard for the Digital Audio Tape System) on a 
portion of tape track a fixed time period from the initial end and a 
portion of tape track a fixed time period immediately before the 
terminating end of each recording track formed by a rotary head on a 
magnetic tape, and to record digital audio signals on the track 
intermediate portion except for the above portions, and a reproducing 
function to conduct an after-recording operation using one of the above 
ATF signals at the time after recording (over-write) of the above 
subcodes, and to carry out a high speed and excellent reproduction of 
previously recorded signals on the magnetic tape thus recorded. 
The background art will be explained with reference to the drawings. In a 
DAT (Digital Audio Tape Recorder) using a rotary head among those DATs 
capable of recording pulse code modulated sound data obtained by applying 
pulse code modulation (PCM) to an analog audio signal on a magnetic tape 
and reproducing them therefrom, as shown in FIG. 11, the magnetization 
pattern to be recorded on the magnetic tape is recorded with the azimuth 
angles of adjacent tracks being different from each other and with guard 
bands between tracks being absent. In such a DAT, subcodes and ATF signals 
are recorded on subcode areas and ATF signal areas which are located at a 
portion of tape a fixed period from the initial end of each track and a 
portion of tape a fixed period immediately before the terminal end 
thereof, respectively, and PCM sound data are recorded on PCM sound areas 
of the track intermediate portion except for the above areas in accordance 
with a predetermined signal format. The data thus recorded are reproduced. 
FIG. 7 is a schematic view for explaining the tracking operation when the 
PCM sound data recorded on the tracks on a magnetic tape is reproduced. 
In this figure, B, A and B represent a track, T.sub.p a track pitch, f1 a 
pilot signal, f2 and f3 synchronizing signals of an ATF signal, and SP1 
and SP2 each represent a respective sampling pulse. The frequency of the 
pilot signal f1 is a low frequency where little azimuth effect occurs. The 
ATF signals f2 and f3 have two kinds of signal lengths, respectively. The 
ratios of these signal lengths are "0.5" and "1". 
The signal length of the synchronizing signal f3 on the track B of the 
first step is "0.5" and the signal length of the synchronizing signal f3 
on the track B of the third step is "1". According as the head runs on the 
track A of the second step, the pattern of the synchronizing signal f3 is 
such that different signal lengths of "0.5" and "1" appear in turn. The 
signal length of the synchronizing signal f2 on the track A of the second 
step is "0.5" and the signal length of the synchronizing signal f2 on the 
track of the fourth step not shown is "1". Thus, accordingly as the head 
runs on the track B of the first step or the third step, the pattern of 
the synchronizing signal f2 is such that different signal lengths of "0.5" 
and "1" appear in turn. 
At the time of running of the head, a head having a width 1.5 times larger 
than the track pitch T.sub.p running on the track of the second step 
reproduces the synchronizing signals f2 while reproducing crosstalk 
components of the pilot signal f1 on the track B of the first step. 
Further, at the time when the sampling pulse SP1 is output, this head 
carries out sampling of the crosstalk components of the pilot signal f1. 
After this sampling, immediately after the head has reproduced crosstalk 
components of the pilot signal f1 on the track B of the first step, it 
begins reproducing crosstalk components of the pilot signal f1 on the 
track B of the third step. At the time when a sampling pulse SP2 occurs 
after a predetermined time from the time when the sampling pulse SP1 has 
been output, the head carries out sampling of crosstalk components of the 
pilot signal f1 on the track B of the third step. A signal obtained by 
extracting the crosstalk components of the pilot signal f1 which has been 
subjected to sampling by the sampling pulse SP2 from the reproduced signal 
having been previously subjected to sampling becomes an ATF error signal. 
Such a sense operation is carried out by the ATF block 3 shown in FIG. 5 
which will be described later. 
When the PCM sound data is reproduced, the above-mentioned ATF signals and 
subcodes are used. 
There are two kinds of subcodes (subsignals). One is a control signal 
required for reproducing PCM sound data such as a sampling frequency, or 
the number of channels, etc. The other is a sub-channel signal for 
introducing music number, time or image signal attendant thereto. The 
former subcode is called ID (Identification Code). Particularly, the 
subcode recorded on a PCM sound data area is called PCM-ID and the subcode 
recorded on the subcode area is called subcode ID. Since signals recorded 
on the subcode area (subcode, subcode data, subcode ID, or control ID, 
etc.) can be subjected to after-recording without being erased 
irrespective of the PCM sound data, they are utilized for recording a 
program number of a time code, etc. 
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing one track pattern on a magnetic tape. 
As shown in this figure, the track is composed of, from the left toward the 
right in the figure, in order to running of the head, a subcode area SUB1, 
an ATF signal area ATF1, a PCM sound data area PCM, an ATF signal area 
ATF2, and a subcode area SUB2. The subcode areas SUB1 and SUB2 comprise a 
subcode, a subcode data, a subcode ID, and a control ID, etc. Graphic data 
requiring large capacity, etc. are recorded on the subcode data. In 
addition, time code, etc. are recorded on the subcode ID because only a 
small data capacity is required. 
The control ID is composed of a TOC-ID which is a signal indicating the 
presence or absence of a TOC (Table of contents), a shortening ID which is 
a signal indicating a fast feed to a next start ID if this represents "1", 
a start ID (S-ID) which is a signal indicating the start of the music and 
the division of music, and a priority ID which is a signal indicating the 
presence or absence of after-recording of the music. Particularly, since 
S-ID is a signal indicating the head of the program, it is a useful signal 
among various kinds of music signals peculiar to DAT. This signal is 
recorded from the head music, e.g., for nine seconds (standard mode). At 
the time of reproduction, this signal is searched to detect the head 
position of music. 
Meanwhile, there are at least two kinds of modes for recording and 
reproducing the PCM sound data. One is a standard mode (first mode) having 
a sampling frequency of 48 KHz, two channels, and a linear quantization of 
16 bits. The other is a non-linear long time mode (or a half-speed mode, 
second mode) having a sampling frequency of 32 KHz, two channels, and a 
non-linear quantization of 12 bits. Actually, there are also a mode having 
a sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz, and a mode having a sampling frequency 
of 32 KHz, four channels, and a non-linear quantization of 12 bits, etc. 
Such modes have the same recording/reproducing time as that of the 
standard mode. 
In the half-speed mode, a revolving speed of a rotary drum and a tape 
running speed are set to values one-half of those in the standard mode, 
respectively, and a digital signal (precisely speaking, ATF signals and 
clock pulses for generating PCM sound data) is set to have a frequency 
one-half of that in the standard mode. Thus, the operating speed of the 
entirety of the apparatus becomes equal to one-half of that in the 
standard mode. Accordingly, in the half-speed mode, by allowing the 
operation speed of the entirety of the apparatus to be one-half of that in 
the standard mode although sound quality is somewhat degraded as compared 
to that in the standard mode, it is possible to conduct a 
recording/reproducing for a time twice longer than that in the standard 
mode with respect to a magnetic tape of the same length. 
The speed for carrying out a fast forward (FF), or a rewinding (REW) of a 
track recorded by the abovementioned respective modes is, e.g. 200 times 
larger than that at the time of a regular speed running in the standard or 
half-speed mode. For making a high speed search at this speed, it is 
required to read the program number, the time, and the start ID, etc. 
FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining that subcodes are subjected to 
after-recording on tracks; FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining that 
a signal subject to recording/reproducing is distorted by a 
recording/reproducing mode switching signal; FIG. 11 is a schematic view 
for explaining an offset between the track center and the locus defined by 
scanning of the head; and FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical view showing the 
arrangement in which a reproducing amplifier and a recording amplifier are 
subjected to switching control by a recording/reproducing mode switching 
signal. 
As shown in FIG. 9, when a subcode on a track is subjected to 
after-recording, ATF1 and ATF2 signals obtained from heads having 
different azimuth angles were used to conduct a running position control 
of the heads so that the heads running on the track run in the center 
thereof (shown in FIG. 11). However, since the time interval from the 
reproduction of ATF1 to the reproduction of ATF2 is different from the 
time interval from the reproduction of ATF2 to the reproduction of ATF1, 
an offset occurred between the center of the locus defined by scanning of 
the head for after-recording and the center of the track as indicated by 
slanting lines in FIG. 9, resulting in a requirement for offset 
adjustment. 
This will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11 wherein 
a solid line represents the center of the locus defined by scanning of the 
head and broken lines represent the center of the track. An offset value 
from the center of the track to the center of the locus defined by 
scanning of the head is expressed as follows. When a distance from ATF1 to 
the center of the locus defined by scanning of the head is designated by 
a, a distance from ATF2 to the center of the locus defined by scanning of 
the head is designated by b, an inclination of head scanning with respect 
to this track is designated by e, an offset is designated by .epsilon., 
and letting 
EQU (Time interval controlled by ATF1):(Time interval controlled by ATF2)=1:r 
the following relationships hold: 
EQU a:b=r:1, and 
EQU a+b=e. 
From these relationships, 
EQU a={r/(1+r)}e, and 
EQU b=e/(1+r). 
In an ideal tracking condition, a=b=1/2e. 
In addition, an offset .epsilon. is expressed as follows: 
##EQU1## 
For example, when the curvature e of the track is 5 .mu.m, the offset 
.epsilon. becomes equal to 0.7 .mu.m (r=1.78). 
As stated above, during the scanning of the head, ATF1 and ATF2 in the ATF 
signal area of each track were picked up, thus to conduct a tracking 
control using these signals. 
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the head running on the track reproduces a 
signal in the ATF signal area ATF1 after reproduction of the subcode in 
the subcode area SUB1 existing at the initial end of the track. As shown 
in FIG. 12, a signal to be reproduced from the head 1a (1b) is to be 
reproduced by the reproducing amplifier 2a through a changeover switch. In 
this instance, however, the input impedance of the reproducing amplifier 
2a is high. 
For this reason, immediately after the operation of the head running on the 
track is switched from recording to reproducing mode, as shown in FIG. 10, 
a signal to be reproduced is greatly distorted at this switching portion 
(immediately after the operation is switched from recording to reproducing 
mode), thus rendering it impossible to reproduce. Since ATF1 exists at 
this switching portion, this signal is not reproduced. As a result, a head 
running position control signal for eliminating a tracking error could not 
be generated from ATF1 and ATF2 on each track, and disturbance of the 
tracking error occurred, so that an after-recording of the subcode could 
not be conducted well. 
In accordance with the above-mentioned rotary head type digital signal 
recording/reproducing system, the tracking control of the head is 
conducted using ATF1 and ATF2 obtained as a result of the fact that heads 
having different azimuth angles carry out one scanning at the time after 
recording of the subcode, respectively. Thus, since the intervals between 
ATF1 and ATF2 obtained from the heads having different azimuth angles are 
different, an offset occurred between the head running and the track, 
resulting in the requirement of offset adjustment. 
In addition, when switching of the recording or reproducing amplifier 
selectively connected to the head is conducted at the time of 
after-recording of the subcode, particularly at the time of switching from 
recording to reproducing mode, a signal subject to recording/reproducing 
was distorted. As a result, the reproduction of ATF1 used for tracking 
control becomes impossible, so that a good tracking control cannot be 
conducted. Thus, there was the possibility that the subcode could not be 
excellently subjected to after-recording in the subcode area. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To solve the above-mentioned problem, a method and an apparatus for 
recording and reproducing a digital signal using a rotary head according 
to this invention wherein a multiple signal, comprising pulse code 
modulated sound data of a fixed period obtained by applying pulse code 
modulation to an audio signal, subcodes time-divisionally multiplexed 
before and after the pulse code modulated sound data by predetermined time 
periods, respectively, and a track finding signal is recorded on tracks 
formed in succession by the rotary head on a magnetic tape in a first 
mode, or in a second mode where its data capacity per unit time is nearly 
one half of that in the first mode, and a revolving speed of the rotary 
head and a magnetic running speed are nearly one-half of those in the 
first mode, thus to reproduce the signal having been recorded on the 
magnetic tape, is characterized in that when subcodes recorded in the 
first or second mode are subjected to over-write recording, the tracking 
control is carried out on the basis of one track-finding signal of the 
respective reproduced signals obtained by applying one scanning onto a 
recording track on the recorded magnetic tape using the rotary head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an arrangement for 
sensing an ATF signal, which is the essential part of the apparatus 
according to this invention. FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are circuit diagrams 
showing the details of the ATF signal selecting and extracting circuit 26, 
the timing signal generator 31, the sampling pulse generator 10, and the 
clock signal forming circuit in the apparatus in FIG. 1, respectively. 
FIGS. 2A and 2B are timing charts showing waveforms of signals at 
respective components shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view showing the 
influence on a reproduced signal at the time of switching from recording 
to reproducing mode. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a DAT device for 
explaining apparatus according to this invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing 
a portion of the ATF track pattern (four track completion type). 
The DAT device shown in FIG. 5 includes a rotary drum 1, rotary heads 1a 
and 1b provided on the rotary drum 1, an amplifier 2, an ATF signal sense 
circuit (ATF block) 3, a low pass filter (LPF) 4, an envelope detection 
circuit 5, sample-hold circuits S/H 1 and S/H 2, a subtracter 8, an 
equalizer (EQ), a comparator 10, an ATF signal sense circuit (SYNC sense 
11), a changeover switch 12, an adder 13, a motor drive circuit 14, a 
capstan motor 15, a frequency generator (FG) 16, a capstan 17, a drum 
motor 18, a drum servo circuit 19, a phase comparator (PC) 20, a sensor 
18a, frequency-dividing circuits (1/m and 1/n) 21 and 22, a 
frequency-to-voltage converter circuit (F/V) 23, and a magnetic tape T. 
The amplifier 2 is composed of a reproducing amplifier 2a, a recording 
amplifier 2b, and a changeover switch (shown in FIG. 12). 
On the revolving surface of the rotary drum 1, the rotary head 1a and the 
rotary head 1b opposite thereto are affixed. The magnetic tape T is wound 
onto the rotary drum 1 with it being obliquely in contact therewith over 
an angular range of 90 degrees. Further, it is caused to run in a 
direction indicated by an arrow with it being supported by the capstan and 
the pinch roller. The rotary heads 1a and 1b have gaps of which the 
respective azimuth angles are opposite to each other and are broader than 
the recording track (e.g., 1.5 times), and which are revolved unitarily 
with the rotary body 1. The rotary shaft 18c of the drum motor 18 is fixed 
to the drum. 
The ATF signal sense circuit 3 is supplied with a reproduced signal 
obtained from the rotary head 1a (1b) through the reproducing amplifier 2. 
This reproduced signal is delivered to the ATF signal sense circuit 11 
through the equalizer 9 and the comparator 10, at which ATF signals are 
sensed from the reproduced signal, whereby sampling pulses SP1 and SP2 are 
output. The sampling pulse SP1 is delivered to the sample-hold circuit 6 
and the sampling pulse SP2 is delivered to the sample-hold circuit 7. 
The above-mentioned reproduced signal is also delivered to the envelope 
detection circuit 5 through the low pass filter 4. After being subjected 
to envelope detection, this signal as envelope-detected is applied to the 
sample-hold circuit 6, at which it is subjected to a sample-hold at a 
timing of the sampling pulse SP1. The signal which has undergone 
sample-hold is delivered to the minus terminal of the subtracter 8. The 
signal detected from the envelope detection circuit 5 is delivered to the 
plus terminal of the subtracter 8. Thus, the subtracter 8 outputs a 
difference signal obtained by subtracting the signal level having been 
subjected to sample-hold from the level of the signal as 
envelope-detected. This difference signal is delivered to the sample-hold 
circuit 7, at which it is subjected to sample-hold at a timing of the 
sampling pulse SP2. 
Thus, an ATF signal (track finding signal) is output from the sample-hold 
circuit 7. 
This ATF error signal is delivered to the PB terminal of the changeover 
switch 12 and is then applied to an input terminal of the adder 13 through 
the changeover switch movable contact. At this adder 13, this signal is 
added to a signal from the F/V converter circuit 23 applied to the other 
input terminal thereof. The signal thus obtained is amplified by the motor 
drive circuit 14, and is then delivered to the capstan motor 15 to perform 
a speed control of the capstan 17 so as to run magnetic tape T. 
The frequency generator 16 generates a frequency signal corresponding to 
the revolution of the capstan 17. This frequency signal is 
frequency-divided by the frequency-dividing circuit 22 so that the 
frequency is reduced to 1/n. Then, the signal thus divided is applied to 
the F/V converter circuit 23, at which it is converted to a voltage level 
corresponding to a frequency, thus to be applied to the other input 
terminal of the adder 13. Thus, the capstan servo control is performed. 
The sensor 18a produces a frequency signal corresponding to the revolution 
frequency of the rotary drum 1. This frequency signal is delivered to one 
input terminal of the drum servo circuit 19 and a reference signal is 
delivered to the other input terminal thereof. 
On the magnetic tape T recorded by using the above-mentioned DAT device 
constituted as shown in FIG. 5, an ATF track pattern (four track 
completion type track pattern) is formed as shown in FIG. 6. 
On the central portion {e.g., B head odd frame, (B ODD FRAME ADDRESS)}, PCM 
signal sound data are recorded. A subcode area SUB1 and an ATF signal 
recording area ATF1 are recorded from the initial (right bottom in the 
figure) end of each track and a subcode area SUB2 and an ATF signal 
recording area ATF2 are recorded immediately before the terminating end 
thereof (left top in the figure). 
ATF signals (Track Finding signals) are recorded on a predetermined section 
immediately after the initial end of each track and a predetermined 
section immediately before the terminating end of each track. The ATF 
signal is composed of a synchronizing signal f.sub.s (f2 or f3) for timing 
control of sample-hold and a pilot signal f.sub.p. 
The synchronizing signal f.sub.s is selected so that its frequency is equal 
to a relatively high frequency having an azimuthal loss effect (e.g. f2 
recorded on one of two adjacent tracks is 522 KHz and f3 recorded on the 
other track is 784 KHz), whereas the pilot signal f1 is selected so that 
its frequency is equal to such a low frequency (e.g., 133 KHz) having less 
azimuthal loss effect, i.e., which is reproduced as crosstalk from the 
adjacent tracks. 
The ATF signal section of each track is comprised of a synchronizing signal 
recording section in which the synchronizing signal f.sub.s is recorded 
for a predetermined time period, a section in which an erasing signal 
(designated by f4 in FIG. 6) of, e.g., about 1.57 MHz for erasing a 
previous signal is recorded, and a pilot signal recording section in which 
the pilot signal f1 is recorded for a fixed time period, which are 
provided in succession in order recited. The pilot signal recording 
section of the next track is disposed so as to adjoin the erasing signal 
recording section recorded immediately before. Between adjacent tracks, 
the pilot signal recording sections are arranged so that they are not 
adjacent to each other and the synchronizing signal recording sections are 
also arranged in the same manner. 
The synchronizing signal f.sub.s for timing control of the sample-hold of 
the ATF output detected is reproduced only when reproduced using a rotary 
head having a gap of the same azimuth angle as that of the recording 
track. When reproduced using a rotary head having a gap of the same 
azimuth angle as that of the recording track, the pilot signal f1 is of 
course reproduced and is also reproduced as crosstalk from the adjacent 
tracks. 
The apparatus according to this invention contemplates eliminating an 
offset between the center of a track and the center of the locus defined 
by scanning of the head which has been already explained with reference to 
FIG. 11. Namely, at the time after recording of the subcode, when the head 
1a (1b) carries out one scanning, only the ATF2 in the ATF signal 
recording area of each track is picked up to use this signal for tracking 
control. Thus, since ATF time points reproduced become equidistant, an 
offset between each track and the head becomes equal to zero, with the 
result that an offset voltage becomes unnecessary. 
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an arrangement for 
sensing an ATF signal, which is the essential part of the apparatus 
according to this invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are timing charts showing 
waveforms of signals at respective components shown in FIG. 1. In these 
drawings, the same components as stated above are designated by the same 
reference numerals, respectively, and their explanation will be omitted. 
And the embodiment of FIG. 1 is provided with the same circuits and 
components as the changeover switch 12, the adder 13, the motor drive 
circuit 14, the capstan motor 15, the frequency generator 16, the capstan 
17, the pinch roller, the drum motor 18, the sensor 18a, the drum servo 
circuit 19, the phase comparator 20, the frequency dividing circuits 21 
and 22, and the frequency-to-voltage converter circuit 23 shown in FIG. 5, 
but they are omitted in FIG. 1 for brevity. 
The arrangement for sensing an ATF signal shown in FIG. 1 includes a 
band-pass filter (BPF) 24, a comparator 25, an ATF signal 
selecting/extracting circuit 26 (the detail thereof is shown in FIG. 1A), 
a sampling pulse generator 30 (the detail thereof is shown in FIG. 1C), 
and a timing signal generator 31 (the detail thereof is shown in FIG. 1B). 
Signals subject to reproducing output from the rotary heads 1a and 1b 
through the amplifier 2 are delivered to the band-pass filter 24, at which 
the synchronizing signal f.sub.s is separated. As shown in FIG. 2A, 
subcode recording signals exist on both the end portions of the pulse 
width of the signal subject to reproducing, respectively. The signal 
subject to recording/reproducing is also delivered to the low-pass filter 
4, at which the pilot signal f1 is separated. A reproduced synchronizing 
signal f.sub.s taken out from the band-pass filter 24 is applied to the 
inverting input terminal of the comparator 25, at which that signal is 
compared with a predetermined voltage level applied to the non-inverting 
input terminal thereof and is then output to the ATF signal 
selecting/extracting circuit 26. 
The detail of the ATF signal selecting/extracting circuit 26 is shown in 
FIG. 1A. Inverters 101 and 102, D-type flip-flops 103 and 104, and an AND 
gate 105 prepare and output pulses having the same width as the clock 
period in synchronism with a clock immediately after the rising edge of 
INPUT DATA (a pulse signal which has passed through the BPF 24 and then 
undergone waveform shaping by the comparator 25). Such pulses are 
transferred to sequence within parallel-one serial shift registers 106 to 
109 in accordance with the clock. 
When it is assumed that values of output data of the final stage output QH 
of the shift register 109 up to the initial stage output QA of the shift 
register 106 are expressed as b.sub.1, b.sub.2, . . . B.sub.32, as shown 
in FIG. 1A, respectively, these output data represent the values of the 
1-st, 2-nd, . . . 32-nd data input to the shift registers 106 to 109 among 
data stored in the shift registers 106 to 109, respectively. These data 
b.sub.1, b.sub.2, . . . b.sub.32 and the drum pulse DP are delivered to a 
decoder 110 encompassed by broken lines in FIG. 1A. When the value LV of 
the following logical expression represents "1", the decoder 110 outputs a 
signal of high level, while when the value LV is "0", decoder 110 outputs 
a signal of low level: 
EQU LV=DP.times.(b.sub.1 =b.sub.2).times.b.sub.3 b.sub.4 .times.. . . 
.times.b.sub.18 .times.(b.sub.19 +b.sub.20).times.b.sub.21 .times.b.sub.22 
.times.. . . .times.b.sub.32 +DP.times.(b.sub.1 +b.sub.2 (.times.b.sub.3 
.times.. . . .times.b.sub.12 .times.(b.sub.13 +b.sub.14).times.b.sub.15 
.times.. . . .times.b.sub.24 .times.(b.sub.25 +b.sub.26).times.b.sub.27 
.times.. . . .times.b.sub.32. 
The above-mentioned logical expression indicates that when DP="0" (low 
level), hence DP="1" (the head 1a is activated during this time), b.sub.1 
or b.sub.2 is "1", b.sub.3 to b.sub.18 are all "0", b.sub.19 or b.sub.20 
is "1", and b.sub.21 to b.sub.32 are all "0", LV assumes a logic "1" 
state. In addition, this logical expression indicates that when DP="1" 
(high level), hence e,ovs/DP/ =0 (the head 1b is activated during this 
time), b.sub.1 or b.sub.2 is "1", b.sub.3 to b.sub.12 are all "0", 
b.sub.13 or b.sub.14 is "1", b.sub.15 to b.sub.24 are all "0", b.sub.25 or 
b.sub.26 is "1", and b.sub.27 to b.sub.32 are all "0", LV assumes 1. This 
implies that if a signal reproduced from the track A by the head 1a is a 
wave having a period of approximately 18 times the clock period, and two 
waves thereof or more are continued, it is judged that the synchronizing 
signal f.sub.2 is reproduced, and if a signal reproduced from the track B 
by the head 1b is a wave having a period of approximately 12 times the 
clock period and three waves thereof or more are continued, it is judged 
that the synchronizing signal f.sub.3 is reproduced, whereby the decoder 
110 outputs pulses substantially every 12 clock periods or substantially 
every 18 clock periods. 
Pulses from the decoder 110 are changed to pulses synchronous with the 
clock by a D-type flip-flop 111 and are then delivered to a D-type 
flip-flop 113 through an OR gate 112. Since the Q output of the flip-flop 
113 is fed back to the data input terminal D thereof, the flip-flop 113 
outputs a start signal for allowing the timing signal generator 31 to be 
operative, which start signal goes high in response to the first pulse of 
the pulses output from the flip-flop 111 and goes low in response to a 
reset signal RST from the timing signal generator 31. The output from the 
flip-flop 111 is also utilized for processing PCM signals, etc. as a wave 
clock WCK. However, since this is not directly relevant to the subject 
matter of this invention, its detailed explanation is omitted here. 
The ATF signal selecting/extracting circuit 26 selects and extracts the 
synchronizing signals f.sub.2 in the reproduced synchronizing signal to 
output a select ATF signal. This select ATF signal exists at ATF points 
shown in FIG. 3. This signal represents an ATF signal in the ATF signal 
recording area on the side of the initial end or the terminating end of 
each track, which has been reproduced as a result of the fact that the 
rotary heads 1a and 1b conduct one scanning. As shown in FIG. 3, the ATF 
points existing in the reproduced signal envelope A obtained by scanning 
of the head 1a are ATF1 and ATF2 and the interval therebetween is 138 
blocks (one block is 38.3 .mu.m). Further, the interval between ATF1 and 
ATF2 existing in the reproduced signal envelope B obtained by scanning of 
the head 1b is 141 blocks. In addition, the interval between ATF2 of the 
envelope A and ATF1 of the envelope B is 141 blocks. 
The timing signal generator 31 is supplied with the select ATF signal from 
the ATF signal selecting/extracting circuit 26, signals f.sub.11 and 
f.sub.13, a clock and an after-recording (REC/PB) control signal. The 
after-recording control signal is a signal applied at the time 
after-recording. 
The detail of the timing signal generator 31 is shown in FIG. 1B. On the 
basis of the signals f.sub.11 and f.sub.13, an inverter 120 and an AND 
gate 121 generate a pulse which goes high at the respective latter halves 
of time periods during which the heads 1a and 1b scan tracks on the tape. 
This pulse is delivered to the clear terminals of synchronous 4-bit 
counters 122 to 124 connected in series to clear these counters at the 
rising edge thereof. When a start signal from the ATF signal 
selecting/extracting circuit 26 is incoming (during high level), these 
counters 122 to 124 count the number of clock pulses. The outputs of the 
counters 122 to 124 are delivered to a decoder 125. Thus, the decoder 125 
outputs a trigger signal TRIG to the sampling pulse generator 30 when the 
count value of the counters becomes equal to 112 and 640, and outputs a 
reset signal RST to the ATF signal selecting/extracting circuit 26 when 
the above-mentioned count value becomes equal to 1792. The flip-flop 113 
in the ATF signal selecting/extracting circuit 26 is reset by the reset 
signal RST. Thus, the start signal is stopped and the count operations of 
the counters 122 to 124 are also stopped. The QC output of the counter 124 
is also output to the sampling pulse generator 30 as a PT signal. 
The sampling pulse generator 30 outputs, as shown in FIG. 2B, sampling 
pulses SP1 and SP2 synchronous with the backward end portions of the 
maximum levels of the signals A, B, A, . . . subject to 
recording/reproducing (i.e., portions where the subcode recording signal 
and ATF2 exist). 
The detail of the sampling pulse generator 10 is shown in FIG. 1C. 
Initially, D-type flip-flops 132 and 140 are reset by a reset signal RST 
from the timing pulse generator 31. As a result of the fact that the 
flip-flop 132 is reset, its Q output goes high. Thus, 4-bit counters 134 
and 135 connected in series are cleared. When a trigger signal TRIG is 
incoming, the flip-flop 132 is set. Since the Q output of this flip-flop 
is fed back to the data input terminal thereof through an OR gate 131, the 
flip-flop 132 is maintained in a set state until a reset pulse from an AND 
gate 137 is applied. As a result of the fact that the flip-flop 132 is set 
and the Q output thereof is allowed to be at a high level, a NAND gate 133 
permits clock pulses to pass therethrough. The counters 134 and 135 count 
clock pulses which have passed. When the count value thereof reaches 64, 
the QC output of the counter 135 shifts to a high level. Such an output is 
delivered to the flip-flop 132 through an inverter 136 and the AND gate 
137. Accordingly, the flip-flop 132 outputs from the Q output terminal 
thereof negative-going sampling pulse SP having a duration of 64 clock 
periods every time the trigger signal TRIG is incoming. This output is 
delivered to one respective input terminal of NOR gates 138 and 139. 
On the other hand, the flip-flop 140 having a data input terminal to which 
a high level is applied at all times receives on the clock terminal 
thereof a signal ST from the timing signal generator 31. Thus, the 
flip-flop 140 is set. In addition, Q and Q outputs of the flip-flop 140 
are delivered to other input terminals of the NOR gates 138 and 139, 
respectively. Accordingly, before the flip-flop 140 receives the signal ST 
and therefore when it is in a reset state, the Q output thereof is at a 
low level. Thus, the negative going sampling pulse SP passes through the 
NOR gate 138, whereby its polarity is inverted. The sampling pulse having 
undergone such a polarity inversion is output to the sample hold circuit 6 
as a sampling pulse SP1. On the other hand, after the flip-flop has 
received the signal ST and therefore when it is in a set state, the Q 
output thereof is at a low level. Thus, the negative going sampling pulse 
SP passes through the NOR gate 139, whereby its polarity is inverted. The 
sampling pulse having undergone such a polarity conversion is output to 
the sample hold circuit 7 as a sampling pulse SP2. 
FIG. 1D shows an arrangement of the clock signal forming circuit. The clock 
is generated by a quartz oscillator and has a frequency f.sub.ck of 9.408 
MHz. The frequency signal f.sub.11 is a signal obtained by 
frequency-dividing the clock into 1/70560 (=1/10.times.1/36.times.1/196) 
thereof. Likewise, the frequency signal f.sub.13 is a signal obtained by 
frequency-dividing the frequency f.sub.11 into 1/2 thereof. The frequency 
signal f.sub.12 is a signal obtained by frequency-dividing the frequency 
f.sub.13 into 1/2 thereof. In addition, the frequency signal f.sub.10 is a 
signal obtained by frequency-dividing the frequency f.sub.12 into 1/2 
thereof. Namely, these frequency signals are obtained with the arrangement 
as shown in FIG. 1D. 
It is to be noted that signals obtained from the middle stages of a 1/36 
frequency divider and a 1/196 frequency divider are used for processing 
PCM signals along with the above-mentioned f.sub.ck, f.sub.11, f.sub.12 
and f.sub.10. 
FIGS. 2A and 2B are timing charts showing waveforms of signals at 
respective components shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. FIG. 2B is a timing 
chart showing only the vicinity of the section where the start signal is 
at a high level, i.e., the portion encompassing the start signal START in 
FIG. 2a with the time base being relatively expanded as compared to that 
in FIG. 2a. Numeric values in FIG. 2B represent times from the rise time 
of the start signal to change times of respective signals with a clock 
period being one unit. In more detail, FIG. 2B shows one example of the 
signal sequence as described below. For example, after the start signal 
has occurred (i.e. gone "high"), a trigger signal TRIG is generated at the 
following 112-th clock period. This trigger signal is delayed by one clock 
period by the flip-flop 132 in the sampling pulse generator 31. Thus, a 
sampling pulse SP is output at the 113-th clock period. This sampling 
pulse SP is continued for 64 clock periods (=177-113). In addition, 
sections labeled S1 and S2 at the left upper portion of the start signal 
in FIG. 2B represent sections where the synchronizing signal f.sub.s 
(f.sub.2 or f.sub.3) is being reproduced. 
It is to be noted that respective values of the pilot signal f.sub.1, the 
synchronizing signals f.sub.2 and f.sub.3, and the erase signal f.sub.4 
are selected so that they have the following relationship: 
EQU f.sub.1 =f.sub.ck /72(=130.67 KHz) 
EQU f.sub.2 =f.sub.ck /18(=522.67 KHz) 
EQU f.sub.3 =f.sub.ck /12(=784.00 KHz), and 
EQU f.sub.4 =f.sub.ck /6(=1.568 MHz). 
As just described above, when the rotary head 1a (1b) performs one scanning 
at the time of after recording of the subcode, ATF2 in the ATF signal 
recording area of each track is picked up to use it for tracking control, 
thereby making is possible to carry out after recording of subcode stably 
at all times. 
While the tracking control at the time of the constant speed running in the 
standard mode has been described in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is 
needless to say that the concept of the aforesaid tracking control is also 
applicable to the tracking control at the time of n-fold high speed 
reproduction (FF and REW) in the standard mode or 2n-fold high speed 
reproduction in the half-speed mode. 
If the problem of the influence of the recording/reproducing switching is 
solved by another suitable measure (for example, an amplifier having a low 
input impedance is used for the reproducing amplifier 2a), the ATF1 may be 
used instead of ATF2. 
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
As described above in detail, in accordance with the system of recording 
and reproducing a digital signal using a rotary head according to this 
invention, since tracking control of the head is conducted by using only 
the ATF2 signal obtained as a result of the fact that heads having 
different azimuths perform one scanning at the time of after-recording of 
the subcode, respectively, the intervals between ATF2 and ATF1 obtained 
from the heads having different azimuths become equal to each other. 
Accordingly, there is no possibility that an offset occurs between the 
running head and the track, with the result that offset adjustment becomes 
unnecessary. In addition, also at the time of switching to the recording 
or reproducing amplifier selectively connected to the head, particularly 
at the time of switching from the recording mode to reproducing mode, the 
ATF2 signal used for tracking control is reproduced excellently at all 
times. Thus, an excellent tracking control can be obtained and 
after-recording of subcodes onto the subcode areas can be excellently 
carried out.