Patent ID: 8756485

Claim:
A method of processing a received signal, comprising: receiving a code word that is different from an expected code word; using a logic circuit to determine whether the difference between the received code word and the expected code word is acceptable, including by: determining, based at least in part on the received code word, one or more disallowed bit changes, wherein each disallowed bit change corresponds to a bit position which is not expected to change when comparing a desired track's code word against an adjacent track's code word; determining that the difference is acceptable if (1) the received code word matches the desired track's code word or (2) none of the disallowed bit changes change when comparing the received code word against the adjacent track's code word; and determining that the difference is unacceptable if one or more disallowed bit changes change when comparing the received code word against the adjacent track's code word; and in the event it is determined that the difference is unacceptable, providing an indication of an error.