Optical apparatus for tracking a magnetic tape
US7149049B2 · kind B2 · utility
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1Claims
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Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/584
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical tracking system is presented which aligns a recording head with a magnetic tape. The system relies on an optically detectable servo track on the back of the tape. The servo track is formed by repeatedly engraving, at spaced intervals, three co-linear marks perpendicular to the length of the tape. Laser light reflects off the marks, and passes through a ball lens that directs the reflected light on to separate light detectors, one for each mark. By recording characteristics of the reflected light, the detectors transmit information to the system that permits the recording head to be properly aligned with the tape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.