Apparatus and an improved method for processing of digital information
First Claim
1. Apparatus for processing of digital information comprising a multi-channel recorder wherein analog information is converted to digital form and recorded on a permanent media on a plurality of sets of main and backup tracks, each said backup track containing a duplication of the main track information that consists of data words that each contain synchronization codes, said recorder including circuitry for picking up information off said permanent media for playback;
- Said multi-channel recorder including;
means for retrieving each said main and backup track flows;
means for measuring and comparing the signal quality of each data word in each main and backup track flows;
means for locating proper synchronization codes in said data words in each said main and backup track flows;
means for comparing said data words in each said main and backup track flows against one another;
means for receiving and evaluating information from;
said means for locating synchronization codes;
means for comparing data words; and
means for measuring and comparing signal quality, so as to select most likely correct data words from each said main and backup tracks for playback; and
playback means for converting selecting digital information back to analog form for playback.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention involves an apparatus and method for processing of digital information that includes duplication of information from each channel of a multi-channel recorder on main and backup tracks and provides a combination of error detection apparatus and procedures where data groupings or words on each track are individually subject to four separate tests for detecting errors and provides, from that analysis, for a selection of most likely correct data for further processing. Additionally, further system reliability is obtained by providing circuitry whereby a detected error activates a selection of data groupings coming before and after the detected error, providing where appropriate, for switching from main to backup track data over a certain number of data groupings. The present invention further provides a unique synchronization coding format with circuitry and a procedure for its use for rapidly acquiring synchronization coding in a data flow and includes an arrangement for averaging the content of first-in-first-out buffers of each track for controlling tape speed to enable a smooth over-dubbing of information recorded at different times on separate tracks.
39 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for processing of digital information comprising a multi-channel recorder wherein analog information is converted to digital form and recorded on a permanent media on a plurality of sets of main and backup tracks, each said backup track containing a duplication of the main track information that consists of data words that each contain synchronization codes, said recorder including circuitry for picking up information off said permanent media for playback;
Said multi-channel recorder including; means for retrieving each said main and backup track flows; means for measuring and comparing the signal quality of each data word in each main and backup track flows; means for locating proper synchronization codes in said data words in each said main and backup track flows; means for comparing said data words in each said main and backup track flows against one another; means for receiving and evaluating information from;
said means for locating synchronization codes;
means for comparing data words; and
means for measuring and comparing signal quality, so as to select most likely correct data words from each said main and backup tracks for playback; andplayback means for converting selecting digital information back to analog form for playback. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for providing improved error detection and correction of digital information recorded on a recording media as a flow of data words duplicated on main and backup tracks that include synchronization code bits with each data word of each track, for identifying erroneous data words on each track, including the steps of,
checking and comparing the signal quality of each data word on said main track with the complement data word on said backup track; -
checking for the presence of a proper synchronization code in each data word on each track; checking for a match between complementary data words on main and backup tracks; and analyzing the results of the checks to determine most likely correct data for passage for playback. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification