Apparatus and method for enabling rapid searching of helically recorded magnetic tape

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention provides a system and method for reliably and accurately locating physical locations on magnetic tape having helically recorded information thereon, and for enabling searching of the tape at speeds higher than normal playback speeds.
A tape mark, consisting of an analog signal, is recorded, by helical scan recording, on the magnetic tape as a physical location reference, with the mark being recorded in a manner such that the mark can be detected at both normal playback speed and at higher search speeds.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved system and method for location searching of magnetic tape having helically recorded information thereon.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved system and method for enabling rapid searching of magnetic tape, having helically recorded information thereon, that is both accurate and reliable.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved system and method for location searching of magnetic tape, having helically recorded information thereon, utilizing an analog signal recorded on the tape as a tape mark.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved system and method for location searching of magnetic tape, having helically recorded information thereon, wherein searching can be accomplished at normal playback speed and also at higher speeds.
With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent to one skilled in the art as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, arrangement of parts and method substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as come within the scope of the claims.