Electronic still video record/play head positioner having both open and

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning a recording or playback head over a rotating recording medium, such as a magnetic disk. When access to a desired track is attempted, the head is quickly moved and placed within a range close to the track under open loop control. When the head enters the range close to the desired track, the head control is switched to servo feed under closed loop control. During the servo feed, the head is moved according to a head position signal representing the actual position of the head, the head position signal being given by a head position detector having a portion moving together with the head. The head is thus directed to a predetermined position according to an error signal corresponding to the deviation of the head position. When the head has passed through the desired position, driving force in the reverse direction is generated and the head is forced back toward the desired position. The head thus oscillates around the desired position but converges to it.