US3596007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for variable speed playback of plural track records
Assignee: ECONOMY Co
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Filing: 1968-08-27
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for playback of plural tracks of recorded information at selectively different track record speeds, the apparatus consisting of a record playback unit capable of playing back a selected one of plural record tracks each carrying a control signal of predetermined, constant frequency, and having control circuitry for receiving playback control signal and converting it to a DC control voltage proportional to frequency for use in controlling the record playback speed of the playback unit. The DC control voltage is applied through a nonlinear network to control a drive amplifier which, in turn, regulates the forward drive motor of the record playback unit to maintain the played-back control signal at its proper reference frequency value.
Inventors
- 👤 David D Price Jr
- 👤 Lawrence R De Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:47
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/6895
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
Playback apparatus for receiving a plural track record and reproducing a selected one of the plural record tracks, said plural record tracks being recorded at a selected one of a plurality of different recording speeds and each record track consisting of a first record channel carrying message information and a second record channel having a predetermined constant frequency control signal recorded thereon, said predetermined frequency being the same for all such record channels, the apparatus comprising: transport means movable supporting said plural track record; drive motor means including a speed control winding which is energizable to drive said transport and move said record at any of said plurality of different speeds; pickup means including a plurality of pickup heads positioned in transducing relationship to respective ones of said plural record tracks, and track selection means receiving output signals from each of said pickup heads to provide a control signal output from the second record channel of a selected one of said plural record tracks; frequency to voltage converter means receiving said control signal output from the pickup means and generating an output DC voltage which varies in proportion to the instantaneous reproduced frequency of said control signal output; and nonlinear circuit means receiving said output DC voltage and providing an output motor control voltage which varies as a function of said DC voltage for application to said drive motor means speed control winding thereby to regulate the drive motor means speed and record playback speed to that speed of said plurality of different speeds which is correct for proper speed reproducTion and playback of the selected one of said control signal second channels and the respective message
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
Playback apparatus for receiving a plural track record and reproducing a selected one of the plural record tracks, said plural record tracks being recorded at a selected one of a plurality of different recording speeds and each record track consisting of a first record channel carrying message information and a second record channel having a predetermined constant frequency control signal recorded thereon, said predetermined frequency being the same for all such record channels, the apparatus comprising: transport means movable supporting said plural track record; drive motor means including a speed control winding which is energizable to drive said transport and move said record at any of said plurality of different speeds; pickup means including a plurality of pickup heads positioned in transducing relationship to respective ones of said plural record tracks, and track selection means receiving output signals from each of said pickup heads to provide a control signal output from the second record channel of a selected one of said plural record tracks; frequency to voltage converter means receiving said control signal output from the pickup means and generating an output DC voltage which varies in proportion to the instantaneous reproduced frequency of said control signal output; and nonlinear circuit means receiving said output DC voltage and providing an output motor control voltage which varies as a function of said DC voltage for application to said drive motor means speed control winding thereby to regulate the drive motor means speed and record playback speed to that speed of said plurality of different speeds which is correct for proper speed reproducTion and playback of the selected one of said control signal second channels and the respective message
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frequency to voltage converter means comprises: amplifier means receiving said control signal and generating a sine wave output; overdriven amplifier means receiving said sine wave output to generate a square wave output; differentiator means receiving said square wave output and providing an output of alternating spike voltages; integrating means for averaging all spike voltages of the same polarity to derive a DC control voltage which varies in proportion to the frequency of said control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nonlinear means comprises: amplifier means receiving said DC control voltage and providing an amplified output signal; lamp means having its illumination controlled by said amplifier output control voltage; photoresistive means illuminated by said lamp means; reactance means including said photoresistive means in the input circuit, said reactance means conducting in accordance with resistance variation of said photoresistive means; and means applying the output of said reactance means to said drive motor means to control the output rotation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transport means comprises: chassis means including upper and lower panel means; means for receiving said plural track record at a record drive position on said upper panel of the chassis means; drive shaft means journaled in said lower panel and extending through said upper panel adjacent said record drive position; drive pulley means transmitting output rotation from said drive motor means to said drive shaft means; and carriage means including friction pulley means having said pickup means affixed thereon, said carriage means being supported adjacent said record drive position such that said friction pulley means is brought to bear against said record and record tape drive shaft to impart movement to said record.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized to include: solenoid means including a coil and a retractable armature, said coil being secured to the lower panel of said chassis means and said armature being connected to said carriage means, said solenoid means being energizable to control positioning of said carriage means into operating relationship where said friction pulley means is brought to bear against said record and said record drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include: rewind motor means secured beneath said upper panel means for movement with said carriage means; and linkage means transmitting rewind rotation to said record when said solenoid means is deenergized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pickup means comprises: a plurality of pickup heads disposed in transducing relationship to each of said first and second record channels; audible output means; and conductive means energized by said track selection means to apply the selected first record channel pickup head output to said audible output means simultaneously with providing said control signal output of the related second record channel to said frequency to voltage converter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said audible output means comprises: speaker means for reproducing an audible message; reactance means providing an audio output for driving said speaker means; and an equalizing network receiving said first output signal from the track selector means and providing an input control voltage to said reactance means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said equalizing network comprises: photoresistive means connected to receive said first output signal thereacross; lamp means contiguous to said photoresistive means and energized in pRoportion to said drive motor means so that an increase in high frequency components is realized at lower playback speeds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |