US3609251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Program-selecting means for endless magnetic tape reproducing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-10-03
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1988-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Program-selecting system for an endless magnetic tape reproducing apparatus wherein a particular program recorded on the tape can be selected automatically for almost immediate playback independent of its position thereon. By using a sensing circuit to generate an output signal every time an unrecorded area between programs is detected, by comprising in a comparison circuit the number of generated outputs with a preselected number corresponding to the sequential location of the desired program upon the tape and by having an output generated every time a comparison is achieved, the output causing the tape feed to switch from a fast rate of feed to a governed rate of feed, a program-selecting system is created that provides for the automatic playback of a particular program recorded on an endless magnetic tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Itsuki Ban
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:35
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/44; G11B15/442; G11B15/005; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/06; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/19; G11B27/22; G11B27/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A control system for automatically switching the rate of feed of tape in a sound-reproducing apparatus in response to preselected coding to achieve automatic and almost immediate playback of a preselected program independent of its position upon the tape, said control system comprising: a. a motor driven tape-feeding means; b. an electrical source for energizing said motor; c. a solid state device coupled between said motor and said source for controlling the flow of current from said source to said motor, thus controlling the rate of feed of tape; d. means for varying the conductive state of said solid state device to cause said motor-driven tape-feeding means to automatically switch from a high rate of tape feed to a governed rate of tape feed in response to the detection of unrecorded portions of tape occurring between recorded programs, thereon, said means comprising: i. a sensing circuit coupled to the tape for generating an output pulse every time said sensing circuit detects an unrecorded portion of tape; and ii. a comparison circuit for comparing the number of output pulses from said sensing circuit with a predetermined number corresponding to the sequential location of the desired program on said tape, said comparison circuit causing said solid state device to be rendered partially conductive to thus have said motor-driven tape-feeding mechanism switch from a high rate of tape feed to a governed rate of tape feed upon there being coincidence within said comparison circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A control system for automatically switching the rate of feed of tape in a sound-reproducing apparatus in response to preselected coding to achieve automatic and almost immediate playback of a preselected program independent of its position upon the tape, said control system comprising: a. a motor driven tape-feeding means; b. an electrical source for energizing said motor; c. a solid state device coupled between said motor and said source for controlling the flow of current from said source to said motor, thus controlling the rate of feed of tape; d. means for varying the conductive state of said solid state device to cause said motor-driven tape-feeding means to automatically switch from a high rate of tape feed to a governed rate of tape feed in response to the detection of unrecorded portions of tape occurring between recorded programs, thereon, said means comprising: i. a sensing circuit coupled to the tape for generating an output pulse every time said sensing circuit detects an unrecorded portion of tape; and ii. a comparison circuit for comparing the number of output pulses from said sensing circuit with a predetermined number corresponding to the sequential location of the desired program on said tape, said comparison circuit causing said solid state device to be rendered partially conductive to thus have said motor-driven tape-feeding mechanism switch from a high rate of tape feed to a governed rate of tape feed upon there being coincidence within said comparison circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as described in claim 1 additionally comprising indicating means for indicating which program is to be automatically selected for reproduction by the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A control system as described in claim 1 wherein said comparison circuit additionally comprises a cam plate, a shaft supporting said cam plate, a ratchet wheel mounted coaxially with said cam plate, a spring for imparting rotation to said shaft by rotation thereof and a return means comprising an electromagnetic plunger having an actuator engaging the teeth of said ratchet wheel whereby upon manual rotation of said cam plate a program on said tape is designated for reproduction and the conductivity of said solid state device is varied so as to cause said tape feed means to feed tape at high speed until said electromagnetic plunger has been actuated in response to the outputs from said sensing circuit a sufficient number of times to allow said cam plate to rotate back to its initial position in ratchet wheel teeth intervals whereupon the conductivity of said solid state device is again varied so as to cause said tape-feeding means to be switched from its high rate of tape feed to its governed rate of tape feed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control system as described in claim 1 wherein said sound-reproducing apparatus is only capable of audibly reproducing a program appearing on saId tape when said tape-feeding means is feeding tape at a governed rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
207 words
A control system as described in claim 1 additionally comprising indicating means for indicating which program recorded on said tape is appearing at said sensing circuit, said indication means comprising a rotary solenoid energized by the output from said sensing circuit, a ratchet wheel rotated one tooth at a time by said rotary solenoid, an indicating plate mounted coaxially with said ratchet wheel and having program indicating digits appearing thereon, a spring for imparting a rotatable returning force to said ratchet wheel under the bias of the spring instituted by the rotation of said ratchet wheel, a lever engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel for preventing the returning of said ratchet wheel in response to the bias of said spring, an electromagnetic plunger coupled to said lever and being energized upon the sensing by the system of the end of a track of tape whereby said indicating plate is rotated by the action of said rotary solenoid to indicate the program appearing at said sensing circuit and said electromagnetic plunger is actuated upon completion of a track of tape so as to release said lever from said ratchet wheel so that said indicating plate can be restored to its initial position of indicating the first program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A control system as described in claim 1 wherein said comparison circuit additionally comprises a ring-counting circuit whereby said ring-counting circuit is actuated by the output from said sensing circuit and said ring-counting circuit is reset upon detection of the end of a track of tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A control system as described in claim 1 wherein said comparison circuit additionally comprises a plurality of pushbutton switches which are coupled within said comparison circuit such that the selected depression of the pushbutton switches will determine which program is to be automatically selected for reproduction by the apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A control system as described in claim 7 wherein said pushbutton switches are magnetically self-retaining, each switch containing a coil which when actuated opens its associated switch, the coil being coupled to the output of said sensing circuit and said switches being interconnected such that one and only one switch at a time responds by opening to a pulse initiated by said sensing circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |