US3743793A — Analog signal recording and playback method and s…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 274 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals comprising a record medium, first means for recording timing signals on at least a first track of said record medium, second means for reading timing signals on said first track, third means for recording items of data on at least a second track of said record medium, fourth means for reading items of data on said second track, means for continuously moving said record medium at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium takes place in a time interval substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal to be recorded on or reproduced from said record medium, means for periodically sampling the analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof, means for controlling said third means in response to signals from said second and fourth means to record items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples taken by said sampling means while said record medium moves, all of the items of data representative of temporally successive samples of the analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track during successive passes of said record medium by said third means, means for operating in conjunction with timing signals read from said first track by said second means for controlling the retrieval of items of data read from said record medium by said fourth means in the same temporal sequence in which the items of data represent temporally successive samples of the analog signal, and means for reconstructing the analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 274 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals comprising a record medium, first means for recording timing signals on at least a first track of said record medium, second means for reading timing signals on said first track, third means for recording items of data on at least a second track of said record medium, fourth means for reading items of data on said second track, means for continuously moving said record medium at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium takes place in a time interval substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal to be recorded on or reproduced from said record medium, means for periodically sampling the analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof, means for controlling said third means in response to signals from said second and fourth means to record items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples taken by said sampling means while said record medium moves, all of the items of data representative of temporally successive samples of the analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track during successive passes of said record medium by said third means, means for operating in conjunction with timing signals read from said first track by said second means for controlling the retrieval of items of data read from said record medium by said fourth means in the same temporal sequence in which the items of data represent temporally successive samples of the analog signal, and means for reconstructing the analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 97 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said first and second tracks is divided into a plurality of segments and said record controlling means causes items of data representative of temporally successive samples to be recorded in successive segments in said second track during each pass of said record medium by said third means with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in the same order as the respective samples are taken during successive passes of such segment by said third means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

periodically sampling each analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof,

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

periodically sampling each analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof,

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

identifying a group of items of data corresponding to a selected analog signal to be reproduced,

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

identifying a group of items of data corresponding to a selected analog signal to be reproduced,

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

periodically retrieving the items of data in only the identified group from said second track during multiple passes of said record medium in a sequence corresponding to the positions of timing signals in said first track and the temporally successive samples of the selected analog signal to be reproduced, and

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 50 words

periodically retrieving the items of data in only the identified group from said second track during multiple passes of said record medium in a sequence corresponding to the positions of timing signals in said first track and the temporally successive samples of the selected analog signal to be reproduced, and

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 70 words

controlling the recording of items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples while said record medium moves, all of the items of data representative of the samples taken of each analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track; and

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 70 words

controlling the recording of items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples while said record medium moves, all of the items of data representative of the samples taken of each analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track; and

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 46 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 2 further including means for initiating the operation of said sampling means responsive to the passing of all items of data already recorded in any segment in said second track by said third means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 60 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 3 wherein said record controlling means includes means for converting the amplitude of each sample taken by said sampling means to a corresponding pulse width, and each item of data recorded in said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

registering the positions on said second track of the items of data included in each independently retrievable group contained in said interlaced format.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

registering the positions on said second track of the items of data included in each independently retrievable group contained in said interlaced format.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 11 words

reconstructing the selected analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 11 words

reconstructing the selected analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 99 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 2 wherein said retrieval controlling means includes register means for identifying the same-positioned item of data in each segment in said second track during any pass of said record medium by said fourth means, means for retrieving the identified item of data in each segment as the segment passes by said fourth means, and means responsive to timing signals read from said first track for governing said register means to identify successively positioned items of data during successive passes of said record medium by said fourth means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 64 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 2 wherein said record controlling means causes items of data representative of samples of each analog signal to be recorded in an interlaced format in said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being similarly recorded in an interlaced format in said second track.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 103 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 6 wherein all of the same-positioned items of data in said segments constitute an information stream with successive information streams being identified by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams were recorded, and said retrieval controlling means includes means responsive to timing signals read from said first track for identifying a group of successively numbered information streams containing the samples of a selected signal and for retrieving successive items of data from all of the identified information streams in numerical sequence.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 64 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 1 wherein said record controlling means causes items of data representative of samples of each analog signal to be recorded in an interlaced format in said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being similarly recorded in an interlaced format in said second track.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 53 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 8 wherein said analog signals are audio signals, said sampling frequency is no greater than 30 KHz and each of the successive passes of said record medium takes place in substantially less time than that required to speak a typical word.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 287 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 1 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities and said first track includes a first timing signal indicative of the start of the track and a plurality of second timing signals dividing said first and second tracks into a plurality of segments, said record controlling means causes pulses of opposite polarities to be recorded in succession in each segment of said second track with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal being recorded, one such pulse being recorded during each pass of any segment by said third means, said record controlling means includes means coupled to said fourth means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment of said second track as such segment passes by said fourth means for determining the time of operation of said sampling means, said retrieval controlling means includes means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment of said second track as such segment passes by said fourth means to determine the item of data in each sEgment to be operated upon during the pass of the segment by said fourth means, each of said record controlling means and said retrieval controlling means including means for determining the number of polarity transitions to be counted in accordance with the number of said first timing signals read from said first track, and said reconstructing means includes means for converting the time interval between the two polarity transitions which define the item of data being operated upon to a signal level and means for smoothing successive signal levels.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 289 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first track includes a first timing signal indicative of the start of the track and a plurality of second timing signals dividing said first and second tracks into a plurality of segments, said record controlling means causes items of data representative of successive samples to be recorded in successive segments during each pass of said second track by said third means with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in the same order as the respective samples are taken during successive passes of such segment by said third means, all of the same-positioned items of data in said segments constituting an information stream, with all of the information streams being ordered in accordance with the sequence in which the items of data therein were recorded, and said retrieval controlling means includes means for identifying a single information stream during each pass of said second track by said fourth means, means responsive to a second timing signal being read from said first track for thereafter counting the items of data in each segment as such segment passes by said fourth means until a selected item of data is reached which is contained within the identified information stream, means for operating upon such selected item of data, means responsive to a first timing signal being read from said first track for changing the identified information stream, and means for inhibiting the operation of said retrieval controlling means after all the information streams containing items of data of the analog signal to be reproduced have been identified by said identifying means and the items of data therein have been operated upon.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 62 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 11 wherein each item of data recorded in said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample taken by said sampling means and said sampling rate varies from segment to segment in accordance with the sum of all pulse widths in successive segments.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 140 words

A system for recording and reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said first and second tracks is divided into a plurality of segments with said first track having a timing signal associated with each segment, a single item of data representative of a sample being recorded in sequence in each of the segments of said second track with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in the same order as the respective samples are taken during successive passes of such segment by said third means, said items of data being in the form of pulses on said record medium, and said first track has a timing signal which is distinguishable from the timing signals associated with said segments and which identifies the start of said first and second tracks.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 270 words

A system for recording items of data representative of samples of at least two separately recognizable analog signals on a record medium such that temporally successive represented samples of analog signals to be reproduced therefrom are represented in an interlaced format, each of said analog signals having samples which are to be independently retrievable as a group without the others from said record medium, comprising means for recording timing signals on at least a first track of said record medium and fOr recording items of data on at least a second track of said record medium, means for continuously moving said record medium past said recording means at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium by said recording means takes place in a time interval substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose respective samples are to be recorded on said record medium, means for periodically sampling an analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof, means for controlling said recording means to record items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples taken by said sampling means, all of the items of data representative of temporally successive samples of each analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, and means for representing the positions on said second track of the items of data included in each independently retrievable group contained in said interlaced format.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 270 words

A system for recording items of data representative of samples of at least two separately recognizable analog signals on a record medium such that temporally successive represented samples of analog signals to be reproduced therefrom are represented in an interlaced format, each of said analog signals having samples which are to be independently retrievable as a group without the others from said record medium, comprising means for recording timing signals on at least a first track of said record medium and fOr recording items of data on at least a second track of said record medium, means for continuously moving said record medium past said recording means at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium by said recording means takes place in a time interval substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose respective samples are to be recorded on said record medium, means for periodically sampling an analog signal to be recorded at a rate sufficient to enable the proper reconstruction thereof, means for controlling said recording means to record items of data on said second track representative of temporally successive samples taken by said sampling means, all of the items of data representative of temporally successive samples of each analog signal being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, and means for representing the positions on said second track of the items of data included in each independently retrievable group contained in said interlaced format.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 113 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 14 wherein said tracks are divided into a plurality of segments and said record controlling means causes items of data representative of temporally successive samples to be recorded in successive segments of said second track during each pass of said record medium by said recording means with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in the same order as the respective samples are taken during successive passes of such segment by said recording means, said record controlling means including means for reading timing signals recorded in said first track to identify successive segments in said second track.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 15 further including means for intiating the recording of an item of data responsive to the passing of all items of data already recorded in any segment by said recording means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 58 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 16 wherein said record controlling means includes means for converting the amplitude of each sample taken by said sampling means to a corresponding pulse width, and each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 15 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample taken by said sampling means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 55 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 15 wherein said analog signals are audio signals, said sampling frequency is no greater than 30 kHz and each of the successive passes of said record medium by said recording means takes place is substantially less time than that required to speak a typical word.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 140 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 14 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities and each of said tracks is divided into a plurality of segments, said record controlling means causes pulses of opposite polarities to be recorded in succession in each segment of said second track with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal being recorded, one such pulse being recorded during each pass of any segment of said second track by said recording means, and said record controlling means includes means coupled to said recording means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment as such segment passes by said recording means for determining the time when an item of data is recorded.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 20 wherein said record controlling means includes means responsiVe to the timing signals recorded in said first track for re-starting the operation of said counting means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 57 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 21 wherein all of the same-positioned pulses in said segments of said second track constitute an information stream, and further including means for identifying successive information streams by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams are recorded.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 199 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 14 wherein said record medium is capable of storing two types of signals of opposite polarities, and said record controlling means includes means for identifying a plurality of segments in said second track in accordance with the timing signals recorded in said first track, means for controlling the recording of successive opposite polarity pulses in each of said segments in said second track with a single pulse being recorded in each segment during each pass of said record medium by said recording means, means for detecting a transition in the polarity of a sgement of said second track as it passes by said recording means, means for writing a pulse of either polarity in said second track, means for enabling said writing means to write pulses of alternating polarities as transitions in the polarity of said second track are detected, and means for turning on said writing means so that it writes a pulse of the polarity in which it has been enabled after all the previously recorded pulses in a segment of said second track have passed by said recording means and another pulse is to be recorded.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 99 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 23 wherein said record controlling means causes said first track to be divided into a plurality of segments by the timing signals recorded therein, said second track having a plurality of segments each associated with a respective segment of said first track, and means for controlling the writing of a pulse on said first track which is distinguishable from all other timing signals in front of the first segment on said first track to identify the start of a new pass of said record medium by said recording means.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 99 words

A system for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 14 wherein said record controlling means causes said first track to be divided into a plurality of segments by the timing signals recorded therein, said second track having a plurality of segments each associated with a respective segment of said first track, and means for controlling the writing of a pulse on said first track which is distinguishable from all other timing signals in front of the first segment on said first track to identify the start of a new pass of said record medium by said recording means.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 186 words

A system for reproducing analog signals comprising a record medium having timing signals recorded in at least a first track thereof and items of data recorded in at least a second track thereof, all of the items of data being representative of samples of analog signals and being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, reading means, means for continuously moving said record medium past said reading means at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium by said reading means takes place in a time interval shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal to be reproduced from said record medium, means for operating in conjunction with timing signals read from said first track for controlling the periodic retrieval of less than all of the items of data in said interlaced format from said second track during multiple passes of said record medium by said reading means in a sequence corresponding to the temporally successive samples of a selected analog signal to be reproduced, and means for reconstructing the selected analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 186 words

A system for reproducing analog signals comprising a record medium having timing signals recorded in at least a first track thereof and items of data recorded in at least a second track thereof, all of the items of data being representative of samples of analog signals and being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, reading means, means for continuously moving said record medium past said reading means at a speed such that each of successive passes of said record medium by said reading means takes place in a time interval shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal to be reproduced from said record medium, means for operating in conjunction with timing signals read from said first track for controlling the periodic retrieval of less than all of the items of data in said interlaced format from said second track during multiple passes of said record medium by said reading means in a sequence corresponding to the temporally successive samples of a selected analog signal to be reproduced, and means for reconstructing the selected analog signal from the retrieved items of data.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 68 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 26 wheRein said second track is divided into a plurality of segments and successive items of data representative of temporally successive samples of an analog signal are recorded in successive segments of said second track with successive items of data in each segment following each other in the same order as the respective samples of the analog signal.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 26 wherein said items of data recorded on said second track are pulses whose widths are related by a continuous function to the amplitude of said signals.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 97 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein said retrieval controlling means includes register means for identifying the same-positioned item of data in each segment of said second track during any pass of said record medium by said reading means, means for retrieving the identified item of data in each segment as the segment passes by said reading means, and means responsive to timing signals read from said first track for governing said register means to identify successively positioned items of data during successive passes of said record medium by said reading means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 63 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 29 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample, and said reconstructing means includes means for converting the width of each pulse retrieved from said second track to a signal level and means for smoothing successive signal levels.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 57 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein the items of data representative of samples of each analog signal are recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being similarly recorded in an interlaced format on said second track.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 98 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein all of the same-positioned items of data in the segments of said second track constitute an information stream with successive information streams being identified by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams represent sequential samples, said retrieval controlling means includes means for identifying a group of successively numbered information streams containing the samples of a selected signal and said retrieving means retrieves successive items of data from all of the identified information streams in numerical sequence.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 57 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 32 wherein the items of data representative of samples of each analog signal are recorded in an interlaced format on said second track with groups of items of data representative of samples of different analog signals being similarly recorded in an interlaced format on said second track.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 53 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein the timing signals recorded in said first track include a first timing signal indicative of the start of said second track and a plurality of second timing signals each indicative of the start of a respective segment of said second track.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 64 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 34 wherein said retrieval controlling means includes register means for identifying the number of the sample in each segment of said second track to be retrieved as said segment moves past said reading means, and means for incrementing the count represented by said register means responsive to the reading of said first timing signal.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 85 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 35 wherein said retrieval controlling means further includes means for counting the samples in each segment of said second track as it moves past said reading means, means for comparing the count represented in said counting means to the count represented in said register means for identifying the sample in each segment of said second track to be retrieved, and means for resetting said counting means responsive to the reading of a second timing signal.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 159 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 36 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities with pulses of opposite polarities being recorded in succession in each segment of said second track and with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal, said retrieval controlling means retrieves one pulse during each pass of any segment by said reading means and includes means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment as such segment passes by said reading means to determine the item of data in each segment to be operated upon during the pass of the segment by said reading means, and said reconstructing means includes means for converting the time interval between the two polarity transitions which define the item of data being operated upon to a signal level and means for smoothing successive signal levels.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 159 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 34 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities with pulses of opposite polarities being recorded in succession in each segment of said second track and with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal, said retrieval controlling means retrieves one pulse during each pass of any segment by said reading means and includes means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment as such segment passes by said reading means to determine the item of data in each segment to be operated upon during the pass of the segment by said reading means, and said reconstructing means includes means for converting the time interval between the two polarity transitions which define the item of data being operated upon to a signal level and means for smoothing successive signal levels.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 159 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities with pulses of opposite polarities being recorded in succession in each segment of said second track and with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal, said retrieval controlling means retrieves one pulse during each pass of any segment by said reading means and includes means for counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment as such segment passes by said reading means to determine the item of data in each segment to be operated upon during the pass of the segment by said reading means, and said reconstructing means includes means for converting the time interval between the two polarity transitions which define the item of data being operated upon to a signal level and means for smoothing successive signal levels.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 109 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 27 wherein said second track is divided into a plurality of segments with a single item of data representative of a sample being retrieved in sequence from each of said segments as said segments pass by said reading means with successive items of data in each segment being retrieved during successive passes of such segment by said reading means, said items of data being in the form of pulses on said record medium, and said first track has recorded thereon a timing signal for identifying the start of a new pass of said record medium by said reading means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 40 wherein said first track has recorded thereon a timing signal for identifying the start of the passing of each segment of said second track by said reading means.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 183 words

A record medium having at least two tracks; on a first of which are stOred a plurality of samples Aij of an analog signal, where i 1,2,3,...N and j 1,2,3,...M, and the samples of said analog signal have a time sequence A11, A12, A13,...A1M, A21, A22, A23,...A2M, A31, A32, A33,...A3M,...AN1, AN2, AN3,...ANM and are stored on said first track in a spatial sequence A11, A21, A31,... AN1, A12, A22, A32,...AN2, A13, A23, A33,...AN3,...A1M, A2M, A3M,...ANM; and on a second of which are stored timing signals for identifying successive spatial sequences A11-AN1, A12-AN2, A13-AN3,...A1M-ANM; said record medium being characterized in that during normal reading of information therefrom all of the recorded information can be read in a time substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose samples are stored therein, and being further characterized in that samples of said analog signal are stored in the form of pulses whose widths are related by a continuous function to the amplitude of the analog signal and the trailing edges of substantially all of said pulses are the leading edges of respective succeeding pulses.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 183 words

A record medium having at least two tracks; on a first of which are stOred a plurality of samples Aij of an analog signal, where i 1,2,3,...N and j 1,2,3,...M, and the samples of said analog signal have a time sequence A11, A12, A13,...A1M, A21, A22, A23,...A2M, A31, A32, A33,...A3M,...AN1, AN2, AN3,...ANM and are stored on said first track in a spatial sequence A11, A21, A31,... AN1, A12, A22, A32,...AN2, A13, A23, A33,...AN3,...A1M, A2M, A3M,...ANM; and on a second of which are stored timing signals for identifying successive spatial sequences A11-AN1, A12-AN2, A13-AN3,...A1M-ANM; said record medium being characterized in that during normal reading of information therefrom all of the recorded information can be read in a time substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose samples are stored therein, and being further characterized in that samples of said analog signal are stored in the form of pulses whose widths are related by a continuous function to the amplitude of the analog signal and the trailing edges of substantially all of said pulses are the leading edges of respective succeeding pulses.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 30 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 42 wherein said samples are stored in said first track in the form of a closed loop with sample A11 following sample ANM.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 25 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 43 wherein the same distance on the first track separates every pair of sample A1j and A1,j 1.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 39 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 43 wherein each sample in said first track is stored in one of two states and each spatial sample sequence A1j, A2j, A3j,..., ANj consists of samples stored in alternating, opposite states.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 36 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 43 wherein a start-of-pass distinguishing timing signal is stored on said second track at a position corresponding to a position on said first track separating samples ANM and A11.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 36 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 42 wherein a start-of-pass distinguishing timing signal is stored on said second track at a position corresponding to a position on said first track separating samples ANM and A11.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 38 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 42 wherein each sample in said first track is stored in one of two states and each spatial sample sequence A1j, A2j, A3j,...ANj consists of samples stored in alternating, opposite states.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 25 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 48 wherein the same distance on the first track separates every pair of samples A1j and A1,j 1.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 222 words

A record medium having at least two tracks; on a first of which are stored a plurality of samples Aij, Bkj of at least two analog A and B, where i 1,2,3,...N, k 1,2,3,...L, and j 1,2,3, ...M, the samples of analog signal A have a time sequence A11, A12, A13,...A1M, A21, A22, A23,...A2M, A31, A32, A33,...A3M, ...AN1, AN2, AN3, ...ANM and the samples of analog signal B have a time sequence B11, B12B13,...B1M, B21, B22, B23,...B2M, B31, B32, B33,... B3M,...BL1, BL2, BL3,...BLM, and the samples are stored on said first track in a spatial sequence A11, A21, A31, ...AN1, B11, B21, B31,...BL1, A12, A22, A32,...AN2, B12,B22, B32, ...BL2, A13, A23, A33,...AN3, B13, B23, B33,...BL3,...A1M, A2M, A3M,...ANM, B1M, B2M, B3M,...BLM; and on a second of which are stored timing signals for identifying successive spatial sequences A11-BL1, A12-BL2, A13-BL3,...A1M-BLM; each of said analog signals having samples which are to be independently read as a group from said record medium; said record medium being characterized in that during normal reading of information therefrom all of the recorded information can be read in a time substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose samples are stored therein and being adapted for use with means for reading therefrom the samples in only a selected group independent of the samples in any other group.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 222 words

A record medium having at least two tracks; on a first of which are stored a plurality of samples Aij, Bkj of at least two analog A and B, where i 1,2,3,...N, k 1,2,3,...L, and j 1,2,3, ...M, the samples of analog signal A have a time sequence A11, A12, A13,...A1M, A21, A22, A23,...A2M, A31, A32, A33,...A3M, ...AN1, AN2, AN3, ...ANM and the samples of analog signal B have a time sequence B11, B12B13,...B1M, B21, B22, B23,...B2M, B31, B32, B33,... B3M,...BL1, BL2, BL3,...BLM, and the samples are stored on said first track in a spatial sequence A11, A21, A31, ...AN1, B11, B21, B31,...BL1, A12, A22, A32,...AN2, B12,B22, B32, ...BL2, A13, A23, A33,...AN3, B13, B23, B33,...BL3,...A1M, A2M, A3M,...ANM, B1M, B2M, B3M,...BLM; and on a second of which are stored timing signals for identifying successive spatial sequences A11-BL1, A12-BL2, A13-BL3,...A1M-BLM; each of said analog signals having samples which are to be independently read as a group from said record medium; said record medium being characterized in that during normal reading of information therefrom all of the recorded information can be read in a time substantially shorter than the duration of a typical analog signal whose samples are stored therein and being adapted for use with means for reading therefrom the samples in only a selected group independent of the samples in any other group.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 30 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 50 wherein said samples are stored in said first track in the form of a closed loop with sample A11 following sample BLM.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 32 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 51 wherein each of said samples is stored in the form of a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective analog signal.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 25 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 52 wherein the same distance on the first track separates every pair of samples A1j and A1,j 1.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 42 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 52 wherein each sample in said first track is stored in one of two states and each spatial sample sequence A1j, A2j, A3j,... ANj, B1j, B2j, B3j,...BLj consists of samples stored in alternating, opposite states.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 36 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 52 wherein a start-of-pass distinguishing timing signal is stored on said second track at a position corresponding to a position on said first track separating samples BLM and A11.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 36 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 50 wherein a start-of-pass distinguishing timing signal is stored on said second track at a position corresponding to a position on said first track separating samples BLM and A11.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 42 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 50 wherein each sample in said first track is stored in one of two states and each spatial sample sequence A1j, A2j, A3j,... ANj, B1j, B2j, B3j,...BLj consists of samples stored in alternating, opposite states.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 25 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 57 wherein the same distance on the first track separates every pair of samples A1j and A1,j 1.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 36 words

A record medium in accordance with claim 58 wherein each of said samples on the first track is stored in the form of a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective analog signal.

Claim 77

Independent Claim 38 words

A method for recording on a record medium at least two separately recognizable analog signals, each of said analog signals being characterized in that it is to be independently retreivable from said record medium, comprising the steps of:

Claim 78

Independent Claim 38 words

A method for recording on a record medium at least two separately recognizable analog signals, each of said analog signals being characterized in that it is to be independently retreivable from said record medium, comprising the steps of:

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 91 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 60 wherein said tracks are divided into a plurality of segments and in step (1) successive segments of said second track are identified by timing signals read from said first track and items of data representative of temporally successive samples are recorded in successive segments during each pass of said record medium with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in same order as the respective samples are taken during successive passes of such segment.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 61 wherein the recording of an item of data in step (1) is initiated responsive to the passing of all items of data already recorded in any segment.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 62 wherein in step (3) the amplitude of each sample taken during step (2) is converted to a corresponding pulse width, and each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 61 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track in step (1) is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample taken during step (2).

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 61 wherein said analog signals are audio signals, said sampling frequency is no greater than 30 kHz and each of the successive passes of said record medium takes place in substantially less time than that required to speak a typical word.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 128 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 60 wherein timing signals and items of data are recorded on said record medium in two polarities in step (1) and each of said tracks is divided into a plurality of segments, pulses of opposite polarities being recorded in succession in each segment of said second track with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal taken in step (2), one such pulse being recorded during each pass of any segment of said second track, and in step (3) the number of polarity transitions in each segment of said second track as such segment moves is counted for determining when an item of data is recorded in step (1).

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 66 wherein the counting of polarity transitions in step (3) is re-started responsive to timing signals recorded in said first track.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 57 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 67 wherein all of the same-positoned pulses in said segments of said second track constitute an information stream, and in step (3) successive information streams are identified by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams are recorded.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 90 words

A method for recording analog signals in accordance with claim 60 wherein said first track is divided into a plurality of segments by the timing signals recorded therein and said second track has a plurality of segments each associated with a respective segment of said first track, and further including the step of writing a pulse on said first track which is distinguishable from all other timing signals in front of the first segment on said first track to identify the start of a new pass of said record medium.

Claim 88

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for reproducing analog signals from groups of items of data recorded on a record medium having timing signals recorded on at least a first track thereof and items of data recorded on at least a second track thereof, all of the iteMs of data in each group being representative of samples of a respective independently retrievable analog signal and being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, with the items of data of all groups being recorded in an interlaced format, comprising the steps of:

Claim 89

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for reproducing analog signals from groups of items of data recorded on a record medium having timing signals recorded on at least a first track thereof and items of data recorded on at least a second track thereof, all of the iteMs of data in each group being representative of samples of a respective independently retrievable analog signal and being recorded in an interlaced format on said second track, with the items of data of all groups being recorded in an interlaced format, comprising the steps of:

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 68 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 70 wherein said second track is divided into a plurality of segments and successive items of data representative of temporally successive samples of an analog signal are recorded in successive segments of said second track with successive items of data in each segment following each other in the same order as the respective samples of the analog signal.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 71 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 80 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 71 wherein step (3) includes the substep of identifying the same-positioned item of data in each segment of said second track during any pass of said record medium, retrieving the identified item of data in each segment as the segment moves, and causing successively positioned items of data to be identified during successive passes of said record medium in accordance with the positions of timing signals in said first track.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 73 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample, and in step (4) the width of each pulse retrieved from said second track is converted to a signal level and successive signal levels are smoothed.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 94 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 71 wherein all of the same-positioned items of data in the segments of said second track constitute an information stream with successive information streams being identified by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams represent sequential samples, and in step (3) a group of successively numbered information streams containing the samples of a selected signal are identified and successive items of data from all of the identified information streams are retrieved in numerical sequence.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 194 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 70 wherein items of data are recorded on said second track in two polarities and said second track is divided into a plurality of segments with pulses of opposite polarities being recorded in succession in each segment and with the width of each pulse corresponding to the amplitude of the respective sample of the analog signal, in step (3) one pulse is retrieved during each pass of any segment, step (3) including the sub-step of counting the number of polarity transitions in each segment of said second track as such segment moves to determine the item of data in each segment to be operated upon during the pass of the segment, and step (4) includes the sub-steps of converting the time interval between the two polarity transitions which define the item of datA being operated upon to a signal level and smoothing successive signal levels, said first track including a timing signal associated with each segment of said second track to control the re-starting of the count of polarity transitions prior to the start of the pass of each segment of said second track.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 102 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 76 wherein all of the same-positioned pulses in the segments of said second track constitute an information stream, with successive information streams being identified by a numerical sequence determined by the order in which the items of data constituting the information streams correspond to successive samples, and in step (3) a group of successively numbered information streams containing the samples of a selected signal are identified by a timing signal contained in said first track to control the retrieval of successive pulses from all of the identified information streams in numerical sequence.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 234 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 70 wherin said second track is divided into a plurality of segments, items of data representative of temporally successive samples are recorded in successive segments of said second track with successive items of data in each segment being recorded one after the other in the same order as the respective samples, all of the same-positioned items of data in the segments of said second track constituting an information stream with all of the information streams being ordered in accordance with the sequence in which the items of data correspond to respective sequential samples, and step (3) includes the sub-steps of identifying a single information stream during each pass of said record medium, counting the items of data in each segment of said second track which follow a first timing signal contained in said first track as such segment moves until a selected item of data is reached which is contained within the identified information stream, operating upon such selected item of data, changing the identified information stream following each pass of said record medium in accordance with a second timing signal contained in said first track, and inhibiting the retrieval of items of data after all of the information streams containing items of data of the analog signal to be reproduced have been identified and the items of data therein have been operated upon.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 64 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 78 wherein each item of data recorded on said second track is a pulse whose width corresponds to the amplitude of the respective sample, and the rate at which items of data are retrieved in step (3) varies from segment to segment in accordance with the sum of all pulse widths in successive segments.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 109 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 70 wherein said second track is divided into a plurality of segments, in step (3) a single item of data representative of a sample is retrieved in sequence from each of the segments of said second track as said segments move with successive items of data in each segment being retrieved during successive passes of such segment, said items of data are in the form of pulses on said record medium, and step (3) includes the sub-step of detecting a timing signal recorded in said first track to identify the start of a new pass of said record medium.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 56 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 80 wherein a plurality of timing signals are recorded in said first track each associated with one of the segments of said second track, and step (3) includes the sub-step of detecting such timing signals to identify the start of each segment of said second track.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 80 wherein each independently retrievable analog signal is the representation of a respective speech component.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance With claim 70 wherein each independently retrievable analog signal is the representation of a respective speech component.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 87 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 83 wherein a plurality of analog signals, either the same or different, can be reproduced simultaneously for extension to output channels, outpuchannels, a respective group of items of data is identified in step (2) for each of said output channels, the items of data in only the respective identified group are retrieved in step (3) for each of said output channels, and in step (4) the respective analog signal is reconstructed for each of said output channels.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 84 wherein the respective analog signal for each of said output channels is continuously reconstructed in step (4) as successive items of data in the respective identified group are retrieved in step (3).

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 87 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 70 wherein a plurality of analog signals, either the same or different, can be reproduced simultaneously for extension to different output channels, a respective group of items of data is identified in step (2) for each of said output channels, the items of data in only the respective identified group are retrieved in step (3) for each of said output channels, and in step (4) the respective analog signal is reconstructed for each of said output channels.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method for reproducing analog signals in accordance with claim 86 wherein the respective analog signal for each of said output channels is continuously reconstructed in step (4) as successive items of data in the respective identified group are retrieved in step (3).

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-07-02	1977-01-01	1977-07-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-07-02	1981-01-01	1981-07-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-07-02	1985-01-01	1985-07-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Analog signal recording and playback method and system

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