Apparatus for automatically synchronizing the operation of a device to correspond with its movement along a predetermined route

Claim 2

Apparatus for reproducing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, comprising carrier means having thereon a plurality of recorded messages and stop means associated with and arranged at the end of each recorded message, each stop means comprising a predetermined length portion of said carrier means, reproducing means cooperating with said carrier means for reproducing said messages in a predetermined sequence; initiating means cooperating with said reproducing means for initiating reproduction by the latter of successive ones of said messages in said sequence at respective time intervals between successive initiations, said time intervals being independent of one another; and terminating means cooperating with said reproducing means and said stop means for terminating the operation of said reproducing means at the end of each recorded message in said sequence, said terminating means being arranged to detect each of said portions and to terminate the operation of said reproducing means only when more than approximately one-half of the predetermined length of a respective one of said portions is detected by said terminating means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said initiating means comprises a manually actuated switch.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a part of said initiating means is remote from said recording means, whereby said reproducing means may be initiated from a remote point.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier means comprises an elongated recording track, and wherein said messages are recorded on successive portions of said recording track.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each stop means comprises a recorded signal recorded on a portion of said recording track following a portion on which an associated recorded message is recorded.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said initiating means comprises at least one transmitter means Remote from said reproducing means for transmitting trigger signals, and receiver means cooperating with said reproducing means for receiving said trigger signals and for initiating the operation of said reproducing means upon reception of said trigger signals.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said initiating means comprises a plurality of spaced transmitter means defining a predetermined path, each transmitter means being arranged to transmit trigger signals, and receiver means movable along said path for successively passing each transmitter means along said path, and for receiving said trigger signals transmitted by each of said transmitter means which said receiver means passes along said path, and for initiating the operation of said reproducing means, when the latter is not reproducing a message, in response to reception of said trigger signals.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising desensitizing means for detecting continued reception of trigger signals by said receiving means, subsequently to a first initiation of said reproducing means, and for preventing a second initiation of said reproducing means, after the operation of the latter has been terminated as the end of a respective message, until reception of trigger signals by said receiving means is first interrupted.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said reproducing means includes terminal means through which electrical energy can be supplied to said reproducing means for commencing the operation of the latter, and wherein said initiating means includes switch means, connected to said terminal means and defining a portion of an energy conducting path with the latter, for opening and closing said path in response to the respective actions of said initiating and terminating means.

Claim 11

Apparatus for reproducing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, comprising carrier means having thereon a plurality of recorded messages and stop means associated with and arranged at the end of each recorded message; reproducing means cooperating with said carrier means for reproducing said messages in a predetermined sequence; initiating means cooperating with said reproducing means for initiating reproduction by the latter of successive ones of said messages in said sequence at respective time intervals between successive initiations, said time intervals being independent of one another, said initiating means comprising a plurality of spaced transmitter means defining a predetermined path, each transmitter means being arranged to transmit trigger signals, and receiver means movable along said path for successively passing each transmitter means along said path and for receiving said trigger signals transmitted by each of said transmitter means which said receiver means passes along said path, and for initiating the operation of said reproducing means, when the latter is not reproducing a message, in response to reception of said trigger signals; and terminating means cooperating with said reproducing means and said stop means for terminating the operation of said reproducing means at the end of each recorded message in said sequence.

Claim 12

Apparatus for reproducing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, comprising carrier means having thereon a plurality of recorded messages and stop means associated with and arranged at the end of each recorded message; reproducing means cooperating with said carrier means for reproducing said messages in a predetermined sequence; initiating means cooperating with said reproducing means for initiating reproduction by the latter of successive ones of said messages in said sequence at respective time intervals between successive initiations, said time intervals being independent of one another, said initiating means comprising a plurality of spaced transmitter means defining a predetermined path, each transmitter means being arranged to transmit trigger signals, and receiver means movable along said path for successively passing each transmitter means along said path and for receiving said trigger signals transmitted by each of said transmitter means which said receiver means passes along said path, and for initiating the operation of said reproducing means, when the latter is not reproducing a message, in response to reception of said trigger signals; and terminating means cooperating with said reproducing means and said stop means for terminating the operation of said reproducing means at the end of each recorded message in said sequence.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising desensitizing means for detecting continued reception of trigger signals by said receiving means, subsequently to a first initiation of said reproducing means, and for preventing a second initiation of said reproducing means, after the operation of the latter has been terminated at the end of a respective message, until reception of trigger signals by said receiving means is first interrupted.