US3775569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic message controller
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract Playback operation of a stereo tape cartridge type of playerrecorder is automatically controlled to replay a pre-recorded message. A control signal recorded on one track of the tape following the recorded message on the other track initiates an off or rewind operation and a timing cycle, and pulses a counter through which the number of replays is preset.
Inventors
- 👤 E Lougeay
- 👤 C Garner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/1883; G11B27/00; G11B27/005; G11B27/007; G11B27/10; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
In combination with a player-recorder device having recording and playback heads for recording audio signals on at least one of two tracks of a tape and reproducing signals on the tape to an output speaker, tape transport means for conveying the tape in a first direction in operative relation to said heads during playback and record operations and in a second direction during rewind operations, and means for disabling the transport means in response to off signals; an automatic message controller comprising: tone generator means for selectively providing cue signals to said recording head for recording such on the other of said two tracks of the tape following the recording of a message on said one of the tracks, timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of said cue signals and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, and control means responsive to each of said cue signals for either actuating said disabling means by said off signals or actuating said rewind operation of said transport means, mode selection means having a ''''Repeat'''' selection for repeated playing of a single message followed by a single cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' selection for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by a cue signal, said control means being responsive to playback of each cue signal to actuate said disabling means when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode and to actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode, said control means including means for counting the number of said cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to deenergize said player-recorder device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
In combination with a player-recorder device having recording and playback heads for recording audio signals on at least one of two tracks of a tape and reproducing signals on the tape to an output speaker, tape transport means for conveying the tape in a first direction in operative relation to said heads during playback and record operations and in a second direction during rewind operations, and means for disabling the transport means in response to off signals; an automatic message controller comprising: tone generator means for selectively providing cue signals to said recording head for recording such on the other of said two tracks of the tape following the recording of a message on said one of the tracks, timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of said cue signals and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, and control means responsive to each of said cue signals for either actuating said disabling means by said off signals or actuating said rewind operation of said transport means, mode selection means having a ''''Repeat'''' selection for repeated playing of a single message followed by a single cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' selection for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by a cue signal, said control means being responsive to playback of each cue signal to actuate said disabling means when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode and to actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode, said control means including means for counting the number of said cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to deenergize said player-recorder device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said player-recorder device includes eject means for terminating operation of said player-recorder device in response to the completion of said preselected number of counts by said counter means when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
221 words
In combination with a player-recorder device having recording and playback heads for recording audio signals on at least one of two tracks of a tape and reproducing signals on the tape to drive an output speaker, tape transport means for selectively conveying the tape in operative relation to said heads during playback, record, and rewind operations, and means for disabling the transport means; an automatic message controller comprising: means for recording cue signals on the other of said two tracks of the tape following the recording of a message on said one of the tracks, mode selection means including a ''''Repeat'''' mode for repeated playing of a single message followed by said cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' mode for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by one of said cue signals, and timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of each of said cue signals from said tape and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, said automatic message controller including counter means for counting the number of cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to de-energize said player-recorder device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
221 words
In combination with a player-recorder device having recording and playback heads for recording audio signals on at least one of two tracks of a tape and reproducing signals on the tape to drive an output speaker, tape transport means for selectively conveying the tape in operative relation to said heads during playback, record, and rewind operations, and means for disabling the transport means; an automatic message controller comprising: means for recording cue signals on the other of said two tracks of the tape following the recording of a message on said one of the tracks, mode selection means including a ''''Repeat'''' mode for repeated playing of a single message followed by said cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' mode for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by one of said cue signals, and timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of each of said cue signals from said tape and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, said automatic message controller including counter means for counting the number of cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to de-energize said player-recorder device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said automatic message controller includes audio input means for providing audio signals from a source externally of the player-recorder device, and means responsive to said playback operation of said transport means for interrupting said audio signals from the external source during said playback operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
178 words
In combination with a tape player device having playback heads for providing audio signals defining a message each followed by a cue signal on a tape, tape transport means for selectively conveying the tape in operative relation to said heads during playback and rewind operations, and means for disabling said transport means; an automatic message controller comprising: mode selection means including a ''''Repeat'''' mode for repeated playing of a single message followed by said cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' mode for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by one of said cue signals, timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of each of said cue signals from said tape and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, and counter means for counting the number of cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to de-energize said player device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
178 words
In combination with a tape player device having playback heads for providing audio signals defining a message each followed by a cue signal on a tape, tape transport means for selectively conveying the tape in operative relation to said heads during playback and rewind operations, and means for disabling said transport means; an automatic message controller comprising: mode selection means including a ''''Repeat'''' mode for repeated playing of a single message followed by said cue signal and a ''''Progressive'''' mode for continuously playing a series of messages each followed by one of said cue signals, timer means for initiating a time interval in response to playback of each of said cue signals from said tape and enabling said tape transport means upon completion of said time interval, and counter means for counting the number of cue signals to either actuate said rewind operation when said mode selection means is in said ''''Progressive'''' mode or to de-energize said player device when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode upon counting a preselected number of said cue signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said player device includes eject means for terminating oPeration of said player device in response to the completion of said preselected number of counts by said counter means when said mode selection means is in said ''''Repeat'''' mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said automatic message controller includes audio input means for providing audio signals from a source externally of said player device and means responsive to said playback operation of said transport means for interrupting said audio signals from said external source during said playback operation.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |