Patent US3914790A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3914790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Four-channel stereo apparatus for switching between two channel and four channel inputs
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1973-12-13
•
Granted: 1975-10-21
•
Expires: 1993-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A four-channel signal is presented via four independent input terminals and a four-pole switch to four recording heads in a magnetic recording and reproducing device. Two poles of the switch are also connected to receive a matrixed four-channel signal combined into two composite signals to be recorded by two of the magnetic heads. A four-pole output switch connects signals reproduced by the heads to four amplifier and speaker systems as discrete signals. Alternatively, if the signal was recorded as two composite signals, two of the poles of the output switch apply these signals to a decoder in which they are transformed into four discrete signals to be connected to the amplifier and speaker systems. Additional switches connect signals from the input terminals to the amplifier and speaker systems while the signals are being recorded to enable the signals to be monitored.
Inventors
- 👤 Shojiro Shimada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:05
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00992; H; H04; H04R; H04R3/00; H04R3/12; H04S; H04S3/00; H04S3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
383 words
A sound reproducing apparatus comprising: a first input device having two input terminals for supplying two respective composite signals which together constitute a matrixed four-channel signal; a second input device having four input terminals for supplying four respective discrete signals; a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device including a magnetic tape, four magnetic heads for recording and reproducing signals in respective tracks on said tape, four input terminals for applying signals to be recorded to said four heads, respectively, and four output terminals for deriving reproduced signals from said four heads, respectively; first switch means operative for respectively connecting said two input terminals of said first input device to two of said input terminals of said recording and reproducing device for recording of said two composite signals by the two respective heads in the corresponding two tracks on said tape; means for respectively connecting said four input terminals of said second input device to said four input terminals of said recording and reproducing device for recording of said four discrete signals by said four heads in the corresponding tracks on said tape; four sound reproducing means; two-channel to four-channel decoding means having two input terminals and four output terminals and being operative to provide four decoded discrete signals at said four output terminals, respectively, of said decoding means upon the reception of said two composite signals at said two input terminals, respectively, of the decoding means; second switch means having a first position, in which the two output terminals of said recording and reproducing device which correspond to said two heads are respectively connected to said two input terminals of the decoding means for supplying said two composite signals, as reproduced by said two heads, to said decoding means, and a second position, in which said four output terminals of the recording and reproducing device are connected to four respective conductors; and third switch means having a first position, in which said four output terminals of said decoding means are respectively connected to said four sound reproducing means for operation of the latter by said four decoded discrete signals, and a second position, in which said four conductors are respectively connected to said four sound reproducing means for operation of the latter by said four discrete signals as reproduced by said four heads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
383 words
A sound reproducing apparatus comprising: a first input device having two input terminals for supplying two respective composite signals which together constitute a matrixed four-channel signal; a second input device having four input terminals for supplying four respective discrete signals; a magnetic tape recording and reproducing device including a magnetic tape, four magnetic heads for recording and reproducing signals in respective tracks on said tape, four input terminals for applying signals to be recorded to said four heads, respectively, and four output terminals for deriving reproduced signals from said four heads, respectively; first switch means operative for respectively connecting said two input terminals of said first input device to two of said input terminals of said recording and reproducing device for recording of said two composite signals by the two respective heads in the corresponding two tracks on said tape; means for respectively connecting said four input terminals of said second input device to said four input terminals of said recording and reproducing device for recording of said four discrete signals by said four heads in the corresponding tracks on said tape; four sound reproducing means; two-channel to four-channel decoding means having two input terminals and four output terminals and being operative to provide four decoded discrete signals at said four output terminals, respectively, of said decoding means upon the reception of said two composite signals at said two input terminals, respectively, of the decoding means; second switch means having a first position, in which the two output terminals of said recording and reproducing device which correspond to said two heads are respectively connected to said two input terminals of the decoding means for supplying said two composite signals, as reproduced by said two heads, to said decoding means, and a second position, in which said four output terminals of the recording and reproducing device are connected to four respective conductors; and third switch means having a first position, in which said four output terminals of said decoding means are respectively connected to said four sound reproducing means for operation of the latter by said four decoded discrete signals, and a second position, in which said four conductors are respectively connected to said four sound reproducing means for operation of the latter by said four discrete signals as reproduced by said four heads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
A sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1; in which said first switch means is constituted by a double-throw switch having four poles, each of said poles has an arm connected to a respective one of said four input terminals of the recording and reproducing device and first and second terminals engaged by said arm in first and second positions, respectively, of said first switch means, two of said poles have said first terminals thereof respectively connected to said two input terminals of said first input device, and said four poles have said second terminals thereof respectively connected to said four input terminals of said second input device so as to constitute, in said record position of said First switch means, said means for connecting said four input terminals of the second input device to said four input terminals of the recording and reproducing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
200 words
A sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1; in which said second switch means is constituted by a double-throw switch having four poles, each of said poles has an arm connected to a respective one of said four output terminals of the recording and reproducing device and first and second terminals engaged by said arm in said first and second positions, respectively, of said second switch means, two of said poles have said first terminals thereof respectively connected to said two input terminals of the decoding means, and said four poles have said second terminals thereof respectively connected to said four conductors; said third switch means is constituted by an additional double-throw switch having four poles; and each of said poles of said additional double-throw switch has an arm connected to a respective one of said four sound reproducing means, a first terminal engaged by said arm in said first position of said third switch means and being connected with a respective one of said four output terminals of the decoding means, and a second terminal engaged by said arm in said second position of said third switch means and being connected to a respective one of said four conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1; in which said first switch means is constituted by a double-throw switch having at least two poles, each of said two poles includes an arm connected with a respective one of said four intput terminals of said recording and reproducing device and first and second terminals which are selectively engaged by said arm in first and second positions of said first switch means, means for connecting said first terminal of each of said poles to a respective one of said two input terminals of said first input device, and means connecting said second terminal of each of said poles to a respective one of said four input terminals of said second input device; and in which the other two of said four input terminals of the second input device are connected directly to respective input terminals of said recording and reproducing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
A sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1; further comprising additional switch means for connecting said two input terminals of said first input device to said two input terminals of the decoding means so that, with said first switch means operative for achieving the recording of said two composite signals in said two tracks on the tape and said third switch means in said first position thereof, said decoding means can be simultaneously operative to provide said four decoded discrete signals which are applied through said third switch means to said four sound reproducing means for monitoring during said recording of the two composite signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A sound reproducing apparatus according to claim 1; further comprising additional switch means for connecting said four input terminals of said second input device with said four sound reproducing means, respectively, through said third switch means in said second position of the latter for monitoring of said four discrete signals from said second input device during said recording of such signals in said corresponding tracks on the tape.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |