Multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus

Claim 2

A multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a multichannel endless tape having a predetermined number of channels, each having two tracks, each track having a number of different recordings having a common character, and each track having a plurality of transverse control signals separating said recordings; (b) a tape reproducer having a reproducer head structure with two reproducer coils, amplifier means selectively connectable to either one of said reproducer coils, and a tape drive means; (c) reproducer head positioning means for positioning said reproducer head in any one of said predetermined number of playing positions; (d) reproducer coil selector means operable to connect either one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (e) actuating means to initiate operation; (f) selector means corresponding to twice the predetermined number of channels on said tape, said selector means made operable by said actuating means, actuation of each of said selector means operates said reproducer head positioning means to position said head in a particular one of said predetermined number of playing positions and operates said reproducer coil selector means to connect a particular one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (g) detector means to detect said control signals; and (h) disconnection means to disconnect said motor drive means on detection of a control signal by said detector means.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1, including an operating panel, said actuating means comprising a slot in said panel and switch means coupled to said slot, said selector means including a plurality of operating buttons corresponding in number to said plurality of selector means, and a plurality of illuminated transparencies associated, respectively, with each said button.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said multichannel tape comprises a mono directional endless tape recorded in a number of continuous parallel tracks, said number being twice said predetermined number of playing positions.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 3, in which said tape is contained in an eight track mono-directional endless tape cartridge.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 4, in which each said transparency provides a visual representation of the performer recorded on the corresponding said track of said tape.

Claim 7

A multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus comprising in combination: (a) an eight track mono-directional endless tape cartridge containing a continuous tape having eight tracks, each provided with a number of different recordings having a common characteristic and each provided with a plurality of transverse control signals separating said recordings; (b) a tape reproducer having a reproducer head structure with two reproducer coils, amplifier means selectively connectable to either one of said reproducer coils, and a tape drive means; (c) reproducer head positioning means for positioning said reproducer head in any one of four playing positions; (d) reproducer coil selector means to connect either one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (e) actuating means to initiate operation; (f) eight selector means made operable by said actuating means, actuation of each said selector means operates said reproducer head positioning means to position said head in a particular one of said playing positions and operates said reproducer coil selector means to connect a particular one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (g) detector means to detect said control signals; (h) disconnecting means to disconnect said tape drive means on detection of a control signal by said detector means; and (i) eight transparencies associated respectively with said eight selector means, each said transparency providing a pictorial representation of said characteristic common to the associated track.

Claim 8

A multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus comprising in combination: (a) an eight track mono-directional endless tape cartridge containing a continuous tape having eight tracks, each provided with a number of different recordings having a common characteristic and each provided with a plurality of transverse control signals separating said recordings; (b) a tape reproducer having a reproducer head structure with two reproducer coils, amplifier means selectively connectable to either one of said reproducer coils, and a tape drive means; (c) reproducer head positioning means for positioning said reproducer head in any one of four playing positions; (d) reproducer coil selector means to connect either one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (e) actuating means to initiate operation; (f) eight selector means made operable by said actuating means, actuation of each said selector means operates said reproducer head positioning means to position said head in a particular one of said playing positions and operates said reproducer coil selector means to connect a particular one of said reproducer coils to said amplifier means; (g) detector means to detect said control signals; (h) disconnecting means to disconnect said tape drive means on detection of a control signal by said detector means; and (i) eight transparencies associated respectively with said eight selector means, each said transparency providing a pictorial representation of said characteristic common to the associated track.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6, in which each said transparency provides a visual representation of the performer recorded on the corresponding track of said tape.

Claim 10

A multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus comprising a multi-channel tape reproducer having a tape drive means, an endless tape having four channels, each channel having two tracks, each track having a number of different recordings having a common characteristic, and each track having a plurality of transverse control signals separating said recordings, a reproducer head structure with two reproducer coils, selection means for selecting a desired track and only one of said reproducer coils associated with a selected channel to permit monoral reproduction of only one selected track of any given channel, insertion means connected to make said selection means operative, detector means to detect said control signals and control means for disconnecting the drive of said tape drive means upon detection by said detection means; an operating panel provided with a slot associated with said insertion means, said selection means including a plurality of buttons corresponding in number to twice the number of said channels, said buttons utilized for selecting any one of the individual tracks, indicating means being associated with each button for indicating the nature of the recordings contained on the corresponding track, and wherein said selection means further include a control circuit comprising a single memory whose state is changed upon actuation of said insertion means and whose change of state is applied to an individual track memory when a corresponding one of said selector buttons is pressed, first common gate means connected to each of said individual track memories giving an output to indicate that one of said memories is occupied; second individual track gate means associated with the output of each said individual track memories and with signals indicating the corresponding status of the reproducer head and the status of the corresponding reproducer coil, said second track gate means closed when said memory has been selected, said reproducer head is in a corresponding track position and the corresponding reproducer coil is connected; third common gate means connected to the output of each of said second gate means to control said head position until a selected position is reached and indicated at a corresponding one of said second individual gate means; and switch means associated with four of the eight individual track memories corresponding to tracks to be played by one of said reproducer coils, for switching to said coil in accordance with the states of said four individual track memories; said first common gate means controlling the operation of the tape drive motor of said apparatus when all conditions are satisfied for playing a selected track.

Claim 11

A multiple selection sound reproducing apparatus comprising a multi-channel tape reproducer having a tape drive means, an endless tape having four channels, each channel having two tracks, each track having a number of different recordings having a common characteristic, and each track having a plurality of transverse control signals separating said recordings, a reproducer head structure with two reproducer coils, selection means for selecting a desired track and only one of said reproducer coils associated with a selected channel to permit monoral reproduction of only one selected track of any given channel, insertion means connected to make said selection means operative, detector means to detect said control signals and control means for disconnecting the drive of said tape drive means upon detection by said detection means; an operating panel provided with a slot associated with said insertion means, said selection means including a plurality of buttons corresponding in number to twice the number of said channels, said buttons utilized for selecting any one of the individual tracks, indicating means being associated with each button for indicating the nature of the recordings contained on the corresponding track, and wherein said selection means further include a control circuit comprising a single memory whose state is changed upon actuation of said insertion means and whose change of state is applied to an individual track memory when a corresponding one of said selector buttons is pressed, first common gate means connected to each of said individual track memories giving an output to indicate that one of said memories is occupied; second individual track gate means associated with the output of each said individual track memories and with signals indicating the corresponding status of the reproducer head and the status of the corresponding reproducer coil, said second track gate means closed when said memory has been selected, said reproducer head is in a corresponding track position and the corresponding reproducer coil is connected; third common gate means connected to the output of each of said second gate means to control said head position until a selected position is reached and indicated at a corresponding one of said second individual gate means; and switch means associated with four of the eight individual track memories corresponding to tracks to be played by one of said reproducer coils, for switching to said coil in accordance with the states of said four individual track memories; said first common gate means controlling the operation of the tape drive motor of said apparatus when all conditions are satisfied for playing a selected track.