Slow motion using longitudinal recording and forward/reverse tape transportation

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in providing a slow motion display of scene information recorded on a magnetic recording medium in the form of a plurality of frames of time sequential scene information, the magnetic recording medium being transportable in a reverse direction and in a forward direction, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for playing back information from said magnetic recording medium upon the transportation of said magnetic recording medium in the forward direction; (b) means for repeatedly transporting said magnetic recording medium in accordance with a transport cycle wherein said magnetic recording medium is transported in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction to effect playback of a frame of scene information during each transport cycle; (c) a frame storage device cooperative with said means for playing back information for storing a frame of scene information as it is played back from said magnetic recording medium by said playback means; and (d) means cooperative with said frame storage device for continuously reading out information stored by said frame storage device, said transport means including means for selectively transporting said magnetic recording medium during each transport cycle a distance D F in the reverse direction and a distance D F +D T in the forward direction, where D T is nominally equal to the distance said magnetic recording medium must be transported in the forward direction to effect playback of a single frame of scene information, thereby resulting in playback of frames of scene information in slowed chronological order that depends on the repetition rate of said means for repeatedly transporting said magnetic recording medium.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transport means further includes means for selectively transporting said magnetic recording medium during each transport cycle a distance D R in the reverse direction and a distance D R -D T in the forward direction, thereby resulting in slow motion playback of frames of scene information in reverse chronological order.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising means for adjusting the time interval between said transport cycles, thereby providing an information signal suitable for effecting slow motion display at a variable speed reduction that is proportional to the duration of said time interval.

Claim 5

Magnetic recorder apparatus for use in producing a slow motion display of scene information on a video monitor, said apparatus being adapted for use with a magnetic tape having frames of time sequential scene information recorded thereon, and said magnetic tape being longitudinally transportable by said apparatus in either a forward direction or in a reverse direction, said apparatus comprising: (a) transport means for controllably transporting said magnetic tape longitudinally in a forward or in a reverse direction; (b) means adapted for playing back information recorded on said magnetic tape upon the transportation of said magnetic tape in the forward direction; (c) control means for controlling the operation of said transport means so that said magnetic tape is periodically transported in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction, each such transportation in the forward direction causing a frame of scene information to be played back by said playback means; (d) means for storing of scene information upon playback by said playback means; and (e) means for repeatedly reading out information stored in said frame storage means for display by said video monitor; said transport means including means for selectively periodically transporting said magnetic recording medium in accordance with a forward transport cycle wherein said magnetic recording medium is transported a distance D F in the reverse direction and then a distance D F +D T in the forward direction, where D T is nominally equal to the distance said magnetic recording medium must be tranported in the forward direction to effect playback of a single frame of scene information, thereby resulting in slow motion playback of frames of scene information in chronological order.

Claim 6

Magnetic recorder apparatus for use in producing a slow motion display of scene information on a video monitor, said apparatus being adapted for use with a magnetic tape having frames of time sequential scene information recorded thereon, and said magnetic tape being longitudinally transportable by said apparatus in either a forward direction or in a reverse direction, said apparatus comprising: (a) transport means for controllably transporting said magnetic tape longitudinally in a forward or in a reverse direction; (b) means adapted for playing back information recorded on said magnetic tape upon the transportation of said magnetic tape in the forward direction; (c) control means for controlling the operation of said transport means so that said magnetic tape is periodically transported in the reverse direction and then in the forward direction, each such transportation in the forward direction causing a frame of scene information to be played back by said playback means; (d) means for storing of scene information upon playback by said playback means; and (e) means for repeatedly reading out information stored in said frame storage means for display by said video monitor; said transport means including means for selectively periodically transporting said magnetic recording medium in accordance with a forward transport cycle wherein said magnetic recording medium is transported a distance D F in the reverse direction and then a distance D F +D T in the forward direction, where D T is nominally equal to the distance said magnetic recording medium must be tranported in the forward direction to effect playback of a single frame of scene information, thereby resulting in slow motion playback of frames of scene information in chronological order.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said transport means also includes means for selectively periodically transporting said magnetic recording medium in accordance with a reverse transport cycle wherein said magnetic recording medium is transported a distance D R in the reverse direction and then a distance D R -D T in the forward direction, thereby resulting in slow motion playback of frames of scene information in reverse chronological order.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means for adjusting the time period between playback of successive frames of scene information to produce a slow motion display at an adjustable speed reduction that is proportional to said time period.