Abstract: A magnetic tape recorder of the type wherein tape is transported at high speed during recording and at low speed during playback is described. The recorder has separate record and playback heads. To prevent the shallow-gapped playback head from being worn out by, and during, the high speed recording operation, the playback head is disposed to fly the tape at an appreciable distance from the playback head. During low speed playback of the tape, however, tape flight vis-a-vis the playback head is desirably miniscule.

Abstract: A time independent controller for a novel cassette changer is shown. A cassette changer including a plurality of limit switch inputs (210) and means for detecting occurrence of a failure during a change cycle. The total angular displacement of a driving motor is detected (422) and upon reaching a predetermined angle of displacement (437) a test for an appropriate input (418) is provided. In one disclosed embodiment a read only memory (465) determines the controller state (461-463). Apparatus (426, 427, 450) which is responsive only to the limit switch inputs closing in a pair wise proper sequence is also shown.

Abstract: Transducer intended for read/write functions on a magnetic data carrier wherein the data is contained within a plurality of tracks. The transducer includes a magnetic circuit formed by two pole pieces separated by a gap parallel to the carrier, having its larger dimensions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the data of a track and a winding coupled magnetically to this circuit.The larger dimension of the gap varies depending on the nature of the function performed by the transducer. At least one thin layer of magnetic material is deposited across the pole pieces at each outer edge thereof and spaced from each other. The magnetic layers may be deposited in recesses formed in the pole pieces. The pole pieces may be constricted and include thin magnetic layers deposited on the lateral surfaces to channel magnetic flux lines.

Abstract: A vertical magnetic recording and reproducing head includes a magnetic sensing element for sensing a magnetized pattern recorded in a recording medium which serves as a main magnetic electrode in the reproduction mode, a bias section for biasing the magnetic sensing element, and a main magnetic pole which is disposed adjacent to said magnetic sensing element. The main magnetic pole includes a magnetic member serving as the main magnetic pole for magnetizing the recording medium in the record mode.

Abstract: A tape drive control system for a pinch roller-less type tape recorder in which tape drive is implemented by frictional force between the capstan and tape. A mode instruction circuit determines the operational mode of a capstan motor drive circuit which operates a capstan motor which in turn rotates the conveying capstan. Tape run detection means detects the actual tape condition. The mode instruction circuit operates both in response to outputs of the tape run detection means and to switch inputs to control the operational mode of the capstan drive.

Abstract: An improved servo demodulator channel employing a transconductance balanced modulator as a polarity switch, an AGC amplifier and a signal separation circuit. A transconductance balanced modulator comprises two amplification transistors and four output transistors which together form two signal channels, each comprised of an amplification transistor connected in parallel to two output transistors. In a specific embodiment, the transistors are n-p-n transistors, the emitters of the two output transistors associated with a given channel being connected to the collector of the amplification transistor. The transconductance balanced modulator is configured so that the two amplification transistors are interconnected as a differential amplifier, and the base electrode of an output transistor in one signal channel is connected to the base electrode of an output transistor in the other signal channel, the base electrodes of the other two output transistors also being interconnected.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head is disclosed which includes a block core of a high magnetic permeability material having a side surface substantially perpendicular to a magnetic surface of a magnetic tape moving relative to it, a thin film core including a magnetic thin film of a high magnetic permeability material, the thin film core being secured to the side surface of the block core and having a width smaller than the width of the block core, the thin film core having a pole section extending from said side surface of the block core substantially perpendicularly to the magnetic surface and in contact therewith at the end, and an exciting coil wound on the block core and thin film core.

Abstract: For cassettes with memory for storing data relating to the cassette or the tape therein, memory error signal devices having two states representing that the cassette memory has an error or has no error, respectively, the memory error signal devices being operable between said states by a spindle member of a peripheral device. Two embodiments of memory error signal devices are disclosed, one embodiment having a capacitor, and circuit connections from said capacitor to terminals, the charged or discharged state of said capacitor constituting said two states of said device. The other embodiment has a signal plate mounted for movement between two positions, the two positions of said signal plate constituting the two states of the device, and the signal plate has terminals.

Abstract: The magnetic head of the present invention has plural core members in abutting relation to form a magnetic circuit in which one of the core members is notched deeper than the other to suppress the saturation and leakage of magnetic flux, and in which one of the core members is notched deeper than the lateral end of the coil facing the magnetic tape and even with the approximate center of the coil to reduce the distortion.

Abstract: A cassette changing mechanism including a plurality of followers with friction clutches thereon for moving cassettes. Limit switches serve a duel function as mechanical stops for the followers and for signaling a controller. Cassettes are moved to a record/playback position and to output stores simultaneously with positive drive to the output stores and spring linked drive the record/playback position to eliminate hard jams. The controller detects the failure of the changer to complete a subcycle of a complete change cycle and repeats an appropriate subcycle to attempt to correct a jammed condition.

Abstract: A disc drive for a flexible magnetic disc includes a frame, a pivoted cover, a turntable spaced from a spindle-mounted disc clamping cone, and a lever for cooperating with the cone to move it toward and away from the turntable. The lever is mounted on the frame about a pivoting axis. As the cover is closed, a cover mounted roller contacts the lever at a point spaced a distance from the lever pivoting axis. This distance continuously increases until the disc is clamped for operation.The stationary members for the spindle and the turntable are a unitary part with the frame. The members are machined to their final dimensions in one operation.

Abstract: Transducer intended for read and/or write functions on a magnetic data carrier wherein the data is contained within a plurality of tracks. The transducer includes a magnetic circuit formed by two pole pieces separated by a gap parallel to the carrier, having its larger dimension perpendicular to the direction of travel of data on a track and a winding coupled magnetically to this circuit. The transducer is characterized in that it comprises means associated with the pole pieces situated at either side of the gap as seen in the direction of its larger dimension, for channelling the magnetic flux emitted by the immediate magnetic surroundings of the track of the carrier read by the transducer.

Abstract: A track centering servo pulse noise filter is provided. Prerecorded pulses on a disk track's even and odd half tracks are sensed by the disk's read head, preamplified, DC biased, peak detected, and stored on a FIFO basis into a noise filter comprising two sets of N analog sample and hold cells, one set for the even pulses and one set for the odd pulses. The output of each even-pulse sample and hold cell is input to a summing junction to form an average of the last N pulses. The same is done with the outputs of the odd-pulse sample and hold cells. The two summing junctions are then input to a differential amplifier to form a position error signal to the disk head track centering servo system for keeping the head centered on the track.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette comprises a pad support membrane made of a metal alloy such as bronze and nickel silver. The pad support membrane is coated with a synthetic resin layer containing a rust inhibitor.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining two magnetic transducers in operative relation with both sides of a rotatable flexible planar magnetic recording media is shown. The apparatus includes a carriage having a first transducer coupled to one end thereof through a differential torsion spring support means which is adapted to support the first transducer against one side of the media in a semi complaint relationship and a high degree of stiffness about two axes, one of which is radial with respect to the media and the other axis which is normal to the media, and in a fully compliant relationship with low flexure stiffness about a third axis which is circumferential with respect to the media. The apparatus includes a loading arm which is pivotally connected to the other end of the carriage and which is adapted to be movable toward and away from the other side of the media.

Abstract: There is disclosured a read/write head carriage assembly for a data storage device such as a floppy disk drive. The carriage assembly includes a base which is movable, relatively, in a linear direction parallel to the plane of the recording medium. A head support arm is pivoted at one end with respect to the base. First and second magnetic transducers are mounted in opposed relationship on the base and on the free end of the support arm, respectively. The two transducers are gimbal-mounted to permit self alignment to the recording medium.

Abstract: A system for the control and synchronization of magnetic tape and filmstrip in an audio-visual projector. Film is advanced by means of recorded advance tones on the magnetic tape which are detected by a tone detector to generate an advance pulse. An advance counter is incremented responsive to each advance pulse and decremented as the film advances each frame. The output of the advance counter actuates a film-advance mechanism unless the contents of the counter are zero, so that synchronization is maintained even if the rate at which the advance pulses occur exceeds the operating speed of the film-advance mechanism. Means are provided to automatically synchronize the tape and film at predetermined locations by optically sensing markers affixed to the tape and film. The system may also advance the tape independently of the film in either a fast-forward or a regular-speed mode or it may advance the film independently of the tape.

Abstract: A tape cassette device comprises a cassette case in which a stationary reel with a tape guide path is housed, and an endless tape wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel, the innermost part drawn out along said tape guide path to the inside of said stationary reel to be wound on the outer circumference of said stationary reel. Said cassette case has a bottom plate with a plurality of first roller insertin openings formed along the outer circumference of said stationary reel in a spaced relationship. A blind with a plurality of second roller inserting openings is provided on the bottom plate to be pivotable between a first position where it closes said first roller inserting openings and a second position where said second roller inserting openings are aligned with said first roller inserting openings.

Abstract: A mode control device for a cassette tape recorder in which operational functions are combined with a small number of operational buttons or keys. A slidably-mounted electric source operation lever operates an electric source switch and also is slidable to a position causing the ejection of a tape cassette. A slidably-mounted function lever operates in conjunction with the electric source operation lever to change a tape drive between recording, stop, playback and rewinding modes with the function lever being prevented from operating during the OFF state of the electric source operation lever. When the electric source operation lever is at an ON position and the function lever is in a stop mode position, a magnetic recording and erase head and a pinch roller are in a position close to their respective contact positions so that the required manual force for moving to the recording or playback modes is quite small.

Abstract: A player for magnetic tape recordings is provided, which comprises a cartridge holder adapted to receive therein a cartridge, guide grooves for guiding the holder, an ejecting member adapted to depress the holder and an ejecting mechanism for releasing the cartridge. The ejecting member is in the form of a lever. The ejecting mechanism serves to separate the lever from the holder with the advancement of the holder to retain the lever at an upper position separately from the cartridge holder, and to release the lever simultaneously with the starting of ejecting operation. Thus, the cartridge holder is pushed downward and ejected for removal. The player also includes two grooves intersecting each other at an angle of 90.degree. to 180.degree. on a line extending from the lever. These grooves serve to guide therealong both end of the ejecting lever to cause an arcuate movement of the lever.