Abstract: This is a method and associated apparatus for operating a control signal repeater system to receive infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and cause duplicate control signals to be input at a second location to an IR-controlled device containing an IR detector with connecting wires without creating a duplicate IR signal at the location of the controlled device. This is accomplished by directing voltage-inducing energy into the wires of the IR detector in the controlled device so that the signals are induced directly into the wiring to be amplified and used without the need for first generating an IR beam into the IR detector.

Abstract: A rotating scan device for use with magnetic storage media, including a rotor, multiple magnetic transducers on the rotor with suitable gaps and orientations for writing or reading electronically modulated signals directly to or from magnetic storage media. The transducers scan in a helical fashion and include video and audio heads. There are means on the rotor for receiving and amplifying the signals read by the magnetic transducers. The rotor has means on it for transferring the amplified read signals from the rotating device. The rotor also has means for receiving write signals, as well as means for driving the magnetic transducers with the write signals. Means are provided for transferring power to the amplifying, transferring, receiving and driving means. Analog switch means are located on the rotor for connecting one of the multiple video head signals to the transferring means, and the analog switch means has a control input.

Abstract: This is a supplemental signal splitting apparatus for use with television apparatus having a cable signal input including scrambled signal channels; a cable select box including a cable tuner for selecting a channel, descrambling circuitry for unscrambling scrambled signals, and first output circuitry for outputting a first signal on a television channel frequency; and a programmable video cassette recorder (VCR) including a VCR tuner for selecting a channel, an antenna input to the VCR tuner, an audio/video input, programmable selection means for selectively receiving an input signal from the VCR tuner or the audio/video input, and second output circuitry for outputting a second signal on a television channel frequency. The supplemental signal splitting apparatus allows the VCR to be programmed to record both an unscrambled pay channel and normal cable channels.

Abstract: A dual deck video cassette recorder, having first and second video decks in a common housing. Each deck has a plurality of heads and both of the decks can playback, and at least one of the decks can record. A switch arrangement is connected to both decks to provide for selective connections of video and audio signals between, and from the inputs to and outputs from, the two decks. A sensor detects the angular position of the heads of each deck to assure they are in phase prior to initiating recording. A mechanism corrects the angular position of the heads of at least one of the decks to assure the heads of each will be in the same angular phase prior to initiating recording. A circuit detects a copy protection signal on a tape in one deck during vertical blanking and the signal is located and timed so that it will not interfere with normal operation of the video signals, to produce a quality picture on a TV monitor or place information onto tape in one deck which provides a quality picture.