Abstract: An electronic device, such as a video tape recorder (VTR), is set into a desired, but complex mode, such as automatic recording of a desired program, by manual scanning with an optical wand or other scanning instrument of one or more code groups printed on a selection card. Respective selection cards have code groups thereon for selecting, for example, mode, channel, day of week, recording start time (including AM or PM), and recording end time. Code signals provided from the scanning instrument are processed in a data processing circuit, which can be provided as a microprocessor and included in the VTR to provide control signals to the VTR in response to information contained in the scanned code groups. Alternatively, a combination of an FM receiver and high fidelity audio recorder can be set into an auto record mode or other complex operating mode by scanning of selection cards with a scanning instrument associated with such combination.

Abstract: An automatic tape loading and unloading device for a magnetic tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a cylindrical tape guide drum having at least one rotary magnetic head which moves in a circular path substantially coinciding with the circumferential surface of the drum. The tape used in the apparatus is stored on supply and take-up reels having the tape wound thereon in a tape holder such as a cassette or cartridge and in use the holder positions the tape supply at a relatively lower level with respect to the tape guide drum.

Abstract: In a VTR for recording and/or reproducing video signals in parallel tracks extending obliquely on a magnetic tape which is wrapped helically on a guide drum, rotary magnetic heads are associated with the guide drum to move in respective circular paths which coincide with the guide drum surface and which are axially spaced apart on the latter so that the heads obliquely traverse respective longitudinal zones substantially equally dividing the width of the magnetic tape. The angular spacing between the heads and the angular extent of the guide drum surface about which the tape is wrapped are selected so that, when the heads are rotated for obliquely traversing the respective tape zones in a repeating cyclic order, the latter has at least one overlapping interval in which two of the heads simultaneously scan oblique tracks in the respective zones.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information signals, such as, video signals, on a magnetic tape or other record medium by means of rotary recording and/or reproducing heads which scan successive parallel tracks extending across the tape as the latter is longitudinally advanced: a servo-control system for ensuring accurate scanning of the tracks during reproducing operation includes an auxiliary rotary head repeatedly traversing the tape in coordination with the recording and/or reproducing heads and which, during the recording operation, records pilot signals in areas that are spaced apart along an edge portion of the tape and also traversed by the recording and/or reproducing heads, with each of such areas having an extent in the longitudinal direction of the tape that corresponds, and is in predetermined positional relation to a respective plurality of the successive tracks in which the information signals are being recorded; and, during reproducing operation of the apparatus, a reproduced

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signal information employs, as a record medium, a sheet assembly composed of at least two normally closely adjacent, confronting flexibly resilient sheets which provide mutual protection, when in that relation, for video signal information recorded, for example, magnetically, on at least one of the sheets.

Abstract: A card handling apparatus for a teaching machine is operable manually by an operator to load or feed a teaching card in a forward direction at any desirable high speed and to return the card at a predetermined constant speed to record or reproduce an audio information on or from the card without any undesirable wow or flutter.As the card is manually fed or loaded in a forward direction, the energy for returning the card in a backward direction is charged in a spring means and hence less electric power for operating the apparatus is required.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing at least video signal information employs, as a record medium, a record assembly including a cover, for example, in the form of a relatively rigid envelope having an open end, and at least one flexible sheet adapted to have at least video signal information recorded thereon and slidable through the open end of the envelope between a stored position, in which the sheet is substantially enclosed and protected by the envelope, and an operative position in which a major portion of said sheet is withdrawn from the envelope and a minor portion of the sheet remains within the envelope.

Abstract: A rotary head assembly is disclosed including a transducer for recording information on and reproducing information from a record medium. The transducer is resiliently supported by a resilient support member which, in turn, is secured to a transducer receiving structure, the latter being coupled to a rotary drive device for rotating the transducer about an axis of rotation to thereby permit information to be recorded on and reproduced from the record medium which is contacted by the transducer. In addition to resiliently supporting the transducer, the transducer receiving member also exerts a restraining force on the transducer which is opposite to the centrifugal force exerted thereon when the transducer is rotated.

Abstract: In a video signal recording and reproducing apparatus having one or more rotary heads for recording or reproducing video signals in tracks extending obliquely across a magnetic tape as the latter is transported or driven about a guide drum and a fixed head for recording or reproducing control signals at spaced locations along the tape corresponding to the tracks, the tape is automatically brought to rest with its last recorded or reproduced track at a predetermined position relative to the path of the rotary heads whenever driving of the tape is halted, as for the still reproduction of a television picture or for the editing of the video signals recorded on the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signal information employs, as a record medium, a sheet assembly composed of at least two normally closely adjacent, confronting flexibly resilient sheets which provide mutual protection, when in that relation, for video signal information recorded, for example, magnetically, on at least one of the sheets.

Abstract: Composite television signals are recorded in a spiral track or in a series of concentric circular tracks on a record disc. Line sequential signals are optically recorded in the radial direction on a record disc with one horizontal line interval of the composite television signals corresponding to the width of the record track, and with the successive line signals being arranged in the circumferential direction of the track. Pulse-time modulated video and audio signals are recorded as a series of depressions all having the same width and the same depth, and with the varying length between the adjacent depressions corresponding to the information signal. A video signal reproducing head is provided adjacent to the optical record disc for optically reproducing video signals from the tracks on the disc which is, during reproduction of the signals, rotated at an extremely low speed so as to facilitate the reliable tracking of the signal reproducing head in respect to the recorded tracks.