Abstract: An antenna is provided to a memory (MIC) incorporated in a recording medium and storing management data. The antenna is located at such a position as to read data signals from the memory means before the recording medium inserted through the insertion port is completely transported to the transport mechanism of a drive. Thus, a recording/playback apparatus and a data library can be provided, which can use a large amount of information to manage recording medium as management data before the recording medium is inserted into the drive and which is simple in structure.

Abstract: A tape drive features a smaller size and improved feeding stability. The tape drive uses a single-reel type tape cassette, and includes a pull-back guide shaft for pulling back a tape-shaped recording medium at a predetermined position in the vicinity of an outlet of a case of the cassette, and a pair of movable guide pins located such that they are spaced away from each other in the circumferential direction of the drum, wherein the tape-shaped recording medium is pulled back in sequence by the pull-back guide shaft and the pair of guide pins so that the tape-shaped recording medium positioned between the paired guide pins is wound around the drum. Furthermore, the tape drive is provided with a tension detecting device for applying a predetermined tension to the tape-shaped recording medium in a state wherein the tape-shaped recording medium has been drawn out and a tape path has been formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a tape library wherein the accommodated number of cassette tapes can be adjusted freely. Where one or more expansion units are connected to a basic unit, when a transport mechanism is positioned within the basic unit, a control circuit section of the basic unit controls the position and operation of the transport mechanism with reference to a position reference point of the basic unit, but when the transport mechanism is within an expansion unit, the control circuit section controls the position and operation of the transport mechanism with reference to a position reference point of the expansion unit.

Abstract: A recording medium device including a cartridge body within which a tape-shaped recording medium on which information signals are recorded is accomodated, wherein a cartridge discrimination opening (hole) indicating the specification of the recording medium device is provided at the bottom surface side of the cartridge body and positioned in the corner of the portion of the back (face) side opposite to the front side of the cartridge body from which the tape shaped recording medium is drawn out. In addition, a recording and/or reproducing apparatus with a detection mechanism for detecting the cartridge discrimination opening (hole) is provided. The cartridge discrimination opening (hole) is provided in the area where it was previously known to provide plural recording medium specification openings (holes) but which are not provided in the cartridge body.

Abstract: A recording medium cartridge has a bar code label provided on the outer surface of its case so that the bar code of the bar code label indicates identification information associated the with recording medium disposed in the case. A memory circuit is provided inside the case so that identification information identical to the information indicated by the bar code label may be stored in the memory circuit. A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a bar code reader for reading the bar code of the bar code label, and a memory reader for reading the identification information stored in the memory circuit. Either the identification information read by the bar code reader or the identification information read by the memory reader is employed as the identification information associated with the recording medium cartridge.

Abstract: A reading device for reading identification information of cartridges comprises a judging circuit for judging whether the cartridge has an identification information storer for storing the identification information of a recording medium thereof, and an information reader for reading the identification information of the identification information storer. This judgment is made before the information reader reads the identification information of the identification information storer, and the information reader reads the identification information only in the event that the cartridge has an identification information storer. Accordingly, waste of time and labor are spared for reading the identification information, and trouble such as deterioration and damage from to attempting to read the identification information from storage medium cartridges which do not have the identification information storers can be prevented.

Abstract: A cassette transfer mechanism for transferring a cassette recording medium to and from a cassette accommodating portion for accommodating cassette recording mediums, the cassette transfer mechanism having a unit which stores information in a memory included in the cassette and/or reads information from the same and which has a connector structured to be brought into contact with a memory terminal provided for the cassette recording medium when information is stored in the memory and/or read from the same. The above-mentioned structure enables information to be stored in the memory included in the cassette and/or read from the same without a necessity of loading the cassette recording medium into a drive unit whenever information is stored/read.

Abstract: A recording medium device has a cartridge main body housing a recording medium configured for recording information signals. The recording medium device includes the cartridge main body housing the magnetic tape, contact terminals arranged facing the outside of the cartridge main body for functioning as electrical contacts for a drive unit, and a shutter member arranged on the cartridge main body for opening and closing the contact terminals. The contact terminals face outwardly of the cartridge main body via an opening formed in the outer peripheral wall of the cartridge main body. When not loaded on the drive unit, the shutter member is held at a position closing the opening formed in the cartridge main body. When loaded on the drive unit, the shutter member is moved by a shutter opening mechanism mounted in the drive unit to a position uncovering the opening for exposing the contact terminals to the outside of the cartridge main body.

Abstract: A magnetic tape loading device of which the main body portion may be reduced in size and which assures positive contact under pressure of a magnetic tape with a sliding surface of a drum-shaped magnetic head. The loading device includes a driving unit 21, a first transmission unit 22 driven by the driving unit 21, a first magnetic tape actuating unit 25 moved by the first transmission unit 22 for pulling out a magnetic tape 4 placed on a tape supply reel 8 and a second transmission unit 23 driven by the first transmission unit 22. The loading device also includes second magnetic tape actuating units 26, 27 moved by the second transmission unit 23 for pulling out the magnetic tape 4 for abutting the tape thus pulled out against a sliding surface 90 of a drum-shaped magnetic head 18, a third transmission unit 24 driven by the second transmission unit 23 and third magnetic tape actuating units 28, 29 moved by the third transmission unit 24 for pulling out the magnetic tape placed on a tape take-up reel 9.

Abstract: A cassette loading apparatus comprises a casing member, a cam member, and a cassette holder. The casing member has side walls, one of which has two guide grooves. The cam member is supported to one of the side walls of the casing member and comprises two guide grooves. The cassette holder holds the cassette and comprises a first engaging member to engage the first guide groove of the side wall through one of the guide grooves of the cam member; and a second engaging member to engage the second guide groove of the side wall through the other guide groove of the cam member. When the second engaging member is located in the lead-in portion of the second guide groove, the cassette holder is upwardly inclined.

Abstract: A system for supplying driving force to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a first gear train which causes a supply or take-up reel table to rotate at a first speed, and a second gear train which causes the supply or take-up reel table to rotate at a second speed higher than the first speed. By selecting one of these gear trains, the apparatus selectively operates in a FF/REW mode or a high-speed FF/REW mode. In the FF/REW mode, the tape forwarding or rewinding is performed in a tape loaded condition in which tape is arranged in the usual tape traveling path. In the high-speed FF/REW mode, it is performed in a tape unloaded condition in which the tape is arranged at a location other than in the tape traveling path, or is housed within a tape cassette. The system has a torque limiter between a driving source and the first or second gear train.