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: 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: 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: The present invention is relative to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a cassette tape exchanging function of selectively taking out a cassette tape (1) accommodated in a cassette holder (130) for recording or reproducing information signals. A cassette tape driving device (150) is arranged in an inner area of a toroidally-shaped rotational plate (121) passing through the proximity of a cassette insertion/ejection opening (112) formed in a front panel (111) of a cabinet (110). The cassette tape accommodated in the cassette holder is pushed towards the cassette tape driving device by grip arms (162A), (162B) of a cassette holding mechanism (160) mounted on the opposite side of the cassette insertion/ejection opening (112) or is pulled out so as to be accommodated in the cassette tape holder.

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: 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: 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 tape library wherein a number of cassette tapes are accommodated and adjusted. One or more expansion units are connected to a basic unit. When a transport mechanism is within the basic unit, a control circuit section controls the transport mechanism by referencing a position reference point of the basic unit, and when the transport mechanism is within an expansion unit the control circuit section controls referencing a position reference point of the expansion unit. The control circuit section and the transport mechanism of the basic unit are interconnected by an elongated-belt-like flat cable which includes a plurality of conductors extending in parallel and joined with an insulating material, and when an expansion unit is coupled the cable need not be replaced, allowing coupling of an expansion unit and smooth transportation of a recording medium in the expansion unit to a recording and/or playback section by the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A single-reel tape cartridge includes a leader block and a take-up reel disposed inside a drive apparatus that are provided with retaining members so that the leader block is firmly positioned and rattling thereof is prevented. A pair of changer grips which extend from end to end of a housing of the cartridge in the vertical direction are formed at two corners of the cartridge housing. In addition, a memory module, which stores the management information for the tape-like recording medium and which is used for radio communication, is disposed at an angle in one of the corners of the cartridge so that a communication antenna of the memory module faces at least two directions. In addition, the leader tape is provided with a striped portion used for identifying the medium, and the cartridge housing is closed by a shutter used for disengaging the reel lock.

Abstract: An antenna is provided for use with a memory (MIC) incorporated in a recording medium that stores management data. The antenna is located at a position to read data signals from the memory before the recording medium inserted through an 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 the recording medium as management data before the recording medium is inserted into the drive.

Abstract: The present invention is relative with a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a cassette tape exchanging function of selectively taking out a cassette tape (1) accommodated in a cassette holder (130) for recording or reproducing information signals. A cassette tape driving device (150) is arranged in an inner area of a toroidally-shaped rotational plate (121) passing through the proximity of a cassette insertion/ejection opening (112) formed in a front panel (111) of a cabinet (110). The cassette tape accommodated in the cassette holder is pushed towards the cassette tape driving device by grip arms (162A), (162B) of a cassette holding mechanism (160) mounted on the opposite side of the cassette insertion/ejection opening (112) or is pulled out so as to be accommodated in the cassette tape holder.

Abstract: A tape cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a leader tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the leader tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the leader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the leader tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge of the invention can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A leader block of a single-reel tape cartridge and a take-up reel disposed inside a drive apparatus are provided with retaining members so that the leader block is positioned and rattling thereof is prevented.

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 cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a leader_tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the leader_tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the leader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the leader_tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus is provided in which an increase in recording density is achieved and in which the tape loading mechanism is simplified. A recording/reproducing apparatus of the type which uses a tape cassette which has a tape reel in a cartridge and in which a tape including a tape-shaped recording medium is wound around the tape reel, includes a take-up reel adapted to take up the tape-shaped recording medium and having a height equal to that of the tape reel of the tape cassette attached to the recording/reproducing apparatus, and a rotary head for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from the tape-shaped recording medium by a helical scan system.

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 tape cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a reader tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the reader tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the reader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the reader tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge of the invention can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a reader tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the reader tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the reader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the reader tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge of the invention can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape cassette including a cartridge and one tape reel provided in the cartridge, with a recording medium in the form of a tape being wound upon the tape reel. In the tape cassette, a reader tape that is more rigid than the recording medium in the form of a tape is connected to an unwinding end of the recording medium in the form of a tape; a toothed portion (a protrusion) is formed on at least a portion of both side edges of the reader tape; the tape reel has a flange on a top portion and on a bottom portion of a hub, and feed teeth (engaging portions) that engage the protrusions of the reader tape are formed on outer peripheral edges of the flanges. Rotation of the tape reel in one direction causes the engaging portions to feed the protrusions, whereby the reader tape is sent out from the cartridge. The tape cartridge of the invention can be reliably mounted to a recording/reproducing apparatus.