Abstract: In a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a magnetic tape wound around a single reel and a substantially rectangular cartridge casing which is formed by fastening upper and lower casing halves by a fastener means and in which the reel is housed for rotation, a tape draw-out opening is provided in a corner of the cartridge casing, and a non-contact memory element is provided in at least one of the other three corner portions in the lower casing half.

Abstract: A tape cartridge which includes an internally disposed rotatable reel, wherein the tape cartridge includes two, three, or a plurality of piloting members disposed adjacent an annular ring to limit the movement of the reel within the tape cartridge. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes a plurality of Applicants' tape cartridges. A method to prevent damage to a tape medium disposed in a tape cartridge.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, a top end portion of a reel urging plate spring for urging a tape reel is subjected to a surface treatment to prevent from a friction. A distance between a couple of flanges of the tape reel is selected to keep a form of the wound magnetic tape, and to prevent the tape running from being disturbed by the increase of a contact resistance of the tape edges to the flanges. Additionally, positioning portions for positioning the magnetic tape cassette relative to a magnetic tape drive device are formed of a differential resin from the resin of the remaining part of the cassette case. Additionally, at least one of both end faces of each guide roller is surface treated so that the end face is not worn through its contact with the cassette half. Further, an information presenting section for displaying variable information is provided at a location other than label areas of the tape cassette.

Abstract: A portable information processing apparatus 10 which is a lap top type has a housing 11 with a hard disk drive 14. At the bottom side 11b of the housing 11, a first touch sensor 20 is provided adjacent a corner 22 and a second touch sensor 21 is provided adjacent a corner 24 which is at a diagonal side. Once the portable information processing apparatus 10 leaves a table, output signals of the respective touch sensors 20 and 21 vary precisely. By comparing the output signals of the respective touch sensors 20 and 21 with a true value table memorized in a memory, it is decided whether the portable information processing apparatus 10 has started dropping. If the portable information processing apparatus 10 starts dropping, the hard disk drive 14 enters the withdrawal mode.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory storing either a portion of the same data as that to be written to the tape or at least control data sufficient to recover from a delaying tape drive operation or from a mechanical failure in the tape drive thereby permitting signaling to a central processing unit an assurance that the data transferring by the CPU will be correctly written onto the tape. The host data can be directly transferred to the cartridge memory if the cartridge memory is fast enough and large enough to handle the transfer. An intermediate high speed non-volatile memory in the drive is necessary if the cartridge memory is too slow to handle the direct transfer or too small to handle the data transferred by the CPU. The cartridge memory then will contain command data sufficient to control the transfer of the data from the non-volatile drive memory to the tape.

Abstract: A leader for use with a tape reel including a first end, a second end spaced from the first end, and an elongated section extending between the first end and the second end. The second end has a connection feature configured to be selectively coupled with a second leader. The elongated section defines a smoothing indenture that does not extend through the thickness of the leader. The smoothing indenture is positioned to receive the connection feature as the leader tape is wound about a tape reel and is configured to limit embossment of a storage tape otherwise associated with the leader in the wound state.

Abstract: In the reel of a magnetic tape cartridge, in which the reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is rotatably housed in a cartridge case, a magnetic metal plate is molded integrally on a reel bottom surface by insert molding. The metal plate is formed into an annular shape having a central hole. In a reel bottom wall closing the central hole of the metal plate with resin injected from a gate at the center of the central hole of the metal plate when the insert molding is performed, a recess is formed between a gate trace at the center portion of the bottom wall and an inner peripheral surface of the central hole of the metal plate.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a tape recording medium for recording audio and/or video signals, and a memory unit storing information related to the tape recording medium including positional information of audio and/or video signals stored thereon. The memory unit also stores reproduction control instructions which serve to control the operation of a tape reproduction device using the positional information stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape simulator of a cassette tape type digital audio/video device built in the cassette tape type digital audio/video device and capable of normally operating a cassette deck player by having the tape simulator recognized as a cassette tape as reproducing voice/video digital signals recorded in the device in use of the cassette deck player. The tape simulator of the cassette tape type digital audio/video device according to the present invention comprises left and right reel hubs inserted in both driving reels of the cassette deck player to be rotated; and a rotation speed attenuating unit for attenuating the rotation speeds of the left and right reel hubs to at a predetermined rate by providing resistance to the left and right reel hubs rotated by the driving reels.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge (10) includes two tape guides (23, 24). The tapes guides (23, 24) have a foil (43, 143, 243) which is constructed from material which causes a wear pattern (200) to be formed in the foil (43), thereby removing localized forces and spreading out the forces and thereby decreasing the tape pressure.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing and a single reel which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. The reel has a reel hub in the form of a cylindrical member which has a bottom wall and is provided with an opening and a stopper gear formed on the bottom wall. A brake member is provided with a brake gear and is movable up and down between an operative position where the brake gear is brought into engagement with the stopper gear to prevent rotation of the reel and a retracted position where the brake gear is disengaged from the stopper gear to permit rotation of the reel. The brake member is normally urged toward the operative position and moved to the retracted position by a pusher member of a tape drive system which acts on the brake member through the opening in the reel hub when the magnetic tape cartridge is loaded in the tape drive system.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, a top end portion of a reel urging plate spring for urging a tape reel is subjected to a surface treatment to prevent from a friction. A distance between a couple of flanges of the tape reel is selected to keep a form of the wound magnetic tape, and to prevent the tape running from being disturbed by the increase of a contact resistance of the tape edges to the flanges. Additionally, positioning portions for positioning the magnetic tape cassette relative to a magnetic tape drive device are formed of a differential resin from the resin of the remaining part of the cassette case. Additionally, at least one of both end faces of each guide roller is surface treated so that the end face is not worn through its contact with the cassette half. Further, an information presenting section for displaying variable information is provided at a location other than label areas of the tape cassette.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, a window opening 2 covered with a window member 3 is formed in an upper half 1. At a peripheral portion of the window opening 2, a fixing surface 4 for fixing the window member 3 thereto is formed; and at a portion surrounding the fixing surface 4, a slant 6 is formed. Further, a build-up portion 8 is formed at the portion surrounding the fixing surface 4 and at a corner portion A on the opening portion side of the cassette case through which a magnetic tape passes. At a peripheral portion of the window member 3, a plurality of welded ribs 10 is formed. And, a weld line produced by the resin molding of the window member 3 is located on the welded rib 10.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus (e.g., VTR) includes capability to exchange information with a storage apparatus such as a memory card mounted on a recording medium assembly (e.g., cassette). When the cassette is inserted into a compartment in the compartment in a VTR, a switch in the VTR is pushed by the case of the cassette, detecting the insertion of the cassette into the compartment. At that time, a signal indicating the insertion of the cassette into the compartment is supplied to a microcomputer from the switch. Notified by the signal, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out information pertaining to data recorded on the cassette from the memory card mounted on the cassette for recording the data through an antenna. With the cassette located outside the compartment, on the other hand, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out the information from the memory card through another antenna.

Abstract: In a tape cassette 10 in which a mouth portion 21 opened in forward and up-and-down directions is provided at the front portion of a cassette shell 20 accommodating therein tape reels 40 and 50 having a magnetic tape 30 wound therearound, a part of the magnetic tape is located so as to traverse the front end of the mouth portion, and a front lid 60 for covering the front side of the magnetic tape is provided, a slider 80 is provided so as to be freely movable forwardly and downwardly, each side surface portion of the slider along the side surface of the front lid has a lid-support portion 83 at the front-end portion thereof and a main-surface portion 82 located so as to be farther outward than the lid-support portion, the front lid has a front-surface portion 61 covering the front surface of the tape-shaped recording medium, and side-surface portions 62 projecting backwardly from both the ends of said front surface portion, the side surface portions being freely-rotatably supported to the lid-support portion

Abstract: In a recording tape cartridge, and a drive unit therefor, for extremely wide magnetic recording tape, the recording tape cartridge has a housing containing two tape hubs each rotationally mounted in the housing with the magnetic recording tape wound thereon in respective tape packs, so that the tape can be wound and unwound between the two hubs in a tape transport direction, thereby resulting in an increase in the diameter of the tape pack on one of the hubs. The housing is composed of housing parts which are movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the tape transport direction to expand the housing in the direction perpendicular to the direction of tape transport, to accommodate the increase in the diameter of the tape pack.

Abstract: A tape cartridge having an identification hole for the prevention of accidental removal of recorded information or for no erasing formed in a housing of the cartridge and an additional identification hole formed in the vicinity of the first hole for a different purpose, both of the holes being adapted to engage with a no-erasing member which opens or closes the same. The no-erasing member when incorporated in the cartridge is able to open or close the no-erasing identification hole depending on the position of the member itself while normally closing the different-purpose identification hole and, when not incorporated in the cartridge, it allows the different-purpose identification hole to remain open whereby the tape cartridge is identified to be a different one. The two identification holes may be united into one. The different-purpose identification hole may be a hole intended for the identification of a cleaning cartridge.

Abstract: A scent emitting device incorporates a specially adapted prerecorded playback cassette and playback device, with the prerecorded cassette including one or more scent emitting cartridges and the playback device including scent dispersal apparatus. The recording includes inaudible and/or invisible signals which trigger the scent production mechanism of the player to actuate the scent emitting apparatus. Upon receiving an appropriate signal from the recording, the apparatus actuates a small pump which withdraws a small quantity of the desired scent from the appropriate scent cartridge and sprays the selected scent into a plenum, whereupon it is vaporized and dispersed into the ambient air by a fan or other suitable device. Each prerecorded cassette may include one or more (preferably several) scent cartridges, with the player preferably including a series of syringes for automatically penetrating each cartridge of the cassette as it is inserted into the player.

Abstract: A control mechanism for loading/unloading data storage tape is provided. The control mechanism is part of a tape drive that receives a removable tape cartridge. The tape cartridge stores the data storage tape that is movable using the control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a plurality of gears, together with a cam. A leader assembly is operably connected to the control mechanism. At least portions of the leader assembly are movable in connection with loading or unloading the data storage tape relative to the leader assembly. A leader pin is joined to an end of the data storage tape. When the loading operation is performed, portions of the leader assembly are moved generally linearly into the tape cartridge and then the control mechanism causes such portions to pivot in order to engage the leader pin and remove it from its seat. When the unloading operation is performed, the portions of the leader assembly are moved in substantially opposite directions from the loading operation.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing, a single reel which is housed in the cartridge casing for rotation and around which a magnetic tape is wound, the leader pin which is fixed to the leading end of the magnetic tape in order to draw out the magnetic tape from the cartridge casing, a lock member which is adapted to removably hold opposite ends of the leader pin inside an opening of the cartridge casing, and a sliding door for opening and closing the opening. A recess is formed on the inner surface of the sliding door at least at a part opposed to the front end of the lock member so that the front end of the lock member is prevented from interfering with the sliding door, whereby leader pin holding action by the lock member and opening and closing of the sliding door are stabilized and reliability of the magnetic tape cartridge is improved.

Abstract: A recording medium cartridge capable of permitting energy to be effectively transmitted from a welding horn to a casing to highly improve welding between an upper casing member and a lower casing member which is carried out in order to integrally form the casing. The casing members are made of crystalline resin to which a filler such as glass fiber or the like is added.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a tape recording medium for recording audio and/or video signals, and a memory unit storing information related to the tape recording medium including positional information of audio and/or video signals stored thereon. The memory unit also stores reproduction control instructions which serve to control the operation of a tape reproduction device using the positional information stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a thin cartridge casing having flat upper and lower surfaces and a single reel which is housed in the cartridge casing for rotation and around which a magnetic tape is wound, island-like or point-like projections are provided at least three places of the lower surfaces of the cartridge casing near the leading edge and the trailing edge of the cartridge casing as viewed in the direction X of insertion of the magnetic tape cartridge in a recording and reproducing apparatus and recesses which are adapted to be engaged with the projections are provided on the upper surface of the cartridge casing so that, when a plurality of the magnetic tape cartridges are stacked, the projections and the recesses of the cartridge casings of magnetic tape cartridges which are just above and below each other are engaged with each other, whereby the magnetic tape cartridges are prevented from being displaced with respect to each other when a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges are stacked

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a magnetic tape wound around a single reel and a cartridge casing in which the reel is housed for rotation. The cartridge casing is provided on its side surface with a locator portion having an abutment surface which is adapted to abut against a locator member of a recording and reproducing apparatus to locate the magnetic tape cartridge in place with respect to the recording and reproducing apparatus. The abutment surface of the locator portion is provided with a draft angle for facilitating ejection of the cartridge casing from a mold smaller than the draft angle for the other part of the side surface of the cartridge casing.

Abstract: A magnetic recording cartridge has a housing enclosure with two tape reels rotatably mounted in the housing enclosure, and a magnetic data recording tape wound on the reels for winding and unwinding between the two reels in a tape transport direction, the tape having a width perpendicular to the tape transport direction of at least approximately 2.5 inches. The housing enclosure has two reel access openings respectively disposed in registration with the reels, allowing external access to the reels by a drive for rotating the reels, and a tape access opening allowing external access to the tape for engagement with a data transfer head also carried by the drive. Because of the significantly increased width of the tape, the tape has a surface area available for data recording which is approximately ten times greater than that of conventional tapes.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a thin cartridge casing having flat upper and lower surfaces and a single reel which is housed in the cartridge casing for rotation and around which a magnetic tape is wound, island-like or point-like projections are provided at least three places of the lower surfaces of the cartridge casing near the leading edge and the trailing edge of the cartridge casing as viewed in the direction X of insertion of the magnetic tape cartridge in a recording and reproducing apparatus and recesses which are adapted to be engaged with the projections are provided on the upper surface of the cartridge casing so that, when a plurality of the magnetic tape cartridges are stacked, the projections and the recesses of the cartridge casings of magnetic tape cartridges which are just above and below each other are engaged with each other, whereby the magnetic tape cartridges are prevented from being displaced with respect to each other when a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges are stacked

Abstract: This invention is directed to a tape cassette in which a tape body is wound across a pair of tape reels rotatably supported by the cassette body. At the cassette body, there are provided a first write protect mechanism provided in correspondence with the position where there is provided a write protect mechanism provided at other tape cassette loaded with compatibility with respect to a recording/reproducing apparatus into which tape cassette is loaded, and a second write protect mechanism provided at the position which is not in correspondence with the position where write protect mechanism provided at the other tape cassette is provided, wherein the first write protect mechanism is in write protect state at all times.

Abstract: The magnetic tape cassette comprises a reel, a cassette half (4), a reel locking member (45) and a rib (6a or 6b). The reel on which the magnetic tape is wound turns on a predetermined track and has engaging teeth at its periphery. The cassette half has a reel accommodating area which can accommodate various kinds of reels which are different from one another. The reel lock member is disposed on the cassette half and has an engagement pawl. The reel lock member is slidable between a reel lock position where the engagement pawl of the reel lock member is engaged with the engaging teeth of the reel so as to inhibit a rotation of the reel and a releasing position where the reel lock member disengages from the engaging teeth of the reels so as to allow the rotation of the reel. The rib disposed on the cassette half keeps a locking condition, i.e., where the engagement pawl is engaged with the engaging teeth, when the reel leaves the predetermined tracks.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled cartridge and method for protecting data storage media from disallowed humidity levels and contaminants. The cartridge has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is operative to contain the data storage media and is openable to the ambient environment to provide drive access to the media. A charged desiccant is disposed in communication with the second chamber and may further include a pollutant getter. The second chamber is in selective communication with the first chamber.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, a window opening 2 covered with a window member 3 is formed in an upper half 1. At a peripheral portion of the window opening 2, a fixing surface 4 for fixing the window member 3 thereto is formed; and at a portion surrounding the fixing surface 4, a slant 6 is formed. Further, a build-up portion 8 is formed at the portion surrounding the fixing surface 4 and at a corner portion A on the opening portion side of the cassette case through which a magnetic tape passes. At a peripheral portion of the window member 3, a plurality of welded ribs 10 is formed. And, a weld line produced by the resin molding of the window member 3 is located on the welded rib 10.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, a window opening 2 covered with a window member 3 is formed in an upper half 1. At a peripheral portion of the window opening 2, a fixing surface 4 for fixing the window member 3 thereto is formed; and at a portion surrounding the fixing surface 4, a slant 6 is formed. Further, a build-up portion 8 is formed at the portion surrounding the fixing surface 4 and at a corner portion A on the opening portion side of the cassette case through which a magnetic tape passes. At a peripheral portion of the window member 3, a plurality of welded ribs 10 is formed. And, a weld line produced by the resin molding of the window member 3 is located on the welded rib 10.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a case, which is made of a lower case and an upper case, for accommodating a reel wound with a magnetic tape. The lower case includes a bottom surface disposed with two positioning holes formed separately from each other on a straight line orthogonal to a direction in which the tape cartridge is loaded into a drive device. The lower case also includes a front wall disposed with two surfaces for regulating a depth to which the case is loaded in the drive device. The two surfaces are positioned on straight lines that pass along the loading direction through the center of the positioning holes when seen from below. Positioning pins of the drive device are inserted into the positioning holes when regulating protrusions of the drive device abut against the two surfaces to regulate the depth to which the case is loaded.

Abstract: A universal tape path subassembly that forms a data storage tape supply and path and fits within tape cartridge housings of varying form factors. The universal subassembly includes registration datum features and surfaces that can be made accessible externally to a tape cartridge (containing the tape path subassembly) for aligning the tape path subassembly relative to a drive unit adapted to receive the tape cartridge.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge (10) includes a housing (12) having a first section (13) and a second section (14) operatively connected to each other. A first positioning member (40) and second positioning member (50) are operatively connected to the housing and are in axial alignment with each other. A leader pin (30) is positioned in the positioning members 40, 50 and held in position by the two-sided springs 44. The springs 44 are in position around a locating member 41, 51.

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: In a magnetic tape cartridge comprising a thin cartridge casing having flat upper and lower surfaces and a single reel which is housed in the cartridge casing for rotation and around which a magnetic tape is wound, island-like or point-like projections are provided at least three places of the lower surfaces of the cartridge casing near the leading edge and the trailing edge of the cartridge casing as viewed in the direction X of insertion of the magnetic tape cartridge in a recording and reproducing apparatus and recesses which are adapted to be engaged with the projections are provided on the upper surface of the cartridge casing so that, when a plurality of the magnetic tape cartridges are stacked, the projections and the recesses of the cartridge casings of magnetic tape cartridges which are just above and below each other are engaged with each other, whereby the magnetic tape cartridges are prevented from being displaced with respect to each other when a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges are stacked

Abstract: The magnetic tape cassette has a base with an opening for forming a transparent window and a transparent resin-made window member to be installed in said opening. The window member is provided with an engaging unit which is to be fitted into the base at an angle and the base is provided with an engaging portion that is formed at an angle in correspondence to the engaging unit and the window member is installed in the opening by being fitted in at an angle.

Abstract: A cartridge case 1 for a magnetic tape cartridge comprises a cartridge case 1 consisting of a lower half 2 and an upper half 3. The lower half 2 is provided with retaining ribs 71 each having a retaining slanted surface 71a such that a plate-like cartridge memory 7 is positioned on the retaining slanted surfaces 71a with its one side 7d lowered and is obliquely supported with respect to a bottom plate 28 of the lower half 2. The upper half 3 is provided with supporting members for supporting various non-resilient constituent parts positioned on the lower half 2 and including the cartridge memory 7. The upper half 2 is provided with a stopper rod 77 such that when the upper half 3 is assembled with the lower half 2, the stopper rod 77 reaches a cartridge memory-rising region before the supporting members contact with the non-resilient constituent parts on the lower half 2.

Abstract: The cartridge case of a magnetic tape cartridge is equipped with a side notch, formed in a side wall approximately parallel to an inserting direction of the cartridge case, which is engaged by a locking claw provided in a drive apparatus into which the cartridge case is loaded. The outer edge of the side notch that is contacted by the locking claw is formed into a round edge having a predetermined radius of curvature so that the locking claw does not catch on the side notch.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge including a reel-rotation restraining member which restricts rotation of a reel when not used and allows the rotation of the reel when used. The reel-rotation restraining member has a restraining member, an urging member, and an unlocking member. The restraining member has a restraining gear which meshes with a locking tooth portion, and the restraining member is supported by a support portion of the cartridge case. In the magnetic tape cartridge, the following relationship is met: b≦(2×a×c)/d where “a” represents the length of engagement between the restraining member in an unlocked state and the support portion, “b” represents the clearance between the restraining member and the support portion, “c” represents the space between the tooth of the restraining gear and the locking tooth portion, and “d” represents the outside diameter of the restraining gear.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.

Abstract: The recording tape cartridge includes a case body formed by joining together an upper half and a lower half and a tape reel around which a recording tape is wound in the case body. The cartridge further includes a lid covering a front side of the case body, a reel lock member which has a braking claw to be engaged with an engagement tooth provided on a flange of the tape reel and which is adapted to slide with rotation of the rid, ribs nipping the reel lock member so as to perform positional regulation on its sliding reel lock member urging means for urging the reel lock member so as to engage the braking claw with the engagement tooth and a reel lock releasing member urging the reel lock member with rotation of the lid so as to release the engagement.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus accommodates a recording medium in a cassette shell and performs recording and/or playback with respect to the recording medium cassette provided with a cassette-side antenna connected to an in-cassette memory. The playback apparatus includes a recording/playback mechanism, a cassette holding member, a cassette passing member and an apparatus side antenna. The apparatus side antenna effects communication through the in-cassette memory and the cassette-side antenna. An electric wave transmission portion is formed in a portion of the cassette holding member opposed to the cassette-side antenna. The apparatus-side antenna is arranged in correspondence with the electric wave transmission portion.

Abstract: In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) having a reel drive device (35) with a drive shaft (46A) and with a disc-shaped drive member (47) made of a plastic and with drive teeth (48), and with a second magnetic circuit element (49), and with a third magnetic circuit element (50), which is connected to the drive member (47) by insert-molding of the third magnetic circuit element (50), the drive shaft (46A) is connected directly to the third magnetic circuit element (50) in a rotationally interlocked manner and the third magnetic circuit element (50) is formed by an element which is finished by means of a turning operation, and the third magnetic circuit element (50) is dimensioned in such a manner with respect to the drive member (47) that the third magnetic circuit element (50) is not subjected to any deformation by the drive member (47) made by insert-molding.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge comprises: a reel 2 around which a magnetic tape MT is wounded; a cartridge case 1 for accommodating the reel 2 in a locked state; and a release pad 5 inserted into a cup-shaped hub 2A of the reel 2 and releasing the locked state of the reel 2. The release pad 5 includes a pad body 5A having a plurality of corners to be faced proximately to the inner peripheral surface 2C of the cup-shaped hub 2A, and a plurality of lock releasing pins 5B projecting downwardly from a bottom surface of the pad body 5A at the respective corners and inserted through a bottom surface of the cup-shaped hub 2A. The release pad 5 is provided with a flank 5E extending from each corner downwardly through the respective lock releasing pin 5B so that an assembling clearance is formed with respect to an inner periphery of a flange 2G positioned in an open side of the cup-shaped hub 2A.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge comprises: a cartridge case including an opening portion, an upper cartridge and a lower cartridge, the upper cartridge having a supporting shaft; a reel, around which a magnetic tape can be wound, accommodated in the cartridge case, wherein the magnetic tape can be drawn out from the opening portion of the cartridge case; a lid pivotably attached to the supporting shaft in order to open and close the opening portion; and a lid spring being a torsion coil spring having a coil portion through which the lid spring is attached to the supporting shaft so as to urge the lid to close the opening portion. In the magnetic tape cartridge, it is preferable that the coil portion is a compressive spring.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a tape cassette in which a tape body is wound across a pair of tape reels rotatably supported by the cassette body. At the cassette body, a location of a first write inhibit mechanism corresponds to the position of a write inhibit mechanism for another tape cassette. A second write inhibit mechanism is provided at the position that is not in correspondence with the position where write inhibit mechanism provided at the other tape cassette is provided. The first write inhibit mechanism is in a write inhibit state at all times. Thus, when there is loaded a tape cassette where recording of information signals is carried out by a different recording format into recording/reproducing apparatus corresponding to only a tape cassette of a specific recording format of tape cassettes different in the recording format, recording of information signals with respect to this tape cassette is inhibited to realize protection of already recorded data. Discrimination techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Copying, dubbing or reproducing copyrighted digital data can be inhibited or restricted to properly protect a copyright. AV data recorded on a pre-recorded tape is output from a reproducing unit of a first digital VCR with protective information indicating whether the copy of the AV data is inhibited or not. The protective information is input with the A/V data to a second digital VCR. Copy permission information of a blank tape loaded in the second digital VCR is discriminated and the second digital VCR records the AV data supplied from the first digital VCR based on the protective information and the copy permission information.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a single tape reel around which a length of magnetic tape is wound and which is turnably held within a housing. The beginning of the tape is drawn out through an opening formed in the housing by a tape drawing-out member of a recorder. The drawing-out member has an engaging member at the outer end. The housing has a cell in which a hook member to catch an engaging end of a leader tape, when the leader tape holding the beginning of the magnetic tape is used, is detachably fitted and a cell in which a leader member to hold the beginning of the magnetic tape, when the leader member is used, is contained. The housing is made using a mold which forms a cell having a leader member holding the beginning of the magnetic tape or which forms the cell without the leader member.

Abstract: A tape cassette providing a case body and a couple of hubs set rotatably in the case body, around which a tape-like member is wound, and a combination structure of the tape cassette and a driving device. The hub members provide a through hole in which a rotative driving spindle of a driving device is to be inserted through an insertion opening and a plurality of spline projections formed at an interior of the through hole, and the spline projection widens toward the insertion opening gradually. When the hub members are rotatively driven under an engagement of the spline projection thereof with an engagement projection of the rotative driving spindle of the driving device, since the hub member is forced toward the insertion opening, the hub member is moved toward the insertion opening, and it is consequently rotated stably at the location where it is moved to.