Abstract: A storage medium in which previously recorded messages are stored is scanned for instruction signals representing the occurrences of instructions in those messages. Following the aforementioned scanning, if a message in condition to be played back includes an instruction, a suitable display is provided. Another display is provided if any further messages, not yet in condition to be played back, include instructions.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for driving a magnetic band, print head, or a similar carriage assembly which is movable on parallel guide rods by a band or cable loop. The drive unit consists of a drive motor and a drive pulley. The drive unit is also movable on the parallel guide rods and supported through a spring element to produce the band or cable tension, while the deflecting pulley or idler pulley is rigidly supported in the frame.

Abstract: The mode selection mechanism in a magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus is adapted to move a mode plate and a forward/reverse changeover plate to given positions in response to a mode selecting manual operation and to thereafter move a power plate by a predetermined stroke in a direction prependicular to the movements of the mode plate and of the changeover plate, thereby creating any desired tape feeding mode. The mode plate and the changeover plate are independently moved by rotations of a mode cam which is intermittently moved by a tape drive motor through a power transmission means. The power plate is moved by rotation of a power cam which is moved by the same motor and may be interrupted by a power transmission means after the power cam makes a predetermined angular rotation.

Abstract: A clean cassette for cassette tape recorders comprising a holder for a cleaning member, which holder is pivotally connected at one end with a spring-biased pivot arm. The opposite end of the spring-biased pivot arm engages a cam device which in the operative position of the cassette is engaged by one coil shaft of the tape recorder. The opposite end of the holder is intermittently engageable with a second pivot arm. The second pivot arm is influenced in the operative position by a second cam device engaged by the second coil shaft of the tape recorder. Upon actuation of the second coil shaft, an end of the second pivot arm moves the holder against the action of the spring bias of the first pivot arm.

Abstract: A protective carrying case for an electronic device, especially a video cassette recorder, having upper and lower carrying case halves of high impact material with the video cassette recorder positioned therebetween. The upper and lower carrying case halves are integrally coupled to each other. First and second cover members rotatably connected to the upper and lower case halves are provided for affording access to the video cassette recorder cassette door and electrical connections respectively, the electrical connections passing through an integral barrier between the upper and lower carrying case halves for protectively isolating the video cassette recorder from a user thereof. A control panel allows a user access to at least a portion of the video cassette recorder's manual controls.

Abstract: Fitted into the record-lockout opening of a recording tape cassette is a reusable record tab which comprises a body that blocks the opening and at least one resilient leg projecting from the body. The leg is bowed to press against an inner ramp of the cassette housing when the record tab is inserted into the opening, thus holding the record tab snugly in position. A small aperture through the external face of the body receives the point of a writing instrument for convenient removal of the record tab. FIGS. 1-4 show a reusable record tab for a VHS videotape cassette, and FIGS. 5-8 show a reusable record tab for a Betamax videotape cassette.

Abstract: Changer apparatus of the type having an input hopper for storing fresh record cartridges, an ouput hopper for storing used record cartridges, a recording deck for recording and for playing back messages on the record cartridges and a mechanism for transporting fresh record cartridges, one at a time, from the input hopper along a transport path to the recording deck and for transporting a used record cartridge from the recording deck to the output hopper. The apparatus further comprises a deck support device for supporting the recording deck in an operating position below the transport path and includes an element for supporting one end of the recording deck and a releasable device for supporting the opposite end of the recording deck. The device is releasable to enable the recording deck to pivot to a nonoperating position and thereby permit access thereto by an operator.

Abstract: A video theater system employs a rental video cassette which has extra ribs on the periphery thereof for inhibiting an unfair use in conjunction with a conventional cassette VTR, and in which an ID code is also superimposed on video signals on tape within the cassette so that it is possible to determine a particular video theater from which a video program is leaked by detecting the ID code from a copied cassette.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a compact disc record when the record is in its case comprises a housing rotatable about a spindle for engaging the central portion of the base of the record case. A cleaning member with soft bristles is rotatable in the housing and connected to the spindle through a gear train within the housing. The cleaning member is tiltable relative to the housing to ensure even distribution of pressure over the cleaning surface of the cleaning member. Resilient members on the carrier member bear on a frictionless ring of the housing to accommodate tilting of the cleaning member.

Abstract: A cassette tape player is provided with a casing defining a compartment for receiving a cassette and including a hollow, box-like structure extending only partly across the casing to confront a corresponding portion of a long side of the cassette housing in the compartment, a battery receptacle extending longitudinally from the hollow, box-like structure across substantially the remainder of the casing for receiving at least one elongated cylindrical battery with the longitudinal axis of the latter extending parallel with the long side of the cassette housing in the compartment, and a closure engageable with the battery receptacle for retaining and locating said at least one battery in the receptacle and being configured to define, with the receptacle, a box-like extension of the hollow box-like structure which cooperates with the latter to define a substantially continuous surface for locating the cassette housing in the compartment.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus, equipped for connection of a remote control device through a multi-conductor cable, including an encoder in the remote device and decoder in the apparatus so that the number of control conductors in the cable is less than the number of switched control functions. To prevent inadvertent erasure, the recording function is the lowest priority input state to the encoder. In a dictation transcriber, the highest priority input is connected to the reference, so that the transcribing mode is enabled upon disconnection of the remote control microphone.

Abstract: A disk drive unit is provided with an electromagnetic releasing/arresting device for the head support, in order to prevent the head and the disk record from being damaged when the drive unit is shipped, handled or switched off. The novel electromagnet has a low power consumption and small dimensions, is economical to manufacture and exhibits high operational reliability.

Abstract: A deterrent device for inhibiting unauthorized use and sale of a video cassette recorder having a cassette chamber provided with a chamber opening and a hinged door normally closing said chamber opening in which the device includes a front panel to cover the opening, inwardly projecting members carried on the panel and extending through the chamber opening into the interior of the cassette chamber for moving the door into a position for engagement by said inwardly projecting arms to restrict and prohibit outward movement of the device, and an unlock element carried by the front panel and positioned within the chamber for movement against the door to lift the door from its engagement with the inwardly projecting arms for permitting release and removal of the device from said chamber and opening.

Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a pressure plate spring which has a tape-length indication comprising indicator elements which have been cut in or cut out mechanically. Advantageously, both long arms possess such indicators, which may even be of different types. In a particularly advantageous spring shape, one long spring arm has an edge possessing incisions and the other long spring arm has an edge possessing projections, as a result of which the springs can be arranged for punching in such a way that waste is avoided.

Abstract: A cam driven actuating mechanism for use in a tape player includes a drive source, a cam driven by the drive source, a control arm actuated by the cam profile of the cam, and a solenoid to hold the control arm at a given position off the cam. The cam includes a resilient projection along the cam profile which bulges out from the cam profile to push the control arm in a direction to assist the solenoid to catch the control arm, and the bulging amount of the resilient projection is slightly larger than the stroke needed for the control arm to be caught by the solenoid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrrangement for preventing unauthorized use of a playback apparatus (10,32) such as a cassette-player or a video reproduction device including a dummy cassette (12,13 and 40,41) intended for insertion into a slot or like opening of the playback apparatus (10,32), the dummy cassette including an externally operable mechanism which is arranged in the cavity between the casing parts of the dummy cassette and which is arranged, with the aid of transmission means, to transfer movement to lock means which co-act with the playback apparatus in a manner such that when the lock means occupies a given position the playback apparatus and the dummy cassette form an inseparable unit.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising a cassette receptacle (5), into which a cassette (3) can be inserted manually in a direction of insertion (4) and which comprises at least one member (15) for retaining a cassette, which member is at least partly movable in the direction of insertion from an initial position to an operating position and can be coupled to a cassette in its initial position. Said member is coupled to a drive lever (22) via a pin-slot linkage (21) in order to be driven by a motor (27) via a drive mechanism (26), the pin (40) cooperating with a longitudinal wall (42) of the slot (39) when the drive lever (22) is driven by the motor. In its other longitudinal wall (43) the slot (39) has a recess (44) which extends substantially in the direction of insertion.

Abstract: An operating lever apparatus used in an electric appliance to operate in accordance with electric signals produced by signal generator, comprises a first base plate, a second base plate disposed parallel to the first base plate at a given distance therefrom, an operating lever disposed between the first and second base plates so as to be able to move along the same between first and second positions, whereby the signal generator is caused to produce an electric signal when the operating lever is located in the second position, holding member for holding the operating lever in a position just before the second position, and a driving member disposed so as to be able to move along the first and second base plates between first and second positions in a direction to intersect the moving direction of the operating lever, and having a guide bore for guiding the operating lever in movement from the first position to the position just before the second position when the driving member is located in the first positio

Abstract: A combination portable magnetic tape cassette player and multiband radio receiver in which the sensitive elements of the radio receiver are arranged within a hinged, plastic cover of the combined apparatus and the circuitry of the radio receiver is formed on a printed circuit board having an AM band antenna mounted thereto, whereby the AM receiver antenna is electro-magnetically unshielded by the plastic cover and the combined tape player and radio receiver is of a size substantially equal to that of the tape player alone.

Abstract: A cassette tape player has an exterior case comprising a first structural member containing a major part of an internal mechanism including a device for driving a cassette tape, a second structural member engaged with the first structural member so as to be able to have an opening and closing movement, an elastic seal member provided so as to be put between the first and second structural members to seal up the exterior case when the second structural member is closed to the first member, and additional elastic seal members for sealing up portions of control buttons, adjusting buttons, jacks and so forth provided on both or one of the first and second structural members. The elastic seal members act to make the exterior case waterproof and dustproof.

Abstract: A protective jacket for permanently containing a floppy-type magnetic recording disk includes a liner attached to at least one of the interior sidewalls of the jacket in a manner whereby a protruding warp is formed in the liner having the form of an elongated ridge. The warp protrudes far enough from the interior wall of the jacket so that, upon rotation of the disk, the warp is deformed and resiliently wipes the face of the disk to remove dust and the like, thereby preventing errors in reading/writing upon the disk.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance element is arranged in a plane parallel to the end face of a PG yoke and is situated on the outer side of a circle described by revolution of the PG yoke end face and in close proximity to the end face to detect a characteristic flux component emitted from the PG yoke end face. The magnetoresistance element is disposed in such a manner that an acute angle is formed between the direction of a current flowing in the element and a normal line extending from the axis of rotation of a recording medium. A flux component hardly influenced by the area of the PG yoke end face is thus detected.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for open or closed flap diskettes is provided wherein the diskettes are singulated and withdrawn from the bottom of a stack of diskettes disposed in a hopper, transported to a work station where the diskette is duplicated and tested, then withdrawn from the work station and deposited in one of several bins depending upon the results of testing.The diskettes are supported in a hopper upon first and second support surfaces, the first being at the front of the hopper and slightly above the second. The lowermost diskette is moved rearwardly from beneath the stack until its front edge is deposited onto a third support surface below the first support surface, then engaged by a clamp and advanced beneath the first support surface to the work station.

Abstract: A motor of a motor drive mechanism is driven by a logic control circuit and a motor driving circuit when an operating member for tape feed is operated. A shift control mechanism receiving a forward or reverse rotatory force from the motor controls a pinch roller included in a tape drive mechanism for a specified condition by means of a playback slider, and also controls a head to a predetermined position by means of a head slider. Thus, the motor drive mechanism can establish a forward or reverse tape feed mode in a tape recorder.

Abstract: The respective rotations of first and second reel-rotation detection discs which are rotating in interlocking relation with a take-up reel and a supply reel, respectively, are detected by first and second reel-rotation detection members. The counting periods of first and second pulse counters are determined by the output pulses of the first and second reel-rotation detection means, respectively. These pulse counters count the outputs from a pulse generator for generating pulses related to the amount of travel of a tape. Counted values A1 and A2 are obtained by the counting operations of the pulse counters and supplied to a microcomputer which includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and work memory. The value of A1.sup.2 +A2.sup.2 is determined and this value is compared with specified values or constants representing the type of tape which are previously stored in RAM. In accordance with the result of this comparison, determination is made of the type of tape currently in use.

Abstract: A cassette tape player is combined with a radio receiver and has a plurality of player control buttons used for selecting the operation mode of the tape playing mechanism and, a radio control button used for operating the radio signal receiving device, and a stop button used for stopping either the tape playing mechanism or the radio signal receiving device, wherein one of the player control buttons or radio control button can be switched and the operating condition either one of the tape playing mechanism or the radio signal receiving device can to be released by manipulating the stop button.

Abstract: The brush comprises a flexible reed having a mounting portion for attachment to the cassette such that the reed can be held adjacent the tape path, a tape contact zone being provided at the opposite end to the mounting portion having a contact liner adhering on one side of the reed and having a flap extending, at the opposite end to the mounting portion, beyond a tape contacting edge.

Abstract: A head cleaning apparatus wherein in a case formed to the same shape and dimension of a hard case of hard-cased floppy disk a cleaning sheet formed to the same shape and dimension of the magnetic disk of floppy disk is rotatably placed and a cleaning liquid supplier is provided to the case to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning sheet as the cleaning liquid is injected under pressure from outside.

Abstract: A tape amount displaying apparatus displays a used amount of a tape or a remaining amount thereof. A signal corresponding to a length (l.sub.t) of an outermost periphery of the tape wound in a reel is outputted from an outermost periphery length signal outputting circuit and then stored in a memory. Each time a one-turn detecting circuit detects one turn of the reel, the predetermined value (2.pi.d) is added to the length of the outermost periphery read out from the memory if a rotational direction detecting circuit detects that the reel rotates in a predetermined direction, or the predetermined value (2.pi.d) is subtracted from the outermost periphery length if the rotational direction detecting circuit detects that the reel rotates in the opposite direction. The result of such an addition or subtraction is again stored in the memory. The content stored in the memory is squared (l.sub.t.sup.2), and then a predetermined value (4.pi..sup.2 r.sub.h.sup.2) is subtracted from the squared value (l.sub.t.sup.

Abstract: Means for cleaning a band of flexible tape as it moves from a supply reel to a takeup reel in a predetermined path of travel. Included is a pair of cleaning heads 20 and 22 which are engageable with opposite sides of the tape. The heads are initially located in inoperative positions relative to the path of travel. Means 30 and 34 are provided for moving the heads into engagement with the tape to apply cleaning action as it moves from the supply reel to the takeup reel. The heads include wiping surfaces 64 of spun plastic material.

Abstract: An operation changing mechanism for a tape recording/reproducing or other electronic apparatus includes a reversible electric motor for selectively rotating a driving gear in opposed directions, a first swinging gear engaged with the driving gear and rotatably coupled to a co-axial second swinging gear with the common axis of the first and second swinging gears being mounted for orbital movements about the axis of the driving gear between first and second limited positions to which the common axis is urged in reaction to rotation of the driving gear in the opposite directions, respectively, a rotary cam member with peripheral gear teeth engageable by the second swinging gear and having a toothless gap that accommodates the second swinging gear to halt turning of the cam member, the shifting of the common axis of the swinging gears from one to the other of the limited positions thereof in response to a change in the direction of rotation of the drive gear being effective to move the second swinging gear out of

Abstract: A control panel for a tape recorder includes wind and rewind buttons, recording button, a playback button and a stop button. On actuation of the recording button or of the playback button, the respective tape position is automatically stored in a main memory. Under the stop button a location button is arranged. On actuation of the location button the magnetic tape is stopped, the tape location stored in the memory is read, and the tape rewound to this tape location. On a simultaneous actuation of the locations button and of the stop button, the tape is stopped and rewound to the tape location "zero". On simultaneous actuation of the location button and of the playback button, the tape is stopped, the tape location stored in the memory is read, the tape is rewound to this tape location, and in automatic repeat played back between this tape location and the stopped location.

Abstract: The monitoring system includes two voltage detectors, each of which has hysteresis, wherein write, read, head feeding operations, and a motor driving function can be performed when the power source is in excess of an upper reset level, and, when the voltage decreases below an upper set level, writing is inhibited while the other operations can still be performed, and when the voltage further decreases below a lower set level operation of the entire drive is inhibited.

Abstract: A flexible disk drive is disclosed that is optimized for automated manufacture. The critical elements of the disk drive are divided into two functional groups, one of which includes the elements for loading and unloading the disk cartridge and the other of which includes the elements for reading and writing on the flexible disk within the cartridge, with the elements of each group being precisely registered with respect to one another on separate frame members. The frame members are coarsely registered with respect to one another and snapped together, after separate assembly of at least most of the elements on the separate frame members has been completed, and fine position registration of the flexible disk to the spindle is thereafter achieved during each loading operation of a flexible disk into the assembly disk drive by collet centering and clamping the disk to the spindle.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for automatically selecting and reproducing a recording medium comprises a reproducing device fixed at a predetermined position, for reproducing a recording medium loaded therein, a recording medium storing part arranged fixedly along a circular arc passing through the reproducing device, for storing a plurality of the recording mediums in a radial arrangement within a plurality of recording medium storing chambers each having an address assigned thereto, a designating circuit for designating an address corresponding to one storing chamber from among the plurality of storing chambers, and a recording medium holding and carrying mechanism constituted by an arm structure which is axially supported at a position corresponding to a center of the circular arc.

Abstract: A cassette of cleaning tape for cleaning the driving, play-back and recording components of a magnetic tape apparatus. The cleaning cassette has a tape and a roller rotatably supported in the cassette housing having a core of absorbent material adapted to be impregnated with cleaning liquid, and absorbent material exposed on a portion of the surface of the roller for applying liquid to wet a surface of the tape intermittently as the tape is moved in the cassette, the intermittent liquid application preventing the tape from sticking to components as the tape is driven through the magnetic tape apparatus being cleaned.

Abstract: A Phillips-type magnetic tape cassette capable of use in the applications of an ordinary tape cassette and also in applications for high-density recording where the tape must be pulled out of the cassette for recording and playing. A front opening defined by a single hole is provided in the body of the tape cassette. The front opening has cuts extending to the front of the cassette from slots which define portions of reference holes. A frame member having apertures for receiving the magnetic head and tape guides is detachably engaged with the cassette body in the opening. The frame member has protrusions which, when engaged with the cuts, form the reference holes.

Abstract: A recording medium operative with a recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising a rotational motor and recording and/or reproducing transducer. The recording medium comprises a main body including a flexible recording carrier in the form of a sheet or film, and a support member supporting one end of the main body to maintain a circular shape for the body and being engageable with the motor. The recording carrier has a hollow cylindrical-shape and is provided with an opening at the end remote from the support member. The carrier has a recording surface around its periphery and a hollow interior with a surface which is parallel to the outer peripheral surface. The recording medium is rotated by the motor while maintaining a predetermined minute gap between the main body and a rotation stabilizing member which has a cylindrical surface substantially parallel to the main body.

Abstract: A cleaning cassette for tape recorder and/or player magnetic heads comprises a toothed wheel of elastic yielding material frictionally engaging in use the magnetic head. The wheel is rotatively driven by a drive arrangement comprising hubs to be driven by the recorder spindles and vanes radially extending towards and engaging the vanes of the wheel. The cassette comprises also a socket accommodating a small flexible vessel containing a detergent liquid and accessible through an opening in the cassette casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning cartridge for cleaning the magnetic heads and the scraper of computer tape drives that use tape cartridges and more particularly streamer and start-stop drives. This cleaning cartridge can be inserted into the tape drive and can simultaneously clean the heads and the scraper by rubbing a cleaning pad against the heads and the scraper in a direction that is perpendicular to the tape path. This pad is made from an absorbent material that can be saturated with a cleaning fluid, so the pad will collect foreign particles when it is rubbed against the heads. The cartridge can be manually operated or it can engage the drive mechanism of the tape drive.

Abstract: A tape timer apparatus is disclosed. Apparatus is provided for producing frame pulses indicating a frame period in a running tape and for producing a tape direction signal. An up/down counter counts up or down, as determined by the tape direction signal, in response to the frame pulses. A detecting circuit generates a detection signal indicating whether the frequency of the frame pulse has exceeded a predetermined frequency. A circuit is also provided for dividing the frame pulses by a predetermined number and generating a single frequency divided pulse each time the predetermined number of frame pulses is generated. A selection circuit selects, in accordance with the detection circuit, either the frame pulse or the frequency divided pulse. A microcomputer receives the pulse from the selecting means as an interruption demand pulse and calculates the tape time on the basis of the value counted by the up/down counter.

Abstract: A control mechanism having particular, but not exclusive application to a cassette-type of telephone answering machine by which the movement of the record/playback head and pinch roller associated with each cassette of the machine, and the engagement of the drive for the take-up and rewind spindles of each cassette, are achieved by the rotational energy of the drive motor of the machine, rather than by high power electromagnetic solenoids; and in which only small, low power electromagnets are required for latching and unlatching the motor driven control mechanism.

Abstract: A lock for a VHS video cassette is characterized by an insert extendible into and latchable within a sensor LED transmission receptacle of a housing for the cassette. The insert cannot be removed from the receptacle without a special key, and while in the receptacle presents a physical obstruction to the cassette being inserted into a video cassette recorder. The lock thus provides a convenient means to prevent unauthorized playing of a video cassette.

Abstract: A mechanism for switching from one operating function to another upon stoppage of tape movement, including a switching wheel which is driven continuously during operation and actuates a switching member, and a connecting member which moves in the same given direction for releasing a cassette and for reversing a direction of tape travel. A tape stoppage detection means controls the position of the switching member with respect to the switching wheel. The connecting member is latched in a position corresponding to movement of the head mounting plate toward the cassette, and is unlatched either by the switching member upon tape stoppage, or depression of a stop button to permit the head mounting plate to return to a withdrawn position away from the cassette.

Abstract: A device for installing electronic equipment on a vehicle, especially a motorcycle. The device is formed by a first casing containing the electronic equipment and a second casing fixed to a body of the vehicle so that the electronic equipment is easily removed. A latching member and a lock assembly is used for removably connecting the first and second casing. Each of first and second casings are preferably provided with one of a pair of electric connectors so that electric connection is automatically made when the first casing is placed in the second casing. In order to insulate vibrations, the device is provided with a vibration absorption member which is disposed between the electronic equipment and the first casing.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on a flexible disc which is rotatably mounted in a jacket having an indicator for indicating the number of tracks on which the signals have already been recorded, a transducer records and/or reproduces the signals on a surface of the disc so as to form a plurality of circular tracks thereon. The transducer is subsequently moved in the radial direction of the disc to the next adjacent track. The apparatus is further provided with an indicator driving mechanism for driving the indicator of the jacket to shift the latter to a corresponding position as related to the number of the recorded tracks. The indicator driving mechanism is driven in synchronism with the movement of the transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foot switch apparatus which is connected to a tape recorder, the tape recorder having a mode control circuit which designates its operation mode. The foot switch has an automatic back spacing circuit coupled to the mode control circuit. When the foot switch operates, a recording tape on the tape recorder is rewound by a predetermined length in response to an operation of the automatic back spacing circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic-tape apparatus (1) comprises at least two buttons (9, 10, 11) for selecting modes of operation of the apparatus and at least one apparatus part (37) to be positioned in conformity with the modes selected by actuation of the button. For positioning the apparatus part (37) the apparatus comprises a servo mechanism (50) which can be driven by a motor (27), which mechanism comprises a first eccentric means (71) arranged on a servo wheel (52), a drive member (73) which is movable by this eccentric means (71), and an actuating member (85) which is movable by the drive member (73) for positioning the apparatus part (37).

Abstract: Apparatus for removing all or part of a roll of magnetic tape stored on a reel of a reel-to-reel tape transport device. This apparatus consists of a stripper reel which is structurally compatible with a reel mounting hub of the transport device. The stripper reel includes a hard circular "reel core" mounted to the hub and supporting front and back flanges, as well as a resilient annular "tape core" fitted around the reel core. Typically, the tape core consists of a hollow circular cylinder of elastomeric material, having a durometer between 10 and 30. The user winds a segment of tape to be discarded from the unwind reel onto the tape core of the stripping device, removes the front flange, and manually removes the tape pack from the stripper reel.

Abstract: In a cassette tape deck having a cover panel for covering an opening into which a tape cassette may be inserted, a keyboard section with dials for operating the tape deck and a display section with display elements for displaying operating conditions of the tape deck are provided on both front and rear surfaces of the cover panel of the tape deck.