Abstract: A system and method for writing reference information on a recording media contained with a sealed housing utilizes a reflective planar mirror on the rotary actuator controlling the writing mechanism. A narrow beam directed through a window on the side wall of the housing onto the mirror is reflected off at angle dependent on the actuator position to a beam sensitive detector. A translator system driven by a positioner disposed at a distance from the rotary actuator axis which is substantially greater than the distance between the actuator axis and the writing head, is used to vary the relationship between the directed and reflected beams. This system incorporates the rotary actuator in a closed loop servo that positions the actuator precisely at different locations relative to the recording medium, so that the reference information may be written.

Abstract: A protection device for a diskette drive of a computer includes an access prevention member locatable in an access opening of the diskette drive and operable to inhibit insertion of a diskette into the diskette drive. Locking means retains the access prevention member in the access opening of the diskette drive. The locking means includes an arm having at its leading end a transversely extending engagement formation. The arm is rotatably mounted relative to the access prevention member thereby to permit rotation of the arm from an inoperative position while the device is inserted into the access opening of the diskette drive to an operative locking position once inserted into the access opening where the engagement formation engages a drive mechanism of the diskette drive.

Abstract: A tape running time counting apparatus for video tape recorder includes a detecting device for detecting the existence or absence of playback control signals on a video tape, a pulse generating device for generating pulses proportionate to the rotational speed of one of a supply and a takeup reel and a counting device for counting real time of running of the video tape based on the playback control signals, when present, and for calculating the real time of running of the video tape after converting the number of pulses from pulse generating device in the absence of the playback control signals. If playback control signals are recorded the video tape, the tape running time is counted in real time based on the control signals. If the control signals are not recorded, the number of pulses which correspond to the rotational speed of the supply and/or take-up reel is converted into real time, thereby computing the tape running time. A method for count real time running of a tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door opening system of the present invention automatically opens or closes the front door of a household electric apparatus, more particularly, a VCR. Up to now, a conventional VCR has a disadvantage that the door opening operation is always performed manually by user. The door opening system comprises sensing means which checks the open state of a door switch or a power switch; pulse generating means which generates a switching pulse; and door opening means which opens the power portion and the front door.

Abstract: A system uses prevent and detect mechanisms to enable rewritable data storage media to be operated as a written-once-only media. A physical indication of the media casing serves as an indicator of the write-once-only status of the media. A watermark is magnetically recorded on the media at the factory with a portion of the mark detectable by the system and a portion only detectable by returning to an inspection station for verification. This protects against a complete erasure of all data from the media. A segment write status indication serves to indicate the write-once-only status of each segment of the written data. A portion of the written region, such as the preamble or control field of each segment, contains a status mark written randomly within the area as a status indication that the data was written once or multiple times within that segment.

Abstract: A locking device for use with a video cassette tape to prevent unauthorized usage in view of its content. The device incorporates a member that is expandable into certain recesses of the cassette when placed into a locking mode and, is not expanded when the cassette is in a non-locking mode. A specialized key is utilized with the device to prevent its duplication.

Abstract: A mode changing over mechanism for a tape player which can change over the mode of operation of the tape recorder with a simple structure and can be constructed in a small size and thickness at a low cost. The mechanism comprises a direction slider movable among normal and reverse mode positions and a stopping position, a trigger member having an engaging portion movable between arresting and non-arresting positions, and a rotatable cam gear having a cam section having normal and reverse mode pressing faces for pressing a control portion of the direction slider in the opposite directions. When the engaging portion is at the arresting position, the cam gear is inhibited from rotating at a position when a play mode or a stop mode is established.

Abstract: Photo-magnetic disk driver for recording, playing back, or erasing information on a photo-magnetic disk in a cartridge. The disk driver has a driver to rotate the photo-magnetic disk at a driving position, a generator of a magnetic field having a direction perpendicular to a surface of the photo-magnetic disk, a laser beam generator to irradiate a laser beam onto the disk surface so that the temperature of the irradiated portion of the surface is increased, a disk receiver of the cartridge. This disk driver includes a loading path to the driving position, and a support for moving the generator between a first position where the generator is inserted into the loading path, and a second position where the generator is outside of the loading path, wherein the generator is at the first position before the cartridge is received by the receiver.

Abstract: An optical alignment system for aligning a multiple gap tape head assembly of a tape drive, including a cartridge plate insertable in a tape drive and having a first surface mirror that is parallel to a reference plane for the drive when the plate is inserted in the drive, a microscope objective imaging lens for providing images of the head gaps of the tape head assembly, a video camera and display for providing an operator viewable display of the output of the imaging lens, translation apparatus for moving the imaging lens, and an interferometer cooperating with the first surface mirror for maintaining the imaging lens at a constant distance relative to the first surface mirror as the translation apparatus moves the imaging lens from one head gap to another, such that the imaging lens moves in a plane parallel to the reference plane for the drive.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a base platform (100) which bears linear slide mechanisms (102 and 104). Stationary shafts (106 and 108) of the slide mechanisms are rigidly attached to the base platform. Sliding bushings (110 and 112) are mounted into a movable housing (124) whose motion is governed by a first stepper motor (136). The translation range of the housing is limited by a stop post (148) mounted onto the base platform. The housing supports a ball bearing (130), which comprises an outer race (132) and an inner race (134). The inner race is rigidly attached to the housing. The outer race supports a rotatable platform (150). The rotational motion of the outer race of the bearing is governed by a second stepper motor (154). The rotatable platform bears a mechanical arm (172) which holds a transducing head (180) centrally disposed with respect to the bearing.

Abstract: A cleaning cassette for cassette tape recorders comprises a cleaning member which engages the recording/reproducing head of the tape recorder upon placing the cassette in the recorder. Through a first and second transmission device the cleaning member is connected with an operative coil drive shaft in the tape recorder to impart to the cleaning member by the rotation of the coil drive shaft a reciprocating sweeping movement across the recording head. The first and second transmission devices each include a one-way coupling device connected with a common shaft pin carrying an eccentric head engaging a slot in a pivot arm whose free end is connected with the cleaning member. Each of the transmissions provides for a correct cleaning function irrespective of which of the two transmissions is connected with the operative coil drive shaft without establishing drive connection with the other transmission.

Abstract: A computerized video record rental system and method in which a video record unit such as a tape cassette is provided with an integral counting device for counting the number of times the record is played. Upon rental and return of the record, the counts are recorded in computer memory, together with an identification of the record unit, and the computer computes the rental fee due based on the net play count for the record unit. The preferred counting device in the video cassette uses caliper arms to detect the position of one of the tape rolls in the cassette at two points on opposite sides of the roll and drives a counter in proportion to changes in the distance between the points. This virtually immunizes the mechanism from false counts due to lateral shifting of the tape reels in the cassette housing during handling of the cassette of a cassette playing machine.

Abstract: A magnetic disc drive apparatus in which a magnetic disc rotating section and a head arm having a magnetic head are accommodated within a casing and a main printed circuit board is attached to a bottom surface side of the casing is comprised of an auxiliary printed circuit board having at least a recording/playback amplifier, a playback side frequency characteristic circuit and a playback side pulse shaping circuit and which is accommodated within the casing, the auxiliary printed circuit board being connected to the magnetic head and the main printed circuit board. Thus, recording/reproducing signals can be prevented from being deteriorated by inside or extraneous noise and space for assembly parts on the main printed circuit board can be saved.

Abstract: A disk drive has a head cleaner which cleans the heads each time the heads are moved from an operating position to a park position. The heads are slidably mounted to move into engagement with a disk when a cartridge containing the disk is inserted into the drive. When the heads are retracted to the park position, a wiper pad is inserted into the gap between the magnetic heads. This removes unwanted particulate matter from the heads.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a magnetic tape wound and housed in a casing, the magnetic tape having a magnetic recording layer in the form of a ferromagnetic thin metal film. The tape cassette has a trap layer disposed near a portion of the magnetic tape. The trap layer is made of a resin having at least an amino group or an amide group. Even when the tape cassette is used in harsh environments in the presence of corrosive gases, the trap layer adsorps corrosive gases which have entered the tape cassette, thereby protecting the magnetic tape against deterioration.

Abstract: Device for cleaning heads of disc drive units. The device comprises a substantially round member having dimensions which allow insertion of the device into the receiving area of a disc drive unit. The member has a central elongated aperture which permits reciprocating movement of the member when fully inserted in the receiving area of the disc drive unit. The cleaning device may also have notches on its outer periphery for clearing internal projections of the disc drive. A cleaning surface, preferably comprising a removable, self adhesive strip of a fibrous material, is attached to at least one surface of the member. A shield is present on the same surface of the member as the cleaning strip for protecting the cleaning strip from damage upon entry or release of the cleaning device from the receiving area of the disc drive unit.

Abstract: A floppy disk has a magnetic disk (1) accommodated in a casing provided with a head insertion opening. When cleaning the floppy disk, air in the casing is sucked through the head insertion opening while the magnetic disk is rotated and ionized air is blown toward the disk surface through the head insertion opening. An ionizing needle (13) ionizes the air before it hits the disc (1). Suction nozzles (12a and 12b) suck air away from the disc.

Abstract: An improved compact disk cleaner is provided which includes a base (12), a support table (14) rotatably mounted within the base for supporting a compact disk (16) thereon, an electric motor (18) having a shaft for rotating the support table and the compact disk within the base, a cover (22) hinged to the base and a mechanism carried on the underside of the cover for removing dust from the top surface of the compact disk, when the cover is closed over the base. The dust remover may include: a brush (30) and a fan (32 ) along with a removeable pan (34) including a filter (44 ); or a cleaning belt (62) with tracked rollers (56).

Abstract: A duplicator system is provided which transfers information signals such as video signals recorded on a mother tape to a copy tape. This duplicator includes a counting system to manage the life of a mother tape. The counting system is operable to count the number of traveling cycles of the mother tape traveling through a preselected tape path and records data indicative thereof on a preselected section of the mother tape. Thus, an operator can easily read out the data indicative of the total number of traveling cycles from the mother tape to confirm the remainder of the working life thereof.

Abstract: An automatic ejection system includes a loading device. The automatic ejection system has a grille detector for detecting the removing of a grille from a car stereo and for producing a detachment signal, a tape detector for detecting existence of a tape in the car stereo and for producing a tape signal, and ejection controller responsive to the detachment signal and the tape signal for operating the loading device so as to automatically eject the tape from the car stereo.

Abstract: In an information signal processing apparatus having a memory medium divided into a plurality of recording portions, a voice signal is recorded in the memory medium at a single recording portion or at a plurality of recording portions, with a time axis remaining uncompressed or being compressed at predetermined coefficient of compression. The remaining record capacity in a single record portion and/or the remaining record capacity in the memory medium can be displayed, depending on the coefficient of compression and whether the recorded voice is in a single recorded portion or in a plurality of recorded portions.

Abstract: A disc-drive apparatus includes a writing unit responsive to a head select signal fed from a host controller, for selecting one of a plurality of heads to write write data into a medium, a power supply voltage generating unit for generating at least one power supply voltage, a unit for monitoring the power supply voltage fed to the writing unit and, upon detecting an abnormality of the monitored power supply voltage, outputting a reset signal, and a latching unit for retaining the head select signal to be fed to the writing unit. Upon receipt of the reset signal, the latching unit prohibits a latching and switching operation to be carried out by a subsequent head select signal fed from the host controller and maintains an output state of the retained head select signal, while the power supply voltage generating unit stops a supply of the power supply voltage to the writing unit.

Abstract: A floppy disk unit including a cartridge case or a jacket, a flexible magnetic disk rotatably accommodated in the cartridge case or the jacket, and liners disposed on the inner surface of the cartridge case or the jacket, wherein at least the surface layer of each of the liners in sliding contact with the magnetic disk is made from a fiber material such as rayon fiber, polyamide fiber, polyester fiber, or polynosic rayon fiber, each fiber having a diameter of 10 to 30 .mu.m, and the fiber material contains inorganic oxide material powder such as titanium oxide having an average diameter of 0.01 to 1 .mu.m by weight ratio 0.1 to 10%.

Abstract: A portable audio apparatus allows a user to sing along with the recorded song, the user's voice and recorded song being outputted through a speaker. The apparatus permits the recorded lyrics or recorded tune of the song to be substantially eliminated prior to being reproduced by the speaker. The apparatus can operate in a fast forward or reverse mode and will stop between adjacent songs. A power savings circuit interrupts the supply of power to a motor to stop the latter from continuing to operate on a fast forward or reverse mode.

Abstract: A video protection system that allows selective control of video viewing, providing for the selection of video cassette programs according to ratings or other information provided on the video cassette. The protection system includes means by which viewing may be discriminated against according to ratings or other information applied to the exterior of the video cassette tape as by a label. An sensor, such as an optical sensor placed within a VCR to read the label having rating or other pertinent information is provided. A key lock mechanism or the like is utilized for selecting the viewing level. Associated circuitry is provided which may form part of a VCR or be provided as a separate unit to enable use with existing VCRs. The processing circuitry enables discrimination against viewing if the rating on video tape or the like does not match or fall below a preselected level set in the circuitry by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a structure in which an operation panel is removably provided on the front surface of a housing having a recording-medium playing mechanism provided therein, so that when the operation panel is separated from the housing, the recording medium is ejected from the housing and a recording medium insertion opening is closed when the recording medium is pulled out, or the opening is closed after the recording medium is reloaded in the case where the recording medium is not pulled out.

Abstract: A cleaner unit is provided for applying a liquid cleaning solution onto the surface of an information disk, such as a so-called compact laser disk or the like. The cleaner unit includes a housing with a rotatable spindle (22) adapted to support the information disk in a generally horizontal orientation, in combination with a circulation system having a rotatable pump impeller (24) for spraying a jet of a cleaning solution onto the underside of the disk (12) near the spindle. A drive motor is operated by a control circuit for initially rotating the spindle and impeller in a first direction for spraying the cleaning solution against the spinning disk, with the rotational disk movement causing the cleaning solution to spread radially outwardly as a film over the underside disk surface. The cleaning solution is thrown from the disk periphery and is captured by an outer contoured deflector shroud (99) for recirculation to the pump impeller.

Abstract: A tower unit for a personal computer wherein the tower unit is a generally rectangular box having a generally rectangular interior chassis. The interior chassis includes a first set of interiorly extending mounting flanges and tabs which are positioned and aligned on opposing chassis walls to mount one or more drives at an upwardly facing angle in order to allow the user visual and manual access to the drives for ease of operation. A similar combination of interiorly directed tabs and flanges are formed in the opposing side walls of the frame near the bottom of the tower unit chassis in order to mount a plurality of hard disk drives in horizontal positions. The frame includes a front frame panel which combines with the front bezel to provide a gripping area which cooperates with another gripping area formed in the rear bezel to allow the tower unit to be easily moved about.

Abstract: A portable music information reproducing and voice amplifying apparatus for reproducing music recorded on a recording medium and voice sound inputted through a voice input unit in unison through a speaker. The apparatus is integrally formed by incorporating a sound recording medium storage portion with the voice input unit and the speaker spaced apart, by a grip portion, to avoid feedback from the speaker to the microphone.

Abstract: A magnetooptic recording medium cartridge which accommodates a double face type disk-like magnetooptic recording medium with which an overwriting can be performed by modulating only the intensity of a laser beam in accordance with two-valued information to be recorded, without modulating a recording magnetic field. The cartridge has two initial auxiliary magnetic field (Hini.) applying devices adapted to produce magnetic fields directed opposite to each other.

Abstract: A magnetic disk drive has a disk cartridge and a driving device. A disk cartridge is an apparatus which has at least a disk and a head in a sealed case, but has no current supply source to drive them and has no controller to control them. A driving device is an apparatus which has the current supply source and/or the controller. The disk cartridge can be easily connected to and disconnected from the driving device. The connection and disconnection are achieved by connectors of the disk cartridge and the driving device. The connector of the disk cartridge and/or the driving device has a movable cover thereon, and because of the cover, the connector is uncovered when the disk cartridge is connected to the driving device, and is covered when the disk cartridge is disconnected from the driving device.

Abstract: A manually operable cassette drive mechanism with actuating rods associated with the fast forward, reverse and eject functions in which the actuating rod for the eject function is coupled to the actuating rods for the fast forward and reverse functions whereby the actuating rods for the fast forward and reverse functions are moved together with the movement of the actuating rod for the eject function and vice-versa.

Abstract: A magnetic head position detecting device having enhanced miniaturization and improved measuring accuracy. In the device, the output light beam of a light source is reflected by a first mirror so as to be applied to a rotary drum or the slide contact surface of a magnetic head. The light beam reflected from the rotary drum or the magnetic head is then reflected by a second mirror so as to be detected by a light receiving element. Furthermore, in the device, the output signal levels of a light receiving element corresponding to the position of light beams from the rotary drum and the slide contact surface of the magnetic head are subjected to comparison, so that the amount of protrusion of the slide contact surface of the magnetic head from the rotary drum can be measured with high accuracy.

Abstract: A video magnetic recording and playback device has a manual input device for manually inputting data, a memory timer for storing the manually input data as preset data, and an operation controller responsive to the manually input data for controlling a video signal recording and playback unit and a tape travel controller and also responsive to the preset data for controlling the operation of the video signal recording and playback unit and the tape travel controller for preset recording. A state detector detects whether the device is in a playback state or in a stop state. By the action of a switch in accordance with the detected state, when the device is in the playback state, the manually input data is directed to the operation controller and is used for controlling the video signal recording and playback unit and the travel speed controller. When the device is in the stop state, manually input data is directed to the memory timer and stored in the memory timer as the preset data.

Abstract: An auto reverse type tape player is capable of selectively switching between a one-cycle mode and an endless mode. When a play button is operated once, the one-cycle mode is set and when the play button is reoperated within a prescribed period thereafter, the endless mode is set.

Abstract: The specification disclosed a drying apparatus for removing excess moisture from a housing of a video cassette camera recorder comprising: a hollow casing having at least one passageway formed therein; desiccant material inside the casing; and a screen for covering the at least one passageway to prevent the desiccant material from passing through the passageway while allowing moisture to pass therethrough. The configuration of the casing corresponds to the general shape of a video tape container that may be inserted into an orifice in the housing designed to receive such containers. Recesses and contact surfaces are preferrably formed at strategic locations on the casing to accommodate mechanical parts of the video camera and trigger sensors designed to monitor the presence and condition of a video tape container within the housing.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the next function of a video cassette recorder or audio cassette tape recorder by a microcomputer is disclosed. The method for automatically performing the next mode comprises checking for selection of a next mode key designating a function to be performed upon completion of the presently operating function; checking whether the selected function is an allowable function; recording in the memory of the selected next function; checking whether the presently operating function is completed; and performing a stored next function recorded in the memory when said present operation is completed.

Abstract: A switch that can vary at least two controllable parameters and can vary the upper, lower and any intermediary limits of the switch. The switch has a pair of nested coaxial rotary knobs each attached by shafts to sensors that determine the radial position of a reference point on each knob. The knobs rotate with respect to each other and are constructed to allow rotation of the knobs with one hand. The sensors are attached to the controls of the parameters, such that rotation of the knobs varies the output of the parameters. The sensors are coupled to a magnetic clutch that engages and prevents rotation of one of the knobs, when the knob is rotated into a predetermined radial position. A computer can be connected to the magnetic clutch and sensors. The computer receives input signals from the sensors and produces an output signal to the clutch, to engage the clutch and prevent rotation of the knob in accordance with a computer program within the computer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is relative with a recording and/or reproducing apparatus employing a tape, such as a magnetic tape, as the recording medium, and provides a mode switching mechanism for such apparatus. The mechanism includes a swing arm provided with a transmission gear selectively rotated in dependence upon the rotational drive direction of a sole reel motor, a cam gear formed with interrupted portions and cam surfaces associated with these interrupted portions and adapted for selectively switching predetermined operational modes by the cam surfaces in dependence upon its rotational angular positions, a biasing member for rotationally biasing the cam gear, and a cam gear retention member for retaining the cam gear at a predetermined angular position. The reel shaft is rotationally driven by means of the transmission gear of the swing arm by driving the reel motor in the forward direction.

Abstract: A device for cleaning electrical contacts located within a cartridge receptacle of a video game. A manually-manipulable housing containing a slidable cleaner blade element is insertable into the receptacle, after which the blade element is moved back and forth to exert a scraping action on the electrical contacts; the housing is held stationary within the receptacle during the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A tape cassette which includes a cassette shell housing in which reels wound with a magnetic tape are incorporated, a depressing member for depressing an upper surface of each reel, and a reel displacing amount reducing member having its one end engaged with the depressing member, and its other end, exposed on an upper surface of the cassette shell housing through a through-hole formed in the cassette shell housing. The amount of displacement of the reels is reduced by restricting displacement of the exposed portion of the reel displacing amount reducing member.

Abstract: A recording medium player apparatus comprises a housing having an insertion slot formed at its front surface for insertion of a recording medium. An open/close body, which includes an operation portion, is provided at the front surface to cover or not cover the insertion slot. The player apparatus further comprises first, second and third link members and an engagement/stopper link member. The first link member has one end pivotally mounted on the open/close body. The second link member has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the first link member. The third link member has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the second link member. The engagement/stopper link member has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the third link member and is pivotally mounted at a center portion thereof to the housing. Thus, the engagement/stopper link member is releasably locked on the open/close body when the body is in a closed position.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette includes a cassette casing composed of upper and lower cassette shells joined to each other, a pair of reel hubs rotatably disposed in the cassette casing and supported by the cassette shells, and a magnetic tape wound around the reel hubs and housed in the cassette casing. The cassette shells have a pair of sets of aligned holes defined therein for receiving hub drive shafts, respectively, and a pair of sets of circular recesses defined in inner surfaces of the cassette shells in coaxial surrounding relation to the holes. The reel hubs have axial holes for receiving the hub drive shafts and open ends loosely fitted in the recesses.

Abstract: For the transfer of an information carrier from a loading position to an operational position and vice versa a front-loading apparatus comprises a loading mechanism. The mechanism is constructed as a link mechanism which during the loading operation first moves the information carrier along a horizontal path in the apparatus, after which the information carrier is moved downwards along a vertical path to the operational position.

Abstract: To enable simple and accurate positional adjustment of the various tape loading and driving elements of a cassette tape recorder and/or reproducer, a single mode changing slider controls respective displacements of movable members of a reel base driving mechanism, a pinch-roller transferring mechanism, a brake operating mechanism, a back-tension exerting mechanism, a tape loading mechanism and so forth, which displacements are required whenever an optional mode of the apparatus is selected.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cleaner comprising a back-glued pad of cleaning cotton, and a resilient fastener means to secure said back-glued pad of cleaning cotton to the casing of a video tape inside the protective cover thereof for cleaning the magnetic tape, wherein said resilient fastener means has a first unitary hooked member hooked in the infrared projecting hole in the casing of said video tape, a second unitary hooked member hooked in the gap defined in the casing of said video tape at the left side between the protective cover thereof, and a rectangular hole disposed in alignment with said infrared projecting hole for the passing therethrough of the infrared light from a video tape player. The cleaning pad is resiliently forced to move backwards by the magnetic tape of the video tape when the video tape is loaded in a video tape player to play, so that friction force between the magnetic tape and the cleaning pad is greatly reduced during cleaning operation.

Abstract: Method and device for detecting interferences between surfaces of cooperating elements, including detecting the impact energy generated by an interference between a first surface and a surface protrusion of a second surface, and detecting a protrusion of interest based upon such impact energy. A preferred embodiment includes integration of an interference signal from a transducer associated with one of the surfaces. The integral is used to compare the seriousness of an interference against an interference energy threshold. Embodiments include a head/disk interference (HDI) detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring flying height changes of a transducer head relative to a disk surface of a rotating disk in a disk file. A predetermined pattern is written on at least one predetermined region of the disk file. The predetermined region is normally not rewritten during operation of the disk file. At least one readback signal is sensed from at least one predetermined region of the disk surface. A plurality of sample values are identified corresponding to each readback signal. A change in the flying height is calculated utilizing the identified sample values. A frequency equalization number K can be utilized to calculate the magnitude and sign of the flying height change. Alternatively, real-time digital analysis of a predetermined pattern written on at least one predetermined region of the disk surface can be utilized to calculate the magnitude and sign of the flying height change.

Abstract: A cassette discriminating apparatus incorporated in a magnetic recorder for discriminating between a first cassette and a second cassette.

Abstract: An "audio mailer," including a tape recorder or other sound recording and reproducing device non-removably encased and configured as a mailer, so that a user can conveniently and confidentially send or receive voice or other sound messages through the mail. The mailer may further have a crevice space for an inserted enclosure, such as a letter, document, photograph or other indicia. A customized or commercially available small tape recorder and audiotape sound storage medium may be employed in the preferred embodiment. The audiotape may be either built-in or contained in a removable microcassette. Duplicate removable audiotape microcassettes may be employed to enable a sender to simultaneously record a copy of a mailed audio message and preserve it for future reference. In an alternate embodiment, computer microchip-based sound recording and reproducing technology and storage medium may be employed.