Abstract: A rotating device includes a retained assembly including a spherical retained member with a spherical encircled face, and an encircling member that includes an annular end face which encircles the spherical retained member and which extends outwardly in a radial direction, a retainer assembly including a retainer member which includes an encircling face encircling the encircled face and which retains thereinside a part of the spherical retained member, and a facing member that faces the encircling member in an axial direction, the retainer assembly supporting the retained assembly in a freely and relatively rotatable manner, and forming a fluid dynamic bearing mechanism, and a thrust dynamic pressure generating groove formed in at least either one of a surface of the encircling member and a surface of the facing member, which surfaces face with each other in the axial direction.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus includes a first and second suction tubes, each of which couples the blade with an edge part of the roller of the roller guide, the first suction tube having a blade side opening area at a location where air is sucked by the blade during a forward rotation of a motor, a second suction tube having a blade side opening area at a location where air is sucked by the blade during the backward rotation of the motor, a shutter unit to perform opening and closing of the first and second suction tubes, and an opening and closing control unit to control the shutter unit to open the first suction tube during the forward rotation and open the second suction tube during the backward rotation.

Abstract: A management apparatus is for managing a storage medium. The apparatus includes a rack including a cell which has a first opening and a second opening, a robot for inserting or ejecting the storage medium with respect to the cell through the first opening, and a controller for executing a process. The process includes driving the robot to start inserting or ejecting the storage medium with respect to the cell, detecting a failure in inserting or ejecting the storage medium, stopping the robot from inserting or ejecting the storage medium for a given time upon detecting the failure, and driving the robot to restart inserting or ejecting the storage medium with respect to the cell after the stopping the robot from inserting or ejecting the storage medium for the given time.

Abstract: A hard disk drive enclosure with conductive paths. A base plate comprising an electrically conductive material with at least one contact surface that allows for an electrically conductive path, wherein the at least one contact surface has a substantially flat surface. A cover comprising an electrically conductive material comprising at least one tab with a substantially flat surface for contacting the at least one contact surface of the base plate, wherein the at least one tab contacts the at least one contact surface of the base plate with a force and forms an electrically conductive path between the cover and the based plate, and wherein the at least one tab deforms upon the contact with the at least one contact surface of the base plate with the force.

Abstract: A library apparatus includes a housing, an insertion and ejection mechanism that is provided in an opening formed in the housing and that is configured to insert and eject a magazine, the magazine being arranged to accommodate a cartridge that includes a storage medium, a drive mechanism configured to access the storage medium and a transporting mechanism configured to transport the cartridge to a predetermined position. The insertion and ejection mechanism includes a magazine receiving section having an engagement section configured to be engaged with a portion of the magazine, a guide rail configured to slidably support the magazine receiving section, and a wall member configured to move together with the magazine receiving section along the guide rail and to close the opening upon an ejection of the magazine from the insertion and ejection mechanism.

Abstract: A one piece card guide for edge grounding a printed circuit board and guiding the board to a mounted position. The card guide is formed out of a single piece comprising an integrally formed pair of sidewalls facing each other and spaced apart to form a longitudinal slot into which the circuit board is inserted. At least one pair of grounding points is integrally formed into the side walls for contact with an inserted circuit board. The grounding points may be formed as integral spring fingers on opposite sides of the sidewalls to maximize the contact with the circuit board. The card guide allows for different numbers of grounding points in the card guide. The single piece construction of the card guide reduces intermittent contact with circuit cards by providing a guide that ensures continuous edge grounding.

Abstract: A method for editing source video in a DVD media for a slow motion recording special effect. According to the method, the DVD device receives a source video signal comprised of a plurality of source pictures. Each of the source video pictures is recorded in a selected picture frame on the DVD media. Subsequently s?1 copies of the selected source video picture on the DVD media in s?1 frames adjacent to the selected picture frame. For the purposes of the invention as described herein, s can be an integer value determined by a user selected motion speed. The user selected motion speed will be 1/s times slower relative to a normal motion speed. In an alternative embodiment, the method can be used for editing source video in a DVD media for a fast motion record special effect. In that case, the DVD device receives a source video signal comprised of a plurality of source pictures. Only one out of every n of the source video pictures is chosen as a selected source video picture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer tape for simultaneously providing shielding of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and evidence of tampering with an electronic device to which it is applied. The multilayer tape can be attached to an electronic device to cover a seam or other opening in the electronic device. An embossed surface provides evidence of the disruption of the tape, and the tape includes a conductive adhesive to provide EMI shielding. The multilayer tape is particularly useful for sealing the seams of a disk drive device.

Abstract: A storage device comprising a magnetic storage medium mounted in a first plane, a read and write mechanism mounted in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane and configured to write information to the magnetic storage medium, and a micromover configured to move the magnetic storage medium in a first direction parallel to the first plane and configured to move the magnetic storage medium in a second direction parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A lower shield layer is formed by being embedded in a first recess formed in an under layer. Accordingly, the distance between the lower shield layer and a slider can be reduced. Also, a second metal layer is formed from above a gap layer covering an electrode extracting layer over above the under layer hindwards therefrom. Accordingly, the second metal layer can be brought closer to the slider side than an upper shield layer. Consequently, the thermal dissipation effects of the thin-film magnetic head can be improved.

Abstract: A cartridge loading apparatus has at least one movable member with a pin to engage a notch of a cartridge and has a reversible motor. A compliant link has a longitudinal leaf spring resilient beam, and has a laterally extending arm at one end of the beam, forming an “L” shape. The movable member and the motor apparatus are coupled at axes respectively at the other end of the beam and at an end of the arm. Thus, a compression force provides a rotational torque at the arm which flexes the beam outwardly away from a straight line between the axes; and a tension force provides a rotational torque to flex the beam inwardly.

Abstract: A voice recorder including a housing having a general image display mounted therein, and further including a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to the analog sensor. Multiple analog sensors are sometimes utilized. In one preferred embodiment the analog sensor(s) include resilient dome cap(s) for providing tactile feedback to the finger depressing the analog sensor. Circuitry within the housing is connected to the analog sensor for reading the varying analog value from the analog sensor and causing representative varying of the imagery shown by the display.

Abstract: A multi-pattern is formed to have a plurality of read/write elements on a plane. A medium is formed on a single crystal of Si substrate. A motion of the head relative to the medium is made a simple harmonic motion to form linear recorded bits. This allows fabricating a storage system which provides features of small size, high recording density, high transfer rate, and short access time all at once. The recording density accomplished by the small storage system is extremely high, and may be as high as 10 gigabits per square inch.

Abstract: The card reader includes a main body 40 having a card passage 40A, a magnetic head for reading the information recorded on a card 30, an opening 42 provided in a card passage 41 of the main body 40, and an elastic member 100 for biasing the magnetic head 70 from an outward position to an inward position of the card passage 41 through the opening 42. Invasion preventing member 50, provided in close contact with the circumference of the magnetic head 70, is brought into contact with the main body 40. As a result, invasion of foreign material into the card reader main body circuit unit 110 including the magnetic head 70 from the outside is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for testing, in a non-contact manner, true/false property of bill, coin or magnetic card to be tested, comprises a non-contact type magnetic sensor 1 disposed, at a predetermined position of a carrying passage of the bill, in a manner close to the carrying path, and a testing circuit 2 for testing true/false property of the bill on the basis of a signal outputted from the magnetic sensor according as the bill is carried along the carrying passage. This testing apparatus permits improvement in the security and prevention of wear of bill and the apparatus itself.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus wherein signals are recorded with a ring-type magnetic head to a magnetic recording medium having axis of easy magnetization oblique with respect to a film normal of a magnetic layer of the medium A recording magnetic field generated by the magnetic head is asymmetric with respect to a center line of a gap of the magnetic circuit, and the recording magnetic field in the magnetic layer around a leading edge of the magnetic head is inclined at the same side as the axis of easy magnetization in the magnetic field in a normal plane of the magnetic layer including a direction of relative movement of the magnetic head to the magnetic recording medium when signals are recorded to the medium. Thus, signals can be recorded at a high density. Various types of magnetic head for generating asymmetric magnetic field are provided.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus wherein signals are recorded with a ring-type magnetic head to a magnetic recording medium having axis of easy magnetization oblique with respect to a film normal of a magnetic layer of the medium. A recording magnetic field generated by the magnetic head is asymmetric with respect to a center line of a gap of the magnetic circuit, and the recording magnetic field in the magnetic layer around a leading edge of the magnetic head is inclined at the same side as the axis of easy magnetization in the magnetic field in a normal plane of the magnetic layer including a direction of relative movement of the magnetic head to the magnetic recording medium when signals are recorded to the medium. Thus, signals can be recorded at a high density. Various types of magnetic head for generating asymmetric magnetic field are provided.

Abstract: An improved cable connecting apparatus between an audio control head and a main printed circuit board for a VCR capable of making it easy to connect between a loading motor and audio control head and a main printed circuit board, so that a more correct connection therebetween is obtained, according to an aspect of the present invention, which includes a main printed circuit board; a base plate; a printed circuit board attached to a loading motor mounted on the deck for driving a tape; an audio/control head mounted on the base plate for detecting/recording a predetermined signal; a signal transmitting member for connecting between the audio/control head and the printed circuit board; and a signal connecting member mounted in the printed circuit board for transmitting signals of the audio/control head and the loading motor to the main printed circuit board.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and a magnetic tape cassette are disclosed, comprising a non-magnetic support having formed on one surface only thereof at least two layers including a lower layer and an upper magnetic layer formed thereon, wherein the surface electric resistance (Rs) of the surface of the magnetic layer of said magnetic recording medium is 10.sup.9 .OMEGA./sq or less, the non-magnetic support contains at least three different kinds of particles which vary from each other in at least one property of mean particle diameter and Mohs' hardness, and the opposite surface of the magnetic recording medium comprises the rear surface of the nonmagnetic support having at least 1,000 projections having a height of from 200 nm to 400 nm per 0.1 mm.sup.2, but with the provisos that not more than 1,000 projections are present having a height of from 400 nm to 700 nm per 0.1 mm.sup.2 and not more than 50 projections are present having a height of 700 nm or more per 0.1 mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which comprises a non-magnetic substrate, a thin film magnetic layer formed on the surface of the substrate and an organic thin film protective layer formed on the magnetic layer, the organic thin film protective layer having a thickness of not more than 100 nm and containing a filler having a particle size of not more than 50 nm, wherein the surface of the organic thin film protective layer is further coated with a fluorine-based compound represented by the following general formula:F(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 --I--).sub.x --C.sub.2 F.sub.4 --,F(C.sub.3 F.sub.6 --O--).sub.x --(CF.sub.2 O).sub.y --(CF.sub.2).sub.z --or--(C.sub.2 F.sub.4 --O--).sub.y --(CF.sub.2 --CF.sub.

Abstract: A mass storage device includes a media sheet supported on a substrate for storing digital data bit manifestations and a planar, integrated array of transducers arranged in rows and columns. The array is mounted in registration with the substrate, and its columns of transducers are oriented at an acute angle with respect to a movement axis. A piezoelectric device provides relative movement between the substrate and the array of transducers along the movement axis. Circuitry accesses rows of transducers in each column in a timed manner, so as to operate each transducer in a column at the time the transducer is adjacent a row of stored digital data in the media sheet. The acute angular relationship between the transducer array and the movement axis enables digital data to be stored in the media sheet in a fraction of the surface area occupied by an individual transducer and its associated circuitry.

Abstract: An information recording-reproducing apparatus, in which an information recording medium is held on a supporting table and the supporting table is reciprocally moved relative to a recording and/or reproducing head thereby to accomplish recording and/or reproduction of information, has means for feeding the information recording medium onto the supporting table and/or means for taking out the information recording medium from the supporting table.

Abstract: An intermittently driven cyclic drive member for operating a system of a tape player between a plurality of operative positions thereof includes a quick-return lock for re-establishing a locking position with respect to the drive member. The quick-return lock is actuated to a released position during only the initial movement of a power plate, returning immediately thereafter to an intercepting position and remaining positively fixed there throughout the entire remainder of the actuation stroke of the release member. Provision is further made to couple the locking system of the present invention to a second system of the player, as for example a drive disconnect plate, so that the aforementioned unlocking condition cannot be established unless the second system is properly positioned.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing vouchers includes a drive system suitable for causing a magnetic track on a voucher to pass over a magnetic head (170) which is connected to circuits for controlling writing and including a data transfer unit (22) and a data modulator (23). The stepper motor (185) has at least five phases, and the same clock (21) is used to control the stepper motor (185), the transfer of data from said unit (22), and the data modulator (23) in order to establish control transitions which are applied to the magnetic head.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic sheet apparatus for recording and reproducing still picture information on and from a magnetic recording medium in the form of a magnetic sheet comprises a drive motor causing rotation of a magnetic sheet mounted at its center core on a drive shaft of the motor, a center-core pressing member disposed opposite to the drive shaft on the side nearer to the center core than the drive shaft so as to press the center core onto the drive shaft, and a member or members for mechanically connecting a movable part of the actuating switch to the center-core pressing member to cause operation of the center-core pressing member in response to manipulation of the actuating switch.

Abstract: Apparatus for threading cartridge magnetic tape over a predetermined data processing path to a takeup reel. A cam track is provided in a cover over the path. The track has a beginning point for positioning a longitudinal cam member into engagement with a leader block exposed through an opening in the cartridge. The track terminates over the takeup reel rotational axis. A bifurcated linkage member is connected at one end to said longitudinal cam member, and to a drive motor. Rotation of the linkage member positions the longitudinal cam member between ends of the track engaging the leader block and threading it through the path and into a slot on the takeup reel.

Abstract: A time card carrier has means for alterably storing employee identification, time and attendance data, and means for releasably retaining an employee time card having an imprintable portion. The time card has an extended tab portion for proper orientation of the card on the carrier. The time card carrier is reusable to allow a fresh time card to be inserted onto the time card carrier at the beginning of each new payroll period.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader comprises guide members providing a card path for guiding a magnetic card. In order that a magnetic head is provided with an elasticity and the reading surface of the magnetic head follows the distortion or inclination of the card, the magnetic head is made rotatable by being held by a pair of elastic members and a pair of support members for journaling the ends of the elastic members.

Abstract: A module for applying a magnetic stripe character to a plastic card. A tiltable carriage moves the card along a transfer path past magnetic code applying apparatus when tilted in a first position. When the carriage is tilted into a second position, it returns along the transfer path to engage a further card while the first card is removed from the card transfer path by pinch rollers driven by a unidirectional clutch. Defective cards are removed from the card transfer path by a tiltable plate which opens a slot in the card transfer path to allow them to fall through the base plate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in a tape player comprising a rotatable cam and an operational means interlocking with the rotatable cam. The operational means is arranged to operate a control means for forwardly and rearwardly moving reproduction mechanisms like a head, a pinch roller or an idler and the control means is to be held in its reproduction position by a locking means.

Abstract: In a storage subsystem employing removable record media such as contained in a cartridge, each storage recorder has a multidigit alphanumeric display located immediately above a cartridge receiver. The symbols on the display are arranged to be aligned with the symbols on the cartridge when inserted into recorder so that visual correlation is facilitated. Each recorder has a microprocessor which controls the display in response to host supplied LOAD DISPLAY commands. Each command includes a cartridge identification field for displaying on the display for such verification as well as orders for setting up display modes and display sequencing. The recorder microprocessor will display status of the recorder in response to a control field of the LOAD DISPLAY message at predetermined drive states, display a cartridge number after a cartridge has been removed from the recorder (i.e., the number of the cartridge to be inserted), inhibit a recorder status message or error message until the recorder is READY, i.e.

Abstract: A ticket transport which is capable of rapidly reciprocating a ticket to permit a single transducer to read, write and/or verify information on the ticket. Upper and lower ticket guide plates define a ticket channel through which a ticket is propelled past an adjacent transducer by a plurality of rollers driven by a stepper motor. The upper ticket guide plate is hingedly mounted to permit access to the ticket channel. The stepper motor is controlled by special circuitry adapted to overcome the inductive time constant of the stepper motor to permit rapid acceleration, for example 0 to 50 inches per second in 30 milliseconds, of the ticket with minimum power dissipation. Sensors in the transport provide ticket position information. A combined magnetic head and pressure shoe assembly is provided for adjusting the thickness of the ticket channel.

Abstract: In a magnetic card recording and/or reproducing apparatus, one edge of a magnetic card having a magnetic track parallel to the one edge is guided by a guiding member. The magnetic card is driven by a magnetic card drive member, and signals are recorded on, and reproduced from the magnetic card by a magnetic head. The magnetic head includes two head cores whose gaps are so arranged as to align with each other. Signals are recorded on the magnetic card by the two head cores, and the recorded signals are reproduced from the magnetic card by the one of the two head cores located at an upper position with respect to the guiding member.

Abstract: A magnetic card handling apparatus has a rotatable capstan and a magnetic head spaced apart a distance exceeding the thickness of a magnetic card on appropriate sides of a card running groove until the presence of a magnetic card therebetween is detected. The distance between the capstan and the magnetic head is thereupon decreased whereby the magnetic card is pinched between the magnetic head and the capstan and is driven past the magnetic head for recording/or reproduction of signals. Separate card running grooves with associated reproduce and record heads and separate card detecting apparatus may be provided for reproduction and recording to permit dubbing signals reproduced from one magnetic card onto another magnetic card.

Abstract: A magnetic recording reproducing apparatus is made ready to operation by insertion thereto of a pack housing an endless recording medium. When a magnetic card is inserted into the apparatus with the pack inserted thereto, the contents, informations or data recorded on the magnetic card are read out and recorded on the endless recording medium and then the recorded contents, informations or data are reproduced from the endless recording medium. After passage of the magnetic card through the apparatus, the reproduction from the endless recording medium will repeatedly continue. When a magnetic card is inserted into the apparatus without any pack inserted thereto, a direct reproduction from the magnetic card is performed.

Abstract: A magnetic medium feeding apparatus comprises a guide or a pressing member so biased as to keep the feeding load of magnetic medium substantially constant and also to apply a pressure to the magnetic medium through the guide or the pressing member so that a very smooth feeding of the magnetic medium may be assured in either case of automatic feed (by driving force of a motor or the like) and hand feed. The feeding apparatus for magnetic medium allows to smoothly feed various magnetic media different in thickness.

Abstract: A system for reading binary digital data, represented by two possible spacings between abrupt flux reversals appearing on a magnetic track of a credit card, as the credit card is transported by hand by and in engagement with a magnetic head of the system. A read head having an unusually large read aperture is used to translate the two possible encoded lengths into two possible waveform amplitudes which are independent of transport speed. Then, by means of amplitude discrimination, the "0" bits are detected; and by zero slope detection, the "1" bits are detected. Mechanically, the read head is located centrally in an obtusely angled long side of a housing and is opposed by a contoured Teflon pillow that substitutes for one-half of the usual card slot. This unidirectional pillow is shaped and spaced from the head so as to cause the credit card to be slightly bent around the head's face in passing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a record/playback device for magnetic recording of manual drive type in which information can be exchanged while a magnetic card is manually being driven. In the device according to the present invention a write-only magnetic head and a read-only magnetic head are provided in a magnetic card path formed within the device. Writing of information into the magnetic card is done by said write-only head, while reading of information out of the magnetic card is done by said read-only head. Of these two magnetic heads, the one for write-in is located at a specific height above the fixed card guide formed at the deepest end of the magnetic card path, while the one for read-out is located at a greater height than the one for write-in. Between these two heads there is provided a movable card guide which is free to move along the magnetic card path.

Abstract: A magnetic ticket encoding transport for carrying tickets having a centered magnetic portion, in which tickets are sandwiched between pairs of movable belts that are pinched together for exact positioning at the point of contact with magnetic heads, including positive acting alignment plates that align the tickets while being held and moved by the belts to the magnetic heads, and which belts are so arranged in spaced pairs to provide an open centered channel for the magnetic portion of the ticket to align and co-act with the magnetic head.

Abstract: A tape recorder in which a cassette tape and a magnetic card are co-used. The tape recorder comprises an electrical means for recording and reproducing informations, a cassette chamber for charging a cassette tape therein, and a running guide for guiding a magnetic card. The running guide is provided in the cassette chamber. The magnetic card is run along the running guide so as to slidably touch with a magnetic head.

Abstract: A system for reading binary digital data, represented by two possible spacings between abrupt flux reversals appearing on a magnetic track of a credit card, as the credit card is transported by hand by and in engagement with a magnetic head of the system. A read head having an unusually large read aperture is used to translate the two possible encoded lengths into two possible waveform amplitudes which are independent of transport speed. Then, by means of amplitude discrimination, the "0" bits are detected; and by zero slope detection, the "1" bits are detected. Mechanically, the read head is located centrally in an obtusely angled long side of a housing and is opposed by a contoured Teflon pillow that substitutes for one-half of the usual card slot. This unidirectional pillow is shaped and spaced from the head so as to cause the credit card to be slightly bent around the head's face in passing.

Abstract: In a cassette and card recording and/or reproducing apparatus; a housing is provided to receive a cassette with a run of the magnetic tape therein being coincident with a recording medium transport path, or to guide a card having a magnetic stripe affixed thereto so as to be disposed in said transport path, a head carriage is movable normal to the transport path and carries a magnetic head engageable with the magnetic tape or stripe in the transport path when the carriage is moved to an operative position, a pinch roller is mounted on the head carriage and cooperates with a rotated capstan for driving either the tape or card therebetween in the transport path upon movement of the carriage to its operative position, a tape guide member is urged to project into the transport path for guiding a tape in such path relative to the head in response to movement of the carriage to its operative position in the cassette mode of operation of the apparatus, and a mode change-over mechanism is selectively actuable for est

Abstract: A magnetic card recorder which is capable of recording and replaying a signal on a magnetic track on the card and which has an actuator including at least two card engaging portions for engaging and detecting the card as it travels through the machine in which the two detecting means are spaced on opposite sides of an erase head which is mounted so as to float relative to the card, and, thus, to prevent transverse fluctuations between the erase head and the card.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly reproducing recorded information of a limited duration, suitable for use as a learning medium, using a multiplicity of recording tapes of a predetermined length, each having respective information recorded thereon, and a special playback unit. The playback unit comprises a circulating path having an inlet and an outlet for the tape. When the tape is inserted through the inlet into the circulating path, it is circulated about the path a desired number of times so as to repeatedly reproduce the information recorded thereon and when ejection means is operated, the circulating tape is inserted from the path into the outlet to be ejected outside the unit. The tapes which are not in use may be conveniently sorted or stored by means in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A machine for translating magnetically recorded intelligence on cards into sound. A support means includes card path structure for moving a card past a transducer head by means of a motor driven, switch actuated, drive capstan. A reversing capstan, to return the card to the starting position, can be actuated by a linkage system which also moves the drive capstan away from the transducer head.

Abstract: An automatic data input/output system has combined card reading and recording device features which permit a pilot to totally utilize same as part of an aircraft navigation system. A small light weight drive system is incorporated within the device to move the magnetic card with respect to the read-write heads.The operational modes of the system include a MONITOR MODE, a RECORD MODE, an ENTER MODE, and an ERROR MODE. This permits a pilot to encode or record navigational data on a magnetic card or read the data from the card and automatically input same to a device for assisting in the navigation of the aircraft. The ERROR MODE provides a means for checking the data as read from the card to insure the accuracy of same before it can be used by the navigational device.

Abstract: A card handling apparatus for a teaching machine is operable manually by an operator to load or feed a teaching card in a forward direction at any desirable high speed and to return the card at a predetermined constant speed to record or reproduce an audio information on or from the card without any undesirable wow or flutter.As the card is manually fed or loaded in a forward direction, the energy for returning the card in a backward direction is charged in a spring means and hence less electric power for operating the apparatus is required.

Abstract: A tape search system for automatically retrieving a particular segment on a ideo tape in which the segments to be retrieved are indicated at the time of recording by cuing the audio track and causing a parallel dump in the up-down counter which counts the number of recording seconds. The information of each dump is placed in a different memory register. Each cue number corresponds to the memory location of desired information that can be retrieved by selecting the appropriate cue number(s).

Abstract: The record/play apparatus has a well for receiving a tape cassette or cartridge, means defining a card channel for a recording card, a switch array for controlling such functions as record, play and erase and a mode switch for selecting card or tape operation. The mode switch can operate to switch the erase and record/play circuits between cassette and card heads, or can operate in conjunction with a cam arrangement for providing selective drive for either the card or tape transports. The apparatus also has another mode of operation preferably selectable via the mode switch which permits interaction between the card and tape heads whereby a message can be transferred from the tape cassette to the card. In an alternate embodiment a separate card drive motor is provided for selective card drive.

Abstract: A vertical record card can be held at selected levels in sound recording or reproduction association with a recorder-player adapted for cassette contained record tape.