Magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus operable with an adapter for a miniature type tape cassette

A magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus records and/or reproduces a signal on and/or from a magnetic tape within a miniature type tape cassette which is smaller than a standard type tape cassette, when loaded with an adapter which has a shape approximately the same as the shape of the standard type tape cassette and accommodates therein the miniature type tape cassette. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises an inserting opening through which the adapter is inserted, an adapter housing for holding the adapter which is inserted through the inserting opening, a moving mechanism for moving the adapter housing between a first position opposing the inserting opening and a second position where the adapter is loaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, through a predetermined position, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism so that the adapter housing is selectively stopped at the predetermined position, and an opening located at a position so as to enable access to the adapter housing in the predetermined position. The miniature type tape cassette is inserted into and removed from the adapter through the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to magnetic recording and/or 
reproducing apparatuses operable with adapters for miniature type tape 
cassettes, and more particularly to a magnetic recording and/or 
reproducing apparatus which is conveniently arranged for carrying out 
recording and/or reproduction by use of an adapter for accommodating the 
miniature type tape cassette, with respect to the miniature type tape 
cassette which is smaller than a standard type tape cassette. 
A tape cassette which is smaller than a standard type tape cassette, was 
previously proposed in a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 339,671 filed 
Jan. 15, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,510, in which the assignee is the 
same as the assignee of the present application. Further, an adapter for 
the miniature type tape cassette, which is used when loading the miniature 
type tape cassette into a standard type recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus, was previously proposed in a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 
340,105 filed Jan. 18, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,850, in which the 
assignee is the same as the assignee of the present application. The 
adapter was designed to accommodate the miniature type tape cassette. When 
a tape loading operation was performed with respect to the miniature type 
tape cassette accommodated within the adapter, a predetermined tape path 
was formed at the front of the adapter. This predetermined tape path at 
the front of the adapter, corresponded to the tape path at the front of 
the standard type tape cassette. The adapter accommodating the miniature 
type tape cassette and having the predetermined tape path at the front 
thereof, was loaded into a standard type recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus as in the case of the standard type tape cassette. 
A conventional standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus, was 
not conveniently arranged for playing the adapter which accommodates the 
miniature type tape cassette. Thus, when the operator wanted to change the 
miniature type tape cassette which is being played on the conventional 
standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus to another miniature 
type tape cassette, the adapter had to be once unloaded from the standard 
type recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Then, the miniature type tape 
cassette accommodated within the unloaded adapter was changed to the other 
miniature type tape cassette, and the adapter accommodating the other 
miniature type tape cassette was again loaded into the standard type 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Hence, especially when the 
miniature type tape cassette accommodated within the adapter had to be 
changed successively a plurality of times, it was necessary to repeat an 
operation in which the adapter is unloaded from the standard type 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the miniature type tape cassette 
accommodated within the unloaded adapter is changed to a different 
miniature type tape cassette, and the adapter accommodating the different 
miniature type tape cassette is again loaded into the standard type 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Therefore, there was a problem in 
that it was necessary to perform troublesome operations in order to 
successively play a plurality of miniature type tape cassettes on the 
conventional standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus by use 
of the adapter. 
Further, there was a problem in that the miniature type tape cassette 
accommodated within the adapter could not be changed quickly, because the 
loaded adapter had to be once unloaded from the conventional standard type 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus in order to change the miniature 
type tape cassette. As a result, the recording and/or reproduction was 
interrupted for a long period of time while the miniature type tape 
cassette was being changed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a 
novel and useful magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus operable 
with an adapter for a miniature type tape cassette, in which the problems 
described heretofore have been eliminated. 
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a 
magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus having an opening for 
making access to a miniature type tape cassette accommodated within an 
adapter which is loaded into the magnetic recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus, in addition to an inserting opening through which the adapter 
is loaded into the magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
According to the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to 
accommodate and remove the miniature type tape cassette into and from the 
adapter which is loaded into the apparatus, through the opening of the 
apparatus. In other words, it is possible to change the miniature type 
tape cassette which is to be played, in a state where the adapter is 
loaded into the apparatus. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform the 
troublesome operation of once unloading the loaded adapter from the 
apparatus in order to change the miniature type tape cassette. Hence, the 
apparatus according to the present invention is especially useful when 
successively playing a plurality of miniature type tape cassettes. 
Moreover, an interval in which the recording or reproduction is 
interrupted while the miniature type tape cassette is being changed, is 
reduced compared to the interval in which the recording or reproduction is 
interrupted while the miniature type tape cassette is changed in the 
conventional standard type recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
Other objects and further features of the present invention will be 
apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus 10 according to the present invention, which is operable with an 
adapter for a miniature type tape cassette. The apparatus 10 comprises a 
front panel 11 and a top plate 13. The front panel 11 has an inserting 
opening 12 through which an adapter (or a standard type tape cassette) is 
inserted, and the top plate 13 has an opening 14 through which a miniature 
type tape cassette may be removed and inserted. A cover 15 is pivotally 
supported by a pin 16 which is located at a rear thereof, and is designed 
to cover the opening 14. Normally, the cover 15 is closed as shown in FIG. 
3. The cover 15 is opened when removing and inserting the miniature type 
tape cassette. 
An automatic adapter (or tape cassette) loading and unloading mechanism 20 
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is assembled within the apparatus 10. The loading 
and unloading mechanism 20 is substantially the same as the loading and 
unloading mechanism which was previously proposed in a U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 573,874 filed Jan. 25, 1984. The loading and 
unloading mechanism 20 generally comprises an adapter housing 21 which is 
movably disposed between right and left vertical support plates 23 and 22. 
The adapter housing 21 is a frame body made up of right and left side 
plates 25 and 24, and a bottom plate 26 connecting to the side plates 24 
and 25. L-shaped rack gears 24a and 25a which are formed on the respective 
side plates 24 and 25, are driven by a pinion 27 (motor 87). Thus, the 
adapter housing 21 is guided by guide grooves 28a, 28b, and 28c of the 
vertical support plate 23 and corresponding guide grooves (not shown) of 
the vertical support plate 22, and moves between an adapter (tape 
cassette) inserting and extracting position A and an adapter (tape 
cassette) loading position B, through a miniature type tape cassette 
accommodating and removing position C shown in FIG. 10. The position C of 
the adapter housing 21 is detected by a switch SW4, and the adapter 
housing 21 is stopped at the position C according to the needs. 
The position C is selected so that a top cover 60 of an adapter 30 shown in 
FIG. 4 which is inserted within the adapter housing 21, opposes the 
opening 14 in the top plate 13 of the apparatus 10 at this position C. As 
will be described later on in the specification, the miniature type tape 
cassette within the adapter 30, is changed when the adapter housing 21 
assumes the position C. A frame plate 29 which is open in the central part 
thereof, is mounted on top of the vertical support plates 22 and 23. 
A control circuit 100 shown in FIG. 11 for controlling the operation of the 
loading and unloading mechanism 21, is provided in the apparatus 10. 
Description on the construction and operation of the control circuit 100 
will be given later on in the specification. 
FIGS. 4, 7, and 8 show the adapter 30 for accommodating the miniature type 
tape cassette. This adapter 30 which is loaded into the apparatus 10, 
comprises an adapter case 31, a front lid 32, and an accommodating part 33 
for accommodating the miniature type tape cassette. The adapter 30 has an 
external shape and form which are approximately the same as those of a 
standard type tape cassette. FIG. 5 shows a miniature type tape cassette 
34 which is accommodated within the accommodating part 33 of the adapter 
30. The miniature type tape cassette 34 is smaller than the standard type 
tape cassette, and comprises a cassette case 35 which accommodates a 
magnetic tape, and a lid 36 disposed at the front of the cassette case 35. 
Normally, the lid 36 is closed so as to protect the magnetic tape 
accommodated within the cassette case 35. 
The adapter 30 is designed to perform a tape loading operation by use of a 
motor 37 which is built within the adapter 30. In other words, when the 
motor 37 rotates in a forward direction, the driving force of the motor 37 
is transmitted to a gear 40 through a worm 38 and a gear system 39. Hence, 
the gear 40 rotates clockwise in FIG. 4 together with an arm 41 and a 
switching cam 42 which are integrally formed on the gear 40. A special 
chain 44 is taken up as the arm 41 rotates, and a loading arm 45 rotates 
clockwise about a pin 46 up to a position indicated by a two-dot chain 
line in FIG. 4. The rotation of the arm 45 is transmitted to a loading arm 
51, through a bell crank lever 47, a link 48, a bell crank lever 49, and a 
link 50. As a result, the loading arm 51 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 
4 about a pin 52, up to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in 
FIG. 4. 
As the loading arms 45 and 51 rotate, poles 53 and 54 intercept and draw 
out a magnetic tape 55 from the miniature type tape cassette 34 which is 
accommodated within the accommodating part 33. By this tape loading 
operation within the adapter 30, a tape path 56 is formed at the front of 
the adapter 30. This tape path 56 corresponds to the tape path at the 
front of the standard type tape cassette. 
On the other hand, when the motor 37 rotates in a reverse direction, each 
of the members described above operate in directions which are opposite to 
the operating directions at the time of the tape loading operation. Thus, 
the loading arm 45 rotates counterclockwise, and the loading arm 51 
rotates clockwise in FIG. 4. Further, a take-up reel 58 within the 
miniature type tape cassette 34 rotates in a tape take-up direction due to 
the rotation of a gear 61. Therefore, a tape unloading operation is 
performed within the adapter 30, and the tape 55 forming the tape path 56 
at the front of the adapter 30 is recovered within the miniature type tape 
cassette 34. 
A locking member 59 which operates together with the link 48, locks a top 
cover 60 which covers the accommodating part 33 of the adapter 30, so that 
the top cover 60 does not open in a state where the tape 55 is drawn 
outside the miniature type tape cassette 34. 
Switches which will be described hereinafter, are provided within the 
adapter 30 in relation to the motor 37. The switches are coupled as shown 
in FIG. 6. The switches which are provided within the adapter 30, are 
designated by a reference numeral with a subscript "A". A switch SW1A 
detects whether the miniature type tape cassette 34 is accommodated within 
the accommodating part 33 of the adapter 30, and this switch SW1A is 
closed by a lever 63 when the miniature type tape cassette 34 is 
accommodated within the accommodating part 33. A switch SW2A detects 
whether the top cover 60 is closed, and this switch SW2A is closed when 
the top cover 60 is closed. A switch SW3A starts the tape unloading 
operation, and this switch SW3A is pushed and closed by a stopper 64a 
which is integrally formed on a sliding knob 64 when the knob 64 is slid 
in the direction of an arrow X1 up to a position where the knob 64 is 
locked. The knob 64 is locked at the slid and operated position by a 
locking member (not shown), and the switch SW3A is also kept in the closed 
state. A switch SW4A is a supplemental switch with respect to the switch 
SW3A, and closes when the loading arm 45 starts to rotate counterclockwise 
from the tape draw-out position indicated by the two-dot chain line in 
FIG. 4. The supplemental switch SW4A is coupled in parallel to the switch 
SW3A. As will be described later on in the specification, the supplemental 
switch SW4A closes after the tape unloading operation is started, so that 
a motor drive and control circuit remains inoperative even when the switch 
SW3A opens immediately before the tape unloading operation is completed. 
Concretely speaking, the supplemental switch SW4A is normally closed. The 
supplemental switch SW4A is pushed and opened by the loading arm 45 when 
the loading arm 45 rotates up to the position where the tape draw-out 
operation is completed, and is closed when the loading arm 45 rotates 
counterclockwise and is released from the engagement with the loading arm 
45. A switch SW5A detects whether the tape loading operation or the tape 
unloading operation is completed. When the tape unloading operation is 
completed, the switch SW5A is switched as indicated by a solid line in 
FIG. 6 by the switching cam 42 described before. The switch SW5A is 
switched as indicated by a phantom line in FIG. 6 by the switching cam 42, 
when the tape loading operation is completed. A switch SW6A detects 
whether the tape loading operation is completed, and is closed by the 
switching cam 42 when the tape loading operation is completed. A switch 
SW7A switches a power source, and is normally closed. The switch SW7A 
opens when the adapter 30 is inserted into the adapter housing 21 and a 
projection 66 shown in FIG. 8 which projects from a left wall 65 of the 
adapter case 31 is inserted within the adapter case 31 against a force 
exerted by a spring 67, so as to disconnect a battery 68 within the 
adapter 30 from a motor circuit which includes the motor 37. 
A plurality of terminals are exposed at the right and left walls 65 and 69 
of the adapter case 31, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The terminals are 
arranged in the thickness (height) direction of the adapter case 31. As 
will be described later on in the specification, the terminals make 
contact with respective contact groups of the adapter housing 21 when the 
adapter 30 is inserted into the adapter housing 21. As shown in FIGS. 3 
and 7, a power source input terminal 70, an input terminal 71 for a tape 
unloading start signal, and an output terminal 72 for a tape loading 
completion detection signal, are arranged in this sequence from the top on 
the right wall 69 of the adapter case 31. The terminal 71 forms a circuit 
which is coupled in parallel with the switch SW3A as shown in FIG. 6, when 
the adapter housing 21 returns to the position C as will be described 
later on in the specification. The terminal 72 is provided in relation to 
the switch SW6A, and a tape loading completion signal is produced through 
the terminal 72 when the switch SW6A is closed. 
As shown in FIG. 8, output terminals 73 and 74 are provided on the left 
wall 65 of the adapter case 31. A signal which indicates that there is a 
miniature type tape cassette accommodated within the adapter 30, is 
produced through the output terminal 73 when the switch SW1A closes. A 
signal which indicates that the top cover 60 of the adapter 30 is closed, 
is produced through the output terminal 74 when the switch SW2A closes. A 
depression 75 for discriminating the adapter, is formed on the left wall 
65. 
Next, description will be given with respect to the operation of the 
apparatus 10 when the adapter 30 is used, by referring to FIGS. 11 and 
12(A) through 12(I). 
First, a power source switch 80 of the apparatus 10 is turned ON, and an 
empty adapter 30 which does not accommodate a miniature type tape cassette 
34, is inserted through the inserting opening 12 of the apparatus 10. In 
the empty adapter 30, the switch SW1A is open, and the signal level is low 
at the terminal 73. The empty adapter 30 is pushed in the direction of an 
arrow Y1, and is inserted into the adapter housing 21 up to a position 
indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3. This state corresponds 
to a time t.sub.0 shown in FIG. 12. In this state, the terminals 71 
through 73 and the terminals 74 and 75 on both sides of the adapter 30, 
make contact with contact groups 82 and 81 which are provided on the inner 
surfaces of the right and left side plates 25 and 24 of the housing 21. As 
a result, the adapter 30 and the apparatus 10 become electrically 
connected. The low-level signal at the terminal 73, is applied to one 
input terminal of a NAND gate 101. A low-level signal is applied to the 
other input terminal of the NAND gate 101, and the NAND gate 101 produces 
a high-level signal. In addition, the tip end of an adapter detecting 
lever 83 enters within the depression 75 described before, and the adapter 
detecting lever 83 is rotated counterclockwise by a torsion coil spring 
84. Thus, an adapter detecting switch SW1 closes, and it is detected that 
the adapter 30 has been inserted into the adapter housing 21. Further, the 
lid 32 of the adapter 30 pushes slide plates 85 and 86 which are slidably 
provided on the bottom plate 26. As a result, the slide plates 85 and 86 
slide slightly in the direction of the arrow Y1, and a rotary arm (not 
shown) rotates so as to close adapter insertion detecting switches SW2 and 
SW3 which are mounted on respective side plates 24 and 25. When the 
detecting switches SW2 and SW3 close, a signal shown in FIG. 12(A) is 
applied to an AND gate 104, through terminals 102 and 103, and the output 
level of the AND gate 104 becomes high. Consequently, the output level of 
an AND gate 105 becomes high, and a motor drive and control circuit 106 
starts to operate. Hence, the motor 87 starts to rotate in the forward 
direction, as shown in FIG. 12(I). 
When the motor 87 rotates in the forward direction, the driving force of 
the motor 87 is transmitted to the pinion 27, through a worm 88, a worm 
wheel 89, gears 90 and 91, and the like. Thus, the pinion 27 is rotated 
clockwise. As a result, the adapter housing 21 moves in the direction of 
the arrow Y1 together with the adapter 30 which is inserted into the 
adapter housing 21 The adapter housing 21 further moves obliquely upwards, 
and the adapter 30 is drawn into the apparatus 10. When the adapter 
housing 21 reaches the position C shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the side plate 
24 makes contact with a position detecting switch SW4 which is mounted 
obliquely to the support plate 22. Therefore, the switch SW4 is closed at 
a time t.sub.1 shown in FIG. 12. When the switch SW4 closes, the signal 
level at a terminal 107 becomes high as shown in FIG. 12(D), and the NAND 
gate 101 closes. The output level of the AND gate 105 becomes low, and the 
operation of the circuit 106 is stopped. Consequently, the motor 87 stops 
rotating as shown in FIG. 12(I). The adapter housing 21 stops at the 
position C together with the adapter 30. The adapter housing 21 remains in 
the position C until a predetermined operation is performed. 
Thereafter, the operator opens the cover 15 on the top plate 13 of the 
apparatus 10, up to a position where the cover 15 becomes vertical to the 
top plate 13. As a result, the opening 14 becomes exposed, and the top 
cover 60 of the adapter 30 is positioned immediately below the opening 14. 
Next, when the operator inserts his finger through the opening 14 and 
slides the knob 64 of the adapter 30 in the direction of the arrow X1, the 
top cover 60 is released from its locked state and opens. The top cover 60 
rotates up to a position where the top cover 60 becomes substantially 
vertical, due to the action of the torsion coil spring 76. In this state, 
the miniature type tape cassette 34 is inserted through the opening 14, 
and is accommodated within the accommodating part 33 of the adapter 30. 
After the miniature type tape cassette 34 is accommodated within the 
accommodating part 33 at a time t.sub.2, the top cover 60 is closed at a 
time t.sub.3, and the cover 15 is closed subsequently. 
When the miniature type tape cassette 34 is accommodated within the 
accommodating part 33, the switch SW1A closes, and the output level at the 
terminal 73 becomes high as shown in FIG. 12(C). When the top cover 60 is 
closed, the detecting switch SW2A closes, and a pulse signal shown in FIG. 
12(B) is produced from a differentiating circuit 118 and is obtained 
through the terminal 74. 
In this state, the switch SW4 is closed, and the output level at the 
terminal 107 is high. Hence, when the switches SW1A and SW2A close, inputs 
of an AND gate 108 all assume a high level, the AND gate 108 accordingly 
opens. As a result, a flip-flop circuit 109 is set, and a high-level 
signal from the flip-flop circuit 109 is applied to one input terminal of 
an AND gate 110. In this state, a detecting switch SW5 which closes when 
the adapter 30 is loaded into the apparatus 10 so as to detect that the 
adapter 30 has been loaded into the apparatus 10, is open. Moreover, the 
output level at a terminal 111 is low, and this low-level signal from the 
terminal 111 is inverted into a high-level signal and applied to the other 
input terminal of the AND gate 110. For this reason, when the flip-flop 
circuit 109 is set, the AND gate 110 opens and a high-level signal is 
obtained from the AND gate 110. This high-level signal from the AND gate 
110 is applied to the motor drive and control circuit 106 so as to operate 
the motor drive and control circuit 106, and the motor 87 re-starts to 
rotate in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 12(I). In other words, 
when the miniature type tape cassette 34 is accommodated within the 
accommodating part 33 and the top cover 60 is closed in a state where the 
adapter housing 21 assumes the position C, the tape loading operation is 
performed within the adapter 30, and the adapter housing 21 moves 
downwardly in the direction of an arrow Z2 towards the position B. At a 
time t.sub.4, the adapter 30 is loaded into the apparatus 10 as indicated 
by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a state where the tape 
loading operation has been completed. When the adapter 30 is loaded into 
the apparatus 10, the detecting switch SW5 is closed by a pin on the worm 
wheel 89, and the output level at the terminal 111 becomes high as shown 
in FIG. 12(E). In addition, the AND gate 110 closes, the motor drive and 
control circuit 106 stops operating, and the motor 87 stops rotating. 
Further, the output level of a NOR gate 112 becomes high due to the 
closing of the detecting switch SW5, and the flip-flop circuit 109 is 
accordingly reset. 
At a point when the tape loading operation within the adapter 30 is 
completed, the switch SW5A switches as indicated by a phantom line in FIG. 
6, and the motor 37 stops rotating. 
When a play button 92 is manipulated in this state, the tape 55 is drawn 
out of the adapter 30 and is loaded in a predetermined tape path in 
contact with a drum (not shown). The reproduction is carried out while the 
tape 55 moves in this predetermined tape path. A recording is carried out 
when the play button 92 and a recording button 93 are manipulated 
simultaneously. 
A first eject button 94 is manipulated when changing the miniature type 
tape cassette 34 which is accommodated within the accommodating part 33. 
When the first eject button 94 is manipulated at a time t.sub.5, a switch 
SW6 closes, and a high-level signal shown in FIG. 12(G) is applied to a 
terminal 113 to set a flip-flop circuit 114. A high-level signal is 
produced from a Q-output terminal of the flip-flop circuit 114, and is 
applied to one input terminal of an AND gate 115. On the other hand, the 
switch SW4 is open, and the output level at the terminal 107 is low. This 
low-level signal from the terminal 107 is inverted into a high-level 
signal and is applied to the other input terminal of the AND gate 115. For 
this reason, the AND gate 115 opens due to the manipulation of the first 
eject button 94, and a high-level signal is obtained from the AND gate 
115. The high-level signal from the AND gate 115 is applied to an OR gate 
116. The OR gate 116 produces a high-level signal which is applied to the 
motor drive and control circuit 106 so as to operate the motor drive and 
control circuit 106. As a result, the motor 87 starts to rotate in the 
reverse direction as shown in FIG. 12(I). When the motor 87 rotates in the 
reverse direction, the adapter housing 21 moves upwardly in the direction 
of an arrow Z1 up to the position C, together with the adapter 30. Thus, 
the adapter 30 becomes unloaded from the loaded position within the 
apparatus 10, and the switch SW4 closes at a time t.sub.6. When the switch 
SW4 closes, the output level at the terminal 107 becomes high as shown in 
FIG. 12(D), and the AND gate 115 closes. The output level of the OR gate 
116 becomes low, the operation of the motor drive and control circuit 106 
stops, and the motor 87 stops rotating. In addition, a relay circuit (not 
shown) operate in response to the closing of the switch SW4, and a circuit 
in parallel with the switch SW3A is formed through the terminal 71 in FIG. 
6. The motor 37 rotates in the reverse direction. 
Accordingly, the adapter 30 stops at the position C, and the tape unloading 
operation is automatically performed within the adapter 30. In FIG. 12, an 
interval T1 represents an interval in which the tape unloading operation 
is performed. 
The output level of a NOR gate 117 becomes high in response to the closing 
of the switch SW4, and the flip-flop circuit 114 is reset by the 
high-level signal from the NOR gate 117. 
In a final stage of the tape unloading operation within the adapter 30, the 
locking with respect to the top cover 60 is released, and the top cover 60 
opens to the vertical state due to the action of the spring 76. Further, 
the cover 15 is pushed by the top cover 60, and is opened automatically. 
In this state, the operator inserts his hand into the opening 14, and 
removes the miniature type tape cassette 34 from the accommodating part 33 
at a time t.sub.7. The operator changes the miniature type tape cassette 
to be played, by inserting a different miniature type tape cassette within 
the accommodating part 33 at a time t.sub.8. Next, when the top cover 60 
is closed at a time t.sub.9, the switches SW1A and SW2A close. Hence, the 
motor 37 shown in FIG. 6 starts to rotate, and the tape loading operation 
is performed within the adapter 30 which accommodates the different 
miniature type tape cassette. Similarly as in the case where the miniature 
type tape cassette 34 was initially inserted within the accommodating part 
33, the AND gate 108 opens in response to the closing of the switches SW1A 
and SW2A, and the flip-flop circuit 109 is set. Moreover, the AND gate 110 
opens, and the motor drive and control circuit 106 starts to operate. As a 
result, the motor 87 starts to rotate in the forward direction as shown in 
FIG. 12(I). Therefore, the adapter housing 21 moves downwardly in the 
direction of an arrow Z2 towards the position B. The tape loading 
operation is performed within the adapter 30 as the adapter 30 moves 
downwardly, and the adapter 30 is loaded into the apparatus 10 as 
indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3 at a time t.sub.10. 
When the adapter 30 is loaded into the apparatus 10, the switch SW5 
closes, and the motor 87 stops rotating. 
Accordingly, the operator only has to change the miniature type tape 
cassette and close the top cover 60, and it is unnecessary to perform a 
special operation to start an operation in which the adapter housing 21 is 
moved towards the position B. The apparatus 10 can thus be operated with 
ease. 
When the tape loading operation within the adapter 30 is completed, the 
switch SW5A switches as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 6 and the 
motor 37 stops rotating, as in the case described previously. 
The different miniature type tape cassette can be played to carry out a 
reproduction or a recording, by manipulating the play button 92 or by 
manipulating the play button 92 and the recording button 93 
simultaneously. In FIG. 12, intervals T2 and T3 respectively represent 
intervals in which the recording or reproduction is carried out. 
Therefore, the removal of the miniature type tape cassette 34 from the 
adapter 30 and the insertion of the miniature type tape cassette 34 into 
the adapter 30, are performed through the opening 14 in a state where the 
adapter 30 is inside the apparatus 10. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform 
the troublesome operation of extracting the adapter 30 outside the 
apparatus 10 every time the miniature type tape cassette 34 is to be 
changed. An interval T4 in which the recording or reproduction is 
interrupted, between a time when the recording or reproduction with 
respect to one miniature type tape cassette is completed and a time when 
the recording or reproduction with respect to another miniature type tape 
cassette is started, is an interval between the times t.sub.5 and 
t.sub.10. The interval T4 is effectively reduced compared to the interval 
in which the recording or reproduction is interrupted in the conventional 
apparatus. 
When the first eject button 94 is manipulated at a time t.sub.11 as in the 
case described previously, after the recording or reproduction is 
completed with respect to the last of a plurality of miniature type tape 
cassettes 34 which are played, the motor 87 rotates in the reverse 
direction as in the case described previously. The adapter housing 21 
reaches the position C at a time t.sub.12. The switch SW4 closes, and the 
motor 87 stops rotating. The tape unloading operation is performed within 
the adapter 30 within an interval T5, and the last miniature type tape 
cassette 34 is removed from the adapter 30 at a time t.sub.13. This time, 
the top cover 60 is closed in a state where the adapter 30 remains empty. 
In this case, the level at the terminal 73 becomes low, and the level at 
the terminal 74 becomes high. The signals from the terminals 73 and 74 are 
respectively applied to an AND gate 120 through the contact group 81. 
Hence, the AND gate 120 produces a high-level signal, and applies this 
high-level signal to a first input terminal of a 3-input AND gate 121. The 
high-level signal from the terminal 107 is applied to a second input 
terminal of the AND gate 121, however, a low-level signal is applied to a 
third input terminal of the AND gate 121. As a result, the AND gate 121 
remains closed, the output level of the OR gate 116 remains low, and the 
motor 87 does not rotate. Hence, the adapter housing 21 remains at the 
position C, and the empty adapter 30 is kept within the apparatus 10. In 
other words, the apparatus 10 is used to keep the empty adapter 30. 
Therefore, when playing a miniature type tape cassette 34 in a state where 
the empty adapter 30 is kept within the apparatus 10, it is only necessary 
to open the cover 15 and the top cover 60 and insert the miniature type 
tape cassette 34 within the accommodating part 33 through the opening 14. 
Accordingly, it is unnecessary to perform a troublesome operation of 
bringing the adapter 30 from a storage location, and it is convenient for 
the operator. In FIG. 12, an interval T6 represents an interval in which 
the empty adapter 30 is kept within the apparatus 10. 
In a case where the empty adapter 30 is to be extracted from the apparatus 
10, the first eject button 94 is manipulated again at an arbitrary time 
t.sub.15. Responsive to this manipulation of the first eject button 94, a 
high-level signal from the terminal 113 is applied to the AND gate 121. 
The AND gate 121 opens, and a flip-flop circuit 122 is set. The Q-output 
of the flip-flop circuit 122 is applied to an OR gate 123, and an output 
signal of the OR gate 123 is applied to one input terminal of an AND gate 
124. A signal from a terminal 125, which assumes a high level when a tape 
cassette ejecting operation is completed, is inverted and applied to the 
other input terminal of the AND gate 124. In a state where the adapter 30 
is inside the apparatus 10, the signal level is high at this other input 
terminal of the AND gate 124. For this reason, the AND gate 124 opens 
responsive to the output signal of the OR gate 123, and produces a 
high-level signal which is applied to the OR gate 116. As in the case 
described before, the motor drive and control circuit 106 starts to 
operate, and the motor 87 starts to rotate in the reverse direction as 
shown in FIG. 12(I). Accordingly, the adapter housing 21 moves in the 
direction of an arrow Y2 to return to the position A, and the empty 
adapter 30 is ejected outside the apparatus 10. 
When the loading and unloading mechanism 20 operates to a final state in 
which the empty adapter 30 is ejected outside the apparatus 10, a 
detecting switch SW7 for detecting the completion of an adapter ejecting 
operation, is engaged and closed by the pin on the worm wheel 89. The 
detecting switch SW7 closes at a time t.sub.16. As shown in FIG. 12(F), 
the signal from the terminal 125 assumes a high level, and the AND gate 
124 closes to produce a low-level signal. Moreover, the motor drive and 
control circuit 106 stops operating, and the motor 87 stops rotating. In 
addition, a NOR gate 126 produces a high-level signal, and the flip-flop 
circuit 122 is reset. 
Next, description will be given with respect to the operation of the 
apparatus 10 in a case where a second eject button 95 is manipulated 
instead of the first eject button 94. 
When the second eject button 95 is manipulated at a time t.sub.11, a switch 
SW8 closes, and a high-level signal shown in FIG. 12(H) is applied to a 
2-input AND gate 128 and to a 3-input AND gate 129 from a terminal 127. 
The signal from the terminal 107 is applied to the other input terminal of 
the AND gate 128. Further, the signal from the terminals 107 and the 
signal from the AND gate 120, are supplied to the other two input 
terminals of the AND gate 129. 
When the second eject button 95 is manipulated in a state where the adapter 
30 is loaded into the apparatus 10, the AND gate 128 opens, and a 
flip-flop circuit 131 is set by an output signal of an OR gate 130. A 
Q-output of the flip-flop circuit 131 is applied to the OR gate 123. 
Hence, as in the case described before, the motor drive and control 
circuit 106 is operated through the OR gate 123, the AND gate 124, and the 
OR gate 116. The motor 87 rotates in the reverse direction, and the 
adapter housing 21 moves upwardly in the direction of the arrow Z1 
together with the adapter 30. When the adapter housing 21 reaches the 
position C, the switch SW4 closes. However, the flip-flop circuit 131 is 
not reset, and is maintained in the set state. For this reason, the motor 
87 does not stop rotating, but continues to rotate in the reverse 
direction as indicated by a phantom line in FIG. 12(I). As a result, the 
adapter housing 21 moves in the direction of the arrow Y2 to the position 
A, and the adapter 30 is ejected through the inserting opening 12 of the 
apparatus 10. When the adapter housing 21 returns to the position A, the 
switch SW7 closes at a time t.sub.16, and the signal from the terminal 125 
assumes a high level. The AND gate 124 closes, and produces a low-level 
signal. Accordingly, as in the case described before, the motor 87 stops 
rotating, and a NOR gate 132 produces a high-level signal to reset the 
flip-flop circuit 131. 
Thus, the second eject button 95 is useful when manipulated after the last 
of the plurality of miniature type tape cassettes has been played, or when 
a single miniature type tape cassette has been played, for example. 
The adapter 30 is extracted through the inserting opening 12 of the 
apparatus 10, after the tape unloading operation is completed within the 
adapter 30. In a case where the adapter 30 is extracted through the 
inserting opening 12 immediately when the adapter housing 21 reaches the 
position A, the supply of electrical power to the adapter 30 from the 
apparatus 10 is cut off. However, the projection 66 projects and the 
switch SW7A closes when the adapter 30 is extracted from the adapter 
housing 21. As a result, the motor 37 continues to rotate in a state 
powered by the battery 68, and the tape unloading operation continues to 
be performed within the adapter 30. In the final stage of the tape 
unloading operation, the top cover 60 is released from its locked state 
and opens. The switch SW3A opens responsive to the release of the top 
cover 60 from its locked state. However, the motor 37 does not stop 
rotating because the switch SW4A is closed at this point, and the tape 
unloading operation is performed until it is completed. The switch SW5A is 
switched over when the tape unloading operation is completed within the 
adapter 30, and the motor 37 stops rotating. 
In a case where the second eject button 95 is manipulated in a state where 
the empty adapter 30 is accommodated within the adapter housing 21 which 
is stationary at the position C, the AND gate 129 closes instead of the 
AND gate 128, and the flip-flop circuit 131 is set through the OR gate 
130. As in the case described before, the motor 87 rotates in the reverse 
direction, and the adapter housing 21 moves in the direction of the arrow 
Y2 to eject the adapter 30 out of the apparatus 10. When the adapter 30 is 
ejected out of the apparatus 10, the motor 87 stops rotating as in the 
case described before, and the flip-flop circuit 131 is reset. 
Next, description will be given with respect to a case where an adapter 30 
accommodating a miniature type tape cassette 34 is inserted into the 
apparatus 10. 
When the miniature type tape cassette 34 is accommodated within the 
accommodating part 33 of the adapter 30 and the top cover 60 is closed, 
the motor 37 is powered by the battery 68 and rotates so as to perform the 
tape loading operation within the adapter 30. In a state where the tape 
path 56 is formed at the front of the adapter 30, the switch SW6A is 
closed, and the tape loading completion detection signal is produced 
through the terminal 72. 
A high-level signal indicated by a phantom line in FIG. 12(C) which 
indicates that a miniature type tape cassette is accommodated within the 
adapter 30, is produced through the terminal 73 when the miniature type 
tape cassette 34 is accommodated within the adapter 30. 
When the adapter 30 accommodating the miniature type tape cassette 34 is 
inserted into the adapter housing 21, the AND gate 104 and the NAND gate 
101 respectively produce a high-level signal. Thus, the AND gate 105 
produces a high-level signal to operate the motor drive and control 
circuit 106, and the motor 87 starts to rotate in the forward direction. 
By this forward rotation of the motor 87, the adapter housing 21 moves in 
the direction of the arrow Y1 together with the adapter 30 as in the case 
described before, and the adapter 30 is drawn into the apparatus 10. When 
the adapter housing 21 reaches the position C shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the 
switch SW4 closes at a time t.sub.1, and the signal level at the terminal 
107 becomes high. However, since the signal level at the terminal 73 is 
high, the output level of the NAND gate 101 remains high. Accordingly, the 
output level of the AND gate 105 does not change and remains high, and the 
motor drive and control circuit 106 is maintained in the operating state. 
Thus, the motor 87 does not stop but continues to rotate as indicated by 
the phantom line in FIG. 12(I). Therefore, unlike in the case where the 
empty adapter 30 is inserted into the adapter housing 21, the adapter 
housing 21 moves to the position B to load the adapter 30 into the 
apparatus 10, without stopping at the position C. 
In a case where the miniature type tape cassette 34 is simply accommodated 
within the accommodating part 33 of the adapter 30 and this adapter 30 in 
which the tape loading operation has not been performed is inserted into 
the adapter housing 21 through the inserting opening 12, the motor 87 
rotates in the forward direction and the adapter housing 21 moves towards 
the position C together with the adapter 30. When this adapter 30 is 
inserted into the adapter housing 21, the motor 37 is powered by the power 
source of the apparatus 10 through the terminal 70, so as to perform the 
tape loading operation within the adapter 30. In other words, the adapter 
housing 21 moves in the direction of the arrow Y1 while the tape loading 
operation is performed within the adapter 30. The tape loading operation 
is completed within the adapter 30 by the time the adapter housing 21 
reaches the position C, and the adapter housing 21 moves to the position B 
so as to load the adapter 30 into the apparatus 10, without stopping at 
the position C. 
In a case where the standard type tape cassette is inserted into the 
adapter housing 21 through the inserting opening 12, the detecting lever 
83 is pushed and rotated by the side surface of the standard type tape 
cassette, and the switch SW1 opens. Accordingly, the adapter housing 21 
moves to the position B so as to load the standard type tape cassette into 
the apparatus 10, without stopping at the position C, similarly as in the 
case where the adapter 30 accommodating the miniature type tape cassette 
34 is.inserted into the adapter housing 21. When the tape cassette 
ejecting operation is performed, the adapter housing 21 returns directly 
to the position A, and the standard type tape cassette is ejected out of 
the apparatus 10. 
In the embodiment described heretofore, when the miniature type tape 
cassette 34 is accommodated within the adapter 30 and the top cover 60 is 
closed in a state where the adapter housing 21 assumes the position C, the 
tape loading operation is performed within the adapter 30, and the loading 
operation with respect to the adapter 30 is carried out simultaneously 
therewith. However, the loading operation with respect to the adapter 30 
may be carried out after the tape loading operation is completed within 
the adapter 30. In this case, the control circuit 100 is designed to drive 
the motor 87 responsive to a tape loading completion signal which is 
obtained from the terminal 72 when the switch SW6A closes. 
Further, in the embodiment described heretofore, the tape unloading 
operation within the adapter 30 is started after the adapter housing 21 
returns to the position C. However, a timing switch for starting the tape 
unloading operation may be provided so that this timing switch is closed 
before the adapter housing 21 returns to the position C, for example. In 
this case, the tape unloading operation is performed within the adapter 30 
at an earlier time, and it is possible to shorten the waiting time from 
the time when the adapter 30 returns to the position C until the time when 
the tape unloading operation is completed within the adapter 30. 
Next, description will be given with respect to an essential part of 
another embodiment of a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus 
according to the present invention, by referring to FIG. 13. 
FIG. 13 shows an essential part of a control circuit 100A. In FIG. 13, 
those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 11 are 
designated by the same reference numerals. The control circuit 100A is 
assembled into a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is 
identical to the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 except that the second eject 
button 95 is omitted. 
In order to change the miniature type tape cassette which is being played 
on the apparatus 10, the first eject button 94 is manipulated. Responsive 
to this manipulation of the first eject button 94, the switch SW6 closes, 
and a high-level signal is applied to one input terminal of the AND gate 
115 from the terminal 113. A low-level signal from the terminal 107 is 
inverted and applied to the other input terminal of the AND gate 115. 
Accordingly, the AND gate 115 opens, and a high-level signal is produced 
from the OR gate 116 so as to operate the motor drive and control circuit 
106 and rotate the motor 87 in the reverse direction. As a result, the 
adapter housing 21 reaches the position C together with the adapter 30. 
Next, description will be given with respect to a case where the miniature 
type tape cassette 34 is removed from the adapter 30 and the top cover 60 
is closed in a state where the adapter housing assumes the position C. 
When the miniature type tape cassette 34 is removed from the adapter 30 
and the accommodating part 33 becomes empty, the switch SW1A opens. Hence, 
a low-level signal is obtained from the adapter 30 through the terminal 74 
and the contact group 81. This low-level signal is inverted and applied to 
one input terminal of the AND gate 120 in the apparatus 10. In addition, 
when the top cover 60 is closed, the switch SW2A closes and a high-level 
signal is obtained from the adapter 30 through the terminal 74 and the 
contact group 81. This high-level signal is applied to the other input 
terminal of the AND gate 120 in the apparatus 10. As a result, the output 
level of the AND gate 120 becomes high, and the output level of the OR 
gate 116 also becomes high. Thus, the motor drive and control circuit 106 
operates similarly as in the case described before, and the motor 87 
rotates in the reverse direction. Therefore, the adapter housing 21 moves 
in the direction of the arrow Y2 back to the position A, and the empty 
adapter 30 is ejected out of the apparatus 10. 
According to this second embodiment, it is only necessary to remove the 
miniature type tape cassette and close the cover 15, when the last of the 
plurality of miniature type tape cassettes has been played, for example, 
and it is unnecessary to perform a special operation to move the adapter 
housing 21 back to the position A. As a result, the operation of the 
apparatus 10 becomes simple and easy. 
Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but 
various variations and modifications may be made without departing from 
the scope of the present invention.