A RECORDING AND PLAY-BACK SYSTEM, PRIMARILY A VIDEO SYSTEM, USING TAPE CASSETTES

Abstract: It is already known in principle that video cassettes may be provided a fixed memory unit, with which a read/write-unit in a recorder can communicate in such a manner that the programme contents of the cassette can be read into and out from the memory unit. This technique provides for many advantageous possibilities, but so far it has only been proposed for use with specialized equipment, as in ordinary commercial equipment there is hardly surplus room for the required components. According to the invention, however, a vacant standard room is used for the mounting of the memory unit (8), viz. in the recordlock hole (6) in a standard cassette, and connector terminals (12) are used, which are mounted on the sensor head (14) applied in standard recorders for detecting whether the recordlock hole is open or closed. The sensor head, then, cannot detect an open hole, but instead the desired associated recordlock option may be programmed in the memory unit. With the invention, therefore, both new and old standard cassettes can be adapted for utilizing the said attractive technique in connection with only slightly modified standard recorders.

Description: A recording and play-back system, primarily a video system, using tape cassettes. The present invention relates to a recording and/or play back system, primarily a video system, with a recorder/player and associated cassette units with magnetic tape or a corresponding storage medium, said cassettes being provided with memory units that are independent of the storage medium and, by loading of a cassette into the recorder/player, operable to be brought into electrical connection with a read/write unit therein. Such a system offers great advantages with respect to exchange of information with the single cassettes themselves, as relevant information on the program contents of the cassette can be read into and out from the memory unit fully independently of the ordinary recording and playing function and of the tape position in the cassette. It is even possible to communicate with the cassette while the latter, together with other cassettes, is placed in a storage rack having suitable terminals for contacting the respective memory units, whereby, by way of example, it is possible to check the contents of all the cassettes and thereby effect searches for desired program sequences. This can be of high importance for the professional world, and previous proposals, see e.g. US-A-4,426,684, have correspondingly referred to the use of the technique with the aid of specially designed auxiliaries. In connection with the invention it has been realized that a similar technique would be highly attractive also for use with quite ordinary equipment according to commercial standards, " but it is also realized that the would be considerable problems in providing room for the required extra installations, as the space is already in advance practically minimized. However, the invention is based on the consideration that this problem can be solved with basis in a single one of the options offered by the use of the memory units, viz. a programmed information to the effect that one or more sequences on just that tape must not be erased or erasable; it so happens that the control unit of the recorder can be adapted to automatically make recording or erasing impossible within such tape counter intervals, which, with a suitable identification, have been read into the associated memory unit, optionally with the use of a secret password, and in doing so it will then be possible to renounce the use of the conventional removable cover tag over the recordlock hole of the cassette. This hole, then, will be available as a permanent mounting room for the memory unit, without any change in the outer shape of the cassette or any other modification thereof. Standard recorders are already in advance provided with means for pressing a sensor head against the area of the recordlock hole, and for this reason only a minor mechanical modification of the standard recorders will be required in order to establish a contacting of the memory units, as it is sufficient to provide the said sensor head with the required contact terminals to be pressed against e.g. flat terminal areas on the exposed side of of the memory unit in the recordlock hole of the cassette. The sensor head will still be able to carry out its usual function when cooperating with cassettes without a memory unit, i.e. the system will be fully compatible. It may have to be accepted that a partially or totally overplay protected tape can be overplayed if it is used in a non-modified standard recorder, but normally the users are extra aware of protected cassettes, so this drawback is believed to be of minor importance compared.with the substantial advantages offered by the system. It will be a significant development that these advantages are no longer reserved for narrow professional circles, but are achievable in a cheap and suitable manner in connection with ordinary commercial equipment. The advantages and the possibilities of the system should not be described in more detail her, as they have already been described at least in principle in the said US-A-4,426,684. It should be mentioned only that memory units of cassettes for private use will not require any particularly large capacity, as the tape will normally hold rather few independent sequences only. The invention will comprise also such memory units which are designed for the relevant purpose, inas far as also old cassettes may be equipped with such units. Likewise the invention will comprise recorders modified as disclosed. In the drawing is shown, schematically, the relevant corner of a video cassette 2, the rear side 4 of which is provided with the usual recordlock hole 6, which, on new cassettes for recording, is covered by a breakable tag that has here been removed and replaced by an insert block 8, which is secured in the hole in any suitable manner. The block 8 contains a memory unit and is provided with exposed, flat contact strips 10 for the required contacting of this unit. The unit itself may be of quite the same type as disclosed in the said US-A-4,426,684. The outside of the block and therewith also the contact strips 10 are located somewhat retracted from the outer wall face 4, so they are reasonably protected. The block 8 is shaped so as to fit into the hole for positioning the contacts 10 in a well defined manner, sqeh that they can be safely contacted by terminals 12 at the.outer side of the sensor head 14, which, according to normal standard, is used in a tape recorder for being moved against the hole 6 for checking whether the said cover tag is intact or has been removed. Through a cable 16 the the terminals 14 are connected to a non-illustrated control and reading unit in the recorder, designed e.g. as disclosed in US-A-4,426,684. Thus, the sensor head 14 is modified by the addition of the terminals 12 and the cable 16, but the mechanical and electrical function of the this head need not be modified, since the block 8 will imitate the presence of the cover tag; it is thus possible to effect recording on the tape, only this possibility can be suspended via the information contents of the memory unit. An ordinary cassette without the memory block 8 can still be used in the recorder in a fully conventional manner, as the sensor head can still detect whether the cover tag is intact or has been removed. The block 8 may be fastened e.g. by gluing or by having spring barbs at one or more sides, enabling it to be mounted merely by pressing it into the hole. It will be appreciated that the contact strips 10 will be accessible for connection with outer terminals also when the cassette is removed from the recorder. Thus, a reading or editing of the contents of the memory unit will be possible, e.g. with the use of a hand held connector device, whereby, optionally, a search can be carried out between more cassettes while another cassette is being played. Correspondingly the user may communicate with more cassettes placed in a rack, in which a fixed connector unit corresponding to the sensor head 14 is provided adjacent to ea ' ch recordlock hole 6.

Claims: C L A I M S : 1. A recording and/or playing system, primarily a video system, comprising a recorder/player and associated cassette units having magnetic tape or another corresponding storing medium, the cassette units being provided with memory units, which are independent of the storing medium and are operable, in response to the cassette being inserted into the recorder/player, to be electrically connected with a read/write unit therein, characterized in that the memory unit is housed in a block member (8) , which is mounted or adapted to be mounted in the recordlock hole of a standard cassette, and that the recorder/player is provided with means for contacting the memory unit in such a manner that it can operate compatibly with standard cassettes both with and without memory unit. 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory unit is provided with connector terminals directly on its exposed side and that corresponding terminals are provided on the sensor head (14) which according to usual standard is present in the recorder/player for detecting whether the recordlock hole is open or closed.

Inventors: BAEKGAARD KNUD ERIK, BAEKGAARD, KNUD, ERIK
Applicants: BANG & OLUFSEN AS, BANG & OLUFSEN A/S
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B15, G11B23, G11B27