Patent GB-1208736-A (GB)
Title: Combined coin or token-controlled automatic audio-visual reproduction apparatus
IPC: G11B15/68
Filed: 1967-10-26
Abstract: 1,208,736. Audio-visual reproduction apparatus. S.I.F. SOC INTEKNAZIONALE FONOVI8IONE S.p.a. 26 Oct., 1967 [26 Oct., 1966], No. 48816/67. Heading G5R. [Also in Divisions G2 and H1] A coin or token-operated audio visual system comprises an audio-visual cine projection apparatus and a sound-reproduction apparatus having respective selection means alternatively operable under control of a single memory. The cine-apparatus consists of a magazine film projector 1 (" Cinebox ") for optical or magnetic sound films while the sound reproduction apparatus consists of a magazine disc or tape player 2 (Juke-box), The cinebox may also contain a slide projector 27 and/or kaleidoscope 28 arranged such that slides are projected when the system is at rest and the kaleidoscope operates when the Juke-box is playing. The system is controlled by circuit (Fig. 5, not shown), including two main relays (Ry, Ry2) which prohibit playing of the Juke-box and cinebox simultaneously but allow either apparatus to prepare itself for playing while the other is operating. Upon acceptance of a coin or token at 9 and depression of a button at 8, a known mechanism 32 causes rotation of arms 21, 22 carrying respective electromagnets 29, 30 one of which is energized to displace one of a number of pins 20 arranged in two concentric circles on a disc 19, to arrest the magazine 17 with the selected record (or tape) opposite a transfer arm 33. Fixed to the same shaft 31 as the arms 21, 22 is an arm 35 carrying blades 38, (39), (Figs. 3, 4, not shown) to connect a contact 40 or 41 with one of a number of associated contacts 36, 37 individually connected to electromagnets 23 arranged opposite pins 16 on a selector disc 15 in the cinebox 1. Alternatively, the contacts may be rotatable about the arm 35. The pins 20 and contact/arm arrangement is such that operation of both apparatuses 1 and 2 cannot occur simultaneously, although both selectors may be actuated. Film selection.-When a film is selected at 8, the juke-box selection mechanism operates as above to cause energization of an electromagnet 23 to displace the corresponding pin 16 which thereby closes a circuit to energize a motor (M12) to rotate the film magazine 4 until contacts (C2) are closed by the pin to energize an electromagnet (12S) to stop the magazine motor (M12), start a motor (M8) to ready the projection lamp circuit and to drive a filmthreading arm 6 which closes contacts (C6) to hold-on the solenoid (12S). At the end of its travel, arm 6 operates contacts to stop its motor (M8), start a motor (M7) to lower a presser arm 7, and a motor (M19) to rotate take-up spool 5 and sprocket RT. Lowering of arm 7 prepares a rewind switch C9, closes the projector lamp circuit at reduced voltage, interrupts motor (M19) to allow fastening of the film to take-up spool 5 at a reduced speed, while motion of the film reverses contacts (C4) to remove a loud-speaker muting switch. At the end of its travel, arm 7 reverses contacts (C5) to return the selected pin 16 to its normal position and energizes main relay (Ry) to stop presser arm motor (M7), open the juke-box turn-table motor (Mj) circuit, reconnect spool and sprocket motor (M19), supply the projection lamp with full voltage and activate the optical soundhead lamp (LE). At the end of projection, a feeler TS, bearing on the supply spool, closes the rewind switch C9, which may be operated at any time during the cycle, e.g. when a film breaks, to reverse the above sequence of events and additionally energize a rewind motor (M9) to drive a roller bearing on the magazine spool. A further feeler (not illustrated) bearing on the spool 5 closes a circuit to switch in a winding of the rewind motor to slow down the final stages of rewind and retract the film-threading arm 6 which operates the contacts (C6) to release the solenoid (12S) and thereby disengage the rewind roller and stop the rewind motor (M9). A cycle is thus complete. During projection, a record can be selected and placed on the turntable but cannot be played since the main relay (Ry) overrides the turn-table switch (C1). When projection ceases, closing of rewind switch C9 closes the turn-table motor circuit to play the record while the film is rewound. Juke-box selection.-When a record (say) is selected at 8, the juke-box selection mechanism operates to transfer the selected record to the turn-table 34 where it closes contacts (Cl) to energize the turn-table motor (Mj) and begin record playing. The other main relay (Ry 2 ) is energized during this time so that although a film may be selected and threaded, projection cannot commence until the record is removed from the turn-table and the contacts (Cl) consequently opened. _ Modifications.-Instead of a single take-up spool 5, the cinebox may include two magazines carrying respectively take-up and supply reels in which case the threading arm 6 and its motor (M8) are dispensed with. The presser arm 7 may be replaced by one or more plates. Slide projector and kaleidoscope.-The slide projector-motor Ms may be controlled by the main relay (Ry) while the lamp LPS is controlled by both relays (Ry) and (Ry2) so as to operate (e.g. to display advertisements) when the system is at rest. Alternatively, the motor Ms and lamp LPS may be actuated by a switch K operated by the presser arm 7 when raised. The kaleidoscope lamp (LPC) is controlled by the relays (Ry), (Ry2) while the amplifier output U feeds a vibrator to vibrate glass shapes in a container in accordance with the output, the kaleidoscope being operative when the Juke-box is playing. The current fed to the vibrator may be contained within given levels by incorporating a regulator in the amplifier output. Remote apparatus (Fig. 7, not shown). Each apparatus comprises a loud-speaker (26U) and projection screen for a slide projector (27U) and kaleidoscope (28U), all fed from the combined audio-visual apparatus.