Patent GB-393655-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with the recording or reproduction of sound and picturerecords
IPC: G03B31/00
Filed: 1931-12-11
Abstract: 393,655. Sound recording or reproducing apparatus ; associated working with kinematograph apparatus. TOBIS TONBILD SYNDIKAT AKT.-GES., (formerly TONBILD SYNDIKAT AKT.- GES.), 43, Mauerstrasse, Berlin. Dec. 11, 1931, No. 34434. Convention date, Dec. 11, 1930. [Class 40 (ii).] A method of recording or reproducing sound and photographic picture records which are formed on a common carrier in the form of a disc, cylinder, or a combination of disc and cylinder, consists in arranging that continuous relative movement occurs between the carrier and the sound recording or reproducing unit and between the carrier and the' picture recording or projecting unit. The relative angular speed between the carrier and the sound recording or reproducing unit is different from, and preferably greater than, that between the carrier and the picture recording or projecting unit. The picture and sound records 12, 13 may be in the form of concentric spirals on a disc as shown in Fig. 1, or both records may be of spiral form with one record disposed in a ring outside the other record as shown in Fig. 2. In-the latter case, the records may be on opposite sides of the disc. The records 40, 41 may also be arranged in a helical path on a cylinder as shown in Fig. 9, or one record may be disposed on a cylinder 21 and the other on an attached disc 22 as shown in Fig. 6. The carrier may be opaque or transparent, and of flexible form. Where two pairs of corresponding picture and sound records are disposed on a common disc, each pair of corresponding records may be disposed on the same or opposite sides. The sound record may be formed mechanically, magnetically, or photographically. The sound recording or reproducing unit may rotate in the same direction as, or opposite direction to, the record carrier, or it may be stationary. The picture projection or recording unit may be such that successive picture frames are only illuminated when they are in alignment with the axis of the optical system by causing intermittent energization of a light source or by means of a shutter or optical compensating device. A disc having a sound record 30 on the upper face and a picture record 31 on the underface is adapted to be reproduced by apparatus shown in Fig. 8. The disc is rotated on a turntable and a two-part tone-arm 32 is rotated in the opposite direction to the disc by a shaft 34 passing through the hollow turntable shaft 35. The picture projection unit comprises a light source 36 associated with an optical system 38 for projecting a beam of light on to the picture record as permitted by one or more apertures in a rotating shutter 27. The reflected beam is projected on to a mirror 39 and thence on to a screen. The whole optical system is fed radially of the disc by a screw rotated by the turntable motor. The shutter 37 rotates in opposite direction to the disc. If the pictures are provided in a transparent outer zone of the disc, the projection of the pictures may be effected by means of an optical system comprising a light source 57, mirror 58, and matt screen 56, Fig. 10, and on the other side of the disc a fixed lens 551 and a rotating lens wheel 55 are provided. Both the optical system 56, 58 and the lens wheel 55 are traversed radially of the disc. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 11, the sound record is reproduced in ordinary manner and the picture projection unit is rotated on an arm 61 which is of telescopic form so as to allow the unit to be traversed radially by screw means disposed inside' the arm 61 and driven from the turntable motor. A lens wheel 62 and mirror 63 are provided as shown, the lens wheel being provided with suitable compensators to provide for the radial. traverse, of the projection unit. The record carrier disc may be transparent and both the picture and sound records may be reproduced optically as shown in Fig. 12. The picture projection unit includes a radially-moving lens wheel 83, and the photoelectric cell 85 for reproducing the sound record is moved longitudinally along a rotating arm 84. The light source co-operating with the sound record-is. mounted in a housing 86<1>, which is rotated synchronously with the cell 85. Either or both records may be reproduced by reflected light. For records disposed on a cylindrical carrier, the latter is rotated as shown in Fig. 9, and the picture projection unit 42 is fed longitudinally by means, for example, of a stylus engaging a helical groove between the pictures on the cylinder. The tone-arm, which is adapted to be rotated by a shaft 45 at a greater speed than the carrier, communicates with a conduit 48 leading by means of tubes 49 to a pair of head-phones 50. The light source and shutter co-operating with the picture record are mounted inside the cylindrical carrier. The pictures may be projected on to a screen which may be detachably mounted in the housing or in a cover thereof. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 describes also the following features :-- The formation in separate zones of a rectangular plate of a sound record 3, Fig. 1 (Cancelled) and a picture record 2, or the records may be arranged in spiral traces 10, 11 on a disc as shown in Fig. 3 (Cancelled). The part of the carrier bearing the sound record may be of a different material from the part bearing the picture record, and the latter part is preferably transparent. The two parts, for example, an outer annular part surrounding an inner circular part, may have their abutting edges suitably shaped and pressed into engagement or the adjacent edges may be bevelled and provided. with holes for receiving cement. A record disc 64, Fig. 18 (Cancelled), may be intermittently stopped by a pawl 67 to allow the pictures to be projected, and the tone-arm. 68 is adapted to be rotated uniformly about the axis of the disc. The picture projection unit 65 is traversed radially of the disc. The record disc may also be driven uniformly and a ratchet wheel 75, Fig. 19 (Cancelled), is adapted to be driven intermittently from a gear wheel 72 on the turntable shaft through a pawl 73 and latch 74 so as to rotate intermittentl they picture projection unit 69. The picture is projected down a rotating tube 76 to an optical compensator 77 and mirror 78. For printing picture records in a spiral trace on to a disc 87, a picture film 88, Fig. 21 (Cancelled), is mounted, together with optical projection apparatus, in a casing 89 which is movable radially of the disc by means of a screwed spindle 90 co-operating with a nut 91. In connection with Fig. 10, instead of fitting a horn, the sound may be conveyed downwardly into the cabinet either to one side of the turntable or through a conduit passing through a central opening in the turntable. In the former case, the tone-arm is not rotated by a shaft 34, but by gearing disposed in the sound conduit leading from the tone-arm to the cabinet, and in the latter case the shaft for driving the tone-arm is disposed centrally of a tubular sound conduit. For portability the tone-arm or part of the sound conduit projecting above the cabinet may be removable. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.