PANASONIC NV-V8000 CHASSIS DECK Tape cassette loading system:
A tape cassette loading system of a video tape recorder
comprises a cassette loading mechanism including a cassette tray adapted
to accept a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape
cassette, for transporting a tape cassette placed
thereon from a eject
state located substantially outside of a body of the video tape recorder
for placement or removal of the tape cassette horizontally to a closed
state in which the tape cassette is completely inside the body of the
video tape recorder, then to a compact cassette loading state
immediately below the closed state, and then to a standard cassette
loading state further below the compact cassette loading state, wherein a
reel drive mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape
cassette on the cassette loading means between a first state and a
second state for driving a take up reel and a supply reel of the tape
cassette, a tape loading mechanism is movable responsive to the type of
the tape cassette on the cassette loading mechanism between a first
state for engagement with the standard size tape cassette and a second
state for engagement with the compact size tape cassette, for drawing
out a magnetic tape from the tape cassette and for loading the magnetic
tape on a guide drum of the video tape recorder, and a controller is
used for controlling the state of the cassette loading mechanism, reel
drive mechanism and the tape loading mechanism responsive to the type of
the tape cassette to be loaded.
thereon from a eject
state located substantially outside of a body of the video tape recorder
for placement or removal of the tape cassette horizontally to a closed
state in which the tape cassette is completely inside the body of the
video tape recorder, then to a compact cassette loading state
immediately below the closed state, and then to a standard cassette
loading state further below the compact cassette loading state, wherein a
reel drive mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape
cassette on the cassette loading means between a first state and a
second state for driving a take up reel and a supply reel of the tape
cassette, a tape loading mechanism is movable responsive to the type of
the tape cassette on the cassette loading mechanism between a first
state for engagement with the standard size tape cassette and a second
state for engagement with the compact size tape cassette, for drawing
out a magnetic tape from the tape cassette and for loading the magnetic
tape on a guide drum of the video tape recorder, and a controller is
used for controlling the state of the cassette loading mechanism, reel
drive mechanism and the tape loading mechanism responsive to the type of
the tape cassette to be loaded.
1. A tape cassette
loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for
loading and unloading a magnetic tape contained in a tape cassette on
and from a guide drum of the magnetic recording and reproducing
apparatus carrying magnetic heads comprising: cassette loading
means adapted for holding a first tape cassette having a first size and
further adapted for holding a second tape cassette having a second size
smaller than said first size, said cassette loading means assuming
successively a first state in which the tape cassette held on the
cassette loading means is located substantially outside of a body of the
magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a second state in which
the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means is locat
ed fully
inside the body of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus at a
level substantially the same as the level of the tape cassette in said
first state of the cassette loading means, a third state immediately
below the second state in which the magnetic tape in the second tape
cassette is ready for loading on the guide drum, and a fourth state
further below said third state in which the magnetic tape in the first
tape cassette is ready for loading on the guide drum of the apparatus;
first driving means driven by a motor and which is movable between first, second, third and fourth positions for driving said cassette loading means between said first state and said second state, between said second state and said third state and between said third state and said fourth state, said first position, second position, third position and fourth position of said first driving means respectively corresponding to said first state, second state, third state and fourth state of said cassette loading means;
reel drive means carrying a first reel disk for driving a supply reel of the first or second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means, a second reel disk for driving a take up reel of the first tape cassette, and a third reel disk for driving a take up reel of the second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means, said reel drive means assuming a first state in which said second reel disk is in a position for engagement with the first tape cassette held on the cassette loading means and a second state in which said third reel disk is in a position for engagement with the second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means;
second driving means driven by a motor and is movable between a first position and second position for driving said reel drive means between said first state and second state respectively corresponding with said first and second positions of said second driving means;
tape loading means disposed at a vicinity of the guide drum between the guide drum and the cassette loading means and carrying a plurality of members which are movable for drawing out the magnetic tape from the first tape cassette when said first tape cassette is held on the cassette loading means or for drawing out the magnetic tape from the second tape cassette when said second tape cassette is held on the cassette loading means, said members being movable between a first state for
engagement with the
magnetic tape in the first tape cassette on the cassette loading means
and a second state for engagement with the magnetic tape in the second
tape cassette on the cassette loading means;
third driving means driven by a motor and which is movable between a first position and a second position for driving said plurality of members between said first state and said second state respectively in correspondence with said first and second positions of the third driving means;
first detection means for detecting the placement of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means and for producing an output signal indicating the type of the tape cassette placed thereon indicating whether the tape cassette is the first tape cassette or the second tape cassette;
second detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the cassette loading means by detecting the position of the first driving means;
third detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the reel drive means by detecting the position of the second driving means;
fourth detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the tape loading means by detecting the position the third driving means; and
a controller electrically connected to an operation key of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus to be operated by a user for receiving a command from the user, said controller being further connected to said first, second, third and fourth detection means for receiving the output signals from the first, second, third and fourth detection means and discriminating the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means and the state of the cassette loading means, reel drive means and the tape loading means on the basis of said output signals, said controller further connected to the motors of said cassette loading means, reel drive means and tape loading means for controlling the energization of the motors responsive to the output signals from the first, second, third and fourth detection means so that the state of the cassette loading means is changed from said first state to said fourth state successively passing through said second and third states, that the state of the reel drive means is set to said first state of the reel drive means, and that the state of the tape loading means is set to said first state of the tape loading means responsive to the command by the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated in said first detection means that the first tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, said controller further controlling the energization of the motors of said first, second and third driving means on the basis of the output signals from said first, s
econd, third and fourth detection means so that the
state of the cassette loading means is changed from said first state to
said third state after passing through said second state, that the reel
drive means is set to said second state of the reel drive means, and
that the tape loading means is set to said second state of the tape
loading means responsive to the command by the user commanding the
loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated that the second
tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means on the basis of
the output signal from said first detection means, said controller
further controlling the energization of the motors of said first, second
and third driving means on the basis of the output signals from said
first, second, third and fourth detection means so that the state of the
cassette loading means is changed to said first state from said fourth
state successively passing through said third and second states
responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the
tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the fourth state,
and that the state of the cassette loading means is changed to said
first state from said third state after passing through said second
state responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of
the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the third state.
2. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said third driving means comprises a main gear carrying a reflection pattern for discrimination of the angle of rotation of the main gear, and a plurality of sensors disposed for receiving the reflection from the reflection pattern on the main gear.
3. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller discriminates the existence of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means on the basis of the output signals of the first detection means responsive to the command by the
user commanding the loading of the tape cassette and energizing the
motor of the first driving means, such that the state of the cassette
loading system is set to the second state when it is discriminated that
no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means.
4. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller further sets the state of the reel drive means to its first state by controlling the energization of the motor of the second driving means and sets the state of the tape loading means to its first state by controlling the energization of the motor of the third drive means responsive to the command of the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated on the basis of the output signals from said first detection means that no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading system.
5. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller controlling the energization of the motors of the first driving means, the second driving means and the third driving means energizes the motors of the first, second and third driving means simultaneously responsive to the command by the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when a change in the state is to be made in the tape loading means and in the reel drive means at the time of setting the state of the tape loading means and the reel drive means responsive to the result of discrimination made in the first detection means.
6. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said change in the state of the reel driving means and the tape loading means is made during a time interval in which the state of the cassette loading means is changed from its first state to second state.
7. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said tape loading means is further movable from said second state to a third state in which said members are moved further such that the magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette and drawn out by
the members makes a tangential contact with the guide drum of the
magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, said third driving means
being driven to a third position corresponding to said third state of
the tape loading means, said controller controlling said third driving
means so as to move to said third position after the cassette loading
means has reached its fourth state when the user commanded the loading
of the tape cassette and the cassette loading means is carrying the
first tape cassette, said controller controlling said third driving
means to said third position after the cassette loading means has
reached its third state when the user commanded the loading of the tape
cassette and the cassette loading means is carrying the second tape
cassette.
8. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller starts a timer when the change in the state of the tape loading means to said first state is completed responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette, said controller further starting the change in state of the cassette loading system to its second state, the setting of the state of the reel driving system to its first state, and the setting of the state of the tape loading system to its first state simultaneously when it is discriminated that no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means within a predetermined time period on the basis of the output signals from said first detection means.
9. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said reel drive means comprises a main frame on which the first reel disk and the second reel disk are carried and a sub-frame on which the third reel disk is carried, said sub-frame is held on an end of a swing arm which is driven by a rotary shaft connected to said second driving means such that the sub-frame is lowered relative to the main frame when the reel drive means is in the first state and that the sub-frame is raised relative to the main frame when the reel drive means is in the second state.
10. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 9 in which said second detection means comprises a first switch which is closed when the sub-frame is in the lowered state and opened when the sub-frame is in the raised state and a second switch which is opened when the sub-frame is in the lowered state and closed when the sub-frame is in the raised state. first state from said fourth state successively passing through said third and second states responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the fourth state, and that the state of the cassette loading means is changed to said first state from said third state after passing through said second state responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the third state.
11. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said cassette loading means comprises a housing fixed on the body of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a carriage carried on the housing in a manner movable horizontally between a first and a second state respectively corresponding to said first state and said second state of the cassette loading means, and a cassette tray supported on the carriage in a manner movable in a vertical direction between a first level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said first and second states, a second level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said third state, and a third level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said fourth state by means of a link mechanism, said cassette tray being a generally rectangular tray member adapted to hold the first tape cassette and further having a generally rectangular depressed part adapted for holding the second tape cassette.
12. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 11 in which said first detection means comprises a first switch carried on the tray member such that the switch is closed when the first tape cassette is placed on the cassette tray and a second switch carried on the depressed part such that the switch is closed when the second tape cassette is placed on the cassette tray.
13. A tape cassette loading system as claimed i
n
claim 11 in which said first drive means comprises a gear system for
moving the carriage horizontally and for moving the cassette tray
vertically, said gear system including a main gear carrying a reflection
pattern for discriminating an angle of rotation of the main gear, a
tooth provided on a circumference of the main gear for a limited angular
range for driving the carriage responsive to a rotation the main gear
for a limited rotational angle, a cam gear meshing with the main gear
and carrying a cam groove comprising a concentric cam groove part and a
spiral cam groove part, and a swing lever having a portion engaged with
said cam groove for selectively moving the cassette tray vertically
responsive to rotation of the main gear for a limited rotational angle.
14. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 13 in which said second detection means comprises a set of optical sensors disposed so as to face the reflection pattern on the main gear.
The present invention relates in general to a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from a magnetic tape by means of a recording and reproducing system and in particular to a tape cassette loading system used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for loading and unloading a magnetic tape contained in a tape cassette on and from the recording and reproducing system of the apparatus.
A current magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces an information signal on and from a magnetic tape such as a video tape recorder is loaded with a magnetic tape in a manner such that the magnetic tape is contained in a tape cassette for ease of handling as well as for protection of the magnetic tape. In order to load the magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette into the recording and reproducing system of the video tape recorder which includes a guide drum on which magnetic heads are carried, a c
assette loading system is used for
transporting the tape cassette from an eject position to a predetermined
loading position defined relative to the position of the guide drum and
for wrapping the tape around the guide drum in a predetermined manner.
The loading system is used also for disengaging the magnetic tape from
the guide drum and for transporting the tape cassette back to the
initial eject position for removal of the tape cassette.
There are several types of tape cassettes which are currently sold in the market. On typical example of such a tape cassette is called a "standard size" tape cassette and is used widely in home video tape recorders. The aforementioned standard size tape cassette may have a typical dimension of 188×104×25 mm, for example, and accommodates a half inch wide magnetic tape wound around a supply reel and a take up reel with such an amount that a few hours of recording time is obtained. The specification for the tape cassette as well as for the recording format on the magnetic tape is standardized in relation to the type of video tape recorder so that the magnetic tape cassettes produced by different manufacturers can be used as long as the specification matches with the type of video tape recorder.
Recently, a more compact video tape recorder has been developed so as to realize a portable video tape recorder combined with a television camera and the like. Such a tape cassette has a reduced size so as to decrease the size and weight of the video tape recorder. In order to reduce the size, the compact size tape cassette contains a smaller amount of magnetic tape having a substantially reduced separation between a supply reel and a take up reel. On the other hand, the recording format of the video signal and the audio signal on the tape are made identical to the "standard size" tape cassette, so that the compatibility with the home video tape recorder currently in use is maintained.
Conventionally, such a compact size tape cassette is reproduced by the home video tape recorder by using an adapter having a size identical to the size of the standard size tape cassette into which the compact size tape cassette is accommodated, as the size and construction of the tape cassette do not match with the loading system of the video tape recorder designed for the standard size tape cassette. However, the use of this adapter is cumbersome and indeed inconvenient. Thus, there is a demand for a cassette loading system of a video tape recorder which can handle both the standard size tape cassette and compact size tape cassette.
United States Patent Application entitled "Tape Cassette Loading System" filed
by Mihara et al., based on the Japanese Patent Applications
No.253096/1987, No.305165/1987 and No.305164/1987 claiming a priority
date of Oct. 7, 1987, discloses a loading system comprising a cassette
tray on which a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape
cassette are placed. The cassette tray is carried by a carriage and is
movable in a horizontal direction into and out of the body of the video
tape recorder. Further, the cassette tray is carried by an elevating
mechanism and is movable in a vertical direction. Thus, the standard
size or compact size tape cassette placed on the cassette tray is
transported to the inside of the video tape recorder horizontally and
then transported vertically to the predetermined loading position.
In order to load the magnetic tape in the tape cassette on the guide drum of the video tape recorder, a tape loading mechanism is further needed which enters into the tape cassette and draws out the magnetic tape from the tape cassette in order to wrap the magnetic tape around the guide drum as well as for engaging a drive mechanism with the take up reel and supply reel of the tape cassette. As the aforementioned tape cassette loading system handles both the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette, such a loading system should be equally capable of handling the magnetic tape contained in the standard size tape cassette and in the compact size tape cassette. However, the size and shape of a cutout portion formed in the tape cassette for allowing entrance of the tape loading mechanism is different for the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette. This means that the tape loading mechanism must be displaced responsive to the type of the tape cassette to be loaded. It is desirable that the time needed for loading the standard size tape cassette and for loading the compact size tape cassette until the magnetic tape is loaded on the drum of the videotape recorder be equal so that the user of the video tape recorder can play the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing any difference in the operation of the video tape recorder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful tape cassette loading system wherein the aforementioned problems are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which tape cassettes having different dimension can be played without substantial difference in the operation performed by the user on the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which loading of tape cassettes having different dimension can be made substantially in an identical loading time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising cassette loading means adapted to hold a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape cassette, said cassette loading means further being movable between an unloading state ready for placement or removal of the tape cassette and a ready-for-loading state ready for drawing out a magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette so as to wrap the magnetic tape around a guide drum of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, tape loading means for drawing out the magnetic tape from the tape cassette and wrapping the magnetic tape around the guide drum, said tape loading means being movable between a first state for drawing out the magnetic tape from the standard size tape cassette and a second state for drawing out the magnetic tape from the compact size tape cassette, and a reel drive means adapted for engaging with a supply reel and a take up reel of the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means for driving the supply reel and the take up reel, said reel drive means being movable between a first state for engagement with the reels in the standard size tape cassette and a second state for engagement with the reels in the compact size tape cassette, wherein the tape cassette loading system further comprises a controller which detects the type of the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means, the state of the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means and controls the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means such that the cassette loading means is moved to a first ready-for-loading position when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to a second ready-for-loading position when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, the tape loading means being set to the first state when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to the second state when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, the reel drive means being set to the first state when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to the second state when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, and the switching of the state of the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means being started simultaneously responsive to the start of the loading operation when the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means is changed from one type to the other. According to the present invention, switching of the state of the tape loading means and the reel drive means responsive to the change in the type of tape cassette is started simultaneously with the movement of the cassette loading means and the time required for switching the state of the loading system responsive to the change of the tape cassette is minimized. Thus, there is no substantial difference in time when a standard size tape cassette is loaded and when a compact size tape cassette is loaded. As a result, the user can load the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing substantial difference in the loading operation of the tape cassette loading system. Further, the user can simply place the standard size tape cassette or the compact size tape cassette on the cassette loading means when playing the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and the complicated switching operation by the user is not necessary. Thus, the user can play both the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing any substantial difference.
ed fully
inside the body of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus at a
level substantially the same as the level of the tape cassette in said
first state of the cassette loading means, a third state immediately
below the second state in which the magnetic tape in the second tape
cassette is ready for loading on the guide drum, and a fourth state
further below said third state in which the magnetic tape in the first
tape cassette is ready for loading on the guide drum of the apparatus; first driving means driven by a motor and which is movable between first, second, third and fourth positions for driving said cassette loading means between said first state and said second state, between said second state and said third state and between said third state and said fourth state, said first position, second position, third position and fourth position of said first driving means respectively corresponding to said first state, second state, third state and fourth state of said cassette loading means;
reel drive means carrying a first reel disk for driving a supply reel of the first or second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means, a second reel disk for driving a take up reel of the first tape cassette, and a third reel disk for driving a take up reel of the second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means, said reel drive means assuming a first state in which said second reel disk is in a position for engagement with the first tape cassette held on the cassette loading means and a second state in which said third reel disk is in a position for engagement with the second tape cassette held on the cassette loading means;
second driving means driven by a motor and is movable between a first position and second position for driving said reel drive means between said first state and second state respectively corresponding with said first and second positions of said second driving means;
tape loading means disposed at a vicinity of the guide drum between the guide drum and the cassette loading means and carrying a plurality of members which are movable for drawing out the magnetic tape from the first tape cassette when said first tape cassette is held on the cassette loading means or for drawing out the magnetic tape from the second tape cassette when said second tape cassette is held on the cassette loading means, said members being movable between a first state for
engagement with the
magnetic tape in the first tape cassette on the cassette loading means
and a second state for engagement with the magnetic tape in the second
tape cassette on the cassette loading means; third driving means driven by a motor and which is movable between a first position and a second position for driving said plurality of members between said first state and said second state respectively in correspondence with said first and second positions of the third driving means;
first detection means for detecting the placement of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means and for producing an output signal indicating the type of the tape cassette placed thereon indicating whether the tape cassette is the first tape cassette or the second tape cassette;
second detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the cassette loading means by detecting the position of the first driving means;
third detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the reel drive means by detecting the position of the second driving means;
fourth detection means for producing an output signal indicating the state of the tape loading means by detecting the position the third driving means; and
a controller electrically connected to an operation key of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus to be operated by a user for receiving a command from the user, said controller being further connected to said first, second, third and fourth detection means for receiving the output signals from the first, second, third and fourth detection means and discriminating the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means and the state of the cassette loading means, reel drive means and the tape loading means on the basis of said output signals, said controller further connected to the motors of said cassette loading means, reel drive means and tape loading means for controlling the energization of the motors responsive to the output signals from the first, second, third and fourth detection means so that the state of the cassette loading means is changed from said first state to said fourth state successively passing through said second and third states, that the state of the reel drive means is set to said first state of the reel drive means, and that the state of the tape loading means is set to said first state of the tape loading means responsive to the command by the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated in said first detection means that the first tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, said controller further controlling the energization of the motors of said first, second and third driving means on the basis of the output signals from said first, s
econd, third and fourth detection means so that the
state of the cassette loading means is changed from said first state to
said third state after passing through said second state, that the reel
drive means is set to said second state of the reel drive means, and
that the tape loading means is set to said second state of the tape
loading means responsive to the command by the user commanding the
loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated that the second
tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means on the basis of
the output signal from said first detection means, said controller
further controlling the energization of the motors of said first, second
and third driving means on the basis of the output signals from said
first, second, third and fourth detection means so that the state of the
cassette loading means is changed to said first state from said fourth
state successively passing through said third and second states
responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the
tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the fourth state,
and that the state of the cassette loading means is changed to said
first state from said third state after passing through said second
state responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of
the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the third state.2. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said third driving means comprises a main gear carrying a reflection pattern for discrimination of the angle of rotation of the main gear, and a plurality of sensors disposed for receiving the reflection from the reflection pattern on the main gear.
3. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller discriminates the existence of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means on the basis of the output signals of the first detection means responsive to the command by the
user commanding the loading of the tape cassette and energizing the
motor of the first driving means, such that the state of the cassette
loading system is set to the second state when it is discriminated that
no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means.
4. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller further sets the state of the reel drive means to its first state by controlling the energization of the motor of the second driving means and sets the state of the tape loading means to its first state by controlling the energization of the motor of the third drive means responsive to the command of the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when it is discriminated on the basis of the output signals from said first detection means that no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading system.
5. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller controlling the energization of the motors of the first driving means, the second driving means and the third driving means energizes the motors of the first, second and third driving means simultaneously responsive to the command by the user commanding the loading of the tape cassette when a change in the state is to be made in the tape loading means and in the reel drive means at the time of setting the state of the tape loading means and the reel drive means responsive to the result of discrimination made in the first detection means.
6. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said change in the state of the reel driving means and the tape loading means is made during a time interval in which the state of the cassette loading means is changed from its first state to second state.
7. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said tape loading means is further movable from said second state to a third state in which said members are moved further such that the magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette and drawn out by
the members makes a tangential contact with the guide drum of the
magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, said third driving means
being driven to a third position corresponding to said third state of
the tape loading means, said controller controlling said third driving
means so as to move to said third position after the cassette loading
means has reached its fourth state when the user commanded the loading
of the tape cassette and the cassette loading means is carrying the
first tape cassette, said controller controlling said third driving
means to said third position after the cassette loading means has
reached its third state when the user commanded the loading of the tape
cassette and the cassette loading means is carrying the second tape
cassette. 8. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said controller starts a timer when the change in the state of the tape loading means to said first state is completed responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette, said controller further starting the change in state of the cassette loading system to its second state, the setting of the state of the reel driving system to its first state, and the setting of the state of the tape loading system to its first state simultaneously when it is discriminated that no tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means within a predetermined time period on the basis of the output signals from said first detection means.
9. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said reel drive means comprises a main frame on which the first reel disk and the second reel disk are carried and a sub-frame on which the third reel disk is carried, said sub-frame is held on an end of a swing arm which is driven by a rotary shaft connected to said second driving means such that the sub-frame is lowered relative to the main frame when the reel drive means is in the first state and that the sub-frame is raised relative to the main frame when the reel drive means is in the second state.
10. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 9 in which said second detection means comprises a first switch which is closed when the sub-frame is in the lowered state and opened when the sub-frame is in the raised state and a second switch which is opened when the sub-frame is in the lowered state and closed when the sub-frame is in the raised state. first state from said fourth state successively passing through said third and second states responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the fourth state, and that the state of the cassette loading means is changed to said first state from said third state after passing through said second state responsive to the command by the user commanding the unloading of the tape cassette when the cassette loading means is in the third state.
11. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 1 in which said cassette loading means comprises a housing fixed on the body of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, a carriage carried on the housing in a manner movable horizontally between a first and a second state respectively corresponding to said first state and said second state of the cassette loading means, and a cassette tray supported on the carriage in a manner movable in a vertical direction between a first level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said first and second states, a second level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said third state, and a third level corresponding to the level of the tape cassette held on the cassette loading means when the cassette loading means is in said fourth state by means of a link mechanism, said cassette tray being a generally rectangular tray member adapted to hold the first tape cassette and further having a generally rectangular depressed part adapted for holding the second tape cassette.
12. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 11 in which said first detection means comprises a first switch carried on the tray member such that the switch is closed when the first tape cassette is placed on the cassette tray and a second switch carried on the depressed part such that the switch is closed when the second tape cassette is placed on the cassette tray.
13. A tape cassette loading system as claimed i
n
claim 11 in which said first drive means comprises a gear system for
moving the carriage horizontally and for moving the cassette tray
vertically, said gear system including a main gear carrying a reflection
pattern for discriminating an angle of rotation of the main gear, a
tooth provided on a circumference of the main gear for a limited angular
range for driving the carriage responsive to a rotation the main gear
for a limited rotational angle, a cam gear meshing with the main gear
and carrying a cam groove comprising a concentric cam groove part and a
spiral cam groove part, and a swing lever having a portion engaged with
said cam groove for selectively moving the cassette tray vertically
responsive to rotation of the main gear for a limited rotational angle.
14. A tape cassette loading system as claimed in claim 13 in which said second detection means comprises a set of optical sensors disposed so as to face the reflection pattern on the main gear.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from a magnetic tape by means of a recording and reproducing system and in particular to a tape cassette loading system used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for loading and unloading a magnetic tape contained in a tape cassette on and from the recording and reproducing system of the apparatus.
A current magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces an information signal on and from a magnetic tape such as a video tape recorder is loaded with a magnetic tape in a manner such that the magnetic tape is contained in a tape cassette for ease of handling as well as for protection of the magnetic tape. In order to load the magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette into the recording and reproducing system of the video tape recorder which includes a guide drum on which magnetic heads are carried, a c
assette loading system is used for
transporting the tape cassette from an eject position to a predetermined
loading position defined relative to the position of the guide drum and
for wrapping the tape around the guide drum in a predetermined manner.
The loading system is used also for disengaging the magnetic tape from
the guide drum and for transporting the tape cassette back to the
initial eject position for removal of the tape cassette. There are several types of tape cassettes which are currently sold in the market. On typical example of such a tape cassette is called a "standard size" tape cassette and is used widely in home video tape recorders. The aforementioned standard size tape cassette may have a typical dimension of 188×104×25 mm, for example, and accommodates a half inch wide magnetic tape wound around a supply reel and a take up reel with such an amount that a few hours of recording time is obtained. The specification for the tape cassette as well as for the recording format on the magnetic tape is standardized in relation to the type of video tape recorder so that the magnetic tape cassettes produced by different manufacturers can be used as long as the specification matches with the type of video tape recorder.
Recently, a more compact video tape recorder has been developed so as to realize a portable video tape recorder combined with a television camera and the like. Such a tape cassette has a reduced size so as to decrease the size and weight of the video tape recorder. In order to reduce the size, the compact size tape cassette contains a smaller amount of magnetic tape having a substantially reduced separation between a supply reel and a take up reel. On the other hand, the recording format of the video signal and the audio signal on the tape are made identical to the "standard size" tape cassette, so that the compatibility with the home video tape recorder currently in use is maintained.
Conventionally, such a compact size tape cassette is reproduced by the home video tape recorder by using an adapter having a size identical to the size of the standard size tape cassette into which the compact size tape cassette is accommodated, as the size and construction of the tape cassette do not match with the loading system of the video tape recorder designed for the standard size tape cassette. However, the use of this adapter is cumbersome and indeed inconvenient. Thus, there is a demand for a cassette loading system of a video tape recorder which can handle both the standard size tape cassette and compact size tape cassette.
United States Patent Applicati
on entitled "Tape Cassette Loading System" filed
by Mihara et al., based on the Japanese Patent Applications
No.253096/1987, No.305165/1987 and No.305164/1987 claiming a priority
date of Oct. 7, 1987, discloses a loading system comprising a cassette
tray on which a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape
cassette are placed. The cassette tray is carried by a carriage and is
movable in a horizontal direction into and out of the body of the video
tape recorder. Further, the cassette tray is carried by an elevating
mechanism and is movable in a vertical direction. Thus, the standard
size or compact size tape cassette placed on the cassette tray is
transported to the inside of the video tape recorder horizontally and
then transported vertically to the predetermined loading position. In order to load the magnetic tape in the tape cassette on the guide drum of the video tape recorder, a tape loading mechanism is further needed which enters into the tape cassette and draws out the magnetic tape from the tape cassette in order to wrap the magnetic tape around the guide drum as well as for engaging a drive mechanism with the take up reel and supply reel of the tape cassette. As the aforementioned tape cassette loading system handles both the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette, such a loading system should be equally capable of handling the magnetic tape contained in the standard size tape cassette and in the compact size tape cassette. However, the size and shape of a cutout portion formed in the tape cassette for allowing entrance of the tape loading mechanism is different for the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette. This means that the tape loading mechanism must be displaced responsive to the type of the tape cassette to be loaded. It is desirable that the time needed for loading the standard size tape cassette and for loading the compact size tape cassette until the magnetic tape is loaded on the drum of the videotape recorder be equal so that the user of the video tape recorder can play the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing any difference in the operation of the video tape recorder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful tape cassette loading system wherein the aforementioned problems are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which tape cassettes having different dimension can be played without substantial difference in the operation performed by the user on the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which loading of tape cassettes having different dimension can be made substantially in an identical loading time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising cassette loading means adapted to hold a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape cassette, said cassette loading means further being movable between an unloading state ready for placement or removal of the tape cassette and a ready-for-loading state ready for drawing out a magnetic tape contained in the tape cassette so as to wrap the magnetic tape around a guide drum of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, tape loading means for drawing out the magnetic tape from the tape cassette and wrapping the magnetic tape around the guide drum, said tape loading means being movable between a first state for drawing out the magnetic tape from the standard size tape cassette and a second state for drawing out the magnetic tape from the compact size tape cassette, and a reel drive means adapted for engaging with a supply reel and a take up reel of the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means for driving the supply reel and the take up reel, said reel drive means being movable between a first state for engagement with the reels in the standard size tape cassette and a second state for engagement with the reels in the compact size tape cassette, wherein the tape cassette loading system further comprises a controller which detects the type of the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means, the state of the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means and controls the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means such that the cassette loading means is moved to a first ready-for-loading position when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to a second ready-for-loading position when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, the tape loading means being set to the first state when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to the second state when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, the reel drive means being set to the first state when the standard size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means and to the second state when the compact size tape cassette is placed on the cassette loading means, and the switching of the state of the cassette loading means, tape loading means and the reel drive means being started simultaneously responsive to the start of the loading operation when the tape cassette placed on the cassette loading means is changed from one type to the other. According to the present invention, switching of the state of the tape loading means and the reel drive means responsive to the change in the type of tape cassette is started simultaneously with the movement of the cassette loading means and the time required for switching the state of the loading system responsive to the change of the tape cassette is minimized. Thus, there is no substantial difference in time when a standard size tape cassette is loaded and when a compact size tape cassette is loaded. As a result, the user can load the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing substantial difference in the loading operation of the tape cassette loading system. Further, the user can simply place the standard size tape cassette or the compact size tape cassette on the cassette loading means when playing the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and the complicated switching operation by the user is not necessary. Thus, the user can play both the standard size tape cassette and the compact size tape cassette without noticing any substantial difference.
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