Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-09
2004-02-10
Sniezek, Andrew L. (Department: 2651)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
C360S092100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06690530
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auto changer device. Specifically, the present invention relates to an auto changer which may be utilized for automatically changing cassettes in a tape deck or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Generally, auto changer devices for tape cassettes are known which are used for automatically changing a tape such as an audio cassette, when a currently playing tape has been fully played and another or a plurality of other tapes is installed provided in the changer device.
One such conventional auto changer device is know for example from Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 1-243265. Operation of such a conventional auto changer device will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 82-85
.
First, referring to
FIG. 82
, a plan view of an arrangement of cassette consoles according to the conventional arrangement is shown. As may be seen the consoles are circular in shape holding a plurality of cassettes in slots accessible from a peripheral surface thereof. Cassette selection is effected via a rotation arm
821
and a cassette transfer mechanism
822
associated therewith. According to this structure however, it is difficult to assure exact positional alignment between a cassette transport portion and the circular cassette consoles during tape selection operations and the like. Further, when a plurality of consoles is implemented it is necessary to provide a separate tape transport mechanism including a cassette receiving transfer component between each. Thus, the cost and complexity of the auto changer unit becomes high. In addition, the above described arrangement requires a relatively large amount of space for mounting such circular rotating consoles.
Also, in such an arrangement, in addition to the above mentioned components, a console for mounting a cassette playing device and/or cassette compartments including driving means therefor must be provided. Further, a position detection apparatus must be utilized to assure correct alignment of components during tape transfer operations. For example, such a position detection means may be a photoelectric cell mounted proximate a tape shuttle compartment for monitoring a position of the tape transport mechanism.
Referring to
FIG. 83
, a diagram of such a positional detection means as implemented in the conventional cassette auto changer as described above is shown. As may be seen the detection portion, is positioned proximate a cassette insertion rack
300
having a plurality of cassette insertion chambers
301
. The detection portion is configured as a plurality of photoelectric cells provided on the cassette insertion rack. While a movable cassette transport portion
303
within the casing of the auto changer device includes a photoelectric sensor, or the like,
304
thereon. The photoelectric sensor
304
is provided for detecting optimum alignment with a particular photoelectric cell
302
for facilitating calculation of an optimal positional relation between the cassette transport portion
303
and a given one of the cassette insertion chambers
301
.
However, according to such arrangement, It is difficult to calculate the exact positional relation between the cassette transport portion and a selected cassette provided in one of the cassette insertion chambers
301
of the cassette rack
300
owing to the contours of the cassette rack. For example, in
FIGS. 84 and 85
, since the cassette rack
300
in the first case is rounded at an outer surface portion while the latter is tapered, or V-shaped, it becomes difficult to calculate positioning between a cassette and a cassette transport component with high accuracy. Further, according to such arrangement as seen in
FIG. 85
, rotation of the cassette rack
300
according to cassette selection operation makes accurate determination of a stop position difficult according to the conventional positional detection means.
Thus, while such conventional arrangements require a large space for installation, an operational reliability thereof is degraded.
Further, other conventional auto changer systems have been disclosed, such as in Japanese Patent Application 05-2804 and 07-37308. According to such arrangements, a cassette out port and a cassette in port are provided. That is, ports are provided for removing cassettes from the casing of the auto changer system and inserting cassettes thereinto. However, according to such arrangements, it is not possible to use the cassette input port only. Thus, operations such as when a plurality of cassettes are to be installed into the system become cumbersome. Also, according to the above arrangement, the output port alone may not be utilized for easily removing a plurality of cassettes from the auto changer system.
Japanese Patent Application 05-2804 includes a vertically and horizontally movable cassette support portion which is freely movable according to rotational movement. According to this, timing belts must be provided in the vertical and horizontal directions as well as motors for driving a tape transfer mechanism including the cassette support portion and a larger space is required for installation and electrical usage is increased. Also, electrical cable and wiring for providing such a cassette auto changer system becomes complex.
In addition, according to an auto changer system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,075,559, a retaining lock provided in each cassette insertion chamber of a cassette rack, is designed to be released by a lock releasing mechanism provided on the cassette transfer mechanism. However, according to this, a separate driving means is required for activating a lock release lever of the cassette transfer mechanism to engage a lock lever of a cassette insertion chamber. Thus, the complexity and number of component parts Is increased in addition to a basic cost for the auto changer system.
Thus it has been required to provide a compact, reliable cassette auto changing apparatus having a relatively uncomplicated structure such that manufacturing expense and complexity are minimized while assuring a highly functional unit which may be installed in a comparatively small area space.
Also, it is desirable to provide a cassette auto changer system in which is simplified and has a reduced number of components.
Reliable determination of positioning between components is further required in such a compact cassette auto changer system.
In addition, reduced electrical requirements and simplified wiring, as well as smaller capacity cable Is desirable in such an auto changer system.
Provision of cassette locking and release mechanisms which are simplified is desired.
A cassette auto changer system which may execute cassette transfer operations in a reduced space is necessary for providing a compact apparatus.
And, flexible use of port openings according to an operation desired by the user is a feature to be desired in such a cassette auto changer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the related art.
It is a another object of the invention to provide a compact, reliable cassette auto changer apparatus having a relatively uncomplicated structure.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cassette auto changer system wherein manufacturing expense and complexity are minimized while assuring a highly functional unit which may be installed in a comparatively small area space.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cassette auto changer system which is simplified and has a reduced number of components.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cassette auto changer system wherein reliable determination of positioning between components is assured.
In addition, a further object of the invention Is to provide a cassette auto changer system wherein reduced electrical requirements and simplified wiring, are provided as well as smaller capacity cable and cassette locking and release mechanisms which are simplified.
Another object is to provide a cassette auto changer sys
Aikawa Koichi
Mokutani Takao
Noguchi Hideaki
Saiki Junichi
Tadokoro Keiji
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Ryan Matthew K.
Sniezek Andrew L.
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