Umted States Patent
`
`1191
`
`1111
`
`3,990,710
`
`Hughes
`[451 Nov. 9, 1976
`
`
`[54] COIN-OPERATED RECORDING MACHINE
`[76]
`Inventor: Robert M. Hughes, 452 Greer Ave.,
`CW“, Cal“ 91722
`Mar. 1, 1971
`[22] V Filed:
`[21] Appl. No.: 119,535
`Related US. Application Data
`[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 739,325, June 24,
`1968, abandoned.
`
`[51]
`
`[52] US. Cl. .................................. 274/1 R; 194/15;
`274/10 D', 360/15; 360/79
`Int. Cl.2..................... GllB 11/00; Gl 1B 5/86;
`Gl 1B 17/22; G11B 19/08
`[58] Field of Search ................. 274/464, 3, 1, 10.1;
`179/ 100.2 B, 100.2 Z; 194/ 15; 156/384, 385,
`386; 235/91.14; 360/ 15, 79
`
`[56]
`
`2,557,031
`
`References Cited '
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`6/1951
`lsbenjian ................................. 274/1
`
`8/1959 Orthuber ........................... 235/6l.6
`2,899,132
`l/1963
`Rockola ................................ 274/10
`3,074,725
`Primary Examiner—William D. Martin, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner—Steven L. Stephan
`Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm—Bonlard I. Brown
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`Recording apparatus for “dubbing” (recording from
`one to the other) onto a customer’s magnetic tape car-
`tridge, selected audio and/or video recordings stored
`in the apparatus. The apparatus includes means for ac-
`tivating the apparatus, means for selecting the desired
`recordings, means for identifying and storing data rep-
`resenting the selected recordings for tabulating royal—
`ties accrued by playing the selected recording, and
`magnetic tape cartridge receptacle, transport and re-
`cording means for the customer’s cartridge. The re-
`cord selection and recording means may be located
`directly on the record storage and playback machine
`or at a remote recording station,
`12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`Apple Exhibit 1314 Page 00001
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`Apple Exhibit 1314 Page 00001
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 1976
`
`Sheet 1 of5
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`3,990,710
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`Page 00002
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 9, 1976
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 9, 1976
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`Sheet 3 of5
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`3,990,710
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 9, 1976
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 9, 1976
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`Sheet 5 of5
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`Page 00006
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`Page 00006
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`

`

`1
`
`3,990,710
`
`COIN-OPERATED RECORDING MACHINE
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of applica—
`tion Ser. No. 739,325, filed June 24, 1968, and entitled
`“Coin-Operated Phonograph Disc-To-Tape Cartridge
`Recording Machine” and now abandoned.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to apparatus for play‘
`ing selected recordings and more particularly to appa—
`ratus of this kind which a customer may operate to play
`and/or record on his own magnetic tape cartridge or
`cassette selected audio and/or video recordings stored
`in the apparatus.
`2. Prior Art
`The stereophonic magnetic tape cartridge player is
`now widely used in the home and in automobiles. The
`owners of cartridge magnetic tape players seem in—
`clined to favor a particular recording or group of re-
`cordings for only a relatively short time. To continually
`replace these recordings has two non-advantageous
`aspects where the owner is not a collector of the re—
`corded music on magnetic tape cartridges. One is the
`expanding storage requirements for these no longer
`used tapes and the other is the current relatively high
`cost of pre—recorded cartridges.
`It is therefore desirable that when one has tired of the
`numbers on a particular cartridge, they be replaceable
`at low cost and with music of the owner’s choice.
`One way in which this can be accomplished relatively
`inexpensively is to pre-record the cartridges with the
`new material, erasing the old recording in the process.
`To accomplish this ordinarily would require a rela-
`tively costly array of apparatus for the average con-
`sumer. But if he could make such recordings at low
`cost, say fifty cents or twenty-five cents per number
`recorded, he would be inclined to make many substitu-
`tions replacing old with more recent recordings on his
`own cartridge, thus obtaining what he wants and being
`able to eliminate unwanted numbers.
`Up to the present time, the above recording problem
`has existed only in the field of audio, i.e. musical, re-
`cordings. However, the introduction of magnetic video
`tape cassette or cartridge viewing systems for home use
`promises to create a similar problem, except, of course,
`for the much higher cost of video recording equipment.
`This high cost makes it even more impractical than
`with audio recording for the individual consumer to
`own the necessary recording equipment to make video
`recordings.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a coin operated re-
`cording apparatus which an individual may operate
`upon insertion of the appropriate coins in much the
`same manner as a conventional juke box to play and
`record on his audio or video magnetic tape cartridge
`any selected audio or video recording stored in the
`apparatus. To this end, the apparatus embodies a coin
`operated playback machine containing a number of
`audio and/or video recordings or records, record selec-
`tion means such as push buttons, which the customer
`may actuate to select each record he wishes to record,
`a receptacle into which the customer may insert his
`magnetic cartridge, and playback - recording means for
`
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`playing each selected recording and simultaneously
`reproducing the recording on the customer’s magnetic
`tape cartridge. It is significant to note here that in the
`present disclosure, the term “record” is used as generic
`descreptor covering all types of audio and video re-
`cording media which may be handled and played in a
`coin operated playback machine of the class described,
`such as audio disc records, audio tape cartridges, and
`video tape cartridges.
`A problem which must be considered with a coin-
`operated device to be used by the consumer-public for
`recordings of this nature is the protection of the copy—
`right owner of the music’being recorded and also of the
`rights of artists whose performances are being thus
`used for business profit. They might be deprived of
`royalties unless each play is tabulated. According to an
`important and unique feature of the invention,
`this
`royality information is tabulated or recorded automati-
`cally in the playback machine each time a record is
`played and recorded. To this end, each audio and video
`record bears data representing royalty information,
`such as the title of the recording, the names of the
`copyright owner and recording artist, the amount of the
`royalty, etc. The playback machine includes means for
`reading and tabulating the royalty data on each record
`as it is being played to permit periodic payment of the
`accrued royalties.
`According to another important feature of the inven-
`tion, the present recording apparatus may comprise a
`“juke box” like unit for installation in public facilties,
`such as hotels, restaurants, bars and the like, or play-
`back machine to be situated at a convenient central
`location and remote recording stations located at vari-
`ous public facilities. In its “juke box” form, the record—
`ing apparatus will have a console containing all of the
`components of the apparatus including the records to
`be played,
`the coin mechanism,
`record selection
`means, receptacle for the customer’s tape cartridge,
`and the record playback and recording means. In its
`remote recording form, the recording apparatus will
`have a play back machine containing only means for
`selecting the records to be played. Each remote record-
`ing station will include a coin mechanism, record selec-
`tion means, a receptacle for the customer’s magnetic
`tape cartridge, and recording means. Each remote re-
`cording station is connected to the central playback
`machine by telephone lines or other electrical transmis-
`sion means, whereby electrical signals may be transmit-
`ted between the machine and remote station for actua-
`tion of the machine from the station and reproduction
`of a. recording being played in the machine on the cus-
`tomer’s magnetic tape at the station. In this regard, it
`will appear from the ensuring description that opera-
`tion of the recording apparatus requires transmission of
`control signals from each remote recording station to
`the central playback machine for actuating the ma-
`chine to playback selected records and transmission of
`other control signals from the playback machine to the
`remote stations to actuate the recording means at the
`stations. According to the preferred practice of the
`invention,
`these control signals comprise multi fre-
`quency tone signals like those used in modern tele-
`phone dialing systems. The playback machine and re-
`mote recording stations are equipped with suitable
`decoders for detecting these tone signals.
`In both forms of the apparatus, a speaker and/or
`video screen may be provided to permit each customer
`to listen to and/or watch each recording as it is being
`
`Page 00007
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`

`3
`In ar-
`reproduced on the customer’s tape cartridge.
`rangements where recording is not desired, the cus—
`tomer can merely listen and/or watch without record-
`mg.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an overall view of an audio recording appa-
`ratus according to this invention showing some of the
`internal details of the apparatus in dashed line;
`FIG. 2 shows details of the audio pickup and royalty-
`metering pickup arms and,
`in block diagram form,
`some of the associated apparatus to produce the copy
`recording and meter the operation;
`FIG. 3 is an overall block diagram of the apparatus;
`FIG. 4 is a detail of the royalty metering pickup
`means and certain royalty data markings on records to
`which the metering pickup responds;
`FIG. 5 is a detail similar to FIG. 4 showing an optical
`means for the royalty metering pickup system;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the stop-start and meter-
`ing system of the cartridge tape recording mechanism
`of the invention;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a royalty-metering de-
`coder system embodied in the apparatus;
`FIG. 8 is a video recording system according to the
`invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a recording system according to the inven-
`tion wherein the records are played at a central trans-
`mitting station and recording occurs at one or more
`remote recording stations.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The audio recording apparatus illustrated in FIGS.
`1—7 is embodied in a juke-box—like console unit 10.
`Mounted on this unit are a push-button actuating and
`selection panel 11 which includes a list 12 of the re-
`cordings available for playing and recording and push
`bottons 13 for selecting the recordings. In this case, the
`records bearing the audio recordings are conventional
`phonograph discs.
`In general for the purpose of this invention, certain
`modifications will be necessary in the usual juke box
`type of automatic coin-operated phonograph record
`disc player. These changes will be in the amplifier out-
`put connections to a magnetic tape cartridge, in a num-
`ber of switching connections relating to the stopping
`and starting of the tape cartridge recorder, and in the
`inclusion of a pickup means in addition to the standard
`phonograph pickup. The added pickup means, while
`physically similar to the phonograph record pickup,
`will differ in that its cartridge will be either a magnetic
`sensor or photoelectric sensor with an appropriate light
`source. Further, all of the records for use with the
`recording means of this invention will have to be modi-
`fied to include either magnetic indicia printed on the
`label or a set of indicia markings printed in ordinary
`light and dark gradations. The new pickup will sense
`these indicia markings.
`Shown in dashed lines within the unit 10 is the record
`playing selection and magazine mechanism 20» includ-
`ing a conventional
`turntable 14 and a conventional
`tone pickup arm 15. The magazine 14 stores the re-
`cords. The mechanism which selects the records and
`delivers them, upon pressing buttons on panel 11, to
`the turntable, is within the housing in the dashed-line
`assembly 20. An electronic audio equipment assembly
`18 includes the conventional reproducing amplifiers
`
`4
`for a juke box. The amplifier is modified to have an
`output 19 which passes through a metering electronics
`package 21 to the recording amplifier and electronics
`package 22 via a connection 23. A cable connection 24
`extends from the turntable aSSembly to the metering
`electronics box 21 to bring signals from a metering
`pickup 25, further described below, to the metering
`electronics box 21. Another cable connection shown at
`26 brings the signals from the tone arm pickup 15 to
`the reproducing amplifier 18.
`A coin—receiving slot 28 and associated collection
`box 29 with an associated coin-return slot 31 are shown
`in the unit 10. The cabinet of the unit has two recorder
`and magnetic tape cartridge-receiving compartments
`27 and 30. The cover 33 of compartment-30 is shown
`open with a cartridge-receiving slot 37. A typical mag-
`netic tape cartridge is shown at 35 removed from the
`slot 37 over the path shown by arrow 38.
`In FIG. 2, the components are shown semi—schemati—
`cally and in block form since many of these compo-
`nents are conventional. The pickup 15 includes a
`pickup cartridge 40 with a stylus 41 that rides in the
`grooves of a record 42 on turntable 14 in the conven—
`tional fashion. The signals derived from the disc record
`are entirely conventional and are applied to the repro-
`ducing amplifier electronics package 18 in the well
`known manner.
`On the label 43 of the record 42 appear markings 44
`which may be printed or embossed light and dark areas
`of pre-arranged shapes or marks in various positions, or
`they may be magnetic markings of appropriate configu-
`rational or digital patterns or density variations. The
`markings are coded to provide royalty data represent-
`ing the record 42 being played. The data markings can
`occupy a single revolution on the disc label, or several
`revolutions, or may for particular purposes encompass
`an entire disc.
`As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the markings 44a
`and 4417 will produce signals when in proximity to me-
`tering pickup device 25. If FIG. 4 is considered, the
`markings 440 are of magnetic configuration. If FIG. 5 is
`considered, the markings 44b are light and dark im-
`prints or embossings or the like.
`4S
`To pick off the magnetic, markings, a magnetic
`‘ pickup or sensor 45 is provided in arm 25 with leads 47
`that are connected to package 21 of FIG. 2. Similarly,
`if FIG. 5 is considered, the arm 25 has an optical light
`source 46 directed at markings 44b and a photoelectric
`pickup 49 which senses the light and dark areas of the
`markings 44b to produce a signal applied on leads 47a
`to package 21. It should be understood that the mag-
`netic and photoelectric techniques are alternative
`methods of obtaining the coded signal
`information
`from the code markings 44, 44a, or 44b to identify the
`record being played. The coded signals are applied to
`the metering electronics and storage package 21 (FIG.
`2) either from the magnetic head 45 or photoelectric
`pickup 49.
`The tape cartridge 35 to be recorded (as shown in
`FIG. 2) is illustrated as a continuous loop cartridge,
`like the unit identified by the trade style FIDELIPAC.
`Reel—to-reel cartridges may be used as well. In any case,
`the mechanism which does the recording and accepts
`the cartridges will operate in conventional fashion, but
`will be subject
`to controls responsive to the coin-
`operated mechanism and appropriate means to start
`the capstan drive (as indicated at SI in FIG. 2).
`
`3,990,710
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`3,990,710
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`5
`The customer's cartridge 35 is placed in slot 37. The
`cover 33 is closed over the cartridge slot and this acti-
`vates a solenoid lock, to be discussed below, which
`prevents the cover from being opened during the re—
`cording interval so that the customer may leave the
`area while his cartridge is being dubbed.
`After the appropriate coins have been inserted in
`coin slot 28, electrical contacts are made which effect
`placement of the selected record 42 on the turntable
`l4. Thereafter, the metering device pickup arm 25 is
`m0ved over the markings 44 (or 44a or 44b) on label
`43 so that sensor 45 (or 49) may respond to the mark-
`ings on the label 43 during the first revolution of the
`record 42 on turntable 14. The phonograph pickup arm
`15 is moved into place on the record 42 at the same
`time to begin playing the record while the magnetic
`tape cartridge recorder capstan is started to complete
`the recording of the disc 42 to the tape cartridge 35.
`When the recording is completed, the cover latching
`mechanism is released to permit opening the cover to
`remove the now recorded cartridge.
`It should be clearly understood that the recordings
`can be either monophonic or stereophonic, but it
`is
`conventional that the cartridges to be recorded will be
`of the stereo type. It should be further understood that
`either 8—track or 4—track cartridges can be recorded by
`the system of this invention. For this reason, the usual
`arrangement of the coin-operated system of this inven-
`tion will
`include pre-selection means for two, three,
`four, or more stereophonic records to be recorded in
`sequence on the tape. However, there is no reason why
`a system according to the invention cannot also include
`three more turntable assemblies such as 14, each being
`supplied by the same storage mechanism 16.
`Since records have two sides and there is the possibil-
`ity of one desiring to record each side of the same
`record. the selection means 11 is equipped to cause the
`system to play the desired numbers in sequence. The
`record is turned over after the first side selected is
`played. Some of the juke box devices are capable of
`playing either side on selection. In these machines, the
`disc is upright and there are pickups on either side to
`operate for playing the selected record.
`Referring now to FIG. 3 which presents an overall
`block diagram of the system of this invention, it can be
`seen that the coin-operated selection and control sys-
`tem 60 can be used to set the system in motion by
`operating the record stack distribution and selection
`system of the juke box to place the selected record on
`the turntable 14. The operation of the dropping of the
`phonograph playback arm 15 and metering device arm
`25 can be arranged to be delayed by the stop-start
`circuit 78 until the consumer has placed his cartridge
`35 into the slot 37 of FIG. 1, and the cover 33 of the
`cartridge receptacle area has been closed and latched
`by latching relay system 62. When all these events have
`occurred, the stop-start switch 78 can release the play-
`back and metering device arms 15, 25 onto the record
`42 and the recording can begin. At some point during
`the revolution of the turntable 14, a gate 64 will be.
`enabled so that the output of pickup 25 now reading
`the markings on label 43 and always present in ampli-
`fier 65 may be transmitted through gate 64 to a digital
`decoder 66 which will enter the appropriate signals into
`the royalty report storage means 67 which can be a
`memory bank of cores or pre-set flip-flops which will
`respond to the series of digital signals to generate con-
`trol signals for a printout device 68 which will in turn
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`print a royalty record identifying the record played and
`the organization or individual to whom royalties are
`due, and how much. A tone signal on the label 43 (in
`the markings 44) may be used as an enabling pulse for
`gate 64. It is sensed by pickup 25. The printout can also
`be adapted to provide an adhesive label, as at 69, for
`the cartridge identifying the title, artist and source, and
`indicating that a royalty has been paid, along with a
`date and such other significant data as may be desired,
`or necessary, or legally required.
`It should be clear that information retrieval such as
`described above is possible from entirely magnetically
`or optically recorded discs sensed by pickups such as
`shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
`Much of the printout data and label—generating infor-
`mation can be in the form of coded characters or sym-
`bols, as where record manufacturer source it to be
`identified and so forth.
`When the turntable pickup 15 for the phonograph
`record 42 reaches the sound recorded portion of the
`record, the juke box amplifier 70 reproduces the signal
`via loud speakers 71, 72, and at the same time applies
`a proportionate signal
`to the tape cartridge record
`amplifier 73 which drives the tape cartridge transport
`and tape head system 74 to make a recording on the
`magnetic tape in the cartridge 35 within the compart—
`ment 74. Means can be provided to switch the speakers
`off, if so desired. At the conclusion of the selected
`record, the stop—start switching system 78 disengages
`gate 64 to await a newly selected recording placed on
`the turntable
`It should be clearly understood that items 25, 65, 66,
`67, 68 and 69 may have many applications outside of
`the specific royalty record use hereinabove described
`because in many areas, a record of an event, or a series
`of events, maybe encoded, recorded and reported in a
`similar fashion. These events may be derived from the
`passage of a magnetically read or optically read card
`through a slot, as may be employed in an inventory
`control system or in any pre—paid operation or credit
`system. The card could even be impressed with a new
`coded signal train after each use to signify its useability
`for a subsequent "event, or cancel the precedent code
`recording when it has been used, as in a pre-paid meal
`ticket such as used by college or other food commissar-
`ies. The record of uses of the cards and amounts
`charged can be read out or printed out as decribed
`above, or below in later portions of this specification.
`Referring not to FIG. 6, a block diagram is shown of
`one way in which the recording of data may be accom—
`plished for the royalty reporting feature of this inven-
`tion.
`It will be assumed that a tape cartridge recorder 75
`with a cartridge 76 inserted is provided on which to
`keep a record of the disc recordings which have been
`dubbed and paid for.
`A device comparable to a tape pickup head 45 is
`provided in the arm 25 as suggested in FIG. 4.
`A gate circuit 77 responds to a characteristic code
`indicia 443 on the label 43 pickup by tape head 45
`which also is associated with the recorder stop-start
`circuit (see also FIG. 3) and starts the royalty record
`recorder 75 going to record the indicia information on
`tape 76 about the disc record to be duplicated onto a
`cartridge 35 or any other information to be recorded.
`On a later occasion, the tape cartridge 76 can be
`played back into a decoder system as shown in FIG. 7,
`to perform the operation of printout of the information
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`3,990,710
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`7
`regarding royalties as previously described, to provide
`a printed copy of the royalty information. The tape
`cartridge 76 can be replaced by a magnetically re-
`corded disc similar to the label portion 43 of disc 42.
`The cartridge 45 in arm 25 can be modified in known
`fashion to make it record on a magnetic surface from
`date sources externally provided.
`In FIG. 7, the tape cartridge of the decoder system
`would be inserted in a decoding tape player 80 which
`would apply signals to a digital converter 81 to operate
`automatic printer 82 so that a printed copy 83 of the
`royalty report could be produced.
`There has been described hereinabove a system for
`duplicating onto magnetic tape cartridges the disc re-
`cordings found on juke box records in a coin—operated
`automatic record player.
`The new system includes means to receive a cartridge
`of magnetic tape and to record thereon the music or
`- performance on one of the phonograph records se—
`lected by the owner of the cartridge to be recorded
`thereon.
`
`The system includes means for sensing and recording
`the fact of this duplication of the performance so that
`an accounting can be made on the royalties due the
`artist, the manufacturer of the record, and/or the copy-
`right owner of the music or material being performed.
`An aspect of the operation of the system of this in—
`vention is its use as an information retrieval system. An
`information retrieval system encompasses a source of
`data which is recorded on a medium (punched tape,
`magnetic tape, magnetically recorded discs, or in any
`other form), a means for detecting the recorded data,
`and an electronic circuit assembly of some kind to
`process the data detected so as to collect the recorded
`information on a pre—selected basis and utilize the col-
`lected data.
`As used in this invention, the medium is a label such
`as 43 containing indicia 44 as indicated in FIGS. 2 and
`3.
`
`However, the entire record may be a magnetically
`recorded information or data stream from which the
`user can select material to be recorded onto a tape
`cartridge.
`In such an instance, pickup 15 will be an
`appropriate sensor to detect the magnetic recording on
`the disc.
`An example of such a use is in a legal office where the
`storage bank of data might be of various volumes of law
`reports and court reporter data with superimposed
`digital information signals such that particular portions
`of the report may be selected and recorded for use by
`a secretary in preparing a brief.
`FIG. 8 illustrates, in block diagram fashion, a video
`recording apparatus 100 according to the invention. As
`is readily evident from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 8,
`the video recording apparatus is identical to, the audio
`recording apparatus except for replacement of the disc
`record playback mechanism of the audio apparatus by
`a video playback mechanism 102. This video play back
`mechanism includes a number, in this instance three,
`video playback units 104 containing different video
`recordings on magnetic tape. The video units are con—
`nected to the record selection means 106 and switching
`means 108 for initiation of operation of a selected unit
`by depression of the corresponding button or buttons
`of the selection means. The audio and video outputs
`from the audio and video pickup heads in the units are
`fed to an audio-video amplifier 110,
`the output of
`which feeds a video tube 112 and loud-speaker 114 for
`
`8
`reproducing the recorded video picture and sound and
`a tape cartridge record amplifier 116. Amplifier 116
`feeds the amplifier audio and video signals to the re-
`cord heads of the tape cartridge record mechanism
`118, which, in this case, is an audio—video record mech—
`anism for receiving a conventional video tape car—
`tridge. In this video system, the royalty information or
`data is recorded on the magnetic tape in each video
`unit and is read out by an appropriate pickup head and
`fed to a royalty signal amplifier 120 during replay of the
`respective tape. The remainder of the video recording
`system is essentially the same as the earlier described
`audio recording system.
`Operation of the video recording system is essentially
`the same as the audio recording system and hence need
`not be repeated in elaborate detail. Suffice it to say that
`insertion of the proper coin or coins into the coin slot
`and depression of a selected button of the record selec-
`tion means 106 actuates the corresponding video play-
`back unit 104. The audio and video signals from the
`unit are fed to the video playback unit 112,
`loud
`speaker 114 and recording means 118 to present to the
`customer the audio-video recording being played and
`simultaneously reproduce the recording on the custom-
`er’s magnetic tape. The royalty information on the
`video recording is tabulated while the recording is
`being played. It will be readily appreciated that the
`selected fiscal or audio presentation may be loaned to
`and/or watched at the remote location without record-
`ing, if desired.
`FIG. 9 illustrates a modified recording apparatus 200
`according to the invention having a transmitting station
`202 where the audio and/or video‘records are stored
`and played and remote recording stations 204 (only
`one shown) where the recordings are actually repro—
`duced on customers” magnetic tapes. The transmitting
`station may be situated at any convenient central loca-
`tion, and the recording stations may be located in se-
`lected public facilities, private houses, and the like. The
`transmitting and recording stations are linked by tele-
`phone lines or other signal
`transmission means for
`transmitting electrical signals representing a recording
`being played to the recording stations where the signals
`are applied to the record heads of the cartridge record-
`ing means. Therecording apparatus of FIG. 9 is basi—
`cally similar to those of FIGS. 1—8 except for the widely
`separated locations of the record storage and playback
`means and the cartridge recording means the inclusion,
`in the recording apparatus of FIG. 9, of certain addi-
`tional tone encoding and decoding functions which are
`necessary to permit selection of records and actuation
`of the record playback means from the recording sta—
`tions and actuation of the cartridge recording means
`from the transmitting station. Accordingly, its is unnec-
`essary to describe the apparatus 200 in complete detail.
`With regard to the separated locations of the transmit-
`ting and recording stations, it is significant to note that
`the various components of the record playback means
`at
`the transmitting station and cartridge recording
`means at
`the recording station are shown as being
`linked by separate electrical transmission lines 206 in
`order to more clearly illustrate the operation of the
`recording apparatus. In actual practice, however, the
`transmitting and recording station will be linked by a
`telephone or other line which will carry all of the elec-
`trical signals that occur during operation of the appara-
`tus. These signals are amplified by one or more line
`amplifiers 208, as necessary.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`3,990,710
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`‘ With the foregoing discussion in mind, it will be ob-
`served that aside from the separated locations of the
`transmitting and recording stations 202, 204, the re-
`cording apparatus 200 is identical to that of FIG. 8
`except for the addition of a tone generator 212, tone
`encoders 214, 216, and tone decoders 218, 220, 222.
`Such tone encoders and decoders are well known in the
`art and thus need not be explained. Suffice it to say that
`tone encoder 214 is a record selection tone encoder
`which is actuated by operation of the record selection
`means 224 to select a record to be played and produces
`a tone or a combination of tones representing the se-
`lected record. This tone signal is fed to the tone decod-
`ers 218, each of which is responsive only to the tone
`signal representing its respective record. The respon-
`sive decoder 218 actuates its respective playback unit
`226 and the play back start-stop switch means 228 to
`play the recording stored in the unit.
`Tone generator 212 is a subaudible tone generator
`which feeds to the playback units 226 a subaudible
`fixed frequency tone that is impressed on the output of
`the units during their playback operation. This subaudi-
`ble tone continues during the entire length of each
`recording and is detected by the tone decoder 220 at
`the recording station 204. Decoder 220 actuates the
`recording station start-stop switch means 230 in re-
`sponse to the subaudible tone to effect operation of the
`tape cartridge recording means 232 for reproducing on
`a customer’s magneti