Tape cartridge with built-in reel motors

A cassette system, comprising:

• a cassette drive which receives a tape cassette, said cassette drive having an opening and a first set of electrical contacts which supply power to the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the device;
• and
• said tape cassette comprising a cassette housing, first and second tape reels retaining tape and mounted inside the housing, first and second electric motors mounted within the cassette housing respectively driving the first and second reels, and a second set of contacts mating with said first set of contacts to deliver said power to said first and second motors.

A method for operating a tape cassette having first and second tape reels mounted inside a housing of the tape cassette, comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second motors also mounted within the cassette housing respectively driving the first and second reels when the cassette is inserted into a drive;
• and
• powering the first and second motors by electric power received from the drive via contacts in the drive and corresponding contacts on the tape cassette when the cassette is inserted into the housing.