Method and apparatus for controlling a tape player/recorder for retrieving and playing prerecorded information

Apparatus for recording on tape information for controlling the tape when the tape is placed in a player/recorder, the tape having a plurality of audio and/or video selections recorded thereon at spaced locations, said player/recorder including means for providing an indication of tape motion and direction and for generating a signal indicative thereof, comprising:

• means responsive to said tape motion and direction indicating signal for generating a number indicative of tape position from a known reference point;
• means for selecting any one of said audio and/or video selections;
• memory means responsive to said tape position number generating means and said selection means for storing the tape position number generated by said number generating means each time said selection means is activated;
• and
• means for recording on said tape at a predetermined central location, remote from said audio and/or video selections, the tape position numbers stored in said memory means.

Apparatus for controlling a tape player for playing a tape therein having a plurality of audio and/or video selections recorded thereon at spaced locations, said tape also having recorded thereon, at a predetermined central location, remote from said selections, a plurality of tape position numbers indicative of tape position from a known reference point, said tape position numbers being indicative of the start points of said selections, said player/recorder also including means for providing an indication of tape motion and direction and for generating a signal indicative thereof, comprising:

• memory means for storing tape position numbers;
• means for reading from said tape said tape position numbers recorded thereon and for conducting said tape position numbers to said memory means for storage therein;
• means responsive to said tape motion and direction indicating signal for generating a number indicative of tape position from a known reference point;
• means for selecting any one of said audio and/or video selections;
• means for comparing any tape position number stored in said memory means and selected by said selection means with the tape position number generated by said tape position number generating means;
• and
• means responsive to said comparing means for commanding said player to wind or rewind said tape to locate the selected tape position number and for commanding playing of said tape when the selection associated therewith is located.

Apparatus for controlling a tape player/recorder for playing a tape therein having a plurality of audio and/or video selections recorded thereon at spaced locations, said player/recorder including means for providing an indication of tape motion and direction and for generating a signal indicative thereof, comprising:

• means responsive to said tape motion and direction indicating signal for generating a number indicative of tape position from a known reference point;
• means for selecting any one of said audio and/or video selections;
• memory means selectively responsive to said tape position number generating means and said selection means for storing the tape position number generated by said number generating means each time said selection means is activated;
• means for recording on said tape at a predetermined central location, remote from said audio and/or video selections, the tape position numbers stored in said memory means whereby said tape may be removed from said player/recorder and subsequently reinserted into the same or another player/recorder;
• means for reading from said tape said tape position numbers recorded thereon and for conducting said tape position numbers to said memory means for storage therein;
• means for comparing any tape position number stored in said memory means and selected by said selection means with the tape position number generated by said tape position number generating means;
• and
• means responsive to said comparing means for commanding said player/recorder to wind or rewind said tape to locate the selected tape position number and for commanding playing of said tape when the selection associated therewith is located.

A method for recording on tape information for controlling a tape when the tape is placed in a player/recorder, the tape having a plurality of audio and/or video selections recorded thereon at spaced locations, said player/recorder including means for generating a signal indicative of tape motion and direction, comprising the steps of:

• playing said tape;
• generating from said tape motion and direction indicating signal a number indicative of tape position from a reference point as said tape is played;
• storing in a memory means the tape position numbers generated by said number generating means and indicative of the start points for said selections recorded on said tape;
• and
• subsequently recording on said tape at a predetermined central location, remote from said audio and/or video selections, the tape position numbers stored in said memory means.

A method for controlling a tape player for playing a tape therein having a plurality of audio and/or video selections recorded thereon at spaced locations, said tape also having recorded thereon, at a predetermined central location, remote from said selections, a plurality of tape position numbers indicative of tape position from a known reference point, said tape position numbers being indicative of the start points of said selections, said player/recorder also including means for generating a signal indicative of tape motion and direction, comprising the steps of:

• providing a memory means for storing tape position numbers;
• playing said tape;
• reading from said tape said tape position numbers recorded thereon as said tape is played and conducting said tape position numbers to said memory means for storage therein;
• generating from said tape motion and direction indication signal a number indicative of tape position as said tape is played;
• providing a means for selecting any one of said audio and/or video selections;
• comparing any tape position number stored in said memory means and selected by said selection means with the generated number indicative of tape position;
• and
• commanding said player to wind or rewind said tape to locate the selected tape position number and to play said tape when the selection associated therewith is located.