Data control system for storing digital and audio information on a magnetic tape

An electronic information processing apparatus capable of operating in a variety of different modes comprising:

• means for introducing information into said information processing apparatus;
• magnetic tape recorder means for recording said information onto a magnetic tape, said tape recorder means being capable of operating in a normal record mode, a playback mode, a fast forward and a fast rewind mode;
• and
• control circuit means for controlling the recordation of said information onto said magnetic tape in a predetermined format, said format comprising:
• a plurality of individual data sections having said information recorded therein, each of said data sections being separated from one another by a certain distance on said magnetic tape;
• and
• a plurality of block number codes corresponding, respectively, to said plurality of data sections, said block number codes being indicative of the modes of operation of said information processing apparatus and the type of information recorded on said magnetic tape, each of said block number codes being interposed on said magnetic tape between two adjacent data sections, each of said block number codes including a first section, used in the normal record modes and the playback mode of said tape recorder means and a second section, directly adjacent said first section, used in the fast forward and fast rewind modes of said tape recorder means;
• wherein said first section and said second section of said block number codes each comprise:
• a first plurality of bits;
• and
• a second plurality of bits directly adjacent to said first plurality of bits, said second plurality of bits being the same bits and containing the same information as said first plurality of bits;
• whereby said block number codes on said magnetic tape are detectable by said magnetic tape recorder means when said magnetic tape is driven to travel in a forward direction and in a reverse direction;
• wherein said first and second plurality of bits each comprise:
• a bit for determining the type of said information being recorded on said magnetic tape;
• and
• a bit to distinguish between a data write-in mode and a data read out mode of said electronic information processing apparatus.