# US 4,396,954 A · Still mode video signal reproducing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,396,954 A - Document ID: US4396954A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/236,198 - Filed: 1981-02-20 - Granted: 1983-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 1980-02-20 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Masakazu Sonoda; Hiroyuki Kaimai; Masaaki Komatsu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396954A ## CPC - G11B 5/534: {inclined relative to the direction of movement of the tape, e.g. for helicoidal scanning} - G11B 15/14: Masking or switching periodically, e.g. of rotating heads - G11B 15/1808: {Driving of both record carrier and head (G11B15/467 takes precedence; mounting of head G11B5/52)} - G11B 15/602: {for track selection, acquisition or following} - H04N 5/783: Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract In an apparatus which reproduces video signals from oblique tracks successively formed on a tape, there are provided at least two main rotary heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other an auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle as that of one of the main rotary heads and which is disposed to substantially scan the same track as that scanned by the one of the main rotary heads. A tape driving circuit for slow motion reproduction of the recorded video signals in which the tape is intermittently driven by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of the tracks during each of a plurality of predetermined time intervals, and a head control circuit for controlling the operation of the main rotary heads and the auxiliary head in response to the tape driving circuit and head change-over pulses such that when the tape is stopped, the video signals are alternately reproduced by the one of the main rotary heads and the auxiliary rotary head, and the video signals are alternately reproduced by the two main rotary heads during movement of the tape. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded on tracks which are obliquely formed on a tape, comprising: at least two main rotary heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other for scanning said tracks; an auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle as that of one of said main rotary heads, said auxiliary rotary head being disposed to substantially scan the same track as that scanned by said one of the main rotary heads; motor means for driving said tape; tape driving means for controlling said motor means to intermittently drive the tape during a slow motion reproduction mode by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of said tracks during each of a plurality of predetermined time intervals; and head control means for controlling the operation of said main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head such that said video signals are reproduced by said one of the main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle when said tape is stopped, and the video signals are reproduced by said main rotary heads during movement of said tape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said tape driving means includes a drive pulse generating circuit for generating a motor drive pulse in response to a head switching pulse, and a brake pulse generating circuit for generating a motor brake pulse in response to a control signal reproduced from said tape, said tape being intermittently driven by alternately supplying said motor drive pulse and said motor brake pulse to said motor means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said drive pulse generating circuit includes first monostable multivibrator means for determining the interval of said drive pulse in accordance with a slow-motion playback ratio. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said head control means includes a first switch circuit which switches one of the outputs from said other of said main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head in response to a switching signal, and a second switch circuit which switches one of the outputs of said one of said main rotary heads and said first switch circuit in response to said head switching pulse. ### Claim 5 An apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded on tracks which are obliquely formed on a tape, comprising: at least two main rotary heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other for scanning said tracks; an auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle as that of one of said main rotary heads, said auxiliary rotary head being disposed to substantially scan the same track as that scanned by said one of the main rotary heads; a tape capstan motor for driving said tape; tape driving means for controlling said tape capstan motor to intermittently drive the tape by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of said tracks during each of a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said tape driving means including a drive pulse generating circuit for generating a motor drive pulse in response to a head switching pulse and having first monostable multivibrator means for determining the interval of said drive pulse in accordance with a slow-motion playback ratio, a brake pulse generating circuit for generating a motor brake pulse in response to a control signal reproduced from said tape, said tape being intermittently driven by alternately supplying said motor drive pulse and said motor brake pulse to said tape capstan motor, and flip-flop means responsive to said first monostable multivibrator means and to said motor brake pulse for producing a gate signal; and gate means receiving said control signal and said gate signal for feeding said control signal to said brake pulse generating circuit during each drive pulse interval; and head control means for controlling the operation of said main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head such that said video signals are reproduced by said one of the main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head when said tape is stopped, and the video signals are reproduced by said main rotary heads during movement of said tape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus according to claim 5, in which said brake pulse generating circuit includes second monostable multivibrator means responsive to said control signal from said gate means for producing said motor brake pulse with a predetermined pulse width. ### Claim 7 An apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded on tracks which are obliquely formed on a tape, comprising: at least two main rotary heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other for scanning said tracks; an auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle as that of one of said main rotary heads, said auxiliary rotary head being disposed to substantially scan the same track as that scanned by said one of the main rotary heads; a tape capstan motor for driving said tape; tape driving means for controlling said tape capstan motor to intermittently drive the tape by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of said tracks during each of a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said tape driving means including a drive pulse generating circuit for generating a motor drive pulse in response to a head switching pulse and having first monostable multivibrator means for determining the interval of said drive pulse in accordance with a slow-motion playback ratio, and a brake pulse generating circuit for generating a motor brake pulse in response to a control signal reproduced from said tape, said tape being intermittently driven by alternately supplying said motor drive pulse and said motor brake pulse to said tape capstan motor; and head control means for controlling the operation of said main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head such that said video signals are reproduced by said one of the main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head when said tape is stopped, and the video signals are reproduced by said main rotary heads during movement of said tape, said head control means including a first switch circuit which switches one of the outputs from said other of said main rotary heads and said auxiliary rotary head in response to a switching signal, a second switch circuit which switches one of the outputs of said one of said main rotary heads and said first switch circuit in response to said head switching pulse, a switching signal generating circuit having third monostable multi-vibrator means connected to said drive pulse generating circuit for generating a signal indicative of movement of the tape, and second gate means receiving said indicative signal and said head switching pulse for producing said switching signal indicating a duration wherein said other of said main rotary heads should be switched.