WO1993021631A1

WO1993021631A1 - Subminiature recording and reproducing apparatus and method of operation thereof

Info

Publication number: WO1993021631A1
Application number: PCT/KR1993/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Do Young Choi; Seog Ha Kwon; Gun Choon Park; Young Ho Cho; Jae Kab Seo; Masaharu Ohashi
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1992-04-14
Filing date: 1993-04-14
Publication date: 1993-10-28
Also published as: CN1078819A; KR930022307A; KR100188916B1; CN1061158C; ES2080672A2; ES2119669B1; ES2119669A1; ES2080672B1; ES2080672R

Abstract

A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes an eject lever for inserting and taking out a cassette, a cassette holding mechanism for loading the cassette on a rotating drum, and tape loading mechanism including running elements to fully load the magnetic tape onto the rotating drum when the cassette holding mechanism is seated. The cassette holding mechanism includes a cassette holder for receiving the cassette, a slider for conveying the cassette holder in horizontal direction and an upper chassis having the rotating drum mounted thereon. The size of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus can be minimized by excluding the general concept requiring that the magnetic tape of the cassette be loaded on the rotating drum according to the horizontal movement of the chassis in the moving deck system consisting of a main and sub-chassis. Moreover, each running element can be controlled by a single driving source. Thus, a pocket-sized magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as small as the cassette can be realized. A method using switches located on a lower chassis is also described.

Description

SUBMINIATURE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a recording and reproducing apparatus for magnetic recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved drive and control system for a small foot print recording and reproducing apparatus. The present invention is particularly advantageous when adapted as a part of a camcorder. Operating methods according to the present invention are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND ART

Magnetic recording and reproducing apparatuses such as video tape recorders or video cassette recorders are known. The most common is the VHS cassette recorder first marketed by JVC. This system uses a cassette holding 1/2 inch wide tape and includes structure specifically adapted to load or unload the cassette from the apparatus. For example, the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus probably includes a cassette holder into which a cassette is inserted and driving members for setting the cassette holder on a main deck by drawing the cassette holder into the main body of the apparatus. Additionally, a mechanism for loading or unloading the tape with respect to a rotating drum installed on the main deck, as well as one or more devices for running the tape along a constant path, are included in the cassette recorder. Thus, when the tape cassette is inserted into the cassette holder, a driving motor installed on the main deck is operated, e.g., in response to sensing the position of the cassette, so that the cassette holder is seated on the main deck. Subsequently, recording of video signals on the magnetic tape or reproducing the recorded signal from the tape can be performed after loading the magnetic tape on a rapidly rotating drum using a pair of pole bases. Portable camcorders use the above mentioned magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus. It will be appreciated that intensive efforts have been made to reduce the size and weight of the camcorder as much as possible to increase the convenience to the user. A major consideration in reducing the size and weight of the product, e.g., camcorder, is the size of the deck mechanism. Thus, several reduced foot print camcorders, such as that which utilizes the 8mm tape cassette, have been introduced. It will be noted that final product envelope is generally dictated by the size of the deck. Several alternative deck arrangements have been proposed or actually implemented. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,757,397 discloses a deck wherein the drum head may occupy a plurality of positions,e.g., a first position in whiϋh the drum head opposes the cassette, a second position in which the drum overlaps the cassette (corresponding to the recording and reproducing position) and a third position in which the drum position is coincident with the cassette holder. This third position is possible because the cassette cannot be installed when the apparatus is in its most compact configuration. U.S. Patent No. 4,796,115 discloses a tape loading device including a fixed chassis on which a rotary drum head is mounted and a sliding chassis on which a pair of reel disks are mounted. The sliding chassis is mounted on the fixed chassis so that the pair of reel disks towards or away from the rotary drum head. Thus, when a cassette is loaded, i.e», the reel disks engage a corresponding pair of tape reels, the cassette is moved towards the drum head and the tape is wound on the drum head by a tape loading device. It will be noted that the component arrangement disclosed in this patent results in overlap of the head drum and the rectangular outline of the cassette.

A variation on this arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,124,854, which corresponds to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Hei 2-281459. In particular, the cassette loading apparatus includes a slide mechanism for moving the cassette to and from a recording/reproducing position and a loading device equipped with an inner cassette holder and an outer cassette holder for loading the cassette on the slide mechanism. In the disclosed apparatus, the outer cassette holder is pivotable relative to the slide mechanism so that movement of the outer cassette holder produces movement in both the slide mechanism and the inner cassette holder. The advantages, as well as some of the attendant problems, associated with this cassette loading apparatus can best be appreciated from an examination of Fig. 1. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus 300 comprises a fixed chassis 310 on which a drum head 311 and supporting pieces 312 are installed on either side of the fixed chassis 310. A sliding chassis 320, which is installed above the fixed chassis 310, includes at least one second supporting piece 321 on the left side of chassis 320. A pair of reel stands 322 are also included as part of the chassis 320. A cassette holder 330 which is connected to both the fixed chassis 310 via supporting piece(s) 312 and sliding chassis 320 via supporting piece(s) 321 receives a cassette 350 in an inner cassette holder 340. One end of holder 340 is hinged to the distal end of supporting piece(s) 321 of sliding chassis 320 and the other end is installed in a slot 331 of the cassette holder 330 so as to guide a cassette tape 350 fitted into the cassette holder 330 when it approaches the head drum 311. In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, after the cassette 350 is inserted into the cassette holder 330, if the cassette holder 330 is pushed downward, the cassette holder 330 is closed by pivoting around an axis formed by the intersection of cassette holder 330 with supporting piece(s) 312 of the fixed chassis 310 while the sliding chassis 320 is moved relative to the fixed chassis 310, i.e., inward into its operating position.

While the construction of the main chassis is simpler than in a conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which a sub-chassis slides on a main chassis, and while the operation is simpler, the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus cannot be optimally sized. It will again be noted that while the foot print of the overall device is smaller than that discussed with respect to U.S. Patent No. 4,796,115, the head drum overlaps the profile of the cassette.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication Hei 3-283127 discloses yet another arrangement for reducing deck size in which a sub-chassis on which a cassette is seated and a main chassis on which a rotating drum and various running elements are mounted are moved relative to each other in loading and unloading a magnetic tape on the rotating drum.

In conventional magmetic recording and reproducing apparatuses, it is often decided to further complicate the construction by including a separate driving source or an interlocking device for moving the sliding chassis horizontally. Thus, many parts are necessary and, as a result of the high part count, the component cost of this apparatus is high.

The present invention was motivated by a desire to overcome the identified disadvantages of the prior art. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The principal purpose of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein the overall size is restricted to the size of the cassette or less. Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein a single motor for tape loading and tape running can be used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein the overall cost of the apparatus in minimized.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which can accommodate a rotating drum completely into an inner space of a tape cassette at the time of completion of loading the tape cassette. This object can be achieved by first loading the magnetic tape in the tape cassette onto the rotating drum in an upper chassis. By dividing a chassis into an upper chassis, in which various running elements are installed, and by arranging various running elements in the inner space of the tape cassette so that the full loading operation is effected when the upper chassis is lowered seated on the lower chassis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling the mode of operation of the magnetic recording and reporducing apparatus. The number of needed parts can be reduced in number by making the loading and running of the magnetic tape operable from a single driving source.

These and other objects, features and davantages of the invention are disclosed in or apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments are described with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the prior art;

Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C are side sectional views showing the construction and selected operational details of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a plan section view of a cassette tape installed in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of Figs.2A-2C; Fig. 4 is a plan view useful in further explaining the cassette adapted to be advantageously used in the various embodiments of the present invention; Figs. 5A through 5D are schematic drawings each showing side views of respective operating conditions of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 6A and 6B are plan views respectively showing conditions before and after the operation of an upper chassis and a slider,

Figs. 7A and 7B are plan views respectively showing conditions before and after the operation of a tape cassette seated on a slider; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a lower chassis showing various running elements of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 9A and 9B are plan views showing a magnetic tape loading system and running system of Fig. 8; Figs. 10A and 10B are front views to illustrate an operating condition of a loading device applied to the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 11A and 11B are respectively a plan view and a main part side view to illustrate an operating condition of a plunger device applied to the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 11C is a plan view to illustrate an operating condition of the plunger device;

Figs. 12A through 12C are schematic plan views showing positional relationships characteristic of each mode between the magnetic tape and various running elements of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 13A through 13C are plan views illustrating an operating condition for each mode of various running elements of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a high level block diagram illustrating a mode control circuit particularly adapted for use in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of Figs. 5A through 5D; and Fig. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the essential and support steps of a control method adapted for use in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus control system illustrated in Fig. 14.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One preferred embodiment according to the present invention will now be described while referring to Figs. 2 through 4. As shown in the various views of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C, a recording and reproducing apparatus 400 includes a cassette holder or upper chassis 460 connected to a lower chassis 470 using pivot point 463, allowing the apparatus to be folded. The cassette holder 460 is formed with a supporting member 461 which advantageously supports a cassette tape 480 when it is inserted into the cassette holder 460. A rotating drum 462 is located on one centerline of the supporting member 461. On the inner bottom of the lower chassis 470 are installed a pair of reels 471 on which the cassette tape 480 advantageously can be seated. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 400 preferably includes a variety of additional mechanisms, e.g., a capstan motor and/or an idler. Additional details of this preferred embodiment will be discussed while referring to Figs. 3 and 4. Those of ordinary skill in the art will note that the cassette 480 includes non-standard features (discussed in greater detail immediately below). The particular cassette configuration is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 3-283157 and 3-283158, which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. However, a greater understanding of the advantages and features of the present invention will be achieved by discussing both the deck 400 and the cassette 480 simultaneously.

As shown in Fig. 4, the interior of cassette 480 includes an inserting space 481 which advantageously can surround drum 462 of apparatus 400. Cassette 480 preferably includes a pair of rotating members 483 which pivot about pivot pins 486 under the urging of a pair of springs 484. Rotating members 483 advantageously support a pair of hubs 482, which hubs can be selectively position in a number of ways easily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, a locking device 487, for controlling the rotation of hubs 482, is provided in cassette 480.

As previously noted, the cassette 480 is configured so as to permit the position of hubs 482, around which the tape 485 is wound, to be readily changed. As shown in Fig. 4, spacing LI between the hubs 482 of cassette 480, which is used in conventional 8mm camcorder decks, is smaller than spacing L2 between the hubs of the cassette 480 used in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Since the cassette 480 must be brought close to drum 462 to minimize the foot print of deck 400, spacing L2 must be larger than the spacing LI.

The operation of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus 400 will now be described while referring to Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C. As shown in Fig. 2A, the cassette holder 460 is open with respect to lower chassis 470 and the cassette 480 is inserted into cassette holder 460. It will be noted that when the cassette 480 is positioned inside of cassette holder 460, the tape 485 of cassette 480, which is initially positioned across the space 481, is brought into contact with drum 462. It will also be noted that drum 462 fixed to supporting member 461 of cassette holder 460. The tape 485 is advantageously unwound in response to the force used to insert the cassette 480 into cassette holder 460. It will also be appreciated that the tape 485, which is wrapped around drum 462 as shown in Figs. 2B, 3 and 4, occupies a position defining a half loaded position.

When the cassette holder 460 is closed as shown in Figs. 2C and 3, hubs 482 of cassette 480 mesh with reels 471 on the lower chassis 470. Then, the tape 485, which again is only half loaded, advantageously can be fully loaded so as to permit recording and reproducing operations. It will be appreciated that the tape loading, i.e., wrapping, operation can be initiated in response to the operation of one or more switches, as discussed in greater detail below. Preferably, the loading operation is performed using a loading mechanism driven by a frequently used motor, e.g., the capstan motor. The entire power transmission arrangement is also discussed in greater detail below.

It will be noted that the deck 400 is constructed in such a way that if the cassette holder 460 is closed after receiving the cassette 480, the cassette 480 has been effectively automatically loaded. Reels 471, in an exemplary case, can be operated to advance or rewind the tape 485 without operation of the loading 5 mechanism. Thus, a deck 400 cna be produced which has a physical shape and size substantially equal to the shape and size of the cassette 480. Furthermore, because of this simple construction, which reduces the deck part count, the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced. It will also be appreciated that this translates to a comparative advantage to the manufacturer. Moreover, the deck- 400 advantageously does not require a separate case, since the lower chassis 470 and cassette holder 460 can function as the case of the product.

Another preferred embodiment of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will now be described while referring to Figs 5-15. In particular, the construction of this preferred embodiment of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 5A to 5D and Figs. 6A and 6B. It will be appreciated that, in general, the magnetic ^~ recording and reproducing apparatus is symmetrical with respect to a centerline intersecting a rotating drum 31. See Fig. 6A, for example. Thus, unless otherwise necessary, discussions with respect to side views of the apparatus indicate an identical structure on the side away from the viewer.

Referring first to Figs. 5A to 5D, these figures show side views of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus 1, e.g., deck 1, during each stage of a four stage cassette loading operation. More specifically, the deck 1 includes an eject lever 10, which preferably includes a pair of arms 10a, connected to a bracket 11 at by shafts 11a. Brackets 11 advantageously support a lower chassis 60 attached to a main body (not shown), which, in turn, supports an upper chassis 30 equipped with a rotating drum 31, a cassette holder 40 for holding cassette 20 and a slider 50 supporting cassette holder 40 and movable towards and away from upper chassis 30. The eject lever 10 advantageously includes a locking pin 10b, the function of which will be described in greater detail below, located diagonally across from shafts 11a, as well as a pair of spring members 12 for preventing movement of cassette 20 once eject lever 10 has been closed and locked. Upper chassis 30 advantageously includes a bracket 30a into which a slot 30b is formed. Preferably, a pin 10c in a respective arm 10a prσtudes into hole 30b, thus permitting upper chassis to move vertically in time with the movement of eject lever 10.

As previously noted, a cassette holder 40, into which cassette 20 is inserted, a slider 50 for moving the cassette holder 40 horizontally backward and forward, and an upper chassis 30 fitted with a rotating drum 31 advantageously are located between eject lever 10 and lower chassis 60. Preferably, a magnetic tape 21 from cassette 20 is first loaded onto the drum 31 at the time of horizontal movement of the slider 50, as illustrated in Figs. 5C, 7A and 7B.

Referring again to Fig. 5A, one end of cassette holder 40 is connected to slider 50 at shaft 40a. The center of cassette holder 40 advantageously is connected to slider 50 via a first link 41, a pin 43 and a second link 42, arranged in that order, at a slot 50b in a bracket 50a in the side of slider 50. Thus, the cassette holder 40 can be rotated by a predetermined angle about shaft 40a so that the insertion or extraction of the cassette 20 is possible. Preferably, a lid opening member 44 is provided on one side of the cassette holder 40, which member advantageously can be rotated up and down about shaft 44a. A slot 44b may be provided substantially in the middle of the lid opening member 44 so that a pin 40b protruding from the side of the cassette holder 40 is inserted and guided through the slot 44b. The middle portion of the lid opening member 44 and the slider 50 are connected together using a third link 45, which advantageously can be inclined at a predetermined angle. Preferably, second link 42 and third link 45 are interconnected via a spring member 46 located proximate to the slider 50. Thus, when seating the cassette holder 40 on slider 50, the lid opening member 44 is rotated about shaft 44a so as to open a lid 20a of cassette 20, as shown in Fig. 5B.

The construction of slider 50 may best be understood by referring to Figs, 6A and 6B, wherein a pair of reel bases 51, 52 are fitted on both sides of slider 50 and supply and take-up reels 53, 54 are installed on the reel bases 51, 52, respectively. It will be appreciated that this arrangement permits a hub (not shown in cassette 20 to be moved forward and backward, e.g.,horizontally by a slider moving mechanism, which is provided on the upper chassis 30 and which is discussed in greater detail immediately below. Reel bases 51, 52 are connected to slider 50 by a pair of shafts 51a, 52a and a pair of pins 51b, 52b, respectively, formed on the opposite sides of reel bases 51, 52 from the shafts. Pins 51b,52b are disposed in slots 50c, 50d formed in slider 50. Perferably, reel bases 51, 52 are movable by a spring member 55 throughout the range of motion defined by slots 50c, 50d and shafts 51a, 52a, respectively.

The slider moving mechanism advantageously includes a first lever 32 located at one side of the upper chassis 30 and pivoting about a shaft 32a, and a second lever 33 located substantially in the middle of first lever 32 and pivoting around a shaft 33a. A pin 50e, fixed to the underside of slider 50, is press fit into a slot 32b formed the free end of first lever 32. A pin 30c, fixed to the underside of upper chassis 30, is press fit into a slot 33b formed in second lever 33. One end of second lever 33 and upper chassis 30 advantageously can be connected together by a spring member 34 so as to permit first lever 32 and second lever 33 to be elastically operated. It will be appreciated that slider 50 thus achieves two stable positions with respect to upper chassis 30, the fully inserted and the fully extended positions.

Preferably, rotating drum 31 is provided in the middle of upper chassis 30 so that the magnetic tape 21 of cassette 20 is first loaded on the drum 31 when the slider 50 is moved to the fully inserted position and approaches the upper chassis 30. A pair of holding pieces 30d, 30e protruding on either side of drum 31 and fixed to the upper side of upper chassis 30 advantageoulsly can contact reel bases 51, 52 installed on slider 50 so that reel bases 51, 52 can be elastically rotated by a spring member 55 about shafts 51a, 52a.

Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate the positioning of the cassette 20 on slider 50 and, when slider 50 is moved to the fully inserted position with respect to upper chassis 30, the loading of magnetic tape 21 on rotating drum 31. It will be noted that, as described above, the hubs of cassette 20 can be rotated to opposite sides in response to the rotation of reel bases 51, 52.

Referring again to Figs. 6A and 6B, a rail 56, formed at the lower side of slider 50, and a pin 35, formed on upper chassis 30, define the motion of slider 50 with respect to upper chassis 30. Turning again to Figs. 5A through 5D, lower chassis 60, which advantageously can be fitted with various running elements for driving the magnetic tape 21 in the cassette 20, discussed below, will now be described. To the sides of upper chassis 30 and lower chassis 60, as shown in Figs. 5A through 5D, the four ends of a pair of fourth and fifth links 60a, 60b, respectively, are connected using pins 60c in such a way that the fourth and fifth links 60a, 60b cross one another. Preferably, a spring member 61 is fitted to a shaft 60d forming a common axis in the middle of the fourth and fifth links 60a, 60b and is held on the links 60a, 60b so that the upper chassis 30 can be elastically moved vertically. The overall operation of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus will now be described. As a .shown in Figs. IA and IB, when cassette 20 is inserted into cassette holder 40, which is located inside of the eject lever 10 and projects from slicer 50 by a predetermined angle and cassette holder 40 is pressed and closed, cassette holder 40 rotates around shaft 40a and is seated on slider 50. Preferably, the hubs of cassette 20 are guided and seated on the supply and take-up reels 53, 54 installed on slider 50 while, at the same time, the lid opening member 44 is rotated clockwise with respect to shaft 44a to open the lid 20a of cassette 20. See Fig. 5B.

Then, as shown in Fig. 5C, when cassette holder 40 is pushed into upper chassis 30, slider 50 advantageously moves horizontally with respect to upper chassis 30 by way of the slider moving mechanism disposed on upper chassis 30. That is, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, if slider 50 moves a predetermined amount to the side of upper chassis 30, i.e., moves in the direction of drum 31, in response to force applied to cassette holder 40, first and second levers 32, 33, i.e, the slider moving mechanism, cooperate with one another in response to spring member 34 so that first lever 32 is rotated clockwise, pulling slider 50.

Since second lever 33 is simultaneously rotated counterclockwise, slider 50 moves towards upper chassis 30, e. g., drum 31. It will be noted that rail 56, which is located on the lower surface of slider 50, is guided by the pins 35 of upper chassis 30. Thus, as shown If Fig. 7A and 7B, the magnetic tape 21 in cassette 20 advantageously can be maintained as first loaded onto the rotating drum 31 of upper chassis 30, e.g., the fully inserted position. Since reel bases 51,52 installed on slider 50 contact with a pair of holding pieces 30b, 30e protruding on either side of rotating drum 31 from upper chassis 30 in the process of moving horizontally, reel bases 51, 52 advantageously can be rotated away from the centerline of cassette 20 around shafts 51a, 52a under tension from spring member 55. Since reel bases 51, 52 are regulated in their range of motion by slots 50c, 50d formed in slider 50, reels 53, 54, located on reel bases 51, 52, respectively, are pushed away from each other to both sides and, thus, are moved further to the side of rotating drum 31.

When eject lever 10 is pushed and closed, as shown in Fig. 5D, eject lever 10 advantageously can be moved downward with respect to shaft 11a and pushes slot 30b of upper chassis 30, into which pin 10c is inserted. As a result, upper chassis 30 can be elastically moved downward vertically under control of spring member 61 installed on fourth and fifth links 60a, 60b, respectively, and, thus, can be seated on lower chassis 60. Then, locking pin 10b of eject lever 10 is held by the locking device 108 installed on the lower chassis 60. Turning to Figs. 10A and 10B, the operation of the locking device 108, wherein locking pin 10b of eject lever 10 advantageously can be released by operation of a seventh lever 107, will now be described. In this discussion, seventh lever 107 is assumed to be movable in a linear manner with respect to locking device described 108. The actual operation of seventh lever 107 will be described in greater detail below.

Preferably, locking device 108 includes a bracket 109 attached to lower chassis 60 (as shown in Fig. 5A) equipped with a pair of a first and a second pins 109a, 109b. A first locking member 110, parallel to bracket 109 advantageously may be rotated around pin 109a while a second locking member 111 may be rotated around pin 109b. A spring member 112 is connected between holding pieces 110a, Ilia formed in respective lower sides of first and second locking members 110, 111. Preferably, second lever 111 is located proximate to one end of seventh lever 107 and is elastically operated to lock or release the locking pin 10b at the time of operation of eject lever 10.

It will be noted that second locking member 111 operates a rotating member 113, which is rotated around shaft 113a parallel to lower chassis 60, permitting sensor S2, which senses the presence or absence of cassette 20, to be operated by rotating member 113. The arrangement of these components is best seen in Fig. 8.

Preferably, eject lever 10 is held in the locked position when the tension on spring member 112 is released and second locking member 111 is returned to an upright position in response to the downward movement of locking pin 10b of the eject lever 10 and its subsequent pushing on first locking member 110. When second locking member 111 is returned to its original position, locking member advantageously can operate rotating member 113, which is installed on lower chassis 60. Thus, rotating member 113 is rotated to indicate the presence of cassette 20 by sensor S2 so that a signal S2 is generated. Capstan motor 70 advantageously can be driven in response to signal S2, as described in greater detail below.

It will be appreciated that various running elements are installed on the lower chassis 60 to control the loading and movement of tape 21. These elements will now be described while referring to Figs. 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13.

A capstan motor 70 is installed on one side of the lower chassis 60. Capstan motor 70 can advantageously be rotated in either the forward of reverse directions in response to a mode control signal, the generation of which will be described in detail below. A gear 70a of capstan motor 70 meshes with a power transmitting gear 71, which is connected by a bracket 70b and a lever 71a, in that order. Preferably gear 70a is free to rotate in either direction around a shaft 71b in response to the rotational direction of capstan motor 70, thereby selectively transmitting the rotational force from the capstan motor 70 to either a magnetic tape loading system or a running system.

In the magnetic tape loading system, as shown in Fig. 9A, a first gear 72 meshes with transmitting gear 71, which transmits a rotational force from capstan motor 70 to first gear 72, which is rotated about its own axis, and a plurality of small gears 73-77, which can advantageously be meshed and driven by first gear 72. Thus, the rotational force generated by capstan motor 70 can be applied to a ring gear 90, which is installed on lower chassis 60 and which is free to rotate. In contrast, in the magnetic tape running system, as shown in Fig. 9B, a second gear 78 advantageously can be meshed with transmitting gear 71 to transmit the rotational force of capstan motor 70, whereby second gear 78 is rotated around its own axis. Preferably, a follower gear 79 and a pulley 78a, which is formed on second gear 78, are connected together by a belt 80. Additionally, an idler gear 81, the top of which is connected to a lever 79a, is meshed with follower gear 79 so as to rotate left and right, in response to the rotational direction of capstan motor 70, to transmit rotational force from capstan motor 70 to supply and take-up reels 53, 54 installed on upper chassis 30. In Fig. 9B, idler gear 81 meshes directly with a gear 53a formed on a peripheral surface of supply reel 53. Preferably, take-up reel 54 is connected to a gear 54a formed on a peripheral surface of take-up reel 54 via auxiliary gears 54b, 54c to transmit the rotational force from capstan motor 70.

The ring gear 90, which transmits the rotational force of capstan motor 70 via the magnetic tape loading system, cooperates with a guide member 91 installed on lower chassis 60 to advantageously permit the rotation of ring gear 90.

Preferably, a pole base 92 is attached to a rail 91a formed on guide member 91. The pole base 92 advantageously includes a guide pole 92a and an inclined pole 92b projecting from it. Preferably, pole base 92 is connected to a pin 90a located on one side of ring gear 90 via a lever 93, which advantageously permits ring gear 90 to move a predetermined amount, i.e., constant distance, along a rail 91a of guide member 91 and to be held by a stopper 91b so as to full load magnetic tape 21 in cassette 20 onto rotating drum 31.

It will be noted that the right side if Fig. 8 illustrates that ring gear 90 can be provided with a first rotating arm 94, which preferably rotates around a shaft 94a on lower chassis 60. First rotating arm 94 may support a middle pole 94b, which can be inclined to a constant angle, and a review pole 94c, which preferably is perpendicular, i.e., vertical, with respect to first rotating arm 94. A spring member 94e connects first rotating arm 94 and a bracket 70b on the top of capstan motor 70. Additionally, a holding piece 94d is formed at one end of first rotating arm 94. Preferably, the position of holding piece 94d is elastically regulated by a pin 90b attached to ring gear 90.

A regulation of the position of first rotating arm 94 by pin 90b is released when ring gear 90 is rotated counterclockwise, and at the same time, first rotating arm 94 is elastically rotated clockwise around shaft 94a so as to position magnetic tape 21 in the direction of shaft 70c of capstan motor 70.

Referring again to Fig. 8, proximate to ring gear 90 is installed a rotating gear 95, which can be rotated around shaft 95a by a protruding gear member 90c of ring gear 90. Preferably, the position of rotating gear 95 is regulated so that rotating gear 95 is not rotated counterclockwise into a stopper 60e formed on lower chassis 60.

One side of a third lever 97, which preferably is subjected to a predetermined elastic force by a spring member 96, is connected to rotating gear 95 by a pin 97a and a slot 97b formed in the middle of third lever 97 and is guided by a pin 60f protruding from lower chassis 60. A pin 97c, protruding from the other end of third lever 97, is inserted into and connected to a slot 98a of a fourth lever 98. Thus, fourth lever 98 can be rotated about shaft 98b. A pin 98c formed at one end of fourth lever 98 is inserted into a slot 99b formed in the middle of second rotating arm 99, which is rotated about shaft 99a located at one end of second rotating arm 9.9 so that pin 98c and second rotating arm 99 connected together so as to respond to spring member 100. A pinch roller 101 located on the other end of second rotating arm 99. The third and fourth levers 97, 98 are interlocked when rotating gear 95 is rotated by a predetermined angle by protruding gear member 90c of ring gear 90 and presses pinch roller 101 of second rotating arm 99 to shaft 70c of capstan motor 70 so as to run magnetic tape 21. A cam gear 102 is located on the left side of ring gear 90 on lower chassis (refer to Fig. 8), which cam gear 102 can be meshed with ring gear 90 so as to be rotated around shaft 102a. The top surface of cam gear 102 advantageously can provide first and second cam recesses 102b, 102c, respectively. Preferably, fifth and sixth levers 103, 104 can be rotated around shafts 103a, 104a, respectively, while guiding pins 103b, 104b protruding downward from fifth and sixth levers 103, 104 disposed within first and second cam recesses 102b, 102c of cam gear 102. Above fifth lever 103 is installed a third rotating arm 105 which is rotatable about shaft 105a. The position of third rotating arm 105 can advantageously be regulated by a pin 103c formed at one end of fifth lever 103. Preferably, a spring member 106 is connected between shaft 105a of third rotating arm 105 and stopper 60g, which can be formed on lower chassis 60. Additionally, a supply post 105b can be provided at one end of third rotating arm 105. Third rotating arm 105 can advantageously be rotated counterclockwise under the impetus of spring member 106 when pin 103c of fifth lever 103 is released so as to press magnetic tape 21 to the side of rotating drum 31 by supply post 105b. It will be noted that the position of third rotating arm 105b may be regulated by a stopper 91c formed on guide member 91.

A protruding piece 104c can be formed approximately in the middle of sixth lever 104, so as to permit operation of a stop sensor SI at the time of the rotation of sixth lever 104. A seventh lever 107, which can be via a pin 104d formed on lower end of sixth lever 104, preferably includes a pair of slots 107a, 107b permitting seventh lever 107 to be moved left or right, with respect to Fig. 8, while being guided by a pair of pins 60h, 60i attached to lower chassis 60.

As shown in Fig. 8, the position of transmitting gear 71, which selectively transmits the rotational force of capstan motor 70 to the magnetic tape loading system and running system, advantageously can be regulated by a position controlling device installed at the lower right side of lower chassis 60. The position controlling device may best be understood by referring to Figs. 11A through 11C, wherein a driving coil 114 is attached to the upper surface of lower chassis 60 and connected to a circuit pattern (not shown). Above driving coil 114 is installed a plunger 116 on which a permanent magnet 115 is attached with a predetermined spacing with respect to driving coil 114. Preferably, plunger 116 is installed so as to be rotated by a spring member 117 about shaft 116a located on one end of plunger 116 while a holding piece 116c is formed on one end of an arm member 116b, e.g., extending from one side of plunger 116, and holding piece 116c is maintained and held on a shaft 71b of transmitting gear 71 so as to forcibly regulate the position of transmitting gear 71. Figs. 12A through 12C illustrate an initial arrangement position and an arrangement position after an operation of various running elements. The initial arrangement position is defined as the position in which lower chassis 60 is seated, i.e., when magnetic tape 21 in cassette 20 is first loaded on rotating drum 31 of upper chassis 30. It will be appreciated that these various running elements are all arranged in the area defined by the bottom of cassette 20.

Fig. 13A illustrates an UnLoading Stop (hereinafter referred to as ULS) mode, indicating the initial position of various running elements installed on lower chassis 60. If the capstan motor 70 is rotated counterclockwise in the ULS mode, the rotational force is transmitted through transmitting gear 71 to first gear 72 of the magnetic tape loading system and rotates ring gear 90, installed on guide member 91, through a plurality of small gears 73-77. It will be appreciated that transmitting gear 71, which is held by a holding piece 116c of plunger 116, is not rotated.

If ring gear 90 is rotated counterclockwise through the magnetic tape loading system as described above, pole base 92 fitted on rail 91a of guide member 92 is moved along rail 91a pulling the magnetic tape 21 with it. First rotating arm 94, the position of which was regulated by pin 91b of ring gear 90, is elastically rotated clockwise around shaft 94a so that the magnetic tape 21 is brought to contact with shaft 70c of capstan motor 70 by middle pole 94b and review pole 94c. Since cam gear 102, which preferably is meshed with ring gear 90, is rotated clockwise simultaneously, pin 103b of fifth lever 103 is guided by first cam recess 102b of cam gear 102 and is thus moved to the right with respect to shaft 103a. Moreover, since third rotating arm 105, which was held by pin 103c on one side of fifth lever 103 is rotated counterclockwise by the force of spring member 106 around shaft 105, the magnetic tape 21 is pushed close to rotating drum 31 by supply post 105b formed at the end of third rotating arm 105 and the position is regulated by stopper 91c formed on guide member 91.

Since pin 104d of sixth lever 104 is guided by second cam recess 102c of cam gear 102 as sixth lever 104 is rotated, stop sensor SI can be actuated by protruding piece 104c formed in the middle of sixth lever 104.

Fig. 9b illustrates the stop mode of operation. In this mode, the ring gear 90 is rotated counterclockwise and the position of pole base 92 is regulated. At the same time, protruding gear member 90c is meshed with rotating gear 95 so that rotating gear 95 is rotated clockwise. Then, third and fourth levers 97, 98 are elastically rotated by spring member 96, and second rotating arm 99 is rotated about shaft 99a, so that pinch roller 101 is pressed against shaft 70c of capstan motor 70 to press the magnetic tape 21, thus permitting the magnetic tape 21 to run.

Fig. 13C illustrates the Play Back (hereinafter referred to as PB) mode which shows the position in which pinch roller 101 is pushed to shaft 70c of capstan motor 70, as described above. It will be noted from Fig. 13C that the positions of various running elements are maintained even though the rotational force is not transmitted from capstan motor 70.

In other words, in order to transmit the rotational force of capstan motor 70 to the magnetic tape running system, the position regulation of transmitting gear 71 must first be released. Then, as shown in Fig. 11C, a power source is applied to the rotating coil 114, and plunger 116 is rotated counterclockwise by a spring member 117 around shaft 116a due to the interaction of permanent magnet 115 with opposing driving coil 114 so that the position regulation of the transmitting gear 71 is released. At this time, capstan motor 70 is rotated counterclockwise, and the transmitting gear 71 is meshed with the second gear 78 of the magnetic tape running system, as shown in phantom line, while at the same time, the power source applied to driving coil 114 is interrupted, so that plunger 116 is rotated clockwise by the restoring force of the spring member 117 and is pressed close to the shaft 71b of the transmitting gear 71 to regulate the position.

Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9B, the rotational force of the capstan motor 70 is transmitted to the idler gear 81 meshed with the follower gear 79 via the belt 80, and the idler gear 81 is rotated left and right according to the rotational direction of the capstan motor 70. Thus, the rotational force can be selectively transmitted to the supply and take-up reels 53, 54.

Next, the mode control circuit of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus will be described in detail. Fig. 14 is a high level block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of the control circuit of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention. A microprocessor 160, which controls the operation of capstan motor 70 according to a mode signal output from a key matrix 150 to thereby select the desired mode of operation, i.e., Play, Stop or Eject. It will be noted that this mode signal is applied to microprocessor 160 when the mode signal is input from the key matrix 150 and when signal S2 from sensor S2, which indicates that a cassette has been loaded into the main body of the apparatus, are present. It will be noted that AND gate 155 may be replaced by a number of circuits, all of which permit operation of microprocessor only when both types of signals are present. A first output terminal of microprocessor 160 is connected to a capstan motor controller 175 via a main servo IC 170. The capstan motor 70 is advantageously driven either clockwise or counterclockwise in response to a start control START CTL signal output from microprocessor 160. Preferably, a second output terminal of microprocessor 160 provides a stop signal STOP CTL for stopping the rotation of capstan motor 70.

The output terminal of capstan motor controller 175 supplied to capstan motor 70. An FG signal detector 180 for detecting a variable frequency signal (hereinafter referred to as FG signal) generated by capstan motor 70 provides an FG signal to an amplifier 185, which preferably amplifies the FG signal to the optimum level. Amplifier 185 is connected a converter 190, which converts the analog type FG signal amplified provided by amplifier 185 into a digital-type FG signal, which is supplied in turn to microprocessor 160.

It should be noted that capstan motors are readily available with both frequency generating and phase signal generating circuits, usually as part of a single printed circuit element. It will also be appreciated that the FG detector 180 can be replaced by a phase detector (not shown). However, since the number of output pulses from the FG detector is higher than the number of pulses from the phase detector, superior control can be achieved using the FG detector 180. The microprocessor 161 advantageously can provide at least four major subassemblies including^; a mode discriminator 161, which is connected to the output terminal of key matrix 150, for determining which mode signal is output by key matrix 150, comparing the received mode signal with the current condition of the apparatus and for providing the control signal START CTL; a reference signal generator 162, which is connected to an output terminal of mode discriminator 161, for generating a reference signal used in controlling the operation of the capstan motor according to the input mode signal identified by the mode discriminator 161» An FG signal output circuit 163, which is connected to an output terminal of converter 190, for providing a digital FG signal generated in response to the rotation of capstan motor 70; and a comparator 164, which is connected to reference signal generator 162 and the FG signal output circuit 163, for comparing the output of reference signal generator 162 with the output of FG signal output circuit and for generating a stop control signal STOP CTL to stop capstan motor 70 when the selected mode condition is achieved. The main servo IC 170 advantageously can be connected to the output terminal of comparator 164 so as to control capstan motor 70, i.e., to stop the rotation, when the stop control signal STOP CTL is output from comparator 164.

The reference signal generator 162 receives signals from and is responsive to a stop sensor SI, which outputs high signal only at the stop mode, and a cassette-in sensor S2, which outputs either a high signal or a low signal during the ULS mode, a high signal during the play back mode, and a low signal during the eject mode.

Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing a preferred embodiment of a control method for the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus control system shown in Fig. 14. The control method includes an initialization process PI for receiving the output of the key matrix 150, for discriminating the input mode, and for comparing it with the current mode of the mechanism, a capstan motor drive process P2 for generating the FG signal by driving the capstan motor (if it is determined that the input mode identified in the initialization process is different from the current mode of the mechanism), and a capstan motor control process P3 for driving the capstan motor utilizing signals from stop sensor SI and cassette-in sensor S2 as reference signals until a ring gear is brought to position characteristic of the selected operating mode and then for stopping the capstan motor when it is determined that the present mode is different from the current mode of the mechanism identified in the initialization process.

The initialization process PI starts with a STEP 201 for determining whether a mode key has been input from key matrix 150 and the cassette has been input into the main body of the apparatus. Next, during a STEP 202, the input mode is determined. During STEP 203, the current mode of the mechanism is compared with the newly input mode. When the current mode is the same as the input mode, the program returns to STEP 201. However, when the current mode is different from the input mode, program control passes to STEP 204.

The capstan motor driving process P2, includes a STEP 204 for providing the START CTL of the determined input mode to the main servo IC 170. Then, a STEP 205 is performed for rotating the capstan motor 70 either clockwise or counterclockwise in response to the START CTL output to main servo IC 170 by the STEP 204. Finally, a STEP 206 is performed for converting the FG signal generated when the capstan motor 70 is rotated by the STEP 205 into the digital-type FG signal and for providing it to the microprocessor 160.

Next, the capstan motor control process P3 is performed. The capstan motor drive process P3 advantageously includes five routines Rl through R5. A first routine Rl is performed when the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and when the determined input mode is the stop mode. A second routine R2 is performed when the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is the PB mode. The third routine R3 is performed when the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is the STOP mode while a fourth routine R4 is performed when the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is the eject mode. Finally, a fifth routine R5 is performed when the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is the eject mode.

The first routine Rl includes a STEP 207 for determining whether the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and the determined input mode is the stop mode. If the answer is affirmative, a STEP 208 for determining whether the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from a low state to a high state is performed. Then, if it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and the determined input mode is the stop mode, STEP 209 is initiated for providing the STOP CTL to the main servo IC 170 because, if the output of stop sensor SI is triggered from low to high, it indicates that the ring gear 90 has been rotated to the position corresponding to the STOP mode by the rotation of the capstan motor 70. During STEP 210, the drive of the capstan motor 70 by capstan motor controller 175 is stopped when the STOP CTL signal is output to main servo IC 170.

Preferably, second routine R2 includes a STEP 211 for determining whether the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is PB mode. If the determination is affirmative, a STEP 212 is executed for determining whether the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from a high state to a low state. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is STOP mode and the determined input mode is PB mode, a STEP 213 is initiated for counting the number of FG pulses output from the FG signal output circuit 163 when the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from the high state to the low state. Then, a STEP 214 is performed for comparing the number of the counted FG pulses with a reference number of FG pulses for the PB mode. During STEP 209, the capstan is continuously rotated until the number of the reference FG pulses becomes equal to the number of the counted FG pulses, if they are different, and the STOP CTL signal is provided to the main servo IC 170, and of the reference number of FG pulses for the PB mode is equal to the number of the counted FG pulses. Finally, STEP 210 is executed for stopping the drive of the capstan motor in response to the STOP CTL signal, which is output to main servo IC 170.

The third routine R3 advantageously includes a STEP 215 for determining whether the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is STOP mode, and a STEP 216 for determining whether the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from a low state to a high state. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is STOP mode, STEP 209 is performed for providing the STOP CTL to the main servo IC 170. It will be noted that if the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from low to high, it indicates that the ring gear 90 has been rotated to the position corresponding to the STOP mode by the rotation of capstan motor 70. During STEP 210, the STOP CTL signal is provided to main servo IC 170, as described above.

The fourth routine R4 preferably contains a STEP 217 for determining whether the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode corresponds to the Eject mode. If the answer is affirmative, a subsequent STEP 218 is performed for determining whether the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from a high state to a low state. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is the eject mode, a STEP 219 for counting the number of FG pulses output from the FG signal output circuit 163 is performed when the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state. Subsequently, a STEP 220 is performed for comparing the number of the counted FG pulses with the reference number of FG pulses with the reference number of the FG pulses for the ULS mode. Then, a STEP 209 is performed for continuously rotating the capstan motor until the number of the reference FG pulses for the ULS mode becomes equal to the number of the counted FG pulses, if they are different, and for providing the STOP CTL signal to the main servo IC 170 if the number of reference FG pulses is equal to the counted number of FG pulses. Finally, a STEP 210 is preformed for stopping the drive of capstan motor 70 when the STOP CTL signal is provided to main servo IC 170.

The fifth routine R5 includes a STEP 221 for determining whether the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is eject mode. If the answer is affirmative, a STEP 218 is performed for determining whether the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from a high state to a low state. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is PB mode and the determined input mode is eject mode, a STEP 219 for counting the number of FG pulses output from the FG signal output circuit 163 is performed when the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state. Then, a STEP 220 is performed for comparing the number of the counted FG pulses with the number of reference FG pulses of the ULS mode. STEPS 209 and 210 are then performed, as previously discussed.

Table 1 illustrates an exemplary case for using the outputs of stop sensor SI and cassette-in sensor S2 as the reference signals on which control of the recording and reproducing apparatus is based.

As described above, a signal is provided to the microprocessor 160 through key matrix 150 in the present invention. When both the mode signal from the key matrix 150 and the tape-in signal are received during STEP 201 of the initialization process PI, control passes to STEP 202, in which the current mode of the apparatus is determined. Here, the terminology "the mode" is intended to indicate the selected state, e.g., the PB state, the STOP state or the EJECT state, corresponding to the key pressed on key matrix 150. If the input mode is determined by the STEP 202, comparison is made between the current mode of the mechanism and the determined input mode by the STEP 203. At this time, if it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is equal to the determined input mode, the microprocessor 160 takes no action. However, if it is determined that the modes are different, the capstan motor drive process P2 and the capstan motor control process P3 are sequentially performed.

That is, if it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is different from the determined input mode by the STEP 203, the START CTL equivalent to the determined input mode is provided to the main servo IC 170 in the STEP 204 of the capstan motor driving process P2. The main servo IC 170 then rotates the capstan motor 70 clockwise or counterclockwise by controlling the capstan motor controller 175 connected thereto according to the START CTL output from the microprocessor 160 during STEP 205. As capstan motor 70 is rotated, a FG signal is output and fed back to the microprocessor 160 during STEP 206.

That is, the FG signal detector 180 detects the FG pulses generated by capstan motor 70, amplifies the FG pulses to the optimum level through amplifier 185 and outputs it to converter 190. The converter 190 converts the FG signal of the analog type sine wave into the FG signal of the digital type square wave and outputs it to the microprocessor 160. The microprocessor 160 then provides the FG pulses output from the converter 190 to the comparator 164 through the FG signal output circuit 163.

If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is different from the determined input mode by the STEP 203 of the initialization process PI, it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and the determined input mode is the STOP mode by the STEP 207 of the capstan motor control process P3. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and the determined input mode is the STOP mode, it is determined whether the output from the stop sensor SI of the reference signal generator 162 of the microprocessor 160 is triggered from the low state to the high state by the STEP 208. Here, the stop sensor SI outputs the high signal only at the STOP mode according to the output of the mode discriminator 161.

At this time, if the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from the low state to the high state, the ring gear 90 is rotated and positioned at the point corresponding to the STOP mode. Therefore, the stop 209 is performed and the STOP CTL is output to the main servo IC 170, and the rotation of the capstan motor 70 is stopped in STEP 210. On the other hand, it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the ULS mode and the determined input mode is the stop mode by the STEP 207 of the capstan motor control process P3, and if it is determined as "NO", it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is PB mode by the STEP 211.

If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is the PB mode by the STEP 211, it is determined whether the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from the high state to the low state in the step 212. The stop sensor SI maintains the high state because the current mode of the mechanism has been the STOP mode, and outputs the low signal if the key associated with the PB mode is input. Therefore, if it is determined that the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from the high state to the low state by the STEP

212, the number of the FG signal output circuit 163 is counted in the STEP 213. Then, the comparison is made by the STEP 214 between the number of the reference FG pulses equivalent to the PB mode and the number of the FG counted by the STEP 213. At this time, if it is determined that they are not equal, then the capstan motor 70 is rotated until they become equal and the STEPS

213, 214 for counting the number of FG pulses are continuously performed. If it is determined that the number of the reference FG pulses equivalent to the PB mode is equal to the number of the counted FG pulses, the ring gear 90 is rotated by the rotation of capstan motor 70 indicating that the ring gear 90 is positioned at the PB mode, and accordingly, the STOP CTL is output to the main servo IC 170 by the STEP 209. Then, if the STOP CTL is provided to the main servo IC 170 by the STEP 209, the rotation of the capstan motor 70 is stopped at STEP 210.

On the other hand, it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is the PB mode by the STEP 211 of the capstan motor control process P3, and if it is determined as "NO", it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is the stop mode by the STEP 215. If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is the STOP mode by the STEP 215, it is determined whether the output of the stop sensor SI of reference signal generator 162 of microprocessor 160 is triggered from the low state to the high state in the STEP 216. At this time, if the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from the low state to the high state, the ring gear 90 is rotated by a rotational force of the capstan motor 70 indicating that the ring gear is positioned at the STOP mode. Therefore, the STEP 209 is performed and the STOP CTL is provided to the main servo IC 170, and the rotation of the capstan motor 70 is stopped at the STEP 210.

On the other hand, it is determined whether the mode of the present mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is the stop mode by the STEP 215 of the capstan motor control process P3, and if it is determined as "NO", it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the STOP mode and the determined input mode is an eject mode by the STEP 217.

If it is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the stop mode and the determined input mode is the eject mode by the STEP 217, it is determined whether the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state in the STEP 218. The reason is that the moment at which the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state is the eject mode. At this time, the cassette-in sensor S2 always outputs the high signal in the STOP mode and the PB mode, outputs the high or low signal in the ULS mode, and outputs the low signal in the eject mode. Therefore, if it is determined that the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state by the STEP 218, the number of the FG pulses output through the FG signal output circuit 163 of the capstan motor 70 is counted in the STEP 219 to continuously convert to the ULS mode position by reversing the rotational direction of the capstan motor 70.

Then, the comparison is made by the STEP 220 between the number of the reference FG pulses equivalent to the ULS mode and the number of the FG pulses counted by the STEP 219. At this time, If it is determined that they are not equal, then the capstan motor 70 is rotated until they become equal and the steps 219, 220 for counting the number of FG pulses is continuously performed. If it is determined that the number of the reference FG pulses equivalent to the UIS mode is equal to the number of the counted FG pulses, the ring gear 90 is rotated until ring gear 90 is positioned at the ULS mode, and accordingly, the STOP CTL is output to the main servo IC 170 by the STEP 209. Then, if the STOP CTL is provided to main servo IC 170 during the STEP 209, the rotation of the capstan motor 70 is stopped at the STEP 210. On the other hand, it is determined whether the mode of the present mechanism is the stop mode and the determined input mode is the eject mode by the STEP 217 of the capstan motor control process P3, and if it is determined as "NO", it is determined whether the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode and the determined input mode is eject mode by the STEP 221.

If it ^• is determined that the current mode of the mechanism is the PB mode by the STEP 221, it is determined whether the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state in the STEP 218 because the moment at which the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state is the eject mode.

At this time, the cassette-in sensor S2 always outputs the high signal in the STOP mode and the PB mode, outputs the high or low signal in the ULS mode, and outputs the low signal in the eject mode. Therefore, if it is determined that the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from the high state to the low state by the STEP 218, the number of the FG pulses output through the FG signal output circuit 163 of the capstan motor 70 is counted in the STEP 219 to continuously convert to the ULS mode position by reversing the rotational direction of the capstan motor 70. Then, the comparison is made by the STEP 220 between the number of the reference FG pulses equivalent to the ULS mode and the number of the FG pulses counted by the STEP 219. At this time, if it is determined that they are not equal, then the capstan motor 70 is rotated until they become equal and the steps 219, 220 for counting the number of FG pulses equivalent to the ULS mode is equal to the number of the counted FG pulses, the ring gear 90 is rotated by the rotation of the capstan motor to a point indicating that the ring gear 90 is positioned at the ULS mode and, accordingly, the STOP CTL is output to the main servo IC 170 by the STEP 209. If the STOP CTL is output to the main servo IC 170 by the STEP 209, the rotation of the capstan motor 70 is stopped by the STEP 210.

It will be appreciated that the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus described above facilitates construction of a pocket size similar in size to that of the cassette. The size of the apparatus advantageously can be minimized since the rotating drum to be completely accomodated into the inside space of the cassette at the time of completion of the loading operation of the cassette. Furthermore, the apparatus permits the number of parts to be reduced since the control of various running elements by a single drive source is possible.

Other modifications and variations to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure and teachings. Thus, while only certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording a signal on a magnetic tape and for reproducing the recorded signal by loading the magnetic tape running along a predetermined path with respect to a rotating drum, said apparatus comprising: a lower chassis supporting a motor for imparting relative motion to said magnetic tape; and an upper chassis including a rotating drum and having a first position allowing insertion of a cassette so as to permit said cassette to surround said rotating drum and to permit said magnetic tape in said cassette to contact said rotating head and a second position for fixedly contacting said cassette with said motor, said upper chassis being movable from said first position to said second position in response to a change in relative position between said upper chassis with respect to said lower chassis.

2. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot point permitting said upper chassis to rotate from said first position to said second position.

3. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of links having a preferred position determined by at least one spring member, wherein said change in relative position comprises a change in separation between said upper chassis and said lower chassis and wherein said upper chassis and said lower chassis are located substantially parallel to one another in said first position and in said second position.

4. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording a signal on a magnetic tape or for reproducing the recorded signal by loading the magnetic tape running along a predetermined path with respect to a rotating drum, said apparatus comprising: an eject lever rσtatable through a predetermined angle; an upper chassis supporting a rotating drum; a slider operatively attached to said upper chassis so as to permit said slider to transport a cassette towards and away from said rotating drum, said rotating drum contacting the magnetic tape in said cassette when said slider has been positioned proximate to said rotating drum; and a lower chassis operatively connected to said upper chassis by a pair of link members joined by a spring member so as to permit vertical separation between said upper chassis and said lower chassis; wherein said eject lever is operatively connected to said upper chassis, and wherein rotation of said eject lever produces a proportional movement in said upper chassis at least one of towards and away from said lower chassis.

5. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a cassette holder attached to said slider and rotatable through a predetermined angle so as to permit insertion of said cassette when said cassette holder is inclined by said predetermined angle from said slider, and wherein said slider supports a pair of reels engagable with corresponding hubs of said cassette.

6. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said cassette holder includes a lid opening member rotatable upward and downward on an axis, said lid opening member being responsive to motion of said cassette holder through said predetermined angle and towards said slider to thereby open a lid of said cassette in the course of seating said cassette holder on said slider.

7. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a reel base is rotated about an axis thereof by a hanging member protrudely formed at an upper surface of said upper chassis when said slider is horizontally moved toward the upper chassis.

8. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus as recited in claim 4, said slider further comprising: a first lever rotatable through a predetermined angle about a first axis located on said upper chassis; and a second lever, said second lever being subsequently rotated by a spring member in response to rotation of said first lever, wherein said first lever and said second lever permit horizontal movement of said slider forward and backward with respect to said upper chassis.

9. In a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus including a cassette holder for holding a cassette containing magnetic tape, a slider movable horizontally with respect to an upper chassis, said upper chassis supporting a rotating drum and being vertically movable with respect to a lower chassis and in response to movement in an eject lever operatively connected to said upper chassis, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting said cassette in said cassette holder; (b) rotating said cassette holder into contact with said slider;

(c) moving said slider towards said upper chassis so as to bring said cassette tape into contact with said rotating drum; and

(d) operating said eject lever so as to move said upper chassis towards said lower chassis.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, said step (d) further comprising the step of (e) operating said eject lever so as to move said upper chassis towards said lower chassis to thereby permit engagement of at least one gear located within said lower chassis with a complementary gear supported by said slider.

11. A locking apparatus for locking substantially parallel planar surfaces, comprising: a bracket; a first pin and a second pin protruding perpendicular to said bracket; a first locking member including a first holding member and a second locking member including a second holding member respectively connected by said first pin and said second pin to said bracket, said first locking member and said second locking member being adapted to selective lock and release a lock pin disposed on a planar surface opposing said bracket; a spring connecting and applying force between said first holding member and said second holding member; and a lever operatively connected to a capstan motor so as to permit displacement of said lever to open said locking apparatus.

12. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording a signal on a magnetic tape or for reproducing the recorded signal by loading the magnetic tape running along a predetermined path with respect to a rotating drum, said apparatus comprising: a motor; a power transmission gear for selectively transmitting rotational force produced by said motor to a selected one of a ring gear and an idler gear; and a cam operatively connected to said ring gear for performing subsequent operations corresponding to a mode selection operation; wherein each of said motor, said transmission gear, said idler gear and said cam is arranged on a single lower chassis.

13. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a rotating drum installed above said lower chassis and each of said motor, said transmission gear, said idler gear and said cam is arranged within an area bounded by four sides of a cassette.

14. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said power transmission gear is rotatably mounted on one side of said lower chassis so as to receive rotational force from said motor, wherein a plurality of small gears selectively connect said power transmission gear with said ring gear and wherein ring gear is installed on a centering part of said lower chassis so as to receive rotational force via said small gears.

15. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said power transmission gear is rotatably mounted on one side of said lower chassis and receives a rotational force from said motor, wherein a follower gear is connected to a second gear by a belt, said second gear being driven by said power transmission gear for transmitting rotational force to said follower gear, and wherein and idler gear is engaged with said follower gear, said idler gear selecting one of two reel gears in response to rotational direction of said motor.

16. In a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus including single motor for selectively driving a plurality of power transmission paths including a first path including a ring gear for driving a pole base connected to said ring gear and a second path for transmitting rotational force to a reel gear, the method comprising the steps of:

(c) moving said slider towards said upper chassis so as to bring said cassette tape into contact with said rotating drum; and (d) operating said eject lever so as to move said upper chassis towards said lower chassis.

17. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a transmitting gear being rotated at a predetermined angle on the axis by being engaged with the gear rotated clockwise and counterclockwise by a driving source; first and second gears being selectively engaged with said transmitting gear and being rotatably mounted on a lower chassis so as to transmit a rotational force of said driving source to a loading field and running system of a magnetic tape; position regulating means for controlling a position of the lever so as for the transmitting gear not to be deviated when either gear of the first or the second gear is rotated.

18. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus accord ingto claim 17, wherein said position regulating means comprises a driving coil and a plunger provided with a permanent magnetic attached adjacent said driving coil in a regular space, said plunger being elastically rotated by the magnet and the elastic member on the axis so as to regulate the lever position of the transmitting gear.

19. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said plunger regulates the position of the pin protrudely formed from the lever by the hanging piece of the end of an arm extended to one side thereof.

20. A control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, said system comprising : a key matrix for generating a mode signal; a microprocessor receiving said mode signal, said microprocessor determining a mode corresponding to said mode signal and controlling driving of a capstan motor; a main servo IC for rotating a capstan motor clockwise or counterclockwise in response to a start control signal generated by said microprocessor,and for stopping rotation of said capstan motor when a stop control signal is output; a capstan motor controller for rotating and stopping said capstan motor clockwise or counterclockwise in accordance with the control of said main servo IC; an FG signal detector for detecting an FG signal provided from said capstan motor; an amplifier for amplifying an output of said FG signal detector to an optimum level; a converter for converting the FG signal amplified from said amplifier into a square wave and feeding it back to said microprocessor; wherein said microprocessor provides a start control signal to said main servo IC for rotating the capstan motor so as to generate said FG signal if a mode signal is different from a current mode of said system upon comparison of said current mode and a determined mode; and wherein driving of said capstan motor is stopped if it is determined that a ring gear is positioned at a position corresponding to a determined input mode by rotation of said capstan motor after comparing a reference signal corresponding to said determined input mode to the FG signal fed back to said microprocessor.

21. The control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 20, said microprocessor comprising: a mode discriminator providing a start control signal corresponding to the input mode determined by a first output terminal to said main servo IC if a mode signal is different from said current mode after determining the mode of the signal provided from said key matrix and providing a second control signal; a reference signal generator receiving said second control signal and output signals from a stop sensor SI and a cassette-in sensor S2 and for generating a logic control signal of high or low level in accordance with the signal provided from the mode discriminator; an FG signal output circuit outputting an FG signal fed back from said converter; and a comparator for comparing an output of the reference signal generator with an output of the FG signal output circuit in accordance with the input mode and generating a stop control signal to the main servo IC if said ring gear is positioned at the determined input mode.

22. The control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said stop sensor SI renders only the stop mode to output a high signal.

23. The control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cassette-in sensor S2 renders the stop mode and the reproducing mode to output a high signal, unloading stop mode to output high or low signal, and eject mode to output a low signal.

24. The control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said stop sensor SI is used as an end reference signal to stop the capstan motor if an input mode is determined as a stop mode when the current mode of the system is the unloading stop mode.

25. The control system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said stop sensor SI is used as a start reference signal to count the FG signal generated in rotating the capstan motor if an input mode is determined as a reproducing mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the stop mode.

26. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said stop sensor SI is used as an end reference signal to stop the capstan motor if an input mode is determined as the stop mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the reproducing mode.

27. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cassette-in sensor S2 is used as a start reference signal to count the FG signal generated in rotating the capstan motor if an input mode is determined as the eject mode when the current mode of the mechanism is stop mode.

28. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cassette-in sensor S2 is used as a start reference signal to count the FG signal generated in rotating the capstan motor if an input mode is determined as the eject mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the reproducing mode.

29. A method for controlling modes of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) comparing a mode signal with a current mode of said apparatus;

(b) providing a start control signal corresponding to a determined input mode to a main servo IC for driving a capstan motor so as to generate an FG signal if it is determined that said current mode of said apparatus is different from said mode signal in said comparing step; and

(c) stopping said capstan motor after driving it until a ring gear is positioned at a position corresponding to an input mode in response to a first signal provided from a stop sensor SI, a second signal provided from a cassette-in sensor S2 and an FG signal provided in response to capstan motor driving if it is determined that said current mode of said apparatus is different from the input mode determined in said comparing step.

30. The method for controlling modes of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 29, said stopping step (c) further comprising the steps of:

(d) stopping the rotation of the capstan motor when an output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from low state to high state if an input mode is determined as the stop mode when the current mode of the mechanism is unloading stop mode by said capstan motor controlling process and said initializing process;

(e) stopping the rotation of the capstan motor if the reference FG numbers are equal to the FG number after comparing the reference FG numbers of the reproducing mode with the FG numbers generated in said capstan motor driving process while counting it at the instant that the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from high state to low state if an input mode is determined as the reproducing mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the stop mode by the initializing process;

(f) stopping the rotation of the capstan motor when the output of the stop sensor SI is triggered from low state to high state if an input mode is determined as the stop mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the reproducing mode by the initializing process; (g) stopping the rotation of the capstan motor if the reference FG numbers are equal to the FG number after comparing the reference FG numbers of the unloading stop mode with the FG numbers generated in said capstan motor driving process while counting it at the instant that the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from high state to low state if an input mode is determined as the ejecting mode when the current mode of the mechanism is the stop mode by the initializing process; and

(h) stopping the rotation of the capstan motor if the capstan motor if the reference FG numbers are equal to the FG number after comparing the reference FG numbers of the unloading stop mode with the FG numbers generated in said capstan motor driving process while counting it at the instant when the output of the cassette-in sensor S2 is triggered from high state to low state if it discriminates that the current mode of the mechanism is at the reproducing mode and the determined input mode is at the ejecting mode by the initializing process.

31. In a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a chassis and a sliding member for supporting a cassette containing magnetic tape upon a pair of reels as the sliding member is moved substantially parallel to said chassis, the improvement comprising: a gear located substantially coincident with one of said reels; and a driver disposed and operatively connected between said chassis and said gear for converting horizontal motion between said chassis and said sliding member into rotational motion for driving said gear to thereby change tension of said magnetic tape.

32. The improvement as recited in claim 31, wherein said driver comprises: a rack fixedly attached to said chassis; and a pinion gear located and operatively connected between said rack and said gear.