CA1301312C

CA1301312C - Apparatus for producing an audio magnetic tape recording at high speed from a preselected music library

Info

Publication number: CA1301312C
Application number: CA000508185A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lorne A. Parker
Original assignee: 1K ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Ltd
Current assignee: 1K ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Ltd
Priority date: 1985-12-04
Filing date: 1986-05-02
Publication date: 1992-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-19
Also published as: US4703465A

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a consumer oriented audio and video center wherein a purchaser may produce his own audio cassette tape from selections found in a tape library housed within the present invention. In general, the present invention relates to machines which are capable of selecting a multiplicity of randomly chosen audio selections from a tape library and transmitting the selected tapes to a duplicating center wherein they are duplicated onto a master blank recording tape in the desired order selected.

The present invention performs the following functions:
(1) presents an audio/video display of recordings available to the consumer; (2) accepts payment for customized tapes;
(3) makes change of the money deposited, if required; (4) allows the patron to make his personal selection of songs;
(5) confirms the selections made by the patron so that errors can be corrected before the customized tape is produced; (6) cuts, winds, and records a cassette of appropriate length based on the number and length of the individual selections desired; (7) prints a specific label for the cassette setting forth the specific songs selected; (8) issues a complete audio cassette to the patron.

Description

` ~30~3~2 lK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

¦ . BACKGROUND OF THE INV~N~ION
1, ~IELD OF THE ~NVENTION

6 The present invention relates to a.consumer ~riented 7 audio and video center wherein a purchaser ~ay produce his 8 own audio cassette tape from 6elections found in a tape library housed within the present invention. In general, the present invention relates to machines which are capable of 11 selecting a multiplicity o~ randomly chosen audi~ 6elections 12 from a tape library and transmitting t~e selected tapes to a 13 duplicatin~ center wherein they are duplicated onto a master 14 blank recordin~ tape in the desired order ~elected.

lB 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

18 There is presently no known apparatus which combines the 19 ~unctions of the present invention in the co~erent integrated system. There are many individual components which can 21 perform selected functions which are performed by the present 22 invention. For example, a combination audio/video player is 23 now available commercially from Pioneer Corporation.

Individual cassette duplicating machines are also known in the prior ~xt. Coin and/or dollar ~ill accepting and changing 26 machines are also known in the prior art.

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Wh le the above mentioned aDd other individual 2 ¦ co~pon~nts are known, there is n~ single combined wholly 4 inte~rated unit which performs the unique ~unctions of the 6; present nvention~

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` ~3~3~2 SU~MARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
. 1 The present invention relates to a consumer oriented audio and video center wherein a purchaser may produce his own audio ca~sette tape from selections found in a tape 6 library housed within the present invention. In general, the present invention relates to machines which are capable cf selecting a multiplicity of randomly chosen audi~ selections 8 from a tape library and transmitting the 6elected tapes to a duplirating center wherein they are duplicated onto a master blank recording tape in the desired order 6elected.

12 The present invention performs the following ~unctions:

14 (1) presents an audio/video display of recordings available to the consumer; t2) accepts payment ~or customized tapes;
~3) makes change of the money deposited, i~ required; (~) 6 allows the patron to make his personal ~election of songs:
(5) oon~irms the ~elections made by the patron so that errors 18 can be corrected before the customlzed tape is produced; (6) 19 cuts, winds, and records a cassette of appropriate length 21 based on the number and length of the individual selections 22 desired; (7) prints a specific label for the cassette setting forth the specific ~ongs selected; (8) issues a complete 23 audio ca sette to the patron.
224 .
Flipping through the FM or Am dial usually brings the 26 same thought to the minds of music enthusiasts. Wouldn't it ~L3~
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be convenient and inexpensive if, instead of having to 1 ¦ purchase 10 albums for the 10 appealing hits on the radio, I one could purchase a tape of these favorites? One can, of 3 course, given a tape deck and plenty of radio listening time, 5 ¦ or access to entire albums. The present invention permits the ¦ individual to custom create, in 6econds, a high-quality "hit"
6 ¦ cassette tape of favorite 6elections from a repertoire of 8 over 1000.

Some record companies regularly offer "Hit" albums featuring hits from an era, a season, a particular 6tyle or 11 arti~t, but these take months, even years to appear on the 1 market. The present invention leaps over these 13 inconveniences. The present invention lK Entertainment Center is an electronic ~torage and distribution sy6tem that will allow 6hoppers, at department, di~count and record stores, to 17 6elect and seguence songs for instantaneou6 reproduction on audio cassette. A computer display terminal o~ the present 18 invention displays a catalog of continually updated songs from a full 6pectrum of music 6tyles. The ~hopper can create 221 a custom tape with, for example, selections from musicians ranging from Madonna to M~æart At the push a button, a 22 shopper can produce in approximately 60 seconds a high-24 guality, custom length cassette with up to 10 individual ~elections. In essence, the present invention allows theconsumer to create a musical tape of favorite selections from 26 a variety of albums available. The present invention ~3013~2 ¦ therefore offers the consumer convenience, timeliness, 1 ¦ ~implicity and choice.

4 ¦ The major object of the present invention lK

5 ¦ Entertainment Center i5 to provide an automatic, fully ¦ independent device which produces customized audio cassette 6 tapes according to the directions it receives from the input keyboard as 6elected by the consumer.
An additional object of the present invention i6 to 11 provide a low cost method of enabling consumers to obtain any 12 multiplicity of different records all produced on one cassette at a minimum of expense.

Another object of the present invention is to present an audio-video display of the recordings in its library.

A furkher ob;ect of the present invention is to provide 18 a self t~sting system which can check and trouble shoot problems within the 6ystem and provide a very efficient operating assembly which requires a minimum of maintenance.

23 Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed 24 description, discussion and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the drawings.

1 ~3~:~312 ¦ Referring to the drawings for the purpose of ; 4 illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:

6 ¦ FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention 1 K

8 Entertainment Center.
9 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the Output Processing ~eans ~f the present invention.
11 FIG. 3 is a bl~ck diagram of the Central Processing Unit 12 and associated components of the present in~ention.

14 FIG. 4 i6 a blocX diagram of the Input Processing Means 16 of the presPnt invention.

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~3(:1 ~3~2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREF~RRED EMBODIMENT

3 ¦ Although the apparatus and method of the present ¦ in~ention will now be described with reference to ~pecific 4 ¦ embodiments in the drawing~, it should ~e understood that ¦ such embodiments are by way of example and merely 67 ¦ illustrati~e of but a small number of the many possible ¦ 6pecific embodiments which can represent applications of the 8 principal6 of the invention. Various changes and ¦ modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the 11 invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope 12 ¦ and contemplation of the invention as further defined in the 13 appended claims.
14 The Central Processing Unit (or CPU) ~hown at 200 in 15 ¦ Figure 1 i~ the heart of the present invention lK

17 Entertainment Center 10. The internal micro processor is ¦ responsible for controlling the input to the machine in the 18 ¦ form of laser disc in~ormation or money or keyboard 19 ¦ information. The Central Processing Unit 200 is al~o 22o ¦ responsible for controlling the output of the machine which 22 ¦ will be an audio/visual advertising output, the printer ¦ output to provide a list of tapes available or cassette 23 ¦ labels, and the cassette itself. The software aspect of the 24 ¦ central processing unit will be stored in the programmable 26 ¦ read only memory and there will also ~e random access memory 27 ¦ to provide some memory working space. By way of example, the Z8~ 7 I
1 ¦ Central Processing Unit 200 can be a sixteen bit 2 ¦ microcomputer with interface means~and software to 3 ¦ communciate with the Input Processing Means and the ~utput ¦ Processing Means of the present invention.

¦ The Input Processing Means 100 is shown in Figure 1 and 6 ¦ also in greater detail in Figure 4. The Input Processing 7 Means 100 comprises a First Laser Disc Means 102 and a Second 9 ~aser Disc Neans 104. The video and audio libraries of the lK
Entertainment Center 10 are stored on the laser discs. The playback o~ the Fir~t Laser Disc Means 102 and Second Laser 11 Di6c Means 104 provides both the video and audio outputs o~
12 the system. The function of First ~aser Disc Means 102 is to 13 read information in a forward direction. The function of 14 Second Laser Disc means 104 is to read information in a reverse direction. By having one laser disc read in a ~orward 16 direction and one laser disc read in a reverse direction, the 17 present invention lK Entertainment Center 10 ~an produce a 18 cassette in one continuous motion. First Laser Disk Means 102 1~ and Second Laser Disc Means 104 are connected to Laser Disk Interface Means 106. The Laser Disk Interface Means 106 is 21 connected to the Input Processor Means 108 (IP). The laser 2223 disc machine comprises First Laser Disc Means 102 and Second Laser Disc Means 104 which can be controlled via an RS-232C
24 comml~nications port connected to the Input Processor Means 108. The audio output used in the producti~n of the cassette 26 ~ is trans ed to a digital signal in the Analog to Digital .

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~301312 .~., (A/D) Converter Section 116 of the Input Processor Means 108 2 and stored in the Random Access Memory 206 of the Central 3 Pro~essing Unit 200. As will be described later on. the 4 video output used in the display of the lK Entertainment System library is fed directly to the output monitor and the ; 6 output loudspeaker.

8 Money Machine Means 110 is connected through Money 9 Interface Means 112 to the Input Processor Means 108. The Money Machine Means 110 and its Associated Interface Means 11 112 will, through the Input Processor Means 108 control the 12 monetary ~unctions necessary for the user to gain access to 13 the the present invention lK Entertainment Cent~r lOo The 14 Money Machine Means 110 aommunicates with the Central Processing Unit 200 via the Inter~`ace Mean6 112 using 1 S standard communication protocol.

A Keyboard 120 is connected through Keyboard Interface 18 Means 122 to the Input Processor Means 108. The Keyboard 120 is the human interface to the lK Entertainment Center 10. The 21 Input Processor Means 108 is in turn connected via Monitor 22 Interface Means 119 to a Monitor 118. All commands from the ; user will be inputed through the Xeyboard 120 and his/her 23 respon~es will be ~een on the video Monitor 118 directly in 24 front of him/her. This specialized Keyboard 120 will allow 25 suick information input into the system. By way of example, , 26 this may be a standard computer keyboard and interface.

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1 ~ he Input Processor Means 108 is c~nnected through cn ¦ Input/Output Interface Means 202 to the Central Processing 3 ¦ Unit 200 and also to the Output Processor Means 300.

5 ¦ The Input Processor Means 108 can be a sixteen bit 6 microprocessor with associated memory and communications ¦ software enabling it to support the Keyboard 120, a laser 8 ¦ disc machine emboding First Laser Disc ~eans 102 and Second 9 ¦ Laser Disc Means 104, and the Money Handling Machine 1~0 11 inputs, as well as communicate with the Central Processing ¦ Unit 200. ~he ~nput Processing Msans 108 may contain an 12 ¦ Analog to Digital (A/D) Converter Means 116 necessary to 13 ¦ trans~orm the audio signal from the laser discs.
14 l 15 ¦ The Output Processing Means 298 i6 shown in Figure 1 and 16 ¦ in greater detail in Figure 2. The Output Processing Means 1 ¦ comprises the Output Processor Means 300 (OP) and its 18 ¦ associated subsidiary elements.
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20 ¦ One of the functions of the lK ~ntertainment Center 10 21 ¦ will be to provide an audio/video output (A/V) to act as an ¦ advertising scheme. As shown in Figure 1, One of the ~aser 23 ¦ Disc Means, either 102 or 104, is connected through Laser 24 Disc Interface Means 106 to Input Process~r Means 108 and ¦ through Input/Output Interface 202 to Output Processor Means 26 ¦ 300 which in turn is connected to an Audio/Video Interface ~81 1 ~30~3~

1 Means 302 which in turn is connected to large Color Monitor 2 304. Integrated with the Color Monitor 304 i6 an audio amplifier with high fidelity loudspeakers 322. The 3 information i6 read off of Laser Disc Means 102 or 104 and replayed over Color Monitor 304 which will contain within it a high fidelity speaker, to attract potential user~ to the lK
6 Entertai~ment Center 10. The interface of the Monitor 304 with the Output Processor Means 300 and Central Processing 9 Unit 200 provides testlng and monitoring capabilities, 11 Output Processor Means 300 is also connected via Printer Interface Means 306 to Printer Means 308. The Printer Means 12 308 will be capable of printing the list of songs o~ file 310 13 within the 6ystem and al60 will print the Cassette Labels 312 14 to be a~ixed to the individual cassettes as they are produced. The Printer Means 308 may be a high speed parallel 17 model printer with associated mechanics to provide the 18 necessary for cutting and delivering of the printed output.
19 The Output Processor Means 300 is also connect~d via Cassette Interface Means 314 to Cassette Duplicating and 2212 Cutting Means 316. The Cassette Interface Means 314 may be an RS-232C interface for communications with the Central 23 Processing Unit 200 and Output Processor Means 300. ~he 24 Cassette Duplicating and Cutting Means 316 has access to the tape library and will duplicate th~ desired cassettes on its 26 cassette machine portion and will custom splic2 the cassette --" '13C)~3~2 1 ¦ ~o 1 ngth depending on the length of the songs chosen by the ¦ user on it6 cutting portion. Internal Cassette Storage Means 2 ~. i6 connected to the Cassette Duplicating and Cutting 4 ¦ Means 316 to provide blank cassette cartridges. The Cassette 5 ¦ Duplicating and Cutting Means 316 will then dispense ¦ completed cassettes 320. By way of example, the Cassette 6 ¦ Duplicating and Cutting Means 316 may record the desired 7 ¦ audio information on to the standard audio cassette or 8 alternatively have the cassette tape cut the a desired length. Therefore it can either be a Cassette Duplicating Means alone or also a Cassette Duplicating Means which 11 includes Cutting Means capabilities to create a precise 12 length o~ recorded cassette tape. Recording may be performed 13 at high speed (approximately 15 times noxmal) on pre-cut 14 cassettes. The Cassette Duplicating and Cutting Means 316 1 also aonsi6ts of the automation necessary to load the 16 cassette from storage and deliver the completed cassette to the patron.

2 The Output Processor Means 300 may be a ~ixteen bit 21 microcomputer with associated memory. In addition the Output 22 Processor Means 300 may house a Digital To Analog (D/A) 23 Converter 324 to transform the digitized audio signal to the 24 necessary format for the cassette machine~ The Output Processor Means 300 communicates with the Central Processing Unit 200 to insure proper operation of the output of the lK
227 Entertainment Center 10.

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1 ¦ The Central Processing Unit 200 is the heart of the lX

¦ ~n~ertainment Center 10. An internal micro processor will be 3 responsible for controlling the input to the machine in the ¦ form of laser disc information via First ~aser Disc Means 102 5 ¦ and Second Laser Disc Means 104 and keyboard information via 67 ¦ Keyboard 120, and money machine regulation ~ia Money Machine ¦ 110. It i6 also responsible for controlling the output of 8 ¦ this machine which wi~l be an audio/~isual output via Monitor ¦ 304, the printer output via Printer 308 and the cassette output via Cassette Duplicating and Cutting Means 316. The 11 ~oftware of the Central Processing Unit 200 will be stored in 12 the Programmable Read Only Memory 204. The Central Processing 13 Unit 200 wlll also have Random Access Memory 206 to provide 14 some memory working space.

16 The Central Processing Unit 200 controls the Input Processor 108 and the Output Processor 300 as well as the 18 internal routines oE the lK Entertainment Center 10. The 19 system will also contain a self test ~unction and a sarvice program, both of which will be stored in the Programmable 21 Read Only Memory 204 of the Central Processing Unit 200. The 22 Random Access Memory 206 is used for the storage ~ digitized 23 audio and necessary program memory space. In addition to the 24 overall operation of the system, the Central Processing Unit 200 maintains the necessary records for the accounting and 26 physical maintenance of the machine.

2~ 13 ~ 3~2 1 The Central Processing Unit 2D0 also monitors and tests the power supply for the computer functions of the lK
i 3 Entertainment Center 10. Each additional ancillary machine is 4 also monitored and tested by the CPntral Processing Unit ~00.

~` Therefore, through use of the present invention, the consumer has access to a ~ully integrated system which 8 contains a ~arge (and changeable~ library of many different types of songs from which the consumer may 6elect any multiplicity he desires to create a cassette which has his/her individual favorite tunes. This affords the consumer 1 the ~pportunity to acguire a large number of his/her favorite 13 tunes on one cassette so that he/she can listen to them 14 seriatim without having to hear unwanted songs. The system provides a ~ully integrated unit which can be compactly set 16 up in any multiplicity of business establishments such as 1 record stores, convenience 6tores, supermarkets~ department 18 stores, etc..

Of course the present invention is not intended to be 1 restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any 2223 speci~ic embodiment disclosed herein, or any specific use, 24 since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which 26 the apparatus shown is intended only for illustration and for 28 ; 14 3~ 2 ,. :
1 disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of 2 the various forms of modification in which the invention migXt be embodied.

The invention has been described in considerable detail 6 in order to comply with the patent laws by providing a full 7 public disclosure of at least one o~ its forms. However, such 8 detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the g broad feature6 or principles of the invention, or the scope 11 of patent monopoly to be granted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing an audio cassette tape composed of a multiplicity of randomly selected prerecordings comprising:
a. an Input Processor Means;
b. said Input Processor Means further comprising an Analog to Digital Converter Means;
c. a First Laser Disc Means;
d. a Second Laser Disc Means;
e. said First Laser Disc Means reading information in the forward direction and said Second Laser Disc Means reading information in a reverse direction;
f. said First Laser Disc Means and said Second Laser Disc Means connected to said Input Processor Means through a Laser Disc Interface Means;
g. Money Machine Means connected through a Money Interface Means to said Input Processor Means;
h. a Keyboard connected through Keyboard Interface Means to said Input Processor Means;
i. a Central Processing Unit;
j. said Input Processor Means connected through an Input/Output Interface Means to said Central Processing Unit;
k. said Central Processing Unit comprising Random Access Memory and Programmable Read Only Memory;
1. said Central Processing Unit connected through said Input/Output Interface Means to an Output Processor Means;
m. said Output Processor Means further comprising a Digital to Analog Converter Means;
n. said Output Processor Means connected through an Audio-Video Interface Means to a Monitor;
o. said Output Processor Means connected through a Printer Interface Means to a Printer;
p. said Output Processor Means connected through a Selection Interface Means to a Selection Duplicating Means said Selection Duplication Means including a cassette recorder which records at approximately 15 times normal speed;
q. an audio selection library contained within said First Laser Disc Means and said Second Laser Disc Means;
r. said Central Processing Unit further comprising an internal micro processor programmed for, controlling on input to the Random Access Memory in the form of laser disc information from First Laser Disc Means and Second Laser Disc Means, controlling keyboard information from said Keyboard, controlling money regulation from said Money Machine Means, controlling printer output from said Printer; and controlling audio signal dupli-cation by said Selection Duplicating Means; and s. said audio selection library initially stored on said First Laser Disc Means and said Second Laser Disc Means wherein a desired selection is converted from an analog to a digital signal by said Analog to Digital Converter Means of the Input Processor Means and there-after stored in said Random Access Memory of said Central Processing Unit from which the Central Processing Unit removes the digital signal selected and transfers it through said Input/Output Interface Means to said Output Processor Means and then to said Digital to Analog Converter of the Output Processor Means which transforms the digitized audio signal to the analog format, and then the analog format signal is transferred through said selection Interface Means to said Selection Duplicating Means from which the signal of the desired selection is transferred to a cassette and recorded at approximately fifteen times normal speed;
t. whereby said Input Processor Means, said Central Processing Unit, and said Output Processor Means are interconnected by appropriate computer software to create an audio selection duplicating system wherein a selection of desired audio recordings which are stored on said First Laser Disc Means and said Second Laser Disc Means is chosen and input through said Keyboard and the appropriate amount of money is deposited into said Money Machine Means and the selections are trans-mitted from said First Laser Disc Means and said Second Laser Disc Means through said Input Processor Means to said Central Processing Unit and then to said Output Processor Means, and then to said Monitor where the selections are displayed, to said Printer where appropriate labels are produced and to said Selection Duplicating Means where the selected audio recordings are recorded onto a cassette at approximately fifteen times normal speed and the recorded cassette is there-after dispensed from the system.

2. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Input Processor Means is a sixteen bit microprocessor with associated memory and communications software enabling it to support said Keyboard, said First Laser Disc Means, said Second Laser Disc Means, said Money Machine Means, and communications to said Central Processing Unit.

3. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Printer Means is a high speed parallel model printer.

4. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Output Processor Means is a sixteen bit microcomputer with associated memory and communications software enabling it to support and communicate with said Monitor, said Printer, and said Selection Duplicating Means.

5. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Central Processing Unit is a sixteen bit microcomputer with associated memory and communications software to interface with said Input Processor Means and said Output Processor Means.

6. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein an audio amplifier with high fidelity speakers is integrated into said Monitor.

7. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Central Processing Unit includes a self test function.

8. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said Central Processing Unit includes a service program.