Counter for tape-recording system

Claim 2

A counting mechanism and circuit for use in a tape recorder reproduction system for tape cassettes including at least one ''''slave'''' tape module for receiving a ''''slave'''' cassette having a ''''slave'''' tapE therein and for recording on said tape audio information, means defining an active, engaged position for said cassette in which position audio information is reproduced on said tape, switching means responsive to the removal of said cassette from said active, engaged position and electrical counting means in circuit connection with said switching means to count the number of times a cassette is removed from said active, engaged position which indicates the completion of said reproduction.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said system includes a system operational panel and said electrical counting means comprises a pulse counter, a counter circuit connected to said pulse counter, said counter circuit including a capacitor and a relay having first and second relay contacts, and wherein said switching means provides charging of said capacitor through said first relay contact upon attainment by said cassette of said active, engaged position and for enabling discharge of said capacitor through said second relay contact and said pulse counter upon removal of said cassette from said active, engaged position.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2 wherein said module is rotatably attached to said system operational panel such that it is capable of attaining first and second positions with respect to said panel and both loaded and unloaded conditions with respect to said tape cassette, said active, engaged position including said loaded condition and said first position of said module.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 2 wherein said tape recorder reproduction system is useful for reproducing the recording of a single tape onto a plurality of other tapes in tape cassettes and a plurality of counter circuits are provided, one for each of said tape cassettes, said plurality of circuits being arranged in parallel relationship for providing an input to a single pulse counter.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 2 wherein the input to said first relay contact is an AC signal and means are provided in the input to said first relay contact for converting said AC to DC.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 5 wherein steering means are provided in said counter circuit between said second relay contact and said pulse counter.

Claim 8

A counting mechanism and circuit for use in a tape recorder reproduction system including a tape cassette, a system operational panel, a cassette-receiving module rotatably attached to said panel and adapted to attain first and second positions with respect to said panel and loaded and unloaded conditions with respect to said tape cassette, comprising a pulse counter, a counter switch, said counter switch attaining a first switching condition in response to said first position and said loaded condition of said module, and a second switching condition in response to said second position, and circuit means for providing a pulse to said pulse counter upon attainment of said second switching condition after attainment of said first switching condition.

Claim 9

A counting mechanism and circuit for use in a tape recorder reproduction system including a tape cassette, a system operational panel, a cassette-receiving module rotatably attached to said panel and adapted to attain first and second positions with respect to said panel and loaded and unloaded conditions with respect to said tape cassette, comprising a pulse counter, a counter switch, said counter switch attaining a first switching condition in response to said first position and said loaded condition of said module, and a second switching condition in response to said second position, and circuit means for providing a pulse to said pulse counter upon attainment of said second switching condition after attainment of said first switching condition.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 7 wherein said circuit means comprises a relay having first and second relay contacts and a capacitor, the attainment by said counter switch of said first switching condition charging said capacitor by the closure of said first relay contact and the opening of said second relay contact, the attainment by said counter switch of said second switching condition discharging said capacitor to said pulse counter by closure of said second relay contact and the opening of said first relay contact.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 8 wherein said first relay contact is a normally open contact and said second relay contact is a normally closed contact.