GB2041622A - Associated working of video tape players - Google Patents

Abstract

In a video cinema, two video cassette players work in conjunction with a control unit which is activated by four one second pulses which have been pre-recorded on to the spare sound track of a video tape. When the tape is played through one of the video players these pulses activate the unit which, then tells the video players when to stop, start, run or lace up. When this function is complete the tapes will automatically rewind. Other functions that the unit carries out are the dimming of the background lights and the fading of the music.

Description

SPECIFICATION A general description of the T.A.L.I.S.1400 The initials T.A.L.I.S.1400 stand for tone activated logic integrated systems.

The sensing system as described in the name is tone activated. On this particular model we use a 750m/seconds pulse at 1400 Hertz. Four of these pulses will have previously been recorded on each tape Pulses 1) The first pulse is 12 seconds before the first frame of the film.

2) The second pulse is 2 minutes before the last frame of the film.

3) The third pulse is 12 seconds before the last frame of the film.

4) Pulse four occurs on the last frame of the tape.

PROGRAMMED FUNCTIONS One tape sequence Function 1 Lacing up V.C.R. by operating the lace up button (see Figure 1) Function 2 Pausing V.C.R.1 at a pre-determined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame (Pulse 1 of V.C.R.1) Function 3 a) Commencing performance. Tape run (see Figure 1).

b) Automatic dimming of background music from audio cassette player. (time adjustable) c) Operating relay for house light lowering.

d) Switching off audio cassette player after approximately 20 seconds. (adjustable) Function 4 2 minutes from the last frame of V.C.R.1 the stand by indicator operates. (See Figure 1).

(Pulse 2 of V.C.R.1) Function 5 12 seconds before the last frame (Pulse 3 of V.C.R.1) a) The audio cassette motor starts.

b) The house lights begin to rise.

c) The background music increases gradually to the pre-set maximum.

Function 6 2 seconds after the last frame V.C.R.1 rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Programme PROGRAMMED FUNCTION Two tape sequence Function 1 Lacing up V.C.R.1 by operating the lace up button. (See Figure 1) Function 2 Pausing V.C.R.1 at a pre-determined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame (Pulse 1 of V.C.R.1) Function 3 a) Commencing performance. Tape run (See Figure 1).

b) Automatic dimming of background music from audio cassette player. (time adjustable).

c) Operating relay for house light lowering.

d) Switching off audio cassette player after approximately 20 seconds. (adjustable) Change over sequence Function 4 Lacing up V.C.R.2. activated by pulse 2 of V.C.R.1 Function 5 Pausing V.C.R.2 at a pre-determined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame.

(Pulse 1 of V.C.R.2) Function 6 V.C.R.2 restarted for its 12 second run up to the first frame of the film. Activated by pulse 3 of V.C.R.1 Function 7 a) Video and sound changeover from V.C.R.1 to V.C.R.2. Activated by pulse 4 of V.C.R.1.

This operation takes approximately 1 micro/second.

b) 2 seconds after actual changeover V.C.R.1 automaticaly stops and rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Changeover Function 8 2 minutes from the last frame of V.C.R.2 the stand by indicator operates (see Figure 1) Pulse 2 of V.C.R.2) Function 9 12 seconds before the last frame (Pulse 3 of V.C.R.2) a) Audio cassette motor starts.

b) The house lights begin to rise.

c) The background music increases gradually to the pre-set maximum.

Function 10 2 seconds after the last frame V.C.R.2 rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Programme PROGRAMMED FUNCTIONS 3 tape sequence Function I Lacing up V.C.R.1 by operating the lace up button (see Figure 1) Function 2 Pausing V.C.R.1 tape at a predetermined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame.

(Pulse 1 of V.C.R.1).

Function 3 a) Commencing performance. Tape run. (See Figure 1).

b) Automatic dimming of the background music from the audio cassette player (time adjustable) c) Operating relay for house light lowering.

d) Switching off the audio cassette player after approximately 20 seconds (adjustable).

Changeover sequence Function 4 Lacing up V.C.R.2. Activated by pulse 2 of V.C.R.1 Function 5 Pausing V.C.R.2 at a predetermined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame.

(Pulse 1 of V.C.R.2) Function 6 V.C.R.2 restarted for its 12 second run up to the first frame of the film. Activated by pulse 3 of V.C.R.1 Function 7 a) Video and sound changeover from V.C.R.1 to V.C.R.2. Activated by pulse 4 of V.C.R.1. This operation takes approximately 1 micro/second.

b) 2 seconds after actual changeover V.C.R.I automatically stops and rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Changeover Function 8 Lacing up V.C.R.1. activated by pulse 2 of V.C.R.2 Function 9 Pausing V.C.R.1 at a predetermined position e.g. 12 seconds before the first frame.

(Pulse 1 of V.C.R.1) Function 10 V.C.R.1 restarted for its 12 second run up to the first frame or the film. Activated by pulse 3 of V.C.R.2 Function 11 a) Video and sound changeover from V.C.R.2 to V.C.R.1. Activated by pulse 4 of V.R.2 This operation takes approximately 1 micro/second.

b) 2 seconds after actual changeover V.C.R automatically stops and rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Changeover Function 12 2 minutes from the last frame of V.C.R.1 yhe stand by indicator operates (see Figure 1).

(Pulse 2 of V.C.R.1) Function 13 12 seconds before the last frame (Pulse 3 of V.C.R.1).

a) Audio cassette motor starts.

b) The house lights begin to rise.

c) The background music increases gradually to the pre-set maximum.

Function 14 2 seconds after the last frame V.C.R.1 rewinds to the beginning of the tape.

End of Programme PROGRAMMED FUNCTIONS Infinity sequence The sequence is the same as for the programme function No.2 except from the functions Nos.8-10 which do not occur until you switch the programme timer (see Figure 1 ) to one hour and then follow the sequence for the one hour cassette.

Audio There is incorporated in the machine an audio monitor which monitors the output of the audio power amplifier. A monitor volume control is mounted on the front panel. (See Figure 1).

Audio cassette player The audio cassette player is completely automatically controlled and therefore, once it is set up, there is no need to adjust it.

Video The video changing etc. is completely automatic and therefore under normal conditions no manual adjustment or switching will be necessary.

In order for the projectionist to inspect the video tape print for damage and quality of chroma, synk and luminence, a monitor switch has been incorporated in the unit (see Figure 1). When the monitor switch is illuminated the output from the unit will go via an enhancer direct to the beam but when the VID. MONT.

switch is operated the output from the unit is switched to the video monitor. At the same time the beam and the output from the video camera are muted and therefore the projectionist can inspect the tapes without inconveniencing the patrons.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECTIONISTS Automatic For the best results it is advisable to operate the system in the following sequence.

Opening the house 1) Switch on unit (See Figure 1 mains switch) 2) Switch on both V.C.R.'s with V.C.R. on/off switches.

3) Load both V.C.R.'s with appropriate cassettes.

(It is advisable on the Sony V.P. 2030 to always have a cassette inserted whilst the machine is switched on-this automatically turns off the drive motor which would be running unnecessarily if the cassette is removed.) (4) Load audio cassette and operate the play button.

(This can stay in the play position at all times but it is advisable to cancel this button overnight as damage may result to the pinch wheel if it is left for very long periods in one position.) 5) At this time the house lights will be up and the cassette will be playing background music in the cinema.

(This can be monitored by the audio monitor.) 6) A remote volume control which is situated in the cinema can be adjusted to give the suitable volume.

7) Operate lace up button (See Figure 1 ) 8) It is important to wait for the stand by light to operate (see Figure 1) before any further action is taken.

(The machine can be left in stand by as long as is required as no damage will result from the machinery being held in this position.) Once stand by is achieved the next operation can be carried out.

9) When the projectionist decides that he wants to start the programme it is simply a matter of pushing the "run" button (see Figure 1) this will start automatically carrying out all the necessary functions e.g. run the tape, dim the lights and fade the music.

10) It is important to change the tape when using the three or more tape programmes at least four minutes before the end of the previous cassette.

Cinemascope switch The wide/norm button (see Figure 1) is provided to enable you to control the dimensions of the screen from wide to normal size.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECTIONISTS Manual In the event of either V.C.R.1, V.C.R.2, the switching unit or auxilliary components failing to operate correctly, the unit can be switched to a manual mode and the following procedure should be followed.

Audio In the manual position the remote volume control becomes inoperative and goes to a midway position.

The audio from the audio cassette will also go to the midway position and the motor will run. It will therefore become necessary to adjust this with the controls on the audio cassette itself.

Fault condition No. 1 1) Switch to manual (see Figure 1). Transfer V.C.R.1 tape into V.C.R.2 V.C.R. 1 develops 2) Operate the VID. MONT. switch (see important hints No. 1) a fault 3) Then use the manual play button on the V.C.R. which will enable you to inspect the tape for damage and que to the appropriate position. By returning the VID. MONT. switch to its original position the film will be restored to the beam. Then manually turn the house lights down with the house lights button (see Figure 1).

Fault condition No. 2 1) Switch to manual (see Figure 1). Transfer V.C.R.2 tape into V.C.R.1 V. C.R.2 develops 2) Exchange plug 1 (see Figure 2) with plug 6 and plug 6 with plug 1 and afault exchange plug 15 (see Figure 2)with plug 17 and plug 17 with plug 15.

Then withdraw plug 12. Then procede as for fault condition No. 1 Fault con dftion No. 3 1) Fuses switching unit The unit has only 2 fuses. These are mounted on the front panel (see Figure 1) each one has its own indicator which when illuminated, denotes that that particular fuse has blown. These fuses must be replaced with the correct type and value (see Figure 1).

2) Unit completely dead Use as for fault condition No. 1. The audio monitor amplifier will not operate under these conditions.

IMPORTANT HINTS 1) When the film is in progress it is important to remember that the VID. MONT. control must be switched to the "on" position otherwise the beam is automatically blanked out.

A.C.O.P.

The whole system is connected to the A.C.O.P. alarm system in the cinema.

Under a fault condition with the A.C.O.P. button in the "on" position (see Figure 1), the alarm will be activated. This can be cancelled by operating the A.C.O.P. switch on the front panel (see Figure 1).

SERVICING AND SAFETY Servicing 1) Because the unit cannot be taken out of service easily it is of a modular design with small, compact modules. These modules are of a very complex nature and incorporate integrated circuits, relays and switches etc.

2) Adjustment or maintenance of these modules is not advisable except by qualified personnel with the proper facilities.

Safety For safety's sake it is not advisable to remove the back cover as the unit works on high voltages.

All the necessary adjustments will have been made on installation and if any problems arise contact should be made with the appropriate servicing department.

If you have any questions or problems please do not hesitate to telephone us for advice.

Claims (11)

1. Automatic video and sound switching from video player one to video player two.

2. Programming from one to four hours.

3. Switching for automatic house light dimming and raising.

4. Automatic dimming and raising of background music.

5. Automatic shut of and restart of background music cassette player.

6. Manual masking switching maximum 265 volts.

7. Automatic lacing up, queuing, starting and rewinding of video players.

8. Automatic programming - finish of programme, bringing up of house lights, background music ETC.

9. Video monitor switching to enable you to monitor direct signal from the video players.

10. In the event of video player failure, tape failure, power supply failure, projector failure ETC. the alarm system will be activated which will automatically stop the programme, bring up the house lights and background music and set of alarms.

11. In the event of either video players or T.A.L.I.S. breaking down the whole system can be operated manually.