GB2249656A - A multi-deck video cassette recorder system - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-deck VCR system 100 operable in multiple operation modes includes a record only mode, a playback only mode, a combined playback and record mode, and a serial playback mode. The system includes at least three VCR decks 110, 120 and 130 with recording and playback capability, and at least three programmable microprocessors 10, 20, and 30 for respectively controlling the operation of the respective VCR decks, signal transfer circuit 38 for transferring a video/audio information to and from the respective VGR decks under a control of the respective microprocessors, a first user-controlled switch S-SW for selecting the combined playback and recording mode, a logic circuit 11 for converting the record mode into the playback mode to make a particular one of the VCR docks operate in the playback mode, a second user-controlled switch R-SW for selecting the serial playback mode and a logic circuit 40 for determining a serial playback sequence for the VCR decks. <IMAGE>

Description

T 2249656 - 1 A MULTI-DECK VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

1 The present invention relates to a multiple deck video cassette recorder (hereinafter referred to as a multi-deck VCR) system employing a plurality of VCR decks for recording and playback; and, more particularly, to an improved multi-deck VCR system provided with the novel capabilities of combined playback and recording, and consecutive or serial playback of the multiple video cassette tapes loaded therein.

Backzround of the Invention Conventional VCR systems having.a single deck mechanism gnerally have the limitation that broadcast signal or video information from another VCR system is recorded onto a video cassette tape loaded therein or that prerecorded information is reproduced from the tape on, e.c:r., a monitor.

0 To broaden the limited function of such conventional VCR systems, the concept of a multi-deck VCR system has been proposed so that two or more VCR decks may be provided within a single housing.

Accordingly, there is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,768,110 a dual deck VCR system which is capable of simultaneously recording an external signal onto the blank video tapes loaded in both of the VCR decks or duplicating a program of a source tape in one VCR deck onto a target 1, tape in the other VCR deck. Unfortunately, however, such dual-deck VCR system still has the limitations that the duplication is accomplished only by a complicated operation of a reproduction switch and two groups of function buttons such as PLAY, RECORD, etc., associated with each VCR deck.

Further, no prior art VCR system is equipped with the capability of playing the multiple video cassette tapes loaded therein in a consecutive or serial manner; or has the versatility of multiple modes of operation.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-deck VCR system which can accomplish the tape to tape duplication in a simplified fashion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide multi-deck VCR system having the novel capability of consecutive or serial playback of the multiple video cassette tapes loaded therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-deck VCR system operable in multiple modes, including: a record only mode, a playback only mode, a combined playback and recording mode, and a serial playback mode.

The multi-deck VCR system of the present invention comprises:

at least three VCR decks with the recording and playback capability; preferably like number of programmable microprocessors for respectively controlling the operation of each VCR deck in accordance with a specific operation mode selected from the multiple modes by a user; means for transferring a videolaudio signal to and from each VCR deck under the control of the respective microprocessors; a combined playback/recording selection switch operatively connected to the signal transfer means for selecting the combined playback/recording mode; means for converting the record mode into the playback mode to cause a particular one of the VCR decks to operate in the playback mode when the record mode is selected by a user; a serial playback selection switch for selecting the serial playback mode; and means operatively connected to the respective microprocessors-for determining a serial playback sequence for each of the VCR decks to be serially operated in the playback mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects and features of the present invention.will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the multi-deck VCR system comprising at least three VCR decks in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the signal transfer circuit in the multi-deck VCR system in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 is a logic diagram relating to the combined playback/ recording operation in the multi-deck VCR system in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the serial playback operation in the multi-deck VCR system in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 5 is a logic diagram for designating a serial playback sequence for the respective VCR decks.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the serial playback in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 7 shows an output selection circuit to transfer an output signal from each of the VCR decks.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a multi-deck VCR system 100 which comprises at least three VCR decks, 110, 120 and 130, a corresponding number of programmable microprossors 10, 20 and 30 for controlling the operation of the respective VCR decks, and a signal transfer circuit 38. Although it is not specifically described and shown herein, each of the VCR decks usually comprises a driver means, heads, motor control devicesand the like. Each of the VCR decks serves to record the input information onto the video tape loaded therein as well as to play out the recorded signals or information therefrom.

Each of the microprocessors is constructed to receive the parallel n-bit signal indicating the operation mode for the respective VCR deck and to make the respective VCR deck operate in accordance with the operating mode, the n-bit signal being produced in parallel by a conventional A/D(analoc,,/diclital)converter(not shown).

The signal transfer circuit 38 functions to transfer the video and audio signal with respect to the VCR decks 110, 120 and 130 in accordance with their operation mode.

The multi-deck VCR system further comprises a combined playback/recording selection switch S-SW, a serial playback selection switch R-SW, an operation mode converting logic circuit 11 (as shown in Fig. 3) and means(40) for designating the serial playback sequence for each VCR deck.

The playback/recording selection switch S-SW has one terminal connected to ground and the other connected to a junction between Vcc and the signal transfer circuit 38.

The serial playback selection switch R-SW has one terminal connected to ground and the other connected to a junction between Vcc and the respecitye microprocessors.

The term "combined playback and recording or playback/ recording". as used herein indicates the tape-to-tape(s) reproduction operation between a video cassette tape loaded in a particular one of the VCR decks as the source tape and one or two video cassette tapes loaded in one or two of the remaining VCR decks as the target tape(s).

In operation, if the user turns on the playback/recording selection switch S-SW and then presses a RECORD button(not shown), the mode converting circuit 11 logically converts the record mode to the playback mode in order to make the corresponding VCR deck operate in the playback mode. Accordingly, the particular deck, e.g., a first VCR deck 110, performs playback operation while the remaining VCR decks, e.g., a second and a third VCR decks 120 and 130, perform recording operation. The video and audio signals reproduced from the first deck is fed to the second and the third VCR decks through the signal transfer circuit 38.

The term "serial playback" as used herein indicates that each of the VCR decks serially or consecutively performs the playback operation. This function is very useful to view a long series of video programs or different video programs in a series without having to interrupt the operation of VCR for replacing/reloading new video tapes.

If the user turns on the serial playback selection switch RSW and then presses a PLAY button(not shown), each of the VCR decks begins to play out the cassette tape in a consecutive manner under the control of the logic circuit 40.

The logic circuit 40 functions to estabilish a serial playback sequence for the respective VCR decks so that they can consecutively perform the playback operation of the video cassette tapes loaded therein.

Morever, the multi-deck VCR system has a common video signal input jack 1, a common audio signal input jack 2, video signal output jacks 3,4,5 and audio signal output jacks 6,7,8 associated with the respective VCR decks. The video and the audio signal output jacks 3 and 6 may also serve as a pair of common output jacks to transfer the output signals produced from one of the VCR decks.

Optionally, the multi-deck VCR system may be provided with an input terminal(not shown) to which a wired remote controller 19 1.111 - 7 as shown in Fig. 3 is connectable to enable the user to feed into the VCR system a variety of operation mode signals, the remote controller having such operation buttons as PLAY, RECORD, FF, FEW, STOP, EJECT and the like thereon, and with another EJECT botton installed on each of the VCR decks for independently removing the cassette tapes loaded in the respective VCR decks.

It is to be recognized that the operation signals produced in the remote controller 19 may be fed to a plurality of interfaced VCR systems in a simultaneous manner for the purpose of mass reproduction of the video cassette tapes.

Fig. 2 shows a construction of the signal transfer circuit 38 for transferring the video/audio signals to and from the respective VCR decks. The signal transfer circuit 38 comprises a pair of the video/audio signal input analog switches SW1, SW2 connected respectively to the video and audio input jacks 1, 2. These input switches are connected to the signal paths 37 ana 37' reaching the second and the third VCR decks 120 and 130.

The input switches SW1, SW2 are adapted to be changed over between positions A and B depending on the state of the combined playback/recording selection switch S-SW. That is to say, the input switches are normally in position A and changed over to position B when the switch S-SW is activated by the user.

Further, the signal transfer circuit 38 includes three sets of recording or playback selection analog switches SW3, SW6; SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8 associated with the video/audio signal recording circuits 12, 12'; 22,22'; 32,32' and with the video/audio signal playback circuits 14,1V; 24,2V; 34,34' incorporated in each of the VCR decks.

Operation of the selection switches SW3, SW6; SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8 is controlled by the corresponding microprocessors 10, 20, 30. These selection switches are connected to the videolaudio output jacks 3, 6; 4, 7; 5, 8, respectively. Specifically, the switches SW3, SW6 are directly connected to the videolaudio input jacks 1, 2 whereas the switches SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8 are connected to the input jacks 1,2 through the signal transmission lines 37, 3Vand the input switches SW1, SW2, respectively.

In the recording mode, each of the switches SW3, SW6; SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8 is first changed over to position A in response to the control signal in a high level fed from the respective microprocessors 10, 20, 30 which are responsive to the recording mode signal from the remote controller 19. Then, the video/audio signal supplied from an outer signal source (not shown) will be recorded onto the video cassette tapes loaded in the VCR decks through the recording circuits 12, 12'; 22,22; 32, 32'. This video/audio signal may also be applied to the output jacks 3,6;4,7;5,8 to which TV monitors are connectable to enable the user to supervise the recording operation.

In case of the playback mode, each of the switches SW3, SW6; SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8 will assume position B in response to the control signal in a low level from the respective microprocessors 10, 20, 30.

The result is that the reproduced video/audio signals from the playback circuits 14,1V; 24,2V; 34,34' of the respective VCR decks are transmitted to the video/audio signal output jacks 3,6; 4,7; 5,8 through the switches SW3, SW6; SW4, SW7; SW5, SW8. The reproduced signals from the respective VCR decks may optionally be displayed on a TV monitor for the purpose of, e.g., monitoring the reproducing operation.

Description will now be given on the combined playback/ recording operation in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates how the respective VCR decks are put in the operation mode; and, particularly, exemplifies a logic circuit 11 for providing the playback operation signal to the first VCR deck.

The logic circuit 11 consisting of a plurality of logic elements is adapted to logically combine an n-bit signal indicative of the recording mode and a single bit signal generated by the switch S-SW so as to convert the recording mode signal into a playback mode signal needed for the first deck 110 when the combined playback/ recording switch S-SW and the RECORD button are activated in a simultaneous manner. The playback mode signal will then be applied to the first microprocessor 10 of the first VCR deck 110. Since the second and the third VCR decks 120 and 130 are not interfaced with the logic circuit 11, the recording mode signal from the remote controller 19 will be applied directly to the second and the third microprocessors 20 and 30 of the second and the third VCR decks 120 and 130 thereby enabling the multi-deck VCR system to operate in the combined playback/ recording mode. If the switch S-SW is turned off, the logic circuit 11 will not affect the operating mode applied to the respective VCR decks.

Now referring back to Fig. 2, in order to make the multi-deck i - 10 VCR system operable in the combined playback/recording, mode, the switches SW1 and SW2 are to be changed over from position A to B by way of manipulating the switch S-SW on the part of the user. This circuit arrangement will disallow or block an external signal from entering into the VCR system. Under this set up, the switches SW3 and SW6 will assume position P to complete a playback circuit by which an information signal is reproduced from a source cassette tape loaded in the first deck 110. In contrast, each of the switches SW4, SW7; SW5, SWB will remain in position A to record the information signal reproduced from the source tape onto the target tapes in_the second and the third VCR decks.

The information signal reproduced from the source tape will be fed to the target tapes loaded in the second and the third decks via the signal transmission lines 35, 35' for coupling the switches SW3, SW6 to the input switches SW1, SW2, respectively. It will be apparent for one skilled in the art to couple the information signal to a TV monitor for the purpose of checking the duplicating or dubbing condition.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown an electrical circuit, in a block diagram, for performing the serial playback operation as set forth above. When the serial playback selection switch R- SW is activated by the user, the microprocessors 10, 20, 30 will stop all operations being executed so as to make the system ready to execute the serial playback operation. Then, the PLAY button will be turned on to initate the playback operation in the first deck in such a sequence as designated by the-logic circuit 40. This playback operation will be sequentially carried out with respect to the second and third decks.

i The switches SW10, SW20, SW30 associated with the respective decks sense the loading of the video cassette tapes in the respective decks and the end sensors 13, 23, 33 associated with the respective decks sense the end run of the respective loaded cassette tapes.

The respective microprocessors 10, 20, 30 are shown with output ports, cassette tape-detect "CST", repeat-output "R-out", and playback "PB", which are respectively connected to the logic circuit 40, and an input port, repeat-input "R-in" for receiving the control signal from the logic circuit 40.

When each of the switches SW10, SW20, SW30 senses the loading of a video cassette tape in each of the VCR decks, the microprocessors provide a signal CST in a high level through the output port CST to the logic circuit 40. The signal CST indicates the loading of the video cassette tape and comprises the signals CST(10), CST(20) and CST(30) as shown in Fig.5.

When each of the end sensors 13, 23, 33 senses the end run of the video cassette tapes, the respective microprocessors provide a signal R-out in a high level through the output port R-out to the logic circuit 40. The signal R-out indicates the completion of the playback operation of the VCR deck and comprises the signals R-out(I0), R- out(20) and R-out(30) as shown in Fig.5.

When the logic circuit 40 designates any one of the VCR decks to be operated in the playback mode, it provides a signal R-in in a high level to the input port R-in of the corresponding microprocessor of the designated VCR deck. The signal R-in causes the designated VCR deck to perform the playback operation and comprises 1 - 12 R-in(10), R-in(20) and R-in(30) as shown in Fig. 5.

In response to the signal R-in as a playback start signal, the microprocessor allows the designated VCR deck to perform the playback operation and provides a signal PB in a high level through the output port PB to the logic circuit 40. The signal PB indicates that the VCR deck is operating in the playback mode at present. The logic circuit no longer designates the remaining VCR decks upon receiving the signal PB. The signal PB comprises the signals PB(10), PB(20) and PB(30) as shown in Fig. 5.

In this serial playback mode, the present invention makes it possible automatically perform the REW mode whenever each of the VCR decks completes its playback operation and to exchange the rewound tapes by the EJECT buttons installed on the respective VCR decks. In addition, during the serial playback operation, in case where the microprocessor detects, for a predetermined time, e.g., five seconds, the absence of a reproduced signal due to the unrecorded or blank region in the video cassette tape, the microprocessor allows the VCR deck to perform a CUE mode for a predetermined time, e.g., another five seconds, to search for the prerecorded information in the tape. If the microprocessor does not determine the presence of said prerecorded information within the time period, the microprocessor provides the signal R-out to the logic circuit 40. As well known in the art, the detection of the reproduced signal can be accomplished by detecting a control signal from a control track in the video cassette tape or a V-sync(vertical synchronizing)signal extracted from the reproduced signal. These and other features mentioned above can be programmed in a memory device, ROM, contained in the microprocessor.

Fig.5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the logic circuit for designating the playback operation sequence of the VCR decks.

The logic circuit 40 comprises a plurality of logic elements and is divided into three designation parts, Fig.5A, 5B and 5C, each of which serves to designate the operation sequence of the corresponding VCR deck based on the output signal from the respective microprocessor.

In this connection, it should be understood that the same input signal to the logic circuit will be commonly applied to the logic element.

In this drawing, the signal PB(M)+PB(20)+PB(30) indicates the logic OR of the signals PB(10), PB(20) and PB(30) and the upper bar " --- 1, means the complement or low level of the input signal. Further, activation of the PLAY button (not shown) is represented by the signal PLAY which corresponds to a particular one bit of the n-bit playback mode signal.

The specific process of designating the initial operation for each of the VCR decks is as follows. When the PLAY button is turned on, the signal R-in(10) will be first applied to the microprocessor 10 in the first VCR deck 110. If there is no cassette tape loaded in the first deck 110, then the signal R-in(20) will be applied to the microprocessor 20 in the second deck 120; and so on.

Should one of the VCR decks be operating in the playback mode, the logic circuit 40 will not produce the signal R-In at all.

With reference to Fig. 5A, when the PLAY button is activated, the initial operation of the first deck 110 is designated by logically ANDing of the signal PLAY and the complement of the signal, F5-(10)+ FB-5(20)+PB(30), indicating that none of the VCR decks is operating in the playback mode.

Since the second deck 120 can be operated only when the cassette tape is not present in the first deck 110, the initial operation of the second deck 120 is designated as a logical AND of the signal PLAY, the complements of the signals (PB(10)+PB(20)+PB(30)) and (C-S--TT10-)) indicating that there is no tape loaded in the first deck 110, as shown in Fig. 5B. Similarly, the initial operation of the third deck 130 is designated as logical AND of the signals PLAY, (PBT-IO)+fB--(20)+P-BT3-0)), (CST(I.0)), and (C-STT2-0-)), as shown in Fig. 5C.

Then, the next operation sequence is designated so as to allow the remaining VCR decks to enter into the playback mode one after another upgn completion of the playback operation or the presence or absence of a loaded tape in the deck in order.

When the microprocessor determines the completion of the playback operation in the first deck, it feeds the signal R-out to the logic circuit 40 while automatically performing the REW mode. Subsequently, the logic circuit 40 provides the signal R-in to the microprocessor in a second deck so that it can perform the playback operation.

Similarly, when the playback operation in the second deck comes to an end, the microprocessor in the second deck produces the signal R-out, and then the logic circuit 40 provides the signal R-in to the microprocessor in a third deck.

If the second deck, e.g., 120, does not have any cassette tape loaded therein, it should be determined whether the third deck, 1 - 15 e.g., 130, is ready to operate. The designation is carried out by way of logically ANDing the signals R-out(10) and (CST(20) as shown in Fig. 5.

Similarly, if the third deck 130 completes its operation or it does not have any cassette tape, the operation sequence is passed to the first deck 110 by way of providing the signal R-out(30) or logically ANDing the signals R-out(20) and CST(3=0=)-), in case of a triple deck VCR system. These steps are repeated until the switch R-SW is turned off.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating the serial playback operation in accordance with the present invention. In this connection, it is assumed that the video tapes are loaded in the respective VCR decks.

In step F1, it is first checked if the switch R-SW is activated. If so, control passes to step F2 to detect whether the EJECT button installed on each of the VCR decks is activated by the user.

If the test result.is YES, control passes to step F3. In step F3, it is possible to either remove or exchange the loaded tape with a new tape.

If not in the EJECT mode, it is checked in step F4 if a particular deck is in the playback mode. If the test result is NO, step F5 is carried out to determine whether the PLAY button is turned on. If the test result in step F4 or F5 is YES, control passes to step F6.

In step F6, the VCR deck designated by the logic circuit 40 enters into the playback operation.

In step F7, it is checked if the playback operation comes to an end. If the test result is YES, control is passed to step F12 following label "B" in Fig. 6B, whereas if the test result is NO, control is passed to step F8. In step F8, it is detected if there is any unrecorded region on the tape.

If the control or V-sync signal is not detected for a predetermined period of time, e.g., five seconds, control passes to step F9 through label "C" in Fig.6B wherein the VCR deck is operated in the CUE mode. If the control or V-sync signal is detected within the time period, control returns to step F1 through label "A".

In step F10, it is checked once again whether or not the control or Vsync signal is detected.

If the control or V-sync signal is not detected for a predetermined time period, e.g., five seconds, in step F10, control passes to step F12.

If the V-sync is detected within the time period, control passes to step F11 to convert the CUE mode into the PLAY mode and then returns to the label "A". In step F12, the signal R-out is fed to the logic circuit which in turn designates a VCR deck to be operated next. The microprocessor contained in the designated VCR deck will repeat the steps described above.

Thereafter, the VCR deck performs the AUTO REW mode in step F15 and it is checked in step F16 if the rewinding operation has come to an end.

In case either the serial playback mode is cancelled or the REW button is turned on during step F16, control returns to the label "A".

In step F5 stated above, if the test result is NO, it is checked if the particular deck is in the REW mode in step F13. If the test result is NO, control passes to step F14. In step F14, it is checked if the REW button is turned on.

In step F13 or F14, if the test result is YES, control passes to step F15 following label "D" in Fig. 6B, while the test result is NO, control passes to the label "A".

Fig.7 illustrates the output selection circuit 50 to transfer the information signal from each of the VCR decks in the multi-deck VCR system to, e.g., external monitors. The output circuit 50 comprises a pair of switches for transferring the video/audio signal, only one of which is shown as a video signal output switch SW11 in Fig. 7 for simplicity.

The video signal output switch SW11 may be changed over among three selection positions A, B, and C. The video signal output switch SW11 serves to selectively transfer the video signal between the recording/playback selection switches SW3, SW4, SW5, and the video output jacks 3,4,5 shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

Further, the output circuit 50 includes a logic circuit 55 which serves to provide the control signals Yl and Y2 to the switch SW11. The logic circuit 55 consists of a plurality of logic elements and receives the activation signal from the serial playback selection switch R-SW and the signals PB(20) and PB(30) from the microprocessors 20 and 30.

J As indicated in the following table, when the serial playback switch R-SW is turned off, the switch SW11 selects the position A irrespective of the signal PB from each of the microprocessors.

However, when the switch R-SW is activated, the switch SW11 is turned to the position B by the control signals Y1 and Y2 when the microprocessor 20 provides the signal PB(20) in a high level, while the switch SW11 is turned to the position C by the control signals Y1 and Y2 when the microprocessor 30 provides the signal PB(30) in a high level.

TABLE 1 condition PB(10) PB(20) PB(30) Y1 Y2 1 off 1 d.

R-SW on 1 1 1 1 d 1 d 1 1 1 L L 1 i 1 1 1 L 1 1 1 H 1 L 1 L 1 H 1 In the above table, "d" denotes a "don't care" low level state; and "H" denotes a high level state.

1 1 H L 1 1 L H 1 state; "L" denotes a Accordingly, the output signal from each of the VCR decks may be selectively applied to the video/auido output jacks 3,6,4,7,5,8 to which video monitors are connected, if necessary. Alternatively, all the output signals may be transferred to the common video/audio output jacks 3 and 6 as described in Fig. 1.

Although this invention has been shown and described with - 19 respect to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

1

Claims (8)

What is claimed i

1. A multi-deck VCR system operable in multiple operation modes including a record mode, a playback mode, a combined playback and recording mode, and a serial playback mode, which comprises:

a plurality of VCR decks.; a plurality of programmable control means for respectively controlling the VCR decks in response to a specific operation mode selected from the multiple modes; means for transferring a video/audio signal to and from each of the VCR decks under a control of the respective control means; a first user-controlled switch, S-SW, operatively connected to the signal transfer means for selecting the combined playback and recording mode; means operable in the combined playback and recording mode for converting the record mode to the playback mode to cause a particular one of the VCR decks to operate in the playback mode; a second user-controlled switch, R-SW, operatively connected to the respective control means for selecting the serial playback mode; and means operable in the serial playback mode for designating a playback operating sequence of the VCR decks to be operated in a series.

2. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 1, wherein the sequence designating means designates a new operating sequence - 21 whenever the playback operation of a VCR deck is completed or whenever one of the video tapes has been unloaded.

3. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 2, wherein the completion of the playback operation of the VCR deck is determined by an end run of the cassette tape loaded therein sensed by an end sensor or absence of a control signal from a control track in the tape or absence of a vertical synchronizing signal extracted from a reproduced signal from the tape.

4. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 1, wherein the mode converting means is activated to convert the record mode to the playback mode by logically combining a single bit signal indicative of the activation of the swich S-SW and an n-bit signal indicative of the record mode, said converted playback mode signal being applied to the contr91 means for one particular VCR deck and said record mode signal being applied to the respective control means for the remaining respective VCR decks.

5. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 1, wherein the signal transfer means comprises a set of video/audio signal input analog switches controlled by the switch S-SW, a plurality of sets of record or playback selection analog switches associated with the respective VCR decks, each of the record or playback selection switches being selectively connected to a recording or playback position in accordance with the record or playback mode, and means for coupling the record 1 - 22 or playback selection switches associated with the particular VCR deck to the videolaudio input switches in order to transfer the reproduced video/audio signals from the source tape located in the particular VCR deck to the target tape(s) in the remaining VCR deck(s).

6. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 1, which further comprises a pair of common videolaudio signal input jacks connected to the set of video/audio signal input switches, respectively, and a plurality of pairs of video/audio output jacks associated with the respective VCR decks and connected to the plurality of sets of record or playback selection switches, respectively.

7. The multi-deck VCR system of claim 1, which further comprises an output selection means for selectively transferring the video/audio signals from the respective VCR decks to the video/audio output jacks, wherein the output selection means further comprises a pair of video/audio signal output switches located between the record or playback selection switches and the video/audio output jacks, and a switch control means for providing a control signal to the output switches in accordance with the playback mode of each of the VCR decks so that the video/audio signals are transferred to the output jacks associated with the respective VCR decks.

8. A multi-deck VCR system substantially as herein des- cribed with reference to Figrs. I to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

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