GB2190535A - Radio recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for recording radio signals onto a cassette tape at a preset time comprises a radio receiver 32, a recording mechanism 11 and actuator 30 (also Figure 2) for moving at least a control wheel 24 towards a drive spindle (13) of the recording mechanism 11 to sandwich a tape (20) between wheel (24) and drive spindle (13), actuator 30 receiving a signal from a control means 31 at a preset time to enable recording to be commenced automatically. A different frequency may be programmed for each "on" time. In Figure 2, control wheel (24) is on carriage (23) movable by actuator 30. Recording head (21) may also be on carriage (23), or manually moved. A plurality of wells (15) may be present, each its own head (21) and wheel (24), for sequential use on tape expiration. Conventional radio and cassette player or recorder uses are specified, as are burglar deterrent and alarm clock applications. Timer 35 may sense amount of tape used and warning given if programmed recording duration is longer than the tape available. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Radio recorder This invention relates to an apparatus to enable a recording to be made of radio signals.

Recording machines are known which enable recordings to be made on, for example, video tape, oftelevision programmes. Such machines conventionally haveatimerto enable one or more recordings to be made automatically at presettimes during a day, week, or even longer periods.

In such machines, a tape on which a recordingisto be made is engaged in a recording mechanism and, at a preset time, the mechanism simply commences movement of the tape and with some systems, rotates the record/playback head or otherwise moves the head along with the tape, and thus records.

In audio recorders which use compact cassettes as a recording medium on recording or playback, it is necessary manually to cause a record/playback head and a control wheel which engages a drive spindle and maintains movement of the tape at constant speed overthe head during recording and playback, to move towards the tape when it is desired to commence recording or playback, and at the same timeto commence movement of the tape.

Thus known mechanismsforaudio recording do not readily lend themselves to adaption for automatic recording, as do video recorders which were designed with automatic recording in mind.

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for recording radio signals on a cassette tape at a preset time, comprising a radio receiver for receiving radio signals (as herein defined), a recording mechanism comprising a drive spindle which is rotatable by a motor, and a control wheel which, when in an operative position, is biased towards the drive spindle with a tape therebetween so that when the drive spindle is rotated, the tape is moved at a generally constant speed across a recording head, a timer means, and a control means, the control means being programmable to cause an actuatorto move at least the control wheel into its operative position at a preset time to permit the tape to be moved whilst the recording head records signals derived from the radio signals received by the radio receiver, onto the tape.

Thus, in such an arrangement, no manual intervention is required to enable the mechanism to commence recording at the preset time, but the recording head and control wheel are moved automatically by the actuator to their operative positions to enable a recording to be made.

By "radio signals" we mean any signal broadcast at a frequency of less than 150 M Hz, preferably in the range 100 KHzto 1800 KHz (normally referred to as the AM waveband) or50 MHzto 150MHz (normally referred to as the VHF or FM waveband).

Thus the radio receiver must be capable of receiving radio signals within these ranges.

Preferably, the radio receiver includes a tuner which is arranged to receive radio signals having a frequency of less than 150 MHZ. If desired, a selector may be provided to enable the tuner of the radio receiver to be tuned to a preset frequency atthe preset time. Thus the control means may be programmed not only with the preset time, but also a preset frequency.

Conveniently, the recording mechanism has atape receiving well with spindles which engage spools of the cassette, at least a take up spool being drivable by the motor, or a separate motor, to enable tape on a storage spool of the cassette tape to be wound onto the take up spool. The present invention enables a mechanism which conventionally has these features to be adapted for automatic recording.

Further, the control wheel may be provided on a carriage which is movable by the actuator to bring the control wheel to its operative position, and if desired the recording head may also be provided on the carriage and be movable with the control wheel bythe actuatorto an operative position in which the recording head is engaged with the tape. However, in another arrangement, the recording head can be moved manually to its operative position previous to the preset time, and the control wheel only is moved by the actuator at the preset time, to its operative position.

The actuator may receive a signal from the control means at the preset time to cause the control wheel, and the recording head where the recording head is provided on a common carriage with the control wheel, to move to the operative position.

Conveniently the actuator is a linear actuator such as a solenoid, but could comprise a motor driven actuator such as a worm drive in which a threaded member is rotated relative to anotherthreaded member to cause linear movement of at least one of the members which may be transmitted to the control wheel or carriage where provided.

The recording mechanism is preferably also manually controllable so that the apparatus may be used conventionally as a cassette recorder.

Thus a playback head may be provided to enable signals recorded onto the tape to be played back throughanamplifierandtransducerwhich maybe integral with the apparatus or separate therefrom.

The direction of movement of the tape relative to the record/playback head may be reversable so that the tape may be recorded/played back when moving in either direction. Thus where the record head has facility for recording different tracks of the tape, radio programmes longerthan the duration of one side of the tape may be recorded.

The timer means is conveniently an electronic real time clock which may have a display to facilitate programming and to give a constant readout ofthe time of day.

The control means may be of the type which enablesa pluralityofpresettimestobe programmed, simultaneously, and the apparatus may be arranged to record at each of the preset times for a preset duration. Thus the apparatus means may be a multi-event recorder.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram which shows an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure2 is a diagramatic plan view of a recording mechanism of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, an apparatus 1 0for recording radio signals comprises a mechanism 11 for recording and playing back a compact cassette tape 12, the mechanism including a drive spindle 13 which is rotated by a motor 14. The tape 12 is received in a tape receiving well 15 which has spindles 16,17,which engage respectively spools 18,19, of the cassette 12 and are also drivable. The mechanism 11 is operative to wind the tape 20 from one spool 19 which is a storage spool of the cassette onto the other spool 18,which is a take up spool ata playing or recording speed.

The mechanism 11 also comprises a stereo four track record/playback head 21, operableto record different tracks on the tape. In another embodiment (not shown) the tape 20 can be wound in either direction by the mechanism 11, whilst being played or recorded so that at the end of one side ofthetape 12, there is no need to remove the cassette and invert the cassette to record or playbackthe other side of the tape 20.

The record/playback head 21 is on a carriage 23 which is movable away from the cassette 12 to enable the cassette 12 to be ejected or removed. Also on the carriage 23 is a control wheel 24which,when the carriage 23 is moved towards the tape 20 to the position shown in figure 2, engages with the drive spindle 13 with the tape 20 therebetween. The drive spindle 13 is driven at a constant speed during record/playback by the motor 14 and thus the control wheel 24 ensures that the tape 20 passes overthe playback/record head 21 at a constant speed.The control wheel 24 has a resilient, rubber or the like, circumference and is biased into engagement with drive spindle 13 by means of a spring 25 which urges a mounting lever 26, which is pivoted relative to the carriage 23, towards the drive spindle 13,the control wheel 24 being mounted for free rotation on the free end ofthe mounting lever 26. Thusthe tape 20 in use, is sandwiched between the drive spindle 13 and the control wheel 24.

Also provided on the carriage 23, is an erasure head 31 which is operative to erase signals previously recorded on the tape 20 during recording.

Such a mechanism is conventional. However in an apparatus in accordance with the invention, an actuator 30 is provided for automatically moving the carriage 23 and hence the record/playback head 21 and the control wheel 24towards and into engagement with the tape 20 in response to a signal from a control means 31. The actuator 30 is a linear actuator, e.g. a solenoid, but could alternatively comprise a different type of linear actuator, or even a motor driven rotary actuator which has a threaded memberwhich engages in a trapped nutorfemale thread ofthe carriage 23 or vice versa, so that as the member is rotated, the carriage 23 is moved relative to the cassette 12 to and from the operative position shown.When the carriage 23 is moved away from the cassette 12, the cassette may be ejected or may simply remain in the well 15 withoutthe tape being in engagement with the record/playback head 21, and importantly, without the control wheel 14 being engaged with the drive spindle 13.

The apparatus further comprises a radio receiver 32 having a tuner to enable the radio receiverto be tuned to receive radio signals having a frequency of lessthan 150 MHz.

For example, the radio receiver 32 may be arranged to receive signals at least in the AM waveband (100 KHzto 1800 KHz), and/or the FM or VHFwaveband (50 MHzto 150 MHz). Howeverthe radio receiver may also be arranged to receive radio signals in the shortwave (5 MHzto 25 MHz) and other wave bands if required.

A selector may be provided to enable a particular waveband to be selected, the waveband selector preferable being an electronic control which can be operated from a signal from the control means 31.

The waveband selector may be selected by operating a push button or other control of a programmer 33 which provides a signal forthe control means31.

The frequency to which the radio receiver 32 may be tuned may be preset by a mechanical or preferable electronic, frequency selector, so that a user may simply select a given preset frequency, i.e.

a particular radio station, by operating a further push button or other control ofthe programmer 33. The signal received by the radio receiver32 may be fed to the record/playback head 21 of the record/playback mechanism 11 via the control means 31 to enable a recording to be made when it is desired to record the radio signals. Preferably the radio receiver 32 is operable independently of the recording and playback mechanism 11 so that the apparatus may be used as a conventional radio; thus the apparatus has a built in amplifier and transducer 34 to enable the radio signal to be reproduced in audibleform.

However, if desired, an outputto an external amplifier and loud speaker may be provided as required. Similarlythe recording and playing back mechanism 11 may be operative independently of the radio receiver 32 so that the apparatus may be used as a conventional cassette player or recorder.

In accordance with the invention an electronic timer means 35 is also provided, which comprises a real time clock with a display, which is also connected tothe control means 31 . Thus not only can the radio signals received by the radio receiver 32 be recorded onto the cassette tape 12 when selected manually by a user, but the control means 31 is also be arranged to commence recording automatically at a preset time.

The programmer 33 may be programmed with at least one "on" time at which it is desired to commence recording of a given radio frequency or radio station, and preferably also an "off" time at which recording istostop.

Priorto recording, the carriage 23 and hence the control wheel 24 are spaced from the tape 12. Thus the control wheel 24 does not develop a "flat" by contacting the drive spindle 13 and not being rotated.

Attheoreach programmed "on" time, the control means 31 provides a signal to the actuator 30 to move the carriage 23 and hence the record/playback head 21 and the control wheel 24to engage with the tape 20, and to actuate the drive motor 14to commence winding the tape from one spool 19 onto the other 18 and of course to rotate spindle 13.

At the same time, signals derived from the radio signals being received at the preset frequency, are fed to the record/playback head 21,to enable a recordingto be made on thetape.

In one example, the programmer 33 can be programmed with a plurality of preset "on" and "off" times, over a period of at least a week. Thus the control means 31 thus being a multi-event7 day, 10 day, or 14 day timerfor examples.

When the programmed "off" time is reached, the control means 31 stops feeding signals to the record/playback head 21 and signals the actuator 30 to movethe carriage 23 awayfrom thetape 20, and the motor 14 is deactivated.

The recording and playing back mechanism 11 may be arranged to continue winding thetapefora short period when recording has stopped as the record/playback head 21 is moved away from the tape 20 so that a gap is provided between recordings.

When it is desired to playbackwhat has been recorded, a particular recording can thus simply be found by a search facility by which the control means 31 is arranged to sense such gaps as the tape 20 is beingfastwound,andstopfastwindingthetapeat each or a specified gap.

During recording, the apparatus may be arranged to audibly reproduce the radio signals being received or the radio programme may be recorded silentlyas required. lntheformercase,theradio receiver 32 may be able to be switched on and off at preset times to prove a deterrent to burglars, or used as an alarm clock.

If desired as a modification, the particular length of tape used in the apparatus may also be programmable into the programmer 33 and the timer means 35 may be arranged to sense the amount oftape actually used. Thus iffor example a recording of longer duration thatthere istape available, is programmed, a warning may be given to the operator.

Wherethemechanism 11 permits,thetape20to be recorded and played back in both directions, at the end of recording one side of the tape 20, the control means may be arranged to signal the mechanism 11, to automatically reverse the direction of movement ofthe tape and to switch recording to another track ofthe tape 20.

If desired, in a modification,the recording and playing back mechanism 11 may have a plurality of tape receiving wells 15, each with their own record/playback head 21 and control wheel 24. The control means 31 may be arranged to record firston onetape andwhen thattape isfull, on a tape in another tape receiving well, the actuator 30 of the one mechanism moving the carriage 23 ofthe one mechanism away from the tape, and the actuator 30 ofthe another mechanism moving the carriage 23 of the another mechanism towards the tape.

The control means 31 maythusbearrangedto switch from one mechanism to anotherwhenthere is no tape left in a first mechanism 1 1,forrecording.

Thus should it be required to record radio signals for a longer period than the maximum length oftape which is available (at present 1 1/2 hours perside), signals may be recorded sequentially on each ofthe plurality oftapes.

Preferably the radio receiver 32 is adapted to be preset to any one of a plurality of selected frequencies. Thus when it is desired to record radio signals at a given frequency, the control means 31 may be programmed with not only the presttimes "on" and "off" at which it is desired to commence and stop recording, but also with the selected wavelength and frequency which it is desired to record.

In the embodiment ofthis example, the waveband and frequency may be programmed into the programmer 33, a differentwaveband and frequency for each preset "on" time if req uired, the control means 31 signalling the radio receiver32toswitchto the selected waveband and frequency atthe preset time to ensure that signals derived from radio signals ofthe selected waveband and frequency are recorded. In a modified arrangement,waveband and frequency may need to be manually preset.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, ora method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatusfor recording radiosignalsona cassette tape at a preset time comprises a radio receiver for receiving radio signals (as herein defined), a recording mechanism comprising a drive spindle which is rotatable by a motor, and a control wheel which, when in an operative position, is biased towards the drive spindle with the tape therebetween so that when the drive spindle is rotated, the tape is moved at a generally constant speed across a recording head, a timing means and a control means, the control means being programmable to cause an actuatorto move at least the control wheel into its operative position at the preset time to permit the tape to be moved whilst the recording head records signals derived from the radio signals received by the radio receiver, onto the tape.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the radio receiver includes a tuner which is arranged to receive radio signals having a frequency of less than 150 MHz.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a selector is provided to enable the tuner of the radio receiver to be tuned to a preset frequency at the preset time.

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the recording mechanism has a tape receiving well with spindles which engage spools of the cassette, at least a take up spool being drivable to enable tape on a storage spool of the cassette tape to be wound ontothetake up spool.

5. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the control wheel is provided on a carriage which is movable by the actuatorto bring the control wheel to its operative position.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the recording head is also provided on the carriage and is movable with the control wheel by the actuatorto an operative position in which the recording head is in engagement with the tape.

7. An apparatus according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the actuator receives a signal from the control means at the preset time to cause the control wheel and the recording head where the recording head is provided on a common carriagewiththecontrolwheel,to move to the operative position.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

9. Apparatus according to Claim wherein the actuator is a solenoid.

10. Apparatus according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the recording mechanism is also manually controllable.

11. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein a playback head is also provided to enable signals recorded onto the tape to be played back through an amplifier and transducer.

12. An apparatus according to anyoneofthe preceding claims wherein the direction of movement of the tape relative to the record/playback head is reversible so that the tape may be recorded by being moved in either direction.

13. Apparatus according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the timer means is an electronic real time clock with a display.

14. An apparatus according to anyoneofthe preceding claims wherein the control means enables a plurality of preset times to be programmed, simultaneously, and the apparatus is arranged to record at each of the preset times for a predetermined duration.

15. An apparatus for recording radio signals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.