No title available

• US 3,582,201 A
• Filed:
• Issued:
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: N/A
• Original Assignee: N/A
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/16
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 31/06 in which sound track is associated with successively-shown still pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0404 Scanning transparent media, e.g. photographic film

Abstract

This invention relates to an audiovisual record playback system employing a record disc having storage means for both audio and visual information. In one form of the invention, projectable images are stored in a tandem circular or spiral array on a first record disc member which is concentric to and rotatable on a second record disc member assembled with the first disc member and containing audio recordings in a spiral groove thereof. Accordingly, conventional tone arm means may be provided for transducing the audio recordings from the spiral groove of the second record disc member while a modified positioning and projection system is employed to selectively provide images of selected frames on the first disc member. Other forms of the invention include modifications to the structure of the disc member, the video or projection scanning system and the means for driving the disc member containing visual information or image frames. The apparatus may be operative to project a series of still images in synchronization with audio descriptions thereof or a series of motion-picture images together with associated sound reproductions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the audiovisual playback of stored information comprising in combination with a record disc made of an assembly of a plurality of components including:

a first disc-shaped member having a centrally located opening;

a second disc-shaped member assembled with and extending across said inner opening of said first disc-shaped member;

one of said disc-shaped members having holding means integral therewith including retaining means overhanging the edge of the other disc member for slidably receiving the peripheral portion of said other disc member so as to retain said disc members together and arrangement to permit the independent rotation of said members;

a spirally extending shaped groove provided in at least one surface of one of said disc members and containing undulations representing recorded audio information;

a plurality of image frames arranged in a substantially circular array on one of said members;

first means for rotationally supporting said first disc member;

second means for rotationally supporting said second disc member;

first power means for driving said disc member containing said spiral groove at a substantially constant speed;

second power means for intermittently driving said disc member containing said circular array of image frames;

means for operating said first and said second power means independently of each other;

pickup tone arm means riding in the spiral recording groove of said assembly for playing back audio information, amplifying and transducing means coupled to said pickup means for transducing the information picked up thereby to sound;

projection means including a light source for projecting light rays towards the image frame and registration with said projection means;

control means for intermittently operating said second power means at predetermined times during the playback of information from said spiral groove whereby said image frames will be selectively power rotated and positioned in registration with said projection means while said first power means continuously rotates said disc member containing said spiral groove.

2. An audiovisual playback apparatus in accordance with claim 1, whereby said spiral grooving has a first plurality of predetermined sections thereof containing audio information associated with at least one of said image frames, and a second plurality of predetermined sections thereof interspersed among said first plurality of sections and containing undulations representing a predetermined constant frequency signal for indicating a request for an image frame change.

3. An audiovisual apparatus in accordance with claim 1, whereby said projection means further comprises a focusing lens and light-deflecting means for deflecting the light rays which have passed through said image frame in registry towards said focusing lens.

4. Audiovisual apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further comprising control means sensitive only to said predetermined constant frequency signals generated by playback of any of said second predetermined spiral groove sections, said control means being insensitive to signals outside of this frequency and operative for energizing said second power means for advancing said second power means for intermittently driving said second disc member independently of said first disc member.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, whereby said spiral groove has a first plurality of predetermined sections thereof containing audio information associated with at least one of said image frames and a second plurality of predetermined sections thereof interspersed among said first plurality of sections and containing undulations representing a control signal distinguishable from said audio information for indicating a request for image frame change.

6. Apparatus for the audiovisual playback of stored information comprising in combination:

an assembly of two record disc disposed concentrically relative to one another;

means for rotatably supporting one of said discs on the other;

a first of said record discs containing a spirally extending record groove having audio recordings in the form of undulations formed in the walls of said groove;

the other record disc containing a plurality of frames of projectable image information;

means for rotatably supporting said assembly;

first power means for driving said first record disc containing said spiral record groove at a substantially constant speed;

second power means for intermittently driving said disc containing said plurality of frames of image information;

means for operating said first and second power means independently of each other;

pickup tone arm means riding in the spiral groove of said first record disc and playing back audio information;

amplifying and transducing means coupled to said pickup means for transducing the information picked up thereby to sound;

projection means including a light source for projecting light towards the image frame in registration with said projection means, and control means for intermittently operating said second power means at predetermined times during the playback of information from said spiral groove whereby said record disc containing said frames will be selectively power rotated and the frames thereof will be positioned in registration with said projection means while said first power means independently and continuously rotates said first record disc containing said spiral groove.