GB2220190A - Video and other tape or film cassettes - Google Patents

Abstract

A cassette for recording tape or other medium, typically a VHS video tape cassette, has built-in control means (18, 30) including a stop element (56) acting automatically to prevent a winding or rewinding operation of the tape or other medium (14) whereby a user can effect a single play through only of the tape or medium; the cassette also including a key operated or other coded lock (60) which has to be operated e.g. by a video library to reset the control means for further operation of the cassette. A tamper-proof counter (52) to record the number of times the tape or other medium has been played is operated by the control means. The invention enables video hire charges to be related to the number of playings. The control means includes a detector lever (18) which trips a toggle mechanism (32, 42) to apply a brake (56) to the wind on reel (16) when the tape has been played. A projection (50) of lever (42) operates the counter (52). <IMAGE>

Description

VIDEO AND OTHER TAPE OR FILM CASSETTES This invention relates to cassettes for recording media such as tape or film, particularly but not exclusively magnetic video tape.

more specifically the invention applies to a cassette assembly (hereinafter referred to as a cassette assembly of the kind described") comprising a tamperresistant housing, main and take-up reels operatively disposed within the housing for connection with play-back and/or recording apparatus using the assembly whereby the reels are selectively driven to wind film, tape or other recording medium forward off the main onto the take-up reel as for playing a pre-recorded medium and back onto the main reel as for rewinding the medium following play through.

The invention is particularly usefully embodied in cassette assemblies of the kind described which incorporate or are compatible with the widely used VHS system which is now the almost universal standard for video cassette recorders in general use in the home and elsewhere and hence for video tape recordings on general sale and/or available for loan or hire from video libraries. The UHS system and the construction of the standard cassettes used therewith is well known in the art and will not be described in any detail. Further information thereon may be obtained, for example, from British Patents 1558056 and 1561443 of Nippon Victor KK and other publications.

The object of the invention is to provide a VHS compatible or other cassette assembly of the kind described in a form which provides control and monitoring of its usage in an effective, convenient and economical manner so as to provide fairer and more effective remuneration of the originators or providers of prerecorded media without undue restriction or inconvenience for the end user and with improved security against unauthorised use of the cassette assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a cassette assembly of the kind described characterised in that it further comprises a) control means including a stop element changeable between a free condition and a blocking condition at which transfer of the medium from reel to reel in at least one direction is prevented, the control means being automatically set in the blocking condition consequent upon operation of the assembly beyond that needed to play the medium through completely once only with or without subsequent part or full rewinding, the stop element being restored to the free condition only by coaction with a coded key or key input signal applied to the control means; and b) count means responsive to transfer of all or at least a substantial part of the medium from one reel to the other in at least one direction to provide a visible or otherwise detectable record or readout on the cassette of the total number of said transfers effected.

The term "coded key or key input signal" is intended to comprise inter alia conventional mechanical keys cut to a predetermined code for physical insertion into and operation of a lock module of the control means, e.g.

coacting with a cylinder-type lock; visibly or invisibly coded magnetic or optically read keys in card or other form for actuating an electromagnetic or electro-optical lock module; key signal generating or input devices transmitting coded pulses to a lock module e.g. remote infra-red key input signal devices; or input to combination or like lock modules by manual keying in or setting a digital code directly thereto.

Preferably the count means and control means are interconnected or otherwise inter-related so that a digital register or other readout is moved forward by an increment less than one unit as the stop element is restored to free condition and is only further moved forward to fully register said one unit when the count means responds to said transfer of all or at least a substantial part of the medium so as to preclude falsification of the register or readout total by repeated operation of the key or key input signal alone.

It is also preferred that the control means responds to set the stop element in the blocking condition only after transfer of a predetermined minor proportion of the medium back to the main reel by rewinding, thus permitting one full play-through of the tape together with limited rewind and replay of restricted portions only thereof but full rewinding for a further complete play-through being prevented unless and until the stop element has been so restored to free condition.

The invention further resides in a method of regulating and charging for the use of copyright or other works pre-recorded onto tape, film or other medium and provided in cassettes of the kind described including the steps of forming said cassettes as cassette assemblies as defined in some one or more of the last preceding four paragraphs hereof; providing a stock of said cassette assemblies to an intermediate distributor or other outlet on terms that hire, leasing and/or author's or other copyright royalties or the like be paid according to usage on the basis of the totals registered by the count means of each cassette assembly; and the intermediate distributor or other outlet being provided with coded keys or key input means appropriate to those cassette assemblies for enabling resetting of their control means to free condition following the return of the cassette assemblies to said intermediate distributor or other outlet by the end users thereof so enabling charging of said end users at an appropriate rate for each single play-through of the respective medium which they make.

An embodiment of the invention is now described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a- diagrammatic horizontal sectional view of part of a VHS compatible video cassette assembly in a condition ready for use, and Figure 2 is a like view with components thereof in a blocking condition following use.

The cassette assembly comprises a unitary tamperproof housing 10 within which is a main tape reel 12 on which is wound a video tape 14 which has been prerecorded, e.g. with a feature film to be hired or loaned from a video library. Housing 10 further contains a take-up reel 16 with the leading end of tape 14 anchored to its central hub after being led round guide rollers and through apertures of the assembly between the reels in known manner to cooperate with and for operation in VHS type record and playback apparatus.

Located in the housing generally between the reels 12 and 16 is control and count means now described in greater detail. A detector lever 18 is pivoted on a cylindrical boss 20 midway between the reels toward the back of housing 10. Lever 18 is lightly resiliently loaded so that an elongated arm 22 thereof is urged into engagement with the periphery of the turns of tape on main reel 12, thus lever 18 swings angularly clockwise as viewed in the drawings as tape is wound off reel 12 in the forward or play direction, and it is pivoted in the opposite direction when tape is rewound onto reel 12.

Lever 18 further includes a short triggering nib 24 extending radially of boss 20.

The control means further includes a spring loaded toggle action linkage 30 lying generally laterally across the central region of housing 10 from back to front between the reels.

Linkage 30 comprises a trigger lever 32 having back and front arms 34,36 extending to either side of a fixed fulcrum pivot 38 fast with the housing. The distal end of front arm 36 is provided with a hinged knuckle joint 40 linking it to a distal end of an offset lever 42.

The latter lever extends toward the front of the housing and has a cranked fulcrum portion 44 which is slotted to ride on a further fixed pivot 46 toward the front of the housing. A spring loaded extendable plunger link 48 is connected between said pivot 46 and the knuckle joint 40 to complete the toggle linkage.

In the position shown in Figure 1 plunger link 48 urges joint 40 overcentre with respect to pivots 38 and 46 to the left as viewed in the drawing so holding the back arm 34 of trigger lever 32 in the path of movement of the triggering nib 24 on detector lever 18.

In this condition a forward projection 50 of the main part of offset lever 42 is at its foremost position.

A three drum (i.e. reading up to 999) cyclometer type mechanical register counter 52 is mounted within housing 10 adjacent its front wall and readable through a small window in the front or top wall of the housing.

Projection 50 engages the operating member 54 of counter 52 in the Figure 1 position holding it inwardly so that the counter has been shifted by approximately half of a single increment of one unit, i.e. the units drum will register a halfway position between successive digits.

Reverting to trigger lever 32, its back arm 34 carries a small resiliently loaded hinged flap at its tip (not shown in the drawings) which allows nib 24 of detector lever 18 to pass one way i.e. from left to right as viewed without shifting trigger lever 32 but return movement in the opposite direction will engage arm 34 so pivoting lever 32 to collapse the toggle linkage 30 to the condition shown in Figure 2, i.e. changing over the control means from a free condition to a blocking condition to be further explained hereafter. At the same time projection 50 on offset lever 42 will be shifted clear of the counter operating member 54 allowing it to complete its outward movement and so complete the addition of one digit to the registered total.

Thus when the end user, i.e. the hirer or borrower of the video film, plays it through tape 14 will be transferred onto take-up reel 16 allowing detector lever 18 to pivot to its fullest extent clockwise. As it does so nib 24 passes the pivoted tip of back arm 34 without shifting the latter. When the tape is fully wound off reel 12 nib 24 will have moved angularly somewhat beyond back arm 34 which will permit a short length of tape (at or possibly beyond the end of the film) to be rewound without disturbing the toggle linkage 30.

It will be noted that the arrangement permits the user to wind back portions of the tape during play in the main part of the film without restriction as nib 24 will not then have reached beyond back arm 34. This arrangement is considered more acceptable than a mechanism which prevents any rewinding or replay whatsoever, a user may not wish to watch a film all through at one sitting or may be disturbed e.g. by a telephone call while watching and may therefore require to go back a short way to re-establish the continuity of viewing. However the arrangement is designed to prevent any complete rewinding followed by a further play-through i.e. one full viewing only is permitted. Few people want to watch only the extreme end part of a film over and over again.

Said repeat replaying is prevented by brake mechanism of the control means. This comprises a stop element in the form of a small brake pad 56 mounted on the toggle linkage 30 above knuckle joint 40. When the toggle linkage has collapsed so that the control means is in its blocking condition this pad bears on the periphery of the upper flange of the take-up reel 16, this flange being provided with a light peripheral tyre 58 of a high friction material, conveniently a large diameter rubber "0" ring is used. The angling of the acting face of pad 56 (which may be provided with ratchet tooth-like serrations) is such that it allows rotation of take-up reel 16 in the anticlockwise direction i.e. for rewinding the tape but prevents rotation in the opposite direction i.e. the play or fast forward direction.The tape operation mechanism of the standard VHS player includes safety provision which precludes operation if the reels are blocked e.g. by a tape jam and the braking force is sufficient to cause this safety mechanism to operate i.e.

forward winding or play is safely prevented without any risk of damage to the tape or mechanism.

In this way the user can rewind the tape following viewing so that it is ready to return to the tape library but he or she can play the tape through once only and the hire charge (if hiring is involved) will be in respect of this single viewing.

In order to reset the control means, i.e. the toggle linkage 30 and associated stop element i.e.brake pad 56 to a free condition i.e. as in rigure 1 a key operated lock is incorporated.

In the present example this takes the form of a small cylinder-type lock 60 accessible through the top wall of the housing 10 centered between reels 12 and 16 generally above the plunger link 48 (its position is shown only in outline in the drawings).

The inner end of the lock cylinder carries a pin (not shown) which, when the cylinder is rotated by means of the key anticlockwise as viewed in the drawings, engages the righthand face of the main part of offset lever 42 and, as it rotates, engages in a notch or step 62 thereof urging it forwardly and to the left until it carries the toggle linkage overcentre as shown in Figure 1. The lock cylinder will be resiliently sprung to return to a rest position for withdrawal of the key taking the operating pin clear once more of lever 42.

The video library will hold the key (which will usually be standard to a number of cassette assemblies) so that only the library can reset the control means to the free condition for further play-through of the tape i.e. on further lending or hiring to the same or another end user.

To enlarge further on the system of use of the assemblies incorporating the invention, it is contemplated that an originator, main distributor or other provider of bulk pre-recorded tapes, e.g. a film production or distribution company, will distribute them to video libraries and other intermediate distributors or outlets in bulk noting the registered counter totals of the cassette assemblies as they are delivered.

The library or other outlet (which could be a supermarket, small shop or even a home agency, possibly supplied by post) will in turn hire out or lend the tapes in the usual way except that the end user will in effect pay for a single viewing only as referred to above, if he or she requires further viewing the tape will have to be returned to the outlet for the key to be used to reset the control means (and incidentally, the counter will be advanced accordingly).

When the tapes are returned to the main distributor or other provider the number of viewing can be read off from the registered total of the counters and charging will be made to the intermediate distributor or outlet based on the number of viewings shown. Alternatively the provider may call round at the libraries or other outlet premises to check on the tapes in stock, exchange and update the selection and at the same time collect the charges e.g. at weekly or monthly intervals.

Another important aspect commercially of the described arrangement is that the main distributor or other provider is able to have a reliable assessment of how popular or unpopular particular films are and can tailor the material provided much more closely to market demand which should enable substantially more profitable operation, unpopular films which are taking up shelf space can be withdrawn and scrapped and extra copies of popular lines can be readily provided.

The use of the invention may also make a valuable contribution to the continuing problem of fair return and enforcement of copyright for authors, film producers and the like as a royalty which is directly related to the number of hirings and, more importantly, the number of actual viewings can readily be calculated, included as a percentage of the hiring charges which will be passed along the line to the ultimate user, and can be accounted for reliably and quickly to those entitled to the royalties. This arrangement would operate in a much more fair and equitable manner than the proposed blanket levy on blank tapes which bears no relation whatever to the number of viewings and usage of all or any particular copyright works.

The arrangement and mechanism described above can readily be incorporated into the standard type of VHS video cassette without undue difficulty or complication and is simple and reliable in use. It is believed that, although there will be some addition to the cost of the cassette hardware, any increase will readily be recouped and covered by the more efficient collection of hire charges and that cassettes incorporating the invention will be commercially feasible even if they are regarded as disposable items once the video film or other material has reached the end of its life.

Provision could be incorporated for resetting the counter to zero e.g. by means of another key operated mechanism, though for most practical applications it is anticipated that this will not be necessary, indeed the usual hiring life of a feature film is somewhat less than the 999 maximum total provided by a three digit counter.

If necessary a non-resettable four or more digit counter could be incorporated at little extra cost.

The facility for rewinding by the end user is incorporated because it is common practice to require the hirer or borrower to rewind the tape before return to save the library or other outlet the time and trouble of doing so and this requirement will be particularly convenient where the outlet is, for example, a supermarket where minimum handling and processing is essential for efficient operation. However, it will be seen that the mechanism could readily be adapted to prevent winding of the tape in either direction once changeover to the blocking condition had taken place and this may be desirable in some applications.

A further advantage of the invention, particularly where the material on the tape is unsuitable for general viewing, e.g. adult material not suitable for children, is that the end user can keep effective control of viewing in that further or repeat viewing cannot take place and it will be readily apparent if and when a tape has been viewed right through. There is increasing concern about films designated for adult viewing only being obtained by children from video libraries and/or being viewed clandestinely if available in the home and the invention fulfills a need in this direction also.

Claims (13)

1. A cassette assembly comprising a tamper-resistant housing, main and take-up reels operatively disposed within the housing for connection with play-back and/or recording apparatus using the assembly, a stock of film, tape or other recording medium being operatively held or received on the main reel for transfer to the take-up reel by forward winding in said apparatus as for playing a pre-recorded medium and for rewind back onto the main reel following play through; characterised in that it further comprises (a) control means including a stop element changeable between a free condition and a blocking condition at which transfer of the medium frorn reel to reel in at least one direction is prevented, the control means being autoratically set in the blocking conoition consecuent upon operation of the assembly beyond that needed to play the medium through completely once only with or without subsequent part or full rewinding the stop element being restores. to the free condition only by coaction it a coded key or key input signal aliz to the control means; and (b) count means responsive to transfer or all or at least a substantial part of the medium from one reel to the other in at least one direction to provide a visible or otherwise detectable record or readout on the cassette of the total number of said transfers effected.

2. An assembly as in Claim 1 characterised in that the control means in its blocking condition automatically prevents rewinding of the tape or other medium from the take up reel onto the main reel.

3. An assembly as in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the stop element acts directly on a sair reel to ol' it against rotation in at least one direction When the control means is in blocking condition.

4. An assembly as in any preceding claim characterises in that the control means is changed automaticalll, fro the free to the blocking condition at or after a predeterined point or stage of operation of the assembly.

5. An assembly as in Claim 4 characterised in that the control means includes a sensor device operating to detect transfer of a predetermined quantity of the tape or other medium from one reel to the other so as to shift the stop element into blocking condition on transfer of said quantity.

6. an assembly as in Claim 4 or 5 characterised in that said sensor device responds only to transfer of the tape or other medium in a selected direction of winning.

7. An assembly as in Clain 4, 5, or 6 characterise in that the control means responds to set the stop element in blocking condition only after transfer of a predetermined proportion of the tape or other medium back into the main reel by rewinding whereby a single full play through of the tape or medium together with rewinding ann: replay of restricted portions only thereof is peritte but a further complete play-through after full rewinding is prevented unless and until the loc': means is operated to restore the control means to the rree condition.

8. An assembly as in any preceding claim characterised in that the lock means is a lock operated by a mechanical key cut to predetermined code for physical insertion into and operation of the lock.

9. An assembly as in any preceding claim characterised in that the count means is operated in response to operation of the control means.

10. Sin assembly as in any preceding claim characterised in that the count means is actuated to move said record or readout forward by an increment less than one unit as the control means is restored to free condition and is only further moved forward to fully register said one unit on subsequent transfer of all or at least a substantial part of the medium from reel to reel.

11. A cassette assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of regulating and charging for the use of copyright or other works pre-recorded onto tape, film or other medium and provided in cassette assemblies of the kind described characterised by the steps of forming said cassette assemblies as in any one of Claims 10 to 13 hereof; providing a stock of said cassette assemblies to an intermediate distributor or other outlet on terms that hire, leasing and/or author's or other copyright royalties or the like be paid according to usage on the basis of the totals registered by the count means of each cassette assembly; and the intermediate distributor or other outlet being provided with coded keys or key input means appropriate to those cassette assemblies for enabling resetting of their control means to free condition following the return of the cassette assemblies to said intermediate distributor or other outlet by the end users thereof so enabling charging of said end users at an appropriate rate for each single play-through of the respective medium which they make.

13. A method of regulating and charging for the use of works pre-recorded onto tape, film or other medium substantially as hereinbefore described.