Random access recording and/or playback system

Abstract

A random access system for recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the type used for recording information on and/or reproducing information from addressable portions of a record medium. The random access system is capable of recording address signals on the medium adjacent corresponding addressable portions and of playing back address signals from the medium so as to access any addressable portion thereof to reproduce information therefrom. The address signals are constituted by a variable number of address pulses plus a constant number of pulses. The random access system includes a counter for counting pulses which are applied thereto so as to derive a count corresponding to an address. A detector detects the constant number of pulses included in an address signal and supplies only the variable number of address pulses to the counter. A selector is operable to select any one of predetermined addresses, and a comparator compares the count derived by the counter to the address selected by the selector to produce a coincidence signal when the count is equal to the selected address. In a recording mode, an oscillator generates a substantially continuous train of pulse signals which are supplied through the detector to the counter. A record control circuit is operable to initiate an address recording operation for transmitting the train of pulses to the counter, and is responsive to the coincidence signal to terminate this address recording operation. In a playback mode, the recorded address signals are supplied through the detector to the counter. A sensing circuit is provided to sense the end of the played back address signal and to actuate a control signal generator which is responsive to the coincidence signal for generating a control signal which is adapted to initiate a predetermined operation of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.