System including a digital audio tape recorder or equivalent device for

Abstract

A digital audio tape recorder is adapted for recording non-music signals such as, typically, those representative of measurements being made in real time by one or more instruments or meters, together with brief vocal commentary on the measurements and/or with the date and time at which the measurements are made. If the measurements of two instruments or meters are to be recorded simultaneously, the two measurements signals as well as the vocal commentary signal are first digitized. A multiplexing circuit combines the first measurements signal and the commentary signal into a first series of composite data words, and the second measurements signal and a digital time signal into a second series of composite data words. The bits of each composite data word are apportioned between the first measurements signal and the commentary signal, and between the second measurements signal and the time signal, according to their expected relative amounts to be recorded. The two series of composite data words are transmitted by time division multiplexing to the record/reproduce circuit of the digital audio tape recorder, for interleaved recording on the tape just like stereophonic audio signals. Provisions may be made for reproduction of the non-music signals recorded.