Multiple magnetic head rotary transducer drum for simultaneous recording and reproducing

Claim 1

A magnetic recorder/reproducer for simultaneously reproducing previously recorded information while recording new or superimposed information on the same track of a moving magnetic tape medium comprising: a rotary transducer drum rotatable about an axis and supporting first and second playback heads and first and second recording heads for reproducing information from and recording information on successive tracks of the magnetic tape medium, said heads being alternately located at points on a peripheral surface of the drum and rotating with said drum substantially in a plane thereof, said magnetic tape medium running in a downstream direction at an oblique angle relative to said plane of rotation in contact with said peripheral surface and said magnetic heads of said transducer drum; wherein said magnetic heads are arranged on said rotary drum in the order of contact with the magnetic tape medium of said first playback head, said first recording head, said second playback head, and said second recording head, wherein said playback heads are positioned at a different height of the rotary drum relative to said recording head, in correspondence with said magnetic tape medium running at said oblique angle, such that while previously recorded information is being reproduced in a downstream location on a given track of the magnetic tape medium by a playback head, new or superimposed information can be simultaneously recorded in an upstream location on the same track by a following recording head.