Abstract:
A continuous play, selectable airliner passenger audio program presentation system employs a plurality of substantially identical Philips cassette playback units, located in a common housing. Each of the units includes an individual drive mechanism, such that the cassette tape is reversed automatically when it is wound on one hub. Transducer coils in a head assembly are selectively energized, depending upon the direction in which the cassette tape is driven, so that a stereophonic audio signal is continuously derived. The cassette tape tracks and the head assembly coils are activated during recording and playback operations in a manner reversed from the usual manner. Thereby conventional cassettes produce garbled messages, tending to prevent pilfering of the cassettes and use of unauthorized cassettes. The cassettes are held in situ by a hold down bar on a hinged cover of the housing.