Reproduction system for data carried on tapes - has monochromatic light source and pick-up units for optical signals to be converted to audio output

The data reading system enables items to be picked up either parallel to or at right angles to the direction in which the information is moving. The light source used is preferably a monochromatic source, enabling optical signals to be picked up under the impetus of a pulse signal. Output information may be to an electro-acoustical converter, such as a loud-speaker or a headphone unit. An additional control enables the tape speed to be controlled by the use of a track in or data track. The main components of the system comprise a cassette (1), tape (2), incident and emergent light rays (3, 4) from light source (7) through illumination and read optics (5, 6), sensor (9), decoder (10), controller (11) visual data unit (13) and audio unit (14). The tape is moved by a motor unit (16) in response to a control system (17).