US3706860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic card data recorder/reproducer
Assignee: WILTEK Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-20
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A compact desk top recorder-reproducer apparatus is disclosed employing a card coated with magnetic oxide as the record medium. In the recording mode the record card is moved in a first linear direction with respect to a stationary magnetic recording head to record a line of incoming signals. Upon completing each line of recording the record card is rapidly moved in the opposite direction to its starting position while the recording head is stepped a discrete distance normal to direction of card traverse, and successive parallel tracks of data are recorded. Typically the device requires an electronic input register or character buffer to store one line or block of incoming data at a first reception rate and deliver such data to the recording transducer at a rate compatible with the motions of the recording apparatus. In the read mode the same relative motions are performed, with the magnetic transducer serving to detect and playback the previously recorded data. This data is first stored in the electronic registers and then delivered to other devices at a different speed. Anti-backlash means in combination with a transducer advancing mechanism provides precise positioning of closely spaced record tracks, while automatic card centering means and rapid reverse drive means assure maximum density data packing and high speed recording and read-out operation. In the preferred embodiment a dual track transducer head provides for either clock pulses on tracks parallel to data pulses or self synchronizing methods such as NRZI encoded data on one track and NRZI encoded complement on the second track. By employing alternative electrical circuitry the apparatus may record and play back continuous analog signals, such as speech or other sound.
Inventors
- 👤 John Emerson Burbank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:41
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/34; G11B19/00; G11B19/20; G11B19/24; G11B25/00; G11B25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
A recorder-reproducer apparatus for use with substantially planar record cards comprising in combination, A. a card receiving entrance slot opening through one wall of said apparatus, 1. guide means aligned with opposite ends of said entrance slot for centering a card inserted therein, 2. a precisely positioned back stop within said apparatus and opposite said entrance slot for accurately determining the location of a card inserted therein, B. card drive means within said apparatus for engaging the planar surfaces of a card inserted therein and for moving said card in a first direction into positive engagement with said back stop, 1. means for reversing said card drive means upon receipt of a start signal and for moving said card in a second direction away from said back stop for a predetermined distance less than the width of said card, 2. further means for restoring said card drive means to its first direction upon completion of movement of a record card through said predetermined distance, and for returning said card to engagement with said back stop, C. a transducer within said apparatus positioned to engage the planar surface of a record card at a point located at said predetermined distance from said back stop, 1. means for activating said transducer for recording in a first mode and for reproducing in a second mode while said record card is moved from said back stop through said predetermined distance, 2. further means for incrementally moving said transducer through sequential incremental steps in a direction normal to the direction of card movement while said drive means is moving a record card in said first direction through said predetermined distance toward engagement with said back stop, D. a notched guide bar under spring tension and engageable with the transducer at each incremental position to which the transducer may be advanced, to prevent backlash in the transducer translation and assure positive positioning of the transducer over each recording track, and E. means for reversing said card drive means to eject a record card from said entrance slot upon command.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
A recorder-reproducer apparatus for use with substantially planar record cards comprising in combination, A. a card receiving entrance slot opening through one wall of said apparatus, 1. guide means aligned with opposite ends of said entrance slot for centering a card inserted therein, 2. a precisely positioned back stop within said apparatus and opposite said entrance slot for accurately determining the location of a card inserted therein, B. card drive means within said apparatus for engaging the planar surfaces of a card inserted therein and for moving said card in a first direction into positive engagement with said back stop, 1. means for reversing said card drive means upon receipt of a start signal and for moving said card in a second direction away from said back stop for a predetermined distance less than the width of said card, 2. further means for restoring said card drive means to its first direction upon completion of movement of a record card through said predetermined distance, and for returning said card to engagement with said back stop, C. a transducer within said apparatus positioned to engage the planar surface of a record card at a point located at said predetermined distance from said back stop, 1. means for activating said transducer for recording in a first mode and for reproducing in a second mode while said record card is moved from said back stop through said predetermined distance, 2. further means for incrementally moving said transducer through sequential incremental steps in a direction normal to the direction of card movement while said drive means is moving a record card in said first direction through said predetermined distance toward engagement with said back stop, D. a notched guide bar under spring tension and engageable with the transducer at each incremental position to which the transducer may be advanced, to prevent backlash in the transducer translation and assure positive positioning of the transducer over each recording track, and E. means for reversing said card drive means to eject a record card from said entrance slot upon command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
a second idler wheel mounted on a second movable arm and in constant driving engagement with said first idler wheel, D. a second frictional drive wheel normally in engagement with said first idler wheel and adapted to impart driving torque to said record moving means in a first direction, and E. means including a first solenoid connected to said second idler wheel mounting arm for moving said second idler wheel into driving engagement with said second frictional drive wheel while crowding said first idler wheel away from engagement with said second frictional drive wheel whereby reverse rotation is imparted to said first and second drive wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
a second idler wheel mounted on a second movable arm and in constant driving engagement with said first idler wheel, D. a second frictional drive wheel normally in engagement with said first idler wheel and adapted to impart driving torque to said record moving means in a first direction, and E. means including a first solenoid connected to said second idler wheel mounting arm for moving said second idler wheel into driving engagement with said second frictional drive wheel while crowding said first idler wheel away from engagement with said second frictional drive wheel whereby reverse rotation is imparted to said first and second drive wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
means for moving said comb member into a second pOsition out of engagement with said protruding arm, C. means for imparting limited rotational motion to said lead screw while said comb member is disengaged from said arm, whereby said transducer is moved in linear translation by said lead screw, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
means for moving said comb member into a second pOsition out of engagement with said protruding arm, C. means for imparting limited rotational motion to said lead screw while said comb member is disengaged from said arm, whereby said transducer is moved in linear translation by said lead screw, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a line-by-line record scanning apparatus means for maintaining accurate positioning of an incrementally movable scanning transducer comprising in combination, A. a precision lead screw engaging a transducer having a protruding arm, B. a notched comb member supported in a plane parallel to said lead screw and engaging said protruding arm in a first notch thereof in a first position,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a line-by-line record scanning apparatus means for maintaining accurate positioning of an incrementally movable scanning transducer comprising in combination, A. a precision lead screw engaging a transducer having a protruding arm, B. a notched comb member supported in a plane parallel to said lead screw and engaging said protruding arm in a first notch thereof in a first position,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
further means for incrementally moving said transducer through sequential incremental steps in a direction normal to the direction of card movement while said drive means is moving a record card in said first direction through said predetermined distance toward engagement with said back stop, D. a notched guide bar under spring tension and engageable with the transducer at each incremental position to which the transducer may be advanced, to prevent backlash in the transducer translation and assure positive positioning of the transducer over each recording track, and E. means for reversing said card drive means to eject a record card from said entrance slot upon command.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
further means for incrementally moving said transducer through sequential incremental steps in a direction normal to the direction of card movement while said drive means is moving a record card in said first direction through said predetermined distance toward engagement with said back stop, D. a notched guide bar under spring tension and engageable with the transducer at each incremental position to which the transducer may be advanced, to prevent backlash in the transducer translation and assure positive positioning of the transducer over each recording track, and E. means for reversing said card drive means to eject a record card from said entrance slot upon command.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
further means for restoring said card drive means to its first direction upon completion of movement of a record card through said predetermined distance, and for returning said card to engagement with said back stop, C. a transducer within said apparatus positioned to engage the planar surface of a record card at a point located at said predetermined distance from said back stop,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
further means for restoring said card drive means to its first direction upon completion of movement of a record card through said predetermined distance, and for returning said card to engagement with said back stop, C. a transducer within said apparatus positioned to engage the planar surface of a record card at a point located at said predetermined distance from said back stop,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
a precisely positioned back stop within said apparatus and opposite said entrance slot for accurately determining the location of a card inserted therein, B. card drive means within said apparatus for engaging the planar surfaces of a card inserted therein and for moving said card in a first direction into positive engagement with said back stop,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
a precisely positioned back stop within said apparatus and opposite said entrance slot for accurately determining the location of a card inserted therein, B. card drive means within said apparatus for engaging the planar surfaces of a card inserted therein and for moving said card in a first direction into positive engagement with said back stop,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said means for imparting limited rotational motion to said lead screw comprises an escapement lever normally engaged with a radial protrusion extending from said lead screw normal to the axis thereof, and said escapement lever is momentarily moved from engagement with said protrusion to permit only one revolution of said lead screw, whereby upon each momentary actuation of said escapement lever said transducer is translated a distance equal to the pitch of said lead screw.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a line-by-line record scanning apparatus including means for reversibly moving a substantially planar recording medium with respect to a transducer, means for incrementally translating said transducer in a direction normal to the line of said record medium motion comprising in combination, A. a precision lead screw formed on a rotatable shaft extending in a direction at right angles to the direction of record medium motion and in a plane parallel to the plane of said record medium, B. means including a frictional clutch for imparting rotational torque to said lead screw shaft, C. a first frictional drive wheel on said screw shaft and coupled thereto through said clutch,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a line-by-line record scanning apparatus including means for reversibly moving a substantially planar recording medium with respect to a transducer, means for incrementally translating said transducer in a direction normal to the line of said record medium motion comprising in combination, A. a precision lead screw formed on a rotatable shaft extending in a direction at right angles to the direction of record medium motion and in a plane parallel to the plane of said record medium, B. means including a frictional clutch for imparting rotational torque to said lead screw shaft, C. a first frictional drive wheel on said screw shaft and coupled thereto through said clutch,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 4 including a dog lever mounted on said rotatable screw shaft and an escapement lever engageable with said dog to prevent rotation of said screw shaft, said escapement lever connected with and operable by a second solenoid to move away from engagement with said dog whereby said screw shaft is allowed to turn in response to the rotational torque imparted through said clutch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |