Patent US3791607A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3791607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light collecting and transmitting apparatus
Assignee: DECISION DATA Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1972-06-28
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An optical device for collecting and transmitting light is described. It consists of a longitudinal bar which is composed of transparent material and which has a plurality of totally reflecting prisms arranged in step-like fashion along an inclined surface of the bar. Light incident on one side of the bar is reflected within the bar toward the base of the bar and light incident on the base of the bar is reflected out one side of the bar.
Inventors
- 👤 D Klang
- 👤 R Mosciatti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/342; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/56; G11B15/58; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means having a first end and a second end, said first photosensitive device being positioned adjacent said first end, said second photosensitive device being positioned adjacent said second end; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means having a first end and a second end, said first photosensitive device being positioned adjacent said first end, said second photosensitive device being positioned adjacent said second end; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said first and second photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said first and second photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor, said collecting and reflecting means comprising a multi-prism rail having an upper portion and a lower portion, the light incident upon said upper portion being reflected in one direction and the light incident upon said lower portion being reflected in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said first and second photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said first and second photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor, said collecting and reflecting means comprising a multi-prism rail having an upper portion and a lower portion, the light incident upon said upper portion being reflected in one direction and the light incident upon said lower portion being reflected in the opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said first and second photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said first and second photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor, said collecting and reflecting means comprising a first multi-prism rail and a second multi-prism rail, said light directing means being positioned between said first multi-prism rail and said second multi-prism rail thereby defining the boundaries of the first storage column and the second storage column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a tape transport having a first reel and a second reel, apparatus for sensing the length of a tape loop in a tape storage column, comprising: means for directing light along a length of a tape storage column; first and second photosensitive devices; means for collecting the light received from said directing means and reflecting the light onto said first and second photosensitive devices, said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means being positioned at the boundaries of the tape storage column such that the tape loop whose length is to be sensed is positioned between said directing means and said reflecting and collecting means; said reflecting and collecting means including means for providing a linear output from said first and second photosensitive devices which is directly proportional to the linear position of the tape in the storage column; means responsive to the output of said first and second photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor, said collecting and reflecting means comprising a first multi-prism rail and a second multi-prism rail, said light directing means being positioned between said first multi-prism rail and said second multi-prism rail thereby defining the boundaries of the first storage column and the second storage column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the tape transport recited in claim 3, said light reflecting means having a light source positioned at both ends of said light reflecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A tape transport, having a reel, a reel motor and a tape storage column, comprising: first bar means for directing a non-linearly varying quantity of light along a length of the tape storage column; first and second light sources positioned at each end of said first bar means; second bar means for collecting the light received from said first bar means and internally reflecting the light towards the ends of said second bar means; first and second photosensitive devices positioned at each end of said second bar means for receiving the light collected and reflected by said second bar means; the boundaries of the tape storage column being formed by said first and second bar means; said second bar means including means for linearizing the varying quantity of light incident on said photosensitive devices; means responsive to the output of said photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A tape transport, having a reel, a reel motor and a tape storage column, comprising: first bar means for directing a non-linearly varying quantity of light along a length of the tape storage column; first and second light sources positioned at each end of said first bar means; second bar means for collecting the light received from said first bar means and internally reflecting the light towards the ends of said second bar means; first and second photosensitive devices positioned at each end of said second bar means for receiving the light collected and reflected by said second bar means; the boundaries of the tape storage column being formed by said first and second bar means; said second bar means including means for linearizing the varying quantity of light incident on said photosensitive devices; means responsive to the output of said photosensitive devices for controlling the reel motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The tape transport recited in claim 5, further comprising a first and second series of prisms being formed on said second bar means, each of said prisms in each said series being arranged in stepwise fashion along said bar means, each of said prisms in each said series occupying a distinct space above the bottom edge of said second bar means, said first series of prisms reflecting light in a first direction, said second series of prisms reflecting light in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tape transport recited in claim 5, further comprising third bar means for collecting the light received from said first bar means and internally reflecting the light towards the ends of said third bar means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3197645A
Cited
US3435245A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |