US3810238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dictating machine using a multi-track magnetic strip and having a phasing control means
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-04-24
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A dictating machine includes a recording and reading head for making and reading recordings on a magnetic strip. A reversible electric drive motor rotates a drive roller which engages the magnetic strip and moves the strip longitudinally past the head in alternate directions. A positioning device in the form of a shaft having an endless screwthread and driven by an electric drive motor serves to stop the head transversely of the direction of movement of the magnetic strip so that recordings on the strip are made and read along a series of longitudinal tracks. A detector switch is provided to ensure that each position of the head corresponds to a respective direction of movement of the strip. A control mechanism including a pair of photoelectric cells and respective lamps are used to detect the ends of the strip and to control the operation of the drive motor and/or the positioning device in response to the detection of an end of the strip whereby to reverse the direction of movement of the strip and/or initiate the stepping of the head into another position.
Inventors
- 👤 M Staar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:02
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A dictating machine for use with a magnetic strip and comprising a recording and reading head for making and reading recordings on the magnetic strip, reversible drive means for moving the magnetic strip longitudinally in front of the head in alternate directions, said strip having opposite edges and being engaged by said drive means to form a bend therein with parallel lengths, positioning means for stepwise movement of the head transversely of the direction of movement of the magnetic strip so that recordings in the magnetic strip are made and read along a series of longitudinal tracks, each stationary position of the head corresponding to a respective direction of movement of the strip and each position of the head always corresponding to the same direction of motion, control means for detecting the position of the magnetic strip, said control means being positioned to detect the absence and presence of both edges of the strip simultaneously, said control means being operative to control at least one of said drive means and said positioning means in response to the detected position of the magnetic strip, and means for ensuring that the position of the head and the direction of motion of the recording support are always related to one another and are servo-controlled due to predetermined relative connections therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A dictating machine for use with a magnetic strip and comprising a recording and reading head for making and reading recordings on the magnetic strip, reversible drive means for moving the magnetic strip longitudinally in front of the head in alternate directions, said strip having opposite edges and being engaged by said drive means to form a bend therein with parallel lengths, positioning means for stepwise movement of the head transversely of the direction of movement of the magnetic strip so that recordings in the magnetic strip are made and read along a series of longitudinal tracks, each stationary position of the head corresponding to a respective direction of movement of the strip and each position of the head always corresponding to the same direction of motion, control means for detecting the position of the magnetic strip, said control means being positioned to detect the absence and presence of both edges of the strip simultaneously, said control means being operative to control at least one of said drive means and said positioning means in response to the detected position of the magnetic strip, and means for ensuring that the position of the head and the direction of motion of the recording support are always related to one another and are servo-controlled due to predetermined relative connections therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A dictating machine as claimed in claim 1 including a casing provided adjacent a lower edge of one of its surfaces with an elongated slot-shaped opening through which a magnetic strip serving as a magnetic recording support can be introduced into the machine, a controller including a single control element in the form of a slider which can be moved to various positions, disposed near the top of an adjacent surface of the casing, said controller comprising means for setting the machine in conditions for recording, playback rewinding, fast forward movement, stopping, or the ejection of the magnetic strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means is operative to reverse the direction of movement of the magnetic strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means comprises photoelectric cells co-operating with respective light sources to detect the edges of the magnetic strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reversible drive means includes a drive roller rotatable by a motor, and further including a casing provided with a slot through which the magnetic strip is introduced into driving enGagement with said drive roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drive roller is carried by a first shaft and said positioning means for the recording and reading head includes a second shaft extending parallel to said first shaft carrying the drive roller, a change-over switch mounted on said second shaft and capable of occupying two positions per revolution of the second shaft, said change-over switch being arranged to connect a power supply to the motor so that the position of the head always corresponds to the same direction of movement of the magnetic strip, the change-over switch also being connected to control the power supply to a motor of the positioning means so that such motor is energized to move the head until the head has been moved into a position corresponding to the direction of movement of the magnetic strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
213 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6 in which the change-over switch also controls the energization of the motor for driving the head, the latter said motor being energized to drive the head when the head does not occupy a position corresponding to the direction of motion of the magnetic recording strip, and when the magnetic strip reaches the end of its travel in the forward direction with one photoelectric cell illuminated by the passing, of the edge of the magnetic strip and another cell is darkened by the magnetic strip, this combination of the states of cells causes the drive motor of the reversible driving means to be energized to drive the magnetic strip in the opposite direction in such a manner that since the position of the head detected by the change-over switch no longer corresponds to the direction of motion of the magnetic strip as imposed by the corresponding motor, the motor for positioning the head being energized until coincidence is detected by the position of the change-over switch which rotates with the second shaft and when a new position of the head corresponding to the new direction of motion of the magnetic strip is detected by said switch, said motor for driving the head receives an order to stop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein when the magnetic strip reaches the end of its travel in said opposite direction, the direction of motion is again reversed, the edge of the magnetic strip being detected by the illumination of a photoelectric cell and the cycle recommences.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6, including a controller having a control position in which the positioning means is caused to move the head at least partly back towards a starting position of the head in order to locate a position in the recording, and limit means to stop the positioning means when the head reaches its said starting position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller has a control position in which the motor of the reversible drive means for the magnetic strip is energized and one of the photoelectric cells is rendered inoperative so that when the edge of the magnetic strip passes said one photoelectric cell the reversible drive motor continues to drive the magnetic strip in the same direction thereby discharging such strip through the slot in the casing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second shaft includes a threaded portion on which said change-over switch is mounted.
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) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |