Patent US3817436A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3817436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dictating and transcribing system
Assignee: Dictaphone Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A dictating and transcribing system is provided with means for recording and transcribing and including a single-bin, randomwind tape storage magazine to store an endless loop of magnetic tape in random folds. The tape is drawn from the magazine at one side, passed over the top of the apparatus, back into the magazine and out of the magazine through a dictate-playback station. After passing through the dictate-playback station the tape is returned to the magazine where it may be stored in random-wound folds until a transcribe station is activated to draw the tape from the magazine through the transcribe station and back into the magazine where it is stored awaiting further dictation. Both the dictate-playback station and the transcribe station are provided with bidirectional tape drive capability and tape tautness sensors are provided to control dictate and transcribe functions according to the sensed tape tautness.
Inventors
- 👤 B Matz
- 👤 T Nenninger
- 👤 L Wilder
- 👤 J Whitney
- 👤 A Ciaraldi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H26/00; B65H26/02; G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A dictating and transcribing system utilizing an endless loop of magnetic tape of substantial length comprising: a chassis plate, a dictate station including transducer means adapted to record on and playback from said magnetic tape, a transcribe station including transducer means adapted to playback from said magnetic tape, tape storage means associated with said system adapted to store accumulated loops of said magnetic tape, tape drive means associated with each of said dictate station and transcribe station adapted to selectively drive said tape through each said station in a forward and reverse direction, said tape being disposed for movement along a path of travel through said dictate and transcribe stations with provision for foRming accumulated tape storage loops between each said stations in said tape storage means, a furthest advance sensing means associated with said dictate station tape drive means, said furthest advance sensing means including means to sense tape tautness in a tape accumulation loop forward in the path of tape travel in advance of said dictate station, said accumulation loop being formed when said dictate station tape drive means is actuated to draw a length of tape through said dictate station in a reverse direction thereby relieving tape tautness, said sensing means adapted to initiate said dictate station forward tape drive to drive said length of tape through said dictate station until tape tautness is sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A dictating and transcribing system utilizing an endless loop of magnetic tape of substantial length comprising: a chassis plate, a dictate station including transducer means adapted to record on and playback from said magnetic tape, a transcribe station including transducer means adapted to playback from said magnetic tape, tape storage means associated with said system adapted to store accumulated loops of said magnetic tape, tape drive means associated with each of said dictate station and transcribe station adapted to selectively drive said tape through each said station in a forward and reverse direction, said tape being disposed for movement along a path of travel through said dictate and transcribe stations with provision for foRming accumulated tape storage loops between each said stations in said tape storage means, a furthest advance sensing means associated with said dictate station tape drive means, said furthest advance sensing means including means to sense tape tautness in a tape accumulation loop forward in the path of tape travel in advance of said dictate station, said accumulation loop being formed when said dictate station tape drive means is actuated to draw a length of tape through said dictate station in a reverse direction thereby relieving tape tautness, said sensing means adapted to initiate said dictate station forward tape drive to drive said length of tape through said dictate station until tape tautness is sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said tape tautness sensing means comprises a microswitch mounted to said chassis including a microswitch actuating arm and a lever pivotably mounted to said chassis adjacent said path of tape travel and pivotable from a first position when said accumulation loop is formed spaced from said microswitch actuating arm and said microswitch is open to a second position in contact with and depressing said actuating arm to close said microswitch when said tape is taut and said dictate station tape drive means being selectively actuated responsive to the open and closed condition of said microswitch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said tape storage means comprises a tape storage magazine to store an endless loop of magnetic tape in random-wound folds including tape guide means mounted on said chassis plate, said tape guide means including a single guide means disposed above said dictate and transcribe stations to support said tape along a linear path of travel from one side of said storage magazine to the other side of said storage magazine thereby to minimize tape tension during movement of said tape along its path of travel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 3 wherein said path of tape travel through said system comprises a path in a forward direction of tape movement leading out of said magazine through a first tape opening in said magazine, along said single guide means back into said tape magazine at the other side thereof through a second tape opening, out of said magazine through a third tape opening in said magazine, through said dictate station into said magazine through a fourth tape opening in said magazine, out of said magazine through a fifth tape opening, through said transcribe station into said magazine through a sixth tape opening and out of said magazine through said second tape opening whereby a first tape accumulation loop may be formed within said magazine between said second and third tape openings, a third tape accumulation loop may be formed within said magazine between said fourth and fifth tape openings and a fourth tape accumulation loop may be formed within said magazine between said fifth and sixth tape openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 4 wherein said tape drive means associated with said dictate station and said transcribe station each includes separate means to drive said tape along a forward path of movement and separate means to drive said tape in a reverse path of movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 5 wherein said drive means associated with said dictating station and said transcribing station each comprise a forward drive capstan and a reverse drive capstan rotatably mounted within said chassis plate and disposed adjacent the path of tape travel, a motor mounted on said chassis plate including an output shaft, coupling means coupling said motor output shaft to said drive capstans to rotate said capstans and selectively actuable pinch roller means associated with each said drive capstan and movable from a first position spaced from said capstan to a second position in contact with sAid capstan with said tape disposed therebetween whereby said rotating capstan drives said tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 6 including tape tautness sensing means disposed along said path of tape travel within said magazine between said fourth and fifth tape openings therein to sense tautness in the tape in said third tape accumulation loop, said tape tautness sensing means being responsive to sensed tape tautness in said third tape accumulation loop to preclude continued engagement of said pinch roller means associated with said dictate station reverse tape drive capstan to prevent driving said tape in a reverse direction while tape tautness is sensed and to selectively actuate said pinch roller means associated with said dictate station forward tape drive capstan to activate the forward tape drive means in said dictate station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A dictating and transcribing system as defined in claim 6 including tape tautness sensing means disposed along said path of tape travel within said magazine between said first and sixth tape openings therein to sense tape tautness in said fourth tape accumulation loop to preclude continued engagement of said pinch roller means associated with said dictate station forward tape drive capstan to preclude further forward drive of tape through said dictate station while tape tautness is sensed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |