US3889289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recording pulses representing power outages of greater than a predetermined duration on a timing track of a billing tape recorder
Assignee: Dayton Electronic Products Co
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Filing: 1974-03-29
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1994-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of recording the occurrence of power outage conditions exceeding a predetermined time on the timing track of a magnetic tape of a billing tape recorder includes the steps of maintaining the current through the time track recording head for said predetermined time, thereafter terminating the flow of current through the recording head, and inhibiting the return of recording head current after power is returned, if the power outage exceeds a predetermined time, sufficient for the tape drive to move the tape a distance equal to at least the gap width of the recording head. The apparatus for accomplishing this includes a capacitor having a capacitance sufficient to supply recording head current for at least the predetermined time period, switch means located between the capacitor and the recording head, and means for opening said switch means after said predetermined time period to remove recording head current and, upon return of power, to close said switch means and thereby cause current to flow through said recording head only after a period of time has elapsed sufficient to permit the tape drive to move the recording tape a distance at least equal to one gap width of the recording head.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhold W Kubach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/20; G11B15/02; G11B15/026; G11B15/1808; G11B27/00; G11B27/36; G11B5/00; G11B5/008; G11B5/00813; G11B5/00847; G11B5/0086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for recording a pulse on a magnetic tape in response to a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval comprising the steps of maintaining current flow through a recording head associated with said magnetic tape after a power outage for said predetermined time interval, thereafter terminating current flow through the recording head, and inhibiting the resumption of recording head current for a period of time sufficient for said tape to move a distance at least equal to the gap width of the recording head upon the return to power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for recording a pulse on a magnetic tape in response to a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval comprising the steps of maintaining current flow through a recording head associated with said magnetic tape after a power outage for said predetermined time interval, thereafter terminating current flow through the recording head, and inhibiting the resumption of recording head current for a period of time sufficient for said tape to move a distance at least equal to the gap width of the recording head upon the return to power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a tape recorder apparatus for recording pulses on a magnetic tape representing a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval including recording head means for recording pulses on at least one track of said tape, and motor means connected to a source of power for moving the tape past the recording head, the improvement comprising means for maintaining the flow of current through said recording head for a predetermined period of time following a power outage condition, and means for inhibiting the flow of current through said recording head for a period of time sufficient to permit said motor to move the tape past said recording head means a distance at least equal to one gap width after power resumes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a tape recorder apparatus for recording pulses on a magnetic tape representing a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval including recording head means for recording pulses on at least one track of said tape, and motor means connected to a source of power for moving the tape past the recording head, the improvement comprising means for maintaining the flow of current through said recording head for a predetermined period of time following a power outage condition, and means for inhibiting the flow of current through said recording head for a period of time sufficient to permit said motor to move the tape past said recording head means a distance at least equal to one gap width after power resumes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The tape recorder apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining current through said recording head for a predetermined period of time includes a capacitor connected to saId source of power and capable of providing sufficient current to said recording head means for at least said predetermined period of time, switch means between said capacitor and said recording head, and means responsive to a power outage to open said switch means after said predetermined period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The tape recorder apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for inhibiting said flow of current through said recording head includes a resistor-capacitor time delay circuit, voltage sensing means connected to said resistor-capacitor circuit for sensing the voltage thereacross, said voltage sensing means causing said switch means to close to cause current again to flow through said recording head means after a time period has elapsed sufficient for said motor to move the tape a distance of at least one gap width past said recording head means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tape recorder apparatus of claim 2 wherein said recording head means is for recording time pulses on said magnetic tape, said apparatus further including means for reversing momentarily the flow of current through said recording head means at regular intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
A billing tape recorder for recording energy consumption on a magnetic tape including recording head means for recording data pulses representing a variable quantity on at least one track of said tape, recording head means for recording time pulses on a timing track of said tape, means for moving said magnetic tape past said recording head means, means responsive to a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval for recording a pulse on said time track of said tape, said means including means for maintaining current flow through said time track recording head means for a predetermined period of time following said power outage condition, and means for inhibiting current flow through said time track recording head after said predetermined time period has elapsed for a period of time sufficient to permit said tape to move a distance at least equal to one gap width of said time track recording head means following the return of power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
A billing tape recorder for recording energy consumption on a magnetic tape including recording head means for recording data pulses representing a variable quantity on at least one track of said tape, recording head means for recording time pulses on a timing track of said tape, means for moving said magnetic tape past said recording head means, means responsive to a power outage condition exceeding a predetermined time interval for recording a pulse on said time track of said tape, said means including means for maintaining current flow through said time track recording head means for a predetermined period of time following said power outage condition, and means for inhibiting current flow through said time track recording head after said predetermined time period has elapsed for a period of time sufficient to permit said tape to move a distance at least equal to one gap width of said time track recording head means following the return of power.
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) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |