Patent US1257009A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3909845A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3909845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for sensing the condition of a tape within a tape cassette
Assignee: AT&T Teletype Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-14
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for sensing the condition of a magnetic tape maintained within a conventional tape cassette, the tape having transparent leaders and an opaque magnetized portion. The cassette is positioned on a cradle having a loading and a record-playback position. In response to movement of the cradle to the recordplayback position a casing carrying a light sensor is inserted into the capstan drive aperture of the cassette. The cradle carries a light source which is positioned proximate the location of the sensor with the magnetic tape located between the sensor and the light source. The sensor produces a control signal in response to a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Rothlisberger
- 👤 Richard F Vee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/05; G11B15/06; G11B15/08; G11B15/675; G11B15/67581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for sensing the condition of a tape carried within a tape cassette with respect to a sensing station external to the cassette comprising: a cradle adapted for receiving a tape cassette, said cradle having a cassette loading position and a record-playback position; and means for sensing a characteristic of the tape within the cassette said characteristic sensing means being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position, the position of said characteristic sensing means being responsive to the positioning of said cradle from said loading to said recordplayback position so that said characteristic sensing means is placed in said operative position when said cradle is in said record-playback position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for sensing the condition of a tape carried within a tape cassette with respect to a sensing station external to the cassette comprising: a cradle adapted for receiving a tape cassette, said cradle having a cassette loading position and a record-playback position; and means for sensing a characteristic of the tape within the cassette said characteristic sensing means being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position, the position of said characteristic sensing means being responsive to the positioning of said cradle from said loading to said recordplayback position so that said characteristic sensing means is placed in said operative position when said cradle is in said record-playback position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said characteristic sensing means includes means responsive to a change in the light transmitting qualities of the tape proximate said sensing station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said characteristic sensing means includes a first member positionable from a retracted position outside of said cradle to an extended position within said cradle in response to movement of said cradle between said loading and record-playback positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatuS of claim 3 wherein said characteristic sensing means includes a second member mounted upon said cradle and positioned for cooperative association with said first member when said cradle is moved from said loading to said record-playback position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first and second members are positioned so that the tape within a tape cassette when carried in the cradle is located between said first and second members when the cradle is in said record-playback position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and second members cooperate to pass a light beam through at least a portion of the tape carried within the cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4 which further comprises support means for pivotally supporting said cradle for movement from said loading to said record-playback position, said first member being mounted for actuation in response to the movement of said cradle from said loading position to said record-playback position thereby positionally relating said first member to said second member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 7 which further includes a lever pivotally mounted to said support means, one end of said lever operatively engaging said first member and the remaining end of said lever being actuated in response to the movement of said cradle so as to move said first member into positional relation to said second member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first member carries a light sensitive element and said second member carries a light transmitting element so that when said cradle is in said record-playback position the light beam from said light transmitting element is directed toward the tape carried within a cassette positioned within said cradle and therethrough to said light sensitive element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first member is in the form of a light sensitive element and said second member is in the form of a light transmitting element so that when said cradle is in said record-playback position, the light beam from said light transmitting element is directed toward said tape and therethrough to said light sensitive element.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for sensing the light transmitting characteristics of a tape carried within a tape cassette at a preselected sensing station comprising: a cradle adapted for receiving the tape cassette, said cradle having a loading and an operating position; a light source supported upon said cradle; means for sensing a light level rendered operative in response to the positioning of said cradle from said loading to said operating position; and said light source and said light sensitive means being cooperatively positioned when said cradle is in said operating position so that the light from said light source passes through a transparent portion of the tape onto said light sensitive means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for sensing the light transmitting characteristics of a tape carried within a tape cassette at a preselected sensing station comprising: a cradle adapted for receiving the tape cassette, said cradle having a loading and an operating position; a light source supported upon said cradle; means for sensing a light level rendered operative in response to the positioning of said cradle from said loading to said operating position; and said light source and said light sensitive means being cooperatively positioned when said cradle is in said operating position so that the light from said light source passes through a transparent portion of the tape onto said light sensitive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises support means for pivotally supporting said cradle for movement from said loading to said operating position; and an arm pivotally mounted to said support means and carrying said light sensitive means, said arm being positioned for actuation by said cradle when said cradle is pivoted from said loading position to said operating position thereby to locate said light sensitive means within said cradle when said cradle is in said operating position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 which further includes biasing means for urging said light sensitive means to a retracted position away from said cradle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for sensing the position of a tape carried within a tape cassette comprising the steps of: inserting the cassette within a pivotally supported cradle and with respect to a first tape position sensing element; pivoting the cradle to engage the drive and take-up reels of the cassette with respective drive and take-up spindles; and inserting a second tape position sensing element into the cassette housing in positional relationship with the first sensing element, Said first and second tape position sensing elements cooperating to provide a signal related to the relative position of the tape within the cassette.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for sensing the position of a tape carried within a tape cassette comprising the steps of: inserting the cassette within a pivotally supported cradle and with respect to a first tape position sensing element; pivoting the cradle to engage the drive and take-up reels of the cassette with respective drive and take-up spindles; and inserting a second tape position sensing element into the cassette housing in positional relationship with the first sensing element, Said first and second tape position sensing elements cooperating to provide a signal related to the relative position of the tape within the cassette.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 which further comprises the step of passing a beam of light from said first position sensing element through the tape carried within the cassette to said second tape position sensing element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 7 which further includes at least one guide pin positioned for insertion into said cradle for engagement with a cassette located therein when said cradle is pivoted from said loading to said record-playback position and serving to accurately orient the cassette within said cradle, said first member being actuated for insertion into the cassette subsequent to the orientation of the cassette by said guide pin.
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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |