Malfunction detector for a dictation system

Claim 2

In a recording system having a recording means for recording voice generated signals within a first audio circuit on a recording medium as recorded signals while said recording medium moves relative to said recording means and along a path extending from said recording means to a second location: first condition means for establishing a first condition within said recording system in response to a magnitude characteristic of said voice generated signals within said first audio circuit; signal generating means for generating audio frequency signals within a second audio circuit in response to said recorded signals on said recording medium at said second location; second condition means for providing a second condition within said recording system in response to a magnitude characteristic of a sample of said audio frequency signals within said second audio circuit, said sample of said audio frequency signals being selected a pre-determined length of time after the establishing of said first condition by said first condition means; third condition means for providing a third condition in response to the absence of said audio frequency signals within said second audio circuit for a predetermined length of time while said recording medium moves relative to said recording means; and warning means for providing a warning signal to a user of said recording system in response to said third condition or alternately in response to said first condition and the absence of said second condition.

Claim 3

A dictation system including a dictation recorder comprising a record head responsive to input electrical signals for providing recorded dictation on a recording medium when said dictation recorder is in a recording mode of operation, wherein the improvement comprises: a first detection means for providing a first output voltage proportional to the average value of said input electrical signals; a first comparator means for providing a first comparator output when said first output voltage exceeds a first predetermined reference voltage; a playback transducer for providing output electrical signals in response to said recorded dictation; a second detection means for providing a second output voltage proportional to the average value of said output electrical signals; a third detection means for providing a third output voltage, said third output voltage being alternately responsive to the average value of said output electrical signals when said recorder is in said recording mode of operation and to a predetermined preset voltage when said recorder is not in said recording mode of operation; a second comparator means for comparing said second output voltage to a second predetermined reference voltage a predetermined interval of time after each termination of said first comparator output and for providing a second comparator output when said second output voltage exceeds said second predetermined reference voltage; a third comparator means for comparing said third output voltage and a third predetermined reference voltage and for providing a third comparator output when said third output voltage exceeds said third predetermined reference voltage; and warning means for providing a warning signal in response to either the absence of said second comparator output or the absence of said third comparator output.

Claim 4

A dictation system including a dictation recorder comprising a record head responsive to input electrical signals for providing recorded dictation on a recording medium when said dictation recorder is in a recording mode of operation, wherein the improvement comprises: a first detection means for providing a first output voltage proportional to the average value of said input electrical signals; a first comparator means for providing a first comparator output when said first output voltage exceeds a first predetermined reference voltage; a playback transducer for providing output electrical signals in response to said recorded dictation; a second detection means for providing a second output voltage proportional to the average value of said output electrical signals; a third detection means for providing a third output voltage, said third output voltage being alternately responsive to the average value of said output electrical signals when said recorder is in said recording mode of operation and to a predetermined preset voltage when said recorder is not in said recording mode of operation; a second comparator means for comparing said second output voltage to a second predetermined reference voltage a predetermined interval of time after each termination of said first comparator output and for providing a second comparator output when said second output voltage exceeds said second predetermined reference voltage; a third comparator means for comparing said third output voltage and a third predetermined reference voltage and for providing a third comparator output when said third output voltage exceeds said third predetermined reference voltage; and warning means for providing a warning signal in response to either the absence of said second comparator output or the absence of said third comparator output.