Time independent controller for cassette changing apparatus

Claim 2

In an apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism comprising a carriage means for moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member, the improvement of: a coupling means for connecting said carriage means and said driving member of said drive means for moving said carriage means in response to said powered viding a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating operation of said drive means in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value.

Claim 3

In a changer apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism upon each occurrence of a change cycle in said changer apparatus, said change cycle comprising a plurality of sub-cycles, each sub-cycle being characterized by at least one carriage moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, said apparatus including drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member, the improvement of: a coupling means connecting said carriage means and said driving member of said drive means for moving said carriage means in response to said powered displacement of said driving member, said coupling means permitting continuation of said powered displacement when said carriage means is physically restrained; displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating said sub-cycle of said change cycle and for initiating a reciprocal sub-cycle in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value.

Claim 4

In a changer apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism upon each occurrence of a change cycle in said changer apparatus, said change cycle comprising a plurality of sub-cycles, each sub-cycle being characterized by at least one carriage moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, said apparatus including drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member, the improvement of: a coupling means connecting said carriage means and said driving member of said drive means for moving said carriage means in response to said powered displacement of said driving member, said coupling means permitting continuation of said powered displacement when said carriage means is physically restrained; displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating said sub-cycle of said change cycle and for initiating a reciprocal sub-cycle in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism comprising a carriage means for moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member coupled to said carriage means, the improvement of: displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating operation of said drive means in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value, said predetermined value of said displacement output signal corresponding to normal movement of said carriage means from said first location to said second location.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism comprising a carriage means for moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member coupled to said carriage means, the improvement of: displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating operation of said drive means in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value, said predetermined value of said displacement output signal corresponding to normal movement of said carriage means from said first location to said second location.

Claim 7

In a changer apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism upon each occurrence of a change cycle in said changer apparatus, said change cycle comprising a plurality of sub-cycles, each sub-cycle being characterized by at least one carriage moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, said apparatus including drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member, the improvement of: a coupling means connecting said carriage means and said driving member of said drive means for moving said carriage means in response to said powered displacement of said driving member; displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating said sub-cycle of said change cycle and for initiating a reciprocal sub-cycle in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value, said predetermined value of said displacement output signal corresponding to normal movement of said carriage means from said first location to said second location.

Claim 8

In a changer apparatus for successively engaging a plurality of discrete recording media with a transport mechanism upon each occurrence of a change cycle in said changer apparatus, said change cycle comprising a plurality of sub-cycles, each sub-cycle being characterized by at least one carriage moving one of said discrete recording media from a first location to a second location, said apparatus including drive means for providing powered displacement of a driving member, the improvement of: a coupling means connecting said carriage means and said driving member of said drive means for moving said carriage means in response to said powered displacement of said driving member; displacement detection means coupled to said driving member for providing a displacement output signal proportional to total displacement of said driving member from a starting point; a control means for terminating said sub-cycle of said change cycle and for initiating a reciprocal sub-cycle in response to detection of a failure of said carriage means to move from said first location to said second location when said displacement output signal has reached a predetermined value, said predetermined value of said displacement output signal corresponding to normal movement of said carriage means from said first location to said second location.

Claim 9

Apparatus as recited in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said coupling means comprises a worm gear coupled to said drive means, a spur gear engaged with said worm gear for displacement parallel to the longitudinal axis of said worm gear when said worm gear is rotating, and a slip clutch for coupling said spur gear to said carriage means.

Claim 10

Apparatus as recited in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor and said powered displacement comprises angular displacement of a shaft of said electric motor.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said coupling means comprises a first shaft rotatably coupled to said drive means including a cam mounted on said first shaft; a second shaft having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first shaft, said carriage means being connected to said second shaft for angular movement about said longitudinal axis of said second shaft; and a leaf spring coupled to said second shaft for causing said angular movement in response to movement of said cam.