US4628390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foot switch apparatus for a transcriber
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1984-02-24
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Granted: 1986-12-09
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Expires: 2004-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a foot switch apparatus which is connected to a tape recorder, the tape recorder having a mode control circuit which designates its operation mode. The foot switch has an automatic back spacing circuit coupled to the mode control circuit. When the foot switch operates, a recording tape on the tape recorder is rewound by a predetermined length in response to an operation of the automatic back spacing circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyasu Motoyama
- 👤 Katsumi Kanayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/20; G11B15/02; G11B15/023; G11B15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
529 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said playback switch and which designates said recording mode for said mode control circuit when said playback switch designates said stop mode, and prohibiting means coupled to said recording switch for prohibiting erroneous designation of said recording mode when recording is not to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said switching means, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said second signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said playback switch and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
529 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said playback switch and which designates said recording mode for said mode control circuit when said playback switch designates said stop mode, and prohibiting means coupled to said recording switch for prohibiting erroneous designation of said recording mode when recording is not to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said switching means, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said second signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said playback switch and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
480 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said playback switch, and a mode change switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said recording switch and which selectively controls said recording switch for designating whether said recording mode or said rewind mode is to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said playback switch, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said secons signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
480 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said playback switch, and a mode change switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said recording switch and which selectively controls said recording switch for designating whether said recording mode or said rewind mode is to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said playback switch, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said secons signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said switching means and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said switching means and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
482 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, fast forward, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and said playback switch, and a mode change switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said recording switch and which selectively controls said recording switch for designating whether said recording mode or said fast forward mode is to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said playback switch, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switiched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said second signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
482 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, said tape recorder having a mode control circuit which controls playback, stop, fast forward, recording and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selecting means for selecting one of the operation modes including the playback mode, said foot switch apparatus being external of the tape recorder and comprising: switching means adapted to be coupled to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder, for specifying at at least a playback mode and a stop mode of the tape recorder in response to a foot pressure applied selectively on the foot switch apparatus; said switching means includes a playback switch for switching a playback signal to be applied to the mode control circuit, said playback switch specifying said playback mode when switching said playback signal on and specifying said stop mode after switching said playback signal off; a recording switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and said playback switch, and a mode change switch adapted to be coupled to said mode control circuit and coupled to said recording switch and which selectively controls said recording switch for designating whether said recording mode or said fast forward mode is to be performed; back spacing means coupled to said playback switch, for actuating the rewind mode of the mode control circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to switching off said playback signal by said playback switch, and for effecting the stop mode after said predetermined period; said back spacing means including: first circuit means coupled to said playback switch for generating a first signal having a duration of time corresponding to the predetermined period of said rewind mode, said first signal being generated when said playback signal is switiched off by said switching means; second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a second signal having said predetermined period, said second signal being provided directly to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the rewind mode and effect a back space operation of the tape recorder; and third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for generating responsive to said first signal a third signal when the specific duration of said first signal elapses, said third signal being provided to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder to actuate the stop mode and stop said back space operation of the tape recorder; and means coupled to said switching means and adapted to be coupled to the mode selecting means of the tape recorder, for preventing actuation of the rewind mode by said back spacing means while the playback mode is selected by the mode selecting means; a foot switch housing which encloses said switching means and said back spacing means; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said switching means and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
coupling means attached to said foot switch housing for detachably coupling said switching means and said back spacing means to the tape recorder so that said switching means and said back spacing means are connected to the mode control circuit of the tape recorder through said coupling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
387 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, the tape recorder being provided with a mode control circuit having control input terminals for at least playback, stop and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selection switches coupled to the control input terminals for selecting each of the playback, stop and rewind operation modes; said foot switch apparatus being external to the tape recorder and comprising: switch means adapted to be coupled to the playback operation mode control input terminal and the stop operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit, and responsive to pressure selectively applied by a foot switch operator, for switching to the playback operation mode control input terminal a playback signal when said pressure is applied, and for switching to the stop operation mode control input terminal a stop signal after said pressure is removed; back spacing means coupled to said switch means and adapted to be coupled to the rewind operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit, for generating a back spacing signal for a given period of time after said pressure is removed, so that the tape recorder performs a rewind operation according to said back spacing signal during said given period of time, and for preventing actuation of the stop mode of the tape recorder during said given period of time; and prohibiting means adapted to be coupled to the playback operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit and coupled to said back spacing means, for prohibiting operation of said back spacing means from generating said back spacing signal while the mode selection switches on the tape recorder are set to select the playback operation mode; wherein said prohibiting means includes: diode means arranged to be connected between the playback operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit and a node in said back spacing means, for allowing a voltage potential to develop at said node to produce said back spacing signal when said switch means of the foot switch apparatus is used for switching of said playback signal, and for preventing said voltage potential from developing when the mode selection switches of the tape recorder are operated to select the playback operation mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
387 words
A foot switch apparatus for an electronically controlled tape recorder which does not per se include an automatic back space operation mode, the tape recorder being provided with a mode control circuit having control input terminals for at least playback, stop and rewind operation modes of the tape recorder, and mode selection switches coupled to the control input terminals for selecting each of the playback, stop and rewind operation modes; said foot switch apparatus being external to the tape recorder and comprising: switch means adapted to be coupled to the playback operation mode control input terminal and the stop operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit, and responsive to pressure selectively applied by a foot switch operator, for switching to the playback operation mode control input terminal a playback signal when said pressure is applied, and for switching to the stop operation mode control input terminal a stop signal after said pressure is removed; back spacing means coupled to said switch means and adapted to be coupled to the rewind operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit, for generating a back spacing signal for a given period of time after said pressure is removed, so that the tape recorder performs a rewind operation according to said back spacing signal during said given period of time, and for preventing actuation of the stop mode of the tape recorder during said given period of time; and prohibiting means adapted to be coupled to the playback operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit and coupled to said back spacing means, for prohibiting operation of said back spacing means from generating said back spacing signal while the mode selection switches on the tape recorder are set to select the playback operation mode; wherein said prohibiting means includes: diode means arranged to be connected between the playback operation mode control input terminal of the mode control circuit and a node in said back spacing means, for allowing a voltage potential to develop at said node to produce said back spacing signal when said switch means of the foot switch apparatus is used for switching of said playback signal, and for preventing said voltage potential from developing when the mode selection switches of the tape recorder are operated to select the playback operation mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A foot switch apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said coupling means includes: a plug which has electrical contacts and which is mechanically detachably connected to a receptacle mounted to said tape recorder, a cable which connects said plug and said foot switch housing and which couples said switching means and said back spacing means to said electrical contacts of said plug, and clamp means mounted to said cable for preventing physical movement of said foot switch housing from being transmitted to said tape recorder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A foot switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein said switching means further includes a rewind switch which is connected to said mode control circuit and said playback switch and which designates said rewind mode for said mode control circuit, said playback switch and said recording switch being inactive when said rewind switch designates said rewind mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A foot switch apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mode control circuit has a function of designating a rewind mode for said tape recorder; and said switching means further includes: a rewind switch which is coupled to said mode control circuit and said playback switch and which designates said rewind mode for said mode control circuit, said playback switch and said recording switch being inactive when said rewind switch designates said rewind mode.
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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) | 1989-12-08 | 1990-06-09 | 1990-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-06-09 | 1994-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-06-09 | 1998-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |