US4630137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape timer apparatus for video tape recorder
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1983-10-21
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2003-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A tape timer apparatus is disclosed. Apparatus is provided for producing frame pulses indicating a frame period in a running tape and for producing a tape direction signal. An up/down counter counts up or down, as determined by the tape direction signal, in response to the frame pulses. A detecting circuit generates a detection signal indicating whether the frequency of the frame pulse has exceeded a predetermined frequency. A circuit is also provided for dividing the frame pulses by a predetermined number and generating a single frequency divided pulse each time the predetermined number of frame pulses is generated. A selection circuit selects, in accordance with the detection circuit, either the frame pulse or the frequency divided pulse. A microcomputer receives the pulse from the selecting means as an interruption demand pulse and calculates the tape time on the basis of the value counted by the up/down counter.
Inventors
- 👤 Toru Sekiguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:48
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/11; G11B27/13; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A tape timer apparatus for producing a tape time corresponding to a running tape amount, said apparatus being incorporated in a video tape recorder, comprising: means responsive to running of a tape located in said video tape recorder for producing frame pulses, the interval between two said frame pulses corresponding to a frame period in a running tape; means responsive to the running of said tape for producing a tape direction signal indicating the direction said tape is running; an up/down counter for counting up or down, as determined by said tape direction signal, in response to each said frame pulse to produce counted data; means for producing a selection signal having a first state when the frequency of said frame pulse is below a predetermined frequency and having a second state when the frequency of said frame pulse exceeds said predetermined frequency; means for producing a single frequency divided pulse each time a plurality of said frame pulses are produced; means responsive to said selection signal for selecting one of said frame pulses and said frequency divided pulse and delivering said selected pulse as an interruption demand; and means responsive to said counted data and said interruption demand pulse for computing said tape time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A tape timer apparatus for producing a tape time corresponding to a running tape amount, said apparatus being incorporated in a video tape recorder, comprising: means responsive to running of a tape located in said video tape recorder for producing frame pulses, the interval between two said frame pulses corresponding to a frame period in a running tape; means responsive to the running of said tape for producing a tape direction signal indicating the direction said tape is running; an up/down counter for counting up or down, as determined by said tape direction signal, in response to each said frame pulse to produce counted data; means for producing a selection signal having a first state when the frequency of said frame pulse is below a predetermined frequency and having a second state when the frequency of said frame pulse exceeds said predetermined frequency; means for producing a single frequency divided pulse each time a plurality of said frame pulses are produced; means responsive to said selection signal for selecting one of said frame pulses and said frequency divided pulse and delivering said selected pulse as an interruption demand; and means responsive to said counted data and said interruption demand pulse for computing said tape time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tape timer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for generating said frequency divided pulse is a counter having a plurality of output bits, the signal on one of said bits representing said frequency divided pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The tape timer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said computing means is characterized by including the following processing steps: receiving said interruption demand pulse; receiving said counted data delivered from said up/down counter; subtracting a previously received counted data stored in said computing means from the receiving counted data; calculating the amount said tape has run in between two said interruption demand pulses by checking the subtracted data produced by said subtracting step; and calculating said tape time by adding said tape running amount to a previously calculated tape running amount stored in said computing time.
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) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |