US 4,380,032 AGranted

Tape system with optically contrasting data marks

AssigneeNewell Research Corporation

InventorR. Fred Pfost

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The invention relates to a tape reading system wherein tape in a tape cassette has color marks (133a, b, c) on the tape to be read by an optical system, part of which is in the cassette and another part of which is in the tape drive. The part in the cassette consists of an optical element (51) having mutually isolated light transmission paths. The paths carry light reflected from or transmitted through different portions of the width of the magnetic tape (50). This light is directed to optical sensors (63, 65) which are part of the tape drive. A lamp (61), also part of the drive, illuminates the tape so that light shining on the tape will contrast with the color marks. Changes in contrast due to the color marks, transmitted through the optical element, are detected by optical sensors (63, 65) and converted to electrically readable signals. A feedback circuit connected to the lamp and to the sensors provides electrical feedback to the lamp. The level of illumination detected by the sensors is kept constant relative to slow background contrast changes, although a low pass filter prevents the feedback circuit from responding to light signals representing the color marks.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A tape winding system comprising,

(a) A tape container with top, bottom and lateral walls therebetween having,
(i) a pair of tape hubs, including a supply hub and a take-up hub, both hubs mounted for rotation in said container, said hubs having a length of tape wound therebetween with opposite tape ends wound one on each hub and with an intermediate length of tape between opposite tape ends, said intermediate length having color marks thereon which optically contrast with said tape, said color marks bonded to the tape with a tape thickness that is substantially uniform in transition places between where said color marks are present and absent,
(ii) at least one tape guide mounted in said container at least partially defining a tape path for said intermediate tape length from the supply hub to the take-up hub, said tape path approaching a container lateral wall,
(iii) optical means for directing light from a lamp onto the tape path,
(b) means for moving tape along the tape path from one of said hubs to the other and having,
(i) lamp means for illuminating said tape path through said optical means,
(ii) a plurality of light sensors, each sensor disposed with a viewing axis for receiving light from a light transmission path of the optical means, and
(iii) feedback means connected to said lamp means and to said light sensors for providing a level of illumination at said light sensors which is approximately constant, thereby establishing a reference level of light incident on the tape, whereby light received from the color marks departs from the reference level.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/143,785Filed 25 Apr 1980
Granted: 12 Apr 1983
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B41J 35/36
Other apparatus or arrangements associated with, or incorporated in, ink-ribbon mechanisms: alarms, indicators, or feed disabling devices…
G11B 15/08
By sensing auxiliary features on record carriers or containers, e.g. to stop machine near the end of a tape: by photoelectric sensing
G11B 23/087
For housing webs or filaments having two distinct ends: using two different reels or cores
G11B 23/42
Visual features other than those contained in record tracks or represented by sprocket holes the visual signals being auxiliary signals: marks for…