US 4,789,961 AGranted

Computer memory back-up with automatic tape positioning

AssigneeKirsch Technologies, Inc.

InventorRobert J. Tindall

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The interface apparatus couples a video recording device to the parallel data channel of a computer system and also to the computer video output circuitry, so that both digital information (such as computer programs or data files) and analog information (such as video signals for displaying on a television monitor) may be stored on the same video recording medium. The apparatus permits storage of both digital information and human readable information in a convenient back-to-back relationship. The interface permits the computer video monitor to directly display stored or live video broadcasts, without computer intervention. The invention allows the display of graphic, photographic and motion picture information in analog format thereby eliminating information lost through digitizing. An automatic search mode permits the computer to direct the video recording device to search for a predetermined location on the recording medium at high speed without human intervention. The computer is capable of controlling the video recording device by means of the remote control port of the video recorder.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method of using a computer system to control the motion of tape in a tape storage device having a tape drive mechanism for moving the tape to a plurality of positions, the tape storage device having a tape counter which is mechanically indexed by the tape drive mechanism as the tape is moved to indicate the relative tape position, the tape storage device further having an encoder responsive to the tape counter for providing a counter data signal indicative of the tape position and the tape storage device further having a remote control port for receiving command signals for controlling the tape drive mechanism comprising:

coupling said computer system to said tape storage device through said remote control port;
causing the computer system to store a desired tape position in memory;
causing the computer system to generate a first command signal and to communicate said first command signal to said tape storage device through said remote control port to cause the tape drive mechanism to commence motion of the tape toward said desired tape position and to cause the mechanical indexing of said tape counter;
causing said computer system to read said counter data signal through said remote control port and to determine from said counter data signal the relative position of said tape;
causing said computer system to monitor said relative position and to compare said relative position with said desired tape position;
and
in response to said comparison, causing said computer system to generate a second command signal and to communicate said second command signal to said tape storage device through said remote control port to cause the tape drive mechanism to alter the motion of the tape at a predetermined position relative to said desired tape position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/855,010Filed 22 Apr 1986 · continuation in part
Priority: 25 Jun 1984
Granted: 6 Dec 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

G06F 3/0601
Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers , e.g. RAID, emulated record carriers or networked record carriers: interfaces specially…
G11B 15/026
Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing: by using processor, e.g. microcomputer
G11B 27/107
Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers: of operating tapes
G11B 27/13
By using information not detectable on the record carrier: the information being derived from movement of the record carrier, e.g. using tachometer