Patent GB-1456039-A (GB)
Title: Dictating and transcribing apparatus and systems embodying the same
IPC: G11B15/70
Filed: 1973-12-20
Abstract: 1456039 Dictation apparatus DICTAPHONE CORP 20 Dec 1973 [26 Dec 1972] 59241/73 Heading G5R Dictation apparatus has bidirectional tape drive means to selectively drive an endless loop of magnetic tape in forward and reverse directions through a dictate station 50 and a transcribe station 56; a magazine 22 for storing tape loops; tape guide means providing a continuous path for travel of the endless tape through stations 50, 56 and magazine 22, the path including a first portion between stations 50 and 56 for accumulating tape or a first loop 138 in magazine 22, a second portion for accumulating tape as a second loop 150 when the tape is driven in reverse through dictate station 50 and a further path portion (along guide 40) spaced from magazine 22 by stations 50, 56; and tape advance means operable to sense when the tape length in the second path portion exceeds a minimum length and to activate the tape drive to drive the tape forwardly through dictate station 50 until the absence of tape in excess of said minimum length is sensed. The tape extends from a first opening 36 of the magazine over roller 38, guide 40 having pressure pad 42, roller 44 and back via inlet 46 into the magazine and thence via outlet 48 and between reverse drive capstan 78 and pinch roller 112c, between record/playback head 124 and pressure pad 126 and between forward drive capstan 76 and pinch roller 112b to form the loop 138, loop 138 leading via reverse drive capstan 74 and pinch wheel 112a, playback head 130 and pressure pad 132, and forward drive capstan 72 and pinch roller 112 back into the magazine via inlet 58 to form a third loop 136. Pinch rollers 112 are mounted on respective levers 108 operated by respective solenoids (122), Fig. 3 (not shown). Transcribe station 56, capstans 72, 74 are driven via belts by a first motor (64) and dictate station 50 capstans 76, 78 are driven by a second motor (62), capstans 74, 78 being rotated faster than capstans 72, 76. Motor (64) may be controllable in speed for playing back the tape at station 56 at a lower speed than the recording speed at station 50. During dictating, loop 150 is absent and tape is drawn from loop 136 and added to loop 138. If the loop 136 becomes taut lever 170 closes a switch 164 whereby forward drive at station 50 by capstan 76/pinch roller 112b is stopped. If during playback at station 56 which may occur at the same time as recording or playback at station 50, the loop 138 becomes taut lever 142 closes a switch 146 whereby roller 112b is moved so that both capstans 72, 76 drive the tape forwardly. If the tautness of loop 138 is due to backspacing at station 50 then roller 112c is disengaged before roller 112b is engaged. The apparatus is connected to remote dictating (12) and transcribing (14) control stations, Fig. 1 (not shown). A lever 152 is normally in the full line position whereat loop 150 is absent and lever 152 closes a switch 158. When the loop 150 is formed by backspacing at station 50, lever 152 moves to open switch 158. If in this state the remote dictating control (12) is disconnected a circuit enabled by open switch 158 engages pinch roller 112b with capstan 76 to drive tape forwardly through station 50 until loop 150 no longer exists and switch 158 is closed. Inadvertent double recording is thereby prevented. Lever 152 carries an erase head (not shown). Movable cover plates 174, 176, 178, 180 over tape openings 36, 58, 54, 52 respectively enable easy tape replacement.