MAGNETIC COPY SYSTEM

• US 3,571,527 A
• Filed: 01/16/1968
• Issued: 03/16/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank E. Becker, Walter F. Klein, William R. Yount
• Original Assignee: Frank E. Becker, Walter F. Klein, William R. Yount
• Inventors: Becker, Frank E., Klein, Walter F., Yount, William R.
• Application Number:
  US04/698,294
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• US Class Current: 360/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/04 controlled by sensing markings on the record carrier being punched

Abstract

The invention concerns methods and apparatus for establishing accurate positioning and registration of master and duplicate magnetic record media during a magnetic transfer operation to insure compatibility of each kind of media in a utilization device. The invention is particularly useful with media having magnetic signals recorded according to a Boustrophedonic pattern. Such a pattern is created when the record head traces a signal path having a plurality of tracks with, as an example, tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. recorded left to right, tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. recorded right to left, and wherein the head steps a fixed distance at the end of each track.

Claims

1. A method for producing a duplicate record media having at least one oxide surface from a master record media having at least one oxide surface and a recorded signal pattern in conjunction with magnetic transfer apparatus having provision for clamping at least one of said media during operation, said master and duplicate record media each have comparable longitudinal and transverse dimensions, and said master record media carrying a Boustrophedonic signal pattern having a plurality of signal tracks each separated by a track spacing, comprising the steps of:

1. positioning said master record media in said apparatus with its oxide surface facing a first direction;

2. positioning said duplicate record media in said apparatus with its oxide surface facing the oxide surface of said master record media in a transverse offset relation with respect to said master record media in order to provide clearance for operation of said clamping means and at least one odd number of track spacings with respect to said master record media in order to insure scanning compatibility of both master and duplicate record media in a utilization device; and

3. operating said transfer apparatus to effect transfer of said signal pattern from said master record media to said duPlicate record media such operation producing a mirror image of said master signal pattern in said duplicate record media.

2. positioning said duplicate record media in said apparatus with its oxide surface facing the oxide surface of said master record media, said duplicate record media being positioned in offset relation with respect to said master record media a predetermined odd number of track spacings, such as 1, 3, 5, etc., to insure scanning compatibility in a utilization device and eliminate the need for scan rephasing;

and

3. operating said transfer apparatus to effect transfer of said signal pattern from said master record media to said duPlicate record media such operation producing a mirror image of said master signal pattern in said duplicate record media.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein;

said characteristic is provided in said master card.

5. Apparatus having means for scanning a Boustrophedonic signal pattern on magnetic record media of a first master type having an original signal pattern and a second copy type having a mirror image of said original signal pattern with a consequent displacement of one track spacing for each of a plurality of signal tracks, and at least one of said types having at least a one track displacement distinguishing characteristic, comprising:

means in said apparatus for receiving each type of media; and

sensing means for recognizing said distinguishing characteristic to enable a relative displacement of at least one of said types by at least one track spacing to thereby enable scanning by said apparatus in a preferred signal pattern scanning sequence.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein;

said master record media type has said at least one distinguishing characteristic.

7. A method for producing a duplicate record media having at least one oxide surface from a master record media having at least one oxide surface and a recorded signal pattern in conjunction with magnetic transfer apparatus, said master record media carrying a Boustrophedonic signal pattern with, as an example, a plurality of signal tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, etc., recorded left to right, tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., recorded right to left, and an increment of space between each of said tracks, comprising the steps of:

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

said master and duplicate record media each have comparable longitudinal and transverse dimensions; and

wherein the offset relation is achieved by relatively displacing said duplicate record media longitudinally with respect to said master record media.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein:

the positioning of master and duplicate record media is performed in a transfer apparatus having provision for clamping at least one of said media during operation; and

wherein the relatively offset positional relationship of said duplicate record media in relation to said master record media is a sufficient number of track spacings, such as five (5), to allow clearance for clamping of said at least one of said media.

10. Apparatus for producing a duplicate record media having at least one oxide surface from a master record media having at least one oxide surface, said master record media carrying a Boustrophedonic recorded signal pattern with, as an example, a plurality of signal tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, etc., recorded left to right, tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., recorded right to left, and an increment of space between each of said tracks, comprising:

means for positioning said master record media in said apparatus with its oxide surface facing a first direction;

means for positioning said duplicate record media in said apparatus with its oxide surface facing the oxide surface of said master record media;

means for positioning said duplicate record media in offset relation with respect to said master record media in a predetermined odd number of track spacings, such as 1, 3, 5, etc., to insure scanning compatibility in a utilization device and eliminate the need for scan rephasing; and

means for operating said transfer apparatus to effect transfer of said signal pattern from said master record media to said duplicate record media, operation of said transfer apparatus producing a Boustrophedonic signal pattern in said duplicate record media that is a mirror image of the original signal pattern in said master record media.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said master and duplicate record media each have comparable longitudinal and transverse dimensions; and

wherein the positioning means in said apparatus is operative to relatively displace said duplicate record media longitudinally with respect to said master record media.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said media are inserted in a preferred direction, and further comprising:

means for sensing the presence of each type of media and limiting the extent of its insertion; and

wherein said offset relation is established by structural displacement of said sensing and limiting means the desired number of track spacings.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means in said apparatus for clamping at least one of said media during operation; and

wherein the offset positional relationship of said duplicate record media in relation to said master record media is a sufficient number of track spacings, such as five (5), to allow clearance for clamping of said at least one of said media.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein;

said master record media is clamped during operation of said apparatUs.