DIGITAL RECORDING APPARATUS

• US 3,685,031 A
• Filed: 06/02/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Cook
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Cook
• Inventors: Cook, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/042,834
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 340/181,183,174.1,174.1K 179/1.2Z
• US Class Current: 360/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0682 Tape device

Abstract

Apparatus for recording either analog or digital input information in selected digital format on cartridge-contained endless magnetic tape. The apparatus consists of digital data conversion means for receiving input digital data, or digital data as derived from time sequentially sampled analog input data converted to digital data form. The converted digital data information is shifted through an assembly register with selected real time binary data, and removal from the assembly register takes place at clock-controlled rate in accordance with predetermined control logic such that serial time digital data followed by successive ones of a plurality of binary coded data values for each of a plurality of input channels are recorded sequentially on the magnetic tape cartridge.

Claims

1. Recording apparatus for recording either analog or digital input data in digital form in plural channels on an endless loop magnetic tape cartridge, the apparatus comprising:

transport means receiving said tape cartridge in releasable operational affixture thereto, said transport means including plural recording heads disposed in parallel array across said tape in recording contact with said plural channels;

means receiving and converting each of a plurality of channels of input data signals to serial binary coded decimal pulse signals;

real time clock means generating serial binary coded decimal pulse signals indicative of real time;

assembly means for storing binary coded decimal information in register such that said real time binary coded decimal pulse signals are fist recorded on said tape cartridge upon initiation of the recording, and said plural channels of binary coded decimal data pulse signals are recorded subsequently thereafter, said binary coded decimal data pulse signals for each channel of data input being recorded in sequential disposition on said tape cartridge;

means for generating sequential preparity and parity pulse signals and for recording said sequential pulse signals on said magnetic tape serially after the last channel input of said plural channels of binary coded decimal pulse signals to signify termination of the recording sequence;

control logic means periodically energizing said transport means for one recording sequence; and

selector means enabling said control logic means periodically at one of a plurality of selected real time periods.

2. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized in that:

said selector means includes means responsive to remote control for initiating the sampling of plural analog input data through a predetermined number of record segments of information.

3. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means receiving and converting comprises:

converter means for receiving plural channels of analog input data and providing said plural channels of data as sequential binary coded decimal digital output; and

parallel-to-serial converter means receiving said binary coded decimal digital output to provide a converted output of serial binary coded decimal pulse signals.

4. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which is further characterized to include:

digital register means receiving output from said parallel-to-serial converter means for storing binary coded decimal information in register to be shifted out as a display information output; and

digital display means for receiving said display information output upon shifting out from said digital register means to provide visual indication of selected digital values.

5. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which is further characterized to include:

multiplexing means receiving each of said plural channels of analog input data to provide sequential output of samples of each channel of analog data for input to said converter means.

6. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:

marker means physically disposed on the tape of said tape cartridge at the end thereof;

sensor means responsive to said marker means disposed adjacent said plural recording heads of the transport means to provide a sensor output at the end of said tape for application to said control means thereby to cease energization of said transport means.

7. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized in that:

each of said recording sequences of said magnetic tape cartridge includes first and second serial channels of serially arranged binary coded decimal digital indications representative of real time in minutes, hours and seconds, and further includes a succeeding plurality of sequential channels of digital information each representing a separate data channel input as represented in three sequential characters of binary coded decimal digital indications each preceded by a single character binary coded decimal digital indication representative of sign, said recording segment terminating with pre-parity and parity characters of pre-determined character representation.

8. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:

control means generating control output signals for controlling the rate of sampling of plural channels of analog input data, said control means providing synchronism for digitization in parallel-to-serial conversion of said input data.

9. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 8 which is further characterized to include:

master clock means providing output pulses at precisely controlled rate to synchronize said control means control output signals.

10. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 8 which is further characterized to include:

digital register means receiving output from said parallel-to-serial converter means for storing binary coded decimal information in register to be shifted out as a display information output; and

digital display means for receiving said display information output upon shifting out from said digital register means to provide visual indication of selected digital values.

11. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 10 which is further characterized to include:

channel selector means actuatable to select which channel of said plural channels of input data is presented for visual indication on said digital display means.