CA1133122A - Method of and apparatus for indicating a type and remaining recording capacity of a recording tape - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING A TYPE AND REMAINING
RECORDING CAPACITY OF A RECORDING TAPE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method and apparatus for indicating the type,such as in terms of overall recording capacity, and remaining recording capacity of a recording tape. The tape is transported at a predetermined speed from a supply reel to a take-up reel.
The rotations of the respective reels are sensed and the rota-tional periods Ts and Tt of the supply and take-up reels, respec-tively, are determined. Based upon these determined rotational periods, predetermined characteristics, such as the overall recording capacity, of the recording tape are indicated, irre-spective of the arbitrary amount of tape which, initially, is wound upon the take-up reel. For example, a set of character-istics is stored for each value of ; and the one set which is associated with the determined value is selected. Also, the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt are combined with certain of said characteristics to indicate the amount of tape which remains upon the supply reel when that amount initially is unknown. The latter operation is carried out in accordance with the expression , wherein TR represents the recording capacity of the taps which remains on the supply reel, , and P and Q are constant values associated with the type of tape which is used and are determined by the diameter of the supply (or take-up) reel hub, the total length of recording tape, the thickness of the tape, and the speed at which the tape is driven.

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Description

- i 3~2 BACKGROUND O~ THF~ INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining predetermined characteristics of a reel-to-reel recording tape, such as the total overall recording capacity of that tape, and also for determining the remaining recording capacity of that tape even i~ an unknown quantity of tape already has been transported from its supply reel to its take-up reel.
In many types of recording/reproducing devices, such :
as video tape recorders-(VTRIs), audio tape recorders, and the like, various types of recording tapes can be used therewith.
Typically, such tapes are housed wi`thin a cartridge and are.
transported, duri.ng a record~ng/reproduci~ng operation, from a supply reel to a take-up reel~ Usually, when a tape cassette first is loaded onto the recording/reproducing device, the user is cognizant of the overall recording capacity of that tape (e.g. thirty minutes, one hour, two hours, three hours, and the like), and often the tape is fully rewound onto its supply reel before using. As recording/reproducing proceeds, an indicator, such as a digital counter, prov~des an ind~cation as to the amount of tape whi`ch has ~een transported to the ~ake-up reel or, alternatively, the.amount of tape which rema;~ns on the supply reel. These indicat~ons provide the user ~ith useful in.~ormation, for example, as to wh.ether there is sufficient tape remaining to complete the desired recording operation There are, however, instances wherein an unknown tape cassette is loaded onto the recording~reproducing devi~ce~ I~
the user wishes to know the type o~ cassette which has been loaded into the device, that is, if the user wishes to know the total overall recording capacity of that cassette, it is necessary to unload the cassette from the recording/reproducing device~

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~ ~3~
In ~ome applications, it may be preferred not to unload the cas-sette, determine its type and then re-load the cassette backinto the device. For example, in a VTR of the type which withdraws a length of tape from the cassette and deploys that withdrawn tape about a recording drum, the exact location of the tape which is 5 positioned ~or recording may not be the same following the re-load operation as was previously positioned. This may be partic-ularly detrimental during an edit operation.
Furthermore, if a tape cassette that has been partially usedr that is, some amount of tape already has been used for re-0 cordi`ng/reproducing, i6 loaded into the device, an accurate in-dication of the amount of tape remaining on the supply reel, or the amount that already has been wound upon the take-up reel, cannot be readily obtained. It may be necessary first to rewind the tape completely to its initiall start position, and then to 15 advance the tape to the location at which it had been loaded in-to the device. ~he usual digital counter, if reset after the tape had been fully rewound, then wil;L indicate either theamount of tape which remains ~or recording or the amount of tape which has been used. It is appreciated that this is a time-consu~ing 20 and annoying task. Nevertheless, it often is the only technique by which a user can be apprised of the amount of tape which re-mains for recordingO
It has been proposed, in United States Patent No.
4,232,371, Issued November 4, 1980, ~o indicate the amount of 25 tape which remains on a supply reel in a cassette used in a VTR, even if an unknown quantity of tape already has been used. How-ever, in this proposal, the determination of the amount of re-maining tape is based upon sensing the angular velocity of the supply reel as that reel rotates when tape is withdrawn from the 30 cassette and loaded onto

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~, ~33~2 the VTR recording apparatus. During this tape-loading operation, which is to be distinguished from a tape transporting operation wherein tape is driven from the supply reel to the take-up reel, the take-up reel is held stationary. Also, in this proposed technique, there is no su~gestion of determining automatically the type of cassette which is used, that is, the total overall recording capacity of that cassette.
OBJEC~S OF THE INVENT ION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for indicating auto-matically predetermined characteristics, such as the total overall recording capacity, of a recording tape, regardless of the amount, if any, of tape which has been wound from its supply reel to its take-up reel.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for indicating automatically the amount of tape which remains for a recording operation regardless of the arbi-; trary quantity o~ tape which already may have been wound fxom the supply reel to the take-up reel thereof.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for indicating predetermined charac-teristics of a reel-to-reel tape, and for indicating the amount of such tape which remains for a recording/reproducing operation, regardless of the arbitrary quantity of tape which already may have been usedO
A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for indicating the type and quan-tity of tape which is used in a recorder/reproducer, which over-comes those problems and disadvantages mentioned hereinabove.

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A still further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for indicating the amount of tape which remains for a recording/reproducing operation, even if particular characteristics of the tape, such as its total overall recording capacity, are not known.
Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for use in a recorder/reproducer of the type wherein tape is trans-ported from a supply reel to a take-up reel, to indicate automati-cally the total overall recordi`ng capacity of that tape and, moreover, to indicate the quantity of tape which remains available for recording/reproducing during an initial, or preliminary opexa-tion of the recorder/reproducer.
Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

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SUMM~RY OF THE INVENT ION
In accordance with this invention, a method and apparatus are provided for indicating predetermined characteris-tics, such as the tatal overall capacity, of a recording tapewhich is transportahle at a predetermined speed from a supply reel to a take-up reel. The respective rotati`ons of the supply and take-up reels are sensed, and the rotational periods Ts and Tt of the supply and take-up reels, respect~vely, are determined.
Predetermined characteristics of the recordi~ng tape are indi~cated as a function of the determi`ned rotational periods. For example, representations of different recordi`ng capaci:ties are stored, each stored represen-tation being associated with a respecti~e signal representing Ts2 -~ Tt2. The stored representa~ion which is associated with the determined rotational periods Ts and ~t ~33~Z

i~ selected and displayed. In accordance with anokher aspect of this invention, the amount of tape wound upo~ ~he supply ; (or take-up) reel is indicated as a unction of the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt and also selected characteristics which are inherent in thç tape. ~n this regard, ~he r~maining recording capacity TR f the tape wound on the supply reel is determined in accordance with the expression TR = ~-~a~2 ~ Q~
wherein P and Q are constant values associated with the tape which is used, these values being determined by the diameter of the hub of the supply reel, the total length of khe recording tape, the thickness of ~he tape and the predetermined speed at which the tape is driven; and c~2 c (T~/TS)2. Sign~ls represent-i~g P and Q associated wi~h each value ~TS2 + Tt2) are stored, and the proper P and Q signals are se:Lected for use in the a~ove equation as a function of the detesmined rotational periods of th~ supply and take-up reels. The s~nal representing TR may be d~splayed.

More particularly, there is provided:
In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on recording tape transported between supply and take-up reels, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving ; said tape from one to the other of said reels at a predetermined speed; sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predeter-mined speed, the rotational period of said supply reel being repre-sented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as Tt; means for determining the overall length of said recording tape as a function of said sensed rotational periods;
means for storing particular identifying characteristics associated with tapes of different lengths; and means for indicating selected ones of said stored characteristics in accordance with said sensed rotational periods.

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There is also provided:
In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on recording tape transported between supply and take-up reels, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving said tape from one to the other of said reels at a predetermined speed;
sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predetermined speed, the rotational period of said supply reel being represented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as T~; means for storing predetermined constants associated with respectively different types of tapes; means for reading out selected ones of said stored constants as a function of said sensed rotational periods; and means for indicating the amount of tape wound upon one of said reels as a function of said sensed rotational periods and said read out constants.
There is also provided:
In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing in~ormation on recording tape transported between supply ahd take up reels of equal reel hub diameter, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving said tape from one to the other of said reel~ at a predetermined speed; sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predetermined speed, the rotational speed of said supply reel being represented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as Tt; means for obtaining a signal representing Ts2 + Tt2; means for indicating predetermined identifying characteristics of said recording tape, including the total overall length therof, as a function of said signal represent-ing TS2 + T~2; means for obtaining a signal ~2 representing

3~ ~Tt/TS)2; and means for indicating the remaining amount of tapewound upon said supply reel as a function of said signal a2 and selected ones of said indicated predetermined identifying character-istics.

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There is urther provided:
A method of displaying the total overall length of a recording tape that is transportable from a supply reel to a take-up reel, comprising the steps of driving said tape at a constant speed for a predetermined time duration irrespective of the amount of tape that is wound upon said take-up reel; sensing the respective rctations of said supply and take-up reels; determining the rotational period Ts of said supply reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof and determining the rotational period Tt of said take-up reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof; storing respective indications of the total ~verall lengths of different recording tapes on the basis of the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt of the supply and take- -up reels for said different recording tapes, and displaying the indication of total overall length that is associated with rotational periods Ts and Tt which have been determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ~F THE DRAWIMGS
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The following detailed descrip~ion, given by way of example, will best be understood in conjunction with the accom-21 panying drawings in which;
FIG. 1 illustrates one application of the preseninvention in the environment of a VTR;
FIG. 2 represent~ the manner in which the present invention is us~d either i~ a VTR or in an audio recording systcm;
2~ FIGS. 3 and 4 are useful in explaining t~e underlying principle of the presen invention;
FIG. 5 is a graphi~al representation which i5 useful in under~tanding the present invention; and , .

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FIG. 6 is a flow diagram representing the manner in which indications as to type and availa~le capacity of the recording tape are determined.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-As will become apparent from the following detailed description, the present invention ~inds ready application either in a video tape recorder of the type in which a loop of magnetic recording tape is withdrawn from a cassette housing and deployed about a recording~reproducing drum/ or in an audio tape recorder wherein recording tape merely is transported from a supply reel to a take-up reel past a recording/reproducing head. In both types of recorders, the tape is driven at a substantially constant speed by the combination of a capstan and pinch roller, as is well known~ Depending upon the type of recorder, this transport speed is fixed and constant. Furthermore, in the following dis-cussion, it is assumed that the tape is housed within a cassette.
Alternatively, in both the VTR and audio recorder applications, the tape may be transported in simple reel-to-reel arrangements in the absence of a cassette or cartridge.
Turning now to FI~. 1, there is illustrated a t~pical embodiment of a VTR in which the present invention can be used.
This VTR includes a guide drum 10 adapted to receive a portion of magnetic tape 4 deployed thereabout and having a pair of rotary transducers, or heads 15, 16 for scanning successive parallel tracks across the tape which is deployed about the drum. The VTR is adapted to receive a tape cartridge 1 which contains a supply reel 2 and a take-up reel 3 for transporting tape 4 therebetween. The VTR further includes a tape-loading mechanism schematically illustrated as comprising a circular support ring 5 which extends around drum 10 and which is supported 3~L~2 for rotation on various guide rollers. The VTR further includes a tape-loading mechanism comprised of a pivotal arm 7 and a tape-engaging pin 8, as well as various pins or rollers 6 which extend upwardly from support ring 5. Pins or rollers 6 are adapted to move with the support r;ng during a loadin~ and unloading operation so as to guide tape 4 about guide drum 10O
When cartridge, or cassette 1 first is positioned, or loaded, into the VTR, pivota]. arm 7 is dis~osed in the position represented by the ~roken lines such that tape guiding pin 8 th~reon extends upwardly into an opening normally provided on the housing of cassette 1 so as to be positioned within the housing and behind the run of tape 4. When a loading operation is carried out, pivotal arm 7 pivots to the pOSItiOn represented by the solid lines, thereby withdrawing a portion of tape 4 from cassette 1. This portion of w.ithdrawn tape also engages an adjacent pin or roller 6 which is proximate pivotal arm 7.
Then, support ring 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction so as to pull tape 4 from cassette 1 and then to deploy this withdrawn tape about a portion o~ the periphery o~ ~uide drum 10.
20 . A pinch.roller 14 is rotatably mounted on support ring 5; and when this- support ring IS fully rota~ed to its loadea position, as illustrated in ~'IG. 1, the pinch roller is brought into contact with a capstan 13, the latter being ixedly supported in the ~TR.
Hence, capstan 13 and pinch roller 14 capture tape 4 therebetween such that as the capstan is dri~en, tape 4 is transported at a constant speed in the direction indicated by the arrows. The run ~ollowed by tape 4 in response to the operation of capstan 13 and pinch roller 14 traverses an erasing head 9, an aud~o erasing head 11 and an audio recording/playback head 12. Thus, erasing head 9 serves to erase video signals from tape 4, erasing 11 ~3L33:~L2~

serves to erase audio signals from the tape and head 12 serves to record or play back audio signals during a recording or reproducing mode, respectively. As tape 4 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows about the loop from supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3, gulde drum lO rotates in the direction indicated ~y the arrow such that heads 15 a~d 16 scan successive, parallel, skewed trac~s across the width of tape 4. During a recording operation, heads 15 and 16 serve to record video signals on the tape. During a reproducing operation, previously recorded video signals are played back.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, if cassette 1 is loaded into the VTR, but the type of cassette is not known, that is, the total overall recording capacity of that cassette has not been ascertai~ned, such total overall recording capacity can, nevertheless, be indicated automatically.
This indication is prov;ded regardless oE whether a fresh cassette is loaded into the VTR, that is, regardless of whether all of tape 4 is wound initially on supply reel 2, or whether an unknown quantity of tape aiready has been transported and wound onto take-up reel 3. In accordance wit~`another aspect of t~is invention,even if an arbîtrary amount of tape is wound upon take-up reel 3, the recording capacity o~ the remainin~ amount of tape that is wound on supply reel 2 can be indicated automati`cally.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the elements which are used to indicate the type o~ tape and the amount or recordin~ capacity thereof are illustrated~ FIG. 2 merely shows tape 4 transported from supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3 v~a the combination of capstan 13 and pinch roller 14. This tape transport apparatus therefore may be included in the VTR arrangement shown in FIG. 1 or, alternatively, may be included in an audio recorder/reproducer ~33~2Z

of conventional type. In either em~odiment, the type of cassette which is used, that is, the total overall recording capacity of that cassette, as well as the remaining amount of tape w~ich is wound upon supply reel 2, are indicated automatically.
The illustrated apparatus includes a central processing unit (CPU) 22, which may comprise a microprocessor, a micro-computer, or the like, that is supplied with pulses which repre-sent the rotational periods of the supply and take-up reels, respectively. CPU 22 is adapted to process t~ese pulses and, based thereon~ to determine the type (e.g. total overall recording capacity) of tape which has been loaded onto the VTR (or the audio recorder/reproducer) and also to determine the remaining recording capacity of that tape. CPU 22 is coupled to a display de~ice 29 which is adapted to display t~e determ;ned type and remainln~
recording capacity of tape 4. The CPU additionally includes another input connected to a presettable timer 21, the latter being adapted to be preset to represent the requi~site recording time for completing a parti~cular recording task. CPU 22 is adapted to compare this preset rec~rd;ng time to the determined remaining recording capacity of tape 4 to ascertain whether there is sufficient recording capacity to complete the desired operation.
The output of CPU 22 is connected to an alarm device 30 which is operated, or triggered, in the event that the determined remaining recording capacity is less than the desired capacity, as represented by preset timer 21.
The aforementioned pulses which are supplied to CPU 2Z
to repres~ent the rotational periods of supply reel 2 and take-up reel 3 are generated by detecti`ng arrangements 23 and 24. Detect-ing arrangement 23 is comprised of a rotatable member, such as disc 19, secured to reel mount 17 of supply reel 2. Rotatable ~33~LZ~

member 19 thus is rotatably dri~en when supply reel 2 rotates to pay out tape 4. A circular array of magnetic elements 25 is provided on the periphery of rotatable member 19. A pick-up sensor 26, such as a magnetic pick-up head, is fixedly positioned relative to rotatable member 19 so as to detect each magnetic element 25 as that element rotates therepast. Sensor 26 generates a pulse in response to the passage of each magnetic element 25.
Sensing arrangement 24 is of similar construction and is comprised of a rotatable member, or d~sc 20, that is secured to reel mount 18 of take-up reel 3. A circular array of magnetic elements 27 is provided on the periphery oE rotatable member 20;
and a pick-up sensing head 28 i`s positioned so as to detect each magnetic element that rotates therepast and to generate a corre-sponding-pulse. The pulses generated by pick-up sensors 26 and 28 are supplied to CPU 22.
It may be appreciated that, if desired, rotatable members 19 and 20 may be ~echanically coupled to supply and take-up reels 2 and 3, respect;`~ely, by other suitable trans-missions so as to be rotatable w~th these reels.
2Q ~f each rotatable member 19, 2Q is provided with, for example, eight individual magnetic elements 25, pick-up sensor 26, 28 generates eight pulses for each single rotation of the rotatable member. The rotational speed of supply reel 2 or take-up reel 3 can be determined by div~din~ the number of pulses which are generated by pick up sensor 26, 2~ by the time duration during which tape 4 is driven. For example, if forty pulses are generated during a two second inter~al, then the frequency of these pulses is equal to twenty-pulses per second. Since eight pulses are generated during each rotation, the an~ular velocity of the rotatable member is seen to be 20/8=2.5 rotations per second.

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Of course, the rotational period of the disc is the reciprocal of the angular velociky thereof which, in the present example, is equal to 1/2.5 = 0.4, or 400 msec. CPU 22 functions in a manner that ls clearly appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to determine the rotational periods Ts and Tt of supply reel 2 and take-up reel 3, respectively, in response to the pulses which are generated by pick-up sensors 26 and 28.
In operation, let it ~e assumed that the cassette is properly loaded onto the VTR or audio recorder~reproducer with which tape 4 is to be used. This means that, for the application of the present invention to a VTR, tape 4 is deployed about the VTR guide drum in the manner illustrated in F~G. 1. Once the cassette is properly loaded, the tape transport mechanism (not shown) is operated for a predetermined time duration, on the order of a few seconds. ~ence, during this time duration, tape 4 is driven by the combination of capstan 13 and pinch roller 14 ~rom supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3. As the tape ~s driven in this manner, supply reel 2 rotates to pay out the tape; and take-up reel 3 also rotates to wind up the tape. Rotatable members 19 and 20 rotate w~th supply and take-up reels 2 and 3, thereby moving magnetic elements 25 and Z7 past pick-up sensors 26 and 28, respectively. Consequently, pulses are supplied to CPU 22 from pick-up sensors 26 and 28, the respecti~e frequencies o these pulses being a function of t~e rotational velocity, or speed, of the supply and take-up reels. CPU 22 processes these pulses to produce signals, such as digital signals, representing the rotational period Ts of supply reel 2 and the rotational period Tt of take-up reel 3. These signals representing the rotational periods of the supply and take up reels are used to determined the total overall length, or recording capacity, of tape 4.

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This overall length, or recording capacity, is determined irrespective of the arbitary amount of tape which may have been wound upon take-up reel 3 at the time that the cassette was loaded onto the VTR or audio recorder/reproducer. For example, if twenty m;nutes worth of tape initially had been wound upon take-up reel 3, and if the total overall recording capacity, or length, of tape 4 is equal ~Q three hours, CPU 22 will determine that, during the initial transport ~f tape 4 rom supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3/ the tape has an o~erall length capable of recording up to three hours. That is, CPU 22 will determine that tape 4 is a so-called three-hour recording tape, even though twenty minutes of recording time has been used. CPU
22 also will determine the amount of tape remaining on supply reel 2. In a prefexred emhodiment, CPU 22 will control display device 29 to display that two hours, forty minutes of tape remains on supply reel 2. This display is provided even though, initially, the quantity of tape which had Been wound upon take-up reel 3 had not been known~
Let i~ be further assumed that, initially, although the user had not been cognizant of the amount of tape remaining on supply reel 2, tlmer 21 had ~een preset to, for example, two hours, forty~five minutes. In the presently assumed ~xample, CPU
22 determines that only two hours, orty minutes of tape is wound upon supply reel 2. Hence, since the preset time entered into timer 21 exceeds the actual amount of tape remain~ng on supply reel 2, CPU 22 triggers alarm 30 to indicate this situation.
After the predetermined time duration has expired, that is, the duration during which tape 4 is transported from supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3 so that CPU 22 can determined the characteristic type of tape which is used, and also can :

33L~2 determine the amount of tape remaining on supply reel 2, that portion of tape which had been payed out from the supply reel is rewound thereon. Thus, following the initial operation during which the type and available quantity of tape are determined, the tape is returned to its init.ial position so that a recording or reproducing operation then can proceed. Thus, tape is not "wasted" during this initial operation. That is, the useful quantity of tape which is available ~s not reduced by reason of this initial operation.
.10 The manner in which the characteristic type of tape 4 can be determined mathematically now will be described with refer-ence to FIGS. 3 and 4. Let it ~e assumed that th.e diameter of the hub of supply reel 2 is equal to the diameter of the hub o~
take-up reel 3, and is represented as Do. Let it be further assumed that when all of tape 4 is wound upon, for example, supply reel 2, the total diameter o~ the outer coil o~ tape wound thereon is represented as Dm. Now, if the total, over~ll Length.of tape

4 is equal to L, and i~ t~e thickness of the tape is represented : as ~/2, then the amount of tape which is wound upon a fully-loaded supply reel can be expressed as:

1r m - ~ o = L

Dm2 = Do2 + 2~ L/~

If tape 4 then runs from supply reel 2, in its fully loaded condition, to take-up reel 3, after some amount of time, a quantity of tape is wound upon the take-up reel~ as illustrated in FIG. 4. For the condition shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the diameter of the outermost coil of tape wound upon supply reel 2 is represented as Ds, and the diameter of the outermost ~L3~

coil of tape wound upon take-up reel 3 is repres.ented as Dt..
Of course, as is known, the angular velocity of each reel is a function of its reel diameter. Nevertheless, since ît is assumed that tape 4 is driven ~y a capstan, the velocity V of the tape is constant, as determined by the capstan speed. The rotational period of, for example, take up reel 3 is equal to the time required for one rotation thereof. Duri`n~ this period, tape 4 is, of course, driven at the linear velocity V, and the length of tape which is wound upon the take-up reel is equal to the circumference thereof. Hence, the rotational period Tt of take-up reel 3 can be expressed aso ~D

Tt V (2) Similarly, the rotational period Ts of supply reel 2 can ~e expressed as:
s V (~3) Let it be assumed that m turns, or coils, of tape 4 are withdrawn from supply reel 2, and that n turns, or co~l.s, of tape are wound upon ta~e-up reel 3 in the arbitrary example shown in FIG. 4. With respect to t~e ta~e-up reel, t~e diameter of the first turn thereon ;s~ equal to Do/ the diameter of the : take-up reel hub. The d~ameter of the second turn.i~s equal to Do + ~ , the diameter of the take-up reel hub plus twice the thickness of the tape. The d;ameter o~ the th;~rd turn is equal to Do + 2 ~ . Therefore, it can be appreciated that the diameter of the nth tur~ is equal to Dt = Do + (n-l)~ (4) With.respect to supply reel 2, i~ no turn had been wlthdrawn therefrom, the diameter of the supply reel would be equal to Dm.
If one turn is withdrawn, the diameter of the supply reel is equal to Dm ~ S ~ If two turns have been withdrawn, the di~ameter of ~14-~33~:~2 the supply reel is equal to Dm ~ 2 ~ . If m turns are withdrawn from the supply reel,then lts diameter can be expressed as Ds = Dm ~ m ~ (5) Since the entire length L of tape 4 is not changed/ the diameters Ds and Dt of the supply and take up reels exhibit the following relationship with respect to the maximum and minimum diameters Dm and D~:

Ds + Dt = Dm ~ Do (6) The expression Dm2 ~ Do2 is constant and is dependent solely upon the characteristics of the particular tape cassette which is used. That is, this expression depends upon the diameter of the supply (or take-up) reel hub and the diameter of the fully-loaded supply (or take-up) reel, the latter being dependent upon the thickn~ss and length of the tape which is used. Thus, from equation (6), it is seen that, regardless o the amount of tape which is wound upon the supply and take-up reels, the expression D 2 + Dt2 is fixed and is constant for the particular cassette s r--which is used. FIG. 5 represents the locus of ~ Ds ~ Dt as the values for DS and D~ ~ary between maximum diameter Dm and the minimum diameter Do. If the a~scissa in the graphical depic-tion of FIG. 5 represents the diameter ~s of the supply reel, and - if the ordinate represents the diameter Dt of the take-up reel, then this locus moves in the counterclockwise direction from the point where Ds = Dm to the point where Dt = Dm. That is, this locus advances in the counterclockwise direction as tape 4 is transported from supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3.
It is, of course, appreciated from equation (6) that = ~ The radius of the circular arc, shown in FIG. 5, thus is constant for a particular cassette.
Preferably, the different types o cassettes which can ~e used ~L~3~ 2 with the recording/reproducin~ apparatus (i.e., the YTR or the recorder/reproducer) are standarized as to the diameter of the supply (or take-up) reel hub, the thickness of the tape, the length of the tape and the maximum diameter of a fully wound reel. For convenience, Table I below identifies four different types of cassettes. It should be readily appreciated that, if desired, additional types of cassettes may be employed, each additional type having specified characteristics, that is, a specified reel hub diameter, tape th~ckness,tape length and maximum reel diameter:
Ta~le I
Tape CassetteDO~mm) S/2(~ m)L(m) Dm(mm) ~Dm ~Do Type I 51.8 Z042 61.3 80.3 Type II 51.8 2078 68.3 85.7 Type III 30.0 20150 68.7 75.0 Type IV 30.0 14222 69.7 75.9 It should be recognized that, once the values of Ds and Dt are determined, regardless of the amount of tape whi ~ ound on the supply or take-up reels, the expression ~ Ds2 ~ Dt2 .is established. Since thi.s expression is equal to the expression Dm2 + Do~, it is seen that the type of cassette which has :~ been loaded into the recording/reproducing apparatus can be identified. As an example, CPU 22 may include a memory device having a plurality of addressable storage compartments, each : 20 storage compartment having stored therein the particular charac-: teristics of a corresponding type of cassette. For example, storage compartment I may store information concerning the reel hub diameter Do~ tape width, tape length and maximum diameter Dm associated with cassette Type I, as specified in Table I. The address of this storage compartment is identified by the expression ~ Dm ~ Do associated with cassette Type I. Similarly, let it be assu~ed that sto.rage compartment II has stored therein information as to the particular characteristics associated with cassette Type II, as indicated in Table I. This storage compart-ment is addressed by the appropriate value of ~ Theremaining storage compartments likewise have stored therein in-formation relating to the particular characteristics of the other types of cassettes. Thus, when the values Ds and Dt are determined by CPU 22, the appropriate.storage compartment is addressed and the characteristi.cs of the.type of cassette which is associated with the determined Ds and Dt are read out. Thus, after tape.4 has been transported for some predetermined time duration from supply reel 2 to take-up reel 3, the pulses supplied to CPU 22 from pick-up sensors 26 and 28 resul~ in the reading out and display either of the type of cassette which is being used or, at least, the overall tape length or recording capacity of that cassette.
It now w~Ll be 2escri~ea how the type o~ cassettet or particular characteristics associated with that type.j can be indicated directly ~rom the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt o the suppl~ and take-up reels, respectively, without first de~ermining ~he diameters thereof~ Equat~on (6) can be rewritten as:

Ds {1 + (Dt~Ds~ ~ =`Dm + Do (7 and let it be further assumed that Dt~DS =~ (8) If equation (8) is subst~tuted into equation (7), the.result is written as Ds (l~c~ 1 = Dm + Do (9) i 331~2 wikh the result that __ ¦D 2 + D
+ ~< ( 10 ) In a similar manner, equations (6) and (8) can be combined to find the expresslon for the diameter Dt of the take-up reel as ~ollows:
Dt2 ~1 + c~l2) = Dm2 + Do2 (11) D 2 (1 +C~2) = c~2 (D 2 ~ Do ) ~12) Dt ~ (13) If equations (2) and (3) are used in equation (9), the result appears as:
Dm + Do = Ds (l+C~ r ) Ts (l+C~ ) ( V )2 (T 2 +c~2 Ts ) (14) From equations (2), (3) and (8), the term o~2 TS2 may be rewritten as c~2 TS2 = Tt2 Thus, equation (14) may be expressed as:

Dm + Do = (~r) ~TS2 -~ Tt ) (15) and, 2 2 r~ D (16) It is seen from the foregoing equation that the expression TS2 ~ Tt2 ~ is a constant value that is determined only by the specific type ; o tape cassette which is used. This is because the tape speed V
is fixed and, depending upon the type of cassette, as set out in Table I above, the maximum and minimum reel diameters Dm and Do, respectively, are fixed.

~33~Z

Since the rotational periods Ts and Tt may be obtained directly by CPU 22 in response to the pulses supplied thereto by pick-up sensors 26 and 28, the expression T 2 ~ Tt2 may be deter-mined easily. From equation (I6), the determination of khis expression is indicative of the type of cassette which is used.
Hencef the particular characteristics associated w-ith each type of cassette, as se-t out in ~able I, may be stored in storage compartments which are addressed by the determination of TS2 + Tt That is, once the rotational periods of the supply and take-up raels are obtained, the type o~ cassette, an~ thus the particular characteristics of that cassette, is identified. The.expression TS2 + Tt2 can be used as an address to retrie~e., or read-out, the particular characteristics whi`ch are inherent in the tape cassette whose type is ~dent~fied b~ this address.
The mathematical der~vation for indicating the amount of tape which remains wound on supply reel 2, regardless of the arbitrary quantity of tape whi`ch.may be wound upon take-up reel 3, : now will he discussed~. Let .it be ass~ned that this arbitrary quantity of tape which. is wound upon. take~:up reel 3 ~s represented as X. This length X is equal to the c~rcumference o~ the ~rst, or innermost, turn of tape wound upon the take-up reel, plus the circumference of the second turn, plus the circ~nference of the third turn, and so on up to the circumference.o~ the nth turn.
It is recalled that -the diameter of the nth turn is equal to Do + (n~ . Therefore, the amount of tape X which. is wound upon tak.e-up reel 3 may be expressed as:
X =~ D + ~ (Do+ ~ ) + ~r(Do + 2S ) + ~ + ~Do ( 1)~
- ~ ~nD + n(n~ } (17) Of course, the amount of tape X which is wound upon the take-up reel is equal to the amount of tape which has been withdrawn from -l9-~3~ ~2 the supply reel. This length of tape which had been withdrawn from the supply reel is equal to the circumference of the first outermost turn which had been wound thereon, plus the circumfer-ence of the next outermost turn, plus the circumerence of the next turn, and so on, up to the circumference of the mth turn which had been wound thereon. ~he diameter of the first turn is equal to Dm ~ J , and the diameter of the mth turn is equal to Dm ~ m 3 Hence, the length of tape X which had been with-drawn from supply reel 2 may be expressed as:
X = ~r(Dm ~ ~) f ~ (Dm - 2 ~ ) ~ ~~~~~ + ~ (Dm ~ m ~) = ~ ¦mD~ ~ ( 2 - sj (18) From equations (2) and (3), it is known that Dt/Tt = DS/Ts.

Dt thus may be written as T

Dt = T Ds CX Ds (l9) The term n may be obtained from equation (4) as n ~ (20) and the term m may be obtained from equation (5) as D - D
m _ m ~ s (21) Now, since equations (17) and (18) are equal, they specify the following identity:

n(n-l) ) m(m+l) ~r ~nDO f 2 ~3 ~ ~mDm ~ (22) If equations (l9), (20) and (21) are substituted into equation (22), the result appears as :
2) D 2 + ~1-~ ) S Ds + Do(~ Do) m ~ m (23) In equation (23), the terms ~ and Ds are not constant. Never-theless, eauation (23) can be simplified i~ it is assumed that:

_20-~L~3~2 2 -_ A
(1 -~)~ = B
Do( ~ - Do) t Dm (d Dm) With these assumptions, equation (23) can be sol~ed for Ps as ; -B + ~s2 _ 4AC
s 2A (24 If the expression for m defined by equation (21) is substituted into equation (18), the result can be rewritten as:
X = ~S (Dm ~ Ds)(Dm + Ds ~ ) (25) Of course, Dm ~>S and Ds>~S . Equation (25) thus can be simplified to X = 2 (Dm ~ Ds ) (26) From the foregoin~ assumptions for A, B and C, a close approxima-tion of equation (24) will be xealized if it is assumed that B = 0. With this assumption,equation (24) can be rewritten as:

DS2 = -C = O m (27) Now, if equation (27) is substituted into equation (Z6), the res~llt appears as:
:

2~ ~ ~ D 2 ~ 2 (28) In equation (28), ~ is defined as:

~ 2 (Dm)2 Do . ~ ~ (29) wherein Dm is defined by equation (1).
The time required to transport the entire length L of tape 4 from the supply reel to the take-up reel is fixed, and is a function of the constant tape speed V. Let this time be repre-sented as K wherein ~L~3~

K = V (30) Now, the time required to transport that portion of tape 4 which remains on supply reel 2 is referred to as the remaining time TR, and is indicative of the recording capacity of that portion of tape 4 which remainsO This remaining time TR ma~ be expressed as:
T - L-X = K(l- -) (31) The term X is defined by equation (28) and the term L is defined by equation (29). When equations (28) and (29) are substituted into equation (31), this equation is rewritten as:

T { K ~ {1 + ~ (32) From the foregoing discussion, it is appreciated that ~ and K
are constant values which are established by the particular type of cassette which is used. Hence, the only variable in equation ~ 15 (32) is the term c~ . In equation (32), let it be assumed that ; ~ K = P; and 2K - Q. With this assumption, equation (32) may be rewritten as:

T = - P _ Q (33) R 1 +o~2 Thus, since P and Q are values which are constant for a particular type of cassette, once the type of cassette is determined, as discussed above, and once the term d is obtained, the remaining time TR, that is, the available recording capacity of the tape which remains on the supply reel, can be indica~ed from equation (33). This equation can, of course, be implemented in the arith-metic section of CPU 22.
From equation (8), c~= Dt/DS. From equations (2) and (3), Dt = VTt/~ , and Ds = VTS/ ~ . Accordingly, e~ may be expressed as:

Tt s (34) ~133~ 2 Of course, CPU 22 readily determines the rotational periods s and Tt in response to the pulses supplied thereto by pic~-up sensors 26 and 28, respectively. Hence, in response to these.
pulses, CPU 22 derives the address TS2 + Tt2 o-f equation (16) from which the particular type.of cassette which is loaded onto ; the recorder/reproducer is determi`ned. Once the type of cassette is determined, the characteristics inherent in that cassette likewise are determined'. That is-, the values P and Q, which are associated with that type of cassette,' are ascertained. CPU 22 calculates the term G~, and retrieves the'stored values o P
and Q which are associated with the cassette that is being used, the type of this cassette havin~ ~een determined ~y the.calculated expression TS2 + Tt2. CPU 22 then carrles out the.arithmetical operation of equation t33) ~o indicate the rema-~nin~ time TR of tape ~. The determined type of cassette and the calculated remain-lng time are dIsplayed on display device 29. Furthermore, if timer 21 had been preset by~-the'user, the preset time is compared by CPU 22 with the~calculated remaining time rrR. If the remaining time.~R is less than the:'~esired, preset time, alaxm 30 is ener-gized.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart representin.g the opera-tion of CPU 22.. Pulses~which are gen'erated by detectors 23 and 24 are'supplied to the CPU, and the rotat;.onal periods Ts and Tt are aetermined by the CPU in response to these pulses. The determinea rotational periods Ts and Tt are square.d to produGe TS2 and Tt2, and these squared rotational pexiods~are summed to produce a signal representing t.~e expression TS2 ~ Tt The type of cassette then LS det'ermined in response to th;~s expression, as by addres~sing a particular storage compartment which. is asso-ciated with'this expression. The characteristics stored in. the ~33~Z~

addressed storage compartment, as ~epresented by, for example, the characteristics set out in Ta~le I, may be read ou-t;- and one or more of such characteristics, such as the total overall length, or recording capacity, is displaved. Also, the addressed storage compartment may store'signals representing the expressions P and Q which are associated with the determined type of cassetke.
CPU 22 also determines' the term ~ in response to the ;calculated rotational periods Tt and Ts. This term o~ then is squared and is summed with'unity. The'arithmetic section of CPU
22 then obtains the quotient of p/(o~2 + l). The value Q is subtracted from this quotient, resulting in an indication of the remaining time TR. Th~s indication is displayed on display device 29 and, moreover, is compared to the preset time that the user may enter into timer 21. As mentioned abo~er if the preset time exceeds the remaining time TR, alarm 31 is energized.
` While the present ~nvent~on has been particularly shown - and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that ~arious changes and modificati~ons- ~n form and deta~ls may be made without depart;`ng from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, this inVentIon need not be limited sQlely for use in a reel-to-reel tape cassette.' It is contemplated that the invention disclosed' h~rein can be used to indicate particular character~stics and remaining recording capacity of a so-called open-reel tape. Also, although a VTR has been illustrated, it is appreciated that this- invention also can be used in an audio recorder~reproducer to ~dentiv the type of tape which is used therewith, selected characteristics of that tape and the amount of recording capacity which'remains. These indications are pro-v:ided irrespective of the arbitrary amount of tape which may be _~4_ 3~2 wound on the take-up reel at the.timç th.at th.e tape is loaded into the recorder~reproducer. Also, the manner in which.the rotation of the supply and take-up reels is detected need not be limited solely to the magnetic sensing devices illustrated herein. As an alternative, optical devices, electrostatic devices, and the like may be used to generate pulses correspond-ing to the angular velocities of the supply and take-up reels.
It is, therefore, intended that.the appended claims be interpreted as including the foregoing as well as varlous other such changes and modifications.

'

Claims (22)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on recording tape transported between supply and take-up reels, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving said tape from one to the other of said reels at a predetermined speed; sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predeter-mined speed, the rotational period of said supply reel being repre-sented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as Tt; means for determining the overall length of said recording tape as a function of said sensed rotational periods;
means for storing particular identifying characteristics associated with tapes of different lengths; and means for indicating selected ones of said stored characteristics in accordance with said sensed rotational periods.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for determining comprises means for obtaining a signal representing Ts2 + Tt2, means for storing representations of different tape lengths, each stored representation being associated with a respect-ive signal representing Ts2 + Tt2, and means for indicating the stored representation of tape length which is associated with the signal which is obtained.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for determining comprises central processing means including an arith-metic section for obtaining a signal representing Ts2 + Tt2, memory means for storing representations of different tape lengths, each stored representation being associated with a respective signal representing Ts2 + Tt2, and comparison means for comparing said obtained signal to said stored representations.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each stored representation is representative of , wherein Dm represents the maximum diameter of the supply or take-up reel when all of said recording tape is wound thereon, Do represents the minimum diameter of the supply or take-up reel when none of said recording tape is wound thereon, and V represents the predetermined speed at which said tape is driven.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for indicating the amount of recording tape remaining on said supply reel as a function of said sensed rotational periods and at least selected ones of said particular characteristics.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for indicating the amount of recording tape wound on said take-up reel as a function of said sensed rotational periods and at least selected ones of said particular characteristics.

7. In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on recording tape transported between supply and take-up reels, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving said tape from one to the other of said reels at a predetermined speed, sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predetermined speed, the rotational period of said supply reel being represented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as Tt; means for storing predetermined constants associated with respectively different types of tapes; means for reading out selected ones of said stored constants as a function of said sensed rotational periods; and means for indicating the amount of tape wound upon one of said reels as a function of said sensed rotational periods and said read out constants.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for indicating comprises means for obtaining a signal .alpha.2 representing (Tt/Ts)2, and means for deriving the signal TR=P/(1+.alpha.2) + Q, wherein P and Q-are constant values determined by the minimum diameter of the supply or take-up reel when none of said recording tape is wound thereon, by the total length of said recording tape, and by the predetermined speed at which said tape is driven, and wherein TR represents the remaining amount of said tape wound on said supply reel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for deriving comprises central processing means including an arithmetic section programmed to add unity to the signal .alpha.2 to produce the signal 1 + .alpha.2, to divide a signal P by said signal (1 + .alpha.2), and to add a signal Q to the quotient P/(1+.alpha.2); and memory means for storing the signals P and Q associated with the tape being used.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said stored signal P represents (.beta.2 + 1)/(.beta.2-1)K, wherein and K = L/V, and said stored signal Q represents K/.beta.2 - 1; Do being the minimum diameter of said supply or take-up reel when none of said recording tape is wound thereon, .delta. being twice the thickness of said recording tape, L being the total length of said recording tape and V being the predetermined speed at which said tape is driven.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 7 wherein said sensing means comprises respective indicia means rotatable with said supply and take-up reels; and detecting means disposed at respective refer-ence positions for detecting said rotatable indicia means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each indicia means comprises a rotatable member and a plurality of magnetic elements spaced uniformly in a circular array about said rotatable member; and wherein said detecting means comprises a respective magnetic sensor for generating a pulse signal in response to each magnetic element which rotates therepast.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for reading out selected ones of said stored constants comprises means for obtaining a signal representing , and means for using said signal representing to read out the stored constants P and Q from a location in said storing means associated with said signal representing .

14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for indicating the amount of tape wound upon one of said reels indicates the amount of recording time remaining on said recording tape; and further comprising presettable time indicating means for indicating a preset desired amount of recording time, comparison means for comparing the preset time to said remaining time, and alarm means for providing an alarm indication when said preset time exceeds said remaining time.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising display means for displaying said indicated amount of tape wound upon said one reel.

16. In apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on recording tape transported between supply and take-up reels of equal reel hub diameter, the combination comprising tape drive means for driving said tape from one to the other of said reels at a predetermined speed; sensing means for sensing the rotational periods of said supply and take-up reels while said tape is driven at said predetermined speed, the rotational speed of said supply reel being represented as Ts and the rotational period of said take-up reel being represented as Tt; means for obtaining a signal representing ; means for indicating predetermined identifying characteristics of said recording tape, including the total overall length therof, as a function of said signal represent-ing ; means for obtaining a signal .alpha.2 representing ; and means for indicating the remaining amount of tape wound upon said supply reel as a function of said signal a2 and selected ones of said indicated predetermined identifying character-istics.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for indicating predetermined identifying characteristics of said recording tape comprises memory means having a plurality of storage sections each associated with a respective signal represent-ing , each storage section storing a representation of total overall length, a signal P and a signal Q, wherein the signal P represents (.beta.2 + 1)/(.beta.2 - 1)K and the signal Q represents K/.beta.2 - 1, with K = (L/V), Do is said reel hub diameter, .delta. is twice the thickness of said recording tape, L is the total length of said recording tape and V is the predetermined speed at which said tape is driven;
and means for addressing the storage section associated with the signal representing .

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for indicating the remaining amount of tape wound upon said supply reel comprises arithmetic means for deriving the signal , wherein P and Q are read from the storage location addressed by said signal representing and TR represents the remaining length of said tape.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising display means for displaying the total overall length read from the storage section addressed by said signal representing .

20. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising display means for displaying the derived signal TR.

21. A method of displaying the total overall length of a recording tape that is transportable from a supply reel to a take-up reel, comprising the steps of driving said tape at a constant speed for a predetermined time duration irrespective of the amount of tape that is wound upon said take-up reel; sensing the respective rotations of said supply and take-up reels; determining the rotational period Ts of said supply reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof and determining the rotational period Tt of said take-up reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof; storing respective indications of the total overall lengths of different recording tapes on the basis of the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt of the supply and take-up reels for said different recording tapes, and displaying the indication of total overall length that is associated with rotational periods Ts and Tt which have been determined.

22. A method of displaying the unknown amount of recording tape which is wound upon a supply reel, comprising the steps of driving said tape at a constant speed from said supply reel to a take-up reel for a predetermined time duration; sensing the respective rotations of said supply and take-up reels; determining the rotational period Ts of said supply reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof and determining the rotational speed Tt of said take-up reel in response to the sensed rotation thereof;
producing a signal .alpha.2, wherein ; storing constant signals P and Q, wherein P is a function of the hub diameter of said supply reel, the thickness of said tape, the overall length of said tape, and the constant speed at which said tape is driven, and Q is a predetermined fraction of P, comprising the steps of storing a plurality of groups of P and Q signals, each group being formed of a single P signal and a single Q signal associated with a corresponding value , selecting the one group of P and Q signals which is associated with the determined rotational periods Ts and Tt; and displaying a signal TR, wherein .