Dictaphone Corporation.

Asml Holding N.v.

Other

Willy M Sander

Daniel Nicholas Galburt

Kevin J Violette

Boguslaw F Gajdeczko

James C Whitney

Andre T Debaudringhien

Raymond F Freer

Kenneth M Bogursky

G Burnell Hohl

David L Boudreau

An apparatus and method for precisely detecting very small distances between a measurement probe and a surface, and more particularly to a proximity sensor using a constant gas flow and sensing a mass flow rate within a pneumatic bridge to detect very small distances. Within the apparatus the use of a flow restrictor and/or snubber made of porous material and/or a mass flow rate controller enables detection of very small distances in the nanometer to sub-nanometer range. A further embodiment wherein a measurement channel of a proximity sensor is connected to multiple measurement branches.

High-resolution gas gauge proximity sensor

A method is used to perform dark current compensation in a sensor (e.g., a CCD or CMOS sensor). A first and second array of devices (e.g., pixels) in the sensor are used to determine a first dark current value. The first array of pixels in the sensor receives impinging light and generates optical energy values therefrom. The second array of pixels in the sensor are used to determine a second dark current value at substantially a same time as the generating of the optical energy values. The second array of devices being non-sensitive to the impinging light. The first and second dark current values are used to compensate the optical energy values.

System for compensating for dark current in sensors

An apparatus and method for precisely detecting very small distances between a measurement probe and a surface, and more particularly to a proximity sensor using a constant gas flow and sensing a mass flow rate within a pneumatic bridge to detect very small distances. Within the apparatus the use of a flow restrictor, and/or snubber made of porous material, and/or a mass flow rate controller enables detection of very small distances in the nanometer to sub-nanometer range. A further embodiment wherein a measurement channel of a proximity sensor is connected to multiple measurement branches.

System and method for compensating for dark current in photosensitive devices

A multichannel communications recorder having the capability to display channel activity, failsafe back-up capability, a unique identification code with provision for changing such code, and apparatus for securing access to the communications recorder. The recorder is formed from modular elements. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module having a display. Control is provided by a user selecting to implement functions defined in accordance with a particular page displayed. Acces to various pages is controlled by various levels of passwords with the highest level being used by a service person to input information defining selected configuration and to run diagnostic tests and lower levels being provided to users of the system. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is secured by an electro-mechanical lock, which operates under system control. The system is provided with the capability to be configured in configurations providing back-up for selected channels. The CRT of the control apparatus has the capability to display the status of each channel monitored by a selected record deck in matrix form. The communications recorder of the subject invention also records a time code and a unique machine code identification number on each tape. The machine code may be changed through use of a unique one-time password.

Multichannel communications recorder having the capability to display

A multichannel communications recorder or logger. The recorder is formed from modular elements which may be configured into a large number of selectable configurations. In each configuration one or more record decks is controlled by a control module which includes a system control microprocessor and a CRT control microprocessor. Control is provided by a user selecting to implement functions defined in accordance with a particular page displayed. Access to various pages is controlled by various levels of passwords with the highest level being used by a service person and lower levels being provided to users of the system. Because of the need to provide physical security for recorded tapes, each tape deck is provided with a door secured by an electro-mechanical lock. Because of the need to maintain continuous monitoring in many applications, the system is provided with the capability to be configured in configurations providing back-up for selected channels. Also, since each record deck is provided with a local controller in the event of a failure of communications with the system controller, a local controller may initiate transfer to a back-up record deck using a hardwired connection. The communications recorder of the subject invention also records a time code and a unique machine code identification number on each tape. The machine code may be changed through use of a unique one-time password obtained by a service person from the system manufacturer.

Communications recorder having a unique identification code and secure

Apparatus for securing access to a communications recorder

Input coupling apparatus for coupling a telecommunications link, such as a telephone line, to an audio device, such as a recording channel of a telecommunications logger. Input terminals connect the coupling apparatus to the telecommunications link, such as to the tip and ring leads of a telephone line, for receiving audio signals. Voltage, current and remote sensing devices are coupled to the input terminals for detecting an active mode, such as an off-hook condition, during which audio signals are present. When connected to a telephone line, either an off-hook voltage condition or an off-hook current flow is sensed to produce an off-hook signal. When coupled to another communications link, such as a radio link, an external, simulated off-hook signal is detected. A selector is coupled to the voltage, current and remote sensing devices and selects one of those devices to supply the off-hook signal to the audio device, for example, to enable a logger to record audio signals. An audio amplifier is coupled to the input terminals for applying received audio signals to the audio device (e.g. to apply those signals to the recording channel of a logger).

Universal telecommunications audio coupling device

An apparatus and method for scanning a moveable record medium, detecting the presence of signal information on the moveable record medium and halting the moveable record medium at the detected signal information or automatically rerecording the detected signal information. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted to function in a multichannel logging system, wherein the desired signal information is intermixed with low frequency time and information signals. The method and apparatus is capable of filtering out the low frequency signals while the tape moves at speeds between playing speed and up to 100 times playing speed, detecting if any signal information remains, and either halting the tape at the detected signal information or automatically rerecording it.

Method and apparatus for scanning and recovering information from a

Printer apparatus for use with a dictation system including a changer device having an input stack, a recording deck for recording dictated messages, and an output stack for storing recording media onto which dictated messages have been recorded. The changer device further includes an optical reading element for reading identifying indicia on the recording medium in the recording deck. This information along with other information such as the number of dictated messages recorded on the recording medium, the time of day, etc. are printed out by the printer.

Microcassette changer and printer apparatus

In a central dictation system of the type having a plurality of recorders, a plurality of dictate stations are adapted to seize individual ones of the recorders, and a plurality of transcribe stations assignable to transcribe the dictated messages, a display device displays information identifying predetermined parameters related to the messages being recorded, including the status of such messages, immediately following the seizure of respective recorders by corresponding dictate stations, whereupon messages are dictated onto such recorders. The display device displays information associated with respective messages in corresponding lines, the displayed lines being segregated into areas as a function of the particular status of the associated messages. Depending upon a change in the status of an associated message, the line of displayed information may be transferred from one segregated area to another. The display device is operative to display information of messages having a selected status or a selected parameter.

Apparatus for displaying the status of individual dictated messages in a

An electronic control system for controlling the sequential operations in a multiple cassette record and/or playback apparatus of the type having a supply of tape cassettes, a motor-driven conveyor for conveying individual cassettes from the supply to a record/playback station and thence to an output store, the record/playback station having a motor-driven deck for loading and unloading a cassette, and the output store having a motor-driven elevator for loading a recorded cassette into the output store. Monitors are provided for monitoring the operation of each of the motor-driven conveyor, deck and elevator to sense when a cassette has been conveyed to the record/playback station, when a cassette has been loaded onto the deck and when a cassette has been loaded into the output store. Logic circuitry is responsive to the monitors for energizing motor-drive circuitry in accordance with a predetermined sequential cycle of operation. Malfunction detection apparatus is provided to detect if a sequential cycle is not completed within a predetermined time and to prevent the initiation of a subsequent sequential cycle in the event of a malfunction.

Electronic control system for multiple cassette record and/or playback

Apparatus for indicating the farthest advance position of a bi-directionally movable medium is provided with a pulse generator mechanically coupled to the medium to generate pulses corresponding to incremental movements of the medium in either a first or second direction. The actual direction in which the medium moves is represented by respective first and second signals. A counter incrementally changes its count in response to each generated pulse when the medium moves in, for example, the second direction, and the counter reverses the direction in which it counts when the medium moves in the first direction following medium movement in the second direction so that the counter incrementally is restored to an initial count. Once the initial count of the counter is restored, an output farthest advance signal is produced indicating that the medium has reached its farthest advance position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is used to indicte the farthest advance of a movable web. When the web is reversed, the counter is decremented from an initial predetermined count. When the web subsequently is moved forward, the counter then is incremented. Once the web reaches the farthest advance position previously occupied prior to reverse movement thereof, the counter concurrently reaches its initial, predetermined count.

Apparatus for indicating the farthest advance position of a

Apparatus is provided for use in a recording system wherein messages are recorded on a recording medium of fixed length, to variably select the recording capacity of the medium. Signals, which are produced when messages are recorded, are counted to accumulate an indication of the amount of recording medium that has messages recorded thereon. In one embodiment, the signals that are counted are representative of incremental lengths of the recording medium so that the accumulated indication represents the total length of recorded messages. A comparator compares the accumulated indication a preselected capacity and, when the preselected capacity has been attained, a corresponding output signal is generated. This output signal may be used to produce a perceptible indication and, in a preferred embodiment, may be used to replace the recording medium with a fresh recording medium. If this apparatus is used in a central dictation system having plural dictators, the preselected capacity of the recording medium may be represented as a length of medium, such as a percentage of the maximum length or capacity thereof, or as a selected number of individually established communications, or seizures, between the central unit and each dictator.

Apparatus for variably selecting the capacity of a recording medium in a

A cassette changer apparatus for use in a multiple cassette record and/or playback system. An input supply of magnetic tape cassettes is spaced from an output store, with a record/playback station disposed intermediate the input supply and output store. A fresh cassette is conveyed from the input supply to the record/playback station, and thence to the output store whereat an elevator normally loads the cassette into the output store. A cassette eject mechanism comprised of a discharge chute is positioned beneath the elevator. The chute is adapted to receive a conveyed cassette but the elevator is normally conditioned to intercept such a cassette and prevent it from reaching the chute. Priority control circuitry selectively displaces the elevator before a conveyed cassette is intercepted thereby, whereby the cassette is received by the chute, slides therealong and is ejected.

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Stamford, CT, United States of America

Willy M Sander