The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 14, 1991
Filed:
Oct. 05, 1989
Herbert Karsh, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
In the practice of the invention, a small magnet is attached to a slidable tab located on the leading edge of the cartridge. Before insertion of the cartridge into the recorder, the slidable tab is moved by the user to one of two positions. One position is the write protect position for inhibiting recording on the tape in the cartridge, and the other position permits recording on the tape. The associated recorder has two side by side Hall effect sensors. When the cartridge is positioned in the recorder, the magnet, depending upon the selected position of the cartridge tab, is directly opposite to, and activates, only one or the other Hall effect sensors. If no cartridge is in the recorder, neither Hall effect sensor is activated, indicating that no cartridge is in place. If the cartridge is in the recorder, and if the first sensor is activated, then the write protect circuit of the recorder is energized. If the second sensor is activated, then writing on the tape is permitted. The invention thereby provides write protection as well as a positive indication of the presence of the cartridge in the recorder. Additionally, fixed magnets may also be located on the cartridge for activating other Hall effect sensors in the recorder. These magnets may be configured to indicate a classification of the cartridge to specify the recorder with which it is compatible, or to specify the type of tape loaded in the cartridge.