Abstract: This invention relates to the automatic pointing of a pointing device, such as a camera, without the assistance of a person who operates the camera. Systems and methods are disclosed wherein the system is substantially stationary during recording but is portable to the venue of recording. For the purpose of recording, the camera turns automatically to optically follow the person, animal, or object that is being recorded. The present invention provides for high quality video recording; the high quality video recording here refers to features of the inventive systems and methods that provide for smooth camera motion necessary to take enjoyable videos for personal or for commercial use. This invention provides a portable system that automatically records videos from the vantage point of a sports fan, of a spectator or of a competition judge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tape applicator or tape head formed from a combination of two separated apparatuses namely a detachable unit containing a front portion of the tape applicator and a stationary unit containing a rear portion of the applicator with snap-on engagement there between to obtain the interactive motion of a conventional tape applicator i.e. the present invention separates a conventional tape applicator into two separate portions which results in the ability to quickly change tapes and reduces safety hazards.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge capable of keeping position error signals during running of a recording tape small. A recording tape cartridge is provided with a reel hub, a magnetic tape that is wound round the reel hub, and a lower flange and upper flange that are disposed to oppose one another at each of the both axial direction ends of the reel hub. In a state in which the magnetic tape is completely wound on the reel hub, the magnetic tape is offset toward the upper flange. A space of an edge clearance between a lower end of an outermost periphery portion of the magnetic tape and the lower flange is at least 0.18 mm and at most 0.46 mm. A rate of widening of a facing distance between the lower flange and the upper flange increases toward the outer periphery side.

Abstract: A tape reel assembly comprises a reel hub and flanges coaxially secured to, and extending radially outwardly from, opposite axial ends of the reel hub, respectively, each flange being molded by resin injection molding and having a tapered inside surface sloping down at a fixed taper angle from an inside periphery to an outside periphery thereof. The flange is molded by the use of an injection mold having a mold surface which borders at least a part of a mold cavity for configuration of the tapered inside surface of the flange and is convexly curved to the mold cavity.

Abstract: A tape drive assembly (20) for the transmission of data relative to a magnetic storage tape (278) includes a tape head (260), a cartridge receiver (268) and a controller (44). The cartridge receiver (268) selectively receives a cartridge (54) having a lapping tape (478) that laps the tape head (260). The controller (44) dynamically adjusts one of (i) a tension of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260), (ii) an oscillation frequency of the tape head (260) relative to the lapping tape (478), and (iii) a lateral velocity of the lapping tape (478) relative to the tape head (260). The controller (44) can use an algorithm to adjust these conditions. The algorithm can be based on the pliability of the lapping tape (478), a curvature of the tape head (260) and/or the grit of the lapping tape (478).

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a housing and a tape reel that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The tape reel is adapted to cooperably engage a reel drive member of a data transfer apparatus that, in use, applies a drive torque to the tape reel to rotate the tape reel about the axis of rotation. The cooperable engagement of the tape reel and reel drive member is such as to secure the tape reel to the reel drive member to at least substantially prevent tipping of the tape reel with respect to the reel drive member.

Abstract: A deck mechanism for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a main deck provided with a head drum, a capstan motor, and a sub-deck installed on the main deck to be loaded/unloaded. The sub-deck is provided with a pair of reel discs, onto which tape reels of a tape cassette are seated; a pole base loading unit; a pinch roller unit for compressing the tape against a spindle of the capstan motor when the sub-deck is loaded; a brake unit; a main sliding member mounted on the main deck to be capable of reciprocatingly sliding, the main sliding member controlling the driving of the pinch roller unit; and a main cam gear mounted on the main deck. The main cam gear causes the sub-deck, the pole base loading unit, the brake unit, and the main sliding member to perform linked movements while the main cam gear is rotationally driven.

Abstract: A tape guide (38) that provides support for a storage tape (30) of a tape drive (10) during a loss of tension of the storage tape (30). The tape drive (10) includes a drive housing (12), a tape roller (34) having a longitudinal axis (36), and the tape guide (38). The tape guide (38) includes a guide body (40) coupled to the drive housing (12), and a tape support (42) secured to the guide body (40). The tape support (42) has a support width (126) that is greater than a support thickness (124). The tape support (42) can include a curved region (120). Moreover, the tape support (42) can include a support backing (122) that secures the tape support (42) to the guide body (40). The size, shape and positioning of the tape support (42) allows greater flexibility in a lateral direction that generally follows a tape path (32) than in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (36) of the tape roller (34).

Abstract: A winding flange guide (10) is utilized to provide a better quality wind of a strand media. The guide (10) has a first flange (12) and a second flange (13) which constrain the movement of the outer wraps of the tape pancake formed by the tape media. The winding flange guide (10) is utilized in a servo writer (20), tape cartridge (40, 60) and tape drive (80).

Abstract: An improved magnetic tape guiding device for use with a magnetic tape transport system of a tape recorder and the like, and a method for using the same. The magnetic tape guiding system of the tape recorder transport system has a supply reel pole base assembly having a slant pole with a first guide unit having portions formed at both ends of the slant pole to function as a conventional roller for regulating upward and downward movement of the upper and lower edges of a moving magnetic tape, and a tension pole assembly having a tension pole with a second guide unit having portions formed at both ends of the tension pole to function as a conventional impedance roller for regulating upward and downward movement of the upper and lower edges of the moving magnetic tape. This arrangement can thus achieve 2-dimensional plane-traveling of the magnetic tape while also reducing the number of the parts of the guiding system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data storage system for accessing a tape storage media, wherein the tape storage media has a first side and a second side for storing data. The tape storage media is received at a reel. The reel is rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction, and the reel is positioned proximate to a head used to access the tape storage media as the tape storage media is wound onto the reel. The reel is selectively rotated in the first direction and the second direction to selectively present the first side and the second side for access by the head.

Abstract: There are provided a tape cartridge which can be changed into a compact shape for storage or transport, or makes a printing tape and a laminating tape replaceable, and at the same time facilitating the handling of them, a tape cartridge capable of holding an unrolled portion extending over a relative long distance in a proper attitude, a tape cutting device including the tape cartridge, and a tape printing apparatus including any of the above tape cartridges or having a structure making itself free from spoiling the print quality. A casing of a tape cartridge accommodating at least one roll of tape such that the at least one roll of tape can be unrolled therefrom comprises a hinge mechanism arranged at a longitudinally intermediate portion thereof, for allowing the tape cartridge to be folded.

Abstract: A take-up reel for use in a tape drive for minimizing print through errors, or data transfer from one layer of tape on the take-up reel to an adjacent layer of tape on the take-up reel. The take-up reel is configured to allowing portions of the buckle, coupling the take-up leader to the supply leader, to recess into the take-up reel. The relatively even and concentric configuration of leaders tape and buckle when wound onto the take-up reel prevents the application of significant non-uniform pressure to the data tape wound thereover, which reduces print through sources of data error.

Abstract: A method for retrieving data (D, B, I) from machine tools, production equipment, or robots with at least one motion controller or drive controller (R). Image and/or video and/or audio data (B) relating to the mechanical movement in normal operation are displayed or processed in real-time, synchronized with the data available (I) in the motion controller or the drive controller (R). Furthermore, it is possible for the user to select data (D, B, I), compress them prior to transfer (DK1, DK2), use a web server (W) for transfer purposes, and save synchronized data (D, B, I).

Abstract: A film camera system, includes a housing with a front end carrying an objective, and a housing wall formed with an opening, a film magazine, and a single connecting member having at least one bore for allowing passage of a film from the film magazine into the housing via the housing opening and vice versa. The connecting member is secured to the film magazine and can be so attached to the housing that the film magazine is selectively positionable with respect to the housing in a first position essentially above the housing and in a second position essentially at the rear end of the housing, while providing a light-tight cover for the housing opening in the first and second positions of the film magazine.

Abstract: The inventive recessed bezel or faceplate allows the tape drive to be recessed within the computer case such that the tape cartridge no longer protrudes from the front of the computer case. The inventive bezel uses finger cavities and a guide mechanism to facilitate tape cartridge insertion and removal.

Abstract: A machine and method of performing a work operation requiring a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web has a cassette containing consumable web material, and the cassette has an indicator for identifying a length of unconsumed web in the cassette. The length of unconsumed web in the cassette is compared to a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web required to perform the work operation, and the operation is performed if the length of unconsumed web in the cassette is at least equal to the required length of unconsumed web. In one embodiment, the indicator takes the form of a potentiometer mounted on an exterior surface of the cassette for electrically indicating the amount of unconsumed web, or a pointer carried by a worm gear rotatably coupled to a spool of the cassette, wherein the pointer moves relative to indicia on the cassette upon rotation of the spool to visually indicate the amount of unconsumed web in the cassette.

Abstract: A tape transport system has a cassette housing with two stationary generally cylindrical guide members. The bottom wall has two openings extending therethrough, each of which receive one end of a respective one of the guide members. Each guide member is bonded to the bottom wall by an epoxy resin which forms the sole connection of each of the guide members to the cassette housing. Each of the guide members has an outer exposed substantially precise registration surface at the one end which is received in the bottom wall opening. A cassette tape drive has a pair of spaced apart substantially precise registration and support surfaces which is of a dimension to engage solely the precise registration surface of a respective one of the guide members. The registration surfaces of the guide members and the cassette tape drive are all aligned in the same plane and form a reference plane.

Abstract: A VCR (Video Cassette Tape Recorder) deck tape loading mechanism comprising a first cam gear driven by a loading motor, and a second cam gear, and a loading gear, moving in response to the movement of the first cam gear. The first cam gear drives a pinch lever to a loading position and the second cam gear drives a take up arm so as to make it possible for the take up arm to guide the pinch lever. The loading gear drives a slant base to move along a rail on a base so that the tape is able to take the most optimum path because each moving part can move smoothly in sequence without interference from one another due to the independent movement of the pinch lever and the take up lever. A thinner model of the mechanism is made available by placing first cam gear and second cam gear on the bottom of main base and cam lever and take up lever above them.