Abstract: An improved virtual memory computer system comprising a main processing unit for executing application and operating system software without virtual memory code and independently of virtual memory operation. A dedicated second processing unit is provided for maintaining a memory map, which translates addresses in the main processing unit address space into physical memory addressess of a primary memory. A network interface allows pages or segments of data from a secondary memory connected to a communications network to be transferred into the primary memory in a manner transparent to the operation of the main processing unit. A direct memory access (DMA) circuit transfer the header portion of a network-transferred page of data into a separate auxiliary addressable memory for storage of network overhead information, while the useful data portions of the page are stored directly in locations in the primary addressable memory.

Abstract: A dictating and transcribing system includes a cartridge carrying a plurality of individual recording media, such as tape cassettes, and a means for selectively positioning the cartridge with respect to a record/listen transducer to place any one of the recording media in a recording position. Automatic access and re-access to any of the recording media may be obtained during dictation or transcription without manual handling of individual recording media. The cartridge is preferably rotatably driven about its center and slidably receives the recording media in locations radially disposed about the center of the cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for interfacing a plurality of telephone trunks with a record playback apparatus carrying a plurality of recording media which may be selectively engaged with a transport. The particular recording medium engaged with the transport is determined by the particular one of the plurality of trunks upon which an incoming call is received. One embodiment provides to the calling party a particular recording medium for the remote recording of dictation. A second embodiment provides a particular prerecorded message in response to the particular trunk upon which the incoming call is received and records incoming messages on a common recording medium.

Abstract: A continuous loop cassette changer apparatus for a dictation/transcription system transfers tape cassettes from a first storage location to a dictation record/listen station, to a second storage location, to a transcription listen station, and then back to the first storage location for eventual re-recording all without manual handling cassettes. The cassettes are transferred in an upright position. Dictation on a sequence of cassettes can proceed independently of simultaneous transcription of another sequence of cassettes. A priority eject mechanism is provided to remove cassettes containing priority dictation from the continuous loop.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus including an electronic clock and calendar for maintaining data representative of the time of day and date when an incoming message is received, a speech synthesizer for generating a synthesized vocal audio signal stating the time of day and date, and a recorder for recording the synthesized audio signals on a recording media contiguous to the incoming message. The preferred embodiment uses a programmed digital microcomputer which detects a ringing condition on the telephone line, conditions a recorder containing a prerecorded outgoing recorded message to play back the message to the calling party, conditions the speech synthesizer to generate the audio signals stating the time of day and date, and conditions the recorder to record on the recording media both the synthesized speech and an incoming message received over the telephone line so that the called party upon review of his messages may determine the time of day and date when a particular call was received.

Abstract: A system for the remote transcription of recorded dictation comprising a remote transcription unit and a machine control unit capable of controlling a plurality of dictation recorders and transmitting recorded dictation signals from a selected one of the plurality of dictation recorders for transcription by the operator of the remote transcription unit. The remote transcription unit generates a guard tone together with any commands which require a recording media motion function. The machine control unit provides the recording media motion function for so long as the guard tone is continued to be received, and terminates the recording media motion function in the event that the guard tone is interrupted. The speed of playback of recorded dictation may be controlled by the operator at the remote transcription unit, which transmits a command to the machine control unit corresponding to the desired speed of playback selected.

Abstract: A central dictation and transcribing system including a plurality of dictate stations (16) and a plurality of transcribe stations (17) in which recorded dictation is recorded in the form of digitized samples. A plurality of selectively operable controls (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46) are used to rearrange the reproduced order of dictation heard by the transcriber by inserting, deleting, and moving segments of previously recorded dictation. All final dictation heard by the transcriber is continuous and in an order determined by operation of the controls. The structure includes memory (11, 12) for storing the digitized samples and a map memory (40) for storing a plurality of address pairs (127, 128) indicative of when normal sequential reproduction of digitized samples from the main memory is to be altered. A predetermined jump code (98) is stored at each location in the main memory to indicate that a change of sequence is to be made from that address and reference to the map memory should be made.

Abstract: A display device for use in a dictation transcription station comprising a plurality of selectively actuatable lighted segments (10). A pair of shift registers (25, 26) are used to retain information as to the location of recorded signals denoting ends of dictation segments and location of instructions. As rewound tape is transcribed a third shift register (27) creates a shutter comprising contiguous lighted segments which moves to the right during a transcription operation. Control circuitry (67, 62) allow shifting of the registers containing the end of segment and instruction marks to occur only when the tape is rewound past the farthest point reached during a previous rewinding operation. A display for a dictation recorder is also shown wherein a pair of up down counters (130, 145) control numerical displays representing the total length of tape used (20) and the length of the present dictation segment (21).

Abstract: A display for a record playback apparatus where the record medium includes end and instruction indicia signals recorded thereon, of which the end signals delimit segments of dictation on the medium, including displays for the time remaining in the present segment (15), the number of segments yet to be reached going in the forward direction (11), the number of instruction indicia signals within the present segment (12) and the playback time remaining until the next instruction signal is reached (16). A counter (31) counts the end signals and also provides an address to an addressable memory (30) in which the number of instruction signals counted by a second counter (29) is stored. During movement of the record medium in a forward direction, the number stored in the addressable memory (30) are loaded back into the counter (29).

Abstract: Apparatus for rendering a dictation recorder selectively operable by a dictator at one of a plurality of dictate stations including automatic signal generating circuitry at the dictate station for generating a sequence of station identifier signals uniquely associated with the particular dictate station, and manual signal generating circuitry operable by the operator for generating a second sequence of signals. Receipt of a predetermined number of signals in the station identifier and manual sequences renders the recorder operable by the dictator in a conventional manner. Control lines carry the sequences of signals to the dictation recorder. A decoder at the dictation recorder decodes the signals appearing on the control lines and prevents operation of the dictation recorder until receipt of the appropriate number of signals which identifies both the dictate station and other information manually entered by the operator.

Abstract: A time independent controller for a novel cassette changer is shown. A cassette changer including a plurality of limit switch inputs (210) and means for detecting occurrence of a failure during a change cycle. The total angular displacement of a driving motor is detected (422) and upon reaching a predetermined angle of displacement (437) a test for an appropriate input (418) is provided. In one disclosed embodiment a read only memory (465) determines the controller state (461-463). Apparatus (426, 427, 450) which is responsive only to the limit switch inputs closing in a pair wise proper sequence is also shown.

Abstract: A cassette changing mechanism including a plurality of followers with friction clutches thereon for moving cassettes. Limit switches serve a duel function as mechanical stops for the followers and for signaling a controller. Cassettes are moved to a record/playback position and to output stores simultaneously with positive drive to the output stores and spring linked drive the record/playback position to eliminate hard jams. The controller detects the failure of the changer to complete a subcycle of a complete change cycle and repeats an appropriate subcycle to attempt to correct a jammed condition.

Abstract: A cassette, apparatus, and method for obtaining selected segments of magnetic tape for storage or other purposes from a length of magnetic tape upon which information is recorded by a conventional cassette recorder. The cassette has means for removing a take-up reel and a selected segment of the magnetic tape attached to the take-up reel from the cassette while at the same time retaining the supply reel in operational position within the cassette. The apparatus includes means for positioning a second take-up reel relative to the cassette; tape positioning means for positioning a selected segment of the tape in a clamping position between the second take-up reel and a finger extending from the take-up reel, and means for clamping the segment of tape to the second take-up reel.

Abstract: A display device for use in a dictation transcription station comprising a plurality of selectively actuatable lighted segments (10). A pair of shift registers (25, 26) are used to retain information as to the location of recorded signals denoting ends of dictation segments and location of instructions. As rewound tape is transcribed a third shift register (27) creates a shutter comprising contiguous lighted segments which moves to the right during a transcription operation. Control circuitry (67, 62) allow shifting of the registers containing the end of segment and instruction marks to occur only when the tape is rewound past the farthest point reached during a previous rewinding operation. A display for a dictation recorder is also shown wherein a pair of up down counters (130, 145) control numerical displays representing the total length of tape used (20) and the length of the present dictation segment (21).

Abstract: A dictation system including means for manually or automatically providing a sequence of identifier signals, a decoder for decoding the identifier signals, and inhibiting means for rendering a dictation recorder inoperable in the absence of a predetermined sequence of identification signals. Control lines carry identifier signals which are electrically identical to control signals used to control the dictation recording functions of the dictation recorder. Identification signals may be generated automatically, by a keyboard, or by the dictate station normal function control switches. A decoder decodes the identification signals appearing on the control lines. Inhibiting means prevent the dictation recorder from recording dictation until receipt of a predetermined sequence of identification signals.

Abstract: A decision making control circuit responsive to a digital data stream. A control output is provided in response to detection of a predetermined number of successive digital words in the data stream representing numbers having a magnitude greater than a threshold magnitude. Once the control output is provided, a predetermined number of successive words in the data stream must have a magnitude less than the threshold magnitude to terminate the control output.

Abstract: A system for recording or transcribing dictation including means for selectively placing any one of a plurality of recording media, such as tape cassettes, in a position for recording or transcribing dictation on the media, a means for displaying parameters of the dictation recorded on the particular medium in the recording or transcribing position, a means for storing the parameters of dictation on said medium when it is removed from the recording or transcribing position, and a means for again displaying the stored parameters when said medium is returned to the recording or transcribing position. Disclosed embodiments of the storage and display means include a mechanical means, an electrical means utilizing a separate memory for each recording medium, and an electrical means utilizing an addressable memory having particular memory locations for each recording medium.

Abstract: A cassette, apparatus, and method for obtaining selected segments of magnetic tape for storage or other purposes from a length of magnetic tape upon which information is recorded by a conventional cassette recorder. The cassette has means for removing a take-up reel and a selected segment of the magnetic tape attached to the take-up reel from the casette while at the same time retaining the supply reel in operational position within the cassette. The apparatus includes means for positioning a second take-up reel relative to the cassette; tape positioning means for positioning a selected segment of the tape in a clamping position between the second take-up reel and a finger extending from the take-up reel, and means for clamping the segment of tape to the second take-up reel.

Abstract: A recording system for recording dictation originating at a plurality of dictate stations with a plurality of recorders and which provides for communication and monitoring functions between the dictate stations and a central control unit. In addition, the recording system provides for communication and monitoring functions between the central control unit and a plurality of transcriber stations at which the transcribing of dictation from a plurality of recorders is occurring. The monitoring functions include the monitoring of dictation being recorded by a selected recorder and of dictation being transcribed from a selected recorder and the communication functions include communication between a selected dictate station or a selected transcriber station and the central control unit.

Abstract: A system for providing input electrical signals, for processing the electrical signals to provide digital information, and for recording the processed electrical signals so that they may be retrieved from the system and the information recorded digitally visually presented by the system. The system is particularly well adapted for use with a multiple station dictation system in which the digital information embodied in the processed electrical signals includes the station from which a particular piece of dictation originated and the identification of the person who dictated it, the recorder upon which the dictation was recorded, information relating to the chronological order in which the dictation has been completed, and the length of the dictation. The system further provides means for recording this information on the tape at the end of each piece of dictation and for storing this information in a central storage.