US3835998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Edge locating apparatus
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-02
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Flexible storage sheets of a laminar file assembly are sensed in multiple by stationary sensors. Resultant signals are used to control operation of a partitioning blade mechanism relative to randomly selected sheet interfaces and to verify integrity of such operation. Sheets unmasked by a cursor mask registered with the blade tip are sensed in multiple by stationary optics and photoelectronics. The photoelectronic signals are repeatedly sampled, staticized and counted by shifting and counting electronics. The count derived from each sample represents the instantaneous location of the blade tip relative to the sheets. The counts are used to indicate: sheet stability (e.g., for predictive or extrapolative control relative to continually moving sheets), instantaneous location of a specific sheet interface relative to the partitioning mechanism and/or integrity of a partitioning operation currently in progress. Due to the multiple sensing organization subject apparatus is virtually insensitive to transient error in the sensors or electronics. Errors are not cumulative since the count derived from each sample represents a complete information (addressing) entity.
Inventors
- 👤 R Cobb
- 👤 J Lipp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/02; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/021; G11B17/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a random access storage file assembly, including a stack of multiple relatively displaceable record sheets in closely spaced configuration coactive with access apparatus subject to variable positioning relative to said stack for securing access to confined surfaces of randomly designated sheets, locational apparatus useful to control positioning of the access apparatus comprising: means operable without physical movement relative to the assembly to simultaneously sense edges of all sheets located between a predetermined reference position and a varaible position in the assembly; said variable position having predetermined correspondence to the position of said access apparatus; and means coupled to said edge sensing means for producing electrical signals useful to instantaneously sample and count said edges and thereby track the instantaneous position of the access apparatus relative to a predetermined edge of a randomly designated sheet in the stack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a random access storage file assembly, including a stack of multiple relatively displaceable record sheets in closely spaced configuration coactive with access apparatus subject to variable positioning relative to said stack for securing access to confined surfaces of randomly designated sheets, locational apparatus useful to control positioning of the access apparatus comprising: means operable without physical movement relative to the assembly to simultaneously sense edges of all sheets located between a predetermined reference position and a varaible position in the assembly; said variable position having predetermined correspondence to the position of said access apparatus; and means coupled to said edge sensing means for producing electrical signals useful to instantaneously sample and count said edges and thereby track the instantaneous position of the access apparatus relative to a predetermined edge of a randomly designated sheet in the stack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises multiple discrete edge sensing devices arranged for discrete radiant energy communication with edges of any and all sheets in the stack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises an electronic scanning device arranged for radiant energy communication with said stack to provide scanning of an image of any and all of said sheet edges over a time interval which is short by comparison to the shortest time anticipated for the position of the access apparatus relative to the stack to vary by one sheet thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tracking means is operable to sample the output of said edge sensing means and produce said tracking signals at intervals shorter than the shortest time anticipated for the position of said access apparatus to vary relative to said stack by the thickness of a single sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensing and tracking means are operable alternately to track said access apparatus before and after displacement operations thereof relative to said stack, for access locational and verificational usage, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the sensing means comprises integrally co-packaged photocells and circuits in an LSI unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means comprises a source of light arranged to obliquely illuminate said edges and focusing optics positioned to image said light on said photocells after reflection from said edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein individual said devices are dimensioned smaller than the focused images of individual said edges so that said devices provide finely resolved discrimination of portions of said edges and spaces between successive said edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said record sheets are coaxially supported circular magnetic recording discs arranged to be continuously rotated at high speed relative to said access apparatus and locational apparatus and wherein said sensing and tracking means are co-operative to provide sampled tracking signals at intervals shorter than the time required for a single revolution of the discs; said tracking signals being useful independently of preceding tracking signals whereby error in individual said signals does not disable the access apparatus or require large re-positioning displacements thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the sensing means comprises monolithically co-packaged photocells and associated circuits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the photocells are arranged to receive focused light images of the said edges and of intercellular spaces between edges and dimensioned so that images of individual said edges are focused on plural said photocells tO permit fine grain positional discrimination of said individual edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the discs are thin flexible foils accessible by deformation so that said edges are subject to having a positional variations during a single said revolution, and the sensing and tracking means are organized to coactively track the motion of said discs relative to said access apparatus at fractional intervals within the period of a single revolution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the access apparatus includes a blade for selectively partitioning the path of rotation of the discs and said sensing and tracking means are operative to track the motion of the blade before it partitions the said path and to verify the positional integrity of the blade relative to said discs while it is effecting said partitioning.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the access apparatus comprises a rigidly suspended blade operative to selectively partition the path of rotation of the pack at randomly selected disc positions and wherein the sensing means is coactive with a sighting member mounted for movement in two positions, one in alignment with the tip of the blade when the rotation path is unpartitioned, so that said member is subject to being sensed as a positional reference for said blade tip, and the other position in an unobstructive relation to the sensing means while the blade is effecting said partitioning.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said disc edges are optically differentiated and said sensing means comprises photocells positioned to receive light incident obliquely upon and reflected from said edges.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein alternate said discs in said stack have varied diameters for edge delineation, wherein said edges are illuminated by light obliquely incident thereon and wherein said photocells are arranged to receive and react to said light upon reflection thereof from said edges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said light is provided by a pair of sources located symmetrically on opposite sides of a plane parallel to said discs and bisecting the stack.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |