BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe electrical utility field has in recent years increased its use of recording devices which are capable of automatically providing computer-compatible information relating to the use and operation of the electrical distribution systems which supply power to the ultimate consumer. Typically, such recorder devices have application in customer study analysis, load survey work, load monitoring, automatic billing, data collecting and the like.
In load survey work, by way of example, the recorder device may be used to provide a data record which is of assistance to the utility company in its evaluation of the load conditions for the different types of customers, and further in the evaluation of the rate structures which are reasonably used for the types of loads involved.
The same recorder device may also be used to record information for billing purposes, whereby labor costs and possible errors in billing are reduced. In yet another application, such type recorder device may be used tO provide a detailed record of information which permits more accurate evaluation of system performance. By way of example, the system engineers for a utility company may find reason to be concerned about the coincident load values at two or more points in the electrical distribution system of such utility. In such instances, a recording device may be located at each point of service to record the information for each demand interval, and the sum of all loads during a demand interval can be readily determined by a careful and studied review of the recorded information.
In yet other instances, the utility engineers may be required to provide information which supports proposed rate schedules, or for justification of existing rate schedules, and the recorded data provided by the recorder device provides the basis for the establishment of fair and equitable rate assignments. These and other uses for and of recorder survey devices are well known in the field.
While pulse recorder equipment has been known heretofore for such purposes, there is a need for a more flexible and reliable type recorder unit which provides data records of such field information.
It is an object of the invention therefore to provide a device which is so operative, and specifically which has the ability to provide a magnetic tape recording of data relating to the load measured by a utility meter along with a time reference in a form which is compatible for use with available data processing equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe survey recorder of the invention basically comprises a two-track cassette recorder including recorder circuitry having a first section responsive to low voltage data input pulses to record a data track on the cassette tape, and a second section responsive to timing pulses to provide a time track recording which identifies predetermined time intervals in which data recording occurs. NRZ recording format is used for the recording of both data and time information, a change in polarity occurring on the data track with the receipt of each data pulse input to the first section, and a change in polarity in the time track occurring with the input of each timing pulse input to the second section.
The data input source in a preferred embodiment comprises a novel pulse initiator circuit which utilizes a light-emitting diode and a phototransistor with solid state circuitry to detect each rotation of a meter disc. A Schmitt trigger is utilized for level sensing to reduce probabilities of the recording of false pulses due to irregularity to disc motion. A solid state divider driven by the Schmitt trigger output provides an arrangement whereby various pulse ratios may be programmed to the data section of the recorder circuitry.
A power output circuit generates a distinctive signal which is recorded on the time track only when a power outage of greater than twenty seconds duration occurs, whereby switching transients and voltage dips will not effect an improper indication of power outage.
The novel power outage code as provided by such circuit consists of (a) two one-half amplitude pulses of the same polarity immediately following one another, (b) the second one-half amplitude pulse of the pair occurring at the time of transition of the interval timing switch (c) half amplitude measurements which are determined by comparison of the relative amplitude of the incoming pulse to the average amplitude of the previous five pulses.
The survey recorder thus provides not only a reliable record of customer load and demand data, but additionally provides a reliable indication of any interruption in the continuity of the data recording.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSFIGS. 1 and 2, as placed in adjacent relation, set forth a preferred embodiment of the novel survey recorder;
FIG. 1A discloses a calibrated meter disc for use with the survey recorder;
FIG. 1B is a showing of the pulse output of the pulse initiator for one revolution of the meter disc;
FIGS. 3A, 3C set forth representative current flows over data head and time head; and,
FIGS. 3B, 3D set forth the playback waveforms which occur as a result of the current flow of FIGS. 3A, 3C over the data and track heads during recording.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTIONWith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, thesurvey recorder circuit 10 of the present disclosure basically comprises a watthour meter M arranged for connection to a 110 or 220 volt AC source for measuring the power used by a consumer, asynchronous motor 27 connected to the AC source for operating thetap drive 20 of a cassettetape recorder unit 14 viagear drive 21, and for also driving acam 26 in the periodic generation of timing pulses, aDC power supply 18 connected to the AC source for providing DC power to the survey recorder circuitry, apulse initiator circuit 12 for providing data pulses representative of the amount of power measured by the meter M, and arecorder circuit 16 including atime record circuit 15 and a data record circuit 17 for providing data and time signals to the two heads of the data and time record heads DH, TH of therecorder 14, alogic control circuit 127 for thetime record circuit 15 and apower outage circuit 125.
DC Power SupplySource 18DCpower supply circuit 18 which is connected overconductors 22, 24 to the 120 volt (or 240 volt) AC source is operative to provide a 12.5 volt DC output overconductors 38 and 49 to thepulse initiator circuit 12 and therecorder circuit 16 respectively.
More specifically,conductors 22, 24 conduct the AC source to the primary winding 29P of atransformer 29 which provides a 12.5 volt AC output across its secondary winding 29S.Surge protector 28 is connected across the primary winding 29P, andcapacitor 30 is connected over secondary winding 29S for the purpose of attenuating and filtering high frequency noises from the output of thetransformer 29. The 12.5 volt DC output of thetransformer 29 is rectified byfull wave rectifier 32, the output of which in turn is filtered bycapacitor 34, and applied acrossload resistor 36 to theDC supply conductor 38 for thepulse initiator 12 and overDC supply conductor 49 for therecorder circuit 16.
Sync Motor 27Synchronous motor 27 has itsinput conductors 23, 25 connected directly across the AC source, and is continuously operable whenever AC power is input to the meter M. In one embodiment shown in the copending application of Murray C. Carney and David G. Hart, filed as of even date for Load Survey Recorder and assigned to the assignee of this invention, thesync motor 27 viagear train 21 drives thetape drive 20 of a cassette recorder to advance the tape T past the time record head TH and the data record head DH ofrecorder 14 at approximately 1/900 ips.Gear train 21 simultaneously drives a single lobe cam 26 (FIG. 2) which operates an associated microswitch SW1 to provide a timing pulse every 15 minutes of operation of the synchronous motor 22. As will be shown, such pulses in turn enable thecontrol circuit 127 to control thetime record circuit 15 to record a discrete timing signal on the cassette tape to indicate the times of occurrence of the 15 minute intervals, and further to indicate power outages which exceed 20 seconds in duration.
Pulse Initiator CircuitPulseinitiator circuit 12 is operative withmeter disc 10 of meter M to provide digital pulses to therecorder circuit 16, each of which represents a predetermined number of rotations of themeter disc 10 of the watt-hour meter M. As is known in the art, a conventional watthour meter, such as the type commercially available from Sangamo Electric Company, Springfield, Illinois, as a J4 meter, normally locates a dark zone 11 (see FIG. 1a) on the underside of the meter for use in meter calibration during meter assembly in the plant. In the present embodiment,pulse initiator circuit 12 includes a light-emitting diode 40 (FIG. 1) which is mounted to direct its light output toward the underside ofmeter disc 10 for reflection back to a phototransistor 41. In each revolution of themeter disc 10, as the black zone 11 is moved into the area of light engagement with the under surface of thedisc 10, the reflected light is reduced significantly to the phototransistor 41.
In operation, the light output of the light-emitting diode 40 which is directed toward themeter disc 10 is normally reflected back to the phototransistor 41 to enable the phototransistor 41 to provide a first output signal. As the dark zone 11 on thedisc 10 moves into the area of light output of diode 40, the absence of reflected light to the phototransistor 41 will cause the phototransistor 41 to provide a second or different signal output. As will be shown, the changing signal outputs of phototransistor 41 are used to generate data pulses which represent a count of the meter disc revolution for recording purposes.
More specifically, a light-emitting diode 40 is connected overconductor 38 to the 12.5 volt output ofDC supply source 18, and viatransistor 42 and resistor 44 to ground. Light emitting diode 40 therefore provides a light output whenever power is present at the 120 volt AC (or 240 volt) input.Transistor 42 connected in series with diode 40 operates in known manner to provide a constant current for the diode 40.Resistor 43 is connected toconductor 38 and provides current to the 5.1 volt Zener 48 anddiode 46 which forms a constant voltage supply overconductors 47 and 50 to the components of thepulse initiator circuit 12.Diode 46 is connected in series with Zenerdiode 48 across the base-emitter circuit oftransistor 42 in a temperature-compensating mode. With such an arrangement the normally negative temperature coefficient of the base to emitter junction oftransistor 42 is compensated by the nagative temperature coefficient ofdiode 46.
The constant voltage onconductor 50 is connected to phototransistor 41 and a Schmitttrigger circuit 64, and the constant voltage onconductor 47 is connected over abuffer circuit 52 comprised ofdiode 54 andcapacitor 56 andconductor 58 to integrateddivider circuit 84.Buffer circuit 52 minimizes momentary flickers which may occur in the current supplied overconductor 58 to theprogrammable divider circuit 84, and thereby the possibility of false counts by the divider circuit.
Phototransistor 41 and diode 40 may be of the type commercially available as Fairchild FPA 103. Phototransistor 41 is located, as shown, to have its base element respond to the output light of diode 40 as reflected from the underside ofmeter disc 10. Phototransistor 41 conducts during the period that the light output of the diode 40 is reflected by themeter disc 10 to the base element of phototransistor 41, and is less conductive during the period that the dark zone reduces reflection of such light. The collector current output of transistor 41 is fed overresistor 62 to the input circuit fortrigger circuit 64. The trigger circuit 63 includes afirst transistor 66 having its emitter element connected overcommon emitter resistor 72 toconstant voltage conductor 50, its base element connected overresistor 62 to the output of phototransistor 41, and its collector element connected overresistor 68 to ground. The collector oftransistor 66 is also connected overresistor 70 to the base element of thesecond transistor 76 in thetrigger circuit 64.Transistor 76 has its base element further connected overbias resistor 74 to the constantvoltage supply conductor 50; its emitter element connected common with the emitter oftransistor 66 overresistor 72 to theconstant voltage conductor 50; and its collector connected overresistor 78 to ground, and also to the base ofdrive transistor 80.
Transistor 80 has its emitter element connected to ground, and its collector connected overresistor 82 toconstant voltage conductor 58, and to inputpin 1 of thedivider circuit 84, which may be of the type commercially available from RCA as CD4024AE.
The output ofdivider circuit 84 may be taken fromterminals 12, 11, 9, or 6 which respectively causes a change in the logic output after the input of 2, 4, 8, or 16 pulses toterminal 1 by thetrigger circuit 64, whereby different pulse output rates may be selectively programmed by connecting theresistor 86 to correspondingly different ones of the outputs ofdivider 84. The selected output ofdivider 84 is fed overresistor 86 toamplifier transistor 88, and thence overoutput conductor 90 to the data track circuit 17 inrecorder circuit 16.
Operation ofPulse Initiator Circuit 12Meter disc 10 rotates as shown at a speed which is proportional to the amount of energy being used by the load. As noted above, the light output of light-emitting diode 40 is normally reflected by the underside of themeter disc 10 to the base of the phototransistor 41. Once in each such rotation of themeter disc 10, light is reflected from the light-emitting diode 40 to the phototransistor 41 to change the signal output of phototransistor 41 to triggercircuit 64.
During the period that the light output of light-emitting diode 40 is reflected to phototransistor 41 the collector voltage of phototransistor 41 is low, and such signal as applied to the base element oftransistor 66 in thetrigger circuit 64drives transistor 66 into saturation. The collector voltage oftransistor 66 in turn goes more positive, and the resultant positive-going signal at the base oftransistor 76causes transistor 76 to turn off. Withtransistor 76 turned off, the voltage of the collector oftransistor 76 decreases, and the driver amplifier oftransistor 80 likewise is turned off. Withdrive transistor 80 off, the voltage at the collector oftransistor 80 is high (i.e., alogic 1 signal) and alogic 1 signal is input to the divider 84 (seelogic 1, interval WX--FIG. 1B).
Assuming now that themeter disc 10 rotates to bring the dark zone 11 on themeter disc 10 into position to reduce the reflection of the light output from diode 40 to phototransistor 41, the transistor 41 turns off to provide a positive-going signal to thefirst transistor 66 of thetrigger circuit 64.Transistor 66 turns off to thereby causetransistor 76 to turn on. The signal output to the base oftransistor 80 is now positive-going andtransistor 80 turns on to cause the voltage at its collector to drop, and provide a logic zero output to the input fordivider circuit 84.Divider circuit 84 responds to the leading edge of each negative-going pulse by adding a count. The divider however does not respond (i.e., add a count) with the occurrence of each positive-going trailing edge which occurs as the dark zone 11 on themeter disc 10 moves out of the path of the light output of diode 40. At such time, the light output of diode 40 is once more reflected to transistor 41, the phototransistor 41 turns on,transistor 66 turns on,transistor 76 turns off, andtransistor 80 turns off to provide the leading edge of alogic 1 pulse to divider circuit 84 (Y, FIG. 1B). As noted above, thedivider circuit 84 does not respond to such signal. Thetrigger circuit 64 provides alogic 1 output to dividercircuit 84 until the next time phototransistor 41 turns off by reason of the reduction of the reflected light by the dark zone 11 onmeter disc 10.
As noted,divider circuit 84 adds a count for each negative-going pulse output from thetrigger circuit 64. After a predetermined number of such counts are recorded,divider circuit 84 changes the signal output over circuits C1-C4. In the disclosed embodiment,divider 84 is programmable by suitable positioning ofresistor 86 to provide a change in the pulse output for each 1, 2, 4 or 8 revolutions ofmeter disc 10. Thus, if the pulse output ofdivider circuit 84 over conductor C3 is alogic 0, the divider circuit will change such output to alogic 1 as the fourth negative going pulse is input to thedivider circuit 84 from thetrigger circuit 64.
The pulse output ofdivider circuit 84 is amplified byamplifier 88 and fed over acable 90 to the data record circuit 17 in therecorder circuit 16.
A greater number of pulse ratios may be provided in conjunction with the solid state divider circuit by painting the disc with an additional number of dark zones. Thus, for example, 16 dark zones such as illustrated zone 11 may be located on the disc, whereby each of the seven stages of thedivider circuit 84 may be used to provide pulse ratios of R/P=4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.0625.
An electronic multiplying circuit may also be used in conjunction with a different number of dark zones on the disc and theelectronic divider circuit 84 to in effect provide any practical fractional pulse ratio desired. In such arrangement the output of thetrigger circuit 64 detecting the multiple dark zones is fed to thedivider circuit 84 as before and the output of the divider circuit is fed to a programmable multiplier circuit (not shown). The output of the multiplier circuit is in turn fed totransistor 88. The divider and multiplier circuit are preferably programmable so that integer division and multiplication from about 1 to 10 for various pulse ratios can be obtained. The unusual flexibility provided by such circuitry will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
The duration of the successive pulses output by pulse initiator circuit 12 (FIG. 1B) will vary in direct relation to the speed of rotation of themeter disc 10, which is, in turn, determined by the rate of power consumption by the load being measured.
Recorder Circuit 16Therecorder circuit 16 includes a data recorder head (DH) 94 for recording the data inpulses received overconductor 90 from the pulse initiator circuit on one track of the magnetic tape T, and a time record head (TH) 98 which provides a record of each 15 minute interval of operation of the watthour meter M.
Both date and time information are recorded in the NRZ (non-return to zero) format, a continuous direct current flow being provided over the recording head RH, TH whenever AC power is present on the power circuit being monitored. The direction of current flow overhead 94 in the data record circuit 17, and therefore the polarity of the tape magnetization is controlled by the signals output overconductor 90 by thepulse initiator circuit 12. That is, with the input of each pulse overconductor 90 to the data record circuit 17 bypulse initiator circuit 12, the direction of current overdata record head 94 is reversed to change the polarity of tape magnetization.
A chart (FIG. 3a) shows the current flow over the data head DH with the receipt of a representative set of pulses frompulse initiator circuit 12. It will be seen from FIG. 3a that the polarity of the current changes as each successive pulse is input from thepulse initiator circuit 12, the duration of each polarity pulse varying directly with the amount of power consumed by the user. That is, the rate at which the pulses output overconductor 90 by thepulse initiator circuit 12 vary directly with the amount of power being measured by the watthour meter M, and since the tape is driven at a fixed rate, the duration of the polarity pulse recorded will vary directly with the duration of the pulse input overconductor 90 and the amount of power being used.
Data Record CircuitData record circuit 17 basically includes arecording head 94 which has one end connected overresistance 102 to 12.5 DC volts onconductor 49, and its other end connected overresistors 114 and 104 to the 12.5volt supply conductor 49. Transistor 100, which is operative to determine the direction of flow of current over thedata recording head 94, includes a collector connected overresistor 102 to the 12.5DC supply conductor 49, an emitter connected to ground, and a base connected overdiodes 106,resistor 108 andresistor 104 to the 12.5volt DC conductor 49, and a forward bias circuit includingparallel resistor 110 andcapacitor 112 connected across the base-emitter circuit of transistor 100 to ground. The base of transistor 100 is also connected overdiodes 106,resistor 108 to theoutput conductor 90 of thepulse initiator circuit 12.Resistors 104, 108 anddiodes 106 provide a 2-volt bias level which minimizes operation of transistor 100 in response to spurious noises which might appear onconductor 90 of thepulse initiator circuit 12.RC filter 110, 112 is a noise suppression circuit for further assisting in minimization of improper operation of transistor 100.
Data RecordingAs noted above, data is recorded on the data track in an NRZ format, the data track circuit 17 being operative to effect reversal of the direction of current flow over data head 94 with each change in the polarity of the signal output overconductor 90 from thepulse initiator circuit 12.
It will be recalled that with each four revolutions of the meter disc, the signal output from thepulse initiator circuit 12 changes. Thus, if the signal onconductor 90 was alogic 0, the output signal onconductor 90 changes to logic 1 (and vice versa) with each four complete revolutions of themeter disc 10.
Assuming initially that the signal onconductor 90 is a logic 1 (see FIG. 1b) such signal as applied overresistor 108,diodes 106 to the base-emitter circuit of transistor 100 causes transistor 100 to turn on, and current flows over a path which extends from +12.5 volts DC overresistor 104, 114 and data head 94 (from minus to plus) and transistor 100 to ground. With such current flow overdata head 94, a negative polarity signal is applied to the magnetic tape (pulse interval A in FIG. 3a).
Control transistor 100 remains in such condition for the period that four complete revolutions ofmeter disc 10 occur. At such time, the signal output frompulse initiator circuit 12 overconductor 90 changes to alogic 0, and the direction of current flow over data head 94 is reversed to provide a positive polarity signal to the magnetic tape (pulse interval B, FIG. 3b). That is, with the application oflogic 0 overconductor 90 andresistor 108 anddiodes 106 to the base emitter circuit of transistor 100, transistor 100 is biased off, and current flows over a path which extends from +12.5 volts DC overresistor 102, data head 94 (from plus to minus), resistor 114 throughtransistor 88 ofpulse initiator circuit 12 to ground.
The plus to minus current flow continues during the period that four more revolutions ofmeter disc 10 occur at whichtime divider circuit 84 changes the state of its output tologic 0 to causetransistor 88 to be turned off, and thereby provide alogic 1 output over conductor 90 (pulse interval C--FIG. 3a) to turn transistor 100 on and cause the current to once more flow overdata record head 94 from minus to plus.
By integrating the leading edge of each pulse on the data track, data playback signals, such as shown in FIG. 3b are provided, which signals give an accurate representation of the number of revolutions ofmeter disc 14.
As will now be shown, time information is recorded on a second track of tape T to provide a time reference for the recorded data, whereby the amount of power used in successive periods of time can be accurately determined from the playback signals.
Time Track Circuit 15Synchronous motor 27 (FIG. 1) viagear train 21 drives acam 26 to operate switch Sw1 to moveswitch arm 132 to open contacts B and close contacts A for approximately 30 seconds to initiate each 15 minute interval (see pulse interval F--FIG. 3c). As will be shown, with switch SW1 in its normal position (i.e., as shown in FIG. 2switch arm 132 connects ground to contacts B), current flows overtimer head 98 from right to left to provide a negative polarity signal for the tape time track. During the 30 second interval in which switcharm 132 closes contacts A the current flow overhead 98 is from plus to minus to provide a positive polarity signal on the time track (see pulse interval F--FIG. 3c). At the end of the 30 second interval,cam 26 causes theswitch arm 132 to once more connect ground to contacts B, and thereby reverse the direction of flow of the current overtime period head 98 to provide a negative polarity signal to the time track for the next 141/2 minutes (pulse interval E--FIG. 3c).
Time recording circuit 15 also includes apower outage circuit 125 which will not provide a record of power outages which are less than 20 seconds in duration, and which reestablishes current flow in thetime record head 98 in the same direction as existed prior to the interruption.Power outage circuit 125 is further operative to recognize power interruptions which last more than 40 seconds, and when power returns to provide a distinctive marking signal on the track by preventing restoration of current flow over thetime track head 98. During such period zero current level is applied totime head track 98 and a half amplitude pulse results (interval KL--FIG. 3c). As the switch SW1 operates to provide a pulse, as noted above, which initiates the end of 15 minutes of meter operation, thepower outage circuit 125 operates to reestablish current flow through the time record head TH which by reason of the previous zero current level (interval KL--FIG. 3c) results in a second half amplitude pulse on the tape (interval LMN--FIG. 3c). At the end of the 30 second period MN, the timing pulse causes current flow to be reversed to provide a negative polarity pulse (interval NOP--FIG. 3c) and the system operates to record time pulses in the normal manner until a further power outage occurs.
The format recorded on the tape where a power outage occurs thus comprises two half amplitude pulses with a location and polarity which violate the requirements of a legitimate time pulse to thereby provide marking of power outages in a new and unusual pattern. In the playback format (FIG. 3d), the power outage code may be recognized by (a) the detection of two 1/2 amplitude pulses of the same polarity immediately following one another, (b) the second 1/2 amplitude pulse occurring at the time of the microswitch operation, (c) and for reliability comparing the relative amplitude of the incoming pulse to the average amplitude of the previous five pulses. The operation of the time record circuit in the provision of such tape record is now set forth.
Time track circuit 15 basically comprises first and secondcurrent control transistors 117, 118 which are enabled in their operation by acontrol circuit 127, apower outage circuit 125, and switch SW1 in a manner to be described. Whenevercontrol transistor 117 is caused to conduct, a path is established for thetime record head 98 which extends from +12.5 volts DC onsupply conductor 49 over diode 116,transistor 117 and in parallel overresistor 121 to ground, and overtime record head 98 from plus to minus and overresistors 119, 120 to ground. Whenevercontrol transistor 118 conducts, a current path is established for thetime record head 98 which extends from +12.5 volts DC onsupply conductor 49 over diode 116,transistor 118 and a parallelcircuit including resistor 120 in one leg, andresistor 119,head 98 from minus to plus andresistor 121 to ground in the second leg.
To summarize, withcontrol transistor 117 enabled, a positive polarity signal is recorded on the time track, and withcontrol transistor 118 enabled, a negative polarity signal is recorded on the time track. If neither of thetransistors 117, 118 is conducting, zero current is supplied to the time track.
Power Outage CircuitThe stage oftransistors 117, 118 is controlled bycontrol circuit 127, switch SW1 andpower outage circuit 125.Power outage circuit 125 includes atiming capacitor 130 which is connected over resistor 131 anddiode 115 to the 12.5 volts DC onconductor 49. Adischarge resistor 122 is connected between the positive plate ofcapacitor 130 and ground, and the junction ofresistors 131, 122 andcapacitor 130 is connected overresistor 123 toterminal 5 of alatch circuit 124 which includes a pair ofNAND gates 126, 128 connected in a latching configuration wheneveroutput terminal 4 of gate 126 is connected to inputterminal 2 ofgate 128 and the output terminal 3 ofgate 128 is connected to theinput terminal 6 of gate 126. Apower input terminal 14 on gate 126 inlatch circuit 124 is also connected withcapacitor 137 overdiode 129 to the 12.5 volt DC onconductor 49.
Capacitor 137 furnishes DC power to thelatch circuit 124 allowing it to operate for at least the first 40 seconds of loss of power onsource conductor 49.
With reference to latchcircuit 124,input terminal 1 on thesecond gate 128 oflatch 124 is connected (a) overresistor 138 to 11.8 volt DC, (b) overcapacitor 140 anddiode 144 to contact B of switch SW1, and further to inputterminal 12 ofNAND gate 134, (c) overcapacitor 146, diode 150 to contacts A of switch SW1 and further to input terminal 8 of NAND gate 136. The junction ofcapacitor 140 anddiode 144 is connected overresistor 142 to 11.8 volts DC, and the junction ofcapacitor 146 and diode 150 is connected overresistor 148 to 11.8 volts DC.
The signal output oflatch circuit 124 is connected to an input terminal ofNAND gate 134 and NAND gate 136, the outputs of which directly control the state oftransistors 117, 118.
Input terminal 12 ongate 134 is connected viadiode 154 to the output of gate 136, and input terminal 8 of gate 136 is connected viadiode 153 to the output ofgate 134 to assist in maintaiing eachgate 134, 136 in a known state while switch SW1 is making its transition from A to B or vice versa.
The output ofgate 134 is connected viaresistor 156 to the base element oftransistor 117, alogic 0 output fromgate 134 effecting conduction oftransistor 117, and alogic 1 output effecting turnoff oftransistor 117. In like manner, the output of gate 136 is connected viaresistor 160 to the base element oftransistor 118, thelogic 1 output from gate 136, effecting turnoff ofcontrol transistor 118 and thelogic 0 output effecting conduction ofcontrol transistor 118.
Operation ofTime Record Circuit 15As the circuitry is first connected to the 120 or 240 volt power source (or at such time as the power has been off for a period of over 40 seconds),transistors 117 and 118 will be turned off by reason of the reset condition oflatch circuit 124 as will be shown.
As the 120 volt (or 240 volt) AC power is restored,capacitor 130 will begin to change over the path which extends fromconductor 49 viadiode 115, resistor 131 andcapacitor 130 to ground. Whilecapacitor 130 is charging, the voltage signal atterminal 5 of gate 126 will be significantly less than the 11.8 volts DC, and will in effect comprise alogic 0 signal input toterminal 5. Power supplied onterminal 14 of gate 126 viadiode 129 will be 11.8 volts DC.
Since gate 126 is a NAND gate, withlogic 0 atterminal 5 theoutput terminal 4 will be alogic 1 andterminal 2 ofgate 128 will also be alogic 1, (i.e., with any input atlogic 0, a NAND gate outputs alogic 1 and with both inputs at logic 1 a NAND outputs a logic 0).
Since 11.8 volts DC (logic 1) is also applied overresistor 138 toterminal 1 ofNAND gate 128, bothinput terminals 1 and 2 are alogic 1 and output terminal 3 ofgate 128 will be atlogic 0. Thelogic 0 output ofgate 128 is connected to (a)terminal 6 of gate 126, thus providing feedback to the latch circuit 124 (b)terminal 13 ofgate 134, and (c) terminal 9 of gate 136.
Withinput terminal 13 atlogic 0, the output ofNAND gate 134 will belogic 1 andtransistor 117 will be turned off. In like manner with input terminal 9 of NAND gate 136 atlogic 0, the output of gate 136 will belogic 1 andtransistor 118 will be turned off. Withtransistors 117 and 118 turned off, there will be no current flowing through thetime recording head 98. Such circuit condition (i.e., zero level current flow over time record head 98) occurs whenever the AC power is first applied to the system, or whenever the power is restored after more than 40 seconds of a power outage, and such circuit condition continues to prevail until the next operation of switch SW1 bycam 26 andsynchronous motor 27.
During such period after startup and prior to operation of switch SW1, thelogic 0 output fromgate 128 toterminal 6 of gate 126 holdslatch circuit 124 stable in such condition (i.e.,logic 0 output) even thoughcapacitor 130 meanwhile charges to 11.8 volts DC to change the signal onterminal 5 of gate 126 fromlogic 0 to logic 1 (i.e., withlogic 0 onterminal 6, the gate 126 will provide alogic 1 output).
Operation of Switch SW1Assynchronous motor 27drives cam 26 to the camming position, a new 15 minute timing interval is initiated (and assuming the switch SW1 is in the illustrated contact position B) switcharm 132 is moved from contact B to contact A bycam 26 to provide a timing pulse to controlcircuit 127. That is, asswitch arm 132 operates to close contacts A, ground is connected to the junction of diode 150 and terminal 8 ongate 134. With the connection of ground to contact A, such ground instantaneously appears via diode 150 andcapacitor 146 atterminal 1 ongate 128 oflatch circuit 124. Withlogic 0 onterminal 1 ofgate 128, terminal 3will output logic 1 to (a)terminal 13 ofgate 134, (b) terminal 9 of gate 136 and (c)terminal 6 of latch gate 126.
Sinceterminal 5 of latch gate 126 was atlogic 1, asterminal 6 of gate 126 goes tologic 1, theoutput terminal 4 of gate 126outputs logic 0 toterminal 2 ofgate 128 to maintain alogic 1 output fromgate 128.
Simultaneous with connection of ground to contacts A, a charging circuit is completed forcapacitor 146 which extends from +11.8 volts Dc overresistor 138,capacitor 146, diode 150, contacts A, andswitch blade 132 to ground.Capacitor 146 starts charging towards +11.8 volts at a rate determined by the value ofresistor 138 andcapacitor 146. After a predetermined time determined by the RC characteristics of such circuit,capacitor 146 is fully charged andlogic 1 appears atterminal 1 ofgate 128. However, the state of such gate does not change sincelogic 0, as noted above, is input toterminal 2 by gate 126 of latch circuit 124 (and continues to be until such time as a power outage of greater than 40 seconds occurs).
Returning now to controlgates 134, 136, aslogic 1 is output bylatch circuit 124 toterminals 13 and 9 ofgates 134, 136,transistor 117 is turned on andtransistor 118 is held off. That is,switch blade 132 at this time has connected ground (logic 0) over contact A to terminal 8 of NAND gate 136, and the output of gate 136 remains atlogic 1, wherebytransistor 118 remains in the off position.
However, theswitch arm 132 in engagement with contact A, ground is removed from contact B, and alogic 1 signal is applied from the +11.8 volt DC source overresistor 142, anddiode 144 toterminal 12 ofgate 134. Withlogic 1 input toterminal 12,logic 0 is output fromgate 134 overresistor 156 to the base oftransistor 117 to turn ontransistor 117.
Astransistor 117 conducts, current flows from the 12.5 voltsDC source conductor 49 over diode 116,transistor 117, and a parallel circuit having a firstleg including resistor 121 to ground, and a secondleg including resistor 119,time record head 98 from + to - andresistor 120 to ground to provide a positive polarity polarity pulse on the tape. With reference to the time track head current curve shown in FIG. 3c, such current flow is represented by the initial portion F of the waveforms shown thereat.
As described above,switch blade 132 is controlled to connect ground to contact A for a period of approximately 30 seconds, and during each such period the current flow overhead 98 results in the recording of the first time pulse shown in the time track head current curve of FIG. 3c (pulse interval F).
As the timing interval of approximately 30 seconds is completed, the synchronous motor rotatescam 26 to moveswitch arm 132 from contact A and into engagement with contact B.
With reference first to latchcircuit 124, the reconnection of ground to contact B byswitch arm 132 results in aninstantaneous logic 0 signal overcapacitor 140 which appears atterminal 1 ofgate 128. However, since the latch circuit is outputtinglogic 1 at the time by reason of thelogic 0 onterminal 2, there will be no change in thelogic 1 output oflatch circuit 124 toterminal 13 ofgate 134 and terminal 9 of gate 136.
With connection of ground over contacts B, logic 0 (ground) is also applied toterminal 12 of gate 134 (logic 1 is being applied toterminal 13 by latch circuit 124), andgate 134 will provide alogic 1 output overresistor 156 to the base oftransistor 117 to turn offtransistor 117, and thereby terminate the current flow from positive to negative overtime track head 98.
Switch arm 132 in its engagement with contact B also completes a charging circuit forcapacitor 140, which extends from +11.8 volts DC overresistor 138,capacitor 140 anddiode 144, contacts B and switcharm 132 to ground. Ascapacitor 140 charges in the direction of +11.8 volts, the signal applied toterminal 1 ofgate 128 changes tologic 1; however,latch circuit 124 continues tooutput logic 1 by reason of thelogic 0 input toterminal 2 ofgate 128 by gate 126.
Moreover, with the removal of ground byswitch arm 132 from contacts A, alogic 1 signal is applied from the +11.8 volts source overresistor 148, diode 150 to terminal 8 of gate 136. Withlogic 1 input to both terminals 8, 9 of gate 136, the output of gate 136 changes tologic 0 which as applied overresistor 160 to the base oftransistor 118, causestransistor 118 to conduct. Atransistor 118 conducts, a current path is completed from +12.5 volts DC over diode 116,transistor 118, and time track head 98 (minus to plus) and a parallel circuit including a first leg comprised ofresistor 119 andresistor 121 to ground, and a secondleg including resistor 120 to ground.
The flow of current in such direction overtime track head 98 results in a negative polarity pulse as shown in FIG. 3c for a period of approximately 141/2 minutes, and atsuch time cam 26 operatesswitch arm 132 to cause ground to be connected to contacts A and provide a further positive pulse on the time track which initiates the start of a second 15 minute interval.
Such operation continues until such time as the tape on the cassette is exhausted, which, in the embodiment shown in the copending application, results in approximately 35 days of data accumulation.
Power OutageAs noted above, a novel power outage circuit provides a recorded indication of power interruptions which are in excess of 40 seconds. Power interruptions lasting more than 40 seconds nominally will be recognized as a true power outage condition and when the power returns, the power outage circuit prevents current flow over the time track head. At the time of generation of the next timing signal, the power outage circuit is reactivated and current through the record head is reestablished.
a. Power Interruption of Less Than 20 Seconds
Assuming that during normal operation of the device a power outage of less than 20 seconds occurs,capacitor 137 in thetime record circuit 15 begins to discharge overlatch circuit 124 andresistors 123 and 122 to ground. The tine constant of the RCcircuit including capacitor 137,latch 124 andresistor 123, 133 is in the order of 40 seconds. Accordingly,latch circuit 124 will remain latched, and thecontrol transistors 117, 118 do not change state. There is therefore no power outage signal recorded on the time track to indicate the occurrence of such momentary condition.
b. Power Outage of Over 20 Seconds
Assuming now that a power outage occurs for a period of greater than 20 seconds,capacitor 130 will discharge completely, and since a power outage has occurred, there will be no power to the circuit elements includingtime head 98. The circuit remains in such condition until power is once more reapplied. At such time, thepower circuit 125 operates as initially described. Briefly,logic 0 onterminal 5 of gate 126 results in alogic 1 output from gate 126 toterminal 2 ofgate 128.Gate 128outputs logic 0, andlatch circuit 124 is latched to continue tooutput logic 0 even though the signal input toterminal 5 of gate 126 later changes tologic 1 ascapacitor 130 charges to its full capacity.
Withlogic 0 output bygate 128 toterminals 13 and 9 ofgates 134, 136 respectively, the output ofgates 134 and 136 are atlogic 1 andtransistors 117, 118 are turned off to interrupt the current flow over thetime track head 98 untilswitch arm 132 is later operated bycam 26 to start a further timing interval.
With reference to FIG. 3c, the legend "Power Off" indicates the manner in which the signal recorded on the tape is interrupted as a power outage occurs, and the manner in which the signal level on the tape goes to zero to provide a first half pulse as power is returned (i.e., neither negative or positive polarity current flows during the period immediately following startup, sincetransistors 117 and 118 are maintained off until such time as the 15 minute interval switch SW1 is once more operated).
Assuming the switch was in the illustrated position with contact B closed at the time of the power outage, with the later closure of contact A bycam 26, thelogic 0 signal viacapacitor 146 toterminal 1 ofgate 128 causeslatch circuit 124 to output alogic 1 toterminals 9 and 13 ofgates 134 and 136. Asswitch arm 132 closes contact A, gate 136 holdstransistor 118 off, andgate 134 turnstransistor 117 on to cause the current to flow overhead 98 from positive to negative while the contact A is maintained closed, as shown at LMN in FIG. 3c, to thereby provide a second half amplitude pulse. After approximately 30 seconds of meter operation,switch arm 137 moves from contact A and engages contact B, andtransistor 118 is turned on andtransistor 117 is turned off to effect current flow overhead 98 from negative to positive as shown at NOP in FIG. 3a.
At a time determined by the nature of the useage of this equipment the cassette tape is removed from the recorder and played back over tape processing equipment having a conventional playback head for the purpose of retrieving the recorded information. Assuming the information shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c has been recorded on the tape, the playback signal provided will be as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3d. It will be seen that a power outage is readily recognized from the characteristics of the playback signal.
After such information has been retrieved, the tape is subjected to an A.C. erasure to return the tape to a zero bias condition in preparation for reuse. As a precaution all tapes are A.C. erased before forwarding to the user.