Electronic web timer

Claim 1

In a video magnetic tape recorder system in which the tape is transported between supply and takeup storage means and means driving the tape between the storage means, in combination with a tape timer comprising: first means sensing the tape movement and providing an electrical pulse per each predetermined increment of tape movement; divider means connected to said first means receiving said pulses and providing a divided pulse signal having a predetermined ratio to the number of received pulses, said divider means being adjustable depending on the tape speed and video signal to provide different ratios between received pulses land the divided pulse signal issued thereby such that one electrical pulse signal is issued by said divider means for each movement of tape corresponding to a video frame; second means connected to said divider means counting said electrical pulse signal provided thereby and issuing an electrical signal of binary code format indicating the instantaneous count registered by said second means; direction sensing means for sensing the tape movement direction and providing a direction control signal and being connected jointly to said divider means and said second means, said direction means operating said second means to cause a change in the direction in the counting operation thereof in response to a change in the direction control signal, and when such change in direction control signal occurs during a fractional tape movement intermediate a video frame, said direction sensing means operating said divider means to delay dividing pulses until the tape is transported the corresponding fractional movement in the reverse direction; and decoder means for receiving the binary code format signals and providing drive signals to drive a display means indicating the count registered by said second means and tape position corresponding thereto.