Digital recording apparatus

Claim 1

Recording apparatus for recording either analog or digital input data in digital form in plural channels on an endless loop magnetic tape cartridge, the apparatus comprising: transport means receiving said tape cartridge in releasable operational affixture thereto, said transport means including plural recording heads disposed in parallel array across said tape in recording contact with said plural channels; means receiving and converting each of a plurality of channels of input data signals to serial binary coded decimal pulse signals; real time clock means generating serial binary coded decimal pulse signals indicative of real time; assembly means for storing binary coded decimal information in register such that said real time binary coded decimal pulse signals are fist recorded on said tape cartridge upon initiation of the recording, and said plural channels of binary coded decimal data pulse signals are recorded subsequently thereafter, said binary coded decimal data pulse signals for each channel of data input being recorded in sequential disposition on said tape cartridge; means for generating sequential preparity and parity pulse signals and for recording said sequential pulse signals on said magnetic tape serially after the last channel input of said plural channels of binary coded decimal pulse signals to signify termination of the recording sequence; control logic means periodically energizing said transport means for one recording sequence; and selector means enabling said control logic means periodically at one of a plurality of selected real time periods.