Patent US3564209A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3564209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data storage and quick retrieval unit
Assignee: Tech Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1967-12-27
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1987-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A microfilm retrieval apparatus for information arranged on microfilm in rows of pictures separated by transverse binary coded arrays of light and dark bit areas forming a plurality of code words corresponding to a ''''book'''' number and alphabetical letters. The apparatus has a keyboard with 26 ''''letter'''' key switches and a group of numbered ''''book'''' key switches. Data is punched into the apparatus in several steps, first by actuating a ''''book'''' key and then by sequentially actuating first and second ''''letter'''' keys. The first and second input steps encode respective first and second binary words in memory modules, there being one module for each bit. At this point, the film is moved by drive means in the proper direction, as sensed by photocells receiving light through the coded arrays on the film strip, and the film stops when the photocells sense film bits corresponding with those encoded in the corresponding memory modules by a third key actuation step, to move the strip to a final position, as determined by photocells responding to a corresponding transverse coded bit array on the strip.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Loughnane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:31
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/22; G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0016; G06K17/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A data storage and quick retrieval unit comprising in combination an alpha-numerical switch keyboard consisting of a first group of data input switches and associated operating keys and a second group of data input switches and associated operating keys, matrix means connected to said switches for converting data p input punched on the keys of the two groups into respective binary code bits to form a binary code word for each group, memory means connected to said matrix means consisting of a plurality of bit modules, one for each code bit fm forming such binary code words, a microfilm strip carrying successive formation areas with transverse binary-coded arrays of light and dark bit areas between the information areas, each bit area corresponding to one of said bit modules, optical projection means adjacent the microfilm strip arranged to project the information areas on a screen, respective photocells connected to said bit modules and arranged in a transverse row on one side of the microfilm strip adjacent to anD aligned with the paths of movement of the bit areas, a lamp disposed transversely across the microfilm strip on the side thereof opposite said photocells, reversible drive means operatively connected to said microfilm strip, means to activate said drive means responsive to completion of first and second stages of data input comprising first actuating one of said first group of switches and then actuating one of said second group of switches, means to control the direction of said drive means after it has started in accordance with the response of the photocells connected to the bit modules forming the first binary coded word as the bit areas begin to pass over the photocells, and means to deactivate said drive means when the response of the array of photocells to an array of bit areas corresponds to the encoded bits of their associated bit modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A data storage and quick retrieval unit comprising in combination an alpha-numerical switch keyboard consisting of a first group of data input switches and associated operating keys and a second group of data input switches and associated operating keys, matrix means connected to said switches for converting data p input punched on the keys of the two groups into respective binary code bits to form a binary code word for each group, memory means connected to said matrix means consisting of a plurality of bit modules, one for each code bit fm forming such binary code words, a microfilm strip carrying successive formation areas with transverse binary-coded arrays of light and dark bit areas between the information areas, each bit area corresponding to one of said bit modules, optical projection means adjacent the microfilm strip arranged to project the information areas on a screen, respective photocells connected to said bit modules and arranged in a transverse row on one side of the microfilm strip adjacent to anD aligned with the paths of movement of the bit areas, a lamp disposed transversely across the microfilm strip on the side thereof opposite said photocells, reversible drive means operatively connected to said microfilm strip, means to activate said drive means responsive to completion of first and second stages of data input comprising first actuating one of said first group of switches and then actuating one of said second group of switches, means to control the direction of said drive means after it has started in accordance with the response of the photocells connected to the bit modules forming the first binary coded word as the bit areas begin to pass over the photocells, and means to deactivate said drive means when the response of the array of photocells to an array of bit areas corresponds to the encoded bits of their associated bit modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 1, and wherein said drive means has a high speed mode and a low speed mode, said bit modules being operatively connected to said drive means, and means to place the drive means in said low speed mode and reverse the drive means when an array of bit areas on the film strip corresponding to said encoded bits of the bit modules passes beyond said photocells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 1, wherein the drive means includes an electric motor and wherein said means to deactivate the drive means includes a frame registration bit area of reduced width at the end of each transverse binary-coded array, a gate photocell on said one side of the strip adjacent to and aligned with the path of movement of said frame registration bit area, stop relay means in circuit with said motor, and means to operate said stop relay means as a result of the response of said gate photocell to said frame registration bit area simultaneously with the response of said first-named photocells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 3, wherein said frame registration bit area comprises a relatively narrow clear area on the side marginal portion of the film strip with dark areas of substantial length ahead and behind said clear area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 3, and means to operate said stop relay means responsive to actuation of said one of said first group of switches at the first stage of data input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 5, and means removing previously encoded bits from the other bit modules when the bit modules connected to the matrix means associated with said actuated one of the first group of switches are encoded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 3, and means limiting the effective code-sensing action of said first-named photocells to positions of the film strip wherein said frame registration bit areas overly said gate photocell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 1, and wherein said memory means includes a plurality of additional bit modules to receive bits forming a third binary code word responsive to a third stage of data input comprising actuating any one of said second group of switches subsequent to the second stage of data input, the arrays of bit areas on the film strip including bit areas respectively corresponding to said additional bit modules, respective photocells being included in said transverse row to sense said last-named bit areas, and means to further control the drive means in accordance with the response of said last-named photocells following said third stage of data input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The data storage and quick retrieval unit of claim 8, and wherein said lamp comprises an elongated fluorescent lamp of sufficient length to cover all the photocells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |