Method and apparatus for magnetic-optical printing

Claim 2

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing comprising, in combination in the following sequential operating order: a. magnetic recording means forming a magnetic image of subject matter to be recorded upon a light-transparent magnetic medium comprising a light-transparent support carrying distributed particulate magnetic material affixed to the surface of said support reserved as the magnetic recording surface in a density preserving substantial optical transparency throughout said support, b. decorate means dispensing magnetic toner on said recording surface of said magnetic medium defining an adherent optical mask of said image, c. a photographic recording medium-exposure light source subassembly provided with means for the interposition between said photographic recording medium and said exposure light source of said maGnetic medium carrying said adherent optical mask of said image, and d. means actuating said exposure light source to emit exposure radiation through said optical mask onto said photographic recording medium.

Claim 3

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 1 wherein said photographic recording medium-exposure light source subassembly is of a type such that the exposure radiation is primarily in the ultraviolet range.

Claim 4

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 1 responsive to sequential subject matter input provided with means effecting step-by-step sequential operation coordinated in sequence with receipt of said subject matter input.

Claim 5

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 1 wherein said subject matter to be recorded is received as a sequential electrical pulse digital code information input to be printed upon said magnetic medium advanced linearly to accommodate said information input spacewise provided, in series connection, with (1) a multirank shift register receiving said input in series sequence and (2) an array of multibit shift registers advancing said input in parallel, said multibit shift registers (2) being provided with individual symbol recognition gates effecting selective formation of said magnetic image of said subject matter to be recorded in sequence corresponding to said information input.

Claim 6

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 1 wherein said subject matter to be recorded is received as a sequential electrical pulse digital code information input to be printed upon said magnetic medium advanced linearly to accommodate said information input spacewise provided, in series arrangement, with (1) magnetic write-in means recording said pulse code information input along a first track of said magnetic medium reserved for information input receipt, (2) individual symbol recognition sensors disposed along said first track detecting the spaced arrival of individual items of said information input and (3) individual magnetic write-in means responsive to said individual symbol recognition sensors effecting selective formation of said magnetic image of said subject matter to be recorded in sequence corresponding to said information input along a second track of said magnetic medium reserved for said optical printing.

Claim 7

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 3 provided in sequence after said photographic recording medium-exposure light source subassembly with electromagnetic means stripping said magnetic toner from said light-transparent magnetic medium.

Claim 8

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 6 provided in sequence after said electromagnetic means stripping said magnetic toner from said light-transparent magnetic medium with magnetic erase means restoring said light-transparent magnetic medium to uniform magnetized condition suitable for subsequent magnetic reimaging utilization.

Claim 9

Apparatus for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 7 wherein said light-transparent magnetic medium comprises an endless flexible belt.

Claim 10

Method for magnetic-optical printing utilizing a photographic recording medium which is exposed to an associated light source, comprising, in sequence: a. forming a magnetic pattern imaging the subject matter to be printed upon a light-transparent uniformly magnetized magnetic medium comprising a light-transparent support carrying distributed particulate magnetic material affixed to the surface of said support reserved as the magnetic recording surface by characteristic magnetization of said particulate magnetic material constituting the image of said subject matter to be printed to a condition of different receptivity for ferromagnetic toner as contrasted with the adjacent background of said magnetic medium, b. decorating said recording surface of said magnetic medium with a ferromagnetic toner defining an adherent optical mask of said image, c. interposing said magnetic medium carrYing said adherent optical mask of said image between said photographic recording medium and said associated light source, and d. actuating said light source to emit exposure radiation through said optical mask onto said photographic recording medium.

Claim 11

Method for magnetic-optical printing utilizing a photographic recording medium which is exposed to an associated light source, comprising, in sequence: a. forming a magnetic pattern imaging the subject matter to be printed upon a light-transparent uniformly magnetized magnetic medium comprising a light-transparent support carrying distributed particulate magnetic material affixed to the surface of said support reserved as the magnetic recording surface by characteristic magnetization of said particulate magnetic material constituting the image of said subject matter to be printed to a condition of different receptivity for ferromagnetic toner as contrasted with the adjacent background of said magnetic medium, b. decorating said recording surface of said magnetic medium with a ferromagnetic toner defining an adherent optical mask of said image, c. interposing said magnetic medium carrYing said adherent optical mask of said image between said photographic recording medium and said associated light source, and d. actuating said light source to emit exposure radiation through said optical mask onto said photographic recording medium.

Claim 12

A method for magnetic-optical printing according to claim 9 wherein the step (d) of said printing is effected using ultraviolet radiation.