Patent US3622690A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3622690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic scanner utilizing a laser for the simultaneous scanning and reproducing of images
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1968-09-26
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1988-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An electronic color scanner scans original patterns such as photographs, pictures, etc. to provide a plurality of photographic film color separation negatives (or positives) of the original pattern. The color separations are subsequently processed into printing plates for printing color reproductions of the original pattern. The scanner utilizes a laser that simultaneously functions to scan the original pattern as well as to provide the light for producing the color separations. The laser reproducing light is also modulated to produce pulses having sizes corresponding to the tones in the original pattern so as to provide screened color separations of the original pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur W Stephens
- 👤 John J Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/48; H04N1/486; H04N1/488; H04N1/04; H04N1/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A scanner for scanning an original pattern to produce a tonal representation thereof on a photosensitive recording medium, comprising in combination, laser means for providing first and second laser beams, means for scanning said original pattern with said first laser beam to provide a tonal signal representative of said original pattern, a counter coupled to count said timing pulses means for gating a preselected output of said counter with said tonal signal to produce a sequence of tonal signal pulses, an electro-optical modulator coupled to modulate said second laser beam, means for applying said pulses to said modulator to modulate said second laser beam to produce a sequence of output pulses having varying intensities that correspond to said tonal signal pulses, and means for applying said output pulses to said photosensitive recording medium to produce halftone dots having sizes related to the intensities of said tonal signal pulses to produce a halftone replica of said original pattern on said recording medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A scanner for scanning an original pattern to produce a tonal representation thereof on a photosensitive recording medium, comprising in combination, laser means for providing first and second laser beams, means for scanning said original pattern with said first laser beam to provide a tonal signal representative of said original pattern, a counter coupled to count said timing pulses means for gating a preselected output of said counter with said tonal signal to produce a sequence of tonal signal pulses, an electro-optical modulator coupled to modulate said second laser beam, means for applying said pulses to said modulator to modulate said second laser beam to produce a sequence of output pulses having varying intensities that correspond to said tonal signal pulses, and means for applying said output pulses to said photosensitive recording medium to produce halftone dots having sizes related to the intensities of said tonal signal pulses to produce a halftone replica of said original pattern on said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 1 wherein said photosensitive recording medium comprises, a high gamma photographic film exhibiting a light intensity threshold characteristic, below which intensity said film is insensitive to light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 1 wherein said laser means includes, a plurality of lasers for producing output laser beams, means for combining said output laser beams into said first laser scanning beam, and means for generating a plurality of timing pulses during the scanning of said original pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 1 wherein said laser means comprises a single laser preselected to radiate light of a plurality of discrete wavelengths corresponding to additive primary colors to form said first laser scanning beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said lasers emit monochromatic light in the red, green, and blue regions of the light spectrum only.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 5 wherein said monochromatic light signals are separately extracted from said scanning beam after scanning said original pattern to derive color separations of said original pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 4 wherein said discrete color wavelengths are separately extracted from said scanning beam after scanning said original pattern to derive color separations of said original pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanner in accordance with claim 5 wherein said extracted color signals are color corrected and then applied to control said optical modulator.
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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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |