US3629495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanner with analog to digital signal conversion
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1969-03-03
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A scanner focuses a beam of radiant energy, in the order of one micron diameter, and this beam is scanned over a graphic representation, such as a photographic negative or film positive. The amount of radiant energy passing through the graphic representation varies with the density of the image at any given spot and is sensed by a transducer. This variable signal is converted to a digital signal which is recorded at regular intervals. The scanning movement and the recording frequency are both clocked from a crystal controlled oscillator, resulting in a precisely controlled digital signal output which is recorded for subsequent reproduction of the image represented.
Inventors
- 👤 Lysle D Cahill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a scanner for producing digital signals representative on a variable density basis of a graphic representation scanned line by line, the combination of means for producing a focused beam of radiant energy, means for supporting a graphic representation to be scanned by the beam, drive means connected to cause relative movement between the beam and the representation at a predetermined rate, a transducer responsive to variations in the beam after modulation of the beam by the representation, a converter connected to receive the analog output of said transducer and produce corresponding digital signals, and control means including a source of clock pulses connected to power said drive means and synchronously to gate the output from said converter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a scanner for producing digital signals representative on a variable density basis of a graphic representation scanned line by line, the combination of means for producing a focused beam of radiant energy, means for supporting a graphic representation to be scanned by the beam, drive means connected to cause relative movement between the beam and the representation at a predetermined rate, a transducer responsive to variations in the beam after modulation of the beam by the representation, a converter connected to receive the analog output of said transducer and produce corresponding digital signals, and control means including a source of clock pulses connected to power said drive means and synchronously to gate the output from said converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source of clock pulses includes a crystal controlled oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a scanner as defined in claim 1, an incremental recorder connected to receive the digital signals and store the same for further use in producing an image of the graphic representation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for producing a digital record on a variable density basis of a graphic representation scanned line by line, comprising means for producing a focused beam of radiant energy, means for supporting a graphic representation to be scanned by the beam, a transducer responsive to variations in the beam after modulation of the beam by the representation, a converter connected to receive the output of said transducer and to produce corresponding digital signals, a recorder connected to receive the digital signals and to store the same for subsequent reproduction of an image of the graphic representation, a first motor connected to cause scanning movement between the representation and the beam over one dimension of the representation, a second motor connected to cause stepping movement between the representation and the beam along the other dimension between successive scans, a source of clock pulses for powering said first motor, a sample counter also receiving pulses from said source, first switch means controlling the supply of pulses to said first motor, second switch means controlling the supply of said digital signals to said recorder, and a control for said second switch means responsive to a predetermined number of pulses in said sample counter for causing said second switch to inhibit further supply of digital signals to said recorder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for producing a digital record on a variable density basis of a graphic representation scanned line by line, comprising means for producing a focused beam of radiant energy, means for supporting a graphic representation to be scanned by the beam, a transducer responsive to variations in the beam after modulation of the beam by the representation, a converter connected to receive the output of said transducer and to produce corresponding digital signals, a recorder connected to receive the digital signals and to store the same for subsequent reproduction of an image of the graphic representation, a first motor connected to cause scanning movement between the representation and the beam over one dimension of the representation, a second motor connected to cause stepping movement between the representation and the beam along the other dimension between successive scans, a source of clock pulses for powering said first motor, a sample counter also receiving pulses from said source, first switch means controlling the supply of pulses to said first motor, second switch means controlling the supply of said digital signals to said recorder, and a control for said second switch means responsive to a predetermined number of pulses in said sample counter for causing said second switch to inhibit further supply of digital signals to said recorder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including means for stepping said second motor after the completion of each scanning movement and for reversing said first motor to produce successive parallel scans in opposite directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3272918A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |