US3685902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiche camera device
Assignee: U S DYNAMICS Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A fiche camera is described for exposing frames on a film strip which subsequently is converted to a matrix array of photographic frames on a fiche, and the camera includes a fiche coordinate counting and display device, a shutter for exposing the photographic frames of the film strip, a film transport for advancing the strip film, and camera controls which include a record mechanism that automatically initiate operation of the shutter, the film transport, and the fiche coordinate counting and display device each time the record mechanism is operated. The fiche coordinate counting means visually displays the fiche coordinates of fiche number, column number, and frame number to the operator as documents are recorded.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Blackert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/46; G03B27/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
315 words
A fiche camera for exposing frames on a film strip which subsequently is converted to a matrix of photographic frames disposed in columns and rows, said camera including: a film transport for advancing a film strip, a shutter for exposing frames on a film strip, fiche coordinate counting means, a control arrangement coupled to the fiche coordinate counting means, the shutter, and the film transport, a source of electrical power connected to the control arrangement, said control arrangement including a master reset relay, a cycle permissive relay, a record cycle relay, a motor power relay, an index cycle relay, and a transfer reset relay, a master reset switch coupled to said master reset relay for operating the master reset relay, a record switch coupled to said record cycle relay for operating said record cycle relay, a skip switch coupled to said record cycle relay for operating said record cycle relay, a limit switch having first and second contacts, said first contact connecting said source of power to said motor power relay, and said second contact connecting said source of power to said index cycle relay, first means connecting the fiche coordinate counting means and the transfer reset relay for operating said transfer reset relay whenever the fiche coordinate counting means registers given values, second means connected to the fiche coordinate counting means and the index cycle relay for operating the index cycle relay each time the fiche coordinate counting means registers given values, and third means connected to the cycle permissive relay and the fiche coordinate counting means for permitting the operation of the cycle permissive relay whenever the fiche coordinate counting means registers a count less than a given value, and additional switch means connected to said third means, said third means and said additional switch means operating the cycle permissive relay whenever both of said third and said additional switch means are operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
315 words
A fiche camera for exposing frames on a film strip which subsequently is converted to a matrix of photographic frames disposed in columns and rows, said camera including: a film transport for advancing a film strip, a shutter for exposing frames on a film strip, fiche coordinate counting means, a control arrangement coupled to the fiche coordinate counting means, the shutter, and the film transport, a source of electrical power connected to the control arrangement, said control arrangement including a master reset relay, a cycle permissive relay, a record cycle relay, a motor power relay, an index cycle relay, and a transfer reset relay, a master reset switch coupled to said master reset relay for operating the master reset relay, a record switch coupled to said record cycle relay for operating said record cycle relay, a skip switch coupled to said record cycle relay for operating said record cycle relay, a limit switch having first and second contacts, said first contact connecting said source of power to said motor power relay, and said second contact connecting said source of power to said index cycle relay, first means connecting the fiche coordinate counting means and the transfer reset relay for operating said transfer reset relay whenever the fiche coordinate counting means registers given values, second means connected to the fiche coordinate counting means and the index cycle relay for operating the index cycle relay each time the fiche coordinate counting means registers given values, and third means connected to the cycle permissive relay and the fiche coordinate counting means for permitting the operation of the cycle permissive relay whenever the fiche coordinate counting means registers a count less than a given value, and additional switch means connected to said third means, said third means and said additional switch means operating the cycle permissive relay whenever both of said third and said additional switch means are operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a cartridge of film is disposed in the camera, said master reset switch includes a shaft with a knob thereon, said shaft being rotatably mounted adjacent to the film cartridge, said knob being rotatable to one position which prevents removal of the cartridge and to a second position which permits its removal, said master reset switch energizing said master reset relay when the knob is rotated to the second position whereby the master reset relay is operated to reset said fiche coordinate counting means to the home position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
307 words
A fiche camera arrangement for recording documents on photographic frames of a film strip which thereafter is converted to an array of photographic frames on a fiche, said camera arrangement including: a reel for holding strip film, transport means coupled to said reel of strip film for advancing the film, shutter means for exposing frames of film, record means coupled to the shutter means, the record means being operated to actuate the shutter, fiche coordinate counting means coupled to the record means, the fiche coordinate counting means responding to the operation of the record means to register the number of the frame in a fiche column which is disposed behind the shutter, the number of the fiche column for such frame, and the number of the fiche in the reel of film for such column, the fiche coordinate counting means including a first counter for counting the frames in a fiche column, a second counter for counting the fiche columns, and a third counter for counting the fiches in a reel of film, means connecting the record means to the first counter which operates the first counter each time the record means is operated, means connecting the first counter to the second counter which operates the second counter each time there is an overflow carry condition produced by the first counter when it registers its maximum count, control means connecting the second counter to the third counter, said control means being operated when the second counter reaches a predetermined count thereby to operate the third counter, display means coupled to the first counter, the second counter, and the third counter which visually presents the frame number in a column registered by the first counter, the fiche column number registered by the second counter, and the fiche number in a reel of film registered by the third counter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
307 words
A fiche camera arrangement for recording documents on photographic frames of a film strip which thereafter is converted to an array of photographic frames on a fiche, said camera arrangement including: a reel for holding strip film, transport means coupled to said reel of strip film for advancing the film, shutter means for exposing frames of film, record means coupled to the shutter means, the record means being operated to actuate the shutter, fiche coordinate counting means coupled to the record means, the fiche coordinate counting means responding to the operation of the record means to register the number of the frame in a fiche column which is disposed behind the shutter, the number of the fiche column for such frame, and the number of the fiche in the reel of film for such column, the fiche coordinate counting means including a first counter for counting the frames in a fiche column, a second counter for counting the fiche columns, and a third counter for counting the fiches in a reel of film, means connecting the record means to the first counter which operates the first counter each time the record means is operated, means connecting the first counter to the second counter which operates the second counter each time there is an overflow carry condition produced by the first counter when it registers its maximum count, control means connecting the second counter to the third counter, said control means being operated when the second counter reaches a predetermined count thereby to operate the third counter, display means coupled to the first counter, the second counter, and the third counter which visually presents the frame number in a column registered by the first counter, the fiche column number registered by the second counter, and the fiche number in a reel of film registered by the third counter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: master reset means is connected to said first, second, and third counters, said master reset means including a switch which is operated to operate simultaneously each one of the first, second, and third counters to a given position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the first counter is a decade counter, the second counter is a two stage counter having first and second stages, each stage having a decade counter, means connecting the decade counter of the first stage to the decade counter of the second stage for operating the decade counter of the second stage each time the decade counter of the first stage passes through its maximum count, the third counter is a counter which counts in the scale of 12, and said control means connecting the second counter to the third counters responds to a fiche column count of Seventeen in the second counter and operates the third counter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said first counter has a predetermined count designated the home position, said second counter has a predetermined count designated the home position, said third counter has a predetermined count designated the home position, and further means is connected to said control means and said second counter, and said further means responds to a fiche column count of 17 in said second counter and resets said second counter to the home position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the first, second, and third counters employ electromechanical counters, each said electromechanical counter including a set of readout contacts, a set of control contacts, wiper arms for the readout and control contacts, a moveable display mechanism which displays the count registered by the counter, and a solenoid operated mechanism to operate the wiper arms and the display mechanism, said electromechanical counters retaining their registered count when de-energized whereby their registered count is not lost in the event power is terminated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: master reset means is connected to said first, second, and third counters, said master reset means including a switch means which is operated to advance simultaneously each one of the first, second, and third counters to the home position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: a source of half-wave rectified alternating current power is connected to the master reset means, and the half-wave rectified alternating current is supplied to the solenoid operated mechanism of each one of the first, second and third counters thereby to advance each counter simultaneously to the home position whenever said switch means is operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: an end film lamp is connected to given readout contacts of said third counter whereby said end film lamp is operated whenever the wiper arm of said third counter engages said given readout contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
281 words
A fiche camera arrangement for recording documents on photographic frames of a film strip which is converted after being developed to an array of photographic frames on a fiche, said camera arrangement including: a reel for holding strip film, transport means coupled to said reel of strip film for advancing the film, shutter means for exposing frames of film, record means coupled to the shutter means, the record means being operated to actuate the shutter, fiche coordinate counting means coupled to the record means, the fiche coordinate counting means responding to the operation of the record means to register the number of the frame in a fiche column which is disposed behind the shutter, the number of the fiche column for such frame, and the number of the fiche in the reel of film for such column, cycle permissive means, first control means coupled to the cycle permissive means and the record means, said first control means being operated by said cycle permissive means to permit operation of said record means, second control means coupled to the cycle permissive means and the record means, said second control means being operated by said record means to inhibit operation of said cycle permissive means, whenever said record means is operated, and third control means coupled to the record means and the transport means, said third control means being operated by the transport means after each frame of strip film is advanced to deactivate said record means, whereby said record means once operated cannot be operated again to actuate the shutter until the transport means advances the film strip to a new frame thereby preventing double exposures on any given frame on the film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
281 words
A fiche camera arrangement for recording documents on photographic frames of a film strip which is converted after being developed to an array of photographic frames on a fiche, said camera arrangement including: a reel for holding strip film, transport means coupled to said reel of strip film for advancing the film, shutter means for exposing frames of film, record means coupled to the shutter means, the record means being operated to actuate the shutter, fiche coordinate counting means coupled to the record means, the fiche coordinate counting means responding to the operation of the record means to register the number of the frame in a fiche column which is disposed behind the shutter, the number of the fiche column for such frame, and the number of the fiche in the reel of film for such column, cycle permissive means, first control means coupled to the cycle permissive means and the record means, said first control means being operated by said cycle permissive means to permit operation of said record means, second control means coupled to the cycle permissive means and the record means, said second control means being operated by said record means to inhibit operation of said cycle permissive means, whenever said record means is operated, and third control means coupled to the record means and the transport means, said third control means being operated by the transport means after each frame of strip film is advanced to deactivate said record means, whereby said record means once operated cannot be operated again to actuate the shutter until the transport means advances the film strip to a new frame thereby preventing double exposures on any given frame on the film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further including: display means coupled to the fiche coordinate counting means for displaying the number of the frame in a column, the number of the column In a fiche, and the number of the fiche in a reel of film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the fiche coordinate counting means includes a first counter for counting the frames in a column, a second counter for counting the columns of a fiche, and a third counter for counting the fiches in a reel of film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further including: master reset means connected to said first, second, and third counters, said master reset means including a switch which is manipulated to operate simultaneously each one of the first, second, and third counters to a given position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: the first, second, and third counters employ electromechanical counters, each said electromechanical counter including a set of readout contacts, a set of control contacts, wiper arms for the readout and control contacts, a moveable display mechanism which displays the count registered by the counter, and a solenoid operated mechanism to operate the wiper arms and the display mechanism, said electromechanical counters retaining their registered count when de-energized whereby their registered count is not lost in the event power is terminated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: master reset means is connected to said first, second, and third counters, and said master reset means includes a switch means which is operated to advance simultaneously each one of the first, second, and third counters to given positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: a source of half-wave rectified alternating current power is connected to the master reset means, and the half-wave rectified alternating current is supplied to the solenoid operated mechanism of each one of the first, second, and third counters thereby to advance each counter simultaneously to said given positions whenever said switch means is operated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: means is connected to said transport means which is manipulated to operate said transport means and thereby advance the film in the camera by one frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: an end film lamp, said end film lamp being connected to selected readout contacts of said third counter whereby said end film lamp is operated whenever the wiper arm of said third counter engages said selected readout contacts.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further including: indexing means, said indexing means being connected between a given readout contact of said first counter and said transport means, said indexing means operating said transport means to advance the film by one frame whenever the wiper arm of said first counter engages said given readout contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |