Patent US3693515A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3693515A
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Optical reflector system
Assignee: VARI TYPER CORP
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Filing: 1971-04-30
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An optical reflector system is disclosed utilizing a plurality of reflecting surfaces forming a diverging tunnel to project a substantially uniform intensity on an optical surface spaced from the reflector system. The invention is suitable for use with optical projection systems and is able to compensate for the effects of other optical components within the projection system. The reflector system is applicable to high speed character projection as used in the photo-composition and photo-type setting arts.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0938; G02B27/0994; B; B41; B41B; B41B21/00; B41B21/08; B41B21/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An optical reflector system comprising, in combination, a first and a second reflecting surface forming two sides of a tunnel, said reflecting surfaces are each substantially perpendicular to a first reference plane and are each facing a second reference plane where said reference planes are mutually perpendicular, said tunnel having a first and a second aperture at the ends of said tunnel, means mounting said tunnel to allow light to enter said first aperture and reflect from said reflecting surfaces and to project from said second aperture to an optical surface spaced from said tunnel, means establishing said reflecting surfaces in a diverging relationship from one of said apertures to reinforce the light intensity at the extremities of said optical surface, and a plurality of diffuser means to diffuse light in directions substantially parallel to said reference planes producing a substantially uniform intensity on said optical surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical reflector system comprising, in combination, a first and a second reflecting surface forming two sides of a tunnel, said reflecting surfaces are each substantially perpendicular to a first reference plane and are each facing a second reference plane where said reference planes are mutually perpendicular, said tunnel having a first and a second aperture at the ends of said tunnel, means mounting said tunnel to allow light to enter said first aperture and reflect from said reflecting surfaces and to project from said second aperture to an optical surface spaced from said tunnel, means establishing said reflecting surfaces in a diverging relationship from one of said apertures to reinforce the light intensity at the extremities of said optical surface, and a plurality of diffuser means to diffuse light in directions substantially parallel to said reference planes producing a substantially uniform intensity on said optical surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of diffuser means includes a first, second, and third diffuser means, said first diffuser means being in proximity to said first aperture to diffuse unreflected light in a direction substantially parallel to said first reference plane, a second diffuser means being within said tunnel to diffuse light in a direction substantially parallel to one of said reference planes, and said third diffuser means being in proximity to said second aperture to diffuse light in a direction substantially parallel to the other of said reference planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said one of said reference planes is said second reference plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said third diffuser means diffuses light in a direction substantially parallel to said first and second reference planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second and third diffuser means includes lenticular screen means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first diffuser means includes a first diffuser and filter means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical reflector system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first diffuser includes transparent tube means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An optical projection system, comprising in combinatiOn, a light source, an image surface, a plurality of reflecting surfaces, means mounting said surfaces diverging from said light source to project light from said light source to said image surface, means establishing an object between said light source and said image surface to project an image of said object on said image surface, means varying the relative position of said image and said image surface along a first path, and said light source and said reflecting surfaces being fixed relative to said image surface along said first path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
An optical projection system, comprising in combinatiOn, a light source, an image surface, a plurality of reflecting surfaces, means mounting said surfaces diverging from said light source to project light from said light source to said image surface, means establishing an object between said light source and said image surface to project an image of said object on said image surface, means varying the relative position of said image and said image surface along a first path, and said light source and said reflecting surfaces being fixed relative to said image surface along said first path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical projection system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said reflecting surfaces are substantially flat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical projection system as set forth in claim 8, including diffuser means between said light source and said image surface resulting in said image being substantially uniform in intensity regardless of the position of said image on said image surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical projection system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said relative position varying means includes scanning means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical projection system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said image surface is a substantially linear field having a long length relative to the width thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical projection system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said light source includes a short duration electric arc, said duration of said electric arc being substantially proportional to the arc length thereof, said means establishing an object includes a rapidly high moving character matrix means wherein a given character is stroboscopically projected on said image surface, and said means mounting said surfaces produces a plurality of virtual image sources which optically increase said arc length to produce increased light output without an increase in arc duration.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of projecting characters from a matrix by a light source and a lens upon different positions of an optical surface with substantially uniform intensity comprising the following steps; moving the matrix to index the characters thereof, pulsing the light source in synchronization with the matrix to stroboscopically project a selected character through the lens to the optical surface, varying the position of the projected character on the optical surface producing a variation in an angle formed between the projected beam and the optical axis of the lens, and reinforcing the light to compensate for the variation in light transmittance of the lens produced by the variation of the angle between the projected beam and the optical axis of the lens.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of projecting characters from a matrix by a light source and a lens upon different positions of an optical surface with substantially uniform intensity comprising the following steps; moving the matrix to index the characters thereof, pulsing the light source in synchronization with the matrix to stroboscopically project a selected character through the lens to the optical surface, varying the position of the projected character on the optical surface producing a variation in an angle formed between the projected beam and the optical axis of the lens, and reinforcing the light to compensate for the variation in light transmittance of the lens produced by the variation of the angle between the projected beam and the optical axis of the lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein moving the matrix includes rotating a matrix wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein pulsing the light includes igniting a flash tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein pulsing the light includes directing light and reflecting light from the light source to the matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as set forth in claim 17, including attenuating the directed light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, including diffusing light propagating from the light source to the matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein varying the position includes moving a reflecting surface between the matrix and the optical surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein reinforcing the light is by light from the light source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein reinforcing the light includes creating virtual images of the light source to extend the effective length of the light source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein reinforcing the light includes reflecting light from the light source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein reinforcing the light includes reflecting light at an angle relative to an optical axis which angle is different from the angle of the incident light relative to the optical axis and wherein the optical axis interseCts the light source and the matrix.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical reflector system comprising, in combination, a first and a second reflecting surface forming two sides of a tunnel, said tunnel having a first and a second aperture at the ends of said tunnel, means mounting said tunnel to allow light to enter said first aperture and reflect from said reflecting surfaces and to project from said second aperture to an optical surface spaced from said tunnel, lens means between said tunnel and said optical surface, means establishing said reflecting surfaces in a diverging relationship from one of said apertures to reinforce the light intensity at the extremities of said optical surface; to compensate for the falloff of said lens means due to light entering non-parallel to the optical axis of said lens means, and diffuser means between said tunnel and said lens means producing a substantially uniform intensity on intensity on said optical surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical reflector system comprising, in combination, a first and a second reflecting surface forming two sides of a tunnel, said tunnel having a first and a second aperture at the ends of said tunnel, means mounting said tunnel to allow light to enter said first aperture and reflect from said reflecting surfaces and to project from said second aperture to an optical surface spaced from said tunnel, lens means between said tunnel and said optical surface, means establishing said reflecting surfaces in a diverging relationship from one of said apertures to reinforce the light intensity at the extremities of said optical surface; to compensate for the falloff of said lens means due to light entering non-parallel to the optical axis of said lens means, and diffuser means between said tunnel and said lens means producing a substantially uniform intensity on intensity on said optical surface.
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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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |