US3744890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for searching for desired information
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-10-09
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1990-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for searching for desired recorded information, such as records on relatively long lengths of microfilm, is effective both to select a group of frames containing the desired information and to select the particular frame or frames within the group containing the desired information. The microfilm is provided, along one marginal edge, with an identification mark correlated with each frame and having a transparency different from that of the remainder of the film margin, and the microfilm is further provided with additional identification marks along the opposite margin of the microfilm, of the same type as those along the first mentioned margin, and each related to a group of frames. Respective photoelectric transducer means scan both sets of identification marks and provide output pulses which are supplied to a counting circuit. When the film is moving in an arbitrary forward direction, the output pulses are counted and compared with preset number set in a register. When the microfilm is moving in the opposite direction, the pulses are subtracted and compared with the preset number in the register. The register is connected to a comparator which is also connected to the pulse counter, and the comparator controls a means for moving the microfilm in either the forward direction or the reverse direction.
Inventors
- 👤 K Suzuki
- 👤 H Yamashita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0016; G06K17/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
401 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information from long recording media having information recorded thereon in successive frames, said system comprising, in combination, frame identification marks, each associated with a single frame, located on one marginal portion of each medium; frame group identification marks, each associated with a single item of information recorded in at least one frame, located on another marginal portion of each medium; a pair of first transducer elements operable to scan said frame identification marks as a medium is moved longitudinally past said first transducer elements; a pair of second transducer elements operable to scan said frame group identification marks as the medium is moved longitudinally past said second transducer elements; the transducer elements of each pair being arranged in spaced tandem relation longitudinally of the path of movement of a medium; respective detecting means connected to each transducer element and operable to provide output pulses respective to each identification mark scanned by the associated transducer element; medium movement direction sensing means connected to the detecting means connected to said first transducer elements and operable to sense the direction of medium movement in accordance with the sequence of first pulses produced by scanning of said frame identification marks by said first transducer elements; pulse counting means connected to said detecting means and to said medium movement direction sensing means to count the number of successively scanned second pulses produced by scanning of said frame group identification marks by said second transducer elements; comparator means connected to said pulse counting means and operable to compare the number of frame groups counted with the number of frame groups corresponding to a record to be selected, and to issue a command to move the medium in a forward direction, when the number of frame groups counted is smaller than the number corresponding to the record to be selected, to move the medium in a reverse direction when the number of frame groups counted is greater than the number corresponding to the record to be selected, and to stop movement of the medium when the two numbers agree with each other; and moving means connected to said comparator means and receiving commands issued by said comparator means, said moving means being operable to move the medium longitudinally past said transducer elements in either the forward or the reverse direction, and to stop movement of the medium at a preselected frame group.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
401 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information from long recording media having information recorded thereon in successive frames, said system comprising, in combination, frame identification marks, each associated with a single frame, located on one marginal portion of each medium; frame group identification marks, each associated with a single item of information recorded in at least one frame, located on another marginal portion of each medium; a pair of first transducer elements operable to scan said frame identification marks as a medium is moved longitudinally past said first transducer elements; a pair of second transducer elements operable to scan said frame group identification marks as the medium is moved longitudinally past said second transducer elements; the transducer elements of each pair being arranged in spaced tandem relation longitudinally of the path of movement of a medium; respective detecting means connected to each transducer element and operable to provide output pulses respective to each identification mark scanned by the associated transducer element; medium movement direction sensing means connected to the detecting means connected to said first transducer elements and operable to sense the direction of medium movement in accordance with the sequence of first pulses produced by scanning of said frame identification marks by said first transducer elements; pulse counting means connected to said detecting means and to said medium movement direction sensing means to count the number of successively scanned second pulses produced by scanning of said frame group identification marks by said second transducer elements; comparator means connected to said pulse counting means and operable to compare the number of frame groups counted with the number of frame groups corresponding to a record to be selected, and to issue a command to move the medium in a forward direction, when the number of frame groups counted is smaller than the number corresponding to the record to be selected, to move the medium in a reverse direction when the number of frame groups counted is greater than the number corresponding to the record to be selected, and to stop movement of the medium when the two numbers agree with each other; and moving means connected to said comparator means and receiving commands issued by said comparator means, said moving means being operable to move the medium longitudinally past said transducer elements in either the forward or the reverse direction, and to stop movement of the medium at a preselected frame group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 13, including single frame checking means connected to the outputs of only the detecting means connected to said first transducer elements; and connected to said moving means, to step the recording medium by one frame at a time within the frame group corresponding to the record to be selected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 1, in which said pulse counting means produces frame group counting pulses responsive to detection of a frame group identification mark when all the frame identification marks and one frame group identification mark, associated with one frame group, have been detected; said comparator means comparing the frame group counting pulses with the frame identification pulses to effect coNtrol of the travel of the medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 1, in which said frame identification marks and said frame group identification marks constitute the only recorded information identification marks on each medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 1, in which said identification marks are relatively elongated; the longitudinal spacing of the transducer elements of each pair being less than the length of the associated identification marks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 5, in which said transducer elements are photoelectric transducer elements, and the recording medium is a microfilm; said transducer elements being positioned adjacent one surface of a microfilm; a first light source adjacent the other surface of the microfilm in alignment with said first transducer elements; and a second light source positioned adjacent the other surface of said microfilm in alignment with said second transducer elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 6, in which said identification marks comprise areas of the microfilm having a transparency different from that of the remaining area of the microfilm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 1, in which said comparator means includes a counter connected to said movement direction sensing means and to said counting means and operable, when a medium is moving in a forward direction, to add the counted pulses and, when a medium is moving in a reverse direction, to subtract the counted pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for selectively retrieving recorded information, as claimed in claim 8, in which said comparator means includes a register containing said preselected number; said comparator being connected to said register, said counter and said moving means.
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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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |