US3756696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical image transfer apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-07
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for transferring a plurality of characters from a first medium wherein said characters are arranged in a first array to a second medium wherein the same characters are rearranged into a second array different from the first array. The technique employs an arrangement of mirrors or other optical elements positioned to optically divide the first array of characters into a plurality of segments and to then reassemble those segments together into the second array. The system is particularly designed for use in Computer-OutputMicrofilm recording units to transfer data from the face of an inexpensive cathode ray tube readout display to microfilm but may also be employed in many other image transfer operations. Large expensive CRT readout displays are thus eliminated for COM operations.
Inventors
- 👤 C Gardiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:31
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/1066; G02B27/14; G02B27/143; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a first medium having a first character array thereon, said first character array consisting of a plurality of substantially stationary characters arranged in a first number of lines; b. optical means for optically multIplying said first character array to produce a plurality of images of said first array; c. means for aligning a first portion of the first image of said first array with a second portion of the second image of said first array and so forth throughout said plurality of images of said first array to form an image of a second array consisting of said plurality of characters rearranged into a second number of lines; and d. means for placing said image of said second array of characters on a second medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a first medium having a first character array thereon, said first character array consisting of a plurality of substantially stationary characters arranged in a first number of lines; b. optical means for optically multIplying said first character array to produce a plurality of images of said first array; c. means for aligning a first portion of the first image of said first array with a second portion of the second image of said first array and so forth throughout said plurality of images of said first array to form an image of a second array consisting of said plurality of characters rearranged into a second number of lines; and d. means for placing said image of said second array of characters on a second medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first array comprises said characters arranged in a plurality of lines and said second array comprises said same characters rearranged into a single line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said optical means includes means for optically multiplying said first array to produce a number of images of said first array equal to the number of lines in said first array, and wherein said aligning means includes means for displacing said plurality of images relative to each other to align the first line of characters from the first image of said first array with the second line of characters from the second image of said first array and so forth throughout said plurality of images of said first array to form said single line of said characters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical means comprises a first plurality of reflecting means upon which said first array is imaged and a second plurality of reflecting means for receiving said images reflected off said first plurality of reflecting means and for placing said plurality of images in alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said aligning means comprises means for mounting said plurality of first and second reflecting means at an angle relative to said first array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second reflecting means comprise a plurality of parallel mirror pairs, said first array being imaged on the first mirror of each of said mirror pairs and reflected therefrom onto the second mirror of each of said mirror pairs for placing said plurality of images in alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further including masking means for placing only said second array on said second medium and for blocking all remaining portions of each of said plurality of images of said first array from said second medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |