US3770882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video reproduction system for photographic and other images
Assignee: GAF Corp
•
Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved system for reproducing transparent photographic and other film images and the images of opaque objects on a television screen is provided in which the television picture tube upon which the image is displayed is utilized as a flying spot scanner to emit pulsating beams to sample the image. Each such beam from the tube is focused upon the image by a suitable lens. A photo-detector is positioned to receive the light from the television tube which passes through or is reflected from the image and is responsive to the intensity of such light, which varies with the optical density or reflectance of the image, to produce electrical signals related thereto. The signals are amplified, filtered to eliminate that portion representing screen brightness decay, and returned via a sample and hold feedback circuit to the television unit to modulate the intensity of the screen illumination at any instantaneous spot in accordance with the signal intensity representing the corresponding spot on the image, and thereby reproduce the image upon the screen. This invention is adaptable for still and motion picture reproduction, black-and-white and color reproduction, and positive to positive and negative to positive reproduction, and may be readily employed in a home television entertainment system.
Inventors
- 👤 O Szymber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/11; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A video reproduction system for displaying photographic and other images on a television screen comprising: a television picture tube adapted to cyclically emit a multiplicity of sampling beams from its screen raster during each scan thereof; means to focus said sampling beams upon the image to be reproduced; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such portion of each sampling beam which is focused upon the image representing the tonal density of the image at any instantaneous point thereon, and responsive to the intensity of such light to produce electrical signals corresponding thereto; and feedback circuit means, connecting said light-sensitive means and the television tube including means to cyclically pulse the tube to effectuate the emission of said sampling beams, and to cyclically modulate the intensity of the screen illumination at each screen point corresponding to the instantaneous image point upon which each sampling beam is focused in accordance with the intensity of the signals generated by said lightsensitive means to reproduce the image upon the television screen; and a high pass filter juxtaposed between the light sensitive means and the feedback circuit means adapted to filter out that portion of each signal generated by the light sensitive means during the decay time of each sampling beam, to avoid screen persistance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A video reproduction system for displaying photographic and other images on a television screen comprising: a television picture tube adapted to cyclically emit a multiplicity of sampling beams from its screen raster during each scan thereof; means to focus said sampling beams upon the image to be reproduced; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such portion of each sampling beam which is focused upon the image representing the tonal density of the image at any instantaneous point thereon, and responsive to the intensity of such light to produce electrical signals corresponding thereto; and feedback circuit means, connecting said light-sensitive means and the television tube including means to cyclically pulse the tube to effectuate the emission of said sampling beams, and to cyclically modulate the intensity of the screen illumination at each screen point corresponding to the instantaneous image point upon which each sampling beam is focused in accordance with the intensity of the signals generated by said lightsensitive means to reproduce the image upon the television screen; and a high pass filter juxtaposed between the light sensitive means and the feedback circuit means adapted to filter out that portion of each signal generated by the light sensitive means during the decay time of each sampling beam, to avoid screen persistance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, in which the light-sensitive means comprises a photoelectric cell adapted to generate an electrical current proportional in magnitude to the intensity of scanned light received by it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, in which second focusing means are provided to refocus each sampling beam contacting the image upon the light-sensitive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 including a video amplifier adapted to boost the electrical signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, which the feedback circuit means comprises a sample and hold subcircuit adapted to cyclically produce constant magnitude sample pulses to energize the brightness level of the television screen to emit said sampling beams, to store each electrical signal generated by the light-sensitive means for the duration of each sample pulse, and to emit an output pulse corresponding in magnitude to the signal generated by the light-sensitive means upon cessation of said sample pulse to energize the television screen to a brightness level corresponding to the tonal characteristics of the image at the point upon which the immediately preceeding sampling beam was focused, the succession of such points thereby reproducing the image on said screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 in which the constant level sample pulses emitted by the sample and hold subcircuit energize the screen to produce sampling beams of substantially maximum intensity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system in accordance with claim 5, in which the feedback circuit means further comprises a pulse generator adapted to cyclically emit a control pulse which activates the sample and hold subcircuit to produce said sample pulses, and to store the resultant signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system in accordance with claim 5, in which the sample and hold subcircuit produces output pulses having a duration of at least approximately six times greater than the duration of the sample pulse, so that the screen point representing the reproduction of the corresponding image point rather than the samplng beam dominates the viewer''s perception.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, in which the television tube normally produces minimum intensity screen points between sampling beams, and the feedback circuit means is adapted to increase the screen intensity at such points in direct proportion to the intensity of the signals generated by said light-sensitive means to reproduce a positive image from a positive image and a negative image from a Negative image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, in which the television tube is adapted to normally produce maximum intensity screen points between sampling beams, and the feedback circuit means is adapted to decrease the screen intensity at such points in direct proportion to the intensity of the signals generated by said light-sensitive means to reproduce a positive image from a negative image and vice versa.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, including means for holding image bearing media in a position to receive the sampling beams emitted from said screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system in accordance with claim 11, in which said holding means comprises a film gate for photographic transparencies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 12, in which the film gate, focusing means, and light-sensitive means comprise at least a portion of an optical pickup and feedback unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 12, further comprising means for receiving a slide magazine; means for indexing said slide magazine to advance any desired slide into position for viewing; and slide changing means to transport said selected slide between the slide magazine and the film gate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 12, further comprising means for receiving a supply of motion picture film; means for advancing said motion picture film through the film gate to reproduce the image contained on each frame thereof on the television screen; and shutter means to prevent screen illumination during movement of said motion picture film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 11, in which the light-sensitive means is positioned to receive only that portion of the sampling beams reflected from the image-bearing media.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
205 words
A video reproduction system for displaying color photographic and other color images on a color television screen comprising: a color television tube having red, blue and green electron guns adapted to cyclically and sequentially emit a multiplicity of individual red, blue and green sampling beams from its screen raster during each scan thereof; means to focus said sampling beams upon a color-bearing image to be reproduced; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such portion of each sampling beam which is focused upon the image, representing the tonal density and color hue of the image at any instantaneous point thereon, and responsive to the intensity of such red, blue and green light to produce electrical signals corresponding in magnitude thereto; and feedback circuit means, connecting said light-sensitive means and the color television tube, including means to cyclically and sequentially pulse the red, blue and green electron guns to effectuate the emission of said sampling beams and to cyclically and sequentially modulate the intensity of the red, blue and green light, respectively, illuminating each scren point to the instantaneous image point upon which each sampling beam is focused in accordance with the magnitude of the signals produced by said light-sensitive means to reproduce the color image the screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
205 words
A video reproduction system for displaying color photographic and other color images on a color television screen comprising: a color television tube having red, blue and green electron guns adapted to cyclically and sequentially emit a multiplicity of individual red, blue and green sampling beams from its screen raster during each scan thereof; means to focus said sampling beams upon a color-bearing image to be reproduced; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such portion of each sampling beam which is focused upon the image, representing the tonal density and color hue of the image at any instantaneous point thereon, and responsive to the intensity of such red, blue and green light to produce electrical signals corresponding in magnitude thereto; and feedback circuit means, connecting said light-sensitive means and the color television tube, including means to cyclically and sequentially pulse the red, blue and green electron guns to effectuate the emission of said sampling beams and to cyclically and sequentially modulate the intensity of the red, blue and green light, respectively, illuminating each scren point to the instantaneous image point upon which each sampling beam is focused in accordance with the magnitude of the signals produced by said light-sensitive means to reproduce the color image the screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, in which the light-sensitive means comprises a photoelectric cell adapted to generate an electrical current proportional in magnitude to the intensity of scanned light received by it.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, in which second focusing means are provided to refocus each sampling beam contacting the image upon the light-sensitive means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 17 including a video amplifier adapted to boost the electrical signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
159 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, in which the feedback circuit means comprises first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits, each adapted to cyclically and sequentially produce constant magnitude sample pulses to energize the brightness level of the red, blue and green electron guns of the television tube, respectively, to emit said red, blue and green sampling beams, each adapted tO store the respective electrical signal generated by the light-sensitive means for the duration of its sample pulse, and each adapted to emit an output pulse corresponding in magnitude to the signal generated by the light-sensitive means upon cessation of its sample pulse to energize the red, blue and green electron guns, respectively, of the television tube to a brightness level corresponding to the tonal density and color hue of the image at the point upon which the immediately preceeding sampling beam was focused, the succession of such points thereby reproducing the color image on said screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 21 in which the constant level sample pulses emitted by the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits energize the red, blue and green electron guns, respectively, to produce sampling beams of substantially maximum intensity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system in accordance with claim 21, in which the feedback circuit means further comprises a pulse generator adapted to cyclically emit a control pulse which sequentially activates the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuit to produce said sample pulses, and to store the resultant signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system in accordance with claim 21, in which each of the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits produces output pulses the duration of which are at least approximately six times greater than the duration of the sample pulse produced by each of said sample and hold subcircuits, so that the screen point representing the reproduction of the corresponding image point rather than the sampling beam dominates the viewer''s perception.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a high pass filter juxtaposed between the light-sensitive means and the feedback circuit means adapted to filter out that portion of each signal generated by the light-sensitive means during the decay time of each sampling beam, to avoid screen persistance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, in which red, blue and green electron guns of the tube normally produce minimum intensity screen points between sampling beams, and the feedback circuit means is adapted to increase the screen intensity of the signals generated by said light-sensitive means to reproduce a positive color image from a positive color image and a negative color image from a negative color image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, in which the red, blue and green electrode guns of the television tube are adapted to normally produce maximum intensity screen points between sampling beams, and the feedback circuit means is adapted to decrease the screen intensity of the signals generated by said light-sensitive means to reproduce a positive color image from a negative color image and vica versa.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 17, including means for holding color image bearing media in a position to receive the sampling beams emitted from the said screen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system in accoredance with claim 28, in which said holding means comprises a film gate for photographic transparencies.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 29, in which the film gate, focusing means, and a light-sensitive means comprises at least a portion of an optical pickup and feedback unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 29, further comprising means for receiving a slide magazine; means for indexing said slide magazine to advance any desired slide into position for viewing; and slide changing menas to transport said selected slide between the slide magazine and the film gate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 29, further comprising means for receiving a supply of motion picture film; means for advancing said motion picture film through the film gate to reproduce the image contained on each frame thereon on the television screen; ans shutter means to precent screen illumination during movement of said motion picture film.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 28, in which the light-sensitive meAns is positioned to receive only that portion of the sampling beams reflected from the image-bearing media.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
215 words
A television entertainment system adapted for conventional black-and-shite and color reception, and video reproduction of photographic black-and-white and color film transparencies comprising: a color television unit having red, blue and green electron guns adapted to emit pulsating scanning light; means for alternatively selecting a conventional T.V. reception mode and a video reproduction mode; a film gate positioned to receive such scanning light from the screen of the color television unit; means for focusing said scanning light upon image-bearing transparent film disposed within the gate; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such color light which passes through the film, representing the tonal density and color hue of the image at an instantanesous point thereon responsive to such color light to generate electrical signals corresponding in magnitude thereto; feedback circuit means connecting said light-sensitive means, and the color television tube, including means to cyclically and sequentially pulse the red, blue and green electron guns to effectuate the emission of said pulsating light and to cyclically and sequentially modulate the intensity of the red, blue and green light, respectively, illuminating each screen point corresponding to the instantaneous image point upon which the pulsating light is focused in accordance with the magnitude of the signals produced by said light sensitive means to reproduce the color image upon the television screen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
215 words
A television entertainment system adapted for conventional black-and-shite and color reception, and video reproduction of photographic black-and-white and color film transparencies comprising: a color television unit having red, blue and green electron guns adapted to emit pulsating scanning light; means for alternatively selecting a conventional T.V. reception mode and a video reproduction mode; a film gate positioned to receive such scanning light from the screen of the color television unit; means for focusing said scanning light upon image-bearing transparent film disposed within the gate; light-sensitive means positioned to receive such color light which passes through the film, representing the tonal density and color hue of the image at an instantanesous point thereon responsive to such color light to generate electrical signals corresponding in magnitude thereto; feedback circuit means connecting said light-sensitive means, and the color television tube, including means to cyclically and sequentially pulse the red, blue and green electron guns to effectuate the emission of said pulsating light and to cyclically and sequentially modulate the intensity of the red, blue and green light, respectively, illuminating each screen point corresponding to the instantaneous image point upon which the pulsating light is focused in accordance with the magnitude of the signals produced by said light sensitive means to reproduce the color image upon the television screen.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 34, in which means are included for directing the scanning light from the television screen to the focusing means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 35, in which the light directing means is a reflective surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 34 further comprising means for receiving a slide magazine; means for indexing said slide magazine to advance any desired slide into position for viewing; and slide changing means to transport said selected slide between the slide magazine and the film gate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 34 further comprising means for receiving a supply of motion picture film; means for advancing said motion picture film through the film gate to reproduce the image contained on each frame thereof on the television screen; and shutter means to prevent screen illumination during movement of said motion picture film.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 34 including a video amplifier adapted to boost the electrical signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
158 words
A system in accordance with claim 34 in which the feedback circuit means comprises first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits, each adapted to cyclically and sequentially produce constant magnitude sample pulses to energize the brightness level of the red, blue and green electron guns of the television tube, respectively, to emit red, blue and green sampling beams, each adapted to store the respective electrical signal generated by the light-sensitive means for the duration of its sample pulse, and each adapted to emit an output pulse corresponding in magnitude to the signal generated by the light-sensitive means upon cessation of its sample pulse to energize the red, blue and green electron guns, respectively, of the television tube to a brightness level corresponding to the tonal density and color hue of the image at the point upon which the immediately preceeding sampling beam was focused, the succession of such points thereby reproducing the color image on said screen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 40 in which the constant level sample pulses emitted by the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits energize the red, blue and green electron guns, respectively, to produce sampling beams of substantially maximum intensity.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system in accordance with claim 40 in which the feedback circuit means furtHer comprises a pulse generator adapted to cyclically emit a control pulse which sequentially activates the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuit to produce said sample pulses, and to store the resultant signals generated by the light-sensitive means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system in accordance with claim 40 in which each of the first, second and third sample and hold subcircuits produces output pulses the duration of which are at least approximately six times greater than the duration of the sample pulse produced by each of the said sample and hold subcircuits so that the screen point representing the reproduction of the corresponding image point rather than the sampling beam dominates the viewer''s perception.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system in accordance with claim 40, further comprising a high pass filter juxtaposed between the light sensitive means and the feedback circuit means adapted to filter out that portion of each signal generated by the light-sensitive means during the decay time of each sampling beam, to avoid screen persistance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2757571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |