US3820123A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser microfilm recorder
Assignee: MICROGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY Corp FORMERLY KNOWN AS AJRO ACQUISITION CORPORATION A CORP OF
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Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An optical printer system for producing microfilm hard copy from information signals presented at a high data rate. An entire frame of information is printed line-by-line, each line being recorded character-by-character, each character being recorded column-by-column from a potential M-by-N matrix array by sweeping a column of M selectively actuated narrow beams of coherent light derived from a single laser source transversely of the film and successively repositioning the column in the longitudinal direction. A transverse position detector provides precise positioning signals for initiating generation of successive characters so that each character is precisely positioned on the film within an accuracy of the width of a single beam column space. A form image is projected onto the film at the end of a complete frame of characters. The accuracy of character positioning provided by the system ensures character alignment with the form image. The intensity of the character formation beams permits the use of dry process photographic film.
Inventors
- 👤 S Ammann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:54
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B19/00; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An optical printer system for projecting character images derived from character input information onto an exposure surface in the form of elemental character segments, said system comprising: means including a clock for specifying successive characters to be projected onto said surface at a rate determined by said clock; means coupled to said character specifying means for generating a plurality of segment forming beams of coherent radiation arranged substantially co-linearly; first projection means for sweeping said beams asynchronously relative to said clock along a line in a direction substantially transverse of the direction of co-linearity from an initial beam reference position; second projection means for positioning said beams in successive line positions in a direction substantially parallel to said direction of co-linearity; means for generating transverse position signals representative of the instantaneous position of said beam sweeping means; and means responsive to said transverse position signals for enabling said character specifying means to initiate projection of successive characters in a line at predetermined transverse positions spaced at substantially constant intervals from the initial portion of the preceding character in said line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An optical printer system for projecting character images derived from character input information onto an exposure surface in the form of elemental character segments, said system comprising: means including a clock for specifying successive characters to be projected onto said surface at a rate determined by said clock; means coupled to said character specifying means for generating a plurality of segment forming beams of coherent radiation arranged substantially co-linearly; first projection means for sweeping said beams asynchronously relative to said clock along a line in a direction substantially transverse of the direction of co-linearity from an initial beam reference position; second projection means for positioning said beams in successive line positions in a direction substantially parallel to said direction of co-linearity; means for generating transverse position signals representative of the instantaneous position of said beam sweeping means; and means responsive to said transverse position signals for enabling said character specifying means to initiate projection of successive characters in a line at predetermined transverse positions spaced at substantially constant intervals from the initial portion of the preceding character in said line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said character specifying means comprises a buffer storage device for storing said characters, said buffer storage device having means for manifesting successive ones of said characters at the output thereof, buffer control means for controlling the character manifested at said output of said buffer storage device, a character memory for storing a font of characters, said character memory having an input coupled to the output of said buffer storage device and an output for manifesting successive groups of character sequence specifying signals for each said character, and means for generating sequential signals for controlling the manifestation of said groups of character sequence specifying signals at said output of said character memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said character memory comprises A read only memory device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first projection means comprises a moveable mirror positioned in the transmission path of said beams for controlling the deflection thereof and means for controlling the motion of said mirror in a periodic manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said mirror control means includes a free running ramp signal generator for generating a regularly periodic saw tooth control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said second projection means comprises a second moveable mirror positioned in the transmission path of said beams, and means for controlling the position of said second mirror in an incremental manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said second mirror control means includes a counter, means for incrementing said counter at the end of each said line, and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to said counter for converting the count held by said counter to a control signal having a different level for each said line position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first projection means includes a mirror, and said means for generating transverse position signals comprises a grating, means for projecting an image of a portion of said grating towards said mirror, and photosensitive means positioned to receive the light reflected from said mirror and transmitted through said grating for generating a periodic wave form representative of the instantaneous position of said mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said beam generating means comprises an accousto-optic modulator, and means responsive to said character specifying means for generating signals for controlling said accousto-optic modulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 further including projector means for projecting an image of a predetermined form onto said exposure surface, and means for actuating said projector means after the last character in the last line has been projected onto said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an optical printer system having means for generating a succession of light images of characters to be printed, means for projecting said images onto an exposure surface and means including a mirror for positioning successive ones of said images along a line on said exposure surface, the improvement comprising means responsive to the instantaneous position of said positioning means for generating character initiation signals for enabling the generation of each one of said succession of light images, said last-named means including a grating, means for projecting an image of a portion of said grating towards said mirror, and photosensitive means positioned to receive the light reflected from said mirror and transmitted through said grating for generating a periodic wave form representative of the instantaneous position of said mirror.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an optical printer system having means for generating a succession of light images of characters to be printed, means for projecting said images onto an exposure surface and means including a mirror for positioning successive ones of said images along a line on said exposure surface, the improvement comprising means responsive to the instantaneous position of said positioning means for generating character initiation signals for enabling the generation of each one of said succession of light images, said last-named means including a grating, means for projecting an image of a portion of said grating towards said mirror, and photosensitive means positioned to receive the light reflected from said mirror and transmitted through said grating for generating a periodic wave form representative of the instantaneous position of said mirror.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |