Automatic searching film reader

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transient source of information is a moving strip of film having a series of information images and a coding system to identify each of said images and wherein said observation means includes a scanning device for detecting said coding system as associated with each information image in the strip of film and a comparator device for comparing the detected image coding with a known coding of a desired information image and producing a signal when said detected image coding and said known coding are in agreement.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said photoconductor-liquid crystal display panels in said series of display panels includes a layered structure having in order: a first transparent electrode, a layer of photoconductor material in contiguous relation with said first transparent electrode, a layer of liquid crystal material in contiguous relation with said photoconductor material, and a second transparent electrode in contiguous relation with said liquid crystal material; and a power source for supplying a potential between said transparent electrodes to activate said display panel to render it effective to record and store an image projected thereon, and wherein each of said photoconductor-liquid crystal display panels in said series further includes readying means for placing the display panel in a condition in which it may be activated.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the liquid crystal material of said photoconductor-liquid crystal display panel is comprised of a combination of nematic liquid crystal material and cholesteric liquid material so as to permit said display panel to store the image recorded thereon.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4, further including an A.C. power source selectively and independently connectable to each of said photoconductor-liquid crystal display panels for applying an A.C. potential between the transparent electrodes thereof, said potential being of such a frequency as to effect erasing of an image stored in said display panel.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for projecting each determined desired information image includes a projection radiation source, activating means responsive to said signal from said comparator device for selectively activating said projection radiation source when each desired information image is detected by said comparator device, and a multi-positional mirror system positionable so as to selectively provide a projection path between said projection radiation source and each of said series of photoconductor-liquid crystal display panels.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said multipositional mirror system includes positioning means for adjusting the position of said mirror system about two perpendicular axes thereof; and wherein said means for projecting each determined desired information image further includes a logic arrangement for controlling the activation of said positioning means to position said multi-positional mirror system in relation to a particular display panel of said series of photoconductor-liquid crystal display panels so as to permit a determined desired information image to be projected onto said panel, said logic means further controlling said readying means so as to activate the corresponding panel toward which the information image is directed by said multi-positional mirror.