Patent US3838402A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3838402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film strip read-out apparatus with movable optical element
Assignee: Ferranti International PLC
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Filing: 1972-07-14
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Information storage apparatus has display information stored on a length of film and displayed by passing light from a source through the film and onto a viewing screen. The film also carries encoded digital information which is read out by modifying the optical system so that light from the source passing through the film is directed onto a plurality of light-sensitive devices.
Inventors
- 👤 C Gracie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C17/00; G11C17/005; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/20; G01C21/22; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03B17/245; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/004; G11B7/005; G11B7/08; G11B7/12; G11B7/135; G11B7/1356; G11B7/1381; G11B7/14; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/048; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/24; G03B2217/242; G03B2217/243; G03B2217/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Information storage apparatus which includes a strip of film carrying information to be displayed and encoded digital information, a viewing screen, a light source and an optical system arranged to project an image of at least part of the display information onto the screen, means for moving the film in two coordinate directions so as to display on the screen any required part of the information carried by the film, a plurality of light-sensitive devices located away from the axis of the optical system and extending in a direction transverse to the length of the film, and means for modifying the said optical system in such a manner that light from the light source may be focussed on the film and thence onto the plurality of lightsensitive devices to read out the encoded digital information, said last-named means comprising a movable optical element normally disposed away from the axis of the optical system and movable to a position for diverting all of the light passing through the film away from the screen and onto the lightsensitive devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Information storage apparatus which includes a strip of film carrying information to be displayed and encoded digital information, a viewing screen, a light source and an optical system arranged to project an image of at least part of the display information onto the screen, means for moving the film in two coordinate directions so as to display on the screen any required part of the information carried by the film, a plurality of light-sensitive devices located away from the axis of the optical system and extending in a direction transverse to the length of the film, and means for modifying the said optical system in such a manner that light from the light source may be focussed on the film and thence onto the plurality of lightsensitive devices to read out the encoded digital information, said last-named means comprising a movable optical element normally disposed away from the axis of the optical system and movable to a position for diverting all of the light passing through the film away from the screen and onto the lightsensitive devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for diverting the light path comprises a reflector movable to a position in which it intersects the light path between the film and the screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the reflector is a mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the reflector is a prism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 4 which includes a second plurality of light-sensitive devices, the prism being arranged to divert light having different optical characteristics separately to the first and second pluralities of light-sensitive devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which light reaching the prism is of different colors, each plurality of light-sensitive devices having a color filter associated therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
Information storage apparatus which includes a strip of film carrying information to be displayed and encoded digital information, a viewing screen, a light source and an optiCal system arranged to project an image of at least part of the display information onto the screen, means for moving the film in two coordinate directions so as to display any part thereof on the screen, a plurality of light-sensitive devices located away from the axis of the optical system, and said optical system including a movable optical element normally disposed adjacent the axis of the optical system and movable into a position along said axis to intersect the light path between the film and the screen and to divert all of the light passing through the film away from the screen and onto the light-sensitive devices, said light-sensitive devices being located in such a manner that the light from the light source is focussed on the film and thence onto the plurality of light-sensitive devices to read out the encoded digital information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
Information storage apparatus which includes a strip of film carrying information to be displayed and encoded digital information, a viewing screen, a light source and an optiCal system arranged to project an image of at least part of the display information onto the screen, means for moving the film in two coordinate directions so as to display any part thereof on the screen, a plurality of light-sensitive devices located away from the axis of the optical system, and said optical system including a movable optical element normally disposed adjacent the axis of the optical system and movable into a position along said axis to intersect the light path between the film and the screen and to divert all of the light passing through the film away from the screen and onto the light-sensitive devices, said light-sensitive devices being located in such a manner that the light from the light source is focussed on the film and thence onto the plurality of light-sensitive devices to read out the encoded digital information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the means for diverting the light path comprises a reflector movable to a position in which it intersects the light path between the film and the screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the reflector is a mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the reflector is a prism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 10 which includes a second plurality of light-sensitive devices, the prism being arranged to divert light having different optical characteristics separately to the first and second pluralities of light-sensitive devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Information storage apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which light reaching the prism is of different colors, each plurality of light-sensitive devices having a color filter associated therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |